Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Alternatively, their descendants may become accomplished, and their ancestors may be posthumously honored as Grand Tutors.

Jiang Zhi, however, is clearly not included in this category.

Perhaps one day, Jiang Zhao will rule the world and posthumously honor his ancestors.

But clearly not now.

That was to posthumously grant him the title of Duke.

Compared to the title of Grand Tutor, the title of Duke is considerably less prestigious.

Zhao Ceying did not hesitate and wrote down his instructions.

[Approved! The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is hereby ordered to draft the posthumous title of Duke of Wu. A funeral gift of one thousand taels of silver and three hundred bolts of silk is to be bestowed, and the Left Censor-in-Chief is to compose the epitaph for the spirit path.]

After a few words, Zhao Ceying pulled out a page of yellow paper and began to read.

[To Zichuan Taijian:

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my grandfather.

My grandfather was a censor of the Qingliu clan, outspoken and highly respected, a true role model for his subjects.

The deceased set an example that will live on, and the living will shoulder heavy responsibilities. You were a pillar of the Jiang family. Your ancestor passed away with a smile, and may you enjoy both happiness and longevity!

Recalling your past as the pacification of Xihe and your time teaching in the palace, your pronouncements about being "the greatest emperor of all time" often influenced me, Zhao.

We urge you to take care of yourself and find solace in your grief. May you carry on the family legacy and comfort our departed souls with your noble aspirations. Our hearts are filled with sorrow; we humbly request your continued care.

Respectfully submitted by Zhao Ceying!

"Zhao Ceying, respectfully presented!"

Jiang Zhao held the letter in his hand, reading it as he paced back and forth.

really!

For an aging emperor without children, what he cares about most is his posthumous reputation.

During the thirty years of recuperation and restoration that the old emperor underwent, there were many humiliating acts of compromise and appeasement.

If nothing unexpected happens, this person's historical evaluation will certainly not be very high.

At the very least, it doesn't reach the top level.

However, during the expansion of the Xihe border, Zhao Zhen's "incompetence" was transformed into that of a monarch who endured humiliation and prioritized the overall situation.

Judging from the evaluation alone, he suddenly went from being an ordinary person to a virtuous ruler.

Having tasted some success, Zhao Zhen naturally hoped that the next emperor would expand the territory.

After all, the country and its people have already been given away; they can't take it with them.

The only thing that can possibly be taken with you is your name for posterity!

Once the next ruler is full of martial virtue and demonstrates the spirit of the Great Zhou Dynasty, then it will be a golden age with two rulers ruling the country.

Even at the very least, it should be some kind of "governing system".

With such temptation, Zhao Zhen naturally favored Zhao Ceying, who was full of martial virtue, even disregarding the fact that Zhao Ceying was a descendant of Emperor Taizu.

Zhao Ceying is the "good grandson"!

Jiang Zhao put down the letter in his hand and slowly picked up the imperial edict.

In addition to the letters, the posthumous official titles, posthumous names, and spirit tablets were also sent.

He was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Wu, with the posthumous name "Qingsu". A spirit path stele was carved from white marble, and two pairs each of cattle, sheep and pigs were erected along with the inscription.

Pine and cypress trees are permitted to be planted on both sides of the sacred path, symbolizing "eternal greenery".

Such an honor is undeniably generous.

Since the imperial edict and Zhao Ceying's letter were delivered together, it means that Zhao Ceying definitely put in a lot of effort.

It might even be a memorial he approved.

Jiang Zhao sat down, picked up his pen, and replied:

Thank you!

May 11th.

The rooster crows at dawn, and a thin mist shrouds the light.

The fluttering white banners added a touch of melancholy.

The porters wore black cloth headscarves and had solemn expressions.

Led by Jiang Zhong, the clan elders and Jiang family members all wore mourning clothes.

As the eldest son, Jiang Zhong was the chief mourner, holding the memorial tablet and positioned directly in front of the coffin.

The eldest grandson, Jiang Zhao, was second only to the chief mourner, holding a mourning stick and standing a few steps behind his father.

The remaining clan elders and Jiang family members stood either on the sides or behind the coffin, depending on their blood ties.

In addition, there were people scattering paper money, emcees, and drummers, all positioned on the side of the coffin to create a solemn atmosphere.

"Awakening——"

With a long shout, the sixty-four porters rose to carry the coffin.

Funeral music played, and paper money was scattered.

Several hundred people made their way to the funeral, proceeding slowly.

Along the way, many locals watched with surprise on their faces.

The scale of the burial of a second-rank official was truly eye-opening.

At 3:45 AM, the coffin arrived at the cemetery.

The elder, skilled in feng shui, held a compass and continued to calculate.

After about two incense sticks' worth of time, he called out, "Ding Xiang, the auspicious time has arrived!"

Sixty-four men, carrying loads, all took down the hemp rope.

"fall--"

"burial--"

The coffin was buried deep in the earth.

The tomb was sealed with yellow earth, and the dust was swept away with a new broom. Some grains were then laid on top, symbolizing a bountiful harvest.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Jiang Zhao wiped away his sweat and let out a long sigh of relief.

After the burial, the descendants should mourn and pay their respects, and live a low-key life.

For him, it was a year-long vacation!

……

Chapter 162 A Glimpse into the Lives of People in Bianjing!

Early July.

The sun rises over the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The steps are majestic and the shrines are solemn.

Several wooden tablets, all ancestral tablets, were erected in the "Zhaomu system" (a system of ancestral worship).

A hundred paces away from the Imperial Ancestral Temple, there was an altar about ten feet high, where sacrificial vessels and wine vessels were placed.

The charcoal fire burned brightly, and the incense smoke curled upwards.

A jade carriage (a special vehicle for sacrificial rites), pushed and supported by palace officials, slowly passed through the temple gate.

The civil and military officials, led by Grand Chancellor Han Zhang, stood in orderly rows, holding their official tablets, their faces solemn.

Several younger members of the imperial clan stood facing west.

About half an incense stick later, the jade carriage collided with the steps of the sacrificial altar.

Emperor Zhao Zhen stepped down from the jade carriage, dressed in a black robe and skirt with twelve imperial symbols and twelve tassels on his head, looking very majestic.

Of course, the slightly pale lips somewhat detracted from the authoritative demeanor.

Empress Cao wore a yi (a type of traditional Chinese robe), a long robe with wide sleeves, embroidered with pheasant and falcon patterns, and a crown with nine dragons and four phoenixes on her head.

Both of them, holding sacrificial texts, ascended the steps together.

"Each official shall perform their duties!"

"Welcome the gods!"

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, serving as the official in charge of sacrificial rites, sang a hymn, and the chime bells and ox drums sounded together, playing the "Xing'an Music." Sixty-four noble sons, holding flutes and pheasants, performed a "civil dance" and walked in the "round mound ceremony."

All the civil and military officials bowed in unison and knelt on the prayer mats.

On the altar, the sacrificial text was slowly unfurled.

"In the third year of the Zhiping era, the succeeding emperor's minister Zhao Zhen respectfully presented a black jade tablet and a jade disc to the Supreme Heaven and the spirits of the King of Wei:"

I humbly believe that Heaven's mandate is ever-changing, but is based solely on virtue. My son passed away early, leaving no one to carry on the family line. I am filled with anxiety day and night, fearing the demise of our ancestral line. I have found a worthy successor among the descendants of my great-grandfather, a man of exceptional virtue and wisdom, possessing both literary and martial talents, perfectly emulating his qualities, truly resembling my son.

Following the advice of virtuous ministers and emulating the precedent set by Emperor Xuan of Han, we humbly accept the title of King of Wei as our father, and eternally offer sacrifices to him. The stars align in Kui, a sign of auspiciousness for our sage grandson. The Yellow River is clear, and we offer this praise, heralding a new era of revival. We earnestly pray that divine intervention will guide us, and that the dragon will soar to new heights.

May our borders expand to the northern deserts, and may the restoration of Yan and Yun bring me satisfaction. May your virtuous conduct be comparable to that of Yao and Shun, and may your glory shine in the annals of history to answer the call of Heaven.

May your spirit bear witness and may you enjoy this offering!

After speaking, he threw the eulogy into the fire.

The chime bells rang out, their long notes lingering for seven breaths, their cool resonance echoing around the beams.

The first instance of anything is always the most difficult.

With the adoption of five members of the imperial clan for sacrificial rites, this adoption of the "grandson" for sacrificial rites is naturally not the first case, and the process is almost identical.

The difference was that Zhao Zhen did not read out the names of the five younger members of the imperial family one by one.

but

To expand the northern borders and restore the Yan and Yun regions to satisfy my ambition?

Some perceptive civil officials glanced out of the corner of their eyes at several members of the imperial clan who were considered the most virtuous in martial arts.

Is it really possible to be a descendant of the founding emperor?

After the eulogy was recited, an official presented a jade cup containing brewed rice wine.

Conventionally, sacrificial rites include offering wine to honor ancestors.

Zhao Zhen nodded and was about to reach out his hand when he seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly changed.

Almost in an instant.

"Uh~!"

Under the watchful eyes of all the officials, Zhao Zhen gagged, his face contorted, his eyes glazed over, and he swayed precariously.

Fortunately, Empress Cao reacted quickly and reached out to support him.

"Imperial doctor!"

A gasp of surprise rang out, and all the officials were shocked.

really!

The official's stroke was not truly cured.

Emperor Taizong died here, and Emperor Zhenzong died here.

Now, it's the government's turn!

All the civil and military officials watched intently.

"Turn around, everyone."

A sharp rebuke drew attention.