Fifteen days later, in the royal tribute field, there was a strong plowing cow dressed in red and colorful, pulling a new plow also dressed in red and colorful behind it. Emperor Li Er helped the plow, and the chief agricultural officer personally led the cow, surrounded by officials participating in the plowing ceremony. them. Even in the distance, outside the circle formed by the imperial guards, the people of Chang'an City came to watch the ceremony and cheer.
As the ceremonial officer finished reading the document, a whip cracked, and the spring plowing ceremony officially began. The plowing oxen moved forward steadily under the guidance of the great farmer Su Quan. Emperor Li Er's handling of the plow showed that he was novice at first sight, and there was a lot of applause from everyone around.
Xiao Rui clicked his tongue and said, "Can't you tell that your majesty, who was born in a noble family and has spent half his life in the military, is actually very skilled at farming?"
"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, you can't see, you can't see, there are too many people, hug me quickly, I want to watch from a high place." Xiao Changle beside him kept shaking Xiao Rui's arm anxiously.
Xiao Rui lovingly picked up Xiao Changle, let her sit on his shoulders, and said lovingly: "You girl, you are such a good princess, but you don't want to go to the table, but you want to come to my side. I don't have anything here. You get front-row treatment like royalty, and you have to stand and watch.”
But little Changle giggled contentedly, and even waved to say hello to Princess Xiangcheng and others not far away. Look, look, I have grown taller, the tallest in the audience...
"Sister-in-law, stop shaking my hat. Hey, don't pull my hair..." The two made a fuss, but the officials around them didn't pay attention. Everyone was talking and laughing as they watched the emperor start plowing.
Seeing the soil being turned up quickly, the plows cutting through meat without any hindrance, and the trotting speed of the cattle, the people cheered louder and louder. Great, new style. The plows are plowing at such a fast pace that I won’t have to worry about this year’s spring plowing.
But at this moment, a sudden change occurred. There was an inaudible crisp sound, and the originally steady-footed plowing cow suddenly knelt down on one of its front legs, and then fell headfirst to the ground, causing Su Tan, the great farmer, to stumble. He staggered and fell directly onto the cow.
All the cheers and sounds at the scene stopped suddenly, and for a moment, it seemed as if the world had stopped.
this……
Xiao Rui was startled, and quickly handed Xiao Changle to the people around him, then flew into the tribute field in a few steps, leaned over and grabbed Da Sinong.
Seeing that the other party's face was pale, Xiao Rui grabbed Su Dan's pulse door and asked with concern: "How is it? Are you injured?"
Su Dan grabbed Xiao Rui's hand tightly and said with a strong breath: "It's okay. Leave me alone. Nothing can happen to the Spring Plowing Ceremony. This is a good sign for the Tang Dynasty. Help me up."
Many ministers and guards rushed forward and surrounded the emperor with concern.
After inspecting the cattle, Da Sinong looked very ugly. He bowed and apologized to the emperor, "Your Majesty, one of the cattle's legs was broken for some reason. I apologize, sir."
Li Er also knew that something happened at this time, which was not a good sign, but he had to get the job done no matter what. The broken calf was beyond human control, so there was no one to blame.
Li Er personally helped Su Dan, the chief clerk, and comforted him: "Ai Qing, broken legs of plowing cows are common in the world. If someone comes, please bring another cow. For such a good plow, maybe this cow is too good. You are stupid, you are not qualified to use this heaven-given plow."
Xiao Rui carefully observed the reactions of the people around him and found that everyone was generally in a low mood and full of worry. This shows how much people in this era care about luck.
After thinking for a while, Xiao Rui saluted and said: "Your Majesty, how about replacing someone with pulling the plow? The Spring Plowing Ceremony was originally meant to be the beginning of plowing across the country, but our Tang Dynasty has just started, and many people do not have large animals, so they have to use people as a last resort. Come and pull the plow. Your Majesty started plowing to set an example for the world. He also uses people to pull the plow, and he can better understand the hardships of folk farming."
Da Sinong quickly agreed: "Yes, what Xiao Shaoqing said is reasonable, and I agree with you. Using people to pull the plow can also let the people around you see the results of the God-given plow. Even if you use people, it will not be slower than big animals."
Li Er understood and laughed and said: "Okay, this is what I want! Dear gentlemen, who is willing to pull the plow?"
Um? ?
Ministers, you look at me and I look at you, thinking that we are here to observe the ceremony. If we really end up pulling plows, wouldn't we be acting like oxen and horses in front of many people? Civil servants care about their body and face, and military generals also have some opinions. Everyone looked at me and I looked at you, and they hesitated for a few seconds.
Cheng Yaojin gently pushed Yuchi Jingde next to him with his arm, "Old Hei, you are as strong as an ox, so it is best for you to go."
Yuchi Jingde didn't know it was a joke, so he shook his head and shouted: "I'm not going! I want you to go, I'm wearing a new robe today, don't let it get torn again. It's so cold, you can't go shirtless Bar?"
Pfft... Many people burst into laughter. Li Er's face was as dark as ink, and he said to himself that this kind of respect is more likely to fail than succeed. If you don't pull, you won't pull. Why are you shouting? Are clothes more important or important events?
Lao Gao, the chamberlain, stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, please give me your order!"
Fortunately, there was a personal valet who took care of his face. Li Er looked better, snorted coldly and was about to speak.
But he was overtaken by the Chief Secretary Nong Su Dan: "Your Majesty, as the Chief Secretary Nong, I am in charge of the world's agricultural affairs. Today is the plowing ceremony. It is supposed that I should accompany Your Majesty to drive the plow. Therefore, no one can have the honor of pulling the plow." Old minister, grab it!"
Xiao Rui quickly whispered: "Da Sinong, think twice, your body..."
Su Dan firmly held Xiao Rui down, "If nothing happens to Qigeng, the people will feel at ease. Even if I die from exhaustion, it's worth it. I've been busy farming all my life. If I can die in the field, wouldn't it be an honor?"
With that said, he took the initiative to take off the reins and lasso from the cattle and put it on himself without hesitation.
Xiao Rui was really moved by the old man. He grabbed the reins, glanced disdainfully at the many ministers who were watching, and then laughed and said: "Your Majesty, when ordinary people farm, it is usually the young and old who work together. The elderly Two strong young men were pulling the plow. How about you and I pulling the plow today, and the great farmer helping the plow? Let the people of the world see how efficiently ordinary families can use this God-given plow."
Su Dan was shocked and quickly stopped.
Li Er saw it all, and he was deeply moved by Su Dan's spirit. I thought Xiao Rui was going to pull the plow with Su Dan. But I didn’t expect this boy to be so bold that he dared to let the king of his country work as a farm cow?
Sure enough, as soon as Xiao Rui finished speaking, officials from the Ministry of Rites scolded him one after another: "You are so outrageous. Your Majesty is the king of a country. Xiao Rui, how dare you let your Majesty act like a cow or a horse?"
Xiao Rui didn't say anything, and Li Er didn't say anything either. The people around him hadn't gotten over the loss of the cow's broken leg just now, and now they were going to watch another good show. How did the imperial court and His Majesty view farming? So they didn't speak, just watched quietly.
At this moment, Xiao Changle ran in. Seeing so many people criticizing Xiao Rui, how could the little guy be willing?
He stretched out his little hand and grabbed the thick rein. Because his hand was too small, he couldn't even hold it completely.
Then he blushed and yelled at the ministers: "Hey, why are you bullying people? You are all cowards who don't want to pull me, but you won't let me pull you? Humph, brother-in-law, I'll pull it with you."
Uh-huh!
Although the child's words were soft, they were slapped in the face, and the faces of everyone present instantly turned red with embarrassment. This was even harder than being slapped with a thorn stick, and it made our old faces burn with pain. No one dared to speak out.
Emperor Li Er also glanced at the civil and military officials, snorted coldly, and secretly cursed them all as trash.
Turning to look at his son-in-law and youngest daughter, Li Er nodded happily, "What Xiao Aiqing said is exactly what I want. I am the emperor who patrols hunting on behalf of the sky, and am I not the one who pulls plows for the people of the world? Su Aiqing, Help the plow!”
Why!
Su Dan was moved to tears and didn't say any more compliments. He just responded and hurried over to take over the new plow. The people of the world are lucky to have such a wise king.
At this time, all the officials came to their senses and rushed up to pull the plow one by one. hehe? Only now do you think of crying at the grave? Is it a little late? Xiao Rui sneered.
Sure enough, Li Er waved everyone away without ceremony.
Xiao Rui leaned over and pulled little Changle to whisper a few words. The little guy turned around and trotted to where the royal children were watching, "Brother Prince, my brother-in-law asked me to call you to come with us."
