At the end of the eighth year of Kaibao's reign, Luoyang was very busy from top to bottom, from the government to the people. It's the end of the year, and there are many things that need to be sorted out and summarized. This year, we also experienced major events such as the Northern Expedition that affected the government and the public, which made it even more busy.
Emperor Liu's return had a great spurring effect on the bureaucrats of the Han Dynasty. There was a clear difference in the atmosphere in the court and various ministries and offices between his presence and absence.
Everyone cheered up, not to mention how many brilliant performances they had to perform, but at least they couldn't make mistakes. A large number of administrative orders were issued from the political hall, and the communication from superiors to subordinates was also extremely smooth. It didn't even have to be the same as before, requiring Zhao Pu's real-time attention. , Supervise and supervise, the court's efficiency has also increased unprecedentedly.
These changes were brought about by Emperor Liu. Many times, he did not need to say a word. As long as others were there, it was a spur to the officials below.
For the majority of people in Xijing, it is also worthy of joy. It is not that they are completely happy about the return of the emperor and the great victory of the Northern Expedition, but that the New Year is approaching. At the same time, although the prices in Luoyang are still high, grain, oil, rice and cloth are not the same as those in Luoyang. Their closely related material supplies, after a period of decline, are now completely stable. In the market in Beijing, there are still large purchases and even some looting, but it is all for the purpose of celebrating the New Year.
The whole of Luoyang fell into an extremely festive atmosphere, and the vitality of the people was completely released. Under the organization and guidance of the government, there were two sensational incidents within a few days.
First, of course, there was a ceremony to offer sacrifices to heaven in the countryside, with more than 100,000 people attending the ceremony.
The second one was the most sensational and lively one, a grand triumphal ceremony. Under the arrangements of Zhao Pu, Zhao Kuangyin, and Shi Shouxin, it was organized in an orderly manner. Dozens of people warmly welcomed the returning soldiers. Onlookers walked from outside the city. Tianjie extended to the imperial palace, with crowds of people and cheers filling the city. The momentum was far greater than when the expedition was launched.
These two things have already consumed a lot of energy from Zhao Pu and others. Following closely behind, the New Year Ceremony also unfolded, with a series of big actions, the participation of thousands of people, and the enjoyment of the people. Under the background of the great era of the Northern Expedition , this New Year’s Eve also seems a little more special.
Originally, the celebration would have been more grand and timely if it were held ten years after the opening of the treasure. However, with Emperor Liu's request in front, it was nothing.
That is to say, before Emperor Liu arrived in Beijing, Zhao Pu and other ministers were ordered to make some preparations for these matters in advance. Otherwise, no matter how powerful he was, he would inevitably make mistakes in such continuous and complicated affairs.
Even so, Zhao Pu was in a hurry, and he had to distract himself from other things. Of course, the one who is under the greatest pressure is Luoyang Mansion. Such a large-scale celebration event, with hundreds of thousands of people participating, is even more difficult than commanding hundreds of thousands of troops in every aspect, and it further tests the ability to coordinate and dispatch.
In order to maintain order and stability, almost all Luoyang Mansion's subordinate officers and inspectors were dispatched. At the same time, 20,000 troops were seconded from the Forbidden Army for maintenance. Fortunately, the Luoyang Mansion does not need to worry too much about the series of celebration activities.
Emperor Liu naturally didn't worry too much about all the hard work and efforts behind it, and on the first day of the first lunar month of the ninth year of Kaibao, what he saw was naturally a prosperous scene.
Accompanied by ministers and hundreds of officials, Emperor Liu personally visited the Dingding Gate of the imperial city, accepted the worship of all the people, and delivered a New Year's greeting. Fireworks burst out, shining brightly in the sky. Under dusk, a series of lanterns lit up the imperial city, river bridges, and sky streets. In the cold night wind, the people of Tokyo gathered together, singing, dancing, and singing loudly.
This was also the climax of the New Year celebrations, Emperor Liu's most intimate performance. Even so, he was still condescending, looking down on the people.
After that, the difference between the rulers and the ruled was also revealed. The nobles and bureaucrats of the Han Dynasty were able to dress up in fine clothes and enter the palace. In the brightly lit Qianyuan Hall, they participated in the imperial banquet and enjoyed the prosperous age. luxurious.
The middle- and lower-class people in another world can only have fun in the lantern market and hang out in wine shops. The so-called having fun with the people has a sense of giving. Most of the time, only family reunions and celebrating the New Year behind closed doors are the real warmth.
Inside the Qianyuan Hall, there was naturally a different scene, with bright lights, gorgeous colored silks, and a luxurious atmosphere everywhere. Emperor Liu and his ministers together formed a picture of a palace banquet.
Painters Huang Quan and his son, as usual, silently recorded, preparing to use their wonderful brushes to outline this scene. In these years, both father and son have been very productive. A series of paintings vividly depict the palace scenery of the Han Dynasty after entering the Kaibao era.
The center of the banquet was undoubtedly Emperor Liu. There was a huge gap between the ruling class present and the people outside the palace, and there was also a huge gap between Emperor Liu and these ministers.
Qianyuan Hall is undoubtedly the most magnificent palace in the Han Dynasty today. It is more than enough to accommodate an imperial banquet of more than 2,000 people without any crowding.
During the banquet, the most joyful and relaxed ones were of course the meritorious soldiers who returned from the Northern Expedition. This itself was also a celebration banquet for the Northern Expedition, although it was a little hasty, and although the specific rewards had not yet been announced, It was enough for them to laugh. The emperor had already publicly commended them, and those who could join the banquet meant that they would be among those given titles and honors.
Sitting firmly on the throne of Qianyuan, he looked unpredictable and profound, and his gaze swept over these distinguished nobles of the Han Dynasty. Looking at the singing and dancing of the orioles, and listening to the exchange of wine and wine, Emperor Liu inexplicably felt a chill, not the spring cold, but the It feels extremely cold at high places.
In the past, Emperor Liu advocated frugality and hated pleasure, but before he knew it, he seemed to have become accustomed to this kind of life, and he did not seem to be so resistant to extravagance and luxury.
Is this a change in yourself, or is this the way you are essentially? Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel a little dazed. His high-ranking officials and important ministers seemed to be very adaptable to this luxury and magnificence. They enjoyed it extremely and were still respectful and flattering to him. However, the smiles from the heart, when Emperor Liu looked at them, seemed a little... garish......
"Your Majesty!" Uncle Li Ye also held a wine glass, climbed up the imperial steps, and stood to propose a toast.
"My uncle has also worked hard in the past year. I take this cup to express my condolences!" Emperor Liu came to his senses and returned the favor with a cup.
"Your Majesty, your words are serious! This is what I should do!" Li Ye's attitude was extremely submissive, and the corners of his mouth were almost grinning.
There was a surge of people in the palace, and even the court rituals and music carried a kind of nobility. Emperor Liu felt it was inexplicably irritating when he heard it, and a bit of irritability was added to his joyful mood.
Looking at Li Ye, Emperor Liu waved his hand: "Uncle, come forward to speak!"
Hearing this, Li Ye was immediately overjoyed. There were a large number of noble ministers who came to toast, but so far, he was the only one who had received such "special" treatment.
Climbing up the stairs, he climbed up to the high platform until he was in front of the emperor. Finally, he could see Emperor Liu's face clearly. Li Ye became more and more respectful: "Your Majesty's orders!"
Looking at him, Emperor Liu asked: "How much did it cost to prepare for this celebration?"
This celebration, at the Zhengshi Hall, was organized in detail by Li Ye. After hearing this question, Li Ye was stunned for a moment, a little puzzled, and there was some murmuring in his heart. He originally thought that Emperor Liu asked him to come closer to say something personal, but he never thought that he was asking this.
Could it be that someone is slandering and slandering me on this matter? Li Ye couldn't help but think more, and looked at Emperor Liu with some confusion. His face was slightly drunk, but his eyes were very intimidating. His heart trembled, and he hurriedly responded: "Your Majesty, there are many expenses, and we need to calculate them." Only then will we know.”
"Are you in charge of this matter? Don't you have a figure in mind? Maybe you don't know the cost?" Emperor Liu asked without changing his expression.
Li Ye felt more and more uneasy. Facing Emperor Liu's oppressive gaze, he lowered his head and responded in a low voice: "About three million strings..."
"oh!"
Emperor Liu responded and didn't ask any more questions. However, during the following royal banquet, his face seemed to be covered with a faint haze. Even when he smiled, he was forced to look happy.
