The magnificent, lavishly adorned carriage set out from Xianyang City once more, passed through Hangu Pass, and headed east from Luoyang toward the former lands of Qi and Luo. The First Emperor intended to erect stone inscriptions recording his achievements among the famous mountains and great rivers of the east once again.
Watching the mountains recede behind him, the First Emperor recalled his lifetime of achievements. Subduing the Seven States amounted to little, but he had divided all within the seas into commanderies and counties, making everyone under heaven Qin people, no longer separated into so many different peoples of different states. That was his achievement.
He had struck north against the Xiongnu and campaigned south against Baiyue. Though Baiyue had yet to be fully conquered, countless barbarians had perished, and the territory within Great Qin's control had expanded enormously. In terms of territorial expansion alone, it equaled a third of what the entire Zhou Dynasty had accomplished in a thousand years, yet he had taken only a few years.
At this thought, even the First Emperor could not help looking a little pleased with himself. This was the tremendous power that the commandery-county system and the Qin system could unleash.
For the First Emperor now, the most important matter was no longer expanding his territory or undertaking sweeping institutional reforms, but seeking an elixir of immortality and obtaining eternal life.
As long as he could live forever, he could accomplish countless feats in this world. Surely the myriad commoners under heaven would rejoice and cheer, since they would be living under the rule of a Sage King.
Zhao Gao came over to deliver a report to the First Emperor. "Your Majesty, we are approaching the former site of Zhao City in Luo State."
Although the First Emperor had forbidden