"The First Emperor of Qin was a tyrant. Why would you help him? You might as well become emperor yourself rather than help him," Yi Xiaochuan asked in bewilderment.
"You never passed history, did you?"
"Bro, could you stop tearing me down? You're making me feel like I really am a disgrace to transmigrators."
Ling Yi thought, So you fucking do know.
"The First Emperor of Qin unified the six states, bringing the chaotic Central Plains together in the first true unification. That alone was a boundless achievement."
"After Qin conquered the six states, the First Emperor of Qin appointed people solely on merit. Most of the important ministers at court were former generals of the six states. That was breadth of mind..."
"Of all the emperors throughout history, none could compare with the First Emperor. He wasn't called the one emperor for the ages for nothing."
Yi Xiaochuan scratched his head. "Hearing you say that makes me want to meet this emperor for the ages even more. I wonder what sort of presence he has."
"Yeah. Hopefully, this world's First Emperor of Qin won't disappoint me too much. If he's too useless, we'll just have to do our own thing."
The First Emperor of Qin in the world of The Myth ultimately fell a little short. In every respect, he was a far cry from the emperor for the ages Ling Yi envisioned. He only hoped he wouldn't be like the one in the television drama.
"How are you planning to do it?" Yi Xiaochuan had absolutely no idea where to begin with something like this. He wasn't someone who particularly liked using his brain. To put it nicely, he followed his heart; to put it bluntly, he was thoughtless.
"I once read a novel called Transmigrated to Great Qin: The First Emperor Can Hear My Thoughts."
"There's a novel like that? Damn, the title alone sounds a little ridiculous. That can actually be a novel's title?"
Ling Yi had forgotten that Yi Xiaochuan had transmigrated from the year 2000. Webnovels hadn't taken off back then, so he certainly couldn't know about the chaotic proliferation of clickbait titles in the later webnovel scene.
"That's not important. Basically, the protagonist transmigrates to Great Qin and wants to be a salted fish, lying flat for the rest of his life, only to discover that the First Emperor of Qin can hear his thoughts..."
As Ling Yi explained, Yi Xiaochuan immediately grew interested. To someone who hadn't yet been corrupted by webnovels, this premise was simply a God Grade flight of imagination.
"How will you let the First Emperor of Qin hear your thoughts? Does your future have that kind of black technology?"
"Of course!"
"Then that's amazing. I'm kind of looking forward to it."
Around two in the afternoon, Lord Lü finally woke up. Everyone then loaded some of his belongings into the RV. Ling Yi drove at the front, while Lord Lü sat in the passenger seat giving directions.
Yi Xiaochuan drove another bus Ling Yi had produced, following behind with the remaining bandits-turned-servants.
As they talked, Lord Lü gradually grew accustomed to these novel things and began chatting and laughing freely with Ling Yi. As a wise man, Lord Lü possessed knowledge and learning that were both among the finest of this era.
Lord Lü generously shared everything he knew, including the current state of the State of Qin, conditions in various regions, and even the situation of the remnants of the six states.
Ling Yi understood that Lord Lü had discerned something and was deliberately displaying his talents.
Lord Lü was the sort of merchant who possessed exceptional strategic vision and was highly skilled at seizing opportunities.
In the original history, it was precisely his support for Liu Bang that eventually brought the Lü family to glory. A man like him had an exceptionally keen eye and was very good at observing others.
He had recognized Liu Bang's talent and ambitions when Liu Bang was down on his luck. That insight alone was already remarkable.
The RV moved at a good pace, and they hadn't been far from Pei County to begin with. Early the next morning, the RV and bus appeared in Pei County, slowly drove into town, and finally stopped outside Lord Lü's home.
To the people of this era, the RV and bus were extraordinarily novel. Many came running to watch, but their fear of the unknown kept them from coming too close. They merely watched from a distance.
The bandits continued serving as porters, carrying the belongings into the courtyard, while Yi Xiaochuan bustled about helping here and there.
"Coming to Pei County from my old home in Shandong, I have effectively severed my former roots. I don't know what I should do in the future," Lord Lü said with a sigh.
"With your exceptional insight, Lord Lü, you surely already have a plan. Given your reputation, you need only raise your arm and call, and you'll soon become a prominent figure in Pei County. Reputation is a fine thing. Sometimes, it can accomplish more than money or power."
"Haha, you are the truly extraordinary one, Young Master Ling. You strike straight to the heart of the matter and see everything with perfect clarity." Lord Lü laughed, admiring Ling Yi all the more.
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded beside Ling Yi and Lord Lü.
"I am Liu Bang, pavilion chief of Sishui. My greetings to you both."
Ling Yi and Lord Lü looked over at the same time. Ling Yi's gaze was appraising, while Lord Lü frowned slightly.
Liu Bang's clothes were far too shabby. He looked less like a pavilion chief than a vagabond.
The realm at this time was divided into thirty-six commanderies, and Sishui was one of them. The position of Sishui pavilion chief was roughly equivalent to a village chief, responsible for construction, patrols, public security, guarding granaries, and other such duties.
"I am Lü Wen, courtesy name Shuping. I have only just arrived in Pei County, and I hope for your kind assistance." Lord Lü introduced himself.
"So you are Lord Lü! I have long heard of your great reputation. To think I would meet you in person today-this truly is good fortune earned over three lifetimes."
Liu Bang had heard of Lord Lü. After all, Lord Lü had businesses and a residence in Pei County, and he was very skilled at cultivating his reputation. His renown in Pei County was not much less than in his ancestral home.
"You flatter me, Pavilion Chief."
Liu Bang was quite respectful toward educated men like these. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lord Lü, he changed the subject and asked, "May I ask whether you have come to visit friends and relatives, or to settle here permanently?"
"To settle permanently!"
"Excellent. Our Pei County finally has a distinguished man presiding here. Later, I must ask for your cooperation in registering your servants and family members. It is part of my duties, so I hope you will be understanding."
A pavilion chief's duties did indeed include registering lists of people coming and going, work equivalent to household registration.
"Of course."
"Lord Lü, may I ask what this is, and why it is so enormous? I saw it moving on its own earlier, and I am truly most curious." Liu Bang finally steered the conversation toward the RV.
"This is a mechanical carriage. It can carry goods and passengers and travel a thousand li a day. It belongs to Young Master Ling." Lord Lü glanced toward Ling Yi respectfully.
Liu Bang cupped his fists toward Ling Yi. "Greetings, Young Master Ling. I never imagined you were a successor to the Duke of Lu."
Ling Yi nodded but said nothing.
Inwardly, however, he couldn't help marveling. Though Liu Bang was currently a layabout, he was a remarkably socially adept one. He was highly skilled at reading expressions and choosing his words. In modern society, he would undoubtedly have been an exceptionally formidable marketing genius.
Lord Lü loved money, and Liu Bang was skilled at selling himself. No wonder the two had become allies upon their first meeting in history.
Afterward, with Liu Bang actively spreading the word, news of Lord Lü settling in Pei County quickly circulated.
Soon, members of some of the local great clans came to pay their respects in an unending stream.
Ling Yi couldn't be bothered to waste words with these people and chatted with Yi Xiaochuan and Lü Su in the back courtyard instead.
As for Lü Zhi, she joined Lord Lü in welcoming and seeing off guests, entertaining the local rich and powerful.
Lü Zhi liked power and was also highly skilled at handling such matters. It was a gift. In all the Lü family's affairs, great and small, she had as much say as Lord Lü.
Lü Su was different. She was a quiet girl who wouldn't say a single unnecessary word to someone she didn't know well.
Yi Xiaochuan had no resistance to beautiful women, but he could see that Lü Su seemed to pay more attention to Ling Yi, stealing glances at him now and then. As a scumbag, he naturally understood that she had fallen for Ling Yi.
"Miss Susu, you promised to play a game with me, but you keep looking at Ling Yi over and over. Isn't that going a little too far?" Yi Xiaochuan teased.
Lü Su instantly blushed. "I... I haven't."
"Looks like this game can't go on. I'll go see what's happening out front instead of staying here as your third wheel." With that, Yi Xiaochuan gave Ling Yi a knowing look and left the back courtyard, chuckling.
Lü Su lowered her head, her face as red as an apple. Remembering what had happened to her in the original plot, Ling Yi couldn't help feeling a little tenderness for her.
She was a good girl who dared to love and hate, steadfast and brave.
Since he had come to this world, he naturally wouldn't let Lü Su meet a tragic end again.
"I'm leaving for Xianyang tomorrow."
At those words, Lü Su trembled and looked up at Ling Yi. "Young Master Ling, you saved our family's lives. Please stay a little longer so that we can properly entertain you and repay your kindness."
"Sorry. It isn't that I don't want to stay longer, but time won't allow it."
Lü Su was reluctant to part with him. That day, when she had been in despair, Ling Yi had appeared out of nowhere and turned back the raging tide, leaving an indelible impression on her heart.
And Ling Yi was handsome, graceful, immensely talented, and ambitious. Lü Su had fallen for him at first sight.
After his experiences with Sister Dongfang, Black Widow, and Zhiruo, Ling Yi hardly dared to get involved with women from other worlds anymore. Yet he had a different sort of feeling for Lü Su.
He supposed anyone who had watched The Myth would have a deep impression of this girl. Who could withstand-or rather, turn down-such an adorable girl who made their heart ache?
"If you're willing, you can leave with me."
"Mm!" Joy filled Lü Su's heart. She shyly lowered her head and murmured her assent, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. If Ling Yi hadn't had good hearing, he probably wouldn't have heard it.
"Haha!" Seeing how adorable Lü Su looked, Ling Yi couldn't help laughing aloud.
He reached out and took her small hand in his. "Come on, let's go see Lord Lü. It wouldn't be right to carry off his daughter without saying a word."