Chapter 26

On the eighth day of the sixth month, the late emperor’s funeral procession began...

The imperial coffin, carried on a ceremonial vehicle, departed the palace under the escort of civil and military officials, the Three Camps and Five Guards, in a grand and solemn procession.

Heading westward toward Mount Xishan, white banners fluttered like a sea of mourning robes; from afar, the funeral train resembled a colossal white dragon winding slowly through the emerald hills.

The crown prince, clad in coarse brown hemp, stood facing west, watching his father’s coffin recede into the distance, tears streaming like a spring.

Though he had not yet ascended the throne, at this moment he felt once again the young prince waiting for his father’s return.

The crown prince thought: over these years, his father had labored day and night, exhausted by state affairs; now, finally, he could lay down his burdens and rest in peace upon Mount Xishan.

When the funeral procession reached the mid-slope of Mount Xishan, the crown prince knelt and bowed three times in silent mourning.

The words “Imperial Mausoleum of Mount Xishan” loomed before him, stirring a storm of emotions within him.

He still remembered: twenty-eight years ago, his father had personally overseen the construction of this mausoleum—and now it had become his father’s eternal resting place.

Officials in white robes walked slowly, carrying funeral banners, their steps synchronized with the slow, mournful rhythm of drums and music.

Behind the crown prince, countless subjects followed—some weeping silently, others wailing aloud—paying their final respects to this sage monarch who had devoted his entire life to the Great Feng Dynasty.

The late emperor of the Great Feng was buried within the “Imperial Mausoleum of Mount Xishan,” which he had built over twenty-eight years, joining the ancestral emperors of the Great Feng in eternal slumber upon Mount Xishan.

The crown prince stood before the mausoleum, unable to leave for a long time.

He knew that from this day forward, whenever he thought of his father, his thoughts would return to Mount Xishan.

After careful deliberation, the crown prince adopted the Ministry of Rites’ recommendation and bestowed upon the late emperor the posthumous title: “Divine Emperor of Eternal Memory, Purple Frost, Builder of Order, Ji Meng, Shang, Wen, Ti, and Qi.” His temple name: Anzong.

After the state mourning concluded, the Ministry of Rites, following protocol, selected an auspicious day within the month to hold the crown prince’s coronation ceremony.

On the twenty-second day of the sixth month, the crown prince wore the Nine-Dragon Sun-Moon Yellow Robe, embroidered with seven golden stars and the sun and moon; beneath it, he wore brocade armor and military attire, radiating awe-inspiring majesty. He bore the imperial jade seal and the sacred edict, crowned with a nine-tiered golden deer-skin cap, its gold gleaming brilliantly.

The crown prince first ascended the highest peak of the Altar of Heaven and Earth to offer worship to the gods of heaven and earth.

Holding a jade tablet, he burned incense and bowed with solemn reverence.

On the altar lay exquisite delicacies, fine wine, fresh flowers, and flickering candles—a magnificent spectacle.

Standing solemnly before it, the crown prince offered sincere prayers, beseeching heaven and earth to bless the nation with peace.

Then the crown prince proceeded to the Ancestral Temple, kneeling before the golden statues of his ancestors with heartfelt devotion.

He bowed his head three times, presented the auspicious offerings, recalled the virtues of his forebears, and wept with gratitude. He prayed that his ancestors, in the netherworld, would protect his descendants and ensure the prosperity of the realm.

Finally, the crown prince went to the Altar of Soil and Grain to worship the deities of land and harvest.

He lit incense, offered sacrifices, and knelt in reverent worship.

He beseeched the deity of soil and grain to grant favorable rains and seasons, national peace and people’s security, and to allow him to ascend the throne successfully, fulfilling the people’s hopes.

Roads throughout the capital were packed with citizens come to witness the ceremony.

Some scattered colorful paper fragments; others raised drums and musical bands to announce the new sovereign’s ascension at once, triggering thunderous cheers from the crowd.

Inside the Taihe Hall, civil and military officials lined both sides.

From noble princes down to local magistrates, all wore formal attire, standing in solemn silence to welcome the new sovereign as he received the mandate of heaven.

After worshipping heaven, earth, the ancestors, and the soil deity, he rode upon a golden dragon steed, its saddle adorned with dazzling golden dragons.

Stepping to the rhythm of bronze drums and music, the crown prince slowly ascended the Golden Dragon Throne.

Upon the throne, nine golden dragons were cast in flight, their claws gripping the azure clouds, their heads raised high, lifelike and majestic.

The moment the crown prince seated himself, cannons roared and drums and music erupted in unison.

Banners of five generations unfurled simultaneously; troops lined up in formation, blades drawn, steps perfectly synchronized, paying the highest tribute to the new sovereign.

The

crown prince sat upon the Golden Dragon Throne, bathed in golden radiance, solemn and majestic.

The ministers knelt below in the courtyard, performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations, shouting in unison: “Ten Thousand Years!” The roar was immense.

They knew: the crown prince’s ascension had opened a new chapter in history; they would follow him to jointly forge an era of peace and prosperity.

The crown prince looked down upon the court and saw the ministers rising solemnly to congratulate him; his heart swelled with profound emotion.

He understood: from this day forward, he had formally become the supreme ruler, inheritor of his ancestors’ legacy.

He now bore the entire future of the Great Feng Dynasty on his shoulders—the immense responsibility of cultivating peace and governing the realm.

It was the highest of duties—and his lifelong destiny.

At this moment, the Cabinet Minister and Minister of Rites, also Crown Prince’s Tutor, “Rabbit Chancellor,” stepped forward and spoke.

“Your Majesty, you have ascended the throne; now you must select an era name to proclaim to the world, demonstrating the glory of the Great Feng!”

He then ordered the Ministry of Rites to present several candidate era names for the crown prince’s selection.

The crown prince scanned them and found none that satisfied him; he asked: “What era name would be most fitting for my ascension? What counsel do my ministers offer?”

Internally, the crown prince reflected: selecting an era name at the outset of my reign is a matter of utmost gravity—I must be cautious, not hasty.

Crane Chancellor stepped forward and respectfully proposed to the crown prince.

“I believe the characters ‘Kaiji’—Founding Foundation—are most auspicious. Your Majesty’s choice of this will establish the nation’s foundation, secure glory, and ensure your name endures for millennia.”

Plum Chancellor stepped forward next, his tone slightly haughty.

“Your Majesty, ‘Xinglong’—Prosperity and Flourishing—is superior. Choosing this will ensure the nation’s flourishing, and I shall surely earn merit, with a brilliant future ahead.”

Rabbit Chancellor, displeased, stepped forward.

“Plum Chancellor’s words are naive and absurd. Your Majesty, observe: ‘Mingyun’—Bright Destiny—is the superior choice. Choosing this will ensure my assistance in bringing peace and showcasing your wisdom as a wise sovereign.”

The new emperor remained silent, surveying the ministers’ bickering; when he saw Jiang Mingyu with his head bowed, he smiled faintly and spoke.

“Jiang Aiqing, what is your view? Speak freely—I would hear your counsel.”

Jiang Mingyu’s heart sank: the emperor still knew he was Crane Chancellor’s man, and now clearly sought to force him to declare his allegiance. If he supported Crane Chancellor, he would incur the new sovereign’s displeasure.

But if he sided with others, Crane Chancellor would be angered—after all, Crane Chancellor had shown him favor since he entered court service.

Jiang Mingyu thought quickly, stepped out of the line, and spoke humbly.

“Each minister offers wise counsel. After careful consideration, I believe the characters ‘Yuanqi’—Origin—carry profound meaning and best suit the founding of a new dynasty.”

Plum Chancellor scoffed: “Jiang Mingyu is inexperienced—how dare he speak of ‘tracing roots and following origins’? Choosing this will surely lead the emperor astray.”

Rabbit Chancellor retorted: “‘Mingyun’ is the most majestic and orthodox choice. If Your Majesty rejects it, the realm will laugh, and you will stray from the true path.”

Crane Chancellor, sensing the tide turning, stepped forward and launched a harsher attack: “Plum Chancellor, Rabbit Chancellor—how can you discern the will of heaven? If the crown prince chooses your names, he will invite war and disaster!”

The three men accused one another, their words growing increasingly vicious.

The crown prince felt sorrowful, sighing inwardly: “I seek honest, if harsh, counsel—how has this become mere self-indulgent posturing?”

Jiang Mingyu knelt on both knees and pleaded earnestly: “Your Majesty, I mean no other intent—I seek only to aid Your Majesty in forging your own era. Only by returning to the root—‘Origin’—and cultivating the foundation can the nation flourish. Your Majesty, reflect deeply. I pledge my wholehearted loyalty, unwavering in my duty.”

The crown prince listened, swept his gaze across the ministers, and spoke slowly: “I have decided: the era name shall be ‘Yuanqi’!”

The ministers immediately fawned. Jiang Mingyu was overcome with emotion—the crown prince truly saw clearly, for the sake of the nation and its people!

After the emperor’s ascension, he granted a general amnesty—but Ji Qiansui remained imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.

Court officials retained their former posts with no major changes: Crane Chancellor continued as Chief Cabinet Minister; Plum Chancellor and Rabbit Chancellor remained as ministers. Jiang Mingyu was relieved of his post as Crown Prince’s Tutor and temporarily retired to his home, awaiting assignment from the Ministry of Personnel.