Chapter 11. The Grand Shaman, the Prefect of Langya, was quickly taken away. ...

The governor of Langya was quickly taken away.

The music and dance began once more, but the defection of the Langya Prefect did not affect the First Emperor's mood. He knew very well that Qin had only unified the six kingdoms for a little over two years, and not only were there remnants of the six kingdoms who were already dissatisfied, but there were also dissenting voices within Qin itself. These voices had always existed, and could neither be killed nor eradicated.

But he never bowed his head.

He was also undeterred by the rain, snow, wind, and frost along his journey.

The testimony of the Langya Prefect was presented to the emperor shortly afterward.

"Severely punish the officials involved, conduct a population census, and restore taxes. As for the governor of Langya and his family, punish them according to the law and publicly execute them as a warning to others. As for the vacant official positions... there are plenty of people in the court waiting for vacancies, more than enough to fill them. I have Minister Li handle this matter." Ying Zheng casually flipped through the pages amidst the music and dance. Hearing the voice of the other party's reply sound somewhat familiar, he was slightly surprised. Looking up, he saw it was Zhang Han, whom he had singled out that day.

The other person looked at him with admiration, clearly suppressing their excitement.

Ying Zheng: "It's you? Are you alright with your promotion from the position of Junior Treasury Official to the position of Assistant Commander of the Imperial Guard?"

Zhang Han's face flushed red; he hadn't expected the First Emperor to still remember him. Hearing the Emperor's words of concern, he bowed deeply and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I am not unwell. I have enjoyed spending these past two days with my colleagues. Your Majesty has a discerning eye; I never imagined that you would be able to..."

Zhang Han hadn't yet reached the point where he could boast without batting an eye. After stammering for a moment, he finally managed to say, "...I'm quite adept at it."

Zhang Han wasn't lying. When he was an official in the Imperial Household Department, he never thought about what it would be like to be a military general. Now that he had done it himself, he realized that he seemed to have a special talent. What would take others three to five days to learn about the deployment map, he could memorize at a glance; what ordinary generals struggled with was military discipline, he could do without feeling any difficulty when he was deploying his troops.

It was as if he was born to command troops.

His colleagues were all shrewd and capable individuals. He had been formally appointed by the First Emperor, who was an absolute ruler. Zhang Han was on the verge of rapid advancement; who would want to cause him trouble at this crucial juncture?

Ying Zheng smiled, thinking to himself that he would give Wang Ben a disciple when he returned. Wang Ben led his army southeast to clear away any obstacles that might be encountered during his tour, and should have already arrived in Pengcheng by now.

Zhang Han withdrew with the First Emperor's instructions, still pondering the First Emperor's deeper meaning in dealing with the governor of Langya Commandery as he left.

His political acumen wasn't as sharp as it had been when he served under Qin Er Shi. After all, the court was rife with corruption and chaos, with Zhao Gao wielding absolute power. Even Li Si couldn't have imagined that his illustrious achievements would become his death warrant. Had his political acumen been any less, he would have been dead long ago.

Working under the First Emperor was undoubtedly tiring, but the rewards of gold, silver, and noble titles were plentiful. The First Emperor was also adept at balancing politics, placing capable and virtuous officials in appropriate positions.

As he was about to leave the main hall, he looked at the assembled ministers and thought about their backgrounds, including that of the Langya Prefect who had just been dragged away.

He suddenly realized.

The defection of the Langya Commandery governor became a tool for the First Emperor to deter the remnants of the six former states. The governor and his associates protected the Tian family and concealed their population, violating Qin law and thus committing a crime. Their vacant positions would be filled by officials who had distinguished themselves through Qin's policy of "taking law as teaching and officials as teachers." These officials would serve as the First Emperor's best eyes and ears in Jiaodong, allowing Qin to further infiltrate the six eastern states.

At the same time, the identified population was returned to the Qin Dynasty's household registration system, contributing to the Qin Dynasty's tax revenue.

...

After the banquet ended, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Xia Wuqie stopped Xu Fu, who was about to go to see the First Emperor.

Xu Fu was still dressed in his flowing robes, exuding an ethereal air. He appeared puzzled but was inwardly impatient. However, out of consideration for Xia Wuqie, the First Emperor's personal physician, he gave him a somewhat amiable look and asked, "Imperial Physician, what brings you here? Why have you stopped me on the palace road?"

Xia Wuqie, always outspoken, said, “I have long admired the Daoist Fangxian. I have heard that there are elixirs that can invigorate the spirit and have a rejuvenating effect, which Your Majesty also greatly admires. I wonder if you could spare a few for me?”

Xu Fu became wary: "The Imperial Physician requests elixirs, but the palace keeps countless alchemists. Why would he specifically target me?"

Xia Wuqie said frankly, "Because you are the most popular right now. The elixirs His Majesty has been taking lately are also made by you. You and the alchemists are all nominally serving as physicians, so I have naturally already contacted them."

There were many people coming and going on the palace road. Xu Fu was in a hurry to see the First Emperor to refine his deceptive rhetoric. He was still uneasy because he hadn't obtained the young boys and girls and the treasure. Xu Fu had no interest in getting acquainted with Xia Wuqie. He gave him a bottle of pills and left.

Xia Wuqie had not yet left when he saw Xu Fu's wide robe brush past the steps and his figure disappear into the hall.

His expression was complicated; he hoped, he hoped it wasn't what he thought.

-

Xiangshan Mountain, Xiangjun Temple.

The high priestess of the Qu clan, dressed solemnly, arrived with the clan chief and a group of her disciples. The high priestess was a woman in her thirties, her face painted with intricate red patterns from the corners of her mouth to her cheekbones, and the strands of hair hanging down her sides bore traces of woven ribbons. Her figure was concealed within a dark black sacrificial robe adorned with phoenix patterns, a jade cong and a golden beast-shaped mask hanging from her waist, each step accompanied by a clatter.

Behind the high shaman were a man and a woman holding tortoise shells, ritual implements, and other items used for sacrifice and divination.

The great shaman's dark eyes swept coldly over everyone present.

There were quite a few people there.

The Zhao clan chief of Yunmengze, the county magistrate, and... the Keluo people's shaman who wants to challenge her.

The other person was relaxed and at ease, talking to the person next to them, appearing very confident.

The great shaman recognized the man; he was a disciple of the Mohist school and was well-known in the Chu region for frequently helping the poor.

She couldn't understand why Sheng Kuan, who came from a good family and whose sister had married into the prestigious Zhao clan, would lower himself to associate with all sorts of people. She also couldn't understand why Sheng Kuan would help Lin Fengzhi, this unknown young girl.

A faint doubt flickered in the Great Shaman's mind, but she paid it no mind. She stepped into the Xiangjun Temple, the hem of her black robe brushing against the threshold. The Great Shaman looked up at the statues of the gods in the temple; she was certain she would win.

Lin Fengzhi patted Qi, who was startled because he was too nervous. Lin Fengzhi was slightly speechless: "Is it really necessary? Don't worry, I can handle it. Just do as I say, and the gods are on our side. Hmm?"

Qi, holding the box, said solemnly, "This concerns the very survival of our Keluo people, and I will certainly do it!"

Lin Fengzhi didn't want him to be so nervous: "It's not that serious, go ahead. Just do it like we practiced before. You did very well before, you can do it again today."

Lin Fengzhi and her entourage were the last to enter the Xiangjun Temple.

After they went inside, Qi, seeing that no one was around, sneakily found a corner and hid.

The Qu clan was one of the three great noble families of the Chu state, and for generations they had controlled the affairs of the Chu clan. They were already closely connected with the sacrificial rites of the Xiang River basin. After Qu Yuan drowned himself in the river, they deified him as a water god, further monopolizing the sacrificial rites of the Xiang River basin. They monopolized the knowledge of the sacrifices and played a role in the Xiang River basin, communicating between humans and gods, presiding over sacrifices, and using witchcraft to cure diseases.

They amassed wealth by collecting tributes, divination fees, and medical expenses, and in order to monopolize the rituals, they made the path for outsiders to become shamans extremely difficult.

In this ignorant era, Qu Yuan gained not only money, but also the power to participate in local governance.

Their power was so great that both the county magistrate and Lady Zhao were envious, which is why Lady Zhao and the county magistrate readily came to witness the ceremony.

While Sheng Kuan's reputation certainly played a part, they also hoped that the Qu family would stumble and cause them to divide the spoils.

Lin Fengzhi understood all this, and her smile remained unchanged. No matter what, she was determined to become the Great Witch in today's battle and gain more say.

The challenge against the Great Shaman is divided into three parts: divination for good fortune, exorcism and prayer for blessings, and invocation of the gods and sacrifices. Among these, the invocation of the gods and sacrifices is the most important.

The high priest took the lead, donning a golden mask with a patterned head, revealing only her eyes. She leaped lightly onto the altar, and the Qu clan's shamans played rousing drums to cheer her on.

The high shaman faced the three statues of gods, bowing low like a crane. In the bronze cauldron before the statues, mugwort and yarrow burned, and the high shaman chanted a prayer aloud: "Auspicious day, a propitious time, may the Supreme Emperor be pleased."

I stroke my long sword, its jade hilt gleaming and ringing.

......

Her graceful figure, adorned in elegant robes, filled the hall with fragrant blossoms.

"I consulted the oracle bones and tortoise shells, and they told me the outcome of my divination!"

The tortoise shell was thrown into the bronze cauldron, and the smell of bone ash and mugwort ash filled the Xiangjun Temple. The drumbeats became more and more exciting and generous. The shaman's body was like the lightest bird on the banks of the Xiang River, and his black clothes fluttered like wings in the wind.

The men and women of the Qu family who practiced shamanism chanted in unison: "Inquire with the yarrow stalks and tortoise shells, and tell me good or bad fortune!"

The voice is captivating.

Sheng Kuan glanced at the shaman's skillful and spiritual movements, then at Lin Fengzhi's somewhat immature face. He was genuinely worried and asked her in a low voice, "Are you sure you can handle this?"

Lin Fengzhi bluntly stated, "In divination and fortune-telling, I am not as good as her."

Shengkuan's vision went black. His eyes darted around, and he saw the solemn expressions of the onlookers, already drawn into the high shaman's emotions. Shengkuan thought of Yong, then of the flower-patterned loom and gifts Lin Fengzhi had mentioned, and gritted his teeth, saying, "You'll come with me later. Although I'm not good at anything, I still have some influence here. For the sake of the loom, I'll protect you."

Successfully challenging the Great Shaman would bring great benefits, but failure would mean the entire Keluo people would become vassals of the Qu clan, akin to slaves.

Lin Fengzhi found it amusing yet also touched: "Thank you, but I'm afraid I won't need it."

Sheng Kuan did not notice that the Ke Luo people present did not show any panic or unease, but only unwavering trust in Lin Fengzhi.

The magistrate's eyes gleamed with a strange light, as if he had just thought of something.

The great shaman finished her ritual, the jade cong at her waist jingling. She took out a tortoise shell from the bronze cauldron, her fingertips tracing the cracks on the back of the shell—seven vertical, six horizontal, and three diagonal.

The great shaman had examined countless tortoise shells. She picked one up and held it to her ear, as if she could hear the divination results from within it.

A note from the author:

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*Nine Songs: Donghuang Taiyi

I'm begging for nutrient solution again! [Pity][Pity][Pity]