Chapter 282: Ancestral Rites and the Swearing-In

Early that morning, gale-force winds howled over the capital, sand and dust filling the sky. Few pedestrians remained on the streets, all taking shelter indoors, listening to the distant "thump-thump-thump" of drums and the sound of large numbers of soldiers running through the streets.

Even the ubiquitous street vendors were forced to pack up their stalls, each muttering about what terrible weather it was, clearly unhappy about missing out on earning silver.

"And this Emperor—why must he personally lead the expedition on a day like today?" Inside a mud-brick house in the alley, a woman sat on a small wooden stool, scrubbing the dirty clothes her husband and two children had changed out of in a large tub, chattering away without pause.

The man had masonry skills, and though business was slow lately, he could still pick up work from wealthy households from time to time. Being an honest and industrious sort, he often went out to chop firewood and sell it to the rich to supplement the family income, barely managing to keep everyone fed. In truth, managing even that much in these times was no small feat.

With the weather like this, the man was bored stiff, unable to do anything, and was currently lying on the kang pretending to sleep.

Hearing his wife's words, he immediately thought of the infamous Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot. He nervously glanced out the window first, saw that his courtyard was perfectly fine with no one around, and only then relaxed. Then he suddenly felt he was being a bit paranoid.

"You're just a housewife—what business is this of yours?"

The man let out a heavy yawn, buried his face under the blanket, and said listlessly: "Whatever the Emperor does, he naturally has his reasons. The big officials aren't fools. A swearing-in ceremony isn't some small matter—how could it just be called off for no reason?"

"But come to think of it, there have been quite a few sandstorms these past few years. Could it really be an ill omen, as those street Daoists said?" The man suddenly recalled the Daoists who had been skulking around the streets a while back. Thinking about it together with the weather outside, what they'd said didn't seem like complete nonsense after all.

"What real magic could those Daoists possibly understand?" The woman was unimpressed, washing as she spoke: "Husband, don't you remember? Last year the capital saw an even worse sandstorm than this, and did anything happen to the Great Ming?"

"Hey, woman." The man cursed reflexively, then realized what she meant and said thoughtfully: "That's actually true. Speaking of which, that sandstorm last year really was something—they say even the eaves of the Yongchang Company were wrecked by it."

As the old couple chatted, a boy and a girl played on the warm kang. At that moment, the sound of the wind and sand outside gradually calmed, hoofbeats passed before the door, and then a shout came through.

"Hear this, all you folk indoors! The Emperor has ascended the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to his ancestors. Heaven protects the Great Ming—the sandstorm has stopped! You may come out and watch the swearing-in ceremony outside the city walls!"

"The Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Wards Troops and Horses Offices are patrolling the streets—keep yourselves in order!"

"Word has come down from above: better to arrest the wrong man than let the right one slip. If I catch any of you doing anything shady, watch out—you'll be thrown in the big prison!"

This swearing-in ceremony was an entire protocol drawn up by the Grand Secretariat.

The Ministry of Revenue provided the silver and tallied the numbers, while the Ministry of Works handled preparations for the ceremony. After deliberations yesterday, all the ministries and their runners were mobilized urgently, managing to prepare everything needed for the entire swearing-in ceremony in a single night.

By this morning, the imperial guards and officials of all ministries were fully prepared. All that remained was the Son of Heaven on high, along with the accompanying generals, nobles, and court officials seeing him off.

Today the Chongzhen Emperor rose early. Assisted by Empress Zhou, he donned his dragon-patterned armor, took up the Son of Heaven's precious sword, and went as was customary to report his safety to Empress Dowager Yi'an, entrusting the affairs of the inner palace to Empress Dowager Yi'an and Empress Zhou before mounting his horse and heading to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The Chongzhen Emperor had not gone far when the clear, cloudless sky suddenly turned yellow and black. Howling winds swept countless grains of sand and gravel in every direction—eerie scenes like those of Beijing's fall in history.

The Chongzhen Emperor knew this was merely a change in the weather and paid it no mind. The people of this era were mostly rather superstitious, however. The Embroidered Uniform Guard and imperial guards escorting him had only just reached the Chengtian Gate in their grand procession when they saw a batch of officials prostrating themselves outside.

Even without them saying a word, the Chongzhen Emperor knew exactly what they had come for, and his face darkened on the spot.

Li Tianjing and Johann Adam Schall von Bell led the officials of the Calendar Bureau and the Directorate of Astronomy. Seeing the Chongzhen Emperor emerge, Li Tianjing hurried forward to bow and said: "Your Majesty, this unusual weather is an ill omen—surely the ancestral emperors are using it as a warning. We beg Your Majesty to cancel this swearing-in ceremony."

"We beg Your Majesty to cancel this swearing-in ceremony!" The other officials came forward one after another, prostrating themselves together and shouting in unison.

Just as expected—these pedantic scholars were still pulling this trick. The Chongzhen Emperor said: "Li Tianjing, you have headed the Calendar Bureau for many years. It was because I trusted you that I placed the Calendar Bureau in your hands. But what have you actually accomplished?"

"Last year there was also dusty weather, and people went around talking about ill omens then too. Yet here is the Great Ming, still standing fine to this day. Last year I personally led the expedition, our soldiers fought in blood, and we won a great victory—surely that proves Heaven's mandate rests with the Great Ming."

"My decree only left the capital yesterday, announcing that the swearing-in ceremony would be held today and that I would personally lead the expedition to relieve Guguan. It has been less than a single day, and now I am to cancel the ceremony because of some so-called celestial phenomenon? How could that be a reason? What would the soldiers think of me?"

With that, the Chongzhen Emperor gave a cold snort and looked to the other side: "Schall von Bell, Ferdinand Verbiest—the two of you should be studying scholarship together with Lord Li, not using so-called celestial phenomena to hinder me!"

"My mind is made up. The swearing-in ceremony will proceed as planned. No more remonstrations!"

Li Tianjing and the others were struck dumb by the Chongzhen Emperor's words and dared not say another word. After all, this emperor had always been very supportive of the exchange between Chinese and Western learning, and Li Tianjing himself had only come forward reluctantly, pushed by the crowd.

Everything that needed to be said had been said, the point had been made—but if the Emperor refused to listen, what did it have to do with him? With that thought, Li Tianjing turned back and signaled for the Calendar Bureau officials to withdraw.

Schall von Bell and Verbiest had never been ones to involve themselves too deeply in court politics. With Li Tianjing withdrawing, the two foreigners naturally found it hard to say more, so the Directorate of Astronomy officials also withdrew with them.

With both the Calendar Bureau and the Directorate of Astronomy silent, none of the other officials dared to be the first to stick their necks out. They all exchanged uneasy glances and cleared the path for the procession.

After this interlude, the Chongzhen Emperor's procession finally arrived at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Around the Great Sacrificial Hall were four altars for the sun, moon, stars, and constellations; further out were twenty altars for the Five Sacred Mountains, the Five Garrison Mountains, the Four Seas, the Four Great Rivers, wind, cloud, thunder, rain, mountains and rivers, the Grand Year Star, the spirits of the realm, and the emperors of past dynasties—this was the ancestral system established by the Hongwu Emperor of the Great Ming.

After the Chengzu Emperor Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing, the Hongwu system continued to be practiced, with Heaven and Earth jointly sacrificed to at the Great Sacrificial Hall. In the ninth year of Jiajing, this was changed to separate sacrifices for Heaven and Earth, and the Circular Mound was built south of the Great Sacrificial Hall.

Every winter solstice, sacrifices were made to Heaven, with the sun, moon, stars, constellations, clouds, rain, wind, and thunder as accompanying deities, along with the Five Sacred Mountains, the Five Garrison Mountains, the Four Seas, the Four Great Rivers, the imperial tombs, and all the mountains. The Grand Ancestor, the High Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, was honored as the co-recipient.

The Chongzhen Emperor ascended the altar amid the wind and sand, respectfully bowed before the spirit tablets of all his ancestors, and said solemnly:

"The succeeding Son of Heaven respectfully proclaims to the spirits of the Great Ming: O spirit, essence of the yang principle, foremost among all spirits. Your divine light shines down, reaching every corner without omission. Your merit spans past and present, and all within the realm rely upon you. Now in mid-spring, following the ancient rites, with jade, silk, and sacrificial offerings, we reverently sacrifice to you. We humbly pray you accept our offerings and bestow blessings upon the common people. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice."

"The succeeding Son of Heaven respectfully proclaims to the spirits of the Great Ming. O spirit, essence of the yin principle, matching the virtue of yang, continuing the light into evening, upon which all living things depend. The five planets and constellations all govern the mortal world, each with their appointed roles. I, of humble ability, receiving the mandate of Heaven, rule over the people. Now at the time of the autumn equinox, following the rites, with jade, silk, and sacrificial offerings, we perform the regular sacrifice to the spirits. May the spirits accept our offerings and bless our nation and people. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice."

"I, the filial younger brother and succeeding emperor, dare to proclaim to the ancestral emperors and empresses dowager of the ancestral temples: The seasons flow onward, now at the time of early autumn. The seasons pass like water, now at the time of early summer. The seasons move on, now at the time of early winter. Respectfully with sacrificial animals and various offerings, we present the seasonal rites, to express our longing and remembrance. Humbly we pray you deign to enjoy this sacrifice."

"In ancient times, receiving the bright mandate of Heaven, successive rulers took the throne, acting for Heaven in governing all things, nurturing the black-haired masses, maintaining proper order, in an unbroken line. To this day we inherit this charge, and the people enjoy blessings. Thinking of this, we cannot forget to repay, and so we sacrifice in spring and autumn. O emperors, your heroic spirits, come and accept our offerings. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

"I, of humble learning, must rely upon the collected works of the ancient sages for my advancement. Tomorrow I begin the spring lectures on the classics. I humbly pray you silently guide with your divine wisdom, enlightening us later students, so that the work of sincerity and rectification never ceases, that the heights of peace and good governance may be attained, and that the sage's path may forever bestow its blessings upon the people. With this special offering, may the sage teacher look upon us. Respectfully proclaimed!"

"O King, whose virtue matches Heaven and Earth, whose Way surpasses past and present, who compiled and edited the Six Classics, establishing models for ten thousand generations. Respectfully with sacrificial animals, silk, wine, and various grains, following the old statutes, we present these offerings, with the Duke of Fuguo, the Restorer Sage, the Duke of Zongsheng, the Duke of Yiguo, the Transmitter Sage, and the Duke of Zouguo, the Second Sage, as co-recipients. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

"O spirit, who first began agriculture, planting fine grains, establishing the people's livelihood, upon whom ten thousand generations rely. Now as spring plowing approaches, I personally till the field. Respectfully with sacrificial animals and various offerings, we perform the regular sacrifice. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

"O spirit, who initiated agriculture, first planting fine grains, establishing the people's livelihood, upon whom ten thousand generations depend. Now at the time of spring plowing, I personally till the field, relying upon the spirit's mercy to silently work its transformation, so that the harvests may be abundant and all within the realm may share equally. With the rites of sacrificial animals and silk, we express our sincere offerings. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

As the Chongzhen Emperor finished speaking, Empress Zhou stepped forward and continued: "O spirit, who initiated sericulture and weaving, clothing our people, upon whom ten thousand generations rely. Now at the time of late spring, I personally perform the mulberry-picking rite, looking up in hope of your silent protection, aiding this sericulture, so that all within the realm may prosper together. O spirit's blessings, respectfully with the rites of sacrificial animals and silk, we express our offerings. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

When the Empress finished, the civil and military officials stepped forward and said in unison:

"We look up to the holy spirits, who succeeded Heaven in establishing the highest standards, opening things and completing works, prolonging the age and blessing the people, with special emphasis on medicine. Thus they assist the Emperor's virtue, establishing laws and matching qualities, benefiting our heavenly people—their merit is vast indeed. Now at the time of mid-spring and winter, we specially perform the regular sacrifice, hoping you will silently work your hidden transformations, greatly manifest your divine power, generously bestow your wondrous remedies, and protect the Emperor's person. May all the people of this generation be freed from illness and enter the realm of benevolence and longevity, forever magnifying the grace of Heaven above—is this not most glorious? With the spirits of Goumang, Zhurong, and the spirits of Fenghou and Limu as co-recipients. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

The moment the officials finished speaking, the Grand Han Generals who had long been standing nearby immediately waved the banners and standards in their hands, and the Chongzhen Emperor continued:

"Great generals of the six banners, spirits of the five directions' flags, true spirits governing warships, spirits of drums, gongs, horns, and firearms, spirits of crossbows and flying stones, spirits before and behind the battle lines, the Five Chang spirits and all others—O spirits, revering Heaven's mandate without partiality, aiding in displaying might and valor, rendering merit to the state. Now at mid-autumn, respectfully following the regular statutes, with sacrificial animals and wine, we send officials to offer sacrifice. May the spirits look upon us. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

Finally, the Chongzhen Emperor and Empress Zhou stepped forward together and said in unison: "O spirits of nourishment and protection, each has rendered their merit. Now at year's end, with sacrificial animals and wine, we offer in gratitude. May the spirits look upon us and know. Deign to enjoy this sacrifice!"

The moment the words fell, the wind and sand stopped, the sky cleared, and all the civil and military officials were deeply moved.