Can I get to the other side?

"Does Your Majesty want your minister to preside over the ceremony?"

Kong Rong asked hesitantly.

"That's right." Liu Xie nodded and said, "After all, the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is complicated. I fled to Yecheng alone, and none of the ritual officials who were good at it were around."

"Aiqing is a great scholar in the world and is proficient in rituals and music. He is suitable for taking up the post of Taichang. He will preside over this heaven-sacrifice ceremony for me and promote the destiny of our country."

The Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony is different from ordinary sacrifices. It is more grand and complicated. It is the highest sacrificial ceremony at the national level. It is generally not held lightly. It is only held when the new emperor ascends the throne or when there is a major event celebrated by the whole country.

However, there are too few people who are proficient in etiquette and music. During this period, Guo Jia searched for famous people in Yecheng, but could not find anyone who was good at this.

However, as a descendant of Confucius and a Confucian family, Kong Rong should not know much about the Five Classics. There are few people in the world who can match him in terms of etiquette.

That's why Liu Xie wanted him to host the ceremony.

"I can preside over the ceremony for your majesty, but I cannot accept the position of Taichang Qing. Please take it back," Kong Rong said with a deep salute.

Liu Xie frowned and said, "Why?"

Taichangqing is the head of the nine ministers, in charge of education, sacrifices, rituals, etc. Although he does not have any prominent power, he is distinguished by his high status and noble status.

This position still doesn’t satisfy Kong Rong?

Kong Rong shook his head and said nothing.

When Liu Xie saw this, he immediately understood that the old man was still entangled in the true and false emperors. Once he accepted the post of Taichangqing he canonized, he would have recognized his identity as the legitimate emperor.

"What an old fogy."

Liu Xie didn't feel angry, but admired Kong Rong very much.

Now he no longer needs Kong Rong's approval.

Of course it’s nice to have it, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t have it, it’s just the icing on the cake.

Anyway, as long as Kong Rong is willing to help him host the heaven-sacrifice ceremony, it will be fine.

Ignoring the matter, Liu Xie thought of another person who followed Kong Rong, and asked, "I heard that there is a strong man named Taishi Ziyi under Aiqing's command. Where is this man?"

Taishi Ci's reputation is still famous more than a thousand years later.

Not long ago, there was an uprising in Beihai, and Liu Xie also heard about his achievements.

He led thousands of troops to delay Yuan Tan's tens of thousands of troops for several days and bought Zhang Liao a precious opportunity to cross the border, which was a great contribution.

Kong Rong replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Ziyi is arranging the remaining troops."

Taishi Ci did not have an official status granted by the imperial court, nor was he summoned by Liu Xie, so he was naturally not qualified to enter the palace, so he went to settle the remnants of the Beihai County soldiers who had fled with him.

Liu Xie said: "I want to confer him the title of General Yingyang to show his merits. I love you, please accept the decree on his behalf."

It was related to Tai Shici's future, so Kong Rong did not refuse this time. He accepted the order, thanked him and resigned.

Liu Xie watched him leave, and couldn't help but smile. He thought to himself: "Is it useful to deceive yourself and others by only presiding over the ceremony without being held an official position?"

Kong Rong still seemed unwilling to acknowledge him.

In fact, my heart has been completely shaken.

Regardless of whether he accepted an official position or not, as long as he helped preside over the ceremony to worship the heaven, everyone in the world would feel that Kong Rong had recognized him as the emperor.

…

The arrival of Kong Rong accelerated the progress of the ceremony.

With this great Confucian who was proficient in etiquette and law responsible for presiding over the ceremony, everything became orderly, and the personnel, items, ritual vessels, venues, livestock, etc. needed for various sacrifices were quickly prepared.

The various aristocratic families spared no effort for this heaven-sacrifice ceremony. They gave whatever they asked for and cooperated extremely, for fear of delaying the progress and making the emperor displeased.

Just like that, with the cooperation of many parties and the great expectations.

Ten days passed quickly.

The day for offering sacrifices to the Ancestral Temple has arrived, and the day for holding a ceremony to offer sacrifices to heaven has also arrived.

This grand ceremony is a rare event with extraordinary significance, so not only the people of Yecheng, but also people from the surrounding counties and cities of Yecheng came to join in the fun.

In order to maintain law and order in Yecheng and ensure the smooth holding of the ceremony, the defense force of the entire Yecheng has been greatly enhanced, and city defense troops patrolling the streets can be seen everywhere.

In the past, there were some troublemaking gangsters on the streets, but during this time period, absolutely no one dared to cause trouble, otherwise the city defense army would not be there as a decoration.

Therefore, even though the number of people in Yecheng has more than doubled than before, the public security is unprecedentedly good. Pedestrians coming and going in Yecheng have expressions of excitement and expectation. Everyone is looking forward to this heaven-sacrifice ceremony. .

…

royal palace.

Liu Xie woke up as early as dawn. Under the service of several palace maids, he put on the heavy emperor's crown clothes and the rarely worn crown.

The imperial robe was composed of a mysterious upper garment and a vermilion lower garment, with insignias painted on the top and bottom. In addition, there were knee coverings, ribbons, red waistcoats, etc. At this time in the Han Dynasty, the emperor's clothing had not yet developed into the bright yellow dragon robes of later dynasties. Because of advocating the virtues of earth and fire, the main color of the crown suit is black with red.

The patterns on the crown clothes are also mostly mountain birds, fish and insects, sun and moon, mountains and rivers.

The crown is mainly made of black. There is a hole on each side of the crown, which is used to insert jade hairpins and tie them with the bun. Ribbons are tied on both sides of the hairpins and tied under the jaw. On the two ears of the ribbon, there is also a pearl and jade hanging on each ear, which is called "Yun Er".

It is not inserted into the ear, but hung beside the ear to remind the wearer not to listen to slander.

This is where the “turn a deaf ear” of later generations comes from.

After a complete set of clothes was put on, half an hour had passed. Liu Xie, who had put on a solemn emperor's crown dress, gained a bit more of the emperor's majesty, and looked at the beautiful eyes of Zhen Mi, Xiao Qiao, Lu Lingqi and other concubines. They are all brilliant.

Liu Xie looked at himself in the bronze mirror, wearing the emperor's crown and looking particularly majestic, and felt a little strange.

"Sure enough, people rely on their clothes."

Liu Xie sighed with emotion, who would have thought that the majestic emperor in the bronze mirror was just a refugee who was about to starve to death two years ago?

At that time, he never expected that he could get to where he is now with just one face.

Seeing Liu Xie looking at the mirror in a daze, Zhen Mi reminded him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it's almost time. It's time to leave for the Ancestral Temple."

"good."

Liu Xie withdrew his gaze, smiled at Zhen Mi and other concubines, then got up and walked out of the palace, and under the leadership of the etiquette officer, went to the Ancestral Temple to perform sacrifices.

"His Majesty."

Kong Rong had been waiting at the Ancestral Temple early. When he saw Liu Xie, he saluted him and then motioned Liu Xie to come forward to worship his ancestors.

Liu Xie knelt on the futon and looked at the dozens of spiritual tablets placed in front of him, feeling somewhat uneasy in his heart.

It wasn't that he was worried about making any mistakes in etiquette. He made amends with Kong Rong on various etiquettes on the grounds of review, and he remembered what to do.

What he was really worried about was his own identity.

"Dear ancestors of the Liu family, although I am just a fake emperor, I am still a descendant of the old Liu family. It is helpless to pretend to be the emperor. My ancestors have spirits in heaven and remember to protect me."

"It is better for our Liu family to take the throne than to be stolen by Cao Cao, Yuan Cao and Sima Lao Cao. I will definitely work hard to make our Han great again!"

Liu Xie prayed and recited silently in his heart.

I don’t know if his prayers had an effect. During the entire sacrificial process, there were no accidents such as the collapse of the spiritual throne, nor was there any sudden bad weather with dark clouds. The sacrificial ceremony was completed smoothly, and various tributes were presented. .

After doing all this, Liu Xie got up and walked out of the Ancestral Temple.

And the moment he stepped out of the Ancestral Temple, a breeze blew from behind, blowing up the ties at his temples and falling on his head, as if caressing him gently.

Liu Xie couldn't help but look back.

Amid the smoke in the Ancestral Temple, he seemed to vaguely see many figures emerging and standing, but after rubbing his eyes, they all disappeared.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?"

Seeing Liu Xie stop, Kong Rong couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing."

Liu Xie shook his head and continued to stride outside the Ancestral Temple, followed closely by Kong Rong.

In the Ancestral Temple, dozens of spiritual statues seemed to be watching the Han emperor go away.

…

Today's sacrifice is divided into two steps.

The first step is to offer sacrifices to past emperors in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the second step is to walk to the Temple of Heaven in the northern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven—yes, walking.

On such an important day for the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, even if you are as noble as an emperor, you must walk there in person to show your respect for God. There is no need to be lazy at all.

Of course, Liu Xie was not the only one who walked there.

Representatives from all the major aristocratic families were sent to accompany him. Guo Jia and Xun Chen would also follow, as well as Zhang He and Gao Lan with many guards in neat queues, all waiting for his arrival at the east gate of the palace.

Seeing Liu Xie wearing the emperor's crown, looking calm and majestic, they couldn't help but their eyes lit up. This is the true style of the emperor!

"Let's set off."

Facing the crowd, Liu Xie put on the airs of an emperor and said calmly.

Everyone respectfully said yes.

Liu Xie took the first step and headed to the Temple of Heaven in the northern suburbs under the heavy protection of the imperial guards led by Zhang He and Gao Lan, while officials, generals and representatives of aristocratic families followed closely behind.

After the group left the palace, a huge honor guard followed Yecheng's official road out of the city. The roads that needed to be passed had long been cleared by the Imperial Guards, and the streets were closed. There were many soldiers guarding them to prevent any accidents.

But even so, there were still many people watching.

There was unparalleled excitement on the faces of these people. Each of them looked at Liu Xie walking on the official road with sincere enthusiasm and respect on their faces!

This is the supreme emperor of their Han Dynasty!

"Your Majesty! It's your Majesty!"

"I am truly lucky to see the Holy Face. This trip to Yecheng is not in vain!"

"I heard that your majesty has the appearance of a great ancestor, and he is well-deserved when I see him today."

"I really don't know what the fake emperor in Xu County is comparing to His Majesty. He is the real emperor at this moment. It's really ridiculous that some people would believe that the emperor in Xu County is real."

"What is true cannot be false, and what is false cannot be true. Your Majesty will definitely be able to lead troops to Xu County one day and capture that false emperor!"

"Your Majesty, your Majesty will be happy forever!"

…

The people were very excited. Wherever Liu Xie passed by, many people bowed their heads and kowtowed. They were so enthusiastic that Liu Xie couldn't help being shocked.

This is the centripetal force of the four-hundred-year-old Han Dynasty. "Han" is no longer just a word or title, but also a synonym for belief, the soul of a nation, and a spirit.

As the emperor of Han Dynasty, he has become the god in the hearts of all the people!

Soon, the group walked out of Yecheng, exited from the north gate, and arrived at the Temple of Heaven in the northern suburbs.

The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is about to begin.