Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 704: When time comes, heaven and earth all work together

A feast for the eyes and ears with light and shadow effects left not only the ignorant foreigners speechless, but also the people of the Great Wei themselves dumbfounded.

Some say it's magic, others say it's sorcery. They can't even fathom the underlying principles. The massive wall depicts everything from Pangu creating the world to Nuwa creating humanity, from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors expanding the land to the Hundred Schools of Thought contending during the Spring and Autumn Period, and the creation of humanity through slash-and-burn agriculture. It doesn't mention who did it, but it shows farming, weaving, hunting, fishing, herding, and patrolling the mountains—all the affairs of the world are contained within, perfectly fulfilling the saying that the world has no boundaries.

The maneuvering chants of those moving mountains or the resounding songs of the boatmen transformed into hymns of praise for the working people. Scholars who wrote books to benefit the world and merchants who traveled to understand all things were also praised; almost every social class was represented, including scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

“Enemies? I have no enemies. My only enemies are decay and backwardness. Everyone is my friend and someone I want to unite with.”

Xia Lin's words echoed in Dou'er's mind. Now, looking at this timeless scroll, he immediately understood Xia Lin's meaning. This was not flattery, but rather a way to use the celebration to announce Xia Lin's ambition to the world.

"The ruler of all under heaven"? It seems a bit different, but the meaning is already quite clear. In any case, this is sending a signal to the outside world. As for what other parties receive, that's their own business.

I heard that today's event was just a rehearsal, and the official opening in a few days will be even more spectacular, with dragons and phoenixes appearing in the sky. As for how it will be presented, that's a complete secret for now.

As the daily rehearsals progressed, the celebration drew ever closer. But on the day the celebration was to begin, Xia Lin could only sit in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, looking up at the sky.

"Master, Madam and the others have all gone to watch the excitement, why won't you go?"

"I've been looking at it for a few days and I'm tired of it. Besides, there will definitely be people everywhere outside today. I'm too lazy to cause that trouble."

As they spoke, fireworks appeared in the sky as scheduled, this spectacular display announcing the official start of the harvest festival. It just so happened that it was also the night of the full moon and the Mid-Autumn Festival, as if everything was in its most perfect state.

When the performance began, the cheers and exclamations from the crowd could even reach the pavilion in the middle of the lake. Xia Lin, however, was lying in a rocking chair with a large casserole set up in front of him. Inside was a pot of mutton stewed with skin and tendons, topped with plenty of chili shells and Shawo radishes transported from Shanhaiguan.

The aroma wafted far and wide, and even Dou'er, who usually had little appetite, kept swallowing her saliva.

"Dou'er, I'll show you something new."

Xia Lin got up and went into the room. He took out a box, opened it, and found a strange-looking thing inside with a copper horn on it.

Dou'er didn't know what it was, but at that moment Xia Lin pulled out a round plate about twenty inches in size from a wooden box. He carefully placed the plate on the strange thing and pointed to the handle next to it: "Dou'er, shake it slowly."

Dou'er obediently started shaking the handle, and then she heard someone singing inside, melodious and gentle, as if someone was really singing a song through a window.

"Sir! There's someone locked up in here!?"

"Haha, this is a phonograph. I just asked the engineering students to try making one, and they actually succeeded."

"This is so amazing, it can actually make human voices."

"Oh, don't be so surprised. The things the engineering school will come up with in the future are beyond your wildest imagination."

Just then, cheers erupted outside again, this time several times more enthusiastic than the previous two times, probably due to the jubilation brought about by the brand-new and unprecedented event.

At this moment, not only the common people, but even Emperor Jingtai stood up excitedly, holding onto the railing and looking at the large wall in front of him. He was like a curious child, searching around to find out how this thing came to be. But after searching for a while, he had to give up. After all, there were other people around, and he was a little embarrassed...

However, the two emperors beside him were also in shock. Even Emperor Jingtai had never seen such a spectacle, so how could they have?

The images on the wall, though displayed at a low frame rate, told a complete story, recreating almost all the major events that had occurred on this land, leaving viewers deeply moved.

But that wasn't all. The moment the light curtain fell, two bright fireballs suddenly appeared in the sky. Then the fireballs dispersed and transformed into a picture of dragons playing with phoenixes.

The sounds of the entire audience were drowned out by the "wows" of the people outside. Even the Empress of Li Tang lost her composure and leaned over the railing to get a closer look.

But this was not the end. What followed was an even grander fireworks display than the beginning. It's no exaggeration to say that the gunpowder used in just one night's fireworks could have blown every living person in the three capital cities of Nanjing, Ulaanbaatar, and Chang'an, and might even have swept through Luoyang. You can imagine how magnificent the scene was; the smell of gunpowder could even be clearly smelled from Chuzhou, more than a hundred miles away.

"Sir, how did you do that?"

"I don't know, you'd have to ask Master White Sugar." Xia Lin shook his head: "Everyone says that explosions are art, but in my opinion, this art must be as tall as a ten-story building."

"How much money will this cost?"

"I heard that 200,000 taels of silver were burned."

"Two hundred thousand taels!!!" Dou'er exclaimed in astonishment, "That's enough to buy ten of my lives."

"Hey, your unit of measurement is quite novel. Don't worry, someone will reimburse you."

Dou'er didn't know how to get reimbursed for this, but actually there were banners everywhere around the main venue of the opening ceremony, such as "Xiang Family Gold Jewelry Thinks What You Think," "He Family Strong Liquor Dreams of Yellow Millet," and "Huang Family Clothing People Rely on Clothes." Not just anyone can hang these banners; you have to pay to be eligible.

Anyway, this is a win-win-win situation. The court saves face, the people have fun, and the merchants make money. Everything in the world eventually has a balance point. As long as you find that point, many things can be accomplished more efficiently.

The grand opening ceremony amazed everyone, including the emperor. At midnight, the three emperors held red silk ribbons and began to cut the ribbon for the celebration. Afterwards, they joined hands to strike a giant gong.

The moment the gongs and drums sounded, 15,862 firecrackers that had been set up throughout the city were set off simultaneously. During this time, some firecrackers were also set off by the people themselves. If one were to look down on Jinling City from a high mountain, one would only feel that the city at this moment was like a thousand trees of flowers blooming in the east wind at night, and stars falling like rain.

"The auspicious day has arrived, the grand harvest festival begins!"

The officials from the Ministry of Rites led the three emperors to the altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven. This sacrificial ceremony was also very troublesome because there were three emperors present. If they were not careful, disputes could arise, so the process was very long.

Even emperors are human. When Emperor Jingtai was listening to the sacrificial text being read at the grand ceremony, he turned his head and quietly asked San Niang, "Are you hungry?"

Third Sister turned her head and responded softly. At this moment, Emperor Jingtai turned his head again and asked the Khan Liu next to him, "Are you hungry?"

"I can eat a whole sheep!"

"Alright." Emperor Jingtai swallowed hard. "After this is over, you two change into civilian clothes and come with me. I'll take you out for a late-night snack."

“This isn’t appropriate…” Third Sister frowned slightly: “It’s already very late, and it would be inconvenient for me.”

"What's inconvenient about you? You're very convenient. You're my cousin, after all. Would I harm you? Besides, what good would it do me to harm you? What about Khan Liu?"

"You think you can drown me in the river?" Liu Dahan replied readily, "Since it's an invitation from the Emperor of Great Wei, how can I refuse?"

Third Sister's eyes darted around: "Where should we eat? I'll tell Erfeng." "Your Erfeng probably went there a long time ago."

About an hour after the ceremony ended, the three emperors were exhausted and hungry from the tedious process. After the ceremony finally ended, the other two emperors changed their clothes and were immediately wrapped up and stewed by Emperor Jingtai. By the time they realized what was happening, they had already arrived by boat at Emperor Jingtai's secret fishing spot...

The place was already filled with various aromas, and the smells were driving the already hungry group crazy...

Actually, they had no enmity. The affairs between countries are too complicated to explain in a few words. Of course, we should thank one person and give a warning.

The city must not be massacred.

There was fighting, but there was no massacre of the city. Without massacres, war is really just that. After the war, everyone sits down together and talks, and they are still good partners.

In fact, only today did they truly understand why massacring a city would lead to the loss of the nation's destiny. If either side had massacred the city before, they would not be here today. And by missing this opportunity, their dream of unifying China would be shattered.

Once ashore, Emperor Jingtai became a bloodhound, sniffing his way into the house. He pushed open the door and found it bustling with activity, with a table full of people already seated inside.

Not only was Wang Zhuoheng, the Grand Marshal of Anxi, but also Ye Ji, the military governor of Liaodong, and even several leaders from Lingnan were among them.

"Oh, you've arrived." Xia Lin greeted them, "Please make yourselves seated, Your Majesties."

He could do as he pleased, but the others still had to stand up and bow. However, bowing in this situation was rather awkward, so the three emperors didn't say anything and silently sat down at their seats.

“The oldest among us is our eldest brother.” Xia Lin stood up. “Today, I will welcome our eldest brother with wine instead of water to offer this sacrifice.”

"Water? You look down on your brother?" Liu Dahan picked up the wine jar: "Now you don't even drink wine?"

"Oh dear, I've been feeling a bit weak these past few days, and I've already resolved to quit drinking. Sorry, sorry."

Hearing this, Third Sister rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. She just leaned back and glared at the drunken Li Shimin.

"Give up alcohol but not sex?"

"You can't completely give up lust." Xia Lin laughed heartily, "Brother, let's do it!"

Throughout the centuries of conflict, when has the world been most harmonious? The answer is simple: when discussing vulgar topics. Even the most vicious trolls, upon seeing a woman's breasts, will have to sincerely wish her a peaceful and happy life.

The mere mention of being unable to quit lust would elicit uproarious laughter, even if the people here were enough to sweep away all civilizations on Earth in the seventh century.

"Alright, everyone's here." Xia Lin cleared his throat after putting down his cup. "Today, when you all enter this room, there are no emperors or generals, only drinking and merrymaking. Put aside politics and just revel all night long. Hey, Erfeng, get up and dance a little dance."

"Get out!" Li Erfeng glared at him. "You have no manners."

"I'll provide the background music!"

“Alright!” Li Shimin staggered to his feet. “Then I’ll make a fool of myself.”

Li Shimin was a skilled dancer, and when Xia Lin provided the music, Lao Zhang couldn't resist taking out his jade flute. Everyone present was an extraordinary person, each with their own unique skills.

Emperor Jingtai was the only one who was really hungry. He sat there and ate his rice, even though it was so spicy that it made his mouth tingle. He ate three bowls of rice with the oily and spicy mutton soup.

That night, apart from Xia Lin, almost everyone else was completely drunk and had no airs or pomp; they just lay down and fell asleep.

Of course, if anyone were to see this scene today, they would be in grave danger, since even unofficial histories wouldn't dare to write it this way.

In the end, early in the morning, Xia Lin and Dou'er dragged them back to their room and settled them in. To avoid suspicion, he could only reluctantly squeeze in with Brother Dugu.

Anyway, I can't give up lust even a little bit.

After they woke up, because they woke up at different times, they left one after another without saying goodbye. After all, everyone's identity here was very sensitive, and any slight movement that would be known would be a big trouble. So when Xia Lin woke up, only Douyazi was still fast asleep on the entire island in the middle of the lake, and everyone else had disappeared.

"Get up! Stop sleeping!"

"Stop bothering me..." Bean Sprout pushed his hand away: "What time is it?"

"It's almost dark."

Brother Dugu sprang out of bed with a start, his hair a mess: "Did I miss the opening ceremony of the Dugu family's grand opening?!"

"hold head high."

"Aren't you going to call me?"

"I just woke up too."

"Oh no, oh no!" Bean Sprout quickly put on her clothes: "Where's my undershirt? Why are you taking my clothes off!"

"I can't get in even if I'm wearing clothes."

"Get lost! Find it right now!"

After finally getting dressed, Bean Sprout took off running. As the head of the family, missing the opening ceremony of his own group company was already bad enough, but the worst part was that he hadn't seen anyone all day, and it was already getting dark. This was really going to be the death of him...

When the two arrived at the celebration market, all twelve major merchant guilds of the Dugu family had already begun their business. The heads of each guild couldn't hide their disappointment when they saw Douyazi. It took Dugu Han a while to calm down the resentment of those powerful managers.

"You've really ruined me." Bean Sprout sat by the roadside with Xia Lin: "Why don't you go to the Empress's house? She's perfectly fine today."

"Damn it, do you know what the scene in Jinling City will be like today if people find out I walked out of the Empress's house the next day?"

"Hmm... then you can just come out of my room?"

"Hey, buddies." Xia Lin stood up and patted Douyazi: "Come on, this Han Chinese area is boring, let's go check out the minority area."

(End of this chapter)