PFC Chapter 203 Eastern Tour - Sacrifice
Chapter 203 Eastern Tour - Sacrifice
The Eastern Tour team was huge, with flags fluttering and covering the sky, and dust flying like smoke.
The soldiers, clad in pitch-black armor and armed with sharp spears, marched forward in neat and powerful steps. Their gazes were firm and majestic, as if telling the world: This is an invincible army!
In April, the First Emperor's caravan set out from Xianyang, headed south, and passed through Wugu Pass.
In May, the convoy finally arrived at Yunmengze on the Yangtze River.
The lakes here are vast and the rivers are broad and deep, which makes people marvel at the magnificence and magic of nature.
Standing by the river, gazing at the surging and majestic river, the First Emperor felt a surge of lofty ambitions in his heart. Although his body was exhausted, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief and excitement.
Zhao Gao, who was standing by, saw this and quickly echoed, "Your Majesty, if it weren't for your wise leadership, sweeping away the six kingdoms in one fell swoop, how could we, the ministers, have the privilege of witnessing such a magnificent landscape?"
Hu Hai also quickly joined in, "Father, Lord Zhao is absolutely right! It is only thanks to your wisdom and bravery that our Great Qin can unify the world!"
The other officials nodded in agreement and echoed him.
After hearing the praises from the crowd, the First Emperor couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. He nodded slightly, indicating that he was very satisfied with everyone's performance.
The convoy then continued southward and finally reached a towering mountain range, Jiuyi Mountain, also known as Cangwu Mountain, located in Ningyuan County, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province today.
According to historical records, Emperor Shun was exiled to the Cangwu Plain by Emperor Yu, and he eventually died there. However, historians gave it a glorified name: Emperor Shun died while on tour.
At this moment, a colorful rainbow suddenly appeared in the originally clear sky, like a colorful arch bridge spanning the sky, with its two ends seeming to connect the sky and the earth, decorating the entire horizon like a dream.
When the First Emperor saw this scene, an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face. He firmly believed that this was the favor and blessing specially bestowed upon him by God.
Yao Jia stepped forward quickly and reported respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is the burial place of Emperor Shun."
Zhao Gao also hurried over, smiling flatteringly, and said, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. Emperor Shun must have sensed your presence and deliberately displayed such an auspicious scene!"
The First Emperor's tired face revealed a satisfied smile.
Meng Yi stood aside and sighed to himself, "Look at him. No wonder leaders like to have such flatterers around. Every word he says touches the heart of the leader."
That night, Meng Yi learned from Li Si the real reason why Emperor Qin Shi Huang insisted on touring the east despite his frail health.
The First Emperor believed that the aura of an emperor existed in the southeast, so he wanted to tour the old lands of Chu and Yue in order to intimidate the remaining people of the Three Chus and consolidate the Qin Dynasty.
Now, because of the meteorite falling from the sky and the incident of Mars in the heart, people's hearts were in turmoil and rumors were spreading all over the world. Therefore, the purpose of the First Emperor's grand memorial service for Emperor Shun was to declare to the world that the Qin people's acquisition of the world was predicted by the saints and that the Qin's acquisition of the world was the will of heaven.
Moreover, Emperor Shun was a nobleman of the Ying clan. He gave the Qin people the surname Ying and predicted that the Qin people would dominate the world.
Immediately afterwards, the First Emperor ordered a grand worship ceremony to be prepared on the top of the mountain to express his respect and deep admiration for Emperor Shun.
The next day, a solemn and dignified ceremony was held. The First Emperor, wearing a dark red dragon robe, led his ministers in a respectful procession toward the statue of Emperor Shun. Holding incense and candles, with pious expressions, they presented rich offerings to Emperor Shun.
Then, the First Emperor ordered Hu Hai to step forward and solemnly read a deeply moving eulogy.
In the sacrificial text, Hu Hai praised Emperor Shun's great achievements and noble character, and expressed the First Emperor's admiration for Emperor Shun.
All the ministers present bowed their heads and listened.
After reading the sacrificial text, the First Emperor stood quietly in front of the altar, gazing into the distance, his mind full of thoughts. His gaze traveled through time and space, as if he had returned to that ancient era.
The deeds of Emperor Shun emerged in his mind, and he felt respect for the wisdom of this ancient wise king.
In an instant, the First Emperor seemed to see the figure of Emperor Shun. The figure was blurry, but it carried a majestic and sacred aura.
The First Emperor felt as if he were being summoned by Emperor Shun and took an involuntary step forward. However, at that moment, his vision suddenly went dark, his body slid down uncontrollably, and he suddenly sat down in front of the statue.
At this moment, everyone in the audience bowed their heads and worshiped devoutly, and no one noticed the abnormality of the First Emperor.
Meng Yi, who was standing diagonally to the left of the First Emperor, seemed to have sensed something. He raised his head suddenly and saw that the First Emperor had his eyes closed and his face was pale.
Meng Yi was startled and was about to go forward to check when a breeze blew by, bringing a fresh breath from the mountains and forests.
The First Emperor took a deep breath and felt the breeze.
The fresh air nourished his body and mind like nectar, gradually clearing his mind. A gentle breeze brushed across his face, blowing away the fatigue in his heart.
The First Emperor opened his eyes slightly, and a hint of clarity flashed in his eyes.
The First Emperor couldn't help but think of his own great achievements. Unifying the six kingdoms, establishing a centralized system, building the Great Wall... These achievements made him feel extremely proud.
The First Emperor's gaze became firm again, and a strong sense of mission surged in his heart.
Meng Yi heaved a sigh of relief when he saw this. He knew that the First Emperor had recovered, so he quietly withdrew his steps and returned to his original position.
Although Meng Yi did not understand what had just happened, he knew in his heart that "it seemed that the end of the First Emperor was near."
The First Emperor turned around and faced Li Si, Zhao Gao, and other ministers. He said with emotion, "I have unified the six kingdoms and achieved the great feat of unifying the world. I come here today to pay homage to Emperor Shun, hoping that the Great Qin will enjoy long-lasting peace and prosperity."
Zhao Gao hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty is wise and enlightened. Under your wise leadership, the Qin State will surely prosper and flourish, and its power will be feared by all."
Other ministers also echoed and expressed their agreement.
It was as if the momentary distraction just now made the First Emperor mistakenly believe that it was Emperor Shun or a hint from God that his achievements had been recognized by God and that he was a being comparable to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
"Emperor Shun has just hinted to me that I will be able to obtain the elixir of immortality. I believe that the Qin Dynasty will last forever under my rule and yours." The First Emperor's voice was a little tired, but his eyes still revealed a confident light.
Li Si stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. We will do our utmost to assist Your Majesty and protect the great Qin state."
Zhao Gao smiled flatteringly and said, "Your Majesty, your blessings are as great as heaven. The Qin Dynasty will last for thousands of years, and your Majesty will be remembered in history."
The First Emperor nodded slightly, looked at his ministers with satisfaction, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
After the sacrifice, the First Emperor ordered the convoy to continue its journey. The wheels rolled, raising a cloud of dust that seemed to tell the story of the glory and vicissitudes of the Qin Empire.