Chapter 170: |
Chapter 170
On the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh month, during the Winter Solstice, that year witnessed a plentiful harvest of new grains in the Great Tang. The imperial treasury flourished, and the realm was free from fears of famine.
In external conflicts, three triumphant battles had subdued the northwest, vanquished Tubo, and redirected attention towards the many tribes of the Western Regions.
Even for an emperor as self-confident as Li Er, he felt quite content with his achievements that year, believing he had achieved the state of “inner sage and outer king” as described in Confucian legends. He intended to visit Mount Tai to establish his abode. Still, with winter approaching and the Western Regions not yet appeased, Li Er settled for the next best thing – an elaborate Southern Suburb ceremony for Heaven on the day of the Winter Solstice.
The dynasties governing the Central Plains always placed great significance on sacrificial rituals. Since the Han Dynasty, the phrase “twenty-two regular sacrifices per year” had been established. The Winter Solstice ceremony, ranking first among these twenty-two, was originally the most significant sacrificial event of the year.
During Li Yuan's reign, the location for the Tang Dynasty's sacrificial ceremonies had been determined – the Circular Mound Altar in the southern suburbs of Changan. This day was one of the most important holidays in the Great Tang, second only to the New Year's celebration. Everyone, from high-ranking officers to common citizens, attached of great importance to it.
Apart from the emperor's lavish banquet for his ministers, ordinary people gathered with their families to reunite and visit friends. Early morning, civil and military officers, led by Li Er, arrived at the Circular Mound Altar. The weather in Changan was still quite cold in early winter.
On the elevated platform, Li Er donned dragon robes and, guided by Yuan Tiangang, recited the ceremonial text dedicated to the Heavenly Emperor. Standing on his left and right were several young men dressed in attire that appeared peculiar for the era. They were dressed as celestial guards and embodied figures like the Wind Master, Rain Master, and Thunder Lord. These individuals held large banners and continuously waved them.
In the chilling wind, the colorful flags emitted a fluttering sound, even challenging the stability of the robust men holding them.
This marked his first participation in the Tang Dynasty’s sacrificial ceremony, and he found the entire spectacle quite fascinating. He nudged Li Jing, who stood before him, and asked hushedly, “Have sacrificial ceremonies always been like this?”
Standing tall with a rigid posture, Li Jing kept his gaze fixed ahead and responded quietly, “These rituals have been passed down from the Han Dynasty to the present.”
Qin Qiong chimed in from the side, saying, “It’s a shame you didn’t lead a large army back. The scene when the troops return from the Western Regions will be even more vibrant than this.”
Su Li blinked and pondered Qin Qiong’s taste. A group of people frolicking and making a commotion – and he called that vibrant? He cast a sympathetic glance at the platform, where Wang Gui from the Ministry of Rites, a senior officer in charge of rituals in his sixties with completely white hair and beard, was continuously guided by a few young Taoist priests as he expressed gratitude to the Heavenly Emperor and Emperor Jing.
“Su Li, find this dull? Don’t worry, there will be entertaining performances later,” Zhangsun Wuji, at an unknown time, also approached with a smile, addressing Su Li.
Su Li pursed his lips and remained silent. Since his return, numerous high-ranking officers at court had sent letters to the princess’s residence, hoping to meet Su Li, the rising star of the Great Tang. However, Su Li had been occupied accompanying Changle and had disregarded all of them except for a few meetings with Zhangsun Wuji. There was no other reason.
As the current Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, and one of Li Er’s most trusted ministers, Zhangsun Wuji was tasked with drafting the imperial edict that would honor Su Li. He visited the princess’s residence several times under the pretext of discussing official matters. Initially, he asked routine questions about Su Li’s background, but his motives later became less noble. He even expressed curiosity about Su Dingfang’s marital plans.
Zhangsun Wuji, a seasoned political figure, believed in the concept of no permanent enemies, only enduring interests. The conflicts between Zhangsun Chong and Su Li were mere child’s play in his eyes. Nonetheless, he brought Zhangsun Chong to the princess’s residence to apologize and presented congratulatory gifts. As the saying goes, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Zhangsun Wuji set aside his pride and made extravagant gestures to extend goodwill. Su Li had little choice but to accept, considering his seniority as Changle’s uncle.
Just as Zhangsun Wuji finished speaking, a new performance commenced on the platform. A group of individuals dressed conspicuously in foreign styles rushed onto the stage, forming a circle around Li Er and performing dances while singing. The group leader, though tall and stout, displayed surprising agility in his whirlwind-like dance movements. With a fawning smile, he continually made gestures of reverence towards Li Er. Su Li was intrigued and couldn’t help but ask, “Which ethnic group’s envoy is this?”
Standing behind him, Duan Xuanzhi scoffed, “This is Jie Li Khan, who once ruled Turkistan.” He clicked his tongue, clearly not entirely satisfied. “It’s a shame the Western Regions haven’t been entirely pacified yet. Otherwise, today’s spectacle would have been much grander.”
Su Li couldn’t help but chuckle. Undoubtedly, Li Er had a penchant for seeking recognition for his accomplishments, but such events did offer a degree of enjoyment.
The sacrificial ceremony concluded swiftly, and the civil and military officers followed Li Er back to the imperial palace for the court assembly. The proceedings of the court assembly were concise that day, lasting less than half an hour, followed by a lavish feast hosted by Li Er for his ministers.
According to the instructions of the ritual officers, the officers toasted twelve times with wine before taking their seats. The focus shifted to feasting and revelry while Li Er announced rewards for the officers. Each eligible officer invited to the feast received gifts for dining and drinking. These gifts mainly included leather boots and cotton socks, which, while not particularly valuable, symbolized the emperor’s goodwill towards his ministers.
However, Li Er hadn’t even eaten once the officers had received their rewards. All eyes of the civil and military officers converged unintentionally on Su Li, seated at the forefront. It was widely known that this Winter Solstice ceremony primarily celebrated Su Li’s achievements, with the others playing supporting roles.
In the past few days, rumors had spread through the streets of Changan, suggesting that Su Li would be granted a royal title this time, based on a promise Li Er had supposedly made before Su Li embarked on his campaign. Many officers remained skeptical, as no historical precedent existed for an unrelated prince in the Tang Dynasty.
At this moment, Wang Gui stepped forward, holding a scroll of the imperial decree. He glanced at Su Li, cleared his throat, and then read aloud from the decree. The content was filled with elaborate and grandiose phrases that Su Li struggled to fully comprehend. However, amidst the vocabulary, there was one line he heard crystal clear.
“General Su Li, in recognition of his achievements in defeating Tubo and pacifying the Western Regions, is at this moment bestowed the title of Prince of Eternal Happiness…”
As the decree was read aloud, a commotion erupted among the court officers, who all stared at Su Li with expressions of shock and astonishment.