Today is the New Year's Eve, the capital of Shang Qi is extremely lively, and the Royal Villa will naturally not stop. All kinds of delicacies and pastries, seasonal fruits are served on the table like flowing water, the jade legs of the palace maids disappear and appear, and the water sleeves and silk skirts are dancing gracefully. The time is wonderful. The civil and military officials were arranged on both sides and given seats. In the middle, there was a man wearing a yellow robe, white and beardless, with a square and elegant face. He was the emperor of Shang Qi, and he invited the ministers to have a banquet in the imperial garden to celebrate the festival.
The imperial capital of Shang Qi was named Na'an, which was named after the old emperor when he established the capital. It took the meaning of "the sea accommodates scribes from all rivers and protects the prosperity and tranquility of a country". It is located in the east of the country, and the climate is more suitable for people to live than in the west. There happens to be a spring in the city that is nurtured by heaven and earth. It is always hot all year round. Being in it makes you feel comfortable physically and mentally. You are not afraid of the cold winter. It is also located near the air cave where the imperial energy is the most abundant in Feng Shui. So it took eight years to build Qihuang Palace here. The spring water Imperial gardens were built around it. The Royal Garden is wrapped in hot mist from the spring water. Even if the cold wind is biting in winter, the palace ladies in the Royal Garden only wear light veils to reveal large areas of snow-white skin, and they will not feel too cold.
Today, banquets are never held in the main hall or the palace. The Holy Sage once said that in the main hall, we are kings and ministers, and in the imperial garden, we are drinking companions. Why bother talking about the difference between kings and ministers all day long? Others are not tired, but I am troubled.
It is not difficult to see that this emperor of Shang Qi was quite approachable and open-minded, and he had a very high prestige even in the hearts of the common people. Although he took the throne not long ago, the weather in Shang Qi was smooth, and the occasional famine and floods were managed properly and timely. He was indeed a king. There is a wise king.
Just when he was drunk after three rounds of wine, His Majesty Longyan Xiaoyue took off his yellow robe, raised his glass and walked to the table of the Prime Minister sitting next to him. The current Prime Minister is named Xun Wenqu. Tao Lue's plans are extremely meticulous, and he is known as the unparalleled counselor of the Three Kingdoms in the West. It is hard to imagine how ruthless and ruthless this old man, who was thin and short with gray hair and beard, used to rectify the Ruxuan Rebellion that shook the whole country.
Seeing His Majesty approaching, the old man quickly stood up and wanted to bow down. However, he was older and his hands and feet were not as nimble as His Majesty in his prime. His Majesty took his arm and almost forced him to stand up.
"Don't be too restrained. This is not a court, and there is no need for complicated etiquette." The emperor held the Xun Wenqu wine bottle in his left hand, touched it lightly with the wine bottle in his right hand, and drank it all in one gulp. "Thank you for your majesty's great love, I am scared."
The emperor thought for a moment and lowered his voice and said: "I recently heard that there is a lineage of the Xun family, who violated family rules ten years ago and was demoted to Xilang County. It is not convenient for me to interfere in the Xun family's family affairs, but I heard that the two fathers and sons of that lineage are famous for their talents. After all, We are all blood relatives. On this festive occasion, why not I make a decree to move the father and son back to the imperial capital as a favor. What do you think, Ai Qing?" Then he rubbed the wine bottle and waited quietly for the old man's answer.
Frowning, Xun Wenqu continued to speak slowly: "Although Xun Ji is academically talented, he looks like a wolf. The old ministers are afraid that he will return to the imperial capital and be reused by His Majesty, and that he will have power over the government and the opposition, thus shaking the country." The emperor nodded and remained silent. "According to what I see, your Majesty would like to consider this matter carefully. If you just appreciate Xun Ji's talent, I think there are other candidates."
After the banquet was over, the civil servants and generals returned home happily. The city of Na'an is huge, and the residences of the ministers are spread throughout the city. The journey up and down the court is long, and there are also rare old ministers with sixty-year-old legs and feet. Therefore, they ride in sedans in spring and autumn, and servants drive carriages to go to court in winter and summer. Naturally, it became a symbol of the high officials in the court. .
Xun Wenqu never rode in a carriage, let alone a sedan. He always walked before and after court. He walked from the main hall across the White Jade Bridge, left the palace canal, and walked to Panlong Street. He walked through three long streets and dozens of alleys. Arrive at the Prime Minister's Mansion. Over time, it has almost become a scene in Na'an City. Every day, children fighting with crickets, vendors picking goods, and patrolling government officials can all see the prime minister in his sixties with gray hair walking tremblingly through the streets and alleys of the capital.
It was the same today. As soon as Xun Wenqu reached the end of Panlong Street, the sound of thunder suddenly started, and he stopped and looked back in surprise.
A firework bloomed in the dusk sky, illuminating the palace and the long street in front of it. In an instant, more fireworks exploded in the sky, printing colorful lights on the faces of the people who heard the sound. Standing in the middle of the end of the street, you can see the smooth straight bluestone avenue, reflecting the colorful tassels of the sky like a pool of water. Red paper lanterns are hung on both sides of the long street, fluttering in the wind beside the eaves and doors.
Colorful tassels flowed across the prime minister's wrinkled and smiling old face.
An old fisherman with a light boat and clear water will never be able to defeat the imperial capital in the smoke of willows.
