"Report! The envoy from Nanyue has arrived!"
The wicked man was inspecting the final arrangements of the palace when he heard the report and couldn't help but chuckle: "The Southern Yue are moving quite quickly. Zhang Erhe, go see what treasures they brought!"
Not long after, Zhang Erhe ran back excitedly: "Grand Commandant, guess what? The Southern Yue people are really generous this time! They brought ten Bright Pearls! And..."
"Wait!" the wicked husband interrupted him. "Don't speak yet. Let me guess..." He paced back and forth, "Southern Yue is rich in pearls and jade, so there must be plenty of these, as well as spices, ivory..."
"Grand Commandant, you're truly amazing!" Zhang Erhe gave a thumbs up. "Exactly the same!"
"What's so hard to guess?" The wicked man shook his head smugly. "These barbarians only have this much stuff. It's not expensive, but it's not cheap either. But it's good, it'll add some good luck to His Majesty's grand sacrifice."
"By the way, have any people arrived from the Western Regions?"
"They're already on their way," Zhang Erhe replied. "I heard they've brought quite a few good horses."
"A fine horse?" The wicked man's eyes lit up. "That's excellent. Perfect for the coronation ceremony. Have them pick out the best ones for His Majesty's entourage."
Just then, another report came: "Report! The envoy from Gija Joseon has arrived!"
"Oh, so fast?" The wicked man stroked his chin. "Let me think about what they might bring..."
"Grand Commandant, don't bother guessing," Zhang Erhe laughed. "Gija Joseon has brought quite a few rare items this time!"
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"They brought a kind of glowing stone! They said it was dug up from the beach and emits a ghostly blue light at night..."
"Interesting!" The wicked husband's eyes lit up. "Quickly, send someone to fetch Xiangli He and Zizhen. How beautiful it would be if this could be used on the imperial palace!"
Before long, the two Mo family members arrived in a hurry.
I was immediately intrigued when I heard it was a stone that could glow.
"Rest assured, Grand Commandant," Xiangli He patted his chest. "Give us three days, and I guarantee this stone will shine brightly at the palace!"
"Alright!" the wicked husband exclaimed happily. "Then I'll leave it to you. Remember, it must be coordinated with that wind chime; the combination of sound and light will make it truly impressive!"
After seeing the two Mohists off, the wicked man began to ponder again: "By the way, have the envoys been accommodated?"
"It's all prepared long ago," Zhang Erhe replied. "They've been arranged in different guesthouses according to the standards of each country."
"no!"
The wicked husband slammed his hand on the table, "The standards must be set, but we can't let them live too far apart."
"In that case, settle them all at the foot of the mountain. Let them see our palace every day, and let them witness the grandeur of our Great Qin!"
Zhang Erhe was dumbfounded: "This..."
"It's nothing, no matter what." The wicked man waved his hand. "That's how it'll be done. Oh, and have the people from the Imperial Household Department prepare to repair a small path."
"These envoys live at the foot of the mountain and must want to come up for a visit. We can't very well let them walk along that imperial road used for sacrifices, can we?"
"The Grand Commandant is wise!"
"What's all this talk of wisdom and brilliance?" the wicked husband paced back and forth. "These are all minor matters. But what about the jade seal used for sacrifices? Why hasn't it arrived yet?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, it's already on its way," Zhang Erhe quickly replied. "I heard it's carved from the finest jade this time, and the craftsmen spent three whole months polishing it..."
"That's more like it." The wicked husband nodded. "Once the imperial seal arrives, I'll have a good look at it. This is the token that established the imperial system. Although it can't compare to the Imperial Seal of the State, the He Shi Bi, it still can't be taken lightly!"
Just then, someone else came to report: "Grand Commandant, the tribute from all over the country has arrived; the bronze ware alone has filled more than a hundred carts!"
"Bronze ware?" The wicked man frowned. "What use is there in keeping this piece of junk?"
"This..." The visitor was speechless for a moment.
"Idiot!" the wicked husband said irritably. "Hurry up and send it to Xianglihe and the others. Tell them to melt all this copper down and make more wind chimes!"
"This..." Zhang Erhe hesitated, "These are all tributes from various regions..."
"I've gone to great lengths to advance Qin, and you still treat bronze ware like treasures?" The wicked man turned his head. "It'll be perfect for the Fengshan ceremony. When the envoys from all over see that the bronze ware they sent is being used like junk, won't that make us look even more impressive?"
Zhang Erhe was rendered speechless by his fallacious reasoning.
"Alright, stop standing there," the wicked husband urged. "Hurry up and get things ready. By the way, how's the observation platform coming along?"
"It's finished."
"That's good." The wicked man nodded. "Once these envoys arrive, take them upstairs to see for themselves. Let them witness firsthand the grandeur of the preparations our Great Qin is making for His Majesty's grand sacrifice!"
As the sun set, the inn at the foot of the mountain was already full of envoys from all over the country.
Standing before the palace, gazing at the lights twinkling below, the wicked man couldn't help but sigh, "Don't you think these barbarians are all incredibly envious?"
"Why do you say that, Grand Commandant?"
"Think about it," the wicked husband laughed. "They've never seen such a magnificent building before. Now they can see it every day; they're probably incredibly envious!"
Zhang Erhe laughed as well: "The Grand Commandant is right. But now that you mention it, I just remembered, shouldn't we bring those envoys up for a tour?"
"Of course!" The wicked man's eyes lit up. "But we have to pick a good day. It would be best if it were a sunny day, so that Xianglihe and the others can prepare all those mechanisms."
"When the wind chimes ring and the fireworks go off, these barbarians will be dumbfounded!"
As he spoke, he added, "By the way, have Fengchang prepare in advance as well."
"There must be a set procedure for these messengers to participate in the grand ceremony!"
"Those who should be at the front should be at the front, and those who should be at the back should be at the back. We can't let them break the rules!"
Zhang Erhe nodded in agreement.
have to!
This gentleman is truly thoughtful.
"Oh dear!" The wicked husband suddenly remembered something. "I almost forgot the important matter. Is the jade altar for the sacrificial ceremony ready?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, the carving is complete."
"Let me see it!"
Soon, the craftsmen brought in a huge jade table. It was crystal clear and exquisitely carved with dragon, phoenix, and auspicious cloud patterns.
"Not bad, not bad." The wicked husband circled the jade table several times. "That's more like it! By the way, has the placement been decided yet?"
"It's all decided." Zhang Erhe pointed to the center of the main hall, "It'll be placed right here, facing the Heavenly Gate..."
"Absolutely not!" the wicked man shook his head. "Move forward a bit. His Majesty must be able to look down upon all living beings when he stands before the jade table. Only then will he appear majestic!"
Zhang Erhe chuckled inwardly as he watched him gesturing wildly.
This Grand Commandant has really kept himself very busy with this Fengshan ceremony.
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