Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 328, Section 327: A Thirst for Talent
It's true what they say, having connections in high places makes things much easier!
The head of the Bai family, harboring numerous secrets, felt as if he were carrying a deer in his chest. His heart pounded wildly as he excitedly returned to their lodgings in Xianyang.

"Homeowner!"

The clan elders came forward to greet them, paying particular attention to the younger generation who had now entered the Xianyang Palace:

"Does Qiu Sha have a chance to be given an important position?"

"Since this position of propaganda envoy concerns the king's mouthpiece, why would he be so easily appointed? Could it be that there's more to it than meets the eye..."

"Qiu Sha is still young, has the patriarch given him any warnings...?"

They chattered and talked at once.

But the head of the Bai family simply sat down in his high position, stroking his beard, his face full of smug satisfaction:

"Everyone."

He raised his voice: "Gentlemen."

"Today, I have seen the history of our clan's propaganda, and I know that the path to advancement for the Bai family is right at our feet!"

Upon hearing this, everyone held their breath and looked over quietly.

The Bai family patriarch said smugly, "Qiu Sha's visit this time has provided our clan with an extremely important opportunity and information. Among them is one item—"

He slowly pulled out a scroll.

The paper produced by the Imperial Household Department was favored by the King and Queen, which gave the artisans even more enthusiasm. In just one or two months, even though the raw pulp had not yet fully softened, a variety of qualities had already been developed based on the previous methods.

This roll of paper is much more flexible and smooth than before.

But now, the Bai family members only glanced at the extraordinary treasure with slight amazement before being stunned by the contents revealed on it.

"This is……"

“That’s right!” Patriarch Bai sighed again: “This is indeed the list of items to be auctioned.”

Above them were not only the secret techniques for glassmaking they had painstakingly devised, but also things like [desserts], [brown sugar], custom-made divine weapons, and...

"What exactly is this [cement]?"

The head of the Bai family immediately became invigorated:
"This is what Qiu Sha said she absolutely had to get us to take it!"

This……

The elders were immediately troubled: "We said earlier that we absolutely had to acquire the glass, and besides, the brown sugar is extremely profitable, and this dessert is loved by both the powerful and the noble, and then there's the cement..."

Although the Bai family of Guanzhong was famous in the Guanzhong region, in the vast Qin state, they were not even worth mentioning in Xianyang.
Putting aside other things—

"Patriarch, our clan doesn't have that much money!"

The head of the Bai family also immediately felt pain.

But he gritted his teeth and said, "I invited you all to Xianyang to discuss important matters. Qiu Sha has come here to tell us that the Queen's identity is indeed that of a Kunlun Immortal Envoy!"

"The King of Qin is here again..."

He lowered his voice: "To be able to attract the assistance of the Kunlun Immortal Envoy, the King of Qin is said to be the son of the Dragon God..."

hiss--

Everyone gasped.

Although the practice of cultivating immortality and refining elixirs in Kunlun Mountain is popular nowadays, it is not so easy to believe that someone is an incarnation of a deity.

Therefore, one of the clan elders frowned: "This... Qiu Sha is still young..."

Could we have been scammed?

"Be careful!"

The Bai family head gently rebuked, "If the Queen is not an envoy of the Kunlun Immortals, how could she possibly bring out so many fine things all at once? I have never heard of such a thing before, nor have I ever seen anything like it."

"Furthermore, Qiu Sha revealed that Xianyang City is secretly refining the [Nine Heavens Responding to the Origin Thunder God Pill]. It is said that when the pill is completed, thunderbolts will startle gods and ghosts, and purple lightning and thunder will rage, making it extremely powerful."

"The thunderclaps we hear every now and then in Xianyang are from the alchemy of this elixir!" Everyone was speechless.

The patriarch paused, then added, "Furthermore, Qiu Sha has just assumed the position of propaganda envoy, which carries great responsibility. Her first task is to promote the good name of the King of Qin."

"This task is arduous, but it is the key to whether Qiusha can gain the Queen's trust! Therefore, our tribe needs to provide strong support for the fire, manpower, money and food expenses along the way."

This is natural!

The Bai family of Guanzhong has always been merchants, possessing great wealth but holding a lowly social status.

In times of great upheaval, it was necessary to spend a huge sum of money to entrust the matter to nobles in order to ensure its survival.

Nowadays, the promotion of talented individuals depends entirely on the recommendations of officials and nobles. Given their status, those in power who want to continue enjoying the benefits will never give them a chance.

Therefore, the Queen's recruitment order is the only opportunity they have been able to seize in all these years.

The clan leader didn't need to emphasize it; everyone in the clan was already aware of it.

Then the problem is coming.

An elder then asked, "Do these various secret techniques require the accumulated knowledge of my Bai clan over generations? Or perhaps—"

Or perhaps we could sell off large tracts of farmland in Guanzhong?
……

The Queen's "Decree for Recruiting Talents," coupled with the "Auctions" that spread from all directions of Xianyang, caused a subtle buzz throughout the Qin Kingdom, with Xianyang at its center.

Now that the imperial examination system is gone, all talent is promoted based on reputation and recommendation, and those of low status naturally have no chance.

The Queen's recruitment order was unconventional and inclusive, and even strong laborers and peddlers would want to try their luck if they had the chance to come to Xianyang.

Not to mention those merchants and small families who have no way to advance their careers.

In addition, the timely auction...

This differs slightly from Qin Shi's guess.

The auction is now highly anticipated and sought after, but not for the various secret techniques involved.

Although she instructed people to skillfully reveal the mysteries within, it is difficult for people to imagine things they have never encountered.

Therefore, everyone's focus is on this auction, which is definitely the key to gaining the Queen's favor!

In other words, the queen has simply changed her methods of accumulating wealth. If they were willing to gamble with their money, they might have a chance!
I heard that the Bai family of Guanzhong also offered a thousand acres of fertile land in exchange for sending their young men to the Queen's side...

and many more!

The nearby merchant families, upon receiving the news, were once again shaken:
"They've already been appointed to an official position? And it's even in the 'Propaganda History' category?!"

[The King's Voice] This queen, whose origins are unknown, seems to be even more generous and lavish than rumored, to have granted him such an important official position!
The king, having heard that he favored only one person, bestowed upon him a private army...

What are we waiting for?!

Large and small families, even the remnants of the six kingdoms who had a strong desire to live in seclusion, were now taking stock of their historical reserves and were beginning to stir with excitement.

The recruitment order is open to all kinds of people; their queen must be eager for talent.

These remnants of the six states were being guarded in various places. If they did not seize this opportunity, when would they ever be able to see the King of Qin?

I dare not speak of assassination, for the palace is heavily guarded and not to be underestimated.

If they could enter the Qin court and cultivate some influence for their homeland, their longing for their country would not have been in vain!
Meanwhile, at the location of Princess Wen in Xianyang Palace, numerous invitations had been delivered in baskets and carts.

The young princess's once-sturdy shoulders were now slumped with exhaustion, her calves were swollen, and she felt dizzy and lightheaded.

But still, gritting his teeth, he laboriously opened a scroll of bamboo slips—

[The Tong Clan of Guanzhong...]

　No, this can't go on... Use your brain or it will atrophy!
　　I will rise up!

　　(End of this chapter)