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Chapter 209 Suburban Sacrifices and Rewards

In the third year of Xiande, on the first day of the first month, Dinghai.

A grand suburban sacrificial ceremony, intended to announce to heaven and earth, comfort the ancestors, and pray for a successful conquest of Jiangnan in the spring, began on a chilly morning.

At dawn, the sky was still a cold, iron-gray, and the huge palace lanterns hanging high above Xuande Gate swayed in the wind with a dim, yellowish light.

"Thump—Buzz—Whoosh—"

Amidst the deep, resonant sounds of drums and horns, the majestic Xuande Gate slowly opened.

The civil and military officials standing solemnly before the palace gates, along with the guards holding their breath, instantly became as taut as bowstrings, and an atmosphere of solemnity permeated the air.

Li Yi led a group of imperial guards, riding through the palace gates and appearing in everyone's sight.

He wore a brand-new purple official robe, over which was a golden brocade battle robe with a unicorn pattern bestowed by the emperor. A precious sword with a gilded wooden sheath hung at his waist, and he lightly tapped the saddle with the rhythm of his horse.

Following closely behind was the emperor's jade carriage, with nine layers of red silk gauze hanging around it. Through the layers of thin gauze, one could vaguely see the figure sitting inside the carriage.

"rise--"

Li Yi's sharply defined face was tense with a solemn expression. He raised the gilded scabbard and pointed it diagonally forward, uttering a heavy "Okay."

With his command, the massive procession began to move, with the emperor's jade carriage at its core. Amidst the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the gleaming of armor, the procession headed south along the central axis of the Imperial Street, gradually leaving the enormous shadow of Xuande Gate behind.

Leading the way in the distance were dozens of crimson cloud banners and plain white sun and moon banners, fluttering in the north wind as if tearing open a corner of the sky, indicating that the procession to communicate with the gods of heaven and earth had begun.

Following closely behind were the mounted guards leading the carriage, eighty-one riders on each side, all clad in fine-scaled silver armor, their helmets adorned with crimson tassels and flames, bows and arrows hanging from their saddles, and wielding twelve-foot-long halberds, their tips gleaming like stars falling to the ground, forming a tight protective formation.

The horseshoes struck the frozen ground with a rhythmic "click" sound, like the rhythm of drums, creating a powerful and awe-inspiring sound.

Following that was a formidable ocean of swords, spears, halberds, banners, and feathered canopies.

Twelve dragon flags fluttered in the wind; sixteen banners each carried auspicious omens; and eight black banners were deep and dark.

The banners, including the lead banner, the teaching banner, the message banner, and the announcement banner, are arranged in order, their ends fluttering rapidly in the cold wind.

The ceremonial warriors, armed with spears, halberds, axes, and maces, were all clad in armor. Their steps were perfectly synchronized, and the rustling sound of their armor plates against each other was like a rushing stream.

Furthermore, the Leopard Tail Spear Team followed closely behind the guards, their spears tipped with leopard tails, symbolizing the emperor's supreme majesty.

Behind this procession, composed of a sea of ​​flags, golden armor, weapons, and banners, lies the true heart of the grand entourage—six robust and sturdy steeds, adorned with golden bridles and silver bridles, leading the jade carriage slowly along.

The jade carriage was lacquered in vermilion and inlaid with gold throughout. Coiled dragons and phoenix bells jingled softly, making it resemble a moving palace.

The Grand Master of the Imperial Stud looked solemn, gripped the reins tightly, and personally drove the jade carriage.

The carriage was surrounded by civil officials in dark or light scarlet robes and military officers in various fine armors, forming layers of guards, like stars surrounding the moon, none daring to slacken their vigilance.

The Yellow Banner stands tall and imposing, like a mountain!
Li Yi steered his horse forward, positioning himself within ten zhang in front of the imperial carriage, precisely in the gap between the escorting cavalry and the imperial guards.

His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, scanned every detail of the entire procession.

Along the wide imperial road, imperial guards stood solemnly with their spears, shutting out all outsiders and forming a cold, imposing human wall of swords and spears.

Every mile the column advanced, commands were relayed from front to back and back to front, ensuring uniformity and a disciplined formation.

The cold sun struggled to climb the city wall, casting its pale light upon the vast procession, but warmth did not arrive.

As the hour of Si (9-11 AM) approached, the imperial procession exited the Nanxun Gate and traveled several miles further south into the suburbs before the Circular Mound Altar finally came into view at the edge of the horizon.

The Circular Mound Altar, with its three concentric circular platforms, symbolizes the roundness of heaven and the earth.

The altar is paved with white marble, which gleams with a cool and sacred luster under the not-so-bright winter sun.

When the vanguard of mounted guards arrived outside the gate of the Circular Mound Altar, the solemn melody of "Yinxiang Music" abruptly stopped, and was replaced by low and solemn sacrificial music.

Amidst this solemn atmosphere, the emperor's jade carriage stopped in front of the temporary palace with its green curtains.

This temporary "temporary residence" built for the emperor's sacrificial rites and fasting, though constructed with wood and bamboo as its framework and covered with blue curtains, was still well-organized, complete with gates, flags, and huge blue curtains that fluttered slightly in the north wind.

The carriage curtain was respectfully lifted by the attendant, and the emperor, dressed in a black fur coat and imperial robe, was helped down from the carriage by his attendants.

Emperor Shizong Chai Rong stepped steadily into the palace to make final preparations for the upcoming sacrificial ceremony to Heaven.

Meanwhile, Li Yi had already dismounted and, together with officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, coordinated and arranged the positions and order of all parties.

Since the Five Dynasties period, when the emperor personally performed sacrifices and grand ceremonies, he would temporarily appoint officials to these positions, which would be removed once the ceremony was over.

During the Later Tang Dynasty, the system was perfected into five envoys: the prime minister was the Grand Etiquette Envoy, the Minister of War was the Etiquette Envoy, the Censor-in-Chief was the Ceremonial Envoy, the Vice Minister of War was the Imperial Procession Envoy, and the Prefect of Kaifeng was the Delivery Envoy.

The Later Zhou dynasty continued this system, but the rites envoy was transferred to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and they were collectively known as the "Five Envoys of the Southern Suburbs".

However, conventions are not absolute, especially in times of chaos, where sometimes the emperor's personal decisions are paramount.

Therefore, in this suburban sacrifice, apart from the vacancy of the position of the messenger, Prime Minister Fan Zhi was appointed as the Grand Ceremony Envoy of the Southern Suburban Sacrifice, Xiang Xun, the Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Xuanhui Academy, was appointed as the Ceremonial Envoy, and Wang Pu, the Left Attendant-in-Ordinary, was appointed as the Ceremonial Guard Envoy.

At the same time, Li Yi was appointed as "the acting judge of the imperial procession".

However, Fan Zhi was a high-ranking official, serving as the emperor's assistant in sacrificial rites, and therefore did not need to worry about many miscellaneous matters.

Xiang Xun and Wang Pu held nominal positions, their honors outweighing their actual contributions, while the actual execution of these positions was left to the relevant officials.

On the contrary, Li Yi, although holding the title of "judicial officer," was responsible for assisting with various matters.

...as the instructions were relayed.

The escorting riders and guards stood in formation on either side of the gate, maintaining a solemn and vigilant posture.

The imperial guards, including the yellow banners, flags, pennants, swords and spears, and the golden mace guards, entered the gate in an orderly fashion according to strict regulations and lined up around the round altar on the green steps.

Civil and military officials lined up neatly below the altar according to their rank and their orientation (east or west).

Only after everyone was in their proper positions and there were no more omissions did Li Yi walk around the armored guards and walk up the stone steps on the east side of the altar to his own spot.

He stood with a slight bow, his gaze lowered, but the corner of his eye was enough to cover the entire ceremonial guard.

At the same time, from this angle you can also see the steps of the imperial road that lead upwards—the only way for the emperor to ascend to the altar.

A cold wind swept across the empty Circular Mound Altar, causing the tall, black banner with gold patterns to flutter loudly.

After an unknown amount of time, the eunuch's sharp, drawn-out announcement suddenly rang out:
"His Majesty has arrived!"

Following the sound, Emperor Chai Rong, dressed in a grand ceremonial robe with twelve embroidered patterns and a crown with twelve tassels, walked steadily up the path to the Altar of Heaven, surrounded by a large entourage holding canopies and feather fans.

Li Yi, along with his ministers, bowed deeply, and the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" resounded through the heavens.

Guided by the master of ceremonies, the emperor ascended step by step to the summit of the Circular Mound Altar, a symbol of communication between heaven and man. The bronze ritual vessels gleamed faintly in the sunlight; the sacrificial animals, the nine tripods, the jade tablets, and the silk were all arranged according to ancient rites.

The cold wind rustled the huge black banners hanging around the altar, creating a suffocatingly solemn atmosphere.

"In the third year of Xiande, the year of Gui Chou, on the first day of the first month, Ding Hai... Guo Rong, the succeeding emperor and his minister, made a public announcement to the Supreme God of Heaven..."

Chai Rong's voice was slightly hoarse, but it still had a penetrating quality like metal and stone, clearly reaching the ears of those standing around him.

He recited the solemn sacrificial text according to ancient rites.

The eulogy reviewed the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty's mandate from Heaven, condemned the Southern Tang Li family for their separatist rule over Jiangnan, their usurpation of the title of emperor, and their long-standing refusal to submit, and detailed the hardships of the royal army's southern expedition last year, as well as the loyalty and bravery of the soldiers who shed their blood in Jiangnan.

"The wind and snow block the road, and the weather is unpredictable... But under heaven, all land belongs to the king; and on the shores of the earth, all people are his subjects. The Jiangnan region is not his subject, and my heart is uneasy!"

"Today, we respectfully prepare sacrificial offerings and fragrant incense, and devoutly pray to Heaven and our ancestors: protect our Great Zhou army to launch another campaign, to dispel the clouds and reveal the sun, and to sweep away the rebellious! May our soldiers be invincible, break through cities and destroy fortresses, and march straight to Nanjing!"

"...May you accept this offering!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chai Rong personally threw the huge torch, which was soaked in pine resin, into the furnace that symbolized that human prayers could reach the heavens.

"boom--"

Flames shot skyward instantly!

The loud bang of the firewood and grease exploding was particularly shocking, and the blazing flames leaped and dispelled the surrounding chill.

It also casts a swaying shadow of Chai Ronggang's resolute figure, as if he were one with heaven and earth in the swirling smoke.

The emperor chose to hold this grand ceremony before the beginning of spring, not only as a ritual to pray for divine protection.

It was also a declaration to heaven and earth, to ancestors, and to all the civil and military officials of the court, of his vision to conquer the south of the Yangtze River and unify the world!

……

The rituals of the Heaven Worship Ceremony are extremely complex, consisting of procedures such as welcoming the Heavenly God, offering jade and silk, presenting sacrificial offerings, performing the first offering, the second offering, the final offering, removing the offerings, sending off the Heavenly God, and observing the burning of the offerings.

By the time the sacrificial ceremony was over, it was nearly dusk.

As the smoke from the sacrificial fire atop the Circular Mound Altar gradually died down, it signaled that this grand sacrificial ceremony, which had lasted all day, was finally drawing to a close.

The courtiers, attendants, and guards stood at attention for most of the day, and everyone felt their legs and feet were sore and numb. Some even shivered slightly involuntarily in the cold evening wind.

But this was not the end, because there was one last and most important step: issuing an imperial edict to bestow rewards.

Firstly, it was to reward the civil and military officials for their hard work in accompanying the emperor, and secondly, it was an opportunity to bestow favors upon all parties, demonstrating the emperor's benevolence and the authority of the central government.

Especially for the lower-ranking soldiers, in addition to their regular military pay, the rewards before going to war, the honors for meritorious service, and the special gifts on major holidays were three very important sources of income.

Among them, going to war means going to the battlefield and risking one's life, and this money is not so easy to get.

As for the reward for military merit, it is the most rewarding option, but it is also the most difficult to obtain.

It's better to have the life to perform meritorious deeds but not the life to enjoy them, at least you can leave some security for your family... The worst thing is to die and get nothing at all!

In comparison, the rewards bestowed during major holidays are the safest and most convenient option.

This is why, when Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou, Guo Wei, held his last suburban sacrifice before his death in the first month of the previous year, the imperial guards were dissatisfied with the meager rewards and almost caused a disaster.

Because everyone hopes to gain something from such a grand ceremony.

He might not get promoted or ennobled, but at least he could get some money and silk.
……

Fires were lit one after another around the altar, illuminating it as bright as day.

Chancellor Fan Zhi held the imperial edict in his hands and read it aloud—

"Blessed by the heavens, the grand ceremony is successfully completed. I, by the mandate of Heaven, dwelt upon this altar. Concerned for the suffering of the people and pitying the imprisoned, I hereby decree that all those convicted of crimes, except for those guilty of the ten unpardonable offenses and those who have committed capital crimes, shall be pardoned and released, regardless of the severity of their crimes!"

General amnesty was a common practice of ancient dynasties, and even in later generations there were laws on "special amnesty," but heads of state would not use it lightly.

However, the so-called amnesty is only a general term, and there are still many restrictions in its implementation. It is not that one will necessarily be pardoned if one does not commit a serious crime.

After the imperial edict is issued, the court will send official documents to various regions, specifying the scope of crimes for which the pardoned individuals will be pardoned.

Immediately following, Fan Zhi issued another edict: "Another edict regarding promotions and appointments: Bai Chongzan of Heyang is transferred to Jingzhou; Zhang Ze of Jinzhou is transferred to Hezhong; Yuan Zhi of Yanzhou is transferred to Cangzhou, and is granted the title of Grand Tutor... Chancellors Fan Zhi, Li Gu, and Wang Pu are all granted additional titles and fiefs, and their titles of meritorious officials are changed. Privy Councilor Wei Renpu is granted the title of Grand Tutor and promoted to Duke of the Founding State..."

This is an imperial edict of reward. First, as is customary, the regional military governors were relocated to prevent them from staying in one place for too long.

At the same time, those senior military commanders were promoted and rewarded with wealth to demonstrate the emperor's favor and appease them.

In addition, the edict also bestowed titles and rewards upon other civil and military officials of the court.

After a series of high-ranking civil and military officials, it was soon time for those left to remain in Tokyo to take their place.

"Xiang Xun, who was appointed Military Governor of Zhen'an Army and Commissioner of Xuanhui Southern Court, was transferred to Military Governor of Wuning Army, concurrently serving as General of the Left Feathered Forest Guard, and was also granted the title of Grand Commandant."

"Wang Pu, Academician of the Duanming Hall, Left Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, and Acting Prefect of Kaifeng, was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and concurrently served as Deputy Chief of the Privy Council."

"Han Tong, who was appointed Military Governor of Zhangxin Army and concurrently served as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, was promoted to Military Governor of Zhongwu Army, with the additional title of Grand Protector, and continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards."

"Zhang Mei, the Privy Councilor and Imperial City Envoy, was appointed Right General of the Imperial Guard and concurrently in charge of the Three Departments."

"..."

Li Yi listened quietly, but in his heart he was thinking: The emperor's rewards to Xiang Xun, Wang Pu and Han Tong were still within expectations.

As for Zhang Meijian, who is in charge of the Three Departments... if nothing unexpected happens, he will soon be promoted to the position of Commissioner of the Three Departments.

It should be noted that after Jing Fan, who served as the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, Chancellor, and Judge of the Three Departments, resigned due to his father's death and returned east to observe mourning, Li Gu, the Vice Chancellor, concurrently assumed the position of Judge of the Three Departments.

Now that the emperor has suddenly assigned this task to Zhang Mei, could it be that he is taking his anger out on Li Gu because of the setbacks in the Huainan campaign?

Just as Li Yi was pondering, Fan Zhi finally called out his name:
"Li Yi, who was appointed Military Governor of Zhaowu Army, concurrently Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, and Acting Minister of War, was reassigned Military Governor of Desheng Army, with the additional titles of Grand Master of the Palace and Acting Minister of Works, and concurrently Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards..."

Perhaps because his attention was somewhat distracted, Li Yi did not hear the entire contents of his decree. By the time he pricked up his ears to listen carefully again, the contents of the decree had already been missed.

At this moment, Fan Zhi was nearing the end of the imperial edict in his hand. His voice was slightly hoarse, but still clearly audible.

"The officials accompanying the emperor were each granted a rank of nobility; the various palace attendants were all given bolts of silk according to their rank."

The palace guards, their officers, the commanders of the cavalry and infantry, the captains, and even the soldiers.

The Privy Council, together with the Three Departments, shall promptly allocate money, silk, rice, and meat as rewards, starting with one string of cash, one bolt of cloth, five dou of rice, and three jin of meat!
In addition, special allowances will be granted as a reward, to alleviate the cold!

(End of this chapter)