The sun has gone down and the night is gradually opening, but the dinner party in the attic of the front hall of the General's Mansion is not over yet. The maids brought candles and lit them on the lampstand. The candlelight immediately covered the quaint hall with a layer of orange.
of brilliance.
"Guan Guan Jiujiu, in the river island. A graceful lady, a gentleman is fond of hunting. The water plants are scattered here and there..." The singing and dancing girls sang and danced in unison. Accompanied by the percussion of gold and stone, and the tunes of silk and bamboo orchestras,
The voices of the young women singing the chorus are delicate and beautiful, but also seem to have a sense of simple and melodious elegance.
The breeze accompanies the dance steps, blowing the fragrance of makeup and powder to all sides, floating in the dining room. The long sleeves of the dancers are fluttering, and the wide sleeves of their skirts rise and fall in sequence. They look like the waves of the river, and remind people of beauties by the water.
All the gentlemen present here looked happy, as if they were intoxicated by the wine, singing and dancing.
The night seems to make the dancers even more beautiful. It is rare to see almost flawless girls, and the hazy light can just cover up the details. People only see the general lines of the young woman, and through imagination, they will always see them.
Fill in the beautiful details in your mind.
There is almost no nightlife in the Wei Dynasty. People almost go to bed at night. The main reason is that there is a curfew, and people are strictly prohibited from walking around on the streets at night. But the guests at the dinner are almost all subordinates of the general's palace. They don't have to go back.
Live directly in the mansion.
Although the subordinate officials all have mansions in Luoyang, it doesn't hurt to live in the General's Mansion from time to time. The mansion built by Cao Shuang can station three thousand troops and horses, and there are many houses. It is natural for several subordinate officials to live in it.
Except for Ma Mao, all those present at the table were subordinate officials of the General's Mansion.
Xin Chang and Wang Jun are no longer here. The new chief minister is Chen Qian, Chen Tingwei's younger brother. Sitting next to him is the Zhonglang Zhonghui. To the east is Sima Wang Kang, and the military adviser Wang Hun who was recruited not long ago.
, Literary Press Xunxu, chief clerk Lu Xun. Military generals Rao Dashan, Qi Da and others were also at the table.
Before the banquet, Qin Liang had also arranged an official position for Ma Mao, the general, as a lieutenant. Since Ma Mao had no foundation in Luoyang and did not know many people, he first served as a subordinate officer to familiarize himself with the environment; he also served as a general in the palace.
Being a subordinate is also a kind of official status.
Ma Mao was sitting at the banquet, looking relaxed and happy, enjoying the singing and dancing with leisurely interest. He was obviously very satisfied with Qin Liang's appointment. Many of the subordinate officials who came out of the General's Mansion were ministers of the third and fourth grades, at least
The fifth-grade county governor was appointed. Not only that, Qin Liang also gave Ma Mao a mansion in Luoyang and the property as a gift.
Qin Liang was already a little dizzy from drinking. Fortunately, tonight's reception banquet was attended by officials from the General's Palace, so there were not that many people toasting.
After an unknown amount of time, the music stopped for a while, and a burst of chatter, laughter and praise came from the hall. Zhong Hui's voice said: "I heard this before, what was the melody like just now?"
Xun Xu said: "The new arrangement of ancient poems, the posture of the dancer, the flowing clouds and flowing water are pleasing to the eye."
Qin Liang was a little surprised when he heard what the two people said.
Research.
As for the dance music just adapted from the Book of Songs, in order to add elements of ancient style, the soundtrack has chimes and percussion. There may be something wrong with the music. Xun Xu was unwilling to pay compliments against his will, but he didn't want to upset people in public, so he just talked about it?
Qin Liang raised his glass calmly and said with a smile: "I'll ask Mr. Zeng to re-adjust the instrument and rhythm later."
Xun Xu suddenly turned his head, then smiled and said: "It's a servant's duty. But I'm not lying. The family dancer of the general's palace is really good at dancing. He has a beautiful smile, a look of hope, and a brisk dance that makes people feel like they are bathed in the spring breeze. It must be
The general is always kind to me."
Qin Liang laughed "haha" and said: "They don't have sad faces, it's good if they can help the wine."
Qin Liang really doesn't care about these details, but the general's palace often has noble officials coming and going, so paying attention to all aspects can really improve the standard of the banquet guests.
Xun Xu immediately picked up the dendrobium and said: "To the great general, I wish you good luck in returning to the Wei Dynasty."
Ma Mao said: "When I was in Soochow, I often thought about the Wei Dynasty and went to Luodu. I have returned today. General, all my colleagues have treated me warmly. I am overjoyed. Please do it first as a token of respect."
"The Le De Bento is just like going home, no need to be formal." Qin Liang said to Ma Mao, and toasted to the left and right. Everyone drank it up in one gulp.
After a while, the music started playing again, and several women filed in, bowed their knees to the people on their seats, and danced the Qingshang dance again.
Everyone drank wine, enjoyed the songs and dances, talked and laughed from time to time, and the dinner was held until late at night. It was actually longer than the last family dinner. Qin Liang was staggering, so everyone sent him to the gatehouse of the inner house.
Let the maids support you.
But Qin Liang is not completely drunk yet. Even if he is drunk, he will not be confused.
Sure enough, when Lingjun brought the sweet soup to sober up, he asked about the beauty Ma Mao sent. Qin Liang said it was Queen Wu, and did not forget to say that Queen Wu came to avoid trouble and he did not touch her.
You were greatly surprised! Qin Liang then gave a general account of how the Wu Kingdom fell into discord and how Empress Pan was "invited" to Luoyang by Ma Mao.
Pan Shu finally managed to achieve the status of queen, at least recognized by the Wu State, and she would also have the title of empress dowager in the future. At this time, her thoughts were obviously not in the Wei State. Therefore, although Pan Shu was temporarily settled in the palace
, she probably only treats herself as a guest.
Ling Jun had no objection to Qin Liang taking concubines, but he just didn't want to get along with a woman he couldn't stand. For a guest like Pan Shu, even if Qin Liang touched her, Ling Jun would probably not care. Qin Liang first said that he had never touched her
, seems to be just a superfluous statement, but what he said is indeed the truth.
Pan Shu was so beautiful that she seemed to have no need to take responsibility. Qin Liang accidentally caught a glimpse of the beautiful scenery, so he naturally felt close to her. However, Pan Shu refused a little, so Qin Liang stopped forcing her.
She carries poisonous wine with her and is ready to commit suicide at any time? Why bother forcing Qin Liang? Besides, he said that he felt the same for Pan Shu's situation, which is naturally not nonsense. Even if Ma Mao said that he has divinity, Qin Liang has recently been obsessed with some mysterious things.
Wu was already a little doubtful and quite curious about it, but after weighing it, he still didn't force it.
But in any case, Pan Shu's identity is indeed extraordinary. She was the queen in the Wu State, and she was also the legitimate Queen of Wu in the Wei State!
If Pan Shu's identity had to be kept secret, the etiquette standards for receiving the queen should not have been so simple. Things like ritual music should be one of the ways to maintain the order of the monarchy. Therefore, Xun Xu valued the rhythm of elegant musical instruments to a certain extent.
principle.
The next day, when Qin Liang went to Shangshu Province to inquire about government affairs, he heard that Empress Dowager Guo had closed his family, so he planned to tell Empress Dowager Guo about it.
The Shangshu Provincial Courtyard is in the eastern area of the palace. Going north is the court hall. There are several buildings in the middle, which are called closed doors.
Qin Liang left Shangshu Province, went out through a door on the northwest side of the courtyard, and then entered a gatehouse. After passing through the gatehouse, he saw the eunuch Zhang Huan in the courtyard. After Zhang Huan informed him, Qin Liang took off his shoes at the door and left.
Go into the attic to meet you.
The emperor gave him the honor of "Like Xiao He's Story", but he didn't necessarily have to use it. For example, when going to court, he usually still didn't wear a sword.
The door of the attic was small and opened in the southeast corner. When Qin Liang walked in, he saw Queen Mother Guo sitting west and facing east, kneeling alone behind the curtain, with documents on the desk.
Zhang Huan and other eunuchs and maids stood outside the door to greet him, and Qin Liang was not in a hurry to talk about Queen Pan.
Empress Dowager Guo's solemn and pleasant voice spoke first: "I heard that Wang Jing is about to arrive in Luoyang to take up his post. Does the general know about it? What is his talent and virtue?"
When Qin Liang heard this, he immediately determined that Queen Mother Guo had been the Queen Mother for so many years. Although she almost always listened to the wishes of powerful ministers, she should understand the government affairs.
Several powerful ministers usually care more about military power, but apart from that, the Shangshu Province has also had great power since the Wei Dynasty. Therefore, Empress Dowager Guo would specifically ask about the candidate for Shangshu Pushe.
The implication of Queen Mother Guo's words was that she was probably asking if she was one of her own.
Qin Liang thought for a while and then replied: "Wang Jing is my hometown fellow in Jizhou. After he was dismissed from office, he re-entered the court because of my recommendation. When he was in Luoyang, he would also go to the house for banquets. However,
I feel that Wang Jing's talent lies not in military affairs, but in returning to Luoyang to serve as an official, or to be able to better utilize his talents."
He paused for a moment and continued, "When Yan Wei was the governor of the county, Cao Shuang gave him dozens of pieces of silk and asked him to go to Soochow to trade. He thought it was a humiliation, so he abandoned his official position and returned to his hometown. Later, because of his mother's advice
, and then returned to the court to take responsibility for his crimes. From what I saw, Yanwei valued integrity and kindness, and if he had to abide by his duties, there should be no serious problems. The court has its own laws. If most people only do what they should do,
Natural government guides people and people.”
Queen Mother Guo thought for a while, nodded slightly and said: "The general's words make sense."
Qin Liang said calmly: "Shang Shu's right servant She is Xin Chang (promoted by General Shi). He and Wang Jing are both upright men. They are in charge of Shangshu Province. Your Highness, don't worry about it."
When Queen Mother Guo heard this, she didn't ask any more questions.
For a moment, Qin Liang remembered the story of Zhao Kuangyin in later generations after Chen Qiao's mutiny. There was a small official guarding the bridge who refused to let him go because he did not have a seal from the Secretary. But Zhao Kuangyin later praised the small official because people who abide by the rules and laws are actually
It is also the cornerstone of maintaining the order of the dynasty. On the other hand, if everyone is loyal but only cares about the camp and does not follow the rules, he can betray others, and he can betray himself once he has the opportunity!
In Qin Liang's view, Wang Jing has some similarities with Yang Hu, Xun Xu, and Chen Tai. He probably cherishes feathers, is more principled in doing things, and does what he does and what he doesn't do. Such people often
It's not very easy to use, but it's almost never messy or backstabbing.
Especially now, the emperor is still young and cannot bypass Zhongshu Province and issue recognized edicts. However, Qin Liang is the justifiable Grand Governor and General Lu Shangshu, and has mastered the military and political power of the Wei State. From the system
Legally and morally, Wang Jing and others have no chance to get entangled.
If anyone could possibly use them, it would be Queen Mother Guo!
But Queen Mother Guo is a trustworthy person, not to mention that she has no kindness to most foreign ministers, and it is even harder for her to use those kind of people.
So Qin Liang believed that there was no need to get rid of or exclude all officials who were not his own. Besides, were those who showed their loyalty really completely reliable?
Of course, it is always dangerous to be a powerful minister. To truly be honest and upright, you must also have the title of emperor!