The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 235 Another Winter
When Heng saw Zhang Jing standing there, probably having been frozen for a long time, he said very generously, "Let's go get some mutton soup."

"Young master, please don't mention mutton soup yet. This old master wants to see both of you."

"Then let's see the old master first." Heng adjusted the bundle on his shoulder and nodded.

On the third day after the winter solstice, Prince Gao left Xianyang City, went to Weinan, then to Hangu Pass, and headed east.

When Fusu, who was presiding over the New Year's sacrificial ceremony, heard the news, he was not too surprised.

The memorial tablets of the Qin kings of past dynasties in the temple remain intact. Fusu personally wiped away the dust from under these tablets, cleaned them, and then relit the incense.

The emperor did not attend the ancestral worship ceremony this year, but Prince Fusu always remembered how to do these things.

Fusu, accompanied by his wife, bowed and paid their respects before these memorial tablets. Afterward, the couple left Xianyang to worship in Yongcheng.

Inside the carriage, Fusu continued reading the book that Gao had left behind.

Wang Tang'er was looking at the flowers and plants used in the palace over the years when she asked, "Has Father sent any news?"

Fusu said, "Father has also changed into new clothes this year."

Wang Tang'er nodded.

Since marrying Prince Fusu, she has only seen the emperor a handful of times, but this year she made a black robe with a black bird design for him, and she doesn't know if it's appropriate.

But the emperor has not returned recently, and she has not been able to see her father, only hearing about him from her husband.

Fusu held a book in one hand and his wife's hand in the other, and said, "Father only cares about the country. I've been used to it since I was a child. Whether it's me or my other younger siblings, we are all very far away from Father."

Wang Tang'er nodded.

In her view, the emperor's house was cold, while her own home was warm.

Fusu said in a low voice, "Grand Commandant Wang."

Wang Ben, who was standing guard beside the carriage, asked upon hearing the voice, "What are your orders, young master?"

Fusu said, "Grand Commandant Wang smells strongly of alcohol. Did he drink heavily last night?"

Upon hearing this, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Wang Ben was glared at by his daughter. He immediately replied, "I did drink some."

Unexpectedly, the young master could smell it all. Wang Ben blushed and let out another burp.

Fusu said, "At your age, you should drink less alcohol; it's bad for your health."

"I will remember it."

He says he'll remember it, but he'll definitely go back to drinking heavily.

Upon hearing his wife's sigh, Fusu said, "Recently, I had Xia Wuqie examine Grand Commandant Wang."

Wang Tang'er nodded.

Fusu put down the book in his hand, leaned his body weight on the back of the carriage, and rubbed his temples to relax his eyes.

Having dealt with state affairs for many years, Fusu sometimes felt that he was becoming nearsighted.

The carriage was still some distance from Yongcheng, so Wang Ben chose an open area to set up camp and rest.

Prince Fusu remained seated beside the carriage, just as he had in the past, without even moving around casually.

The area within a radius of several miles was under the protection of the Qin army.

Actually, it's better for the young master not to move around casually. It makes him seem safer and puts the whole army at ease.

Fusu personally roasted a rabbit, while Wang Tang'er placed some cooled pancakes by the fire and roasted them.

To outsiders, the couple appeared to be sitting together, grilling food and talking in hushed tones.

Fusu said, “My great-grandfather used to say that we shouldn’t drink alcohol or eat meat during the ancestral worship period. When I was a child, I really believed it. Later, on the way to Yongcheng, my great-grandfather personally delivered meat to us. Before he arrived in Yongcheng, our ancestors couldn’t see it.”

Wang Tang'er ate the pancake with a smile on her face.

Wang Ben, who was wearing armor and had gray hair, smiled as well.

When the rabbit was cooked, Wang Tang'er broke off a rabbit leg for herself, then cut half of the rabbit and gave it to her father, and the other half to her husband beside her.

Fusu said, "Recently, Grand Commandant Wang has gone to visit those two boys again."

Grand Commandant Wang grinned and said, "Yes."

In fact, whenever he had nothing to do, Wang Ben would go to Jingye County every two or three days to bring those two boys some clothes, food, toys, and rare treasures.

As the night wind blew, the fire in front of me flickered.

Fusu and his wife were listening to Wang Ben recount the story of the two boys in Jingye County when they arrived at the camp on horseback.

The messenger brought two scrolls of documents. These scrolls were sent from the Chu region and were first delivered to Feng Jie, the Minister of Justice in Xianyang. Then, Feng Jie sent someone to deliver the documents to us.

Fusu took the document and read its contents by the firelight. Several teams were currently arresting Xiang Liang's faction.

They have captured several former nobles of Chu, but still have not found Xiang Liang.

These documents do not require approval; the remaining Qin troops will continue their search.

The next morning, the caravan continued its journey. In fact, not much had changed outside Yongcheng.

There were still few people to be seen outside the city, but when they arrived at the city gate, many villagers greeted them.

The carriage entered Yongcheng and headed towards Qinian Palace.

Inside Qinian Palace, the Lady was tidying up the place with a group of palace servants. Fusu was talking with Hei Bo, saying, "This year, the two children still need to study. Since Father is unwell and staying at the Northern Suburbs Palace, only my wife and I can come."

Uncle Hei didn't dare to speak. In fact, even if the emperor's family didn't come, no one would say anything.

Now, every year a few days after the winter solstice, Prince Fusu personally comes here to preside over the sacrificial ceremony, which is a very good thing for the people here.

Even if the emperor's family doesn't come, Uncle Hei will still lead the local people to preside over the sacrificial ceremony. Apart from the special rituals, the annual ceremony is actually not very large, it can be completed in one day, and then they stay here for half a month.

Yongcheng has a small population, and its population is decreasing year by year.

Today, compared to the developing Weibei and Weinan regions, Yongcheng is so desolate that it hardly resembles a city; the entire city is empty.

Because this place has always been the site of imperial sacrifices, the villagers living here naturally have a sense of pride, a pride of being descendants of the ancestors of the Qin people.

Yongcheng is older than Liyang, and the people here still maintain the customs of the ancient Qin people.

Compared to present-day Liyang and Xianyang, the Qin people of Yongcheng can indeed be described as ancient.

Regardless of the storms and changes outside, the Qin people here continue to live their lives in the same way they have always done.

Half a month after the sacrificial ceremony, heavy snow fell again in Guanzhong today. The wind howled in Yongcheng and the snowflakes fell. The couple sat under the eaves in front of the hall, watching the snow scene and eating their meal.

Fusu poured a bowl of wine for his wife and said, "Long ago, the bitter wine of the Qin people was brewed from stalks. This bitter wine was given to soldiers who were away from home to fight."

The couple rarely drank alcohol. In fact, Fusu didn't know much about alcohol and could only talk about the changes in alcoholic beverages.

Standing to the side, Tian An explained, "There are still breweries in Liyang today. I heard that General Meng Tian is still brewing wine on the frontier to reward his soldiers."

The bitter wine tastes somewhat sour and does indeed have a bitter flavor, but this bitterness also makes the wine's flavor much more refreshing.

Tian An sealed the remaining wine with black linen and placed it aside.

"This wine is made by soaking two bushels of millet for three days, and then fermenting it with wheat bran koji."

Tian An said, "What you say is correct, young master. In fact, the sourness comes from the mulberry, and the bitterness comes from a bitter plum that is unique to Guanzhong. The bitter plum is pickled with salt."

Fusu also took a sip of the bitter wine and said, "Back then, our Qin soldiers drank this kind of wine when they marched east."

Wang Tang'er said, "Grandpa often drinks this kind of wine too."

Fusu raised his wine bowl and said, "To Grandpa."

Wang Tang'er said, "Respect to the soldiers."

After saying this, the couple drank the wine in their bowls in one gulp.

The wind and snow were still falling, and the soup in the copper pot was still boiling. After drinking some wine, the couple talked about funny things from their childhood.

Prince Fusu's childhood was actually quite simple; he was a quiet child most of the time.

The lady's childhood, however, was much more interesting.

The couple can complement each other in this way.

The snow fell for two days, and the young master and his wife stayed here for two more days. During these days, the young master Fusu did not handle state affairs, nor did any documents disturb the couple's life.

After the snow stopped, the couple took a walk outside the city.

The time for the agricultural ceremony has not yet arrived, so the young master will remain here until the ceremony takes place, at which point he will visit Shanglin Garden.

It's tough on the Prime Minister; he might have to stay in Xianyang these days, dealing with all sorts of trivial matters.

Tian An stood on the city wall, looking at the scenery in the distance. He liked this view very much, as it allowed the young master and his wife to walk together quietly without being disturbed by so many state affairs.

In the winter of Langya County, a carriage, escorted by Qin soldiers, arrived at the foot of Langya Terrace.

A month has passed since the winter solstice. A month ago, Prince Gao left Xianyang and came to Langya Terrace.

He did not accompany his father on his eastern tour, but he always remembered Langya Terrace.

Gongzi Gao strode up the stone steps and saw the huge bronze armillary sphere in front of Langya Terrace. Just looking at it, he felt that it was full of mystery.

"Young Master." Xu Fu hurried over to see Young Master Gao.

"I came through the snow, sorry to bother you."

Xu Fu bowed and said, "Winter is a quiet time, I will not disturb you."

Gongzi Gao asked, "Did you create this armillary sphere?"

Xu Fu said, "I was ordered by the young master to build it according to the map. During the process, I was assisted by the tutor Zilang and the old master Fan Zeng."

Gongzi Gao said, "Your armillary sphere here is too small. The armillary sphere in Xianyang Palace is several sizes larger than this one."

Xu Fu kept his head down. He didn't think the building was too small; the blueprints the young master had sent were exactly like this.

Actually, it's not small at all; it's as tall as three adult men.

Gongzi Gao then said, "I heard that the three Tian brothers died at your hands."

"Exactly."

Upon hearing this, he turned to Xu Fu, bowed, and said, "I wish to compile a history book, but I am worried about any omissions in the documents and records, so I have come to inquire about the matter."

Xu Fu bowed and said, "Young master, please come with me."

Xu Fu invited Prince Gao down from Langya Terrace, and while telling him about the capture of the three Tian brothers, he also introduced Fan Zeng and the volunteer teacher Zi Lang.

Lang was a teacher who volunteered in Guanzhong, and he knew Gongzi Gao.

"Lang, it's been years."

“Yes,” Lang replied, “When you left Guanzhong, you were still a boy.”

Gongzi Gao unconsciously stroked his short beard and said, "This is Fan Zeng."

Fan Zeng bowed and said, "Greetings, young master."

Returning to the present moment, looking at the several scrolls of documents before him, Gongzi Gao sighed again, "This history book is also the history book of all people under heaven. My brother told me to write more about the affairs of ordinary people."

(End of this chapter)