My son, Fusu, please abdicate the first emperor!

Chapter 836: The meeting of princes? Just to show off their muscles!
When the empire was first divided, the meeting of princes was actually a gathering for nobles to visit their ancestors, see each other's relatives, and strengthen their relationships.

To be honest, they don't have the strength to dominate at the moment, and their purpose of coming here is basically very simple, just to brag to each other.

The world of men is very complicated and cruel, but it is also the simplest at the same time.

Give them a bowl of wine and they can blow a cow to death with just their mouths.

Before the grand ceremony of the Hajj began, the princes had already started bragging to each other in the post station, saying what they had in their countries, how many gifts they had prepared for the emperor, and how the subjects in their countries reacted after a year.

The two princes with the surname Yang had fiefdoms adjacent to each other in the lands of Qi and Lu. Previously, they were both busy with state affairs and had not been able to meet each other. This time they met in Xianyang, and they agreed to hold an alliance or something on the border in the future.

The land of Qi and Lu was the most severely divided land, and it was divided among a number of small princes. It was almost like two countries were established on the basis of one county of the Qin State.

The more detailed the division, the easier it is for the princes to manage, which makes it different from controlling a large vassal state.

Small countries have natural advantages in managing the administration of officials. They almost win the hearts of the people at the fastest speed to avoid more trouble. The princes immediately try to deal with those local snakes or the descendants of the fallen country. Of course, this is not because they love Daqin deeply and want to eliminate Daqin's potential enemies, but because these people have a lot of money.

This is not the case in big countries. The plate is big, the cake is big, and there are many people to share it, so political struggles are very likely to arise.

However, although this visit by the princes was just a simple reminiscing of the past and an expression of their submission to the emperor, on the official date, the Qin State Zongzheng held a complicated and grand visit ceremony.

The essence of etiquette is to highlight and maintain the status relationship between people.

To maintain etiquette is to maintain the relationship between people.

The purpose of the ritual of the princes' pilgrimage is to demonstrate the emperor's majesty and power through this activity and make the princes submit to him.

This was the first time that the princes came to pay homage to the emperor, so you can imagine how important it was.

The power of Qin is not at its peak now, but the status and position of the princes all depend on Qin and are maintained by the edicts of Qin II.

The significance of enfeoffment of princes became apparent. The Qin Dynasty's initial territory and even the ruling status and legitimacy of the Qin Dynasty would be jointly defended by this large group of princes.

This is the true meaning of enfeoffment.

In order for the Qin Dynasty to replace the Zhou Dynasty, someone needed to recognize the legitimacy of the Qin Dynasty. What to do was to distribute the benefits of the territory to everyone. After enjoying this benefit, everyone naturally obediently respected the Emperor of Qin.

But were the princes worshipping the emperor of Qin? Of course not, they were only worshipping themselves.

On the surface, they were worshipping the Emperor of Qin and being respectful to the Emperor of Qin, but in fact, they were worshipping themselves.

Because only if they respect the Emperor of Qin, will the ministers and officials under their command respect them as princes.

In fact, this is exactly what the Buddhists mean when they say that worshipping Buddha is worshipping oneself, worshipping one's own piety, and worshipping one's own faith. The root of everything lies in this.

Buddha is just a symbol, an abstract concept. Worshiping Buddha means that you acknowledge this symbol and respect a wise man like Buddha. In essence, it is expressing yourself and your inner values.

In the hearts of those who worship Buddha, they believe that the kindness and love represented by Buddha are worthy of respect, and that Buddha's aspiration to save all sentient beings is worthy of admiration and worth worshipping.

But in fact, what you worship is not Buddha, but your own values. What you respect is what you respect, and what you admire is what you admire.

Today everyone worships "Buddha" so that one day everyone will worship "me".

What people worship is the "Buddha" in their own hearts, not the Buddha who preached the Dharma in the past.

The principle of worshipping the emperor and Buddha is an important way to maintain the relationship between people. Confucianism calls it etiquette, and industrial society calls it norms and ethics.

(PS: If you can’t understand the above paragraph, just don’t try to understand it. If you have the chance, you will understand it at a glance. If you don’t have the chance, just read the story.)
The princes hurried to express their submission to Qin II, naturally hoping to show the world that they were clearly maintaining the legitimate status of the Qin Dynasty and thus consolidating their own positions.

It can be imagined that after returning, all the princes would ask their subjects in their own countries to pay homage to him just as they paid homage to Qin II.

The place where the princes paid homage was chosen as Wangyi Palace.

Wangyi Palace was built in the north of the Qin Royal Palace. As we all know, the Qin Royal Palace had undergone many expansions, and the interior displayed the palace architectural styles of the seven Warring States, which was extremely luxurious.

The Wangyi Palace was built under the personal order of Qin Shihuang during his reign and was only recently completed.

In Wangyi Palace, there is a rooftop that is comparable in height to that of Zhangtai Palace, and it has now been converted into an altar.

This huge palace was originally built for Qin Shihuang himself to practice Taoism and live in.

In history, the second emperor of Qin, Hu Hai, also lived in this palace after he ascended the throne, but he probably felt that it was unlucky to live in the palace of the previous emperor.

But now Qin II did not have to worry about this problem, because the father he carried out was a living one, not a dead one, so Qin II lived in the palace where his father once lived.

However, Wangyi Palace had been built long ago and had been idle. Now it finally has its due use.

How should I put it? Qin Shihuang did a lot, but most of them were too long-term, ignoring the realistic basis and taking too big steps.

With so many palaces, there will be more than enough for Fusu's sons to have grandsons, each of whom will live in a palace.

There were enough palaces in the Qin royal palace to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

But poor people of the Qin Dynasty, most of them did not have their own houses. They either slept on a big couch with dozens of people in one room, or barely got a mat to sleep on by working for local tyrants, or became bandits, hiding in abandoned mines and moving grass to make a nest to sleep in.

This is the era.

Wangyi Palace, just by looking at the name you can tell that it is very imposing.

When the princes saw it, they couldn't help but rub their eyes, because the architecture of this palace could be said to have surpassed the scale of Zhangtai Palace.

However, the grand scale of the building and the luxurious materials used were enough to amaze the princes.

However, the biggest highlight of this palace is not its architecture, but the nine tripods placed in front of the altar.

These nine large bronze tripods, shining with golden light and showing off their might in the sun, look like giants from ancient times holding giant axes, or like Xing Tian dancing with his halberd in mythology.

“It’s actually the Nine Cauldrons.”

"Your Majesty has recast the Nine Cauldrons."

"Your Majesty is truly the Son of Heaven."

The princes who came to the assembly could not help but express various emotions while they were in the audience.

At this time, a certain prince who did not come was destined to faint in the toilet after listening to his son's narration.

Qin II recast the Nine Cauldrons.

And they were all placed in front of Wangyi Palace. I believe that once these princes leave Xianyang, this news will spread throughout the world.

There was no other way. The Qin Dynasty was the world leader in national strength, with advanced science and technology and advanced legal system. It already had the foundation to launch the Industrial Revolution. As the emperor of Qin, Qin II was naturally a figure that attracted worldwide attention. Everything he did was watched by the world.

In front of the emperor's palace, the princes were all dressed in red robes and lined up in an orderly manner.

The three dukes of Qin also wore red crowns and robes and stood on the same level as the princes.

This is the highest level of etiquette in the empire. All the princes and the three dukes and nine ministers have gathered together, and the Spring Festival Ceremony will be held later.

The three dukes and princes were in the front, while the senior ministers, all wearing yellow crowns, were in the back.

The Confucian officials in the Imperial Academy all wore red and black clothes to preside over the ceremony.

Of course, the most distinctive feature is the unique scenery of the Qin Empire. One hundred lords with military merits came to the meeting of princes, including generals such as Li Xin, Zhao Tuo, Zhao Ying, Feng Wuzhe and others.

The scene was so lively.

Those who don't understand now should understand clearly that the so-called alliance of princes and the pilgrimage of princes are essentially the boss showing off his muscles to his younger brothers.

It is said that Qin II was a gentleman, and now his title as a gentleman has been further confirmed.

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Only those with strength are called gentlemen, and those without strength are cannon fodder.

In such occasions, the presence of Feng Quji, Feng Jie, Wang Wan, Liao, Meng Yi, Meng Tian, ​​Li Xin and others made the princes feel fearful.

Qin II also specially recalled his new generals, Liu Ji and Ji Bu.

On the steps in front of the emperor's throne, the lords lined up wearing military caps and vermilion court robes, their brightness like burning flames, highlighting their lofty status.

On the next step, the orange-yellow clothes look solemn and noble, which is the symbol of a second-class doctor.

Next came the courtiers, dressed in yellow-green court robes, their garments gleaming with a gentle sheen in the sun, indicating their position in the hierarchy.

Of course, the princes also admired the Mohists who all wore black clothes.

Qin II recruited disciples of the Legalists and Mohists.

The color of court robes represents social status.

The seats are arranged in a distribution to represent groups.

Qin II sent out a large number of scholars and generals, who were mighty and powerful, and surrounded all the princes in a large number, making them sweat profusely.

But what Fusu wanted was to make the princes sweat.

Letting them come over is to show them our strength.

The Qin Dynasty had Confucianists, Legalists, and Mohists in terms of literature, and a large number of descendants of military merit in terms of military affairs. They were not afraid of anyone at all.

Qin II was wearing a black crown and the Tongtian crown, which was unique to the Qin emperor. He was carrying a seven-foot-long sword. He was accompanied by the world's supreme master Jing Ke, and Lü Ze and Xiahou Ying were guarding him. The tall and mighty Guan Fu was standing next to the Nine Cauldrons.

Looking at such a solemn, grand and lively scene, Qin II was naturally proud.

Qin II was full of authority and had a sharp gaze as he surveyed the princes below.

The small princes were all respectful in front of him.

The princes bowed and saluted with solemn expressions, their eyes revealing envy and jealousy that were difficult to conceal, but more of it was awe and helpless acceptance of the emperor's supreme authority.

The air was filled with the lingering scent of incense, forming a sharp contrast with the hustle and bustle outside. The hall was silent except for the heavy footsteps and breathing of the princes, which intertwined into a solemn symphony of court meeting.

At this moment, although the princes were unwilling, they knew that obedience was the only way to maintain their status and territory.

Now that the prestige of Qin II was intimidating the whole world, it was naturally costly for the Qin State to hold such a grand pilgrimage meeting, but judging from the effect, it was very worthwhile.

The princes, ministers, officials, and marquises all stood behind and watched Qin II holding jade pendants, burning incense, offering sacrifices to the heavens, and praying for good weather and good harvests.

The princes stood behind, feeling the oppression of power.

Qin II was extremely majestic, and today's audience made the princes feel that his power was even greater than that of his father, Zulong.

Although they also wanted to have some bad thoughts, it seems that they have no chance at the moment and can only stay still.

The etiquette was complicated. The princes, the three dukes and nine ministers, and even the marquises accompanied Qin II to go through the whole process, which actually ended at the hour of Wei.

The princes dragged their tired bodies and, led by the Confucian scholars, took a carriage back to the posthouse.

From the crown and robes to the carriages and horses, everything was prepared by the Qin State, and all of them demonstrated the strong national strength of the Qin State.

The princes were finally convinced by Fusu.

However, after the meeting of princes ended, Qin II did not return to his palace immediately.

He took his son Yao, who came to watch the ceremony, for a walk around the Nine Cauldrons.

The sky was high and blue. The father and son walked slowly around the altar, one after the other, in the afternoon winter breeze.

"What do you think of today's meeting of princes?"

Yao clapped his hands and shouted happily, "Excellent! This is the greatest etiquette I have ever seen. The princes are all in awe of the majesty of the emperor!"

Qin II said, "However, it is a pity."

"What a pity?" Yao was a little disgusted. It was over. Seeing the look on Jun's father's face, he was going to reason with him again. What annoyed him the most now was reasoning.

Qin II was unaware of the child's thoughts. He just kept walking forward. "Things in this world, from the country to the individual, are basically the same."

"When a person is lucky, he has everything, including beautiful women, mansions, carriages, servants, gold, jewelry, fame, and a good wife. But when a person is unlucky, not only is he heavily in debt, but everyone around him looks down on him and does not take him seriously."

"As a prince, you don't have a deep understanding of this."

“But you always remember another point.”

"When a country is at its strongest and its people are united, there is often no need to deliberately prepare such ceremonies. The local princes and lords all respect the emperor and admire him. No one wants to rebel."

"But often at times like this, the country is able to hold ceremonies, and has thousands of conditions to hold ceremonies."

(End of this chapter)