The announcement of the edict to integrate the ceremonial courtyard attracted the attention of some court officials, but it did not cause much trouble.
Moreover, Li Jie’s behavior of dismantling institutions is not his original creation.
Didn’t Taizong and Zhenzong all operate in this way?
Occasionally, on a whim, I would add an organization, and occasionally I would lose interest and withdraw an organization. This is normal.
Counting all the dynasties and dynasties, there are not many dynasties that are as capable as the emperors of the Song Dynasty.
Of course, the ones who were hurt the most by this incident were undoubtedly the etiquette officials present today.
No matter what the officials thought, it happened after they taught them.
If I can't control the official family, is it possible that I can't control you?
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Generally speaking, whenever Khitan tribute envoys arrived, the Song court would hold a banquet in Yujin Garden outside Nanxun Gate to entertain the envoys.
The water of the Min River runs through Yujin Garden. There are rare and rare animals in the garden. There is a Shuixin Palace in the garden. This garden is an exclusive garden for the royal family.
However, the time when the Khitan envoys came this time coincided with Zhenzong's mourning period. Neither the Queen Mother nor the ministers in power had any intention of making any big arrangements.
Because it is inconsistent with etiquette!
Therefore, this time we only held a banquet in the back garden to entertain the Khitan envoys.
The banquet was held in a low-key manner, and the number of participants was not large, limited to high-ranking civil and military ministers.
Today, only more than ten years have passed since the signing of the Chanyuan Alliance. The Khitan and the Song Dynasty are in the honeymoon period, although there are occasional small disputes in the border areas.
But overall, there were no major conflicts on the Song-Liao border.
Therefore, nothing embarrassing happened at the banquet.
The Khitan envoys routinely read out the birthday message written by Liao Shengzong, and then presented congratulatory gifts.
As usual, the court also gave a gift in return.
After about an hour, the banquet ended. With the support of the chamberlain, the Khitan envoy left the back garden.
Immediately afterwards, other courtiers also walked out of the palace under the guidance of the chamberlain.
Liu E was in a good mood today, so she drank a few more glasses of wine. By the end of the banquet, she was already a bit drunk.
"Madam, I will take you back."
Li Jie supported Liu E and led her to the car beside him in a friendly manner.
"Brother Six, this is the second time you have met the envoy. You have met him twice. What do you think of the Northern Dynasty?"
(ps: Since the signing of the Chanyuan Alliance, Song and Liao have become brotherly states, with the Song Dynasty being the brother. The two countries call each other the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Liao Kingdom is the Northern Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty is the Northern Dynasty.)
"I think it should not be called the 'Northern Dynasty'. There is only one China in the world. Except for me, the Song Dynasty, everyone is barbarian."
"good!"
Hearing this, Liu E nodded with satisfaction. She had actually called Khitan 'Northern Dynasty' on purpose.
In her heart, Khitan is not a good bird.
At that time, the Khitan Empress Dowager Xiao and Yelu Longxu (Liao Shengzong) personally led the army southward and penetrated deep into the Song Dynasty. In that battle, they were in danger of death.
Although she was just a 'beauty' and not a queen at that time, she would never forget the scene at that time.
"Does Sixth Brother have the intention to regain Yan Yun?"
Suddenly, Liu E stopped and looked at Li Jie beside her with burning eyes.
She asked so suddenly that not only Li Jie was shocked, but also the palace and chamberlains nearby were shocked.
Li Jie did not reply immediately, but remained silent for a moment.
On the other side, seeing the officials silent, Liu E smiled, her smile was very free and easy.
"Brother Six, Madam, no matter what you think in your heart, there is one thing you must remember. The Khitan's military front is far from comparable to the troops of Dangxiang and Tubo."
"In the future, if Sixth Brother inherits the legacy of our ancestors, he must first conquer the northwest and then go on the Northern Expedition."
The northwest region has always been a dangerous place.
Liu E saw this very clearly, just like at the beginning of the founding of the Song Dynasty, Taizu made a strategy of going south first and then north.
how so?
Persimmon picks the weak one first, the Northern Han is backed by the Khitan, and the two are allies of each other. Once they choose to go to war with the Northern Han, they must be prepared to face the Northern Han and the Khitan at the same time.
Therefore, a stable rear area is extremely important.
Only by first pacifying the countries south of the Yangtze River and eliminating worries can we mobilize all our military strength and mobilize the whole country to fight against the Northern Han and Khitan.
And now, the same is the case.
The Xia people are ambitious. If Song and Liao were to fight, the Xia people would definitely take the opportunity to invade the border. This is an ironclad fact.
"I will be taught."
Li Jie bowed to Liu E respectfully. He didn't know whether Liu E was inspired by this or something else.
But the implication of these words is self-evident.
Since Liu E can say these words, it means that she plans to completely delegate power.
Otherwise, there is no need for her to tell herself to be on guard against the Xia people and the Khitans now. Liu E can wait until the day when power is truly delegated.
"Let's go for a walk with the eldest lady."
With that said, Liu E waved her hand to the palace attendants on the side, indicating that they did not need to prepare the carriage frame.
The lights are dim, and the palace lanterns dotted with stars stretch up and down, like a swimming dragon, criss-crossing the imperial city.
Under the illumination of the palace lanterns, the shadows of Li Jie and Liu E were very long.
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The seventh day of the first lunar month.
Official post outside Tokyo.
Looking at the busy flow of people on the official road, Kou Zhun couldn't help but feel a little excited in his heart.
The capital is so close. As long as he wants to, he can enter the city in less than two hours. If he goes at full speed, the time will be faster.
At this time, just after noon, Kou Zhun and his party were able to enter the city before the city gate closed.
But Kou Zhun ordered Ren Shouzhong to stop.
Today, he will not enter the city!
Not only today, he will not enter the city tomorrow.
Tomorrow, the eighth day of the first lunar month, is Changning Festival!
Kou Zhun didn't want to join in the fun on the Queen Mother's birthday.
If nothing unexpected happens, the Empress Dowager will receive birthday wishes from her attendants and Khitan envoys at the Chongzheng Hall tomorrow.
winter!
winter!
"Prime Minister Kou, someone is coming from the palace."
Kou Zhun frowned when he heard the voice coming from outside the door. After a moment, he gave the order directly.
"not see!"
What else could be the reason for the people coming to the palace at this time?
Thinking about it with your toes, you can tell that they were probably urged to enter the city.
outside the door.
Upon hearing Kou Zhun's refusal so simply, Ren Shouzhong couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Kou Xiang's temper is exactly as rumored.
The envoy came and said he couldn't see him, but he didn't see him.
In the whole world, Kou Xiang is probably the only one.
"Liu Huangmen, do you see?"
Immediately afterwards, Ren Shouzhong glanced at Liu Maoqin behind him, with a bit of helplessness in his eyes.
"Before leaving, the officials told me that everything should be decided by Ren Fengfeng."
Liu Maoqin bowed slightly and said modestly.
Ren Shouzhong felt even more helpless after hearing this. After thinking about it, he knocked on the door again.
"Prime Minister Kou, the officials have oral instructions."
At the moment, he has no choice but to use the name of the official family.
"not see!"
As expected, Kou Xiang's reply was the same as before, without even changing his tone.