As the emperor and the host of the royal banquet, Liu Chengyou was the only protagonist in the palace. Every move he made attracted everyone's attention. When he stood in front of Yao Yuanfu, everyone subconsciously stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to this person. side.
The dancing palace ladies stopped dancing, moved gracefully, and retreated to the two sides to wait. The musicians who were adding to the fun also stopped playing, and the palace suddenly became quiet.
The emperor only gestured forward with the wine glass in his hand. Upon seeing this, Yao Yuanfu also stood up, holding the glass in both hands in response, with quick movements.
The two of them drank a cup together and looked at Yao Yuanfu. Liu Chengyou said: "Yao Yuanfu is old, but his muscles and bones are not weak, his appearance is strong, and his style is still the same as before. He is known as a contemporary honest man, but I think Come on, it’s still wrong!”
Yao Yuanfu is a person who refuses to accept old age. On weekdays, when others praise him for his good health, everyone is very happy. At this time, when he heard the emperor praising him so much, he did not hide his joy and said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty praises you so much, I am ashamed to deserve it!"
"However, Yaogong is already seventy years old after all. These years, he is still engaged in conquests. In this battle in Donghe Village, he went into battle in armor, took the lead, leaped on his horse to fight, and survived death. When I heard about it, I felt that he was loyal and pure, and also I admire his bravery, but when I think about it carefully, I feel really ashamed. You are an elder and are respected by everyone above and below you. I really can’t bear the thought of you taking risks and risking your life at such an advanced age!"
Listening to the emperor's "emotional" confession, Yao Yuanfu cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty's caring heart is in my heart, and I can only express it in a high way. Although I am old, I will never avoid the place where your Majesty can use him." Disaster!"
"Yao Qing is always getting stronger!" Liu Chengyou smiled.
Signaling Yao Yuanfu to sit down and changing glasses of wine, Liu Chengyou turned around and walked up to Shi Kuangyi, raised his glass to invite him, and drank it all.
His face was still gentle. Liu Chengyou said: "Since the middle Tang Dynasty, the land west of Hexi has gradually declined, and the Central Plains has declined, causing the great Han Dynasty to fall into the hands of the barbarians and barbarians. Until now, China is so vast. Actually, Jingyuan was regarded as the frontier.
Shi Qing guarded Jingyuan for more than ten years, with unswerving determination, calming the people and the barbarians, suppressing violence and chaos, resisting foreign aggression and enemy invaders, and maintaining the tranquility of the region. He has made great contributions to the country and the people. I am extremely grateful! "
Looking west from Jingyuan, thousands of miles of rivers and mountains have fallen into the hands of the barbarians. After more than ten years of watching, I have a little ambition, and I have some feelings for the emperor's words.
Faced with Liu Chengyou's praise, Shi Kuangyi couldn't help but be moved and responded: "I only fulfill my duties to ensure peace for the country and the country. However, over the years, the rebels have been unstable in rebellion, and the individual China is majestic and cannot be controlled. I feel so ashamed!"
"Shi Qing's words are serious!" His eyes fell on Shi Kuangyi's face. There was a strange paleness in his face. Liu Chengyou asked with concern: "Shi Qing was seriously ill last time. How is your health now?"
"Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, I have been suffering from an old disease for a long time. Once it breaks out, there are medicines and stones to delay the treatment and alleviate the symptoms for a while!" Shi Kuangyi said, and couldn't help but cough a few times.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "It's my fault to let Shi Qing take care of state affairs and handle military affairs despite his illness!"
After saying that, after taking a glass of wine from Zhang Dejun, Liu Chengyou walked up to Zhao Hui, still with the same rhythm.
"I think back in those days, when the Khitans invaded and the Central Plains fell, all the people in the world suffered. Although the late emperor occupied Hedong, his future was uncertain. Zhao Qing killed Hu and raised his troops in Shaanzhou to advocate great righteousness. Then the Hedong army moved out and within half a year, they expelled Khitan, set the Central Plains, rebuild the rivers and mountains. The prosperity of the Han Dynasty is due to the power of the public." After only drinking these three more glasses of wine, Liu Chengyou's cold noodles were also infected by the alcohol. The conversation became more and more interesting, and his mood was filled with emotion: " I still think about it as if it happened yesterday!”
Zhao Hui also echoed, revealing a hint of reminiscence: "At the beginning, I just felt the great power of the great ancestor and did not want to be enslaved by the Khitan, so I tried my best to do it, which is not enough!"
"What does it mean to be open-minded and unrestrained? Duke Zhao is it!" Liu Chengyou pointed at Zhao Hui and praised him to the Jiedu envoys present.
Zhao Hui naturally behaved in an unworthy and humble manner.
"When I personally conquered the river and defeated Li Shouzhen, when I saw Zhao Qing, he was still radiant and energetic!" Looking at Zhao Hui, Liu Chengyou sighed slightly: "We have seen each other for many years, but my temples are white with frost. These years, guarding Fengxiang, We have not neglected our efforts to stabilize the border and defend the country from aggression, and to govern the government and bring peace to the people. Every strand of hair that we add is proof of our hard work for the country. I feel extremely grateful in my heart!"
The emperor's words were so nice and considerate, but Zhao Hui was not overly happy. His face was moved, but his heart remained cautious. The changes in his expression and movements were all in line with Liu Chengyou's words.
Next, An Shenqi, Liu Chongjin, Wang Jing, and Zhang Yanwei had a cup each, and Liu Chengyou fully stated his achievements and expressed his praises. What was a little unusual was that Liu Chengyou didn't go out of his way to toast Zhe Deqi, Li Wancao and Yang Ye. He didn't know whether he forgot or because he was out of drink.
Putting down his wine glass, Liu Chengyou's face was already flushed. He looked around, his drunken eyes were bright, and he said loudly: "All the gentlemen sitting here are the pillars of the Han Dynasty, the pillars of the imperial court, calming the place, guarding the border, and have made numerous achievements. Over the years, they have weathered the wind and rain, worked hard and endured no complaints. Only then can the great Han Dynasty be peaceful. However, it is not my original intention to make the princes burdened with the king's affairs for a long time, and the labor is reflected in the documents. I don't want to explain their hard work. I remember the merits of the princes for many years. Although they are high-ranking officials and generous salaries, it is difficult to express my gratitude. ....."
Looking drunk, Liu Chengyou said the most important and straightforward sentence tonight. In the blink of an eye, he quietly observed everyone's expressions, with different expressions.
Withdrawing his gaze, Liu Chengyou asked Zhang Dejun to fill a glass of wine again, gestured left and right, and said with a smile: "It's rare for all the gentlemen to gather together in Tokyo. I'm very happy today, so I talk too much, gentlemen. Don't blame me. Come on, please share with me again." Drink this cup to fulfill the friendship between the king and his ministers, please!"
After drinking another glass of wine, Liu Chengyou's figure was already swaying a little. With help, he returned to the imperial desk and signaled that music and singing would begin again in the palace...
Afterwards, Liu Chengyou, who was too drunk, left the table first and ordered all the festivals to have a good time. At the same time, it also gave them a chance to connect with each other.
The moment he stepped out of the Long Live Hall, Liu Chengyou slowly stood up straight. His face was still drunk, but not in a drunken state. His eyes were clear, but the performance of everyone just now appeared in his mind.
Walking slowly in the corridor, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Zhang Dejun: "Mr. Yao Yuanfu is famous for his generosity. Although he has an open-minded temperament, he is not known for being domineering. Why was he so impudent and rude at the banquet just now?"
Suddenly hearing this question, Zhang Dejun thought for a while and replied: "He is from a foreign country. He has an army and a town. He is not accustomed to court etiquette. Maybe he is drunk and forgets the rules!"
Liu Chengyou asked again: "Do you think I'm drunk?"
"The official body is drunk, but the heart is not drunk!" Zhang Dejun responded.
"Zhang Dejun, you are smart again!" Liu Chengyou said lightly.
Panic suddenly appeared on his face, and he hurriedly said: "I'm sorry for making such nonsense, please forgive me!"
Liu Chengyou smiled even more and looked at him: "Why are you panicking? I always like talking to smart people!"
"Go to Kunming Hall tonight!" Liu Chengyou ordered and quickened his pace.
Being frightened by the emperor again, Zhang Dejun couldn't help wiping the sweat on his forehead, and without caring about anything else, he hurriedly quickened his pace to keep up.
In fact, Yao Yuanfu's arrogance seemed a bit deliberate in Liu Chengyou's eyes, more like a test to test his emperor's mind. Liu Chengyou admitted that he performed well.
At the royal banquet tonight, he has spoken more straightforwardly. If nothing unexpected happens, feedback will be received within the next three or two days.
In the Long Live Hall, after the emperor left, within two quarters of an hour, all the festivals dispersed one after another. The father and son of the Zhe family returned home together. On the way, Zhe Deke couldn't help but said to his old father: "If it is as my father said, the emperor's intention is to relieve power!"
Zhe Congruan looked very calm: "It's expected, but I don't know what choice these people will make in the end. However, no matter what, it will be difficult to return to the old job!"
"Father, can I still go back to Fuzhou?" Zhe Deqing asked hesitantly.
"Do you know why the emperor omitted you, Li Wancao and Yang Ye when he was toasting and reciting his merits in the palace just now?" Zhe Congruan said: "Stay in Tokyo for a while, at least until Concubine Xian gives birth. At that time, Bao Bao The situation in Defu has almost stabilized..."
Hearing what his father said, Zhe Deke understood something and felt relieved. He is not yet forty years old and is in his prime, but he does not want to grow old at this age.
"Do you know how the emperor evaluates you?" Zhe Congruan said suddenly.
Zhe Deqi suddenly became interested and wanted to hear how the emperor praised himself. Facing his expectant gaze, Zhe Congruan said: "The emperor said that you know military strategies and have courage, and you can control an army!"
"So, you will still use me!" Zhe De's face showed a hint of joy.
Zhe Congruan thought for a while and said, "After you return to the north, your brother Deyuan will be transferred away!"
