The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 407: Becoming Emperor!

As the sun set, the group finally arrived at the foot of Jinshan Mountain.

Jinshan had long been heavily guarded by the Imperial Guards. The altar for offering sacrifices to Heaven stood atop Jinshan, nine zhang high, and was entirely made of white marble, with dragon and phoenix patterns carved on both sides of the steps.

At the top of the platform stood a huge bronze cauldron, along with other ritual vessels and offerings for the sacrificial ceremony, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Li Xiao stepped down from the jade carriage, looked up at the high platform, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

The skinny monkey stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the altar for the sacrificial ceremony is ready. When the auspicious time arrives tomorrow, the ceremony for worshipping Heaven and Earth and ascending the throne can be held."

Before declaring himself emperor, Li Xiao reorganized the Wuwei Army into the Imperial Guard, stationed in Longcheng and the newly built Daming Prefecture.

Also stationed in the two capitals was the Xiaoji Battalion, commanded by Li Shurong.

Over the years, Thin Monkey has remained in the position of commander of the Wuwei Army without much change, not because he lacks merit, but because he has made outstanding military achievements and has made great contributions.

The current commander of the Imperial Guards, also known as the Nine Gates Admiral, wields immense power.

Li Xiao nodded, then looked at the generals and ministers behind him and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, get some rest tonight."

"We'll have another tough battle to fight tomorrow morning."

This greeting lacked the condescension of an emperor; instead, it carried the familiarity of drinking together on the battlefield.

Li Dongshan suddenly looked up, his eyes instantly reddening. The image of Li Xiao standing in front of him when Sanhebao attacked the Karluks overlapped with the figure in the dragon robe he was seeing now.

Li Dongjiang, Li Dongkun, Shouhou, and others also had their own reflections.

"Tomorrow will be the day the Great Ming Dynasty is established and the world is created."

Li Xiao's gaze swept over every familiar face: "Since the start of the uprising, the generals have braved arrows and stones at the front, and the civil officials have managed all affairs at the rear. Not one has retreated, and not one has betrayed me."

Xiao Yanyan stood to the side, gazing at her husband's tall and straight figure, recalling the days when he would review military reports late into the night while she ground ink beside him.

Wei Fuyao secretly exchanged a glance with Suoluheti Ni beside her, whose eyes shone with the unique fervor of the children of the grasslands.

"And you are all meritorious officials of our Great Ming Dynasty, bringing blessings to your descendants and ensuring a long and prosperous future."

The ministers and generals bowed and said, "We are willing to serve Your Majesty and wish the Ming Dynasty to last forever."

They followed Li Xiao through thick and thin, perhaps initially just to survive, to have food to eat, and to have a place to stay.

However, as the forces in the northern frontier grew stronger, their power and status increased, and their goals changed.

Their pursuit was to inherit noble titles and have their lineage last for thousands of generations.

Therefore, Li Xiao didn't mince words with them and directly promised that after the founding of the country, at the latest after the end of the Eastern Expedition, the Ming Dynasty would begin a comprehensive system of bestowing titles and rewards.

At that time, the Ming Dynasty will produce some princes, some dukes, many marquises, and countless viscounts and barons.

……

The following day was Frost's Descent.

Before the chill of the summit of Jinshan Mountain had dissipated, Li Xiao led his sacrificial procession deep into the mountains.

The procession was vast and powerful, with iron cavalry rolling in, resembling a massive war.

The altar for worshipping Heaven has already soared into the clouds like a pillar supporting the sky.

The nine-tiered white marble steps, moistened by the morning dew, gleamed with a cool glow in the dim morning light, resembling a path to heaven when viewed from below.

Three hundred and sixty flags fluttered in the wind at Taizhou, the golden sun and moon battle flags unfurling and closing in the north wind, contrasting with the golden "Ming" character flag with its dark blue lettering, making the sky appear even more vast.

In the center of the platform stands a huge bronze cauldron, its three legs like animal hooves treading the ground, its two handles like dragons reaching for the sky, and the five-clawed golden dragon pattern on its body shimmering with a deep luster under the slanting rays of the early sun.

On the offering table beside the tripod, blue jade discs, black silk, and sacrificial offerings such as calves, sheep, and pigs are arranged according to ritual. The sacrificial vessels such as the deng, fu, and gui gleam with a warm, jade-like color, silently conveying the solemnity of the ceremony.

At noon, the bells and drums rang.

"Woooooooo~"

"Clang clang clang clang clang~"

The deep rumble of bugles and the resounding toll of bells rolled from the summit of Jinshan Mountain in all directions, echoing the bugle calls from the military camp below the city.

The vast wilderness was already teeming with people: the Imperial Guards, clad in yellow cloth armor and riding warhorses, stood in formation on all sides.

The civil officials, including Gu Zizhong and Zhang Xinghua, wore the new-style court robes of the Ming Dynasty, their layers clearly visible in the morning light.

Generals Li Dongjiang, Li Dongshan, and Shouhou stood with their hands on their swords, the frost on their armor still unmelted, but their eyes burning with fervor.

People on the outskirts spontaneously gathered, holding their breath and waiting for this historic moment.

At the front of the crowd, Qin Dani sat in the center on a chair covered with bright yellow brocade, flanked by the clan elders and eunuchs of the Nine Forts and Eighteen Villages.

Gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure on the altar, his cloudy eyes gradually reddened.

She thought of her husband who had passed away at a young age, and the dying words of her parents-in-law; scenes flashed before her eyes.

Now that his son is about to become emperor, this vast empire was actually conquered by that child who used to roll in the mud.

Beside her, Xiao Yanyan sat gracefully in a golden phoenix robe.

Her gaze followed Li Xiao's every step, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the phoenix embroidery on her cuffs.

Among the hundreds of people present, only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were qualified to sit. This honor was Li Xiao's appreciation of his family's foundation and his recognition of her as the empress.

Li Xiao's children stood obediently behind Xiao Yanyan: the eldest son, Jin Dao, held the hilt of his golden knife with a solemn expression.

The second son, Chang Gong, the third son, Meng Ge, the fourth son, Tie Jian, and others all watched with wide, curious eyes as their father walked step by step toward the high platform.

Last night, they received instructions from their mothers that they should address their father as "Father Emperor" from now on.

My father is going to become emperor.

The emperor is the greatest person in the world.

Wearing a robe with a five-clawed golden dragon, Li Xiao held three sticks of sandalwood in his hands and steadily stepped forward to ascend the high platform.

Step by step, we reach the highest point.

"Li Xiao, this is to announce to the Supreme God of Heaven and the Goddess of Earth."

A clear and deep voice pierced through the north wind and echoed atop Jinshan Mountain.

"Since the collapse of the Tang dynasty, numerous warlords have risen up, causing immense suffering to the people and the Central Plains to fall into ruin; throughout the land, heroes have fought for control of the region."

He raised his hand to hold the incense, his gaze sweeping over the prostrate commoners and the solemnly standing generals and ministers below the stage: "Xiao Qi rose from the borderlands, favored by Heaven and blessed by the spirits of his ancestors, thus taking advantage of the autumn of the struggle for supremacy to gather heroes and sages around him."

"By the mandate of Heaven, we raised the banner of righteousness, brandished our weapons in the cold desert sands of the north, galloped through the perilous passes of Hexi, broke through the defenses of the Xia Kingdom, and swallowed the vast expanse of the Western Regions."

"We took the heartland of Guanzhong, overturned the yurts of the Liao Kingdom, plundered the Karakhanid Khanate, swept away the Khwarazmian Empire, and pacified all the Gurkha tribes. Thirteen kingdoms, large and small, were all brought into our territory."

Each time they thought of a battleground, Li Dongjiang and his generals would quietly advance a step, the sound of their armor clashing in unison.

Blizzards in the northern deserts, the Gobi Desert in the western regions, the foot of the city walls in Guanzhong...

All those days and nights of bloody battles have been transformed into immortal achievements in this declaration.

These remarkable military achievements mean that Li Xiao's power did not come from the abdication of the previous dynasty, but was directly "mandated by Heaven," completing the transformation from King of Qin to Emperor.

"After ten years of conquest, we have finally achieved great success. In the future, we should conquer the Central Plains, drive out the Tartars, restore China, unify the Chinese nation, and bring peace and prosperity to the people."

As soon as he finished speaking, flames suddenly shot up more than ten feet high from the firewood in the cauldron, and blue smoke rose straight up into the sky like a pillar, forming a picture of harmony between heaven and earth with the rising sun in the east.

Qin Dani could no longer hold back. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and murmured, "Heaven has eyes, Heaven has eyes..."

"Now, the civil and military officials, all the officials and common people have jointly urged me to ascend the throne and honor Xiao as the emperor to rule over the common people."

Li Xiao inserted three incense sticks into the incense burner in front of the tripod, and the sandalwood and the smoke from the burning firewood intertwined to form a mist.

"Following public opinion, on the first day of the tenth month of the 1433rd year of the reign of Emperor Qianlong, I solemnly announced the sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the southern slope of Jinshan Mountain and ascended the throne as Emperor."

He paused, his gaze piercing as he looked towards the end of the mountains and rivers, emphasizing each word: "The world shall surely be called—the Great Ming."

The pronunciation of the two characters "Da Ming" was emphasized, making the sound grand and majestic.

"Jianyuan - Wutai".

"Respectfully visit the Imperial Ancestral Temple to posthumously honor the four generations of ancestors as emperors and empresses."

“Establish a great altar and a great millet shrine in Longcheng, and proclaim this to the world so that all may know.”

May Heaven and Earth bless the people, so that they may live in peace and prosperity, and the nation may enjoy lasting peace and stability.

"May our soldiers unite as one to restore the lost territories of China; may our descendants be wise and virtuous, and live up to the mandate of Heaven and the hopes of the people."

As Li Xiao's heavy voice fell, cheers erupted in the distance.

Long live the Ming Dynasty!

Long live the Ming Dynasty!

The crisp sound of swords being drawn pierced the morning mist, merging with the cheers of the people into a torrent.

"Long live my emperor."

"Long live my emperor."

……

A deafening roar of worship suddenly erupted, spreading from the altar to the foot of Jinshan Mountain, and then reaching the distant Dragon City.

Qin Dani struggled to get up, but Xiao Yanyan quickly helped her up. The two women looked at each other and smiled, their eyes filled with tears.

As dawn broke, the smoke from the bronze cauldron mingled with the mountain mist, enveloping the entire altar in a sacred halo.

Standing on the high platform, Li Xiao looked down at the vast land below, at the civil and military officials before him, and at his wife, children, and relatives behind him. Suddenly, he felt incredibly at peace.

"The princes are at peace."

His voice was even deeper than when he read the eulogy, carrying the strength accumulated over a decade of conquest: "Today's glory is not due to my efforts alone."

Li Dongjiang was the first to stand up, the sound of armor plates clattering breaking the silence: "Your Majesty has received the mandate of Heaven, which is why we have this prosperous era today."

"The golden age is still far away."

Li Xiao shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials standing solemnly below the stage: "The words in the eulogy just now, 'Expel the Tartars and restore China,' are merely unfinished tasks."

"I accept this 'Long live the Emperor' today, but to be worthy of this title, the Han people must have oxen for plowing, the nomads of the northern deserts must have yurts, and merchants from the western regions must have smooth roads. This is what the Ming Dynasty should be like." "Your Majesty is wise!"

The first day of the tenth month of the first year of the Wutai era in the 1433rd year of the Chinese calendar.

The Ming Dynasty was founded from this point onward.

This declaration, along with the golden light of the rising sun, the blue smoke from the cauldron, and the cheers of the people, was forever etched between the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers.

The Jinshan Heaven Worship Ceremony is the most solemn and sacred step in the process of becoming emperor, but there are many other steps that need to be taken.

The imperial procession, escorted by a large contingent of imperial guards and amidst the cheers of countless people, slowly descended along the ancient Jinshan Road.

The imperial guards led the way with their large banner bearing the character "Ming," while generals such as Li Dongjiang and Shouhou flanked the emperor on either side, and civil officials such as Gu Zizhong and Zhang Xinghua followed closely behind.

In the evening, the imperial carriage returned to the Dragon City Palace, which was originally the Qin Prince's Mansion.

The next day, at exactly 9:00 AM, three whip cracks were heard from inside Chengtian Gate.

"Your Majesty ascends to the palace~"

As the eunuchs finished announcing the ceremony, Li Xiao steadily stepped onto the steps of the Fengtian Hall.

As he sat down on the dragon throne, three more cracks of the whip sounded outside the hall, and all the officials and envoys knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound waves crashed against the dragon-carved pillars inside the hall, echoing for a long time.

Li Xiao chuckled and said, "We're all old acquaintances, no need to be so formal."

Everyone smiled knowingly. Although Li Xiao had become emperor, he was still the same person who sat with them around the sand table back then, often standing on a stool to draw. There was no trace of the restraint between emperor and subject.

However, the proper etiquette between ruler and subject should not be abandoned, and some things should still be paid attention to.

Next, we'll proceed with the formal procedures.

Soon, the newly appointed Minister of Rites, Zhang Xinghua, stepped forward, holding a congratulatory memorial wrapped in yellow silk, and bowed: "Your subject, Zhang Xinghua, respectfully presents this congratulatory memorial on behalf of all civil and military officials and envoys from all foreign lands."

The eunuch took the congratulatory memorial and presented it to the emperor's desk. Li Xiao unfolded it and examined it closely. The words on it, such as "By the mandate of Heaven, the Ming Dynasty was established, the people are devoted to it, and the whole world submits to it," were exactly the wording that he had discussed with his ministers the night before.

"I have read the congratulatory letter."

Li Xiao nodded, "I will always remember the merits of your assistance, my lords."

Zhang Xinghua returned to the train and, together with the officials, knelt down again, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

After the cheers subsided, the official who proclaimed the edict, holding the "Edict of Accession," walked to the steps of the palace, unfurled the yellow silk, and read aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since the collapse of the Tang dynasty, the world has been in chaos. I rose from the frontier, raised the banner of righteousness by the mandate of Heaven, and after ten years of conquest, pacified thirteen kingdoms. Now I establish the Great Ming Dynasty and change the era name to Wutai."

"I shall take 'revering Heaven and honoring our ancestors, being diligent in governing and loving our people' as my guiding principles, encourage agriculture and sericulture to ensure people's livelihood, open trade routes to facilitate diplomatic relations, strengthen the military to secure our territory, and promote education to clarify human relations."

"A general amnesty is hereby granted, except for the ten heinous crimes and treason, all other criminals are pardoned. This proclamation is made so that all may know."

The announcement was heard through the palace gates and reached outside the palace, where officials from the Ministry of Rites had already prepared a dragon pavilion and were waiting inside Chengtian Gate.

After the imperial edict was read aloud, two eunuchs placed it in the Dragon Pavilion, covered it with brocade embroidered with colorful clouds, and had it carried out of Chengtian Gate by eight captains to announce it to the people of Dragon City.

Cheers erupted again in the streets, echoing the music from the palace.

Just after the announcement ended, Li Xiao turned his gaze to the imperial seal on the imperial desk. The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward and presented him with the jade seal in the center, which was surrounded by nine dragons.

This Imperial Seal of the Ming Dynasty was carved from Hetian mutton-fat jade captured during the Western Expedition. The nine dragon patterns are lifelike, and the seal face is engraved with eight Chinese characters: "The sun and moon are the light, the ruler of all lands," which was personally selected by Li Xiao.

He raised his hand and grasped the seal handle, feeling the cool jade texture through his fingertips, then raised the seal high above his head.

The officials in the hall held their breath instantly, and the envoys all turned their heads to look. This action demonstrated the formal establishment of the Ming Dynasty's imperial power.

"Boom-"

A deep, not loud, yet seemingly penetrating sound echoed in the silent hall.

Li Xiao steadily and solemnly placed the imperial seal on the imperial desk.

That wasn't the clash of jade and wood, but the sound of power being settled.

The imperial seal has never represented just a seal of authority, but power itself.

The true Imperial Seal of the State has long been lost in the smoke of history.

The pen of history, as firm as iron, records its final traces: Li Congke, the last emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty, embraced the Qin seal that symbolized "receiving the mandate of heaven and longevity," and perished together with an old era amidst the raging flames of the Xuanwu Tower in Luoyang.

From then on, the He Shi Bi jade and the seal script of Li Si became an eternal legend.

In the early years of later dynasties, some emperors were still unwilling to accept this and deceived themselves with counterfeits.

Until Emperor Zhao Da of Song established the country, he, with the magnanimity of a military man and the pragmatism of a founder, openly announced to the world: "I have not obtained the Qin Seal."

The Imperial Seal of the Great Song Dynasty was carved by my own hand.

From this point on, an old myth was shattered, and a new custom was established.
The legitimacy of imperial power no longer rests on an ancient artifact, but on whether the person holding the seal can create their own destiny.

During the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, an extensive system of imperial seals was established, consisting of twenty-four seals, each with its own purpose.

The most crucial element is not the imitation of ancient seals, but the confident inscription of the six characters "Great Ming Dynasty's Imperial Treasure".

The Qing dynasty inherited the Ming system and also inscribed it with "Treasure of the Mandate of Heaven of the Great Qing".

The weight of the imperial seal is determined by the strength of the nation.

Therefore, Li Xiao was not obsessed with pursuing that illusory dream.

He decided to develop a system of imperial seals specifically for the Ming Dynasty.

"This seal is the power of the Ming Dynasty and the hope of the world."

Li Xiao slowly placed the imperial seal back on the imperial desk, his voice steady and powerful: "I hereby designate the four imperial seals, each with its own specific function."

The "Seal of Imperial Edicts" was used to issue edicts on national policies and establish the order and principles of the realm.

The "Imperial Edict Seal" was used to proclaim the emperor's decrees, clearly indicating hierarchical distinctions.

The "Emperor's Seal" was used to bestow honors and rewards upon meritorious officials, extending blessings to all under heaven.

The "Emperor's Seal" was used to summon generals and dispatch large armies.

Of course, the most important thing is the Imperial Seal of the Ming Dynasty in Li Xiao's hands.

The sun and moon shine brightly, ruling over all lands.

Upon hearing this, Gu Zizhong took the lead in kowtowing: "Your Majesty's establishment of regulations and setting an example will surely ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of the Ming Dynasty."

The assembled officials shouted, "Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Ming Dynasty!"

……

The Fengtian Hall ceremony was actually quite simple; it was a court assembly to finalize the formal enthronement process—tedious but not complicated.

After the ceremony was completed, Li Xiao was the first to rise and led the imperial family members and important officials such as Gu Zizhong to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple was located on the east side of the Imperial Palace. Although it was a temporary structure, it was fully built and housed the ancestral tablets of four generations of the Li family.

Holding incense and candles, Li Xiao bowed and knelt before the ancestral tablets: "Li Xiao, a descendant of the Li family, inherits the spirit of our ancestors and founded the Ming Dynasty. Today, as I ascend the throne, I pray that our ancestors will protect us, that the people will live in peace and the country will be forever secure."

After the offering was made, four camphor wood tablets were lined up in a row, each inscribed with the names of the ancestors in gold powder.

On the far left is the memorial tablet of Li Xiao's great-grandfather. This former Liao general once rode westward from Yanyun, leading more than a hundred followers to settle in Jinzhou, and used his scimitar to carve out the Li family's foundation.

Next to it is the memorial tablet of the great-grandfather. Although he did not have any outstanding martial arts achievements, he still helped the Li family establish a foothold in Jinzhou and made it possible for them to go further.

The ancestral tablet in the middle belongs to the grandfather, Li Jiuzhou. This illustrious old man, who had fought more than a hundred battles, large and small, against foreign tribes, was the beginning of the Li family's rise.

The rightmost memorial tablet was the one that Li Xiao's gaze lingered on the longest.

That was his father, Li Donghai, who died young and was unable to witness his son's success.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived," the Minister of Rites announced softly.

Li Xiao took the incense and candles and slowly walked to the offering table. He knelt down on the prayer mat, followed closely by members of the imperial family and important officials.

"Li's son, Xiao, respectfully presents this offering to the spirits of his great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, grandfather, and father."

Li Xiao held the incense and candles above his head: "Our great-grandfather led the westward expedition from Yan and Yun, clearing thorns and brambles to pacify Jinzhou; our great-great-grandfather pacified the people and promoted industry, enabling the Li family to take root in this region."

"My grandfather fought bravely to defend the border and protect the people; my father was diligent and thrifty in managing the household and taught his son to be brave and righteous."

"Four generations of ancestors passed down the torch, which led to where we are today."

Li Xiao kowtowed deeply, his forehead touching the cool blue bricks: "Today, I, Xiao, inherit the spirit of my ancestors, establish the Great Ming Dynasty, ascend the throne, and bring order to the world."

"It was not the work of Xiao alone, but the blessing of our ancestors and the united efforts of our clan."

When he raised his head, his expression was firm, maintaining the composure of an emperor: "I hereby swear that I will always keep in mind 'respecting Heaven and honoring our ancestors, being diligent in governing and loving our people,' encouraging agriculture and sericulture to ensure the well-being of the people, strengthening the military to secure our territory, and promoting education to clarify human relations."

May our ancestors bless us, may the people live in peace and health, and may our land be forever secure.

"May the descendants of the Li family be loyal and brave generation after generation, and live up to the expectations of their family and country."

After saying this, he inserted the incense and candles into the incense burner and then performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony.

Li Dongjiang, standing behind him, was the first to respond: "We, the descendants of the Li family, will surely follow Your Majesty, defend our land and protect our people, and live up to the expectations of our ancestors."

More than a hundred members of the imperial clan echoed in unison, “We will not let down our ancestors, nor our country.”

Today, the Li family has grown to more than one hundred members.

The main reason is that the men of the Li family, who were fighting on the battlefield, couldn't control themselves and brought home one woman after another.

The boys born to the women in the family alone could form a hundred households, not to mention the many other children whose lineage is unclear.

Therefore, as the Li family gradually prospered and grew stronger, it was inevitable that they would encounter the awkward situation of the Ming imperial family.

Although the territory of the Ming Dynasty today far exceeds that of the Ming Dynasty in history, it cannot withstand the squandering of the Li family descendants generation after generation.

We must start curbing this from the very beginning, preventing the Li family descendants from indulging in pleasure, and ensuring that every generation of Li family descendants maintains a martial spirit.

This requires institutional constraints.

For members of the royal family, the power of ancestral family laws is greater than that of national laws.

(End of this chapter)