141: Chapter 51 Auspicious Days

The ninth day of the fifth month, in the first year of Yongan.

Outside the city of Jinling, the plane trees had spread out their dense green shade. The chirping of cicadas poured down from the branches, mingling with the hawking of street vendors and the laughter of chasing children, rippling through the humid air.

This ancient city, which Li Ling had renamed "Jinling," was ushering in the liveliest summer it had seen in thousands of years.

Li Ling stood in the Imperial Study of the palace, a thick almanac spread out on the table before him. He held a teacup in one hand and flipped through the pages with the other, his brows smoothing and knitting in turn as he muttered to himself.

"The tenth day of the fifth month: suitable for weddings, opening businesses, signing contracts, moving into a new home... Avoid ground-breaking, traveling, felling trees..." He read a passage, then shook his head. "No, no. If travel is forbidden on the day of my coronation, how inauspicious that would be."

He flipped through it again. "The twelfth day of the fifth month: suitable for sacrifices, praying for blessings, seeking an heir, consecration... Avoid weddings, moving into a new home... This won't do either, I need to get married."

"System, do you think this almanac is accurate?" Li Ling sighed internally and tossed the almanac onto the table. "Why is picking a date harder than fighting a naval battle?"

The voice in his mind sounded impatient: [Host, you've been flipping through that for nearly two hours. In my opinion, why not just pick a random day and be done with it? You insist on finding some "auspicious day"—feudal superstition is harmful. Regardless of which day you choose, the sky won't collapse. Besides, you're someone who wields satellites and commands a Dreadnought; you actually believe in this?]

"This is called tradition!" Li Ling retorted righteously. "You're a system from the interstellar era; you don't understand the customs of us Earthlings. For something as significant as founding a nation and ascending the throne, of course one must choose an auspicious day to ensure good fortune. Besides, the old officials in the court are all watching. If I don't consult the almanac, they'll certainly gossip behind my back, saying things like 'the new Emperor doesn't even understand etiquette,' which would just be a headache for me."

[You humans are so troublesome. Fine, pick it yourself slowly; I'll come back later.]

"Where are you going? To find that singing and dancing system again?"

[...Host, is that any of your business?]

"Not my business, not my business. I'm just curious, what exactly is the state of your 'system love'?" Li Ling chuckled. "Can you two 'hold hands' in the data stream, or 'hug'? You can't possibly be 'living together' in the server, can you?"

[Host, if you keep talking nonsense, I will deduct all your resource points for the next month. When that happens, you won't even be able to produce bullets, and let's see how you fight the Northern Expedition. I'm not in a rush; you're the one who should be.]

"Don't, don't! I was wrong, okay?" Li Ling quickly begged for mercy. "Go wherever you want, I won't ask. By the way, help me check what the auspicious and taboo activities are for the tenth day of the fifth month?"

The system was silent for three seconds, then coldly rattled off a string of information: [The tenth day of the fifth month: suitable for weddings, opening businesses, signing contracts, moving into a new home, installing a bed, sacrifices, praying for blessings, seeking an heir, ground-breaking, traveling, relocating, assuming office. Taboo... what was the taboo? Let me see... oh, taboo: destroying statues. Don't worry, Host, as long as you don't destroy any statues, you'll be fine.]

"Then why did you say I'd been looking for an hour? This is the perfect day!" Li Ling almost jumped up. "Suitable for weddings, suitable for opening businesses, suitable for traveling, even suitable for ground-breaking! It's practically tailor-made for me!"

[Host, it was you who didn't see that page, flipping back and forth looking for it.]

"Fine, fine, my fault, my fault." Li Ling beamed, grabbing the brush on the table and writing the eight characters "The tenth day of the fifth month, an auspicious day" on a piece of red paper. He then called someone in and ordered, "Pass on the decree: the founding ceremony is set for the tenth day of the fifth month! Tell the Ministry of Rites to speed up preparations; there must be no mistakes!"

After the decree was spread, the entire city of Jinling boiled with excitement.

The common people spread the news to one another; every household hung up lanterns and colorful decorations, digging out the red lanterns used for the Lunar New Year. Shops along the streets were filled with flowers, and some even posted large red couplets with the character "Tang" on their doors. Children chased after the bands, while adults gathered in teahouses to discuss the news:

"Have you heard? General Li—no, that's not right, we should call him His Majesty now—the date for his coronation is set! The tenth day of the fifth month!"

"Three days from now? So soon?!"

"What do you mean, soon? His Majesty has been preparing for over half a year! You haven't seen the Parade Grounds outside the city; the scale of it, tsk tsk tsk, is more than ten times larger than our county fair! I heard ambassadors from various countries are coming to observe the ceremony."

"Ambassadors from various countries? Those foreigners are coming too? Haven't they been fighting us all this time?"

"Fighting is one thing; the ambassadors are coming to recognize our Tang Country, that's diplomacy! However, I heard from my brother-in-law who works at the government office that the ambassadors from Meijian Country and Great Britain didn't look very happy when they arrived, while the ambassador from the German Empire was smiling like the Maitreya Buddha."

"Well, of course! The German Princess is going to marry His Majesty, how could they not be happy?"

"Oh my, so how many wives is His Majesty going to marry?"

"Why do you care how many wives His Majesty marries? As long as we common people can have enough to eat, that's enough. In these past few years, His Majesty has fought the Japanese pirates, built roads, and established schools; he's ten thousand times better than those princes and nobles of the past!"

Various discussions echoed through the streets and alleys of Jinling. The entire city was like a pot of boiling porridge—bustling, noisy, and filled with an indescribable sense of excitement and anticipation.

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai had barely closed his eyes for the past three days.

As an old official personally invited by Li Ling from civilian life, Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai understood the significance of this ceremony—it was not just a ritual for a general to ascend the throne as emperor, but the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one. If there were any mistakes during the ceremony, it would not only make the foreign envoys laugh at them but also cause those local forces watching from the shadows to harbor doubts.

"The venue for the ceremony is set at the Parade Grounds south of the city; the viewing platform has been completed and can accommodate five thousand people." Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai reported to Li Ling in the Imperial Study, the documents in his hand rustling as he flipped through them. "The court attire for civil and military officials has been completed, divided into five colors according to rank; those of the fifth rank and above will wear red, and those below will wear blue. The honor guard consists of twelve hundred people and has been practicing continuously for eight days; their footwork and flag signals are all up to standard."

He paused and flipped to another page. "The seating for foreign envoys is arranged on the left side of the viewing platform. The ambassadors from the German Empire, Meijian Country, Great Britain, France, and Russia have all confirmed their attendance. Japan... has not yet replied."

"Japan?" Li Ling raised his head, a cold smile on his lips. "They dare to come? If I were them, I would hide at home, burn incense, and pray to my ancestors that I wouldn't send troops to 'greet' them. Since there's no reply, then ignore them. Leave their seats empty, and clearly tell everyone—there is no place for Japan in the Tang Country."

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai nodded and continued his report. "In addition, arrangements for the Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager have been made, and the formation of the honor guard and security has also been organized. The Empress—" He paused. "Your Majesty, having the Empress's wedding and the coronation on the same day is rare in history. This official dares to ask, is the Empress... prepared?"

"You don't need to worry about Empress Su Wanqing." Li Ling waved his hand. "I am keeping an eye on it personally. Is there anything else?"

"There is one more major matter." Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai put down the document, his expression becoming solemn. "Your Majesty, regarding the 'prisoner-offering ceremony' during the coronation, your decision is needed. Those captured generals from Japan... should they be executed or spared?"

Li Ling tapped his fingers lightly on the desktop.

The prisoner-offering ceremony was a common ritual during the coronation of ancient emperors—bringing captured enemy generals to the scene and executing them under the gaze of the public to demonstrate the new emperor's military prowess and authority. After the destruction of the United Fleet, more than a dozen high-ranking officers from Japan were captured, including two at the major general level.

"Release them." Li Ling made his decision, crisp and decisive. "Spare their lives. In front of the ambassadors from various countries, release them all."

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai was stunned. "Your Majesty? Release them? This... this is during your coronation ceremony—"

"It is precisely because it is the coronation ceremony that I must release them." Li Ling stood up and walked to the window, watching the sky gradually darken outside. "Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, what I want is not an image that establishes authority through slaughter, but a monarch who is confident, magnanimous, and capable of tolerance. Killing a few prisoners might indeed make those present feel that I am terrifying, but so what? What I want is for them to feel that I am a reasonable person and someone they can interact with."

"But Your Majesty, Japan has an irreconcilable hatred with us..."

"Revenge must be taken, but not by killing a few prisoners." Li Ling turned around, his gaze calm and profound. "Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, think about it: in front of the ambassadors from various countries, if I don't kill them but instead release them, what will these envoys think? They will think I am magnanimous, confident, and unafraid of challenges. And as for Japan? Their generals were captured and returned unharmed; what will their soldiers think? They will think, 'The Emperor of the Tang Country is not afraid of us attacking again at all.' This is more deterrent than killing them."

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai pondered for a moment and slowly nodded. "Your Majesty is wise. This official... understands."

After Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai left, Li Ling leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. For the past few days, he had only slept four or five hours a day, working non-stop to handle various affairs, and his throat was already a bit hoarse.

[Host, what you said just now was not bad.] The system's voice suddenly rang in his mind, carrying a rare note of affirmation.

"Oh, you're back?" Li Ling chuckled. "I thought you weren't coming back tonight."

[The system just went for a walk, not that I wasn't coming back. Host, tomorrow is the day of your coronation; are you nervous?]

"Nervous?" Li Ling shook his head. "To say I'm not nervous would be a lie. But it's more of a... how should I put it, anticipation? I've transmigrated from 1898 to now, eight years. From a spoiled brat who knew nothing to the current Emperor of the Tang Country, I can't even count how many people have died and how much blood has been shed in between. Tomorrow is the time to hand in my answer sheet; how can I not be expectant?"

[Host, the system thinks... you are qualified to be this emperor.]

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "When did you become so eloquent?"

[The system is just speaking the truth. Although the Host is sometimes a bit of a trickster, capable of throwing tantrums and doing anything, you have never been vague about serious matters.]

"Alright, alright, don't be cheesy." Li Ling stood up and stretched. "I'm going to get some sleep; there's still a tough battle to fight tomorrow."

[Host, tomorrow is not a battle, it's the coronation.]

"In my view, it's the same." Li Ling walked to the door and looked back at the map in the study—the warlord markings on the map had all been crossed out with a red pen, replaced by a huge character "Tang." "They are all about taking positions, only this time it's the position in the imperial court."

Outside the window, the night breeze blew by, bringing the sound of water from the distant Qinhuai River and the humid scent of early summer soil.

Tomorrow, everything would be different.

--- The tenth day of the fifth month, before dawn, the city of Jinling had already awakened.

The cobblestone streets were scrubbed spotlessly clean, and every household had hung red lanterns and red flags bearing the character "Tang" in front of their doors.

Early-rising commoners donned their festive clothes, supporting the elderly and leading the young as they surged toward the south of the city.

Around the Parade Grounds in the south of the city, guards were posted every few steps. Soldiers in new-style uniforms stood ramrod straight, fully armed with live ammunition, their gazes like torches.

At the very front were the 1,200 members of the honor guard, wearing uniform white dress attire and holding brand-new rifles; their bayonets glinted with a cold, piercing light in the rising sun.

Behind them was a parade formation of 3,000 men, all elites from the Heavy Combined Arms Brigade, their backs straight and gazes resolute, every face filled with pride and self-assurance.

Further back was the viewing area crowded with commoners, a sea of heads surging like a tide.

"It's starting! It's starting!" someone shouted.

A long, lingering sound of a trumpet echoed throughout the venue.

All the noise vanished in an instant, as if pressed by an invisible pair of hands on a pause button.

Li Ling, dressed in a black dragon robe, was walking from the high platform on the north side of the Parade Grounds.

Black was the color he had personally chosen—not the traditional bright yellow, but the steady black he had loved most in his previous life.

The collar and cuffs of the dragon robe were embroidered with golden five-clawed dragons that shimmered in the morning light; every scale was meticulously embroidered, shimmering with brilliance as he moved.

The crown on his head hung with twelve strings of white jade beads, which swayed gently with every step, emitting a faint, crisp sound.

Behind him followed the civil and military officials—on the left were the military generals led by Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan and Lin Yongsheng, each wearing armor, swords at their waists, their steps resounding with strength; on the right were the civil officials led by Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai and Zhang Zhidong, dressed in red court robes, holding ceremonial tablets, their expressions solemn.

The procession merged like two torrents into the center of the high platform, their footsteps uniform and synchronized, shaking the gravel on the ground so that it seemed to tremble.

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai walked to the center of the high platform, unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and announced in a booming voice: "The auspicious time has arrived—the coronation ceremony begins!"

Drums thundered, and bells rang long and loud.

Li Ling walked to the center of the high platform, faced south, and burned incense to offer sacrifices to Heaven.

The blue smoke rising from the incense burner curled up into the morning breeze, blending into the azure sky as if to carry the joyful news of the mortal world to the heavens.

He prayed silently: "Let Heaven and Earth be the witnesses, and the ancestors look down from above. The Tang Country is founded, and the hearts of the myriad people have returned. I shall govern with diligence and vigor, and I will not fail the people. If I ever betray this oath, may Heaven and Earth cast me out."

He offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, reported to the ancestors, and received the homage of all the officials.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!" The civil and military officials knelt in unison, their voices surging toward the high platform like a tide, wave after wave, shaking the distant city walls so that they seemed to tremble.

The commoners nearby also knelt down; some were moved to tears, some raised their arms and cheered, and some clasped their hands together in silent prayer.

Li Ling raised his hand, his voice amplified to reach the entire Parade Grounds: "Rise, officials. Citizens of Qingxia, from this day forth, you are no longer people of Qingxia, but people of the Tang Country! From this day forth, this country shall be called—Tang!"

"Tang! Tang! Tang!" The cheers exploded like thunder, wave after wave, shaking the clouds above the Parade Grounds as if they were trembling.

The envoys from various countries sat on the viewing platform, their expressions varied.

The German Envoy, Ambassador Hermann, beamed with joy and led the applause, while several deputy envoys behind him hurriedly followed suit.

The Meijian Country Envoy, Ambassador Smith, wore a complex expression, forcing a smile onto his lips while his eyes constantly scanned the surrounding security deployments and the equipment level of the soldiers.

The Great Britain Envoy, Ambassador Johnson, was expressionless, his knuckles white as he gripped a pocket watch tightly in his hand.

The French Envoy and the Russian Envoy whispered to each other, exchanging views in low voices.

Li Ling's gaze swept across those envoys, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

At the end of the coronation ceremony, Li Ling walked to the edge of the high platform.

Facing the dense crowd below, he spread his arms and said in a resonant voice: "I know that some of you are still worried, worried that changing dynasties will just be a change in name but not in substance, and worried that I will be like the emperors of the past, caring only for myself and not for the common people."

"I assure you here today—the Tang Country is not my Tang Country alone. It is the Tang Country of every Tang citizen! The land you till, the tea you drink, the cloth you weave, and the books you read are all part of this country! My blades are meant to protect you; my warships are meant to guard these seas; and my money is meant to build roads, schools, and hospitals!"

An outburst of cheers erupted from the crowd; some held their flags high, some carried their children on their shoulders, and some wept uncontrollably.

A white-haired old man knelt tremblingly on the ground, kowtowed three times toward the high platform, and muttered: "The Heavens have opened their eyes... finally opened their eyes..."

Li Ling watched this scene, his eyes slightly hot.

He took a deep breath, suppressing that sour feeling in his heart, and continued: "Today, I have ascended the throne. But I want to tell you—emperors can change, and dynasties can be replaced, but one thing cannot change, and that is your love for this land! As long as you love this land, the Tang Country will exist forever!"

"From today on, let us work together to build the Tang Country into the most powerful country in the world!"

"I will keep my word!"

The cheers shook the heavens and the earth, lingering for a long time.

After the coronation ceremony ended, Li Ling returned to the imperial palace, surrounded by officials and envoys.

He changed into casual attire, sat in a chair in the Imperial Study, and let out a long breath.

"Host, congratulations." The system's voice carried a rare hint of sincere celebration. "The system has detected that the emotional index of the common people in the entire Jinling City has reached an all-time high. Your speech was very effective, and the degree of popular support is fifteen percent higher than expected."

"I know." Li Ling leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. "However, having stood for so long, my legs are almost numb. Being an emperor is truly not easy."

[Host, from now on, you will have to be 'not easy' every single day.]

"I know." Li Ling opened his eyes, a bitter smile at the corners of his mouth. "That's why I say, an emperor is just a high-level employee—the kind that can't resign. Alright, there's a grand wedding tomorrow, I need to get some sleep."

[Host, are you sure it's just a grand wedding? My gift package... hasn't been opened yet.]

"Right, right, right!" Li Ling sat up straight immediately. "System, your founding gift package! I almost forgot! Quick, open it now!"

[Host, please wait, the system is generating rewards...]

Li Ling rubbed his hands in excitement, his eyes fixed on the virtual screen in the air, already calculating in his heart—an aircraft carrier? Or a nuclear Submarine? Or maybe something more practical, like a national power grid? Just as he opened his mouth to ask, the system's notification sound rang out:

[Congratulations, Host, you have received the founding gift package—conventional forces for the Navy, Army, and Air Force! Specific contents: two Infantry Divisions (full strength, equipped with modern light weaponry), one Aviation Squadron (twelve attack aircraft, equipped with aerial bombs and machine guns). All forces have been materialized and are stationed at the newly built military base outside the city.]

Li Ling was stunned; he opened his mouth, then closed it again. After three seconds, he blurted out: "Just this? Where is my aircraft carrier?!"

[Host, an aircraft carrier requires higher-level technology to unlock. If I gave you an aircraft carrier now, would you use it as a yacht? Besides, two Infantry Divisions plus an Aviation Squadron is already a very practical reward. The Host is preparing for the Northern Expedition, and the Army and Air Force are exactly the forces you need most right now.]

Li Ling thought about it and felt the system made sense. He chuckled and began to haggle with the system while sitting on the dragon throne: "Fine, I'll reluctantly accept it. But you must promise me that the next draw must have good things. Look at how hard it was for me to build this country! Fighting wars, winning people's hearts—I've lost quite a bit of hair!"

[Host, your hairline currently shows no signs of receding. Besides, your hair loss is from staying up late looking at maps, which has nothing to do with founding the country.]

"Nonsense! It's clearly from being exhausted!" Li Ling continued to act out. "Anyway, I don't care. If you don't give me a supplementary gift package, I will—"

[Host, if you continue like this, I will take back these two Infantry Divisions.]

"Don't!" Li Ling immediately caved. "I was wrong, I shouldn't have been greedy. I accept the Infantry Divisions and the Aviation Squadron. Thank you, System; the System is the most generous!"

[...Host, where is your integrity?]

"Integrity? What is that? Can it be eaten as a meal? Can it be used as an aircraft carrier?" Li Ling stood up with a grin and walked to the window. "Alright, I'm going outside to see those two Infantry Divisions. By the way, System, the pilots of the Aviation Squadron... they already know how to fly, right?"

[The forces materialized by the system are one hundred percent well-trained, so you can rest assured. However, Host, the system must remind you that although you have obtained these forces, it is not yet the time for a large-scale Northern Expedition. Although the southern provinces have nominally submitted, the remnants of those old warlords are still active in the shadows, and the foreign powers are also secretly supporting them. You must stabilize the interior first before considering external expansion.]

"I understand." Li Ling nodded and restrained his smile. "Unification is only the first step; construction is the truly difficult part. Don't worry, I won't start a war on a whim. One step at a time, steady and solid."

Outside the window, the setting sun had sunk below the silhouette of the city wall, leaving a streak of golden-red afterglow on the horizon. Jinling City was still bustling with excitement, and the cheers of the common people came from afar, like an endless hymn.

Li Ling turned around, looking at the brand-new map of the Tang Country on the wall of the Imperial Study, a smile slowly appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Tomorrow, he would also marry his 'white moonlight', Empress Su Wanqing. Beyond that, there were more challenges waiting for him.

But he was not afraid.

Because he knew he was no longer that lone transmigrator fighting by himself—he was the Emperor of the Tang Country, and the Tang Country had just begun.

---

On the Parade Grounds, the setting sun cast its last light on rows of brand-new military uniforms. The two newly materialized Infantry Divisions were lining up on the drill ground, their footsteps uniform and synchronized. Not far away, twelve silver-white attack aircraft were parked on a temporarily laid runway, their wings trembling gently in the evening breeze, like birds of prey ready to pounce on their prey at any moment.

Li Ling stood on the watchtower of the military camp, watching all of this, and did not speak for a long time.

"System." He finally spoke, his voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think that in fifty years, anyone will still remember what date today is?"

[Fifty years from now, history books will write—'On the tenth day of the fifth month of the first year of Yongan, Li Ling ascended the throne as Emperor, and the country was named Tang. From then on, a brand-new era began.']

Li Ling smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gleaming slightly in the setting sun: "That is good. I do not care whether I can go down in history; as long as the people of the Tang Country can remember this day, and remember that they once fought for their lives and shed blood for this country, that is enough."

He turned and walked down the watchtower, the setting sun casting a long shadow behind him.

A new day was about to begin.

And the Tang Country had just been born.