Chapter 69. Deqing’s birthday (Part 1.
The first day of the Lunar New Year may be the most important day of the year for many officials. 【Read full text】
Otherwise, this day happens to be the birthday of Emperor Deqing.
It is said that a large part of the reason why the late Emperor looked most up to Emperor Deqing during his lifetime was because Emperor Deqing was born on the first day of the Lunar New Year. It was the day when Deqing offered sacrifices to gods and Buddhas, removed the old and brought in the new, welcomed the new year and received good fortune, and prayed for a good harvest. The emperor's birth at this time made Emperor Chongzhen think it was God's will.
Emperor Deqing was also quite proud of his birthday, claiming to be the "Chosen One". Since he ascended the throne, he has attached great importance to his birthday and held it with great grandness every year. This year, This is especially true when the treasury is rich in money.
In short, this day is the best time for the officials of the DPRK and the Central Government to flatter Emperor Deqing. Many court officials got the favor of Deqing because of the comfortable flattery and the good birthday gifts given on this day. The emperor's attention.
Among them, Zhao Junchen is a representative figure. The gifts he sends every year are not only unique, but also extremely valuable.
The year before last, Zhao Junchen gave Emperor Deqing a birthday gift of fifty-three carved dragons, including wood carvings, stone carvings, jade carvings, gold and silver carvings. Emperor Deqing was very happy, and not long after that, Zhao Junchen was promoted to householder. Minister of the Ministry.
Last year, Zhao Junchen gave Emperor Deqing a birthday gift. It was a birthday robe with 540 small pearls hanging on it. The gold threads connected together formed ten characters for longevity. Emperor Deqing couldn't put it down. It didn't take long for Zhao Junchen to give him a birthday gift. Also managed the internal transportation warehouse.
At least, in the eyes of many people, the fundamental reason why Zhao Junchen has achieved today's status is that he is good at flattering Emperor Deqing.
This year, what kind of birthday gift Zhao Junchen will give is also a matter of great concern to many officials in the DPRK.
………
On this day, because Emperor Deqing would lead the royal family to pay homage to the ancestors of heaven and earth and re-instruct family mottos, it was rare for all the officials in the court not to go to the morning court.
It was not until after noon that the officials would enter the palace to congratulate Emperor Deqing on his birthday and send birthday eulogies. If Emperor Deqing was in a high mood, the officials could stay in the palace to enjoy the royal banquet.
Because of the special day, Ge Lao Huang Yourong did not dare to show off like he usually did when going to court in the morning. He always got off the sedan chair at the right time. Instead, he rushed to the Meridian Gate in the sedan chair early to show his respect and respect for Emperor Deqing. loyalty. However, when the sedan arrived at the official road in front of the palace, it suddenly stopped and did not move forward.
In the sedan, Huang Yourong was waiting patiently. However, after waiting for a while, the sedan still didn't move. Finally, he couldn't hold it any longer. He opened the curtain of the sedan, stuck his head out, and asked impatiently: "What's going on?" ?Why don’t you leave? Can you afford to delay me from celebrating His Majesty’s birthday?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Yourong couldn't help being stunned when he looked at the scene in front of the sedan, and finally understood why his sedan couldn't move forward.
It turned out that at this time, a large number of carriages were rushing towards the Meridian Gate from the turning point of the official road, one after another, one after another. Huang Yourong's rough count showed that there were no less than thirty or fifty carriages.
Because these carriages, not only Huang Yourong's sedan, but also many court officials who were rushing to the Meridian Gate, were blocked, the official road in front of the palace was also in chaos.
Just when Huang Yourong was confused about the scene in front of him, Liu Lu, the chief follower who had gone to inquire about the news, hurried to Huang Yourong's sedan.
"What's going on with these carriages? Can the official road in front of the palace accommodate carriages? How could it be so chaotic?"
Huang Yourong frowned and asked again.
Liu Lu looked strange, but he still explained to Huang Yourong: "Sir, I went to find out. These carriages belong to Zhao Junchen, the Minister of Household Affairs, and they are all birthday gifts given to His Majesty by the Minister of Revenue."
Huang Yourong was startled, pointed at the dozens of carriages passing by, and asked in disbelief: "Are all those carriages carrying birthday gifts?"
Liu Lu nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, I have asked clearly. It is true that they are all birthday gifts for His Majesty."
Hearing what Liu Lu said, Huang Yourong glanced at the carriage not far away and snorted: "Zhao Junchen is making a big deal again this year. His Majesty's birthday this year looks like he will be the one to dominate the limelight...after all. Young and energetic, short-sighted..."
The strange thing is that when Huang Yourong said this, his expression seemed to be smiling but not smiling, showing envy and some disdain.
While muttering to themselves, all the carriages carrying birthday gifts finally passed around the corner.
Then, Huang Yourong saw Zhao Junchen's sedan walking behind the carriage and heading towards the Meridian Gate.
After pondering for a moment, Huang Yourong ordered: "Follow me, I want to have a few words with this Lord Shangshu."
………
At the same time, Zhao Junchen opened the curtains on the sedan and looked at the officials sitting in the sedan who were blocked by the carriage at the intersection. He saw many people pointing in his direction, shook his head and said to himself: "Yes Isn't it a bit shocking? Seeing such a scene, all the officials and people are probably talking about it. "
Xu Qingyan was following the sedan chair. He felt that Zhao Junchen had gained the limelight and he followed suit. Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, he couldn't help but said proudly: "Master, what do the officials and the people think about it? It doesn't matter to us. His Majesty just likes it. . Let me see, all the officials must be envious and jealous when they see the young master's generosity. Young Master, your birthday gift this year is not only generous, but also original. It will definitely dominate the limelight again, but I don't know what your majesty will reward you this time. "
Hearing what Xu Qingyan said, Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed: "You, you are too superficial. The birthday gifts we have given to His Majesty over the years have certainly dominated the limelight, but it is not necessarily true that all the officials will be envious because of it. But if it is said to be gloating about one's misfortune, , which is quite possible.”
Xu Qingyan was slightly stunned and looked at Zhao Junchen in confusion.
Seeing Xu Qingyan like this, Zhao Junchen sighed and asked: "Qingyan, let me ask you, in your opinion, why was it that at His Majesty's birthday banquet last year and the year before last, only the gifts we sent dominated the limelight?"
Xu Qingyan replied hesitantly: "Because the young master understands His Majesty's thoughts best?"
Zhao Junchen shook his head, a wry smile flashed across his face: "Wrong, because we are the most short-sighted."
Xu Qingyan was stunned again and asked in disbelief: "We have been in the limelight and His Majesty is satisfied. Why are we so short-sighted?"
Zhao Junchen sighed and explained: "The year before last, we gave His Majesty fifty-three carved dragons of various kinds. There was no shortage of gold, silver, and jade, and they were all made by famous artists. They seemed ingenious, but do you really think that Baiguan Can't you think of it? The same is true for last year's pearl birthday robe. Although it is novel, do you really think that the officials in the court are so stupid that they can't think of a better and more novel birthday gift? "
Xu Qingyan asked blankly: "Then why do they let us take the spotlight? Are they unwilling to take the limelight?"
Zhao Junchen said quietly: "Because they know how to build archways and cherish their reputation. The reason why we were in the limelight in the past two years is just because we spent a lot of money. Those fifty-three carved dragons of various kinds, If I remember correctly, it cost more than 20,000 taels of silver, and the pearl birthday robe was worth more than 30,000 taels. When it was given to His Majesty, compared with the ancient paintings and eulogies sent by the officials, it was certainly worth It looks conspicuous and steals the limelight, but what is even more conspicuous and ostentatious is the money we use for birthday gifts. Think about it, how can an upright official have so much money to buy birthday gifts for His Majesty? Those two birthday gifts should be We were sent out in front of hundreds of officials. Aren't we just spreading the word that we are corrupt officials? It's not without reason that I have a bad reputation among the government and the public. I was indeed short-sighted in the past."
Speaking of this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but smile bitterly.
When he learned about the birthday gifts "he" had given to Emperor Deqing two years ago, he was dumbfounded for a long time. He only felt that the former Zhao Junchen was extremely short-sighted. Being a bitch requires erecting memorial arches, but in the past, Zhao Junchen didn't care about his reputation. Why did he really not care about trying to please Emperor Deqing? But he had no idea that if Emperor Deqing turned against him in the future, or someone else wanted to impeach him, those birthday gifts he used to please Emperor Deqing would be irrefutable evidence of his guilt in the future!
If you want to send some expensive congratulatory gifts, just send them privately. It's not like you haven't done it before. It's so blatant and everyone knows it. It can only be said that you are "doing it yourself".
When Huang Yourong saw Zhao Junchen's birthday gift before, his expression seemed both envy and contempt, and it was precisely because he saw through this.
On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Xu Qingyan also understood, but became more and more confused. Pointing to the dozens of carriages in front of the sedan, he asked: "In this case, is our gift this year also... Is it too expensive?"
Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed: "Now that it's a done deal, if you want to change your impression and reputation, you can only do it slowly. If you change it rashly, your Majesty will be unhappy and think I'm neglecting him. What's more, the gift given this year Although these gifts are generous, in the final analysis they are just unique and do not cost much money, and some of them are not meant to be given in person."
Just when Xu Qingyan was about to say something, he saw a sedan approaching Zhao Junchen's sedan quickly.
Xu Qingyan was most familiar with the entourage of hundreds of officials in the court. As soon as he saw the entourage next to the sedan, he explained to Zhao Junchen: "Young Master, this is the sedan of Mr. Huang Ge."
When Zhao Junchen nodded, Xu Qingyan stepped aside, and Huang Yourong's sedan was already approaching parallel.
Then, Huang Yourong opened the curtains next to the sedan and faced Zhao Junchen with an expression full of kindness and kindness, without any hint of the coldness or disdain he had before.
"I've met Mr. Huang Ge." Zhao Junchen's expression was full of respect and he raised his hands to Huang Yourong: "Mr. Huang Ge came early today."
Huang Yourong also nodded, and then asked with a smile: "Today is His Majesty's birthday, I naturally dare not neglect it, but Junchen, the birthday gift given to His Majesty actually requires dozens of carriages to load. It is really a big deal, and I am afraid it will be done again this year. It’s monopolizing the limelight.”
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said with a smile: "Where is it? I am just doing my best to serve His Majesty. How can I be in the limelight? But I didn't expect that there was too much movement. Seeing that Mr. Huang Ge's sedan was blocked just now, the official I feel guilty, but I hope Mr. Huang Ge will not take any blame."
Huang Yourong waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter."
During the chat, when the Meridian Gate was approaching, Huang Yourong suddenly changed the topic and said: "Speaking of which, we imperial officials can only take a break during the days before and after the New Year. After the New Year, first there will be the Spring Examination, and then there will be Your Majesty is on tour to the south, and things are happening one after another. If we don’t save up some mental and physical energy now, I’m afraid I’ll be overwhelmed by the time.”
Zhao Junchen felt that Huang Yourong's words meant something, but he couldn't understand it for a moment. He just said: "Old Huang Ge is joking. You are always strong and experienced. As the saying goes, you can control the country with old age. What else can you do?" Are you overwhelmed?"
Huang Yourong seemed to be smiling but not smiling, but sighed: "I am getting old, how can I compare with rising stars like you? However, what I mean is that, taking advantage of these few days of free time, I intend to entertain Junchen, as well as the chief minister, Mr. Zhou, Let’s get together with Mr. Shen Ge, what do you think Junchen wants?”
Zhao Junchen was secretly shocked. Nowadays, except for the prince's party, the main forces in the court were occupied and divided by Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao and Zhao Junchen himself. Huang Yourong held a banquet like this, actually planning to entertain them all. I'm afraid things were not like him. It's so simple.
But for this banquet, even though he didn't know Huang Yourong's purpose, Zhao Junchen naturally would not refuse to agree and said: "Huang Pavilion is hosting a banquet, how dare I refuse?"
Seeing that Zhao Junchen agreed, Huang Yourong nodded with satisfaction.
While the two were chatting, the Meridian Gate had arrived, and hundreds of officials gathered in front of the Meridian Gate.
Emperor Deqing's birthday ceremony is about to begin as the time approaches.
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