Soon, night fell, and the sacrificial ceremony came to the last and most important item, which was the rising of the stars.
There is a sacred object in the dynasty, which is the Star Lamp. It looks like a candle with some irregular patterned iron covers around it. There is a copper ring under the lamp base. Adding candle charcoal to the wick can make the lamp float into the air. , then pull the copper ring, there is a long and small copper wire inside, which is constantly extending, like a kite, connected to the star lamp.
Every year during the sacrifice, star lanterns are used to float into the sky when night comes. The stars floating by represent the fortune of the coming year and even the future direction of the dynasty.
This star-rising lantern was obtained from a small remote country during the Qi Dynasty's campaign. It is said that all the people in that small country have disappeared, leaving only the emperor and some ministers who would rather die than surrender. Because of the star-rising lantern, Counting the demise of their country, these people stayed because they were unwilling to flee.
Liu Cheng loved this thing very much, so he did not kill those people, and left the official in charge of the rising star in the small country to predict the fate of his dynasty every year.
After that, the rising star every year was extremely accurate, and even predicted a shocking injustice. Liu Cheng was convinced of this, so after offering sacrifices to the gods in heaven, he would use the rising star lantern to see next year. fortune.
During the Rise of the Star, court officials could report some inconvenient matters to the emperor beyond their level of authority. If a small local official at the time had not spoken out, the unjust case might not have been overturned. And the results of the rising star can be seen by everyone. The emperor will consult every official to make the best judgment and some policy changes.
Slowly, Emperor Liu Cheng lit the star lantern and rose into the sky with the dim candlelight, a place that people have always longed for but could not reach.
In previous years, the star lanterns were very strange and would float in the sky for at least an hour. However, this year they only stayed in the sky for less than half an hour before landing. Special officials recorded the stars that the star lanterns floated by and made them in time. Charts are used to predict fortune.
Liu Cheng was very uneasy and hurriedly asked Wei Xian, who had calculated the star lanterns, to explain the reason. This Wei Xian was the reckoner of the small and remote country at that time. He was appointed by Liu Cheng as the star rising officer, responsible for the rising stars every year.
Wei Xian hurriedly climbed to the high platform and said to the emperor very happily: "Your Majesty, this is a good omen. This unusual time and route indicate that the dynasty will go through a change, short and rapid. Just now the star lantern passed by The two stars, Sirius and Weiqi, indicate that after this change, the dynasty will become stronger and unified internally and externally. When it finally fell, the star lantern landed along the Big Dipper. I am afraid that the dynasty's unification of Kyushu is just around the corner. "
When Liu Cheng heard this, his anxious mood calmed down, and he sighed slowly. When he heard that he would be stronger after the change, and even unified internally and externally, Liu Cheng unconsciously smiled a little, very lightly, because The ministers were all sitting under the high platform, and only the official Wei Xian noticed this smile.
"Haha, God bless our Qi dynasty. My dear friends, you can drink as much as you like today. I have a day off tomorrow. If anything else comes up, let's have a good time with wine, singing and dancing!"
These laughters were obvious. Everyone saw and heard them and were very happy. However, Wei Xian clearly felt that this was different from the laughter just now. The laughter just now was very weird.
Under normal circumstances, unless there is a big event at this time, some officials usually dare not report it. Now they can take the opportunity to report it to the emperor, such as corruption and injustice cases, or to study what is strange about the previous rising star chart. Today But it was strange, because the Star-rising Lantern traveled a total of twelve stars. It was simple and clear, and with the Star-rising Officer's narration, everyone knew very well, and there was no need to discuss it. So the emperor prepared to end the sacrificial ceremony and return to the palace to rest. After all, he was old and working for a day was very tiring.
The remaining courtiers can enjoy the banquet, singing and dancing as they please until they stay up all night tomorrow and return home on their own.
Just when the emperor was about to leave the high platform, a figure sitting in a corner jumped out and shouted: "I have my own book to start the memorial!" Then he knelt down among the ministers.
Liu Cheng knew that he was very tired at this time, and the officials also knew that officials would not be so reckless about trivial matters. It seemed that the matter was not trivial.
Liu Cheng sighed and waved, and the four little eunuchs on the side lifted the emperor's chair. Liu Cheng took a breath, sat on the dragon chair, and said slowly: "If you have anything to do, tell me! "
The official below was none other than Wu Liangfu, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Punishment. He was a minor official. There were so many officers and guards in various places in the Ministry of Punishment that he could not remember the number. The emperor did not recognize him even more, but his words were astonishing.
"The villain Wu Liangfu, the chief of the criminal department, sued the King of Peiping for stealing quicksand stones as a tribute from the Northern Territory Kingdom!"
For a moment, the entire Immortal Palace was extremely silent. Many officials lowered their heads and took a deep breath. Where did Wu Liangfu come from? He actually dared to sue the King of Peking.
Before the emperor could react, a person below the high platform, wearing a purple, gold and green robe with flying dragons and phoenixes, was Li Wei, one of the three princes, the prefect. He shouted on the spot: "A bold little official, lawless, dare to falsely accuse the minister of the current dynasty. Who gave you the courage!"
Wu Liangfu said hurriedly: "It's not a false accusation made by a villain, there is solid evidence!"
The officials who sat down were all shocked. Wu Liangfu's ignorance of life and death reached the point of no end. There may be people in the entire Qi Dynasty who don't know the emperor's surname, but they definitely don't know who the King of Peking is. Back then, the Qi Dynasty fought a decisive battle with the Qin clan. , if the King of Peiping had not led the army to rescue him in time, I am afraid that the current emperor would have died at that time. In these years, the King of Peiping was not only a minister of the king, but also like a brother to the emperor.
Moreover, the King of Peking has made many loyal friends all over the world and has helped many people. He is well-known in the world and even in other countries. He himself is a great master of martial arts, which makes many people admire him very much.
It is simply unbelievable that someone now dares to sue the King of Peking for stealing national tribute.
Li Wei: "You are crazy! I can spare your life if I can get the evidence today. If there is any falsehood, I will kill you immediately!"
Wu Liangfu said slowly: "Sir, the quicksand stone was stolen that day in Lin'an, the villain's territory. Lin'an's divine guards tracked the thief all the way into the Wushuang Great Wall. However, the thief's aura was so long that the divine guards were unable to capture him. Who knew that this thief actually entered? , entered...!"
Li Wei: "Don't hesitate, speak up!"
Wu Liangfu: "When we entered the palace of King Beiping, the divine guards did not dare to follow him, so they returned to Lin'an. The divine guards and other guards knew about this, and it was not a false accusation made by a villain!"
It turns out that the theft of quicksand stones that was a big deal some time ago is actually related to the King of Peking. No wonder we still don’t know the whereabouts of the quicksand stones and the whereabouts of the thieves!
Li Wei thought for a moment: "Hmph, even if someone sees a thief entering the Prince of Peking's Mansion, how can they prove that it was the Prince of Peking who did it? What's more, the Prince of Peking has already become a Grandmaster, so what's the use of that quicksand stone!"
Wu Liangfu continued: "Sir, I don't know much about this. It's just that the thief did enter the Peking Palace that day. It's impossible not to notice it based on the prince's martial arts skills. What's more, the prince doesn't necessarily want to use it himself. I'm afraid he wants to …………!”
Li Wei said angrily: "Speak quickly, if you keep mumbling, I will kill you now!"
Wu Liangfu said in fear: "Yes, I dare to guess that the King of Peking wants to use quicksand to cultivate talents, so as to raise troops to rebel!"
There was a stir, and all the officials were lamenting how brave Wu Liangfu was to say these words. However, some people began to wonder, with his status as the King of Peking, how could Wu Liangfu dare to falsely accuse him like this? Is this really true? "
At this time, except for the confrontation between Li Wei and Wu Liangfu, one of the three officials, the other officials were silent and had no idea what was going on.
The word rebellion reached Liu Cheng's ears. The eighty-year-old emperor trembled slightly and glanced at the King of Peking.
Only then did Peiping Wang Longyu realize that someone accused him of treason. It was a joke. But listening to his words, he felt that the thief had really entered his palace. He was very confused. He was already a great master. How could ordinary thieves enter the palace? I do not know!
When he was about to explain to the emperor, as soon as the word "chen" came out of his mouth, the emperor interrupted him with a wave of his hand.
Liu Cheng looked at Wu Liangfu who was kneeling on the ground and said slowly: "You are a petty official. You made it up out of thin air and made false claims. You dare to frame the important minister of the dynasty, the King of Peking, for treason. Even if the thief entered the palace, he would not follow the Peking government." The king is concerned, someone is here, drag him out fifty big boards, and reduce his salary for three years. If he talks like this again, he will be killed immediately. If I am not happy today, I will kill you with a stick in front of you!"
Then two guards took Wu Liangfu out of the Immortal Palace. After hearing the emperor's words, Wu Liangfu was so frightened that his legs weakened. He was thinking: "Why...how...is it different? Fortunately, only fifty people can bear it..." …I can handle it!”
When he went out, he glanced at Li Wei and found that Li Wei was also glaring at him. He was so frightened that he hurriedly rolled out of the Immortal Palace with the guards.
After Wu Liangfu went out, Liu Cheng said: "That's it for today. The matter of quicksand stone is over. Anyone who dares to talk about it in front of me again will be killed immediately!"
This happened too fast, and everyone couldn't adapt to it for a while, so the matter just passed? There is no interrogation, no summons, no verification, or even no investigation. Will there be any discussion about standing beheading in the future?
Everyone's faces turned green when they looked at King Beiping. Who would dare to say anything bad about King Beiping in the future? If the emperor hadn't been so happy about the rising star today, I'm afraid Wu Liangfu would have been dead!
The relationship between the King of Peking and the Emperor was already well known, but now it is even more difficult to shake.
After Liu Cheng finished speaking, he waved and left.
With the emperor gone, some officials relaxed a little, eating and drinking until midnight before leaving. Although there was this minor episode, it did not affect some officials who continued to indulge until early morning, so they did not have to go to court the next day. , this Feiyu Banquet is a rare delicacy, and the beauties of Huanyuan Pavilion, although you can’t touch them, it’s still good to take a look!
Some officials inevitably felt ripples in their hearts, what a beauty!
