Five days later, the grand ceremony to worship Heaven took place as scheduled.
Gu Qingyan even skipped the morning court session, got up to bathe and change clothes, and put on a bright yellow dragon robe, making him look imposing.
Gu Qingyan is now taller than average, and still exudes youthful vigor, making people feel that his future is bright.
"Your Majesty, this servant will fasten the jade pendant for you."
Yingzhi fastened the jade pendant to Gu Qingyan and then served him a few sips of congee. "Today's sacrificial ceremony will last for several hours, Your Majesty, please have something to eat first."
Half an hour later, Gu Qingyan walked out of the Taihe Hall. Gu Lin and Jiang Yu would not attend this sacrificial ceremony, and they had entrusted everything to Gu Qingyan.
Gu Qingyan glanced at the sedan chair that had been prepared in advance, and paused in his steps. "I want to ride a horse."
Yingzhi paused for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "The Marquis also said that Your Majesty might want to ride a horse, so he has instructed people to prepare one in advance."
Gu Qingyan mounted his horse and rode straight toward the palace gate. Elite soldiers were already waiting on horseback at the gate. When they saw Gu Qingyan approaching, they tightened their reins and followed.
Zhaoning Palace.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has already left the palace; he rode away on horseback."
“We guessed right.” Jiang Yu said with a smile, “With Ayan’s personality, it would be really difficult for him to travel there in a sedan chair.”
"My son, Gu Lin's son, isn't incapable of martial arts. He should ride a horse instead." Taking advantage of Gu Qingyan's absence, Gu Lin somewhat awkwardly picked up Gu Qingchen.
"Be careful, don't fall, Ah Chen."
"Ayu, he's so soft. I feel like his head is going to fall off if I don't support it."
Jiang Yu was both amused and exasperated by Gu Lin's words, "What nonsense are you talking about? Be careful not to scare A-Chen into tears later."
While the couple teased Achen, they were also thinking about Gu Qingyan's situation, but they also tacitly left Gu Qingyan some space.
Today is a big day for Gu Qingyan.
......
Along the way, the people expected to see the emperor sitting in a sedan chair, but instead they saw Gu Qingyan riding a horse.
Gu Qingyan deliberately tightened the reins, slowing the horse down.
Upon seeing this, everyone immediately knelt down and shouted "Long live Gu Qingyan!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Amidst such cheers and applause, Gu Qingyan's chest swelled, as if his youthful ambition had reached its peak at this moment.
Behind Gu Qingyan, the people spontaneously followed, some even jogging to get closer to the emperor.
In the shadows, Lingxiao Pavilion mobilized almost all of its secret guards, who were intently watching their surroundings. At the slightest sign of trouble, their sharp blades would be drawn in the next moment.
This time, their orders were to kill the innocent rather than let the guilty go free.
Grand ceremony to worship Heaven.
Gu Qingyan climbed the steps one by one, with his subjects prostrate on the ground behind him. He reached the top and lit the sandalwood incense in his hand.
Offering sacrifices to Heaven.
"Today I offer sacrifices to Heaven, proclaiming to Heaven the reality of the unification of the world. From this day forward, all lands illuminated by the sun and moon shall be the territory of my Great Yu."
Gu Qingyan's words were amplified using his internal energy, reaching everyone's ears with unparalleled clarity, and everyone felt incredibly proud at that moment.
This young emperor will lead them to a more prosperous life.
This sacrificial ceremony to Heaven had an unprecedented impact on the people. For the first time, everyone was able to stand so close behind the civil and military officials, watching the emperor ascend to the highest point step by step.
Long after the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven ended, the people were still in shock.
On this day, many people in the capital of Dayu had dishes that were only served during the Spring Festival on their dining tables, and they were celebrating in various ways.
When Gu Qingyan came down, he went straight towards Zhuo Yi.
"That old guy would be happy to see this from heaven."
Zhuo Yi held Zhong Yi's memorial tablet in his hands, "After all, his only unfulfilled wish when he died was to see the day when the emperor unified the world."
Zhuo Yi's voice was choked with emotion, "If he could have held on for a few more months, he would have seen it."
He and Zhong Yi usually looked down on each other, but now that they are separated by death, he feels terrible whenever he talks about his old friend.
"My lord, now that the world is unified, there will be no more aristocratic families. All of this land belongs to our Great Yu. The situation you have been longing for has now come true."
Gu Qingyan spoke to the memorial tablet, a heavy look flashing in his eyes.
Zhong Yi was like a grandfather to him.
"Alright, today should be a happy day. Maybe that old fellow is still drinking in heaven!" Zhuo Yi wiped away his tears. "Your Majesty should hurry back to the palace. After all, it's not as safe outside as inside the palace."
Gu Qingyan nodded upon hearing this. "Prime Minister Zhuo, I still need to go to the military camp."
"Military camp?"
"Yes, I want to go and see the soldiers."
......
Military camp.
The soldiers, who had received the news long ago, were already standing in neat rows, waiting for Gu Qingyan's inspection. Even Chang Qing couldn't help but straighten his armor.
This is the Emperor himself inspecting the troops!
Gu Qingyan still rode a horse, arriving at the military camp when the sun was high in the sky.
"Your subordinates pay their respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Gu Qingyan walked to the training platform, looked at the soldiers standing tall and proud below, and smiled. "Rise."
"I was just offering sacrifices to Heaven, and now I stand before you, my soldiers."
"Because I am now able to unify the world, each and every one of you has played an indelible role. I want to thank you on behalf of the people of Dayu!"
Upon hearing Gu Qingyan's words, many burly men's eyes reddened. This was the Emperor! The Emperor was thanking them!
"If it weren't for your fearless battles on the battlefield, how could we have the peace we enjoy today?" Gu Qingyan waved his hand, and immediately someone presented the soldiers with wine bowls.
"Dayu may not be in war for a while, but as the guardians of Dayu, you still cannot let your guard down. You must be ready for battle at all times and protect the people."
"Today, I raise a toast to all of you, wishing the Great Yu a prosperous future."
"May Chongqing prosper! May Chongqing prosper! May Chongqing prosper!"
The unified voices resounded through the sky, and everyone was extremely excited, wishing they could immediately pick up their swords and rush to the battlefield to kill enemies for Gu Qingyan.
"Yes, we must hold our heads high and forge an invincible iron army!"
Chang Qing excitedly raised his right hand and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
For a moment, the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" were deafening, as if they were shaking the heavens and the earth.
This day is destined to be a significant chapter in history.
The young emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, offered sacrifices to Heaven and reviewed his troops, effectively uniting the entire Great Yu into a single, invincible force.
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