The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

One day in early May, the sun was shining brightly and the sky was clear, like a blue gem, clear and transparent.

It was a good day for traveling, but for the First Emperor, this trip had a more important meaning. Because today, he would lead a large eastern tour team out of Xianyang City and embark on a long journey.

As the city gates slowly opened, the First Emperor's eastern tour team drove out of Xianyang in a mighty procession, slowly heading east. Like a winding dragon, this team consisted of thousands of soldiers and officials riding horses or in carriages, forming a spectacular sight.

He rode in a magnificent chariot with flags flying, and was surrounded by civil and military officials.

The motorcade advanced along the broad official road, the sound of horses' hooves rumbling and clouds of dust billowing. The First Emperor sat atop his chariot, his expression majestic and his gaze piercing. He wore a black robe and a crown, radiating the air of an emperor. Beside the chariot, the guards were all in high spirits, wielding sharp blades, looking awe-inspiring.

When the common people along the way heard that the emperor was on his eastern tour, they poured into the streets to welcome him. They were dressed in their finest attire, dancing and shouting "Long live the emperor!" The First Emperor smiled and waved to the people, a sense of pride rising within him as he reigned supreme.

Several personal guards stood beside him, protecting his safety at all times. In the carriage, there were also some ministers accompanying him, reporting government affairs to the First Emperor at any time.

"Your Majesty, this is the route map of this eastern tour. Please take a look." Zhao Gao presented a map and said respectfully.

The First Emperor took the map and examined it carefully, his eyes focused and sharp, as if he could see the future through the map.

"Very good, I am looking forward to this trip." The First Emperor nodded with satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, during this eastern tour, we will pass through Qi, Zhao, Yan and other places. These places are all important areas of the Qin Dynasty and require your personal inspection." Li Si said on the side.

The First Emperor nodded slightly. "I know that the governance and stability of these places are crucial to the prosperity of the Qin Dynasty."

"Your Majesty, we have prepared everything. There are dedicated people responsible for reception and security along the way." Feng Jie said.

The First Emperor smiled with satisfaction and said, "Very good."

At this time, the First Emperor looked out of the car and saw the people's warm welcome, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty, the people are very excited about your arrival and are looking forward to it," Zhao Gao said respectfully.

The First Emperor smiled and waved to the people, thinking to himself, "I will live up to everyone's expectations and make the Qin Empire even more prosperous."

The convoy continued to move forward, and the First Emperor's eyes were always on the front, his heart full of anticipation for the future.

The convoy moved along the broad road lined with lush green trees, creating a picturesque scene. The First Emperor lifted the curtain slightly and looked at his subjects lining the road, a sense of heroism welling up in his heart.

The First Emperor hoped that through this eastern tour, more people would understand the strength and prosperity of the Qin Empire and enhance the cohesion and centripetal force of the people.

The First Emperor turned around, looked at Zhao Gao with a sharp gaze, and asked in a dignified tone, "Zhao Gao, how is the sea voyage I ordered you to prepare going?"

Zhao Gao hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I have arranged for our most elite troops to accompany Master Xu. They have already made their way to the shores of the East China Sea, fully preparing for the upcoming voyage."

The First Emperor nodded slightly to show his satisfaction.

At this moment, a sly glint flashed in Hu Hai's eyes. He smiled flatteringly at the First Emperor and said, "Father, I have something to say. Now that everything is ready, why not take this opportunity to go to Mount Tai and hold the Fengshan Ceremony? This way, we can offer sacrifices to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, and also inscribe on the stone tablet your unparalleled achievements, surpassing those of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors!"

After hearing this, the First Emperor's face showed a thoughtful expression. After weighing the pros and cons, he said, "Well, what you said makes perfect sense. Then I will leave this matter to you. At the same time, let the Left Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor and others assist you in preparing the relevant matters. Make sure that nothing goes wrong."

Hu Hai gladly accepted the order, secretly pleased. He knew full well that this Fengshan ceremony would be of great significance to his own advancement, and he had to make it a grand occasion. This would not only establish his authority before the ministers but also solidify his position. Thinking of this, Hu Hai couldn't help but smile triumphantly.

Therefore, in the following days, Hu Hai actively participated in the preparations for the Fengshan Ceremony. He frequently consulted with Zhao Gao, Feng Jie and other ministers, meticulously planning every detail to ensure that the ceremony was solemn and dignified, showcasing the majesty of the First Emperor.

Inside the carriage, Hu Hai said to Zhao Gao with a smug look on his face, "Teacher, this Fengshan ceremony must be held with great fanfare, so that everyone knows my status."

Zhao Gao smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, my lord. I will do my utmost to assist you and ensure that the ceremony is grand and magnificent."

They selected the most elite soldiers and the best horses to form a ceremonial guard, made gorgeous robes and ritual vessels, and prepared rich sacrifices and fine wine.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Tour continued. The First Emperor inspected the people's conditions and handled government affairs, demonstrating his exceptional ability to govern. He issued orders to encourage agricultural production, build water conservancy projects, and strengthen military defenses, ultimately bringing prosperity to the country.

The First Emperor sat on his magnificent dragon chariot, his eyes scanning the surrounding scenery. He saw the farmers toiling away, the soldiers marching with majestic demeanor, and felt the strength and stability of his country. The First Emperor nodded with satisfaction, a surge of ambition welling up in his heart.

The First Emperor turned to Li Si beside him and said, "I want the people of the Great Qin to live and work in peace and contentment."

Li Si replied respectfully: "Your Majesty is wise, and the Qin Dynasty will last for thousands of years."

The First Emperor nodded slightly, a flicker of relief in his eyes. He knew achieving this goal wouldn't be easy, but he was confident in leading the Qin Empire to glory. He believed that as long as he could achieve immortality and unite his people, he would be able to create a prosperous, strong, stable, and harmonious Qin Empire.

As the eastern tour team moved forward, the First Emperor continued to gain a deeper understanding of the conditions in various places and take appropriate measures to solve the problems.

On Meng Yi's side, a scout on a fast horse came galloping over and shouted loudly: "General, we will reach Henei County in ten miles ahead!"

Upon hearing this news, Meng Yi's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Bolingsha was located within Henei Prefecture. He quickly opened the map in his hand and carefully examined the route of the eastern tour. Sure enough, the First Emperor's next stop was Zhiyang County in Henei Prefecture. To get to Zhiyang County from their current location, they had to pass through Bolingsha.

Meng Yi's expression grew serious. He asked the spy, "What's the terrain like in Bolingsha?"

The spy replied, "Bolangsha is a dangerous place with narrow roads and steep cliffs on both sides."

Meng Yi thought to himself, "It seems that Bolingsha is a place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. If the enemy sets an ambush here, the consequences will be unimaginable." Thinking of this, Meng Yi immediately made a decision.

He called Ying Bu and said sternly, "Ying Bu, you will immediately lead a team of lieutenants to Bolingsha and strengthen the security. If you find any abnormal situation, report it immediately."

Ying Bu took the order and left, leading a team of elite lieutenant soldiers and galloping towards Bolingsha.

At the same time, Meng Yi sent out more scouts to spread out in all directions to investigate whether there were any other suspicious situations.