"The Duke seeks clothes that are ignorant of his beauty, he eats well and builds a palace, and he has a view far and wide." [Chen Shu·Gaozu Chronicles]
As officials of the Central Dynasty, Huangmen Shilang and Shizhong were required by regulations to stay with the emperor every day. At first, they were responsible for daily life, but later they became more powerful and even participated in military and state affairs. They can be said to be the emperor's closest ministers.
If they can be subdued, no matter what they do, there will be people on the side to help and run for them. When Yang Qi introduced the current ministers, the emperor, Liu Xie, not surprisingly discovered a few of these close ministers.
A good character.
For example, Huangmen Shilang Zhong Yao and Zhang Chang, one is revered as the "originator of regular script" by later generations, and the other is the younger brother of Zhang Zhi, the "Grass Sage". Zhang Chang, known as the "Senior Sage", is the most popular calligraphy sage Wang Xizhi.
I admire these two people. Is there anyone who doesn’t know calligraphy in later generations? When the emperor first found out that these two people in front of him were the authors of the copybooks he had copied since childhood, he almost couldn’t help himself from issuing an edict to have them handwrite an authentic copy.
Zhong Yao's son Zhong Hui went down in history for his role in destroying Shu. Zhang Chang's father Zhang Huan was one of the Three Ming Dynasties in Liangzhou. He had a younger brother named Zhang Meng who was also a tiger general. The emperor was familiar with history and heard that Yang
Qi's introduction, coupled with his knowledge of his previous life, naturally became interested in these two people.
But Zhong Yao seemed to be very close to Wang Yun and the Guandong family, which the emperor had to consider.
As for others such as Huangmen Shilang Ding Chong, She Jian and others, although they are slightly inferior, they still have their own merits.
However, not everyone can use the valet around the emperor. For example, Dong Zhuo's nephew Dong Huang is the valet and the lieutenant of the Central Military Academy. However, Dong Huang is mainly responsible for taking charge of part of the Xiyuan Army compiled and trained by Emperor Ling. He only serves on important occasions.
Only then would he appear at the emperor's side to perform his duties as a servant, otherwise it would be difficult for Dong Zhuo to escape Dong Zhuo's eyes and ears as to what the emperor wanted to do to the people around him.
Time passed very quickly. Before Yang Qi finished speaking, the emperor was also in high spirits, but his stomach growled in disgrace. He smiled sadly and said to Yang Qi: "I didn't eat much in the morning. I didn't expect to get hungry so quickly."
, it makes you laugh!"
After such a morning of questioning, Yang Qi was already familiar with the emperor's character. His initial trepidation gradually turned into admiration and admiration. He knew that although the emperor was young, he respected his ministers very much and did not stick to trivial matters. Even an upright person like Yang Qi
He could tolerate his temper, but he could humbly accept advice, which convinced Yang Qi. He held his hands and said: "The country's diligence and forgetfulness of food are actually a blessing to the court, and it will become a good story in the future. And the country's holy body has just recovered, which is appropriate.
"Cultivating yourself, I would like to invite you to have a meal. It won't be too late to talk about it after the meal."
"It doesn't matter, I know you are tired and hungry too." After joking, the emperor said seriously: "When the eunuch orders me to bring some food, I will also bring some to Mr. Yang."
"I thank the country for the food." After Yang Qi kowtowed his thanks, he stood up and walked to the door. He gave a few instructions to the small yellow door outside the door. After a while, several small yellow doors came in carrying dishes and served the emperor.
Various dishes were laid out on their respective tables with Yang Qi.
Han etiquette stipulates that the emperor's food must have the taste of the eight delicacies. Now that the imperial court is in a tight budget, it is not the time to be extravagant and wasteful. But since it is the emperor's treat and banquet, he must not be stingy. The person who brought the table to the table was
A dish of fried fish with black bean sauce, pork tripe with soybean sauce and fresh sunflower and water spinach.
Although there were no condiments such as chili peppers at this time in the Han Dynasty, the variety of staple foods was still very rich. And since ancient times, the diet has always been about eating fine food and fine meat. The color, fragrance and flavor of these royal dishes were enough to make the emperor's index finger move. I think of the Western Han Dynasty.
The "Seven Hairs" written by Jingfu Jia Meicheng describes all the delicious food in the world, but I don't know what it tastes like in person. The emperor knows that now is not the time to be full of gluttony, but fortunately there will be more time in the future.
Wait, when the world is settled, it will not be too late to enjoy this good fortune.
The emperor swallowed the soy sauce meat he was chewing in his mouth. Feeling a little full, he put down his chopsticks and took another sip of the cabbage soup. Only then was he satisfied with wiping the oil stains on his mouth with his handkerchief. When Yang Qi saw the emperor put down his chopsticks, he didn't care.
Stop eating whether you are full or not as a sign of respect.
After Xiao Huangmen had put away the tableware, the emperor said: "I already know all the servants in the palace. But if I want to check the list of ministers from other dynasties, where should I find it? From whom can I get it?
Do you know?"
"The list of courtiers is kept at the Shangshu Desk, and is kept by the selected minister, ready for additions and deletions at any time."
"Is it okay if I ask someone to take my oral instructions and read them?"
Yang Qi hesitated for a moment and then immediately replied: "That's right. I just think that now is not the time for the country to look up these things. The country should still keep a secret. These things may as well be delayed."
The emperor raised his hand and said: "Now is the time to talk about this. If we wait until after Dong is executed, Wang Situ may not agree, so we have to force him now. Don't you still believe me, Mr. Yang?"
Yang Qi was slightly dissatisfied with this. In his opinion, Wang Yun's execution of Dong was for the sake of the Liu family. In order to fight for power, the emperor was willing to bet the country and everyone's lives and force people to submit. Both of them
In comparison, the emperor played with power and fell behind. For a moment, Yang Qi felt a little regretful and thought to himself whether he had boarded the wrong boat. But at the moment, it seemed that it was better to follow the emperor to follow Wang Yun.
On the other hand, he took the lead in the imperial court.
"According to what the country said, the Xuanshi Palace is too formal and can easily arouse criticism, so it is better to change the place."
"Then let's find a place to study." The emperor clasped his hands and immediately thought of a place in his mind; "How about Shiqu Pavilion?"
The emperor then sent Yang Qi to the Chancellor's Desk to deliver the edict and transfer the books to Shiqu Pavilion. He, Huangmen Shilang Shejian and Ding Chong left the announcement room and prepared to board the carriages. Outside the announcement room, a group of carriages and horses were parked.
Waiting at the foot of the steps, next to the emperor's golden root chariot, a middle-aged man in his forties stood respectfully in front of the chariot. The emperor took a cursory glance and found that the other chariots were driven by princes-in-law, captains, and charioteers, all of whom were in their twenties.
Next year, he was the only one who was older. After thinking about it for a while, the emperor quickly remembered the identity of this person.
This man's name is Wang Bin, his official residence is Fengche Duwei, he is the emperor's uncle and the brother of his biological mother Wang Meiren.
"Uncle." The emperor recalled the pitiful memory of Wang Bin in his mind. It was not long after he ascended the throne in the first year of Chuping. According to the custom, the new emperor wanted to reward his descendants, so Wang Bin was ordered to bring his wife to Chang'an for an audience.
, was rewarded with a house and land, and was worshiped as Captain Fengche. Since Dong Zhuo had no intention of establishing a strong relative, Wang Bin also did not show that ability, so he has been behaving well and keeping a low profile in the past three years. Many times,
Not to mention Dong Zhuo, even the emperor may not remember him.
But today is different from the past. The emperor wants to seek great power, but he is short of ministers who are more capable than loyal. Now that Wang Bin is a member of his own family, the emperor can use it with confidence and boldness. As a result, Wang Bin's status in the emperor's heart suddenly changed.
surpassed Yang Qi.
Wang Bin did not expect that the emperor would specifically talk to him, so he quickly knelt down and bowed his head: "I have seen your Majesty, Chen Bin."
In the Han Dynasty, ministers generally addressed the emperor as 'Your Majesty' or 'Country'. Only ministers who were close to the Emperor or relatives of the Tian family could be addressed as 'Jun Shang', so Wang Bin's title was different from other people's.
It is his only remaining privilege and honor.
"Uncle, please get up." The emperor stretched out his hand to help him slightly. The Huangmen servant Shejian on the side consciously crossed the emperor and stepped forward to help the thin Wang Bin up from the ground. Looking at the frail and cheap uncle in front of him, the emperor felt a little in his heart.
Family affection couldn't help but surged out; "You have always been weak. Small things like driving are done by the Prince Consort and Feng Che Lang, so why do you have to do it yourself?"
"I have no virtue and deprives myself of the emperor's salary. I can only serve the country to thank you for your great kindness." Wang Bin said stubbornly. When his sister Wang Meiren was poisoned by He Hou, there was nothing he could do. Now that his nephew has become the emperor, how can he not care about it?
?I remember that when he came to Chang'an under the imperial edict in the first year of Chuping, someone advised him not to go, saying that Chang'an was in chaos and the emperor had no power, so he would not be able to get a good official position. But did he really go there just for an official position?
For what purpose, I am afraid only Wang Bin himself knows.
"Driving horses and horses is a service, and being a minister is also a service. My uncle should do important things." The emperor leaned over and whispered in Wang Bin's ear. Without waiting for Wang Bin to stiffen or respond, he patted him with relief.
He patted Wang Bin on the shoulder and stepped into the car.
Not long after, the clear voice of the emperor came from the carriage: "How can there be any reason in this world for my uncle to drive a horse in front of the pavilion and my nephew to sit comfortably inside? Wang Bin, the captain of Fengcha, is of the maternal clan, so it is convenient for him to talk about his family relations and discuss his family relations.
As a sign of filial piety, please ask your uncle to get in the car and take a ride."
The emperor's rare closeness to his mother's family made Ding Chong and Shejian sense something different. They did not hear the emperor's whispers to Wang Bin, but they could tell from the emperor's attitude that Wang Bin's rapid rise was nothing more than
Timing issue.
Regarding this, the two people's moods were different. Ding Chong, the servant of Huangmen, was unreasonably angry and boarded another passenger car with a cold face, while Shejian sighed. Ding Chong was born in Guandong, and with Wang Yun,
Zhong Yao and others were on good terms with each other, and they were most keen on scholars administering the government and despised their relatives and eunuchs. Now that the emperor seemed to be trying to revive his relatives, how could he not be angry?
Shejian was born into a wealthy family in Fufeng. He was smart since he was a child and had both ability and political integrity, but he was not a pedantic and stubborn person. The biggest difference between him and Ding Chong was that he knew how to adapt. This was also the principle of doing things for the Kanto and Kansai scholars they represented behind them.
The biggest difference was that when the emperor invited him, Wang Bin wanted to refuse to prove his innocence, but was unwilling to get on the bus rashly. He seemed keen on it, especially when Ding Chong walked away from the stall without saying a word, his every move
, but there are countless people watching.
When Wang Bin was in trouble, She Jian's move was undoubtedly a timely help. He bowed to Wang Bin, which was respectful but not too flattering: "Your Majesty wants to express his filial piety. If Wang Duyi shirks it, wouldn't he be letting down His Majesty?"
Kindhearted?"
"Ah, yes, yes, what the minister said is absolutely right." Wang Bin found a grand reason, and he felt generous and grateful to Shejian for rescuing the siege. In the three years since he entered the dynasty, this was the first time that a scholar took the initiative to help him.
He went down the steps.
After Wang Bin got on the car, the first thing he saw was the smiling face of the emperor, like a child who had been fostered in another family for many years and was so happy to see his relatives. Seeing the emperor's thin lips and unopened eyebrows,
The memories in his heart seemed to be affected by something, past events and people, which made his heart twitch inexplicably. He lowered his head cruelly, saluted, and consciously sat on the right side of the carriage.