In the King of Qin's Palace, Qin's State Chancellor Li Si stood beside King of Qin Zheng, reviewing government reports from across the land, especially those concerning the commanderies and counties newly established in Han and Wei States.
Wang Jian knelt on his heels below them. His face bore all the weathering of his travels, and his bearing was composed, as steady and towering as a mountain.
Han had fallen, and Wei had been destroyed.
Of the six kings under Heaven, two were already gone.
Li Si was a man with an intense hunger for power. The stronger Qin State became, the greater his authority as its State Chancellor grew.
Qin State's destruction of kingdoms, sweeping through them like a blade splitting bamboo, filled Li Si with delight.
He raised his head slightly, only to find no trace of a smile on King of Qin Zheng's face.
Seated below, Wang Jian saw King of Qin Zheng's expression even more clearly. The king had truly done no more than cast a dispassionate glance at the report.
Even such joyous news as the destruction of Wei State could not move him in the slightest.
Li Si and Wang Jian could not understand it, and their hearts immediately sank.
For a minister, being unable to fathom his sovereign's thoughts was fatal.
King of Qin Zheng gently stroked the bamboo slips and suddenly said, "Chancellor, Senior General, you have followed me since before I began ruling in person.
"Now Han and Wei have fallen. This is the Senior General's achievement.
"Among the remaining Various States, Zhao State and Yan State are feeble.
"Chu State has lost all of Hanyang. Relying on Jiangdong, it is nothing but dry bones in a tomb.
"Within ten years, I will be able to subdue all under Heaven.
"Yet