Early in February, the Ministry of Rites had already dispatched people to the iron smelting workshop in Huaiyuan County to prepare for the emperor's inspection. Today is the day of the emperor's tour, and throughout Huaiyuan County, on every road the emperor might traverse, yellow soil has been laid and water sprinkled, a display of utmost solemnity.
The emperor has just appeared on the official road outside Huaiyuan County, where officials are already standing outside the city gate to greet him.
Several ministers and some civil officials, having set off earlier, have successfully arrived in Huaiyuan County ahead of schedule. At this moment, they are panting heavily, standing together with Huaiyuan County officials, awaiting the emperor's entrance into the smeltery workshop.
