As the sky gets darker, the lamps everywhere have been lit, illuminating the space in the hall like daylight.
Several rows of six-foot-high bronze lamp stands are placed on both sides of the hall. Their shapes are mostly in the shape of dragons or black birds, which are very exquisite and luxurious.
As the candle burned, a strange aroma spread around.
It is said that this is a rare spice obtained by hunting big fish in the sea in the coastal counties of Qidi. It has the effect of refreshing the mind and making people concentrate.
According to the words of those alchemists, practicing in the aroma of this thing can also better understand the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which is very precious.
The First Emperor often used this thing to practice. The fact that he used this good thing at this family banquet shows how happy he was in his heart.
Tonight's family banquet was held because the emperor was happy that Zhao Tuo had destroyed Xiou in the south.
With the great hero Zhao Tuo absent, Zhao Tuo's two children naturally became the key players in this family dinner.
Among them, Zhao Che, who was newly promoted to Zuo Shuchang, was the most eye-catching.
From the First Emperor to the princes and princesses, all their eyes fell on him, and their attention far exceeded that of the eldest emperor, Sun Qiming.
Zhao Che was only eight years old, but he behaved just as he promised Ying Yinman before entering the palace. He spoke and behaved politely and did not appear to be out of line.
Not only that, Zhao Che even recited a poem to the First Emperor at the banquet.
"Hehe Mingming, the king ordered his ministers, Nanzhong Grand Ancestor, Master Imperial Father. He organized our six divisions to build up our army. He respected and warned, and benefited the Southern Kingdom..."
This is a poem praising the Emperor of Zhou for his victory over the southern barbarians and his return. The poem focuses on praising the majesty of the king and his illustrious martial arts.
Sentences such as "With great achievements, there is a strict emperor" and "With the emperor's merits, all directions are equal" are even more naked flattery.
When Zhao Che recited the entire poem in front of everyone in his childish voice, Prince Fusu and the other princes all knew what they should do.
"The general has pacified Xi'ou. Our great enemy of Qin has been avenged and we have expanded our territory. My congratulations to my father."
"My congratulations to my father for wiping out the barbarians from all directions and establishing unprecedented achievements."
All the princes congratulated each other and flattered Zhao Che without falling behind.
The young master Hu Hai even said a bunch of disgusting words loudly, and the layers of flattery were amazing.
Even Li Shu whispered in Qiming's ear for a while, causing the five-year-old Qiming to stammer some compliments.
The First Emperor laughed heartily.
There are never too many good words.
Compared with the praises of other princes, Zhao Che's poems with a childlike voice were more popular with him. Of course, this was also because Zhao Che was Zhao Tuo's son.
"Okay, good performance."
The First Emperor praised him, then looked at Zhao Che jokingly and said: "My father once made a bold statement in front of me, saying that if a man lives in the world, he will be a marquis in life and a temple minister in death. Now he has become my great Qin Lunhou.
To conquer the four corners of the country for me, and to return victoriously in the future and to be treated as a noble prince, this is considered a successful ambition. I wonder what ambitions you, Zhao Che, have?"
There was silence in the hall, and everyone looked at Xiao Zhao Che.
ambition.
In this era, it is very important.
Although Zhao Che is a little younger, we can still see some clues from his ambitions.
Prince Fu Su, Prince Hu Hai, Crown Princess Li Shu, and even Minister Zhao Gao, who was standing at the side of the palace, all raised their heads and looked at the eight-year-old child.
Ying Yinman was a little nervous. She had never asked her son what his ambition was.
If Zhao Che said he was too young, it would bring disgrace to his old father Zhao Tuo, which would inevitably make him laugh.
But if Zhao Che's nonsense goes too far, it will be even more troublesome.
"Che'er has studied with Zhang Cang for two years. He is much more sensible than ordinary children. He knows what's appropriate."
Ying Yinman comforted herself in her heart.
Under the gaze of countless people, Zhao Che thought for a while and said to the First Emperor who was watching him on the imperial couch: "Your Majesty, I don't remember what happened when I was a child. But I heard from my mother that I was in front of Your Majesty when I was a child.
I threatened that I will become a general in the future and go to the west to take back all the good things from the west to His Majesty. Since I have said this, my future ambition is to be like my father and be a good general of the Qin Dynasty."
"Zhao Che wants to serve the country against thieves and wants to be named a marquis and become a general in the Western Conquest."
Zhao Che puffed up his chest at this moment, and although his voice was childish, it contained a certain kind of shocking pride.
The First Emperor was stunned.
The memory came back to him, and he recalled the incident.
That was five years ago. It was also at a family banquet. Zhao Che, who was over three years old, said in a sweet voice that he would snatch the good things from the west for his nephew to eat.
At that time, he was very happy and said that he would make Zhao Che a General of the Qin Dynasty to conquer the West.
A smile spread from the corners of the Emperor's mouth.
He reached out to pick up the brown sugar water on the table and took a sip.
It feels sweet in your mouth, sweet in your heart, and your whole person is sweet from the inside out.
"Okay, I'm waiting for this day. You grow up quickly and learn your father's skills. In the future, I will name you the General of the Qin Dynasty in the Western Regions, and let you lead the army to conquer the Western Regions for me, including Loulan, Qiuci, and Dawan.
I will conquer all countries like this! I agree to this matter!"
The forty-eight-year-old First Emperor looked at Zhao Che.
Eight-year-old Zhao Che also looked at the First Emperor.
An old man and a young man looked at each other.
This is a promise between grandson and grandson.
"What a great Qin Zhengxi General. Cheer has the demeanor of a martial arts lord at such a young age!"
Fusu stroked his palms and praised.
"The ambition of a young man is beyond our reach."
All the princes opened their mouths to praise one after another. They knew what the First Emperor was thinking tonight, so naturally they did not hesitate to praise him.
Seeing this, Ying Yinman breathed a sigh of relief. Her son's answer was quite appropriate and obviously satisfied the emperor.
In the cheerful atmosphere in the palace, Crown Princess Li Shu also had a smile in her eyes, looking at Zhao Che and nodding slightly.
"Zhao Hou, the general of the Great Qin Dynasty who conquered the west, has such great ambitions."
She lowered her head and glanced at Qiming, who was concentrating on playing with a pair of ivory chopsticks.
"In the future, I will open up new territories for my son."
…
The banquet ended with cheerful carols. The First Emperor was very happy today. Before leaving, he personally called Zhao Che to him, touched his head and said some affectionate words.
When everything was over, the sky was getting dark, and all the gentlemen said goodbye and returned to their own mansions.
A gorgeously decorated carriage drove slowly on the main road in Xianyang, its bells ringing and melodious.
Because it was at night, there was no one on the surrounding roads to stop and watch. It was quiet everywhere, with only the knights from the Wugong Hou Mansion following and guarding.
In the carriage.
Ying Yinman changed the silence in the palace. She held her sleeping daughter in her arms and smiled at Zhao Che who was sitting next to her: "Che'er performed well tonight. It seems that your grandson likes you very much."
Zhao Che chuckled and said, "The main thing is that Mr. Zhang taught me well. He asked me to memorize "Chang Wu" and said that my grandma would like to hear this poem. Sure enough, my grandma was very happy after hearing it."
Ying Yinman said: "Mr. Zhang is quite clever. Now I understand why your father must let you learn from him. In addition to knowledge, this man has other abilities."
Mother and son were talking and laughing.
Zhao Che suddenly thought of something and asked doubtfully: "Mother, why did I feel that my grandma's face was a little dark in the palace just now?"
Ying Yinman was stunned.
The scene in the palace came to mind.
She shook her head and said: "You are wrong, maybe it's because of the candlelight."