Chongwenyuan is located between Daqing Palace and Changqing Palace.
The Daqing Palace used to be a parade ground where the emperor offered sacrifices and held celebrations. Later, it was converted into the Administrative System Council and offices of various court departments.
Chongwenyuan was the place where the royal books were stored.
Previously, the imperial palace was small, so the royal books had to be stored separately: one in Chongwenyuan, two in Wende Hall, three in Longtu Pavilion, Tianzhang Pavilion, Baowen Pavilion, and four in Yanfu Palace.
Now after the expansion, the place is larger and has more space for storage. Chongwenyuan has been converted into the office of some departments. There is also a large square outside, which is connected to the square on the other side of Changqing Palace and Taimiao.
The size of the imperial city expanded several times, and even if more than 50 departments moved in, it would not seem crowded. Therefore, the direction near Zuoye Gate became the place where the troops lined up during the military parade.
At this moment, from Chongwenyuan to Changqing Palace, dozens of square formations were neatly arranged on the huge square. Each square formation stood in an orderly manner and lined up according to the order of appearance.
For this New Year's military parade, the imperial court ordered the selection of tall and well-dressed soldiers from the 600,000 imperial guards, a total of 10,000 people, and divided them into many square formations.
Some are representatives of the military, some are from various battalions and arms, and some are emerging combat heroes and outstanding soldiers who have made many military achievements.
Although this was an ancient military parade and could not be compared with the airplanes, tanks, artillery, and rocket vehicles in later parades, it at least had the initial prototype of modern troops.
After the many generals returned to their troops, some served as leading generals in the parade formation, while others stood collectively on carriages and appeared in the general formation.
Zhang Kang, as the prime minister and general, rode alone on a warhorse, with a square formation of infantry behind him.
They also wore the new Song Dynasty military uniforms, with ring-handled swords hanging from their waists. In front of them were flag bearers and flag bearers, forming the three-service guard of honor.
The one who appeared in the back was Di Qing, who led a cavalry formation.
Next came Wang Deyong, Cao Cong and others.
Just as the soldiers were lining up in the rear, preparing to go on stage, at the end of the Chenshi hour, that is, at nine o'clock in the morning, the military parade was finally about to officially begin.
Outside the fence of the square outside Xuande Gate, it was already crowded with people from the Song Dynasty. In order to prevent overcrowding, fences were built in rows around it to separate the crowd. The entire Nanheng Street outside Xuande Gate was ten miles long, and the few miles near Xuande Gate were full of people.
Many people were waving a small Song Dynasty dragon flag in their hands. The cold winter wind was blowing, and the weather was a little gloomy. The temperature was not high, but it could not stop the enthusiasm of the people. They all stood in their positions to watch the ceremony.
The busiest were Kaifeng Prefecture and the Imperial City Administration. In order to maintain order, thousands of yamen runners from Kaifeng Prefecture and thousands of inspectors from the Imperial City Administration had to patrol everywhere to prevent illegal activities such as crowding, trampling, and petty theft.
"Bang bang bang bang!"
Just after the last quarter of Chenshi and the beginning of Sishi, at exactly nine o'clock, fireworks shot straight into the sky from the palace gates on both sides of Xuande Gate.
As dozens of explosions ended, Zhao Zhen, Zhao Jun and other cultural relics officials, about a hundred people, slowly walked onto the Xuande Gate platform. There was a rostrum on the high platform. Zhao Zhen, wearing a solemn robe, stood beside the rostrum.
The Minister of Rites, acting as host, took the stage first and said, "May the peace and prosperity of the phoenixes be with you, and may all be blessed. Today is a day of universal celebration, and a day to showcase the military might of the Great Song Dynasty."
"Our Great Song has been established for 93 years. Since the founding of Your Majesty, we have achieved remarkable military prowess and commanded great power. Our army has been invincible wherever it marches, and this achievement is only possible thanks to the bloody struggles of our soldiers."
"On this special day, the emperor will review the majesty of the three armies and also confer military ranks on the countless soldiers who have fought bravely since Baoyuan's foreign wars, to highlight the honor of the country."
"Now, let us welcome His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty."
The Minister of Rites hid the notes in his arms and walked backwards down the podium.
Zhao Zhen first took a deep breath, looked at the crowd of countless people watching the ceremony in the distance, glanced at the sea of people outside Xuande Gate, and unconsciously avoided his gaze before looking at Zhao Jun next to him.
Seeing that his eldest grandson gave him an encouraging look, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but feel more confident. He couldn't help but cheer himself up and calm down his originally nervous mood.
Originally, the Ministry of Rites suggested taking a piece of paper to read it out, but Zhao Zhen thought that this would not be a good idea, so he has been memorizing the lines every day for the past few days.
Although I am very familiar with it, it is still frightening to see such a scene.
Fortunately, Zhao Zhen had seen the grand ceremony of the founding of the country in his notebook, and had imagined himself standing on the city gate tower and overlooking the people below in his dreams countless times. Therefore, the tension gradually subsided and was replaced by excitement.
He stood on the stage and was instantly surrounded by thunderous applause. At the same time, the people in the distance below also cheered like thunder. All kinds of applause and cheers condensed into a sea of people.
"Official, Official!"
"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor."
"The Song Dynasty has an official family. What a blessing it is."
The people shouted.
Zhao Zhen was deeply moved. He waved his right hand and waited until the cheers died down before reaching for the microphone and saying, "From the time Emperor Gaozu of Tang rose up in rebellion, overthrowing the Sui Dynasty and establishing the nation, to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, and finally the rise of the Yan and Song dynasties, it has been over four hundred years."
"During these four hundred years, the late Tang Dynasty was in turmoil, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period saw wars and conflicts between various states, bandits were rampant and soldiers were rampant. The armies of various states brought heavy disasters to the people, so that the early Song Dynasty had to tighten its military discipline."
"I know that being harsh on the army is not a good thing. It will weaken their combat effectiveness and make them unable to defend against the enemy. But how could Taizu, Taizong, Zhenzong and the others not know this?"
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