Chaos of the Three Kingdoms Summons

Chapter 2773 Xuan Ye Performs a Dance, the King of Dance of Luoyang

In the sweltering heat of Luoyang in midsummer, the air was thick with an unprecedented dryness.

This heat doesn't just come from the weather, but from the boiling and bustling atmosphere of the entire capital city.

After unifying the world, in recent years, the Northern Protectorate has taken over Southeast Asia, seized the peninsula, restored Liang and Xi, conquered South Asia, and launched four expeditions beyond the Great Wall. The entire grassland north of Youzhou has fallen under the jurisdiction of the Northern Protectorate.

The world was unified, and all the world submitted to the emperor. What a magnificent achievement this was!

Today, Aisin-Gioro Xuanye, the ruler of the Manchu Qing dynasty, a vassal state from the northeastern grasslands, will personally come to the capital to pay homage and follow His Majesty the Emperor to Mount Tai to participate in the grand Fengshan ceremony.

Both sides of the Imperial Street were already packed with enthusiastic Luoyang residents.

People eagerly awaited the arrival of the legendary emperor of the grasslands, eager to see for themselves what he looked like.

"I'm coming!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd instantly stirred.

In the distance, banners fluttered, and a procession dressed in attire quite different from that of the Central Plains slowly approached.

At the heart of the procession sat an emperor dressed in Manchu imperial robes, wearing a warm hat, with a slightly slender figure and a calm, reserved gaze, seated in a magnificent carriage.

Although this emperor was also old, one could still vaguely see his former heroic bearing.

The only bad thing is that the hair at the back of her head is tied into a pig's tail!

His expression was calm, even with a touch of just the right amount of respect, as he surveyed this Han imperial capital, which was many times more prosperous and magnificent than Shengjing.

The glazed tiles reflected golden light in the sunlight, and the majestic palace walls seemed to pierce the clouds.

An invisible, centuries-old aura of the Celestial Empire washed over him, quietly transforming the last trace of resentment and humiliation in his heart into deep awe and helplessness.

This is the Central Plains, this is the Celestial Empire.

The atmosphere inside the Linde Hall was solemn and dignified.

Li Xiang sat high on the dragon throne, looking with great interest towards the palace gate.

The Manchu Qing dynasty had been a vassal state of the Great Jin for many years, but it was Zhang Yi who repeatedly traveled to the grasslands to relay the imperial edicts.

Strictly speaking, this was the first time the two of them had met.

Over the years, the Qing dynasty has proven to be a very effective weapon.

Starting from the first time Wei Qing and Huo Qubing destroyed the Muqali Khanate and the Tuoba Khanate, Li Xiang led the Manchus on four separate expeditions beyond the Great Wall.

Xuan Ye's strength was his ability to endure, but his weakness was the same.

Everything is a double-edged sword, and the word "patience" is no exception.

Having arrived at the palace gate, Xuan Ye took a deep breath, cleared his mind of all distractions, and stepped into the hall with the most standard etiquette of a vassal, bowing deeply, his voice clear and steady.

"Your subject, Aisin-Gioro Xuanye, the ruler of the vassal state of Qing, pays homage to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Inside the hall, the officials stared intently at the steppe overlord who had "voluntarily" submitted.

"Rise," Li Xiang said, waving his hand.

"Your Majesty has come from afar; you must be tired. I have heard that the Eight Banners cavalry of your Qing Kingdom are quite valiant in the eastern grasslands?"

Xuan Ye rose and bowed his head in response: "Your Majesty, our country's meager strength relies entirely on the divine protection of the Celestial Empire, and we dare not claim to be valiant."

"In the past, we were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, unaware of the vastness of Heaven's might. Now, thanks to His Majesty's benevolence in granting us submission, we realize the vastness of the world and the virtue of the Celestial Empire." "Xuan Ye's journey here is for three reasons: first, to express gratitude for Heaven's grace; second, to follow His Majesty in performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai and be bathed in its splendor; and third... to lead the entire Manchu clan to forever serve as the northern bulwark of the Celestial Empire, swearing to be loyal to the death!"

Xuan Ye's words were truly brilliant, almost flawless!

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang's smile widened even more. He suddenly seemed to recall something amusing, leaned forward slightly, and asked the other person in an almost casual tone.

"I have also heard that the Qing emperor is not only well-versed in Han studies and skilled in riding and archery, but also... quite adept at dancing? It is said that on your grasslands, dance is used to express feelings during every celebration. Is this true?"

Li Xiang's question was abrupt, and even somewhat frivolous.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Some of the more experienced and prudent ministers frowned slightly, feeling that His Majesty's actions seemed somewhat... ironic.
But many ministers and generals wore amused smiles, waiting to see what would happen.

Suppressing the arrogance of the vassal lords and demonstrating the authority of the Celestial Empire was the natural course of action, but the method was so unusual.

In recent years, the Great Jin Dynasty has won a series of victories, and it still feels a sense of superiority over the grasslands, even towards the Qing Dynasty rulers.

What's wrong with asking him to dance?
Doesn't their Great Jin emperor have the right to do so?
Xuan Ye's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, and the expressions of the Manchu followers behind him changed drastically, their hands instinctively reaching for their waists.

However, their weapons were naturally confiscated before they entered the main hall.

A subject should die for his lord's honor, but to have the ruler of a nation perform a dance in front of such a large audience? This is simply... an utter disgrace!
Xuan Ye lowered his head even further, and no one could see the intense struggle and humiliation in his eyes.

But in just a moment, his clenched fist slowly loosened.

The disparity in strength is immense, like heaven and earth. Survival is far more important than saving face.

When he looked up again, his face was calm and even showed a hint of honor.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I have indeed learned some rudimentary dance skills. It is a shamanic blessing dance of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, which means to respect Heaven and ancestors, and to be respectful and peaceful."

"If Your Majesty does not reject it, Xuan Ye is willing to use this dance to celebrate Your Majesty and the Celestial Dynasty, and to congratulate Your Majesty on the successful completion of the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai!"

"Excellent!" Li Xiang clapped his hands and laughed. "Then today I will enjoy the Qing Emperor's dance with all my ministers!"

Soon, a space was cleared out in the hall, and a clever eunuch ordered the musicians to play drum music with a grassland flavor.

Xuan Ye removed the outer robe that symbolized his imperial status, leaving him in only a tight-fitting brocade robe.

He walked into the hall and began to dance slowly to the beat of the drums.

His movements were not graceful, but rather carried a unique strength and vigor of the grasslands, imitating the soaring wings of an eagle and the galloping of a horse, while also possessing the mysterious ritualistic feel of shamanic dance.

After the dance ended, Xuan Ye, slightly out of breath, bowed to the throne once more.

Li Xiang concealed the hint of murderous intent in the corner of his eye, then burst into laughter.

"Excellent! Well done! I never imagined that the Qing Emperor possessed such a unique skill! I am extremely pleased today!"

"I see your dance moves are graceful and bold, quite like those of a king of the grasslands... Hmm, I shall bestow upon you a title: King of Dance of Luoyang! What do you say?"

"The King of Dance in Luoyang"?
The people in the hall were stunned for a moment, then burst into suppressed laughter.

This title... is too childish and too humiliating, isn't it?

However, many generals and civil officials did not feel that there was anything wrong with it.

Xuan Ye's cheek twitched slightly, but he immediately knelt down again, his voice loud and clear, even tinged with gratitude.

"Xuan Ye, thank you for your grace! Your Majesty has personally bestowed upon me the title of King of Dance in Luoyang, which is the highest honor for me! I will always remember Your Majesty's kindness!"