The State of Qin is located in the southeast of this continent and has an extremely vast territory. The most famous one is the Yuanyuan River that crosses the State of Qin. It is the largest river on the continent and originates from Tianmen, the highest mountain in the east of the State of Qin.

Mountains, and finally merges into the South China Sea at Wulan County in the southernmost part of the Qin State. The journey is majestic, with many large and small lakes and trunks and tributaries. The main stream of the Youyuan River flows through 19 major cities in the Qin State, including Jinping, Songfu, and Lin'an, and several

Hundreds of tributaries are spread throughout the Qin Kingdom's more than fifty counties and towns. There is a proverb that has been circulating among the Qin people: "A long and far-reaching river can enrich half the people of the country."

Most areas of the Qin State have flat terrain, a warm and humid climate, and four distinct seasons, which are suitable for the growth of various plants. This also contributes to the Qin State's rich products and outstanding people.

Emperor Shengde of Qin State has worked hard to govern since he succeeded to the throne at the age of twenty. On the one hand, he built extensive border walls to withstand the dangers of the Northern Wei and Western Jin Dynasties. On the other hand, he also opened up trade with the Western Jin Dynasty and the Northern Wei Dynasty, which helped the three countries achieve unprecedented prosperity. I don’t know.

Is God also favoring the Qin State or is the Qin State already in a good position? There have been no major disasters in the past thirty years. Emperor Shengde has been reducing the people's taxes every year. With this long-lasting peace and stability, the Qin State's national power has become unprecedentedly strong.

This year is the fiftieth birthday of Emperor Shengde. Not only the Western Jin Dynasty, but also the Northern Wei Dynasty will send special envoys to celebrate his birthday.

In the afternoon of this day, Yujin and his party arrived outside the Nanguan Pass of Qin's border town together with the caravan they met in Wangbo Desert.

Looking at Zhennanguan in front of him, Lao Jin, who had led the team countless times, felt the urge to cry for the first time. This time leading the team was the one he spent the least time on, and it was also the one he would never forget, the kind of narrow escape from death.

A thrill he never wanted to encounter again.

Guo Zheng saw Zhennanguan Pass, which was magnificent and not inferior to their Jinmen Pass. He said to the people behind him: "We are here!"

As soon as they entered the customs, the officers guarding the customs looked nervous and confirmed again when they saw Yu Jin and his party. They asked Yu Jin and his party to wait for a while, and then one of them went inside to report. The caravan traveling with Yu Jin and his party thought that

Yujin and the others had some problem, so they stayed away from them for fear of being implicated. Lao Jin frowned. Then a well-trained army lined up in two rows from the pass, raising their spears in uniform, and so did the surrounding people.

Carrying flowers along the aisle to welcome them, the leader of the team was Situ Xiong, the general guarding the Zhennang Pass of the Qin State.

Situ Xiong stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Situ Xiong, General of Zhennan of the State of Qin, is here to see Princess Yujin of the State of Jin."

At this moment, Yu Jin was wearing a red brocade robe, a golden phoenix and jade hairpin on her head, and a suet-condensed bracelet on her wrist. Except for her face, which was a little haggard, everything was the same as when Shi Wu first saw her.

At this time, the caravans traveling with them realized that the people they encountered were actually the Jin princess's team, and they all bowed to them.

Yujin's every move now represents the Kingdom of Jin, and no etiquette can be lost. She helped Granny Ji's hand to get off the camel, and said: "General Situ is exempt from courtesy, and everyone is exempt from courtesy."

After Situ Xiong and everyone thanked him, Situ Xiong asked his men to help Yu Jin and his party pull the camels, and then asked the steward of the mansion and Guo Zheng and Lao Jin to go to the Guannai Station to complete the handover. The others moved the luggage of Yu Jin and his party to the general.

His Majesty the Emperor has issued an imperial edict, asking him to wait for the special envoys from the two countries at Zhennanguan every day. After the envoy enters the Qin State, he will lead the army to protect the capital of Qin. In this imperial edict, he also brought a

Zhang Mizhi, which contained a portrait of a young woman, asked Situ Xiong to protect the Jin princess and her entourage. If there was any mistake, he would report it to him. Therefore, Situ Xiong arranged for his confidants to guard Zhennan Pass every day.

Besides, if you see Yu Jin and his party, report it immediately.

Seeing how lively the city was, and there seemed to be more than just people welcoming her, Yujin asked, "General Situ, what are they busy with?"

Situ Xiong looked back and said: "It's a coincidence that the princess is here. Today is the Star Festival in our Daqin, which is divided into three stages: welcoming the fire, passing the fire, and sending the fire. These people are preparing for the fire reception at night."

Yu Jin heard this and said curiously: "Then I don't know what the difference is between passing fire and sending fire."

Seeing that Yu Jin was interested in the Xing Hui Festival, Situ Xiong knew everything and said: "This fire spreading means waiting until the twelfth hour in the evening, and the oldest old man here will light the tallest fire tower piled on the square, and then we will

Wearing masks and holding torches, we light them on the fire tower one after another. The people here will build a bonfire at the door of every house. After we parade through the fields and streets with torches, we light bonfires in front of our homes to pray for no pest disasters in the coming year.

, good weather and good weather, reposing every family’s wish for a good harvest and a safe life.”

Yu Jin nodded and said: "This is somewhat similar to the All Things Festival held on June 24th every year in the Western Jin Dynasty."

Situ Xiong said: "Well, they are all things left by our ancestors, so we can just follow them. As for sending fires, people wear masks and sing and dance by the fires to celebrate late at night. Every year here in Zhennanguan

There is a strongman wrestling competition in the Star Festival, and the prize for the final winner is provided by our General Mansion. This year’s prize is an exclusive silver cup. Starting in the evening, vendors and stores will display gourmet products at various intersections on the streets here.

It is for people passing by to buy and taste. However, you must not reveal your true face at this time. Our rule here is that you can only take off the mask and go home after the fire is extinguished during the festival."

After hearing this, Yu Jin was moved in her heart and said, "I wonder if guests from outside can participate?"

Situ Xiong said: "Of course it's possible. The shops here will prepare torches for outside guests. After walking with the parade, you just need to throw the torches into the fire tower on the square. Like this

It can also achieve the effect of praying."

Yujin said to Granny Ji next to her: "In that case, let's do as the Romans do in the countryside that night."

Situ Xiong was actually in a bit of a dilemma. There were so many people at night. If Her Royal Highness went out, more sergeants would have to be dispatched to protect her. But since the Star Festival started, she would have to wear a mask, so it would be difficult to protect her.

Bigger.

Grandma Ji said back to Yu Jin: "This will cause trouble for General Situ."

When Situ Xiong heard how he dared to talk about trouble, he quickly said: "This mama is serious. You are our distinguished guests from the Qin State. How can you say trouble? You go back to my general's house to rest first. I will let you go in the evening."

How about they send you masks for the Star Festival?"

Yu Jin said: "In this case, there will be General Lao Situ."

Situ Xiong said: "This is a matter within Situ Xiong's responsibility. Princess please." After saying that, Situ Xiong took the first step and took Yu Jin and his entourage back to the mansion.

Ah Da and Ah Si were arranged in the guest room of the General's Mansion. Originally Ah Si suggested that they go to the inn with Lao Jin Guozheng and then rent a carriage directly to Anjun in the northwest. But Shi Wu said that he

He hadn't had a good rest for three days and wanted to have a good sleep before leaving. Ah Si thought that he had caused Shi Wu to almost die, so he had no choice but to agree to stay until tomorrow before leaving.

After dinner, Situ Xiong sent ten masks to Yujin's room. These masks had different images, but they all had some fire patterns painted on them.

The person who was sent said respectfully to Yujin: "My name is Zhang Feng, and I am in charge of the general's house. Princess Yujin can send someone to tell me if she has any orders. These ten masks were specially chosen by the general for the princess and you."

It was made by everyone accompanying me. Princess, please choose one. You can tell the general when you get back, and then the general will assign a special person to accompany and protect the princess."

Yu Jin looked at the ten masks and pointed at a mask with a red face and a cloud and fire pattern at random and said, "Manager Zhang, can you please go back and tell General Situ that Yu Jin will choose this mask with a cloud and fire pattern."

Zhang Feng wrote down the appearance of the mask, and then excused himself: "I've made a note of it. The celebration of the Star Festival will start in Youshi, and it's almost half an hour away. There are so many people on the street, and so on."

It will be very noisy, the princess can take a rest first."

"Thank you, Manager Zhang, for reminding me." Yu Jin thanked him.

Zhang Feng bowed and said: "In that case, I will leave first."

Yujin said: "Walk slowly."

After Zhang Feng left, Yu Jin asked Guo Zheng to distribute the masks to everyone accompanying him. However, Yu Jin did not take the mask with the cloud and fire pattern, but placed the mask with the wood fire pattern next to him.

Yujin ordered Guo Zhengdao: "You put this mask with the pattern of clouds and fire on one of your men, and then when the time of You comes, let him go out and run as fast as he can. If he doesn't get rid of the people in the General's Mansion, then he will

There is no need to go back to Jin. You take three masks and go to Ah Si and tell him that his young master will be waiting for him under the fire tower wearing a mask with a wooden fire pattern."

Guo Zheng was shocked when he heard this. His face turned pale but he did not dare to disobey the order and said: "Yes, Your Highness the Princess." Then he uneasily put on three masks and went to Ah Si's guest room.

Grandma Ji saw Yu Jin's thoughts and said to her: "Princess, you..."

Yujin said: "Grandma Ji, don't worry, Yujin just wants to be willful for the last day. I promise you, after today, I will be the princess of Jin. But today is the only day, I want to be the master of Asi." Yujin said.

After Jin finished speaking, her eyes turned red. She had been holding back and suppressing her for so many days. She had thought about it. After all, she wanted to stay for her father, the princess, and her concubine, but she also had to make an explanation with Ah Si.

Grandma Ji held Yu Jin in her arms distressedly and said: "My good girl, you have grown up. Sometimes Grandma Ji also wants you to have your own life, but Grandma Ji really can't make the decision. If you are like this

If you want to leave for the first time, just go. If anything happens, Grandma Ji will take care of it. At my age, I’m not afraid."

Yujin hugged Granny Ji tightly, shook her head and said: "Grandma Ji, don't give me a chance, I'm afraid I will really run away regardless of everything. But when Yujin thought that if she ran away, the face of Jin and Qin would be ruined.

No, the emperor will definitely punish my father, princess, mother and concubines when the time comes, so I won’t dare to step out."

After saying that, the two of them hugged each other and sobbed in the room.

In the guest room, Guo Zheng sent three masks, saying that they were sent by General Situ and could be worn during the Star Festival in the evening. Shi Wu curiously picked up one and put it on first, and compared it.

I chose the orange thunder mask.

Guo Zheng also brought Yu Jin’s words to Ah Si. Ah Si didn’t want to go to any Star Festival, but when he heard the word "Master", his whole body was shocked. Ah Si picked up a blue sky fire mask and put it on
Chapter completed!