Chapter 38: Xianyang

"Indeed!" Zhao Gao urged, "Your Highness must prepare generous gifts for tomorrow to secure their favor! These people..."

"I know, I know," Hu Hai waved a hand impatiently, swaying as he stood up. "They are just a few insignificant nobodies. I shall simply grant them some gold and silver."

Tipsy, he draped an arm over Zhao Gao's shoulder. "Rest assured, Teacher... I shall... *hic*... go meet them tomorrow."

Watching Hu Hai in his drunken stupor, Zhao Gao furrowed his brows. He patiently straightened the prince's disheveled robes. "Your Highness, remember: these people may be the key to fulfilling your desires. You must treat them well and win their friendship."

At the first light of dawn, as the gates of Xianyang opened, a squad of elite cavalry galloped out, heading straight for the post house in the east of the city. The man in the lead, dressed in black and wearing a bronze sword at his waist, was none other than the renowned Meng Yi.

The Qin soldiers outside the post house saw the standards from afar and hurried to inform their captain.

"This subordinate greets the Minister!" The captain quickly straightened his attire and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

Meng Yi dismounted with agility and asked in a low voice, "Where are the holders of the Black Iron Token?"

"They are still asleep," the captain said, stealing a glance at Meng Yi’s expression. "Shall I wake them?"

Meng Yi raised a hand to stop him. "No need."

He handed his horse to an attendant. "I shall wait here."

The wait lasted for an hour.

As the sun rose higher, movement finally stirred within the post house.

Jiang Ye was the first to emerge, stretching his arms as he stepped into the main hall. His eyes lit up when he saw Meng Yi sitting in the center. "Lord Meng!"

"Young Master Jiang." Meng Yi stood to return the greeting, a hint of a smile appearing on his stern face. "Two months have passed, and you look as spirited as ever."

As they exchanged pleasantries, footsteps echoed from the courtyard behind.

Zhang Huaiming and the other five arrived together. They were startled by the presence of the army in the hall, but their attention was quickly drawn to Meng Yi’s imposing figure.

Jiang Ye beckoned them over and introduced them. "This is Meng Yi. Minister Meng, these are the group members I have brought this time."

"Meng Yi?!" Li Qingyi exclaimed in surprise.

Even these seasoned executives, accustomed to great storms, could not help but feel a surge of excitement at meeting a historical figure.

Jiang Yijun stepped forward and bowed in the Qin manner. "I am Jiang Yijun. I have long admired your great reputation, my lord!"

Meng Yi reached out to steady him. "There is no need for such formalities."

Zhao Hong followed suit. "The names of you and your brother, Meng Tian, are legendary. To meet you today is truly the honor of my life."

After the pleasantries, Meng Yi turned to Jiang Ye. "His Majesty has heard of your return and has specifically ordered me to welcome you. The carriages are ready; we may enter Xianyang at any time."

Zhang Huaiming and the others stirred with excitement at these words.

"We are actually going to see the First Emperor!" Zhou Xingfu could not contain his thrill.

Jiang Ye nodded slightly. "Yes."

They were about to meet the First Emperor of Qin, the Emperor of the Ages!

The six executives exchanged glances, thinking that this two-day tour of the Qin Dynasty, costing only four thousand yuan, was an absolute bargain.

Just as they were speaking, a commotion arose from the back.

Qiao Wenbai and the other three walked in from the courtyard, still rubbing sleep from their eyes. Feng Yiming was still tying his sash. "Why is everyone getting up so early? I haven't even finished sleeping."

Soon, all four pairs of eyes locked onto Meng Yi in the center of the hall.

Wu Jie blinked, feeling that the person before him looked very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Qiao Wenbai was the first to react, pointing at Meng Yi and shouting, "Meng Yi! It really is Meng Yi!"

Geng Cang was so excited he could barely speak. "He looks exactly like the photo! No, he’s even more imposing than the photo!"

Meng Yi was taken aback by this sudden enthusiasm and furrowed his brows. "Young friends, do you know me?"

"We do! We know you very well!" Feng Yiming gestured wildly. "Jiang Kai showed us a group photo!"

"Jiang Kai?" Meng Yi’s expression softened instantly. He took a step forward. "You are friends of Young Master Jiang?"

Qiao Wenbai nodded excitedly. "We are best friends! He specifically asked us to bring you many gifts!"

He turned as if to run back to the guest room. "I’ll go get them now..."

"Wait." Jiang Ye grabbed him by the collar. "We’ll deal with the gifts once we reach Xianyang."

He then looked at Meng Yi. "These boys are a bit reckless; please forgive them, Minister."

Meng Yi laughed heartily. "Since they are brothers of Young Master Jiang, they are family."

He patted Qiao Wenbai’s shoulder kindly. "How has Young Master Jiang been lately?"

"He’s doing great!" Wu Jie squeezed to the front. "He kept talking about wanting to come back to see you and bring you good things. It’s a pity he didn’t have the chance this time."

"Hahaha, it is kind of Young Master Jiang to remember me," Meng Yi said with a hearty laugh.

Jiang Ye looked at the sky and interrupted the reminiscence at the right moment. "Alright, let’s pack our bags and get ready to leave. Minister Meng just said His Majesty wishes to see you."

Qiao Wenbai and the others were both surprised and delighted.

"Hahaha, we’re going to see the Great Ancestral Dragon!"

Wu Jie and Geng Cang hugged each other in excitement. "We are about to witness history."

Watching them, Meng Yi couldn't help but think of Jiang Kai and the others, who had been just the same.

These descendants from the future seemed to hold an extraordinary reverence for His Majesty. It made him quite curious about how history would evaluate his Emperor.

The group happily returned to their rooms to pack their belongings.

Watching their hurried, retreating backs, Meng Yi couldn't help but chuckle. "They have quite the spirit of Young Master Jiang and his friends."

Jiang Ye laughed. "Hahaha, that is all thanks to His Majesty’s charisma."

The carriage wheels rolled over the thick stone slabs of Xianyang, making a dull sound. The eleven of them sat in three ornate carriages, and through the carved windows, the prosperity of Xianyang unfolded like a scroll.

Zhang Huaiming and the others pressed against the windows, eyes wide and unblinking.

On both sides of the street stood neat rammed-earth buildings, with various signs hanging from the eaves—"Qi Silk," "Chu Textiles," "Zhao Craftsmanship"—showcasing the inclusive spirit of this imperial capital.

Pedestrians made way for Meng Yi’s retinue: merchants carrying poles, women with baskets, and scholars in high caps. The air was filled with the charred scent of roasted millet cakes, the smell of tung oil from lacquerware, and the metallic tang of bronze smelting drifting from distant workshops.

"Look over there," Qiao Wenbai pointed at a street performer.

The performer was breathing fire from his mouth, and the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.

When the convoy passed through a market, the dazzling array of goods left everyone overwhelmed.

Zhou Xingfu pointed at a mountain of pottery jars and exclaimed, "Do you think if we take these back to the modern era, they’ll count as antiques?"

"Not necessarily," Zhang Huaiming shook his head.

"Why?"

Zhang Huaiming analyzed, "Antiques are defined by the passage of time. While these are authentic products of the Qin Dynasty, they lack the wear of the ages. Unless the time-space channel that brought us here adds that layer of age to them."

The others in the carriage nodded in agreement.

"That makes sense."

"What a shame."

"Why is it a shame? Just take them back and keep them as your own collection," Lin Ru said with a smile.

The carriage suddenly turned onto a wide thoroughfare. The road was paved with natural asphalt, and the wheels made almost no sound as they rolled over it.

The adjutant beside them introduced it proudly, "This is the Imperial Road that leads directly to the Efang Palace, wide enough for twelve carriages to travel side-by-side."

Just as they were lost in the wonder of this living ancient city, the sound of a horn rang out ahead.

A towering gatehouse rose from the ground, with a plaque bearing the golden characters "Xianyang Palace" on a black background hanging high above. Guards holding halberds stood like statues before the vermillion palace gates, and the black flags fluttered sharply in the wind.

"We have arrived."

The carriage slowed to a stop before the palace gates.