Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 338, Section 337: Full Moon and Fireflies
Outside Xianyang Palace, on a road more than a thousand feet away from the original training ground, powerful nobles from all over gathered.

The carriages and horses hummed and rumbled.

Servants bowed, jewels and precious stones were displayed, accompanied by the rumbling sound of wheels neatly pressing into the ruts.

From the guard post ahead, the mysterious and enigmatic building, only briefly mentioned on the invitation and then heavily concealed, finally came into view—

[Lifang Auction House]

At that moment, everyone fell silent.

The entire training ground was transformed into the Lufang Auction House, with the initial design largely dictated by Qin Shi. Thus, all that could be seen before them was a vast, flat, and solid expanse of gray land.

Looking out, at the end of the road, amidst a field of vibrant and dazzling wildflowers, stand characters in a striking mix of crimson and black, resembling glass seal script.

It was written by the King of Qin himself, Lü Fang.

Take a couple more steps forward, and you'll see huge clumps of wildflowers in full bloom—they're hardly flowers that were actually brought out of a greenhouse during winter!
Instead, it is the more stunning and timeless glass!

Even from a distance, people could see the shimmering brilliance reflected in the sunlight.

What extravagance this is, and what an understated wealth it represents.
Even Madam Ba and Wuyou, who were prepared in advance, were stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

The crowd remained silent for a long time, finally focusing their attention on the two of them. Then, someone in the crowd sighed softly:
"No wonder the Queen didn't fancy the Crystal Tree..."

The crystal tree was only a little over ten feet tall, and in terms of size, color, and magnificence, it was not even as good as a few branches of this cluster of wildflowers.

Since we can embrace the full moon, why do we need the glow of fireflies?

Madam Ba's heart pounded. She took a deep breath, pretending that she already knew, and casually adjusted the gold hairpin in her hair before walking forward.

But the crowd was much quieter than before, when it was filled with eager anticipation and hidden thoughts.

As soon as the carriage drove onto the hard, gray cement ground, everyone noticed something different.

The feel of the shoes underfoot is different, and the wheels on top of them feel exceptionally stable.

It feels so hard, yet so smooth!

Now, even the powerful nobles who were sitting comfortably in their carriages could no longer remain seated.

At this moment, they were being supported by their clansmen, and even the elderly head of the Nan clan was being helped by Nan Li as they slowly and carefully stepped onto the flat ground.

Then, the two looked at each other, their eyes filled with turbulent emotions.

How many years might such flat and hard land last?

If such a road were laid along their family's path, a fine horse could travel a thousand miles in a single day!

What a terrifying yet precious treasure this is!
After walking another two or three hundred paces, servants were waiting ahead, leading everyone and their carriages and luggage to the side in a very orderly manner.

Then someone led the people holding invitations forward, step by step approaching the huge and magnificent auction house.

After passing the cluster of vibrant glazed mountain flowers and the towering glazed characters personally inscribed by the King of Qin, the crowd couldn't help but stop and gaze upwards, speechless for a long time.

The glass-like mountain flowers have a black base, brown branches, leaves in various shades of green, and glass-like petals in red, yellow, white, blue, purple, and pink...

I wonder what kind of skilled craftsman meticulously crafted it, the flower shape is so delicate and graceful, even the dew on the branches is clearly visible.

Some impurities can be faintly seen among the petals and leaves, but to them, who even regard the glass tree as a treasure, this is already a national treasure!

If we could turn back time a few years, a cluster of these crystal-clear mountain flowers could be exchanged for five or ten cities!
Overwhelmed by the overwhelming extravagance, even the well-educated nobles fell completely silent.

Then, holding invitations, each person was allowed to bring only one or two servants before being led up the steps.

At the end of the long staircase, the originally unremarkable vermilion gate suddenly shone with a different kind of brilliance.

Upon closer inspection, everyone realized that it was no ordinary wooden door at all; instead, the entire door was inlaid with vermilion glass pieces.

Is the Qin royal family really this weak now?
Or is the Queen truly a celestial messenger from Kunlun?
With just a wave of the hand, gold and silver can be obtained at will?
Everyone held their breath as they were led into the hall. Beyond this gate lay the stage for Princess Wenyi to showcase the fruits of her youthful imagination.

Compared to the always simple and unassuming Queen, Princess Wen was born a princess of the Great Qin Dynasty.

Afterwards, the Qin state successively conquered the other six states. Her heart and the confidence to enjoy the tributes from the state were just like the ambition of the King of Qin, which was natural and innate.

That's why, when everyone stepped into the hall and saw the green screen wall made of varying shades of turquoise glass, they were so shocked that they were almost numb, except for falling silent once again.

Crystal! Is this the secret treasure crystal to be auctioned today?! Such extravagance and wealth—if one cannot possess it, what kind of powerful and noble family would one be?
They...they absolutely have to buy it!
Absolutely!

As they ascended the steps, curtains hung overhead, revealing glimmers of fluorescent light within—

This is!

This is a luminous pearl!
The luminous pearl was collected into the palace treasury by the King of Qin after the six states were conquered!
Now, with silk ribbons hanging down, suspended behind the curtains, they are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden, and it is impossible to tell how many there are—

How could the King of Qin be so extravagant?!
On the steps, everyone's breathing became heavy.

In fact, Qin Shi hadn't expected Princess Wen to be so bold and daring.

She simply had the other party take a stroll through the King of Qin's private treasury, making a list of what could and could not be used, which she then selected.

But to everyone's surprise, the other party didn't want the gold and silver treasures. Instead, they specifically chose these seemingly rare treasures that Qin Shi didn't value.

For example, a luminous pearl.

To show its luxury, the luminous pearl was not even heavily decorated, but simply hung there casually, just like the extravagant suggestions Zhou Ju had made to please the Queen.

In response to this arrangement, Princess Wen said matter-of-factly, "Your subject also wished for a palace with a luminous pearl, but Father ordered it to be simple, so it was not possible."

But for now, it's just being used to decorate the auction house; if needed later, it can be taken back!

It wasn't given to anyone.

This shouldn't be a problem, right?
She openly and honestly used the opportunity of setting up the martial arts arena to satisfy her girlish feelings, while Qin Shi was momentarily taken aback.

But after seeing Princess Wen's arrangements, she actually acquiesced.

It's really suitable.

After all, she was afraid of using a luminous pearl that emitted radiation, didn't have much radiance, and had a dull luster.

Now that there is a suitable place to settle them, and it can also make a grand entrance, it is naturally a win-win situation.

Therefore, he readily approved it!

But now, in the eyes of these powerful nobles, it is like their hearts are being shattered layer by layer.

This caused some people to become alarmed, and they whispered to the retainers they had secretly brought with them:
"With the Qin royal family's wealth and extravagance, can we really expect to get anything good from the rare treasures we brought at auction?"

"That glass, that luminous pearl... that cement..."

　coming.

　　Everything we take for granted was, in the eyes of the ancients…

　　When Li Hongzhang first set foot on American soil, he saw powerful ships and cannons, steel bridges, and warships firing their cannons...

　　He had a braided hairstyle and wore a yellow jacket, and he saw the elevator in the mall running smoothly...

　　The despair and shock at that moment are probably indescribable.

　　While this analogy isn't quite accurate, industrial technology does indeed create barriers that are more tangible and impactful than those created by culture.

　　Regarding the shock everyone felt upon seeing the glass and the luminous pearl—to put it in perspective, imagine the country inviting us to participate in an event, starting by taking us aboard an aircraft carrier, and then placing some J-20 fighter jets inside… (not quite accurate, but that's roughly the kind of impact it would have).
　　(End of this chapter)