darknovel Chapter 23: The Imperial Procession
Chapter 23: The Imperial Procession
Just as Shi Gong was feeling extremely worried, a series of light and powerful footsteps approached from afar.
"Excuse me, are you Master Zou?"
A young general strode up to the four men and bowed respectfully.
He wore a pheasant-feather crown symbolizing bravery, a vermilion inner garment, and a colorful fish-scale armor plate that shimmered under the lamplight, making him appear radiant and spirited.
Who are you?
Zou Yun and Shi Gong quickly exchanged a glance, and Zou Yun stepped forward and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
The young general smiled slightly, revealing his white teeth, and said loudly, "Your subject is under the Xuande Emperor's command, and my father is the Imperial Physician."
"Oh, so you're the young master of General Meng's family." Zou Yun suddenly realized, but was somewhat surprised.
He never expected that Meng Yi, with his tall, burly, and robust appearance, would have such a handsome son.
"My father has ordered me to take Grand Master Zou and Master Shi to the minister's carriage for accommodation," Meng Xuande clearly conveyed the instructions.
"As for the other two alchemists, please wait here for a moment; you have other arrangements to make."
Upon hearing this, the four exchanged another glance.
Knowing that this was a preordained arrangement by the imperial procession, they said no more and followed the signs to their respective locations.
Time flies.
As the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon, thirty-six bronze horns on the majestic arrow tower of Zhengyang Gate were simultaneously sounded by strongmen.
"Whoosh—Buzz—"
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Zhengyang Gate slowly opened, and sunlight streamed out obliquely from within.
The first to surge out of the city gates was a thousand-horse formation, like a black iron torrent.
A huge black banner led the way, followed by elite Qin soldiers in uniform black armor and helmets, with broadswords at their waists.
They all had stern faces, sharp eyes, and stared straight ahead.
It is noteworthy that none of these thousand cavalrymen carried a long halberd.
This means they are by no means a ceremonial guard for show, but a truly elite field force that can be deployed to combat at any time.
Following closely behind the thousand-horse formation was a square formation composed of thirty-six towering banners.
The flagpole soared into the clouds, and the flag bore the large character "Qin" in five colors: black, red, white, blue, and yellow. It fluttered in the rising sun, its colors vibrant and its momentum as majestic as a rainbow.
The flag bearers were all skilled horsemen with excellent horsemanship, ensuring that the giant flag was always held high.
Following the formation of banners were a hundred chariots.
Ten heavily armored infantrymen stood guard on each chariot, each carrying a crossbow on their back and holding a two-zhang-long spear in their hand.
Following the chariot formation were twenty specially made large carriages, traveling in pairs, each packed with servants, palace maids, and eunuchs who could not ride.
Next comes the core of the entire ceremonial procession.
Nine consecutive hundred-man knight squads escorted nine imperial chariots.
Each hundred-man cavalry unit escorted a bronze chariot. All nine chariots were identical in design and were pulled by four fine horses, with no difference whatsoever.
Apart from his most trusted guards, no one knew which carriage Ying Zheng was in at that moment.
Following the nine chariots was a large and exquisite bronze chariot drawn by two horses, under which sat Prime Minister Li Si, solemnly standing.
Following them were two carriages side by side carrying ministers, with more than ten high-ranking officials riding in between, including Zou Yun and Shi Gong.
Further on was a smaller but equally imposing banner formation consisting of thirty-six riders.
Finally, another thousand-cavalry formation brought up the rear, like the tail of a dragon, steady and powerful, ensuring the safety of the entire army's rear.
The entire massive procession consisted of no one on foot.
Everyone, whether by car or on horseback, was like a steel behemoth awakened, led by horns and flags.
They began their surging journey towards Yongcheng.
This was far more than just a sacrificial procession; it was a massive war machine capable of rapid activation and movement.
In the dawn of the year, it displays the unparalleled majesty and power of the Qin Empire.
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The entire convoy took three days to travel from Xianyang to Yongcheng.
The First Emperor's chariot traveled along the Wei River valley, passing through Xingping and Fufeng, speeding all the way.
Sitting in the car, Zou Yun felt the bumpy road beneath him and secretly rejoiced.
Fortunately, the road here was rebuilt after the Qin state unified the world; otherwise, Zou Yun couldn't even imagine how swollen his buttocks would have become.
As for why Ying Zheng chose to go to such lengths instead of holding the winter sacrifice in Xianyang.
On the way, Zou Yun learned the reason from Shi Gong.
Yongcheng was the former capital of the Qin state.
Only here can one find the most complete ancestral temple complex and the highest-level royal sacrificial site.
Therefore, Qin Shi Huang spared no effort and led his civil and military officials on a long journey back to his old capital.
The chariots rumbled past, their wheels grinding against the solid road with a dull thud.
From a distance, the long, narrow line of cars resembled a giant black dragon hidden in the dust, winding its way forward.
Outside the roadside inn, a large group of local officials knelt in submission.
In this early winter season, they wore thin clothes, buried their heads, and dared not look up at the sky.
This scene filled Zou Yun with mixed feelings.
The empire poured immeasurable human and material resources into this sacrificial ceremony.
What he saw along the way was that a post station was set up every thirty miles, and each post station was full of ample grain and fodder.
Ensure that this mobile imperial hub receives a continuous supply.
And those unseen costs—the conscription of laborers, the losses during transportation, the repairs along the route, the preparation of sacrificial offerings...
It is countless, and it is unknown how much of the people's hard-earned money was wasted.
If all this money and grain were distributed, it would at least help people in several counties get through this cold winter, if not a lot.
"Alas..." Zou Yun sighed, "Truly, in times of prosperity, the people suffer; in times of ruin, the people suffer!"
A gentle breeze rustled through the curtains, casting a tender green hue over the dark brown earth.
On the vast land on both sides of the official road, the seedlings of winter wheat have just broken through the soil, adding touches of life to the earth.
In the distance, Yongcheng was clearly visible.
However, arriving in Yongcheng was merely the prelude to this grand sacrificial ceremony.
The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war!
Before the start of the La Festival, Ying Zheng had to fast for three days in the Dazheng Palace in Yongcheng.
During these three days, he must strictly follow ancient customs, purify his body and mind, abstain from women, meat, alcohol, music, illness, and any funeral or mourning ceremonies.
He lived alone in the palace, dressed in dark blue robes that symbolized heaven and earth.
They abandoned all worldly affairs, silently recited the sacrificial text day and night, and waited for the dawn of the sacrificial day.
To be honest, after learning about this complicated and rigorous process, Zou Yun was quite impressed with Ying Zheng.
If it were me, I reckon I'd lose half my life just from those three days of strict discipline.
Moreover, after the fast, even more elaborate sacrificial rites awaited him.
Throughout the entire period of fasting, no one else had a moment to spare.
The vast city of Yongcheng was shrouded in a solemn yet tense atmosphere of busy activity.
The officials in charge of rites, such as the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Grand Master of Sacrifices, gave decisive commands, while servants and soldiers moved about tirelessly, cooperating with each other.
They meticulously arranged the altar, prepared the sacrificial vessels, and counted the sacrifices to ensure that everything went perfectly on the day of the festival.
And time slips away quietly amidst this busyness.