Chapter 1 Although we are not compatriots, we are brothers and sisters
When the old emperor dies and the new emperor ascends the throne, there are countless etiquette rules and regulations.
Liu Yu's funeral lasted for almost half a month, and the court meeting lasted three days to choose the posthumous title for the late emperor.
After deliberation for a long time, the ministers finally decided on the word "Jing". "Jinge of the Posthumous Law" says: "Rou De's examination of the public is called Jing, Gong Ji's fresh words are called Jing, and Kuanle Ling's end is called Jing."
Liu Yu was generous, benevolent, and courteous throughout his life. Although he was forcibly promoted to the throne when the country was in crisis, his personal character alone deserved a good posthumous title, so he was named Emperor Xiaojing of the Han Dynasty.
In late December, the imperial court buried Liu Yu in a coffin and sent it to the Mangshan mausoleum in the north for burial. The city was filled with plains, and tens of thousands of people accompanied them. Under the escort of the army, thousands of officials and thousands of soldiers played drums and harps.
The chorus is loud and mighty.
As the highest-ranking King of Qi in the imperial court today, and also the next successor to the emperor, Liu Bei wears filial piety. According to the genealogy, he is several generations below Liu Yu. Liu Yu is the sixth grandson of Emperor Guangwu and his great-grandfather Liu Zhen.
His grandfather is the deposed prince Liu Jiang, Prince Gong of Donghai.
And Emperor Guangwu was the ninth generation grandson of Liu Bang, so in summary, Liu Yu was the fifteenth generation grandson of Liu Bang. Liu Bei's generation gap was too far, he was the nineteenth generation of Liu Bang, four generations lower than Liu Yu, so
Not to mention wearing hemp and wearing filial piety, according to the genealogy, he has to be called ancestor Liu Yu.
A group of people arrived at Mang Mountain to pay homage to Liu Yu. Liu Yu was a simple man by nature and had to sew and mend any torn clothes he wore. In order to avoid burdening the country's finances, he left an edict early and asked for a light burial, but Liu Bei still prepared a large number of funerals.
Products to ensure regulation.
It's not that Liu Bei didn't respect the last words of the deceased, but the ancients during the Han Dynasty generally regarded the dead as living people and believed that people would continue to live after death. Therefore, the deceased's belongings as well as gold and silver jewelry, food utensils, clothing and jewelry were indispensable.
Especially for an emperor like Liu Yu, the standard system required yellow intestines and jade clothes, as well as a large number of daily necessities, such as pottery figurines, chariots and horses, guards, gold wares, jade wares, bronze wares, lacquer wares, etc. The scale
Very big.
Therefore, even if it is very simple, the most basic emperor's burial standards still need to be buried. And even the most basic standards are very grand, so this funeral still costs a lot of money.
Fortunately, Liu Bei was wealthy and could bear all the expenses. Not only did he purchase a large number of burial objects for Liu Yu, but he also mobilized potters in the city to make a batch of pottery figurines of soldiers and attendants overnight.
From the Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, after the abolition of the human sacrifice system, emperors, generals and ministers were accompanied by terracotta warriors and guards, and there were corresponding regulations at each level. This is also the origin of the terracotta warriors and horses.
The carriages and horses were escorted all the way, and the officials and the people were arduously walking along the Mang Mountain road in the north of Luoyang under the snow-covered winter. Heavy snow covered the entire Mang Mountain. The tomb of Emperor Jing is located on a cliff about five miles northwest of Luoyang City, which is far away from the Han Dynasty.
The tomb of Emperor Xiaokang is about four miles away.
A large open space was cleared outside the mausoleum, and countless craftsmen brought the pottery figurines here. Liu Bei sent people to bring all the funerary objects into the tomb and arrange them neatly in each tomb chamber. When everything was ready, Liu Yu's coffin was placed
Sent there for burial.
Soon Liu Yu's coffin was put into the tomb and the tomb was sealed. Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, the ceremony was almost over. There were also some more complicated sacrificial activities, which would be carried out by specialized people. After paying homage, the ministers could leave.
go.
Everyone began to walk back, in the heavy snowfall, back to the North Palace of Luoyang. After entering the palace gate, the officials supported Liu Bei and went to the Chongde Hall of the South Palace. Hundreds of people cheered and recommended Liu Bei to the outside of the Chongde Hall.
.
It is not that the enthronement ceremony will be held today, but that a court meeting will be held today to discuss many details of the enthronement.
Since the life span of emperors in the Han Dynasty was generally short, and the age of the next successor was generally relatively young. Therefore, according to past practice, after the death of the emperor, the harem and the three ministers usually discussed the matter together.
After the emperor dies, if the prince is still young, he will discuss the matter of ascending the throne. If the emperor has no heir, he will discuss where to find the next emperor.
Emperors like Liu Hu, Emperor An of the Han Dynasty, Liu Zan, Emperor Zhi of the Han Dynasty, Liu Zhi, Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, and Liu Hong, Emperor Kangxi of the Han Dynasty, were all selected from the heirs of princes and princes who were relatively close to the clan because the previous emperor had no heirs. And these things
It was up to the Duke and the Queen Mother to discuss the matter.
But now Liu Yu has left a posthumous edict and appointed Liu Bei as the next emperor. Liu Bei is an adult and holds great power, so naturally there is no need to leave him alone for discussion. It can even be said that the ministers themselves have to obey him.
arrange.
With the support of the courtiers, Liu Bei entered the Chongde Hall and looked around the spacious palace in confusion.
During the Dong Zhuo Rebellion, he was still drinking and chatting with Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan not far from Qu Feidian, sitting at the banquet and calling themselves the five monarchs of the world. At that time, he never dreamed that one day he would be able to legitimately enter this palace and become the emperor.
.
But now I have done something that I never dared to think about before. Everything seems like a dream. Everything in front of me is like a dream. It is so unreal and full of illusions. It makes people feel frightened and unbelievable.
But now it has become a fact. Although the table mat above the steps of the Chongde Hall is just a simple mat, in the Han Dynasty, it was a dragon chair, and the dragon chair was right in front of Liu Bei.
"Your Majesty...King Qi...please sit down."
The newly appointed Zhongchang Shi Wang Zhi almost let it slip. Although Liu Bei was already the appointed successor, he had already completed ninety-nine of the hundred steps and was still short of the final step. No matter how much the difference was, he was still the King of Qi.
Before you ascend the throne, if you make this mistake, you may be criticized.
Fortunately, Wang Zhi reacted quickly and did not say anything.
Liu Bei pondered: "Although the late emperor left an edict to let Gu succeed, the position of emperor is a heavy responsibility, how can we be so hasty? Gu has not yet ascended to the throne, so he still sits down below as the king of Qi, sitting with many ministers to discuss matters.
"
"only!"
Wang Zhi quickly arranged for the eunuchs to prepare another seat.
When a court meeting is held, the only people with seats in the hall are the general, the three ministers, the nine ministers, and the three independents. Unless there are new positions such as Taifu, Grand Sima, Hussar General, and Chariot General, under normal circumstances,
, plus the emperor's dragon seats, there should be seventeen.
But now there are no generals in the imperial court, and there are no other new positions. Therefore, during the Liu Yu period, except for people like Liu Bei who came to the imperial court, the usual number of seats was sixteen. Liu Yu presided over one seat at the top, and ten seats at the bottom.
Five pictures.
Now that Liu Bei asked to sit down on the dragon mat instead of sitting on it, naturally he had to spread out a new one, and it wasn't for Liu Bei, but for the last one. Because it was arranged from top to bottom, Liu Bei took the original seat of Yang Biao.
.
In this order, Liu Bei sits first on the right hand side facing south, followed by Yang Biao, Zhao Wen, Zhong Fu, Shi Sun Rui, and Zhou Zhong, and opposite them are Lu Xu and Liu Ai.
, Wang Yi, Xu Qiu, Tian Yi, Zhang Yi, and Chen Mu sat at the middle table. Xuanfan, Zhong Yao, and Huan Dian sat alone at the last table.
The rest, including Henan Yin Sima Fang, had no place to sit and could only kneel down on the wooden floor without mats below. The officials sat in order according to the size of the officials.
Liu Bei sat next to the dragon seat and looked down.
The steps of Chongde Hall are divided into three levels. The highest level is the emperor's seat, the second level is the official seat, and the lowest level is the official seat.
This caused the official seats at the bottom to be crowded together, and the middle position on the second floor, because the ministers sat on the left and right, turned it into a conference hall.
If an official wanted to report something, he would go to the empty space in the middle and report to the emperor. This formed the structure of the entire Chongde Hall court meeting.
The view from the dragon seat is definitely the best, but the view from here is not bad either. Diagonally across from Liu Bei and at the bottom is Chen Mu.
Although Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others have very high general positions, they are former generals and rear generals, but they can only be ranked below the ministers, so they sit on the third floor, but they are at the front, with Guan Yu ranked first.
After everyone sat down one by one, Taiwei Yang Biao, the leader of the hundred officials, was the first to speak up: "Everyone, today's meeting is to discuss the matter of King Qi's ascension to the throne. As the saying goes, a country cannot be left without a master for a day. This matter
Sooner rather than later, in my opinion, how about setting the time for tomorrow?"
"I have objections!"
Kong Rong, who had been unable to restrain himself for a long time, was the first to stand up and object: "How can the King of Qi ascend to the throne and proclaim himself the emperor if he is not the ancestor of Guangwu? Although the late emperor has an edict, I feel that there are too many edicts to be made, so I should choose another one."
That’s right for the royal family.”
"I object too!"
Kong Rong's friend also stood up. Everyone looked around and saw a middle-aged official sitting almost close to the gate. His rank was probably only 600 stones. They all frowned and started to look down upon him.
After all, the lowest rank sitting here is six hundred stones, a bunch of people are sitting at the door, and the people above are senior officials with thousands of stones, two thousand stones or even ten thousand stones. You dare to object with only six hundred stones?
However, he was thick-skinned and did not feel ashamed to be despised by everyone. He walked up to the front and stood side by side with Kong Rong, shouting: "I think what Dr. Taizhong said is right. Although the King of Qi has contributed to the country, his blood is far away."
The royal family is too far away to reach the throne!"
Chen Mu suddenly laughed and said, "Aren't these the Taizhong Doctor and the Censor of the Book? Why, I heard that you also have a good friend, Ni Zhengping, why didn't you come?"
Kong Rong said with an upright face: "Zhengping only has three hundred stones, and he can't go to court to discuss it."
It’s embarrassing to say it. Logically speaking, the veterans of the royalist faction are Yang Biao, Zhao Wenzhong, Fu Shi, and Sun Rui. The middle force is Kong Rong, Bian Rang and others, and the young forces include Ni Heng, Yang Xiu, etc. Unfortunately, Yang
Xiu finally ran away with Chen Mu, and Yang Biao and others were forced to compromise, which led to Kong Rong and others being gradually marginalized.
In itself, their strength was not strong. There were hundreds of courtiers in the dynasty, but only five or six were friendly with Kong Rong, Bian Rang and others. Among them were several young scholars whose official ranks were not high, and they had no power at all.
They are not qualified to participate in the court proceedings, making their opposition almost silent in the court proceedings.
Fortunately, Kong Rong is currently serving as the Taizhong doctor, and Bian Rong is the official secretary and censor. Both of them can barely attend the court meeting. Taking advantage of today's meeting to determine the date of Liu Bei's accession to the throne, they immediately stand up to cause Liu Bei trouble. It's so embarrassing.
With their sharp eyesight, no wonder Cao Cao wanted to kill them.
"Oh, it seems you all have to work hard, otherwise you won't even be able to attend the court meeting."
Chen Mu scoffed.
Kong Rong was so angry that he gritted his teeth and said loudly: "Chen Zigui, don't talk to me about this. Today is to discuss whether the King of Qi can ascend to the throne. It does not matter the size of the official position!"
Before Chen Mu could retaliate, Yang Biao immediately stood up and scolded: "Kong Wenju, the ascension of King Qi to the throne is the legacy of the late emperor. Although the late emperor was elected as the emperor by us, he was still the emperor of the Han Dynasty. The imperial edict is a sacred decree and cannot be tolerated.
Change it, just sit down and don’t mention this matter again!”
Bian Rang immediately said: "Lieutenant, the late emperor must have been coerced by King Qi. We, righteous men, are powerful and unyielding, and will never bow to force!"
"good."
Kong Rong said solemnly: "Even if you chop off my head, I will not agree!"
"Fork out!"
Yang Biao was too lazy to pay attention to them. He would have blocked them out if he had known about the meeting today.
The Huben army rushed in, grabbed the two men and sent them outside. They were carried away while shouting and cursing. It was true that they were seeking death.
After the two were carried away, the place fell silent. Situ Zhao Wen said in a deep voice: "The late emperor appointed King Qi to ascend the throne for the sake of the great Han Dynasty. Kong Wen, Bian Yuanli, Ni Zhengping and others are just short-sighted corrupt scholars.
How do you know the late emperor’s deep intention? Let’s end this matter here. The Taiwei asked King Qi to ascend to the throne tomorrow. What do you think?”
"Where is Taishi Ling?"
Zhong Fu asked.
In the Western Han Dynasty, Taishi Ling was a historian. For example, Sima Qian was the Taishi Ling. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, his function became an official in charge of the weather and celestial calendar. At the end of the year, he played the New Year's Calendar, national sacrifices, funerals, marriages, and good days and seasonal taboos.
, if there is an auspicious response, remember the disaster if it happens.
Upon hearing Sikong's question, Tai Shiling hurriedly got out of the back row, came to the middle stage, bowed and said, "Here."
"Can King Qi ascend to the throne tomorrow?"
"No!"
Tai Shiling quickly said: "Tomorrow is not an auspicious day."
"When will that be possible?"
"Six days later."
"Isn't it New Year's Day in six days?"
"Back to Sikong, the New Year is an auspicious day. It is a good time to offer sacrifices, and the new emperor has ascended to power. It is a good time to pray to God and our great ancestors to ascend to the throne and proclaim themselves emperors, and bring stability to all directions."
"good!"
Zhong Fu looked at Liu Bei, Yang Biao, Zhao Wen and others and said, "What do King Qi, Taiwei, and Situ think?"
"Then so be it."
Liu Bei didn't care. Although he still had to wait for six days, he was willing to wait for this kind of day, not to mention six days, but sixty days.
When Yang Biao and Zhao Wen learned that the New Year was an auspicious day, they immediately said, "Yes!"
Everyone discussed the details of the enthronement ceremony again, and when it got dark in the evening, they dispersed.
Liu Bei did not have a residence in Luoyang, so he lived in Chen Mu's official residence.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei came in, and the four brothers each took a bath and drank and feasted in the West Garden Pavilion.
Snowflakes were still flying outside, covering the courtyard with a thick layer of snow.
The lake was frozen, the sky was gloomy, and only the stove was burning.
After the four brothers sat down, Liu Bei raised the warm wine glass in his hand, drank it happily, and said to the three of them: "Second brother, third brother and fourth brother, I still feel like I am dreaming."
"All of this today is the result of many years of fighting on the battlefield, big brother. The Han Dynasty is already riddled with holes. If it weren't for big brother, I'm afraid the world would have been lost long ago."
Chen Mu said with a smile.
Guan Yu said solemnly: "The late emperor entrusted the world to my eldest brother, and my eldest brother is also shouldering the heavy responsibility of supporting the Han Dynasty. This burden is not light. This throne should have been inherited by my eldest brother, otherwise why should I shoulder this burden?"
"Yes, elder brother, you will be the emperor from now on, and the second brother will be the general. I should be given a hussar general no matter what."
Zhang Fei laughed loudly.
"Hey, third brother."
Guan Yu quickly said: "As the emperor, the eldest brother should not be nepotistic. There are other considerations. How can you just give me what you want?"
Liu Bei smiled and waved his hand: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Third brother and I have been through life and death for many years. Based on our merits, it is enough..."
"Brother!"
Chen Mu stopped him, looked at Liu Bei seriously and said: "Brother, this is the last time I call you eldest brother. There is a distinction between superiority and inferiority. In the future, we can only call eldest brother your majesty! Being the emperor is no better than being the king of Qi. You are nepotistic.
It’s never a good thing.”
Liu Bei hadn't realized the seriousness of the matter yet. He was very excited. While drinking, he had many words that he wanted to say in succession: Taoyuan sworn brotherhood, living and dying together, brothers and sisters, sleeping on the same bed, but when he saw Guan Yu and Chen Mu
That serious expression always seemed to be blocked by something. It was just whirling in my head and I couldn't express it out.
Guan Yu and Chen Mu looked at him with serious expressions, and even Zhang Fei, who was originally careless and didn't think too much, suddenly stopped talking, moved his lips, looked around, and his expression became silent.
The attitude of the three people finally became respectful, and they clearly shouted: "Your Majesty..."
Liu Bei seemed to shudder; he knew that there was already a sadly thick barrier between them.
In an instant, tears flowed down.
He stood up, grabbed their hands, and while choking, he said seriously: "The second brother, the third brother, and the fourth brother are sworn brothers in Taoyuan. We share life and death. There will never be any gap between us! From now on, you don't need to call me Your Majesty."
, just calling big brother is enough, just call big brother, I will be your brother for the rest of my life, even though I am not a compatriot, I am your brother and sister!"