The first day of the first lunar month is the first day of the year, so it is called Yuan Day.
Since the Han Dynasty, the whole country has held banquets on this day to celebrate and pray for peace and joy in the coming year.
In the early morning, officials and officials gathered outside Duanmen to wait. Tai Leling also arrived early and asked his band to wait in front of Jianshi Hall.
Before the sky started to turn white, the ministers and the princes and kings who had made the pilgrimage had already arrived. At this time, the palace had already made preparations. Fire pots were burning inside and outside the palace. In the dark dawn that had not yet faded, looking from a distance, it looked like stars were embedded in the night.
Zhu Shuo, the leader of the Central Military Commission, also arranged for all battalions of the Forbidden Army to be closely guarded and patrolled early in the morning to ensure that there would be no trouble in the DPRK.
Seeing that the princes and kings who came to attend the banquet and the officials with a rank of less than 2,000 stones were all in order, the waiting attendants began to arrange for everyone to go towards the inner imperial city from Yunlong Gate and East Zhonghua Gate.
The officials walked in an orderly manner along the stone street in the palace to the Jianshi Hall, the banquet venue to the west.
Seats have been prepared for hundreds of officials and princes in the palace. Under the guidance of the visitor, everyone took their seats according to their hierarchy, waiting for the arrival of the king.
Different from the serious atmosphere of going to court on weekdays, today is a day of prayer and celebration, so the officials are not restrained at this time, greeting and congratulating each other casually.
At this time, Taiyue ordered Du Kui to lead the musicians to play elegant music. Huang Zhongdalu, Yangchun Baixue, the emperor entered the palace in this happy and graceful scene. All the officials also stopped noisy conversations, bowed down before the desk, and congratulated Cao Pi in unison: "Your Majesty, you will live a long life!"
"Everyone is safe." Emperor Cao Pi seemed to be in a good mood today. He straightened his clothes, sat upright on the imperial seat, and returned the courtesy to the officials with a smile.
The elegant music played by the musicians was the song "Ping of Chu" written to commemorate Emperor Cao Cao's conquest of the world. [Note 1: This piece of music is one of the twelve pieces of "Wei Drum and Drum Music" composed by Miao Xi, a veteran of the four dynasties of the Wei Dynasty. 】
In the Jianshi Hall, the dancers' fairy sleeves are flying, and the beautiful women's clever smiles are reflected by the swaying candle shadows and melodious singing, making people feel like a temple and a fairy palace, and they are unconsciously intoxicated.
"The peace of Chu, the righteous army marched.
The gods are vigorous and the golden drums are beating.
Maiwu De, become famous.
The Han Dynasty is weak and the country is weak.
The emperor's way is lost, Huan and Ling.
..."
Hearing this song, the emperor and ministers felt relaxed and happy, and felt a mixture of emotions.
Thinking about the time when Emperor Wu Cao Cao raised his troops and killed all the heroes, wasn't it true that he was brave in martial arts and virtuous in martial arts? Nowadays, the Wei Dynasty is reborn, and all kinds of wastes are prosperous. How can people not be full of hope?
“When China disturbs us, God’s discipline is light.
Emperor Hewu raises the flag.
If you command the world, the world will be peaceful.
Jiuzhou, Jiuzhou Ning.
..."
"My dear friends, drink this cup to the full!"
Although Cao Pi was not drunk, he did not feel that he was guilty of singing.
My father is an unparalleled hero. Although he was only an extremely popular minister and a king in his lifetime, he was not as powerful as myself, who sat in the world and was the most respected person in the world. But how can I compare with my father now?
However, if you think about the ancestors of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, none of them is a hero. However, the sixth emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Ying Zhengfen, was still able to surpass his ancestors and establish unparalleled achievements. What's more, I have a long time to come. If I dominate the world by then, won't I surpass my father?
“Create martial arts and achieve martial arts.
There are five emperors of Yue and three kings of Miao.
Promote rites and music, and set rules and regulations.
The sun and the moon shine together. "
"Congratulations to your majesty, long live your majesty and long live Wei!"
When all the officials saw the emperor raising their glasses, they all held their glasses to congratulate the emperor. The king and his ministers each drank a full bottle.
After the music was played, all the civil and military officials below the prince and below two thousand stones presented gifts and congratulations to the emperor in order according to their rank. Before the official banquet started, it was indeed tiring to go through a set of etiquette, but Cao Pi was in a good mood today and didn't feel too tired. After the congratulations were completed, Cao Pi got up and went into the inner hall to rest for a while, and then came out to accept the congratulations from the princes and officials of more than two thousand stones.
Not long after, elegant music resumed and the emperor returned. The visitor led all the kings and ministers to see him one by one.
Da Honglu knelt down and said, "Please congratulate me!"
The Master of Ceremonies also praised: "The Emperor has extended the power of the princes to the throne!"
At this time, Cao Zhi, the Marquis of Linzi, Cao Zhang, the Marquis of Yanling, as well as Cao Yu, Cao Gun and other emperor brothers, princes and kings, etc., paid homage in front of the palace in order of title.
Da Honglu knelt down to praise the princes and said: "The vassal ministers Zhencheng Hou Zhi, Yanling Hou Zhang... wait until each one is presented to the white wall, and then I will congratulate you."
Taichang said: "The princes are here.".
Immediately afterwards, the visitor who was responsible for the reception led Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang and other clan princes to the palace steps, and presented the jade bi to congratulate the emperor in front of the imperial case.
The emperor met all the brothers and princes, and after greeting each other, the visitor led the princes to their respective places.
Immediately afterwards, Qi Gong Cao Rui led all the princes, Te Jin, and Nan Shanyu of the Huns to the palace to congratulate him.
"Qi Gongchen Rui, together with the kings, Te Jin, and the Xiongnu Chanyu, wish your majesty a thousand years of life!"
Cao Pi looked at his eldest son, smiled and nodded.
Next, Xia Houshang, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu and other generals with gold seals and purple ribbons also presented congratulatory gifts in turn:
"General Zhengnan, Marquis of Changling Township, Chen Shang, General Zhengxi, Marquis of Dongxiang, Chenzhen, General Zhennan, Marquis of Dongyangting, Xiu, congratulations to Your Majesty on a thousand years of life!"
"Bo Ren, Zi Dan, Wen Lie, no need to be polite, please get up quickly."
Looking at his childhood best friends, who were now his confidants, Cao Pi suddenly felt reassured. With them here, he was not considered a "lonely person."
Xia Houxuan was waiting next to his father's seat at the moment. He had never seen the grand scene in front of him, and he couldn't help but feel a little lost.
After all the barbarians arrived, the princes began to offer longevity wine unique to their fiefdoms to the emperor.
Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi and other princes held cups of wine in congratulations, and the visitors of each prince knelt down and said: "I, the lord of the vassal (the name of my lord), are waiting for me to offer you cups of wine. May I wish you a thousand years of life!"
At this time, the eunuch began to give royal wine to the ministers, which was called "baiguanjiu".
After the set of etiquette was almost over, it was finally time to relax a little. After the eunuch ordered him to kneel down and ask for the imperial meal, he began to distribute the imperial meal to all the officials. [Note 2: The historical materials on the etiquette of Cao and Wei in the Three Kingdoms are incomplete, here we refer to the "Xianning Notes" of the Western Jin Dynasty. 】
After all the ministers attended to express their gratitude, they returned to their respective places, and Taiyue Ling played elegant music again. All officials, princes, and emperors could enjoy the earliest banquet of the year.
"Dear gentlemen," Cao Pi raised his wine glass and said, "This should be the first time we hold a Yuan Ri party in Luoyang City. I still remember the grand occasion of Yuan Ri in Yedu when I was young. In a flash, Decades have passed. It is just as Emperor Wu said: Just like the morning dew, the past days will be more miserable. Today, our Wei Dynasty has just been established, and everything is in ruins waiting to be revitalized. I only hope that all the ministers will work hard with me to see peace in the world as soon as possible!"
All the officials stood up and sat up, raised their glasses and congratulated: "Your Majesty, live forever, and the Great Wei Dynasty will live forever!"
"I respectfully drink this cup!" Cao Pi stood up, raised his glass, and drank the whole cup together with all the officials.
The emperor reminisced about old times with Xia Houshang, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, and other brothers, princes and kings such as Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang. The ministers exchanged cups and cups and became slightly drunk without realizing it.
Cao Zhi, the Marquis of Zhencheng, was addicted to alcohol on weekdays. Unfortunately, the supervisors always made reports, so it was only on this day that he could drink to his heart's content.
"Your Majesty." Cao Zhi raised his wine glass and stood up and said, "I have just had a great feast, and I have suddenly got up and would like to write a poem for Your Majesty and his colleagues. I hope you will be kind to me."
"Okay, sure!" Cao Pi smiled drunkenly, raised his glass and took another swig.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Zhencheng has written a poem, and I would like to dance with my sword to entertain you!"
Before Cao Zhi finished speaking, he heard a clan member speaking loudly.
When Cao Pi raised his eyes, he saw that the majestic man with a yellow beard and red beard turned out to be his third brother Yanling Marquis Cao Zhang. Cao Pi, who was in a good mood, had no suspicion today and said with a smile: "It's all confirmed!"
I saw Cao Zhi stepping out of his seat, still holding the wine glass in his hand, and began to chant. Cao Zhang took the sword given by the emperor and started dancing in the banquet. The sword was shining like a cool breeze entering the palace.
"In the first year of Yuan Zuo's life, the auspicious days are very good. It is a grand gathering, and the banquet will be held in this high hall."
After Cao Zhi finished reciting a sentence, he realized that the wine in the cup had been drained, so he walked to Sima Yi's table, filled the wine glass, and continued to recite. Cao Zhang is like a dragon playing in the water, his sword is like flying wings, soaring freely above the hall. He once galloped on the battlefield with high spirits, but now he can only stay in a prison-like feudal country. At this moment, he seems to be venting his anger. The chest is like a fortress, the sword is shining brightly, and the ocean is unbridled.
Seeing this literary and martial arts, all the ministers couldn't help but admire him. But Cao Pi, for some reason, felt a little hesitant. Although he is talented in poetry and martial arts, compared to his two brothers, he has no brilliance at all.
"The hierarchy of superiority and inferiority is formal and well-organized. The clothes are fresh and clean, dark and yellow.
The Qing Dynasty is full of jue, sitting in the middle of the sky. The delicacies are assorted and full of roundness.
The Sheng and the pan are set up, and the Zheng and the harp are spread out. The tragic song is heard, and the Qing Dynasty is chewed. "
"Zijian is good at poetry, and Ziwen is good at swordsmanship!" Cao Zhen, the Marquis of Dongxiang, was so impressed by what he saw that he stood up and filled up the wine cup for Cao Zhi. Cao Zhi bowed his head to express his thanks and continued singing.
"Looking down at Wenxuan, looking up at Hualiang. May this good deed be preserved for thousands of years." Cao Zhi raised his glass, drank it all in one gulp, and said with a smile: "It's so fun to laugh and entertain... Weiyang... ....Hahaha..." [Note 3: The poem is "Zhenghui Shi" by Cao Zhi, which describes the grand occasion of the Japanese court meeting in a certain Yuan Dynasty in Cao Wei. It is quoted here. 】
When Cao Zhang saw that his fourth brother Cao Zhi had finished reciting the poem, he gave up Qing Guang and returned the sword to the emperor.
Seeing Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang's literary and martial arts, the officials all praised each other. The banquet, which was not yet full of atmosphere, was really full of excitement at this moment.
Even if he dreamed about it at midnight many years later, Xia Houxuan would never forget the talented poet and the mighty general at the banquet, as well as the traces of unwillingness, loneliness, and despair on their lips.
"Oh, today is the first day of the year. Old General Yu Jin has returned from afar. Why don't you see him sitting at the table?"
After drinking for thirty days, Cao Pi narrowed his drunken eyes and asked suddenly.
Seeing the emperor's question, Xiahou Xuan immediately stood up, saluted and said: "Your Majesty, the old general Yu Wenze has returned from afar and is slightly ill. He is afraid that he will lose his courtesy before the emperor, so he did not come to the banquet."
"I see..." Cao Pihan frowned, nodded, and said no more.
Children can no longer sit still at banquets that adults enjoy. Xiao Cao Zhi, the youngest son who came with Cao Zhi, got up and ran to his father. He pulled his father Cao Zhi's lapel and said, "Father, father, I want to go out to play..."
When Cao Pi saw his cute nephew, he couldn't help laughing. He immediately laughed and said: "I forgot that there are still young children drinking with the officials today. My nephew will wait for a while, and then he can leave to play."
"Today, if any other young masters are here with my father, you might as well leave the table and let me have a look."
After hearing the emperor's words, the kings and ministers present hurriedly asked their children to get up and leave the table. I saw Sima Shi, the eldest son of Sima Yi, Xia Houxuan from Pinglinghou Mansion, Cao Shuang and Cao Xi brothers from Dongxiang Hou Mansion, and Cao Zhao, son of Cao Xiu, who was sitting next to Duke Cao Rui of Qi, all present. And stand.
"Seeing you, I can recall the days when I and your fathers talked about literature and military affairs, drank wine and recited poems..." Cao Pi felt a little enlightened for a moment, and sighed slightly: "I and your ministers, After all, I have become an old man, and I, the Wei Dynasty, will still have to rely on you, the younger generation, in the future..."
Cao Pi turned his head, looked at his eldest son Cao Rui, and said, "Rui'er, just take the young masters to the palace for a tour."
"Yes, I would like to thank my father." Cao Rui was also tired for a long time. As soon as he heard his father speak, he immediately stood up and stretched his numb legs and feet, left the table and led a group of children out of the palace.
