In Xianyang Palace, the big bell roared nine times in a row.
"Fengchang", who was in charge of the etiquette of the ancestral temple, had prepared a complete set of etiquette and music procedures for this Yan envoy's worship.
Tai Lecheng gave an order, and three hundred music officials in crimson clothes immediately started knocking.
First, rows of chimes sounded, and then drums, shengs, harps, zithers and other musical instruments also began to play, and together they played beautiful and moving ancient songs.
"Yo yo, the deer roars, eating apples from the wild. I have a guest, who plays the harp and the sheng. Playing the sheng and drums, carrying the basket is the general. People who are kind to me show me how to move around."
"Hey, the deer roars, eating the wormwood in the wild. I have a guest, the virtuous voice of Kong Zhao. He treats the people but does not obey them, and a gentleman is effective. I have a wine, and the guest is Yan Yiao."
…
The music is melodious and full of joy and happiness. It is called "Deer Ming" at the beginning of "Xiaoya".
This poem was originally composed by the Emperor of Zhou during a banquet with ministers and guests. Now it is used by the King of Qin when he receives envoys from the State of Yan to show his tenderness.
As long as you sincerely submit, I will receive you as a guest and entertain you with good food and drink.
But if you want to resist stubbornly and become my enemy, then the sound you will play next time will not be the sound of "Deer Ming", but "Wu Yi", "Collecting Flowers (qǐ)", "Chu Cha" and so on.
This song was not only played by the Huairou Kingdom of Yan, but also played by the three kingdoms of Wei, Chu and Qi.
Zhao Tuo's mind was not at all in the melodious music. Although he looked calm, how could his mood not be ups and downs when he was about to see the "Eternal Emperor".
"Envoy Yan comes to see you!"
"The envoy of Yan came to see..."
The master of ceremonies and the attendants responsible for receiving the guests made waves.
Lord Changping also smiled and guided.
Jing Ke straightened his clothes and took off his shoes in front of the palace door.
Zhao Tuo also took off his shoes, leaving only his pure white footwear on his feet.
Everyone must take off their shoes when entering the temple, so foot hygiene is very important. If there is any strange smell on such an important occasion, it will be extremely fatal.
Jing Ke's expression remained unchanged as he walked into the palace with the bronze box containing Fan Yuqi's head in his arms.
Zhao Tuo followed behind, holding a rolled-up map of Dukang.
The main hall of Xianyang Palace is magnificent and magnificent, with a depth of hundreds of meters. It is decorated with gold, silver and inlaid with pearls and jade, giving it a gorgeous look.
Especially what can be seen at a glance are the large pillars used to support the palace dome. Not only are there hundreds of pillars, but they are also so thick that it takes at least two people to surround them.
"No wonder Jing Ke failed. Give me a pillar like this and I won't be afraid of any assassins."
Zhao Tuo muttered in his heart, and the scene of the two people circling around the pillar popped up in his mind, and he felt much more relaxed.
At this time, as the music ended, the visitors in the hall shouted: "Quick"!
Jing Ke and Zhao Tuo immediately took small steps forward and walked quickly towards the palace.
According to etiquette, when meeting someone with a distinguished status, you must walk quickly, that is, take small steps to show respect for the other person.
If you walk slowly, it is disrespectful and disrespectful.
Therefore, "entering the court with no tendency" is often associated with "going to the palace with swords and shoes", which is a treatment that only top powerful officials can have.
Since Lu Buwei's death, it seems that no one in Qin has ever heard of anyone enjoying such an honor.
Zhao Tuo lowered his head, holding the map and quickly followed Jing Ke into the depths of the palace. At the same time, he glanced at the Qin officials standing on both sides of the hall with the corner of his eye.
Most of the people standing near the front of the hall were middle-aged and elderly people.
Zhao Tuo estimated that the famous people in history, such as Wei Liao, Yao Jia, Feng Quji, Wang Wan, etc., must be inside. However, Zhao Tuo couldn't tell who was who. The only ones he knew were Changping Jun, Meng Yu, and Li Si. .
"There are very few generals in the palace. No wonder Jing Ke almost succeeded in assassinating Qin in history."
Zhao Tuo thought thoughtfully, Qin State is now engaged in frequent foreign campaigns.
In the 17th year of the Qin Dynasty, Han was destroyed. In the 18th year, Wang Jian and Yang Duanhe attacked Zhao. In the 19th year, Wang Jian destroyed Zhao.
This year, General Wang Jian took Xin Sheng, Li Xin, Yang Duanhe, Qiang Yu and other generals to garrison Zhongshan, and they may cross the Yi River to attack Yan at any time. His son Wang Ben also led an army to defend Chu and Wei.
It can be said that most of Qin's generals are fighting outside, so there are naturally few military men in the palace.
Although there were many civil servants, they lacked the spirit of bravery. Faced with the assassin's surprise attack, they all panicked. Only then did Jing Ke find an opportunity to show off his skills.
wrong.
Zhao Tuo narrowed his eyes slightly and saw two young men standing among a group of old ministers. Although they were dressed in civil servant attire, they were strong in stature and had a glint in their eyes. At first glance, they were bloody warriors.
As if sensing Zhao Tuo's gaze, one of them actually showed a faint smile.
Before Zhao Tuo could think deeply, the people who praised him already shouted: "The envoys of Yan State, Jing Ke and Gao Tuo, pay homage to your Majesty."
"Foreign minister Jing Ke pays homage to the king."
"Foreign Minister Gao Tuo, pay homage to your Majesty."
Zhao Tuo followed Jing Ke to pay homage. He lowered his head in a respectful manner.
But his eyes kept glancing up, wanting to see what the eternal emperor looked like.
The King of Qin knelt and sat on the emperor's couch, with an upright posture and a straight waist. He carried a sword on his body, but it was blocked by his body and the copper case, and the specific length could not be seen clearly.
He was wearing solemn royal robes embroidered with the sun, moon and stars, and thin beads hung from the crown on his head, blocking most of his appearance. From Zhao Tuo's angle, only the long mustache under his chin could be seen.
Suddenly, the king seemed to feel something, and behind his eyes, those bright and sharp eyes looked over.
Eyes facing each other.
Zhao Tuo quickly lowered his head to avoid those majestic eyes.
In such a solemn hall, no one dared to look directly into the eyes of the king.
Fortunately, after the visit, Zhao Tuo stood up. Although he did not dare to look directly, his eyes still took a general look at the face of Qin Wangzhu.
Keep an expressionless face, don’t be angry and be intimidating!
Zhao Tuo unconsciously thought of the beautiful girl he saw when he first entered Xianyang.
He couldn't help complaining: "They don't look alike. It seems that her appearance is just like that of my mother."
While Zhao Tuo was thinking wildly, Jing Ke had already opened his mouth and said: "Jing Ke, the foreign minister of the State of Yan, was sent as an envoy to the State of Qin on the order of the King of Yan. I would like to present the head of the traitor Fan Yuqi and the map of Dukang to your Majesty. Inspection.”
On the emperor's couch, the King of Qin spoke solemnly: "Since the Yan State knows the time of heaven, it is willing to surrender to Qin and offer people and land. I am very relieved. I will give the envoy a seat."
The visitor also announced, "Please invite the envoy of Yan to take a seat."
Jing Ke held the copper box and Zhao Tuo held the map and sat down according to the instructions.
As Jing Ke expected, the two of them were at the forefront, opposite the right Prime Minister Chang Pingjun. Just the arrangement of these seats showed that the Qin government and the public paid great attention to the Yan envoys.
But this just provides Jing Ke with the best opportunity!
As soon as Tu Qiong saw him, Jing Ke was nearby to assassinate him, and Zhao Tuo also raised the case. He could reach the King of Qin in just three steps.
By then, the officials of Qin State will be shocked on the spot and will have no time to react.
Three steps of blood splatter, and the world is in turmoil!
After the seating etiquette was completed, no one of the important officials of Qin spoke. They all focused their attention on Jing Ke and Zhao Tuo, waiting for the announcement of the king's order.
Soon, the visitor announced:
"The State of Yan presents the heads of its traitors."
