Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 248 I know about the affairs of Yao and Shun!
The chimes and drums resounded together, their sounds echoing between heaven and earth, announcing the start of this earth-shaking ceremony.

The Grand Sacrificer Zheng Xuansu stood atop the abdication platform and shouted in a loud voice, "The auspicious time has arrived! Silence!"

Zheng Xuan practically shouted at the top of his lungs, but no one knew what unique vocal technique he used; his voice was high-pitched yet without any cracking, displaying a powerful and majestic quality.

"The auspicious time has arrived, silence!"

Below the abdication platform, scholars from ancient and modern times, such as Cai Yong, Fu Qian, Ma Ridi, Fu Wan, Liu Kuan, and Liu Tao, stood solemnly, heads bowed and eyes closed, serving as the announcers for today's abdication ceremony, repeating Zheng Xuan's proclamation word for word.

"Silence!"

Meanwhile, the soldiers around the abdication platform, having rehearsed beforehand, recited their lines in unison according to a set procedure, signaling the scholars, students, and common people in the surrounding area to remain silent.

In an instant, the noise around the Zen platform ceased completely.

All eyes were fixed on the figure dressed in the crown prince's robes. The guests held their breath, their hearts pounding with every step the prince took.

Among the tens of thousands of spectators, a tent-like hall stood out, particularly at the best viewing spot reserved for members of the imperial family, high-ranking officials, and their sons.

This temporary tent, constructed of paulownia wood, is only slightly wider than the enclosed carriages of two nobles' vehicles. Inside the tent sits the only guest who is allowed to sit and observe the ceremony today.

Initially, everyone was curious about this special guest, and some censors even wanted to impeach him for disrespecting the emperor and violating etiquette.

Today is an important moment for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. The Emperor, Empress and Crown Prince are all standing. Who else is qualified to sit?
But when Yang Biao entered the palace, the newly appointed Imperial Physician Zhang Ji and a group of physicians frequently came and went. How could everyone not understand who was sitting inside?

As the emperor's teacher and a close friend of the crown prince, Grand Commandant Yang Ci was naturally qualified to sit and observe the ceremony.

Logically speaking, Yang Ci, who was ill and barely had a few days left to live, could only attend the ceremony sitting or even lying down.

Legally speaking, how could a 66-year-old Grand Commandant, who was practically the tutor of two emperors, not be allowed to sit on the throne?

Yang Ci leaned against the cushion, his hand trembling as he reached out to hold onto the armrest. His cloudy eyes gleamed with excitement, but he was breathing heavily, his lips moving as he murmured words that were inaudible to others, as if urging them on.

When Liu Bian arrived at the foot of the Abdication Platform, looking at this platform named "Chengqian Platform," with its wide steps leading up to the top, he gazed up the steps and saw the figure in black and crimson robes, his heart filled with countless thoughts.

The word "承" means to inherit or carry on.
Qian represents the mandate of Heaven!
Although the name made Liu Bian somewhat nervous, Zheng Xuan said that "Chengqian" means to receive the mandate of heaven, and there is no name more suitable for receiving the abdication platform than "Chengqian".

Zheng Xuan loudly proclaimed, "Crown Prince—ascend the platform to receive the abdication!"

Hearing the shouts coming from so close by, Liu Bian glanced sideways at Cai Yong, who was closest to him.

Perhaps sensing the Crown Prince's nervousness, Cai Yong nodded slightly to encourage him. Liu Bian did not respond, but took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, slightly bent his knees, and took his first step.

The steps were painted red, symbolizing the undying flame of the Han Dynasty that continues to burn to this day, and there are a total of ninety-nine steps.

However, in order to echo the number "ninety-nine", each step was half a step higher than the usual steps, which made Liu Bian, who was wearing a crown robe, feel somewhat uncomfortable.

When Liu Bian climbed to the twenty-fifth step, he took a few breaths. The Crown Prince's tutor, Xun Shuang, stood on the twenty-fifth step and personally removed the Crown Prince's lower garment and shoes. He then changed the Crown Prince's clothes into a crimson robe and red shoes from a lacquered tray held by the eunuch Guo Sheng.

This was because it was considered that the Crown Prince, wearing such a heavy imperial robe, might be sweating profusely or panting heavily when climbing ninety-nine steps in one go, which would inevitably be unseemly and undignified. Therefore, every twenty-five steps, one of the Crown Prince's robes would be removed and replaced with the Emperor's robes.

As for Guo Sheng, this was the last favor Liu Bian bestowed upon them.

The qualification to participate in this abdication ceremony was the last life-saving talisman Liu Bian prepared for them.

Even when they grow old, they can live a peaceful and comfortable life in the palace, or return to their hometown to live among their clan and enjoy their remaining years. When their lifespan ends, they can be buried in the imperial mausoleum.

After Xun Shuang finished helping Liu Bian change his clothes, he looked at the Crown Prince who was about to ascend the throne and performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony with Guo Sheng on either side of him.

Liu Bian not only did not return the greeting, but also did not offer any assistance, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

On the fiftieth step, waiting for Liu Bian were Lu Zhi, the Crown Prince's tutor, and Gao Wang, the Palace Attendant, who changed the Crown Prince into the black robes and white silk belt of the Emperor's ceremonial robes.

Compared to Xun Shuang and Guo Sheng, Lu Zhi and Gao Wang, though not family members, were like family to him. When performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows, tears welled up in their eyes, and their eyes were full of relief and emotion.

On the seventy-fifth step, waiting for Liu Bian were Empress He and Zhao Zhong, the Grand Chamberlain and Chief Attendant. They changed his nine-tassel crown to a twelve-tassel crown for him. Empress He's eyes were full of love and heartache.

Others only see how majestic the emperor is, but they cannot see how hard his son, Bian'er, works for the country.

The entire burden of the nation will fall on the shoulders of this child who is not yet twenty.

Finally, Liu Bian took the ninety-ninth step, his left foot already on the ninety-ninth step, and looked at Liu Hong, who had been waiting for a long time.

On the hundredth and one hundred and first steps, Liu Bian finally reached the top of the Chengqian Terrace. Though the journey was short, it gave him the feeling of having traversed countless mountains and treacherous paths. Liu Hong's gaze towards him was complex, a mixture of reluctance and relief. Standing before the ancestral tablets of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Shizu, brought from the Taizu Temple and Shizu Temple respectively, he slowly unfurled the edict in his hand, his voice trembling slightly, and proclaimed:

"In the eighth year of the Guanghe era, the year of Yichou, on the day of Gengyin in the first month, I hereby proclaim to the Supreme God of Heaven, the God of Earth, and the ancestors of the Great Han Dynasty:"

I succeeded to the throne of Emperor Taizu Gao and reigned for seventeen years, coinciding with the beginning of a new year, a time of renewal for all things. However, I fell ill and suffered from a chronic disease for a long time. Fortunately, thanks to the blessings of my ancestors, my lifespan was not cut short, and I was blessed with this heir.

His benevolence and filial piety reached the divine, and his wisdom shone throughout the world.

Although he was not yet of age, his achievements in clarifying laws and guiding education were remarkable; although his virtue was not yet outstanding, his determination to bring peace to the people and defend the land was firm.

Whenever I observe him attending court and governing, his actions are well-ordered and methodical, as if I were witnessing the legacy of Emperor Taizong.

He consulted divination masters several times, and they all said: "Heaven's mandate is in the hands of the heir, and it cannot be reversed."

The Grand Astrologer then reported: "The Purple Palace is dim, and the Lesser Yang shines brightly."

I have looked up to the will of Heaven and looked down upon the hearts of the people. Now, Crown Prince Bian has achieved success in governing the country and his virtue is divine. Therefore, I hereby abdicate the throne to Crown Prince Bian, following the example of Yao.

I will retire to the Northern Palace and become the Retired Emperor to enjoy my remaining years.

"You should admire it!"

As Liu Hong finished speaking, he untied the Imperial Seal of the State and an ancient and noble longsword hanging from his waist, looked down at the two objects, and held them tightly for a long time, unwilling to let go.

Finally, Liu Hong sighed deeply and solemnly placed himself back into the jade plate offered by Zhang Rang.

Liu Bian stared at the four-inch square bluish-white jade seal. The broken surface of the gold patch in the lower left corner reflected a cold, hard light, and the wedge-shaped notch was tightly wrapped in gold foil.

Although he had long since grown tired of the Imperial Seal of the State, seeing it at this moment still stirred up a tremendous wave of emotions within him.

He reached out and gently stroked the cool edges of the Imperial Seal with his fingertips. Turning the seal over, he saw the eight seal characters, enough to make any man's blood boil, gleaming in the sunlight. Liu Bian's lips curled up slightly, and he murmured softly, "By the mandate of Heaven, may your reign be long and prosperous."

The other sword, along with the Imperial Seal, was designated as the "Imperial Treasure" of the Han Dynasty and passed down through generations of emperors to slay the serpent!
It was a bronze replica of a Qin sword, decorated with patterns, seven-colored pearls, and nine-flowered jade. The two characters "Chixiao" were engraved on the blade in seal script.

It is usually enshrined in the Taizu Temple, and is polished every twelve years, so that the blade is always as white as frost and snow.

If the Imperial Seal symbolizes political power, then this sword that slays the serpent symbolizes military power!

These two items are what people often refer to as "divine artifacts".

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs!

Now that the divine artifacts have changed hands, possessing these two "treasures of the emperor" symbolizes holding the power to handle important national affairs.

Liu Bian, dressed in the twelve-symbol imperial crown, straightened his back, turned around to face the crowd in front of him, took two steps forward and stood at the edge of the steps. With his left hand, he slowly raised the serpent-slaying sword horizontally, and with his right hand, he raised the imperial seal of the state.

In an instant, a deafening shout echoed through the mountains.

"May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"

"May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

Liu Bian closed his eyes slightly, enjoying the cheers from the audience. A look of triumphant brilliance appeared on his face as he smiled and said to Zheng Xuan.

"I know about the deeds of Yao and Shun!"

(3012 words)
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P.S.: Wishing all my readers a happy and healthy Dragon Boat Festival!

The author took a flight from Changzhi, Shanxi back to Zhejiang this morning. It was almost 10 o'clock when the flight landed at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport. After taking the high-speed train, it was almost afternoon when the author arrived home.

After getting home, I accidentally slept all day. In the evening, I had to accompany my parents to a Dragon Boat Festival dinner organized by their friends. I'm so sorry I didn't have time to update.

As usual, the missing word count will be added later.

Actually, I still managed to update 140,000 words this month, which is barely enough to live up to the love and support of my readers who voted for me. Thank you for your support, companionship and understanding in May.

Actually, I did manage to update 140,000 words this month, quack, which is barely enough to live up to the readers' votes. Thank you all for your support, companionship, and understanding throughout May.

(End of this chapter)