In mid-February, after returning to Xianyang to preside over the spring plowing ceremony, I called Yu Jin and Sangong to the Sihai Palace.
I looked at Yu Jin and asked, "Do you still have the things I asked you to prepare before going out on patrol?"
It was not appropriate to take out such a thing under the conditions at that time, but now the time is right.
Yu Jin said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I am still here, and I have tried it in an inaccessible place. I have made many improvements. It is really beautiful!"
I nodded and looked at Li Si and the others: "I am going to organize some activities in the name of the imperial court on the Shangsi Festival to promote exchanges between men and women. This will increase the number of marriages and will have some effect on the population growth of Daqin. .”
Li Si agreed: "I think it's okay. Nowadays, the population of Daqin is growing rapidly, but if there is a way to further encourage marriage and childbirth in Guizhou, it will naturally be extremely beneficial. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
I smiled slightly and expressed my thoughts: "In my opinion, the imperial court can organize activities such as offering sacrifices to Gaozi, holding lantern festivals, and drinking water in the winding rivers in various places to encourage boys and girls to go out of their homes. Ordinary people in Guizhou can also participate in the event and enrich the Life in Guizhou."
Feng Jie asked curiously: "Your Majesty, there is no problem in offering sacrifices to Gao Gui. What is the meaning of the Qu Shui Shui Shang and the Lantern Festival?"
"Qi Wan, bring over the lantern I made." I took the red lantern handed over by Qi Wan and explained: "This thing is called a lantern. It is made of bamboo as a bone, paper as a cover, and a candle inside. It can be lit when lit. You don’t have to worry about wind and light rain when walking outside, it’s quite convenient and the aesthetics are greatly improved.”
Li Si and others passed it around to read it, and I ordered Qiwan to light the anointed candle. A lantern emitting soft red light appeared in front of everyone, which made several people marvel.
Li Si admired: "Your Majesty, this thing is so ingenious. I must think that the lantern festival your Majesty is talking about is many such red lanterns gathered together to light up for Guizhou to watch?"
I nodded and shook my head, and said with a smile: "This is just the most basic lantern. You can use bamboo to make various shapes according to your preference, such as fish, flowers, dogs, pigs, etc. You can also make it like the black dragon in front of the temple. The color of the large dragon-shaped lantern is not necessarily limited to red, just change the color of the outer covering paper."
Everyone nodded, and Feng Jie chuckled: "Your Majesty is wise, this thing is very practical for lighting at night, and it can be used as a toy for children."
I said "Hmm" and was about to speak when Yu He coughed lightly and said in a deep voice, "That's wrong, Prime Minister Feng!"
Feng Jie looked at Yu He in astonishment and thought to himself: "What are you doing, you old man?" '
He said with a somewhat unhappy tone: "Do you have any advice, Doctor Censor?"
I also looked at him curiously, what could he do with a lantern?
Old God Yu He was there and said politely: "Xiang Feng, these lanterns require candles. Feng Xiang should know that making candles is difficult and precious. How can ordinary people in Guizhou afford them? Furthermore, what His Majesty said The lantern festival must be held at night with a curfew. How to prevent theft and leakage of water? Has Prime Minister Feng considered this? "
Feng Jie:? ? ? His mother is also! You old man! Why didn't you stand up to Li Si when he agreed just now? You think I'm easy to bully, right?
But when I thought about it carefully, I really couldn't refute what Yu He said. He stared and put his hands in his hands and stopped talking...
I was speechless for a while. Are you trying to support Feng Jie by saying this, or are you mocking me...
"Ahem..." I cleared my throat and said to Yu He: "The worry of the imperial censor is not unreasonable, but I have already dealt with it. There are not many days until March 3rd, and it will definitely be too late to promote the entire Daqin this year. , if only Xianyang holds a lantern festival, there are still enough anointed candles in the palace to meet the needs of this year's lantern festival. As for the curfew, Xianyang also imposed a curfew before the Gushui Great Victory, didn't nothing happen? I'm not responsible for the incident. I will ask Yujin to make fire-proof equipment, so don’t worry.”
When Yu He heard this, he did not insist on objecting anymore. He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is thoughtful and considerate, and I am not as good as me!"
Feng Jie: ...I was sprayed for nothing when I co-wrote it, right? @￥@#……
I ignored the two of them and handed Yu Jin a stack of lantern patterns in my hand, and said, "Time is tight for the first lantern festival. Make as many as you can. The lantern festival will be arranged from Xincheng to Xianyang South Gate." Along this section of the road, there is enough space for layout and viewing of lights, and it can also prevent water from spreading into the city."
Yu Jin took the drawings, cupped his hands and said, "I obey!"
Then I introduced the method of Qushui Shang to several people, and finally made an arrangement for the Shangsi Festival.
Finally he said: "Prime Minister Li, Prime Minister Feng, and the imperial censor, you go prepare the venue, the forbidden troops, etc. I will ask Yu to go in and prepare the lanterns and fire protection equipment."
After a few people left, I took out a pen and paper and told Yujin how to make fire buckets, water trucks, ladders, fire forks, water guns, etc. They are all very simple tools, and the drawings are easy to understand, and I had given them a brief introduction before when planning the new city.
"That's roughly it. After you go back, order someone to build it as soon as possible. After the building is completed, hand it over to Xianyang Order and let him arrange for other fire officials to learn how to use it."
Yujin hugged a pile of drawings and left.
After thinking that this lantern festival was a rare opportunity, I immediately called Meng He in: "Find a reliable woman with good looks, sixteen or seventeen years old, and ask her to find someone on the Shangsi Festival... …”
I told Meng He the plan in detail, and Meng He bowed and said, "I understand!"
————
On the eve of the Shangsi Festival, I was discussing the final details with Li Si and others. Hu Hai wandered to the Sihai Palace, and I let him in after Qi Wan called.
Seeing the handsome Hu Hai in front of me, I sighed in my heart. Who would have thought that Da Qin would die in his hands.
After saluting, I asked gently: "Why is Brother Hai here?"
Hu Hai was quite restrained in front of me. Seeing so many people there, he smiled and said: "Brother, I heard from people in the palace that my brother is planning to hold a lantern festival on the Shangsi Festival. The lanterns are very beautiful. I feel bored staying in the palace." , I would like to ask my brother to allow me to leave the palace to see the lantern festival!"
Li Si and the other three frowned slightly. It would be fine if we were in the harem. I am also used to calling myself "I" when talking about private matters, but this is the Sihai Palace, and there are three princes here. Hu Hai still calls him brother. There is really no rule at all. Understand!
I didn't pay attention and said with a smile: "Brother Hai, the lantern festival is at night, and there is a curfew. There are all kinds of people. I'm afraid you will be hurt by the mingling of fish and dragons, so it's better not to join in the fun."
Hu Hai curled his lips and said dissatisfied: "Is there anyone in Xianyang City who can do harm to me? Brother is too careful!"
I rubbed my forehead, glanced at Li Si and others, and said helplessly: "Then go, but you have to be with me and the ministers, and you can't go down to the city gate!"
