During the Qin dynasty, the king, Qin Zhushang's death was mourned by the whole country, by his subjects, his advisors, his wife and his 5 sons. While mourning for 3 years (Chinese tradition), even his wife and his sons weeped buckets until their eyes were red and swollen, but the 3rd son didn't weep, much less produce even a drop of tear. The maids around the Grand Empress and Empress Dowager were shocked that the youngest child of age 10 can hold back his emotions.

The youngest child, Qin Xiuyan, was the most cheerful and playful kid who often sneaked out of the palace to play with Empress Dowager, his grandmother and even the maids when his mother was not present. However, now his expression has changed from happy-go-lucky to so gloomy and serious that it was the opposite of his character. During the 3 years of mourning in front of his father's tomb in the temple, Qin Xiuyan knelt continously for months without resting. Even when it was his time to eat, he only ate a bit before going back to kneeling again. Rather than being worried about the King who was going to heaven, the Grand Empress decided to care more about the living after seeing how Qin Xiuyan was doing. His head hanged low, his misty eyes covered by his hair, he was still kneeling in a proper posture. His grandmother, looking at him with gentle eyes, couldn't bear to look at him and decided on spot that she should protect him when the period of mourning was over even from the crown prince or other enemies.

His 4 brothers were jealous even though they were older because ever since they grew up, their mothers gave them strict education and wasn't allowed to play outside or slack off. Qin Xiuyan, on the other hand, was received plenty of love even from the king although he was not the crown prince. The crown prince, Qin Liqiang was enraged by the fact and grew his hatred for him over time. Some times he would prank the little one to fall into the water or blame it on Qin Xiuyan every time he does something bad. It always worked. As for the other 3 brothers, they envied him but never dared to bully him directly as they don't have enough power in the court as Qin Liqiang. They would swear and say bad words at him. They thought even if he didn't get physical wounds at least they should give him mental scars.

It really is strange. As optimistic and smart as Qin Xiuyan was, there was no way he couldn't understand what they said to him. But he continued to ignore them and went away happily. The boys were surprised. This time at the mourning hall brought them another shock as they watched traces of smiling youngest brother disappeared in their mind replaced by a frowning one in front of them. They got chills down their spine as they imagined what he would be like over the next few years and decided there uniformly to be neutral. The crown prince, blinded by his years of envy and hatred, didn't care about the young rabbit that was about to turn into a beast.

5 years later

"The emperor is here!" The eunuch exclaimed with excitement, if you look at his face you wouldn't see a trace of it on his visage. Although others feared His Majesty, Qin Xiuyan, because of uncertain rumours, the handsome young eunuch, standing beside the throne and his senior advisers, standing at the end of the court all trusted in him.

"Long live, long live, His Majesty!"

It could be heard in their voices, some were trembling with fear, some were trembling with excitement. Why?

Because 2 years ago, after he was crowned King by the current Empress Dowager with the approval of Grand Empress. The imperial jade seal on the imperial edict proved he was the rightful king. The crown prince lost all words as he stared at the edict and his face twisted from anger to confusion, to envy and fear. Qiu Xiuyan's coutenance remained calm as if he wasn't listening to it and didn't have a care for it. Seeing his reaction, Qin Liqiang was apoplectic with rage and attempted to hit him with a blunt object. The Empress Dowager, shouting in rage, ordered the guards to arrest him and imprison him in Qin Luan Palace. Because his sin wasn't serious, his grandmother put Qin Liqiang under house arrest.

Qin Xiuyan glared at Qin Liqiang with eyes of a monster that seemed to say he would be keeping an eye on him for now without his grandmother noticing. Qin Liqiang had never seen this side of him before and was silenced with just a glare. Then, he was taken away by the guards, not resisting anymore.

Another rumours circled around the storytellers that right after the King won his first victory in the battle against the Wei state, he found something wrong with his spy network which was established across the country a year ago. The King was very angry when he found out who the traitor was. The traitor was Wu Leiming. After all, he was one of the orphans he helped in the street and entrusted the job to. They said that the king couldn't tolerate the traitor and killed him mercilessly. First, he beheaded Wu Leiming and then before he lost consciousness, he was tortured by several sharp gadgets. The methods were unclear. The ending might have been changed by story tellers to a happy ending to show that the king was benevolent.

However, people tend to gossip whichever one is pleasing to the ears and ignore the rest. The ruthless rumours about the king spread like endless fire across the country. The government could no longer control the exaggerated rumours and was too tired to handle it after passing the buck to the other ministers. They let the rumours be, thinking that it would do good for a king to be feared so that he could have his subjects under control. But he was wrong reassurance and profits can also control the crowd. So what happened to the king these years? Who knows? Only the king himself knows.

"Your Majesty," Minister Lu stepped forward, "I have received the news that said there are refugees waiting out of the capital gate to take care of. I recommend letting them in to spread Your majesty's benevolance."

"But there is a disease spread among them, isn't there? I've already investigated there is no need fooling me. That is the reason why the capital city is their last resort for survival but think about what will happen if we let them in!" Qin Xiuyan's eyes contorted in rage, banging the table, nearly spilling the hot tea onto his hand. The BANG resonated through the whole court, the ministers at the front almost ran away with fright.

"Your Majesty," the minister wanted to plead for the refugees, but was cut short by a raging Qin Xiuyan.

"Shut your mouth!! We almost brought our own country by a small disease. What would you do if I hadn't found out in time? Let them in the capital and spread their disease to our people?"

"Your majesty," Minister Lu attempted to say again as the atmosphere would worsen if he didn't.

"Shut up! If you want a solution, get some soldiers to round them up into the house and burn them!"

"Your majesty, please think twice." Minister Lu bowed low, so low that it almost touched the ground. The other ministers hesitated before thinking it over and following Minister Lu's action.

"You all, are you all betraying me?!" The King spurted out in rage.

"We don't dare." All minister kneeled and protested in unison.

Another courageous minister stepped forward to intervene in this debate, forseeing that it would never end at this rate. "Why don't you send out the former Saint doctor who is wandering around the world?"

"Hearing the word 'saint', the king's left eye brow twitched. "Saint Doctor? But why the former? A new saint doctor hasn't been appointed yet?" Qin Xiuyan said impatiently.

The minister, as if noticing it, took the initiative to explain and solve the problem at hand, "The former Saint Doctor is skillful and nimble with his hands. Once you are cured by him, you will be stronger than before.. so the rumours say."

"Those are just rumours. Then what about the current Saint Doctor? Is she reliable?"

"Yes, but she is not as skilled as the former, after all the former Saint Doctor, Yue Limin, was her master. If you want reassurance, you should seek for his help." The minister suggested.

"What's your name?" The King asked.

After putting forth the suggestion, he lost all his courage and his legs gave out. To Qin Xiuyan, it looked as if he was kneeling out of respect and he was greatly pleased.

"My name is Cao Leihao, Minister Cao."

"Cao Leihao, nice name."

The ministers in the court were surprised. It was hard to fish out of his majesty's mouth ever since his father's death. Only his relatives, grandmother and his mother could hear them without being surprised.

"Cao Leihao, I entrust you to find the former Saint Doctor, help the starving refugees and distribute the food."

"Yes." Minister Cao replied, bowing and walking back to his position in court.

"Your majesty, you are in the age of marriage would you consider..?" Minister Fang suggested, but was dismissed by Qin Xiuyan impatiently.

The other ministers were surprised by his audacity to bring it up again and again. The marriage proposal was always brought up by Minister Fang since he's got a beautiful daughter and thought it was suitable to marry off his daughter even as a concubine.

Every time he heard the word marriage, Qin Xiuyan got used to dismissing it every time. Refusing wedding invations of his family. Although he was in the age of marriage, he thought it was better for him to die alone. That way he won't have to feel sad about leaving anymore or carry a burden while he is alive and can be doing anything he want. If he married a woman, he knew it would enrage other women's jealousy and get himself killed without knowing who did it or how he died. After all, the women who were presented to him were all beasts craving for the power behind. But it didn't mean some didn't love him sincerely. Some who weren't chosen to be his wife or even concubine turned mad and started to attack him. The King, although was known for his cruelty, knew nothing about women's behaviours and were puzzled as to why they do that. He shook his head, disimissing his train of thoughts about the reminisce.

"What's the next problem?" His majesty asked.

"Ah," it took a while for another minister to speak up, "there is flood up north and the Chu state took this chance to try and inavde our land. Shall we also fight back or shall we provide the flood survivors with food, water, shelter and money?"

"Do I have to tell you what I think? You are my ministers. Can't you tell what I am thinking?" The King angrily banged the table, this time spilling the tea onto his hand, scalding it. The hand was obviously red but showed no signs of pain etched on his face.

Minister Cao noticed even from his position that the hot water would have spilt on his hand. Seeing no reaction on his face, he thought Qin Xiuyan was very interesting and parted his lips to smile a bit.

The Ministers once again hesitated before Minister Lu stepped out to proceed the discussion.

"Your majesty, I, Minister Lu, boldly takes a guess that you want to give a warning to Yang state by attacking them back?"

"At least sound sure when you are answering me. Morning court is dismissed. Let's go, Cao Leihao. I am going to personally choose our main army's best horses and check out the weapons."

All heaved a sign of relief before leaving the court. Only 3 ministers remained. That is Cao Leihao, another new minister on court, 2 senior ministers, one hanging on a wooden stick, one with a hunched back.

Minister Cao stood from his position, pointing at himself, as if saying me? The King frowned at him, a look that says yeah, you, if not you, who else is called Cao? Cao Leihao hanged his head down and followed Qin Xiuyan's steps.

The ministers watched them walk away and gossiped among themselves. Their talk goes like this: *Why does it seem to me that His Majesty seems to be in a good mood?

Hey, you are a new young minister here right?Remember this His Majesty is always in a good mood when he gets to kill something.

Kill? Animals? What about humans?

He gets to kill them in war. War is just an excuse for venting his feelings. He has always been this way ever since the former emperor passed away.

Is that why you guys fear them?

No, the real reason is his face and smile. The ministers who saw it couldn't forget how wide his smile was when he once killed a rabbit with an arrow in the hunt and dismembered it. His face was covered in blood and his clothes were. .

Okay, stop. I heard enough. Then I guess the ministers who saw it got drunk and accidently spilled the beans. This is why the rumours spread rapidly.

How did you know?

I was once in the investigation bureau.

If you know then don't tell His Majesty. In a fit, he might kill you too to lash out his anger. If you don't want to get killed stay silent.

Okay, my lips are sealed tight*.

With that, their little gossip ended, but they didn't know that the king was eavesdropping and haven't left the room to take back his winter coat. Although they said it in a low voice, he heard it all clearly, clenching his fists. Cao Leihao, like a dog wagging his tail at his master, was behind him, saw his cleched fists and also heard their conversation. He bandaged the king's right hand where the red spot was, with his clumsy hands. He thought I hope His Majesty wouldn't notice such a little detail and lash out at him for being over caring.

Qin Xiuyan controlled his anger before walking into the court again with Cao Leihao at his trail. All 3 ministers' face turned pale as ghost, as if someone sucked their blood, their eyes went wide, unable to say out a word.

Qin Xiuyan glared at them. Just one stare hushed them. They had no idea what His majesty was thinking since he heard about himself in the gossip. They just stood there for a few minutes as if time in the world was frozen. The minister didn't dare say anything until the king moved away from their trembling stares and went to the throne to get his winter coat. He smiled at them and even waved goodbye but his stare earlier obviously said I will remember you. They were scared with fright by his sudden change of behaviour. It would be okay if the king punished them or said something bad to them but doing none of them only meant one thing. Worse things will arrive upon their families' doorsteps. From the king's personality, it couldn't be anything other than that. They could only hope the king forget what they said earlier.

Minister Cao was observing the situation beside his majesty. He tried to stifle his laugher at how they reacted. After Qin Xiuyan retrieved his coat and turned to go back, Cao Leihao's slight smile vanished, replaced by a serious minister Cao.

Minister Cao was troubled whether to ask him his question or not. Qin Xiuyan as if seeing a layer of curiosity suddenly spoke, "I didn't punish them badly because that wouldn't stop them from speaking of me completely. Only with fear, can they keep their mouths shut. Don't you think so, Cao Leihao?" Minister Cao didn't answer. The King seemed okay with the answer.

They had to walk around the whole palace before finally reaching the stable in which horses and stacks of hay were. Minister Cao was tired and breathing irregularly but his majesty wasn't, he seemed calm and tested the horses by riding it one by one. After a few hours, he picked out 100 strongest horses in order to go with his soldiers and gave it to minister Cao to handle the rest of the affairs. He went back to his bedroom chambers for sleep.

During the night

The king clutched his chest as if he was suffocating. "I am going to defeat you, Chu Fenlan!" The Chu Fenlan in in his dream replied, "In your dreams."

The next morning

"Your majesty, your majesty, please wake up." The eunuch exclaimed urgently. "The refugees are complaining that we are trying to starve them to death before we defeat the Chu state."

"I guess this was what my dream meant." Qin Xiuyan's head drooped and his shoulder trembled, "Hahahaha, Chu Fenlan, what a brilliant move."

"Your majesty, do you mean that Chu Fenlan had finally made his move?"

"Yes, I am in a good mood, so I will explain it to you stupid heads. Prepare for the morning court and summon all the present ministers and my three brothers." The King smiled, thinking to himself, I don't think I can invite my other brother who is under house arrest. If I do, my mom and grandmother both are going to nag at me.

The eunuch was dumbfounded for a while before snapping out of it and summoned all the present ministers and the three princes for the court.

In the morning court, the king sat on the throne.

"His majesty is here," the eunuch exclaimed. The ministers all greeted dully and uniformly as usual with "Long live, long live, long live his majesty." Except three new voices in the court rang loud.

"Enough, enough, you don't need to do this tradition every day. My ears are going to bleed hearing this every single day. Drop that tradition out of the book or at least stop that tradition in front of me."

"Your majesty, you must never erase that tradition from the record. This is a serious matter. Please think twice." All ministers bowed, frowning seriously.

"I just said it casually. Why take it so seriously? Then take the latter choice. Okay, I am hearing no more of that boring traditon. Let's move onto why I am so happy today." The king asked, getting impatient.

The ministers shook their heads at each other, indicating they have no idea. Seeing that His Majesty was happy meant only one thing - war.

Like the previous day, Minister Lu stepped forward and valiantly, "Is it war with the Yang State?"

"Good guess. And the rest of you. Is minister Lu the only one who understands my mind? Think with your little brains. I also mentioned it in the court yesterday." Crontrolling his loud voice and his rising temper, he stated, "This time, why don't we give them a warning today? Since the rebels in the refugees were instigated by Yang Changmin, why don't we show him a bit of our force again?"

"But Your majesty, doing it now would have severe impact on the public opinion of us." Minister Lu replied.

"Chu Fenlan is manipulating the people's foggy mind that are starving and want to survive so it won't change no matter what we do. He will just have to list the disadvantages we have and the refugees will just have to exaggerate." Qin Xiuyan explained, his right leg crossed on the left leg. "All we have to do is win the war and shut their dear mouths. I will lead the army personally. What do you think?"

Minister Cao was surprised. He didn't think that a king would voluntarily lead an army to a dangerous place. He has heard rumours before entering the palace that he was ruthless in killing people whether in wars or executing his own people. Cao Leihao thought to himself as he watched his mrning show fold out, he is kind of interesting because he is indeed, different from the image of the king I had in mind.

Minister Lu knelt again.

"What's wrong again?"

"A king must stay in his palace to govern the country, you must never leave here. I hope your majesty can think twice."

Some ministers stood to show their agreement, some who disagreed like Minister Lu, knelt, bowing their head so low that it almost touched the ground.

"Ah-yah, Minister Lu, what trick are you playing here? I will lead the army personally. What? The army doesn't welcome me?"

"Of course not". Minister Lu said with his head down.

"Fine." Qin Xiuyan reluctantly gave up. " Then, let's make a deal. You try to find the former Saint Doctor to rescue those refugees outside the palace and at the north. I will give you 6 months. How about it? As long as you find him, I will not lead the army. A general will do it. How's it?"

Miniater Lu raised his head and lowered it again, "I dare not."

The king finally lost his temper. "Either you strike a deal with me or I am going to personally lead the army. You only have to say yes or no."

After a while, it seemed that Minister Lu finished his train of thoughts and agreed.

That time, the three brothers thought that it was their chance to dethrone their youngest brother, but as from 5 years ago, they didn't any courage to do so. They haven't improved even one bit.

The court was dismissed.