Chapter 647 Li Shiyue—King of the East Sea!
On the day of the "declaration of kingship" ceremony, before dawn, the square was already adorned with fluttering flags and gleaming armor.
Twenty thousand carefully selected Zhenhai soldiers, dressed in uniform black battle robes with gold trim, clad in fine armor, and wielding long swords or powerful crossbows, formed a steel jungle, stretching from below the high platform all the way to the edge of the square and into the distant camp.
They were all expressionless, with sharp eyes, a formidable military bearing, and an aura of menace that seemed to reach the heavens.
This is the most solid foundation of the Donghai Kingdom and the most direct manifestation of Li Shiyue's royal power.
Surrounding the military formations was a dense, dark mass of people.
Some of them were the first large-scale Han Chinese immigrants to migrate here from Jian'an. Their faces showed the excitement unique to pioneers, their expectations for the future, and their infinite awe for the legendary queen on the high platform.
Of course, there were also some Japanese "submissive subjects" who were driven to watch the ceremony. They lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise their heads, their bodies trembling slightly with fear. They were a symbol of being conquered and naturally had to witness the "Queen of the East Sea" ascend the throne!
Among those closer to the platform were Li Wangchun, Shi Tou, and other core family members of Li Shiyue from Jian'an.
It includes distinguished generals such as Sun Xiaoliu, Chen Yong, Li Qiutian, and Ding Haisheng;
There were also civil officials in charge of administration and trade, such as Jiang Yining, Li Yanqiu, and Dong Wuniang, who were naturally among them;
There were even wealthy merchants who came all the way from Jian'an. For example, Zhou Deyong, a grain merchant who had once secretly called Li Shiyue a "female demon" at home, came over.
They stood in their designated areas, all looking at the scene before them with complex expressions, especially the black and gold throne on the high platform!
They never imagined that one day they would participate in such a ceremony on a new land.
This...this is unbelievable!
But no matter how unbelievable it may seem, this day is real!
The auspicious time has arrived!
"Woo-woo-woo-woo-"
Twelve enormous horns were sounded simultaneously, their deep, resonant sounds echoing across the square, drowning out all the noise.
The entire square fell silent instantly.
The first thing to appear in everyone's sight was the solemn honor guard.
They were tall, imposing warriors wielding giant axes and banners. Among them was Hei Zi, followed by civil officials carrying the newly made jade seal, tally, and map of the Eastern Sea Kingdom.
Then, she appeared.
Li Shiyue – King of the East Sea!
Li Shiyue was not wearing a traditional royal robe simply embroidered with dragon patterns, but rather a specially made formal dress that combined elements of military attire and royal robes.
The garment is made of dark black brocade, embroidered with patterns of coiled dragons, giant whales, and waves in gold thread, and draped with a deep red cloak embroidered with gold cloud patterns.
At her waist still hung the long sword that had accompanied her rise to power, drinking countless lives along the way.
She wore a golden crown, which made her appear very majestic and unfathomable.
(Yeah, that's roughly the image!)
Li Shiyue's steps were steady and firm as she walked step by step down the red-carpeted steps toward the supreme throne.
Sunlight shone on her, and her black and gold dress reflected a dazzling light, as if she were enveloped in a sacred and cold halo.
In the square, tens of thousands of eyes were focused on her.
The soldiers of Zhenhai straightened their backs involuntarily, their eyes filled with fervor and loyalty;
The Han Chinese immigrants in Dalong were so excited that they could hardly contain themselves, as if they had seen a guarantee of their family's prosperity.
Those who groveled in submission lowered their heads even further, their bodies trembling like leaves in the wind.
Finally, Li Shiyue reached the top of the platform. She turned around and faced the surging crowd in the square.
The official in charge of ceremonies was Sun Xiaoliu, who, with a strong voice, read out Li Shiyue's edict of "claiming the throne".
The edict simply stated Li Shiyue's achievements in "pacifying the East Sea, clearing the land's veins, saving the people from suffering, and opening a new paradise for the Han people." It emphasized that the "Mandate of Heaven" had been bestowed upon him, proclaimed the formal establishment of the "East Sea Kingdom," and set its capital at the newly built "Dinghai City" (located in the Xinsheng Plain near the former Heian-kyo). It also promulgated the new kingdom's laws and regulations.
The imperial edict has been read aloud.
Sun Xiaoliu was the first to kneel on one knee, clasp his hands in front of his armor, and shout at the top of his lungs, "Your subjects congratulate the King of Donghai! Our King is invincible! Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories!"
This shout instantly drew a deafening roar from the crowd in the square!
The 20,000 Zhenhai soldiers knelt down in unison, the clatter of their armor like a storm, and pounded their chests with their fists, shouting deafeningly, "Victory! Victory!"
The voice was full of power and killing intent, representing the soldier's ultimate loyalty to his commander.
Immediately afterwards, the Han Chinese immigrants from Dalong who were watching the ceremony also knelt down excitedly and shouted enthusiastically in Chinese with various regional accents: "May the King of Donghai be victorious!"
"Victory!"
Their voices may not have been as unified as those of the Zhenhai Army, but they were filled with sincere support for Li Shiyue, the King of the East Sea, and high hopes for the future.
Finally, the Japanese civilians who were prostrate on the ground also uttered weak, trembling, and fearful echoes under the intimidation of the Zhenhai Army.
The roar of "Wan Sheng" (a phrase meaning "victory is assured") rose higher and higher, converging, colliding, and soaring at the foot of Mount Fuji, reaching straight into the sky!
It was as if even the majestic Mount Fuji trembled slightly at this cry that represented supreme authority.
Li Shiyue stood atop the high platform, her gaze calmly sweeping over the kneeling crowd below.
She saw the army's loyalty, the immigrants' aspirations, and the fear of the compliant citizens.
All of this was within her expectations, and it was also created by her.
She slowly raised her hands, making a gesture of support.
In an instant, as if an invisible hand had gripped everyone's throat, the deafening cheers came to an abrupt halt.
The square fell silent once more, with only the whistling of the wind.
Li Shiyue spoke, her voice not particularly loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present, carrying an unquestionable authority and a cold will: "From this day forward, the East Sea Kingdom shall be established!"
"This is the Eastern Sea of the Great Long Han people, and it is also the new land where we can settle down and make a living!"
"All citizens of the East China Sea shall obey my command, work diligently and strive together to build a paradise!"
"Everyone, rise."
The crowd kowtowed again before rising one by one.
Everyone felt an invisible, heavy pressure, the absolute majesty of the monarchy.
Li Shiyue turned around, walked towards the black and gold throne, and slowly sat down.
The moment she sat down, it was as if the entire fortune of the East Sea Kingdom was connected with her.
She was no longer the little girl struggling to survive on the road of famine, nor the female general who needed to endure and survive, but the true Queen of the East Sea who controlled absolute military power and authority!
The sunlight bathed her in a golden glow, while Mount Fuji silently witnessed it all behind her.
A new era, an era personally created by Li Shiyue and forged with blood and fire, has officially begun at the foot of Mount Fuji.
(My darlings, the main story is finished! Side stories will be updated gradually!)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
