With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter

"Thank you, Master National Advisor. In the future, should you have any orders, the Gongshu family will spare no effort to fulfill them," Gongshu Qiu said respectfully, bowing deeply to Daniel Davis after quickly scanning the contents of the book.

As the head of a family specializing in mechanical arts, Gongshu Qiu understood just how valuable the steelmaking method detailed in the book was, not just for the Gongshu family, but for the entire Qin state.

The mass production of steel would boost the Qin military's strength by at least 30%, a conservative estimate. For example, the Gongshu family's invincible Earth-Breaking Beasts, currently limited by the scarcity of high-quality steel, could be produced in large numbers if steel were mass-produced. This would make Qin's army nearly unstoppable in siege warfare.

"Since Master Gongshu is so willing, I won't hold back. I'd like you to assign a team of skilled craftsmen to assist me with some tasks. But I don't want those specializing in destructive machinery," Daniel requested after nodding lightly at Gongshu Qiu's offer.

"I will comply with the National Advisor's orders."

"There's no rush on this. For now, focus on the tasks at hand. Also, keep the steelmaking formula a secret. While it might not concern me, it could be difficult to explain to the King if it leaks," Daniel advised, cautioning against any lapses in security regarding the new technology.

Daniel wasn't overly concerned about the papermaking technique's secrecy. Modern papermaking methods are easily accessible, and Daniel had found the technique through the Red Queen's archives. Papermaking, cement production, and steel refining methods were all within the Red Queen's database.

"Rest assured, Master National Advisor, I, Meng Tian, will protect this site with my life."

"That won't be necessary. Your value far exceeds the papermaking technique, General Meng," Daniel replied, standing up. "Well, now that you all know what to do, I'll leave the rest to you."

While Daniel's involvement could speed up the development of papermaking and steel refining, he didn't want to waste too much time on these tasks. With the detailed formulas provided, the Gongshu family would eventually figure it out, even if it took a bit longer. For now, the Qin state had its hands full with Han Fei's strategy to exhaust Qin's resources. The Zhengguo Canal was already under construction under Zheng Guo's supervision, a project that would take a long time to complete.

This project, while currently draining Qin's resources, would greatly benefit the state once finished. In this light, Daniel had no intention of exposing the true nature of Han Fei's plan.

Lü Buwei was overseeing the canal's construction. Despite his ongoing power struggle with Ying Zheng, Lü Buwei had been instrumental in securing Ying Zheng's position as King of Qin. Without Lü Buwei's support, Ying Zheng, as a former hostage in Zhao, would not have ascended to the throne so easily.

Over the years, Lü Buwei had also played a crucial role in suppressing other members of the Ying clan who coveted the throne. His contributions to Qin's development, including his recruitment of foreign talent, were significant, even if they were driven by self-interest. His commission of the Lüshi Chunqiu was a work that would be remembered through the ages.

But despite his many achievements, Lü Buwei's downfall was inevitable because of his bid for power against Ying Zheng. The rumors about Ying Zheng being Lü Buwei's son were baseless. In a world filled with extraordinary martial and mystical arts, verifying bloodlines was not difficult, especially for the royal family.

To think that King Zhuangxiang, who secured the throne, was unaware of such matters is absurd.

In the Warring States period, any king who managed to ascend to the throne, no matter how unimpressive they seemed, had unique strengths. Even the current King Han, An, had once wrested the throne from the crown prince. Likewise, the current King of Chu had once expelled Lord Changping.

No matter how many merits one accumulated, if one stood in the way of the ruler's power, they would be eliminated without hesitation.

Ying Zheng now faced two major issues: dealing with Lü Buwei and dealing with his mother, the Queen Dowager, or more specifically, with her lover, Lao Ai. Lao Ai, a mere concubine, had the audacity to seek the title of marquis, despite Qin's strict policy of only awarding such titles for military merit. His arrogance was a death wish.

Ying Zheng didn't care about the Queen Dowager's numerous lovers or her affair with Lü Buwei. After all, the previous King of Qin was dead, and the Queen Dowager was lonely. However, for Lao Ai to openly challenge Ying Zheng's authority was intolerable.

Daniel had no intention of involving himself in the conflicts with Lü Buwei or Lao Ai. These were Ying Zheng's battles. Given Ying Zheng's growing power, both Lü Buwei and Lao Ai were like moths to a flame.

Lü Buwei might seem all-powerful, but he had a fatal flaw—he lacked military power. Since Shang Yang's reforms, Qin's control over its military far exceeded that of the other states. The fact that there was no Grand Marshal position in Qin speaks volumes.

The Imperial Guard's Dragon and Tiger Cavalry, responsible for protecting Xianyang, were always under the direct control of the royal family. This was unlike Korea, where General Ji Wuye commanded all the state's forces, including the palace guards.

The idea of palace guards under the command of an outsider would never happen in Qin.

"Greetings, Master National Advisor." Outside Xianyang, at the edge of an expansive field, a group of officials bowed as Daniel stepped down from his carriage.

"Has Lord Sinong arrived?"

"Yes, Master National Advisor." An elderly man with a white beard stepped forward from the group of officials.

"Perfect timing. I've gathered you all here because there's something I need your help with. Here are some crops I've brought from the four corners of the world. If they can be cultivated successfully, no one in the world will ever starve again," Daniel said, leading the officials in charge of agriculture to the crops he had prepared earlier.

Each crop had a large wooden sign in front of it, detailing its characteristics.

In this era, officials responsible for agriculture held significant importance but had little real power. Spring planting was a major event, and even after Qin unified the Central Plains, the annual Spring Festival remained a significant occasion.

In times of crop failure, even King Han would order disaster relief, as agriculture was the backbone of society. Han Fei emphasized the importance of agriculture in his Five Vermin, and Shang Yang's reforms did so even more.

"Master National Advisor, are these records accurate?" The old Sinong, holding two potatoes, rushed forward, his eyes gleaming. The sudden movement startled the two guards beside him, who almost drew their weapons.

Given Ying Zheng's public support for Daniel, everyone in Xianyang knew of the National Advisor's immense power, surpassing even that of Luna.

In fact, Daniel's appointment as National Advisor had also drawn attention from the other six states, with many speculating about his origins.

"Whether they're accurate or not, you'll have to verify for yourselves."

Even though Ying Zheng trusted Daniel and Daniel was confident in his knowledge, when it came to food—the foundation of the nation—one could never be too careful. Without verification, large-scale implementation was out of the question.

"All the details are in these scrolls. The rest is up to you, and don't come to me unless it's necessary," Daniel said, boarding his carriage and heading to the estate Ying Zheng had granted him, a former royal estate now in his possession.

"I can't promise to free you from slavery, but I can ensure that if you make great contributions, your children will no longer be slaves."

Daniel couldn't entirely dismantle the institution of slavery, as it included many who had committed crimes or were prisoners of war, but he had obtained some special privileges from Ying Zheng, who was also implementing similar reforms.

By giving slaves hope, even if it was faint, their attitude would change drastically.

While Sinong and the agricultural officials were tasked with experimenting with crops vital to the Central Plains, Daniel's estate had its own purpose: cultivating vegetables, experimenting with greenhouse techniques, and even developing methods for raising pigs and sheep.

In this era, meat was a true rarity. Ordinary peasants could only hope to hunt some wild game if they were lucky.

"It's time to reopen the Oddities Hall." After delegating the necessary tasks, Daniel returned to Xianyang to reopen the Oddities Hall, where he had previously sold glass using alchemy. Now, he shared the glassmaking formula with Ying Zheng.

No matter the era, money was always necessary.

If it were just a small sum, Ying Zheng might not care, but this was no small amount.

With the backing of the National Advisor and the sale of exotic glass—now called liuli, or colored glass—Daniel's shop was soon flooded with customers.

Late at night, in the study of the Sun and Moon Manor, a shadowy figure silently slipped through the moon gate. After ensuring the coast was clear, the figure climbed through an open window into the study.

"What are you looking for?" As the intruder quietly rifled through the books on the shelves, a sudden voice echoed through the room, causing the intruder to freeze. The next moment, the figure's body surged with a powerful aura as he prepared to dash towards the door, assuming the voice came from the window.

But before he could move, he realized that chains had somehow ensn

ared him, rendering his aura useless and immobilizing him.

"So, it's Luo Wang," Daniel remarked as he pulled the intruder closer, using the moonlight to see the black spider tattoo on the man's neck.

"Oh, poisoned himself? They really do hide poison in their teeth," Daniel noted as the man's complexion changed. He removed the intruder's mask to find a trickle of black blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Instant death poison. Luo Wang's methods are as ruthless as ever," Daniel muttered. With the man dead, there was no point in interrogating him, and it was futile to confront Luo Wang with just a spider tattoo as evidence.

"Lü Buwei is wasting his efforts on me," Daniel thought, shaking his head as he handed the body to the guards for disposal.

"I walk by, and flowers bloom." In the secluded bamboo forest behind the Sun and Moon Manor, where Daniel practiced his Yin-Yang techniques, flowers bloomed wherever he stepped, thanks to his progress in the Myriad Leaves Flying Flower technique.

"The Blood-Clothed Marquis's techniques could serve as a reference," Daniel mused, smiling at the ice rose that materialized before him. It was a manifestation of the Yin-Yang technique, White Dew Deceiving Frost.

With this, he no longer needed a Polaroid camera to enjoy a cold drink. Ice-type techniques for cooling and fire-type techniques for heating—Daniel imagined the Yin-Yang School would be shocked to see their techniques used this way.

"Master National Advisor."

"Ah, Lord Li. You must have completed it."

"Thanks to your guidance, it's done."

Li Si handed Daniel a document. Although the paper was rough, it was still paper. Thanks to the Gongshu family's efforts, they had managed to produce a usable paper prototype. Initially, it was coarse and only fit for rough use, but after improvements, it was now suitable for writing.

One of the main reasons Daniel introduced papermaking was the deplorable state of sanitation in this era. For most people, going to the toilet was a nightmare, using stones, bamboo strips, or whatever was available.

Only the wealthy, nobles, and royals could afford silk or cloth.

"You've worked hard, Lord Li." Daniel accepted the document while expressing his respect for Li Si. Although Li Si's eventual fate was unfortunate, he was still the first Chancellor of the Qin Empire.

"You're too kind, Master National Advisor. It was all for Qin and the King," Li Si replied, clasping his hands respectfully.

"I'm afraid the hard work isn't over yet, Lord Li. Now we need to establish this framework."

"It is Li Si's duty," Li Si responded with utmost humility.

The task Daniel had given Li Si was simple: to develop a plan for a new department of law enforcement in Qin, something akin to a modern police force. Daniel had already discussed the need for judicial independence with Ying Zheng, and the King had agreed.

However, creating a new department was no small feat, involving complex issues and meticulous planning. The task was challenging, but it was also an opportunity for Li Si to prove himself. Under Daniel's guidance, Li Si had developed a plan that, while not on par with a modern police force, was well-structured and effective.

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