Chapter 382: Chapter 331: Military Parade (Part 2)
Fortunately, Zheng Yi had anticipated such a situation earlier and arranged a large number of Imperial Guards and soldiers from the Five Cities Military Department along various streets to maintain order.
Meanwhile, temporary seating and bamboo sheds had been built, especially at the entrance of the Imperial Palace and at the parade venue, to accommodate the many citizens and officials coming to watch.
Of course, the number of people flocking to Jinn City this time was simply too large, at least over two hundred thousand.
Adding the original citizens of the Capital City, the number was even greater.
No words can fully describe the throngs of people present at this grand occasion.
Outside the Imperial Palace, amidst the bustling crowd, countless citizens followed the instructions of the Imperial Guards, entering different viewing positions in batches.
The parade had not yet begun, but many Imperial Guard soldiers were already stationed outside the city walls.
In front of Baixing’s viewing area were platforms specially prepared for foreign delegations, officials, the Martial Arts Department, the military, representatives from other state counties, and other special groups.
"Wow! So many people!"
"Many out-of-towners have flocked to the Capital City days ago; the inns in the Capital City must have been making quite a fortune!"
"Tsk-tsk-tsk, it’s Great Yu’s first parade ceremony, of course, many would come!"
"Brother Chen, what is a parade ceremony?"
"I don’t know either, but my uncle works in the Ministry of War, and according to him, this parade ceremony is personally supervised by Your Majesty and led by Grand General Xu!"
"Your Majesty? Grand General Xu?"
"Speaking of which, was the matter with Grand General Xu’s clan resolved?"
"Shh... quiet down, didn’t even Your Majesty say not to pursue it further?"
"Today is a national celebration, don’t talk nonsense about state affairs!"
"Ah, I went out a little too early today, haven’t eaten much, starting to feel hungry now..."
"There’s food being sold over there."
"Really?"
"Buns! Steaming hot buns!"
"Flatbread~ flatbread!"
Numerous citizens discuss noisily.
In front of them, the high-ranking officials and nobles on the viewing platform were also quietly discussing something.
"I hear there will be cultivators appearing in this parade ceremony!"
"Really?"
"Absolutely true! An elder in my clan works in the Martial Arts Department, and many in the department have been borrowed by that Immortal Master, not sure what task they went off to do."
"Immortal Master... if we truly can see an Immortal Master, it would be a fortunate encounter in three lifetimes for us!"
"Your Majesty is truly a peerless emperor, able to recruit so many Immortal Masters!"
"Ah, but it’s a pity, Your Majesty is also a cultivator, and I heard from the ministers that Your Majesty hasn’t attended court for over half a year!"
"Shh... silence!"
"What Your Majesty does can be handled by the ministers, we just need to wait patiently."
"Exactly, exactly, the ceremony is starting soon..."
Elsewhere, many envoys from other small countries looked at the surrounding crowds and the towering Imperial Palace with awe, fear, or disdain.
The largest number of them came from Wu Country.
"Hmph! Great Yu, no matter the number of people, can only retreat to Black Mountain Pass under our Wu Country’s million cavalry, hahaha~"
"The people of Great Yu are just two-legged sheep; our Wu Country warriors could take their lives anytime!"
"Haha... In all of Great Yu, only Xu Mujun can be called a ’hero’!"
"It’s a pity that Xu Mujun is ungrateful, as our Empress of Wu Country wanted to take him as a husband, even offering him the title of Prince, yet he refused; how reprehensible!"
"This ’parade ceremony’ Great Yu is hosting is nothing but the bluff, they are trying to investigate Great Yu’s reality so Wu Country can march south!"
Several Wu Country envoys disregarded the strange looks from those around them and continued their loud discussions.
Envoys from other small countries instinctively distanced themselves, gathering in threes and twos.
"It truly is Great Yu, the number of citizens is overwhelming!"
"I hear their army numbers in the millions and possesses firearms..."
"Hiss... firearms! Those frightful things that can destroy a city in a day?"
"Indeed! Wu Country’s Black Mountain Pass was conquered using Great Yu’s firearms, and now it’s fortified, impregnable even with tens of thousands of cavalry from Wu Country."
"I’ve heard Great Yu dispatched troops to Wei Country..."
"I know about this, apparently the King of Wei passed, and Wei’s Third Son along with the Queen Mother launched a revolt, proclaiming themselves king, forcing the Crown Prince."
"The Crown Prince escaped to Great Yu under the protection of a few loyalists, begging Great Yu for aid!"
"Tsk-tsk-tsk, Wei Country is nestled within mountains, roads are difficult, and historically Great Yu has twice been defeated there; wonder if this time..."
Countless people fervently discussed up and down the viewing platform, their expressions excited.
On top of the Imperial Palace walls, amidst countless people, Zheng Yi walked slowly.
Beside him was Empress Lu Lin’er.
Behind them followed other consorts, quickly arriving at the main seat of the city walls.
"Your subjects kneel before Your Majesty, wishing the Emperor longevity!"
Led by Zheng Xuanyue and Xu Mujun at the forefront, civil and military officials immediately knelt, shouting for longevity.
This shout was carried by the wind beyond the city walls, heard by the Imperial Guards and citizens outside.
Instantly, another chorus of cheers arose from the citizens.
"Kneel before Your Majesty, wishing the Emperor longevity!"
"Kneel before Your Majesty, wishing the Emperor longevity!"
"Kneel before Your Majesty, wishing the Emperor longevity..."
Many citizens knelt, or due to the cramped space, had to clasp their hands in salute, shouting for longevity.
Even the numerous royal relatives, clan officials, foreign envoys, and others on the viewing platform also knelt in salute.
"Kneel before Your Majesty, wishing the Emperor longevity...!"
The voices carried by the wind traveled far and wide.
Seated on the Dragon Throne, Zheng Yi nodded slightly.
From his elevated position, looking at the kneeling officials and tens of thousands of citizens, a sense of confidence and satisfaction filled his heart.
Once, he was just a shadow, perilous at dawn.
Back then, how could he have thought he would rise step by step to his current standing?
Emperor of Great Yu, today’s Emperor, revered by the masses, embraced by countless citizens?
This proves he is indeed the chosen one, the true Emperor!
"Rise, ministers!"
"Thank Your Majesty!"
"Thank Your Majesty...!"
"Xu Qing."
"Your Majesty, I am here."
"How are the preparations for the parade?"
"Returning to Your Majesty, everything is ready, awaiting your orders."
"Good...!"
Zheng Yi rose, Lu Lin’er following closely, and then the civil and military officials entered the city wall in succession.
With Zheng Yi’s appearance, countless Baixing outside the city walls instinctively stopped their discussions and looked towards Zheng Yi.
Supported by magical power, Zheng Yi’s voice echoed throughout the Imperial Palace, and even across the entire Capital City.
Here is an example of an ancient emperor’s sacrificial text in worship of heaven and earth:
"In the 14th year of Zhengyong, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I lead the ministers in reverently worshipping heaven and earth, offering humble sacrifices."
"I peer up at the vast heavens, observe the solid earth. The great virtues of heaven and earth nurture all things, foster all living beings. I carry the mandate of Heaven, ruling the world, with constant vigilance and tireless diligence."
"Now in this offering of sacrifice, I pray to the heavens: favorable weather, peace and prosperity throughout the year, abundant storehouses, health and wellbeing for the people. May the gods protect our nation, dispelling disaster, halting war, securing peace at the borders, and ensuring harmony across the four seas."
"I endeavor to diligently govern, administer benevolent policies, select and employ the worthy, to benefit all people. Advocating for respect of rituals, cultivating customs, so that the people know propriety, practice filial piety, foster neighborly bonds, and share the blessings of peace."
"I humbly request heaven and earth to witness my sincerity, bestow blessings, and forever protect the prosperity and longevity of our nation."
"Only today, through the parade, do I inform heaven and earth, showcasing Great Yu’s grandeur, and may heaven and earth share in the glory!"
As his words fell, another chorus of cheers erupted, shouting for longevity.
"Long live!"
"Long live!"
"Your Majesty long live~!"
"Long live!!!"
Zheng Yi turned and said, "Xu Qing, you shall be the commander of this parade and lead the procession."
"Yes!"
Xu Mujun, with a respectful demeanor, stepped forward and declared, "Let the parade ceremony... begin!!!"
