The days went by like this day by day.
At the beginning of spring, Xiao Yuan finally determined the candidates for Qin's eight generals based on various factors such as qualifications, military exploits, and the general's faults.
In the early morning of this day, after all the ministers knelt down and worshiped, he also got straight to the point: "Shangguan Wenruo, hereby declares the edict."
"No." The latter came out of the queue, bowed his hands and bowed, then stepped forward respectfully, took the imperial edict, and turned around.
The edict of King Qin was made of silk with black borders and yellow silk. It was very grand. After Shangguan Wenruo unfolded it, he cleared his throat first and then read aloud:
"By the king's decree, the officers and soldiers of the Qin army attacked the city, fortified the fortress, and opened up the territory. Only then did Qin become what it is today. Due to the merits of the generals, today, by the king's decree, the eight generals of the Qin Kingdom are awarded the title."
"Ren, Goldman Sachs is a former general, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Guan Kui is General Zuo, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Zhang Dashan is the right general, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Wei Qing is the general of the rear, with the title of viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Xu Rong is appointed as General Yangwu, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Yang Heng is General Fenwu, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Ning Zhan is General Zhenwu, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
"Ren, Nie Xing is a mighty general, with the title of Viscount and a third-grade salary."
As the names were read, eight military generals came out of the train on the left one after another. They were all wearing official uniforms, kneeling on the ground, putting their hands on the sides of their heads, and sticking their buttocks high.
After Shangguan Wenruo finished reciting, he also said in unison: "The humble ministers thank the king for his kindness! Ten thousand years for the king! Ten thousand years for the Qin Kingdom!"
"Alright." Xiao Yuan waved his hand and said, "All the ministers followed me, fought in the north and south, and made great achievements in battle. They deserve to be commended, and they are all safe."
"Thank you, Your Majesty——" The eight people shouted together again, especially Xu Rong, whose already excited voice changed.
The conferment this time has far-reaching significance. The ranks of the Eighth Generals are all third-grade military generals. Not only are their titles orthodox, but it also establishes their future status in the military.
Among them, in terms of qualifications, Xu Rong should be the least qualified, but he has relatively many military exploits. Taken together, he is just enough to be awarded the title.
As for the other seven generals, four of them came from Beiling. Later, Beiling was called the hometown of the generals.
After the eight people thanked them and returned to the train, Shangguan Wenruo also respectfully handed the edict back to Wang An, bowed and returned to his place.
Next, Xiao Yuan also turned the topic of the court discussion to spring plowing and shouted: "Where is the divination?"
"I'm here." An official in his fifties with a gray beard hurriedly came out.
Xiao Yuan looked at him and said, "I heard from the Prime Minister that you have something important to report?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Taibu said, "Spring has begun. Before the spring plowing, according to the etiquette, the country should hold agricultural sacrifices to pray to heaven for good weather and good weather, in order to hope for a good harvest. This is also the hope of the people in the world."
The position of Taifu is a senior official who divines the stars to predict the country's bad luck. Sometimes, he will also help the king decide various doubts through divination using turtles. He is also the chief official in charge of national sacrifices, funerals, and capital relocation.
In ancient times, this was a very important official position. Although there was no military power, what Taibu said was generally very important.
After Xiao Yuan heard this, he immediately asked: "Is Master Taibu ready?"
"Back to your Majesty, the place for worshiping ancestors has been set up. Everything else is complete. We just have to wait for the eighth day of the first lunar month to hold the sacrifice ceremony." Taibu said.
"Yes." Xiao Yuan nodded, looked at the divination, suddenly became interested, and asked with a smile: "Can I ask a divination? Ask a divination for our Qin country?"
"Of course." Taibu agreed simply, and immediately knelt down in the center of the hall, took out some small turtle shells and other things from his sleeves, and then asked respectfully: "I dare to ask the king what hexagram you are asking for."
"I hope that people all over the Qin Kingdom will have a good harvest this year." Xiao Yuandao.
"Wei Chen understands." Taibu said and started to move.
His divination movements were not so murmuring, but extremely serious. After a while, after he finished looking at the turtle shell, he looked at Xiao Yuan with a troubled expression: "Your Majesty, this..."
"What's wrong?" Xiao Yuan frowned.
There was also a commotion among the ministers on the left and right sides of the palace.
Taibu swallowed his saliva and said cautiously: "The Yang is strong and the Yin is lost, the northwest of the dry sky, the Yang Yao is up and down, the wind and thunder are separated..."
"Speak humanly." Xiao Yuan interrupted him in a deep voice.
"Yes, yes." Taibu looked a little ugly: "It means, it means that there may be a drought."
"That's nonsense!" Xiao Yuan could not believe it and waved his sleeves on the spot.
"Your Majesty, please calm down." Taibu was startled, and hurriedly fell down in the palace, saying in a trembling voice: "My lord, I am just telling the truth based on the hexagrams. I have absolutely no intention of offending your Majesty. Your Majesty, forgive me..."
"Okay!" Of course Xiao Yuan would not be convicted of Taifu just because of this.
But just because he doesn't believe this doesn't mean others don't believe it.
You must know that in that era, there is no need to say more about what Taibu's remarks represented.
Almost instantly, all the ministers stood up, including Prime Minister Liu Yuzhi, who was the first to say seriously:
"I heard that after the army passes, there will be a bad year. Wherever the division is, there will be thorns. Your Majesty, the words of divination are predictions of bad luck. My king must not ignore it!"
"I second my opinion. Since there is a possibility of severe drought as predicted by divination, as the king of the country, the king should take it seriously."
"I also second my opinion."
"Wei Chen seconded the proposal..."
For a time, countless people expressed their opinions.
Xiao Yuan was a little dumbfounded. After being stunned for a moment, he came back to his senses, then pointed to Taifu and said: "Then tell me how to solve it."
"This..." Taibu pondered for a moment, and said seriously: "The king is the king of the country, and he has the aura of a king. As the king of Qin, he should personally go on stage to hold a nationwide agricultural sacrifice and offer sacrifices to the gods."
As soon as he finished speaking, other ministers also knelt down and said in unison: "Please come to the farmer's festival in person -"
"Okay." Xiao Yuan was a little helpless, "According to what the ministers said."
On the other side, Xuanguo and Xuanwang Palace.
In the study, perhaps a little tired from reading, King Xuan was sleeping at his desk.
I don't know how long it took, but she suddenly woke up. Such movement also alerted the maid Fengqing who was guarding outside, and she quickly came in, "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"Ah?" King Xuan seemed to have just come to his senses. Seeing that it was Fengqing, he smiled slightly and said, "It's okay, I just had a dream."
"Did the king have a nightmare?" Feng Qing asked with concern, while putting the coat on King Xuan.
"It's not a nightmare, it's just... too real."
As he spoke, King Xuan also stretched out his hand to pick up the tea cup.
"Your Majesty, the tea is cold. I will change it for you."
"Wait." King Xuan stopped her, his beautiful eyes moved slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he said concisely: "Calling Taifu."
