Qing Dynasty, the capital.
On this day, the city was shrouded in a sacred and solemn atmosphere. Everyone had changed into new clothes, and beneath their grave expressions, their excitement and anticipation were hard to conceal.
The country had been through too much for this day. Countless men had died on the battlefield, their bodies wrapped in horsehide. And the country had made too many preparations for this day, too: from the emperor down to the common people, generation after generation had given everything they had.
The Dynasty was ascending to an Imperial Dynasty. All under heaven celebrated!
Many people would come to witness the ceremony that day. To preserve the country's dignity, the entire capital had been cleaned countless times; the streets and buildings had nearly been scrubbed down by a whole layer.
This was also an immensely important day. To prevent any disorder, all the experts of the Forbidden Martial Hall had been deployed to every corner of the city. A hundred billion troops had also assembled, partly to make a show of strength and partly to prevent chaos.
At the center of the vast capital square, a nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine-zhang-high altar had been erected for the sacrifice to Heaven. They were only waiting for the auspicious hour, when the emperor would ascend the altar, worship Heaven, and preside over the Dynasty's elevation to an Imperial Dynasty.
The area around the altar had already been sealed off. No one was allowed within ten li of it.
Farther away, tiers of viewing platforms surrounded the central square. Guests from sects, Dynasties, noble families, and even Imperial Dynasties had already taken their seats. They had come to witness Qing State's elevation to a Dynasty.
There was only so much of the world's pie to go around. One more Imperial Dynasty meant fewer