Chapter 73: Taimiao sacrifices to Prince Chengzhao
Ancestral Temple.
The sound of high-pitched drum music slowly came out, and the officials stood under the palace steps, dressed up to attend the grand event of the appointment of the Tang Dynasty prince. According to the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there have been three princes, namely the deposed prince Li Jiancheng and the Zhenguan Emperor Li Zhiyun.
, and the crown prince Li Chengzhao who is about to be canonized now.
At the time of Wude, when the late emperor appointed Li Jiancheng as the crown prince, rebellions were everywhere in the world, so the ceremony was just a formality without much ceremony. When Li Zhiyun was appointed as the crown prince, the late emperor because of the deposed crown prince and Li Yuanji's rebellion
, I was sick in bed, so what I did was very simple and just a formality.
This time, Li Chengzhao's canonization ceremony was not so sloppy, but was very grand. There are many reasons, the main one is that the Tang Dynasty is now a dominating empire, and the heir to this empire is about to be born, so it will naturally be extra grand. What's more,
, this heir was something that the ministers had been waiting for for a long time.
Ministers don't know much about Li Chengzhao, the emperor's legitimate son. The only relatively clear news is that this prince is capable of both literary and military skills, and he has been smart since he was a child. In the past two years, he likes to play games with the people, has a strong sense of justice, and is often attacked.
Go to the censor for impeachment.
However, these are just minor details and not serious enough. They hope that the prince can be gentler in temperament and treat his ministers well. They also hope that the prince's personal ethics will be better and he will not imitate the unreasonable troubles of the emperor.
It would be best if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince could pay attention to the family.
Inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Li Zhiyun lit the incense and stood in front of the throne of the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty. Today, he was wearing the clothes of the emperor. The twelve crowns swayed gently, revealing the majestic eyes of the emperor from time to time, and the black dragon and cloud patterns were gently swaying.
, setting off his tall and mighty figure.
Holding the sacrificial incense and gently closing it on his forehead, Li Zhiyun said softly: "My ancestors from all dynasties of the Tang Dynasty, today Li Zhiyun canonizes Cheng Zhao, the fourth son of the emperor, as the crown prince. I hope that all the late emperors will protect him and grow up vigorously. In the future, he will be our country and the country of the Tang Dynasty."
Try your best to seek the welfare of the common people in the world, and to think about the future of our Tang Dynasty. I am not talented, so I was entrusted by the late emperor to deal with national affairs and the importance of the country. I work hard day and night without daring to slack off. Now I have
Sweeping away the Turks, destroying Tuyuhun, and destroying the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, the prestige of our empire has spread far and wide. Now that the Tang Dynasty has come to its peak, all the late emperors can appreciate it. Today, I offer sacrifices to your ancestors, hoping that the Tang Dynasty will prosper and rule for a long time."
Prince Li Chengzhao also stood behind the emperor in full attire, with a nine-pin crown, white beads hanging from his side, and nine-piece black clothes, with a solemn expression. He and his father were the only two people in the palace, so he could hear some of his father's voice.
His eyes fell on the shrines of the previous emperors of the Tang Dynasty, passing through the names one by one, and finally stopped at the shrine of the late emperor Li Yuan. There were also many other heroes of the Wude Dynasty who were enshrined there.
He had no impression of the late emperor and had never seen him since he was a child. Maybe he had seen him when he was a child, but he had no impression at all. He had only heard his father and ministers talk about him and he was considered a qualified emperor.
qualified?
That's just so-so.
I don't know why, but when Li Chengzhao looked at Li Yuan's temple name and posthumous title, he felt it was very eye-catching.
At this time, Li Zhiyun finished speaking the sacrificial words and inserted the sacrificial incense into the incense burner. The sacrificial incense used in palace sacrificial ceremonies was very thick, looked very powerful, and would burn for a long time.
Li Zhiyun looked at the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty indifferently for a while, then lifted up the hem of his robe and knelt down, picked up the millet stalks and sprinkled them into the brazier.
"Book of Rites·Liyun" records that at the beginning of the husband's rituals, all kinds of food and drink are introduced. He burns millet, eats dolphins, and drinks them in his arms.
Seeing the fireworks rising from the millet stalks, Li Zhiyun closed his eyes.
"Prince."
"My son is here."
"Sacrifice to ancestors."
"As commanded."
Li Chengzhao had already been trained by the court etiquette officers on the process, so he simply started to worship the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty. This process is very complicated and does not need to be detailed.
They are said to be the emperors of past dynasties, but in fact there was only one Li Yuan who actually served as emperor. Li Yuan found the others and clarified his origins. To be honest, they didn't have much gold content. They can only be regarded as the descendants earning face for the predecessors.
However, if a person dies like a lamp going out, only the ghosts and gods know whether it is of any use.
After the prince's sacrifice was completed, Li Zhiyun stood up and helped him up.
"My son has finally grown up." He was very pleased to look at this face that was almost extremely similar to his own when he was young, and he was filled with joy.
"Father, my son and I will always remember our father's teachings and never forget them throughout our lives."
"Don't forget your original intention." Li Zhiyun gently smoothed his hair and patted his little head.
"yes."
At this moment, the relationship between them was more of a father and a son than a king and a son. In fact, Li Chengzhao did not feel that he had become a minister of his father after being canonized as a prince. On the contrary, he now only felt that he was in harmony with his father.
He is closer to his father and can better understand the pressure on his father.
An hour later, after the sacrificial ceremony in the Imperial Ancestral Temple ended, Zong Zhengqing Li Xiaogong took the canonization edict that he had already written, walked outside the hall, and looked at the civil and military officials of the Tang Dynasty under the steps.
"Edict of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"
Hearing the sound, all the officials knelt down one after another.
Li Xiaogong opened the imperial edict and read it loudly.
The weather is cold at the moment, but a ray of sunshine shines through the thick clouds and mist on the Ancestral Temple and under the steps of the palace.
The ministers did not feel cold, but felt a sense of solemnity and mission to participate in national affairs.
The crown prince of the Tang Dynasty has been established!
After Li Xiaogong read the imperial edict, Li Zhiyun led Li Chengzhao out.
Father and son, Li Zhiyun is holding the Emperor's Sword with one hand and holding his son with the other.
When he stopped in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Li Chengzhao held the ceremonial sword in one hand and received the imperial edict in the other, facing the officials.
"Bye!" the guard shouted.
The ministers bowed three times and shouted.
"I am waiting to see His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Goodbye!"
Looking at the worshiping ministers, Li Chengzhao did not feel any pride or pleasure. He felt more of boundless pressure.
Who among these ministers is for my country, the country of Tang Dynasty?
Who is loyal?
Who is Datang’s available talent?
Li Chengzhao looked at his father beside him, bit his lip, and said softly: "Yeah, the kid is very nervous."
"Don't be afraid." Li Zhiyun patted his shoulder gently, "You are my son and the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. There is no need to be afraid!"
"yes!"
Encouraged by his father, Li Chengzhao took a deep breath and took a step forward.
"No gift."
After the prince finished speaking, the guards all shouted.
"The prince invites all officials to refrain from courtesy!"
"The prince invites all officials to refrain from courtesy!"
"The prince invites all officials to refrain from courtesy!"
The officials bowed again and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The ceremony lasted all day, and when everything was over, Li Chengzhao talked with the emperor in the Manlu Hall.
"How are you feeling today?" Li Zhiyun asked with a smile.
Li Chengzhao said: "I was under great pressure. When I accepted the gift from the officials, I had many emotions in my heart. I even thought about whether those people were so respectful just because I was a prince."
After saying that, he laughed at himself and said, "Father, I'm sorry, I said something stupid."
If he was not the prince, how could those people respect him?
Li Zhiyun said: "It's still a long time and you have the opportunity to grow up slowly. What you have to do now is to slowly adapt to your identity. From now on, you will be even more tired. I hope you won't be lazy and let me down."
Hearing this, Li Chengzhao said solemnly: "Father, don't worry, my child is ready."
Looking at his determined face, Li Zhiyun nodded gently.