"Shh!" the wicked husband quickly stopped him, "You can't say things like that. Besides, we don't know what will happen next, maybe..."
He started to speak, then shook his head: "Forget it, why should we worry about these things? The most important thing right now is to ensure the enthronement ceremony and the Fengshan ceremony are conducted properly. What do you think, should we build a temporary palace for the King on the top of Mount Tai?"
"Huh?" Zhang Erhe stared in disbelief. "A cultivation palace atop Mount Tai? This..."
"What's wrong with that?" The wicked man paced back and forth. "His Majesty can't possibly stay in a tent while performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, can he? Besides, this is also to display the majesty of our Great Qin. You wait, once the news gets out, won't those who think we're barbaric be dumbfounded?"
As he spoke, he suddenly thought of something: "That's right, have the Mo family's craftsmen prepare. We need to come up with something new on Mount Tai. For example..."
He smiled mysteriously: "For example, imagine setting up a mechanism on a mountaintop, where fireworks light up the sky as His Majesty arrives. Tell me, how spectacular would that be?"
Zhang Erhe was stunned. What other amazing ideas could his Grand Commandant possibly come up with?
"Go, go, don't just stand there!" The wicked husband waved his hand. "Hurry up and get ready. This is a momentous event, not something to be taken lightly. Oh, and..."
He added, "Have people speed up the construction of the Epang Palace. We must let the whole world know that our Great Qin is not only unparalleled in military prowess, but also unmatched in the realm of refined elegance!"
"And one more thing," he continued, "have the people in the Imperial Household Department prepare plenty of colorful silks. This is a coronation ceremony, after all; it needs to be vibrant and colorful to look proper. Also, have the people in the Black Ice Guard keep a close eye on things, lest those petty villains ruin the important event..."
Zhang Erhe couldn't help but smile as he watched his incessantly chattering husband. How come this Grand Commandant, who was usually so decisive and ruthless, became like a child when talking about these things?
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" The wicked husband glared at him. "This is all serious business! Go and fetch the Imperial Clan Minister. We need to discuss this properly. This is a momentous event in establishing the imperial system; it cannot be taken lightly..."
As he spoke, he laughed first: "Don't you think we've made a good start? From now on, emperors and kings will all remember that it all began with our Great Qin!"
Zhang Erhe shook his head helplessly. This guy still loves to show off.
However, this was indeed a major event. From then on, the land of China was no longer a place where feudal lords stood everywhere and royal titles flew all over the place.
That one cry of "First Emperor" truly changed the entire world!
"Alright, alright, stop daydreaming!" the wicked husband urged. "Hurry up and get things ready. Oh, and have someone get me a map of Mount Tai. We need to figure out where to build this palace..."
............
"No, no, this is too tacky!" The wicked husband slammed the blueprints onto the table, startling Zhang Erhe, who had just come over.
"The design of this Taishan Palace is far too shabby. This is supposed to be His Majesty's residence; how can it be treated so perfunctorily?"
The Mohist craftsman who designed the blueprints wiped his sweat: "Grand Commandant, the wind is strong and the terrain is treacherous on the top of Mount Tai. It's already quite an achievement to have built something like this..."
"What do you mean 'not easy'?" the wicked husband glared. "Back when we were building the Epang Palace, that was truly difficult! Didn't you still manage to come up with a new formula? What's there to be afraid of about Mount Tai?"
"This..." The craftsmen looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Alright, you can go back and redesign it." The wicked husband waved his hand. "Remember, this palace must not only be sturdy, but also beautiful. Especially the main hall—it must be magnificent, so that future generations can feel the power of the Qin Dynasty!"
After dismissing the craftsmen, Zhang Erhe whispered, "Grand Commandant, what do you think of this mess..."
"Making a fuss?" The wicked husband glared at him. "How can this be called making a fuss? This is a major event! Think about it, His Majesty's first major event upon ascending the throne is the Fengshan ceremony. If this isn't grand enough, what will people think of our Great Qin?"
As he spoke, he took out another drawing: "Take a look at this."
"This is..." Zhang Erhe stared intently, "Steps?"
"That's right!" the wicked man said smugly. "I had a stone staircase designed that runs from the foot of the mountain all the way to the top. Just imagine how magnificent it would be if His Majesty rode in his imperial carriage and ascended those steps!"
"But Grand Commandant..." Zhang Erhe hesitated, "how many men would that require?"
"What's the problem?" the scoundrel said dismissively. "Roads are being built everywhere anyway, it just means putting in a little more effort! Besides, this is a legacy for generations to come. Our generation suffering a little is for the benefit of future generations!"
Just then, an announcement came from outside: "The Imperial Clan Minister requests an audience!"
"Please come in quickly!" The wicked man straightened his clothes. "I was just waiting to ask about etiquette."
After the Imperial Clan Minister entered, he first bowed and said, "Grand Commandant, I have prepared the rites for the Fengshan ceremony. Would you like to review them?"
The wicked man took the bamboo slips and examined them carefully. The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed: "No, no, this is too shabby. Is this all the pomp and circumstance you've got?"
What instructions does the Grand Commandant have for me?
"Look," the wicked man paced back and forth, "the procession needs to be doubled, with banners lining both sides. And several hundred large drums should be brought in and beaten all the way up the mountain. When His Majesty reaches the summit, ten thousand people below will shout in unison..."
"This...this is not in accordance with ancient customs!" Zongzheng's forehead was covered in sweat.
"What ancient system?!" The wicked man waved his hand dismissively. "Since ancient times, who has ever unified six kingdoms? Who has ever called themselves emperor? We're creating a new system!"
He then added, "Furthermore, the more unprecedented something is, the more we must establish clear rules. This grand Fengshan ceremony is to set a benchmark for future generations. We must ensure that everyone remembers the magnificence of the First Emperor's Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai!"
Before Zongzheng could say anything more, another announcement came from outside: "Report! Mohist Xiangli He and Zizhen request an audience!"
"Oh, what brings these two here?" The wicked husband gestured for Zhang Erhe to go and invite them.
A moment later, Xiangli He and Zizhen entered, bowing first to the wicked husband: "Grand Commandant, we heard you're planning something big on the summit of Mount Tai?"
"Exactly." The wicked man became interested. "I was just thinking of discussing this matter with you two, and you two happen to show up at my door. What brilliant ideas do you have?"
Zizhen chuckled, "Our Mohist school has just developed a gunpowder formula..." He smiled mysteriously, "Not only will it produce a loud bang, but it will also leave various colors in the air. If the Grand Commandant is interested, why not give it a try?"
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