Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 195, Section 194: Merchants Presenting Gifts
After settling everyone around her, the Queen was in high spirits and wanted to select more palace maids to better serve the Queen.

Qin Shi hesitated as he looked at his coal promotion plan.

The imperial highways and straight roads of the Qin Dynasty were already able to connect all directions, so in terms of transportation, they were actually not bad.

Under Ji Heng's intimidation, the transmission of orders was sufficient to ensure entry into the villages and counties.

However, it was an inviolable royal decree that she wanted to promote. If she forced the promotion of things like the curved plow, coal stove, honeycomb briquettes, and wheelbarrows, they might become tools for extortion and tyranny.

Moreover, whether it can be used or not depends on the person using it.

For example, waterwheels and pumped water wells that are still in the trial stage need to be adapted to local conditions.

So……

She arranged for her personal guards to go to each village and county to promote this initiative; I wonder if it will be effective? However, given current transportation capabilities, delivering eggs to attend classes is probably unrealistic…

Just as he was pondering this, a eunuch suddenly reported:

"Your Majesty, the Zhou family of Zhangtai Palace has sent word that Your Majesty invited merchants from all over the world to Xianyang a month ago. Now, two merchants who have traveled a long way have come to see you outside the Xianyang Palace."

merchant?!
Anyone who can receive Zhou Ju's message and travel all the way to Xianyang City must be a powerful businessman these days!
Having strength means having your own caravan, a wide-ranging business, and the head of the family must have a certain amount of courage.

She immediately perked up: "Should be announced!"

By the time Madam Ba and Wuyou arrived at Lanchi Palace, Qin Shi already knew their identities and backgrounds.

Mrs. Ba, Wuyou...

Although it cannot be directly compared to the history she knows, the similar names and backgrounds make it hard not to think of another woman, Ba Widow Qing, who was once praised by the First Emperor, and Wu Shi Luo, the famous livestock merchant who connected the Western Regions.

And the business these two are engaged in is exactly what Qin Shi needs now.

She has great confidence in this meeting.

In fact, given her status as queen, it was only natural for her to be confident. Because no matter what request she made, the other party would be unlikely to refuse.

As Lady Ba and Wuyou carefully bowed to the Queen and were placed on a mat to the side, they cautiously looked to their sides.

But they discovered that the Queen's unique table and chair, as well as the same utensils used by her chief secretary and scribes, were also there...

These are all quite different from the traditional Qin state's seating arrangements.

Both of them felt a chill run down their spines, realizing that it was truly wrong to arrive so late!

Not only did she miss the joyous occasion of being crowned empress, but she also seemed to have missed a great deal of news.

Therefore, it was Madam Ba who, relying on her fellow woman status, boldly offered her hand in greeting:

"I had already heard the summons from Xianyang Palace back in my hometown, but the mountains are high and the road is long, so I was delayed. Now I have missed the Queen's grand event. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Qin Shi shook his head, his expression very gentle: "It's alright."

She looked very young, with a tolerant and bright expression.

His face, full of vitality, seemed to have never experienced the sorrows of the world, and his eyes were bright and piercing.

Looking back now, one can't help but feel a sense of being valued.

They have only been here a short time, and they cannot find out what kind of family the Queen comes from. Judging from her temperament and appearance, she is probably not from a humble background.

Lady Ba became even more respectful: "I am indeed late, so I have prepared many rare and precious items along the way to congratulate Your Majesty on your joyous occasion—I hope Your Majesty will like them."

These words were clearly blunt, and Wu You, standing to the side, was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead. She only regretted that she was not a woman and could not properly approach such a noble person.

At this moment, he could only grit his teeth in anger and barely manage to say:
"The same applies to petty people."

His face was dark, and because he often dealt with cattle and sheep, and was also very strong, he could only wear hemp clothes and a copper hairpin because of his status.

His face appeared very plain.

With such a mouth, Qin Shi was afraid he would say, "Me too." Hearing this now, he quickly picked up his teacup to think about his business, then asked curiously:
"I wonder if you two have prepared any rare or exotic items along the way?"

Which route is being referred to?
One is in the land of Sichuan and Chongqing, and the other is in the Western Regions. Could there be some new species or discoveries there?
Qin Shi became interested.

Nowadays, if people of similar social standing present gifts to guests, it is considered extremely impolite to inspect them on the spot.

On one side was the most noble queen of Qin, and on the other side was a lowly merchant. Therefore, everyone was particularly at ease with her actions.

Lady Zhiba and Wuyou were both overjoyed at the same time!
After all, the queen looks young and her tastes are so superficial.

If there truly is a rare and precious item that can delight the other person, then...

The two exchanged a glance, then, remembering the treasures they had prepared, they were filled with confidence.

The servants presented the items the two had brought, among which many gold, silver, and silk items had already been quickly sifted out by the Red Maiden.

The best of these things are in the treasuries of various countries, and now they all belong to Your Majesty alone.

He then bestowed the gifts upon the Queen, making it unnecessary to look at these items collected from the common people.

Only some truly precious items were left.

But looking around, there were no new or unusual species inside, not even a single living thing.

Qin Shi's interest immediately waned.

Her expression was undisguised, and even from a distance, Madam Ba could sense it—a woman would never act this way when she sees something that interests her.

She was anxious.

Fortunately, another box was brought into the hall, bearing the unique mark of the Ba clan. She couldn't help but feel relieved, and then picked up the teacup, a hint of pride and anticipation on her face.

Such precious items are packed in boxes made of fine sandalwood.

Qin Shi also held expectations.

The next moment, the box was opened, and inside was a dazzling glass tree.

In modern craftsmanship, the larger the glass piece, the more skill it requires.

The glass tree has numerous and delicate branches, and its flowers and leaves are naturally simple and vibrant in color. Now, having been crafted into such an exquisite form, it requires the combined efforts of two people to present it.

If placed in a palace, one can only imagine how magnificent and noble it would be!

Merchants of such status would never dare to openly admire such treasures unless they privately displayed them in their own family hall.

At that moment, Wu You's heart skipped a beat.

Compared to the dazzling, radiant glass tree, the treasure he was about to offer seemed exceptionally simple and dull.

He couldn't help but grit his teeth secretly.

However, unexpectedly, although Lady Ba could clearly sense the Queen's slightly expectant thoughts, the Queen's expression quickly calmed down after seeing the glass tree:

"It's glass."

She exclaimed, "It's quite beautiful."

Mrs. Barth managed to maintain her smile.

Because anyone could hear the indifference and nonchalance in the other person's words.

But these glass trees were prepared in Xianyang long ago as a gift!
Given their family's connections, it is highly likely that the treasures of the six kingdoms were extremely rare.

But why... is the Queen displeased?!

　Here it comes!
　　(End of this chapter)