Upon hearing Tian Jian's request,
Ying Zheng let out a light chuckle and said, "The King of Qi surrendered to Qin, sparing both nations from the ravages of war and uniting all of China under one rule. This act has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and is a great merit."
"Today"
"I decree that the King of Qi shall be granted the title of Marquis of Anle, a hereditary title to be passed down through his legitimate descendants. Furthermore, his heirs, unless guilty of treason or rebellion, shall be granted one exemption from the death penalty."
"As for the land of the King of Qi's clan, I bestow Luoyi as their place of residence. The wealth and treasures he has brought shall remain his own."
"As long as the Qi clan abides by the laws of Qin, they shall be treated with benevolence and favor."
Upon hearing this,
Tian Jian immediately knelt, his face filled with gratitude.
"Your Majesty's boundless grace,"
"The Tian clan shall never forget this kindness!"
He bowed deeply, overcome with emotion.
At this moment, Tian Jian fully understood the advantage of surrendering willingly.
The rulers of the other states that had been crushed by Qin's armies had met grim fates.
The King of Yan was dead. The King of Chu was dead.
The remaining monarchs were imprisoned, locked away in dungeons where they would likely never see the light of day again.
But he had chosen to surrender.
And in return, he was not only free but granted wealth and status. This was exactly what Tian Jian had hoped for.
"Luoyi shall serve as the residence for the Marquis of Anle and his clan."
"Additionally, he shall be granted an estate in Xianyang. The Marquis of Anle may choose to reside either in Xianyang or in Luoyi."
"Chancellor Han,"
"You shall personally oversee this matter. The Marquis of Anle must be treated with proper respect and care." Ying Zheng instructed.
"I shall carry out Your Majesty's command," Han Fei immediately responded.
"Guards!"
"Escort the Marquis of Anle to his quarters." Ying Zheng waved his hand.
Several palace attendants entered.
"Marquis of Anle, please."
One of the attendants bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Tian Jian expressed his gratitude once more before following the attendants out.
And with that,
the affairs of Qi were finally concluded.
At that moment
Li Si stepped forward.
"Your Majesty!"
"With the fall of Qi, all under heaven now belongs to Qin. The land is unified at last!"
"Qin is the world, and the world is Qin."
"Your Majesty has achieved a feat never before seen in history!"
"You have surpassed the Three Sovereigns, and your virtue exceeds that of the Five Emperors you are unparalleled throughout the ages!"
"I believe that now, with the unification of the realm, the title of King is no longer sufficient to reflect Your Majesty's supreme authority, nor does it fully capture the grandeur of Your Majesty's conquest in uniting the world."
"Therefore"
"I humbly propose a new title for Your Majesty!"
Li Si's face was solemn as he spoke.
Hearing this,
not only did Ying Zheng become intrigued, but the entire court turned their attention to him, curiosity filling their eyes.
"Speak."
Ying Zheng asked with great interest.
"Surpassing the Three Sovereigns, and possessing virtue greater than the Five Emperors…"
"The title of the First Emperor of all ages is about to be born!"
Zhao Feng, well-versed in history, was unsurprised by this moment.
After all, it was Li Si who had originally proposed the title in recorded history.
"Your Majesty has forged an empire unlike any before."
"You have unified the land, bringing peace and prosperity, ensuring that the world will no longer suffer from the turmoil of war."
"Thus, Your Majesty should take the title of 'Emperor'!"
"You shall be the first ruler in history to bear this title The First Emperor!"
Li Si declared, his expression filled with admiration and reverence.
The moment the title First Emperor was spoken,
the entire grand court hall of Qin was shaken as if struck by thunder.
Everyone was stunned by the unprecedented grandeur of this title.
In ancient times, there had been the Three Sovereigns, and later, the Five Emperors.
But during those eras,
there were no true kingdoms only tribes. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were simply leaders chosen by the tribes, not emperors in the true sense.
Even in the dynasties that followed Xia, Shang, and Zhou their rulers were merely kings among feudal lords, acknowledged by other vassal states.
These were historical facts, not myths or legends.
The title First Emperor
A name that had never before existed.
A title without precedent in all of history.
"First Emperor! This title is both powerful and dignified it fully represents Your Majesty's identity and accomplishments!"
"Indeed!"
"The First Emperor the very first ruler of all ages!"
"This title is truly fitting only Your Majesty is worthy of it!"
"The entire world shall revere Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing Li Si's proposal,
the entire court nodded in agreement.
First Emperor!
The first ruler to bear the title of Emperor in history.
No one but their king was worthy of such a name.
"Good!"
"Such an Emperor"
"Such a First Emperor"
"This title, I shall take it!"
Ying Zheng stood up, his face filled with exhilaration.
"Your humble servant pays respects to The First Emperor!"
Without hesitation, Li Si knelt in salute.
And as his voice echoed through the hall
The entire court followed suit.
"Your humble servants pay respects to The First Emperor!"
The entire court of civil and military officials all bowed and loudly proclaimed their respect.
The title of "First Emperor" (Shi Huangdi) appeared for the first time in the court of Great Qin, for the first time in the land of China, and for the first time in this world.
"Good!"
"From this day forth."
"I am the Emperor, the first Emperor in all of history, the first Emperor of this world."
"The First Emperor!"
Ying Zheng spread his arms wide, announcing with unparalleled authority.
"Your Majesty, the First Emperor."
"I still have another proposal," Zhao Feng stepped forward, a smile on his face.
"Speak, Lord Wu'an," Ying Zheng replied with a slight smile, looking at Zhao Feng with curiosity.
He was eager to hear what Zhao Feng had to say.
"Since we have adopted the title 'First Emperor,' we can no longer use the old forms of address for kings. The Emperor's self-referential title must be changed to fully embody the majesty of the imperial title."
"Additionally, royal decrees should also be revised."
"A king's edict should now be called an 'Imperial Decree' (Shengzhi), signifying the will of the Emperor, which the entire Qin Empire must honor," Zhao Feng proposed calmly.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng's eyes lit up. "An excellent suggestion! You are right. I have already risen above the status of a king, becoming the first Emperor in all of history. My edicts should indeed be elevated in status. The term 'Imperial Decree' not only reflects my authority but also upholds the foundation of the Qin Empire."
"As for my pronoun," Ying Zheng pondered seriously.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he slowly uttered a single word: "Zhen!"
"I am the first Emperor in history. The way an Emperor refers to himself should also be established by me."
"From this moment on."
"'Zhen' shall be my pronoun."
"'Zhen' is the First Emperor of Great Qin."
"'Zhen' rules all under heaven."
Ying Zheng declared with awe-inspiring majesty.
"As expected."
"The self-referential title 'Zhen' indeed originated from the First Emperor."
"Derived from his name, 'Zhen' became the imperial pronoun that would command all under heaven," Zhao Feng thought to himself with excitement.
Unknowingly, he had become an integral part of history a history he once only read about in textbooks. The conquest of the six states, every battle, and every strategy had his involvement. And now, even the creation of the terms "Imperial Decree" and "Zhen" as an imperial pronoun had been influenced by him.
"Your Majesty, the First Emperor."
"Unifying the world is an achievement of the ages, an unprecedented feat in history."
"The First Emperor's accomplishments should be offered to the heavens, so that even the celestial realm may recognize the greatness of Your Majesty."
"This honor should be performed at the highest mountain of China Mount Tai."
"Ascending Mount Tai, offering sacrifices to the heavens, and conducting the Fengshan Ceremony will cement the Emperor's divine mandate," Han Fei stepped forward and solemnly proposed.
"The Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai."
"This history is certainly taking an interesting turn. Historically, it was Confucian scholars who suggested this to the Qin court, yet now it's Han Fei, a staunch Legalist, proposing."
Sitting at the forefront of the military officials, Zhao Feng couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Historically, Han Fei had died in prison, betrayed by his former classmate, Li Si.
But because of Zhao Feng's intervention, he managed to awaken Han Fei to the reality of the world, leading him to serve as a high-ranking official in Qin and even become the Prime Minister.
This divergence from history was no small matter.
"The Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai, sacrificing to the heavens, proclaiming my achievements for all under heaven and the celestial realm to witness!"
Hearing Han Fei's words, Ying Zheng was moved.
At this moment, a thought crossed his mind: "During the Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai, when I offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, I shall bring along Afang, as well as Feng'er and his siblings, and formally announce their status. I shall decree Afang as Empress and Feng'er as Crown Prince, solidifying their positions on Mount Tai."
With this thought in mind, Ying Zheng immediately declared, "The Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai, offering sacrifices to the heavens I find this idea quite intriguing."
"I shall entrust Han Xiang (Prime Minister Han Fei) to oversee this matter."
"I grant you two months to construct a direct road to Mount Tai and to prepare the sacrificial grounds for the ceremony."
"The military and logistical support of Qi will be at your full disposal."
"I want heaven and the celestial deities to recognize my achievements!" Ying Zheng commanded with determination.
"I shall not fail Your Majesty's trust," Han Fei responded enthusiastically.
"Your Majesty, the First Emperor."
"I have another request to make," Zhao Feng said once more, bowing in respect.
"What else do you have in mind, Lord Wu'an?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"Although the Qi state has fallen and the world seems to be at peace, in truth, hidden threats remain."
"To the north, the Xiongnu and Donghu tribes eye our lands with greed."
"To the south, the Baiyue tribes frequently raid across the border, slaughtering our Qin citizens."
"Once the Fengshan Ceremony is complete, I request permission to lead an expedition against the Baiyue. I will secure this land, which rightfully belongs to our great nation, and reunite the millions of Chiyou's descendants who share our common ancestry under the rule of Great Qin."
"Furthermore, to ensure lasting peace in the south, I volunteer to remain in Baiyue after the conquest, personally overseeing the region and safeguarding the southern borders of Great Qin," Zhao Feng declared with unwavering resolve.
Zhao Feng stood up and loudly requested permission, his expression solemn, without any hint of jest.
Upon hearing this, many officials in the court looked at Zhao Feng in astonishment, seemingly unable to believe what they had just heard.
Even Fusu and Huhai, standing below the steps, wore expressions of surprise.
What kind of position does Zhao Feng hold now?
He was the Grand Marshal of Great Qin, wielding supreme military power.
A man of such status, possessing such authority, was requested to be stationed in Baiyue.
This was practically a self-demotion.
However, Han Fei and Li Si remained calm, as they were already aware of Zhao Feng's identity. Moreover, in the past, during a discussion at the Zhangtai Palace, the First Emperor had mentioned that Zhao Feng would request to be stationed in Baiyue.
"Feng Gongzi, oh Feng Gongzi, you're overthinking things."
"Not to mention that His Majesty is far-sighted and ambitious how could he allow such an important official to be sent to the wild lands of Baiyue? More importantly, you are the First Prince of Great Qin, the future Crown Prince! How could His Majesty allow you to drift away into the wilderness?"
"Your idea is completely mistaken."
"His Majesty must be laughing at you right now."
Some high-ranking ministers who knew the truth remained composed on the surface but were laughing internally.
"Zhao Feng wants to be stationed in Baiyue? Haha, he's quite a clever one. Now that the world is unified, there is little need for military leaders. By choosing to demote himself and head to Baiyue, he may be distancing himself from the splendor of the capital, but at least he secures his safety."
"This is a smart move."
"Now that the role of military leaders has diminished, the governance of civil officials is taking over. The world is united, and no matter how much His Majesty delays, the Crown Prince's position must eventually be decided."
Watching Zhao Feng willingly step down to Baiyue, Wei Zhuang smiled inwardly.
He naturally understood Zhao Feng's intentions and self-demotion to avoid court struggles.
"Baiyue is nothing more than a minor nuisance, not worthy of Great Qin's concern."
"Moreover, Baiyue does not require the Grand Marshal of Great Qin to personally oversee it."
"Thus, Wu'an Jun, there is no need for you to dwell on this matter." The First Emperor smiled faintly.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng became anxious. "Your Majesty, you agreed last time!"
Seeing Zhao Feng's anxious expression,
The First Emperor feigned confusion. "When did I agree? I don't recall this at all."
His expression of bewilderment looked utterly convincing.
Upon witnessing this,
"Damn it."
"The First Emperor is playing me!"
Zhao Feng cursed inwardly.
Back in Zhangtai Palace, the First Emperor had agreed. Yet now, he was outright denying it Zhao Feng was utterly infuriated.
Stationing himself in Baiyue and secretly developing its forces was one of his long-term strategies for eventually conquering the world.
Historically, Zhao Tuo had already perished.
Zhao Feng naturally planned to take Baiyue, manage it well, and use it as a future base to dominate the world.
"You little brat, how dare you come up with such a scheme."
"You want to be stationed in Baiyue, develop your power in secret, watch your father die, and then sweep across the world?"
"If your mother hadn't told me, I would've been fooled by you."
The First Emperor scolded in his heart.
His son was truly unfilial!
He planned to wait for his father to die!
"Your Majesty."
"The Grand Marshal is dedicated to the nation."
"Though Baiyue may seem a minor issue, allowing it to fester could bring harm to Great Qin."
"If the Grand Marshal personally oversees Baiyue, it would surely yield great achievements."
At this moment, Chunyu Yue could not help but step forward and speak loudly.
Hearing this,
Someone dared to support Zhao Feng's proposal.
The First Emperor's expression darkened.
"Chunyu Yue, you are truly a kind man."
Zhao Feng, however, was delighted and looked at Chunyu Yue approvingly.
"Idiot."
Wei Zhuang inwardly cursed.
Although he also wished for Zhao Feng to go to Baiyue, he was the Grand Marshal of Great Qin, holding supreme authority over the military. Even if one harbored such thoughts, they should not be voiced aloud!
"This matter."
"I do not permit it."
"Baiyue is of little concern a single general is enough to oversee it."
"If I send the Grand Marshal of Great Qin to govern Baiyue, wouldn't that be laughable?"
"Wu'an Jun."
"You should abandon such thoughts." The First Emperor declared coldly.
Of course,
His coldness was not directed at Zhao Feng but at Chunyu Yue.
Hearing this,
Zhao Feng's momentary excitement instantly vanished.
The First Emperor had spoken so definitively what else could Zhao Feng say?
Was he supposed to directly contradict him in court?
He could only back down, feeling disheartened.
"Your Majesty."
"Now that the world is unified."
"It is a time of great celebration."
"This minister believes that at such a moment of joy, there should be even greater cause for celebration."
"I propose."
"That we determine the position of the Crown Prince to establish the foundation of the nation."
Since Chunyu Yue had already spoken out, he decided to go all in, loudly making his proposal.
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