Qin Liangyu was enthusiastically recounting Qin Shi Huang's glorious deeds.
Yuan Shikai could only go along with her, wearing an expression of sudden realization.
Qin Liangyu spoke of how the people of Great Qin were simple and honest, how no one picked up lost belongings, and how doors were never locked at night.
But Yuan Shikai knew it was because Qin Shi Huang had strangled the people's desires at the source.
Qin Liangyu went on about how the people revered His Majesty, how everyone had to gaze upon His Majesty's face every day.
Yuan Shikai also knew that Qin Shi Huang had burned books and buried scholars, completely cutting off the people's chance to receive an education and controlling everything about them.
Qin Liangyu kept talking without pause, while Yuan Shikai let her words go in one ear and out the other.
Whenever Qin Liangyu grew excited, he even had to put on a look of surprise.
By the end, Yuan Shikai had started brushing her off, simply responding with, "Yes, yes, yes."
Qin Liangyu could see that he was being perfunctory, but she still had to say what needed to be said.
Then she suddenly noticed Yuan Shikai listening with renewed vigor. He even raised questions now and then, as though he had finally become serious.
In truth, it was because Yuan Shikai had felt an inexplicable sense of being watched. There was a high chance Qin Shi Huang was secretly observing him.
If he was going to put on an act, he had to see it through. For now, he would play along and wait until his goal was achieved.
And so, for the rest of the journey, one spoke diligently while the other listened attentively, and they arrived harmoniously at Xianyang's gates.
The villages they passed along