People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1760: The day of accession: Carp leaping in groups, rainbow like a bridge
Early in the morning, the dawn is glimmering.

In the Manna Palace.

Li Xuan and Liu Jinyu stood in the hall at the same time, with their arms open, allowing the eunuchs and palace maids to help them tidy up their clothes.

The gorgeous crown with golden dragon embroidered on it was so complicated that it was impossible for one person to handle it.

Finally, the white jade crown with twelve tassels was carefully placed on Li Xuan's head by the eunuch.

Dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe, a white jade crown with twelve tassels on his head, a golden armor on his chest, and a white jade sword hanging from his waist, Li Xuan looked particularly heroic with a solemn expression.

Li Xuan turned sideways and looked at Liu Jinyu, who was wearing an extremely gorgeous phoenix robe, looking particularly luxurious.

Li Xuan stretched out his right hand, Liu Jinyu stretched out his left hand, and the couple held hands at the same time. In an instant, the door of Ganlu Hall opened.

The thunderous sound of ceremonial music suddenly rang out inside and outside the palace.

……

Six tall horses pulled the luxurious emperor's dragon chariot out of the Suzaku Gate and headed straight for the Temple of Heaven.

On Zhuquemen Street, countless Jinwu Guards in red clothes and golden armor were holding long spears, and red flags were erected on both sides of the street.

More people kowtowed on the streets further back, chanting, "Long live your majesty, long live the Tang Dynasty!"

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the curfew in Chang'an City was lifted.

Almost every household hung red lanterns, and the sound of firecrackers could be heard one after another.

When you get up in the morning and look down at the night sky, everything is as beautiful as the Milky Way.

On Zhuque Street, every household was draped in golden silk, looking extremely solemn and dignified.

Thousands of cows lead the way, and colorful flags flutter in the wind.

The musical instruments are loud and clear, and the sound attracts attention from all directions.

The procession, which was attended by countless royal family members, hundreds of officials, military generals, a hundred provincial governors, foreign envoys, local elders, and scholars from the Imperial Academy, stretched across the entire Suzaku Street.

Even though the dragon chariot had already come out of the Mingde Gate, there were still people behind it who had just walked out of the Suzaku Gate.

The emperor's enthronement ceremony is the most important event in the world.

Even since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, only three coronation ceremonies have been held.

Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, and Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi.

Li Xian, Li Dan, and even Empress Wu and Li Chongjun were unable to complete all the enthronement ceremonies.

Although they had called themselves emperors, in reality all the rituals had not been completed.

Li Xian, Li Dan, and Li Chongjun all had orderly successions, so they naturally did not need to worry about any rituals. However, Empress Wu and Li Xuan had to pay more attention to the perfection of etiquette.

Especially Li Xuan. The throne was transferred from Li Shimin's line to his line. Although all the details can be explained, he was not the heir after all. People in the world can always find a reason to say something about it, and even ambitious people can start a rebellion because of it.

Therefore, the perfection of etiquette is extremely important to Li Xuan.

Once all the coronation ceremonies are completed, he will become the most legitimate emperor in the world, whether people in the world like it or not.

Just like Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan.

Li Yuan's throne was passed down from the abdication of Emperor Gong of Sui, Yang You.

After completing the formal coronation ceremony, Li Yuan became the most legitimate emperor in the world.

Although this did not have much direct effect on the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, it did win the hearts of the people in the world over to Li Yuan to the greatest extent.

The same goes for Li Xuan. After completing the coronation ceremony, he became the most orthodox emperor in the world.

He has done the best he can in terms of etiquette.

If at this time, someone rises up against him again, that would be just a rebellion by those people and would have nothing to do with orthodoxy.

Even if Li Xuan raised troops and killed people, he was suppressing the rebellion.

……

Above the Temple of Heaven in the southern suburbs, ritual music is loud and clear.

Countless royal family members, hundreds of officials, a hundred provincial governors from the local areas, as well as the empress, the crown prince, various kings and princesses, local elders, and scholars from the Imperial Academy all looked up.

Under the watchful eyes of the public, Li Xuan came to the top floor of the Temple of Heaven holding the imperial seal in his hand.

Under the vast sky, there is a sense of desolation and emptiness.

At the moment when Li Xuan placed the imperial seal on the altar, thick green smoke rose from the southeast corner of the Temple of Heaven and then rushed straight into the sky.

Countless cloths, cattle, sheep and all kinds of sacrifices were thrown into the round tripod and turned into thick smoke, which informed the heaven as the emperor, who was holding the imperial seal and offering sacrifices to heaven.

Standing on the Temple of Heaven, with the infinite sky above his head and the imperial seal engraved with "Mandate from Heaven, May you live long and prosper" at his hand, and countless royal family members, officials, local elders, scholars from the Imperial Academy, and foreign envoys behind him, Li Xuan's breathing subconsciously slowed down.

Finally, Li Xuan reached out and picked up the imperial seal on the table, bowed three times to the sky, and then began to recite the sacrificial prayer: "In the second year of Kaiyuan, the year of Bingxu, the first month of Jichou, the first day of the first lunar month, the day of Wuwu, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

I have heard that the Emperor respects heaven and earth and worships mountains and rivers.

It is a common etiquette throughout the ages.

The rivers and seas are the largest of all rivers, and there is no shrine without them.

Today, I, the ministers of the mountains and rivers of the earth and the emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty, dare to declare to the God of Heaven: I am ignorant and unable to understand the truth, so I have been blessed with your grace to make me a divine master.

The annual affairs are performed with rites, and the mountains, rivers, seas, and Luo rivers of the four seasons are used; the annual sacrifices are performed with dried meat and wine, and the heads of calves are raised in different numbers, and the sacrificial utensils, jade coins, and other items are different.

Now that the suburbs have just been settled and the chief minister is in Chen, I would like to offer various sacrifices and various items, hoping that you will perform sacrifices and burn incense to show my utmost sincerity.

Pray for a good harvest for the world and for heaven and earth to work together.

I wish the Tang Dynasty will last forever.

Emperor Gaozu Wu is worthy of being ruled by God, please enjoy the feast! "

After Li Xuan finished reading, he couldn't help but bow slightly, and instantly there was a solemn atmosphere between heaven and earth.

Immediately, all the officials in the four fields shouted in unison: "Enjoy the feast! Enjoy the feast!"

Li Xuan bowed solemnly again and said: "May heaven and earth work together to bring prosperity to the world, and may the Tang Dynasty and heaven and earth last forever."

All officials and envoys from all over the country bowed at the same time: "May heaven and earth work together to bring prosperity to the world, and may the Tang Dynasty last forever, as well as heaven and earth and the emperor."

"The ceremony is over, stand up!" Lin Renji, the Minister of Taichang Temple, and Wei Xuantong, the Minister of Rites, shouted to the ministers at the same time.

"Your Majesty, may the throne last forever, and the country and the empire will last forever." The ministers kowtowed again, and then slowly stood up.

Looking at Li Xuan slowly walking down from the Temple of Heaven, the ministers looked solemn and respectful.

……

Li Xuan sat in the dragon chariot holding the imperial seal in his hand. He offered sacrifices to the world and the country before returning to the Taiji Palace.

The Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Earth in the distance, and even the Xianling Mausoleum, Zhaoling Mausoleum, Qianling Mausoleum, and Dingling Mausoleum farther away, were all ablaze at this moment.

Countless jades, silks, sacrifices, calf jerky and wine were thrown into the cauldron, which turned into wisps of green smoke that reached heaven and earth.

Finally, a thick green smoke rose from the Taimiao and rushed straight up to the sky.

Countless Chang'an citizens knelt on the ground and shouted, "Your Majesty, may the throne last forever, and may the country and the empire last forever."

The loud roar went straight into the sky along with the thick smoke, and amid the loud roar, Li Xuan also came from the Taimiao to the front of Taiji Gate.

The dragon chariot stopped, and Li Xuan and Liu Jinyu also switched to the walking chariot.

Inside the Taiji Gate, all officials above the ninth rank in Chang'an stood solemnly on both sides of the square. Officials of higher ranks, members of the royal family, and foreign envoys stood on the steps of the Taiji Gate.

Only the Taiji Hall still had its doors closed.

The sound of ceremonial music sounded, and the sedan chair moved forward.

Every sound of ritual music and every step taken have extremely strict ritual and music requirements.

From time to time, the sound of bells and drums could be heard throughout the city of Chang'an.

Coronation ceremony, coronation ceremony.

Almost everyone in Chang'an City got involved in Li Xuan's coronation ceremony.

All the expenses are far more than before.

Passing among the ministers, Li Xuan's eyes fell on the nearly one hundred Zhongzhou governors standing solemnly on both sides, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

If the first time Li Xuan ascended the throne, he clarified the distinction between the monarch and his subjects and was merely taking the throne, then the second time he ascended the throne, when he received the imperial seal, he was already the official emperor.

But now, the most important thing in the official coronation ceremony is to accept the congratulations from nearly a hundred governors of Zhongzhou across the country.

By accepting their congratulations, Li Xuan was equivalent to accepting the recognition of all officials and people in the three hundred states of the world.

There are nearly a hundred governors of Zhongzhou, through whom Li Xuan can completely control the one hundred governors of Shangzhou and the one hundred governors of Xiazhou.

All the provincial governors in the world are under his control, and all the people in the world are under his control.

After this announcement was made to the world, Li Xuan became the most recognized emperor by all the people in the world.

……

Li Xuan walked up the jade steps step by step, and Liu Jinyu and Li Zhizhao followed behind him.

The ministers, kings, chancellors, and generals stood on both sides, bowing their heads solemnly.

Finally, Li Xuan stepped onto the top step, and in an instant, the door of the Tai Chi Hall burst open.

Inside the spacious and majestic new Taiji Hall, all the columns are covered with gold foil, silver candles shine brightly, and colorful silk curtains flutter in the wind.
The entire hall is carefully decorated, with treasures displayed, golden dragons coiled around the pillars, and phoenixes spreading their wings. It is extremely gorgeous and solemn.

Li Xuan stopped, and the ministers, kings, secretaries, and generals on both sides, holding tablets in their hands, bowed and walked into the hall, then stood in their respective positions and bowed their heads solemnly.

"Your Majesty is here!" The eunuch called out, and all the ministers knelt down in unison.

Li Xuan stepped into the Tai Chi Hall, and the dragon bed on the golden steps instantly filled Li Xuan's sight.

Step by step, Li Xuan walked to the golden steps.

The Minister of Rites Wei Xuantong and the Minister of the Imperial Household Lin Renji immediately stood on both sides and shouted at the same time: "The royal family, the officials and the people of the world, congratulate the emperor on his ascension to the throne and present the nine tripods."

Nine bronze tripods of the same height as one another were brought out from the side halls on both sides and placed under the golden steps.
It was filled with densely packed congratulatory stamps.

There were congratulatory letters from royal families all over the world, from central government officials, from officials in Chang'an and Luoyang, and even more from provincial governors and county magistrates, as well as countless common people, scholars, retired elders, and even foreign envoys.

Suddenly, all the people in the world bowed their heads, and everyone was congratulating Li Xuan on ascending the throne and becoming emperor.

Li Xuan walked up the golden steps step by step, and finally came to the dragon bed, and handed over the imperial seal in his right hand.

Fu Baolang, who was standing on the side, immediately took the imperial seal, put it into a golden carved box, and stood aside with his head bowed.

When he turned around, Li Xuan was already sitting on the dragon couch.

Instantly, all the ministers in the hall bowed their heads solemnly and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, we are here to greet you and congratulate you on your ascension to the throne. May your Majesty live forever, and may your throne last forever and your country last forever."

……

The rumbling sound spread from the hall to the outside, and even to the entire Chang'an City and even Yongzhou.

For a moment, it seemed as if the whole world was congratulating Li Xuan on his ascension to the throne, wishing him an eternal throne and a long-lasting rule.

The mountains roared and the seas tsunami; the heaven and earth were moved.

In an instant, Li Xuan felt endless power flowing into him from between heaven and earth.

He only needs a thought, and immediately countless people will risk their lives to serve him.

This is the power of the system and the power of the rule of law.

Taking a deep breath, Li Xuan nodded and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, please stand up."

"Your Majesty, we bow to thank you." After the ceremony, all the officials slowly stood up, holding their tablets in their hands, and stood solemnly in the Taiji Hall.

Li Xuan looked at the officials standing in the hall, and then glanced outside the hall. He nodded and looked at Ouyang Tong: "Minister!"

Ouyang Tong immediately stood up and said, "I am here."

"Announce the decree." Li Xuan looked at Xu Lu, who immediately bowed, then took the tray from the eunuch behind him, walked down the golden steps, and came to Ouyang Tong.

Ouyang Tong bowed slightly, took the imperial edict, and then faced the ministers: "Yes, there is an order."

"We obey your orders." All the officials knelt down in unison.

Ouyang Tong unfolded the imperial edict and said loudly: "In the second year of Kaiyuan, on the day of Wuwu on the first day of the first month of the first month of the year Bingxu, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

I am humble, yet I personally come before the emperor, carrying the responsibility of building a great ceremonial structure, as if I am standing on an icy valley. I want to encourage the humble, benefit the people, respect and obey the new, and look up to the virtues of the ancestors. I should spread the good news, benefit hundreds of millions of people, and grant amnesty to the world.

The civil and military officials inside and outside the country were given honorary titles. Those over 80 years old were given grain and silk. The people of Yongzhou were exempted from land tax for three years, and the states that had provided the most military labor in recent years were given another year.

Admire this! "

"Your Majesty is of great virtue and wisdom, long live the emperor!" All the ministers kowtowed in unison.

"Stand up." Li Xuan raised his hand slightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The ministers took a deep breath and stood up.

Li Xuan looked at Ouyang Tong, who bowed and continued to read the imperial edict: "In the second year of Kaiyuan, on the day of Wuwu on the first day of the first month of the first month of the year Bingxu, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

Talents are hard to come by in the capital, and the divine capital is the headquarters.

All directions take this as an example and all nations follow its lead.

Qi Wang Li Zhiming, Zi Ting Qu Xun, Qing She Shu Feng, can be Yongzhou Mu...

Liang Wang Li Zhiyou, elegant and profound, outstanding and talented, Keluozhou Mu...

Yan Wang Li Zhichang, loyal and filial, is endowed by heaven, and is good at promoting rites and music. He can be the governor of Bingzhou...

Ying Wang Li Zhigao has the ambition to govern the country and the ability to handle multiple tasks. He is suitable to be the governor of Yangzhou. He can promote elegance and rectify customs, be kind and promote virtue. He must be respectful and respectful in his position and make great achievements.

Admire this! "

……

After the imperial edict was read, all the ministers bowed their heads.

They were already calculating in their hearts. Including the newly appointed governors of Yongzhou, Luozhou, Bingzhou, and Yangzhou, plus Li Chongjun, the governor of Jingzhou, the emperor had already begun to extend his tentacles into local prefectures and counties.

The only province not on the list, Yizhou, was the emperor's birthplace.

The world is in his hands.

……

According to historical records: On the first day of the first month of the second year of Kaiyuan, the emperor offered sacrifices to heaven and earth and held a grand ceremony to ascend the throne. At that time, a school of carp jumped over the Wei River and a rainbow of seven colors appeared outside the gates. Then the people kowtowed for three days.

(End of this chapter)