In the seventeenth year of Jiading, the first day of the first lunar month was New Year's Day.
In the Song Dynasty, the first day of the Lunar New Year was called New Year's Day, also called Yuanri, Yuanzheng, etc. In the early morning of New Year's Day, every household in Lin'an City will get up early, dress up, put on new clothes, visit relatives and friends, bless each other, and drink wine to celebrate.
The people were so lively that the Song Dynasty court would also hold large-scale court meetings at the same time. The emperor had to accept congratulations from hundreds of officials and foreign envoys, so New Year's Day was also called the "General Meeting."
Snowflakes are falling, the whole palace is white, the Daqing Hall is crowded with people, and the assembly is being held.
Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, sits high on the throne, wearing a cirrus cloud crown, a cloud dragon vermillion robe, a jade belt around his waist, a red gauze dress, and a square heart-shaped collar. Although Zhao Kuo was pale and seriously ill, he still kept his spirits up. He was somewhat majestic as an emperor. He was guarded by the "generals who guard the palace" standing at the four corners of the hall and accepted congratulations from envoys from various countries.
The officials of the Great Song Dynasty were simple by nature and cared about the sufferings of the people, otherwise they would be like their ancestors, Song Huizong, the conquered king of the Northern Song Dynasty, who would have called himself the "Daojun Emperor".
Dharma chariots and ceremonial guards lined up inside and outside the hall. All civil and military officials were wearing court uniforms and official hats. The leaders of the imperial court were also standing in sequence in uniforms, waiting for the emperor's review.
"Long live your majesty!"
All the ministers and envoys knelt down and worshiped together, shouting long live the mountain.
"My lords, stand still!"
Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, forced his face to smile and made a good scene.
"The envoys of the Three Buddhas and the Kingdom of Qi pay homage to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty!"
"The envoy of the Goryeo Kingdom pays homage to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty!"
"The envoy of Dali Kingdom pays homage to the Emperor of Song Dynasty!"
"The envoy of Zhenla Kingdom pays homage to the Emperor of Song Dynasty!"
"The envoy of Mayi State pays homage to the Emperor of Song Dynasty!"
Envoys from various countries attended the ceremony one after another, solemnly and solemnly.
"Dear envoys, please stand upright and take your seats."
Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, smiled slightly and asked the envoys from various countries in the hall to take their seats.
"Your Majesty, sirs, please come."
Zhao Kuo raised his glass, and everyone raised their glasses together, including Zhao Hong.
The scene was lively and joyful with silk and bamboo orchestral music. Zhao Hong in the palace saw it, but he felt sad and couldn't be happy at all.
Although China is majestic, only seven or eight small countries from Southeast Asia come to worship, which makes people feel sad and sad.
All nations came to court, and guests from all over the world subdued the barbarians. Those who offended the powerful Han Dynasty would be punished no matter how far away they were. These glorious moments of the Central Plains dynasties seemed to be gone forever.
Dali, a small area, can become a country of its own; Xixia occupies the Hexi Corridor and Xingling land; in addition, most of the two rivers belong to the Mongol Empire, and the Jin people in Shaanxi and Henan are entrenched, plus the eastern part of Liaodong Xia Kingdom, Gaochang Kingdom in the Western Regions, etc.
At the end of the Song Dynasty, they were unable to regain any of the above places, which shows that the dynasty was weak.
Zhao Hong secretly admired himself. After drinking and talking wildly last night, he only slept for less than two hours, but he was still energetic and full of energy. He felt that it would be no problem to play another twenty or thirty rounds of mahjong.
It feels so good to be young!
On New Year's Day, there was a great national event, a banquet was held in the Daqing Hall, and the emperor gave banquets to ministers and envoys. Everyone was happy and lively.
I don’t know who arranged the seats. At the banquet, Zhao Hong and Shi Miyuan sat diagonally across from each other. They made eye contact from time to time, but there was no verbal communication.
Shi Miyuan didn't pay attention to him after saying a few words without speculation. Naturally, Zhao Hong didn't bother to talk to him.
Instead, Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, who was next to Zhao Hong, chatted with Zhao Hong for a few more words.
This guy knows everything. He keeps pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger. He is definitely not a fuel-efficient person.
"Emperor Song, China is a beautiful land and a civilized country. How about having that handsome man recite a poem to cheer up the festival?"
The Korean envoy stood up and saluted Zhao Kuosu on the throne.
"What the envoy from Goryeo said is true. The Song Dynasty is a country of etiquette and beautiful articles. If you can listen to one during the festival, it will be a great event!"
"Three Buddhas Qiguo stood up and bowed solemnly.
Zhao Kuo nodded slightly, looked at the ministers in the palace, and glanced at Shi Miyuan.
Shi Miyuan remained calm, raised his head slightly, glanced at Xue Ji beside him, and coughed lightly.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, has outstanding literary talent and quick thinking. Why not let him recite a poem to highlight the beauty of the country."
Xue Ji immediately stood up and recommended Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, to Zhao Kuo.
Zhao Kuo nodded slightly to express his approval.
When the clan members showed their faces, he also felt that his face was bright.
Zhao Hong saw it clearly. After Xue Ji sat down, Zhao Hong smiled at him.
Xue Ji quickly lowered his head, picked up the teacup himself, and started chatting with Hu Ju who was sitting next to him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Young Zhao Guicheng stood up, cleared his throat, and chanted.
"The heaven and earth are divided into rites, and the sages and sages are in dispute over the order of things.
The mental method should be maintained without being disrespectful, and the treatment should be done in a gentle manner.
If you know how to communicate, you can become a saint. If you are good at morality, you should know that you are thrifty and diligent.
Zhan Xia's teachings are based on the wisdom of many officials, and the subtleties are respected and heard. "
Good guy, it only took a moment to compose a seven-character rhyme poem. Zhao Hong didn't believe it in his heart if he hadn't been prepared for it. There are only a few geniuses like Cao Zhi who can compose a poem in seven steps in the world.
The Zhao Guicheng in front of him was obviously not.
Moreover, this poem explains Taoism, which is obviously in favor of Zhao Kuo, a Taoist emperor.
Song Lizong!
Thinking of this guy's posthumous name in history, Zhao Hong shook his head secretly.
There is too much greed, neglect of political affairs, advocating Taoism, vain talk about scriptures and banquets, only seeking partial peace, and no ambition to restore the country. Because of this, power is transferred to traitorous ministers, and the government is in decline.
The emperor upholds Neo-Confucianism and follows the example of his superiors, while the scholar-bureaucrats like to talk empty talk and decisively attack the Mongolian cavalry. How can the country not be destroyed?
If it weren't for the frequent western expeditions of the Mongolian army and the constant internal fighting, the Southern Song Dynasty would not have been able to persist for thirty or forty years, and the mother-in-law would have been wiped out long ago.
"good!"
The Korean envoy took the lead in cheering, and there was a sound of appreciation in the palace.
Shi Miyuan also had a smile on his face, obviously very satisfied with Zhao Guicheng's performance.
Zhao Guicheng bowed to the emperor and then returned the salute to the ministers. He was gentle and elegant, a humble gentleman, like a royal nobleman.
Zhao Hong also applauded gently along with the crowd, smiling. Little did he know that his way of congratulating others made Shi Miyuan and other ministers opposite him frown slightly.
Zhao Hong was ignorant, but still smiled kindly and was harmless to humans and animals.
Zhao Guicheng's show just now can be said to have earned enough attention.
This one-man show was also arranged just right.
Zhao Hong suddenly remembered a sentence:
Please start your performance.
"I dare to ask Your Highness, is the word "Qin Yuan Chun. Snow" written in the Cuiyun Pavilion of Fengle Tower outside Lin'an City written by you?"
Just as Zhao Guicheng was about to sit down, the envoy from Dali stood up, bowed solemnly to Zhao Guicheng, and continued to ask questions.
The state relations between Dali and the Southern Song Dynasty have always been harmonious, and the Dali State also served the Southern Song Dynasty. Duan Zhi, the leader of Dali at that time, promoted the virtuous and cultivated talents, and he was prosperous and well-governed. Dali was considered to be a peaceful country and a peaceful people.
Some of everyone's eyes fell on Zhao Guicheng, and more on Zhao Hong.
Fengle Tower is a famous gold-selling cave in Lin'an City. These scholar-bureaucrats are all wealthy and serious intellectuals. As the New Year approaches, many of them have been there. After being recited from one to another, everyone knows that this song "Qinyuan Spring Snow" is a masterpiece by Zhao Hong, Duke of Ji.
Zhao Hong was slightly shocked, but his expression remained unchanged.
I don’t know what the Dali envoy means by asking this.
"Your Majesty, the word "Qinyuanchun.Snow" was written by the Prince of the Song Dynasty, His Highness Zhao Hong, Duke of Jiguo. If you have any questions, you can ask him for advice!"
Wei Liaoweng, the Minister of War, stood up, stretched out his hand, and led Zhao Hong to his seat.
His son Wei Jinyu went to Fengle Tower and was an organizer and witness. Naturally, he knew the whole process clearly.
He really didn't expect that Zhao Hong had such literary talent. He also had no idea that the Dali envoy would ask such a question.
The Dali envoy was slightly startled, seemed to suddenly realize, and quickly saluted Zhao Hong.
"Your Highness Duke Ji, many foreign ministers have been offended!"
He didn't know whether he was offending Zhao Guicheng or Zhao Hong.
"Your Majesty, it doesn't have to be like this. Please!"
Zhao Hong smiled and made a gesture of invitation.
"Your Highness Duke Ji, there are envoys from all over the world here. Why don't you write another masterpiece to convince the envoys from all over the world and know the prosperity of our Chinese civilization?"
Zhao Hong’s teacher Zhen Dexiu stood up and started to add fuel to the flames.
Zhao Guicheng's face turned slightly red, but he forced himself to remain calm.
Zhao Hong looked at Shi Miyuan unconsciously. The latter's old god was there and his face was calm and calm.
In an instant, Zhao Hong understood something in his heart and was secretly vigilant.
He could feel that the Dali envoy's eyes flickered, as if he was coming with bad intentions.
"Your Highness, you might as well give it a try so that envoys from all over the world can appreciate it."
Zhen Dexiu's voice sounded again, seeming a bit hopeful.
Zhao Hong cursed his mother secretly.
This man of true virtue has been teaching me for several years. Doesn’t he really know how much he weighs?
You are really a pig teammate. Isn’t this just making fun of you?
"Mr. Ji Guo, could it be that you only know how to play the piano, but not how to compose lyrics and poems?"
Zhao Rushu, the Minister of Punishment, said loudly, a bit gloating about misfortune.
"Ji Guogong, since you can't compose lyrics, then the "Qinyuan Spring Snow" written in Cuiyun Pavilion of Fengle Tower must be a fake?"
Hu Ju, who was involved in political affairs and minister of the Ministry of Industry, widened his eyes with suspicion.
"Xiangong Hu, how can the work of His Highness Duke Ji Guo be a fake? What Fengle Lou did was done with one stroke in full view of the public. Isn't it nonsense for you to say this?"
Wu Jing, the Yin of Lin'an Prefecture, looked unhappy and started to attack Hu Ju.
"Xianggong Wu, please be patient and don't be impatient. Xianggong Hu doesn't mean this. If Duke Ji Guo can write a poem while in the palace, he can convince the people of the world."
Xue Ji, who knew the secret affairs, stroked his white beard and spoke slowly.
"Your Highness, then write another poem to stop some people's mouths, and also silence the mouths of everyone in the world!"
Zhen Dexiu's face was ashen and he bowed to Zhao Hongsu.
This is really a pig teammate! For the sake of your own face, you have to force your disciples to go up the wall, you can't even think of it.
Don't you, old man, really understand that these people are fanning the flames just to make your disciples embarrassed in public?
Fortunately, I have a thousand years of knowledge reserves. I was born in a dignified normal school. I have studied classics and history since I was a child, and I have become powerful when I grow up. Just like a tiger lying in the wilderness...
It seems that he is not miserable enough to be exiled.
Zhao Hong looked at Zhen Dexiu, who was working hard and had an anxious face, and nodded gently to reassure him.
Luckily I have it in stock. Otherwise, I will really be crippled by my teacher who is trying to push others forward.
Zhao Hong raised his head, and Zhao Kuo on the throne was looking at him, slightly nodding his head encouragingly, and speaking softly, which made his hair stand on end for a moment.
"Mr. Ji Guo, just do it reluctantly."
It’s hard to do this...
Maybe the officials can help you...
Zhao Hong suddenly remembered what Yu and Xu Liang said, and his spirits lifted.
Father, let’s see your son’s performance.
Zhao Hong took a long breath, stood up, and saluted first to Zhao Kuo, then to Zhen Dexiu and other ministers in the palace as well as envoys from various countries.
"Your Majesty, I obey your order. Everyone, I am so ugly!"
Countless famous poems from later generations flashed through his mind, and after pondering for a moment, Zhao Hong had an idea.
At this extra point moment, he couldn't let his guard down.
When an opportunity arises, if you miss it, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
Zhao Hong's heart moved as he looked at the big fat man who was looking at him coldly at the meeting opposite.
"Shuai Xia, can you bring up the guqin? I can play a song for your majesty, and wish your majesty good health and longevity."
It was this fat man who was the accomplice of Xia Zhen and Shi Miyuan, the commander of the front department. Historically, he was deposed together with Shi Miyuan and Yang Guizhi.
Xia Zhen glanced at Zhao Hong in surprise, then turned to Zhao Kuo who was standing in the imperial palace.
This Zhao Hong is a useless snack, and he actually asked himself to get the piano?
