153: Chapter 153 The Smell of Home!

Common thorium ores include Thorite, Monazite, and Thorianite.

Thorite crystals belong to the tetragonal system, with a crystal form closely resembling zircon, appearing as tetragonal bipyramids or short prisms, while aggregates are granular or dense masses. They come in various colors, including black, brown, yellow, and orange; they are translucent with a vitreous luster.

Zhao Fusu invited painters to illustrate the physical characteristics of Thorite, then sent his subordinates out to inquire and search for it.

He himself did not remain idle either, utilizing his Level 8 Fitter Certification to craft the casing for kerosene lamps.

At the First Emperor’s manor, He Zhi approached the First Emperor and said with a solemn expression, "Several of our Shadow Guards have been secretly arrested by Prince Fusu's Ministry of State Security."

"The Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of State Security is attempting to find us through the arrested Shadow Guards."

"This rebellious son's methods are becoming increasingly formidable!"

Zhao Zheng said, "It is also time to meet this rebellious son."

"Have Fusu come to My manor."

Zhao Zheng’s gaze fixed upon He Zhi with an authority that brooked no refusal.

"This..."

Seeing that the First Emperor truly intended to meet Zhao Fusu, He Zhi frowned deeply. However, he reasoned that since Zhao Fusu was being summoned to their territory, they simply had to ensure he did not bring those terrifying firearms when meeting the First Emperor.

"Understood!"

He Zhi complied.

He immediately dispatched a Shadow Guard to meet Dai Li, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of State Security, who had been persistently trying to find them.

This Dai Li was definitely a ruthless individual.

To find the leader of the Shadow Guards, he stripped the captured guards of all their clothes and threw them into a pool full of leeches.

These leeches were mollusks that could stretch and shrink, and they sucked blood.

One doesn't feel pain while a Leech is sucking blood, but its appearance is the most terrifying part.

A pool densely packed with leeches, their hideous emerald green appearance wriggling around, lengthening and shortening, was enough to make anyone's scalp tingle.

Dai Li unceremoniously pushed the Shadow Guards into the Leech pool, letting the creatures crawl over and bite them.

A vast number of leeches bit firmly onto their skin, contracting their bodies as if trying to burrow inside them.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

...

Under the dual stimulation of sensory horror and pain, these Shadow Guards let out agonizing howls.

However, as these Shadow Guards had only recently joined the Black Ice Platform, they truly didn't know much about its affairs, so Dai Li did not obtain the intelligence he wanted.

Just as Dai Li was fretting over this, with a swoosh, an arrow shot into the courtyard of the Ministry of State Security's Intelligence Bureau.

Thud!

A dull sound rang out.

The arrow was lodged in a wooden pillar, its fletching vibrating continuously.

This sudden turn of events caused a stir within the Intelligence Bureau. Dai Li looked at the arrow stuck in the pillar.

A letter was tied to the shaft of the arrow.

Dai Li had someone remove the arrow and personally read the contents of the letter.

"How audacious!"

His expression became extremely unsightly.

The content written in the letter was shockingly a demand that if they wanted to see the Master of the Black Ice Platform, His Majesty the Head of State must come to an audience with him alone, without any companions or weapons.

Dai Li was furious.

This Master of the Black Ice Platform was far too arrogant; His Majesty the Head of State was the sun of their Great Qin.

This scoundrel was actually audacious enough to demand an audience from His Majesty the Head of State.

It was truly a complete reversal of the natural order!

Despite his anger, Dai Li still reported this intelligence to Zhao Fusu.

Zhao Fusu was currently discussing the production of lampshades with people from the Glass Factory; he really didn't have time to go and have an audience with some Master of the Black Ice Platform.

He told Dai Li to send a message back: if the Black Ice Platform didn't want to be wiped out, its Master should come to have an audience with him.

"Understood!"

Dai Li responded with a cupped-fist salute.

"Good, good, very good!"

After hearing Zhao Fusu's reply, the First Emperor sneered incessantly. This rebellious son Fusu's wings had truly grown strong!

"He actually wants Me to come for an audience!"

"Preposterous!"

The First Emperor's square-jawed face was covered in frost.

"Then should we..."

He Zhi looked toward the First Emperor.

"If he wants an audience, then an audience he shall have!"

The First Emperor barked at He Zhi.

A spray of saliva flew toward He Zhi, making him instinctively close his eyes.

Fine, if you want to go for an audience, then go. Why are you taking your anger out on me?

It's not like I'm the one who made you angry.

He Zhi looked completely innocent.

Out of his duty to protect the First Emperor, He Zhi advised, "Your Majesty, isn't this too dangerous?"

"Dangerous?"

The First Emperor suddenly laughed.

"I would like to see if he dares to kill Me!"

"Go and make the arrangements."

The First Emperor said.

"Understood!"

He Zhi was helpless.

After withdrawing from the First Emperor's study, he personally took some Shadow Guards to find Dai Li.

"My master has agreed to have an audience with His Majesty the Head of State."

He Zhi said, looking at Dai Li.

"Where is your master?"

Dai Li's excitement grew.

"I must ensure that my master's safety is guaranteed!"

He Zhi said with narrowed eyes.

Dai Li replied, "His Majesty the Head of State is merciful. As long as your master knows how to act according to the situation, there will be no danger."

"I hope so!"

He Zhi said in a heavy voice.

After the First Emperor donned a disguise, He Zhi led men to escort him to the Industrial Zone.

He Zhi was also first time visiting the Industrial Zone.

What was once a very remote area had now become bustling with traffic and a constant stream of people.

The Industrial Zone covered a vast area, resembling a small town.

Massive chimneys pierced the clouds, recklessly discharging jet-black smoke into the sky, turning it a murky gray.

The air was filled with the pungent odors of various waste gases.

The smell of Urea mixed in was the most pungent of all.

Both the First Emperor and He Zhi couldn't help but cover their noses with their hands.

"What on earth is this smell!"

He Zhi couldn't help but ask Dai Li.

"Uh..."

After a brief moment of surprise, Dai Li replied, "Every time His Majesty the Head of State smells this, he says with a look of enjoyment that it is the scent of home."

"What?"

The First Emperor and He Zhi were completely bewildered.

They truly couldn't understand Zhao Fusu's logic—how he could look so enjoyable while smelling such a pungent odor.

Upon arriving at the Glass Factory, Dai Li went in to announce their arrival.

"You, come inside with me."

Dai Li said to the First Emperor, who was wearing a Veiled bamboo hat.

He Zhi immediately frowned, but just as he was about to say something, the First Emperor shook his head at him.

He looked perfectly calm.

With his hands clasped behind his back and a serene expression, he didn't believe Zhao Fusu would dare to do anything to him.

Under Dai Li's guidance, the First Emperor entered Zhao Fusu's workspace.

When Deputy General Pang saw Dai Li bringing in a stranger, he immediately placed his hand on his waistband, his face full of wariness.

"He is the Master of the Black Ice Platform. He wishes to have an audience with His Majesty the Head of State,"

Deputy General Pang glanced left and right, and guards immediately stepped forward to search the First Emperor.