Chapter 42 As everyone knows, the First Emperor greatly cherished…
As is well known, the First Emperor cherished his life greatly. Of course, to be precise, he was extremely eager for immortality.
Therefore, when Lin Fengzhi's plea was brought to Xianyang Palace, the First Emperor, who cherished his life, was secretly practicing the Five Animal Frolics in his own bedroom.
After all, while valuing his life, he also valued his reputation. The First Emperor felt that the Five Animal Frolics... well, they somewhat diminished his imperial dignity.
He strictly adhered to the schedule provided by Lin Fengzhi, clearly noting when to eat, when to go to bed, and how long to rest after working diligently in government affairs.
The palace servants who were attending to him did not dare to disturb him.
The First Emperor closed his eyes and finished his stance, focusing his mind and calming his body to feel the changes.
The First Emperor suffered from both prolonged sitting and general fatigue due to middle age. After practicing the Five Animal Frolics for a period of time, he felt his muscles and tendons relax and his body become more flexible, as if spring ice had just melted, as if he had returned to infancy, or as if withered trees had been nourished by rain.
What is even more valuable is that its method is simple yet profound—it can be learned in a small space and used in a short time, truly embodying the saying, "The greatest truths are the simplest, and the greatest flavors are the most subtle."
According to Lin Fengzhi, it's like giving the body, a machine that has been running for many years, a gentle yet effective maintenance. It can repair stiffness, lubricate joints, improve blood circulation, reduce stress, and boost vitality, promoting health from the inside out and delaying aging.
The benefits of the Five Animal Frolics lie in strengthening the five internal organs and cultivating vital energy, as well as in regulating the body and spirit to align with the natural order. With prolonged practice, one's muscles and bones become light and agile, and one's spirit becomes clear and bright.
The First Emperor opened his eyes.
Hearing the commotion, the palace servants outside the door pushed the door open and came in.
The First Emperor was slightly sweating, and palace servants wiped him with a damp cloth.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li has sent someone to report that everything in the official workshops is operating smoothly."
The First Emperor raised his hand, and someone helped him change his clothes.
"The Imperial Censor Shi Lu has already set off for the Xiang River. It is estimated that the construction of the Ling Canal can begin at the end of the month to ensure the smooth transport of grain and fodder."
"In addition, the dysentery prescription that Imperial Physician Xia and Imperial Diviner Guan Yue have been working on has made new progress. The original prescription could only treat mild dysentery, but now it has a wider range of applications."
"General Zhang intends to send spies disguised as merchant caravans to penetrate deep into Baiyue and map out the waterways and tribal distribution. He is eager for battle, but he is only following His Majesty's orders and has not yet gone to Baiyue."
Upon hearing this, the First Emperor couldn't help but smile. He was still young at heart, lacking composure. However, his idea was good: know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
The roads for transporting grain and supplies were not yet open, so we did not rush into anything but instead thought about understanding the other side first.
"In addition, after the divine messenger went to Mount Li, he met with Su Shaofu, and the contents of their discussion are recorded in the bamboo slips. This morning, the divine messenger discussed two matters with the Mohists and the Agriculturalists: improving gunpowder and improving agricultural tools. He has assigned the tasks to Chu Mo Juzi Shengkuan and the craftsman Xiang Liliang, respectively. This is the letter that the divine messenger entrusted to you."
The palace maids presented the bamboo slips and the letter.
The First Emperor spread his sleeves and quickly read through the contents recorded on the bamboo slips. He couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips: "Money can move people's hearts. Even Suhe can lower himself to beg the divine messenger."
What pleased the First Emperor even more was that the divine envoy did not show any intention of seizing the distribution of textile profits. Although he said he would give it to Lin Fengzhi if she asked, who wouldn't like someone who knew how to keep his word?
The First Emperor thought for a moment and then asked, "Has a blast furnace been installed at Mount Li?"
"Your Majesty, since the blast furnace needs to be air-dried, it should be ready in about two more days."
Two locations were pre-designed for the blast furnace ironmaking.
One was the Weibei Plateau, which was adjacent to iron mines and facilitated transportation. In addition, there was a buffer zone north of Xianyang Palace, where the Imperial Guards were also stationed, which largely protected them from the risk of external sabotage.
Not to mention that the area is densely forested, providing a continuous supply of charcoal. The plateau slopes southward, so the smoke from iron smelting won't easily reach Xianyang City.
The other location was naturally Mount Li, where the divine messenger was located.
However, due to various reasons, the blast furnace steelmaking facility at Mount Li was not large, and was only used by the divine messenger and his subordinates.
"Trying to plant winter wheat in Guanzhong?" The First Emperor frowned.
He carefully examined Lin Fengzhi's reasons in his memorial: winter wheat, sown in autumn and harvested in summer, could supplement the shortage of millet and provide a source of new grain during the lean season in summer. In this way, the food shortage caused by drought or the lean season could be effectively alleviated.
Lin Fengzhi later cited the viewpoint of modern agronomy that planting multiple crops can avoid the dangers of monoculture.
After looking at it for a while, the First Emperor couldn't help but think of someone he disliked.
Lü Buwei.
In his compilation of the "Lüshi Chunqiu," he clearly wrote: "Grain fields must be rotated every year," which means that he recorded his experience in crop rotation and soil improvement.
At that time, the First Emperor had not yet assumed personal rule. Late at night, he read the "Lüshi Chunqiu" again and again with indescribable emotions in his heart.
Even though Lü Buwei is dead, he has recorded the contents of the "Lüshi Chunqiu".
He paused, then asked, "Where is Fusu? Call him over."
Fusu, who also resided in Xianyang Palace, arrived shortly afterward.
The palace servants handed Lin Fengzhi's memorial to him.
Fusu was taken aback at first, but seeing that the First Emperor was engrossed in state affairs again, he had no choice but to finish reading it. As the eldest son of the emperor, Fusu was used to participating in court affairs, and he was known for his benevolence. As soon as he finished reading it, he could not hide his excitement and disbelief: "Father, can what is said here really come true?"
It could provide life-saving rations during the lean season in spring, increase land productivity so that people could have more to eat. A significant increase in total grain production meant being able to feed a larger population and support a larger army and national projects. He realized that promoting winter wheat was not a trivial matter, but rather a way to solidify the foundation of the Qin Dynasty.
The First Emperor raised his eyes indifferently: "Why don't you go and do it and you'll find out?"
Fusu was deeply shaken, and his fingers trembled slightly as he held the bamboo slip.
Father, has he entrusted him with the task of planting winter wheat?
It wasn't fear, but rather a powerful sense of emotion and a profound responsibility that surged within him that stirred him. This was far from simple joy or pride; he understood the weight of this entrustment—it was his father's supreme recognition of him, and even more so, a test of his loyalty and ability.
Qin law placed great emphasis on agriculture and sericulture. Fusu had previously only understood this from laws and memorials. Now, his father was actually giving him the opportunity to personally experience agriculture and sericulture.
Fusu quickly grasped the importance of winter wheat. He gladly accepted the task and was inexplicably encouraged: "This is the way to save the people and the foundation of a strong country! Father Emperor is wise. This is not a trivial matter, but the foundation of the nation. Your son will do his utmost to promote winter wheat."
The First Emperor asked with great interest, "How do you plan to implement this?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the First Emperor, seemingly lost in thought, waved his hand and said, "Never mind, I only care about the results. You haven't tried the noodles, buns, and steamed bread made by the kitchen yet, have you? Go and have a taste."
Fusu, bewildered yet full of enthusiasm, left with the First Emperor's mission.
The First Emperor raised his head from the mountain of bamboo slips and stared at Fusu's departing figure.
My son Fusu, are you capable of shouldering this great responsibility?
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Lin Fengzhi is learning to ride a horse.
She wore a dark crimson, narrow-sleeved Hu-style dress, her long hair tied in a topknot, and tried to jump three times but still couldn't mount her warhorse.
She put her hands on her hips and circled the rather docile Hequ horse twice, then said dejectedly to the guards watching, "Help me, I can't get up there."
Mounting a horse with a leap is a great test of a person's core abilities. The guards demonstrated it several times, and Lin Fengzhi wanted to try it too. The result was, of course, obvious.
After all, she wasn't a seasoned guard; although she did get some training, it wasn't much.
After the guard knelt down and supported her feet to help her mount the horse, she felt she could do it again.
Most people feel nervous when they first get on a horse, their bodies tense up, and their leg and abdominal muscles tremble slightly as they try to maintain balance.
This wasn't Lin Fengzhi's first time riding a horse, but she still felt nervous. Especially after mounting, she could feel the heat emanating from the horse through the not-so-thick leather saddle.
But she has one advantage: when she needs the guards' help, she will follow their orders. This is a perfect example of professionals doing professional work.
The guard reassured the horse, saying, "Divine messenger, pull in your belly! Lie back in the saddle!"
Lin Fengzhi did as instructed, bending down until her face almost touched the horse's mane.
The leather low-bridge saddle was only three fingers high in the front and back, the saddle surface was newly replaced, and the paint was still dazzling. Lin Fengzhi's legs were tightly gripping the horse's belly, and her buttocks were suspended in the air off the saddle.
Once she was settled, the guard slowly led the river horse away.
Relying solely on her thighs and lower back, Lin Fengzhi gradually felt the jolts, followed by indescribable friction and pain, and an increasingly unstable posture.
She started to feel soreness in her legs.
Seeing that she seemed to be in relatively good condition, the guard asked, "Divine Envoy, can you hold on? I need to let Ma Xiaopao run."
"Okay, I can do it."
Riding on horseback, she felt an unprecedented sense of freedom and power.
She couldn't help but compare it to her horseback riding experience in her previous life.
With steady steps, Hequ horse carried Lin Fengzhi through the foothills of Mount Li.
Lin Fengzhi lay half-lying on the horse, her thighs tightly gripping the horse's belly, instinctively searching for a foothold but to no avail.
The horse in Hequ reared up and neighed, and Lin Fengzhi almost fell off because she didn't hold on properly.
The guards quickly seized the opportunity to lift her down: "Divine Messenger, are you alright?"
Lin Fengzhi shook her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
More than fear, she seemed to prefer the exhilaration of riding on horseback, a simple and pure joy that captivated her.
She couldn't help but wonder why she had fallen off the horse so easily.
She had also tried horseback riding in the scenic area. Although it was difficult to get on, it was very stable once she was on. She also remembered that it wasn't very bumpy and her body felt quite relaxed.
She saw the guards on horseback around her, their legs tightly gripping the horses' bellies, one hand controlling the reins, the other holding the mane, their buttocks dangling off the saddle, their backs rising and falling dynamically like springs.
Lin Fengzhi is blessed with good fortune and wisdom; she is like a stirrup!
Without the stirrups providing a triangular fulcrum, riders cannot sit stably on horseback and must use almost all of their strength to control the horse.
Stirrups help to counteract some of the recoil, allowing the leg muscles to relax better.
I see.
No wonder Qin Dynasty cavalry was not famous; their saddles were rudimentary and they lacked stirrups for stability. Therefore, they could only undertake tasks such as reconnaissance and flanking attacks, and did not meet the requirements to become a mainstay of the military.
Lin Fengzhi was overjoyed and quickly wrote down her inspiration: "Quick, find a craftsman who knows about horses to make something for me."
She described the stirrups to the guard, who did as she was told, but asked beforehand, "Divine Messenger, the stirrups can't be made in a short time. Do you think we should go to the mausoleum area first?"
The mausoleum area was originally part of Lin Fengzhi's plan, and her initial intention in learning to ride a horse was also to travel all over Mount Li. After all, riding a horse is more convenient and faster than taking a carriage.
She nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work."
Learning to ride a horse is not easy, so why rush it today? It will be much easier to learn once you have the stirrups and saddle.
There's nothing shameful about using tools.
She boarded the carriage that the guards had brought.
Before long, her bike frame entered the core area.
She was deeply shocked by the scene before her at first glance.
The terracotta warriors production site, which she had longed to see but never had the chance to, was now before her eyes.
The salty, astringent smell of sweat mingled with the earthy odor of clay.
What stretched out before her was not the solemn terracotta army she had imagined, nor the yellow clay-like terracotta warriors in the pictures. Instead, it was a bustling "imperial arsenal"—the shouts of hundreds of thousands of laborers, the crackling and popping of the kiln fire, and the hissing of bronze being quenched, all blending into a deafening wave of sound that swept her into the scene of the creation of gods two thousand years ago.
She stepped off the car, dazed and like a ghost.
In the clay area, a group of shirtless teenagers are vigorously pounding clay bricks.
Sweat rolled down their tender backs, seeping into the ochre-red clay.
Lin Fengzhi walked over and saw a young man squatting down, patting the inner thigh of a pottery horse with his palm. The pottery horse had been buried for thousands of years and had never been seen by anyone, but the young man's patting revealed its delicate texture, thus unintentionally leaving his fingerprints.
Years later, archaeologists will discover these fingerprints under a super depth-of-field microscope. These whorls, less than five millimeters in diameter, are like stars etched in time, proclaiming that this underground army was actually built up by adult craftsmen and young apprentices.
Those fingerprints left on the Terracotta Warriors will be featured in a future program, attracting her and making her feel as if she has been transported back two thousand years in front of the Terracotta Warriors.
Lin Fengzhi appeared to be both sad and happy.
"Master said that the mud needs to be pounded three thousand times before the air bubbles will disappear." The boy didn't notice that someone had suddenly appeared next to him. He wiped his face, and mud splattered onto his slightly immature face.
His face was youthful, and his voice sounded like a duck's quack during puberty.
In the distance, an old craftsman is joining the arms and torso of a terracotta figurine with mortise and tenon joints, his fingertips precisely pressing the seams. That's where the fingerprints overlap most densely.
An official from the Imperial Household Department approached, and Lin Fengzhi asked blankly, "Why are there such young laborers serving?"
“Well…” the official scratched his head, looking troubled. “Divine Envoy, in the Great Qin, service is not based on age. Once you reach six feet five inches in height, you must register with the government and let them arrange your service.”
The official remembered the boy and had checked his register; he was only thirteen years old. But what could he do? He was already six feet five inches tall. According to Qin law, that meant he was an adult.
The Qin state rarely conscripted laborers or soldiers based on age; the last time was during the critical moment of the Battle of Changping. King Zhaoxiang of Qin personally went to the Hanoi region and conscripted all men over the age of fifteen into the army.
Lin Fengzhi sighed inwardly and kept this matter in mind.
The kiln area stretched out like a giant dragon, with dozens of kilns spewing flames. The kiln worker, barefoot, stepped on the scorching clay and inserted an oil-soaked wooden stick into the observation hole, muttering to himself: "The pottery horse needs to be fired for three days; if the fire is too intense, it will burst."
The heat distorted the air, and a kneeling archer figurine, fresh from the kiln, was entirely orange-red, waiting for the painter to apply its colors.
Inside the painting workshop, the minerals ground by the laborers revealed stunning colors: cinnabar red like congealed blood, azurite blue like the deep sea, and bone powder white like fresh snow.
An artist, sketching nail plates with a brush made of mouse whiskers, suddenly sighed, "Purple is the hardest color to fix; even azurite mixed with cinnabar is prone to flaking off..."
Lin Fengzhi suddenly recalled the painted fragments unearthed in later generations. It turned out that this fleeting beauty was now vividly flowing from the tip of the craftsman's brush.
Under the carpenter's shed, the creaking sound of gears meshing drew Lin Fengzhi to a stop.
The craftsman used an ink line to carve the whole piece of wood into the spokes of a war wheel.
His expression and posture couldn't be more serious.
“Each wheel has thirty spokes; if it is even half a point off, the wheel will be torn apart,” the official from the Imperial Household Department explained to Lin Fengzhi.
No wonder everyone couldn't help but look at her from this side, but she kept her eyes straight ahead.
Lin Fengzhi quietly walked away, not wanting to disturb the other person's work.
Sparks flew from the bronze workshop next door.
The boys worked together to lift the crucible, and the molten copper poured into the sword mold like a golden waterfall.
As the quenching process produced wisps of smoke, a longsword flashed with a cold light, its blade patterned like pine needles. Seeing her gaze linger, an official from the Imperial Household Department picked up a newly forged bronze sword and handed it to her.
She suddenly noticed the craftsman's name engraved in the corner of the sword.
[In the twenty-eighth year, the Zuo River was dredged.]
This sword was made in the 28th year of Qin Shi Huang's reign by a craftsman named Zuo Shui.
The so-called "object name" is now embodied.
Lin Fengzhi stayed in the terracotta warrior production area until nightfall. No one dared to ask why, and no one knew what she was up to.
She wandered through the various areas again and again, growing more and more anxious and impatient, as if she were searching for something but couldn't find it.
As the laborers went to rest upon hearing the drumbeats, even the guards and officials of the Imperial Household Department couldn't help but whisper to her, "Divine Messenger, should we help you look for it too?"
Lin Fengzhi slumped to the ground, feeling something was wrong. Why wasn't she reacting at all?
Where is the way home?
She looked at the empty, unfinished terracotta army formation and felt a little disappointed.
The so-called miracle is never the grandeur of the terracotta warrior array, but rather the ordinary people's charge towards eternity.
Thinking of this, she quickly cheered up, thinking that maybe it was because the Terracotta Army was not yet finished, and she could wait!
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