Southeast of Tokyo Guocheng, at the downstream of Bian River, the majestic and open Dongshui Gate stands in a majestic posture, spanning Bianliang. Basically, money, grain and materials transported from south to south to Kaifeng enter Kaifeng through this gate.
The fifteenth year of Qianyou has come to an end, winter is about to pass, and the most severe cold period has basically passed. Both the Han court and the people of Tokyo are preparing to bid farewell to the magnificent fifteenth year of Qianyou and welcome the new year. , looking forward to a new era.
From top to bottom, everyone is immersed in an atmosphere of joy, and Tokyo is also immersed in a relaxed atmosphere. Maybe there are still many poor people in Tokyo, and maybe there are still many people in Guizhou whose livelihood is still difficult. But at this time, even the most numb and willing people are struggling to survive between food and clothing, driven by the will of the country. , couldn’t help but smile a little and celebrate with the country.
The emperor has issued an edict to hold a National Day ceremony on the seventh day of February next year. Prime Minister Wei Renpu will preside over it, and assisted by relevant departments, all procedures and matters related to the ceremony are already being implemented. Moreover, this time's specifications were more grand than the previous ten-year ceremony of Emperor Liu. In terms of preliminary preparations, the situation presented was extraordinary.
I don't know if the officials and generals from various frontiers, including the heroes since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the nobles and honorable ministers who have been adopted, and those who are qualified, are also invited to gather in Tokyo. It can be seen from Emperor Liu's edict that it was not only a matter of praise, celebration, and reward to celebrate the unification of the world, but also a summary of the past fifteen years of governance. At the same time, it was also a guide to how to govern this huge and unified new Han Empire. Teamwork.
Therefore, it is conceivable that the grand ceremony after the beginning of the new year will be the first since the founding of the People's Republic of China in terms of specification, scale and significance, and is destined to be a grand event. During this time, bureaucrats and generals from the Han Dynasty from various places have begun to arrive in Beijing, and there are more on the way.
The reason why Liu Chengyou set the ceremony on the seventh day of February instead of New Year's Day or Shangyuan Festival was to give his officials more time. Of course, early February next year would also be an auspicious day.
Outside Dongshui Gate, the wind was biting and the water was still cool. However, in the blowing north wind, a set of high-standard ceremonial guards had been waiting for a long time. Not only the standards of the ceremonial guard, but also the level of the waiting personnel was higher, including King Yong Liu Chengxun and the third prince Liu Xi.
During this period, His Highness King Yong was almost being used as a ceremonial envoy. However, Liu Chengxun was happy to be an envoy representing both the royal family and the court. In addition, he was Qian Hongchu's brother-in-law. The guests Liu Chengxun went out to welcome this time were naturally of good status. They were Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue and his entourage, whom Emperor Liu Chengyou was thinking about deeply.
After more than a month of journey, overcoming the difficulties of going north in winter and stopping and stopping due to the weather, we are finally approaching Tokyo. As for Liu Xi, Concubine Gao really couldn't get used to his leisure and comfort in Feilong Stable, so she asked Emperor Liu again, so Liu Chengyou issued an edict and asked Liu Xi to participate in welcoming the King of Wuyue together with his third uncle, and also followed him. See the world.
However, in addition to several officials and honor guards, he was accompanied by a little princess, Emperor Liu's second daughter Liu Jian, who was Liu Xi's sister. Now she is almost ten years old. She has inherited the genes of her parents and has a pleasant appearance. However, as the second daughter of the emperor with an older sister, Liu Jian is naturally not as favored as the eldest daughter, nor is she as popular.
Among the concubines, Concubine Gao was probably the only one with a strong temperament. However, none of the children she gave birth to had a character like her. There is no need to say more about Liu Xi. As for Liu Jian, she is also quiet. She has never cried or made trouble since she was a child. She is very well-behaved and has a low sense of presence. Even with the fierce temperament of the noble concubine, she cannot bear to scold or scold her.
Mainly because of her children, Concubine Gao has been feeling depressed these years. Among the princes, they were not as favored as Liu Yang, Liu Fang or even Liu Xu. The one whom the princess Liu Chengyou cherished the most was Liu Jia, and Liu Jia was born to the little concubine Fu Hui. It seemed that it was just because she was born one month earlier than Liu Jian.
Of course, what really makes Concubine Gao feel depressed is that her son is not "living up". Even though she has been active enough to cultivate him into a successful person, Liu Xi always has that calm and unhurried attitude. I have never been in a hurry even when walking. When I was young, I just showed a tendency, and as I got older, I became more and more lazy.
At this time, Liu Xi's attention was not on the reception, but on taking his sister, pointing and introducing her outside Dongshui Gate. Liu Jian rarely had the opportunity to leave the palace, so she was a little excited. She listened with great interest and looked around with her cool eyes. She was extremely curious about these scenes that were different from those in the palace, and asked questions from time to time... ..
It's still cold, so even if you wear thick clothes, your body temperature will dissipate quickly. When her hands felt cold, Liu Xi lowered her body, took Liu Jian's small hand along the hem of her clothes and reached her chest, using his own skin to warm her hands. If Liu Jian hadn't refused, he would have taken off his robe and put it on her. He brought his sister out. If she got frozen or caught a cold, it would be hard to explain when she went back.
Liu Chengxun was sitting in a pavilion, watching this scene silently, feeling a little emotional in his heart. After all, they are brothers and sisters, and their feelings are sincere. Even though they are still young, it is rare to have this kind of family affection in the royal family.
There was a hint of reminiscence in his eyes. Liu Chengxun couldn't help but recall what happened back then, from Yedu to Jinyang. Although he was still young at that time, the three Liu brothers were also brothers and sisters.
But later, their family followed Liu Zhiyuan, followed the tide of the times, got involved in the turmoil of history, and became the most noble family in the world. Unfortunately, the eldest brother died young. As for the imperial brother Liu Chengyou, the subsequent changes also left him in awe. The past is no longer the same...
Even now, Liu Chengxun respects and fears Emperor Liu.
"Third uncle!"
When Liu Xi came closer with Liu Jian and called out, Liu Chengxun came back to his senses. He pinched Liu Jian's rosy face and smiled gently: "Is it fun outside the palace?"
"Yeah!" Liu Jian looked a little shy, lowered her head and responded softly. This shy reaction made Liu Chengxun even more happy. He now has three sons, but no daughter.
Looking at Liu Xi, his smile disappeared, and Liu Chengxun asked him: "They say that you, Saburo, have a calm temperament. It's true, you don't have any awe at all!"
Hearing this, Liu Xi chuckled and said: "My dad just wanted me to come and see him, just bring a pair of eyes. Besides, the King of Wuyue hasn't arrived yet, so why should I be nervous? When the King of Wuyue arrives, etiquette Just get in place!”
Listening to him smiling and talking slowly, Liu Chengxun became more interested and couldn't help but ask: "Do you know why Your Majesty asked our uncle and nephew to receive the King of Wuyue with such a standard? Let me, the prince, and you, the prince, blow this cold wind? You know, when he was invited to come north, the imperial court only sent one minister to greet him."
Liu Chengxun had some intention of taking the exam, but Liu Xi still behaved nonchalantly and said, "The King of Wuyue came to Beijing with heavy gifts, so he naturally needs to treat him with enough courtesy to put his mind at ease."
After looking at him for a moment, Liu Chengxun seemed a little surprised and said, "Tell me, what is this important courtesy?"
Liu Xi was equally surprised and replied: "Third uncle, are you using this to test me? Now in the court, anyone with a little knowledge knows that when the King of Wuyue goes north, he must come to offer his land!"
Liu Chengxun smiled slightly and continued to ask: "Why?"
Looking at the emperor's uncle, Liu Xi replied: "The imperial court sent troops to pacify the south and captured all the two rivers and Lingnan. The world is tending to be unified, but it has not yet been unified. In the southeast half, only Wu and Yue are left to separate themselves and stand on their own. Four years ago, there was a land donation During the turmoil, Chen Hongjin came to present Zhangquan, and the King of Wu and Yue came this time. As long as he is smart enough, he will know what to do and join hands in the great cause of unification..."
After listening to his analysis, Liu Chengxun couldn't help but praise: "That's good!"
As soon as his thoughts changed, Liu Chengxun looked at Liu Xi again and said with a little curiosity: "Although it is a cliché and high-level argument, at your age, it is quite impressive to be able to explain this matter so clearly. If you Brother Tao and the Emperor will also be happy with this insight!"
"This is just a casual talk. My father is well aware of all major events in the world. There is no need for me to bother you with my superficial knowledge..." Liu Xi said leisurely.
When Liu Xi said these words, Liu Chengxun couldn't help feeling a little emotional in his heart. None of the older princes in the royal family were truly mediocre. Even the most unambitious third prince, Liu Xi, has received the same education and training for so many years and has seen a lot of things with Emperor Liu. How can he be treated as a mortal...
