I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1126 Long live my emperor
A few days later.

Finally, a petition urging the emperor to ascend the throne, which embodied the "consensus" of the Luoyang court, was presented with eloquent language and "detailed" research. It was delivered to the Taiyuan imperial residence with the most solemn ceremonies and was personally escorted by representatives invited by the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

In the memorial, the ministers went to great lengths to elaborate, first detailing the results of their "examination of the classics" and arguing that the title of "Emperor" was "in accordance with the celestial phenomena above and the ancient teachings below." Then they praised Su Yao's achievements as "surpassing the Three Sovereigns and surpassing the Five Emperors." Finally, on behalf of all officials and people, they tearfully pleaded with His Majesty and the Prince of Tang to "understand the will of Heaven, follow the wishes of the people, and promptly establish the great title to satisfy the hopes of the world and establish the foundation for ten thousand generations."

Su Yao and Wan Nian received the memorial in the main hall of Jinyang Palace in Taiyuan. After reading it, Wan Nian feigned deep emotion and said to Su Yao, "My lord, the ministers are of utmost sincerity, and the people are eagerly awaiting our arrival. Heaven has ordained this, and it seems we cannot refuse any longer..."

Following the pre-arranged script, Su Yao pondered for a moment before sighing, "I originally wished to roam freely in the mountains and rivers, but since the will of the people is hard to defy and the mandate of heaven has been decided, in order to secure the country and comply with the will of the people, I dare not refuse any longer."

Therefore, Wannian immediately issued the final edict, announcing that he was in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, and accepted the request of his ministers to honor Tang King Su Yao as "Emperor of Heaven". He also set an auspicious date to set up an altar in the southern suburbs of Luoyang to offer sacrifices to Heaven and hold a grand investiture ceremony.

The edict reiterated that Tang King Su Yao was honored as "Emperor of Heaven," commanding all the armies of the realm, in charge of rites, music, and military campaigns, and responsible for educating the barbarians, placing him above all other kings and the emperor.

Meanwhile, the former Empress Wu Zetian was also honored as "Empress of Heaven," holding a position equal to that of the Emperor. She still oversaw the central government affairs of the Han Dynasty, residing in Luoyang and ruling over the fourteen provinces of China and the eastern sea region of Fusang, wielding the power of life and death and the implementation of government orders.

The edict specifically emphasized that "the Emperor and Empress are one, husband and wife, sharing the Mandate of Heaven and governing all people together." This not only established Su Yao's divine authority as the "ruler of the world" but also solidified his real power as the "emperor of the human world" for ten thousand years. Furthermore, by adopting the form of "joint rule by husband and wife," the highest power of the empire was firmly bound to the two of them, completely dispelling all previous doubts in the court and among the public regarding the "ownership of power."

The imperial edict was sent from Taiyuan, carried by fast horse to Luoyang, and then spread throughout the country in the form of an extra edition of the "Great Han Monthly".

Upon receiving the imperial edict, officials and commoners in various prefectures and counties led their officials and people in burning incense and kneeling in worship, shouting "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!" The Protectorate of the Western Regions, the temporary seat of Parthia, and the residence of Queen Samira of the Kushan Empire also held sacrificial ceremonies to Heaven upon receiving the news, proclaiming that the title of "Emperor" was known throughout the world. Even in Fusang City, far away in Yingzhou Prefecture, Jiang Qin led three thousand soldiers and the newly surrendered Japanese to set up an altar on the coast of Hakata Bay, kneeling and worshipping towards the east, thus etching the name of "Emperor" into the memory of this newly born land for the first time.

Inside Luoyang, all preparations for the investiture ceremony had already been made.

Wei Ming, in his capacity as Minister of Rites, oversaw the preparations for the grand ceremony. From the construction of the altar for worshipping Heaven in the southern suburbs to the arrangement of the ceremonial guard and the customization of the court attire for the officials, he strived to "conform to ancient systems and display divine power."

The altar for worshipping Heaven was made of rammed earth and stood nine zhang and nine chi high, symbolizing that "above the nine heavens, only the Emperor is supreme." Nine stone pillars with coiled dragons stood around the altar, and the pillars were carved with the achievements of Su Yao in pacifying the feudal lords, conquering Parthia and Kushan in the west, and pacifying the Japanese islands in the east. Each pillar was carved by skilled craftsmen over a period of more than a month.

The procession stretched for miles, and in addition to the traditional Imperial Guards and Feathered Forest Army, more than a hundred foreign and nomadic warriors who had followed Su Yao in his campaigns were specially added. They wore their own ethnic costumes and held foreign weapons, which not only demonstrated the "Emperor's" grandeur of ruling over all nations, but also subtly reflected the magnificent scene of "all nations coming to pay tribute".

Even more fittingly, Sun Ce, far away in Southeast Asia, finally sent news of his victory.

With the support of the court's new and advanced navy and some gunpowder weapons, he finally resolved the problem of the Lin-yi Kingdom. Not only did he recover the entire territory of Ri-nan County, he also launched a brilliant counterattack, capturing and killing the prince of Funan Kingdom who came to support Lin-yi and his generals, beheading tens of thousands of people. His army advanced directly to the capital of Funan Kingdom, forcing Funan Kingdom to submit to him.

This report of victory, along with Funan's letter of surrender, arrived in Luoyang just before the grand ceremony, adding a touch of "all under heaven submitting" to this momentous occasion.

On the auspicious day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle. Banners fluttered and drums and music resounded in the southern suburbs of Luoyang. From the highest officials to envoys from local prefectures and counties, and then to envoys from various countries, thousands of people gathered at the foot of the altar to worship Heaven, all dressed in court attire, holding their breath in anticipation.

At the third quarter of the hour of Chen (7:45 AM), with a shout of "The Emperor and Empress have arrived!", a loud cry suddenly rang out from the heavens.

Everyone looked up at the sound and saw a divine bird with a body of gilded gold spreading its wings, carrying two figures as it slowly descended from the sky—it was Su Yao, dressed in the imperial robes of the emperor, and Wan Nian, dressed in the imperial robes of the empress.

Su Yao's "Emperor's Crown Robe" was specially made by countless skilled craftsmen in Luoyang. It was not the traditional, complicated, and heavy black robe of emperors, but a robe with vermilion as the main color, symbolizing fire and power. A huge five-clawed golden dragon was embroidered on it with gold thread. The dragon's head was majestic and solemn, coiling down from the right shoulder. The dragon's body meandered through the front and back, and its claws were powerful, as if it wanted to break through the clouds and soar into the nine heavens.

Surrounding the dragon pattern are thunder and cloud patterns embroidered with silver thread. Upon closer inspection, one can faintly see electric currents flowing within the cloud patterns, echoing the golden scepter in his hand that occasionally crackles with tiny electric snakes (the Wrath of Indra has been modified with some decorations).

Even the wide sleeves and hem of the imperial robe were trimmed with deep black edges, embroidered with tiny patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and the state, symbolizing that his authority encompassed the four corners of the world. Sunlight streamed down, and the crimson-gold dragon-patterned robe seemed to radiate a faint golden glow, blending seamlessly with the magnificent golden griffin beneath his feet, making him appear like a god descended to earth—majestic, powerful, and mysterious, possessing a divine radiance that transcended the mortal realm.

If Su Yao's "Emperor's Crown Robe" is so impressive, then Wan Nian's "Empress's Robe" is naturally no less so.

Wan Nian wore a nine-dragon, four-phoenix crown, surrounded by pearls and jade. In the center, a golden phoenix held a large pearl in its beak, its wings spread wide as if dripping with moisture. Beneath the crown, her stunningly beautiful face, lightly made up, with eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn water, exuded a dignified elegance while retaining a touch of youthful radiance.

She wore a deep blue imperial robe, a modified version of the empress's highest-ranking formal attire, embroidered with colorful phoenix patterns. The twelve layers of the robe were solemn and intricate, and the wide sleeves and floor-length skirt all showcased her regal bearing. Over this robe, Wan Nian also wore a very thin layer of crimson-gold gauze shawl, embroidered with clouds and auspicious beasts in subtle patterns. It fluttered gently in the wind, giving her an ethereal and otherworldly air.

The two descended slowly from the sky. Wan Nian sat in front of Su Yao and was held in his arms. He also elegantly crossed his arms in front of him, with a dignified posture.

"Your humble servants respectfully welcome the Emperor and Empress!"

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

As Griffin landed steadily on the white jade base directly in front of the altar, the officials and the people erupted in a deafening roar.

A new era has begun.

The title of Emperor, which was first used by Emperor Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty and shared with Empress Wu Zetian, has now been seized by Su Yao in this "late Eastern Han Dynasty" era by his unparalleled military power and prestige, and given a completely new and supreme meaning.

Looking at the sea of ​​cheers and the prostrations of the crowd below, Wan Nian was deeply moved and thought to himself:
My husband's achievements and divine might are unprecedented and likely to remain so. This title of Emperor will probably never be used again, nor will anyone be worthy of it. It will be etched in history along with my husband's name, shining eternally, becoming a unique and supreme symbol in heaven and earth.
(End of this chapter)