bayedsolid Chapter 471 Firecrackers
Chapter 471 Firecrackers
The rich, resonant music, mingled with the delicate fragrance of burning pine branches, swirled and echoed beneath the dome. This fragrance mingled with the aromas of the delicacies within the hall, creating an intoxicating atmosphere.
On the table before King Ying Zheng of Qin were eight cauldrons laden with delicacies. Among them, the Tai Lao Ding, the most important of the nine cauldrons, was emitting wisps of white steam. The aroma of roasted whole lamb mixed with the numbing spiciness of Sichuan peppercorns, like an invisible force, made Ba Pu's throat itch slightly.
Bapu's gaze slowly swept across the seats of the ministers. The first person he saw was Grand Chancellor Feng Quji, who was carefully cutting venison with a dagger. His movements were as elegant as a calligrapher wielding his brush, each cut precise and delicate, as if he were writing a magnificent article.
In stark contrast to Feng Quji's elegance was General Meng Tian. He boldly tore open a roasted deer leg; his thick arms, illuminated by the firelight, displayed clearly defined muscles, seemingly brimming with boundless power. His armor gleamed with the cold light of bronze beast heads, further emphasizing his imposing presence, making him appear like a war god descended upon the land.
Compared to the court officials, the various trades seats seemed more lively and interesting. Su Liuli, like a child, curiously poked at the crystal glass cup on the table. Under her manipulation, the glass cup refracted colorful light spots, which danced on her rosy cheeks like stars in the night sky.
On the other side, Wang Tieniu appeared somewhat uneasy. He stared wide-eyed at the lacquered delicacies on the plate in front of him, his rough fingers gripping the silver chopsticks tightly, as if they were not chopsticks for enjoying food, but rather the farm tools he used daily, and that the slightest carelessness would damage these exquisite tableware.
Just then, the King of Qin suddenly shouted, "Please, everyone, drink from this cup together!" He held up a bronze cup inlaid with Lantian jade. The warm luster of the jade and the ancient simplicity of the bronze complemented each other, making it even more precious.
As the King of Qin finished speaking, everyone in the hall raised their wine cups and shouted in unison, "For the Great Qin, for all industries!" In an instant, wine poured onto the bronze floor tiles like a torrential downpour, the splashes shimmering like shards of gold in the firelight. However, these wine stains were instantly wiped away by well-trained maids with Shu brocade handkerchiefs, as if they had never existed.
Bapu tilted his head back and drank the mellow millet wine. The liquid slid down his throat and into his stomach, bringing a warm sensation. In an instant, the taste of his mother's fruit wine appeared on his tongue. The familiar sweet and sour taste spread in his mouth, making him feel as if he had returned to his hometown, forgetting what day it was.
As the music and dance began, sixteen dancers filed in, their steps synchronized with the rhythm of chimes. They wore brocade gowns specially made by the Su Liuli Textile Workshop; the flowing sleeves revealed cloud patterns embroidered with gold thread that shimmered in the candlelight, as if draped in a sky full of stars. Ba Pu's gaze, however, was drawn to a musician in the corner—he was playing a new piece on a modified harp, the frequency of the vibrating strings resonating strangely with the sound of the loom. In that instant, he seemed to see countless threads weaving through time and space, stitching together the mulberry fields of Sichuan, the looms of Wu, and the wheat fields of Guanzhong into the magnificent landscape of the Qin Dynasty.
After several rounds of drinks, King Ying Zheng of Qin raised his bronze jue (a type of wine vessel), his piercing gaze sweeping across the room: "This New Year's Eve, I have specially arranged this gathering of all trades, not merely for feasting. Merchants facilitate trade, artisans benefit all things, farmers bring peace to the land, and scholars pass on the torch of knowledge..."
His voice echoed in the hall, “You are all the backbone of Great Qin! This year, the Flower of a Hundred Industries has been specially set up, not for empty fame, but to hope that all industries will prosper and help Great Qin…” Before he finished speaking, a deafening sound of firecrackers suddenly came from outside the hall, as if the entire palace was trembling.
The sudden loud noise startled everyone present, and some people even jumped up from their seats in shock.
Just as everyone was in a panic, Ying Wuyou stood up steadily, her voice clear and calm: "Don't be afraid, everyone, it's just the sound of firecrackers."
However, for most people, the term "firecracker sound" was completely unfamiliar. They looked at each other blankly, clearly having no concept of this new term. So, the crowd began to whisper among themselves, asking what it was and whether Princess Jiayang had come up with some new trick again.
Faced with the crowd's doubts, Ying Wuyou's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile that exuded composure and calmness. "Please look, everyone!" Ying Wuyou gestured with her slender hand towards the outside of the hall, and several more bursts of fire erupted outside the palace, with crimson fragments flowing like rosy clouds across the nine-layered palace. "This thing makes a sound like thunder when it burns, hence it is called 'firecracker'."
Meng Tian gripped the sword hilt tightly, his fingers slowly stroking it, as if he could feel every pattern and flaw on the blade. His gaze was fixed on the precious sword in his hand, and he murmured to himself, "Such power, if it were made into a weapon..." This veteran general, whose knuckles were covered with thick calluses from years of holding swords, was now trembling slightly.
Ying Wuyou turned around, the pearl hairpin on her head swaying gently with her movement, making a crisp sound. She smiled and said, "Right Chancellor, do not worry." Her voice was clear and melodious, like heavenly music. "Such things are merely for festive entertainment. If they are to be used in war, they must be forged through countless trials." After saying this, she suddenly smiled, a smile as radiant as spring flowers blooming, her dimples shallow and captivating.
The sound of firecrackers gradually subsided, but the deafening noise still reverberated throughout the hall. Su Liuli clutched her chest and exclaimed, "Such novel things, it's just that the time was too short."
Wang Tieniu scratched his head and said with a simple smile, "I think this noise is quite effective at scaring away birds!" His voice was loud and clear, with a touch of simplicity and honesty.
As Bapu gazed at the lingering smoke of battle outside the palace walls, a wave of emotion washed over him. He recalled his mother's words of advice: "Do not fear the difficulty of the new path; someone must always go first."
"The Flower of a Hundred Trades competition begins!" With the King of Qin's command, the melodious sound of the chime bells rang out once again in the palace, as if to open the curtain on this grand competition.
Ba Pu stood in the crowd, dressed in a magnificent Shu brocade robe. He straightened his clothes to make himself look more energetic. His gaze inadvertently fell on Lü Zhi, who was carefully putting several sheets of paper with written text into an exquisite lacquer box, her movements gentle and focused.
Meanwhile, Su Liuli was also busy, quickly sketching firecracker designs on the sample booklet, her lines fluid and creative. Her brushstrokes flowed like clouds and water, seemingly bringing the colorful firecrackers to life on the paper in an instant.
Wang Tieniu stood to the side, rubbing his hands helplessly.