Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 216, Section 215: The Divine Weapon is Forged
Large countries are like ant nests.

The affairs of the world are like those diligent worker ants, working tirelessly and unnoticed, moving and changing things little by little.

Being in the midst of it, no one can perceive the magnitude of the historical tide.

However, the ideological trends that were subtly emerging from all over the country, as well as the ideas themselves, were slowly and gradually approaching Xianyang.

They could also vaguely sense that King Heng of Qin seemed to have changed his political views.

Qin Shi, however, had another restless period. After it ended, she breathed a sigh of relief and immediately asked for a hot spring bath and a thorough hair wash.

She was carefully helped into the hot spring, where she soaked in the hot water and began to feel relaxed. This made her think about the cotton again.

The earliest upland cotton was introduced via the Silk Road and was already in use during the Western Han Dynasty.

Although this type of cotton is not as long, warm, and dense as Sea Island cotton, it may take several more years for the Sea Island trade to develop.

In comparison, we should seize the opportunity to develop the Silk Road, which is closer to us.

Without cotton cloth, it would be really inconvenient these days.

Especially since Lanchi Palace is located on the edge of the Xianyang Palace complex, one can climb the tower at night and look out into the distance, and hear the continuous sound of washing clothes from thousands of households throughout the vast city of Xianyang.

This truly evokes the imagery of "a single moon shining over Xianyang, the sound of ten thousand households pounding clothes."

Because of the distance, the sound did not seem irritating, but it made Qin Shi realize that nowadays, if people wanted to wear hemp clothing, they had to pound the coarse hemp until it was soft so that their bodies could accept that roughness.

The process of pounding the cloth further tightens the warp and weft, making it easier to fill with more fluffy reeds in winter.

The maidservant behind her was carefully wiping her back, while the physician poured out medicinal soup, preparing to wash her hair later, and said at the same time:

"The Queen is in good health, and the King shows no signs of weakness. It's been almost two months now, so why..."

She checked Qin Shi's pulse again and, finding everything normal, became visibly worried.

Qin Shi was also deep in thought.

In ancient times, there were no safe methods of contraception for women, but men did have them—for example, those jade beauties.

But to use these methods on Ji Heng would be tantamount to having too much of a life.

However, Qin Shi was never alarmed by this.

She raised her arm in the hot spring, and beneath her arm, which was white with a hint of pink from the steaming hot water, her blood surged, connecting her to her heart.

Her newfound life is entirely and completely dedicated to her health and happiness. For example, she knows she will never get sick again in her life.

For example, she knows that she won't have this worry if she doesn't want to get pregnant and have children.

However, she could understand Yiming's thoughts.

Ji Heng is already thirty-six years old. According to the current age calculation method, he will be thirty-seven years old after the New Year.

If he has an heir when he is 40, and his child is just 20 years old and has just come of age, he will already be old.

The Qin state had many rulers who lived to be over 80 years old, but no one dared to predict lifespan. For the stability of the realm, he either needed to remain powerful forever, or find a healthy and sane successor for Qin.

This is why he agreed to be made empress so easily.

The Qin Dynasty needs a qualified successor.

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, was 29 years old when he had his first son, and he already faced immense pressure. Meanwhile, the Qin state ended centuries of war and won unification, making Ji Heng's pressure even more palpable.

Now, it is all thanks to this powerful monarch.

She lowered herself further: "I won't miss the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai."

She wanted to take this opportunity to see the world for herself.

Otherwise, if she were confined to the deep palace, sooner or later she would melt into the cheers of thousands above her, and never remember her former compassion.

Yi Ming was somewhat puzzled, but she always knew her limits, and she figured the king was probably even more anxious about matters concerning their children.

She only needs to study the prescription carefully and find more remedies to cure diseases and save lives, so that the future prince and princess can live more peacefully.

She then quickly changed the subject: "It is now late September, and October 1st is the New Year. Everyone in the palace will present gifts to the King."

"Your Majesty, please don't forget."

She lowered her voice again: "At the same time, the first day of the tenth month is also the King's birthday."

Qin Shi's heart stirred: when she was made queen and visited the ancestral temple, she had seen Ji Heng's birth date and time with her own eyes, and it was indeed the first day of the tenth month.

The Qin state used the Zhuanxu calendar, with the first day of the tenth month being what we now call the first day of the Lunar New Year.

After thinking it over for a moment, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have a plan."

After they finished washing and resting, Xin reported from outside the palace that someone from the ironworks had come to report.

Qin Shi became interested: "Could it be that my and the King's swords have been forged?"

Xin cupped his hands in greeting: "Exactly!"

What are you waiting for? !

Qin Shi perked up: "Let's go to Zhangtai Palace."

The carriage was quickly prepared, and a grand procession of servants and attendants arrived. Xin knelt outside the carriage door, not forgetting to report to the Queen:

"Your Majesty, the Ironworks, following your orders, did not allow the waste iron slag to sink into the Wei River, but instead piled it up on the spot."

"The craftsmen in the workshop worked diligently, fearing they might miss out on new iron-forging techniques, so there were daily competitions, and the progress was rapid."

"That's why there's been a considerable amount of iron slag accumulated."

"I wonder what the Queen's plans are for the future? Should I take good care of her?"

Qin Shi immediately laughed: "After meeting the King today, all important matters concerning the Ironworks will be handed over to the King's people. You should no longer be involved."

Xin paused for a moment, then lowered his head: "Your Majesty understands." Only when the affairs of salt and iron are in Your Majesty's hands will people feel at ease.

But the Queen continued, “While you are not involved in the major events, it does not prevent you from still relaying my orders. The abandoned iron slag will be your new task next year.”

She wanted to reduce the corvée labor of the people as much as possible without affecting the construction of official roads, imperial highways, and straight roads in various places, so it was time to start developing cement.

This thing isn't technically difficult; it only requires iron slag, limestone, and clay.

But like glassmaking, the key challenge is to achieve the correct furnace temperature. High-temperature calcination and grinding require careful experimentation with the formula to determine the precise proportions.

The reason it has been delayed until now is that the blast furnace capable of withstanding high temperatures and the coke that produces high-temperature coal are the prerequisites for all of this.

Of course, cement made in this way may not have a high enough grade or sufficient strength, and the road surface will break down after two or three years. It is far less stable than rammed loess.

However, the loess must be roasted and cooked thoroughly to prevent the growth of grass seeds, and then it must be compacted inch by inch by manpower, layer by layer.

Every section of road paved required countless laborers.

Although cement is not durable, it can quickly shape the road surface in a short time, shortening the construction period for each project.

In that case, how can it not be considered a reduction in corvée labor?
However, on a hard surface, the speed of horse-drawn carriages and oxen galloping on it would cause damage to the legs and feet, which even iron hooves could not withstand.

But in this day and age, people are still the most important factor.

Xin didn't know what the queen was talking about, but that didn't stop him from trusting her completely.

He was even exceptionally skilled in the highly secretive iron-forging techniques. With just a few words and instructions, he made the craftsmen from various countries, who had previously refused to obey, now exert all their efforts, fearing that they would fall behind.

What difficulty would there be in producing another treasure?

The palace servants all say that the Queen is a celestial messenger from Kunlun, which seems quite plausible to him.

Therefore, they respectfully bowed in submission:

"Here."

Meanwhile, in Zhangtai Palace, Ji Heng had already received a message that the Ironworks would present the Taiwei Tianshi Sword to the king in the future.

Ji Heng was naturally extremely satisfied to receive such a divine weapon before the New Year.

At this moment, while officials were still presenting their reports and discussing politics in Zhangtai Palace, he was already overjoyed:
"Bring the Queen here quickly."

Chancellor Wang Fu still appeared old and frail. Although he handled political affairs quickly, steadily, and accurately, his daily presence was pitifully low.

He was neither as talkative as the Imperial Censor, nor as taciturn as the former Grand Commandant.

Since the death of Grand Commandant Yan, the King has not appointed a new Grand Commandant, and his intention to directly control military power is particularly evident.

The mysterious noblewoman they encountered along the way not only possessed miraculous medicines from the sea, but also various effective remedies and secret strategies.

I've heard that these divine weapons can now be mass-produced. If, over the next few years, the entire Qin army were to be equipped with new weapons...

Even the usually composed old man couldn't help but show a hint of worry on his face.

The reason is simple: the national treasury is empty!

Furthermore, while the Queen's promotion of coal and other products throughout the country was a good thing for the people, it was perhaps too indecisive.

Ordinary people are like grass, withering in winter but growing vigorously in spring; there is no need to waste so much money.

If those honeycomb briquettes could be sold, it would at least alleviate our immediate crisis.

He had a thousand thoughts in his mind, but he still maintained a mature and prudent demeanor, and was unwilling to speak lightly about anything other than important matters.

Even their words supported the king.

Zhou Ju, standing beside the king, saw his familiar face and couldn't help but feel a surge of superiority.

Although I failed to get ahead of the Prime Minister in the drug trial that day, I was the first to learn about the progress between the King and the Queen.

Prime Minister, oh Prime Minister!
Your Majesty has appointed a Queen late at night; you must be tossing and turning all night knowing this!

Before long, the queen, with her hair piled high with gold hairpins and adorned with jade pendants, also walked out from outside the Zhangtai Palace.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, she saw Ji Heng raise his head and smiled sincerely:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on acquiring another divine weapon."

She slowly stepped into Zhangtai Palace and sat down next to Ji Heng with remarkable ease.

The officials lowered their heads and remained silent. Prime Minister Wang Fu's eyelids twitched, but seeing that the king did not seem to mind, he also fell silent.

Even so, no queen has ever set foot in Zhangtai Palace easily.

Not to mention sitting comfortably next to the king.

Outside the hall, the general with a Qin sword at his waist raised his eyelids and his hand involuntarily touched the hilt of the sword.

Although this is his first divine weapon, it may not be able to match those that are exquisitely crafted in the future.

But this is the first one!
The king bestowed it upon him, and he also held the position of General of the Palace Guard, responsible for the palace's imperial guards. The king's trust in him needs no further explanation!
Therefore, he straightened his chest even higher, thus showing his loyalty!

Ji Heng, however, had already started to laugh.

His desire to conquer the world far surpassed any of the Queen's previous requests for divine weapons!
At this moment, his eyes were bright and his expression was joyful, a rare sight indeed.

Where is the divine weapon?

　"A single moon shines over Chang'an, the sound of ten thousand households pounding clothes" - from Li Bai.

The earliest cotton introduced to my country was African cotton, also known as upland cotton, which is now gradually being abandoned. It was unearthed in Xinjiang during the Western Han Dynasty, but it was not widely cultivated at that time.

But Sea Island cotton wasn't far off either; cotton was found in the phoenix crown of Empress Xiao, wife of Emperor Yang of Sui.

It's a little short, but the New Year is just around the corner!
(End of this chapter)