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The third woman was dressed in a magnificent crimson palace gown, her hair piled high in the clouds, adorned with an elaborate and exquisite red-gold and kingfisher feather hairpin and a jeweled floral tree.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her eyes sparkling with charm, and her figure graceful; even in solemn settings, her palace attire couldn't conceal her alluring curves. Unlike the dignified aloofness of the Empress and the woman in white, a faint smile played at the corners of her lips. As her gaze swept over the officials and crowd below, it held a playful air, as if she were admiring her own magnificent stage. She toyed with a warm, smooth jade pendant in her hand, her relaxed demeanor exuding an air of nobility. Clearly, she was a highly favored individual with a more outgoing personality, enjoying the privileges she received.

The fourth woman's attire was the most elegant. Instead of a floor-length gown, she wore a modified black dress with gold trim, her long hair tied high in a ponytail and secured with a gold ring, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

With striking features, a high, straight nose, and bright, piercing eyes, she exuded a sharp and commanding presence. A beautifully decorated short sword hung at her waist, and her posture was as upright as a pine tree, hinting at a military bearing. Compared to the other concubines, she resembled a female general ready to draw her sword at any moment, silently protecting the emperor. Her heroic and spirited demeanor stood out among the assembled beauties.

The last one wore a dark blue palace dress embroidered with silver thread patterns, her long hair styled in an elegant updo, adorned with several diamond hair ornaments that resembled cold stars. Her overly pale face was almost transparent in the morning light, her brows and eyes were calm as water, her gaze lowered, seemingly focused only on the place in front of her, oblivious to everything around her.

However, that chilling, ethereal aura of shadow and secret, emanating from the very core of her being, remained undiminished even beneath the elaborate attire; instead, it added to her mystery and unpredictability. Like a deep blue shadow, she existed quietly within the core of this circle of power and beauty, yet one could not ignore the terrifying power hidden beneath the light.

The five consorts were all different types of women: some were graceful, some were aloof, some were charming, some were heroic, and some were mysterious.

At this moment, on the eastern horizon, the clouds were torn apart, and the first ray of pure and intense golden sunlight suddenly pierced the darkness and shone straight down!
Almost the instant the sunlight touched the edge of the altar, Yi Huawei gently flicked his sleeve.

The five concubines behind him understood and nodded slightly. Then, almost simultaneously, the six of them took a step and walked towards the two giant gates at the bottom of the sacrificial tower, which were several meters high and made of neither gold nor jade.

No attendants followed, no officials surrounded them. Only the Emperor and Empress, a mere six people, stepped into the spiraling passageway of the tower, facing the rising sun. Their figures were quickly swallowed by the dimness inside the tower, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly and strangely between the special materials of the steps and the tower walls, faintly heard through the open doors, adding to the solemnity.

In the square, hundreds of thousands of people held their breath, gazing up at the towering, unapproachable structure. Time seemed to stretch out and freeze at that moment.

Li Shimin's heart also tightened. Climbing the tower to offer sacrifices to Heaven, rather than setting up an altar at its base, already exceeded the established rules for imperial sacrifices throughout history. What were they going to do at the top of the tower? And what kind of scene lay inside the spherical structure at the top?
The wait didn't last long. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the sun had completely risen above the horizon, showering the capital city with its golden rays and turning the white tower of the Heavenly Sacrifice Tower into a magnificent golden dome.

The huge, complex spherical structure at the top of the tower suddenly opened up to the east like a lotus flower blooming, revealing a relatively small open-air platform inside.

On the platform, six figures were clearly visible. Yi Huawei stood at the forefront, facing the rising sun in the east. The five imperial concubines followed slightly behind, positioned to the left and right. A hundred feet above, the wind howled, causing their robes to flutter, making them appear like celestial beings.

Immediately afterwards, a voice, imbued with an incredibly profound and powerful aura of profound inner energy, resounded throughout the entire Tianhuan Square, spreading to every corner of Luoyang City, as if spoken directly to each person.

"I, by the mandate of Heaven, have ruled over all peoples, established the nation and stabilized the empire for twenty-four years."

The voice was not loud, yet every word carried immense weight, possessing a quality that pierced the soul. Whether it was the officials nearby at the foot of the tower, the people at the edge of the square, or Li Shimin and others on the viewing platform, they all felt that the voice did not come from a hundred feet in the sky, but rather resounded directly in the depths of their minds.

"As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement. As earth's nature is receptive, a gentleman should cultivate virtue and bear all things with magnanimity."

"Today, the fifth day of the fifth month, is the time when Yang energy is at its peak. Here at this tower that reaches the heavens, we offer sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, the mountains, rivers, and the state."

"It is said that Heaven and Earth are positioned, the sun and moon shine brightly, and sages set examples to establish the ultimate standard for humanity. Our Chinese nation, since the time of Fuxi drawing the trigrams, has seen the dawn of civilization; the Yellow Emperor established the nation, laying the foundation for the state. During the reigns of the Three Dynasties, rites and music flourished; the might of the Qin and Han dynasties saw the initial expansion of our territory. In our golden age, all nations paid tribute, culture and education prospered, and military achievements were magnificent. Our virtues shone brightly, illuminating the entire world…"

The descendants of Yan and Huang initiated civilization, clearing fields and establishing city-states, creating rites and music to harmonize the people. When the Zhou dynasty declined, the feudal lords waged war against it, and the tyrannical Qin dynasty oppressed its people. Meanwhile, the Han emperor, wielding his sword, laid the foundation for a four-hundred-year reign. From the Wei and Jin dynasties onward, the north and south were divided. Although Emperor Wen of Sui aspired to unify the country, his son, Yang Guang, indulged in extravagance and treated the people like dirt, ultimately leading to widespread chaos and turmoil.

At that time, the imperial court was in peril, and the people were plunged into dire straits. Emperor Yang was tyrannical, enslaving the entire nation to serve one man. He dug canals, leaving fields strewn with bones; he conquered Goguryeo, filling great harbors with corpses. Treasury emptied, fields lay barren, the old and weak perished in ditches, and the strong gathered in the mountains. The Turkic wolves lurked in the northern deserts; warlords rose up, carving up the Central Plains. The once glorious land of China nearly plunged into the abyss of devastation.

I was born a commoner from Huaiyou, a family steeped in loyalty and valor. Witnessing the collapse of the Sui dynasty, my heart ached as if being torn apart. Whenever I saw roads littered with starving corpses, and heard the cries of women and children, I would often sit up late at night, weeping blood and my heart breaking! Heaven has turned its despise to the virtues of the Sui, and the people yearn for a new ruler. How could I, with my life cut short, betray the trust of the people? Therefore, I revived the legacy of martial valor, leading a righteous army to Fen and Jin, rescuing the drowning and burning, and relieving the people from their dire straits. One battle pacified Guanzhong, a second quelled the rebellion in Heluo, and a third brought peace to Jiangnan. Heroes from all corners of the land flocked to me; the common people offered me food and drink. This was not merely my own achievement, but truly the mandate of Heaven and the will of the people!

Therefore, my ambition is not merely to preserve the achievements of my ancestors, but to establish a grand foundation for future generations. In the past, King Mu of Zhou rode eight steeds to tour the westernmost reaches, and Zhang Bowang held the Han imperial staff to open the Western Regions; what they saw was but a corner of the world. Now, I wish to emulate the sages of the past and achieve even greater success! I will make the banners of the great Chinese nation fly beyond the Pamir Mountains; and the laws and regulations of China spread west of the shifting sands. Wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever frost and dew fall, all shall be the king's land; wherever boats and carriages reach, wherever human power traverses, all shall be the king's subjects!

Some might say, "Heaven and earth gave birth to humankind, each with its own territory. Why bother with a long and arduous expedition that exhausts China?"

This is a pedantic view! As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so should a wise man constantly strive for self-improvement. Chinese civilization is at its zenith; how can it limit itself? In the past, the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Jie, Di, and Qiang repeatedly caused trouble, not because they were inherently evil, but because their culture had not been adequately cultivated. Now, I will use Chinese culture to transform the barbarians, and civilization to tame their savagery, so that their hunting and hunting customs may gradually be influenced by Chinese ways; so that people from different lands may share in peace. This is not a hegemonic conquest, but the spread of benevolent rule!
Ban Chao, having once laid down his pen, pacified fifty kingdoms in the Western Regions; Huo Qubing, in his youth, dared to declare, "How can I have a home when the Xiongnu are not yet vanquished?" Do we, the sons and daughters of China, lack such lofty ambitions? I will personally wield the imperial axe and lead the army. You, civil and military officials, and all the people of the four seas, shall each fulfill your duties: the scholars shall strategize, the wise shall translate between the four corners of the earth, the brave shall charge into battle, the artisans shall sharpen our armor and weapons, and the farmers shall ensure abundant provisions. With everyone united in heart and mind, even Mount Tai can be moved; with the combined efforts of generations, even the stars can be crossed!

"...I erected this tower not for boasting, nor for pleasure, but to connect with the righteous energy of heaven and earth, to suppress the fate of the nation, and also to warn future generations: our vision should extend beyond the nine provinces, and our hearts should embrace the four seas. Today's sacrifice to heaven is not only to pray for favorable weather, but also to express our aspirations."

May China prosper forever, may its civilization endure forever, and may its pioneering spirit never falter!

The words stopped abruptly.

Centered on the top of the sacrificial tower, an invisible ripple spread outwards. The clouds in the sky seemed to be manipulated by an invisible hand, slowly rotating around the top of the tower. The sunlight seemed to become brighter and more concentrated, and above the platform opened by the spherical structure at the top of the tower, a faint, ethereal pillar of light appeared, seemingly piercing through the heavens and earth!

In Tianhuan Square, hundreds of thousands of people held their breath and looked up, even the slightest cough disappeared. Most people couldn't understand the mysterious changes in the energy, but they could directly feel the overwhelming, majestic aura that enveloped them, carrying with it an indescribable vitality and invisible pressure. Many people involuntarily closed their eyes, as if their souls were being cleansed, or as if some vague belief concerning the future of their country was being quietly strengthened.

Among the officials, most of the civil officials showed excitement and piety, and some veteran ministers even had tears in their eyes. The military generals, on the other hand, straightened their backs and looked on with fervor. The majestic aura emanating from the top of the tower, which was inherited from Yi Huawei, captivated them and filled them with fighting spirit.

On the viewing platform, Li Shimin's pupils shrank to pinpoints. Though his cultivation was gone, his eyesight and perception remained.

This is not just a performance; it is a genuine attempt to invoke and harmonize some kind of "fate" or "destiny"! This sacrificial tower is probably an incredible "ritual artifact"!
Vatti's move is almost like the mythical "Emperor Fengshan, regulating Yin and Yang"!
After a long silence, the strange light and shadow effects at the top of the tower slowly subsided. Yi Huawei lowered his arms, turned around, and faced the square.

"The ceremony is completed——"

A loud voice came from the base of the tower through some kind of loudspeaker and echoed in the square.

"May the Chinese nation prosper forever! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The thunderous shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" erupted once more, even more fervent and enduring than before! Many shouted themselves hoarse, tears of excitement streaming down their faces. At that moment, individuals and the empire, and the god-like emperor, seemed to share a powerful emotional resonance.

Yi Huawei's gaze swept across the direction of the viewing platform. His gaze remained calm, yet it made all the aristocratic families and nobles he touched feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave or been burned by raging flames, their emotions complex and indescribable.

Then, the emperor, empress, and their six companions calmly entered the tower, and the lotus-like structure at the top of the tower slowly closed, restoring its smooth and perfect spherical shape.

The ceremony to worship Heaven has now come to an end.

The crowd began to leave in an orderly fashion under organized guidance. The deafening cheers gradually faded away, but the fervent and passionate collective emotion ignited by the ceremony lingered in the air for a long time.

...............

After the sacrificial ceremony, Li Shimin and his entourage stayed in the heavily guarded guesthouse for another three days.

For the next three days, no one came to give them any instructions or make any arrangements; only meals were delivered regularly, as if they had been forgotten. But this silence was even more unsettling; everyone knew that the moment that would determine their fate was approaching.

On the morning of May 8th, the order was finally issued. The entire Li clan, along with several other large former aristocratic families who had joined them a few days earlier, totaling more than two thousand people, were escorted in batches onto large cargo ships that were already waiting at the Luoshui Wharf.

With sails hoisted, the ships, "escorted" by an elite navy, sailed eastward down the Yellow River, heading straight into the Bohai Sea, their destination—Dengzhou Port.

During the voyage, Li Shimin noticed that these grain transport ships had been specially reinforced, were quite fast, and the sailors were skilled at operating them. All checkpoints along the way allowed passage, indicating that it had been pre-arranged. Most of the other aristocratic family members on board looked ashen-faced and remained silent. When they did speak, it was mostly about their worries about overseas destinations and their fear of the waves. Only a few, like Li Shimin, amidst their shock and confusion, began to force themselves to think.

More than ten days later, the fleet arrived at the sea off Dengzhou. When the newly built port, which was neatly planned, had a huge deep-water harbor, countless berths and warehouses, and towering lighthouses and cranes on the shore, appeared before his eyes, Li Shimin was once again amazed.

The bustling atmosphere here even surpasses that of some docks in Luoyang, with countless ships coming and going, masts like a forest, flags of various countries fluttering, and the air filled with the smell of the sea, the smell of goods, and a lively atmosphere.

They were not allowed to venture deeper into the port area, but instead docked at a relatively secluded and more heavily guarded military pier. Upon disembarking, the sight that greeted them made all the anxious exiles gasp for breath.

Five giant ships were quietly moored at the berth.

Those could no longer be simply called "ships." They were as massive as mountains, with hulls exceeding fifty zhang (approximately 160 meters) in length, an astonishing height above the waterline, and towering bows and sterns. The hulls were not entirely constructed of wood; key areas (keel, ribs, and the area near the waterline) were covered with dark, metallic reinforcing plates. Along both sides of the hull, several neat rows of oar holes were arranged, as well as... some perplexing windows covered with waterproof leather.

The most striking features are the masts and sails. Each giant ship has three or more astonishingly thick mainmasts, which appear to have undergone special treatment, gleaming with an oily sheen. Hanging are not traditional hard or soft sails, but rather multi-layered, multi-spread, and exceptionally complex giant sails. The sail surface is made of a unique material, thick and tough, and the rope system is intricate and precise like a spider web, clearly the result of highly professional design to maximize the use of wind power.

The bow was fitted with a massive, copper-clad ram, resembling the head of a vicious dragon. The sterncastle was tall and sleek, offering a wide field of vision. The deck was spacious and flat, large enough for horses to run on, and several sturdy towers stood atop it, with the outlines of some large machinery covered by tarpaulins vaguely visible.

This was nothing like any other seagoing vessel they knew; it was a behemoth born to conquer the open ocean and face unknown storms and challenges! It was the culmination of technology, financial resources, ambition, and military might!
"This is the 'Pioneer-class' ocean-going treasure ship, 'Zhenhai', 'Pingbo', 'Fuyuan', 'Yangwei', and 'Dingjiang'."

A general, who had been waiting there, dressed in a uniform different from that of the army or inland waterway navy (dark blue with wave patterns on the sleeves), introduced the situation expressionlessly:

"In the coming months, you will need to familiarize yourselves with this ship and learn the basics of sea survival, navigation, and combat. Do not waste His Majesty's grace and the court's resources." (End of Chapter)