The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 682 Entering the Palace
After the time of entering the palace is determined, there is a day of training on court etiquette.

That day, Liu Ji was fully focused and did not dare to slack off at all. He tried hard to remember every movement and every rule.

On the day he was summoned, it was just the hour of Chou in the early morning, the night was as dark as ink, and everything was still silent.

Liu Ji had already hurriedly gotten up from the guest room of Tian Guang's house. He had tossed and turned all night and had not slept well at all. In order to be in the best condition to meet the emperor today, he deliberately stayed at Tian Guang's house.

Get up, go to the bathroom to defecate, wash up again and again, change into new clothes that suit your status, and tidy up your clothes.

Liu Ji adjusted himself in front of the bronze mirror again and again to make sure that everything was absolutely foolproof. Looking at himself in the bronze mirror, his eyes were bright, but he could not hide his nervousness and uneasiness.

Liu Ji closed his eyes and took a deep breath, suppressing his chaotic thoughts and trying his best to adjust his mentality.

Finally, I rinsed my mouth with clove water. Although it was unlikely that I could get close to the king, I still had to be prepared and do it to perfection.

In addition, in order to avoid the embarrassment of having to go to the toilet in the middle of the meal, you have to keep your stomach empty and not drink a drop of water, for fear of having to go to the toilet in the middle of the meal.

When Liu Ji was ready, Tian Guang was also dressed neatly and looked calm. Seeing Liu Ji's handsome appearance, Tian Guang nodded gently and led Liu Ji to the ready frame.

On the carriage, the carriage moved forward slowly, the wheels rolling over the cobblestone road, making a 'gurgling' sound. Tian Guang looked at Liu Ji's slightly trembling eyes, even breathing carefully, and smiled gently to comfort Liu Ji's excited and nervous mood.

"Now you feel nervous and excited, your heart is about to jump out of your chest."

Liu Ji smiled a little awkwardly and rubbed the corners of his clothes unconsciously with his hands.

Tian Guang smiled and said, "This is normal. When I joined the crown prince's school, I was also like this when I first met the late king. It's normal to be a little nervous."

"But don't be afraid, it's okay. Both the late king and the great king are approachable saints. It is your blessing that you have the honor to meet the great king now."

Liu Ji nodded repeatedly. Tian Guang's comfort did make Liu Ji feel a little relieved.

Tian Guang smiled and sighed, "Even the Zhu family cannot normally see the king. There are not many people in the world who can meet the king to report government affairs. Officials in the central government, unless they are officials with a salary of 800 stones or more, are not worthy of entering the Jianzhang Palace during court meetings."

"For local officials, only the chief of a county can have the opportunity to meet the king when he returns to the capital to report on his work."

"You have just started your official career and you have the honor of meeting the king. This is your chance. Seize this opportunity and leave a good impression on the king. This will be of great benefit to your future."

Liu Ji nodded heavily: "Thank you for your guidance, Xia Kui, I understand!"

Tian Guang interrupted immediately and taught: "You are wrong. In the court, you must be called by your position! You can't even mention the title of disciple of the leader of the chivalrous clan."

Liu Ji immediately replied: "I know I was wrong, thank you for your advice, doctor."

Tian Guang nodded with satisfaction.

"Do you know how long it will take to enter the Xianyang Palace to meet the king?" Tian Guang looked at Liu Ji with deep eyes.

Liu Ji shook his head decisively and looked at Tian Guang seriously.

Tian Guang didn't plan to reply to Liu Ji. What he said next was both to Liu Ji and to himself.

"For 99% of the people in the world, it is impossible in a lifetime."

Liu Ji remained silent, he knew that this was absolutely true.

Tian Guang continued slowly: "Do you know how long it will take from being qualified to attend the court meeting to being qualified to enter the Jianzhang Hall of Zhangtai Palace?"

Tian Guang was asking Liu Ji as well as himself. He looked out the window at the night sky.

"I am also a natural prodigy, and I have a master who teaches me step by step. I have suffered a lot and shed a lot of blood and sweat. I have some reputation in the martial arts world and have done many chivalrous deeds. However, I still became the chief hero of the Farmers' Family at the age of 40."

"Only then did I barely qualify to be a distinguished guest in front of the nobles of various countries. But even so, I knew that there would not be many people who would look up to me and be willing to use me. In their eyes, I, a chivalrous leader from a peasant family, am just a mud-legged peasant."

"If you continue like this, you will end up being someone else's retainer at best. You won't even think about becoming an official, bringing honor to your family, building a career, or establishing a wealthy family."

"When the king was still the crown prince, I joined the king's army and was not abandoned by him. He directly recommended me as the agricultural official, ranked as the middle minister, and used me with great importance."

"Only then will I be qualified to step into Jianzhang Palace and attend court meetings."

"I was forty-five by then."

"To be qualified to step into Jianzhang Palace is already better than 99% of the officials in the world."

"Since then, until today, I have walked for nearly twenty years, from Zhongqing to Shangqing, and from the last row of Jianzhang Palace to the middle."

"Thinking back to those days when I was wandering around the world, going through wind and rain, and fighting for my life, I could never find peace. Now, thinking back to today, it seems like a lifetime ago."

Tian Guang patted Liu Ji on the shoulder when he reached this point. He could clearly feel that Liu Ji's mood had also become a little depressed.

"I was born in a humble family, but I have been blessed by the great virtue and favor of the king. It is not easy for me to get to where I am today. The king is a saintly monarch destined to change the world. With the support of the king, I have been fortunate enough to do one or two things that will go down in history. You will know about them in the future." "To be honest, although I still want to go further, I know that it is unlikely."

"But I am already satisfied with my life. I have been able to bring honor to my family and go down in history. My two sons are also valued and treated well by the king, and they can really do something practical for the people of the world. What else can I not be satisfied with?"

"The only thing I am worried about now is my future development as the leader of the farming family."

Tian Guang sighed deeply, frowned slightly, and said: "Most of the disciples from farming families are from humble backgrounds."

"It is no shame to be born in a humble family. One who can bend and stretch, be tenacious and strong, and strive to make progress is still a true man."

"But my temperament, talent, and the intricate network of relationships in the officialdom are ultimately limited by my humble origins. Especially after entering the officialdom, I am one step behind others, or even more."

"In this officialdom, most of the time, being a step slower can make a world of difference."

"Agriculture is the most important of all industries, but how many noble people in this world really look down upon farmers?"

"If it weren't for the great king's saintly virtue and the support he gave us, I'm afraid that the farmers would never be able to step into Jianzhang Palace in my lifetime."

"Many of our peasant students have sought other opportunities after entering official careers."

"I know these things, but I can't do anything about it. In the officialdom, blocking someone's career is more serious than killing their parents."

"But some people have long forgotten why our peasant family is valued by the king. If these people want to climb up, they will never be able to do so in this lifetime."

"They always think that farming is not decent. They may be able to climb higher by taking other paths, but it will be extremely difficult for them to reach my current position in their lifetime."

"Among the many hall masters, elders and disciples of my Nong family, only the Zhu family can inherit my legacy. You are a good brother of the Zhu family and you have a good character. You should assist the Zhu family well in the future. The inheritance of the Nong family will depend on you."

Liu Ji had been listening to Tian Guang's story silently. Hearing this, he bowed and said firmly: "Please rest assured, Xia Kui. I will never let you down after I entered this sect. Brother Zhu has been very kind to me, and I am definitely not a heartless and ungrateful person!"

Tian Guang laughed, helped Liu Ji up, and patted Liu Ji's shoulder heavily: "When you get older, you always get a little nagging. I believe that the Zhu family will not make a mistake in choosing someone, and neither will I."

“On the road of life, people without human feelings cannot go far, and the road will only become narrower and narrower.”

"If you seize the opportunity today, it can save you twenty years of struggle."

"Leave your name in the King's memory. As long as you make achievements, you are still young and can go further than me."

Liu Ji nodded heavily: "Disciple will definitely do his best."

When it was two hundred steps away from the palace gate, the carriage slowly stopped and was about to get off and walk.

By the time the two men arrived at the palace gate, it was only two quarters past three in the morning, and many ministers were already waiting in front of the palace gate.

But all the ministers had solemn expressions, and no one was whispering to each other. In front of the palace gate, there was silence except for the sound of footsteps and the wind. There was not even a cough.

Liu Ji quietly looked at the censor on the side of the palace gate. He had been taught during the training on court etiquette that one must not behave inappropriately.

The censor next to you is watching closely, and any misconduct will be recorded mercilessly.

It was not until four quarters past the hour of Yin that the bell in the bell and drum tower rang nine times, the palace gates opened, and everyone entered in an orderly manner accompanied by officials. Liu Ji was summoned by Ying Zheng today and had the honor to enter with Tian Guang.

After entering the palace, everyone was checked to prevent anyone from sneaking in.

As for Liu Ji, the new face, he was carefully checked before being allowed to enter.

Originally, entering the palace for an audience was not so complicated, and the rules were not so strict. It was after Ying Zheng ascended the throne that, under his guidance, Confucianism re-established and perfected new rules.

The purpose is to further strengthen the people's awe of the royal power.

The solemn atmosphere created by complicated rituals and strict rules is an effective means of increasing the majesty of the royal power.

Confucianism loves this job so much!

They enjoyed the job assigned to them by Ying Zheng the most and worked very hard at it, and the final result was better than Ying Zheng expected.

Confucianism is too particular. Every aspect and every detail is strictly controlled.

The status gap between the monarch and his subjects is growing larger and larger.

Of course, Ying Zheng was very satisfied with this.

In fact, the effect of this set of measures is very amazing. Most people in the world fear power rather than virtue, and the royal power itself needs majesty to defend.

As the rules became more complicated and stringent, many officials and scholars from other countries admired them. This is the demeanor of a great country!
Liu Ji followed Tian Guang into the palace. His back was tense and he looked straight ahead. He didn't dare to look around. He just kept walking forward with his head down. He felt tired and stopped following Tian Guang.

(End of this chapter)