ATPnovel Chapter 22: Zhengyang Gate
Chapter 22: Zhengyang Gate
"Master Liu, the tiger you carved is truly extraordinary." Zou Yun took a few steps closer, carefully examining the ferocious tiger that seemed to leap out of the door panel, and sincerely praised it.
With just a few strokes, the spirit of the tiger is vividly portrayed, showcasing its ferocity and majesty.
"It seems there are quite a few talented people among the alchemists," Zou Yun thought to himself.
Upon hearing the praise, Liu Qingsong stopped carving and turned around.
Upon recognizing the newcomer as Zou Yun, the newly promoted Grand Master, his face showed no joy whatsoever; instead, his brows furrowed slightly.
"What do you mean? You're not happy about being praised?" Zou Yun thought to himself.
Just when he thought that Master Liu was going to reprimand him and give this newly appointed Grand Master a hard time.
However, the next second.
Liu Fangshi suddenly straightened his back and said solemnly, "This is all thanks to the Great Master! I am fortunate to have the Great Master's protection, which is why I dare to do my best to display my humble skills."
"I am deeply humbled and humbled by your great virtue, Immortal Master. I bow my head in gratitude!"
As he spoke, he bent down, completely ignoring the gazes of those around him, and bowed deeply to Zou Yun, displaying extreme humility.
This series of fluid movements left Zou Yun stunned, unable to react in time.
The others around them seemed used to it and continued with their own work.
"Well, there really are many talented people among the alchemists..." Zou Yun's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
After he finally managed to get rid of this ambitious teacher, Liu Fangshi, he left.
After Feng Zhixue and Zheng Ze had finished placing the peach branches, they dusted off the wood chips on their clothes and walked up to Zou Yun.
"Great Master, may you enjoy the New Year!" Feng Zhixue spoke first, a smile on his face.
"Great Master, may you enjoy the New Year!" Zheng Ze followed closely behind, his voice steady.
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!
This time, Zou Yun was prepared, so he didn't say anything like "Happy New Year".
As Zou Yun greeted the two, a warm smile appeared on his face.
After bowing slightly in return, he happily took out two red pouches from a winnowing basket held by a servant.
"This is a custom from my hometown. We give out red envelopes during the Lunar New Year for good luck. Please accept them!"
Without saying a word, he stuffed the pouch into their arms.
These pouches were purchased by Zou Yun a few days ago after he learned that the New Year was approaching, and he specifically instructed that they be red.
The pouch contained dozens of heavy half-ounce coins; though not a large sum, it was enough to show the sentiment.
Feng Zhixue and Zheng Ze were flattered and repeatedly waved their hands in refusal.
"Great Master, how can this be...?"
"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it!"
Seeing Zou Yun's resolute attitude, the two could not refuse and had no choice but to accept it respectfully.
As Zou Yun turned to walk towards the other alchemists, Feng Zhixue weighed the pouch in his hand, leaned close to Zheng Ze, and grinned.
"Where is this custom from? Giving money during the Lunar New Year... that's quite novel."
Before Zheng Ze could respond, he looked curiously at the scene not far away, where Zou Yun was handing a pouch to another Taoist priest.
"And it seems that everyone has it."
"Since it was bestowed by the Great Master, just accept it. There's no need to ask any more questions," Zheng Ze said calmly.
"Hey, you..." Feng Zhixue was taken aback and was about to retort.
But as the words were about to come out, he suddenly remembered that the person in front of him was an idiot, and arguing with him would only make him look foolish.
So Feng Zhixue opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the rest of his sentence.
Of course, this little incident did not affect Feng Zhixue's joy at being cared for by the Grand Master.
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A few days later, the court agreed on the departure date and personnel, and the procession heading to Yongcheng was about to set off.
Zou Yun, accompanied by his two attendants Zheng Ze and Feng Zhixue, followed behind Grand Master Shi Gong and headed towards Zhengyang Gate.
The cold wind was biting, making all four of them shiver.
Ever since Fusu's visit that day, Zou Yun seemed to have been "disliked" by Ying Zheng, who gradually withdrew the armored soldiers guarding him and all his favors.
Therefore, all four of them had to walk to the meeting point this time.
On the way, Feng Zhixue couldn't help but ask, "Is it just the four of us?"
"Is there a problem?" Zou Yun asked, puzzled.
"This..." Feng Zhixue hesitated, unsure how to explain it to Zou Yun.
Instead, Shi Gong, who had personally witnessed the pinnacle of alchemy, said calmly, "Heh, you should be content with four people."
"But... compared to before..."
Before Feng Zhixue could finish speaking, Shi Gong impatiently interrupted him, "The past is the past, the present is the present."
During this winter festival, only the four Taoist priests from the entire Immortal Temple were allowed to accompany the group.
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Zou Yun was participating in the Laba Festival for the first time and needed someone to guide and assist him, even the veteran Shi Gong might not have been able to get a spot.
And thinking back to the heyday of the sorcerer community, with its various major sacrificial rites throughout the year.
Each of them was personally led by several top-notch alchemists such as Hou Sheng, Lu Sheng, and Shi Gong, followed by a large entourage of alchemists.
What a magnificent sight that was!
The decline of the sorcerer community is a testament to this.
However, on second thought, if it weren't for Zou Yun's sudden emergence and ability to turn the tide...
Of the more than four hundred Taoist priests at the Immortal Temple, probably none could even save their own lives, let alone hope for any decline or fall from grace.
Having figured this out, Feng Zhixue stopped talking, and the four of them continued to move forward in the dark.
At this moment, the darkness before dawn had not yet completely faded, but the entire Xianyang Palace was already brightly lit.
The massive entourage of 6,300 people included 3,000 elite cavalry, 2,000 ceremonial guards in bright armor, and hundreds of civil and military officials, palace maids and artisans.
They had already assembled in the huge square inside Zhengyang Gate, standing in formation, completely silent, awaiting the emperor's command.
More than six thousand people, when put into words, are but a few numbers.
But in reality, it would be a magnificent procession with an endless expanse of banners and flags.
Looking at the huge crowd in front of him, Zou Yun couldn't help but sigh, "So many people."
"Yes, it's really... really spectacular."
Feng Zhixue and Zheng Ze, who were standing next to him, could not hide their excitement, and even their breathing became a little rapid.
In the past, they could only watch from afar as those fortunate enough to accompany them were senior Taoist priests.
This time, it's finally their turn to be envied.
Just as the group was getting excited, only Shi Gong stroked his white beard and let out a sneer, "Ha, what's so special about this?"
Back then, he also went to Mount Tai to perform the Fengshan ceremony with Ying Zheng.
The scene was many times more magnificent than it is today, and Shi Gong's eyes revealed a longing for the past.
After a brief pause, he continued, "Once we leave Xianyang, there will be an advance force with heavy equipment waiting outside the city to rendezvous with us."
"At that time, the entire procession will expand to more than 10,000 people, with carriages and horses rumbling and banners covering the sun. That will be a truly magnificent sight."
Upon hearing Shi Gong's description, both Feng and Zheng showed longing on their faces.
"Swish! Swish—!"
Beneath the massive city gate, countless brocade banners embroidered with black birds and kui dragons fluttered in the morning breeze, alongside various ceremonial guards.
Heavy armored warriors stood in formation around the perimeter like statues.
"Are we going to make our way from here later?" Zou Yun asked, gazing up at the majestic city tower.
"Not bad." Shi Gong's gaze also turned to the city gate that was about to open. "When the first rays of dawn appear on the horizon, the entire procession will file out through this gate at the auspicious time."
He paused here, a hint of worry in his eyes.
"Right now, we don't know where we'll be placed in the team."
According to the strict ceremonial system of the Qin Dynasty, the emperor's procession was subject to extremely strict regulations.
It is mainly divided into three major formations: the guards, the ceremonial guard, and the chariots, which are layered and orderly.
It not only demonstrated the emperor's majesty but also served as a real military defense.
As is customary in previous years, the alchemists were usually arranged to ride behind the carriages of the prime minister and other important officials.
But times have changed, and even Master Shi dares not say for sure now. He can only pray secretly that he can at least get a seat in some carriage.
Otherwise, it would be quite too much for his old bones to ride a horse all the way to Yongcheng.