This was the first time Ying Zheng had left that bright, spacious room. As he gazed at the even broader office space, his eyes flickered, and he cast a glance at Zhu Yu.
"Brother Zheng, this is our company’s office area. It’s where everyone works—much the same nature as your morning court sessions." Having caught his gaze, Zhu Yu began to explain.
At the same time, she sent a message to Assistant Fang: *Our actor has fully entered his role. Please ensure you cooperate with him.*
Assistant Fang was shocked.
"Alright, President Zhu. This actor you found is truly dedicated," she remarked. Looking at the attire the man was wearing, she noted that it was many times better than what the production crew had prepared.
*It must have cost a fortune,* she thought. *Tsk tsk, no wonder President Zhu said she wouldn't sign this uncle—he’s likely a rich man here to fulfill a dream. But if that’s the case, since we can't sign him, no one else can either. That’s even better!*
Ying Zheng felt a jolt of shock. Since arriving here, he had lost count of how many times he had been stunned. He scanned the workstations, hesitating over whether he should implement such a setup in Great Qin. He quickly dismissed the idea, however; it was ultimately unsuitable and far too inconvenient for him. He wanted to reach out and touch the tabletops, but remembering that his every move was being broadcast to the entire world, he restrained himself.
At this moment, it was not just the First Emperor who was shocked; the ministers of every dynasty watching the livestream were equally astounded.
*Wow, look there! The immortals in the sky actually have seats for their court sessions. I’m envious!*
*Heavens, that place for the morning court is so bright! There are even little potted plants and beautiful tables.*
Zhu Yu would not let Ying Zheng focus too much on these things—at least, not yet. The director was waiting.
The elevators were situated on both sides of the corridor, six doors in total. Ying Zheng stared at these six narrow, silver, lustrous doors, which reflected his own image. His gaze shifted. "Are these the Gates of Heaven? Are they made of silver?"
This area was also exceptionally bright, embedded with large, glowing night-pearls.
"They're likely stainless steel," Zhu Yu said offhandedly, as she wasn't an expert. Seeing the gleam in Ying Zheng’s eyes, she took the opportunity to encourage him: "Brother Zheng, as long as you work hard, you’ll have all this craftsmanship too."
With two "dings," the elevator doors opened simultaneously, and Zhu Yu chose one at random.
Xingmang’s office was on the top floor. Originally, there had been a private elevator for direct access, but it required an extra fee, and she had cut it to save money.
Once inside, Zhu Yu took a special look at the First Emperor. His expression remained calm; no emotional fluctuation could be detected.
"This little room we are in now is called an elevator. It carries people up and down. It functions the same as stairs, but it saves much more effort."
The elevator, aside from the doors, was made entirely of glass on the other three sides. As it slowly descended, seeing the distance between himself and the ground grow smaller felt as if he were soaring through the air.
Her words stirred a storm in the hearts of the people across the world.
Liu Bang sat up straight in astonishment, his eyes wide. He pointed at the Skyscreen and turned to ask his Empress, "This is a staircase?"
"If it allows immortals to go up and down, what else could it be but a staircase?" he muttered to himself after questioning her.
Lü Zhi felt her heart surging as well. *Truly, this is the Immortal Realm.*
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, glass-making technology had come a long way compared to earlier eras; in fact, it had already matured by the Wei and Jin dynasties. However, no one possessed glass this large or this clear and transparent!
Everyone had already experienced this shock in Zhu Yu’s office, but this elevator—the immortals were actually using *liuli* (glass) as a staircase! Wasn't *liuli* supposed to be fragile and easy to shatter?
The First Emperor, riding an elevator for the first time, felt slightly uncomfortable and dizzy. Looking at the calm expressions of Zhu Yu and Assistant Fang, he thought: *This must be the difference between immortals and mortals. The mortal body simply cannot withstand immortal power.*
At the thought of this, Ying Zheng’s heart burned even hotter. Whether it was longevity or immortality, he had to grasp it in his hands!
The elevator reached the underground parking garage. Looking at the smooth gray surface and the rows of "iron beasts" parked in an orderly fashion, their bodies gleaming with luster, Ying Zheng’s steps faltered. He could no longer maintain his calm expression.
*Such a mount—I must have it!*
Zhu Yu had sold her own car and was currently hitching a ride in Assistant Fang’s. Seeing Ying Zheng standing there, she opened the car door and shouted toward him, "Brother Zheng, come over here!"
Getting into the car proved difficult because of the *mianliu* crown the First Emperor was wearing, not to mention his height of over 190 centimeters. Zhu Yu had considered taking the crown off, but realized it wasn't easy to put on, and there was no one else to help him with it. As Ying Zheng entered, she even helped hold the door frame to ensure the crown wouldn't be bumped.
This gesture, seen by those in the Qin and Han dynasties, left them breathless. Li Si and other trusted officials of Great Qin, however, smiled. *Truly, heaven blesses Great Qin.*
Finally, the tall First Emperor squeezed his body into the narrow space as best he could, a sight that made Zhu Yu want to laugh. *Who could understand this kind of adorable contrast?*
She surreptitiously snapped a photo and only stopped when he turned a suspicious gaze toward her.
Everyone had thought they had seen all there was to see upon leaving the building, thinking this was the extent of the Immortal Realm. But the moment the car started and pulled out of the garage, the scene on the Skyscreen widened instantly. The roads were smooth and broad, with iron beasts speeding along one after another. Beside them stood high-rise buildings, towering into the clouds and reflecting a cold light.
The people of antiquity could not tear their eyes away. Farmers stopped their field work, nobles did not dare speak loudly, and soldiers stared at the iron beasts with deep longing.
*I want one so badly! If such iron beasts appeared on the battlefield, they would be invincible!*
Wang Jian could no longer sit still and began writing a memorial to the Emperor. Though bold, it was for the development of Great Qin: *Your Majesty, those iron beasts are useful!*
Ying Zheng naturally thought the same, ripples forming in his deep pupils. He turned to Zhu Yu and asked, "Can Zheng also learn the technology to manufacture these iron beasts?"
Zhu Yu nodded affirmatively. "You can!"
Having received a positive answer, Ying Zheng smiled. He was happy, but the other emperors watching the Skyscreen were not.
Liu Che protested, "I want to go to the Skyscreen too! I want those iron beasts!" *Why was only the First Emperor invited? The Liu family are emperors too!*
Liu Che’s heart was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. Deep inside, a tiny version of himself was biting a handkerchief and sobbing, *I really, really want them! And I want that elevator, too!*
There were even more frantic emperors than Liu Che. Zhu Houcong had already begun ordering people to make a statue of the little immortal in the Skyscreen. He placed a long table in front of his palace with an incense burner on it, filled with burning incense, directly facing the Skyscreen. Before long, Zhu Houcong pulled out three sticks of incense, lit them, and bowed devoutly to the Skyscreen, silently praying for the immortal to let him go up and enjoy such blessings.
During the hour-long ride, Ying Zheng was interested in everything he saw, though he didn't ask about everything. Even so, the questions he did ask were enough to make Assistant Fang sigh.
*No wonder President Zhu said this uncle had entered his role. He’s in way too deep. This uncle really thinks he is Ying Zheng. And President Zhu is so cooperative, even calling him Brother Zheng.*
Upon arriving at the hotel, Ying Zheng’s attire drew the attention of passersby and hotel staff, but the staff knew a production crew had booked the place, so they only took a few extra looks.
They took the elevator again, though this one was not glass, and they could not see the view outside.
Assistant Fang went up to knock on the door while Zhu Yu comforted Ying Zheng from behind: "The director will interview you in a moment. Of course, whether you pass or not, you are the only choice. Brother Zheng, he will ask you questions—don't be nervous."
She felt she should prepare him, thinking that a monarch might feel insulted being questioned like a child.
Ying Zheng nodded slightly: *In truth, I do not fear. But since the immortal has given these instructions, it shows she cares about me, which is good.*
The director of "First Emperor of Qin" was the famous Director Wang, who had previously focused on films; this was his first television drama. The moment Director Wang saw Ying Zheng, his eyes lit up. *Oh my, this is not bad! It really is eye-catching—and the build is truly magnificent.*
"President Zhu, is this the new artist Xingmang signed?"
Looking at the actor's costume, the craftsmanship was many times better than what the production team had, definitely top-tier materials!
Zhu Yu did not answer the question, instead changing the subject with a smile: "Director, what do you think? Better than Yuan Boshi, right?"
"The appearance is certainly better," Director Wang said with a chuckle, "but acting ability is what matters most."
The screenwriter sitting nearby also kept glancing at Ying Zheng, thoroughly satisfied with his appearance. As for his temperament—having met so many people, she knew this aura of authority that commanded respect without anger was not something an ordinary person possessed. *It seems Xingmang can keep going.*
Ying Zheng frowned as he looked at this Director Wang—messy attire, obese, half-bald. *Surely this cannot be an immortal too?*
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhu Yu steered the conversation to the main point, and the director and screenwriter began to test the actor's skills.
Director Wang: "What is your name?"
Ying Zheng remained cold. Zhu Yu coughed quickly, whispering a prompt: "Brother Zheng, the director is asking for your name."
Ying Zheng, solemn and earnest, parted his thin lips: "I am Zheng, the First Emperor of Great Qin, Ying Zheng."
The director and screenwriter: "..."
Zhu Yu bit her lower lip and looked down at her hands. *Huh, my nails have grown, I should trim them.*
The atmosphere fell into a sudden silence. Finally, the director spoke: "Well, ah, this... President Zhu, the actor you brought is quite good. He's really in character, isn't he?"
He gave an awkward laugh.
Zhu Yu smiled and said nothing.