On the first lunar month of spring when Xun Can slept on the ice and in the snow for his beloved wife Cao to relieve the fever, some people in Shanlin County claimed to have seen the auspicious sign of the Huanglong appearing in the world.
Originally, this kind of vision, no matter whether it was auspicious or disastrous, did not matter to ordinary people and was not necessarily credible, but in the eyes of the emperor and officials above the temple, it was not necessarily true.
Some pedantic scholars indeed believed deeply in the words of the previous dynasty about the connection between gods and humans. However, some smart ministers are good at taking advantage of these unusual celestial phenomena to offer their own advice and suggestions.
Sanqi often serves Gao Tanglong, and he is undoubtedly such a smart minister. Gao Tanglong can be regarded as a veteran of the two dynasties, and he was also the royal tutor of His Majesty. His heart is naturally firmly tied to the great Wei Dynasty.
At the beginning of the founding of the country, the dynasty inherited the clothing, rituals and music of the previous dynasty. However, the evil-minded Shu captives in the south have always been under the banner of reviving the Han Dynasty, and have been constantly bewitching and inciting people's hearts. This dynasty accepted the abdication of the Han Dynasty, and the earth was born from fire, which is the virtue of earth, symbolizing the central yellow dragon. Now that the people have such an auspicious sign of "the appearance of the yellow dragon", Gao Tanglong will naturally not miss this opportunity.
If you want to make suggestions, empty words will naturally not make the world famous and correct people's hearts. It happened that the Taihe calendar he created ten years ago had some flaws, so Gao Tanglong planned to find a capable person to help him write a new calendar and at the same time make suggestions to improve it. The color of the emperor's clothes was changed to the color of Huanglong Tude, in order to make all the people in the world fearful and make the bandits of Wu and Shu confused.
In recent years, Gao Tanglong got acquainted with a young talent named Yang Mingwei and named Shiying. This person is now serving as the Minister of the Secretariat. Coincidentally, he happens to be good at astronomy and astrology, so he is of great use.
It turns out that there is another talented person in this dynasty who is good at the study of astronomy and calendar, Zhong Changqin, who was serving as the female historian in Lingtai a few years ago. Although this person is a female, her family background is from a famous official in this dynasty, Emperor Wu of the dynasty. The descendant of Shangshu Lang, Zhong Changtong of Gaoping County, Shanyang, who was known as "Kuansheng". His father was Zhong Changtong's younger brother and the current Shangshu Lang Zhong Changling [this person and the fact that he was a woman are fictitious]. His mother is the daughter of the Wang family in Taiyuan.
It's just that Zhong Changqin married the former Shangshu Lang Zhuge Dan Zhuge Gong divorced his wife a year ago and no longer serves as the female historian of Lingtai. Even so, after Gao Tanglong and Yang Wei wrote and revised the new calendar, they made a copy and sent it to Zhuge Dan's house so that Zhong Changqin could repair and add to it.
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As early as when Zhuge Dan was serving as Minister Yu Bulang, he had already met his wife Zhong Changqin who had served as a female historian at Lingtai, was good at observing astronomical phenomena, and liked to tend flowers and plants.
But Zhong Changqin was naturally taciturn, so he didn't express much of his inner feelings. But because Zhuge Dan was very interested in the astronomical phenomena and stars, he would often visit the Lingtai. After going back and forth, the two of them became familiar with each other.
Later, during the Taihe period, Zhuge Dan also became prosperous. He first became Fengxian Chief Yushi Zhongcheng, and assumed the important task of supervising all officials. Soon after, because of his uprightness and extraordinary talent, he was promoted by the people who wanted to promote him. The new emperor Cao Rui valued him and promoted him to one of the eight ministers of the Ministry of Personnel!
At that time, Xia Houxuan, who was as famous as Zhuge Dan, also became a regular attendant of the powerful and powerful Sanqi. The two close and talented friends became the most dazzling Yuliang in the capital.
Zhong Changqin's admiration and longing for Zhuge Dan was very deep at this time, but Zhuge Dan was busy with government affairs and no longer went to the mourning platform often.
Later, Xia Houxuan was demoted to Yulin Supervisor because he offended Queen Mao's brother Mao Zeng, and Zhuge Dan was dismissed from office because of the "Fashion Case", a major case that year. The two people who were so prosperous suddenly fell to the bottom, but at the same time, they found the most important partner in their lives during this period.
Not long after Xia Houxuan moved to the left and became the supervisor of Yulin, he went to Langya, Qingzhou and met Huigu. And because Zhuge Dan was dismissed from office, he started running to the mourning platform again, and then he slowly discovered Zhong Changqin's affection for him.
To this day, Zhuge Dan still remembers what he and his beloved wife Zhong Changqin said on the day they fell in love.
At that time, Zhong Changqin had already become familiar with Zhuge Dan, so he was no longer overly shy. Zhong Changqin was startled when Zhuge Dan suddenly appeared on the mourning platform. The reason why Zhong Changqin was so scared was not only because Zhuge Dan came suddenly, but most importantly because she forgot to put away the pot of flowers today.
Only she knows the name of this potted flower, "Ge Langhua".
That was naturally a flower planted for Zhuge Dan.
"Miss Zhongchang, you are still on duty at the mourning platform today!"
Zhuge Dan came to the star observatory as usual, and sat down unceremoniously on the seat that should have belonged to the female star-gazer. Naturally, he also noticed the flowers beside him. He picked up the flowers and said with a smile:
"Miss Zhongchang, I have seen this flower from you many times. Could it be that the petals of this flower are made of gold and silver, which makes you so fascinated?"
After hearing Zhuge Dan's words, Zhong Changqin blushed with embarrassment and hurriedly tried to grab the pot of flowers. However, in her panic, she accidentally called out the name she gave the flower:
"Duke Zhuge, please return my Gelanghua to me!"
"What flower?!"
Zhuge Dan was shocked when he heard the name of the flower.
That day, because of this pot of Gelanghua, Zhuge Dan finally plucked up the courage to tell Zhong Changqin his feelings for her. As a result, the two finally understood each other's feelings.
Later, Zhuge Dan personally found a matchmaker, took the betrothal gift to the house of his future father-in-law Zhong Changling, and formally proposed the marriage. Although Zhuge Dan was dismissed from office due to the flashy case, Zhong Changling still valued his talent, and his beloved daughter happened to care about this man, so Zhong Changling readily agreed to the marriage.
After Zhong Changqin married Zhuge Dan, she also resigned from her position as Lingtai female historian.
On this day, Zhuge Dan had nothing to do. He and his wife Zhong Changqin were hoeing weeds in the garden with their own hands.
"Madam, our uncle Zhongchang Zhengzhi [Zhongchang Tongzi Zhengzhi] once said in his "Shu Zhi Shi":
Bird ruins. The cicada sheds its shell. The tan snake sheds its scales. The dragon has lost its horns. People can change. Da Shi pulls away the vulgarity. Riding on the clouds without a bridle. There is no way to ride the wind.
The dew becomes a curtain. Zhang Xiao becomes a hero. Eat together with each other. Nine suns replace candles. Stellar pearls. The morning glow moistens the jade. Within Liuhe. Do whatever you want. ...
The more I study, the more I feel that my uncle is clearly saying that I, Lord Zhuge, have retired. When I rose to prominence, I was nothing but a snake and a divine dragon. But later, when I was abandoned by His Majesty, I became a snake with no scales and a dragon with no horns. 'Yes. It's just that I, Zhuge Dan, am a scholar. Although I have no official position to show my ambition, I can accompany my wife to ride on the clouds, ride the wind, use the dew sky as a tent, and do whatever I want within the heaven and earth. This is also the greatest happiness in life. ! "
After listening to her husband's self-deprecating and complacent tirade, Zhong Changqin was amused and giggled. She accidentally broke two flower stems and felt a little distressed. She comforted the injured flower stems while answering her husband:
"I see, you are 'sending your sorrows in the sky, burying your sorrows in the earth. Betraying the Five Classics. Destroying elegance.'! Others may not know it, but how can I not understand that even if it is the 'Shenlong Sangjiao', your In my heart, I still can’t let go of ‘The Snake Rides the Mist’!”
Zhuge Dan smiled and grabbed Zhong Changqin's hand and said with a smile:
"Sure enough, Madam understands me. Let's see how I behave in the future. 'The spring clouds are like horses, and the autumn winds are like horses!'"
Zhong Changqin replied with a smile:
"Husband, you still have to say, 'Don't wait until it's too late. Don't wait until it's hard.' Don't be impatient!"
Just as the couple was chatting happily, the servants of the mansion came to the back garden and said that Gao Tanglong, the regular servant of Sanqi, and Yang Shiying, the minister, had jointly sent a draft of the calendar to Zhuge Dan and his wife. Set things straight. In addition, the servant also told Zhuge Dan and his wife some good news that he had found out in the public, that is, Li Huigu was pregnant with Xia Houxuan again, and she had been pregnant for several months now.
"Oh? Are you serious about this? That's great! When Taichu's baby is born, we will go and celebrate!"
Zhuge Dan and Zhong Changqin were very happy after hearing the good news. After the couple finished talking about this, they chatted for a while, and then opened the calendar manuscript sent by Gao Tanglong and Yang Wei.
Zhuge Dan understood that both Gao Tanglong and Yang Wei were men of real talent and learning, and they were sincere in asking for advice. Therefore, he and Zhong Changqin did not give in, so they boldly revised and corrected the draft. got up.
After more than a few months of this, the couple finally revised this already excellent calendar to be even more perfect.
When the emperor saw the new calendar written by Yang Shiying and Gao Tanglong, he also greatly appreciated it.
At the great court meeting in March in early spring, the emperor ordered that the year name Qinglong be changed to the first year of Jingchu, and the original Taihe calendar was changed to the new calendar. This new calendar was naturally called "Jingchu Calendar".
Not only that, under Gao Tanglong's suggestion, Cao Rui also issued an edict stipulating that from now on, the emperor's clothing should be yellow to cope with the fortune of the Wei Dynasty; all sacrifices should be white; and white flags should be built during court meetings.
Cao Rui also issued an edict to promote his attendant Chen Jiao to the rank of Grand Situ, and to promote Shangshu's right servant Shewei Zhen to the rank of Chief Sikong, to replace the three vacancies left by Dong Zhao and Chen Qun.
Not only that, Cao Rui also visited the ancestral temple in person and asked an official to record: "Emperor Wu set things right, and for Wei Taizu, he was happy to use Wu Shi's dance. Emperor Wen was ordered by heaven, and for Wei Gaozu, he was happy to use Xianxi's dance. The emperor made rule, For Wei Liezu, I would like to use Zhang Bin’s dance. The temple of the three ancestors will never be destroyed for eternity.…”
Some people privately believed that it seemed ominous that the emperor, who was only in his thirties, had already given himself the title of "Liezu" for himself. However, no one among the officials dared to say these words. .
At the end of spring, Dongxiang Marquis Chen Jiao and Chen Jibi, who had just been promoted to Grand Situ, were showing signs of being seriously ill and incurable.
On this day, Chen Jiao felt that his body was about to lose strength, so he immediately called his eldest son Chen Ben, his second son Chen Qian, and his youngest son Chen Zhi.
After the three people entered the hall, they were about to salute, but were stopped by Chen Jiao.
The three of them understood that their father was afraid of wasting time and not having time to finish the important words, so they all hurriedly got up and came to their father's couch.
Chen Jiao, who was already dead, felt a sense of panic in his heart when he looked at the steady and honest eldest son Chen Ben, the sophisticated and intelligent second son Chen Qian, and the childish youngest son Chen Zhi. Although the three sons each have talents, they have not yet fully grown up. If possible, he really wanted to stay with them for a few more years and teach them more.
The father is about to pass away, and the three children are also very scared at the moment. Nowadays, the situation in the court is unclear, and Chen Ben and Chen Qian are leaning towards the Xiahou family and the Sima family respectively. Emperor Wen once praised their father: "On the occasion of the big festival, he is brilliant and brilliant," if his father can be more supportive They have a few years, which is undoubtedly the most beneficial to them. But now, my father is dying. Therefore, the three brothers Chen Ben were full of grief and hesitation at the moment.
"I wonder, father, what orders do you have for the children?"
Chen Jiao did not answer at the moment. He remembered an incident a few years ago.
That year, when he had just assumed the post of Shangshu Ling, he was slandered by Liu Ye, the favored servant at the time. Liu Ye made slanderous remarks to His Majesty, saying that he was authoritarian and domineering. Liu Ye was a veteran of three dynasties and a famous minister of this dynasty. Of course he was extremely scared. In desperation, he had to ask a few children for their ideas.
Although the eldest son Chen Ben had the talent of governing and was proficient in arts and sciences, he could not come up with any idea when faced with this matter.
On the contrary, the second son Chen Qian, who was good at scheming and scheming, said to himself: The Lord is a wise and holy monarch, while his father is a minister who cares about life. Even if there is any dissatisfaction between the monarch and his ministers, the biggest loss for himself is just that he cannot fulfill the three duties. So there is no need to worry about this at all.
A few days later, the emperor issued an edict to receive him, but he was still afraid, so he asked his two sons again. The eldest son Chen Ben still didn't know what to do. The second son Chen Qian still reassured him: Your Majesty is relieved, so that's why. See the father, so the father need not worry.
Sure enough, after meeting the emperor, Chen Jiao realized that what the second son Chen Qian said was indeed true.
But what Chen Jiao was worried about was that although Chen Qian was extremely resourceful, he was too biased in some matters and was not as stable and responsible as his eldest son Chen Ben.
Today, Chen Jiao has thousands of words in his heart, but he still doesn't know how to express them.
After a long time, Chen Jiao said:
"You... three brothers, each have their own strengths. As a father, I also understand that Ben'er and Qian'er... have different ambitions. As a father, I don't ask for anything from you. If you can be of the same mind in everything, I only ask for You, at any time... don't forget to protect yourselves... Ben'er, Qian'er, you two are brothers, so remember to protect your children... ..”
After hearing what their father said, the three brothers felt sad in their hearts. The three of them nodded while choking and crying. Other than that, they had no words.
A few days later, the emperor personally came to Chen Jiao's house to visit Chen Jiao.
The emperor, who understood that Chen Jiao had the ability to discern people, finally just whispered in Chen Jiao's ear and asked:
"My dear, in your opinion, is Sima Yi really a loyal and upright minister? Can I be entrusted with state affairs?"
After hearing this, Chen Jiao whispered back:
"Reporting to your majesty, Sima Zhongda is the hope of the imperial court...an important minister of the country, but...I don't know if...I can...entrust the country to the country...I don't know... ..”
After saying this, Chen Jiao's breath gradually became weaker and weaker until it disappeared.
