At the beginning of the year, Yuan Zuo was auspicious.
At dawn on the first day of the first lunar month, all officials will gather in front of the Xuanzhengdian Square early.
All the ceremonial guards were displayed on the square, and the flags and flags were flying in the wind. In the majestic and magnificent Yun Kingdom Palace, there were lights and colors everywhere, and the grand atmosphere was full of celebration.
King Qi looked around, sighed slightly, and said helplessly:
"I thought that this trip to the Yun Kingdom would give me an opportunity to escape the cumbersome New Year's etiquette in the palace. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a virtue here in the Yun Kingdom!"
When the deputy envoy of the mission, Feng Chu, heard this, he chuckled and said jokingly:
"The national system of the Yun Kingdom is also inherited from the Central Plains, and there is not much difference with that of Jinling City... But if I have to say it, Your Highness should not go to the concubines and concubines in the harem this year.
It can be considered as a way to take some time off.”
Although the Xia State envoy is a foreign minister, since he is in Yun State, he naturally has to come to see him on such an important festival as the New Year.
Well, it just so happened that the reception banquet for the Xia Kingdom envoy and the official banquet at noon were arranged together, which saved a lot of trouble.
King Qi did not answer, but instead looked up at the towering and majestic Xuanzheng Hall in front of him, and said in a deep tone:
"If I have to choose, I would rather not take this opportunity..."
Feng Chu took one look at King Qi's expression and immediately knew that he had made a mistake, so he shut up and stopped talking.
At this moment, the time has come.
Immediately the bells and drums were rung and ceremonial music was played on the Meridian Gate. The tall Forbidden Army general flicked his whip, and the ceremonial officer shouted "Scheduling", and all the officials of the Yun Kingdom slowly walked into the Xuanzheng Hall, according to their respective orders.
Rank position, kneel down in line.
The Xia State envoy was a foreign minister, so naturally they did not make any big salutes, but bowed respectfully to show their honor.
Xiao Cheng was dressed in a black crown, wearing a twelve-shaped crown on his head, and a raging dragon sword at his waist. Surrounded by the palace attendants, he slowly walked to the throne of the Xuanzheng Hall.
After Xiao Cheng was enthroned, Qu Cheng, who took over as the minister after Ma Minwen resigned, stepped forward and knelt down to hold the congratulatory form. The officials immediately stepped forward to receive it and read the congratulatory form, which was full of auspicious words, and all officials followed it.
The old practice is to perform a grand ceremony of kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times.
After this set of etiquette, it was considered as the New Year greetings to the emperor.
Xiao Chengduan sat on the dragon chair, glanced around the officials in the palace, and immediately focused his attention on the most conspicuous Xia State envoy in the palace, and said with a chuckle:
"Where is His Highness King Xia Guoqi?"
King Qi frowned, took a step forward, bowed slightly, and said without being humble or arrogant:
"I have met His Majesty the Emperor of Yun Kingdom!"
"I didn't expect that the head of the Xia Kingdom's mission was actually His Highness King Qi!" Xiao Cheng said while looking at King Qi.
Xiao Cheng had seen the information collected about King Qi from Dongchang.
Yu Zhaoling, the nineteenth prince of the Xia Kingdom. His mother's family was of mediocre origin, and he served in the army in the northern frontier of the Xia Kingdom when he became an adult. He is one of the few contemporary princes of the Xia Kingdom who has served in the army.
His temperament is the kind of person who is famous for acting unconventionally and not following the rules. His talent will not be evaluated for the time being, but he is very courageous.
He was the one who directly sent troops to kill the generals in the southwest of Xia State despite the huge pressure from both the government and the public. Otherwise, if those generals were still there, the people of the southwest counties of Xia State would have revolted long ago.
That's it.
Compared with Xiao Cheng, his various ways of dealing with enemies are more like what a time traveler should look like.
On the other side, King Qi also raised his head slightly and looked at Xiao Chenglai.
Even though he had known about it before, when he actually saw Xiao Cheng, he couldn't help but be surprised.
Although the young emperor in front of King Qi was dressed in imperial uniform and looked majestic, his too-young appearance still told him that the young emperor was only fifteen or sixteen years old.
At the age of fifteen or sixteen, he had already put away the powerful ministers who wanted to usurp the throne and regained the power. When the country was in crisis, he personally led the army to conquer Xia and Li, and saved the country from collapse. Now, with the help of several times,
Opportunity came to Buddhism, and the obstacles in the country were completely cleared. Since then, he has been in charge of the world, and no one in the government or the public dared to disobey him.
King Qi looked at Xiao Cheng with a hint of yearning in his eyes.
This is the true power of an emperor!
Xiao Cheng didn't know the complicated thoughts in King Qi's heart. After pondering for a moment, he chuckled again:
"I will not mention all the past events. Your Highness King Qi, the contract has been finalized. From now on, the two countries of Yun and Xia are willing to maintain good relations between the two countries forever and never have war again!"
King Qi came back to his senses, lowered his head and said:
"As His Majesty the Emperor Yun expected, Xia and Yun are married, and they will be as close as one family, and there will be no estrangement or disputes."
A group of hundreds of officials, the Xia State envoy, all congratulated in unison:
"Congratulations to Your Majesty! Congratulations to the people of the world!"
When Xiao Cheng heard this, he laughed loudly, looking happy for the peace between the two countries.
In fact, as we all know, the purpose of this contract is to tear it up.
Perhaps Xiao Cheng, who had just traveled here and was still facing a precarious situation, was thinking about being trapped in Tiannan, having fun all day long, and becoming the emperor of his Yun Kingdom.
But to this day, it is impossible to say that Xiao Cheng, who holds the golden finger in his hand, does not have the wild desire to march out of the Central Plains and dominate the world.
The peace treaty between Yun and Xia is just a piece of waste paper that will inevitably be broken.
By the time the main court was over, it was almost noon. According to tradition, the emperor would hold a banquet to entertain all officials.
In the Imperial Palace of Yun Kingdom, in the Linde Hall, which was specially responsible for entertaining hundreds of officials, various meals were placed on the desks.
But what surprised all the Xia envoys was that there were no futon cushions beside the desks near the main hall door. If anyone ate here, they would have to sit on the floor.
The Li Cao official responsible for the reception led the Xia State envoy to a seat near the front of the palace. As soon as the group sat down, they saw many young officials in the palace. They moved their eyes to them, with a hint of confusion in their eyes.
Eager to try.
Feng Chu's brows moved, but the smile on his face remained unchanged. He turned slightly to King Qi's side, moved his lips a few times imperceptibly, and said in a slightly vague voice:
"Your Highness, something is wrong!"
King Qi's eyes narrowed and he remained silent.
At this moment, a young man with an upright appearance, under the gaze of everyone, walked up to Feng Chu, the deputy envoy of the Xia State Mission, and saluted slightly, saying:
"Please give me some advice, sir!"
The smile on Feng Chu's face faltered, his eyes blinked, and he said:
"Give me, teach me...what?"
Huh? Are the young officials of the Yun Kingdom so wild? Want to beat yourself, the deputy envoy of the Xia Kingdom, in the palace? This is a bit ungrateful.
It's not me who leads the army to attack Yun State. The real master is sitting next to him. Go and fight him!
King Qi frowned slightly and subconsciously looked at Xiao Cheng who was looking up.
Then they saw Xiao Cheng leaning on the armrest with one hand and looking at them with interest.
Zhang Zhao on the side saw this, stood up, cupped his hands and said:
"Excuse me, I forgot to tell you before! The rules set by our Emperor Taizu of the Yun Kingdom back then were to test the talents and learning of the hundreds of officials in the school. This banquet on the first day of the first lunar month of each year allowed the officials to communicate with each other.
In the history debate, if you challenge each other, the one who loses slightly must give up his seat!"
Zhang Zhao pointed to the desks without cushions at the entrance of the palace and said:
"If you lose, and you haven't fought for the position of an adult, you need to sit on the ground over there!"
King Qi twitched the corner of his mouth and couldn't help but said:
"really?"
Are you sure this broken rule wasn't just a temporary thought to punish us?
Zhang Zhao nodded and solemnly said:
"The Yun Kingdom has been like this for six hundred years."
This rule is of course true. In the past, ordinary officials only regarded this rule as a joke between a few friends.
After all, as long as they still want to hang out in the court and don't want to be judged by others, few people will be stupid enough to grab the seats of the court bosses.
But this year, with the arrival of the Xia Kingdom's envoy, things will naturally be different.
After all, they are considered guests, and the seats assigned to them by Yun Guo are at the front of the palace.
By taking this position, not only can I show my face in front of His Majesty, the big bosses in the court, without having to worry about being judged by others, but both the government and the public are also dissatisfied because Xia Guo provoked the war, and they are happy to see Xia Guo's envoy lose face.
It is an elegant thing to say this. Even if Xia Guo suffers a loss, it is because Xia Guo does not have well-educated people and cannot accuse Yun Guo of deliberately making things difficult.
When Feng Chu heard this, he couldn't help but look at King Qi beside him.
King Qi did not speak, but nodded slightly to Feng Chu.
We have reached the point where the storm is at the forefront. Compared with losing the seat, it would be more shameful to avoid the challenge!
Feng Chu looked helpless and had no choice but to bite the bullet and said:
"I wonder what this gentleman wants to compare with?"
The young official raised his head slightly and said:
"How about each of us write a poem?"
What else could Feng Chu do, he could only nod in agreement.
A smile flashed in the young official's eyes, and he said loudly:
"The banquet was served with dragons and pancakes, and immortals were paraded in the procession. They were given a banquet dipped in jade wine, and they returned home with incense on their sleeves. When they were close to the sky, their kindness was reflected in the sky. In the holy pilgrimage, the virtuous and talented people are precious, but in vain they are ashamed of their glory."
When everyone around him heard this, their whole bodies suddenly trembled, goosebumps stood up, and they looked at him with a shocked expression.
This gorgeous poem cannot be said to have any profound meaning. The meaning expressed throughout the poem is to flatter the emperor and thank the emperor for giving him the opportunity to show himself in front of everyone.
Such a pile of words requires constant elaboration of the poem. It could not have been thought up here. It must have been prepared in advance.
The shameless recitation of such verses here today is not for Feng Chu’s remaining position! Just look at the Emperor Yun who is looking at the young official on the dragon throne with a slight smile on his lips. You will know that this young official
the real purpose.
Feng Chu opened his mouth, then looked at the young official and said rather complicatedly:
"May I ask this gentleman what his name is?"
Young people who can flatter themselves so shamelessly and seize every opportunity to express themselves to their leaders will definitely be able to make a name for themselves in the future!
Now that I am asking for his name, I wonder if I will have contact with this young official when dealing with Yun Guo in the future!
The young official carefully glanced at Xiao Cheng, who was above him. When he saw His Majesty looking at him with a smile on his lips, he suddenly felt happy and said loudly:
"Yan Song, I've met you all!"
On the dragon chair, seeing Yan Song in the palace displaying himself so deliberately, Xiao Cheng suddenly couldn't help laughing and turned to look at the other side of the palace.
Right where Xiao Cheng was looking, a young official with a thin body and a solemn expression looked at Yan Song's expression of joy, his brows furrowed, and his expression was slightly unhappy.
----------------
In the Yongxin Hall of the harem, Concubine Zhang was sitting at the top, looking at the concubines attending the harem, she chuckled and said:
"Today, as entrusted by His Majesty, I invite everyone to gather together. It will be a lively and lively event!"
As mentioned before, in order to cover up his plan to dig a secret tunnel and escape from the palace, Xiao Cheng's cheap man put on a ridiculous and lustful look to confuse Wang Xiao.
As a result, in the harem, in addition to Concubine Zhang, who was born in the Ailao clan and raised Xiao Cheng, there were also more than 20 concubines of the late emperor.
At this time, all these concubines gathered in the Yongxin Palace of Concubine Zhang.
It's just that most of these concubines put on a forced smile and didn't look happy at all during the New Year. Many people looked at Concubine Zhang and seemed hesitant to speak.
Concubine Zhang had been in the palace for many years and was able to manage the former emperor's concubines into obedience. Naturally, she could tell their thoughts at a glance.
She glanced at the concubines lightly and chuckled:
"It's the first day of the new year, let's all be happy."
Concubine Zhang paused and spoke again:
"By the way, your majesty is kind and does not want a palace wall to block the family happiness of mother and son. After today's banquet, everyone is allowed to leave the palace and go to the palace to rest and practice."
Xiao Cheng had no relationship with the concubines, and had never even met the brothers. Naturally, he didn't want to sit with a large group of strangers on New Year's Eve.
So in order to avoid trouble, Xiao Cheng simply skipped the courtesy of visiting the kings and just had a New Year's Eve dinner with Princess Zhang, Nan Rongshu, and Yang Yuhuan.
All the concubines living in the harem rarely saw their sons throughout the year, and they didn't even see them during the Chinese New Year, so they all looked depressed.
After hearing what Concubine Zhang said, the eyes of all the concubines suddenly lit up and they looked at her in disbelief.
"Your Majesty, are you really able to leave the palace?" A concubine couldn't help but trembled.
Concubine Zhang nodded and said:
"Your Majesty has issued an imperial edict, so it cannot be false!"
When all the concubines heard this, their faces suddenly became happy. Some of them couldn't help themselves, their eyes turned red, and they knelt down on the ground, saying repeatedly:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
"Thank you, Princess Dowager, for your kindness!"
Living in this deep palace, separated from their own flesh and blood, the loneliness was unbearable. When they suddenly heard that they could leave the palace, these concubines were naturally ecstatic and extremely excited.
Upon seeing this, Princess Zhang frowned, raised her hand and signaled the palace maid to help everyone up, and said in a deep voice:
"Emperor Rouning is still here, don't lose your composure!"
When all the concubines heard this, they were suddenly shocked and couldn't help but look at the three women sitting next to Concubine Zhang who were extremely beautiful but had different temperaments.
Needless to say, Nan Rongshu and Yang Yuhuan are sitting on the left side of Princess Zhang. On the right side, a woman wearing a light blue palace dress and pearls on her head, with a gentle temperament and beautiful facial features, sits quietly.
aside.
This woman is Princess Xia Guorou Ning who was sent by Princess Zhang.
Although she has not officially entered the palace, she has even been given half of the queen's ceremonial guard, and her identity has been determined. Naturally, no one will say anything when she is invited into the harem.
Concubine Zhang saw that the mood of the concubines gradually stabilized, and then she said:
"After leaving the palace, the palace maids and eunuchs who should have the corresponding positions will still be allocated as usual. After leaving the palace, you still need to be careful and do not lose royal decency!"
The reason she is willing to let them out of the palace is because His Majesty has good intentions. But there are some things that require her to be the villain, lest someone really goes too far after leaving the palace and does something that is disgraceful to the royal family.
All the concubines had been suppressed by Concubine Zhang for half their lives. They knew her very well and naturally understood the meaning of her words, so they responded respectfully.
"Ms. Princess, please rest assured!"
Concubine Zhang nodded, looked at Emperor Rouning beside her with a gentle expression, and said:
"Let Di Ji laugh!"
Yu Yingyao shook her head slightly and said in an extremely gentle voice:
"His Majesty Yun Huang has good intentions, and the concubines have revealed their true feelings. There is nothing ridiculous."
Concubine Zhang, a woman with such a gentle temperament, well-spoken words, and gentle tone, couldn't help but feel happy, and the corners of her mouth could not help but turn up when she looked at her.
On the other side, Nan Rongshu and Yang Yuhuan looked at the woman opposite with her beautiful appearance and gentle temperament, which made people feel attracted to her, and alarm bells rang in their hearts.
Here comes another man who competes with me!*2
-------------------
"I would like to ask this great sir, when will our ambassador to the DPRK be able to enter the palace to pay homage to His Majesty?"
In the State Guesthouse, a man wearing the official uniform of the Li Dynasty asked the official of the State Guesthouse.
Upon hearing this, the official Cao Cao shook his head and said:
"Today is the first day of the first lunar month. Your Majesty is hosting a banquet for hundreds of officials, but he really doesn't have time."
Among the mission, several young officials frowned and couldn't help but say:
"We heard that the Xia Kingdom's envoy arrived at Zhongqing City only one day before me?"
The Li Cao official nodded and said casually:
"yes!"
"What about them?"
"Let's go to the palace for a banquet today and pay homage to His Majesty!"
When the envoys from the Li Dynasty heard this, their brows suddenly furrowed.
Another Li Dynasty official couldn't help but said:
"Then if I'm just one day late, I won't have to go to the banquet?"
"I haven't been summoned by the palace, so there is no need to go to the banquet."
When the Li Dynasty official who asked the question heard this, he was immediately furious and said:
"In order to congratulate His Majesty the Emperor on the New Year, we hurried all the way for fear of missing it. How come we were not summoned when we arrived at Yun Kingdom?"
Looking at the indignant-looking envoys of the Li Dynasty, the Li Cao official showed a hint of hidden sneer in his eyes, and then said:
"According to etiquette, you should go to the banquet. But because His Majesty is busy today, he may not know that you are coming, so he has not invited you. There is no need to be anxious, and wait with peace of mind, Your Majesty will summon you!"
"We are the envoys of Da'an to the country, representing the face of a country. Is this rudeness the attitude of the Yun State towards the envoys?" The young and impatient Li Dynasty official's voice was full of anger and viciousness.
He looked at the official Li Cao with a look, even vaguely showing signs of taking action.
The Li Cao official frowned, feeling dissatisfied and said in a neutral tone:
"What's the matter? Your envoys didn't see His Majesty the last time they came."
You, Li Chao, have always been beaten. How can you pretend to be an uncle in Zhongqing City? How dare you go to the country?
"you……"
"That's enough!" The leader of the mission, Aohou Lihu, a member of the Li Dynasty clan, spoke out to stop him.
Hearing this, some indignant officials in the Li Dynasty mission stopped immediately.
Li Hu didn't seem to notice the ridicule and contempt of the Yun State official at this time, and said calmly:
"We are here under the king's order to sign a peace treaty with Yun and Xia. Such a major event cannot be delayed. Please trouble you and report it to us as soon as possible."
When it comes to the relationship between the two countries, no matter how much the Yun Kingdom's court despises the Li Dynasty, it is impossible to use this method. It's just that these difficult officials at the bottom of the Yun Kingdom are taking the opportunity to deliberately create difficulties.
A weak country has no diplomacy. This sentence can be applied everywhere!
The Le Dynasty's national strength has been greatly damaged, and now it can only rely on the defense line of Yen Bai County to maintain it. In order to prevent Yun State from raising troops and freeing up its hands to restore the national strength as soon as possible, it is natural that it cannot be stubborn. No matter how humiliated it is, how can it still be maintained?
Can't lift the table?
Hearing that the envoy of Li Dynasty bowed his head in submission, this low-level official of the Li Cao suddenly felt relieved, his face softened slightly, he nodded and said something to the public:
"It's your duty, and you don't dare to neglect it!"
Li Hu's expression did not change and he once again said to the official of Li Cao:
"Good work!"
Li Hu's face turned slightly gloomy after seeing off the official Li Cao who was respectful and polite on the surface but extremely unruly in reality.
In the Li Dynasty, he, Li Hu, was one of the nine ministers. How could the clan of the Li Dynasty be so low-minded?
"Aohou, you just..." an official from the mission couldn't help but say.
Li Huyin said with a sullen face:
"These little devils are very difficult to deal with! The imperial dynasty is now weak. In order to get a chance to breathe, it can only be humble and petty. Remember, being impatient will mess up big plans. In the city of Zhongqing in Yun Kingdom, they will
Never let a moment of anger ruin the affairs of the country!"
When the officials heard this, they lowered their heads in frustration and said the same thing.
Li Hu took a deep breath, turned around and walked towards the room.
When he turned around, Li Hu suddenly used his peripheral vision to glance at Chen Liyan, who had been standing aside just now with a cold and ugly expression.
At this time, Chen Liyan looked at the humiliated colleagues around him and felt their humiliation. These colleagues would think of him from time to time and look at him with eyes full of anger and anger.
He knew very well that this was not directed at him, but at his father Chen Feng's anger.
Ever since his father Chen Feng's defeat in the war caused heavy losses to the country, he had often seen this look.
And it was the second time in just a few months that he had felt the shame that Yun Guo's court had despised and ignored, which made these colleagues go crazy with frustration.
Chen Liyan narrowed his eyes slightly, took a few deep breaths, suddenly stood up, and walked slowly to the courtyard filled with young colleagues.
Seven or eight guards from the Li Dynasty mission, wearing armor and covering their faces with iron armor, exuding an inexplicable cold aura, saw Chen Liyan leaving suddenly and quickly followed him closely.
When he reached an uninhabited land, Chen Liyan suddenly paused and said in a voice that only a few people around him could hear:
"Are you ready?"
"Don't worry, Major General, nothing will go wrong this time!"