Chapter 1 The Witches In 219 BC, Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, unified the six kingdoms...

In 219 BC, the second year after Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng unified the six kingdoms, he was 40 years old.

He led his officials eastward from Xianyang. This journey served both as an inspection tour and as a means to intimidate and appease the people of the six former states, to publicize the virtues of Qin, and to stabilize its rule. Along the way, they passed Mount Yi and then performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

The Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai did not end pleasantly. Qin Shi Huang, wanting to give Confucian scholars from Qi and Lu a chance to enter the Qin system and to demonstrate the might of Qin, wanted to emulate his predecessors by ascending Mount Tai and performing the Fengshan ceremony. The Fengshan ceremony was an ancient ritual by which emperors received their mandate from Heaven. As the first emperor to establish the dynasty, Qin Shi Huang naturally had to perform the Fengshan ceremony upon arriving in Qi and Lu.

However, the Fengshan ceremony had long been lost, and the Confucian scholars of Qi and Lu argued amongst themselves, unable to offer a satisfactory answer to Qin Shi Huang. Qin Shi Huang then created his own ceremony to worship Heaven and Earth. On the way to the Fengshan ceremony, however, he encountered wind and rain. The Confucian scholars of Qi and Lu ridiculed Qin Shi Huang, saying his "virtue was unworthy of Heaven." Displeased, Ying Zheng naturally expelled these scholars.

After the Fengshan ceremony, Ying Zheng ordered his civil and military officials to strengthen the administration of the eastern counties.

Whether those Confucian scholars acted intentionally or unintentionally is no longer important; Qin Shi Huang's goal of deterring the remnants of the six states and promoting the power of the Qin Dynasty had been achieved.

He recently arrived in Langya. Perhaps it was because he had never seen the vastness and treacherous depths of the sea, or perhaps it was because he harbored some secret yearning for the gods, that he stayed in Langya.

Ying Zheng was already forty years old, and he increasingly felt his physical strength and energy waning. He habitually wanted to control everything, but he was no longer as vigorous and powerful as he had been in his youth. He was beginning to feel powerless.

His father died before he was forty, and his great-grandfather died at the age of fifty-four. Although his great-great-grandfather, King Zhaoxiang, lived a long life, who can know the will of Heaven?

Even emperors, who rule the entire land, fear death just as much as any ordinary person. The more powerful a person is, the more they fear death.

If Qin Shi Huang was like this, then many subsequent monarchs could not escape the same fate.

Ying Zheng's desire for immortality was neither concealed nor needed to be. Throughout history, who among those who held power and wealth didn't desire longevity? Weren't King Zhao of Yan, King Xuan of Qi, and King Wei of Qi all pursuing immortality and seeking out immortals and alchemists? Last year, he had already begun exploring the ideas of immortality and alchemy.

He held supreme power in his hands, and countless people would flock to him for his favor and the power he could bestow upon them. He had only been in Langya for a short time when his subordinates, pandering to his tastes, presented him with a sorcerer named Xu Fu.

Ying Zheng was intrigued. He had heard that Xu Fu seemed to have a connection with the immortals, able to return to shore in a small boat on the vast ocean. He also claimed to have seen sea immortals, and that the dreamlike mirages on the horizon were the means to reach these immortal mountains. He had traveled back and forth across the sea many times; if not for divine intervention, how could he have known of the three sacred mountains in the sea, and even remembered their names so clearly?

The First Emperor spent several days by the sea and even sailed on the endless ocean. Although he didn't go very far, he was awestruck by its vastness and immensity. Especially at night, the boundless darkness of the sea instilled fear. Xu Fu, who moved freely on the sea, couldn't that be considered a stroke of divine inspiration?

I've heard that this person studies Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, and is also skilled in medicine. I wonder who is better, him or Xia Wuqie.

When traveling, Ying Zheng naturally brought along physicians.

Ying Zheng recently desired to build the Langya Terrace in Langya to overlook the sea, and considering Langya a place of auspicious geomancy, he ordered his Chancellor Wang Wan, in conjunction with the Minister of Agriculture, to relocate 30,000 households to Langya. These relocated people would be exempt from taxes for twelve years. Southeast of Langya lies a mountain called Langshan, where the Langya Terrace was planned to be built.

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng felt proud and imagined himself watching the sea day and night after the Langya Terrace was built, while his subordinates honestly reviewed the memorials. He wrote down decrees on bamboo slips, marveling at the ease of using the brush, which was indeed a fine gift presented by his trusted minister Meng Tian.

He had to review 120 jin of bamboo slips every day, and this eastern tour was no exception. Even while on tour, he still needed to keep track of all matters, big and small, in the country, which is exactly what is meant by "all matters in the country, regardless of their size, are decided by the emperor".

Zhao Gao silently stepped forward, replaced the bamboo slips in the First Emperor's hands, and placed the finished slips on the iron weight to weigh them. Staring at the number on the weight, he respectfully said, "Your Majesty, you have reviewed a 'shi' (a unit of dry measure) of memorials and official documents today. Would you like to rest?"

The candlelight crackled as a palace maid stepped forward, picked up the candle scissors, and adjusted the wick in the oil lamp, making the flame brighter. The maid then silently withdrew, standing by the wall with her head bowed, like a shadow, observing and waiting for the orders of her superior.

Ying Zheng quickly skimmed through the document, formed a plan in his mind, and wrote even faster. Hearing Zhao Gao's question, he remained indifferent.

Zhao Gao had served the First Emperor for many years, and understanding the emperor's intentions was one of his secrets to standing out from numerous competitors. He gave a wink, and immediately palace servants stepped forward. A maid knelt down to massage Ying Zheng's shoulders and legs to relieve his fatigue, while the others quietly and orderly removed the memorials and documents from the table.

Seeing that the First Emperor's expression had relaxed, Zhao Gao stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, today a large fish has been presented to us, and it is delicious. The kitchen has prepared it as sashimi. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Ying Zheng closed his eyes to rest, feeling the soreness and stiffness in his shoulders and neck gradually being relieved. He thought back to his youth when he would not stay up late reviewing official documents, and his body rarely ached.

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng was displeased and grunted in response.

Zhao Gao bowed and said, "Yes."

The next moment, a group of palace servants filed in in an orderly fashion, and soon a table of delicacies was laid out in front of the First Emperor.

Thinly sliced ​​fish were placed in gleaming bronze vessels, while roasted meat in a small cauldron beside them emitted a fragrant aroma. A maid with her hair styled in a fairy bun and adorned with five-colored flowers lifted the lid of an ice chest, revealing seasonal fruits and beverages inside.

Seeing that the First Emperor unconsciously ate more fish sashimi, Zhao Gao felt relieved. Since the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, the First Emperor had been in low spirits and had eaten less. His worries gradually lessened after arriving at Langya and facing the vast, magnificent sea.

Qin has only unified the six states for two years, and the people's hearts are not yet won over. Your Majesty's eastern tour, besides serving as a deterrent, may also have been an opportunity to examine whether local officials are capable of shouldering great responsibilities and whether they are truly committed to implementing the Qin system. Although there were some minor setbacks along the way, overall, Ying Zheng is quite satisfied with the abilities of his ministers.

After the meal, Zhao Gao respectfully held up a brocade box. He opened it, and inside lay a red cinnabar pill.

The First Emperor lifted his eyelids and glanced at it indifferently.

Zhao Gao understood immediately and sent someone to deliver water to the First Emperor so he could take the elixir.

After swallowing the elixir, the First Emperor closed his eyes to experience its effects. A burning sensation rose from his dantian, and Ying Zheng felt his fatigue vanish instantly. His energy and wisdom seemed to have returned to their peak.

Ying Zheng suddenly opened his eyes. They were majestic eyes that gleamed with a sharp light, as if they could see through all the illusions of the world, find the most fatal point in the mess, and then—eliminate the root of the problem.

Zhao Gao was forever impressed and intimidated by this First Emperor.

That night, the sky was filled with stars.

A shooting star fell into Qin Shi Huang's dream and transformed into a black bird, gazing southwest.

-

Lin Fengzhi opened her eyes.

Lin Fengzhi closed her eyes.

She clutched her chest, screaming inwardly, "What is this? Why are there disheveled people with colorful tattoos dancing around me? How strange! Let me take another look!"

The torchlight moved with the dance, and this time Lin Fengzhi could see clearly. The other person had brightly colored feathers stuck in their head, their clothes were loose and flowing, and they were muttering words she couldn't understand.

It looked like they were performing a sacred prayer.

Lin Fengzhi suddenly made eye contact with one of them. The person stepped forward with delight, her brightly colored tail feathers trembling with her movements. She grasped Lin Fengzhi's hand, her warm body temperature and slightly sticky touch conveying her feelings: "Witch! The witch is awake!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Lin Fengzhi with surprise and delight.

Cheers suddenly erupted from the crowd.

"Witch! We have a witch now!"

"Great! We're saved!"

Lin Fengzhi stood there, bewildered, as the woman held her hand. She was utterly confused as these people surrounded her, jubilantly. They held hands, singing enchanting songs she couldn't understand. She could feel their genuine joy and excitement.

Why could she understand words whose intonation and pronunciation did not match any language she knew?

Lin Fengzhi closed her eyes, desperately and frantically trying to wake up. She felt like she was still dreaming. Until she touched the body lying next to her, its heat intense and burning.

Endless memories, accompanied by the songs, flooded her mind.

"Open the gates of heaven wide, and ride the dark clouds."

Let the whirlwind lead the way, and let the torrential rain wash away the dust.

She was a native of Keluo in Qingcaoshan. From a young age, she was chosen to study witchcraft, learning prayers and sacrificial dances to pray for peace and divine good and bad fortune for everyone.

"The nine provinces are in turmoil, yet life and death are uncertain for me."

Soaring high and gliding peacefully, riding the pure air and controlling yin and yang.

She has never been a formal shaman because she hasn't reached the age required to pass the test. She still hasn't reached that age, but recently something happened that everyone believes is why the Kolo people have lost their shaman, and that's why the gods are punishing them. Everyone is too impatient; they can't wait for that day to come.

"Old age gradually comes to an end, and the closer we get, the more distant we become."

Riding dragons, rumbling and rolling; tall camels, soaring into the sky.

I linger, draped in cassia branches, my thoughts growing ever more sorrowful.

She had no choice but to obey, stepping into the still-cold river to cleanse her body, and only emerged when the moon was at its highest point. She changed into her most solemn clothes, applied powder and rouge, and joined the other candidates in receiving the worship of the crowd before the temple.

Everyone placed their hopes on the two teenagers.

"What can I do about this sorrow? I wish that things could be as they are now, without any regrets."

Human life is predetermined; who can control separation and reunion?

The one who survives the ordeal of being submerged in cold water, forced to kneel in worship, and enduring the darkness of night is the true chosen shaman. This is the system for selecting shamans.

As for her, cold sweat beaded on Lin Fengzhi's forehead, her heart pounded like a drum, and she gasped for breath, as if she couldn't breathe. She realized a certain outcome she didn't want to accept.

She was just traveling and was gazing at the towering statue of Qin Shihuang at the entrance of the Terracotta Army site when she was accidentally knocked down by the crowd of tourists.

She then fainted.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a different body, surrounded by people offering prayers.

Lin Fengzhi clasped her hands together, her devotion palpable at this moment. She wanted to return to all the gods and Buddhas.

Please grant your wish!

The music in her ears grew softer and softer, and the synchronized footsteps gradually came to a stop. Someone pushed forward and gently touched her forehead. The warm, real touch made Lin Fengzhi tremble. She heard the person mutter, "I'm not mistaken, am I? The witch is awake, isn't she? An, come and see."

Lin Fengzhi felt someone lift her eyelids, and she looked at the person with a start. She had taken over the original owner's memories, and although the person had painted on their face, Lin Fengzhi still recognized them.

install.

The longest-lived person among the Keluo people, she is over sixty years old this year. She has witnessed the changes in this land and raised the original owner.

An's hands were rough yet warm, and her cloudy eyes reflected Lin Fengzhi and the flickering flames: "Good child, you have overcome illness, cold, and darkness; you are a witch."

Lin Fengzhi suddenly burst into tears, not because she wanted to.

It's the original owner's emotions.

She finally gained recognition; she had been striving to become a witch since birth, but she collapsed before dawn.

A note from the author:

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*The Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai: "Seventy Confucian scholars and doctors from Qi and Lu were summoned to the foot of Mount Tai. Some of the scholars said, 'In ancient times, the Fengshan ceremony was performed using a cart made of reeds, to avoid damaging the mountain's soil, rocks, and vegetation; the ground should be swept clean before the sacrifice, and the mat used should be made of pickled straw, so as to make it easier to follow the ritual.' The First Emperor heard that these opinions were contradictory and difficult to implement, and thus dismissed the Confucian scholars… The First Emperor ascended Mount Tai, but on the middle slope, he encountered a violent storm and rested under a large tree. Since the Confucian scholars had been dismissed and could not participate in the Fengshan ceremony, they criticized the First Emperor for encountering the storm." (Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Qin Shi Huang)

*The construction of Langya Terrace: "...He ascended Langya Terrace in the south, was greatly pleased, and stayed for three months... He then relocated 30,000 households of commoners to the foot of Langya Terrace, and stayed there for another twelve years. He built Langya Terrace, erected a stone inscription praising the virtues of Qin." (Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Qin Shi Huang)

*“Alas, what can I do, a sorrowful soul? I wish for a life without regrets. Indeed, human fate is predetermined; who can control separation and reunion?” (From Qu Yuan's "Nine Songs: The Great Master of Fate")