Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 202, Section 201: Grief Overcomes
This was the first time the Queen had used her private army after the temple ceremony.

And it's a single unit, with a full 2000 people.

They were to travel a long distance to Bohai Commandery, and their leader was Yan Cong, who did not hold any official position.

Ji Heng received the Queen's letter at Zhangtai Palace. At this moment, looking at the valiant young man worshipping below, he frowned slightly.

"The Queen appointed the Grand Minister of Agriculture on your behalf, who is also in charge of salt production..."

"How is the snowflake salt you mentioned made?"

Yan Cong remained calm and composed.

"The Queen has said that the refined salt of Qin is not pure enough in color and has a slightly bitter taste,"

"Even after rigorous selection in the Xianyang Palace, upon closer examination, it is still not pure enough."

"She happened to have a method for processing refined salt, which looked like snowflakes, whiter than mutton fat, and simpler than the current method of boiling seawater."

"The weather is getting colder now, and the temperature in Bohai County will soon drop as well, but compared to Xianyang, it is still a very comfortable temperature, just right for going to the seaside to carry out many construction projects."

"If we can obtain the finest snowflake salt, we can have merchants take it to the Western Regions and the Rong and Di tribes next year to exchange for many good things for our Great Qin."

Although he was not very well-educated, he could recite the Queen's words with exceptional precision, capturing every single point perfectly.

As for the method of refining salt, although the Queen gave detailed instructions, he also had drawings and documents, which were very detailed.

But since the king didn't ask, Yan Cong naturally didn't say anything.

When it comes to secrecy and composure, he was truly impeccable.

Ji Heng did not inquire about these details.

He merely frowned slightly: "The salt workers' corvée labor is arduous, and you are still young, yet you lead this private army... Would you like me to assign you one or two deputies to serve you?"

Soldiers have always been difficult to tame. If he were led by General Yan Yun, Ji Heng would have no reason to worry.

However, Yan Cong is still a minor and has suddenly been given such a heavy responsibility. The confidence of a young man is especially important, and Ji Heng does not want him to be destroyed by such a small matter.

Yan Cong, however, still cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, my father has taught me about military matters through his words and deeds. If the Queen commands that we should accomplish these tasks as soon as possible, I will gladly accept one or two assistants."

Although he spoke modestly, Ji Heng sensed the unspoken meaning—

"So, even if I hadn't made this arrangement, you would have gradually won over these people?"

"Good! Good! Good!"

He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being the son of Yan Shi! He is heroic and spirited, with an indomitable will."

"In that case, let us follow the Queen's arrangement."

He took the imperial edict from the side and took out the seal to affix the precious seal.

Looking at Yan Cong's spirited yet calm and indifferent demeanor, and recalling Yan Yun's unsmiling state in the past, he couldn't help but sigh deeply again.

Regardless, he was actually quite pleased that the Yan Shi descendants possessed such courage and composure.

In the future, perhaps the Qin Dynasty will have another unparalleled general.

This feeling persisted until I returned to Lanchi at night.

Qin Shi didn't ask any questions, but simply smiled and said, "Your Majesty met Young Master Yan today..."

She smiled slightly, looking very confident.

Ji Heng smiled and said, "Indeed, as the Queen said, he is capable of great use!"

The servants helped him change and wash, and only after a cup of hot tea was brought did he become curious:

"Regarding this matter of snowflake salt, I had heard the Queen mention it before, but at the time I said there was no rush."

"And why, with the New Year just over a month away, do we still want them to travel thousands of miles to the Bohai Sea?"

Speaking of this, Qin Shi couldn't help but show a hint of resentment on his face. His usually bright and intelligent eyes seemed to hold a hint of reproach, and even his voice became pitiful:
"Originally, there was no rush, but if there is money in the national treasury, why does Your Majesty always use the private treasury to reward me?"

Ji Heng was speechless.

Because much of the money in the national treasury was used to fight against the six states.

The funds collected from the six kingdoms were quickly spent on building roads, the Great Wall, the Ling Canal, and the underground palace at Mount Li...

In short, now we can only say it's completely empty.

However, Ji Heng didn't seem to worry too much about money.

Because there are hardly any public welfare projects that require money these days.

According to custom, when people performed corvée labor, they had to bring their own food rations. Otherwise, where would the vast Qin state get the money to support its continuous wars?
Qin Shi knew this, which is why he was single-mindedly focused on making money as quickly as possible.

With a capitalist like Ji Heng who is so ruthless yet unaware of his own ignorance, how could he still want to attack the Baiyue?

If the army hasn't moved, where will the provisions come from?

The people really can't take it anymore!
If this situation were applied to the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, whom she knew from history, it would be no wonder that the world fell apart after his death.

Hu Hai's inhumanity was one thing, but the fundamental reason was that the people could no longer bear it.

However, although Qin Shi harbored resentment when the national treasury was mentioned, he was still very happy when it came to the king's rewards.

She then sat close to him again, and said happily:

"Today I sent Yan Cong with a thousand gold ingots to Bohai County. The King's reward has solved our urgent problem."

"It is truly because I have no property that Your Majesty has to worry about me."

While having no fixed assets is a major drawback, it is a major advantage compared to having no family, no clan, and no powerful backing.

Ji Heng didn't care.

If there were anyone in the world richer than him, that would be a huge problem.

Therefore, he said with delight, "Even if the national treasury is empty, I can still support what the Queen needs. But if there is any deficiency, please report it to Zhou Ju."

That's quite a bold statement.

In terms of its destructive power, it's comparable to the phrase "I'll take care of you!"
But the same point applies to that saying—this kind of support can only sustain life, not support dreams.

Qin Shi thought to himself: I also want to pave cement, refine rubber, build keels, construct giant ships, improve medicine, increase lifespan, increase population, and expand territory...

Your Majesty speaks magnanimously, but which of these things does not require a great deal of money?
She's more likely to rely on herself.

However, it's a wonderful habit that someone is willing to spend money on, and she absolutely cannot let that go to waste.

Therefore, he happily said:
"I would like to have a jade pendant necklace made, but the jade that His Majesty bestowed upon me before is not very suitable. I wonder if I could go to the storeroom to select some more?"

The servant in the palace slightly raised her eyelids.

The Queen... she really knows how to flatter the King.

Although she didn't quite understand why the king seemed so happy when she was clearly asking for something.

The jade pendant necklace was heavy. Two sets had been made by the Imperial Household Department earlier, but the Queen rarely wore it out except for temple sacrifices.

The king even bestowed several copies upon her, but the queen only liked to take them out to admire at night and did not carry them with her during the day.

Now you're saying this...

She had many ideas about dressing up the queen, but the queen was not always cooperative, and she felt quite resentful at the moment.

Qin Shi's words, however, brought Ji Heng back to his senses:

"You may leave, Queen."

"Among the collections of the six kingdoms are quite a few rare gold, jade and jewels. After selecting them, I have ordered the Imperial Household Department to quickly craft them."

"On the first day of the tenth month, the New Year, the Queen should also receive all the officials."

……

The Lanchi Palace was filled with harmony and beauty.

In a secluded Taoist temple within Xianyang Palace, there was another person whose face was green, clearly in a very miserable state.

This man was none other than the alchemist Mao Sheng, who had boasted that he could refine a golden elixir in seven days. He had originally intended to project an image of otherworldly elegance, but he never expected the queen to be so shrewd, actually ordering him to ingest the golden elixir himself.

Furthermore, if the elixir is not refined sufficiently, one must not consume meat or fish.

Thus, he was heavily guarded by soldiers in Xianyang Palace, and had not been able to eat a single piece of meat for a month!
Now he speaks weakly and listlessly, and his face appears even more ashen and pale in the bronze mirror.

It's pitiful that ever since he established his immortal name, and was invited by people from all directions, he has never suffered such torment.

Now I have only one thought: I shouldn't let the grand prospects cloud my judgment and end up walking into the trap at Xianyang Palace.

Thinking of this, his heart was filled with resentment:
Your Majesty is a dignified monarch, how could you be so fickle and easily bored with the old and new?
While he was wandering around, he heard that the king was searching everywhere for immortals, seeking the Dao and asking about the elixir of immortality.

But who knew that the other party would change as soon as they arrived in Xianyang.

The speed at which he changed his mind was so fast that if Mao Sheng could know what would happen in the future, he would curse him as a scumbag.

But now...

He looked at the thin porridge in his hand, so thin that it reflected his image, the pale yellow millet inside almost indistinguishable in color.

Moreover, whether it was just his imagination or not, Mao Sheng felt that there were fewer grains of rice inside than yesterday.

So he tried to widen his eyes and raise his weak voice to question the guard at the door.

Have you all mistreated me?

"Why is this porridge getting thinner and thinner?!"

Although he did not refine the elixir, his attitude towards doing things was extremely devout.

Therefore, before refining elixirs each day, one must bathe, burn incense, calm the mind, and change clothes.

These past few days, I've almost fainted in the tub while bathing. Then, after several refinements, from extracting the spiritual herbs to making the elixir, there were always some big and small problems during the process.

In normal circumstances, this would highlight how difficult it was for him to refine the Golden Elixir.

But now, the more he tries to calm himself, the less he can calm down.

Flames roared in the alchemy furnace, but all he could think about were roast chicken, pork, and mutton.

Then his stomach pounded like a drum, and saliva flowed freely.

If I'm not careful, I've ruined the pills twice more.

If he continues to eat like this, he'll probably never be able to refine a golden elixir in his lifetime.

However, the soldiers guarding the door remained silent.

The eunuch who delivered the porridge bowed slightly, his posture respectful, and his speech was flawless.
"You jest, Master Alchemist. We had all the grains we needed, but the elixir of immortality was nowhere to be found. So we dare to guess that perhaps the food we ate wasn't clean enough."

"Now that we've switched to millet porridge, didn't the alchemist reach the [Rejuvenation Elixir] stage the other day? He was only a little bit away from success, which shows how effective it is."

Mao Sheng almost fainted on the spot!
The food wasn't clean enough?!
Two bowls of porridge for each meal a day, with no maltose or salt whatsoever. A few days ago, they were serving pickled scallions, but even that stopped after that.

He now only has thin water when he uses the toilet! If we keep it clean, we might as well not have to use a chamber pot anymore!
However, he did not faint, and Huangmen remained loyal and devoted to the Golden Elixir:
"If this attempt fails, I would like to ask the alchemist to try rice porridge next ten days."

Mao Sheng was panting, his vision blurred, and he felt dizzy.

For a moment, he couldn't tell whether it was hunger or his inability to bear the humiliation.

Nowadays, you can count the grains of millet in millet porridge!

If it were just plain rice porridge, it wouldn't be like they wanted him to refine elixirs; they wanted to sacrifice him alive!

He cried out in anguish, "I want to see the King..."

But when he thought of being dragged away from Zhangtai Palace by the cold and majestic monarch, who was as fierce as a beast, those words turned into an even more painful cry.

"There's a reason why my golden core failed—"

"I want to see the Queen!"

……

The Queen was not someone one could easily meet.

However, the fact that the eunuchs used such methods to wear people down was naturally related to the instructions given to them before Qin Shi.

Although he appeared to be in great difficulty at this moment, he still managed to report the news to Lanchi Palace after Mao Sheng pleaded with him in a soft voice.

During this period, Qin Shi was preoccupied with many things and almost forgot about the person seeking immortality.

"So, not a single golden core has been refined?"

She was very curious.

Huangmen nodded: "The alchemy room is a sensitive place, and I dare not enter lightly. However, the reasons why Mao Sheng fails to make pills each time are quite different."

"In my humble opinion, it doesn't seem like something done on purpose."

Qin Shi also felt it didn't seem right.

After all, Mao Sheng has been admired for so long that, apart from putting on an air of otherworldly wisdom and looking down on everyone, his acting skills are practically nonexistent.

She became interested:
"That does look quite difficult."

When Mao Sheng talked about it before, she thought it was just a gimmick for scarcity marketing.

Looking back now, there were indeed many ingenious steps involved.

"In that case, take me to the alchemy room."

She only knew the theory of how that dazzling golden elixir was made, but had never seen it being practiced.

In a secluded Taoist temple, Mao Sheng sat cross-legged on a futon, looking listless.

His stomach was rumbling like a drum, and his body was so limp that he couldn't even straighten his back.

But he still had his magician's baggage. If the queen came later and saw him in such a miserable state, wouldn't she be even less likely to believe that he was capable?

So he found his belt and tightened it around his stomach again and again.

He often stayed in the steamy alchemy room, dressed in either flowing linen or thin silk.

Looking at her from afar now, standing at the doorway, a gust of wind reveals her slender waist and lean figure.

Qin Shi was surprised:

To gain people's trust, this sorcerer created such an ethereal and otherworldly state; his self-discipline is truly admirable!
After all, although she had hinted that Huangmen should not make Mao Sheng live too well, she never expected that Huangmen's idea was to let him go hungry.

Indeed, only those who have truly experienced hunger know how agonizing it is.

As he got closer, Qin Shi's thoughts changed again.

Because of the time they hadn't seen each other, Mao Sheng's skin had become loose, his cheeks sunken, and his complexion was pale and bluish, quite different from the healthy, rosy complexion he had appeared when they first met.

Looking at it this way, how does it resemble a celestial being?

He's clearly a heretical Taoist priest.

She immediately sighed with genuine emotion:

"So failing to refine the Golden Elixir really hit you this hard, Mao Sheng?"

They were all emaciated.

Mao Sheng didn't know how to answer.

He only stole a glance at the queen, whose features were exquisite and whose body radiated vitality, and thought bitterly to himself:

No wonder he came up with such a vicious method to torment his queen; even his words were so venomous!

Could it be that he doesn't want to eat meat or refine elixirs?
But a problem arose.

Now, while he is suffering from hunger and deprivation, the other party wants him to concoct elixirs...

In this way, wouldn't all the secrets and important points of his sect's alchemical text be learned by this vicious and domineering queen?
Thinking of the future when alchemical texts are lost and the Daoist tradition is severed...

He couldn't help but feel a surge of sorrow.

　The novel next door, "The Chronicles of Song Tan," has reached 353 million words! That's more than double my previous record! I'm so happy!!!
　　Keep going, there's still so much to write!

　　(End of this chapter)