You're listening to an AirWave Media Podcast.

Hello, and welcome to the History of China.

Episode 247.

Dragon Head, Snake Tail.

During the past 15 years, the Emperor had sacrificed to Heaven and Earth,

performed ritual motions of farming, and celebrated New Year's Day,

and the Fairy Boat Festival that fell on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

He had sacrificed to Imperial Mausoleums in the family temple,

and meticulously observed the birthdays and dates of death, of all preceding emperors and emperors of the dynasty.

He received missions from foreign tributaries and retiring officials,

who made him farewell. He reviewed troops, issued battle banners,

and accepted prisoners of war after the Imperial Army's major and minor battles.

The disposal of war prisoners was usually one of the most all-inspiring occasions of the emperor's court.

He set a top-the meridian gate overlooking the granite-paved courtyard,

flanked by general officers who held noble titles.

Lined up next to them was a full battalion of Imperial guards,

soldiers of gigantic stature, clad in shiny armor, and helmet adorned with red tassels.

Down below, while thousands of court officials and soldiers watched,

the prisoners in chains and red cloth with holes cut out for their necks were forced to kneel on the stone pavement.

Then, the Minister of Justice came forward to read aloud a list of crimes those prisoners had committed against humanity.

Upon completion of the charges, he petitioned the emperor that the prisoners be executed in the marketplace.

The reply from the throne,

...