Chapter 849
The Great Han Dynasty was established, and the era name was Tianwu!
In the autumn of the seventeenth year of the Zhizheng era, Dadu City had been renovated. At the same time, with Chen Jie establishing his capital here, many Han officials and nobles, as well as ordinary people, entered Dadu City. This city, which was originally dominated by Mulan people, became a mixed city. As time goes by, in the end, this city will only have one ethnic group, that is, the Han.
However, things are quite different in Dadu these days. The streets are completely under martial law, and the seven legions of the empire have dispatched their elite troops to enforce martial law throughout the city, because today the Emperor of the Great Han, Chen Jie, Chen Jiu Si, will ascend the throne as Emperor atop Tian Shou Mountain.
This was the day that all Han Chinese people had been looking forward to the most. They had finally overthrown a century of tyranny, expelled the Tartars, and restored China.
On this day, all the civil and military officials had been waiting for a long time, and everyone was eagerly anticipating it. All departments mobilized their powers and vowed to make this grand ceremony a success.
Today's target is Tianshou Mountain outside Beijing.
At this time, Tianshou Mountain.
The remaining snow weighed down the withered pines, and the north wind seemed to be howling from the depths of hell, whipping against people's faces like knives and saws.
However, this biting chill could not freeze the solemn heat wave on the mountain path.
Before dawn, as the first light of day broke through the inky sky, the summit of Tianshou Mountain was already imbued with all the majesty and glory of the world.
This place is located at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, south of Juyong Pass, backed by the Yanshan Mountains and facing the plains.
Chen Jiu chose this place as the altar to tell this northern land that had just submitted to his iron hooves that the Mandate of Heaven had been taken back from the hands of the Mulan people and returned to the palms of the Han people.
The altar is located on a natural platform at the very top of Tianshou Mountain, and is called the "Announcement Platform".
The platform is nine zhang high and has three levels, symbolizing the "supreme status of the emperor".
The entire structure is made of white marble sourced from Fangshan, pure white and flawless, gleaming with a sacred and cool halo under the morning light.
Surrounding the platform are a circle of auspicious beasts cast in fine bronze, each the size of a water buffalo, with a luminous pearl in its mouth, which faintly emits a warm light even in the daytime.
At this moment, tens of thousands of people knelt in a dense mass below the platform, stretching from the foot of the mountain to its midsection.
This was an unprecedented grand ceremony in the wilderness.
At the very front were the nobles of Huangzhou Prefecture who had fought alongside Chen Jiu Si to establish the empire.
Duke Zhang Dingbian of Wei, Duke Chen Xiaohu of Chu, Duke Xu Da of Zhao, Duke Jin Yanzi of Rong, Duke Shi Gengming of Yue, Duke Ding Pulang of Liang... These are the names of men whose names resounded like thunder in the flames of war at the end of the Qianlong era.
At this moment, they were all dressed in high-ranking purple-red court robes and crowns, holding jade tablets, holding their breath and kneeling in the most prominent position on the left.
Although their armor had been removed, the murderous aura that emanated from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood could not be concealed by a few layers of brocade.
A mountain breeze blew by, causing the sleeves of the robe to flutter and revealing the dark gold lining of the chainmail underneath—the very color of a conqueror.
On the right are the representatives of the civil officials and the former officials of the Qian Dynasty who have been incorporated into the government. Leading them are Duke Hu Weiyong of Jing, Duke Wu Hong of Ding, and Duke Zhou Chu of Xin, followed by Earl Liu Bowen of Chengyi and Earl Li Shanchang of Jiading.
After them came some former officials of the Qian Dynasty, as well as some young talents cultivated by Huangzhou Prefecture.
Their faces were respectful, and their eyes held both anticipation for the future and a hint of barely perceptible unease.
All the civil and military officials were lined up, and just then, an old yet loud voice pierced the sky.
"Time's up!"
That was an old minister from the Ministry of Rites, who stood trembling on the corner tower of the proclamation platform, holding a jade tablet in his hand. With this shout, the birds in the mountains and forests were startled and flew up in all directions.
The sound of drums and music began.
Three hundred large drums with kui dragon patterns struck simultaneously, the deep "dong-dong" sound seeming not to be the work of human hands, but rather the breath and roar of Tianshou Mountain itself. Immediately following, five hundred phoenix flutes played in unison, their metallic sounds resonating and merging into a sonic wave that soared straight to the heavens.
Amidst the grand melody of "Flying Dragon in the Sky," Chen Jiu Si finally appeared at the top of the proclamation platform.
He did not ride in the imperial carriage, but instead climbed the ninety-nine white marble steps, which symbolized supreme power, one by one.
At this moment, Chen Jiu Si wore a twelve-tassel crown, with jade beads hanging down that covered most of his face, revealing only his square chin, which was usually etched with vicissitudes and killing intent.
He wore a black embroidered dragon robe, with the twelve symbols of the heavens and earth embroidered on it: the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and pheasants. Every stitch and every thread exuded the majesty of heaven and earth.
His steps were slow and steady. With each step he took, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians below the mountain bowed and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The sound waves surged up layer by layer, crashing against the cliff face and bouncing back, deafeningly loud.
Chen Jiu Si stopped in the very center of the proclamation platform, in front of the huge bronze cauldron.
Inside the furnace burned ambergris from Champa, its wisps of smoke rising straight into the sky, like a ladder connecting earthly emperors with celestial deities.
He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping across the land beneath his feet through the gaps in his crown.
Beiping, the former capital of the Ming Dynasty, now lies prostrate at his feet. The crisscrossing streets and the towering city walls are no longer the royal court of the barbarians, but will soon become the northern bulwark of the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, please present the jade disc."
Liu Bowen, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward carrying a sandalwood tray. On the tray lay a blue jade disc, a token used in sacrificial rites to Heaven, round on the outside and square on the inside, symbolizing the ancient Chinese concept of a round heaven and a square earth.
Chen Jiu Si held the jade disc high above his head with both hands. The cold wind ruffled his long beard, and at that moment, the eyes of this emperor, who had once been a fisherman, shone with a light more dazzling than the pearls on his crown.
"Your subject Chen Jiu Si dares to solemnly announce to the Supreme God of Heaven..."
His voice wasn't loud, and was even a little hoarse, but every word was like a hammered iron bullet, striking the hearts of everyone present.
"Your subject Chen Jiusi respectfully reports to the heavens, the sun and moon, the mountains and rivers, and the spirit chambers of all the imperial ancestors."
"Your humble servant, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the wishes of his subjects, has driven away the scourge of a century and settled the accounts of the warlords in the North and South. On the fourth day of the eighth month, he will hold a sacrifice at the summit of Tianshou Mountain."
"Proclaim to Heaven and Earth the Imperial Family, that the Great Han Dynasty is established, and the reign title is Tianwu!"
As he read the words, the civil and military officials below the stage displayed various expressions.
Zhang Dingbian recalled the many battles he had fought across the north and south, remembering how the iron hooves of the Mulan cavalry had trampled into Dadu, forcing Emperor Qianshun to flee north in panic, and how the city gate, a symbol of the Mulan cavalry's century-long glory, had collapsed in a blaze of fire. He gripped the jade tablet in his hand, his knuckles turning white. It was the empire he had won with the lives of countless brothers.
At this moment, tears welled up in Chen Xiaohu's eyes. He was leading the elders and brothers who had come with him from Mianshui. Tens of thousands of elders had died tragically in the Battle of Luoyang. Thinking of their voices and smiles, Chen Xiaohu couldn't help but shed tears. This world was built with human lives.
Xu Da's expression was complicated. He was a surrendered general who had followed Zhu Chongba. Thinking back to those days, one of his old brothers died in battle, and in the end, the world was still won by the powerful ruler in front of him, while he himself became someone else's subject. However, he thought that his elder brother in heaven would be happy to see them drive out the Tartars and complete the imperial cause.
Hu Weiyong lowered his head, silently calculating every word of today's memorial address. As the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, he knew that today was only the beginning of what was to come. Before today, the military generals were the busiest; after today, it would be the civil officials who governed the country. This Han Dynasty was built on the sacrifices of countless lives, and if he failed to govern the country well, he, as the Prime Minister, would have no face to face his fallen brothers.
Hu Weiyong, Liu Bowen, and many others were stunned at this moment.
It is the will of Heaven; from this day forward, that man will be the true emperor.
At the rear of the procession, several scholars from Jiangnan, looking at the majestic mountains and rivers of the north before them, couldn't help but shed tears.
Since the Jingkang Incident, the Han dynasty's elite migrated south, and for three hundred years, scholars in the Central Plains never ceased to yearn for restoration. Today, we finally witness the return of Han officials' majesty to Youyan (present-day Beijing and Hebei). This is not only a victory for the Chen family, but also a victory for the Confucian orthodoxy.
"...I respectfully offer this jade disc to Heaven. May you accept it!"
Chen Jiu Si solemnly placed the Cang Bi into the plate in Liu Bo Wen's hand, and then took a golden goblet handed to him by a palace attendant. The goblet was filled with aged Shaoxing rice wine, a wine from the south of the Yangtze River, used to worship the heavens of the north, carrying a special meaning.
He raised his cup and poured wine onto the earth.
In that instant, something unexpected happened.
The previously gloomy sky suddenly cleared up. A red sun broke through the clouds, its golden rays piercing the thick clouds like a sharp sword, and shining directly on the proclamation platform.
The light was so intense that everyone had to squint.
"Auspicious omens appear in the heavens! The sun shines on dragon scales!" Liu Bowen suddenly exclaimed, his voice filled with fervent devotion. "This is a sign that the true dragon emperor is on the throne!"
This shout instantly ignited the atmosphere in the entire venue.
Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians prostrated themselves and shouted again, this time with even greater unity and fervor than before. It was a heartfelt expression of awe and joy. In the eyes of the ancients, such an extraordinary phenomenon during the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven was the greatest recognition Heaven could give to the new ruler.
Bathed in golden light, Chen Jiu Si felt the warm rays penetrate his crown and fall upon his face. His eyes were slightly moist. From a fisherman from the Mian River to the supreme ruler standing atop Mount Tianshou, overlooking all people, he had walked this path for a full ten years.
"Ceremony complete! Play 'Dance of Mountains and Rivers'!"
The music changed, becoming stirring and magnificent.
Hundreds of dancers in colorful costumes emerged from both sides of the mountain path, dancing gracefully on the mountaintop, their long sleeves flowing, depicting a prosperous scene of a unified world and all nations paying tribute.
Just then, two women dressed in phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, supported by eunuchs, slowly walked up to one side of the proclamation platform.
Those were Su Yunjin and Zhao Ya, the two empresses of the Han Dynasty.
Unlike Chen Jiu Si, who walked at the forefront and basked in the spotlight, they quietly followed behind, like the most solid foundation behind this majestic imperial power.
Their phoenix crowns weighed over ten kilograms and were inlaid with countless South China Sea pearls and rubies and sapphires.
However, no matter how magnificent the crown was, it could not conceal the kindness and resilience in her eyes that had endured many storms.
Chen Jiu turned his head and glanced at his two wives. Su Yunjin, the woman who had accompanied him from Xiantao Village, had endured so much hardship and vicissitude along the way; how difficult it must have been for her to be where she was today.
Chen Jie extended his left hand, and Su Yunjin walked to his side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him. She didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly, her eyes clear as water.
Chen Jiu Si reached out and gently grasped her hand, which was hidden in the wide sleeve of his robe. That hand was not delicate; in fact, it was somewhat rough from years of labor. But at this moment, it gave the newly enthroned emperor boundless peace of mind.
Chen Jie then extended his right hand, and at that moment, the equally elegant and noble woman stepped forward. She was full of heroic spirit, with bright eyes, displaying the boldness of a woman. This former princess of the Great Qian Dynasty, now the Empress of the Great Han Dynasty, came to Chen Jie and took his hand.
These hands were strong, steady, and full of power, bringing a unique kind of excitement to Chen Jie's heart.
Chen Jie held the hands of the two empresses.
"Our rule is finally secure," Chen Jiu Si said softly, her voice lacking the solemnity of the sacrificial ceremony and instead filled with the tenderness of a husband.
"Your Majesty should keep the nation in mind and not be arrogant or extravagant," Empress Su replied softly, but her gaze fell on the thinly dressed imperial guards below the mountain. "It's just that the weather is freezing cold, and the soldiers have been kneeling for too long, which may harm their health."
Chen Jiu Si followed her gaze and a thought struck him.
"Issue the decree," Chen Jiu Si turned around and addressed Chen Chun behind him, his voice booming throughout the mountain peak, "Today's sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is a time for shared joy with the people. All accompanying officials and guards, after the ceremony, will each be given three cups of imperial wine and half a fat sheep. They will camp at the foot of the mountain and drink to their hearts' content for three days! There's no need to be bound by formalities; let me drink! Let me eat! Getting drunk and eating well is what truly brings honor to me!"
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
This time, the cheers were tinged with genuine laughter and gratitude. For these men who had risked their lives, no empty title like a marquis could compare to the sheer joy of a hearty meal of wine and meat.
The ceremony continued.
Following ancient rites, Chen Jiu Si performed the ritual of burning offerings. He threw the sacrificial cattle, sheep, and pigs, along with the blue jade disc, into the raging fire. Flames shot into the sky, thick smoke billowed, carrying the offerings of the human world to the heavens.
At this moment, Liu Bowen, who was standing to the side, calculated with his fingers again. Suddenly, his brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, turning into a long sigh.
"Why do you sigh, sir?" Although Chen Jiu Si was focused on the sacrificial ceremony, he kept an eye on his most trusted advisor.
"I am calculating the fate of the Han Dynasty," Liu Bowen said calmly. "Mount Tianshou has excellent feng shui, with a strong dragon vein. Establishing the capital here can ensure the longevity of the Ming Dynasty. However..."
"However what?" Chen Jiu Si asked.
"However, the cycle of Heaven is endless, and prosperity inevitably leads to decline. Today, Your Majesty is offering sacrifices to Heaven here and receiving the worship of all people, which is the height of prosperity. But beneath this height of prosperity often lies the greatest uncertainty. I observe that although this place is the location of the dragon vein, it is also a place of war. Hundreds of years from now, I fear there will be a disaster caused by land and water, or even the death of the monarch and the state."
Liu Bowen's voice was very soft, but to Chen Jiu Si it was like a thunderclap. The calculus of the Guiguzi lineage was indeed powerful, but since I am the emperor, what do I care about such things? They really think my Han Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty.
Chen Jiu Si looked at the magnificent landscape before him, and at his loyal subordinates and virtuous wife beside him, and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Bowen, Bowen, do you know the abilities of a terrestrial immortal?"
Liu Bowen immediately lowered his head and said, "I don't know."
Chen Jie said, "What you calculated is the destiny of the past. From now on, I am the emperor, and the world shall be unified. What danger is there in the state? From now on, I will be the supreme ruler of this world!"
Having said that, he was filled with heroic spirit, raised the heavy bronze jue, and drank it all in one gulp, facing the heavens, the earth, and his thousands of subjects.
The strong liquor burned through his throat, igniting his chest.
The winds of Tianshou Mountain continued to blow, whipping up thousands of banners and making a fluttering sound. The people of Beiping opened their windows, gazing at the crimson sky to the north, knowing that a new era had begun.
On that platform of proclamation, the emperor, who had risen through the ranks from the lowest levels, was facing the rising sun, taking his first step towards the prosperous era he had dreamed of. (End of Chapter)