Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 340, 339. Unacceptable
Before the auction even started, everyone's wealth had already dwindled, something no one had anticipated.

Considering the reputation of his family's auction house, the older and more composed Zhongshuzi Xin stood at the front of the stage:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the items that come from the Lifang Auction House are always authentic. This jeweled glass knife is indeed forged using the secret methods of Kunlun, and its sharpness is extraordinary. However, please be careful when using it. Even if it becomes dull, it is not recommended to melt it down and reforge it."

He smiled calmly: "Shouldn't there have been specialists explaining the contract when it was signed? Without the blessing of secret methods, it's difficult to use it for a long time after it's been reworked."

He was telling the truth, but... he didn't mention the time limit for "long-term use," at most three, five, seven, or eight times.

However, although this jeweled glass knife has a short blade, it is sharp enough that it is not unreasonable for aristocratic families to use it to enhance their prestige.

Not to mention its extraordinary toughness, making it extremely difficult to dull.

Why insist on starting over... what kind of mentality is that?
The auction house has already given a notice.

Sure enough, everyone in the audience looked loyal and devout, and they all agreed.

Nevertheless, they insisted on placing an order.

Those who had previously feared that such a sharp weapon would arouse the king's suspicion, now, seeing this lively scene and hearing the people above openly proclaim it, were now eager to make their move.

Before long, the servants beside him were also sent out carrying various property certificates.

Danpu, who had been reassigned to the side as a deputy, was now silently observing everything happening offstage alongside the Chief Secretary, and couldn't help but sigh with genuine emotion:
"The Queen understood human nature very well."

As they spoke, various colored glass teacups and utensils were served.

Unfortunately, current technology cannot produce high-temperature resistant glass. However, it is normal to handle such a precious material with care.

Qin Shi silently observed all of this, thinking to himself:
If they sell glass this time, the next thing they'll probably sell is porcelain.

Then there are glazes and enamels, etc...

Unfortunately, these processes require time just to find the right clay, plus testing the clay and firing it, so they can't keep up with this grand event.

She turned to look at Gan Zhi beside her.

The other person was also seeing such a scene for the first time, and their eyes were now shining brightly with intense focus. But the Queen's gaze only swept over them briefly before she noticed it immediately:
"What are your orders, Queen?"

Qin Shi asked, "When will Your Majesty arrive?"

Gan Zhi reported: "The Minister of the Imperial Household sent a messenger a quarter of an hour ago to say that His Majesty will definitely be able to attend in person before the start of the event."

There were only fifteen minutes left before the show started.

Qin Shi listened to the detailed comments and exclamations of the crowd about the various colored glass cups in their hands, and then turned around:
"Come with me to greet the King."

"promise."

……

The imperial carriage proceeded smoothly to Xianyang Palace, with armored guards leading the way.

Winter brings little rain and a dry climate, so after leaving Xianyang Palace, the rammed earth road inevitably kicks up dust.

So much so that the people at the front had to be sprinkled with clean water to maintain their appearance.

Ji Heng'an sat in the carriage, his eyes closed in deep thought: "If cement is laid out, will the unified ruts of my Qin state become useless?"

Prime Minister Wang Fu followed as ordered, accompanied by Imperial Censor Wang Xueyuan. The two exchanged a glance:
"Does Your Majesty intend to spread these divine objects throughout the territory of my Great Qin?"

Ji Heng opened his eyes, his expression now relaxed: "Don't worry, Prime Minister. Because such hard roads can injure the knees of fine horses, and are not easy to build, we will not be conscripting people on such a large scale to pave roads for the time being."

He was only reminded of the soon-to-be-promulgated "Great Qin Code": standardizing writing and unifying the gauge of carts.

Because the ruts on the imperial roads and straight roads were fixed, all chariots in the Qin state had the same wheel specifications.

If the road surface is paved with cement in the future, these ruts will no longer need to be preserved. At that time, the roads of Qin will probably have all kinds of ruts.

However, the standardization of writing was intended to ensure the smooth transmission of government orders, but the people of the six former states gradually forgot their homeland.

Standardizing cart tracks meant that the entire Qin state used carts and horses of the same specifications, ensuring a continuous supply of replacement parts during wartime. Changing course was unacceptable.

Let's discuss this another day.

A moment of silence fell over the carriage, making it somewhat unbearable for the kneeling Prime Minister and Imperial Censor. Fortunately, they were used to the King's temperament and were not particularly restrained.

only……

Imperial Censor Wang Xueyuan then said with a worried expression:
“When the Queen offered a reward, I did not hesitate to choose the Crystal Tree. Even when the Queen asked me repeatedly, I did not change my mind.”

"But now..."

The dignified man looked resentful, clearly heartbroken by the overwhelming array of glass treasures.

After he obtained that crystal tree, he even held a grand banquet at home, inviting everyone to come and admire it!

Seeing others' discomfort made the Prime Minister feel exceptionally at ease, and he stroked his beard and smiled slightly.
"Lord Wang, please don't be sad. I've heard that there will be an even more magnificent glass tree at the Lufang Auction House for you to stop and admire."

Wang Xueyuan: ...

Seeing this, Ji Heng recalled the Queen's ramblings at night about how the Imperial Censor didn't know his stuff, and how he wouldn't listen to her repeated hints. Her expression softened even more.

As the carriages rumbled along, the caravan gradually slowed its pace.

Zhou Ju cautiously reported from outside the car door:

"Your Majesty, the Lufang Auction House is just ahead."

Wang Xueyuan was the first to push open the car door and look out. He saw the winter sun rising brightly, and under its golden light, there were large, bright red glazed characters in front of him, as if they were shimmering with starlight.

[Lifang]

In that instant, for reasons unknown, and from some unknown place, the Imperial Censor felt his heart pounding rapidly, and a nameless surge of heroic emotion welling up within him.

Then, the Prime Minister also peeked out. His sparse hair was tightly secured with a ribbon, and his aged face showed genuine astonishment:
"This glass..."

He seemed to want to say something, but when he turned his head and saw the Censor-in-Chief's infatuated expression, he couldn't help but laugh:
"Lord Wang, why don't you get out of the carriage later and take a good look at these crystal characters? In my opinion, they are no less beautiful than your crystal tree!"

Wang Xueyuan was dealt a heavy blow.

His crystal tree was only a little over ten feet tall, but the crystal characters in front of them could be seen so clearly from afar, which meant they were obviously exceptionally tall.

As the carriage drew closer, beneath the vermilion and glazed characters, a dazzling array of wildflowers shone brilliantly.

Wang Xueyuan: ...

He really couldn't laugh anymore.

Instead, Ji Heng let out a soft laugh.

The convoy slowly moved forward, getting closer and closer.

On the high steps of the auction hall ahead, the Queen, dressed in a dark cloak embroidered with auspicious clouds in gold thread, stood quietly.

Ji Heng could see her from afar. In the biting cold wind, he could see her with black hair and red lips, a blush on her cheeks, and the pearls on her hair ornaments swaying in the wind.

Then, as if sensing the emperor's gaze, she looked over with even greater anticipation, a smile as gentle as a willow branch in spring blooming on her face.

"Your Majesty."

The queen descended the steps, and the carriage moved slowly forward.

The Imperial Censor and the Prime Minister sat with their heads bowed in the carriage, feeling as if they were two grains of sand that had inexplicably entered an oyster shell and were wrapped around a pearl.

It's both glaring and superfluous.

Writing just one book is too easy to get writer's block!!! I need to keep writing! I really want to finish this book this year. To make it more substantial, even someone who's illiterate has started reading the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government)...