Leisurely days always pass quickly, and half a year has passed in a flash.
Snowflakes are falling in Chang'an, and red lanterns are hung high, red and white contrasting with each other.
The crackling sound of firecrackers is rushing around in the streets and alleys, and the feeling of the New Year is coming up all at once.
"Happy New Year, happy New Year."
"Congratulations on getting rich! The auspicious snow heralds a good harvest. The fifteenth year of Zhenguan looks like another good harvest!"
"It's all thanks to His Majesty's great blessing that the people of the Tang Dynasty can live such a good life. From ancient times to the present, if you look through the books, there is no life more comfortable than that of the people of the Zhenguan Dynasty!"
"Yes, but it is not just the work of His Majesty. The famous officials of the Tang Dynasty, such as the Crown Prince, Grand Master Xu Gong, the left and right servants She Fang Gong and Changsun Gong, are all rare virtuous officials in the past dynasties. With them With our help, how can the Tang Dynasty fail to prosper?"
"You're right... Let's go for a walk and have a drink together?"
"..."
In the streets and alleys, people chatted with smiles on their faces.
A strong national power can truly benefit every citizen. It is precisely because of such a prosperous and stable country that people can do a good job and realize their ambitions.
In later generations, some people will brazenly say, "We don't want the rise of great powers, but only the dignity of small people." That's pure fart!
Without the rise of the country, how can the common people have dignity?
The country was weak, and the people had nothing but endless hardship and humiliation. If the Tang Dynasty was just a weak and small country, how could the people of Chang'an still stand on the streets talking and laughing?
I am afraid that if I am not careful, I will be captured by the Turks and become a two-legged sheep.
Taiji Palace, outside Liangyi Palace.
Li Shimin leaned on the railing, looking at the brightly lit Chang'an City, and couldn't help but smile.
"There seem to be more lanterns this year than last year."
he whispered.
Changsun Wuji stood beside him and continued:
"I have also discovered it. This shows that the people are getting richer and stronger year by year. I estimate that there will be more red lanterns next year."
"These are all the results of His Majesty's governance of the country!"
As soon as this statement came out, all the ministers around him echoed:
"Yes, in just over ten years, the whole country has been completely transformed! I heard that the price of food has dropped again this year. If the government hadn't controlled the bottom price, the food would have been given away! Hahaha..."
"There is so much food that we can't eat it all. In all dynasties, we are the only one in the Tang Dynasty, right? I heard that the number of babies born this year has doubled again. In the past ten years, the population has almost doubled, right?"
"The Accounts Department has account books and records, but they are more than doubled!"
"What a prosperous age..."
"Yes, the prosperous age, the prosperous age of Zhenguan!"
Today is New Year's Eve, and those who can enter the palace to attend the emperor's night banquet are all people who can make the city of Chang'an shake three times when they stomp their feet.
Some ministers who did not usually participate in government affairs but were close to Li Shimin came.
Especially the retainers and generals of Tiance Mansion, as long as they are not dead, are all invited to attend and share in the feast!
Sounds of admiration reached Li Shimin's ears, making the corners of his mouth slightly raise unconsciously.
He stroked the white hair on his temples and said softly:
"I have achieved real results in governing the country, and it is not in vain that my temples are gray and old..."
"I just don't know how many more years I can work. It's been a hard work for everyone these years."
When all the ministers heard the words, they all consoled them:
"Your Majesty is in the prime of life, how can you express your old age?"
"That's right! Your Majesty, I am already over sixty and I still don't feel old. You are still young!"
"Exactly, Your Majesty's Zhenguan era can last for at least several decades! By then, the Tang Dynasty will be the most powerful country in history, bar none!"
"What ten years? Long live Your Majesty, and I will follow Your Majesty for tens of thousands of years!"
Amidst the sounds of consolation and compliments, Li Shimin shook his head and laughed.
"How can a person be immortal after what millions of years?"
He waved his hand and said,
"Even a dynasty cannot last ten thousand years."
"The original idea of Qin Shihuang was very good. He would be the first emperor, and then the second, third, and even eternal generations."
"The idea is very beautiful, but what about the reality? You also know that the second generation of the Qin Dynasty perished."
"So, people must be self-aware. Even if they are an emperor and are rich all over the world, they cannot think that they are omnipotent. Aging is inevitable for no one."
After hearing these words, all the ministers were silent.
On such a festive day as the New Year, the emperor suddenly mentioned the matter of birth, old age, illness and death, which was somewhat disappointing...
Only a few ministers heard what Li Shimin meant.
"Yes, aging is inevitable, let's take Chen as an example."
Changsun Wuji answered,
"In the past two years, I also feel that my energy is not as good as before. I have to take care of things in the court, but I don't have as much energy to take care of things at home."
"Now I leave most of the housework to my son. Not to mention, Chang Sun Chong has done a pretty good job, which makes me feel relieved."
"This kid has grown up after all."
Li Shimin turned to look at Changsun Wuji.
"That's great!"
He patted Changsun Wuji on the shoulder and praised,
"Auxiliary machine, you have a good son! You are blessed and have a smart mind. You know how to delegate power to your children and grandchildren."
"Actually, when you reach middle age, you really have to think about your funeral. Like you, you have to think about the survival of your family; and like me, you have to think about the inheritance of the dynasty."
"You must have a good heir! There is a saying among the people that only good offspring is truly good. I feel deeply about it."
"A good successor can make the family and the country more prosperous and exist longer! Isn't this the result we want after working so hard?"
Changsun Wuji nodded repeatedly.
"What your Majesty said is true!"
"However, Your Majesty does not need to worry at all. The current crown prince is both wise and brave, and is worthy of his great responsibilities."
"In the future, if the Tang Dynasty is passed into his hands, it will surely prosper and continue to move forward."
Snap.
Li Shimin patted the railing, and suddenly there was a trace of sadness between his brows.
"Child Chengqian, everything else is fine, but this body... ugh."
He sighed softly,
"His foot disease is getting worse and worse."
"I heard from Divine Doctor Sun that if the condition continues to worsen, amputation may even be necessary. In the most serious case, everything from the waist down will be amputated!"
"Right now, there is no other way but to let him rest."
As soon as this statement came out, all the ministers were shocked!
"Is the prince's condition so serious?"
"Oh my god, even Sun Simiao said this. I'm afraid this disease is difficult to cure..."
"You really need to take a good rest. Amputation is no joke. If it really happens, wouldn't it be..."
This was the first time for several close ministers to hear about Li Chengqian's condition.
Before that, they also knew that the prince had a foot disease, but they didn't expect... that it would be so serious!
For a while, whispers continued.
Imagine that the future emperor of the Tang Dynasty only had his upper body, and this upper body was not very healthy.
Just thinking about it makes my scalp numb!
How could the huge Tang Empire be passed down to a cripple?
Naturally, this cannot be said in front of the emperor, but most people have the same idea in their minds.
No wonder...
Your Majesty would have just said those words.
No wonder...
He would praise Changsun Wuji for having a good son.
This is not to praise Sun Wuji, but to worry about himself and the Tang Dynasty!
Clang!
A melodious bell sounded.
"Your Majesty, the banquet is about to begin."
The attendant quickly stepped forward and said respectfully.
"Let's go, let's go have a meal."
Before Li Shimin could speak, a voice came out suddenly.
I saw Xu Fenglei holding a big pear in his hand and gnawing on it, walking towards the hall.
Ministers: "..."
Li Shimin: "￥%......&*#@"
"No matter what you do, eating comes first!"
Li Er's eyes twitched and he spat.
Although Xu Fenglei's people have returned from Jiuwei Mountain, his soul seems to remain on that mountain forever.
In the past six months, my life has been a mess and a mess.
There was a big meeting and I dozed off.
There was a small meeting in the political hall, and I was in a daze.
If you are alone and right, you will not know anything when you ask a question.
In addition to being more active in eating, other things focus on Aba Aba.
If he didn't speak normally, Li Shimin would have suspected that this bastard was really an idiot!
However, he would not really scold Xu Fenglei for his bad behavior.
Because after Xu Fenglei came back from Mount Jiuwei and destroyed Hou Junji, his status in the court was too high, and his influence was extremely high. Any words he said would attract attention and speculation from many parties.
If other important ministers stamp their feet, Chang'an will tremble, then if Xu Fenglei stamps his feet, Chang'an will be shaken!
Therefore, it is right not to ask about government affairs. If you really want to interfere in government affairs, Fang Xuanling's eldest son and grandson Wuji will have to step aside!
In addition, this kid has made so many contributions to himself. In terms of economy and education alone, he has been taking advantage of the foundation created by Xu Fenglei a few years ago.
Especially in the economy, the emperor is most afraid of lack of money. Without money, nothing can be done, and no matter how great the power is, it cannot be implemented.
And just the annual dividends from Fenglei Bank, plus the tobacco tax, are enough to make him extremely rich, and he can do whatever he wants!
You can build the palace out of your own pocket, without spending money from the Ministry of Revenue, so naturally you will not be criticized by Wei Zheng and other admonishers.
The mere fact of wealth and freedom was enough for Li Er to treat Xu Fenglei as a mascot.
"Let's go."
Li Shimin waved his hand and said,
"I am happy with you all."
The ministers all responded and followed behind the emperor, for fear of overstepping their bounds.
In this Tang Dynasty, except for the supreme master who has a transcendent status and can have no taboos, everyone else must abide by the rules, otherwise it will be a crime!
…
Within the main hall.
Li Shimin was sitting on the main seat, but there was a vacancy next to him.
The queen is still awake, and no favorite concubine can sit in this position. Even favored concubines such as Concubine Xu Hui and Wang Zhaoyi would never dare to look at this position.
There is a saying that goes well.
Bai Yueguang has the greatest lethality and can crush all beauties.
What is more lethal than Bai Yueguang is the dead Bai Yueguang, who will always live in memory and will always be regarded as the most precious existence.
And the thing that is even more lethal than the dead Bai Yueguang is the vegetative Bai Yueguang!
She is not dead yet, there is still hope for her to survive, even if there is only a tiny bit, she will be grabbed like a life-saving straw by crazy people!
Therefore...
As Bai Yueguang's eldest grandson, Wugou, who is in a vegetative state, no one can offend him. Even the slightest disrespect will be directly criticized by Li Shimin!
Under the throne are the princes.
Li Chengqian sat at the front, followed by Li Tai, Li Zhi and other direct princes, as well as Li Qingquan, Li Lizhi and other princesses.
Li Ke was nowhere to be seen at the banquet. He had gone to Tuyuhun to found the country. The situation there was still unstable and he could not return to Chang'an to celebrate the New Year.
After the direct princes and princesses, there are officials such as Xu Fenglei, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, etc. As for the other concubines and concubine princes, they dine in the side hall and are not allowed to enter the main hall without being summoned. The ranking is clearly defined.
The ministers were originally headed by Fang Xuanling.
But after Xu Fenglei came back, he was the undisputed number one minister. Although he did not hold the title of Shangshu Pushe, no one dared to question his position.
It's just that Xu Fenglei didn't have the demeanor of a first minister at this moment. He couldn't move when he looked at the delicacies on the table, and just gnawed at the braised chicken feet.
"Tsk tsk... this tastes good. The royal chef's cooking skills have improved again."
He said carelessly,
"Your Majesty, let the royal chef come to my house tomorrow for guidance. I like to eat braised chicken feet. This tastes good."
All the ministers were helpless.
If it were anyone else, he would have been caught in the mouth a long time ago.
How shameless are you? Let the chef who cooks for the emperor give instructions to the cooks at home?
What a nonsense!
But there is no way, who calls him Xu Fenglei?
When Li Shimin heard this, he just rolled his eyes.
"I understand. I will arrange someone for you in a few days."
He responded,
"Come on, give the Grand Master another plate of braised chicken feet!"
"Since you like to eat, then eat more, otherwise I will tell you that I won't even feed you a chicken claw."
When Xu Fenglei heard this, he immediately smiled.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is so generous!"
He was not polite and gnawed harder. For a moment, the hall was filled with the smell of chicken feet and the sound of his gnawing.
Gudong.
Gu Gu.
Some people are swallowing saliva, and some people's stomachs are growling.
It can be seen that the eating and broadcasting of later generations can indeed stimulate appetite.
Seeing Xu Fenglei eating so deliciously, everyone couldn't help it.
"Okay, okay, today is the New Year's Eve banquet, a family dinner."
Li Shimin smiled and raised his hand and said,
"Since it's a family banquet, there won't be so many rules. I'm tired of listening to those congratulatory speeches every year."
"Let's just have a seat!"
"First have a good meal and a drink, and then we can chat."
"Move your chopsticks!"
After saying that, he already moved his chopsticks.
The emperor went down with his chopsticks, and the sound of clanking and clanging in the palace suddenly sounded, which was endless.
Everyone was enjoying the meal, but Prince Li Chengqian seemed to have no intention of eating. He picked up the chopsticks, moved his lips slightly, and then put the chopsticks down again.
He pulled his somewhat swollen feet, raised his eyes slightly, and looked at his father...
At the same time, Li Shimin had just drank a glass of wine and turned his eyes.
Father and son looked at each other.
"Hey..."
Li Shimin put down his wine glass and sighed softly. At this moment, he suddenly wanted to have a cigarette.
(End of chapter)
