Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 239, Section 238: Merchants from Wu and Ba
Ji Heng was not a stingy person, so when the rewards were distributed throughout the palace, Qin Shi added 30% to the amount given to the Queen as a gesture of consideration. This was enough.

Of course, the Queen has no family, no relatives, and no resources. What she can use is naturally the King's private treasury ╮(▽)╭.

Thinking of this, she picked up another scroll of silk:
"Has Yan Cong not arrived in Xianyang yet?"

The woman replied, "According to the schedule, we should be able to arrive tomorrow."

Qin sighed at the long journey – when the messenger from Bohai Commandery sent a gift of snowflake salt, she had already ordered him to return before the end of the year.

But by the time the messenger returned and they prepared to bring the supplies back to Xianyang, so much time had already passed.

"What about the merchants from Pakistan and Ukraine?"

The task she entrusted was not something that could be accomplished in a day. These two merchants had previously promised that there would be a report before the end of the year, and they should not be too far from Xianyang now.

Chi Nu kept these trivial matters in mind: "These two are already waiting for orders in Xianyang City."

Qin Shi nodded: "Inform them that on New Year's Day, they will be allowed to attend court and receive greetings, and to enjoy the New Year's celebration together."

The first day of the tenth month in the Zhuanxu calendar is both the New Year and Yuanri.

On New Year's Day, all the feudal lords and officials from various regions were required to rush to the capital, Xianyang, to present gifts to the King of Qin.

These two businessmen were fortunate enough to participate in this matter, and even if they could only fall far behind and be looked down upon, it would still be an unparalleled honor for them!

Upon receiving this news, Madam Ba respectfully saw the eunuch off, then clenched her fists and trembled inside the room.

The servants knelt on the ground, trembling with fear and not daring to utter a word.

The glory of the Lord's family, in this contemporary sense, is also their glory.

The clansmen rushed over. When the eunuch announced the decree, they naturally dared not approach easily, but judging from Madam Ba's condition, it must be a major event that would alarm the entire clan!

It remains to be seen whether this is a reward or a punishment.
Could it be that something was not handled properly before, which angered the Queen?
However, the Qin state was vast, and in just over a month, how could it possibly spread throughout the entire country?
They have mobilized their entire clan and scattered half of their wealth. They have even used their important sales channel, the Salt Road, to join forces with the Ukrainian merchants who trade in livestock.

Each fought for their own territory for their respective businesses.

Now that Madam Ba has taken over as clan leader and is determined to come to Xianyang to report back, coupled with the hardships and toil of this period and the loss of family wealth, the clan members are not without dissatisfaction, but she has forcefully suppressed it all.

now……

The clan elders rushed over in a panic: "What decree has been issued from the Xianyang Palace this time?"

Mrs. Ba's long, rounded fingernails dug into her palms, and her teeth chattered.

But at that moment, an immense sense of shock surged from the top of her head down her spine, as if to burn her so much that she trembled all over, her lips moved but she couldn't speak for a long time.

And look at these tribespeople with their various expressions—

There were clan elders who still looked down on her, others who seemed to offer support and concern, and still others who were the able-bodied men of the clan whom she had ordered around to do hard labor...

She forced a smile, a smile that seemed to solidify with great difficulty, and her voice was inexplicably hoarse.
"By the Queen's grace, I... I am ordered to enter the palace on New Year's Day to offer my congratulations to the dynasty."

These words were spoken almost in a whisper, but those who heard them up close instantly froze.

"On New Year's Day...entering Xianyang Palace...to offer congratulations?"

They murmured the question back, and then a huge wave of joy swept over them. The dawn that the entire Ba clan had never seen for thousands of years seemed to suddenly burst forth at this moment!
"Homage...Homage!" the elders murmured, pacing around like a swarm of chaotic ants: "What should we offer?"

"Open the vault quickly, select the treasures!"

"Quickly—quickly make new clothes for the chieftain's wife—oh no! It's too late! What are we going to do?!"

"Is there any official in the palace who can stay behind, or how can we invite him?! The court etiquette must not be compromised!"

Lady Ba finally breathed a sigh of relief, releasing years of pent-up frustration and the various obstacles that had hindered her from following the Queen.

Then she smiled, and her face, which had lost its luster from her busy life, regained its radiant glow!

They are lowly merchants, merchants whom even ordinary people despise, merchants who cannot wear gold and silver or wear silk and brocade!
Unbelievable...unbelievable!
Her heart raced, and she couldn't help but reach out and touch the gold hairpin in her hair. The cold temperature touched her fingertips. As the coal flames roared in the room, Madam Ba suddenly slumped her shoulders and realized that she was already soaked with sweat.

In another residence, the merchant Wuyou did the same.

As soon as the eunuch left, his loud laughter echoed throughout the many rooms!
The concubines gathered around in surprise, and the personal servants were also a little anxious. Everyone chattered and huddled together, but he didn't say a word. He just paced wildly in the room, each step heavy with his joyful mood!

Congratulations...congratulations!
The Queen completely disdained the precious treasures presented last time. Now that she is celebrating the dynasty, what should she prepare?

In the vault...in the vault!
He frantically grabbed his hair, only to discover with great distress that there were no more treasures in the treasury to offer to the king!
No, not only should it be presented to the King, but an equally lavish gift should also be prepared for the Queen!
He thought and thought, but really didn't know what to offer. Should he bring ten or eight boxes of gold ingots?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Wuyou shuddered violently again!

As merchants already looked down upon, if they were to present such an insincere gift, the courtiers would likely put them to death on the spot, without the king even having to mention it.

"Someone come here!" He stopped and then ordered, "Prepare the carriage; we're going to Madam Ba's place—"

"Master! Madam Ba has arrived, saying she has important matters to discuss!"

Wu You was taken aback for a moment, then quickly stepped forward: "Quick! Quickly, come and greet us!"

Previously, they were each on guard, competing with each other, and secretly trying to outdo each other by offering gifts.

But now and then.

As one of the few merchants in Qin to be able to enter the Xianyang Palace on New Year's Day to offer congratulations to the dynasty, if he were to harbor such petty thoughts at this moment, he might inadvertently delay the queen's important affairs...

The two competitors met at this moment, and their expressions relaxed considerably, as if by unspoken agreement.
"Mrs. Barth! I have something to attend to—"

"Ukrainian merchant, present a gift to the Queen—"

……

Meanwhile, at Xianyang Palace.

Prince Qian, who had been quiet for a long time without being disturbed, was pacing back and forth in the hall, staring at the fruits of his labor. His presence made Lady Zheng's eyes dazzle.
"Qian'er, what's troubling you?"

She snorted, a hint of resentment still lingering on her handsome and beautiful face:
"The Queen has at least arranged some things for me to do. If you are unsure, your mother can pray for you in her heart and things will be alright."

Although this didn't sound like a proper job—not even the Grand Historian sent anyone to give guidance.

But it's still easier and more dignified than for Lady Chu, who is still struggling to rehearse her various performances.

Thinking of this, Madam Zheng felt a subtle sense of satisfaction.

　Here it comes! I might not finish writing the August 8.31st update, see you in September!
　　(End of this chapter)