Chapter 1251 - 308: The Grand Ceremony (Part 3)

Chapter 1251: Chapter 308: The Grand Ceremony (Part 3)

Three days later,

in the Golden Phoenix Hall of the imperial palace in the Ing Capital City,

the Regent sat on the dragon throne,

below, were seated over sixty nobles.

Among them, half were old and half were middle-aged.

In the political customs of the Chu State, half of the official positions in the court were essentially the possessions of the nobles, and those without a corresponding noble status could not assume these roles. Some official posts had even become hereditary transmissions of certain noble families.

A row of torches burned in the center of the grand hall.

It is said that in the past, every time the Duke of Chu and his vassals held a meeting, they would light torches and sit in a circle, so this ritual has been passed down to the present.

In fact, the heads of the major noble families typically hold positions in the Ing Capital City, unless special circumstances arise, those who needed to retire to their fiefs due to health reasons would send the next generation’s predetermined head to replace them in Ing Capital City.

If the grand ceremony were to be held, it could truly be assembled like a morning meeting, and enough people could gather by the next day.

The reason for the three-day wait is that the real decision-makers of those nobles who are relatively close to the Ing Capital City needed to come from their family, and these families are considered some of the most powerful in the Chu State.

For example, the Zui Clan, the Jing Family, and the Dugu Clan.

At this time,

after everyone had been seated,

the old patriarch of the Jing Family personally stepped forward, pulled out a torch, turned around, and walked to the Regent, trembling slightly as he knelt and held the torch above his head.

The Regent reached out to take the torch and placed it in the prepared iron cage beside him.

The old patriarch of the Jing Family slowly stood up and stepped back;

all the nobles rose together, facing the Regent, and under the guidance of the old patriarch of the Jing Family, they performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations.

In the Chu State, the Jing Family has always been responsible for cultural and educational matters. Earliest during the time of the first Duke of Chu, the Jing Family was responsible for sacrifices and ceremonies. It is said that the ancestors of the Jing Family once held positions in the Ministry of Rites of the Xia Dynasty.

The grand ceremony concluded,

the nobles resumed their seats, waiting for the Regent to speak.

The Regent waved his hand, and several eunuchs brought a dragon robe and Sky-Reaching Crown along with all the accessories belonging to an emperor, placed them in the center, and then quietly retreated.

The nobles exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of this.

While it was known that the Regent’s accession was an eventuality, today’s grand ceremony was meant to discuss strategies against the Yan people’s offensive on Chu.

Why were the dragon robe and Sky-Reaching Crown, the imperial attire, brought out?

The old patriarchs of the Jing Family and the Dugu Family exchanged a look. The former cast an inquiring glance at the latter, knowing that the Dugu Clan’s swordsmiths were on good terms with the Regent.

The old patriarch of the Dugu Family shook his head slightly, indicating he was unaware of the situation.

The old patriarch of the Jing Family then pondered inwardly:

In the Chu State, there has always been a tradition of warding off bad luck, moreover, if encountering war, if a man with a marriage contract joins the army, according to custom, the marriage would be completed in advance, signalling fidelity and also a blessing.

Could it be,

that the Regent intends to ward off bad luck before the war?

If so,

should he advise against it?

In fact, affairs at the court and those of common merchants aren’t all that different.

The great nobles have fiefs and populations, while merchants have some capital and goods;

The great nobles need to maintain good relations with other nobles and, when the time is right, suppress and annex them; merchants need to maintain good relations with their peers and may kick them while they’re down at an opportune moment.

The great nobles must seek the favor of the emperor, for the royal family of the Chu State still holds the most powerful forces; merchants must seek the favor of market officials.

Hence, it is not surprising that the old patriarch of the Jing Family began contemplating whether to go with the flow at this time.

But the Regent merely pointed at the dragon robe and Sky-Reaching Crown placed on the ground in the center,

very casually,

with a hint of disdain in his eyes,

and said;

"This, who wants it?"

At once,

all the nobles rose again, kneeling down together:

"Your servants would rather die."

"Your servants are guilty."

Though unsure of what the Regent truly meant, the court naturally has its own etiquettes and rules. For instance, at this time, admitting guilt as an initial gesture is not wrong.

The Regent did not rush them to rise,

but shook his head,

and said:

"The Yan people are coming, this time, the Southern Marquis of the Yan people is arriving with several times the force of the last encounter at the beginning of the year;

what do you say,

should I prepare a set of plain clothes and a sheep,

open a gate proactively,

wear white and lead a sheep, surrender directly to the Yan people?

That way, I can at least secure a princely position and live a life of glory and wealth, right?"

The old patriarch of the Jing Family immediately raised his head and shouted loudly:

"My lord, how can you say such words? How can we hand over the foundations of our Chu State to the Yan and Barbarians!"

"Indeed, my lord, this is the legacy of our ancestors."

"My lord, we swear to defend you and the Chu State to the death."

"Please, my lord, take back those words, otherwise, your servant will dash my head against this pillar."

"My lord..."

"Enough!"

The Regent suddenly slapped the imperial desk, himself being a cultivator who also nurtured a spiritual being within him.

With that slap,

the imperial desk split apart,

and the resounding shout,

rendered the Golden Phoenix Hall silent.

"Three days ago, I sent a message through the Phoenix Nest’s inner guards to each of you, all sixty-four of the Chu State’s nobles of rank three or higher are present here;

yet in these three days,

those who have truly mobilized the resources of their fiefs, their civilians, provisions, and troops, number only eleven, only eleven!

I simply want to ask, the remaining fifty-three, what are you waiting for, what are you watching for;

are you waiting for me to plead with you?

Waiting for me to negotiate with you?

This Chu,

is mine,

yes,

but this Chu,

is also yours!

This battle,

must be fought,

and fight well by expending our resources, keeping the Yan people outside, and post-battle, you shall remain nobles of rank three or higher!

If you do not wish to fight,

very well,

I can go to the Yan Emperor to seek a princely position, preserving the ancestral hall incense;

you,

may then go and have a good chat with that Yan Emperor,

who once trampled the gates of the clan."

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Apologies for keeping everyone waiting, here’s a Chapter first, another will come around 1 AM, don’t worry!