With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter

"Electricity..."

Sitting in the bamboo pavilion in the back mountain of Dayue Villa, Daniel pondered deeply. The transformation of this era had already begun slowly. As long as Ying Zheng remained in power, with time, everything would naturally fall into place. With over two thousand years of accumulated wisdom, no matter how brilliant Han Fei, Changping Jun, or Ying Zheng were, they couldn't possibly surpass it.

In a normal timeline, Daniel's approach might seem a bit aggressive, but in this world filled with martial arts, mystical techniques, and miraculous machinery, such concerns didn't apply.

After setting things in motion, Daniel realized one glaring issue: the lighting in this era was incredibly inefficient. As the current National Advisor, he didn't particularly care about the cost, but no matter how bright a lantern was, it couldn't compare to electric lights. And electricity wasn't just for lighting; it was also a source of energy. While the mechanisms of the Mohist and Gongshu families were remarkable, their power sources couldn't be widely adopted. Electricity, however, could be.

"National Advisor," greeted an elderly man with white hair and a mechanical right arm as Daniel arrived in a vast field near Dayue Villa. He bowed respectfully as Daniel and his entourage approached.

"There's no need to be so formal, Master Gongshu. I didn't expect you to achieve so much in such a short time. You've worked hard," Daniel said, nodding in approval at the new farming tools in the field.

This elderly man, named Gongshu Shi, was one of the few in the Gongshu family who wasn't interested in the domineering machinery that the family was known for. Despite the family's vast influence, those like Gongshu Shi weren't given much importance, as the Gongshu family was renowned for its war machines.

After gaining some understanding of the Gongshu family's internal dynamics, Daniel requested to have these people transferred to his service. Gongshu Chou quickly agreed. Once they arrived, Daniel assigned them tasks based on their individual interests.

"All of this was possible thanks to your guidance, National Advisor," Gongshu Shi said.

"No need to be so modest. Credit where it's due. The Mohists claim to promote universal love and non-aggression with their 'Non-Aggression Mechanisms,' but in my view, it's all just talk. If they truly believed in universal love and non-aggression, why didn't they use their mechanical expertise to help the common people? Instead of spending time building the Four Sacred Beasts, they could have been creating more efficient farming tools," Daniel remarked.

While the Gongshu family focused on creating war machines, the Mohists had access to even more advanced technology, claiming they could make wood and stone walk. Yet they never considered using it for the betterment of the common people.

"Mohists," Gongshu Shi scoffed. To the Gongshu family, the Mohists were no different from them, both focused on war machinery. However, the Mohists liked to paint themselves in a noble light, which many in the Gongshu family found hypocritical.

Many factions in this era dabbled in mechanical arts. Even the Ghost Valley had its own unique mechanisms, though these were mostly small devices, unlike the large-scale mechanical beasts of the Mohists and Gongshu family.

"Since it's ready, let's begin the rollout. I'll have the Minister of Agriculture coordinate with you," Daniel instructed before continuing his journey with Han Fei and Purple Girl.

"You seem to have a particular disdain for the Mohists," Han Fei commented as they walked, observing the surroundings.

"I have issues with many people, including you. Have any of you so-called nobles and royals ever really seen how the common people live? Have you ever thought about how to improve their lives? It's laughable. The poorest people pay the most taxes, while the nobility live in luxury without contributing a single coin. Your so-called laws merely alleviate some of the burdens on the common people, but they do nothing to truly solve their problems."

Han Fei fell silent at the mention of taxes. The word was practically taboo in this era. Even Han Fei, with all his wisdom, had never considered this aspect, as taxation was a privilege of the nobility. Even in Qin, this was the case.

Even if Ying Zheng wanted to implement such a policy, he would face collective resistance from the aristocracy. In ancient feudal societies, when money was scarce, the solution was always to levy more taxes on the common people. This was the essence of oppressive governance, something Confucius himself encountered.

"You certainly have bold ideas," Han Fei finally said after a long silence.

"Why shouldn't I? Are the nobles and aristocrats somehow superior to the common people? Do they have more eyes, or more mouths? They already enjoy so much, and now they want to keep it for generations. Isn't that a bit too greedy?" Daniel replied, looking up at the blue sky with deep contemplation.

"It would be ideal if such a system could be implemented, but attempting it would only provoke widespread rebellion," Purple Girl noted softly.

"Then we'll simply eliminate all who oppose it," Daniel said bluntly.

Han Fei and Purple Girl were stunned into silence by Daniel's words. They had not expected such a straightforward and ruthless response.

"Let's change the subject. There's something interesting up ahead," Daniel said, steering the conversation away from the topic of taxation. He had only mentioned it to test Han Fei's reactions.

Despite his respect for Han Fei, Daniel was now aligned with Qin's interests and couldn't afford to share everything with him.

Continuing on, they arrived at a large courtyard filled with various pieces of furniture. In this era, chairs were rare, with most people using low tables. Daniel found this uncomfortable.

Since he didn't like it, he decided to change it, commissioning the construction of modern furniture based on his designs by the Gongshu family.

Currently, the best-selling items in Xianyang were desks and chairs with backrests. With Qin King Ying Zheng himself using them, they quickly became fashionable. Compared to low tables, desks and chairs were far more comfortable for writing.

This was the power of branding. If an ordinary person had introduced these, it would have been seen as violating tradition. But with Ying Zheng and Daniel setting the example, it was a different story.

Of course, another key reason for their popularity was that Qin, unlike the Six Eastern States, valued practicality. In Qi, the heartland of Confucianism, the adoption of desks would have been far slower.

Han Fei also began using the new furniture. Now living in Qin without much to do, he started writing again. Han Fei's prolific works included the famous *Preserving Han*, which was also written in Qin. This time seemed no different.

Besides furniture, Daniel also showed Han Fei around the vegetable greenhouses.

"So you're saying that Wei Zhuang and Yan Ling Ji have been spotted in Xianyang?" Daniel asked, looking over the intelligence report handed to him by Ying Ge.

Although Daniel had no desire to see the Blackbirds return to their old ways, they had been actively gathering intelligence. With Mo Ya preoccupied with running the Six Gates, Ying Ge had taken on this responsibility.

Daniel didn't object, knowing the importance of intelligence. Even in the modern world, intelligence was crucial, let alone in this era.

Ying Ge remained silent, knowing Daniel's question was rhetorical.

"It seems that Li Sha has indeed expanded to Qin. I guess Wei Zhuang must have arrived in Xianyang around the same time as Han Fei and Purple Girl, just staying in the shadows," Daniel mused.

"It's not just Li Sha. The military also seems to be making some moves. Many experts from the Miscellaneous School have quietly gathered in Xianyang. Is Lu Buwei planning to stake everything on one last gamble?" Ying Ge reported.

With a natural talent for intelligence work, Ying Ge had quickly established a network in Xianyang, thanks to Daniel's resources and support.

As Ying Zheng's power grew, Lu Buwei's influence waned. If he didn't want to be gradually sidelined, his only option was a coup.

As the current leader of the Miscellaneous School and the man who had revived it, Lu Buwei had the backing of many skilled experts. His authority wasn't just personal; it also represented the Miscellaneous School's voice within the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Before Lu Buwei's rise, the Miscellaneous School had been relatively obscure. But under his leadership, it had surged into prominence, now ranking among the top ten of the Hundred Schools.

Lu Buwei's role in helping both Yi Ren and Ying Zheng ascend to the throne was significant, with the Miscellaneous School playing no small part. Without their support, it's doubtful a mere merchant like Lu Buwei could have achieved such feats.

In the power struggles of the upper echelons, legal principles often took a back seat to might. If Lu Buwei had been just a regular merchant, the Shadow Guards would have eliminated him long ago.

"A civil war is finally starting," Daniel remarked, his gaze fixed on the flames rising from within Xianyang. It wasn't hard to guess what was happening: Lu Buwei had initiated a coup. Ying Zheng had preferred a more gradual approach to weakening Lu Buwei's power.

"Master National Advisor," Ying Ge called, arriving with several Blackbird members. On this chaotic night, there were undoubtedly those who would want to target the National Advisor.

"Stay here," Daniel ordered. With a flick of his hands, the Black and White Swords appeared in his grip. He flung the black sword, which shot like lightning, impaling a hidden figure in the trees.

"Dare to come after me?

 Courting death," Daniel muttered as the black sword returned to his hand. Then, he sped off through the villa, hunting down every intruder.

Thanks to his heightened senses, no enemy, no matter how well-hidden, could escape detection. Others might leave the fighting to their guards, but Daniel wasn't one to sit idly by. Despite Ying Zheng's considerable strength, he rarely engaged in combat, usually only sparring with Gai Nie.

"Twenty-two," Daniel counted as the last enemy fell to his white sword. A total of twenty-two black-clad assailants had infiltrated the villa, many of them highly skilled. But against Daniel, even the best were dispatched with a single strike.

"Stay here and don't leave," Daniel instructed the Blackbird members after neutralizing the threat. Then, he sprinted toward Xianyang.

Though confident in Ying Zheng's abilities, Daniel felt it necessary to check on the situation.

"It seems quite lively here," Daniel observed as he arrived at the palace square. It was filled with fighters, including the Yin-Yang School's Star Soul and the Great Commander.

On the square, soldiers and assassins clashed fiercely, with some wearing black and others clad in armor. The Shadow Guards were also present.

Lu Buwei had some skill. Among the battling soldiers, it was clear that some had sided with him.

"Why does the National Advisor have time to visit?" Star Soul asked, retreating to Daniel's side after cutting down a soldier, his technique blazing with energy.

The Great Commander was engaged in battle, facing a large group of black-clad fighters, soldiers, and four formidable experts—likely Lu Buwei's elite.

Despite being outnumbered, the Great Commander held the upper hand, her combined techniques proving devastating.

Suddenly, four massive objects crashed down onto the square, shattering the stone slabs. Moments later, they transformed into mechanical beasts resembling pangolins.

"The Gongshu family's Burrowing Beasts, and four of them at that," Star Soul muttered, frowning at the advancing machines.

The Mohists had their White Tigers, and the Gongshu family had the Burrowing Beasts—both representing the pinnacle of mechanized warfare. Each was as powerful as a top-tier fighter, and in some cases, more so. On the battlefield, a single Burrowing Beast was worth far more than even the strongest warrior.

In the original series, the Mohist White Tiger allowed Tianming and his group to escape from Star Soul, the Great Commander, and the Lesser Commander.

It wasn't surprising that Lu Buwei had access to the Gongshu family's machines. As the former Chancellor, he had the authority to command such resources.

As the machines appeared, a faint black mist began to spread across the square. Star Soul immediately shouted, "It's poison! Retreat!"

Though Star Soul's warning was timely, only he, the Great Commander, and a few Shadow Guards managed to escape unscathed. The soldiers were not so fortunate.

"So it's you two," Daniel noted as two elderly figures emerged from the enemy ranks, a man and a woman, both dressed in red and white robes and wielding serpent-headed staffs.

"The famous Red-White Couple. What brings you from Baiyue to Xianyang?"

"Prime Minister Lu once did us a great favor. Now that he's in trouble, it's only right for us to repay him. Ying Zheng is an ungrateful brat. He should remember who helped him rise to power. And the Yin-Yang School should be careful. He might turn on you next," the Red-White Couple replied.

They were renowned poison masters from Baiyue. Tianze, the Crown Prince of Baiyue, was pitiable in comparison. Despite the many experts in Baiyue, none were truly loyal to him.

Baiyue was home to the Eight Swords of Yue, each one a legendary blade.

Tianze might have been self-assured, but the truth was that Baiyue had long since split into East and West. The royal lineage was a distant memory.

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