Seeing Emperor Liu stand up, all the princes subconsciously stood up to accompany him. Zhao Kuangyi stood up first, followed by the others. Seeing this battle, Emperor Liu waved his hands casually and said, "Everyone, sit down!"
Emperor Liu's words and deeds revealed one meaning: Sir, sit still and wait for me to speak. Hearing this, the crowd shrank back again, and many nobles who had just left the table sat back down. However, this seat always made people feel uncomfortable. It was so contrasting with the joyful atmosphere when Emperor Liu held royal banquets in the past. Intense.
Perhaps sensing the harshness in his tone, Emperor Liu pondered for a moment and took a few steps to adjust. In front of everyone, the north wind blew his clothes gently, and when he turned around, Emperor Liu had already put on his usual smile.
The wine in the cup was still steaming, and Emperor Liu's wandering eyes became firm again, and he said leisurely to the princes: "I still remember that I have discussed with many of the ministers here, we are a group of people. What is the purpose of spending half your life in the military and working hard to start a business?"
"The answers I heard are all different!" Emperor Liu walked as he spoke, with infinite emotion in his tone: "Some people say that in troubled times, when you are wandering, you have nothing to rely on, and you just want a place to live. Earth is a place of peace; there are also people with lofty ambitions and broad minds who want to bring order to the chaos, bring order to troubled times, and seek peace and prosperity for all people in the world;
Some people say that it is for the sake of building meritorious services and shining a glorious family name; others are more practical and want to have a wife, a shadow, rich clothes, and five cauldrons to eat..."
Emperor Liu was there reminiscing and sighing, and everyone listened silently, not daring to make a sound or act rashly, so as not to disturb Emperor Liu's interest.
Of course, many people also understood that the focus of Emperor Liu's behavior was at the back. Their eyes followed Emperor Liu's calm steps, and their ears listened to Emperor Liu's sighing voice, and each one of them was extremely serious.
"It has been more than twenty years. I wonder if all of you here still remember your original aspirations? After so many years, how much of your goals have you achieved? Are you still satisfied with your life today?"
"Why are you all keeping your heads down?" Emperor Liu stopped, looked around, and raised his voice a little higher: "You are all important officials of the Han Dynasty. Even if you are sitting, you should hold your heads high and your chest high. You shouldn't be so low-brow. !”
"Why don't you say anything?" When no one answered, Emperor Liu felt embarrassed. His eyes searched and fell on Dang Jin: "Dang Jin, tell me!"
Hearing Emperor Liu mention him, Dang Jin felt as if he was getting an electric shock. The usually careless Dang Houye became cautious at this time. He stood up and bowed slightly. After thinking about it, he replied: "Your Majesty, I am a rude person." A person who has never had great ambitions, just relies on some courage and hard work to earn some fame and wealth, that's enough!
Your Majesty also knows that I, in the past, only wanted to be granted the title of Marquis, and now that I have been favored by Your Majesty and given generous titles and salaries, I am completely satisfied. Nowadays, I am getting older, and some of my rough courage is no longer the same. With my salary and farm house, I can enjoy my old age comfortably.
All of my achievements are due to His Majesty's grace. I have always been grateful and dare not forget..."
"Dang Qing is so humble!" It was rare for Dang Jin, who had always been rough and rough, to say such a thing. Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel happy. He heard the meaning of asking for retreat in Dang Jin's words and comforted him. : "Your performance on the battlefield in Liaodong last year was heard and seen by me. You also did a good job in the Inspection Department. The imperial court still needs direct ministers like you, and the younger generations still need I’ll be rewarded for learning from you!” Dang Jin also showed a thankful smile.
Looking at Lord Dang, Emperor Liu felt a little emotional in his heart. Dang Jin was rude on the outside, but showy on the inside. Even though he didn't know a few words even now, he could say some sensible things.
Although he often had some perverse words and deeds, and even some ridiculous and generous actions, which caused a lot of jokes, he never went beyond it. Perhaps his vulgarity was just a kind of protection for him.
After all, there is a limit to the growth of a warrior like Dang Jin, and he is even far inferior to Wang Yansheng back then. However, such a person can truly live a comfortable life.
Except for being too close to Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Liu basically couldn't find any other worthy faults with the party. This is also a skill. Of course, Dang Jin and Zhao Kuangyin had a life-long friendship, and they had frequent and close contacts. Emperor Liu couldn't show off. From his own heart, he quite admired a "reckless man" like Dang Jin who knew how to measure his limits.
"Among the nobles and nobles of this dynasty, the Dang ministers have the most straightforward character!" Emperor Liu praised again: "They are frank and upright, consistent in words and deeds, daring to act, and completely free of any scheming..."
It was rare that Emperor Liu finally praised his subordinates again. However, these words were a bit jarring in the eyes of the princes. What does this mean? Are there so many of them just a bunch of people? Could it be that they are not as good as Dang Jin? A bastard?
This insinuation was so obvious that many people looked a bit ugly but did not dare to refute it. As for Dang Jin, he knew how to advance and retreat. He raised his hands and said humbly: "Your Majesty's praise is too high. I don't dare to accept it. I really don't dare to accept it!"
"By the way, I would also like to congratulate Dang Qing for taking a new concubine!" Emperor Liu changed the topic again and laughed at Dang Jin.
"Your Majesty was made to laugh!" Dang Jin was slightly surprised and his old face turned red. However, even though he said this, he acted very calmly.
As a noble, there is nothing shameful about having beauties. Dang Jin is often proud of this and boasts in front of others. Nowadays, in Dang Jin's Hou Mansion, there are more than a dozen beauties with good looks.
Three years ago, Dang Jin even had a proud achievement, which was to get a concubine from Tao Gu for his own enjoyment. He loved her very much, which was famous in Beijing.
"No need to be embarrassed!" Emperor Liu smiled and said calmly: "Who doesn't like beauties? I like them too!"
"However!" The slightly relaxed atmosphere did not last long, and Emperor Liu said leisurely: "I also heard that some of you often exchange concubines as gifts to show your friendship! Is this the case? ?”
After saying this, many nobles, including Dang Jin, couldn't help but look embarrassed. Although this kind of thing was very common among the nobles, beautiful concubines were a kind of resource that could be traded, and they also couldn't help but look embarrassed. I thought there was something wrong with it, and I even thought it was a fashion trend.
However, it was inevitable for Emperor Liu to say it so unabashedly, and he felt a little embarrassed. After all, it was hard to wait for the elegant hall, even if he was in the wilderness at this time.
The same goes for Dang Jin, Tao Gu's concubine, but he exchanged it for three beauties... The smiling smile gradually faded, and even though he had just been praised, he felt a little uncomfortable. From Liu Judging from the emperor's attitude, the dozens of princes and princes here today are obviously the ones being taught a lesson.
Realizing this, everyone's heart sinks even more.
Emperor Liu's mouth was a little dry when he spoke. He drank the wine in one gulp. Looking at the people sitting peacefully, he asked again: "Why are you not moving again? How can you, gentlemen, bear to let me drink alone? Let's all drink. Don't be restrained and feel free." Some!"
However, the more Emperor Liu said this, the more uncomfortable everyone became. It was quiet for a while, and then a group of people raised their glasses to drink mechanically. No matter how hot the wine was, it was hard for people to enjoy it.
Emperor Liu was particularly interested. When he saw everyone taking action, he continued with a smile: "Our generation are all pioneers. For the sake of the Han Dynasty and the world, we have braved the wind and waves, overcome thorns and thorns, and have overcome mountains of swords and seas of fire. After working hard for half a life, you must gain something, otherwise why devote yourself?
In today's situation, the great man relied heavily on the help of ministers. I will always bear this in my heart, and I am extremely grateful. Over the past 20 years or so, how many soldiers have had their robes stained with blood on the battlefield, and their bones buried in green mountains. Most of you people have made your way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood. This is not easy!
The martyrs who sacrificed their lives are worthy of admiration and remembrance, and you, the living heroes, are also worthy of praise and favor from the court. I'm afraid many of you think so. After fighting for a lifetime, building up such a great achievement, and laying down such a magnificent empire, it's time to enjoy it!
The country was conquered by you. Now that the world is at peace, why not you, the meritorious ministers, take some of it and enjoy it after your achievements?
This kind of thinking is normal and I can understand it! I feel that I am not a stingy person, and I am willing to share joys and sorrows with you and share wealth and honor.
but! "
After talking a lot, the key lies in this turning point. Emperor Liu's eyes became sharp, his tone became sharp, and he looked around at everyone: "People must learn to be content. Infinite greed will only breed infinite evil! You gentlemen, you can ask yourselves, I Have you ever mistreated any hero in these years?"
There was another moment of silence, and no one dared to speak out. Emperor Liu, as for Emperor Liu, changed his glass of wine freely and continued to invite a drink, his tone not softening: "Don't be cold! Drink!"
