142: Chapter 52 The Founding Ceremony

The Parade Grounds outside Jinling city were packed with people at this moment.

The rows of civil and military officials below the high platform extended all the way to the base of the distant city walls; a sea of dark heads surged under the early summer sun, like a rolling tide.

At the very front were civil officials in red court robes and military officers in armor with swords at their waists. Behind them were local official representatives sent from various prefectures, and further back were representatives of the gentry, merchants, and commoners from all over the country. Everyone was dressed in festive attire, their faces filled with anticipation and curiosity.

On the high platform, Li Ling sat on a wooden chair carved with five-clawed golden dragons, in front of a desk covered in bright yellow silk.

To his right sat Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan. The old man was wearing a deep purple robe with dragon patterns today, his graying hair combed meticulously, his face glowing, and he was smiling from ear to ear.

To his left was the Empress Dowager—Li Ling's mother, Lady Wang, wearing a bright red phoenix robe and a phoenix crown adorned with pearls and jade, her eyes filled with unconcealable pride and affection.

On both sides of the desk, civil and military officials stood in two separate groups. On the military side, Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, Lin Yongsheng, Commander Zhao Tieshan, Chen Haisheng, and others were dressed in armor, standing straight with their chests adorned with newly issued medals that gleamed in the sunlight.

On the civil side, Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, Zhang Zhidong, Vice Minister Zhan Tianyou, and others wore court robes, holding their hu tablets, their expressions solemn and respectful.

"Your Majesty, the time has come." Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai walked to Li Ling's side and reported in a low voice.

Li Ling nodded, stood up, straightened his black dragon robe, and walked to the center of the high platform.

The ceremonial cannons fired in unison, eighty-one times, each blast shaking the earth as if it were trembling gently. The cheers on the Parade Grounds rose and fell amidst the cannon fire, like waves crashing against rocks, one after another, never-ending.

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai unfurled the imperial edict in his hands, his voice resounding clearly across the entire venue:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"

The entire venue fell silent instantly, leaving only the sound of the wind whipping the flags and the distant sound of the Qinhuai River. All eyes were focused on the black figure on the high platform.

"The Tang Country is founded, and the hearts of the people are united. I, acting upon Heaven's mandate and inheriting the will of my ancestors, designate Jinling as the capital, name the country Tang, and adopt Yongan as the reign title. Beginning with the first year of Yongan, I shall share this with the world."

He paused for a moment and continued reading: "At the beginning of this founding, there is much to be done. I shall strive for good governance, allow the people to rest and recover, and ensure their well-being. The imperial court shall establish the Cabinet, the Grand Council, and the Six Ministries to manage state affairs. The military shall be reorganized into five major group armies to defend the nation. Education shall promote new schools to cultivate talent. Agriculture and sericulture shall be encouraged, industry and commerce supported, coastal defense consolidated, and diplomacy handled with flexibility."

"I do not seek achievements that surpass the ages, only to have no regrets. I do not seek to have my name recorded in history, only for the people to be healthy and peaceful. From this day forward, the Tang Country—is the home of all Tang people!"

The civil and military officials knelt in unison, their voices shaking the heavens: "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

The commoners also knelt down one after another; some had tears in their eyes, some were trembling with excitement, and others tightly gripped their loved ones, as if afraid that all of this was just a dream.

Li Ling raised his hand: "Rise, officials. Convey my decree—grant a general amnesty! Except for those guilty of the ten heinous crimes, all incarcerated prisoners shall have their sentences reduced by one grade or be released! Taxes nationwide are waived for one year to celebrate the new dynasty!"

Another wave of cheers, like a mountain landslide and a tsunami, erupted.

After the founding ceremony concluded, the next part was the rewarding of meritorious officials. This was the moment all generals and officials anticipated most, because Li Ling was always "clear in rewards and punishments" and would never mistreat anyone who had made great contributions to the Tang Country. Across the entire Parade Grounds, everyone's gaze focused on the dragon desk—on the desk lay a thick stack of imperial edicts, each stamped with the bright red Imperial Jade Seal, representing supreme glory and tangible rewards.

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai unfurled the first imperial edict: "Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan has contributed to the nation and worked tirelessly. He is specially honored as the Retired Emperor to enjoy his twilight years in glory, granted the right to ride a horse in the Forbidden City, exempt from kneeling during court sessions, and not required to have his name spoken during formal addresses!"

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan stood up from his seat, walked to the center of the high platform, and knelt down tremblingly: "Your subject... your son thanks Your Majesty for your great grace!"

Li Ling hurried down the steps and personally helped his father up: "Dad, please don't do this. You are my dad, and you will always be my dad."

Retired Emperor Li Zhenshan's eyes reddened; he patted his son's shoulder, his voice slightly choked: "Ling'er, you have grown up. Dad is proud of you."

"The Retired Emperor is wise!" the officials shouted in unison.

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai continued to read the second imperial edict: "Navy Marshal Lin Yongsheng, having defeated the United Fleet and secured the safety of the maritime borders, is enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhenhai, granted one thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk!"

Lin Yongsheng strode to the front of the platform and knelt on one knee: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace! Your subject shall surely devote his utmost efforts until his dying day!"

"Navy Marshal Deng Shichang, having repeatedly achieved military merit, is enfeoffed as Marquis of Dinghai, granted one thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk!"

"Army Marshal Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, having quelled the southern rebellion, is enfeoffed as Marquis of Anbei, granted one thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk!"

"Special Forces Commander Zhao Tieshan, having executed decapitation strikes multiple times and repeatedly performed miraculous feats, is enfeoffed as Count of Zhongyong, granted five hundred taels of gold and fifty bolts of silk!"

One by one, the generals stepped forward to receive their rewards, all beaming with joy. Some gave a standard military salute on the spot after receiving their rewards, some were trembling with excitement, and some veteran generals wiped away tears right there. Among these generals, some were old soldiers who had followed Li Ling since the anti-bandit period, and others were new talents who had stood out in the system's training camps, but regardless of their background, they were all people who had shed blood and risked their lives with Li Ling.

After rewarding the military officials, the civil officials were rewarded.

"Cabinet Chief Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, having assisted in state affairs and devoted his utmost efforts, is enfeoffed as Duke of Wenzhong, granted one thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk!"

"Cabinet Deputy Minister Zhang Zhidong, having founded industries and revitalized the economy, is enfeoffed as Duke of Wenxiang, granted one thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk!"

"Railway Engineering General Manager Vice Minister Zhan Tianyou, having built railways to benefit the country and the people, is enfeoffed as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, granted five hundred taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk!"

The civil officials also stepped forward to receive their rewards, all looking radiant and standing tall. Among these civil officials, some were old scholars Li Ling had invited from the populace, some were experts manifested by the system, and others were new talents who had emerged from the imperial examinations; each one was an indispensable cog in the massive machine that was the Tang Country.

After the rewards concluded, Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai read one more special imperial edict:

"Empress Su Wanqing, gentle and virtuous, possessing both virtue and talent, is a model for the world. She is hereby enfeoffed as Empress, to govern the six palaces, assist me internally, and pacify the subjects externally!"

The entire venue instantly erupted. Everyone understood what the reading of this edict meant—Li Ling had waited for this day for too many years.

Empress Su Wanqing was wearing a bright red phoenix robe, walking slowly from the passageway on the side of the high platform. She had applied light makeup today, and the pearls and jade on her phoenix crown shone brilliantly in the sunlight. Her long skirt trailed behind her, brushing across the bluestone ground like a flowing red cloud. Her steps were steady, but her fingers, clutching the hem of her robe, trembled slightly, revealing her inner excitement.

She walked to the center of the high platform and stood still in front of Li Ling. With less than a meter between them, their eyes met, and it was as if all the surrounding noise had vanished, leaving only the two of them in the world.

"Brother Ling." Empress Su Wanqing spoke softly. Her voice was very light, but every word was as clear as if carved into stone, "I have waited for this day for too many years."

Li Ling reached out and took her hand. Her fingers were cold and still trembling slightly. He squeezed firmly, as if giving her courage, and as if telling her—'I am here.'

"Wanqing." His voice was also very light, but transmitted through the loudspeaker, every word fell into the ears of everyone present, "From today on, you are the Empress of the Tang Country. My Empress."

Empress Su Wanqing's tears finally could not be held back and fell. She nodded vigorously, choking with sobs as she said: "I... your subject will strive to be a good Empress. Your subject certainly will."

Li Ling raised his hand to wipe the tears from her face and laughed softly: "If you cry and ruin your makeup, how will you be Empress tomorrow?"

A burst of good-natured laughter and applause erupted from below the platform.

After the enthronement of the Empress, it was the turn for foreign envoys to pay their respects. This was the most delicate part of the founding ceremony—the attitude of the envoys from various countries directly related to the position of the Tang Country on the future international stage.

The first to walk up was the German Empire envoy, Ambassador Hermann von Strauss. He was wearing a crisp military dress uniform today, his chest covered in medals, walking with a brisk, arrogant air.

"Respected His Majesty, the Emperor of the Tang Country," Ambassador Hermann said in fluent Chinese, his voice loud to ensure everyone present could hear, "I, on behalf of His Majesty, Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire, extend to you our highest respects and warmest congratulations. Our Emperor says—'Li Ling is the most visionary Eastern leader I have ever met; the German Empire is willing to forge an eternal brotherly alliance with the Tang Country, to coexist and prosper together, and to resist powerful forces together.'"

He bowed slightly and handed over a letter tied with a golden ribbon, "This is the handwritten congratulatory letter from our Emperor. Furthermore, our Emperor also asked me to convey to you—the princess of the German Empire has long admired you; if Your Majesty is willing, our country is willing to complete this beautiful union with the highest royal etiquette."

Li Ling took the letter and nodded with a smile: "Many thanks to your country's Emperor for his great kindness. Please tell him that the Tang Country will always be the German Empire's most loyal friend."

Ambassador Hermann bowed and stepped back, followed immediately by the Meijian Country envoy, Ambassador Smith. He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, the smile on his face appearing somewhat forced, and his pace was several beats slower than Ambassador Hermann's.

"Respected Your Majesty, Emperor of the Tang Country," Ambassador Smith said in Chinese with a heavy accent, his tone flat and formulaic. "On behalf of the Meijian Country government, I extend my congratulations to you. I hope that the Tang Country and the United States can coexist peacefully and enjoy mutual benefit. My President has entrusted me to express his 'concern'—he says he hopes your country will, in future foreign actions, 'fully consider the reasonable concerns of all countries' and not take any 'overly radical' actions."

He enunciated the last few words with extra weight, as if they were some kind of warning.

Li Ling's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned slightly cold. He said calmly, "Ambassador Smith, please convey this to your President: The Tang Country has never been a 'radical' country. We only do two things—first, protect our people; second, do not let others bully our people. If your country can do these two things, then we will naturally coexist peacefully. If you cannot, then the four words 'peaceful coexistence' might need to be redefined."

The smile on Ambassador Smith's face stiffened for a moment, but he still bowed politely and retreated.

Next was the British Minister, Ambassador Johnson. This representative of an old empire was dressed in a traditional tailcoat, and the top hat in his hand was slightly crumpled, clearly showing he was not calm inside.

"Your Majesty," Ambassador Johnson's voice was neither too high nor too low, but every word seemed precisely calculated. "The British Empire government congratulates your country on its founding. At the same time, our government hopes that your country will abide by the basic principles of international law, not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and not unilaterally change the existing international order. After all, stability in order is beneficial to all countries."

Li Ling tilted his head slightly, as if savoring the meaning of these words. Then he smiled—not a polite smile, but one with a hint of playfulness and sharpness. "Ambassador Johnson, I would like to ask a question. What is called the 'existing international order'? Is it the kind of order where you forced open our country's gates with gunships? Is it the kind of order where you carved out concessions and established consular jurisdiction on our territory? If it is this kind of order, then I can tell you very clearly—the Tang Country will not abide by it. Because that kind of order is the order of robbers, not the order of civilization."

The entire venue fell silent.

Ambassador Johnson's expression shifted, but he ultimately suppressed his anger and retreated with a cold face.

The French and Russian ministers also came forward one after another to pay their respects; what they said was much the same—only three sentences of congratulations, while the remaining seven were all warnings and probings. Li Ling responded to them one by one, neither servile nor overbearing, and without losing courtesy.

After the diplomatic audience concluded, the next event was the military parade.

This was the climax of the entire founding ceremony. With a long blast of a horn, the viewing platform above the Parade Grounds fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned toward the entrance of the square.

The first phalanx entered.

It was a phalanx composed of the veterans who had first followed Li Ling to suppress bandits, wearing gray military uniforms washed to a faded white, the barrels of the rifles in their hands polished to a shine. Yet their steps were as uniform as one person, each step landing on the same beat. These veterans had deep wrinkles and scars on their faces, but their eyes were still as sharp as eagles, like a pack of old wolves that had crossed through wind and snow, every step treading upon the smoke of the past.

Li Ling stood on the high platform, watching this phalanx pass before him, his throat tightening slightly. He recognized some of the people in the ranks—the squad leader who had lost a finger, who had blocked a bullet for him during the bandit suppression in Nanshan; the veteran with a knife scar on his left cheek, who had survived after hand-to-hand combat with three enemies during the Jinhai landing battle. They were all living, flesh-and-blood people.

"System," he murmured in his heart.

"Hmm?"

"Look at them, aren't they great?"

[Yes, Host. They are the best soldiers.]

The second phalanx was the newly organized Heavy Combined Arms Brigade. This unit's steps were even more uniform, their uniforms even newer, and their steel helmets glinting with a cold light in the sun. They carried the latest automatic rifles in their hands, Hand grenades tucked at their waists, and light machine guns and Mortars on their shoulders. Every person's eyes were like a blade just drawn from its scabbard—sharp, cold, and full of power.

When this phalanx passed by, the expressions of the foreign diplomats began to become unnatural. The corners of Meijian Country Ambassador Smith's mouth twitched slightly, British Ambassador Johnson's face became even uglier, the Russian ambassador's hands unconsciously gripped the armrests of his chair, and even Ambassador Hermann, the German Empire envoy who had been all smiles, couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

They were experts. The equipment level and training level of this phalanx had already surpassed any Army deployed by the Great Powers in Asia. They finally understood why Li Ling had been able to defeat the United Fleet in just a few short years—because his Army no longer belonged to this era.

The third phalanx was cavalry. The warhorses were draped in red saddles, and the riders held glistening sabers, sweeping across the center of the Parade Grounds. The sound of hooves was like thunder, dust flew, and they were like a streak of red lightning slashing across the earth.

The fourth phalanx was artillery. Truck after truck towed large-caliber howitzers, slowly driving past, the gun barrels gleaming with a cold metallic luster in the sun. Beside every cannon stood three gunners, their expressions focused and proud, as if guarding something sacred.

The fifth phalanx... was the Air Force.

Twelve silver-white biplanes swept low over the Parade Grounds, the roar of their engines resounding through the sky. Although they only flew a short circle, it was enough to shock everyone present—this was the first time they had seen airplanes with their own eyes, the first time they had seen these "iron birds that could fly into the sky." Some of the common people were so scared they knelt on the ground kowtowing, thinking it was the chariot of the gods; some children excitedly pointed at the sky, jumping and bouncing; the foreign diplomats looked at each other, some having already stood up to watch, forgetting to even put down the binoculars in their hands.

After the military parade ended, it was the civilian parade.

Representatives of the people from all over the country wore colorful clothing, holding various flags and banners as they walked through the Parade Grounds. Some people danced ethnic dances, some sang folk songs, some beat gongs and drums, and some set off firecrackers. The entire city of Jinling became an ocean of joy, with waves of sound rising higher and higher, shaking the early summer sky until it seemed to tremble.

Li Ling stood on the high platform, watching all of this, a sense of satisfaction he had never felt before surging in his heart.

"System," he said softly in his heart.

"Hmm?"

"I did it."

[Yes, Host. You did it.]

After the founding ceremony concluded, the sky had already darkened.

In every corner of Jinling, fireworks were still blooming one after another, illuminating the night sky as if it were broad daylight. The common people gathered in the streets and alleys, drinking, singing, and dancing, as if they wanted to vent all the oppression and bitterness of the past in this one night.

Li Ling sat alone in the Imperial Study, with the compilation of "post-viewing impressions" from the foreign diplomats that Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai had just sent over. He flipped through a few pages and couldn't help but laugh out loud. The Meijian Country ambassador's report wrote, "This man Li Ling is ambitious and must be guarded against"; the British ambassador evaluated, "The military strength of the Tang Country far exceeds expectations; it is recommended that the government re-evaluate its Far East strategy"; while the report from German Empire Ambassador Hermann was filled with excessive praise, lauding Li Ling as "the brightest pearl of the East."

"These old foxes." Li Ling shook his head and set the file aside. "They say congratulations with their mouths, but in their hearts, they are all calculating how to scheme against me."

[Host, this is diplomacy. Did you expect them to be genuinely happy for you?]

"Of course I don't expect that." Li Ling leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. "However, at least the German Empire is sincere right now. They need me as an ally to check the British, and I also need them as an ally to balance the Great Powers. Each takes what they need; it is mutually beneficial."

[Host's analysis is correct. However, the System must remind you—there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. The German Empire is friendly to you now because you are useful to them. The day you are no longer useful, they will turn against you faster than flipping a book.]

"I know." Li Ling nodded. "So I will not bet everything on the German Empire. I must make the Tang Country strong on its own. Only when it is strong enough not to need to rely on anyone is it truly safe."

[It is good that the Host has this realization.]

Li Ling stood up and walked to the window. Outside, fireworks were still blooming, their colorful light reflecting on his face, making his expression flicker between light and shadow. In the distance, the cheers of the people were still coming, mixed with the scent of the night wind and the river water, like a song that would never end.

"System," he suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think that when I open my eyes tomorrow, all of this will be a dream?"

[Host, you have already been dreaming for eight years. When it is time to wake up, you will naturally wake up. Besides, your dream has now become reality; isn't that quite good?]

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"You are right." He turned and walked back to the table. "Sleep is still necessary, and tomorrow's road must still be walked. Alright, I am going to sleep. Tomorrow, I still have to deal with those 'friendly' diplomats and those 'not-so-friendly' memorials."

Outside the window, the sound of fireworks gradually faded, and the night grew deeper.

And the first night of the Tang Country had only just begun.