148 True Master

A6.40

Lu Sheng advised the First Emperor: "We have not found the magic medicine of Lingzhi and the immortals, it seems that some force is stopping us. The immortal recipe says that the monarch should always hide his whereabouts to avoid evil spirits. Only by avoiding the evil spirits will the true master descend. If the ministers knew where the monarch lived, it would hinder the arrival of the true master. True master will not get wet when they enter water, and will not be burned when they enter fire. They can ride on clouds and mist, and their lifespan is as long as the heaven and earth. Today, His Majesty is unable to keep his mind clear and free from desires when governing the country. Therefore, I suggest that Your Majesty's place of residence should not be known to others, so that the elixir of immortality can be found." The First Emperor said: "I admire the True Master, so from now on I will call myself 'True Master' instead of 'Zhen myself ." He then ordered that all 270 palaces within 200 miles of Xianyang be connected by plank roads, and that curtains, bells, drums, and beauties be placed inside them, and any changes to the layout were prohibited. Anyone who leaked the information about where the First Emperor had arrived would be put to death. Once, Qin Shihuang came to Liangshan Palace and saw from the mountain that the prime minister had a large number of carriages and entourage, which made him dissatisfied. Someone in the palace told the prime minister about this, and the prime minister then reduced the number of carriages and horses that accompanied him. The First Emperor was so angry that he said, "Someone in the palace actually leaked my words!" He then questioned the people around him, but no one admitted it. The First Emperor then ordered the arrest of all those present and had them all killed. From then on, no one knew the whereabouts of him. The First Emperor listened to reports from his ministers, and his ministers received orders and made decisions in the Xianyang Palace. 

卢生说始皇曰：“臣等求芝奇药仙者常弗遇，类物有害之者。方中，人主时为微行以辟恶鬼，恶鬼辟，真人至。人主所居而人臣知之，则害于神。真人者，入水不濡，入火不爇，陵云气，与天地久长。今上治天下，未能恬倓。愿上所居宫毋令人知，然后不死之药殆可得也。”于是始皇曰：“吾慕真人，自谓‘真人’，不称‘朕’。”乃令咸阳之旁二百里内宫观二百七十复道甬道相连，帷帐钟鼓美人充之，各案署不移徙。行所幸，有言其处者，罪死。始皇帝幸梁山宫，从山上见丞相车骑众，弗善也。中人或告丞相，丞相后损车骑。始皇怒曰：“此中人泄吾语。”案问莫服。当是时，诏捕诸时在旁者，皆杀之。自是后莫知行之所在。听事，群臣受决事，悉于咸阳宫。