In the era of imperial power, sacrifice was a very formal activity. It is said that "the major affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs." The emperor relied on it to set the example for the world, educate the people, and restrain officials. In the eyes of the emperor, sacrifice was even more important than the use of troops.
The royal family holds various festivals every year. Before each festival day comes, a lot of preparation work must be done, no matter how much manpower and material resources are spent, no matter how much manpower and material resources are spent, no matter how much it is.
Now that Chen Huang's pockets are bulging, he will not be stingy with money.
One month before the ceremony begins, a comprehensive overhaul of the various buildings and facilities at the place of worship will be carried out, and even all the streets that the emperor passes through from the palace to the altar will have a new look.
With only five days left until the royal ceremony, the capital was already under full martial law.
There were obviously more guards patrolling the streets during the day, and the night curfew was moved up an hour. All in all, this period was the calmest few days in the capital that Tangning had ever experienced.
In these days, dragons have to be coiled and tigers have to lie down. If anyone violates taboos without opening their eyes, Emperor Chen's guards will definitely make them regret ever coming to this world.
According to custom, five days before the sacrifice, the prince should be sent to inspect the animals prepared for slaughter for the heaven sacrifice.
King Kang had to preside over various important events in the ceremony, and King Duan always did bad things. King Huai was recently entrusted with an important task, so he went to see whether the pigs and sheep that would be used in the sacrifice to heaven were fat or strong, and he fell down.
On the head of King Huai.
However, Tang Ning himself did not break away from the relationship. Recently, Huang Chen always liked to tie him to King Huai, but even if he picked some fat pigs and sheep, he would go with King Huai.
What Tang Ning didn't expect was that just an hour before setting off, someone from Prince Huai's Mansion came to tell him that Prince Huai was ill and that this time the choice of livestock fell on Tang Ning alone.
Tang Ning didn't know whether King Huai was really sick or a fake one. After all, it didn't seem like a good job. The place where the imperial court kept livestock smelled very bad. He walked around there and had to take a shower three times before returning home.
The smell went away.
Tang Ning strongly suspected that King Huai was being lazy and pretending to be sick, but he still did not go to Shangshu Province the next day. The servants in the palace said that he was seriously ill and would most likely not be able to attend the ceremony.
In this case, Prince Huai was really ill. As a colleague, Tang Ning, out of moral integrity, went to Prince Huai's Mansion to check on him after leaving the office.
In Prince Huai's Mansion, Prince Huai was lying on the bed, his face pale and bloodless. Tang Ning looked at him and asked in surprise: "What's going on, Your Highness?"
"I feel cold. The imperial doctor said that I can rest for a few days." King Huai smiled and struggled to sit up, but fell down again.
Tang Ning quickly said: "Your Highness, it is better to lie down."
As the saying goes, sickness comes like a mountain, and goes away like a thread. King Huai's health is so good, it means that he is sick. Depending on his condition, Tang Ning may not be able to participate in the festival in two days.
King Huai looked at him apologetically and said, "In the past few days, the affairs of Shangshu Province have been entirely borne by Mr. Tang."
Tang Ning waved her hand and said, "Everyone has been busy with the festival these two days. There is nothing wrong with Shangshu Province. Your Highness, please take a good rest and don't have to worry about these things."
Tang Ning stood by the bed, chatting with Prince Huai for a few words, and then said goodbye.
Not long after he left, a servant came in and said, "Your Highness, Mr. Tang has left."
King Huai sat up from the bed, looking much better, but still a little haggard, looking expressionlessly in a certain direction, not knowing what he was thinking in his heart.
Princess Huai walked in slowly and sat beside him on the bedside. She didn't speak, she just sat quietly.
King Huai was silent for a moment and said: "After this incident, I will have someone send you away from the capital."
Princess Huai looked at him and asked: "Where to go?"
King Huai thought for a while and asked, "How is Chu?"
Princess Huai asked: "What about Your Highness?"
"I still have some things to do." King Huai looked at her and smiled: "When I finish these things, I will go find you."
Princess White shook her head, held his hand tightly, and said, "Where are you, where am I."
…
After King Huai fell ill, Tang Ning realized that without King Huai, he suddenly had to do more things.
He wanted to go one day in advance to see whether the words on the altar board were neat enough, whether the cushions on the dressing table were neat enough, and whether the sky lanterns on the altar were hung three times according to regulations.
Do you have one more or one less lamp...
The number of sacrifices was also particular. Twenty-eight cows, thirty-three sheep, thirty-four pigs, two deer, and twelve rabbits were required. Although Tang Ning didn't know the meaning of these numbers, they were many.
If one of them is missing, many people will be unlucky if they are found out.
In addition, the placement of gods, sacrifices, and musical instruments on the altar also have their own positions, and no step can be missed.
The officials who attended the ceremony with the emperor had to bathe, change clothes, burn incense and fast three days in advance. Tang Ning did not touch any meat or fish in the past two days.
So much so that when he inspected the sacrifices that had been slaughtered and cooked, he felt the urge to pick them up and take a bite.
Of course, there are many people around you watching, so this is naturally impossible.
"This sky lantern, go a little further to the left, then left..., pass it, and then go an inch to the right."
"This chime is chipped, please replace it!"
"This floor tile is unstable. Someone come and cushion it!"
…
Tangning was standing in the Xishan Altar when she heard a voice coming from somewhere. She turned around and saw a familiar figure giving orders to the Ministry of Works officials inside.
King Kang seemed to have become a different person since he was deprived of his throne.
Specifically, he not only refused Chen Huang's request to be crowned king again, but also spent most of his energy on his duties. Even Tang Ning was a little surprised by his dedication to his duties. In recent times, Prince Kang can be said to be a model for officials in the court.
, moved Chen Guo's top ten labor models, people like Tang Ning and Huai Wang would feel ashamed when they think of him.
It can be said that this festival was organized by King Kang. Without any existing precedents to draw from, people could not find any problems, which shows his intentions.
Even Tangning wasn't sure whether he was just pretending, or whether he was sincerely repenting and wanting to change his mind and start a new life...
As if sensing Tang Ning's gaze, King Kang turned around, smiled at him, then turned his head and continued busy.
He didn't know if it was Tang Ning's misunderstanding, but he always felt that King Kang's smile just now had an evil feeling to it.
He temporarily put this feeling out of his mind and walked around the altar again. When he found no problem, he was ready to go down the mountain and go home.
Seosan is the highest mountain near Gyeonggi, and it is the closest place to heaven. This is why the royal family placed the altar here.
The road up the mountain is not steep, but it is definitely not smooth. The frail officials in the court tomorrow will probably suffer.
The altar is on a mountain. Due to the dangers of the mountain road, it is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Once something happens up there, it will be extremely difficult to provide support. This is why Chen Huang chose his guards so carefully.
If it weren't for the fact that the mountain road was not suitable for a large army to march, and there couldn't be many people near the altar, it would take a lot of time for the imperial guards to come up from the mountain tomorrow. He thought that he would ask the Yulin guards to follow him.
Tangning went down the mountain and into the city. When she walked to the door of her house, she saw a figure running from a distance.
A child thrust a letter into his hand and ran away quickly.
"Again?" This familiar scene made Tangning slightly stunned. When he opened the envelope and saw the content on the letter, his expression was startled and he blurted out: "Fuck..."
Rong Xiaorong says
I have changed one day about the astronomy. I will change this chapter after I finish it. The second update will be later.
