The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 713 The Imperial Seal
Inside the Taiji Hall, candlelight flickered. Outside, it was already bright. The light fell in the hall, illuminating the faces of the ministers, some of which were happy, some solemn, some envious, and some complicated.

Ying Zheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his posture tall and straight, his eyes deep and steady, scanning the ministers below, and now he felt at ease.

People in this era still have to maintain their dignity. The pen of history is as sharp as a knife, and every word and sentence can determine a person's honor or disgrace.

In this era, a person's reputation really determines the life of a family. Now that Ying Zheng treats them so well, with promotions and rewards, if they still have evil intentions, that would be really evil.

The treatment is already so generous. If you want to make more trouble, no one will offer you a higher price unless you dream of becoming emperor.

From today on, these people will be the most staunch defenders of imperial power.

Furthermore, the reputation of loyalty is more important than Mount Tai to these noble families. Not only that, even if it is for generations, descendants must be loyal to the utmost. Once the reputation of the ancestors is destroyed and the family tradition is ruined, the family will have a hard time in the future.

Another point is that for these dukes, as long as they are still alive, they have already gained a reputation in the future. In the years to come, let alone having any evil intentions, they must never do anything illegal or immoral.

I can't lose my integrity in my old age!
Moreover, it is foreseeable that in the next one or two years, many elderly people will retire and return to their hometowns to enjoy their retirement.

Nowadays, most of the senior officials in Daqin are indeed elderly people, although this is very normal in ancient and modern times, both in China and abroad.

But a new empire should also have a new look, and it needs young and middle-aged people with more energy and ambition to take over. These cabinet ministers have been in the highest positions for too long, and they are not young anymore. They have gotten everything, so for the sake of their later years, it would be better for them to retire early.

Otherwise, if you are not careful in the ups and downs of officialdom, you may ruin your reputation for a lifetime, and then it will be too late to regret.

After all, fame is the ultimate power.

Of course, it’s not the right time to retire now.

This was an open conspiracy by Ying Zheng. As long as he was not too ignorant and greedy for power, he would definitely think about landing safely next.

I have given you so much, if you still covet power, then
Both kindness and severity, both kindness and severity. Now, all the rewards have been given out. In order to teach everyone a lesson, and to make all those who are now overwhelmed by the heat sober up and not become arrogant due to being favored or proud due to their achievements, a very confused chicken is needed.

Even if you are a hero, you must abide by the laws of the country!
And there must be such unconscious people.

Throughout the dynasties, there have always been people who are arrogant because of their achievements. Even if Qin Shihuang distributes the benefits fairly and reasonably, those who are ungrateful and lack self-awareness are destined to be there.

To some extent, this is not a bad thing. If a few people are not punished, it may be difficult for others to truly wake up.

Just when most of the ministers were immersed in the joyous atmosphere, Cai Ze, who had recovered his mood, stepped out steadily, leaned forward slightly, bowed, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I, Cai Ze, have a memorial to make."

In an instant, the originally lively court suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were focused on Cai Ze. Ying Zheng nodded slightly, looked at Cai Ze gently, and said, "My dear minister, please speak."

Cai Ze said solemnly: "I have been ordered to carve a jade seal for your majesty. Now that it has been completed, please present it to your majesty."

Ying Zheng was delighted when he heard this and said, "Bring it here for me to see."

Cai Ze agreed and went out of the hall to get it in person.

Soon, Cai Ze walked into the hall carefully, holding a long box in both hands.

The box is carved with exquisite patterns, which exudes an ancient and solemn atmosphere under the sunlight.

Seeing this, Sang Ruoyu hurried down the stairs, came to Cai Ze, took the box with both hands, then walked to Ying Zheng's desk, gently placed the box on it, and then slowly opened the long box.

After opening it, the jade seal was still wrapped in bright yellow silk. Sang Ruoyu did not dare to overstep his authority and waited for Ying Zheng to open it in person. Ying Zheng reached out and gently pulled open the straps. The silk slowly slid open like flowing water, and in an instant, the seven jade seals came into view.

Ying Zheng's eyes were attracted by the jade seal in the middle that was shining with colorful light. He gently reached out his hand and took it out.

This seal was obviously carved from Heshi jade, and its beauty is comparable to that of the Heshi Jade. After all, the two were made from the same stone (see above).

The overall design of the seal base is square, four inches square, and on it is carved a five-clawed dragon and a black bird circling and embracing the sun and the moon. It can be confirmed that it was carved by the most skilled craftsman. The dragon is lifelike, and the black bird is flapping its wings as if it is about to fly. It is extremely exquisite and agile, yet not lacking in majesty and domineering.

The most important thing is the content on the seal. Below it are eight characters of "Received the Mandate from Heaven, Long Lived and Prospered" carved in large seal script with flowers, birds, fish and insects. The strokes of this large seal script are smooth, imitating the way of nature. Every stroke seems to contain endless mysteries and is extremely beautiful.

(That's about it)

(The historical truth is probably as follows)
Ying Zheng carefully put down the jade seal and turned his gaze to the other six jade seals.

These six jade seals are all carved from the fine Lantian jade, and are three inches, six centimeters and nine tenths of an inch in size, one centimeter smaller than the jade seals carved from the Heshi jade, thus highlighting the difference between the two.

The carved knobs on each jade seal are also different, representing the six mythical beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise, Qilin, and Black Bird.

The six seals are:

The emperor's seal is used to confer titles on princes and officials, such as appointing the Three Dukes and other high-ranking positions.

The Emperor's Seal, Purpose: Used to grant letters to princes and the three highest officials as proof of official documents.

The Emperor's Seal: Purpose: Used to mobilize domestic troops and mobilize military power.

The Emperor's Seal is used to summon vassal states or foreign monarchs and to handle the enthronement in diplomatic affairs.

The Emperor's Seal, Purpose: Used for correspondence with vassal states or foreign countries, such as diplomatic letters, treaties, etc.

The Emperor's Seal of Credentials, Purpose: Used in military operations to conquer vassal states or foreign races, such as waging war against foreign enemies.

The characters on the six seals were written in the Daqin small seal script, with neat and majestic characters. These six seals were used for many political affairs on weekdays. As for the jade seal carved from the He family jade, it was more of a symbol and was not often used.

Seeing Ying Zheng concentrating on admiring the jade seal, Cai Ze said respectfully below: "Your Majesty, I will summon all the skilled craftsmen in the world to carve the He family jade into a treasure seal."

"Your Majesty's saintly virtue is widespread, your divine power is endowed by heaven, you use your profound virtue to govern the eight directions, and wield the golden axe to purify the world. Now within the world, wherever the sun and the moon shine, all are subject to you; outside the eight wildernesses, wherever boats and carriages can reach, all are your subjects."

"Our Great Qin started in the northwest, and spread from west to east, and from north to south. The Divine Land has been united. There is no more precious jade in the southeast where the phoenix lives, which is more suitable to set off your Majesty's glorious achievements."

"Your Majesty has received the Mandate of Heaven and is the true Son of Heaven. Therefore, I have carved the eight characters 'Received the Mandate from Heaven and May You Live Long and Prosper' in large seal script of flowers and birds of nature to congratulate the Great Qin and Your Majesty."

"My Great Qin originated from the western frontier. I, your Majesty, have ordered you to select the best jade from Lantian and carve the Six Seals of the Six Harmonies for you."

"The Emperor has three seals, the Son of Heaven has three seals. This is the number of the Three Talents, which is used to manage the affairs of heaven and earth and all nations."

Ying Zheng put down the jade seal, nodded slightly with satisfaction, his eyes full of admiration, and praised: "My dear minister, you are thoughtful. I am very satisfied."

"For all my affairs, I only need these six seals. As for this precious seal made of He's jade, it is also the best symbol of my stability under heaven. I will name it the 'Imperial Seal'. This seal will be passed down from generation to generation in our Great Qin as proof of the eternal unification of the world!"

(End of this chapter)