Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 173, Section 172: Birth Date and Time
The wedding ceremony is to unite two families in harmony, to demonstrate this to the ancestral temple above, and to ensure the continuation of future generations below.

Qin Shi closed the bamboo slips in his hand.

The "Hunli" chapter of the Book of Rites, which has been regarded as a standard by nobles since the Zhou Dynasty, describes in detail the marriage status in the Qin state at that time.

Although she prided herself on having a deep understanding of the country, she still lacked some knowledge in such details. After all, this dynasty was far too short-lived; before any major undertakings could even begin, it was replaced by the Han dynasty.

She had just woken up and was still maintaining her daily reading habit, only this time she was reading the book she needed to cram for today.

Fu Cai and her maids were diligently doing her hair and makeup. Qin Shi, feeling helpless after sitting for so long, could only read and get used to these seal characters more.

She returned to Lanchi last night.

The king felt that Nangong was too young and not worthy of his investiture.

Although it was just an imperial edict, it still required a grand setting to show his respect.

In a way, this is also a form of support for one's future.

The Qin Dynasty naturally cooperated.

It's almost mid-August now, and the lotus flowers in the pond have lost their former splendor. But the lotus leaves are still lush and green, and pink and white buds are still hidden among them.

The Red Maiden ordered people to gather bouquets of various sizes to decorate different parts of the palace, while the rest of the furnishings remained unchanged from when she left.

Everything remained as usual, as if the past few days in Nangong had been nothing but a dream.

But even more fantastical than a dream is the upcoming ceremony to crown her as empress.

The woman standing nearby, straightening her clothes, said regretfully:

“If the King of Qin had not acted so hastily, Your Majesty might have been willing to complete all six rites, including betrothal and name-asking.

Qin Shi smiled and said, "Could it be that in the past, when the Queen of Qin was conferred a title, all the kings of Qin performed the six rites?"

Not that.

The so-called Six Rites were nothing more than the ritualistic aspects of weddings among nobles.

For someone of Your Majesty's status, an imperial edict can be issued in an instant.

However, she always felt that the king treated the Qin king differently, with more courtesy and tolerance, and perhaps she was willing to reciprocate with that respect.

Qin Shi, however, did not value this matter.

To be precise, it wasn't that she didn't value this matter. Rather, she knew that if she made no mistakes, she would definitely have a place in the Fengshan Ceremony next year.

Compared to the minor investiture ceremony in the Qin King's palace, the summit of Mount Tai is naturally more alluring and captivating.

Before that, the enjoyment of this bountiful harvest can be quietly suppressed.

Moreover, if the six rites were to be followed, the king would only know her name at the step of "asking her name." Otherwise, it would be disrespectful and improper, so why bother?

However, obtaining this birth date and time is extremely difficult.

She recalled that the day before, the Grand Astrologer Yi Lü had come to request an audience and then inquired in detail about her birth date and time at Zhangtai Palace in order to perform a divination to determine her fortune.

Qin Shi was somewhat surprised:

"The Grand Astrologer taught me divination using yarrow stalks at Zhangtai Palace before. Didn't I already perform the divination then?"

Grand Astrologer Yuan Xin shook his head:
“I did indeed perform divination that time, but I have now bathed and changed my clothes, and calmly burned incense. Now, if I inquire about the Qin ruler’s detailed birth date, it will be in harmony with the fate of my king and the Qin state once again.”

As he said this, he seemed to realize something, and then turned to look at Ji Heng.

—It's just a birth date and time, so why is the usually carefree Qin Jun so hesitant and deliberately delaying?

Could it really be some terrible, ominous time?

Oh dear! It's alright!
Whether the time is auspicious or inauspicious is entirely up to the king.

Otherwise, given the summons given a few days ago by the "Mars guarding the heart" divination, wouldn't Your Majesty have slaughtered countless people?

Ji Heng, however, knew exactly what was going on.

He knew all along that Qin Shi was a person from a later era.

He simply didn't know how many years would pass in the future.

Furthermore, due to his cautious considerations and the principle that "a gentleman is unpredictable," he never inquired about matters of the future.

Since arriving in Qin, the other party has been diligent and hardworking, busy every day. Whether you ask or not makes little difference.

He wasn't entirely sure whether this divination across time would be successful.

But so what if it can't be done?

The current state of global unification is something no one had ever achieved before him.

Yet he himself remains the sole king of this world!

If these withered bones and dead grass are truly accurate in every way, why did the Zhou Dynasty fall into ruin? And why did the rulers of various states bother to train troops and raise people?

All you need to do is shower people with wealth, treat the virtuous and talented with courtesy, and respectfully invite all the diviners and astrologers in the world, like the Grand Astrologer.

Faced with Qin Shi's somewhat hesitant gaze, he nodded indifferently and said:

"If you don't want to mention it, then so be it."

The Grand Historian hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

The birth date and time are especially important in the Qin state today.

It's not just about national destiny, but also about marriage matching and personal thoughts...

This matter is also highly valued in the selection of officials.

Without a birth date and time to offer as a tribute at the ancestral temple, how could they legitimize this queen before their ancestors?
The change from a proper position to an improper one can occur within just eight characters.

How should future historical records be recorded?

What he thought of, Qin Shi also thought of.

Ji Heng didn't care because his ruthlessness was enough for him to sweep everything away.

Qin Shi took a deep breath, silently calculated in his mind, and then said in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, I come from the Qin state, 2,249 years in the future."

In fact, from the moment she traveled through time, her origin should be China 2,249 years in the future.

In terms of birth age, it would actually be 2222 years from now.

But when everything in modern times ended with an incurable disease, she never imagined that she would be reborn when she stepped onto that yellow earth.

Since that's the case, and since the calculation might be inaccurate to begin with, let's start calculating from the moment she set foot on Qin soil.

But in this Qin state, which was both strange and familiar, she didn't know what year BC corresponded to the twenty-third year of King Heng of Qin.

At this point, we can only make a simple calculation based on the year of another First Emperor.

If not...

Thinking of Ji Heng's resolute and confident expression, she silently strengthened her resolve in her heart.

If it's not allowed, then it's not allowed.

Everything she has done, everything she will do, and the many lives she may save in the future...

None of them are related to this birth date and time.

As for the claim that they were from the Qin state...

If we don't say it this way, should we then tell the king again about "a single spark can start a prairie fire"?

Before the spark is even ignited, her rebellious thoughts will likely sweep away all the achievements she has made.

In later generations, the Qin Dynasty has long since disappeared into the vast expanse of history, with only written records documenting its former glory and uniqueness.

But now, as the wedding is about to begin, Qin Shi ultimately cannot bear to shatter all these beautiful fantasies.

Standardizing writing, cart axles, and weights and measures; thus, the belief in unification took root, and the prefecture-county system extended to more than 2,000 years later…

All of this proves that their civilization is being passed down from one lineage.

She said she was a Qin person from 2,249 years in the future. This country in the Central Region at this time, is it not also the future China?

　This chapter was really hard to write! But I think it should be relatively easy to understand, right?
　　The 23rd year of King Heng of Qin corresponds to the 23rd year of Qin Shi Huang, which is 224 BC.

　　This should allow for calculation, right?
　　(End of this chapter)