Chapter 584: Christmas Day

Regarding the matter of emperors celebrating their birthdays in history, in fact, in Liu Zheng's past life, before the Sui and Tang dynasties, emperors basically did not celebrate their birthdays. A simple "casual meal" was sufficient.

However, starting from the Tang Dynasty.

Tang Dynasty emperors began to attach great importance to their own birthdays. Tang Taizong placed great importance on his own birthday, and called it the "Birthday of the Emperor"!

But by comparison, Tang Xuanzong's birthday was even more grand.

The "Old Tang History, Basic Annals No. 8, Xuanzong Part I" records: "In the seventeenth year of Kaiyuan (729 AD), on the day of Guihai in the eighth month, the Emperor, on the occasion of the Birthday of the Emperor, feasted the hundred officials below Hua'e Pavilion. The hundred officials submitted a memorial requesting that the fifth day of the eighth month be designated as the Thousand Autumns Festival every year. From the dukes and princes downwards, they offered gold mirrors and dew-collecting pouches. All prefectures in the realm were ordered to feast and make merry, with a three-day holiday, and it was codified into law. This was granted."

Tang Xuanzong even designated his birthday as the Shot Put Festival, and the whole country was given a three-day holiday. Besides this, on Tang Xuanzong's birthday, the monarch and his ministers would compose poems to sing in harmony. Of course, music, dance, and acrobatic performances were also indispensable. The treasure of the Shaanxi History Museum—the Tang Dynasty silver pot with a dancing horse holding a cup in its mouth—recreated the scene of Tang Xuanzong's birthday celebration.

And in this world.

It is the same.

The previous emperors of the Longyan Dynasty also considered the birthday ceremony to be optional. It can be understood that when the Longyan Dynasty was first established, most emperors knew that seizing the world was not easy, and their lives were relatively simple. However, with the continuation of the Longyan Dynasty, which could be considered a unified world with a peaceful and prosperous country, after experiencing several golden ages, the emperors of the Longyan Dynasty attached more and more importance to their own Birthday of the Emperor.

Coupled with the fact that the Longyan Dynasty emperor was addressed as the Emperor, this Birthday of the Emperor became Christmas Day.

The Birthday Ceremony, from the initial feasting of civil and military officials, to the paying of homage by Feudatory Kings and vassal states, to feasting the entire city, involved a seven-day national holiday. This Christmas Day was simply even more grand than the Spring Festival.

On this day, ten thousand nations came to pay homage, and the whole country celebrated together.

That level of liveliness, it goes without saying.

This year's Christmas Day.

It is more likely to be the old Emperor Xie Tianyao's last birthday... The whole country, from top to bottom, almost knew that the Longyan Dynasty was about to welcome a period of chaos.

"Your Majesty..."

"Oh, Your Majesty!"

"May Your Majesty live as long as the heavens!"

"Your Majesty, you have aged another year..."

Early in the morning, the commoners at the foot of Jinghua had long since put on their most festive clothes, wanting to participate in the atmosphere of national celebration today. Many elderly people wept with joy, and many middle-aged people had complicated feelings. Those young people, however, were eager to try.

It completely displayed the mentalities of people at different age stages.

The elderly believed that during Xie Tianyao's reign, the Longyan Dynasty was generally very stable. This iron-fisted emperor, after ascending the throne, had single-handedly dragged the Longyan Dynasty along, allowing it to linger on for nearly forty years...

The middle-aged, meanwhile, were those who had grown up in this very era.

Their feelings were complicated; they wanted to be content with the status quo, but they also craved change.

And the young people...

They were different!

Their youthful arrogance made them want to participate in the transformation of the era. They were full of criticism and indignation toward this society! Impulsiveness and recklessness made them unaware that the transformation of an era requires the impact of iron and blood. In their hearts, they hoped that Xie Tianyao would die sooner so they could seek an opportunity to stand out in the chaotic times... They did not care about social stability, the suffering of the masses, or the collapse of rites and music...

"Extra! Extra!"

"Today, the Eighteen Envoys will take turns on stage! Can Governor Liu outshine the heroes and please the Emperor? Come, come, come, place your bets, place your bets!"

Early in the morning.

Those running the gambling tables still did not forget to hawk these astonishing odds.

Those dressed in brocade robes immediately sneered: "Haha, wasn't it said that Winter Is Coming? It's a sunny day again today, why would I buy that nonsense!"

The crowd burst into loud laughter.

Today's weather was truly excellent.

The sky was clear for ten thousand miles, without a single cloud.

Early in the morning, the sun was already scorching people; with weather like this? Winter Is Coming?

Those who had bet on Governor Liu to win all regretted it.

"Hey, hey, don't go!"

"Sir, take a look, there is still a chance..."

"You have to believe that as long as Governor Liu is here, there will be miracles!"

"Hahahaha, the Eighteen Envoys are surrounding Governor Liu, what chance does he have left!"

"Exactly, this time, he is sure to die!"

The crowd laughed and walked away.

Today's Jinghua was undoubtedly very lively. Waking up early, the garrison troops and the bailiffs from various departments had already begun to impose martial law on the streets and set up various cordon lines. It was said that in previous years, whenever it was Christmas Day, people would always die from trampling. In this Feudal Dynasty, there were countless people who revered the Emperor. These people who revered the Emperor could not get close to the Imperial Palace, so they could only kneel on the streets early in the morning, praying that the current Emperor could live a few more years and ensure that the Longyan Dynasty could remain glorious for a few more years...

On the morning of this day, Liu Zheng finally walked out of the Shichang.

"Is everything arranged?"

Liu Zheng had also changed into new clothes today, looking spirited and festive.

Deng Wenhui wiped his sweat: "My Lord, it has been arranged... The general of the Imperial Guard is a student of Chen Lao, so he did not make things difficult."

Liu Zheng asked again: "Are those things prepared as well?"

Deng Wenhui continued to nod.

Liu Zheng then smiled: "You have worked hard."

Deng Wenhui hurriedly shook his head, his eyes shining: "Being able to follow Governor Liu on this trip, this life is worth it! Hahaha, this subordinate really wants to see the look on those people's faces when they are shocked today!"

Liu Zheng laughed and mounted his horse.

This Deng Wenhui was obedient, sensible, and had extremely strong executive ability; if possible, he would really like to keep him by his side.

The Hour of the Rabbit (5:00 AM - 7:00 AM).

Dawn.

Several long horn blasts already sounded melodiously from the Imperial Palace of Jinghua. It signified that Christmas Day had officially begun.

The entire city knelt in obeisance.

Once the nine long horn blasts ceased, the entire city was filled with the sound of gongs and drums, and the festive atmosphere spread to every corner of the city. The merchants, big shots, and Powerful Clans who could not get close to the Imperial City were also performing lion and dragon dances at their doorsteps, setting off firecrackers and fireworks, making it lively and noisy.

After nine long horn blasts, the ceremonial music from deep within the Imperial City did not cease.

At this moment.

Outside the Zhuque Gate of the Imperial Palace, all the civil and military officials of the entire Longyan Dynasty were already kneeling in a long line, waiting for the figure of the Emperor, Xie Tianyao. Liu Dahao, who held the titles of Western Regions Commissioner and Prefectural Governor of Liangzhou, was naturally among them.

Today, the Imperial Palace was even more resplendent with lights; the Longyan Dynasty revered the color gold, so everything was shimmering with golden light.

Until the hour of the dragon.

Melodious long horns sounded once more from deep within the Imperial Palace.

"Welcome the Emperor!"

"Welcome the Emperor!"

"Welcome Christmas!"

"Welcome Christmas!"

The loud shout of Grand Eunuch Zhou traveled from the Imperial Palace.

Swish.

These civil and military officials, having just stood up, hurriedly knelt back down again.