Ying Jiang announced that the second activity would be held during the Youshi period: after offering sacrifices to Gao Ji, he enthusiastically climbed up to the city gate and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty is wise! The head of Guizhou is full of praise for Your Majesty, and he is also full of praise for the imperial court!"
I nodded and said with a smile: "Good! It's getting late. You can have dinner with me here today!"
Everyone quickly thanked him and had lunch on the high tower of the city gate.
Just after the meal, many people gathered outside the city gate, occupying a good position to watch the sacrificial ceremony and waiting for the activities of Youshi.
I saw Meng He standing at the door, waving his hand and saying, "You guys rest here, I'll go to the side room to rest for a while."
Entering the side room, Meng He bowed and said: "Your Majesty, we are ready. The woman is from the Xianyang clean room. She is very beautiful. She used her identity to extort a lot of money from the head of Guizhou a few days ago. I promise that she will not be blamed afterwards."
I nodded and ordered: "Be careful and go ahead."
————
When I opened my eyes, it was already Shen Shizhong. I got up, washed my face and walked out of the side room. The ministers were talking and laughing about something.
Seeing me coming out, everyone hurriedly saluted. I waved my hands and said with a smile, "Let's go and see how the preparations for the sacrifice are going."
After walking out of the city tower, countless people had gathered under the city wall, discussing the upcoming sacrifice.
Soon it was the beginning of Youshi, the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was gradually getting darker. Ying Jiang said goodbye and walked down the city gate to the place of sacrifice.
"The next step is to sacrifice Gao Ji. Your Majesty sincerely sacrifices Gao Ji to eliminate disasters, ward off evil spirits, and pray for children and blessings. After the sacrifice is completed, a wonderful lantern festival will be displayed for you. Today's curfew is not allowed!"
The crowd cheered enthusiastically, and someone who was very close shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, what is a lantern festival?"
Ying Jiang smiled slightly and responded: "You will know it in a while, but it will be pointless to say it now!"
"Hahahaha..." Ying Jiang's words made everyone happy, and they were even more looking forward to the lantern festival later.
Although the ceremony of sacrificing Gaozi is complicated, there is nothing worth mentioning. This is a long-standing tradition of the Shangsi Festival, which is to pray for fertility. In the past, the court and the people performed sacrifices separately, but now they are just combined together.
After the sacrifice, it was completely dark.
Immediately afterwards, Ying Jiang announced: "Wait a moment, everyone, the lantern festival will officially begin in a quarter of an hour! Those are the high shelves you see. You can go forward first. Every lantern is guarded by soldiers. Don't push them! The lanterns are equipped with word puzzles, antiphonal poems, dancing, singing, etc. Anyone who solves the word puzzles, dances and sings as required will be rewarded!"
Everyone cheered and walked forward in an orderly manner, looking at the lanterns curiously and talking, wondering what was so good about them.
I waved my hand and said to everyone: "You go and watch from the side. I, the Queen and Mrs. Ba are here to watch!"
Everyone laughed and naturally did not want to disturb me and the two of them. They cupped their hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Then he walked towards the family on the side. There were not many people drinking wine in the meandering stream. It was daytime again, and the families of the ministers were all watching under the city gate. The lanterns were at night, so for their safety I asked them all to go up to the city wall. There were quite a few of them, and they seemed to be in a defensive posture...
I pointed to the open space on both sides of the lanterns, smiled and said to the two of them: "In addition to the lanterns today, I also want to prepare a gift for you two. Look carefully!"
The two nodded obediently and stared straight ahead.
At the beginning of Wu Shi, with a loud shout: "The lantern festival begins!", the lanterns were gradually lit. At the same time, dozens of firelights "soared" into the sky on both sides of the open space, attracting everyone's attention!
Then there was a "pop" sound, and fireworks bloomed in the sky. Although a single flower is small, dozens of flowers gathered together are quite spectacular!
I nodded, Yujin did a good job!
Looking at Li Shiyun and Tao Yao, they opened their mouths in surprise and exclaimed: "Your Majesty, what is this? It's so beautiful!"
Seeing their pretty faces reflected beautifully by the fireworks, I smiled and explained: "These are fireworks, made of gunpowder!"
As more and more fireworks take off, the lanterns are all lit up.
The people watching the lantern festival were first startled by the sound of the fireworks, and then saw the dreamlike fireworks blooming in the sky. They were all immersed in the beautiful scenery and let out a sound of admiration that echoed throughout the sky.
"What is this? It's so gorgeous! It seems to compete with the stars!"
"Could it be that His Majesty picked the stars from the sky? Otherwise, how could the stars be so close to us!"
"What a mistake! Although the stars are bright, they are not so colorful. I think it is His Majesty's benevolence that moved the heavens and sent down the auspiciousness!"
"I think so! This thing rises from the earth and blooms in the night sky. It must be auspicious, good luck, good luck! Madam, please sincerely ask for a child, and give me a big fat boy this year!"
"Li Lang, will you marry me?"
"Well, I do!"
"Will you be good to me forever?"
"That's natural!"
"If my mother-in-law and I fall into the water, who will you save first?"
"..."
After the fireworks burned out, no one had time to savor them. The dazzling array of lanterns attracted the attention of the people again. The various colorful lanterns were dazzling. Next to the lanterns, there were various snacks that Ying Jiang set up according to my instructions. The vendors sell all kinds of food including candied haws, pastries, barbecue, tea and soup, etc. There are snacks that existed in the Qin Dynasty, as well as snacks prepared by I ordered Ying Lan to be prepared by later generations. I think they will quickly become popular in the Qin Dynasty in the future, adding more flavor to the lives of the people. Some fun.
Tao Yao and Li Shiyun each took a candied haws, impressed by the sweet and sour taste.
Looking at the bustling lantern festival under the city gate, I felt even more gratified from the bottom of my heart.
Da Qin will become stronger and stronger!
————
The lantern festival was held for the first time, and the scale was not particularly large. In addition, candles needed to be cut to anoint them. At the end of Wu Shi, Ying Jiang announced the end of the lantern festival. The people reluctantly returned to the city, all eagerly discussing this unique Shangsi Festival. .
At the city gate, I had already returned to Xianyang Palace with a group of ministers and Tao Yao.
Taoyao and Li Shiyun returned to the harem hand in hand with excitement on their faces. I took the officials and exchanged greetings in Xianyang Palace. I ordered Ying Jiang to make a summary report on today's situation, check for any omissions and fill in the gaps, so that the next venue can be more successful and grander. .
After that, I stood up and said with a smile: "You guys have worked hard all day, go back and rest."
Everyone was about to leave, but I frowned, glanced around, and said in a deep voice: "Meng He!"
Meng He walked in quickly from outside the palace, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I am here!"
The officials looked at Meng He and then looked at me in confusion: What's wrong?
I frowned and said worriedly: "Where is Li Hou?!"
