It was September, and hibiscus trees were growing all over the city of Chengdu. They were blooming in the wind and in various shapes. Looking from a distance, the clusters of flowers looked like a splendid scene. The prosperous scene was dreamy and intoxicating. On the edge of the city wall, there are pavilions and pavilions everywhere, crowded with tourists, taking in the prosperous scenery.
The two Sichuan rivers have been at peace for more than 20 years without war. The people of Shu, especially those on the Chengdu Plain, have also enjoyed peace for more than 20 years. Under the governance of Meng Chang, the Lord of Shu, the economy was developed and the culture was prosperous.
However, those who can most enjoy and even squander this prosperity are the bureaucrats, landlords, and wealthy businessmen of Shu. This is their paradise. The ruler of Shu was lenient and simple in governing the country, and he was always lenient and even indulgent towards his officials.
In the city of Chengdu, there are countless high-ranking officials, nobles, and extremely wealthy families. In May of this year, Wu Zhaoyi, the prime minister of Shu, spent millions of his own money to run a school to develop education and culture, which caused a sensation. His "selfless" service to the country was praised by others and was praised by the Lord of Shu, Meng Chang.
However, due to his great reputation, no one seems to care. He can easily spend millions and spend huge sums of money. It is especially obvious how wealthy his family is. And if you give him the title of prime minister and give him only his salary, excluding daily expenses, how much money can he accumulate in twenty years?
Of course, for more than 20 years, the ordinary people of Shu were still happy and comfortable. At least compared to the people in the Central Plains who were struggling in wars and disasters, they were much luckier. Being able to enjoy the light corvee of the Lord of Shu is still bitter, but at least food and clothing can be satisfied.
However, when there are no worries about foreign troubles, the powerful people of Shu can stay in seclusion and enjoy themselves in Chengdu, where they can enjoy wine and meat. Once a national disaster strikes, the end is near.
In fact, many knowledgeable people have already seen the crisis hidden under the blooming flowers. The Central Plains dynasty is getting stronger and stronger, its military force is getting sharper, and it is approaching the goal of leveling all the countries and unifying the world.
However, for more bureaucrats and nobles in the Shu Kingdom, enjoying the present and being numb to corruption is the status quo. The country's two Northern Expeditions resulted in huge losses, but the Shu country's heritage was enough to withstand it. More importantly, the impact on the officials and nobles in Shu was not that great. After all, it was only the country that lost.
The Northern Han Dynasty sent a large army to the southwest with great fanfare and intended to conquer Shu. It initially caused a shock. After all, this was a counterattack by the Central Plains court. At that time, there was a lot of discussion in Chengdu. The tension was true, but it was more like a gossip.
Until now, the Han army has continued to move on the border between the two countries. It has lasted for more than a year, but it has not yet mobilized troops to attack. Obviously, that was a trick of the Northern Han Dynasty, just to intimidate.
In the city of Chengdu, there was no talk of the Northern Han Dynasty conquering Shu. Those who should enjoy themselves should continue to enjoy themselves, and those who should make a living should continue to make a living, just like they are used to in their twenties.
For Shu, what is even more worrying is that Emperor Meng Chang has gradually begun to relax.
In Shu Palace, in the Peony Garden, good news is swirling around the beams. Meng Chang, the Lord of Shu, is cuddling and flirting with his concubine Xu, talking and laughing. Sitting in front of the canvas, Meng Chang personally picked up the brush and lightly dipped it in colored ink to paint peonies...
The beautiful lady around me has a graceful figure, handsome appearance, charming temperament, and delicate dimples like a flower. She can be called a beautiful wife. His eyes were shining, looking at Meng Chang with love.
Regardless of Meng Chang's identity, he is handsome and versatile, making him a good match. The beauty's admiring gaze seemed to give Meng Chang great motivation to write with great energy.
"This "Peony Picture", accompanied by my wife, took half a month to paint, and it is finally completed!" Meng Chang put down the brush and looked at the "Peony Picture" that had been completed on the white canvas, and Meng Chang showed a smile.
"This picture is lifelike and vivid on the paper. It is more spiritual than the peonies in the garden. Your Majesty's painting skills are already in the hall!" Concubine Xu Hui said with a soft smile from the side.
When Meng Chang heard this, he frowned slightly and shook his head slightly: "Madam, there is no need to flatter me. My painting skills cannot be called exquisite. Compared with everyone in the world, they are still far behind. Although they have the shape, they lack the charm!"
Seeing this, Xu Huifei's jade face once again bloomed with an intoxicating smile, and she said gently: "Your Majesty is good at poetry. If you are not satisfied with this picture, why not write an inscription on it. Your Majesty's poems will be an eye-catcher!"
After listening to his suggestion, Meng Chang's eyes lit up, he nodded and said: "My lady's words are very reasonable! Pay me back!"
In terms of writing inscriptions and poems, Meng Chang was indeed talented and confident. He wrote quickly and chanted at the same time. A word about flirting in a boudoir was immediately written down. The bright and explicit words during the conversation made Concubine Xu's face turn red, her eyes flashed with awe, and she was filled with embarrassment.
"Get my jade seal!" He ordered again.
Soon, he dipped it in red mud and printed his private seal. Meng Chang looked at it again. The content was much more enriched. He nodded and was finally satisfied. Looking at Concubine Xu Hui, Meng Chang said: "This painting will be given to you!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Concubine Xu Hui Ying bowed.
Today's Concubine Xu Hui is a stunning beauty, still young, as delicate and attractive as the stamens of a newly opened flower. Looking at the beautiful face like a flower, Meng Chang couldn't help but feel warm in his heart. He put his hands around her slender waist and hugged her into his arms.
His towering breasts almost covered his face, and he took a deep sniff. Meng Chang raised his head, looking intoxicated, and asked curiously: "What kind of spices were used? It smells so good and pleasant to the heart and mind!"
Concubine Xu Hui replied: "It's a new concoction made by me, called 'Liu Yunxiang'!"
Meng Chang nodded, sniffed the beauty again, then couldn't help but hugged her, walked to the jade couch, and rolled between the brocade quilts...
After having a great time, Meng Chang returned to his palace, where he governed. Even three years ago, Meng Chang's court was still simple, with no beautiful things and even fewer gold and jade ornaments. Nowadays, a lot of splendor has been added. Of course, as a royal palace and a place where the emperor lives, it cannot be said to be extravagant.
In the fifteen years after he succeeded to the throne, Meng Chang was diligent and frugal, loved the people like a son, lenient punishments and simple administration, and looked like a wise king. After cutting off all the old ministers and generals who hindered him, he entered a new stage. He did not change his political affairs, but he began to indulge in his private life.
He can still be called a wise king, but he has spent more time in the harem, his food and clothing have gradually become more refined, and his desire for pleasure has begun to spread. After all, after being a wise monarch for so many years, governing Shu has reached its current prosperity. It seems that there is nothing to blame for enjoying it.
Furthermore, for so many years, his ministers had lived a luxurious life and enjoyed many things. How could it be that he, the emperor, was the only one to suffer? Meng Chang decided that he would make up for his frugality and simplicity in the past twenty years.
"Your Majesty, this is the new drowning device made by the eunuch!" Fang returned to the palace, and the eunuch serving in the eunuch, with a smile on his face, presented a chamber pot to Meng Chang like a treasure.
This is a very exquisite urinal with extremely gorgeous decoration. It is inlaid with agate, jade, luminous pearls and other precious objects...
After just one glance, Meng Chang said angrily: "It's just a drowning weapon, but it costs so much to build it. It's simply ridiculous! Do you want to destroy my simplicity and frugality?"
The chamberlain was startled and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, forgive me! It's the young waiter who makes up his own mind, so I will take it back and order the craftsmen to demolish it..."
"That's it!" Meng Chang's anger subsided slightly, he seemed to think about it for a while, and sighed: "Having used up such precious treasures to create it, then destroying it and passing it on will be even more extravagant and wasteful! Now that it's been made, use it Use it!"
"Yes! Your Majesty is wise!"
After waving his hand, Meng Chang looked away from the drowning device without any nostalgia. Sitting on the imperial desk, he began to read through the memorials presented below. After only reading a few letters, he felt a little dazed.
For Meng Chang today, the throne is stable, the power is in control, the treasury is full, and the people are stable. Apart from the threat of the Northern Han Dynasty, there seems to be nothing that deserves his nervousness...
At night, he got up from Concubine Xu Hui's fragrant couch and ordered someone to take the "Seven Treasures Drowning Device". Only then did he realize that in the darkness, there were actually colorful lights shining, like a dream, and he couldn't bear to urinate. Liquid is filthy.
However, after being released, an indescribable sense of satisfaction gradually filled my heart. This chamber pot is really useful...
