Ming Jiajing: Starting from Immortality

Chapter 300: Fengshan Ceremony, the Fifth Divine Title!
Magnificent holy sound.

A glorious era.

Under the leadership of His Majesty, the Ming Dynasty, or China, finally took its first step and left deep footprints in places where no one before had ever been.

Portugal is a small country in terms of its own territory, but it is undoubtedly a big country in terms of its territory and colonies.

In the entire world, only the Ming Dynasty, Tsarist Russia, and Spain were larger than Portugal.

Now, His Majesty has regarded Portugal, the fourth largest country in the world, as something that will fall into the hands of the Ming Dynasty.

No emperor in ancient or modern times can match his courage and spirit.

This reminded Gao Gong of something. The governor of Shandong had submitted a memorial with the full title "Petition to the Emperor for the Enthronement of Heaven and Earth".

He suggested that the emperor perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

An earth altar was built on Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and repay heaven for its merits, so it was called Feng.

This hill at the foot of Mount Tai removes the earth and repays the merits of the earth, so it is called Zen.

Since the Qin Dynasty, the emperors who held the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai include: Qin Shihuang Ying Zheng, Emperor Wu of Han Liu Che, Emperor Guangwu of Han Liu Xiu, Emperor Zhang of Han Liu Zhuang, Emperor An of Han Liu Hu, Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian, Emperor Gaozong of Tang Li Zhi, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Li Longji and Emperor Zhenzong of Song Zhao Heng, covering a total of five dynasties and nine families.

If we trace back to the origin, after Duke Huan of Qi became the hegemon, he met with the princes at Kuiqiu and wanted to perform Fengshan.

Guan Zhong said: In ancient times, there were seventy-two families who enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu, and Yiwu recorded twelve of them. In the past, Wuhuai enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Fuxi enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Shennong enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Emperor Yan enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Emperor Huang enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Zhuanxu enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Emperor Ku enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Yao enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Shun enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; Yu enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Kuaiji; Tang enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped Liangfu; King Cheng of Zhou enfeoffed Mount Tai and worshipped the head of the society: they all received orders and were able to enfeoff and worship Liangfu.

It can be said that all great emperors in ancient and modern times have declared their unparalleled achievements in civil and military affairs to heaven, earth and gods through the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

The only exception was Emperor Taizu Gao of our dynasty, and the reason was the last emperor who was enthroned at Mount Tai, Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng.

During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, the Northern Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom signed the "Chanyuan Alliance". Although the alliance guaranteed peace between the two sides, it could not conceal its nature of losing power and humiliating the country.

In order to deceive the world and steal fame, Emperor Zhenzong of Song decided to perform Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai to show the will of heaven and whitewash the peace.

Therefore, in the first year of Dazhong Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty, a farce of the coming of the Heavenly Book was carefully planned.

Emperor Zhenzong of Song lied that he had a dream in which a god told him that a heavenly book would be descended. Then a mysterious yellow package appeared on the top of the Zuo Chengtian Gate of the imperial palace, and it was said that the package contained the heavenly book.

The four characters "Da Zhong Xiang Fu" were written on the heavenly book, indicating that his rule was the will of heaven.

Even though upright ministers raised doubts, they could not make any sound under the suppression of the Zhao imperial power. Officials from all over the country tried to please him by presenting rare treasures and reporting various auspicious phenomena to cater to Song Zhenzong's preferences.

While Emperor Zhenzong of Song was carrying out large-scale construction projects across the country, he was also devoting the entire country's resources to a ceremony to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth at Mount Tai. The emperor and his ministers were like crazy and sick for twenty years, and the farce only ended when Emperor Zhenzong of Song passed away.

The Taizu Gaohuangdi of our dynasty rose from humble beginnings, expelled the Tartars, and restored Chinese culture. However, he was disgusted by the farce of the descent of the Heavenly Book by Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, and refused to agree to the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai.

After Emperor Taizu, Emperor Chengzu created the Yongle Era of Prosperity, which "far surpassed the Han and Tang dynasties". Although this was suspected of self-boasting, Emperor Chengzu's achievements in both civil and military affairs warranted him a trip to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. However, for the same reason as Emperor Taizu, he did not go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth.

Under the influence of Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, over the past few hundred years, the reputation of Mount Tai as the most prestigious of the Five Great Mountains has long been lost, and the ritual of five shrines a year has also disappeared.

The reputation of Mount Tai is as bad as that of the Luo River after Sima Yi.

The current Shandong Governor, Wang Youci, was born and raised in Wendeng, Shandong. He wants to change the current situation of Mount Tai.

And the best way is for the current emperor to ascend Mount Tai and offer sacrifices to heaven and earth with his supreme martial arts.

When Gao Gong first saw it, he thought it was unnecessary, as the emperor's military prowess did not need to be demonstrated through the Fengshan ceremony.

But now thinking about it carefully, there is no better way to demonstrate the emperor's martial arts except Fengshan.

Gao Gong stood up and said carefully, "With the achievements of the present emperor, there is no emperor before him, and I am afraid that no one will be able to match him in the future. I dare to make a suggestion and ask the emperor to offer sacrifices to the gods!"

Hear the words.

Zhu Houcong was stunned.

The eunuch who was in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the director of the Eastern Depot beside him had a solemn look on his face, thinking to himself, "That familiar feeling is coming!"

Yan Song built a palace for the emperor, Zhang Juzheng selected concubines for him from all over the country, and now Gao Gong wants to invite the emperor to hold a Fengshan ceremony in the palace.

Sometimes, Huang Jin felt that the most suitable position for these powerful ministers was not in the outer court, but in the inner court.

Even if the eunuchs tried their best, they could only build a leopard house for the emperor and find a few beauties. They were nothing like Yan Song, Zhang Juzheng, Gao Gong and others, who spoke for the people when they opened their mouths and regarded their silence as a supreme achievement.

What they really do is to build mansions for His Majesty, collect beauties, and indulge in luxury.

After all, the books read in the inner library were not as many as those read by the grand secretaries of the current dynasty. Huang Jin sighed that he was not as good as them.

Zhu Houcong came back to his senses and asked in confusion: "Why do you want me to perform Fengshan?"

"Your Majesty, we are all mortals. The Fengshan ceremony is of extraordinary significance. All of you, your majesty and your ministers, want to follow you in the Fengshan ceremony to avoid any regrets for the historian," Gao Gong replied.

Fengshan Ceremony.

Not only will the emperor be recorded in history forever, but even the officials accompanying him will be recorded in history as well.

When Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty performed the Fengshan ceremony, Sima Tan, the father of Taishigong, was unable to accompany the emperor due to illness, which became a lifelong regret. Until his death, he was still holding Taishigong's hand and crying and sighing.

Fortunately, Emperor Wu of Han went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth six times in his life, and Sima Qian accompanied him. Otherwise, this regret would probably have lasted throughout the Sima family's life.

"Today the treasure ship to Tianjin is completed, and His Majesty has come to preview it. We may as well take the canal to Mount Tai. This is a great achievement, and it is a blessing for us, your subjects." Gao Gong knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

News has come from the Tianjin Shipyard that the first treasure ship has been completed. According to the previous plan, His Majesty will leave Beijing and go to Tianjin to watch the treasure ship's sea trial.

One sheep is released, two sheep are driven. The emperor always has to leave the capital for a while. He can take the opportunity to go to Mount Tai, which is not far away, and he can return before the New Year. Zhu Houcong fell into deep thought. He had no interest in the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, but after Gao Gong reminded him, he wondered if this grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth could give him another title of god.

You should know that he currently has four divine titles, "Feiyuan Zhenjun", "Zhongxiao Emperor", "Wanshou Emperor", and "Yuanmiao Zhenjun" which he gave himself in the New Year.

A little less!
Now that you have an idea, go and verify it. If it succeeds, you will be happy. If it fails, just treat it as a tour.

It’s been almost two years, it’s time to take a closer look at this world.

Zhu Houcong nodded.

……

Just as the cabinet was announcing to the world that the emperor would ascend Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and was preparing for it, Afonso, the Portuguese ambassador, formally submitted his resignation to the court.

Pedro, the deputy envoy, was left in the capital. Even though Pedro was unwilling to stay, Alfonso the Younger would never allow this guy who always sang against him to continue to appear by his side. With the life and death of the ambassador, the Duke, and the captured Portuguese soldiers at stake, he forced Pedro to stay.

After dealing with Pedro, Alfonso the Younger, who left with only a few close members of the delegation, no longer concealed his true intentions and directly boarded the speedboat arranged by the court, sailing out of the Bohai Sea, heading south, and then all the way west.

Before obtaining the map of the treasure ship fleet, the Ming Dynasty's ships could only travel a maximum of 120 miles at sea per hour, but at a constant speed, they basically maintained a speed of around 60 miles per hour.

The lost craftsmanship was picked up by the master craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, and after some improvements, the specially made speedboat of the imperial court could run at a maximum speed of 200 miles per hour on the sea, and at an average speed of 120 miles per hour.

Clippers all have light sails. The level of light sailing ships in the Ming Dynasty really shocked Alfonso the Younger. What Portugal was proud of was eliminated by the Ming Dynasty.

The court prepared enough food and fresh water on the speedboat, a doctor, and sixteen sailors who were born with great strength and rich sailing experience, which could ensure the ship could sail day and night for twelve hours a day.

However, with Alfonso Jr.'s insistence, the clipper sailed towards Portugal at a speed of eight hours a day.

Even in the winter near the equator, it was still hot, with long days and short nights. Due to Alfonso's habit, the speedboat did not sail at night.

The speedboat traveled a thousand miles a day, and the distance between the Ming Dynasty and Portugal was about 20,000 miles. On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, little Alfonso, standing on the deck, finally saw the familiar port.

Even the Portuguese royal family was unaware of this sudden return. On the shore, a man with an oriental face, dressed in a European aristocratic dress with a precious tulip pinned on his head, attracted the attention of countless people coming and going.

Europe has always advocated glitz and luxury, especially the "nouveau riche" Portugal, which is even more serious in this regard.

Therefore, when the elegant and noble tulips appeared on the European continent, they were loved and sought after by European aristocrats, including those of Portugal.

Wearing a tulip on a dress has become the most fashionable outfit.

The nobles in Europe wore tulips on their dresses to show their status and identity.

Royal aristocrats and wealthy people flocked to buy the rarest varieties of tulips. Royal families, nobles, and dignitaries even held flower shows for tulips.

The prices of tulips and tulip bulbs naturally rose.

When tulip flowers and bulbs first appeared, the price was only twenty silver coins. But in just over a month, the price was raised by more than ten times, or even dozens of times.

But that was not the end, it was just the beginning. A blind and crazy period had arrived. It seemed that there was no limit to tulips, and the price continued to rise indefinitely.

Until recently, a count exchanged a rare tulip bulb for 30,000 gold coins, which set off an uproar across the European continent.

Countless people were looking forward to the elegant and noble tulip bulbs that would bloom in the coming year in exchange for so many gold coins. Then, from the royal family, nobles, clergy to ordinary people, everyone was like crazy, buying and selling tulip flowers and bulbs, displaying them at home, holding flower shows, to show off to outsiders.

It was a morbid admiration and passion for a flower, a bulb.

When some people expressed concerns, some bigwigs would immediately come out and say, "Everyone believes that the tulip fever will last forever. Rich people on the European continent will buy tulips, and no matter what the price is, someone will pay the bill."

Influenced by public opinion, public intellectuals and crazy emotions, people in Europe, whether they were nobles, citizens, farmers, craftsmen, boatmen, followers, men, even chimney sweeps and old ladies in second-hand clothing shops, were all chasing tulips.

Regardless of their social class, people are converting their wealth into cash and investing in these flowers.

But no one has ever thought about where tulips came from and who influenced the entire European market?

No one cared. The prices of tulips and bulbs were getting higher and higher day by day, and all Europeans were immersed in the dream of suddenly making a fortune.

Tulip flowers and bulbs were in short supply in the market, so it was natural for a trading method to pay first and place an order, and then pick up the goods when they arrived, to emerge.

Pinning such a precious tulip on a dress is equivalent to pinning tens of thousands of gold coins on your body. How can it attract attention?
Some knowledgeable people recognized this nobleman, the Earl of Golden Flower from the Bernard family.

The Bernard family was one of the former subordinate families of Alfonso the Elder. They made many contributions during the colonization of India and Malacca, and were therefore awarded the title of earl.

Old Bernard was loyal to old Alfonso, but loyalty came at a price. Young Alfonso was sent abroad, let alone old Bernard and his family.

Ostracized by the royal family and the nobility, old Bernard died, and the Bernard family gradually declined, with nothing left except the title.

Before Bernard Jr. died, his relatives took away the last bit of his money. Fortunately, when he was young, Bernard Jr. had a brief affair with a woman from the East, and they had a son. The son came to Bernard Jr. before he died and took over the title of the Bernard family.

This Eastern Earl with "Western eyes" was a very wealthy man. He quickly restored the external appearance of Bernard's family. With the help of tulips, he established relationships with many people in the royal family, nobles, and clergy. He entered the House of Lords and won a seat. He was baptized by the Pope. It was rumored that he would become a bishop. The dual identities of parliament and the Holy See restored the internal appearance of Bernard's family.

Count Bernard made his family glorious through tulips, and the degree of glory surpassed that of old Bernard who had established a noble family. Therefore, he was called "Count of the Golden Flower".

When the identity of Earl Jinhua was revealed, everyone on the shore was curious: who could be the person that such a rising and noble nobleman was waiting for?
Someone from the royal family? The Pope? Or a bishop?

For some reason, little Alfonso, who was slowly approaching the shore, looked at the Count of Golden Flower and always had a feeling that this stranger was waiting for him.

Landing!

The Count of Jinhua walked towards him. The sun rose and shone on the slowly approaching person. Little Alfonso felt it was so dazzling. He suddenly realized that this person might be the one who helped him as the honorable Emperor of the Ming Dynasty said...

(End of this chapter)