darknovel Chapter 72: The Imperial Tour
Chapter 72: The Imperial Tour
In the thirty-seventh year of Qin Shi Huang's reign, the year was Xinmao, and the tenth month was Guichou.
As the north wind began to blow, Ying Zheng embarked on yet another tour in his life.
Compared to the simple procession that went to Yongcheng to hold the Laba Festival before, the scale of this procession can be described as magnificent.
The black flags, as black as ink, fluttered in the wind. Outside Xianyang City, a vast, dark array stretched out as far as the eye could see.
With nearly 100,000 accompanying personnel, the convoy of wagons carrying horses, supplies, and provisions stretched for miles.
Not to mention the layers of armored soldiers and iron cavalry guarding the perimeter.
This massive army was already lined up and ready to go, quietly waiting for the emperor who would rule the Qin Dynasty.
At this moment, the imperial carriage of the Qin emperor was in motion.
Amidst the sounds of drums and horns, they slowly drove out of the Xianyang Palace gate.
The imperial road has long been cleared and polished for thousands of miles, and the roads in Guanzhong are as smooth as a whetstone, stretching into the distance.
Along both sides of the road, countless common soldiers knelt down, their heads buried deep, like stubble after the autumn harvest.
No one dared to raise their head, let alone look up at the emperor's face.
Because the laws were strict, when the emperor went on a tour of inspection, it was considered a great disrespect for ordinary people to look at the imperial procession at eye level.
Thus, in the wilderness, only the sound of the wind, the sound of horses' hooves, and the deep rumble of cart wheels created a chilling silence.
And on the edge of this sea of people crawling on the ground.
A figure mingled among the kneeling laborers and commoners along the roadside.
Although he bowed his head and hunched over, he did not show the timidity and fear of ordinary people, but rather a sense of relaxation.
As the emperor's carriage rumbled past him, the man even dared to suddenly raise his eyes and look at the heavily guarded imperial entourage.
Just one glance.
A blazing flame instantly ignited deep within his eyes.
It was an undisguised admiration and an indescribable sense of loss, as if only now did he truly realize what the pinnacle that "human beings" could reach was.
"This is what a man should do."
His low, muttering words were instantly drowned out by the noise of the carriages and horses, yet they exploded in his heart like a thunderclap.
The lingering sound echoed endlessly.
"Alright, what are you muttering about, Liu Ji?! Hurry up and lower your head."
A burly man standing next to him was startled to see his friend looking directly at the entourage.
He immediately and subtly nudged Liu Bang in the back with his elbow, and whispered a warning.
The impact jolted Liu Bang awake as if from a dream, and he shuddered, hurriedly burying his head back down.
But for some reason, a strange sense of resentment welled up in my heart, growing wildly like weeds.
Strangely enough, even Liu Bang himself felt resentful about this, which was truly absurd and laughable.
He was merely an insignificant pavilion chief, drifting through his days at Sishui Pavilion, yet he dared to harbor such rebellious and defiant thoughts towards the ruler of the Great Qin Dynasty.
This is tantamount to a tiny ant shouting at the majestic Mount Tai, saying it will topple it.
How utterly presumptuous and ridiculous!
But Liu Bang was unwilling to accept this!
Inside his chest, the wildfire burned ever brighter, burning away the confusion of the past.
With just one glance, this lowly pavilion chief, who had spent most of his life laughing and swearing in Kuaiji, suddenly felt an unprecedented impulse.
Meanwhile, inside one of the dozens of imperial carriages traveling side by side.
Zou Yun seemed to sense something and subconsciously looked out the window.
Trying to find something through the low-hanging black curtain.
Ying Zheng, who was intently reviewing bamboo slips and memorials at a low table, noticed Zou Yun's subtle movements and looked up in confusion.
"Master Zou?"
"It's nothing."
Zou Yun shook his head and slowly withdrew his gaze.
Unlike the last winter sacrifice, this time he was riding in the same carriage as Ying Zheng.
This special treatment signifies the highest level of political trust, status within the inner circle of imperial power, and the privilege of sharing life and death.
Its importance far exceeded that of ordinary favored officials.
However, as his gaze swept over Ying Zheng, who was once again engrossed in his documents, and Zhao Gao, who stood silently to the side, Zou Yun actually missed the relaxed atmosphere he had spent with Feng Zhixue and the others.
"I'm so bored..."
Zou Yun inwardly groaned, feeling as if time itself had slowed down drastically.
Out of sheer boredom, he seemed to have an idea, so he opened the system panel and stared intently at it.
I wonder if my cultivation points have returned.
On the whiteboard, there were still only those few columns.
Name: Zou Yun
Cultivation Points: 1977
[Supernatural Abilities: Ascension through Disintegration, Frost Condensation (Taoist Seed), Sword Technique (+), Earth Splitting Technique, Fire Play Technique (+), Concealment Technique, Elixir Restoration]
[The Elixir of Rejuvenation: It gathers the principles of heaven and earth, refines them with corresponding magical substances, forges thoughts with elixir fire, and solidifies form with supernatural powers, so that the formless principles and nameless thoughts are all solidified and manifested, achieving the effect of unity between reality and illusion.]
That's right, this Elixir Rejuvenation Divine Power is the feedback after the last elixir refining process was completed.
To be honest, Zou Yun felt a bit confused about this supernatural power and spell, and didn't know how to use it.
All he knew was that after possessing the power of the Elixir of Immortality.
The same pills, when made by hand, are much more effective than ordinary ones.
But apart from that, there doesn't seem to be any other change.
As for the descriptions on the panel about the principles of heaven and earth, and the unity of truth and illusion, Zou Yun had already begun learning alchemy and medicine making from Shi Gong and the others.
But he still didn't quite understand what these descriptions meant.
After checking the panel and confirming that his cultivation points were finitely increasing, Zou Yun, having nothing else to do, couldn't help but scrutinize Ying Zheng.
"Seriously, this guy's pretty hardworking; he doesn't even take a break on the way."
Zou Yun thought to himself, "This is what I'm thinking."
The carriage was deathly silent, except for the rustling sound of bamboo slips being turned and the rustling of pen tips brushing against the bamboo slips.
"Seriously, am I really going to have to follow Ying Zheng all the way to the Sand Dunes like this?"
Zou Yun complained.
Fortunately, it seems that his discomfort was noticed, or perhaps the political significance of the performance had been fulfilled.
The next day, Zou Yun was no longer required to ride in the same carriage as Ying Zheng.
Instead, he was arranged to ride in a spacious private car with Feng Zhixue, Zheng Ze, and Wei Shuqing.
As soon as he boarded the car, Zou Yun felt a sense of relief. To his delight, he saw a familiar figure there.
"It seems that it is still Lord Meng who is protecting us this time."
Zou Yun smiled easily.
"Your subject pays respects to the Grand Master."
Meng Xuande smiled and bowed in response.
After they finished speaking, they looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words.
Back with familiar faces, the journey began to come alive, and time no longer dragged on endlessly.
The massive imperial entourage traveled day and night, crossing passes and rivers, heading south month by month.
In November, the imperial carriage arrived at Yunmeng Daze.
The vast expanse of the Jianghan Plain unfolds before your eyes, shrouded in mist and swirling fog.
The Grand Sacrificer, acting on the decree of the First Emperor, set up an altar on a high platform by the marsh. Ying Zheng then ascended the platform and solemnly offered sacrifices to the ancient Emperor Yu Shun, who resided in the distant land of Jiuyi.
After the sacrificial ceremony, the carriage floated down the Yangtze River to the east.
After passing through Jike and Haizhu, and then Danyang, they headed towards Qiantang.
As we approached the ferry crossing in Zhejiang, we saw the Qiantang River tidal bore surging and towering.
The accompanying historians and water engineers surveyed the terrain and, following the First Emperor's decree, changed course and traveled 120 li west to cross the river at a narrow and gentle section.
In mid-December, the imperial carriage arrived in Kuaiji.
Ying Zheng ascended Mount Kuaiji, set up an altar at the summit, and held a grand imperial ceremony to personally offer sacrifices to the ancient sage king Yu the Great.
They also worship the mountains and rivers of the South China Sea.
A huge blue stone was used as a stele, and craftsmen were ordered to use cinnabar as ink to engrave the magnificent text personally written by the First Emperor on it.
After the six kings were defeated, the world was unified, and all under heaven was brought under one rule.
These Qin seal characters, each resounding and powerful, seem to penetrate the stone itself. They proclaim the great achievements of the Qin Empire, forever guarding the mountains and rivers.
Afterwards, Ying Zheng completed the check-in.
Finally, he could travel thousands of miles to Langya, the place he had always longed for.