There are also Li Cai and Zhou Ping in the study.
Master Dong, whom I had just met in the afternoon, was also there.
Behind him was Sima Qian, a famous historian who was famous for later generations. He was dressed in a green robe and had a slightly serious face.
In addition, there were Da Sinong and several other people from the Nine Qings, as well as Chang Shi, Sizhi and other officials under the Prime Minister. There were quite a few people.
Huo Qubing came to the head of the row of generals and sat down next to the emperor's right hand side.
The emperor pushed the fruit placed in a wooden tray on the table to his side.
Huo Qubing found a pomegranate on the wooden support.
This is still a rare thing at the moment, coming from the Western Regions.
The pomegranate was peeled open in half, revealing the bright red and moist flesh with distinct particles. The emperor had obviously just tasted it, and passed the remaining half to Huo Qubing: "Try it, the food from the Western Regions is quite sweet. But there are more cores and less meat."
Huo Qubing, who was never polite to the emperor, reached out and took some fruit to eat.
He knew that the emperor loved grapes, so he didn't eat pomegranates. He picked out the grapes on the plate and brought them to his mouth one by one.
The emperor reached out and silently took the fruit plate away:
"Not long after you came back from the war in the Western Regions, did you eat this fruit called pomegranate? You didn't eat it, and you focused on the grapes I loved, and you ate them all."
The emperor was in a good mood. After hiding the grapes, he said:
"The tribute items from the Western Regions include fruits and vegetables, condiments, cattle and sheep products, etc. All the princes in the court suggested that fruit and vegetable seeds should be planted in our Han Dynasty."
"Recently, all the countries in the Western Regions have entered our Han territory, and this is a matter of great joy for the whole country.
In the past, the Xiongnu controlled the countries in the Western Regions, and the annual tribute they received was the most abundant part of the Xiongnu's harvest. Now not only is the Western Region returned to our great Han Dynasty, but the Western Huns have also been conquered and surrendered. This matter is very important. "
The return of the Western Regions and the Western Huns to the Han was the real turning point for the Han and the Xiongnu.
One goes down and the other goes up, and from then on the offensive and defensive momentum changes hands.
The emperor talked eloquently: "Yesterday the Huns sent people to Beiguan to inform the general that they wanted to bring up the marriage proposal again, but this time they wanted to marry the daughter of the Huns' Shanyu.
He also specifically pointed out that if I am willing to accept a concubine, it is best, otherwise I can marry Qu Bing, haha. "
Everyone understood why the emperor was so happy.
When the Han Dynasty was founded, because it had cleaned up the mess caused by the late Qin Dynasty, the national strength did not support a large-scale war with the Xiongnu, so it compromised and made peace with the Xiongnu.
The emperor, clan members and ministers have always regarded it as the greatest shame.
In recent years, the power of the Han Dynasty has become stronger and stronger, and it has won consecutive battles with the Xiongnu, forcing the Xiongnu to propose peace again.
It is tantamount to washing away the shame of the early Han Dynasty.
The emperor showed rare joy and asked Huo Qubing: "Do you want the daughter of the Xiongnu Chanyu?"
Huo Qubing muttered: "This is a tactic to delay the defeat of the Xiongnu. I don't like Xiongnu women."
As expected, the emperor changed the subject: "We are preparing for the Feng Chan ceremony, and it will take some time. I plan to hold an autumn hunt and go out for activities with all the ministers."
The emperor is in a good mood and wants to take the civil and military officials out to do team building.
Hunting, banquets held at the houses of officials at all levels, watching singing and dancing, playing games, and writing lyrics and poems were all the main forms of communication and entertainment in the Han Dynasty.
Officials held banquets almost every day in Chang'an City, and hunting was a large-scale activity for the powerful. The emperor would lead his family and ministers to participate in the ceremony two to three times a year.
Hunting is also an opportunity for many people to show off, hoping to attract the attention of the emperor and gain a higher starting point for officialdom.
The emperor discussed various state affairs with the ministers. By the time Huo Qubing and Dong Zhongshu came out of the palace, it was already dark.
Huo Guang was outside the palace, waiting for Dong Zhongshu by the carriage.
"Zimeng, you go with Huo Hou. If it's too late, stay in the Hou's mansion. Just come to Taixue to see me tomorrow." Dong Zhongshu said.
Huo Guang happily agreed, saluted Dong Zhongshu as he boarded the car, and respectfully saw the car off.
Huo Qubing said to the guard behind him: "Let's go for a walk in the city."
Xiao Qisheng and others immediately changed into their regular clothes, and the group went out of the north gate of Weiyang Palace and arrived at the bustling city of Chang'an.
The sun will set.
The main street of Chang'an is noisy and bustling with pedestrians.
Chang'an during this period could be said to be the most beautiful place in the world. Whether it was the excitement, the scale of the buildings, the things for sale, or the novelty of what he saw and heard, it all had a great impact on Huo Guang, who was new to Chang'an.
Huo Qubing said as he walked: "I am a big man who is in a period of expanding our territory externally, reforming old shortcomings internally, and inspiring new ideas."
"Your Majesty has great talent and ambition. But we need matching national strength as a foundation to allow the Han Dynasty to develop rapidly and get better and better."
Huo Qubing looks at the present from the perspective of future generations looking at history.
He is very clear about the contrast between the early, middle and even later stages of Emperor Wu.
There is no need to say too much to Huo Guang right now, just guide him appropriately.
"When all the countries in the Western Regions returned to the Han Dynasty, Chang'an was the first place to see changes. Many things were passed on that I, the Han Dynasty, did not have originally, and there will be more and more in the future."
Huo Qubing said: "You must remember that there is more than one big man in the world. Only by looking outside can you be less complacent."
Huo Guang said respectfully, "I have memorized all your brother's teachings."
A group of people walked on the street for a while and met two acquaintances.
Zhang Cigong and Li Gan were dressed in casual clothes, followed by several attendants.
Li Gan had been to Xiguan a year ago, and this time he returned to Chang'an for a rest shortly after Huo Qubing returned from the Western Regions.
However, in the past, Zhang Cigong was a general under Wei Qing, while Li Gan followed his father Li Guang and belonged to the inherent class of the old faction in the army.
The two parties were located on different hills, and Zhang Cigong and Li Gan had never had any contact with each other.
At present, Huo Qubing is expanding his territory and going on many expeditions, which to a large extent has diverted the internal conflicts of the Han army and made the guns consistent with the outside world.
Li Gan had clearly pledged himself to Huo Qubing.
The superiors and subordinates worked together, and the tribes below also mingled with them.
The factional distinctions within the Han army became increasingly blurred and almost non-existent.
Huo Qubing was a little relieved to see the two of them wandering on the street together, but then he noticed Li Gan's evasive eyes and realized something was wrong.
"What are you two doing together?"
Zhang Cigong simply came up and prepared to drag Huo Qubing into trouble:
"Li Gan returned home for the first time. I took him to wash away the murderous aura he had returned from the battle."
"Wash? What to use and where to wash?"
Huo Qubing said, "You two are going to go whoring together?"
Li Gan covered his face with his sleeves, feeling as embarrassed as meeting his immediate boss while visiting a brothel, and his face turned red.
He has thick eyebrows and big eyes. In the past, he had never gone to a place like Nulv to have fun.
This time, I listened to Zhang Cigong's temptation. He said that those women had the same unique skills as everyone's hands, such as pinching dragons, breaking flowers, beating slopes, rolling bird eggs, grinding donkeys, grinding with snow, walking eight bends, stepping on houses, making strips, etc. and other means.
One person has one craft, and if he can try them all at once, he can languish for many days.
Li Gan seemed to have opened the door to a new world and was stunned.
He had been fighting for several months, and his yang energy was as strong as iron. He was so excited that he agreed to go and have a look.
Unexpectedly, he bumped into Huo Qubing when he went out.
"Mr. Zhongling, I'm just going to take a look. Really, just take a look..." Li Gan said coyly.
Zhang Cigong muttered: "That's not what you just said."
Then he said to Huo Qubing, "Are you going? Two women from the Western Regions are coming from Beili. They are good at singing and dancing. Their waists can be twisted so much that they can break a person's bones."
"A woman from the Western Regions came to Chang'an...to do this?" Huo Qubing said unexpectedly.
The industry is so deeply involved, has it kept pace with the times to this extent?
While the commerce, trade, fruits, cattle and sheep, etc. from the Western Regions were introduced, talents were also introduced in this area?
Zhang Cigong said: "It has been half a month since Hu Nu from the Western Regions came to Chang'an, and her reputation has long been spread. Only you don't know about it.
But they don't accompany the guests, they only come out to dance two Hu dances every night, dancing in a coquettish manner. Sometimes I would invite guests into the house to be alone, but they would only dance and play the harp from the Western Regions, and not spend the night.
All the romantic guests in Chang'an are guessing who can take the lead among these two women first. "
Zhang Cigong winked: "Qu Bing, if you take action, you have greater hope than anyone else."
Huo Qubing glanced at Huo Guang on his side, fearing that he might lead his younger brother into trouble, so he started to leave.
Zhang Cigong lowered his voice and said: "If you really don't go, don't regret it. I tell you, there is someone in Pingkangfang who you would never expect is here."
Huo Qubing muttered: "Apart from you, Mr. Liu and the others, who else can I not think of?"
Zhang Cigong whispered the name, and Huo Qubing was shocked: "Are you serious?
If he goes, won't his appearance change? How did you get discovered? "
Zhang Cigong pointed to his nose: "You should know what I am capable of. He has indeed changed his appearance, but I can smell it and it will never be wrong."
Zhang Cigong had practiced scouting and was proficient in tracking enemies. He was also gifted with a nose that no big wolf dog could match.
Huo Qubing glanced at Huo Guang and wanted to send him back to Taixue first.
Huo Guang immediately said: "Brother, I have reached the age of marriage. Some people as old as me in Pingyang have children. Please take me to see them together, brother."
Huo Qubing thought about it and realized that this matter could not be blocked. The more blocked he became, the more curious he became: "Then go and have a look. Let's go."
Zhang Cigong was full of energy and winked at Li Gan.
Led by Zhang Cigong, the group formed a luxurious team and headed north of Chang'an.
Chang'an Beili is the famous Pingkangfang neighborhood after the Tang and Song Dynasties.
Female prostitutes and prostitutes gathered here, and it was the earliest night culture distribution center.
"Qu Bing, you should clean up Beili and lower the price."
Zhang Cigong led the way and said: "When women from the Western Regions come, prices in surrounding markets rise. My salary feels tight."
"Whose business is Beili Gefang City?"
Huo Qubing said: "You are a lieutenant of the Northern Army. The defense of the local government offices in Chang'an happens to be under your jurisdiction. Why don't you ignore it?"
Zhang Cigong spread his hands and said: "If I can take care of it, will I still come to you?
There are people from the clan behind the income of this street in Beili. Except for you, everyone else is powerless to take care of it, and it’s not a big deal. I won’t go against the clan because of high prices.
You pass down an order, and the clan has to obey it. How about you write a warrant? "
A female concubine has such great benefits? The clan is not afraid of getting their hands dirty and is involved in this aspect?
Huo Qubing didn't have many special views on women relying on talent to make a living.
Human beings have fundamental desires, and banning them is not the best solution.
But he has a spoiled wife who doesn't want to eat popular hot pot. All the meat has been boiled in one pot and she can't eat it.
He ignored Zhang Cigong's words.
While talking, we came to Beili, also called Beishi.
This is the most lively place in Chang'an at night, with dignitaries, businessmen, merchants traveling to and from Chang'an, dignitaries in the court, all kinds of people.
There are still some noble princes, but I like the tone of this romance.
Spend a lot of money, come secretly, and feel like you are in a fairyland.
Huo Qubing was so well-known that he changed his appearance after he passed away and turned into a vicious-looking villain.
Except for Huo Guang, the rest of the people also changed, and then under the guidance of Zhang Cigong, they entered Pingkangfang, one of the four major banks in Chang'an.
As soon as I came in, I found that the business here was indeed very good, making a lot of money every day.
I also saw several acquaintances, including officials at the level below Jiuqing, also using different disguises than usual.
Most of the people who come here have a tacit understanding and pretend not to know each other.
"I have a special hall here. Let's go and sit down." Zhang Cigong showed his face as an old customer and led the way as a familiar person.
Huo Qubing: "Where is the person you are talking about?"
Zhang Cigong: "Don't worry, I'll be here soon."
As we entered the lobby while talking, there was the sound of silk and bamboo, chimes and drums, and it was a scene of singing and dancing.
There is a high platform in the middle, with women dancing gracefully, gauze clothes flying, long legs in red flowers and willows, and the air smells fragrant.
Huo Guang also opened the door to the new world with great interest.
Zhang Cigong has a private seat on the second floor all year round. One side is open, so he can see the lobby from a high position, and he can be independent and superior to others. The viewing angle is very good.
"Qubing, why are you here?"
Huo Qubing was startled, and when he looked back, he saw Liu Xiangxing approaching in a hurry.
These ghosts, ghosts and snake gods are usually invisible to people, so you can definitely find them here.
"I have changed my appearance, how can you recognize me?"
"We have known each other for many years, and I can tell it's you based on my feeling."
Liu Xiang was a little proud and came over to put their arms around each other: "Moreover, most of the acquaintances who come here are disguised in various ways. I have seen them many times, so I can naturally tell them apart."
While he was talking, Zhang Cigong reminded: "Look, it's coming. Did I lie to you?"
Liu Xiang lowered his voice: "Who are you talking about?
I also saw two people that you would never expect coming in just before you came in. "
Fuck...it looks like there are quite a lot of people there.
Huo Qubing turned to look at the person Zhang Cigong was talking about - Dao Zun.
He changed his appearance and turned into a bearded man.
Huo Qubing turned around and walked towards Dao Zun.
Taoist Master felt something and turned around to see Huo Qubing, his expression changed drastically.
