An envoy abroad was the face of his nation; wherever the Imperial Envoy's Staff went, the emperor's majesty rested upon it.
Jinghe Year Fifteen, fifteenth day of the tenth month. Clear skies.
Before dawn, a long procession had already formed outside the Meridian Gate.
The ceremonial staff stood at its head, its bamboo joints lacquered vermilion, its shaft eight feet long.
Yellow silk wound around it, with three tiers of yak tails adorned with gold, gleaming brilliantly in the morning light.
The State Letter rested in a jade casket, borne out in both hands by an official of the Imperial Seals Office and placed in the envoy's hands.
The Rites of Zhou said: "For the credentials of envoys among the states, mountain states use tiger tallies, plains states use human tallies, and marsh states use dragon tallies."
When an envoy of Great Zhou went abroad, the splendor of his escort surpassed that of every other state.
Thirty-six men formed the ceremonial guard, their banners thick as a forest.
A hundred armored soldiers wore gleaming saddles and bridles, while a hundred men of the Escort Cavalry were all veterans of a hundred battles.
The long street had been cleared, and crowds already filled both sides...
The officials came to see him off; the common people gathered to watch.
The first morning light broke through, and drums and music rose.
Wei Shouzheng walked slowly out of the East Flower Gate, wearing the Scarlet Robe bestowed by the emperor, a Golden Belt fastened at his waist.
His steps were utterly steady, his gaze fixed straight ahead, the ceremonial staff fluttering behind him.
When the procession reached the Meridian Gate, Crown Prince Jiang Heng was already waiting there.
The Crown Prince wore a plain robe that day. Without a carriage or canopy,