"Welcome to the prince!" In the southern suburbs of Kaifeng, at the Bianhe River pier, as soon as he landed from the official ship, he saw Zhang Dejun standing upright and waiting respectfully.
Zhang Dejun actually has a very outstanding appearance, and he is also quite handsome and elegant. If you don't know his details, who would have thought that this man with extraordinary bearing and noble son would be a eunuch and a person with no roots.
The clothes he wore also exuded nobility, with brocade robes and jade crowns, and he was accompanied by several guards who knew at first glance that they were not easy to mess with. Of course Wang Pu knew Zhang Dejun. He looked at him a few times and saw his respectful look. He raised his hand and saluted back: "It turns out to be Zhang Zhongguan. Oh, it should be the envoy first!"
"The prince has returned to the capital, and I have been ordered by the officials to come and greet you!" Zhang Dejun smiled. Although he spoke softly, he was not as gentle as a eunuch and a spy.
Upon hearing this, Wang Pu immediately looked solemnly, walked north to the palace city, and bowed solemnly.
I took a quick look at the scenery of the Bianhe River. The banks of the water are lined with willows, the houses stretch out, and the people are densely populated. There are boats on the water, and several new Hong Kong bridges hang high to connect the two sides. Looking at the majestic and majestic Kaifeng City standing in front of him, with its area doubled, Wang Pu sighed: "In the past six or seven years, the capital has changed a lot. It's staggering!"
"Tokyo has changed so much that the prince can appreciate it carefully in the future!" Zhang Dejun said: "The official issued an edict to give the prince a bath, purple clothes, and an audience in the palace. The prince's old house was too small to live in, so the official's house was located in the southeast of the imperial city. There is a mansion to settle down with the family. The prince will follow the young one into the palace now!"
Wang Pu could not help but be grateful for the emperor's careful care and thanked him again. Zhang Dejun pointed to the few guards accompanying him and said: "I know that the prince does not have many servants, so I specially brought a few subordinates with me. I can't do anything else. It is enough to help the prince and his family carry boxes and bags!"
After hearing what he said, Wang Pu took a deep look at Zhang Dejun. This was to understand his situation clearly. The changes in Tokyo are indeed great. Zhang Dejun in front of him is an example. In the past, there was only a Wude Division, but now there is an Imperial City Division.
Although he felt strange in his heart, he still held up his hands and thanked him: "Thank you very much, Sir Zhang, for your kind words!"
Several large boxes were unloaded from the ship. Seeing the guards struggling to carry them to the car, Zhang Dejun said playfully: "What is so heavy?"
Glancing at him, Wang Pu said calmly: "Does Sir Zhang want to check it out?"
"The prince is joking. How dare you do such an offensive thing? I hope you'll forgive me for the rudeness!" Zhang Dejun quickly apologized.
The few boxes Wang Pu brought back were of course not gold, silver or jewelry. Apart from some furniture, they were all books and atlases. However, there is no explanation. With Wang Pu's temperament and identity, he always has a certain degree of wariness and contempt for Zhang Dejun's identity as a eunuch + spy. But the emperor was standing behind him, so he couldn't say much about it.
After taking a bath, washing away the dust, and putting on new clothes, Wang Pu went directly to the palace. Although Kaifeng Guocheng and Imperial City have changed greatly, the palace city is still so familiar.
The meeting place was the Wenhua Hall, where Emperor Liu Chengyou was observing the studies of the princes taking the exam. Upon learning that Wang Pu requested an audience, Liu Chengyou immediately summoned him orally, straightened his clothes, and acted very solemnly.
In the palace, Liu Chengyou was sitting at his desk, Zhang Zhao, the great scholar of Wenhua Palace, was waiting on his side, and the six princes were also standing neatly below.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, Wang Pu!" After entering the palace and seeing the emperor, Wang Pu bowed down and bowed.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou immediately stood up, left his seat and helped him up personally, held his hands tightly, and said emotionally: "I miss you so much when you have been in Yangzhou these years!"
Regardless of whether Liu Chengyou was really in such an excited mood, his performance was still very touching. He did not care about his deeds but his heart. Even if he was seeking fame and reputation, his demeanor as a polite and virtuous corporal was worthy of admiration.
Wang Pu was also very moved by this. Although he was supported by Liu Chengyou's strong hands, he still bowed and bowed again: "Your Majesty, thank you for your consideration. I am extremely grateful!"
Paying attention to Taoist King Pu's old face and gray hair, Liu Chengyou sighed: "Your temples are gray and have lines like ravines. She is old like this, which shows the drama of hard work. I really can't bear it!"
Wang Pu responded calmly: "Although I am old, I am satisfied with my wishes. It is my blessing to meet a wise king and show my talents. Your Majesty can move as fast as a dragon and still look as energetic as a tiger. This is the blessing of a great man!"
"You have been in charge of Huaihe for many years. You have neglected sleep and food, worked hard, been loyal and diligent, and your reputation is passed down to the capital. Although you are thousands of miles away, you and I, the monarch and our ministers, are like neighbors!" Holding Wang Pu's hand, Liu Chengyou seemed reluctant to let go. Excited, emotional, and full of gestures.
After hearing this, Wang Pu said: "Your Majesty has praised me so highly, but I dare not accept it. Your Majesty has given me great responsibilities and heavy responsibilities. I am afraid that I will lose power, fail to express your kindness to the people, and live up to your Majesty's trust. However, I will do my duty wholeheartedly and do my best to repay it."
After a pause, Wang Pu said again: "It is true that I have a defective temperament. When I was in Huaidong, I often acted carelessly in my words and deeds, which caused trouble to your majesty. Fortunately, your majesty is magnanimous and does not take it seriously. He has been tolerant many times and I think about it." , I am still ashamed and shameless!”
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou smiled. It seemed that Wang Pu still had a certain understanding of his "notorious reputation"!
"You're serious!" Liu Chengyou clapped his hand.
Finally letting go of Wang Pu's hand, Liu Chengyou turned around, greeted several princes, and said: "Wen Bogong is a loyal and good minister of the Han Dynasty. He helps the imperial court maintain peace and order in Huaidong, and wins the hearts of the people. He is a man of great talent and virtue. You are members of the Han Dynasty. Prince, you should have the awareness to set an example for the country and the country, and let’s bow to him and thank him!”
The emperor gave the order, and several princes immediately stepped forward obediently and saluted Wang Pu together. Even Liu Min, who had just entered Wenhua Hall, followed his brothers in a confused manner, and his etiquette was decent.
Wang Pu dared not accept this directly, and hurriedly returned the gift. He was extremely moved, and turned to Liu Chengyou: "The official treated me with such courtesy, I feel ashamed to receive it!"
Among the important civil and military ministers of the Han Dynasty, there were not many who were qualified to receive the courtesy from the prince, but only a handful of them actually received this courtesy. Of course, this time Wang Pu also happened to be at the Wenhua Hall at the right time, and Liu Chengyou took the opportunity to think of a way to show his respect for him.
"You have been traveling all the way back north. I have been working hard on your journey. I will host a banquet to entertain you and welcome you!" Liu Chengyou said, as if he was waiting for Sun Yanxi and ordered: "Send the order to prepare a meal in the Long Live Palace!"
"Yes! I'll make arrangements right now!" Sun Yanxi was a little belatedly aware of this. This is the difference between this person and Zhang Dejun. If it were Zhang Dejun, he would have seen the opportunity and made inquiries in advance.
"We haven't seen you for many years. I have a lot to say and want to talk to you! Come on, let's go to the Long Live Hall together!" Liu Chengyou said to Wang Pu again.
Looking at Zhang Zhao on the side, he smiled and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Zhang, how about accompanying me?"
Zhang Zhao was in the palace, looking at the "touching" scene of the meeting between the monarch and his ministers, and he could not help but feel a little envious in his heart. As a doctor of classics and a well-educated Confucian scholar, this kind of honor is not an extravagant expectation. However, after all, he is just a scholar. The emperor will treat him generously, but it is impossible to be so condescending and condescending.
Facing the emperor's invitation, Zhang Zhao responded with a natural smile: "Your Majesty invites you. It is an honor for me. There is no reason to refuse!"
In the Long Live Hall, a table of fairly sumptuous meals was set up to entertain Wang Pu alone. Liu Chengyou said a little embarrassedly: "I heard that when you were in Yangzhou, you always lived in simple clothes and vegetarian food. You have been as frugal as ever for many years. You are not tempted by the prosperity of Yangzhou, and your original intention remains the same." .
I was very moved when I heard it. Over the years, the clothing and food in the palace have gradually become more luxurious, and they are no longer the frugal life they once were. Every time I think about it, I feel uneasy. "
After hearing what the emperor said, Wang Pu said: "At the beginning of the founding of the country, there were many wastes waiting to be revitalized, and the country's finances were difficult. Your Majesty set an example and practiced simplicity, which has demonstrated your virtue. Now the country is getting richer, and the people have more than enough food. Your Majesty has enough food. , there is nothing wrong with it, just be wary of extravagance and put an end to waste.
Your Majesty is still able to warn and be cautious now, which shows your kindness! "
Liu Chengyou smiled: "When you came back, you kept praising me. I feel a little ashamed!"
Wang Pu, however, had a serious attitude and said: "What I saw and heard on my way back north is that the people are safe and the country is prosperous, the rivers are clear and the sea is flowing, and it is like a peaceful and prosperous age. I am really impressed!"
After all, he is a person who has experienced the troubled times of the previous generation, so Wang Pu's feelings are naturally profound.
"Although I have gained something, it is not enough to be complacent and self-proclaimed. The south of the Yangtze River is not at peace, and the north of the Great Wall is uneasy. Even under the rule of the Han Dynasty, the burden on the people of Li is not easy. There is still a long way to go before the peaceful and prosperous era!" Liu Chengyou said .
For a long time, under the rule of the Han Dynasty, the burden on the people has not been light. Although the court has reduced the burden several times, the pressure has been gradually relieved. In terms of taxes and corvee, the burden on farmers is still heavy. After all, in the past ten years, the court has taken too many actions, and behind its achievements are often the suffering of the people's livelihood.
Of course, compared with previous generations, there are other concerns besides political clarity, national stability, serious public security, and less livelihood for the people. A strong army, a prosperous country, and a peaceful people are the characteristics of the current Han Dynasty.
Seeing that the emperor was not completely immersed in his existing achievements, but still maintained a cautious mentality and a clear vision, Wang Pu was also very pleased and said: "Your Majesty, you must reflect on yourself. One day, the world can be governed and billions of people can live in it." , you should be rewarded!"
"I hope so! To maintain public security in the future, we need good ministers like you to carefully assist the Prime Minister!" Liu Chengyou raised his glass and signaled to Wang Pu.
