Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 171 Building an Altar to Offer Sacrifices to Heaven

The winter north wind carried a biting chill, but it couldn't dispel the fervent activity raging on the newly cleared wilderness outside Xinghuo Fortress. Following the draft of the "Ritual Procedures," the altar, named "Chengtian Altar," was chosen to be located here. Backed by the majestic walls of Xinghuo Fortress and facing a gently flowing tributary of the great river, the site offered a wide view and was slightly elevated, perfectly embodying the idea of ​​"looking up to the heavens and down to the mountains and rivers."

The altar construction project commenced swiftly from the day the draft was approved. Jia Wen oversaw the entire operation, presiding over the makeshift Ministry of Works headquarters, listening to daily progress reports, coordinating with all parties, his expression even more stern than usual. Any delay or flaw could incur his relentless reprimand and investigation. Zhao Tiezhu of the Minzhi Prefecture mobilized 8,000 laborers from three nearby counties and conscripted some garrison troops for assistance; Su Xiaoxiao of the Inner Palace was responsible for the continuous supply of all materials—from the craftsmen and tools for quarrying and polishing the boulders, to the transported timber, rammed earth molds, and even the laborers' and craftsmen's rations, winter clothing, and firewood—accounts were clear, and dispatch was timely; Chen Wei dispatched elite soldiers to patrol and guard the perimeter of the construction site, maintaining order and preventing sabotage or accidents.

The altar's design abandoned the overly ornate decorations of previous dynasties, pursuing instead a majestic and imposing presence. The base is a three-tiered circular structure, gradually narrowing to symbolize the "roundness of heaven." The bottom tier has a diameter of nine zhang and nine chi, representing the "extreme yang"; the middle tier is six zhang and six chi; and the top tier is three zhang and three chi. The altar is constructed of massive blue stone slabs, the gaps sealed with glutinous rice mortar, making it exceptionally sturdy. Each tier is edged with white marble railings, the pillars carved with simplified stars, flames, and the distinctive northern motifs of horses and eagles, conveying both antiquity and the unique vigor of the new dynasty. Eighty-one stone steps lead to the top tier, distributed in the four cardinal directions.

At the center of the altar platform, a space has been reserved for placing the sacrificial altar and ritual vessels. Of particular note is a three-zhang-high wrought iron flagpole erected directly south of the altar base, with a mechanism at the top, which will be the place where the specially made "military spirit flag" will be hung.

It was the dead of winter, the ground frozen solid, making quarrying and transporting materials especially arduous. But perhaps motivated by the sense of honor of "leading the way for the king," or perhaps by Jia Wen's strict supervision and Su Xiaoxiao's effective logistical support, no one on the construction site complained or slackened. The shouts, the sounds of hammers and chisels, and the tamping of earth never ceased day and night. Huge stones were slowly moved into place by ropes and logs, and the white breaths of the laborers mingled in the cold wind. Occasionally, generals like Dian Xiong and Zhang Heng would come to inspect, and seeing this bustling scene, they would marvel at it and give Jia Wen and Su Xiaoxiao a higher opinion of their abilities.

Inside Xinghuo Fortress, the scene was equally bustling. The workshop was brightly lit, with the best craftsmen working through the night to produce the crown, sacrificial robes, imperial seals, and ceremonial regalia. The crown panels were already finished, and jade beads, meticulously carved according to the designs provided by Su Xiaoxiao, were being inlaid. The fabric for the black upper garment and crimson lower garment was top-grade silk specially purchased from Jiangnan, and the embroiderers were carefully using gold, silver, and colored threads to embroider patterns that conformed to the ancient twelve symbols while incorporating elements of Xinghuo and the northern lands. Meanwhile, the musicians and dancers commissioned to compose new music and dance were rehearsing repeatedly in another palace room, the melodies and drumbeats of the elegant music and martial dance sometimes melodious and sometimes stirring, faintly emanating from the walls.

Murong Mingyue, accompanied by palace ladies, inventoried and organized all the ritual objects, furnishings, and curtains needed for the ceremony, as well as arranged the inner palace's layout and reception arrangements. Although she did not directly participate in the preparations for the grand ceremony in the outer court, the solemnity and order of the inner palace were equally important, and she handled everything meticulously.

While all this proceeded smoothly, the draft of the sacrificial text for the Heavenly Ceremony, personally reviewed by Jia Wen and meticulously crafted by several highly literate senior officials, was also presented to Chen Xing. The text was rich in classical allusions and elegant in its language. Besides praising the Mandate of Heaven and recounting past achievements, it explicitly included phrases reflecting Chen Xing's governing philosophy, such as "Han and Hu people share the same furnace, bathed in the same royal grace," "Rewarding merit and punishing demerit, the law is clear," and "Frugality and love for the people, ensuring full granaries." It also prominently featured passages offering solace to the fallen soldiers of past battles. Chen Xing read it carefully, made only a few minor revisions, and then nodded in approval.

Half a month later, the ancient and majestic "Chengtian Altar," its bluish-gray hue gleaming in the pale winter sun, stood prominently outside Xinghuo Fortress. Lacking any glittering decorations, it possessed a solid, weighty, and upward-climbing power, echoing the fortress walls behind it, as if proclaiming to heaven and earth the foundation and ambition of a newly emerging monarchy.

On the day the altar was completed, Jia Wen, Su Xiaoxiao, Chen Wei, and others accompanied Chen Xing to inspect it. Chen Xing slowly ascended the eighty-one stone steps and stood atop the altar, the biting north wind billowing his cloak. He looked around; distant mountains were like dark eyebrows, the great river like a ribbon, the outline of Xinghuo Fortress was in sight, and further away were the faint outlines of farmland and villages. A sense of grandeur, of "embracing the world," and a solemn feeling of "responsibility on one's shoulders" surged into his heart at the same time.

"The altar is well built," Chen Xing said to Jia Wen and the others who followed closely behind. "Thank you all for your hard work."

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"This is our duty," Jia Wen said solemnly. "The offerings, music and dance, ceremonial guards, and personnel are all ready. We are just waiting for our lord to choose an auspicious day."

Chen Xing gazed at the drifting clouds in the sky, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Three days later, it will be the winter solstice. The first yang energy will be born, and all things will be dormant. It is the time to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and to usher in a new era. Let's set it for that day."

"Winter Solstice?" Su Xiaoxiao quickly calculated in her mind, "The time is a bit tight, but with all our efforts, we should be fine."

Jia Wen nodded: "The grand winter solstice ceremony is in accordance with ancient rites and also demonstrates our dynasty's will to follow the will of Heaven and respond to the times. We will make arrangements immediately to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

The news sent shockwaves through Starfire Fortress once again. The Winter Solstice Heaven Worship Ceremony was imminent, and the ascension to the throne was imminent! The final preparations were in their countdown. The sacrificial offerings, including the grand sacrificial animal, had been carefully prepared; the music and dance were undergoing final rehearsals; the civil and military officials appointed to participate in the ceremony began repeatedly practicing the worship rituals; the "Military Soul Flag," embroidered with countless names, was completed and solemnly stored in the inner treasury; even the people of the city spontaneously swept their doorsteps, prepared incense and candles, and eagerly awaited that historic moment.

On the eve of the winter solstice, Xinghuo Fortress unusually imposed a curfew. The streets were deserted, save for the rhythmic footsteps of patrolling soldiers. Yet, countless windows were lit, and no one slept. Around the Chengtian Altar, torches blazed, and soldiers stood in silent ranks. On the altar, the sacrificial table and ritual implements were arranged, gleaming softly in the firelight and starlight.

Chen Xing sat alone in his bedchamber, burning incense and lost in thought. Murong Mingyue carefully arranged the sacrificial robes he would wear the next day, gently placing them aside, and softly said, "Husband, everything will go smoothly."

Chen Xing took her hand and smiled slightly: "After tomorrow, you will be the mother of a nation."

Murong Mingyue leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "I don't care about titles or ranks. I only wish to be of one heart with my husband and watch our child grow up safely on this land."

As night deepened, all was silent. Only the north wind swept across the altar flagpole, emitting a soft whistling sound, as if the ancient spirits were also awaiting the arrival of dawn.