Chapter 118 Ascension
"Princess Fuguang is about to ascend the throne!"
The news that Princess Fuguang changed the country's name to Da Zhou and would hold her coronation ceremony at Mingfengtai in the southern suburbs quickly spread throughout the capital.
Since Zhao Mingyue's army entered the capital, many people have fled.
Even though they already knew that the last emperor of the Darong Dynasty was a monkey, they were still loyal to Darong and were unwilling to surrender to the Xin Dynasty or to pay homage to a woman.
Especially the old ministers of the Darong Dynasty, after they learned about this, they were very emotional and even burst into tears.
"The century-long legacy of my ancestors has finally been destroyed!"
"Princess Zhao Mingyue, yet she dreams of stealing the throne, truly betrays the Emperor's grace and possesses a heart of wickedness."
"It's a pity that our dynasty has no wise ruler, allowing the country to fall into the hands of a group of women. They have confused right and wrong, and reversed yin and yang. This is simply intolerable."
"If Emperor Darong were still alive, he would be weeping bitterly on the ground."
Unfortunately, no matter how heart-wrenchingly they shouted, their voices could not be heard by the Yiluansi prison. Instead, they gave their fellow inmates a splitting headache.
"What the hell are you crying about? You're so reluctant to part with that dead monkey emperor, why don't you just bury him with him!"
The two groups immediately started cursing at each other and cursed each other's ancestors.
At this time, the executioner came to inspect the prison. He hit each person with a stick, and the prison immediately became quiet.
As soon as Zhao Mingyue entered the capital, he summoned the old ministers of the Darong Dynasty. Among them, most of the male officials were held accountable and handed over to the Yiluansi for imprisonment. They were severely tortured to recover the stolen goods, and their properties were confiscated and their families were executed.
As for a small number of them, such as the female officials of the Yiluansi and Sujisi, Zhao Mingyue treated them with courtesy and continued to use them.
There were also some mediocre scholars who thought they could gain benefits by serving as officials under Zhao Mingyue, so they ran to the imperial city to beg for an audience and pledge their loyalty, but they were all driven away by the guards.
However, if a talented woman recommends herself for an official position, she will be hired.
In addition to appointing officials, rewarding meritorious officials, and promoting the new dynasty, they also had to do some superficial work such as meeting with female relatives and ladies to inquire about the sufferings of the people.
One matter after another was waiting for Zhao Mingyue to handle and decide. She was so busy that she didn't even have time to revisit the princess's mansion.
When she came to her senses, it was already the sixth day of the sixth lunar month - the auspicious day chosen by the ritual officials for the coronation.
"Your Majesty, please put on the crown and robes." As soon as she stood up, Chunying and Qiushi brought the crown and robes to her.
Zhao Mingyue stood before a full-length bronze mirror, spreading her arms freely. "Have all the officials arrived?"
"Your Majesty, all the officials have arrived at Tianji Palace, waiting for your arrival." Chunying answered while carefully unfolding the crown and gently putting it on her.
Zhao Mingyue suddenly became a little nervous. She took a deep breath and looked up at the bronze mirror in front of her. In it was a young woman with a stern face and extraordinary demeanor.
This set of robes was hastily made after she arrived in the capital, and despite the tight deadline, it was still made with extraordinary splendor. It was a long black robe with wide sleeves, the collar and cuffs revealing a white undergarment underneath. The front was embroidered with intricate and exquisite dragon patterns in gold thread, which made her look imposing.
Qiushi put the crown on her head, and the twelve white jade beads hung down neatly, making a crisp and pleasant sound of collision.
Everything is ready. Zhao Mingyue went to Tianji Palace to accept the requests of the ministers. After that, he went to Mingfeng Tower to hold the coronation ceremony, praying to God for obedience and amnesty for the world.
————
In the Tianji Palace, all the officials wore court caps and robes, waiting for the arrival of their emperor with great joy.
On both sides of the hall were fully armed guards, looking murderous.
The bell struck three quarters past noon, and the emperor walked into the hall.
Xue Qi stepped out from the crowd and asked for imperial decree on behalf of all the ministers, saying that it was the will of the gods. He requested that Princess Fuguang be crowned emperor, that the emperor be given the surname Chi, and that the country's name be changed to Zhou.
This was of course instructed by Zhao Mingyue. She wanted to establish a new country, so of course she could no longer use the name and surname of the old dynasty.
Zhao Mingyue, who should be called Chi Fuguang now, was looking at the ministers standing at the steps. Even though she had expected it, she was still very excited.
He could only try his best to remain calm and abdicate in a humble tone, saying: "My virtue is shallow, and it is unfit for me to be the ruler of the world."
Then all the civil and military officials stood up and refuted, saying: "The princess has noble virtues. She redresses the grievances of the wronged, seeks power for the weak, resists the enemy without, and brings peace to the people at home. She is worthy of being the ruler of the world."
Then he played, "Please support Princess Guang and become the emperor!"
Chi Fuguang refused again, "It is illicit for a woman to take the throne."
The ministers knelt and said, "The Flying Star descended and the Zhao clan was destroyed. This shows that the princess's enthronement is in accordance with the will of heaven. How can human laws go against the will of heaven?"
Repeatedly, "Please support Princess Guang to become the emperor!"
This time, Chi Fuguang finally accepted it.
The ministers succeeded in their request and cheered, "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long, long live the emperor!"
Emperor Fuguang asked all the ministers to stand up and accompany her to Mingfeng Tower to hold the coronation ceremony and accept the congratulations of the people.
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The ascension of a new emperor to the throne is a great event celebrated throughout the country.
Two days ago, the road from the imperial palace to Mingfengtai was renovated. A colorful satin archway was placed at every street corner, and an altar was placed in front of every household.
In addition, a special order was issued that all men, regardless of age, must cover their faces when walking outside. Violators would be fined one thousand copper coins.
The court's explanation was that men and women should not touch each other, and men showing their faces in public would easily cause unrest in the army and corrupt morals.
The men were very dissatisfied with this. Taking advantage of the fact that the law does not punish the masses, they gathered in front of the government office to protest. As a result, they were all detained by the Yiluansi and thrown into prison. After they were released, they all became eunuchs.
Since then, no one dared to object, and everyone had to wear a mask when going out.
On the day of the coronation ceremony, as soon as daybreak arrived, the women joined hands, called their friends, and joyfully rushed to Mingfeng Terrace to participate in this once-in-a-millennium grand event. Only a few masked men mingled with the crowd, standing alone like aliens.
"Mom, Mother Liu, hurry up. If you go too late, you won't be able to get a good seat to watch the ceremony!" Liu Jiying urged repeatedly when she saw that many people on the street were carrying water bottles and dry food and rushing towards Mingfengtai.
The carriage had been hired early and was waiting outside the door.
She first carried the orphan girl adopted from a relative into the car, then went back to the house to pull Liu Ruiyun and Liu Shanzhen out.
"Hey, I haven't changed my clothes yet!" Liu Ruiyun said anxiously. Those were new clothes she bought specially for today.
Liu Jiying picked up the clothes and pushed the man into the carriage. "You can change your clothes in the carriage. Hurry up and set off."
Liu Shanzhen took the coat and helped Liu Ruiyun put it on, saying with a smile, "Look how anxious you are, young lady. You got up before dawn, and the ceremony doesn't start until noon!"
"How can I not be anxious? Today is the day when Princess Fuguang ascends the throne." Liu Jiying said excitedly, lifting the curtain to look outside.
Before reaching Mingfengtai, the streets were already crowded, with horse-drawn and ox-drawn carts all squeezed together, and it took a long time to move forward.
Fortunately, Liu Jiying and her team set out early and were not stuck.
The child leaned against the car window to watch the bustling crowd, very excited, "Mother, are they all here to see Princess Fuguang? Is Princess Fuguang very powerful?"
"Yes, only the most powerful woman in the world can become emperor."
The child opened his eyes wide and clenched his fists, "Then I want to be the emperor in the future!"
There was silence in the car for a moment, and then a burst of joyful laughter broke out.
When they arrived in front of Mingfengtai, the vehicles were stopped from a distance and everyone had to get off and walk.
Liu Jiying, holding her daughter's hand, and her family slowly walked towards Mingfengtai along with the surging crowd.
The person in front has stopped, while the people behind are still pushing forward.
Liu Jiying finally squeezed to the front and occupied a good position facing the jade steps. Then he could witness the emperor's heroic figure ascending Mingfengtai.
In front of the jade steps were guards standing in formation. They were wearing armor, and the silver spears in their hands flashed coldly in the sunlight.
Liu Jiying looked at him and couldn't help but feel admiration in his heart.
When the princess recruited women to form an army, who could have imagined that they would become the 100,000-strong army we have today?
As she was sighing, she was suddenly bumped on the shoulder. Liu Jiying quickly protected her daughter in front of her, then turned around and saw that a masked man was squeezing next to her.
Liu Jiying immediately frowned. "What kind of good man would keep squeezing himself into a crowd of women? He's really shameless."
The child looked up curiously and imitated her pointing and saying, "Shameless! Shameless!"
The people around them immediately turned their heads to look at them, and their gazes fell on the man.
The man's face flushed and he glared at them fiercely, but he didn't dare to speak, but he didn't leave either.
Liu Jiying was about to speak when suddenly drums and music started playing. The guards all knelt on one knee and cheers broke out from the crowd.
The new emperor is here!
She didn't bother to scold the man and looked excitedly at the mighty procession of the new emperor.
There was a canopy like clouds, feather fans swaying, and twelve generals in silver helmets and golden armor leading the way. The new emperor, dressed in gorgeous crown and robes, was surrounded by civil and military officials and five hundred Golden Crow Guards. He slowly walked past the crowd and headed towards Mingfengtai.
In an instant, Liu Jiying held his breath, and complex and passionate emotions surged in his eyes.
Accompanied by solemn and dignified national music, the ceremonial officer began to sing the ceremony process, and the new emperor stepped onto the steps of Mingfengtai.
According to the procedure, every time the ceremonial officer sang a line, the new emperor would walk up one step until he reached the top.
But just as the ceremonial officer opened his mouth, there was a sudden loud bang above his head, like a thunderbolt in a clear sky.
Everyone was startled and looked up, only to see a large dark cloud covering the sun. The sky immediately darkened, followed by flashes of lightning and thunder, as if it was going to rain.
The crowd immediately made a commotion and began to talk in low voices.
"It's not a good omen if a heavy rain falls when a new emperor ascends the throne."
"Could it be that the heavens are against the princess ascending the throne?"
The ceremonial officer stumbled, but did not dare to stop and continued with the procedure. However, anyone could see that her face was as gray as earth.
Listening to the doubts and discussions around him, Liu Jiying also became nervous, and his palms were sweating.
The sky was clear just a moment ago, so why did it suddenly start to thunder and rain? Was it really the gods who were against it?
Heaven, if you have eyes, please send a gust of wind to blow away the dark clouds and let the sunshine reappear on earth!
She was praying when she suddenly saw a flash of cold light. The man next to her drew his knife and rushed towards the new emperor.
"Go to hell, you are a shameless villain who stole the world!"
The people screamed in panic.
Just as the assassin had rushed to the new emperor, suddenly, a thunderbolt struck and the man fell to the ground.
With a clang, the dagger turned into scrap metal and fell to the ground.
Everyone was shocked. It turned out that God was not against the new emperor, but was protecting him?
So, now that the danger is gone, the dark clouds should be dispersing, right?
Everyone looked up at the sky again, and Chi Fuguang also looked up at the sky.
Somewhere in the dark, she felt that there were eyes watching her from behind the dark clouds. Could it be that there really were gods in the sky?
She clenched her fists nervously, but suddenly a strange courage arose in her heart. She shouted loudly: "Gods of heaven and earth, if you agree that I should be the emperor, please disperse the dark clouds!"
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