N-A-A Chapter 932 Afang Palace was officially renamed Guangming Palace!
Chapter 932 Afang Palace was officially renamed Guangming Palace!
On the day of the grand ceremony, the streets of Xianyang were completely deserted. From the ceremony to the enthronement ceremony, every step was meticulously planned. Gao Yao's official ascension to the throne marked not only the pinnacle of his personal power but also the beginning of a new era. The subsequent "New Dynasty Decrees" included ten specific measures, including tax reduction, agricultural encouragement, and water conservancy development, each of which addressed the pressing needs of the people.
The rebirth of the Xianyang Palace was the most remarkable transformation in Qin territory in recent years. Just when everyone assumed that this palace, symbolizing the pinnacle of power, would be restored to its former grandeur through renovations, Gao Yao made a decision that shocked the court and the public alike: instead of expanding it, the new palace was reduced by one-third compared to the old one. Renamed the "Guangming Palace," this complex, as its name suggests, heralded a new era that broke with tradition.
In the eyes of most rulers, the size of a palace directly symbolizes the weight of power. Qin Shihuang built the Afang Palace to demonstrate the empire's supreme authority through its grandeur. However, Gao Yao took the opposite approach. Behind this unconventional approach lay his unique understanding of the nature of power.
"All the palaces have been turned to dust," Gao Yao often told his close ministers. He believed that overly sprawling palaces were not only a waste of wealth but also a political burden. Empty palaces required extensive maintenance, and the empty corridors posed a safety hazard. More importantly, lavish palaces erected an invisible wall between the ruler and the people.
Through meticulous calculations, the reduced palace area was sufficient to house dozens of high-ranking officials. These officials were previously scattered throughout the city, spending significant time traveling to court each day. Now housed in peripheral residences, their residences not only improved administrative efficiency but also fostered a close relationship, akin to "living with the king." Materials removed from the old palace were also cleverly reused. Mottled beams and columns were polished and given new life, while damaged bricks and tiles were meticulously repaired and put back into service. The entire project embodies the wisdom of "making the best use of materials."
The layout of the Guangming Palace is a prime example of spatial politics. The entire palace is clearly divided into three functionally distinct areas, each carrying specific political implications.
The outer areas were designed with practicality as the primary consideration. The palace walls were raised three feet higher than the original system, and patrol routes were constructed within them. The placement of sentry towers was meticulously calculated to ensure no blind spots. The barracks for the imperial guards were built alongside the palace walls, allowing soldiers to reach their designated positions in record time. Training grounds were located on both sides of the palace gates, and the sound of daily drills became a reassuring rhythm in the capital. This design radically transformed the traditional concept of "heavy and locked" palace defenses, establishing a dynamic, proactive security system.
The front court area was the core of political operations. While the main hall is slightly smaller than the old structure, it appears even more solemn and brighter by raising the dome and optimizing the lighting. Most strikingly, Gao Yao cleverly connected various functional spaces, such as the study, council hall, and tea room, breaking the traditional palace's sharply divided layout.
Here, a heated court debate might unfold in the main hall, then move to the study for further discussion, ultimately reaching a consensus amid the fragrant aroma of the teahouse. This spatial design reflects Gao Yao's unique understanding of political operations: government affairs should not be confined to rigid rituals but rather seek vitality through fluidity.
Particularly noteworthy is the newly established martial arts training area. Gao Yao ordered the installation of specially designed floor tiles in the square in front of the palace, where he would practice martial arts every morning. This practice not only strengthened his health but also taught his subjects the importance of the martial spirit. While the chess and card room was initially criticized, Gao Yao, adhering to the principle that "governing a country is like playing chess, requiring tranquility and concentration," transformed this space into a special retreat for his ministers to reflect and reflect.
The transformation of the imperial harem is equally significant. Despite its reduced size, the harem, through ingenious design, still maintains a capacity to accommodate over a thousand people. The architecture here abandons the traditional deep palace compound model in favor of a staggered, clustered courtyard layout. Each concubine has her own separate living space, connected by corridors, ensuring privacy without feeling isolated from the world.
Behind this design lies the memory of a thrilling assassination attempt. The complex layout of the old Xianyang Palace offered countless opportunities for assassins to exploit, with hidden passages and blind spots creating security loopholes. In the design of the new palace, Gao Yao personally oversaw every detail, ensuring that no corner was unobstructed. The water system was redesigned, with all ponds maintaining a uniform depth; trees were planted to strict height limits to prevent climbing; and even the placement of lighting was meticulously calculated to ensure perfect nighttime illumination.
Even more intriguing is that Gao Yao deliberately opened portions of the harem to the public. On the first and fifteenth days of each month, officials' families were allowed into the palace for audiences. This practice of breaking palace restrictions would have been unthinkable in the old days. However, it was precisely this openness that transformed the harem from a mysterious place of controversy into a new bond connecting the royal family and their officials.
At this moment, a historic scene unfolds in the main hall of Guangming Palace. Officials stand in awe, their brand-new court robes gleaming softly in the morning light. These garments abandon the dark black favored by the Qin Dynasty in favor of varying shades of crimson purple and indigo, maintaining a solemn yet vibrant aesthetic. Civil officials' attire features embroidered images of mountains and flowing water, while military officials' robes are embroidered with tigers, leopards, and eagles. Every detail speaks to the aesthetics and ideals of a new era.
“Your Majesty!”
The roar of the great applause reverberated through the meticulously designed hall, clear yet not overpowering. This was thanks to the acoustic treatment of the hall's walls—the inlaid wood panels perfectly absorbed any excess reverberation. Gao Yao sat upon a modified throne. While slightly simpler than Qin Shi Huang's, the ergonomic backrest made it comfortable to sit for extended periods without fatigue. His dragon robe had also been redesigned, stripped of its elaborate ornamentation while retaining the most basic dragon pattern. The cuffs were narrowed, and the hem was raised for easier movement.
Xiao He stood at the head of the civil service, his gaze gleaming with relief. As the primary architect of the new policies, he understood better than anyone the profound significance of this palace transformation. Across from him, Cao Shen, though maintaining his usual serious demeanor, the slight upturn in his lips betrayed his inner excitement. The military officer system benefited greatly from this reform, not only with improved salaries but, more importantly, with standardized training and equipment, all of which were reflected in the layout of the new palace.
The completion of Guangming Palace marks the beginning of a new era. The "Guangming" here refers not only to physical brightness but also symbolizes political clarity and transparent decision-making. Unlike traditional palaces that emphasize mystery and intimidation, Guangming Palace, through its spatial language, conveys the principles of open, pragmatic, and efficient governance.