A group of people stood at the entrance of Zhitou Palace, surrounding a palm-sized paper figure, all with lowered heads and respectful expressions, creating a somewhat comical scene.
The little paper figure proceeded to ask Hu Hai several questions in quick succession, to which Hu Hai replied with trepidation.
What surprised Hu Hai was that for several questions, he expected his father to fly into a rage, but his father did not.
The paper figure mostly shook its head and sighed, seemingly having anticipated such outcomes.
The more Hu Hai thought about it, the more he felt scared. Based on his past understanding of his father, his father would surely have been furious by now and slapped him.
Therefore, Hu Hai eventually dared not answer anymore. He turned to Liang Yinqiu and the others, saying, "Father, you died only a few years before I did. For matters concerning later generations, these few people in white clothes know more than I do."
Only then did the paper figure begin to examine Liang Yinqiu and the others, before coldly sneering, "What are they wearing? Ugly! So ugly!"
Everyone: "..."
They had not expected that after sleeping for over two thousand years, Qin Shi Huang's first reaction upon seeing people from two millennia later would be to criticize their attire.
Then, the paper figure asked again, "What academic school do you belong to? Confucianism, Legalism, Taoism, or the School of Diplomacy?"
Xia Qi muttered softly, "You buried Confucianism yourself."
"What did you say?"
"N-nothing..."
Liang Yinqiu explained softly, "Your Majesty, we no longer have distinct schools of thought. If we must choose, well, I am from Qingbei University... a scholar."
The cultural differences spanning two thousand years were truly immense. Even Liang Yinqiu, a great figure in history, now realized how difficult it was to converse directly with ancient people.
Fortunately, Liang Yinqiu quickly adjusted and briefly introduced the history after Qin Shi Huang's death.
He spoke of Hu Hai's ascension, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's uprising, the Chu-Han contention...
Qin Shi Huang was very attentive to these accounts, listening intently without interrupting.
This was only possible because Liang Yinqiu was knowledgeable about history, allowing him to easily summarize and introduce an entire dynasty in a few words.
If it were Long Feicheng, he would probably have to pull out his phone to check encyclopedias and read them out to Qin Shi Huang.
"...Later, the people of Huaxia experienced dynasties such as Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, finally reaching the current New Huaxia era. Now, the country is prosperous and peaceful, the people live in contentment, and there is harmony and joy."
After hearing this, Qin Shi Huang remained silent. After a long while, he let out a sigh and said, "Good."
Although his Great Qin Empire did not last long, the title of Qin Shi Huang had been passed down for millennia.
And now that the people living on the lands of the former Qin were living happy and peaceful lives, Qin Shi Huang was content.
Xia Qi whispered, "This Qin Shi Huang seems different from the Qin Shi Huang we know."
The little paper figure heard Xia Qi's words and asked, "In your knowledge, what am I like?"
Startled by the sudden question, Xia Qi nervously replied, "People in later generations say you banished the hundred schools of thought, burned books and buried scholars, that you built the Great Wall and disregarded human lives..."
Unexpectedly, the paper figure did not get angry. It simply said disdainfully,
"Hmph, I unified the six states for the sake of national prosperity and peace. But there were always scholars who were self-righteous and wanted to restrain me with their 'dragon-slaying techniques.' I am the first emperor of all time. If I had allowed them to control me, how could these seven states have united as one?"
"As for building the Great Wall, the entire realm points fingers at me for building the Great Wall and relocating people to defend the borders. They should go to the north and see for themselves. If the north is not defended, the Xiongnu threat will spread to the interior, and it won't just be those artisans who die then."
The paper figure spoke lightly, but one could imagine the immense pressure it bore. If this were the modern era, it would surely be subjected to online lynching and killed.
Before Qin Shi Huang, the realm had been in a state of chaos. If he had not stepped forward and unified the structure with strong measures, wars would have erupted sooner or later.
Therefore, he could only be a tyrant; he had no other choice.
Fortunately, Qin Shi Huang himself did not care about these matters, a point that even Liang Yinqiu, as a modern person, had to admire.
Indeed, he was the First Emperor of all time, possessing a magnanimity that was beyond ordinary people.
After understanding the various events of later generations, Qin Shi Huang finally remembered the main business.
The paper figure asked, "You have intruded into my imperial tomb. What is your purpose?"
Finally, they got to the point!
Hu Hai remained silent, and Liang Yinqiu also closed his mouth. It was now Lin Zhitong's turn to speak.
Lin Zhitong stepped forward, cupped her fists, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe you must know that Huo Ban has usurped your imperial tomb."
The paper figure fell silent. As it had no facial features, they could not discern its emotions, nor know if it was angry.
Lin Zhitong, however, did not hesitate and continued,
"Huo Ban has done all this to take over my husband's body in today's world, two thousand years later. My husband is currently using a secret technique to seal himself and Huo Ban together in the bronze coffin. However, this is not a permanent solution. I wish to ask Your Majesty to act, to rescue my husband and reclaim your imperial tomb!"
Her words were concise and to the point. Lin Zhitong believed Qin Shi Huang would know how to choose.
Fortunately, there were no unexpected complications from Qin Shi Huang.
The paper figure said, "I have also been waiting, waiting for an opportunity to break the seal. But after so many years, there is still no sign of a breach in the seal, and I have still been unable to get out."
"That Huo Ban, with his wolfish ambitions, dared to seize my imperial tomb. For years, how have I not been enraged, how have I not wished to tear him limb from limb?!"
"Now it seems that your arrival is precisely the opportunity for me to break the seal. Very well, as long as you help me break the seal, I will join forces with you to deal with that scoundrel Huo Ban!!"
Qin Shi Huang's agreement to help brought a sigh of relief to everyone.
However, the question remained: how to break this seal?
The paper figure pointed to the plaque behind it and said, "This plaque was personally made by Huo Ban. It is the source of the seal, suppressing me for a full two thousand years! As long as you can remove the plaque, the seal will naturally be lifted!"
"Is it that simple?" Wang Sihuai exclaimed in surprise.
While the words sounded simple, none of Lin Zhitong and the others showed a dismissive gaze. Instead, their expressions became solemn.
The simpler a seal appears, the greater its actual difficulty in being removed.
A master craftsman like Huo Ban would have long reached the realm of returning to simplicity. If he wanted to set up a difficult-to-break seal, everyone might struggle for days and nights without success.
Conversely, designing such a simple seal implied that Huo Ban had great confidence in it, believing that others would absolutely not be able to break it!
This was Huo Ban's confidence in his own abilities. Although arrogant, he had the capital for his pride!