Ever since the enthronement ceremony, the Taiyuan Palace has been busy all the time. The eunuchs and eunuchs of the palace decorated the palace with lanterns and colorful decorations, preparing for the night banquet.
The two brothers Liu Chengxun and Liu Chengyou were also very busy. Liu Chengxun was assigned the job of palace envoy and was temporarily in charge of the palace affairs in Taiyuan. As for Liu Chengyou, after welcoming Li into the palace, he was temporarily appointed as the Imperial City Envoy, and was ordered to select the best from the Jinyang armies to garrison the Taiyuan Palace and defend the palace city.
It can be seen from Liu Zhiyuan's arrangements that the people Liu Zhiyuan trusts the most at the moment are his two sons. However, the selection of the imperial guards could not be completed in a short time. Liu Chengyou directly transferred four battalions of elite troops from the Xingjie and Wujie armies plus the original personal guards to garrison the imperial palace.
By the time Liu Chengyou finished making arrangements and the inspection was over, night had fallen. Unhurriedly, he left the palace and put on new clothes. He picked up Geng and went to the palace for the banquet.
In Taiyuan Palace, with the main hall as the center, the lights were brightly lit and people were buzzing.
"Second brother, you are finally here!" Among the civil and military officials, Liu Chengxun's face was glowing. When he saw Liu Chengyou, he immediately came up to greet him.
"Yeah!" He nodded to Liu Chengxun. Liu Chengyou wanted to smile, but maybe because he had been autistic for a long time, he really couldn't smile. Geng, on the other hand, showed his face for the first time and saluted Liu Chengxun nervously.
There was a seat for civil and military women, Liu Chengyou gestured towards it, and Geng went there obediently.
"Have the palace guards been arranged?" Liu Chengxun asked.
He raised his eyelids and glanced at Liu Chengxun. Liu Chengyou replied: "They are all elites from the Xingjie and Wujie armies. Brother, don't worry!"
After a haha, Liu Chengxun laughed and said: "Erlang always makes people feel at ease when he does things..."
The two brothers said a few words and took their seats. Liu Chengyou's mood was extremely stable, but he couldn't help but feel something strange in his heart. His eldest brother seemed to be interested in the "army".
The atmosphere in the main hall seemed lively and noisy, like a vegetable market. Shi Hongzhao and other generals had already started eating and drinking at the banquet. Yang Bin and other civil servants were a little more reserved, but limited, but they all seemed quite excited.
At the beginning of the new dynasty, the economic structure was not yet perfect, especially the Hedong generals who occupied most of the main hall, and they did not know what etiquette to observe. Like Shi Hongzhao, this guy probably prides himself on his support, and his face can no longer contain his arrogance. He drinks wine and drinks, but he doesn't care about his image at all.
Liu Chengyou was quiet and solemn. Facing such a noisy scene, he couldn't help but frown.
It was not until Liu Zhiyuan and Li appeared together that the whole hall became quiet, and they all worshiped together.
Liu Zhiyuan was wearing a purple dragon robe. At this moment, his usual seriousness had disappeared from his face. He was full of high spirits, as if he was several years younger. Mrs. Li also put on a phoenix skirt, with a slight smile on her lips, looking even more graceful and luxurious.
Liu Zhiyuan seemed very tolerant of the wanton rudeness of the officials in the palace. Perhaps the joy of becoming emperor was enough for him to ignore these details. He waved his hands for everyone to stand down without ceremony, and continued the banquet with his voice.
The atmosphere in the palace reached a climax from the beginning, with cups and cups constantly changing between civil and military officials.
"Everyone!" Liu Zhiyuan stood up at the right time, took a glass of wine, walked a few steps in the palace, and said, "I have humbled myself to be the emperor, and it is because of the sincerity and support of all the gentlemen. I hereby express my respect to you all. Let’s take a drink together! All of you, pick up the wine glasses in your hands and drink this cup with me! Please!”
"Your Majesty, please!" A group of people responded in unison to show their dignity.
After drinking one glass, a waiter immediately brought another glass of wine. Liu Zhiyuan became more interested, looked around, and said loudly: "Today, the Khitan still occupies the two capitals, barbarians are rampant, and bandits are rampant. Just as we are forging ahead, correcting chaos, and making great achievements. I also hope that you and I will work together to help the world, so that the people of this country will be eager to govern!"
"Your Majesty is wise and powerful. With your leadership, we can drive away the barbarians, clear up the world, and restore peace to our Chinese people!" After Liu Zhiyuan finished speaking, Yang Bin immediately stood up and agreed.
Liu Zhiyuan's face glowed red: "I, please do it first out of respect!"
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious as the monarch and his ministers drank together. Liu Zhiyuan did not continue to speak righteous words, but in the spirit of drinking, he also expressed that he would bear in mind the merits of all ministers and would not be denied them. He also led everyone to look forward to the prospect of expelling the Khitan and pacifying the Central Plains. So much.
Liu Zhiyuan was not good at speaking on weekdays and did not talk much. He said a few words impromptuly, then went back to his seat to have a drink, and then ordered Liu Chengxun to propose a toast to the civil and military officials on his behalf.
Liu Chengxun naturally agreed actively and communicated enthusiastically with the civil and military officials of the new dynasty. With his status as the eldest son of the emperor and his friendship with the Ba family, he seemed to be "like a fish in water".
In contrast, Liu Chengyou sat aside silently, pouring and drinking.
Looking at his brother's smiling face, with the noise of the banquet filling his ears, Liu Chengyou's eyes suddenly became blurred. Although he didn't want to admit it, he was convinced that he was jealous.
Low-key life, high-profile work. After working hard for a long time in front of Liu Zhiyuan and Hedong Wenwu, it was still the eldest brother Liu Chengxun who was remembered and tried to flatter him.
A sour taste spreads in my heart...
However, not everyone ignored Liu Chengyou, and there were not many people who toasted to him, but his status was not as high as that of Yang Bin, Wang Zhang and others. However, not many people were remembered by Liu Chengyou.
In addition to Zhang Yanwei, there was Su Fengji, Wang Jun, and two people who surprised him a little. Needless to say Guo Wei, the other one is Liu Zhiyuan's close aide, Hedong Observation Judge Su Yugui.
Su Yugui is not young, he is a good-natured person, and he seems to be a kind and honest elder. This person comes from a scholarly family, has a good family education, and is well versed in Confucianism and etiquette. If there are a few people under Liu Zhiyuan who are outstanding in knowledge, Su Yugui should be the leader.
Liu Chengyou and Su Yugui had no friendship before, but tonight they took the initiative to propose a toast and said some compliments. The flattering look on Zhang Ruhe's face could not be hidden from Liu Chengyou's eyes. Liu Chengyou responded calmly, but the elder took the initiative to show his kindness, but it was inconvenient to put him off.
"Your Highness, you don't seem to be very interested, why are you so unhappy?" Guo Wei, on the other hand, finished his glass, stayed for a while, and took the initiative to talk to Liu Chengyou. The change in title was also very natural.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but be surprised by this behavior. He looked up at Guo Wei and saw that his face was rosy and his eyes were clear, but subtle, and he glanced in the direction of Liu Chengxun and the ministers.
"The emperor's father has ascended the throne, the new dynasty has been established, and the monarch, his subjects, the army and the people are enjoying themselves. I can't help but feel happy..." Pulling himself together, Liu Chengyou toasted to invite him and said calmly.
Guo Wei naturally responded and said with a chuckle: "Your Highness is right, but he was so drunk that he was dazzled and said the wrong thing."
After finishing the last sip of wine in his glass, Liu Chengyou stared at Guo Wei and said seriously: "The Hedong civil and military man who has an insight into world affairs and a clear mind may be you, General Guo!"
Liu Chengyou said "drunk talk", but Guo Wei was stunned and quickly shook his head: "Your Highness is ridiculous, you can't be the last general."
"That's right!" After a few words, the negative emotions in Liu Chengyou's heart were completely suppressed, and he suddenly stared at Guo Wei: "I heard that General Guo has three sons?"
"Exactly." Guo Wei was a little confused.
"I am short of talents under my command. I heard that the general's adopted son Guo Rong is prudent and honest, and has both civil and military skills. Would you like to give up your love and transfer him to serve under me?" Liu Chengyou said softly.
His brows suddenly furrowed, but looking at Liu Chengyou's already calm face, he felt suspicious in his heart. Without any hesitation, Guo Wei still handed over his hand and said: "It is a blessing to be able to work under His Highness."
"Okay!" Liu Chengyou's voice was slightly higher and he raised his glass again: "General Guo, please."
"Your Highness, please."
