The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

The sun had fully risen over the eastern mountains, while the bright moon still hung high in the western sky. The light of the sun and moon shone together at this moment, gilding his tall figure with double radiance. Before dawn, the clouds were as vast as the sea.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated atop Liangfu Mountain.

This sacred mountain, which carries the memories of the Qin and Han emperors' Fengshan ceremonies, reveals its vast and desolate outline in the dim light.

The Fengchan Terrace was built along the mountainside. The three-tiered circular altar symbolizes the roundness of heaven and is constructed of blue-white stone. Each tier is nine feet high, representing the ultimate number of nine.

The white marble steps lead upwards, each step carved with patterns of the sun, moon, and stars.

Twelve bronze torches are arranged around the altar, with pine torches burning brightly inside. The leaping flames illuminate the sun, moon, and star patterns carved on the platform base.

Smoke rises straight up, mingling with the morning mist in the mountains, creating streaks of fog that cast ever-changing shadows on the jade steps.

Twelve bronze incense burners surround the altar, with pine torches burning fiercely inside. The leaping flames illuminate the sun, moon, and star patterns carved on the platform base, making them clearly visible. The smoke from the incense burners intertwines with the mountain mist, casting ever-changing shadows on the jade steps.

From the foot of the mountain to the summit, tens of thousands of armored soldiers stood solemnly along the majestic mountain range.

The cold iron armor, reflecting the first rays of dawn, resembled coiled dragons winding through the mountains.

The red tassels on the helmet trembled gently in the breeze, forming an endless red ripple.

Every ten steps there is a bright red sun and moon flag, fluttering in the rising mountain breeze.

The armored vehicle, bathed in the first rays of dawn, seemed to drape this ancient and sacred mountain in a snow-white cloak.

The civil and military officials stood on either side.

The civil official wore a deep robe and a wide belt, with a scholar's cap on his head and an ivory tablet in his hand.

The military officer, dressed in bright armor and with a gold fish tally hanging from his waist, stood with his hand on his sword.

They lined up from below the altar all the way to the South Heavenly Gate, their faces covered in morning dew, yet no one raised a hand to wipe it away.

The crane cloak of the Korean envoy, the coral crown of the Ryukyu tribute envoy, and the unicorn-patterned official robe of the Vietnamese envoy appeared and disappeared among the crowd, and the gold threads on the exotic costumes flowed slowly in the dim light.

Chen Wang wore a twelve-tassel crown with jade beads hanging down his shoulders, and his black robe and yellow skirt were embroidered with the twelve symbols of dragons and pheasants.

As the first rays of sunlight crossed the eastern mountain, they fell precisely on him, dispelling the chill of the morning. A mountain breeze swept by, carrying the scent of pine resin and sandalwood, like a gentle caress from the gods.

Chen Wang wore a twelve-tassel crown, with strings of white jade beads hanging down to his shoulders, swaying gently in the mountain breeze.

The black robe and crimson skirt were embroidered with the twelve symbols of mountains, dragons, and pheasants, which was the highest standard for the emperor's ceremonial robes since Emperor Shun.

Alone, he stood at the foot of the jade steps of the Fengchan Terrace.

As the sun rose, the gentle morning sunlight fell on Chen Wang, dispelling the lingering chill.

A mountain breeze carries the scent of pine resin and sandalwood from the incense burner, like an invisible, divine comfort.

All that remains is a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Nine years of fighting, nine years of ups and downs.

Nine years of cold and heat, nine seasons of change.

The flames of war and the mountains of corpses and seas of blood of the past have now been transformed into the vast land beneath our feet.

With peace and tranquility throughout the land, the majesty of the Celestial Empire spreads far and wide, and the entire territory of the Nine Provinces is under its rule.

The sky shines, and the east gradually turns red.

As the red sun emerged from the sea of ​​clouds, grand ceremonial music resounded.

The bells and chimes resounded together, and the sheng and xiao played in unison—this was the ancient music played when emperors ascended the throne throughout history.

As the sun rises, its golden rays, like swords, pierce through layers of clouds and pour down in all directions.

Accompanied by the master of ceremonies' shouts.

The armor clanged like thunder, and the red tassels surged like the sea.

"Long live!"

The roar of shouts filled the heavens and earth in an instant, echoing endlessly among the peaks.

Chen Wang slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, raised his head, lifted his foot, and stepped onto the steps leading to the Fengchan Platform.

Step by step, he slowly climbed the steps, his steps steady and firm.

Memories surged in like a gentle tide.
Chongzhen eight years.

He arrived in this hopeless apocalypse.

All that could be seen was desolation and bleakness.

The bones are exposed in the wild, and there is no cock crowing for thousands of miles.

The trees were withered and sparse, showing no sign of life.

The grass and stones were withered and lifeless, and the whole world was gloomy.

In the Battle of Chunhua, a lone force broke through the rebel forces and advanced guerrilla warfare.

The wide belt around her waist was adorned with jade pendants, which made a crisp clinking sound with every step.

One step after another.

Nine years.

In the Battle of Hanzhong, the enemy was crushed in the field.

He captured and executed Gao Yingxiang, and took control of Hanzhong.

They established an ordnance bureau, reformed garrisons, embarked on large-scale construction projects, and set their sights on Dingjun Mountain.

The dew on the stone steps gradually evaporated, and the view at the top of the altar became clearer and clearer.

The flames inside the bronze cauldron flickered in the morning breeze, casting Chen Wang's shadow on the jade steps, which stretched further with each step he took.

ten years.

To quell the rebellion and govern the country, we must strengthen our military and prepare for war.

Chen Wang looked up and gazed at the towering top of the altar.

His position was slowly rising as he walked, and the top of the altar in front of him gradually became clearer.

The music grew increasingly solemn, with the chime bells and sheng and xiao playing in harmony, the ancient melodies carrying a thousand-year-old tradition.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites stood respectfully below the platform, their scarlet court robes billowing slightly in the wind.

Eleven years.

Go north to King Qin.

The elite troops of Zhending rushed to attack Jiazhuang and were dispatched to reinforce Jinan.

The great battle was fought at Qingshan Pass, and their fame spread throughout the world.

Chen Wang kept his eyes straight ahead, the hem of his imperial robe brushing against the dew that had condensed on the stone steps, leaving dark watermarks.

The sun and moon patterns embroidered on his shoulder rose and fell gently with his breath, as if they were truly alive.

Twelve years.

He returned south to suppress the rebellion, was given the seal of General Who Pacifies the Bandits, assisted in supervising the suppression efforts, and commanded various garrisons.

Thirteen years.

He marched into Henan, took command of the Henan military, drove out the peasant army, and strode into the Central Plains like a tiger.

The mountain mists swirled beneath his feet, and the firelight on the altar stretched Chen Wang's shadow into an ever-longer silhouette.

Fourteen years.

The fall of the South shocked the world.

He recaptured Xiangyang, conquered Xuzhou, and his power dominated the southern regions.

fifteen years.

The Jurchens marched south, and their army of ten thousand people wreaked havoc on the southern lands.

He conquered Fengyang, seized Jianghuai, and dominated the entire land.

When Chen Wang stepped onto the last step, the entire mountain suddenly fell silent.

Even the wind seemed to have stopped blowing, with only the occasional soft crackling sound of the pine resin in the cauldron.

And in the sixteenth year of Chongzhen's reign.

In the Battle of Yangzhou, they defeated a 400,000-strong militia army.

In the Battle of Jining, they decisively defeated 200,000 Qing troops in the field.

The Duke of Jin and Yan, holding the title of Duke, ruled the entire realm.

Their military might was unstoppable; within a month, their divine troops swept through the lands of Sichuan and Shaanxi, recapturing their lost territories.

He was granted nine additional honors by the Prince of Yan, and was given the authority to command troops, sword, and shoes to enter the palace. He was not required to hasten his arrival in court, and was not allowed to be named when being praised or worshipped.

To conquer the world, to dominate the nine provinces, and to awe all nations.

Thousands of golden rays pierced through the jade beaded string, casting dappled light and shadow on Chen Wang's face.

The gold threads on the black and crimson robes shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

The thunderous shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed once more from below the altar.

"Long live!!"

The enormous roar shook the snow off the pine branches, startling flocks of birds that soared through the sea of ​​clouds and flew towards the rising sun.

On the Fengchan Platform, Chen Wang stood alone.

The turbulent emotions in my heart have subsided.

The sea of ​​clouds is calm and serene, and the sky is already bright.

The rising sun in the east bursts forth, casting a warm golden glow.

The bright moon in the west had not yet disappeared, casting a cool, silvery light.

Golden and clear light intertwined in the sky, rendering the entire sky a magnificent glazed color.

The blazing sunlight illuminated every contour of the vast land.

The bright moonlight gently caressed every inch of the land.

On the altar, Chen Wang's figure was simultaneously bathed in two kinds of light.

The golden light of the rising sun bathed him in a sacred glow, illuminating the sun pattern embroidered in gold thread on his black robe. The clear moonlight outlined his serene face, making the moon pattern woven in silver thread on his crimson skirt shimmer with a soft sheen.

Wherever the sunlight reaches, the mountains and rivers are bathed in golden light.

Distant mountains are like dark eyebrows, nearby waters are shrouded in mist, and newly sprouted rice seedlings in the fields stretch out under the sunlight.

Wisps of smoke rose from the city walls in the morning light.

This is a golden age that is awakening, and every place is brimming with vitality.

Under the moonlight, everything is bathed in its gentle glow.

The morning dew in the forest shimmered with crystal, the texture of the stone steps was revealed to be delicate, and even the inscriptions on the bronze cauldron of the altar appeared exceptionally clear under the gentle caress of the moonlight.

This is an ancient country with thousands of years of civilization, and every place here holds a story.

The sun and moon shine together under the same sky, illuminating the vast land!

On the Fengchan Platform, wisps of smoke rise from the bronze cauldron used for sacrifices.

Smoke swirled and rose in the morning light, casting dappled shadows on the jade ground, like the marks of time.

The ancient thunder patterns on the cauldron are faintly visible in the sunlight, as if telling the story of a thousand years of vicissitudes.

Chen Wang slowly unfolded the jade tablet in his hand.

The jade tablet gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight, and the seal script on it was vigorous and powerful.

Chen Wang did not bow according to ancient etiquette, but instead stood upright.

The sun and moon patterns on the imperial robes shone brightly under the double radiance.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, dare to use a black steed, and hereby announce this to Your Majesty:"

Chen Wang's voice was clear and resonant, echoing among the mountains.

"The Ming Dynasty has ruled for three hundred years, but its virtue has declined."

"Disaster struck from the heavens, the nine regions collapsed, barbarians coveted the throne, and the people were plunged into misery."

“The stars indicate change, disasters occur repeatedly, rivers and mountains shake, and the world is thrown into chaos.”

“By consulting divination and apocryphal texts and examining celestial phenomena, we know that the element of fire has reached its end, and this has been observed in the Yan residence.”

The banners around the altar fluttered in the wind, as if echoing these words.

"Emperor Longwu possessed virtue and a humble spirit, had compassion for the common people, followed the glorious path of Tang and Yu, and passed on the imperial power to future generations."

"Your subject fears the majesty of Heaven and is apprehensive about the plight of the people. Although I have received the imperial edict, I dare not accept it hastily. I declined it three times but to no avail."

Chen Wang's voice was steady and powerful, each word seemingly etched between heaven and earth.

“The high officials, ministers, and envoys from vassal states all said: Heaven’s voice is the voice of our people; how can the imperial throne be left vacant? The millions are filled with trepidation, awaiting the new mandate.”

"Your subject respectfully observes the celestial phenomena and follows the established rules. The divination by tortoise shell and yarrow stalks is auspicious, and the signs indicate great fortune; the rites and music are renewed, and the righteousness aligns with the changing destiny of Heaven."

“He led the workers to the Purple Gold Altar, received the Imperial Seal, inherited the Heavenly Mandate, and reported the success to the Supreme God.”

The resounding music, the clear chimes, the melodious sheng and xiao, all harmonized with Chen Wang's recitation.

Birds and beasts echoed in response, a sudden mountain wind arose, and countless flags fluttered in the wind.

Chen Wang's gaze was firm, and he raised his voice again, so loudly that it overwhelmed all the natural sounds in the world, clearly reaching the ears of all the civil and military officials below the Fengchan Platform.

"I humbly beseech the divine spirit to bestow upon this virtuous rule, and to grant eternal peace to all people and prosperity to our new nation!"

"Only the bright spirit can offer this."

As Chen Wang's last words faded away.

The sounds of the ritual music reached their peak at this moment, and then suddenly stopped.

Between heaven and earth, only the fierce mountain wind, the sound of flags fluttering, and the undulating forest remained.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!!!"

The rousing sound of war drums then rang out.

Ninety-nine war drums sounded simultaneously, their powerful drumbeats shaking the heavens and the earth.

A huge horn then sounded, its desolate and powerful sound echoing through the mountains.

It completely replaced the solemn rituals and music that had just been performed.

The drummers were shirtless, their bronze skin gleaming in the sunlight, their strong arms wielding drumsticks, each strike causing the drumhead to vibrate violently.

The trumpeters, heads held high, veins bulging on their necks, played ancient melodies passed down for thousands of years.

The deep, resonant drumbeats and the desolate horn sounds were far more stirring than the sounds of the chime bells and ritual music.

For thousands of years, whenever foreign cavalry breached the passes and marched south, the descendants of Yan and Huang would beat this powerful war drum and blow this clarion call to action.

Wherever the drums resounded, there were always Han soldiers who, undaunted by life or death, would take up their weapons and face north, to die with their heads turned north.

Amidst the mournful bugle calls, heroes of China always stand in formation to welcome them, forging towering passes with their blood and flesh to protect the Chinese bloodline and ensure its continued transmission.

Every drumbeat speaks of the indomitable spirit of this nation.

Every bugle call proclaims the eternal dignity of this land.

Throughout the long river of history, it is precisely these war drums and bugles that have resonated.

Time and again, the dormant power has been awakened, making Chinese civilization more resilient in the face of calamities and constantly reborn in the face of storms.

now.

As the last bugle call echoed through the valley, the lingering sound of the war drums still reverberated among the peaks.

The sound of pine trees rustling in the wind, like the rising tide of the sea, swept over the majestic Fengchan Terrace and also brushed against the solemn faces of the thousands of generals and civil and military officials below.

Countless eyes, burning with fervor and awe, gazed together at the towering white altar and the single figure atop it.

Chen Wang stood in the center of the altar, the mountain wind both sharp and refreshing.

Chen Wang lowered his gaze and stared at the black and gold cup in the center of the altar, which symbolized the nation's mountains and rivers.

The patterns on the golden dragon shimmered with a dark golden glow in the sunlight, as if they were swimming within it.

Chen Wang slowly stretched out his hands and firmly grasped the heavy vessel that carried the fate of the nation.

Then, he slowly raised it, holding the golden cup towards the sky.

"call--"

The mountain winds grew even stronger at this moment.

The distant mountains seemed to be responding to this scene.

Her dark, wide sleeves billowed like clouds hanging from the sky, fluttering violently in the wind.

The sun rises slowly, while the bright moon still hangs high in the sky.

The light of the sun and moon shone brightly at this moment.

"I!"

The sound waves swept through, drowning out the sound of the pines rustling in the mountains and forests.

"Emperor Chen Wang".

"By the mandate of Heaven, we look forward to a brighter future."

"Holding weapons to pacify the four seas, waving banners to cleanse the eight directions."

"Now that all the villains have been wiped out, China will regain its glory."

Chen Wang's gaze was as firm as iron, and his heart as solid as a rock.

"Establish a nation, the Great Chen!"

"Emperor Jianyuan, Majestic Splendor!"

May our Chinese nation shine with glory for eternity!

Chen Wang's deep voice echoed between heaven and earth with the mountain wind, reaching everyone's ears.

"Chen refers to the North Star!"

"The North Star Purple Palace is the pivot of heaven!"

Chen Wang gripped the golden cup in his hand and spoke eloquently.

"Governing with virtue is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it; this is what is meant by 'Chen' (宸)!"

"The glory of the Han and Tang dynasties is now a thing of the past; our achievements will surely surpass those of the ancients!"

"The territory of the Great Chen Dynasty shall be boundless and limitless!"

"The might of the Great Emperor should shine as brightly as the sun and moon!"

Her wide sleeves were fully extended, like a phoenix spreading its wings.

Chen Wang's voice was as loud as a bell.

"From this day forward, the order of the world shall be determined by the Great Chen Dynasty, and the norms of all nations shall be based on China!"

"I, inheriting the legacy of military might, will conquer the disobedient and expand our territory to ten thousand miles, achieving unparalleled feats!"

"Reorganize the six armies, personally carry out the Heavenly Punishment, pacify the four seas, and crush the rebellious!"

"It will surely make the glorious might of Heaven spread far and wide, and its illustrious teachings cover the entire world!"

"All living beings with blood and breath respect and love their parents; all things, including the sun and moon, shine upon them!"

"Wherever the wind and rain blow, it is all the land of the Great Chen; wherever the rivers flow, they are all bathed in the winds of China!"

"Let the world know that the glorious China is no longer the slumbering nation of the past, but has become the thunder of our time!"

The sound faded, the wind stopped, and all was silent.

Only the supreme voice echoed among the mountains.

Below the Fengchan Terrace.

The historian slowly put down his pen:

"The glory of the land signifies the majesty and splendor of China."

"The sun and moon shine together, proclaiming the mandate of heaven to which all generations shall belong!" (End of Chapter)