On the seventh day of March, the day of the Jiaqing Festival, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze was blowing. It was a good time, and the festival that had been prepared for a long time also started in a grand way. In terms of excitement, it is almost as good as the Lantern Festival. For the courtiers, the biggest difference is probably that the holiday is shorter, only three days.
Different from the Lantern Festival at the beginning of the new year, Emperor Liu smiled more and more naturally, showing a good mood. This was the first time since the death of Empress Fu.
The most important period is naturally the birthday banquet that starts in the evening. It is also held in the Qianyuan Hall. The princes, nobles, ministers and envoys from various countries in Beijing, as long as they could still move, all gathered together.
At night, the Qianyuan Hall is brightly lit and bustling with people. Hundreds of musicians play "symphony". Dozens of beautiful dancers show off their graceful figures. Several painters drink while swiping their pens to record the scene with pictures. Watching this grand scene.
Emperor Liu was in high spirits, laughing, chatting, drinking, and having fun with his ministers. But behind the celebration, there was always a sense of loneliness. In a daze, even he couldn't tell whether the smile was real or fake. .
After drinking for a few times, Emperor Liu was tipsy, and finally made some unusual moves, which naturally attracted everyone's attention. He stood up slowly, stood on the Danqi, and looked down at the ministers in the palace.
Seeing this scene, the etiquette and music had stopped, and the singing and dancing had ended. Only the fireworks outside the hall were still blooming. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Some looked straight ahead, some lowered their eyebrows, and some looked up boldly, but all Waiting for Emperor Liu's speech.
In situations like this in the past, Emperor Liu would usually say a few words and offer a toast, and everyone was used to it. But this time, Emperor Liu did not pick up the wine glass.
After looking around, Emperor Liu finally spoke, and said in a tone of emotion: "I still feel ashamed when talking about this Jiaqing Festival. Let the subjects of the world come to celebrate the birthday of this old man like me, put up lanterns and colors, and mobilize troops and crowds. It’s a waste of money, and the more I think about it, the more I blush. Throughout the dynasties, such arrogant and conceited monarchs are rare!”
There was something wrong with this opening, and everyone felt it. Prime Minister Li Fang hurriedly stood up and said: "Your Majesty is serious! Your Majesty's birthday is celebrated by the whole world. This is a national ritual. Your Majesty is the king's father. On this festive and auspicious day, it is also appropriate for the ministers to congratulate your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled and continued, regardless of the strangeness of the ministers: "Of course, I still have to thank you! This year's Jiaqing, what is different from the past is that it may be the birthday gift. Just now I checked the gift list, The gifts you have given me are quite generous! However, what I am more curious about is that these gifts you have given me should not disturb the people, and should not be plundered for the people's wealth..."
After saying this, the expressions of the ministers changed. As if they had rehearsed, they said in fear: "I don't dare!"
Zhao Kuangyi responded: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, is a minister. You only offer gifts according to etiquette and fulfill your filial piety. How dare you disturb the people and exploit and destroy your majesty's majesty? What's more, the national laws are so strict that no one dares to violate them!"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu suddenly sneered twice: "The national law is so strict that no one dares to violate it? Isn't this too absolute? I have dealt with corrupt officials, female officials and evil thieves too few times in these years?"
Zhao Kuangyi's expression froze, obviously he was confused by the question. Of course, what really puzzled him was why he mentioned such a disappointing thing on such an auspicious occasion. Even if he had to beat the officials, he could wait until after his birthday and choose another occasion...
Of course, today's Emperor Liu is so free and spontaneous, without caring about the occasion or anything.
"Okay!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyi's grimace, Emperor Liu smiled again, waved his hand, and said, "I just said it casually! However, this matter also reminds us that every festive and auspicious time, This kind of favor exchange is unavoidable for the sake of luck. It would be unreasonable for me to order a ban.
However, the value of this gift should be limited. It’s time to start with me. Forget it this time, but in the future, for festivals like this, regardless of official position or rank, the value of the gift cannot exceed five strings!
No, that's not enough. I don't want any gifts. All of them will be converted into gifts and cash, so that you don't have to rack your brains to get some rare and precious toys to confuse me! "
With this decree, the whole palace was in an uproar. Why bother with so many tricks just for a gift? Emperor Liu's words almost made the courtiers think they were thieves. However, they still had to compliment and praise neatly: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Of course, from a general perspective, Emperor Liu's move also has positive significance. During festivals and festivals, this gift is naturally indispensable. From the government to the people, the auspicious meaning is also considered. This is the origin of culture and traditional customs. They cannot be completely changed, but they can calm the atmosphere.
At least, when Emperor Liu sets the highest standard for himself, what should others do? There will always be a clue in their hearts. Do they dare to exceed the emperor's standards? Do they want to commit a crime? Is it contempt for the imperial power?
"Yan Tuo!" Emperor Liu called out as the seriousness on his face faded and he regained his composure.
"Here you are! What are your orders from the officials?" In the main hall, Yan Tuo's waist bowed ninety degrees.
Emperor Liu asked: "In the past years of Jiaqing, the gifts given by ministers and envoys have been recorded, right?"
"When I return to the official residence, I have everything!" Yantuo didn't know what Emperor Liu had planned, so he could only answer honestly.
"In this way, this time, together with the previous birthday gifts, all will be used for immigration and development!" Emperor Liu said lightly. When he said this, he glanced at several prime ministers: "Don't you always say that the country's resources are insufficient and the left and right are stretched thin? Then I will use my own money to make up for it!"
Seeing that Emperor Liu was thinking about this matter, many people looked surprised. Several ministers who were glanced at by Emperor Liu even lowered their heads.
Emperor Liu's determination in this regard has once again been made clear to the world. It has been almost thirty years since the Jiaqing Festival. In the past thirty years, the birthday gifts collected by Emperor Liu, even though they have been restricted, have accumulated over such a long time. , which is also a huge sum of money. All the gifts and gifts added up are worth five to six million yuan, which is not a problem if you think about it.
At this point, Emperor Liu's speech came to an end. Afterwards, he toasted a glass of wine symbolically and took his seat. In the Qianyuan Hall, the peaceful scene of singing and dancing once again resumed. However, Emperor Liu's behavior took the tone astray. The atmosphere in the hall seemed to have been poured with cold water, and the melodious sound became a bit more desolate.
Emperor Liu didn't care about those complicated emotions and surging thoughts. After enjoying the toasts of his courtiers, he would inevitably be moved by the scene. In the past, Queen Fu would usually accompany him at times like this, but now, he was alone, alone.
When I got into the mood, I couldn't help but drink a few more drinks. With my drunken eyes, I saw Zhao Kuangyin in the honorable banquet. This old boy, with a gray beard and obviously in poor health, was drinking happily with Pingyuan Gongsunli. I heard that he quit drinking, but it doesn't look like it from the looks of it. Could he be faking it?
Some thoughts flashed through his mind in fragments. Emperor Liu stood up again, and with the support of Yantuo, he walked to Zhao Kuangyin and Sun Li. The palace suddenly became quiet again, and there was no BGM. This disturbed Emperor Liu's interest, so he waved his hand and continued playing music and dancing.
Emperor Liu looked at Zhao and Sun who had stood up with a smile, raised his glass and said, "Come on, let me toast you two!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The two of them were respectful and even looked a little flustered in their movements.
"Zhao Qing, you and I, the monarch and my minister, have not had a drink together for a long time! I heard that you have given up drinking due to illness. For the sake of your health, I have been suppressing my thoughts, but today is a rare occasion, so I have to drink to my heart's content. !" Emperor Liu was a little drunk, but his speech was still fluent.
When Zhao Kuangyin heard this, he naturally could only respond: "Thank you, Your Majesty, this is my honor!"
Zhao Kuangyin retired in his prime and stayed in the mansion for more than ten years. Even if he was not sick, he had to cover up his illness, but when facing Emperor Liu, he was still calm. On the contrary, Sun Like was a little embarrassed. Many of his nephews and nephews were punished for committing crimes. Sun Li almost became a model used by Emperor Liu to frighten the heroes and nobles, and it was still a long-term... ..
Therefore, even though Sun Li had followed Emperor Liu for a long time, he still respected and feared Emperor Liu. However, Emperor Liu really didn't have much fear about this old man, otherwise, given the situation of his family, he would have been dealt with long ago.
At this time, Emperor Liu was amused when he saw the old man's bewildered look. He had a drink with him and comforted him before giving up.
. When leaving, Sun Li fell to the ground softly and drank a few sips of wine before he regained his composure. His fear was palpable.
