Chapter 197 Night Banquet at Qin Palace
After the horse parade was over, it was already afternoon, and Fan Zeng and others returned to the Qin Palace. Although they were a little tired physically, they were very excited mentally.
How many people don’t like the feeling of becoming famous all at once?
It’s just that their perception of Emperor Qin has become more complicated. From now on, if they say that they have no intention of boarding the “thief ship” of Great Qin, who will believe it?
We can no longer criticize Qin and ridicule Qin as we did in the past.
Emperor Qin gave them gifts, and they accepted them, but turned around and ridiculed Qin and rebelled against Qin. Wouldn't this be ungrateful?
You will definitely be criticized by thousands of people, and your reputation will be ruined!
For people in this era, reputation and face are very important. You can lose your life, but you cannot lose your reputation and face. Yan Zi took advantage of this by being able to "kill three scholars with two peaches".
Although the Spring and Autumn Period has gone far away and the Warring States Period has ended, this kind of character still remains.
If a person's reputation is ruined, it will be difficult to move forward in the world and make great achievements.
Returning to the Qin Palace, Fan Zeng thought that "parading on horseback" would be the last thing for the day and there would be nothing else to do. Unexpectedly, a chamberlain came to deliver the order and Emperor Qin hosted a dinner.
Well, now it’s better. Not only have I worn and taken the Qin Emperor’s clothes, but I also need to eat the Qin Emperor’s clothes.
Who can bear it if this continues?
It’s not that I don’t miss my homeland, it’s just that Emperor Qin was too cunning. He beat them with a combination of punches one after another, leaving them unable to parry.
Not to mention, the feeling of being valued by Emperor Qin is quite refreshing.
Although there is not yet a saying that "one who has learned literature and martial arts will bring his wealth to the emperor's family", this idea has existed, and most scholars of this era still hold the belief that "the king treats his ministers like his brothers and feet, and his ministers will regard the king as his confidant." The thought of "a scholar will die for his confidant".
Although they cannot be called Emperor Qin's "ministers", many of them have placed themselves in the position of "ministers" and "scholars" because Emperor Qin treated them so.
As a minister who is regarded as a brother by the king, how should I repay the king, and as a scholar who is appreciated by the king, how should I repay him?
Everyone has their own answer in mind. The more kindness they bear from Emperor Qin now, the harder it will be to repay them. And as long as they still care about reputation and face, Emperor Qin’s tricks will be almost unsolvable.
Did Emperor Qin come up with these methods that used morality and righteousness (universal values at the time) as weapons, or did Li Nian propose it to Emperor Qin?
If it is Li Nian, then he is also extremely resourceful and should not be underestimated. He should be treated with caution.
It was another day when Li Nianfeng Ping was killed. People were sitting in the palace, and the pot came from outside.
He did participate in the design of this Xianyang Examination, but the awarding of medals, riding horses in the streets, and giving banquets were all arranged by the First Emperor himself with reference to later imperial examinations.
Fan Zeng and others rested at the place assigned by Emperor Qin until dusk, when the chamberlain who led them into the palace today appeared and said with a smile: "Dear sages, the banquet has been prepared. Please leave."
According to the order in which they entered the palace to meet Emperor Qin earlier, everyone lined up and went to a palace courtyard under the guidance of these chamberlains and guards.
This palace is not small in area and looks like a huge pavilion. It was built specifically for the first emperor to hold banquets in the palace when he proclaimed himself emperor. It can accommodate thousands of people at a time.
Although the place is large, the layout is not careless and random. All the furnishings are carefully considered to make it large but not empty, broad but not vulgar.
When every candidate on the list enters, a waiter will sing his or her name, which makes everyone feel a little ashamed but also very happy at the same time.
How many people in the world can be named in the Great Qin Palace?
Enter the courtyard, Emperor Qin has not arrived yet, and the food has not been served yet, but the tables and chairs are ready. Bowls, chopsticks, plates and other tableware have been placed on each round table, as well as a large wooden table. The round plate is on the table and seems to be used to place dishes. There are black chairs set up next to the round table, and a piece of wooden tablet is hung on a rope on each chair.
Instead of sharing meals, are they going to dine with others at this round table tonight?
Hey, there is something special on the table. Its shape should be that of a wine prince, but its material is very special. It seems to be water jade. But how could Emperor Qin have so many water jade?
Too extravagant, too extravagant, too wasteful!
This made some candidates shake their heads and planned to tell Emperor Qin about this matter when they saw him later.
The First Emperor is now quite good in their hearts. He shows signs of becoming a sage king and a wise king. They must make sure that he returns from his lost ways and cannot follow the path of those foolish kings and tyrants.
Everyone also saw some other things, such as the lighting objects hanging in the courtyard. Just looking at them made them feel so festive. They put the lights in these unique cages to make them more festive. The wind is hard to blow out, but it is indeed a good idea.
But ordinary materials cannot be used, only things that can let the light of the lamp shine through easily.
Under the guidance of the chamberlain and the maid, everyone took their seats. At this time, they also knew the purpose of the wooden slip hanging on the wooden chair. It turned out that the name was written on it, which represented which seat the person with that name sat.
Not long after, "The Holy One has arrived!", everyone stood up and looked at the figure walking in front of the ministers. They were about to salute and pay homage, but heard Emperor Qin's voice: "No need. How polite!”
After Emperor Qin sat down in his seat, he said, "Everyone, please take a seat!" Everyone thanked him and sat down.
Looking at the more than 500 candidates who have passed the Xianyang University Examination gathered in the courtyard, Ying Zheng said: "All the talented people have traveled thousands of miles and come to Xianyang from all directions for reference."
"Heaven has it. Up and down, the land is divided into four directions, and the food in each place is different. I am afraid that you may not be used to the food in Xianyang.”
"I can't say that I can't eat, but it also affects your answers on the day of the exam."
"Today, I am hosting a banquet in this garden to celebrate your excellent results in the exam and to comfort you for your hard work these days. , and the third is to rectify the name of Xianyang food, so that you will not say that Xianyang has no delicious food after you go back."
Seeing that everyone was about to stand up to salute and thank them again, Ying Zheng raised his right hand to indicate that they did not have to get up: "Tonight's banquet, you don't need to be so polite!"
Ying Zheng gave it to an internal servant who was serving beside him. a wink , the chamberlain immediately said: "Your Majesty has ordered a banquet!"
One after another, chamberlains and maids were carrying trays, and various dishes were brought up. Just looking at their color and smelling their fragrance made them order People move their index fingers.
These dishes include the daily food of the Qin Palace, food selected from Xianyang City, and food from other six countries.
Some people saw that it was food from their hometown, and couldn't help crying on the spot. They stood up excitedly and saluted Emperor Qin: "Thank you, Emperor Qin! Thank you, Emperor Qin!"
Emperor Qin was thoughtful and knew where their hometown was, so he prepared these foods. This move moved them even more: Emperor Qin treated them like this, and at worst, they would have to give up their lives.
If Ying Zheng could see the favorability and loyalty, he would see the favorability and loyalty of these people increasing sharply.
Even though he was Fan Zeng, he couldn't help but have a good impression of Ying Zheng: Why is the sky so thin compared to Chu? Why are these kings not owned by Chu?
The night banquet was what Ying Zheng wanted to do, but it was Li Nianti who used food from the six countries. It seems to be working well so far.
(End of this chapter)