Lexu likes musical instruments.
Everything related to music,
Whether it is elegant music for ancestor worship ceremonies or secular music for singing and dancing at banquets, I like them all.
There is no autumn in the flowers and trees in the sun, and the Luo River flows through the palace everywhere.
This is a palace in the northwest corner of Shangyang Palace, called Ganlu Palace.
Near a tributary of Luoshui River, a rare cool river breeze blows in midsummer.
On the corridor, Lexu and his companions were fluttering the robes exclusive to the court musicians.
Under the gaze of a female supervising officer with a serious and lonely expression in front of them, who turned her head to watch, they either held a musical instrument or a harp, bowed their heads and walked into the empty hall in small steps.
Everyone sat down one by one behind the curtain at the edge of the hall, adjusting their instruments.
This Shangyang Palace is located in the western suburbs of Luoyang, also known as the West Palace and the royal back garden.
In the Manlu Hall, Lexu sat down with his companions. He put down the guqin in his arms and skillfully adjusted the strings to prepare for the ensemble.
Lexu is an official name, not his real name.
As for the real name, after entering the palace, few people called it and gradually forgot it.
The only thing I can't forget is the music.
He and his companions all held the official position of Le Xu, and were managed by the female official Si Yue of Shangyang Palace, who played music for the emperor and nobles.
Today, the serious and traditional female music officer suddenly urged them to set off and go to the musicians' stations in various palaces and waterside pavilions.
Lexu knew without guessing that it was Her Majesty the Queen who came to visit the West Palace again.
As for whether Her Majesty the Queen will visit this relatively remote Manna Palace, who knows?
Shangyang Palace was so big, with so many palaces and so many luxurious places that the emperor had no shortage of places to play.
Lexu has been working as a musician in Ganlu Palace for nearly three years, and has only welcomed Her Majesty the Queen a handful of times.
However, Lexu did not complain. He lowered his head and tuned the piano and prepared to play. A joyful emotion gradually emerged in his eyes.
Being a musician in the palace does not mean you have much monthly salary, and you have to be embarrassed and exploited by some of the female officials above.
I heard from my companions that if you just find a Zhulou Mansion by the Luoshui River in Luoyang City and play for a few nights, you can make a lot of money. You can also get to know some great and suave poets, or have the opportunity to meet some of your favorite poets. The ignorant courtesan spent a spring night together.
But Lexu is not like his companions, who longs for the colorful world in Luoyang city.
In Shangyang Palace, the monotonous life with Qin has made him feel at ease and contented.
I remember that an old musician who taught etiquette and music once told him that if you want to be rich and stable, you can work as a private musician in a market restaurant or a nobleman's mansion.
But if you want to make progress in rituals and music, there is only one way, which is to stay in this boring palace and hone your music skills.
Lexu always remembered this sentence.
However, the old musician who taught him this sentence found an opportunity to leave the Luoyang court a few years ago. Before leaving, at a simple farewell banquet, the old man drank several glasses of wine, laughed and walked away without any nostalgia.
Lexu was quite puzzled.
In the Ganlu Palace, Lexu and his companions finished adjusting their instruments and played a grand and elegant melody.
Outside the palace, on the long corridor, a group of old-fashioned female officials stood motionless with their heads lowered.
It seems to be a courtesy to a certain queen.
Lexu quietly used his peripheral vision to glance at the palace ladies outside.
The largest number of people in Shangyang Palace are these female officials.
I heard that their strict hierarchy and strict requirements are even more cumbersome and strict than those of the musicians.
Being in the palace, I have naturally heard a lot of such gossipy things.
Originally, someone like Lexu, who was in the palace and had access to the emperor's position, should have been castrated like a palace eunuch.
However, fortunately, the owner of Shangyang Palace was a female emperor, who did not have strict requirements for eunuchs, but occasionally favored men.
It doesn't matter whether some musicians are castrated or not. Of course, among the criteria for selecting such servants, good appearance and tall posture are essential, and there must be no crooked melons or cracks.
Looking at Her Majesty the Queen's choice of training the female officials and maids around her, it can be seen that she is an emperor who likes sex.
Lexu was very lucky not to be castrated, but he also increasingly couldn't understand the departure of the old musician who taught him etiquette and music.
Lexu glanced at the giant Buddha in the distance outside the palace door.
There is the Great Buddha Hall.
In the square of the Great Buddha Hall, one of the most conspicuous buildings in Shangyang Palace, there is a tall Buddha statue standing, a hundred-foot building rising from the ground, majestic and majestic.
In Shangyang Palace, apart from the palace officials and female officials, the largest number of people are people in strange clothes, who deal with some weird items all day long.
Lexu couldn't tell whether they were Taoist priests or alchemists, but he had heard someone say that they seemed to be called qi-seekers.
Lexu didn't quite understand what they were doing, but Her Majesty the Queen seemed to like them quite a lot and often summoned them.
So...these hopefuls, like their musicians, are practicing to please the emperors and nobles, right?
Lexu secretly guessed, even vaguely dissatisfied.
The rituals and music are so beautiful and unparalleled in the world, but these fortune-tellers seem unreliable. They have some weird and cunning plan to please Her Majesty the Queen, which has led to Her Majesty not paying much attention to the rituals and music.
However, most of these fortune-tellers are found near the Great Buddha Hall and the Buddha statues, and there is not much interaction between the two sides.
When Lexu passed by one night, he happened to see many fortune-tellers walking into the hundred-foot-tall Buddha statue. He didn't know what was busy inside.
Lexu shook his head and continued to play the guqin. There were many musical instruments in the world, but he loved the guqin the most.
I remember one time when an old musician was drunk, he said that there was actually an unparalleled and unparalleled piano hidden in Shangyang Palace, and it also had a peerless sound. Finally, the old musician sighed and said: "The piano is not a piano."
Lexu kept it in mind, but it had been ten years since he entered the palace, and he had never seen or heard it before. He felt more and more that the old musician was talking nonsense while drunk.
Le Xu knew all the harp players in Shangyang Palace, but Er'er was perhaps slightly inferior to him. He couldn't help but feel a little proud. His music was the best in Shangyang Palace...
Lexu suddenly calmed down, lowered his head and focused on the strings on his fingertips.
At this moment, he faintly heard a dense but rhythmic sound of footsteps coming from the long corridor in the distance outside the palace.
It is Her Majesty the Queen’s Holy Chariot!
There is almost no doubt in my heart, and I can even faintly hear the familiar old voice of Her Majesty the Queen.
There was a hint of hoarseness in the solemnity.
Lexu was suddenly happy.
Although he had only met a few times in the past few years, Lexu had already firmly remembered this sound.
Because his ears can distinguish every syllable and remember most sounds and simple melodies, Lexu can memorize and play them after listening to them once.
I remember that the old musician once sighed, this is God's hand-to-hand feeding. This is called top-quality musicality. For musicians, it is rare to find.
Lexu also heard that during the Taizong Dynasty, there was a female court musician who relied on this kind of talent to listen to foreign music once in the Daming Palace in Chang'an, and then played an old tune in front of countless foreign guests and envoys who came to worship. The pipa played the tune flawlessly.
Immediately, Emperor Taizongwen was overjoyed. The foreign envoys were all amazed, knelt down and sang praises, and were convinced... This won Daqian the honorary name of the Celestial Kingdom and the Great State of Ceremony.
It's a pity that when Daqian was first established, the scene of flourishing all walks of life and all things no longer existed. The scene of the heavenly kingdom and the prosperous rites and music seemed to only exist in a dream.
At present, in Chang'an and Luoyang, all the passion seems to have gradually slowed down with the growth of the empire. The princes, nobles and people of the two capitals have begun to be content with the days in front of them, regardless of their own business, and many things have become accustomed to it.
Even the Zhou Dynasty, which had just been "founded", did not show the scene at the beginning of the Great Qian Dynasty...
Lexu is just a young musician and doesn't understand much about the change of dynasties, but he can feel that Her Majesty the Queen really doesn't pay much attention to rituals and music.
In other words, she only listens to a small number of people, not to mention those weird and eccentric gastroopers who take away some of the favor and attention. How can it be the turn of a little person like Lexu to come forward, even if the piano music is the best? So what about Yang Palace.
Lexu laughed at himself and sighed.
The old musician said that his talent was good, but not good either. It was a blessing and a curse.
It is also said that most musicians in ancient times were blind, because blocking one sense in this way can enhance the remaining four senses and pursue perfection.
But today's musicians, especially those in this palace, should not only be blind, but also deaf. If it is not necessary to distinguish sounds and listen to music...
Lexu didn't understand the old musician's emotion. How could he be a piano player if he was deaf? On the contrary, I am proud of my high-quality sound. The only pity is that no one appreciates it.
But now, it seems that the opportunity has come.
The companions who were playing music around him noticed the movement outside the hall a little later than Lexu.
Lexu and his companions looked at each other in tacit understanding, their eyes lit up with joy, and they all showed their best.
In the Ganlu Hall, the sound of silk and bamboo orchestra suddenly rose, melodious and sweet, among which the sound of the piano stood out.
Footsteps outside the palace approached, and a group of palace attendants escorted two figures into the palace.
Lexu lowered his head to play the piano, not daring to raise his head at all.
Only from the corner of my eye could I vaguely see the clothes and boots of Her Majesty the Queen and another nobleman trailing on the floor.
Her Majesty the Queen was surprisingly caring and considerate towards this noble person who came with her.
"How is your health lately? I have heard that the elder is immersed in state affairs in Feng Pavilion, working day and night, and has used up all eight of his plans."
This is the voice of Her Majesty the Queen. Her speech is relatively slow, but it gives people a very weighty feeling:
"Elder Guo, it's better to rest more. Such trivial matters can be left to the people below."
"Your Majesty, I have no desire to eat these days, so I read official seals and thousands of volumes every day. It will be helpful for my seniors to eat less and be harmonious to my body."
This is the voice of an unfamiliar old man, speaking at a steady pace. Can His Majesty call him an elder? In the whole court, there was only one person named Master Di.
The Master is a master of Confucianism and is extremely talented. He should be proficient in rituals and music, so he can appreciate the music of his qin... Le Xu plays the qin in high spirits.
In the main hall, the sound of the piano became more melodious, sometimes low and sad, sometimes impassioned.
Amidst the melodious music of the piano, Her Majesty the Queen’s sigh sounded again:
"Can you have some appetite by reviewing official and state affairs... The boss of the country is really the pillar of Zhou Dynasty and the pillar of the country."
"Old minister, I don't dare." The Master's voice was neither humble nor arrogant.
The voice belonging to Her Majesty the Queen suddenly changed the subject:
"Yesterday, a group of ministers jointly submitted a memorial, saying that the country cannot live without an heir for a day, and asked me to make King Wei his heir. What do the elders think of King Wei?"
The master's unwavering and firm voice immediately sounded in the hall:
"Your Majesty, I look at the people in the world and still miss Taizong's kindness. If there is an emperor, he must be the descendant of Taizong and the flesh and blood of your majesty and Gaozong."
The hall suddenly became quiet. Lexu, who was playing the piano behind the curtain at the edge of the hall, heard the sound of fingers tapping on a jade product from the front.
Bang bang bang... again and again, rhythmically.
Her Majesty the Queen seemed worried and did not speak any more, as if she was enjoying the ceremony and music.
After a while, the finger-tapping stopped, and she asked:
"Yesterday, a palace maid went out to the palace to do some shopping. I heard some rumors and told them to everyone. I heard that a seventh-grade official named Ouyang Lianghan refused the imperial edict to be promoted to serve as censor. This matter, Has the old man heard about it?"
"As I know, I know that the imperial edict has passed through the Political Hall."
"Oh, I also know this little guy. He is the young man who has been chosen by me. He is tall and handsome, but he seems to have a straight temper...
"Oh, now you have resigned. How do you plan to handle this matter?"
"I won't take care of it or deal with it."
"oh?"
Her Majesty the Queen made an interesting voice and seemed to chuckle:
"The elder also thinks that he is not a talented person? He is just trying to gain fame?
"Okay, that's just right. I'm here today. Let the elder recommend a talent to me. The elder is old and needs others to take care of political affairs. He can recommend a talent who can entrust him with important tasks."
Master Di said calmly:
"Your Majesty, if you are looking for talented people with literary talents, I can recommend many people, including Li Qiao, a member of the Ministry of Rites, and Su Weiwei, a censor... these are all suitable candidates.
"However, if Your Majesty must find an outstanding talent right now, then the only one is Jiangzhou Dragon City Commander Ouyang Lianghan. Although Lianghan is young, he has the appearance of a prime minister."
"Hey, didn't you say you don't care about this guy?" The empress sounded surprised and asked doubtfully, "Why are you suddenly recommending him so grandly?"
Master Di’s tone remained unchanged:
"I don't care about him because his official position can only be bestowed by His Majesty and must be promoted by you. I don't dare to do it for you."
After finishing speaking, there was silence in the palace for a while.
The Queen suddenly laughed: "If I directly issue a decree to promote him according to the specifications of book making, doesn't that mean he will be directly promoted to an official position of fifth rank or above?"
"I have no intention of asking for an official position. What is important is His Majesty's personal promotion. Official rank is meaningless."
With a soft "hmm" in her nasal voice, the Queen remained silent again, seemingly noncommittal.
After a while, the monarch and his ministers changed the subject. Her Majesty the Queen made a few greetings and rewarded some tribute cakes. A certain fat old man bowed and left.
In the hall, only the sound of orchestral music was left, and the atmosphere of ritual music was solemn.
The old woman in a dragon robe turned her head and glanced at a memorial and an atlas neatly placed on her desk.
It was the "Ten Essays on Water Control in the South of the Yangtze River" and the "View of the Water Systems in the South of the Yangtze River" submitted by Ouyang Rong.
There are faint traces of annotations drawn in red circles on the memorial.
"Miaozhen."
Queen Wei Zhao of the Great Zhou Dynasty suddenly spoke.
The eight colorfully dressed female officials accompanying him, wearing crimson palace attire and dimpled lips, lined up on both sides of the palace without squinting.
At this moment, among the eight women, a woman in palace clothes immediately came out of the procession, knelt down and saluted:
"My slave is here."
This woman in palace attire has two small dots of rouge between the dimples at the corners of her mouth. She is none other than Miaozhen, a sixth-grade palace official who sent gifts to the Su Mansion for Empress Wei Zhao.
However, her arrogance was gone at this moment, and she knelt humbly on the cold marble floor.
"I will tell you carefully what Ouyang Lianghan said when I sent you to Yujue that day in front of the Su Mansion."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Miaozhen buried her head without raising her head and repeated it word for word.
The old woman in the dragon robe and phoenix crown supported her chin with the back of her hand, closed her eyes and listened, her expression unchanged.
About half an hour later, the queen closed her eyes and waved gently.
Miaozhen and other eight female officials in colorful clothes all retreated with the palace attendants, leaving only the minor officials who played music in the main hall.
at this time.
Suddenly, a man in red clothes came from the Buddhist hall, walked into the hall, bent down and said:
"Sage, when I looked at the sky last night, I saw the emperor's energy in the southeast."
Wei Zhao opened his eyes, looked at him, closed his eyes again, picked up a round and green jade Maitreya Buddha on the table, and played with it carefully.
In the main hall, the sound of orchestral music suddenly became chaotic.
The queen closed her eyes and tapped the emerald Maitreya Buddha in front of her:
"killed."
The Zhu Yi Wang Qi Shi nodded and walked towards the music officials in the hall. Wherever the Zhu Yi passed by, the figures fell to the ground one by one, including a musician who was hugging the piano tightly.
The sound of the orchestra in the hall was completely cut off.
The queen suddenly opened her eyes: "What about you?"
Zhu Yi Wangqi Shi suddenly felt like a ghost, and his figure was like a hurricane, rolling towards the open door of the main hall, trying to escape.
But in this silent hall where the violinist and other music officials had long since died, suddenly, a piano sound sounded:
"Zheng."
The sound of the piano is very gentle, like the sound of nature, coming from a distance, but yet very close at hand.
After Zhu Yiwangqishi heard the sound of the piano, it was as if the pause button had been pressed.
His face was ashen, and he stopped any means of escaping or resisting. Zhu Yiwang Qi Shi turned around, knelt down and kowtowed. At the last moment, he turned his head towards Zhongnan Mountain in the distance, and blood came from his forehead:
"I thank Your Majesty for granting death to Emperor Wen!"
Zhu Yi Wangqi Shi's kowtowing movement suddenly stopped. His kneeling body was divided into two halves, like peeling a watermelon. The middle section was neat. The two halves, one on the left and the other on the right, fell to the ground respectively. The wine-red blood was noticed later. It gushed out from the cross section of each petal, staining the clean and dustless hall floor.
The old woman in dragon robe slowly opened her eyes and ignored the bloody scene in the palace.
"Is there an emperor's spirit in the southeast..."
She turned her head and looked toward Jiangzhou in the southeast, playing with the emerald Maitreya Buddha in her hand, and whispered:
"The Great Zhou Dynasty is not the Qin Dynasty, and I am not the First Emperor either."
…
Afternoon.
In the main hall where the emperor had already left.
Miaozhen led a group of pretty and beautiful Mei Zhuang palace people into the empty hall filled with corpses.
Their faces were as usual, their hands and feet were nimble, they carried buckets of rags, mop buckets and other items, splashing water and mopping the floor, cleaning up the corpses and blood one by one.
Open the door and open the windows, light a fire and incense, and the smell of blood in the palace will faintly dissipate.
Official Caishang and the people from Lingli Palace walked away.
In the Manna Hall, it is clean and stain-free, everything is as before, but...the sound of the piano is no longer there.
(End of chapter)
