Above the Altar of Heaven, the new ruler burned a memorial and offered it to Heaven. Green smoke rose straight into the firmament.
When the Kui Dragon Pattern War Drum sounded, the slaughtered white ox and black boar were carried to the Sacrificial Furnace.
The palace eunuch Feng Cheng stood beneath the Altar of Heaven, took out the Imperial Decree, and began to read:
"Having received Heaven's mandate,"
Feng Cheng's voice rang across the Altar of Heaven Square.
Before he could finish reading the Imperial Decree, news suddenly arrived from ten thousand miles away.
To expend National Fortune just to send a message in time meant that the information was extraordinarily important!
Qin Ziheng's expression shifted. His already solemn face grew even more grave.
He cast an imperceptible glance at Wenren Zheng, who stood beneath the Altar of Heaven.
".I charge you, ministers within and without, to understand My heart and together bring about perfect governance.
The common people throughout the realm should peacefully tend to their occupations and share in an age of prosperity.
Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm, and let all obey it.
So decreed!
Yuanxing Year One, First Month, First Day."
As the final words fell, the civil and military officials cried out in unison, "Long live Your Majesty!"
Above the Altar of Heaven, Qin Ziheng took the Imperial Jade Seal from Grand Secretary Ye Ze'an. Sunlight illuminated the sun, moon, and stars woven across his imperial robes, and the golden embroidered patterns seemed about to become real and ascend into the highest heavens.
This was his moment!
Deep within this new ruler's unknown heart, a conversation surfaced once more:
"Too dangerous. I forbid it!"
"Your Majesty, if we wish to break through this deadlock, this is the best method. I am willing to take