I, Lin Xiao, work in HR at a company, and I’m facing the biggest crisis of my career.
Sitting across from me is a man applying for the position of “Project Director.”
He’s wearing a dark, antiqued suit that looks like it came from some photography studio, its subtle pattern resembling dragon scales. He sits ramrod straight, like a pine tree, with his hands resting casually on his knees. He doesn’t look like he’s here for an interview so much as to ascend the throne. Worst of all are his eyes. He looks at me as if I were a subject prostrating myself beneath the imperial steps, with the unquestioned air of a ruler.
“Ying Zheng,” he says, his voice low and echoing.
I glance down at his résumé and feel my vision go dark.
[Name]: Ying Zheng
[Work Experience]: King of Qin -> First Emperor of Qin
[Years of Reign]: 246 BC–210 BC
[Key Achievements]:
1. United China for the first time, laying the foundation for the next two thousand years.
2. Standardized writing, currency, weights, and measures, unifying written language and axle widths.
3. Built national infrastructure projects, including the Great Wall, imperial roads, and the Lingqu Canal.
4. Established the imperial system and centralized government, creating an administrative structure with a lasting impact.
I resist the urge to call a psychiatric hospital and do my best to keep my voice professional. “Mr. Ying, your résumé is... quite unique. Could you tell me specifically how you led the ‘Great Qin Group’ in completing the massive ‘Six Kingdoms market acquisition’ project?”
