Chapter 37 His Majesty is about to return. Since Wu…
His Majesty is about to return.
An urgent letter arrived in Xianyang from Wuguan, containing only four concise characters.
Most of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers accompanied the First Emperor on his eastern tour, while Feng Quji, one of the Three Dukes and Grand Censor, remained in the capital, Xianyang. During the First Emperor's tour, he acted as prime minister, demonstrating exceptional governing abilities.
The eldest son, Fusu, ended his eastern tour ahead of schedule to escort the Nine Tripods back to Xianyang. At this time, the ministers who remained behind discussed how to welcome the First Emperor back to Xianyang, and Fusu was among them.
"The main streets, palaces, and markets should be thoroughly swept and decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations." Feng Quji made the arrangements one by one: "The road from the city gate of Xianyang to the palace should be widened and leveled, paved with yellow earth, and the streets should be sprinkled with clean water. Lieutenant Yao, you are in charge."
The lieutenant commanded the Xianyang garrison, responsible for guarding the city gates and maintaining order within the city. Their daily duties included patrolling the streets, suppressing rebellions, and preventing fires and theft. Feng Quji had assigned this position according to his duties. Lieutenant Yao stepped forward and said, "Yes, sir."
"There will be a sentry every three steps and a sentry every five steps along the route to ensure absolute safety. Commander Lüben, you will be in charge of this matter."
Zhang Han, who was escorting the Nine Tripods with the eldest son Fusu, was prominently among them. He stepped forward to receive the order: "Yes, sir."
Subsequently, Feng Quji appointed several people to oversee various tasks. Knowing that the First Emperor favored grandeur and emphasized solemnity, he mobilized a large number of imperial guards, palace guards, and elite soldiers to form an honor guard, conducting rigorous drills in formation and etiquette. He was determined to ensure that on the day the First Emperor returned, he would see a clean, magnificent, and grand Xianyang.
After a series of arrangements were finalized, everyone relaxed and began gossiping quietly.
"I heard that His Majesty encountered the Black Bird Divine Messenger by chance in Xiangshan, but I don't know if it's true or not. However, the letter from Marquis Tongwu says that His Majesty has abandoned the use of elixirs ever since, which is truly a great thing."
Upon receiving the letter, Wang Jian was so overjoyed that he ate two extra bowls of rice in Pinyang. He even sent his grandson, Wang Li, to Xianyang to await his return. With Wang Li's arrival, the news naturally spread throughout the court.
Pragmatic officials, like the old general Wang Jian, were naturally delighted. They had always considered the search for immortality and elixirs to be a ridiculous endeavor that wasted national resources and disrupted the court. However, they remained silent due to the First Emperor's authority.
Now that His Majesty has stopped taking drugs and has executed the two alchemists Xu Fu and Li Xianshi, as well as Zhao Gao, who recommended them, it seems he has made up his mind.
Loyal ministers and generals were all overjoyed.
“In March, when we were in Langya, Father Emperor summoned the Grand Astrologer and a scholar to interpret his dream. Father Emperor said he dreamed of a black bird and asked what it meant.” With Father Emperor no longer taking elixirs, Fusu was relieved. However, he still had some doubts about the black bird messenger. He sorted out the ins and outs of the black bird: “At the end of April, for some unknown reason, Father Emperor ordered Minister Meng to go to the southwest to find the black bird.”
The ministers gradually fell silent, pondering Fusu's words.
Who can control dreams? No one can control dreams.
"At the end of May, Meng Shangqing sent an urgent message saying that a person of extraordinary abilities had been found in Qianling County, Cangwu Prefecture." At this point, Fusu glanced at Feng Quji, as Feng Yin, the magistrate of Qianling County, was a relative of Feng Quji.
Feng Quji remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he thought Feng Yin was very lucky. Although Feng Yin was also a member of the Feng family, he was not related to him by blood. Otherwise, he would not have been appointed as the magistrate of a remote place like Qianling County. He thought he would spend the rest of his life in Qianling County, but he had unexpectedly struck it lucky and achieved remarkable political achievements.
Feng Quji was even a little jealous.
When Feng Yin was in Xianyang searching for a market for Xiangjun cloth, he wrote to him. As the Imperial Censor, he was extremely busy, if not overwhelmed with official duties. He was too busy raising his son, Feng Jie, to care about a junior member of the clan who wasn't highly regarded.
As it turns out, the fabric His Majesty sent over a few days ago was exactly the same as the sample fabric piled up in the mansion's warehouse.
Feng Quji broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, although he wasn't particularly attentive, he hadn't been too negligent either. Apart from the samples he kept, he helped Feng Yin sell everything.
Feng Yin's actions brought prosperity to Qianling County. Although the Feng family's status in the court did not improve, the younger generation was encouraged to strive for advancement. Feng Quji secretly pondered that he should pay closer attention to this clansman in the future, as he might benefit from him. After all, in the ever-changing political landscape of the court, any assistance was crucial.
Now, only a few months later, he has already followed His Majesty from that remote place, Qianling County, to Xianyang. If the official textile workshop does well, promotion and a raise will be a certainty.
"In June, wondrous objects such as Xiangjun cloth and steel swords appeared in the imperial court; in July, the Emperor met with the Xuan Bird Divine Envoy at Xiangshan, offering auspicious grains as a tribute, witnessed by a sky full of starlight." Fusu recalled the description in the letter he received, piecing together the truth from the writer's flowery and ornate language.
Meng Yi: [...Stars fell like rain, radiant with light, sparks flew everywhere... Suddenly, thunder roared from the ground, the sound of tearing silk deafening, piercing the heavens! In an instant, countless fiery trees and golden flowers bloomed in the sky, red as cinnabar, blue as turquoise, white as frost and snow, purple as flowing clouds, their brilliance dazzling, changing in an instant, illuminating the entire universe, brighter than daylight. It seemed as if the Heavenly Emperor had splashed ink with his brush, or as if stars had fallen to earth.]
Chunyu Yue: [It is called fireworks... It produces light out of thin air, ignites without wood, appears and disappears in an instant, and is unpredictable. Its sound is terrifying, and its light is dazzling...]
Besides Meng Yi and Chunyu Yue, Fusu also saw Wang Ben's description of the fireworks: "[A fiery tree sprouted from the earth, reaching the sky in an instant. Its branches and trunk were gnarled and twisted, all forged from intense flames, its brilliance dazzling and blinding.]"
Fusu was dazzled, finding it hard to believe that such magnificent writing came from the hand of Meng Yi Wang Ben, known for his pragmatism and uprightness. Could it really not have been written by Li Si?
Humans cannot imagine things beyond their own understanding; they seek information from the awe-inspiring and brilliant language.
No one could make the Qin emperor, his ministers, and his people lie at the same time.
Which ordinary person could create so many things that benefit the country and its people?
Fusu came to the difficult conclusion that perhaps, perhaps his father had really encountered a god?
"Gentlemen, in the memorial sent by Father Emperor, besides the official decorations arranged by Prime Minister Li today, there is also the welcoming of the Black Bird Divine Envoy. Father Emperor instructed that it should be grand and magnificent, so that the Divine Envoy can see the sincerity of Great Qin towards the Divine Envoy."
This secret memorial contained, of course, more than just this matter; it also included the emperor's earnest questioning. Fusu omitted the part about himself.
In the secret memorial, the First Emperor, for reasons unknown, spoke with great anger, his words filled with admonition and harsh language.
They almost made Fusu die from staring at them.
Accusing him of disloyalty and filial impiety was secondary; it was the rare emotional outpouring in the emperor's words that left Fusu at a loss.
Since he could remember, the figure of his father, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, was like a mountain range where light and shadow intertwined. The First Emperor's figure, sweeping across the land, was a totem he had looked up to since childhood.
He initially intended to follow in his father's footsteps, but the deeper he delved, the more he felt that Legalism contradicted his own ideas. How could harsh laws and severe punishments bring peace to the world? On the contrary, the political ideals of Confucianism deeply moved him.
With the world newly settled and the people in distant lands not yet gathered, all the students recite the teachings of Confucius. If we were to impose strict laws on them now, I fear the world would be in turmoil.
He disagreed with the First Emperor's political ideology.
He also keenly sensed the undercurrents beneath the seemingly stable surface of the Qin Dynasty. However, these undercurrents were suppressed by his father's authority and dared not surface.
Although the questioning made Fusu uneasy, he couldn't help but feel a secret joy.
His father is keeping an eye on him.
It wasn't until I saw the First Emperor ask Fusu at the end of his secret memorial, "What is the meaning of your name?"
Fusu received Confucian classics training from a young age, how could he not know? His name comes from the Book of Songs: "There are hibiscus on the mountain, and lotus flowers in the marsh."
Fusu is a large tree with lush branches and leaves.
The First Emperor's secret memorial ended there, and then there were no more earnest words.
But this one question is worth more than a thousand words.
Fusu couldn't help but ask himself: Had he grown into the pillar of his father's heart? Had he been able to shelter the people under the rule of Qin from the wind and rain?
The answer is unknown.
He gradually came to understand why his father sought immortality.
"Since we are here to welcome the divine envoy to Xianyang for the first time, the previous arrangements were not grand enough. What do you think?" Fusu asked Feng Quji, suppressing his inner turmoil.
Feng Quji nodded slightly and suggested, "The nine tripods that you sent earlier, young master, have not yet been used for any ceremony. We originally planned to discuss it after His Majesty's eastern tour. Why don't we hold a sacrificial ceremony to honor the late emperor on the day of His Majesty's return?"
The return of the Nine Tripods to Qin was proof of the "Mandate of Heaven" that the First Emperor had long dreamed of. It comforted his predecessors, thanked his ancestors for their protection, and proved that Qin's unification of the world and acquisition of the Nine Tripods was an inheritance and development of the former kings' will.
"Does anyone have any other good suggestions? Please feel free to speak up."
The ministers spoke enthusiastically: "Since we are messengers of the Black Bird, and the Great Qin reveres black, why not prepare bronze Black Bird ritual vessels, or a canopy adorned with pheasant feathers?"
Fusu nodded: "Agreed."
"Should the position of Divine Envoy follow immediately after His Majesty, or should it be placed after Prime Minister Li?"
Feng Quji stroked his beard: "We'll see how things go when the time comes."
"The music and dance seem to imitate birdsong, and the flags and curtains are also adorned with gold and black. What do you think?"
“Alright,” Fusu said.
"I wonder if the white pheasant that was presented to us two years ago is still well?"
Gradually, the problems became more and more outrageous.
Until someone mingled among them and asked a startling question: "Since the divine messenger is a woman, why not prepare some handsome and dignified men for her?"
Upon hearing this, the entire palace fell silent. The official who had asked the question remained silent and glanced back nonchalantly.
As long as he stays calm, it's others who will feel embarrassed.
"Food and sex are human nature. Don't divine messengers also have human characteristics? The men of Qin are handsome and of excellent character. How can they not serve divine messengers?"
Fusu thought for a moment, then thought, "No! The rules of propriety are strict; how can I offer male beauty to the divine messenger? It's completely against the court's regulations. But... what Dr. Shusun said isn't without merit... No! This is an absurd and transgressive act."
What if... No, such low-level, foolish, and obsequious behavior is utterly worthless. There's no need to think about it anymore; offending the divine messenger would be a greater loss than gain.
-
The heavy wheels rolled over the rammed earth road. Lin Fengzhi lifted the carriage curtain, leaving the deafening shouts behind. Her bright eyes pierced through the noise as she calmly surveyed the capital city called Xianyang.
Xianyang, built in the central Guanzhong Plain, boasts a flat and expansive terrain, ideal for constructing a large-scale capital city and palaces. The Qin people, always seeking grandeur and abundance, created a massive capital city with clusters of palaces, built on high rammed earth platforms, densely packed, connected by passageways, and laid out along mountains and rivers. Its layout, inspired by celestial phenomena, achieves a magnificent harmony between heaven and man, a truly spectacular sight.
For example, the Wei River corresponds to the Milky Way, and the Xianyang Palace corresponds to the Big Dipper.
The sky was filled with surging, dark waves, and countless banners embroidered with animal patterns fluttered in the air.
Ahead is the First Emperor's golden chariot.
The fact that Li Si's carriage was placed behind hers is enough to demonstrate the First Emperor's high regard for Lin Fengzhi.
Li Si also relinquished his position as second only to the emperor without any complaint.
If he still can't discern the truth from his recent experiences and the First Emperor's attitude, then he has wasted his life.
Zhao Gao died, subjected to the five punishments and his entire clan exterminated. The First Emperor was not a ruler who indiscriminately killed innocent people; Zhao Gao must have committed a crime that the First Emperor could not tolerate.
The popular belief that the emperor was tricked by a Taoist priest into consuming an elixir that would shorten his lifespan is only the superficial reason.
He once served as the Minister of Justice, participated in the compilation of the Qin Dynasty's laws, and had a thorough understanding of them. The Five Punishments were mainly aimed at serious criminals who were to have their "three clans exterminated," and were the core means by which the Qin Dynasty deterred rebellion.
How did Zhao Gao rebel?
Combining this with his conversation with Zhao Gao when he went to Pengcheng, and considering that Zhao Gao's close prince Huhai had been missing recently and was said to be unwell and unable to walk.
Li Si broke out in a cold sweat.
He knew himself very well; he was power-hungry yet extremely intelligent and perceptive, and he had already guessed why the First Emperor was treating him this way.
He felt no resentment, but rather gratitude.
Despite committing such a grave crime, the First Emperor spared his life and bestowed upon him wealth and power.
This truly moved Li Si, who was over sixty years old.
As for how the First Emperor knew, with the Black Bird Divine Messenger appearing, what else was impossible?
Even when His Majesty gave him more work, Li Si could only feel grateful. His Majesty didn't want to kill him; he cared about him.
After finishing his work on the blast furnace steel plant, Li Si worked overtime to come up with a new plan for the southern expedition against the Baiyue tribes.
Tu Sui remained the commander-in-chief, but he no longer focused on direct attacks and instead of deploying 500,000 troops at once, he gradually annexed and weakened the enemy.
Li Si has already begun to involve the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of the Imperial Treasury in the construction of the Ling Canal ahead of schedule to ensure the transportation of supplies and provisions. He is proceeding cautiously, occupying and cultivating land in each location he occupies. He has heard that the divine envoy intends to provide the First Emperor with something called gunpowder, claiming it is very effective for blasting canals through mountains.
Li Si longed for it.
In addition, making good use of the effective remedy for dysentery offered by Guan Yue can maximize the Qin army's fighting capacity.
There's no need to worry about the attack on Baiyue yielding no results; the recipe given by the divine messenger for turning sugarcane into honey will solve most of the expenses.
Such an outstanding divine messenger solved several major problems in the southern expedition against the Baiyue, so it's no wonder that the First Emperor promoted her.
Although it increased his workload, it saved his life.
Ha ha.
Li Si lifted the carriage curtain and saw his sons and grandsons kneeling and bowing before the First Emperor's golden carriage among the court officials. He thought to himself, "So what if it's tiring? So what if it's hard? Only the dead know no hardship or fatigue."
Li Si, Li Si, be a useful person to the Qin Dynasty.
He looked ahead at the divine messenger who was peering curiously at the flag in the sky; the mandate of heaven was with Qin.
Amidst the overwhelming black waves, a massive, leaping golden pattern of a black bird with outstretched wings was meticulously embroidered on the highest banners. The black bird raised its head to the sky, the golden threads flowing with a divine radiance in the early autumn sunlight.
Along both sides of the road, every ten steps or so, stands a newly cast bronze black bird lamp base, each with a different shape, some stretching their necks to sing, others flapping their wings as if about to take flight. The cold metal gleams with a blend of dark green and golden luster under the sunlight, like a silent ceremonial guard.
Thousands upon thousands of armored soldiers stood silently like mountains, their spears and halberds pointing towards the sky, their blades gleaming coldly. Civil and military officials, according to their rank, prostrated themselves on both sides of the imperial road like black reefs, their foreheads pressed against the cold ground, their posture one of absolute submission and awe.
Lin Fengzhi could clearly feel countless gazes, filled with cautious inquiry, indescribable awe and hope, and even a trace of fear of the unknown power, like invisible tentacles, passing over the First Emperor's carriage and finally focusing on her.
The gazes of the civil and military officials were powerful, carrying the unique pressure of the empire, yet they restrained themselves with all their might, daring not to show the slightest disrespect.
In contrast, the common people's approach was much more genuine and natural. They heard that a divine messenger had descended to earth, and they were filled with curiosity and awe.
The procession slowly made its way to Xianyang Palace, a grand and meticulously planned palace complex built on raised platforms to create a majestic and imposing presence that embodied the power of the Qin Dynasty.
Lin Fengzhi's gaze swept over the majestic palace complex and landed on the two people leading the way at the front.
She saw Prince Fusu riding at the very front of the convoy carrying the Nine Tripods, his posture upright, his gentle face now taut with an unprecedented, almost sacred solemnity.
When he led the caravan to the core area, dismounted, and bowed deeply toward the imperial carriage, his solemnity seemed to silently proclaim the completion of a mission.
The nine tripods, salvaged from the Sishui River, stand silently atop a specially constructed giant chariot, heavily guarded by armored warriors. Their massive bodies are covered in mottled verdigris and deep brown water rust, resembling sleeping behemoths just pulled from the depths of the riverbed. The rugged, ancient mountain and animal patterns, eroded by time, are faintly visible, radiating an almost tangible, awe-inspiring power that transcends millennia.
Lin Fengzhi was amazed.
In her past life, before visiting the Terracotta Army at Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, she went to the History Museum. Inside, bronze artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties were displayed behind glass, silently observing each visitor under the museum's lights, having circulated for thousands of years.
Lin Fengzhi was certain that if these nine tripods could be passed down to future generations, they would definitely be national treasures.
The presence of the nine tripods made the already imposing black bird lamp stands on either side appear delicate and naive. The dull thud of wheels rolling over the ground was amplified by these nine bronze mountains.
In the air, besides the smell of dust and metal, there seemed to be a faint, lingering dampness and ancient rust from the bottom of the Sishui River.
Grand Censor Feng Quji led the officials in performing the most solemn kowtow. His booming voice pierced the heavens: "Your subject Feng Quji, leading the officials stationed here, respectfully welcomes His Majesty the Emperor's triumphant return from his imperial tour! Heaven blesses Great Qin, and His Majesty's sagacious virtue shines brightly throughout the world! Today, the Si River presents auspicious omens, and the Nine Tripods shine anew. This is the supreme auspicious sign that Heaven has ordained, and that the imperial enterprise will be forever secure!"
His words, like a resounding bell, echoed under the silent witness of the Nine Tripods.
The First Emperor stepped down from the golden carriage with Meng Yi's assistance. He helped Feng Quji up and glanced at the prostrate officials: "With you all staying behind to guard the capital, Xianyang is at peace, and I am very pleased."
Feng Quji was as steady as a rock, every wrinkle etched with the wisdom and pragmatism of years. He saw Lin Fengzhi half a step behind the First Emperor and said, “The divine messenger of the Black Bird protects our Great Qin. Your Majesty, with the divine messenger’s assistance, has seized the Nine Tripods and stabilized the world. Your achievements surpass those of the Three Sovereigns and your virtue exceeds that of the Five Emperors. The nine provinces are united, and the dynasty will prosper for ten thousand generations.”
Upon hearing the praises, the parrot instinctively crawled out of the golden carriage, perched on the head of the strong, sturdy horse, gripped its mane tightly, and loudly echoed, "His achievements surpass those of the Three Sovereigns, his virtue exceeds that of the Five Emperors. May the nine provinces be unified, and may prosperity last for ten thousand generations!"
Lin Fengzhi couldn't help but rub her forehead. What a fawning parrot! No wonder the First Emperor loved it so much; from Xiangshan to Xianyang, the parrot was fed until it was so fat it could hardly fly anymore.
The serious atmosphere dissipated considerably in an instant.
Prince Fusu stood tall and straight like a pine tree, dressed in luxurious attire befitting his status. His gentle demeanor contrasted subtly with the somber atmosphere around him. His bowing posture was impeccable, yet when he slightly raised his eyes to look at the First Emperor, his gaze sweeping over her, there was not only the expected reverence in his eyes, but also a hint of barely perceptible inquiry and… a gentle goodwill?
Lin Fengzhi: ?
She thought that given her status, Fusu would look down on her. In her memory, this eldest son was upright and courageous, and even dared to directly advise the First Emperor when he was angry.
Not far from Fusu, several servants carefully guarded several objects covered with black brocade. One corner of the brocade slipped slightly, revealing an extremely lustrous emerald green color—it was a piece of fine jade, which was extraordinary even without being carved.
Later, Lin Fengzhi learned from Qi that the gift Fusu gave her was a piece of jade with a green color and a black bird pattern.
Fusu personally escorting the Nine Tripods and occupying such a prominent position was no accident. Lin Fengzhi pondered this to herself and immediately understood. Perhaps, among all the sons, the First Emperor had chosen him.
The burden on his shoulders and the undercurrents behind him became even heavier and more noticeable because of the Nine Tripods.
The First Emperor's voice was deep and resonant, as if echoing in everyone's ears. He glanced at the Nine Tripods, then at the composed Lin Fengzhi, and could not be more satisfied: "The Nine Tripods have come to our Great Qin; this is not due to human effort, but to the clear will of Heaven. The Black Bird Divine Envoy is a gift from Heaven. The reappearance of the Nine Tripods is also due to the Black Bird's assistance. Furthermore, you must diligently implement the beneficial techniques offered by the Divine Envoy and strive for their effectiveness."
"My ministers must strictly abide by the law and be diligent day and night. Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit wrongdoings will be punished. I will not break my word."
"With these nine tripods as our foundation, the Qin Dynasty will endure for ten thousand generations; you should all work together with one heart and one mind to build an everlasting peace!"
His voice carried an undeniable ambition, and as he finished speaking, his gaze swept silently across the entire arena.
Everyone responded in unison: "Yes!"
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Author's Note: *A Study on the Site and Courtyard Layout of Qin Palaces (by Ren Zhong)
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