The ceremony for worshiping rain in the Circular Mound of the Temple of Heaven is called the Yu Sheng, which is one of the three grand ceremony for worshiping the heavens in the Temple of Heaven in the Qing Dynasty. As the saying goes, "To pray for the ninth level of prosperity, the Circular Mound worships the sky, and echoes each other and answers each other. Thousands of households and thousands of doors are weaving and farming." There are regular and irregular sacrifices. Regular sacrifices are held every year in the month of summer. The divination date is held. Even if there is no drought, there is a jackpot. This is a ritual that is often performed every year. Sacrifices are praying for the gods of heaven and earth to pray for ointment and rain. From time to time, it is specially designed to cause drought.

As the saying goes, the country's major events are only sacrifices and military affairs. As one of the three grand ceremonies of sacrifice to heaven, the etiquette is extremely solemn and complex. Zhenwu ordered the Circular Mound to pray for rain on the 27th day. The officials of the Taichang Temple, the Ministry of Rites, and the infantry commander's yamen immediately became busy.

The emperor's sacrifice to heaven is a major event for the country. Various buildings and facilities in the Temple of Heaven must be fully repaired. The streets that the emperor passed from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven must also be repaired to make their appearance new. In addition, livestock must be slaughtered, sacrifices are made, and the sacrificial vessels of the Shenkui are organized. The Hanlin Academy has to write a blessing on the page. Fortunately, the drought has not rained for a long time, and the departments have prepared a long time ago, and it is not far from the previous sacrifice, so it is not difficult to prepare.

Zhenwu naturally could not slacken. After sending away all the ministers, he set off to the Temple of Heaven, reviewed the blessings, went to the Emperor's Sky to burn incense, went to the Shenku to see the beans, the Shenchu ​​to see the animals, and the Yuanfu Altar to see the gods.

The Circular Mound Altar is specially used for sacrifice to the sky. There is no house built on the platform, but sacrifices in the sky, which is called "dew sacrifice". The furnishings of sacrifice to the sky are exquisite, the sacrifices are rich, and the rules are strict. There are divine positions on each floor of the Circular Mound Altar. The upper level is the God of Heaven. The sun, moon, stars and wind and thunder tablets are below.

In front of the throne was a large number of offerings such as jade, silk, whole cattle, sheep, whole pigs, wine, fruits, dishes, etc. There were as many as 700 utensils for sacrificial utensils and various ritual utensils used. On the east and west sides of the stairs, sixteen types of chimes, chimes, chimes, and chimes, and more than 60 instruments were arranged in Zhonghe Shao music, arranged neatly and solemnly.

Zhenwu inspected it just for a while, and the rules were extremely complicated, so how could he remember so much? It was just a response to the situation, indicating that he, the emperor, attached importance to it. After pretending to be a test, he returned to the Zhai Palace in the Temple of Heaven. The furnishings of the Zhai Palace could not be compared with the Qianqing Palace, but it was better to be purified. Moreover, he did not stay for a long time, so he didn't care.

After Zhenwu's inspection, the minister of Taichang Temple and his subordinates had to conduct a thorough inspection, and arranged the tablets, offerings, offerings, music clubs, band decorations, etc. on the eve of the sacrifice day. Finally, the Minister of Rites conducted a comprehensive inspection.

Early in the morning of March 27, seven minutes before sunrise, the Taihe Bell in the Zhai Palace sounded, and Zhenwu stood up to the Circular Mound Altar with the bell.

At this time, the Circular Mound Altar burned calf in the southeast. The sky lanterns hung in the southwest, the misty clouds were misty, and the candle cinema shook red. It gave people a hazy and mysterious feeling. Zhenwu looked solemn, but he was laughing in his heart. In order to promote the divine authority of the king, the kings of all dynasties have tried their best.

After changing the sacrificial wardrobe from the southeast side of Zhaoxiang Gate, Zhenwu entered the Circular Mound Altar from the left gate and went to the middle platform to worship the throne. The ceremony officially began. At this time, the wood burning furnace played the "Shu Ping Chapter". In the sound of solemn and peaceful music, Zhenwu slowly stepped to the upper level of Emperor God God's God Card to kneel down and burn incense, then went to the patriarchs and sects to burn incense, kowtow and bow back to the throne, and prayed three kneelings and nine worships to the gods. This is only the first step of the ceremony, to welcome the emperor god.

Next, he laid jade and silk, put the sacrificial tribute, performed the first gift, performed the tribute at the end, performed the tribute at the end, removed the food, and sent it to the emperor and gods, and Wang Liao. It took more than an hour before and after that, the entire sacrificial ceremony was completed, and Zhenwu could not remember how many times he knelt down. Although he had a cotton pad on his knee, he still felt his knees numb.

The royal family members, princes, nobles, and officials of the court were not much stronger. Zhenwu knelt down and they also knelt down, and they were all afraid and frightened. During the sacrificial ceremony, there were censors and officials of Taichang Temple patrol at any time. Those who were tearful, coughed, chatted, laughed, and made noises would be given a title, and the punishment was extremely severe. If someone had a vain and fart during the sacrificial ceremony, it would at least be the end of exile to Ningguta, and even life worries.

After the sacrifice of the Temple of Heaven was completed, the good show of "going out of the prosperous" at Caishikou outside Xuanwu Gate had just begun.

The so-called "Red Disaster" is to execute and kill people, because when the beheading, blood spurts all over the ground, blood stains the loess, and because the executioner is covered with a red headscarf, with a ghost-headed knife, and a blade without sheath, and the blade cannot see the sky. It is covered with a red-brushed cloth, and there is also another saying that the soul of the red pen hook is hooked.

Caishikou, the capital city, everyone knows the people in the capital, because Caishikou is the execution ground for murder in the capital. Caishikou is a major highlight of the capital city. Every time when it is a "red mission", Caishikou is crowded with gentry and people who come to watch the fun.

Not only are the people in the capital who like to see the red gap, but it is the same everywhere. I don’t know when the gift will start, but people like to appreciate this extremely cruel scene. Watching other people’s lives end in this extremely cruel way is as if it is a great enjoyment. After observing the punishment, they have to comment on the deceased.

The reason why the court chose Caishikou, a major transportation road, was to show the public that the more people watched, the better the effect. Therefore, the court has always been encouraging to the onlookers, which has further encouraged the people to observe punishment.

In history, there have been always been notices that have to be posted in advance. When it comes to the "Red Break", shops facing the street of Caishikou would place a table at the door, with three bowls of white wine on it, and some would even have wine pots with the spouts facing outwards to signal to see off. In particular shops, they would also have to place a few bowls of steamed dishes.

The prisoners who were executed were scattered all the way through the market, and they could not stop watching, and they could not eat or drink, but they could not be without wine or food on the way to the underworld. According to custom, if the prisoners drink wine or food at the door of their house, they would accumulate virtue and reward them. They would also hang red silk and stick red pairs in front of the door, just like a wedding.

The pleading fraud case in the Cangchang camp has been circulating in the capital. Once the notice of the court's attempt to kill eight corrupt officials with huge amounts of grain invaders was posted, it immediately caused a sensation in the entire capital. The beige of the official warehouse and the number of beiges and the number of people were closely related to the people. Therefore, the people in the capital were hated to the core of these corrupt officials in the Cangchang camp. The court killed eight corrupt officials in one fell swoop, and six of them were bannermen. The people naturally applauded and eased their hatred and rushed to watch the punishment.

The prisoner had not been arrested yet. The entire vegetable market entrance was already crowded, and the surrounding wine shops were also crowded. The "Tongjufu" restaurant was in a very good location. It was facing the execution ground and sat by the window on the second floor. The entire execution ground was in sight. Of course, the price of this table by the window was also extremely expensive. The seat alone was ten taels of silver, but even so, the table by the window on the second floor was still full of people.

Time passed by minute by minute, and it was already three o'clock on the sun, but there was still no prisoner arrest. People around Caishikou couldn't help but talk. The second floor of "Tongju Fu" was also talking.

"Today, the emperor came to the Temple of Heaven to worship and pray for rain. It is logical that the execution should not be carried out on this great sacrifice. Will it be postponed? It is already three o'clock."

"How can the court have a joke? The day of sacrifice is not executed, which means regular sacrifice. Besides, the sacrifice is to pray for rain. Killing these corrupt officials is also for praying for rain. How could it be delayed? It has been two months since it has not rained."

"Don't worry, the yang energy is the most intense at noon and is the best time to execute the execution. It's not a short time."

"Look at this sun, today's rain prayer will probably be in vain again."

"Heaven's way of heaven is impermanent, who can tell it clearly? Even if you don't pray for rain, these corrupt officials should be killed."

"It's just a few small fish and shrimps. How much effect can it play? Monkeys see a lot of blood and don't take it seriously at all."

"Look at what you said, who is not greedy in the civil and military affairs of the court now? You can't kill all the officials of the court? Master Zhenwu ascended the throne and attacked the corrupt officials. Even if he killed a chicken to warn the monkey, the effect would be instantly visible. Besides, I heard that many officials were dismissed, demoted, and fined for the case of pursuing fraud in the warehouse and camp."

"This time I don't seem to be a fool. I haven't heard of the eight corrupt officials killed this time, six of them are bannermen?"

The second floor is full of rich owners, most of whom are regular customers, and the shopkeeper is also polite to everyone on the second floor. The audience is getting more and more explicit in their conversations. They bowed and smiled, "My dear masters, wait and see the fun. There are so many people, don't talk about state affairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a clamor outside. Everyone was excited. The prisoners were escorted and looked out. Sure enough, a group of mules and horses led the cage carts led by mules and horses were escorted by two rows of officers and soldiers. The gongs were all the way to make money. They had to have money and status to sit. Sorry, they walked on foot with shackles and shackles. This was also the way for the yamen runners to make money.

Seeing that the cage of the slaughter was coming, the crowd immediately went to the side of the road early, blocking the road, and they wanted to eat whips. The eight criminals were already full of wine in prison, and no one called to stop asking for wine. However, the people were so angry that they hated the corrupt officials who exploited them. Many people spit at the slaughter. Seeing that no one interfered, they naturally became bolder. Countless people began to throw fruit peels, rotten vegetables, rotten eggs, and the soldiers escorted the Ministry of Justice and the soldiers were also wronged out of thin air.

The right assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, Sartai, immediately urged his horse to go quickly. After arriving at the execution ground, he looked up at the sun and went straight to the prison shed that was temporarily built at the entrance of Xihe Niantang Store. It was still early before noon and he was not in a hurry.

Sitting at the high position of the prison official, he looked at the eight new pens placed on the tin pen holder on the case. These pens were the extra money he had for the prison this time. One prisoner had one pen, and the red pen that was hooked to the criminals could suppress evil and exorcism. It was a treasure for the house to save the house and was very easy to sell. After taking a sip of the hot tea he brought, he looked at the sun unconsciously. No matter how you look at the scene, it didn't look like there was rain. He couldn't help but curse the imperial prison all with a bunch of rice buckets, and I'm afraid someone would be in trouble again.

Unexpectedly, after only two quarters of an hour, the sun actually darkened. Saartai was delighted. Is it really raining? He hurried out of the long shed. As soon as he came out of the long shed, a cool breeze blew. He looked up and looked up. The sun was already covered by the clouds. Looking further away, a black cloud was moving quickly in the sky. He couldn't help but be shocked and asked, "What time is it now?"

"Sir, it's two o'clock in the afternoon." The official immediately bowed and said.

Saertai couldn't help but ponder for a moment. The time of the execution was very particular. Although the slash at noon and the slash at noon were only one moment, the treatment was different. The slash at noon was the time when the yang energy was the most powerful and the yin energy dissipated immediately. At this time, the dead were not allowed to do even ghosts. Therefore, the repeated offenders or the ten evil offenders were chosen to execute the execution at noon and three moments. When the slash at noon, they had the opportunity to be reincarnated as ghosts.

Most of the people who were in charge of this prison were bannermen. If they really had to start the slaughter at noon and three o'clock, they would offend many people. However, the rain was not sunny and the night was not clear. When it rained, the execution of the execution was generally suspended. Zhenwu ordered the execution of the execution today to pray for rain. If it rained but was not done, what would be the consequence? In short, it would not be a good result.

Thinking of this, Saltair shouted in a deep voice: "Test your true self. Get the walnut ready and don't give them a chance to speak."

To prove that the correctness of one's body is the prelude to the execution. Your official couldn't help but hesitate for a moment, but he didn't dare to say anything. He quickly turned around and ran to the execution platform and shouted loudly: "Determine that the correctness of one's body!"

After a long drought, the people were very happy when they saw the change of the sky. Many people were talking about it. They could not start the slash before the time came, and they could not start the slash even if it rained. Today's situation is not lively, but they were not depressed. After all, it was better to rain than anything else, and many people have begun to dissipate one after another.

But when he heard the sound of "Experience the right person." He heard that everyone was excited and was about to start a slash?

Seeing the change of the sky, the eight criminals thought that there was no way out. When they heard "very clear of the right person." They all looked as if they were ashamed. They were so brave that they wanted to complain, but were quickly stuffed with walnuts into their mouths by the yamen runner who had prepared, and they could not speak immediately.

It's strange to say that, just like this, the sun was revealed again, and Sartai was also very energetic. After turning around and strode back to the case, he hooked the name with a red pen.

A quarter of an hour said it was not long or short. After Salthagao sat down after the case, he kept praying in his heart. God opened his eyes and waited for the group of corrupt officials to behead them and it rained again. It seemed that after an hour, he reported it as scheduled, "Report to you, it will be three o'clock in the afternoon."

Saartai was excited and was about to throw the token and ordered the slash, but a subordinate behind him whispered: "Sir, the sun is fierce."

After hearing this, Sartai couldn't help but calm down, glanced at the shadow on the ground, and withdrew his hand. He naturally was more happy if he could not offend others and make smooth contributions.

The weather is beautiful, and the sun is shining brightly. Finally, it's hard to wait until noon. Sartai immediately threw down the sign and said in a deep voice: "Execution!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to (.) vote for recommendations, monthly votes, and your support is my greatest motivation.)

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Chapter completed!