Chapter 43: Imperial Parade, Streets Abandoned by the Crowds

Chapter 43: Imperial Military Parade, Streets Packed with Spectators

Military parades have existed since ancient times. A grand military ceremony practiced across history and cultures, a parade is typically held during major national holidays and large-scale military exercises.

The origin of the military parade dates far back. As early as B.C. times, ancient Egypt, Persia, Rome, and other nations already held parade activities. In China's Spring and Autumn period, historical records note instances of "reviewing troops to overawe the feudal lords." For instance, in August of the sixth year of Duke Huan of Qi, a grand military review was held.

Even the recently excavated Terracotta Army of the Qin Mausoleum strongly resembles ancient battle array formations for reviews. After the 18th century, military parades became widely popularized in Western European nations and beyond. Allied supreme commanders of the Second World War, such as Stalin, Eisenhower, Churchill, and de Gaulle, placed great importance on military reviews and frequently held various grand parade ceremonies.

A military parade embodies a nation's prestige, showcases national sovereignty, highlights defense strength, and demonstrates a government's power and resolve to safeguard national and regional security. At the same time, it deters neighboring countries, consolidates national unity, and strengthens the self-confidence of the citizenry.

Driven by these many profound significances, the Great Qin Empire decided to hold a magnificent military parade. Prior to this, First Emperor Ying Zheng had also conducted similar reviews of the three armed services, but since this particular parade was personally overseen by the State Preceptor, Ying Zheng remained full of anticipation.

Regarding the imperial military parade, the empire's common folk had learned about it through the *Great Qin Daily* as early as a month ago. According to reports, the parade was personally directed by the State Preceptor, sending the citizens of Great Qin into a frenzy of excitement and anticipation.

The wonderful lives that the people of Great Qin now enjoyed were essentially brought to them by the State Preceptor, leading everyone to respect and adore him from the bottom of their hearts. His standing in the hearts of the people even surpassed that of Ying Zheng—yet what of it?

Ying Zheng had long been aware of the people's deep affection for Yang Zimo, but he harbored no worries whatsoever. Firstly, Ying Zheng had absolute faith in Yang Zimo's loyalty. To imagine a cultivator who, if he wished to dominate the world, could easily accomplish it purely through his extraordinary strength.

Secondly, Yang Zimo simply had no such ambition. Even if the people desired a change of emperor, who would willingly endure the chaos of war all over again? Wasn't life wonderful just as it was? His Majesty the First Emperor was, in truth, a ruler who cared deeply for his people, possessing a broad mind and a vision that embraced the entire world. As for the worry of a subject's merits overshadowing the sovereign, Ying Zheng harbored no such anxieties.

"Daddy! Daddy! There are so many people on the street today!" Xuanji and Xuanyin, two little sweethearts dressed in pretty little skirts, sat inside the Marquis's carriage, chattering endlessly.

Influenced by Yang Zimo, a modern soul, the two children had very cheerful personalities; they talked constantly and were not shy around strangers. The two sisters poked their little hands out, lifting a corner of the carriage curtain to excitedly gaze at the bustling crowd outside.

Their large eyes darted happily about, peeking here and looking there.

"Husband, look at those two; they haven't an ounce of a young lady's decorum." Lin Wan Niang had also dressed up early that morning, looking breathtakingly beautiful and almost causing Yang Zimo to lose his composure.

"They're just children, as long as they're happy. They should enjoy themselves and play when it's time for play, without sweating the small stuff. When it's time to study and they aren't serious, that's when they'll get disciplined," Yang Zimo said indifferently—after all, they were both his precious daughters.

"Husband, I heard there are people from foreign tribes coming to watch the ceremony today. Have you ever seen any?" Wan Niang leaned against Yang Zimo's shoulder and asked softly.

"I've seen quite a few," Yang Zimo replied.

"Are there women?" Wan Niang asked casually.

"Yes, there are."

"Are they pretty?"

"Pretty. Compared to the women of the Central Plains, they possess a unique charm of their own."

"Husband!" Wan Niang abruptly pulled away from his shoulder, her lovely eyes fixing on Yang Zimo with a look full of grievance.

Realizing what he had done, Yang Zimo immediately pulled Wan Niang into his embrace and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Wan Niang, what on earth are you imagining? Your husband once interrogated a Parthian princess in the imperial dungeons. She was attractive, true, but unfortunately your husband subjected her to severe torture and ruined a pair of pretty hands," Yang Zimo hurriedly explained.

"Oh!" Wan Niang shifted her head, adjusting herself into a comfortable position against his shoulder, and spoke no more. She simply looked quietly at the two little darlings by the curtain.

Xianyang City was exceptionally lively today. Outside the North Gate of the Xianyang Palace, along the wide Xuanwu Avenue, the towering Martyrs' Monument stood proudly in the massive Imperial Square. All around the avenue, guards stood strictly at every three paces and sentries at every five paces, composed of elite soldiers from the Forbidden Army and the Kirin Legion.

Behind the guards stood throngs of bustling crowds, many of whom had arrived at the hour of the rat to stake out their spots, all for the chance to catch a close-up view of the grand military parade.

Yang Zimo led his family to the viewing grandstand, where figures were already bustling about. Seeing Yang Zimo approach, the gathered officials and guests stepped forward to offer their greetings. Wan Niang, leading Xuanji and Xuanyin under the guidance of an attendant, left the main grandstand and headed toward the section reserved for female family members, which was filled entirely with the wives and daughters of civil and military officials.

This time, the First Emperor had specially permitted his ministers to bring their family members to watch the ceremony; even the Empress Dowager and the concubines of the inner palace were in attendance. This showed just how much importance Ying Zheng attached to the parade.

Envoys from various nations had also taken their seats early in the grandstand, with even the Northern-Submitting Marquis Touman and the Parthian Princess Vivian in attendance. The Parthian envoys and Vivian immediately spotted each other across the stands, but under Yang Zimo's prior instructions, contact between the two parties was strictly forbidden. After all, once Great Qin learned of the existence of the sweet potato, that secret must never be allowed to find its way back to the Parthian Empire.

"His Majesty has arrived!" Following the herald's booming shout, the First Emperor's imperial carriage slowly rolled into view.

"May His Majesty live for ten thousand years!"

"Rise!" Ying Zheng walked onto the grandstand and waved his hand.

"Long live Great Qin!"

Once Ying Zheng took his seat, Yao Jia stepped forward to preside over the ceremony, and everyone waited in hushed silence.

"Next, we invite the imperial decree from His Majesty, the Great First Emperor of the Empire."

Ying Zheng was momentarily taken aback by the sudden announcement. For all these years, this was the first time he would address tens or hundreds of thousands of the empire's subjects in person; the largest crowds he had previously addressed were merely the troops assembled at military training grounds.

Yet Ying Zheng was a man accustomed to grand scenes. He slowly rose, walked to the front of the grandstand, and picked up a specially crafted golden megaphone—an invention of Yang Zimo's that had since been widely embraced by the populace. There was no helping it; when speaking through this device, the sound carried far and wide, proving remarkably effective.

Of course, relying solely on the megaphone in Ying Zheng's hands would not allow everyone to hear. All around the square, sturdy guards holding large megaphones stood ready to relay the First Emperor's decree, ensuring every single person could hear it clearly.

"Subjects of Great Qin!" Ying Zheng channeled his inner qi and shouted with all his might. As his voice rang out, the entire square instantly erupted.

This was, after all, the Emperor of the Empire, speaking directly to the common folk of Great Qin at such close range—a sight they almost never witnessed in ordinary times.

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Great Qin!" Roar after roar filled the skies above Xianyang, nearly shaking the flying birds right out of the air.

Feeling the heartfelt devotion of the entire populace of Great Qin, even the normally unflappable First Emperor Ying Zheng felt ripples stir within his heart. So what they desired was actually so simple; so this was what it felt like to be truly acknowledged by one's subjects.

Ying Zheng suppressed his surging emotions and pressed his right hand downward. The thunderous roar that filled the heavens slowly subsided, fading from near to far. He raised his head and locked his gaze upon that majestic presence on the viewing platform.

"I am the Emperor of Great Qin! Ying of the Zhao clan, Zheng!"

"I am your Sovereign! The Sovereign to whom you can entrust your very lives!"