Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

The imperial edict declaring the crown prince's accession to the throne is often called the "transmission edict" or simply the "edict." It was an official document used by Emperor Qian before his death or upon his abdication to formally announce the crown prince's accession to the throne as the new emperor.

The crown prince's enthronement was the most solemn and grand moment of the Dashun Dynasty, marking not only the transfer of power but also a comprehensive display of the nation's spirit and cultural heritage. At this historic juncture, the entire country was immersed in an atmosphere of both solemnity and jubilation. Every detail was meticulously planned to maximize the ceremony's grandeur and make it a moment in history that will be remembered forever.

In the wee hours of the morning, while most people were still asleep, Kyoto itself was bustling with activity. Inside the imperial palace, brightly lit, craftsmen busied themselves with final checks on the decorations, ensuring every detail was immaculate. In the imperial kitchen, chefs busily prepared the ingredients for the celebratory dinner, filling the air with mouth-watering aromas. And in the square before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, guards practiced their formations over and over again, striving to ensure that every step and gesture embodied the royal dignity and majesty.

As the sky in the east began to turn pale, and life began to awaken, the Crown Prince, accompanied by a select group of personal guards, set out from the Eastern Palace, passing through the numerous palaces and heading towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Along the way, every door and window were thrown open, and countless palace maids, eunuchs, and the families of officials who were unable to attend the celebrations crowded the windowsills, eager to catch a glimpse of the future emperor. Wherever the Crown Prince's procession passed, petals were scattered, filling the air with a delicate floral fragrance, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.

As the sun rose, its radiant light radiating from the sky, the Crown Prince finally arrived in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Already gathered here were princes, ministers, civil and military officials from across the nation, and envoys from distant lands. All, dressed in their most solemn court attire, waited to witness this historic moment. With the deep, resonant peal of a bell, the ceremony officially began. The Crown Prince slowly ascended the steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, each step steady and resolute, as if to declare to the world his readiness to inherit the throne and shoulder his responsibilities.

Upon arriving at the palace, the Crown Prince ascended the Dragon Throne under the gaze of all civil and military officials, receiving the solemn ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the entire space was filled with an incomparable solemnity. Then, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies read out the late Emperor's edict and the imperial decree announcing the Crown Prince's accession to the throne. His voice was powerful and moving, resonating deeply with everyone present, and filling everyone with deep admiration for the new Emperor.

【Dashun】**The first year of Emperor Yuan**November 12**

Since ascending the throne, I, the [Son of the Great Shun Emperor], have diligently governed the country and diligently pursued government affairs. Fortunately, blessed by the gods of heaven and earth, my country remains safe. Now, as I age, my energy gradually declines. I consider that the lives of the people of the world depend on me, and I cannot afford to be without a leader for a single day. I recall the days of [Crown Prince] Shen Yuanzhang. From childhood, he was brilliant, filial to his parents, friendly to his brothers, diligent in learning, and inquisitive, earning my heart. As an adult, he proved even more shrewd and decisive, achieving numerous remarkable feats and earning the love of both the government and the people.

I am well aware that the stability of the Dashun Empire and the well-being of its people cannot be maintained by one person alone; it requires capable individuals to carry on the legacy and ensure its lasting prosperity. This very day, in accordance with the established rules of our ancestors and upholding the will of Heaven and the people, I hereby issue an edict declaring that Crown Prince Shen Yuanzhang will, from this day forward, officially inherit the throne of the Dashun Emperor, changing the reign title to Hongguang and taking the title Hongguang Qianhuang.

I pray for the protection of the gods of heaven and earth. [Hongguang Huangqian] will surely carry out the will of our ancestors, open up channels for communication, accept advice readily, govern the country with virtue, and govern the state with law, so that [Dashun] will be prosperous and the people will be safe, the weather will be good, the four directions will be submissive, and all the people will be happy and content.

You, the court officials, must strictly adhere to the duties of a minister, loyally assist the [Hongguang Qianhuang], work together with one heart, and contribute to this great cause. Never forget your original aspiration, and live up to your mission, in order to repay the [Dashun] for his kindness in raising you and to comfort my heart. As for the scholars and people of the world, you too should strictly adhere to the moral principles, respect the imperial power, share in the prosperity of the world, and create brilliance together.

This edict.

【The Imperial Calligraphy of the Dashun Emperor】

The new emperor then stood up and, facing the civil and military officials and envoys from various foreign countries, delivered a stirring coronation speech. He reviewed the great deeds of previous kings, expressed his deep admiration for the late emperor, and outlined his own governing philosophy and ambitious goals. He pledged to continue his father's reforms, working for national peace and prosperity, and emphasized the need to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen national defense, promote culture, and improve people's livelihoods, drawing thunderous applause from the audience.

Then, in accordance with traditional custom, civil and military officials stepped forward one by one, presenting the new emperor with a variety of gifts, ranging from exquisite handicrafts to priceless gems and pearls, all of which demonstrated their respect and blessings. The new emperor met with each one, displaying extraordinary patience and courtesy, occasionally exchanging a few words with the gift-givers, demonstrating that he was not only a majestic monarch but also a good king who listened to and cared about his subjects.

The climax of the celebration was undoubtedly the visual and auditory feast presented by the royal orchestra and court dancers. As the music began, the melodious strains drifted over the Hall of Supreme Harmony, echoing with the distant beat of drums, creating a magnificent symphony. The dancers, clad in magnificent costumes, danced gracefully, each spin and leap executed with pinpoint precision, as if every fiber of their being expressed their loyalty to the new emperor and their best wishes for the future. The audience's relentless applause and cheers brought the celebration to one climax after another.

As the sun set and dusk fell, the imperial city bustled once again. To celebrate the new emperor's ascension to the throne, the capital city held a massive fireworks display. A dazzling display of fireworks filled the sky, like the brightest stars in the night sky, illuminating the entire city and warming everyone's heart. Citizens lined the streets, excitedly watching the spectacle. The laughter of children and the exclamations of the elderly mingled, creating a heartwarming scene.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a luxurious banquet was underway. The new emperor and his guests sat around a huge round table, enjoying the delicacies and fine wines carefully prepared by the imperial chef. During the banquet, the new emperor frequently raised his glass, interacted with the distinguished guests, and discussed national affairs and personal ideals. The atmosphere was harmonious and warm. The banquet was filled with the recitation of poems and songs, and the display of calligraphy and painting, which fully demonstrated the profoundness of culture and made everyone present feel the new emperor's erudition.

At court, the news of the crown prince's ascension to the throne awoke the dormant officialdom like a spring thunderbolt. From the capital to the borderlands, from the prime minister to the county magistrate, officials at all levels rushed to the scene, swiftly compiling memorials and submitting congratulatory messages to demonstrate their loyalty. These messages were often lavishly written, their words revealing lofty praise and deep expectations for the new emperor. Senior officials would prepare their trips to the capital to attend the unprecedented coronation ceremony, an opportunity to demonstrate their unwavering loyalty to the new emperor and a chance to glimpse the dynamics of the court and grasp the latest political trends.

At the same time, before the new emperor's policy agenda became clear, the situation within the court was delicate and sensitive. Officials carefully tried to gauge the emperor's intentions while also secretly vying for favor in front of him, striving to leave a favorable impression and pave the way for their own position within the new dynasty. This atmosphere made the direction of policy within the court particularly noticeable. Every policy adjustment attracted the attention of countless eyes, both inside and outside the court, and foreshadowed the direction of national development under the new emperor's rule.

Compared to the complex political maneuvers within the officialdom, the common people's reaction to the crown prince's enthronement was more direct and pure. Across towns and villages, upon hearing the news, the streets erupted in jubilation, with households displaying lanterns and setting off firecrackers, expressing their optimism for national peace and the succession of imperial power. Although their lives were far removed from the whirlwind of court life, ordinary people harbored a simple hope: that the new emperor would usher in a peaceful and prosperous era, reduce excessive taxes, provide relief to the people, and ultimately realize their vision of a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Especially in times of relentless famine and war, the people's expectations of a new emperor were even stronger. They longed for a wise ruler who would sympathize with the people, implement benevolent policies, and lead them out of hardship and toward prosperity and well-being. Therefore, upon ascending to the throne, a new emperor would often implement measures to benefit the people, such as tax cuts, disaster relief, and administrative reforms, in order to win the hearts of the people and consolidate the foundation of imperial power.

At the social elite level, especially local gentry, country gentlemen, and literati, their views on the crown prince's enthronement were more rational and profound. These groups often held real power or cultural influence in the local area, and their attitudes directly influenced local social stability and cultural trends.

Facing the new emperor's accession to the throne, they would exhibit a certain degree of wait-and-see attitude and tentativeness, analyzing factors such as the new emperor's background, political views, and cultural preferences to predict their own role and status in the future regime. At the same time, they would also take practical actions, such as offering advice and gifts, or actively participating in local governance, in the hope of winning the new emperor's favor and thus occupying a more advantageous position in the new dynasty's system.

In the economic sphere, the crown prince's ascension to the throne was seen as a significant market opportunity. Merchant magnates and artisans keenly perceived the new emperor's arrival as a sign of loosening existing rules and introducing new policies, presenting both challenges and opportunities for business operations. They closely monitored the new emperor's economic policies, including whether he would continue to promote free trade, lower tariff barriers, protect merchants' rights, and support emerging industries.

Driven by confidence and optimism, many businessmen will increase investment, expand their business scope, and even try to open up overseas markets to seize this historic window of opportunity to achieve wealth growth and expand their business territory. This active business atmosphere will help accelerate the circulation of goods, promote employment, and boost the economic vitality of the entire society.

The reaction of the literati to the crown prince's enthronement was more focused on cultural inheritance and innovation. As the ideological leaders of society, they were highly sensitive to the new emperor's cultural policies. The ascension of a new emperor was often accompanied by a promotion of Confucian classics, reforms to the imperial examination system, and a flourishing of literary and artistic works. These scholars were keen to interpret the new emperor's cultural tendencies, exploring how to promote the essence of traditional culture while maintaining a spirit of innovation in the new era.