Ying Zheng’s expression was calm: "Who is it?"
Right, who is it? Who could it be? At this moment, everyone’s thoughts were perfectly aligned. They all wished that person was themselves. Why wouldn't the little immortal just say who it was? It was infuriating.
"I don’t know yet. Hang on, let me draw a card."
Ying Zheng was puzzled. What did she mean by "drawing a card"?
Zhu Yu was in the process of summoning a character. Looking back, the first time had been the system pulling strings; it hadn't been a draw of her own doing. Just like last time, a blue wheel of fortune suddenly appeared before Zhu Yu and Ying Zheng, densely packed with countless names. After Zhu Yu silently recited her intent to summon someone, the wheel began to spin right before their eyes.
To boost the popularity of the livestream, the system projected this scene onto the Skyscreen. Some people watched as their own names spun by on the wheel, their hearts leaping into their throats.
The wheel gradually slowed, and a two-character name emerged, transitioning from blur to clarity: Liu Che.
The world fell into absolute silence.
If there wasn’t a second person on earth with that name, the outcome was obvious: it was Emperor Wu of Han!
Some people scoffed, feeling that Emperor Wu of Han was a warmonger who was no enlightened ruler. As for the First Emperor of Qin, his reputation as a tyrant was legendary.
"What is the little immortal doing this for?"
"Pah! I say, this isn't some proper Immortal Realm at all! The people there dress so frivolously—they might even be demons!"
"The First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han—what exactly is the little immortal’s standard for selection?"
The First Emperor of Qin had ignored the suffering of his subjects and launched endless construction projects; Emperor Wu of Han had repeatedly waged large-scale wars, even going so far as to withdraw troops that were assisting victims of a flood just to serve his military campaigns. In a sense, the two held the same standing in the eyes of the literati.
Zhu Yu’s first reaction was to look at Ying Zheng. Although it wasn't Liu Bang, it was the Han Dynasty, which had followed right on the heels of the Qin. She feared he might be uncomfortable. Regardless of anything else, aside from her being a fan of the First Emperor, the current Ying Zheng was the lifeline of her new show.
"Brother Zheng, do you know Liu Che?"
Ying Zheng nodded. "He’s from the Han Dynasty."
Back when he had taken books to the privy to read, he had learned about the state of the Han after the Qin and had gained a slight understanding of the Han emperors. Naturally, what he focused on was how the Han had managed to last longer than the Qin. He then discovered that most of the policies the Han used were the very same ones from their Great Qin. The complexity of Ying Zheng’s feelings at that moment was something even he couldn't untangle.
"The person will arrive around seven o'clock tomorrow morning. I don't know what his personality is like yet, so Brother Zheng... please stay calm." Zhu Yu wanted to tell him not to be impulsive, but then she remembered this was a livestream. With the people of all dynasties watching, surely he wouldn't be so lacking in composure?
These words took Ying Zheng by surprise. Was the little immortal actually asking for his opinion?
"Was Zheng chosen this way as well?" Ying Zheng pointed to the large wheel and looked at Zhu Yu. If that were the case, it meant he had simply been lucky. Upon considering this, Ying Zheng felt a bit disgruntled—he had hoped he was personally selected by A'yu—but the feeling vanished quickly. Being lucky wasn't bad, either; A'yu often said that luck was a part of one's strength.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Yu shook her head and smiled. "Of course not. The first historical figure summoned can be specified; it isn't drawn by a wheel like this."
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng felt at ease. It seemed he was different after all.
Zhu Yu then immediately looked up the life of Emperor Wu of Han on the internet.
"I don't know how old Liu Che will be when he arrives. If he’s young, it might be fine, though he might be a bit spoiled. Brother Zheng, you don't know this, but 'Little Piggy Liu' was pampered from birth—pampered by his whole family! Plus, he likes fine clothes and beautiful women, so he’s bound to have a temper."
"But when he’s old, he’s just like you."
Ying Zheng was surprised. "What do you mean 'just like me'?"
Zhu Yu smiled, eyes crinkling. "He likes seeking immortality and eating elixir pills."
Ying Zheng: "..."
He felt inexplicably insulted.
"But it’s fine! If you and he have any conflicts, I’ll still be on your side!" Watching the subtle shift in Ying Zheng's expression, Zhu Yu laughed even more happily. After all, the two of them were closer.
Seeing the radiant smile on Zhu Yu’s face, the First Emperor’s expression cleared slightly. This meant he still held weight in A'yu’s heart.
As for the person who had been chosen, Liu Che was ecstatic: "!!!"
It was him! At that moment, a private panel appeared before him with a few words written on it: *Worker Liu Che, please depart in five hours.*
Five hours—wouldn't that be tomorrow morning? Right, the little immortal and the First Emperor had said seven o'clock tomorrow morning in the Skyscreen, though time in the Skyscreen differed from reality. Liu Che wanted to record this, but eventually gave up. *Never mind, the immortal’s artifact is more important.*
Liu Che poked the panel excitedly, checking from time to time if those around him could see it. Discovering that only he could see it left him feeling even more smug.
That was until those words from Zhu Yu dampened his fervor.
"The little immortal is too biased." Liu Che grumbled sourly to Wei Qing. Why side with the First Emperor? Just because he was the first to go?
"I do not eat elixir pills!" Liu Che shouted defiantly at the Skyscreen.
Beside him, Wei Qing was rather curious about who this "Little Piggy Liu" the little immortal mentioned was. His Majesty’s name didn't contain "pig." He shared this observation with Liu Che.
Liu Che frowned. "Could it be someone else?"
"What a hideous name. I wonder who it belongs to," he said with a look of disdain. The Liu family had no idea who this "Little Piggy Liu" was. It was truly disgraceful to have such a casual name.
Liu Bang felt a touch of regret. He slapped his thigh, wanting to say something, but quickly realized: the surname was Liu. Could this be a descendant of his? Upon hearing the First Emperor’s response, the dissatisfaction in Liu Bang’s heart eased a little. Regardless, a descendant of his was going up there, which meant the Great Han was also blessed by the heavens!
"Liu Che, which generation of my descendants is this?"
He hoped that either Zhu Yu or Ying Zheng would explain it, but they never mentioned him at all. Finally, the Skyscreen's view shifted elsewhere, and the day came to an end.
Five hours was enough time for Liu Che to do many things. First, he immediately ordered his court attire to be prepared, preferably with more gold thread embroidered on the fabric and more jade ornaments to go with it. After sleeping for only two hours, he was too excited to fall back asleep. He spent his time thinking about how he would earn money once he arrived in the Immortal Realm.
Naturally, he wouldn't work himself to death acting like the First Emperor. Liu Che would never allow himself to be told what to do by someone called a "director."