My Imperial Advisor is ChatGPT

Chapter 128 The Abdication Ceremony: The "End" After Two Generations

Autumn in Xianyang always carries a golden harvest and a chilling desolation. But in this late autumn of the sixty-fifth year of the Qin Dynasty, the entire empire was as bustling as in the height of summer.

Because today is a day that has been predicted countless times in history books, but has arrived in a completely different way—the first year of the Second Emperor.

Ying Zheng woke up just as dawn was breaking.

Although he no longer had to get up at dawn to attend government meetings as before, he still habitually opened his eyes at this time.

"Your Majesty," Zhao Gao entered quietly, carrying the black imperial robes that symbolized supreme power, "the auspicious hour is approaching. Shall we wear this today?"

Ying Zheng looked at the elaborate and heavy ceremonial robes, the twelve-tasseled crown gleaming with a cold, hard light under the lamplight. He reached out and touched the gold thread on them, then shook his head.

"I won't wear it anymore," Ying Zheng said calmly. "It's too heavy. Today is a happy day, don't make it look like a funeral. Bring me that... Zhongshan suit."

Zhao Gao was taken aback: "But Your Majesty, that's everyday clothing! All the officials will be watching the abdication ceremony; isn't this too casual?"

"Whatever?" Ying Zheng laughed, walked to the mirror, and looked at the elderly man with a full head of white hair but still vigorous. "Zhao Gao, don't you understand yet? From today onwards, I am no longer that high and mighty 'god.' I want to be a human being. An old man who can go to the park to walk his birds, go to the square to dance, and haggle at the market."

"But..." Zhao Gao's eyes reddened, "This servant can't bear to part with you! This servant has served you my whole life, and now you're leaving..."

"Who said I'm leaving?" Ying Zheng glared at him. "I'm just retiring! Not passing away! You'll still be my steward, just without having to kneel and serve me anymore. I'll pay you a monthly salary, plus all the benefits, is that alright?"

Zhao Gao burst into laughter through his tears: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! Um... what is 'five social insurances and one housing fund'? Can it be converted into cash?"

"Get lost." Ying Zheng laughed and kicked him. "That's retirement insurance. When you're old and your teeth have all fallen out, the state will take care of you."

Zhao Gao wiped away his tears as he helped Ying Zheng dress. The buttons of the Zhongshan suit were fastened all the way up to his chin, making Ying Zheng's figure appear exceptionally upright.

"Zhao Gao," Ying Zheng said, looking at himself in the mirror, "tell me, have I been a good emperor in my life?"

"Your Majesty is a first emperor of all time!" Zhao Gao answered without hesitation, "Unprecedented and unparalleled!"

"The First Emperor of All Time..." Ying Zheng murmured to himself, "This title is too heavy. I have killed many people, and I have saved many people. I built the Great Wall, and I have built schools. I just want... to let fewer people die and more people eat in this world."

He turned around and strode outside.

"Let's go. Don't keep that brat Fusu waiting. With his soft temper, if I'm not there to keep him in check, he probably won't even dare to pick up the microphone."

**[Fusu's Perspective: A "Civilized Regent" Who Didn't Want to Be Emperor]**

Meanwhile, on the other side of Zhangtai Palace, Fusu was so nervous that his hands were trembling.

He was wearing a specially made dark blue suit (the standard uniform for the "Second Generation of Qin" designed by Hu Hai), and his tie was tied a little crooked.

"Brother, stop shaking." Hu Hai said while adjusting his tie, "Your hands are shaking like you have Parkinson's. If you drop the Imperial Seal, Father will break your legs."

"I...I'm just so excited." Fusu took a deep breath. "Second brother, do you think Father really wants to hand over this empire to me? I...I'm not ready yet! Those old foxes in the cabinet, and that cunning merchant Liu Bang, I'm afraid I can't control them!"

"Tch." Hu Hai curled his lip in disdain. "What can't you control? Father Emperor said you don't need to be a tyrant, you just need to be a 'mascot.' Major matters are handled by the Constitution, minor matters by the Cabinet. You're responsible for signing, stamping, receiving foreign guests, and delivering New Year's greetings. If all else fails, you can bring out Teacher Wang, or let me bring out 'The Calculator' to scare them."

Fusu smiled wryly: "What kind of terrible idea is this? But... Second Brother, do you really not want to be emperor?"

Hu Hai reacted as if he had heard a terrifying story, waving his hands repeatedly and even taking two steps back: "No! Absolutely not! My biggest dream in this life is to build spaceships and go to the moon. To be an emperor? That's practically like being in prison! Reviewing memorials all day long and having to listen to those Confucian scholars nagging—I'd have to be crazy to want to be an emperor!"

He patted Fusu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother, this tough job is entrusted to you. You are the eldest son, you have a responsibility. As for me, I'll be responsible for building the best weapons for you, so that your throne is secure. If anyone bullies you, I'll drive my steam tank to bomb them!"

Fusu felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at his younger brother, who had been unruly since childhood but had now become the pillar of Daqin Technology.

"Okay. It's settled then. You go ahead and charge in, and I'll approve the funding for you from behind."

"That's more like it!" Hu Hai snapped his fingers. "But brother, you have to give me a little more budget. I want to build a submarine-sized iron ship."

"...As long as you don't blow up the national treasury, do as you please."

**[The Abdication Ceremony: A Vow Without Kneeling]**

At noon, in the central square of Xianyang.

Tens of thousands of representatives from all over the empire gathered here: there were workers in blue overalls, their faces covered in coal dust, but their eyes bright; there were farmers in straw hats, holding freshly harvested potatoes; there were scholars in robes, carrying books in their arms; and there were generals in crisp military uniforms, their chests covered with medals.

There were no imposing imperial guards, only two neat rows of honor guards, carrying ceremonial rifles instead of long spears. There were no elaborate kneeling ceremonies, only enthusiastic applause and cheers.

When Ying Zheng and Fusu walked side by side onto the high platform, the cheers in the square reached their peak.

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

The sound swept in like a tsunami, causing the flock of pigeons in the square to take flight.

Ying Zheng walked to the microphone and gestured for it to stop. The entire arena fell silent instantly, save for the sound of flags fluttering in the wind.

"My people."

His voice was broadcast throughout the entire square and across the entire empire.

"Sixty years ago, I thought I was the heavens. I thought that as long as I lived, the Qin Dynasty would not perish. So I built the Great Wall, searched for elixirs of immortality, and killed countless people. At that time, you feared me, hated me, and secretly cursed me as a tyrant."

A commotion arose in the crowd, but no one spoke. Everyone held their breath, listening to the old man's confession.

"Later, I met someone. Or rather, a 'monster' from the future." Ying Zheng smiled, glancing at the horizon as if a pair of eyes were watching him. "He told me that there are no immortal dynasties, only immortal civilizations. He also told me that a dynasty will perish after only two generations."

"It perished after only two generations." Ying Zheng repeated the phrase, his voice growing louder. "This phrase once haunted me like a nightmare. I feared it, hated it, and wanted to change it. But today, I understand."

He turned around and looked at Fusu beside him, his eyes filled with love and expectation.

"The Second Emperor of Qin was not the second emperor of one person. He was not Qin Er Shi (Hu Hai sneezed and rubbed his nose in the audience), nor was he Qin Er Shi (Fu Su). He was the beginning of a new era. He was the second emperor of industry, the second emperor of the rule of law, and the second emperor of science!"

"From this day forward, I am handing over this responsibility. I am handing it over to Fusu, to the cabinet, to this Constitution, and to each and every one of you."

Ying Zheng took out the Imperial Seal from his bosom. It was carved from the He Shi Bi jade, and inscribed with the words "By the mandate of Heaven, may your reign be long and prosperous."

"Take this." Ying Zheng solemnly handed it to Fusu. "Remember, this is not power, it is responsibility. Anyone who dares to use it for personal gain, anyone who dares to use it to oppress the people, this stone will crush their feet! I will be watching you, and the whole world will be watching you!"

Fusu accepted the imperial seal with both hands, his eyes filled with tears, and bowed deeply.

"Your subject... will certainly not fail the Emperor's trust! Nor will he fail the people of the world! If I break this oath, may Heaven and Man bear witness!"

A salute was fired.

Twenty-one cannon salutes shook the sky above Xianyang. At the same time, factories throughout the city sounded their horns, the powerful sound converging into a torrent of steel, announcing the end of an old era and the birth of a new one.

On the viewing platform, Liu Bang, the richest man in the Qin Dynasty, peeled an orange while feeling deeply moved.

"Old Xiao," Liu Bang mumbled, popping a segment of orange into his mouth, "do you think this retired emperor has really come to his senses? Giving away such a vast empire just like that? If it were me..."

"What if it were you?" Xiao He glanced at him sideways, pushed up his glasses, and said, "What if it were you? You would have been singing the Song of the Great Wind on this stage long ago. And then you would have had your head chopped off by that brute Xiang Yu the next day."

Liu Bang chuckled, unconcerned: "Indeed. The Retired Emperor was wise indeed. That's what you call... retiring gracefully? But shouldn't we show our appreciation for the new emperor's ascension?"

"What does that mean?" Xiao He looked at him warily. "Don't try to pull that 'Supreme VIP' thing again. His Majesty Fusu doesn't like that kind of thing."

"Am I that kind of vulgar person?" Liu Bang painfully touched his wallet. "Although it hurts, this is a pledge of loyalty! His Majesty Fusu is benevolent, unlike the ruthless Emperor Emeritus. If we show our loyalty now, this business will be more profitable in the future..."

"Alright," Xiao He interrupted him. "Everyone knows what you're thinking. But I think you shouldn't send money. Send something practical instead."

"Practical?" Liu Bang's eyes lit up. "You mean... send him a few beautiful women?"

"Vulgar! So tacky!" Xiao He exclaimed in exasperation. "Give them education! How about donating a few buildings to the Great Qin Institute of Technology? Or setting up scholarships for those poor students? His Majesty Fusu values ​​this the most. This is called 'educational investment'! It will not only earn us a good reputation but also cultivate future talent for our group! A win-win situation!"

Liu Bang slapped his thigh: "Brilliant! Old Xiao, it had to be you! I'll get on it right away! I've already thought of a name: 'Liu Bang Tower'! And we'll put a bronze statue of me at the entrance, the kind holding an orange!"

Xiao He sighed, rubbing his forehead: "...Forget about the bronze statue, we can discuss the name."

**[Hu Hai's Perspective: From Prince to Commentator]**

After the ceremony, instead of the traditional grand state banquet, a unique... football match was held.

This is one of the many entertainment options left behind by Little G, and it has now become popular in the Qin Dynasty.

The Royal Stadium was packed with people, and colorful flags were flying everywhere.

"Hello everyone! I am your old friend—Hu Hai!"

Hu Hai's passionate voice came over the loudspeaker. This former prince, now the dean of a polytechnic institute, had unexpectedly taken on the role of a sports commentator. Wearing headphones and holding a microphone, he was as excited as a child.

"Today's match is between the Qin Royal Team and the Roman Envoy Alliance! Look, the Royal Team's striker is none other than our newly appointed Minister of War—Han Xin! Good heavens, his speed is like a human steam engine! He's dribbled past his opponent! A feint has blown past that Roman defender named Spartacus! This is practically military strategy applied to the field! A combination of feints and real attacks, a diversionary tactic!"

"Shoot—!"

"Goal!!! That was beautiful! The power and angle of that shot were perfect, following the principles of fluid dynamics! We can see the ball trace a perfect banana-shaped arc in the air—a perfect demonstration of the Magnus effect! Let's cheer for Minister Han Xin! And let's observe three seconds of silence for Roma!"

In the stands, Ying Zheng sat in the ordinary VIP seats (which were actually the best seats in terms of view), holding a bottle of iced cola, and couldn't stop smiling.

"That brat," Ying Zheng pointed at the broadcast, "used to be all nonsense, but now he's quite the talker. This commentary is much more engaging than those flowery sacrificial texts. What do you call this? 'Crossover'?"

Li Si, standing beside him, smiled, holding a handful of peanuts: "Your Majesty, look how happy the people are! This is a true golden age. There are no swords or spears, only laughter and joy."

"Yes." Ying Zheng took a sip of cola and let out a loud burp. "A golden age. No need for killing, no need for bloodshed. Everyone can play football and drink cola. This is the kind of Second Emperor I wanted. It seems Little G was right; happiness is the primary driving force."

As night deepened, the revelers gradually dispersed, and Xianyang City returned to tranquility.

Zhao Gao went alone to the deepest part of the royal archives.

This place holds the most precious treasures of the Qin Dynasty—thirty-six million scrolls of blueprints and books left behind by Little G.

Although he had already retired, Zhao Gao took the initiative to apply for this position: Director of the Royal Archives.

"Grand Preceptor," Zhao Gao bowed to the void and lit three sticks of incense, "Today is an auspicious day. His Majesty... oh no, the Retired Emperor has retired, and Prince Fusu has ascended the throne. Everyone is quite happy. Even this humble scholar... oh no, this curator is quite happy."

He walked to a huge bookshelf and gently stroked the scrolls wrapped in preservative material. The scrolls were arranged by category, including books on physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as practical books such as "How to Grow Potatoes" and "Postpartum Care of Sows".

"These things you left behind are now treasures. Thousands of students line up to see them every day. Their eyes shine with a light—the light of thirst for knowledge."

Zhao Gao pulled out a small notebook from his pocket. It was a collection of quotes from Little G that he had secretly written down years ago. The cover read "The Way to Wealth (crossed out) The Record of Wisdom".

"I, the curator, have set rules for them: wash their hands, wear gloves, and no loud noises. Anyone who dares to damage a single page will be made to pay for it until they are bankrupt! This is the lifeblood of our Great Qin."

He sat down, turned on a lamp, and began to organize today's borrowing records.

"Before, I was a servant, only knowing how to read people's faces. Now, I am the gatekeeper of wisdom, reading books and guarding the soul of the Qin Dynasty. This life has not been in vain. When I am gone, I will bury myself next to this pile of books and continue to guard your gate."

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. Zhao Gao's shadow was cast on the bookshelf, looking exceptionally peaceful. His back, which had been bent all his life, seemed to straighten a bit at this moment.

Meanwhile, on the shores of the East China Sea.

A massive, all-steel steam-powered warship is poised to set sail. This behemoth, named "Explorer," is even larger than "Invincible" and is equipped with the latest navigation radar (original version) and seawater desalination equipment.

Two people were standing at the bow of the ship.

One is Han Xin, and the other is Xiang Yu.

"Hey Lao Han," Xiang Yu said, carrying a specially made alloy Overlord Spear, his cloak fluttering in the sea breeze, "are we really going to circle the earth this time? That's a huge undertaking."

"Of course." Han Xin looked at the nautical chart in his hand (left by Little G), his eyes gleaming. "The Earth is round, that's what the Grand Tutor said. Since it's round, as long as you keep going east, you'll definitely return to the starting point. That's called a 'closed loop'."

"What if we don't come back?" Xiang Yu asked, but there was no fear in his voice.

"Can't come back?" Han Xin laughed, pointing to the endless sea ahead. "Then die at sea. Anyway, I've fought enough battles in this life, and I'm tired of being an official. It's better to see some scenery I've never seen before than to die in bed. I've heard there's something called 'chili pepper' in America, which is spicier than ginger. Let's go get some and try it."

"Good!" Xiang Yu laughed loudly, his voice booming like thunder. "Then let's go! Let's see if that place called America really has potatoes and corn! And if that place called Australia really has kangaroos! If they dare to block our way, I'll teach them a lesson with my Overlord Spear!"

The steam whistle blared.

This warship, embodying the spirit of exploration of the Qin Dynasty, carrying the Qin's most elite sailors and scientists, slowly sailed away from the port and headed towards the unknown deep blue.

At the highest point of Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng was watching this scene through a telescope.

Beside him lay the kerosene lamp that Little G had left behind.

"Go," he said softly, as if speaking to a distant ship, or as if whispering to an old friend in the void, "Go and see for me just how vast this world is. The banner of Great Qin will eventually be planted in every corner of the world."

He put down his binoculars, turned around, and walked into the brilliant starry sky.

In the first year of the Second Emperor's reign, the Great Qin Empire officially set sail.

And the era of the First Emperor, which belonged to myths and legends, finally came to a perfect end at this moment.