The land of Guanzhong is the place where the Qin Empire rose and the cradle of the civilization of the Qin Empire was born. In this fertile land, it is precisely because of the watering of a river that the earth becomes so rich and prosperous. This river is the Weihe River that originates from the Niaoshutongxue Mountain in Weiyuan County, Gansu Province today. It not only nurtured the people on both sides of the river, but also gave birth to five thousand years of early Chinese civilization. This land ignited the dawn of imperial civilization and forged an epic rise and fall, adding a glorious page to the glorious history of China. Unfortunately, after more than six hundred years of ups and downs, this empire finally embarked on the path of complete collapse and demise. In the face of the devastating disaster that she is about to face, she is still intoxicated in the madness of obsession and cannot extricate herself. This may be a reflection of light.
As early as the period of Shang Yang's reform, the Qin State destroyed the feudal system that marked the state-owned land of slavery, and also recognized the private ownership of land. Later, Qin Shihuang issued another decree to codify the private ownership of land, which helped to promote the development of the national economy. From then on, Qin's agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, handicrafts, mining and metallurgy, commerce, etc. developed rapidly, which made Qin's Guanzhong the most prosperous place in that period, and the economy of the capital Xianyang also reached unprecedented prosperity.
Since Qin Xiaogong moved the capital from Liyang to Xianyang, and after continuous expansion and renovation by successive Qin kings, the scale of Xianyang has become larger and larger. According to their distribution, the political center is to the north of the Weishui River, and the temples and royal gardens are to the south of the Weishui River. Each palace complex is very large and spectacular. The most famous ones are Xianyang Palace, Zhangtai Palace, Xingle Palace, Huayang Palace, Abang Palace, Liuguo Palace, Xin Palace, etc., as well as countless annexes scattered throughout the country. The government residences, monasteries and Taoist temples, Liangjin Ferry, Chengwu Ancient Town, downtown Luli, Guanyi Chuanting, and suburban temples and mausoleums all take the Weishui River as the axis and extend north and south. The entire capital city is located in and around Xianyang City to the north of the Weishui River. The most prosperous, it is a concentration of handicraft workshops and busy markets. South of the Weishui River is the distribution area of ancestral temples, gardens and mausoleums. There is also a Weishui Rainbow Bridge, six feet wide and 280 meters long, between Xianyang Palace and Alpang Palace on the south side of the Wei River, which connects the prosperous areas on the north and south sides. At that time, the Wei River was very clear, the scenery on both sides was beautiful, and the dozens of miles of Wei River scenery attracted countless people from Xianyang to go sightseeing. Especially the replica of the Six Kingdoms Palace located in Beihan District, Xianyang, has the original architectural style of the Six Kingdoms, with unique structure and characteristics. Since there are too many palaces in Xianyang, their scale is magnificent, and their architectural style is also luxurious and magnificent, so it is impossible to build a city wall to surround the entire capital, so we can only build a city to surround each palace area. As a result, the entire Xianyang City is lined with palaces and buildings in groups, with embroidered attic pavilions and pavilions everywhere, like corridors of dragons roaming around. Rockery gardens can be seen everywhere, and exotic trees and flowers are planted everywhere. It is truly It's a hundred cities that add beauty, and ten thousand palaces support Qi Luo. Xianyang became the most prosperous megacity in the world at that time. Li Shangyin of the Tang Dynasty wrote in a poem:
The Xianyang Palace is lush and lofty, and the towers of the Six Kingdoms are gorgeous.
Since the world was drunk at that time, it didn't matter that there were mountains and rivers in Qin.
In the summer of the third year of Qin II, Xianyang was very hot. One day at noon, in the majestic Xianyang Palace, the second emperor was asking his prime minister a question. This question made Zhao Gao even feel incredible. It turns out that the second emperor wanted him to become the happiest man in the world. Zhao Gao understood the emperor's thoughts. He thought that the more outrageous and inhuman this kid was, the more firmly he could control him. At this time, Zhao Gao saw that the second son was not satisfied with having so many women, so he simply thought of a way to let him have enough fun, and then toy with him. Because at this time Zhao Gao was already very jealous of the second son's life. He saw that the second son lived such a luxurious and corrupt life, and he also deeply hated his own physical disability. Because although he is not an eunuch, what is the difference between him and an eunuch? He was unable to live a life like a normal person, and this inferiority complex prompted him to gradually turn into a mentally unsound pervert.
Zhao Gao's long-term distorted psychology stems from the shocking case in Bolangsha eleven years ago. That incident still leaves him with lingering fears. He thought that if he had not been castrated in that incident, why he would not dare to fall in love with a beautiful woman when he saw her today. That incident was so unforgettable that he could not forget it. When Zhao Gao thought of this, his triangular eyes widened. A fierce green light seemed to emit from his eye sockets, and he said to the Second Emperor maliciously: "Your Majesty, you want to become the happiest person in the world." Really?" The second son said yes repeatedly. Zhao Gao laughed and said: "There is really another way of playing that you haven't tried yet!" The second generation asked impatiently what it was. Zhao Gao smiled and said sinisterly: "I heard that King Zhou played a game called 'wine pond and meat forest'. It was fresh and exciting, and the level of happiness was unparalleled!" The second generation asked in surprise: "What? Called 'Wine Pool Meat Forest'?" Zhao Gao said: "It means building many large pools in a beautiful place, filling them with wine, hanging cooked meats, placing various delicacies and fun things around them, and then attracting a large number of handsome men. The beauties took off their clothes and danced, sang, chased and had fun all night long. Your Majesty, you can enjoy watching them and experience them yourself. Isn't this happy?" After hearing what Zhao Gao said, the second generation was so happy. Hua, he said: "Your Majesty, that's great! Could you please explain in detail how to build a wine pool and a meat forest?" Zhao Gao blinked his triangular eyes and said confidently: "Didn't your Majesty build a high-rise building in Xingle Palace? Officials?" It is said that it has been repaired now, and I invite your majesty to come and see it. If the scenery in that place is good, build a wine pool and meat forest there." After hearing this, the Second Emperor was overjoyed, and went to Xingle Palace with Zhao Gao to view the pavilions.
When they came to the palace, they saw the new building towering into the clouds, which was very spectacular, so they went to visit it with Zhao Gao. This pavilion is more than ten feet higher than the Hongtai built by the First Emperor. Standing on it and looking around, you can have a panoramic view of Xianyang. After the second visit, he was very happy and named the new building "Caiyun Pavilion". Zhao Gaodao: "Now build a city within the city with Caiyun Pavilion and Hongtai as the center, wrap it with seven-color brocade, and call it the "Splendid City". Then build a wine pool and a meat forest inside, let the musicians play music, let The acrobats rehearse various acrobatic shows. In addition, they select a group of beautiful girls and boys from the private sector and let them rehearse various forms of dances and music. When the Jincheng is built, they can perform and enjoy it every night. Your Majesty Aren't you happy?" After hearing what Zhao Gao said, the Second Emperor was so happy that he immediately summoned Yang Chengyan, the official in charge of construction, and ordered him to build the Splendid City. People called this special place "Jincheng" ".
The ministers of the Qin State were very shocked when they heard that the emperor wanted to build Jincheng in the Xingle Palace, so they wrote letters to dissuade them. The content of their memorials was roughly as follows:
Jincheng is a place where the country has been subjugated. Please do not take it for granted, Your Majesty. In the past, King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty created a wine pond and a meat forest. As a result, King Wu of Zhou's army quickly reached Chaoge and destroyed Shang Zhou. Now that the rebellion is raging in Shandong, you should pay full attention to military affairs and supervise all the troops to put down the rebellion as soon as possible, otherwise the second King Wu of Zhou will attack Xianyang.
After seeing such a memorial, the Second Emperor was greatly disappointed and said to Zhao Gao: "What should I do if the ministers wrote a letter to impede the construction of Jincheng?" Zhao Gao was also afraid that people would stop this unparalleled entertainment activity, so he said: "Your Majesty should Send guards to prevent them from admonishing, and don't let those old stubborns who don't understand the customs interfere with this grand event." The second son said: "Some people tried their best to break into the palace, and it was almost impossible to stop them." Zhao Gao said: "I have five brothers, all of them are I hope to serve your Majesty faithfully. Please call them all into the palace and entrust them with important tasks. Then they will be able to stop the harassment of the ministers." The second generation agreed to Zhao Gao's request, dismissed all the original officials, and allowed Zhao Gao to become He served as Lang Zhongling, Zhao Gui served as a guard, Zhao Pan served as a servant, and Zhao An and Zhao Ping served as lieutenants. Zhao Gao was so happy that he set up an armored guard in the palace and stood guard day and night. If a minister wanted to write a letter to a minister, he would be killed immediately.
From then on, the second emperor was obsessed with sensuality, dogs, horses, acrobatics and dance music all day long. A month later, Yangcheng Yanjin Palace reported to the Second Emperor the situation in Jincheng. When the Second Emperor heard that Jincheng had been completed, he summoned Zhao Gao and asked: "Jincheng has been built, how are you preparing for your program?" Zhao Gao said: "The program is also ready. Please go and check the grand situation of Jincheng first." II. Great joy to the world.
At about six o'clock the next day, the Second Emperor led Zhao Gao, Yang Chengyan, and some of his close ministers, and they all walked towards Jincheng while riding in fancy cars and horses. The doctor ordered Zhao Cheng to lead the armored guards and a large group of people from Xianyang Palace to Xingle Palace. After entering the palace, he entered Jincheng. There were already ceremonial maids standing at the north gate to greet them, and they saw the four words "Splendid Yaochi" written on the dark red north gate. The Second Emperor got off the golden chariot and saw that the newly built Jincheng was as magnificent and dazzling as a rainbow, and he danced with joy. It turns out that this brocade city is made of colorful brocade to imitate the city. The city, parapet and city gate are all the same size as the real city gate. From top to bottom, they are red, orange, yellow, green, green and blue. ,purple. The tower has a high ridge and high eaves, and is covered with colorful lights and golden wind chimes. The wind chimes made a crisp and sweet sound when blown by the wind. There is a beacon tower at the corner of the city wall and a watchtower above the main entrance. The shape of the city is basically square, with four gates: east, west, north and south. It is truly a beautiful city and a land of wealth.
There are also soldiers wrapped in red uniforms on the top of the city. If you look closely, you will see that they are not tall warriors, but petite and exquisite young girls. They all wore light soft armor and held light weapons used by the honor guard in their hands. They looked vigorous and charming, obviously imitating the fully armed male guards in the city. However, no matter how they imitate, they cannot hide the delicate and graceful figure of a woman, which also makes the tall and strong male warriors in the city willingly guard around them and enjoy it.
The youthful and energetic Second Emperor was simply stunned when he saw the scene in front of him, and he walked in impatiently. Because he was so happy, he walked very briskly, leaving those who were following him far behind. It was like being in a fairyland, or going to a fairyland. After everyone entered the city, Zhao Gao ordered Zhao Cheng to guard the city gate. Zhao Chengcheng looked exactly like Zhao Gao, but his body was a bit smaller. He saw that his elder brother was already one person below ten thousand people, and he was a doctor, so his domineering expression was self-evident.
There are also officials under him such as Ye Zhe, Jian Yi Da Fu, Zhong Da Fu, Taizhong Da Fu, Shi Lang, Zhong Lang and Yi Lang. Zhao Chengcheng told them in a arrogant manner that no one was allowed to approach the emperor, let alone report anything to the emperor, otherwise he would be beaten to death with a stick. When the officials saw Zhao Cheng's arrogant and unreasonable appearance, no one dared to submit any more memorials.
When the Second Emperor came to Jincheng, he was shocked by the scene in front of him: it turned out that Jincheng was located in Xingle Palace, centered on two buildings, and these two buildings were Caiyun Pavilion and Hongtai. Jincheng then extended to the surrounding areas, forming a city within a city. Caiyun Pavilion was built by an edict shortly after the Second Emperor ascended the throne. It took more than two years and has been completed. This is also the tallest building in Xianyang, and it is extremely spectacular. The appearance of Caiyun Pavilion is characterized by a rectangular double-eaves style pavilion. It is built on a white marble platform tens of meters high. It is fifty feet high and has nine floors in total, which is now 116 meters. It is also called Yun Pavilion. Pavilion. And because the building is so majestic and colorful, just like the colorful clouds in the sky, the second generation named it "Caiyun Pavilion". There is a seal script plaque with the name Caiyun Pavilion, which hangs under the eaves of the highest floor of the pavilion.
Accompanied by Zhao Gao, Yang Chengyan, and some staff, the Second Emperor began to visit the pavilion. They stopped and walked, looking at each level, all the way to the top. Holding the railing and overlooking Xianyang, the second generation has a panoramic view of the bustling scenery. Because the building is so high, the people on it seem to be in the clouds. There are large red pillars in the south-facing pavilion, with two thick and strong iron cables tied to them. The other end of the iron cables is connected to the Hongtai two hundred meters away. The Hongtai is to the south of Caiyun Pavilion. Opposite each other from a distance. Hongtai is the second-largest building in Xingle Palace after Caiyun Pavilion. It was built in the 27th year of Qin Shihuang. The platform is 40 feet high and 93 meters high. It has six floors with square double eaves stacked on top of each other. The top floor is a large platform, surrounded by red walls and jade railings. The platform inside is higher than the surrounding corridors, and is still surrounded by red sandalwood railings. From a distance, it looks like a fairy platform in the moon cave. From a closer look, the carved beams and painted buildings are magnificent. . When the First Emperor's hegemony was at its peak, he often climbed up to this platform and shot flying giants in the sky to express his ambition to dominate the world, so he called this platform Hongtai. There are also two iron ropes on the top floor of the Hongtai facing north connected to the columns on the fourth floor of Caiyun Pavilion, which are specially used for performances by trapeze actors. There are rolling iron rings on the iron rope. If four people hang on the iron rings and slide down from Caiyun Pavilion and Hongtai at the same time, there will be a trapeze scene. Actors can also fly from Caiyun Pavilion to Hongtai, or from Hongtai to Caiyun Pavilion. They perform in a loop, which is adventurous, exciting, and unusually sensational. Before the actor's test flight, Yang Sung-yeon first hung an animal of the same weight as a real person on a hoop and tried to fly and glide between the two floors. After the test was successful, the actor was allowed to perform.
After hearing the report, the Second Emperor was so happy that he entered the pavilion. Only then did I realize that the decoration in the pavilion was even more unique. The carved sills and embroidered sills were covered by various colorful screens; the embroidered curtains and screens were filled with orchid mist and pepper smoke. Things like pianos, swords, hanging bottles, tables and tables are all arranged in an orderly manner. Bonsai shapes are also extremely unique, with different colors and shapes. There are also various kinds of offerings in various styles. The world is truly filled with gold and silver, and jewels hold the world in balance. The walls and screens are covered with various patterns and decorations, which are very beautiful and lifelike. From the content, it can be divided into characters, animals, plants, buildings, gods and monsters, etc.; from the form of expression, it can be divided into painting, embroidery, relief, sculpture, hand-made, etc.; from the perspective of encyclopedia, it can be divided into astronomy, geography, mountains, rivers, etc. Humanities, history, folk customs, etc.; from the emperor's life and customs, it can be divided into travel pictures, ceremonial pictures, banquet pictures, outing pictures, hunting pictures, patrol pictures, palace corridors and temple pictures, sacrificial and Zen pictures, etc.; from the variety of acrobatics and acrobatics There are pictures of masked Nuo dance, pictures of fish and dragon spreading on the vines, pictures of horns and poles, pictures of Wuhuo carrying tripod, and pictures of haiku performance; for sports, there are pictures of Cuju arena, fencing and archery, Go projectile pictures, and Liubo ultra-distance pictures. Pictures, stone-throwing running dogs pictures, etc.
After II finished admiring these patterns and decorations, he went down to the second floor of the Cloud Pavilion. A large rectangular platform extends to the south from the outside of the building, which can accommodate more than a hundred people. On the outside of the platform, there are red railings with jade pillars guarding the platform. There are also thrones and various carved lacquered jade tables beside the railing in the middle. On the drawing table, there are tables displaying food in the back row. When the Second Emperor saw the throne, he was filled with joy. He tried to sit on it first, and then talked with Yang Chengyan and Zhao Gao. Everyone was chatting and laughing. Zhao Gao's face was full of joy at this time and he was in high spirits. But he was not only happy about the scenery in front of him, but also that his power had reached its peak. Since Li Si's death, he has had no rivals, not to mention that several brothers now have firmly controlled important positions in the court. Therefore, Zhao Gao, while happy, kept praising the second emperor as the most important person in history. As a wise king who keeps his career, those concubines also said some nice things, which made the second generation feel as if they were falling into the clouds and mist.
Looking down from the platform on the second floor, which is also the observation deck, is the famous "Wine Pool Terrace" that can accommodate tens of thousands of people. The terrace is about ten meters high. There is an imperial road on the opposite side of the terrace that connects to the Hongtai. In the middle of the wine pool is another large rectangular stage, which is more than one meter higher than the wine pool. It is covered with a brand new scarlet carpet and is surrounded by candlesticks and light stands. The wine pool platform is divided into many wine pools of different shapes. There are seats and couches beside the pools. There are walkways and lamps connecting the seats and couches. The wine pool platform is made of beautiful jade from the Kunlun Mountains. The depth of the pool ranges from a few inches to two feet. The jade pool covers are large and small, and the shapes are also different. It is as exquisite as a giant inkstone. No wine has been poured into it yet, and the maids are cleaning and wiping it. There are white marble railings around the entire pool platform. There is an imperial road at the north end of the stage that connects to Caiyun Pavilion, and there are corner stairs on the east and west sides that connect to the platform on the second floor.
Standing in the middle of the observation deck and looking around, the second generation saw a dazzling array of good things in front of him. The surrounding verandahs, pillars, sandalwood pedestals, and jade tables inlaid with mahogany are all made of gold and jade, as if they were a fairy garden or an imperial palace. After the second generation rewarded him, he was overjoyed, so he called Yang Chengyan to his side and rewarded him with a thousand pieces of brocade silk, ten carriages, ten thousand taels of gold, and fifty women. Yang Chengyan kowtowed and left happily. After the second emperor conferred the award on Yang Cheng, he ordered a grand banquet to be held in Jincheng ten days later. All the women in the harem in Xianyang were present. They wanted everyone to enjoy and watch Zhao Gao's rehearsal program, and named the banquet " A grand event."
