Qin Chu Yuhuang

When the first ray of sunlight fell on Jinbei Lake, the west of Yingdu City was already very lively.Tian Luli and Jiang Jitang went boating on Jinbei Lake, and then traveled upstream along the Dragon Bridge, looking at the water gate among the three gates next to Xiyuan.The two abandoned the boat and landed on the shore, went north along the city wall and entered the city from the northwest gate.A few morning clouds fell on the top of the double eaves of the gate tower, like a Qiongtai in the suburbs of the emperor.The central gate is opened, extending the main road paved with turtle-backed stones, which can accommodate nine road vehicles in parallel.The two walked slowly in the shade of the trees on the right side of the road, overlooking the neatly arranged houses along the nine longitudes and nine latitudes, and closely watching the various pedestrians in and out of the city.

""Kaogongji·Craftsman" has a cloud: "Fang Jiuli, there are three gates. The middle school has nine longitudes and nine latitudes, and nine tracks of warp and painting. The ancestors on the left and the society on the right face the future market." The eastern countries known as the state of etiquette are still It is impossible to have such a capital city that conforms to the etiquette system, but Ying Du's compliance with the Zhou rituals has reached a near-perfect level, no, it even surpassed the Zhou rituals. Look at the rushing river, the towering city gates, and the wide roads, which one? Isn't it a symbol of the grandeur of this capital?" Jiang Jitang looked around, as if he wanted to have a panoramic view of everything in front of him.

Tian Luli smiled at his astonished expression, raised his arms and pointed to the east, and said, "This area is full of residential buildings. If you go east and cross the Zhushui River, you will find Beishi. That is the most lively place in Yingdu. The east-west, north-south main roads intersect. There is a five-story city building standing in the center, and there are various shops along the street. If you go there at noon, you will rub your shoulders on foot, and it is difficult to turn around when you drive. The silk and bamboo orchestras are endless, rare treasures Treasures can be found everywhere."

Hearing this, Jiang Jitang's longing expression became more and more obvious, but his right hand caressed the shriveled bag around his waist, and a sense of sadness suddenly lingered in his heart.Tian Luli couldn't help laughing when he saw this, took out the certificate from his pocket and held it in his hand, then patted Jiang Jitang's right shoulder, and said, "Zi Nan, don't worry, let's go to Dagong Yin to hand in the certificate today, so that You and I are talented, and we will have more than enough food and clothing in the future. And we have to cross the north of the city from west to east every day, so we don’t have time to visit Beishi?"

Jiang Jitang glared at him and said, "Then hurry up!"

The two were laughing and playing, or watching and talking from a distance. After walking for nearly an hour, they finally arrived at the workshop area.Tian Luli tidied up his clothes, then lightly knocked on the door, and handed over two certificates of honor and a piece of jade.Half a quarter of an hour later, a waiter welcomed the two into the door and led them to pay a visit to Dagong Yin.Master Yin played with the piece of jade that Tian Luli and Jiang Jitang carved together, and was full of admiration.The two looked at each other and smiled, knowing that they had entered the workshop.

The conditions of the Zhiyu workshop in Yingdu are far better than those in Xianyang. There are water stools, various iron mounds and drill pipes in the house, and an open bamboo box on the table. powder and some Gebu for polishing.Jiang Jitang twisted some powder and was amazed at the exquisiteness of the utensils in Yingdu.

Tian Luli was already sitting on the water stool to adjust various tools. After a while, he was able to use this water stool proficiently, so he took out a few pieces of rough jade from his waist and put them on the table next to him.Then he looked up at Jiang Jitang to confirm that he was still looking through the bamboo box, and then carefully took out a jade huang from his pocket.He rubbed his fingertips along the engraved dragon pattern on the half of the jade huang carved by Shangjiang Jitang, and a gentle smile could not help showing from the corners of his eyes.

Jiang Jitang seemed to be aware of it, and when he looked back, he only saw Tian Luli's side face concentrating on carving rough jade.

There are hundreds of craftsmen gathered in Yingdu, Jiang Jitang visits all beauties on weekdays, or discusses skills with Tian Luli, and it only takes a few years to enter the hall.Jiang Jitang worshiped under the master of jade master in Qin State since he was a child, so his carvings are simple and heavy, with square corners and concise and powerful.And Tian Luli went to Yingdu to study art when he was young. He used to treat jade in a relatively simple style in Qin State to suit the aesthetics of the Central Plains. Now he has no worries when he returns to Chu State.Every time after Tian Luli finished work, Jiang Jitang couldn't wait to take away the jade pendant for a closer look, but what is distressing is that no matter how similar the shape is, he has never been able to carve out the jade dragon and jade phoenix like Tian Luli. .But Tian Luli could easily carve pieces of ancient and simple Qinfeng jade pendants.

One day, Jiang Jitang couldn't bear to ask Tian Luli for advice. Tian Luli thought for a while and replied seriously: "Zi Nan, based on what I saw and heard in Qin State, Qin State advocates making jade for the world, so its style is honest and simple. Confucianism emphasizes virtue with jade, gentleness, and gentlemen, so the Qin style is equivalent. But the Chu area pays attention to the natural technique and the use of the body, so its style is complicated and gorgeous, in order to surpass the mind and things. For the Qin people, these Jade is just a utensil for daily use, as long as it is practical and beautiful. For Chu people, jade is a way to communicate with heaven and earth, close to the road. We must show our understanding of heaven, earth and Tao as much as possible on a piece of jade , the utensil at this time is just a carrier, so the Chu Feng is agile and elegant."

"Won't it be too extravagant?"

"The ultimate goodness and beauty should be the eternal pursuit of a gentleman. Compared with the heaven and the earth, we are so insignificant. We have exhausted the beauty that can be achieved by human beings. Compared with the beauty of the heaven and the earth, we are nothing but the praise of our mother to Mao Qiang." Tian Luli He said calmly, "We are just eternally pursuing the Great Dao."

Jiang Jitang nodded, then picked up the jade pendant and discussed it with Tian Luli in detail.

The stars move and the seasons rotate.During these years in Yingdu, Tian Luli took Jiang Jitang out of the south gate along the palace city wall and climbed Phoenix Mountain to overlook the entire capital city.Jiang Jitang also used to go boating on the Dragon Bridge with oars to see all the scenery along the coast. He let the wind blow down the orchids, and then picked up a few flowers from the boat as gifts to Tian Luli who stood at the bow and chanted gracefully.

Since the long talk with Tian Luli that day, Jiang Jitang's skills have become more and more refined.From then on, the two went hand in hand without distinction, and gradually Yingdu was unmatched by anyone.Jiang Jitang couldn't help but feel happy about this, but Tian Luli was always a little unhappy.

Seeing that the two of them have achieved great skill, those people who have never dealt with them can't sit still.At this time, Qin and Chu were extinct, and the national power of Chu State was gradually declining. The situation in Yingdu was turbulent, and people were panic-stricken.

One day the two were working on jade, when suddenly someone tied them up and dragged them in front of Dagong Yin without any explanation. One of them knelt in front of Dagong Yin's table and complained tearfully, "My lord! Gui Luli is a descendant of Qi, and Ying Jitang is a descendant of Qin." The two countries have the same surname, and the two have served Qin for many years. Even Ying can't tolerate such meticulous work!"

Jiang Jitang hadn't been called by his name for many years, and Jiang Jitang's expression became colder.He looked at Tian Luli beside him with some worry, but saw Tian Luli pull out a mocking smile.

"When Lu Li tied up his hair, someone falsely accused me of being a spy of the Qi State because of my surname. Although my ancestor was the son of Qi State who served in Chu, I was just a commoner who grew up in Chu State. My loyalty to Chu State Unexpectedly, I was pushed out of Yingdu back then, and had to wander thousands of miles to make a living. Frequent wars prevented people from returning, and it took me more than ten years to return to Chu. Are you going to repeat the old tricks now? ?”

Jiang Jitang paid homage to Master Yin, and said in a deep voice: "I am a descendant of the Jiang country. My ancestors fled to the country with the same surname during the war. Jiang country is a small country and can only survive among big countries. Chu country is a big country. Big country Do the people really want to learn from villains?"

The expression on the man's face was very exciting for a moment, as if he was going to explode immediately, but Dagong Yin still didn't say a word, he had to sit back regretfully.

"Goodness cannot come from outside, and the name cannot be faked. Which one will be rewarded for doing nothing, and will be rewarded for not doing it?" Tian Luli said neither humble nor arrogant, "Everyone has seen what I have done over the years, and I have a clear conscience."

Dagong Yin raised his head and glanced at the man casually, motioning for everyone to put the two back.

After escaping this turmoil, Tian Luli and Jiang Jitang did not feel relieved. Most of the news from the front line was not good news.Some paunchy nobles in the southeast of Yingdu City are already planning to flee, and the common people are also worried.

As the rivers and rivers went down, Qin State finally launched a massive attack, concentrating the power of the whole country to subjugate Chu State.Hanzhong was lost, and Qin State went south to capture a large area of ​​Chu State without any effort.

When Jiang Jitang packed his bags, Tian Luli was sitting in front of the desk staring at a piece of jade in a daze.Of course, with Jiang Jitang's eyesight, he could easily recognize the jade huang that he had carved half of it with leftover materials from Qin Ying's group. At this time, the jade huang had already been completed.Tian Luli looked at the dragon pattern carved by Jiang Jitang, and then turned to look at the complex and vivid dragon pattern carved by himself with the Chu style. Jiang Ting. The Eighteenth Qin-Chu alliance, and now Qin is about to destroy Chu again, making peace and going to war, the cycle is endless!"

"Ziheng..." Jiang Jitang looked at him anxiously.

"Zi Nan," Tian Luli turned around, showing a strange and sad smile, "Do you hate Chu State? Chu State destroyed your mother country in a fit of anger. But it doesn't matter, your country with the same surname is dying To help you avenge. Thinking of the ending of Yu State, Qin State is still kind. The Mi surname destroyed the Ying surname, and the Ying surname will destroy the Mi surname. It is really endless."

Jiang Jitang stared at him blankly, feeling pain in his heart.

"Zi Nan, thank you for your gift. I have kept it by my side for so many years. I am indeed greedy. Now I return it to its original owner." Tian Luli got up, and walked slowly with the jade huang in his hands.

Jiang Jitang held his hand and pushed Yuhuang back.

"Zi Nan, don't you like the gift I gave you? Or have I neglected to learn the art all these years, and the carving is unsightly?" Tian Luli tilted his head and looked at him faintly, a tear seemed to fall from the corner of his eye, " You can also go back to Qin to reunite with your family, isn’t it great? I’m too selfish, I must keep you by my side.”

Heartbroken, Jiang Jitang rushed forward and hugged Tian Luli, and said, "Ziheng, what relatives do I have? My family Yan and Jiaci have passed away long ago. If I go back to Qin, I will be alone. If I don't stay in Chu, I can still be with you. Ziheng, don’t worry too much, it’s not the worst yet, Chu has a deep foundation, everything is possible.”

Tian Luli leaned on Jiang Jitang's shoulder and finally burst into tears.

Jiang Jitang patted his back lightly and comforted him in a low voice for a long time.Tian Luli gradually calmed down, and said softly: "Every time I get before the war, it will be nothing after the war. When I was young, I lost the powerful Chu State, Yingdu, my hometown and my brother. I thought that after returning to Yingdu this time, I would finally be able to firmly grasp some things, but now it seems that it is just another dream of mine. The more beautiful the dream, the more painful it is to wake up. Zinan, I thought about it Let you suffer the pain of the war, it is better to send you back. Although we will be separated in the future, at least we can be safe. But I am really reluctant to part with it, so I have to give you that jade pendant as a token of my heart. It was my words that were too aggressive , hurt you, sorry."

Jiang Jitang looked directly into his deep eyes and said, "Everything is different in the world. Ziheng, you don't have to worry, we will definitely survive, and live well."

In the 20th year of King Qingxiang, the two fled Yingdu and took refuge in the countryside of Dongting County. In the 21st year, the capital of Qin Baying, the most magnificent capital in China, which the Chu people had painstakingly managed for hundreds of years, towering pavilions and crowded with people, was reduced to ashes.

The author has something to say: jade is relatively hard, so special materials must be used to cut jade.

In the Warring States Period, iron mounds were generally used to untie jade, drill pipes were used to drill holes, yellow sand (quartzite) in unsealed jade sand was used to dissect stones to get jade, and red sand (garnet) was used to dissect jade to make blanks. Black sand (corundum) is used for carving and polishing, and pearl sand (Yunnan ruby) is used for jade polishing.

Water stool is a kind of equipment used to make jade. A round steel knife is used to install the wheel, pulled by a rope, and the pedals make it rotate. The jade worker holds the jade in one hand, and puts the jade sand and water in the other to align the jade with the millstone. for sanding.Because sand and water must be used to open jade, it is called a water stool.Although no real objects were unearthed, the jade wares of two weeks old were in neat shape, which should have used water stools.

——For information, refer to Wu Wenqing's "Comparative Research on Artifact Craftsmanship from the Perspective of Central Plains and Chu Culture in Two Weeks" 4.4 Comparison of Jade Tools (Ph.D. Thesis of Shanxi University)