Chapter 64 A Crowning Ceremony as Beautiful as a Dream
The suspended experiment resumed, and as Ji Yu had promised, several people got a chance to try out the feeling of controlling high firepower. Of course, they were only responsible for lighting the fuse; the real professionals were the apprentices trained by Ji Yu.
Knowing he had already used up his chance, Meng Ao stood beside Qin and watched others operate with envy. Taking advantage of the possibility that he wouldn't be in the second round, he tentatively tried to ask what the State Scripture had written.
'Qin' glanced at him, then looked up at the large amount of dust kicked up by the explosion in the distance, and said, "You'll know after the six kingdoms are unified..."
"I'll definitely buy a few more copies, one to read, one to keep as a collection, and the rest as gifts."
"Then you'd better remember this well: if you fail to achieve it, it will be a crime of deceiving the country."
This clause is not in the Qin law; it was just something Qin casually mentioned, and the tone was more like a joke.
Meng Ao understood, but he still valued the promise highly. Besides, he was genuinely curious about what the book written by the state would look like.
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Two days after the experiment, Zhao, the peace envoy, arrived.
Although no real battle broke out this time, the troops brought along were still useful. Meng Tian was assigned to be in charge of the safety of the officials he brought with him in the city that had been negotiated.
Although most of them were from Zhao, they now obeyed the Qin court and received salaries from the King of Qin. They also had to guard against unforeseen events and protect the safety of the officials in the first pilot program.
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All the officials in the city were replaced, which caused panic among the common people. However, they discovered that half of the people who came had Zhao accents, and some of them were actually from the city before.
Those who were panicked, though anxious, became much quieter. Those who had lost their official positions and suffered losses, and who were not important enough for the King of Zhao to order them to be brought back to the country and given new positions, could find no reason to deliberately oppose it.
The rotation of officials in the city was not based on the length of service in Qin. After the first two years, the ordinary Qin people mixed in were replaced by new graduates of Qingjiu School who came from the country for internships.
The transfer of officials once again caused discussion in the city, but after realizing that the transfer had little impact on them and that some of the familiar faces were still there, they stopped caring.
The second group to be promoted or transferred within two years were former residents of Zhao who had previously served in the city. The officials they were replaced came from all walks of life, no longer restricted by where people came from.
After the first change of officials, the common people in the city no longer cared who the new officials were; they still had to make a living anyway.
Instead of thinking about this, we should think about how to cultivate the crops in the fields to achieve a higher yield this year. Although they also used high-yield varieties after being incorporated into the Qin state, who would complain about a higher grain yield?
For several years, the Qin state continued its eastward expansion without engaging in large-scale warfare, maintaining a gradual pace of conquest. After the initial replacement of officials in newly conquered cities, local officials were appointed to appease the inhabitants. This process was followed by repeated, slow replacements until the entire system was formally integrated into the Qin state system.
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In the blink of an eye, Ying Zheng had grown from a thirteen-year-old boy who had just ascended the throne into an adult who could wear a crown and carry a sword.
After coming of age, King Zheng of Qin led his entourage from Xianyang to the former capital, Yongcheng.
Yongcheng is located on the western side of the Guanzhong Plain and is also the place where the Qin people rose to power. From Duke De of Qin to Duke Xian of Qin, it was the capital of the Qin state. Later, the Qin capital moved eastward twice, but Yongcheng was never abandoned. Some important ceremonies and rituals in the country were still held in Yongcheng.
The day of Si-You in April was the chosen day for the capping and sword-wearing ceremony.
Such an important ceremony would naturally involve Qin. Usually, the capping ceremony is performed by the father or elder brother, but since Qin is present in person, there is no one more suitable than her.
The coronation ceremony, which would later be called the most prestigious in history, proceeded in this way with the tacit approval of all parties.
When initially selecting guests, Qin was not considered when choosing the master of ceremonies. It seems that the decision to give Qin the black cap for the crowning ceremony was made on the spur of the moment.
Lu Buwei, who was supposed to accept the black cap, silently stepped aside, not daring to utter a sound.
'Qin' moved from the most prestigious guest seat to directly in front of Ying Zheng.
Those present carried the bound equipment "New Qin Dictionary," and naturally could see the solemn-looking "Qin" in front of them. They subconsciously held their breath, their eyes fixed on this most special capping ceremony.
King Zheng of Qin's father, King Zhuangxiang, died young. As the eldest son, he had no father or brother. The most suitable candidate, besides an elder from the royal family, was Lü Buwei, whom Ying Zheng called his "Uncle".
Those present did not expect that there was another option: Qin himself would come.
After all, it has always been understood that human rituals are performed by humans, and this is the first time they have seen the national spirit crown a human.
It is precisely because of this unusual existence that the ritual has undergone significant changes. For example, the first step of setting up the mat to inform the ancestors now requires an additional step: first informing the 'Qin' and then informing the royal ancestors.
As for the subsequent ceremonial feasts at the Western Academy and the divination ceremony, they were all conducted under the watchful eye of 'Qin'.
When it came time for the official coming-of-age ceremony, 'Qin' took over Lü Buwei's position, and suddenly the one who presided over the ceremony personally became the state, replacing the person who was in a senior position.
This did not actually surprise Ying Zheng. Given his close relationship with his motherland after many years, it was entirely expected that 'Qin' would come. Even when Qin personally crowned him, he was only slightly nervous before accepting it openly.
He simply bowed his head to make it easier for his mother to put on the crown, and when he looked up again, he saw an unexpected person, or rather, a spirit.
Zhao stood beside Qin, smiling as he looked at him, his expression seemingly one of satisfaction.
The guests present did not react. Ying Zheng knew it was because they could not see the spirit in front of them, who was specially dressed in new green clothes, nor did they know that she was 'Zhao'.
If even one other person present knew she was there, the scene might not have been so calm. Even if they maintained a calm facade, their inner emotions would have been turbulent.
But when Ying Zheng turned to look at the crowd, the most prominent emotion he saw in their expressions was envy, nothing more.
As he was crowned again, Ying Zheng looked at the two spirits of the state. 'Qin' seemed helpless and said in a low voice, "She insisted on coming..."
Before she could finish speaking, 'Zhao' added directly, without lowering her voice, 'She can't stop her.'
Qin sighed and said nothing, but the meaning in her eyes was very clear: she only agreed because she was too kind. Would anyone believe her if she said that she couldn't stop them?
'Zhao': Kind? Heh.
"Since she presided over your coming-of-age ceremony, I shall carry the sword."
As soon as Zhao finished speaking, the bronze sword that had been prepared was in her hand in the blink of an eye. Although iron weapons were currently popular in the Qin army, bronze swords were still more popular for ceremonial purposes.
She held the bronze sword in both hands and presented it to Ying Zheng.
Qin did not speak to stop her, but only glanced at Zhao when she handed her the sword.
You couldn't discern any emotion in Zhao's calm, dark eyes; all you could see was the smiling veil on her face.
She appears frivolous, yet her true expression remains unreadable.
Ying Zheng thought that it might be complicated, just like the bronze sword he would later carry with him when he received it from Zhao.
Wearing a sword was a unique ritual system in the Qin state. As a symbol of status, not everyone could wear it casually in daily life, and adults who wanted to wear a sword had to be people of a certain status.
Even the king could only solemnly wear a sword after his coming-of-age ceremony.
He looked at 'Qin', and after 'Qin' gave an almost imperceptible nod, he solemnly put the bronze sword on his body.
Qin smiled, and though she didn't speak, her voice rang out, low and clear, audible only to the two people nearby: "Aren't you going to introduce this sword?"
"This sword is named Sheji. Many years ago, I asked you a question. You can answer it again."
Zhao was much more unrestrained and bold. Since no one around her could see or hear what she was saying, she didn't have to suppress her voice because of the solemnity of the ceremony.
As the melodious, gentle sound, like the tinkling of jade pendants, faded away, Ying Zheng turned to face his guests as part of the ceremony, and caught a glimpse of the fleeting brilliance of the bronze sword he wore.
Qin remained calm. This was not the sword of the state that belonged to her; it belonged to Zhao.
She had no clue as to the ownership of the State Sword, nor did she know beforehand that 'Zhao' would have his State Sword attached to that ordinary bronze sword.
Despite this, she remained calm, only glancing at 'Zhao' without showing the slightest surprise.
Perhaps it was because she knew that if she showed any surprise, she would be blackmailed by 'Zhao'.
This was given voluntarily by 'Zhao', so what business is it of hers?
Looking at Ying Zheng's retreating figure, Zhao said, "Over the years, I have also visited those cities to investigate, and they are living better than under the King of Zhao."
"This sword, you deserve it."
Ying Zheng could not interrupt his coronation ceremony, so he could only continue walking. The only one left to speak to 'Zhao' was 'Qin', who was speaking in a low voice.
"What, are you planning to sit down at the table?"
"Ahem, can't you say something nice on such a joyous occasion?"
Zhao didn't think these were kind words; they sounded more like an implication that she was about to become a dish on the table.
"Oh, I thought you were going to surrender, saving me the trouble of taking action."
Zhao laughed and said, "I will surrender after he destroys the Zhao state."
Upon hearing this, Qin glanced sideways, seemingly wanting to speak but then stopping himself, and ultimately decided against it.
Zhao is right, there's no need to overcomplicate things for Zheng'er's coming-of-age ceremony.
The atmosphere between the two countries suddenly became harmonious. The melodious music still lingered in their ears. In the ensuing banquet, Qin received the homage of the crowd, while Zhao could only stand at a distance and watch.
At the final banquet, there was only one seat to the left of Ying Zheng, the head of the table, where 'Qin' sat, and to Ying Zheng's right sat Zhao Ji, who had a beaming smile on her face.
There was no Lao Ai, no Xianyang coup, and no Qinian Palace turmoil.
Guo Ling was on the left, and A Niang was on the right. Below them sat many capable ministers and brothers who had come to offer their congratulations.
It was as beautiful as a dream... but what shattered that dream was a single sentence from 'Zhao'.
She complained, "So I've come all this way, and you won't even leave me a seat?"
The official in charge of rites had no idea that foreign spirits would also come; this really cannot be considered a mistake.
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Author's Note: Zhao: Putting everything else aside, let's eat at the banquet!
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