In spring, both sides of the Bianhe River in and outside Tokyo are covered with green willows, but there are already catkins flying everywhere, making the air not so pleasant. Since Chen time, the south gate of Kaifeng, which was renamed Dingding Gate by Liu Chengyou, has been tightly guarded by palace guards, forbidden soldiers, patrols and special personnel. The ceremonial guard has been deployed. All were ordered to come to greet him.
There were also a large number of lower-level officials and ordinary people who, after hearing the news, came together to participate in the grand event. It was more like watching a lively event than welcoming the driver. Since Liu Chengyou came to the throne, this was the first time for such a grand and solemn welcome ceremony to be held. Including the previous personal expedition to quell the rebellion, as well as several tours, they were all hasty or even canceled.
Tens of thousands of officers, soldiers and civilians crowded together, shoulder to shoulder, vying to look to the south. The weather has completely warmed up, and it is a little hot and dry, which makes the atmosphere a bit lively. Although there is no loud noise, there is still a lot of buzzing discussion and movement together.
About an hour and a half later, when the generals in Guizhou became more and more impatient and even dispersed, a Qingqi finally came from the north, announcing that the Wenwu army was approaching. After a while, through the rows of houses and shops, one could see flying flags and banners. All the officials who were greeting him immediately became alert, cheered up, and subconsciously arranged their clothes, hoping to put on the best clothes. His face appeared before the emperor who returned to Beijing.
Liu Chengyou sat cross-legged on the imperial chariot with six horses and a large Luan. He held a book in his hand, which Li Fang had collected for him on the central and local military and political systems of the past dynasties. Obviously, he was very concerned about the current political situation of the Northern Han Dynasty. Liu Chengyou was still dissatisfied with the structure and wanted to use it as a reference to continue deepening reforms and adjustments.
"Your Majesty, the Dingding Gate is approaching. The officials and the people of Tokyo are waiting in front of the city gate!" Zhao Kuangyin came to report.
"Got it!" Liu Chengyou responded and put away the book in his hand.
Looking up, he saw those moving eyes that were as sharp as water. When he came into contact with the emperor's gaze, he was like an electric shock. He looked away, nervously wrapping his jade fingers, and mustered up the courage to face Liu Chengyou's scrutiny.
The young lady Zhou Ehuang is wearing a lavender palace dress, with a bun on her head, a bit of pink on her fair face, and a jade belt tied around her waist. Under the gauze skirt, you can faintly see the lining embroidered with peonies. The ground is close to his chest. Although he is not very old, he is very knowledgeable. Liu Chengyou has experienced it with his own hands.
Returning to the north and having to serve the emperor, Dazhou has become accustomed to the change of status. From the beautiful girl of Jiangdu in the past, she has become the emperor's favorite concubine. Although she has not been given a title, Liu Chengyou's love for her , can still be felt.
As a talented woman, her cardamom has just begun to blossom. Regarding love, Zhou Ehuang still has some expectations of "romance, snow, moon, music and music". However, after going to bed, he quickly realized the reality. The emperor of the Han Dynasty obviously lacked tenderness.
When staying with the emperor, what Zhou Ehuang saw the most was Liu Chengyou reviewing a memorial, meeting with civil and military officials, and handling military affairs one by one, rising in the morning and ending at dusk.
Even if he accepted himself, he would not sing and work hard every night. Even if I have free time, I can drive in the army or go out to the imperial camp, I still inspect the farming work in the Central Plains, and even go to the fields myself to plant seedlings in half an acre of land.
The best place to use her new favorite is not only to warm the bed and sleep with her, but also to talk about music, sing and dance to soothe her mood when she is tired.
In fact, after this period of time, the young lady Da Zhou was still slightly indifferent. However, women always mature early, and Emperor Zhou E was trained and educated by his father Zhou Zong. He was very knowledgeable, respectful and mature, well-behaved and well-behaved.
"You seem to be very nervous!" After waving to Da Zhou, Liu Chengyou took him into his arms and asked softly.
There was a little shyness on the young lady's face, and she responded softly: "I am just the daughter of a captive minister, with a low status. I have the honor to serve the emperor and ride on the same carriage. Your Majesty will be welcomed by hundreds of officials and people, and I will stay with your Majesty again. , it’s really inconvenient!”
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, reached out his hand to caress the young lady's crystal moon face, and said, "Duke Zhou has a beautiful daughter!"
After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou let go of Da Zhou again and told Zhang Dejun to prepare another car to serve the young lady and arrange her entry into the palace!
"I, my ministers, welcome your majesty's triumphant return!"
When Luan arrived, in front of the Dingding gate, there was a great civil and military ceremony, and hundreds of officials paid homage and shouted in unison. Liu Chengyou leaned out of the curtain, stepped on the shaft beam, and looked around. The people around him had already spontaneously knelt down and shouted long live.
Looking around, there were crowds of people, and tens of thousands of officials and civilians prostrated themselves. The scene was still very grand. This was something Liu Chengyou had never experienced in an army of hundreds of thousands, and he was very satisfied with it.
"No courtesy for all the ministers! No courtesy for all the troops! No courtesy for all the people!" A steady and loud voice came out of the emperor's mouth.
After showing his face, Liu Chengyou retracted into the Luan Jia. Afterwards, under the auspices of Zhao Shanjiao, the Minister of Rites, a ceremony to welcome the Jia into the city began, with drums and horns blaring and fireworks flying. After the imperial convoy, all the imperial troops lined up according to their military merits, entered the city calmly and orderly, and accepted the congratulations and cheers of the Tokyo officials and people.
The army returned in triumph, bringing back illustrious martial arts and extraordinary achievements. Amid the joy, disappointment and sorrow were inevitable. Some soldiers returned from hundreds of battles, and naturally there were also those who lost their lives. However, the sorrow of those who lost their sons, husbands, and fathers was too weak and too sad in the festive atmosphere.
Returning to the Han Palace, as usual, Liu Chengyou issued an edict and ordered the officials in Tokyo to return to their official offices and keep their posts. Liu Chengyou himself went straight to Ciming Hall to pay his respects to Queen Mother Li.
"Mother, my son is back!" In the palace, Mrs. Li was waiting in front of the door in person. When she saw the Queen Mother, Liu Chengyou prostrated herself.
"Hurry up and forgive me!" Mrs. Li was obviously a little excited and stepped forward to help Liu Chengyou up.
Just like in previous years, when welcoming Liu Chengyou back to the court, Mrs. Li stepped forward and looked around the second son, and after confirming that he was fine, he breathed a sigh of relief.
After entering the palace and sitting down, all the concubines of the Han Palace were also there. One concubine and three concubines, headed by the Queen Dafu, saluted Liu Chengyou. The queen became more graceful, the imperial concubine became more gorgeous, the concubine Hui was obviously young and mature, and the concubine Xian's belly was already protruding. The eyes of Yingyan looked at Liu Chengyou, inevitably with some expectation...
Afterwards, Liu Chengyou's four princes, led by the eldest son Liu Xu, kowtowed to Liu Chengyou. The eldest son, Liu Xu, is almost four years old. He is a child, but he seems to be well-behaved.
The second son, Liu Yang, and the third son, Liu Xi, are only over two years old. They can walk and run. They have inherited the genes of their parents and are very beautiful. They look at Liu Chengyou with childish eyes, full of curiosity. They kowtow and follow suit. Pay attention. The force quickly moved away.
As for the fourth son Liu Fang, he was only one and a half years old. He was babbling and talking. He said he was saluting and kowtowing, but in fact he was sitting there, and he couldn't sit still. He didn't even look at Liu Chengyou. Instead, he got excited and walked around the three sides. My brother climbed very fast.
This scene directly amused the adults in the palace. Liu Chengyou couldn't hold back his smile. He stood up and held his four sons in his arms. While letting them struggle, he couldn't help but sigh to the Queen Mother: "It's better to have a good family, a good mother, a good wife, and a young son..."
"You are not in Tokyo, you are on the battlefield in person, and you are leaving us women and children in the palace. I feel really uneasy!" Mrs. Li said in a slightly complaining tone.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's smile faded: "Could someone be disrespectful to my mother?"
Seeing this, Mrs. Li shook her head: "Both the internal and external ministers and palace attendants are all serving you respectfully, but you, the one who calls the shots, are not here, so you are worried!"
With a smile on his face, Liu Chengyou sat next to Mrs. Li and said, "My dear mother, I miss you so much! I hope you will forgive me for failing to fulfill my filial piety!"
Li said: "With the Queen and the others waiting for me, I won't be lonely at all!"
Nodding towards his concubines, Liu Chengyou said: "Today I will return to Beijing and call my relatives in Beijing to hold a family banquet. The whole family will get together to celebrate!"
"Very good!" Li recognized Liu Chengyou's idea and agreed directly.
