"Time is easy to come by. I have not seen you for another four years. I haven't seen you for three years. "Dongshan" still sighs that it is far away. It is too far away. How can I think about it! Even though I have written sparsely and come back, it is not enough to relieve my fatigue."
[Note 1: The Book of Songs "Dongshan" talks about the feelings of soldiers longing for each other after not seeing each other for three years. 】
On the official road of Jizhou, a bright and luxurious guard of honor was slowly escorting a noble man in mink fur, elegant and proud, heading south.
That noble man was no one else. He was one of His Majesty's "Four Friends of the East Palace" who had the merit of following the dragon back then. He was the governor of Chijieyou, General Zhenwei, and the princes, Wu Zhi and Wu Jizhong.
At this moment, he was riding a horse and looking proudly at His Majesty's personal letter to him.
"General Wu, Governor Wu."
After Wu Zhima, a flattering clerk smiled charmingly:
"Your Majesty misses the general, so he specially sent the guards north to welcome the general to the capital. Such hospitality and God's grace are truly enviable."
"That's natural. Drive!"
Wu Zhi smiled contemptuously, whipped his horse, and galloped forward. The guard of honor behind him immediately sped up as a result.
Speaking of Wu Zhi, his achievements are indeed enough to make him so arrogant.
Your Majesty, when you were able to take over the East Palace, Wu Zhi had made great contributions.
Back then, when Emperor Taizu Wu was about to go on an expedition, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi saw each other off on the side of the road. The young master Cao Zhi praised the merits and virtues on the roadside and made a well-organized speech to encourage the three armies. Because of his outstanding literary talent, his left and right works were in his eyes, and Taizu was also very happy about it.
Cao Pi was dejected and had nothing to do. At this time, Wu Zhi whispered to Cao Pi and said only one sentence: "The king should do it, and it's okay to shed tears."
When Taizu was about to set off, Cao Pi wept and bowed in front of his horse according to his plan. When Taizu saw this, he immediately felt sad in his heart. The soldiers on the left and right were all jealous. So everyone thought that Young Master Zhi's words were gorgeous, but his sincerity was not as good as Young Master Cao Pi.
Not only that, at that time, Yang Xiu was twenty-five years old. He was highly valued by Taizu because he was a well-known son and talented. Ding Yi brothers also wanted to take the young master Cao Zhi as their heir. Now His Majesty is deeply troubled by this, and has no choice but to use the cart to scrap the 簏, and let Wu Zhilei, who was demoted to the song chief by Taizu at that time, come to the mansion of General Wugan Zhonglang to plan for him.
Yang Xiumi knew about this and reported it to Emperor Wu. Since it was Emperor Wu's disobedience to associate with foreign ministers, His Majesty was fearful and worried because of this, but Wu Zhi just smiled and said: "What's the trouble? Tomorrow I will put the silk in the chariot again to confuse people." Yang Xiu, Xiu will return to the great king, and if there is only white silk in the carriage without Ji Zhong, then he will suffer this crime."
Sure enough, after this incident, Taizu suspected Yang Xiu's repeated slanders, no longer believed Yang Xiu, and became suspicious of him, which also affected Cao Zhi's status.
It can be said that Wu Zhi played a crucial role in His Majesty's ability to obtain the position of Crown Prince.
Wu Zhi and his party were in high spirits and arrived in Luoyang within five days.
Wu Zhi had just entered the imperial city when he saw His Majesty wearing regular uniforms. Although Wu Zhi was arrogant, he never dared to lose etiquette in front of Cao Pi. He immediately knelt on the ground and saluted Cao Pi.
"Your Majesty, I did not know that Your Majesty was here in person, so I was rude. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
"Ji Zhongduo Li, hahaha."
Cao Pi smiled heartily, and changed his previous sinister and majestic look. He directly held Wu Zhi's hand and walked towards the side hall of the palace:
"Ji Zhong, I've been looking forward to having you here. We brothers haven't gotten together for many years. I have planned the date this time and asked Wen Lie to come back from Yangzhou in advance. The banquet has been prepared in the palace. , Zhongda and Changwen are also here, today, let’s not get drunk and never come back!”
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Wu Zhi said with a smile: "Why don't Zidan and Yancai [Zhu Shuo] come? There is no Wenlie in Yangzhou. Is there something wrong?"
"Ji Chong is worried." Cao Pi said with a smile: "Over in Yangzhou, I have asked Bo Ren to temporarily supervise him, and everything will be fine. As for Zi Dan, I sent him to handle the affairs of the Western Regions a few days ago. We have the heavy responsibility of being imprisoned in the palace, and if our monarchs and ministers are all drunk, then there will really be trouble."
"Your Majesty is wise, but I am worrying in vain."
Wu Zhi smiled. He understood that His Majesty was thinking about himself, as well as Cao Zhen and Zhu Shuo. Although the three of them were loyal to Your Majesty, they were not in harmony with each other and could not understand each other. Therefore, in order not to It was necessary trouble, so His Majesty did not let Zhu Shuo attend the banquet together.
"Ji Zhong, please take your seat quickly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wu Zhi bowed deeply to Cao Pi and went to the table.
Cao Xiu was still wearing a purple robe as usual. He was always good at observing people's words and had a good relationship with Wu Zhi, so he first said:
"Come on, come on, we haven't seen each other for many years. Let's toast to His Majesty first and let Ji Chong receive the wind and wash away the dust!"
Chen Qun and Sima Yi heard this and stood up together to serve the wine:
"I, my ministers, wish your Majesty Wei Tianji a long and prosperous life!"
"Hahahaha, okay!"
Cao Pi was in a good mood and drank a full glass of wine with everyone. Cao Pi drank several cups in a row, and suddenly an idea came to him. He smiled and said:
"Everyone, do you still remember that I used to play chess in the East Palace?"
Cao Xiu smiled and said:
"Of course I remember it, and I still remember it. His Majesty's chess skills are superb, and no one else can compare with him."
"Today I am gathering with you all, why not do this old fun again?"
Cao Pi was very interested.
"Dare to disobey orders."
Sima Yi, Chen Qun, Wu Zhi, and Cao Xiu answered together.
"Come, please the queen."
"Nuo" A waiter followed the order and went to the harem to invite the queen.
"Everyone, I have established a new queen and I have not yet greeted you all."
"Your Majesty, is this not in line with etiquette..."
Cao Xiu asked cautiously and weakly. Chen Qun also looked at the emperor with some confusion. Sima Yi just drank and ate, and didn't seem to care.
"You are all my relatives and friends, how can you not meet my sister-in-law?"
Cao Pi laughed.
Not long after, the chamberlain brought out Cao Pi's favorite pair of glazed bullet chess pieces.
"My lords, please take a look. This is a chess piece that I carefully crafted using skilled craftsmen and polished with glass."
Cao Pi played with the glazed chess piece in his hand, feeling quite proud of it.
"It's really exquisite."
Seeing this chess set, even Wu Zhi, who used extravagant materials, was a little amazed.
Cao Pi smiled with satisfaction and said:
"This chess game is a wonderful couplet of Jingshan Mountain. It is full of flowers, full of belly, swollen of roots, as flat as ashes, and as smooth as soft grass."
Cao Pi's words came out in perfect order, which impressed the four of them even more.
Wu Zhi smiled and praised:
"Your Majesty's poem about playing chess is so exquisite."
Cao Pi knew clearly that Wu Zhi was flattering himself with such praise, but he was still very happy:
"Come on, as per the old rules, Ji Zhong will play against me first!"
"I obey."
Wu Zhi bowed his hands in reply and stood up to make arrangements.
I saw that this chessboard was made of gorgeous jade material. The square jade chessboard has a high bulge in the center and a flat surface around it, reflecting its brilliance. As for the chess pieces used, the general flag is made of refined wood such as "the northern trunk of black wood and the west branch of plain tree." However, Cao Pi's chess pieces were actually made of rare colored glaze, which made several people marvel.
Not long after, Wu Zhi had already placed the chess pieces, and the two played against each other. Black and white had six chess pieces each, and the chess pieces were evenly matched.
"Ji Zhong strikes first?"
Cao Pi smiled teasingly.
"Your Majesty is highly skilled. Since you intend to give in, I won't be polite."
Wu Zhi took the initiative, took the chess knife, and lightly struck the colored glaze with the knife. The colored glaze then hit Cao Pi's left chess piece like a bone. There was only a clear jade jingle sound, and the chess piece entered the chess hole.
Wu Zhi succeeded with one blow and was quite proud of himself.
Cao Pi put his palms together and laughed:
"Okay, okay, it seems that Ji Zhong has not been idle these years, and his chess skills have improved a lot."
"Wherever it is, Your Majesty."
Wu Zhi smiled.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen has arrived outside the palace."
"good!"
Cao Pi had an idea and came up with another idea.
Not long after, a well-groomed lady in gorgeous clothes and a phoenix hairpin came to the palace. This was Queen Guo. She served a glass of wine and saluted everyone generously:
"I have come to see your majesty and all your ministers."
"My lord, please pay homage to Her Majesty the Queen, Thousand Years Old!"
Seeing the queen's arrival, Sima Yi, Chen Qun, Wu Zhi, and Cao Xiu immediately put away their smiles and knelt down on the table.
"Queen, there is no need to be polite." Cao Pi smiled and said, "Please lend me the Queen's handkerchief."
Queen Guo smiled, and without saying anything, she took out her handkerchief and handed it to Cao Pi.
I saw that Cao Pi did not use a chess knife, but used Queen Guo's handkerchief to play chess!
There was only a soft sound, and Cao Pi's Liulizi defeated Wu Zhi's two white Liulizi, one against two!
Since the Queen was present, the four of them did not dare to raise their heads, but just from their voices, they knew that Cao Pi's skill was extremely skillful.
"Your Majesty is so good at chess!"
Cao Pi laughed heartily and was very satisfied. He looked at Wu Zhi who was bowing his head and said with a smile: "Please look up and watch carefully."
When Wu Zhi, Sima Yi, Chen Qun and Cao Xiu heard this, they laughed together with the emperor.
It turned out that Cao Pi was joking about something that happened in the East Palace.
At that time, before he took the throne in the East Palace, Cao Pi was also at such a banquet in the palace of General Wu Guan. Cao Pi accidentally did not notice Yang Xiu's spy in the banquet. The guest Liu Zhen was accused by Yang Xiu of Tai Tai because he looked at his wife Zhen. Taizu was furious, so he punished Liu Zhen for losing, and Wu Zhi was punished as the chief of Chaoge. After several years of mediation, Cao Pi was still unable to get Emperor Wu to transfer Wu Zhi back.
It was not until Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of the Han Dynasty that Wu Zhi was put into important use. However, Liu Zhen unfortunately contracted an epidemic and died while serving.
Today, times have changed.
There is no need for everyone to be as trembling as before.
The four of them thought of this place with deep gratitude. Your Majesty has indeed given all his brotherhood to these old people of the East Palace.
"Queen, I am having a banquet with you, please go back to the palace first."
Queen Guo smiled and bowed Yingying: "I take my leave."
Cao Pi looked at his four friends with emotion:
"Everyone, life is like a bird nesting in a dead branch. Tens of years of life are passed by in a blink of an eye. At that time, Liu Zhen and Wang Can, the scholars of our school, were extremely talented, but an epidemic has wiped them out. How can one not be heartbroken and saddened by such a sudden death? Because of this, I must be kind to all of you, and cherish this friendship even more."
"Your Majesty, I will definitely defend the Wei State to the death, and I will have no regrets even if I die!"
After hearing this, the four people left the table together and knelt down under Cao Pi's table.
"Okay, okay, let's all get up." Cao Pi looked at everyone's respectful look, and he didn't know whether he was satisfied or lonely. He continued: "In a few days, Zidan will come back from the Western Regions. At that time, I will ask him and Yancai , as well as the special forces and generals in Beijing, all went to Ji Chong's house to have a banquet to celebrate Ji Chong's birthday."
"Your Majesty..." Wu Zhi was moved when he heard this. He trembled: "Your Majesty still remembers... the day when Wei Chen's mother was in trouble..."
"I have never forgotten this." Cao Pi gave a rare warm smile. He raised his glass and left the table, suddenly inspired by poetry. When everyone saw that Cao Pi was interested in composing a poem, they all sat down with their glasses raised, ready to sing at any time.
"The peaches in the garden of Yaoyao grow without seeds. It is difficult to fake the beauty, and the wheel cannot be deflected. The five punishments of Huaiyin are that the birds are hidden in their bows. The whole name is preserved, and the ovary is unique."
Cao Pi was filled with emotion. He raised his glass and said: "In the past, Gou Jian, the king of Yue, and Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, both died of cunning rabbits, were cooked by lackeys, all the birds were gone, and the good bows were hidden. Fan Li and Han Xin were the most powerful, but they were misunderstood. Today , I swear here that I will never let you down for the rest of my life!"
"I, my ministers, will also swear to live up to your majesty!"
"Hahahaha, okay!" Cao Pi took advantage of his drunkenness and composed a new poem in his mind. He said to everyone: "My lords, I just did a good deed and wrote a poem. I hope you will join me in it."
"May your Majesty teach me."
Everyone at the banquet was a smart person, so they soon learned Cao Pi's new poems.
Cao Pi waved his sleeves and took the lead in singing:
"In the morning, you visit the high platform and watch. In the evening, you have a banquet in the shade of Huachi. The chiefs offer sweet mash. The hunters offer guests."
Immediately afterwards, Sima Yi and Chen Qun stood up, danced and sang in the hall: "Let's all start dancing in the east. Qin Zheng plays Western music. A guest is coming from the south. Play the Qingqin for me."
Cao Xiu laughed loudly, unfolded his purple robe, turned over and left the table, as strong and vigorous as a tiger and leopard. Everyone laughed, and Cao Xiu continued to sing loudly: "The five tones are in harmony. The one who holds the hand is excited to sing slightly. The obscene fish rides the waves to listen. It is full of enthusiasm. Ups and downs.”
Although Wu Zhi was not good at the whirling dance, as today's host and guest, he naturally had to dance with the emperor. Wu Zhi smiled, stood up and left the table, and actually danced the northern whirling dance that no one else knew how to do. Cao Pi and others They all looked at him with admiration, clapped their hands in laughter and applauded. Wu Zhi sang while dancing: "The birds are flying and dancing. The mournful songs are gathering in the northern forest. The joy is extremely sad, and the light is so bright that it destroys the liver and heart."
Finally, the four people surrounded the emperor, like a hundred beasts greeting the unicorn, or like a thousand birds greeting the phoenix. The five people danced together in the middle hall:
"Wouldn't it be nice to clear the horns? People with weak virtues will not be allowed to do anything. A great person will talk wildly. Cut off the strings and restrain yourself."
At this time, Cao Pi felt filled with emotion in his heart and his mind was wandering. He shook the wine bottle and said with a smile:
"Today is a happy day, don't forget each other, happy Weiyang..."
