Luoyang, Xiyuan.
The sight was full of ordinary winter scenery, with dead grass and leaves, desolate and desolate. Emperor Liu arrived and ordered people to encircle a piece of land, set up tents and set up camp, preparing for an open-air banquet. The palace servants who accompanied him were orderly Preparing.
Although it is already the end of winter, the weather has not yet warmed up. Such a choice is naturally looking for trouble. The standing dragon flags moved with the wind, and the spread of yellow silk could not stop the cold wind.
In the imperial tent, Emperor Liu took a break, still holding a list and studying it, his face was gloomy, his expression was very serious, almost numb. Li Fang was not there, and only Yantuo was waiting on his side.
"Your Majesty, all the princes and nobles have arrived with the imperial edict and are waiting to meet you outside the camp!" It was not until Murong Chengtai reported in front of his tent that Emperor Liu's expression moved.
"Declarate them to enter the camp!" Emperor Liu immediately ordered Murong Chengtai.
"yes!"
"Is the banquet ready?" Emperor Liu looked at Yantuo.
Yantuo immediately replied: "Go back to the official's house. All the wine and meat are ready, and you can go to the banquet at any time!"
"Then let's invite them to the table!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.
Soon, there was a burst of noise in the camp, which was sparse and low, and soon became silent. By the time Emperor Liu tidied up and went out of the tent to sit down for the banquet, the nobles who had come with the imperial edict had already taken their seats one by one.
Looking around, there are more than sixty people. These are all distinguished officials in Beijing. They are all nobles, with higher status, and close to Emperor Liu. This time, Emperor Liu held a banquet, obviously just to entertain them. Apart from them, there were only the imperial guards and the serving chamberlains. Zhao Pu, Wang Pu, Li Fang and other important court officials were not present. It seemed like a gathering among "our own people."
However, in this scene, no one's expression was relaxed, they were suspicious and jealous, fearful and frightened. Even Fu Yanqing and Guo Wei had serious expressions.
At least, no one would think that this cold wilderness is a suitable banquet venue. And apart from the yellow silk surrounding it, it gives people the feeling that there are hidden weapons and axes...
Although there were many people, the environment was very quiet and the atmosphere was very depressing. The princes and nobles sat in silence. There were only more than 20 cooks and maids in the banquet hall, roasting mutton and warming wine. However, the fragrance permeating the air could not Bring people a sense of happiness.
Of course, even if they didn't see the weird and depressing scene, everyone knew that this banquet was not a good one.
Things don't seem to be over yet. However, this time, many nobles who were not involved were also called.
"I'll see you, Your Majesty!" As soon as Emperor Liu appeared, everyone immediately cheered up, and their unified movements and neat voices broke the cold atmosphere.
Seeing these people, Emperor Liu no longer had a cold face. Instead, he smiled, waved his hand and said, "No need to be formal! Everyone, sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The voice was still neat and uneventful.
Emperor Liu's attitude was as gentle and approachable as when he met them in the past. However, the more this happened, the more uneasy he became.
"Your Majesty!" Zhao Kuangyi stood up. Among the nobles present, he was the only one who had urgent matters and needed to revive Emperor Liu.
"Seventy-three officials who were convicted of official crimes were ordered to be executed in Nanshi. They were ordered to be punished. They are hereby reinstated!" Zhao Kuangyi reported solemnly, suspected of taking the initiative to increase his presence.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu seemed very indifferent and chuckled: "I have summoned all the ministers here today to drink wine and eat meat. Don't mention anything else!"
"yes!"
Emperor Liu looked around with a fake smile, staring specifically into their eyes. Everyone subconsciously looked away and did not dare to look at them, not only because they wanted to avoid taboos, but also because of a guilty conscience.
"All of you here are all meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty, my confidants, and even my mentors and friends. They are all members of my own family!" Emperor Liu's smile was very warm, he picked up a wine glass and said: "There are also some days. , I didn’t have a chat with you over wine. I have no other intention today. I just want to get everyone together to drink and talk. Come on, everyone, raise your glasses!"
"Your Majesty, please!"
Apart from the prince, those sitting close to Emperor Liu were Fu Yanqing and Guo Wei. This time, Fu Yanqing had a grandnephew who was beheaded in Nanshi.
Therefore, during this banquet, Fu Yanqing's face remained tense, not daring to relax at all. After having a drink, Fu Yanqing took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, thank you for your concern and concern for me. I am extremely grateful!"
"King Fu, you don't have to be polite. You are both a hero of the Han Dynasty and my elder, so you should!" Emperor Liu smiled, but his tone, expression, and title all conveyed a sense of vitality.
As people grow older, Fu Yanqing couldn't feel the strangeness. There was a trace of bitterness on his mottled old face. He raised his glass and said plaintively: "Your Majesty, I am guilty..."
"Hey!" Emperor Liu frowned, and immediately raised his hand to stop him: "King Fu is serious! You have been living in the palace peacefully and taking care of yourself all these years, how can you be held responsible!"
It would not be true to say that Emperor Liu had no opinion of Fu Yanqing. Emperor Liu had never been a close confidant of Fu Yanqing, but he at least respected him.
In the past, it was because of his reputation and the influence of the Fu family. In addition, this man did have some commendable achievements.
However, in recent years, Emperor Liu had become quite dissatisfied with Fu Yanqing and even the entire Fu family. It is not simply because of the fear of such a powerful family, but also because among the children of the Fu family, the number of wanton people is increasing, and there are many people who do evil. There are some dark materials about Fu family relatives in the Imperial City Department and the Wude Department. , can almost fill an entire file shelf.
The reason is that the Fu family was too prominent in the Han Dynasty. There was Empress Fu and Concubine Fu in the harem, the prince in the east palace, and King Fu in the outer court.
With such a powerful and influential force supporting it, it is inevitable that there will be some scoundrels in the huge Fu family. As the patriarch, Fu Yanqing was too indulgent and too protective of the Fu family. This was also what Emperor Liu was dissatisfied with.
In the past, Emperor Liu was interested in the Fu family, so he looked at him differently. Now, it can be said that he was tolerant for the sake of the queen and the prince, but this patience is not unlimited.
Therefore, Emperor Liu showed no mercy when it was revealed that some children of the Fu family had violated the law. Fu Yanqing felt this warning even if he was belatedly aware of it.
As he said that, he looked at the old princes Fu Guo and Wei, wiped his forehead, and said with an annoyed look: "But I was negligent. King Fu is already over seventy years old. How can he bear such bitter cold? Mr. Fu Guo and Wei , add a pot of charcoal fire!"
"Add another blanket!" Emperor Liu said again.
"Yes!" Yantuo accepted the order and immediately waved to the three chamberlains urgingly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"My lords, it's cold and windy. If you feel uncomfortable, you can just talk or add some extra blankets!" Emperor Liu looked at the others and said gently.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!" After hearing this, Sun Li stood up and responded with emotion: "However, a little bit of wind and cold is nothing! When I followed His Majesty to fight in the war, I didn't experience any kind of bitter cold. Now I have a gorgeous dress and a brocade robe. , with hot wine and cooked food, and His Majesty’s hospitality, I am already satisfied!”
"Sun Li, I discovered back then that you are becoming more and more eloquent, and you are far from the rough and arrogant person you used to be!" Seeing Sun Li's beaming face, Emperor Liu couldn't help but joked: "I haven't led troops into battle for many years. This kind of heroic spirit It’s not inferior to his style at all!”
Hearing this, Sun Li seemed to have won a lucky draw, and said with a smile: "I have been taught by Your Majesty for more than 20 years, how can I not make some progress, otherwise I will not live up to His Majesty's wishes!"
"Really!" Emperor Liu raised his glass and said, "Did you really listen to my teachings? Did you really take them in?"
You don't need to feel the change in tone, just Emperor Liu's playful eyes are enough to make people alert. Sun Li wanted to be more magnanimous in front of the emperor, but in the end he couldn't bear the pressure. He lowered his head and said with a little embarrassment: "Your Majesty's teachings will naturally be kept in mind."
"Haha!" Emperor Liu laughed out loud and turned to look at the fifth prince and Qi Gong Liu Yun: "Liu Yun, do you think what Sun Li said makes sense?"
Although Liu Yun usually behaves carelessly and fun-loving, and wants to be a free and easy man, he is really smart and has some idea of the strangeness of this banquet.
Therefore, he was very well-behaved and serious, without any extravagance as usual. He sat there with his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, trying to keep a low profile. However, he never expected that the fire would actually burn him.
Liu Yun's mentality was still good. After a brief moment of confusion, he stood up and laughed with him, saying, "I think what Mr. Sun said makes sense!"
"Then, have you listened to all the teachings I have given you on weekdays?" Emperor Liu asked lightly: "I have advised you to be academic, filial and righteous, benevolent and forgiving, modest and upright. How far have you achieved this? I heard that you often claim to be open-minded and want to be a free man, do you need me to change your title?"
Hearing this, Liu Yun trembled, shook his head quickly, and said: "I am unfilial and I have let your Majesty down. I am willing to be punished!"
After training Liu Yun, Emperor Liu turned his attention to Liu Shu, the ninth old man sitting in the back: "Liu Shu, are you cold?"
Hearing the emperor's question, Liu Shu suddenly looked bitter, stood up, lowered his eyebrows and said: "It's not cold. Isn't it cold?"
"Isn't it cold?" Emperor Liu raised his eyebrows, looked at his handsome face that was flushed by the wind, and said, "I feel a little cold!"
"But! The coldness of my skin is far inferior to the coldness of my belly and heart!"
