Phi-Fic Chapter 1048 Visiting Lingyan Pavilion (Part 2)
Chapter 1048 Visiting Lingyan Pavilion (Part 2)
Mentioning Qian Bin immediately sombered the atmosphere of the originally joyous triumphant banquet.
No one was in the mood for drinking and chatting anymore, and the banquet ended hastily and quickly.
As promised, Li Che left behind several core generals, including Yang Zhongsi, Wang Sanchun, and Wang Hu, and led them away from the Xuanzheng Hall.
After leaving the palace, the generals soon discovered that His Majesty had not led them out of the palace, but instead turned onto the path next to the Xuanzheng Hall.
Everyone couldn't help but wonder: Shouldn't we go to the cemetery outside the city to pay our respects to Elder Qian? Why are we walking around in the palace instead?
But Li Che walked hurriedly and quickly, leaving the others bewildered, yet they had no choice but to follow.
After walking for a while, they discovered that a newly completed palace had appeared in the royal palace.
The palace was not very large, consisting of a three-story pavilion, but its architectural style was exceptionally solemn and dignified.
The eaves and brackets have rigid lines, and the whole structure is mainly made of dark stone and hardwood.
Above the palace gate hangs a large ebony plaque with gilded decorations, bearing three magnificent characters: Lingyan Pavilion!
The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, subtly conveying the spirit of war and conquest; it was personally inscribed by Emperor Li Che.
“Ling, Yan, Ge?” Yang Zhongsi murmured, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
The others were also curious, as they were unaware of the historical anecdotes surrounding the place and therefore did not know the purpose of the pavilion.
Li Che pushed open the palace door first, and the others followed him in.
The first floor is extremely spacious, with a smooth, mirror-like floor and plain white walls, supported only by a few massive beams.
There were no furnishings, as if it were a blank canvas waiting to be painted.
"Follow me upstairs." Li Che did not stop, but led everyone up to the second floor via the wooden staircase on the side.
The layout of the second floor is similar to that of the first floor, and it is equally spacious.
But the moment they reached the top of the stairs, they saw what appeared to be a white figure right in front of the stairwell!
The man was dressed in a civil official's robe, with an upright posture, standing with his hand on his sword, as if he might step down from the pedestal at any moment and speak.
"Is there an assassin?!"
"Protect the emperor! Protect the emperor!"
Generals Wang Sanchun and Wang Hu instinctively stepped forward, firmly protecting Li Che behind them, their hands already on their waists.
Li Che chuckled and patted their tense shoulders, saying, "Don't make a sound. Make sure you see who they are."
Upon hearing this, everyone suppressed their shock and focused their attention on the matter.
Upon seeing this, many people gasped in shock.
The statue's face... seemed increasingly familiar the more you looked at it!
"Lord Qin... Lord Qin?!" Wang Hu was the first to exclaim in disbelief.
"It's Qin Jing! Qin Jing, the envoy to Goryeo?!"
"My God... this, this is carved from stone? How come it looks like it's come to life?!" Wang Sanchun was also stunned.
He walked halfway around the statue, reaching out to touch it but not daring to: "Brother Qin? Is it really you? What kind of divine magic pulled you back from the underworld?"
The figure before him was Qin Jing, whose face was lifelike, his beard and hair were vivid, and even the patterns on his official robe were clearly discernible.
Bathed in the sunlight streaming through the high windows, it gleamed with a warm, white luster, revealing itself to be a white marble statue as tall as a person!
When everyone came to their senses, they realized that this was not a real person.
But that's precisely why it's so awe-inspiring!
They had seen portraits by painters and clay and wood sculptures, but had they ever seen such lifelike sculpting techniques?
The sharpness in his eyes, his overall demeanor, and even the determination at the corner of his mouth were all captured perfectly!
Li Che stood aside, watching the astonished expressions of his generals, a smile appearing on his lips.
Qin Jing has been dead for so many years, and there is no portrait of him left in his family. The fact that he could do this to such an extent is entirely due to his own and Alvaro's oral accounts.
It took countless revisions to finally carve it so lifelike, capturing about 80-90% of Qin Jing's appearance.
The day the sculpture was completed, he immediately sent someone to the Qin residence to invite the old lady over. The moment the old lady saw the sculpture, tears streamed down her face.
"This pavilion is named Lingyan Pavilion." Li Che's voice echoed in the spacious two-story hall. "I established this pavilion to enshrine the deceased meritorious officials of my Great Qing Dynasty."
"In the future, whenever a meritorious official dies, I will order skilled craftsmen to sculpt a stone statue of this size for him using Western realistic sculpting techniques. The statue will be placed in the pavilion and offered incense and sacrifices by the royal family throughout the four seasons."
"His achievements and life story are engraved on the wall, so that future generations and emperors of all dynasties can come in to pay their respects, remember the hardships of founding our nation, and recall the heroic spirit of our ancestors!"
The crowd was deeply moved, their hearts surging with emotion.
They were all warriors who had risked their lives, and although they were not afraid of death, who would not hope to leave their name in history and not be forgotten by future generations?
The emperor's actions went far beyond simply making a name for himself in history.
This is to eternally record their image beside the center of imperial power, binding it with royal sacrifices, and having it worshipped by future monarchs.
This glory behind him surpasses the limits that any martial artist could ever imagine!
Wang Sanchun was so excited that his pockmarked face was glowing, and Wang Hu was once again moved to tears.
Yang Zhongsi stroked his long beard, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
Your Majesty treats meritorious officials in this way; how can your subjects not devote themselves to serving you to the death?
Li Che paused briefly before continuing, "These two floors are for ministers who have rendered great service to the country. General Qin was on a diplomatic mission and unfortunately died. His loyalty and bravery are commendable, so he should occupy this position."
“Those who made great contributions to protecting Daqing are depicted on the third floor, and Master Qian is on the third floor.”
"Come with me."
Everyone composed themselves and followed Li Che up the last flight of stairs.
The third floor is slightly smaller than the second floor, and the furnishings are simpler and more dignified.
In front of the wall directly opposite the staircase, there is a slightly raised stone base and incense table, with wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner.
All eyes fell on the base, and everyone's breath caught in their throats.
There, an old man stood quietly.
He was dressed in ordinary civil official's uniform, with a lean face, gentle eyes, and a familiar smile on his lips.
One hand is raised as if pointing at something, while the other hand holds a scroll, as if he is still standing in front of everyone.
The marble's delicate texture perfectly recreates the details of the old man's face, including deep wrinkles and graying hair...
He stood there as if he had never left, but had only temporarily paused his audience with the emperor, gazing gently at these young generals who had returned weary from their journey.
Unlike the shock they felt upon seeing Qin Jing's portrait, everyone's hearts tightened immediately, and grief welled up within them.
Qin Jing's sacrifice was heroic and admirable, but after all, the time they spent together was relatively short.
Qian Bin was an elder they all knew.
He would tug at his beard and try to find a solution when they were short of food; he would scold them sternly when they made mistakes; and he would encourage them with a smile when they made contributions.
“Qian…Old Qian…” Wang Hu was the first to sob.
Upon seeing such a lifelike statue, this fierce and valiant man could no longer contain his emotions and knelt down with a thud.
Wang Sanchun and the others also looked sorrowful and solemnly bowed.