The Heroes Pavilion under the spring sun is shrouded in a layer of soft light. Since February, the temperature has gradually warmed up, the sky is blue and bright, and the breeze has brought comfort and comfort.
There is the Zhaolie Temple in the east and the Pavilion of Heroes in the west. These are landmark buildings in the two capitals. They commemorate the meritorious soldiers who fought bloody battles for the Han Dynasty for decades, and also affirm and praise them through life and death.
Zhaolie Temple is a temple for martyrs, and the Gongchen Pavilion is a temple for meritorious deeds. Different from the magnificent forest of stone steles in Zhaolie Temple, the Gongchen Pavilion is much smaller in scale, but more majestic, with much higher specifications, with constant incense and life. Endless.
Zhaolie Temple is open to the public on weekdays for people to visit and worship. Although the Gongchen Pavilion is also outside the imperial city, its defense level is very high. It is heavily guarded on weekdays and it is difficult for ordinary people to approach. Even if they want to pay homage and worship, It can only be done outside the pavilion.
In the decades of continuous publicity, the symbolic meaning of the Gongchen Pavilion and Zhaolie Temple has been continuously amplified. Especially the Gongchen Pavilion is sacred and inviolable. For many of the descendants of the Han Dynasty's meritorious officials, it has even become their Spiritual symbol.
After all, the tablets of their fathers and ancestors are enshrined inside. This is not only a symbol of spiritual honor, but also the source of their status, wealth, and power. Therefore, among Emperor Liu's many policies and arrangements, only the "Pavilion of Meritorious Officials" It is absolutely supported by the nobles above and below.
In the past twenty or thirty years, no matter how many restrictions and suppressions Emperor Liu had on the noble class, as far as the nobles of the Han Dynasty were concerned, as long as the Hall of Meritorious Officers was still there, they were still the ruling dignitaries who were in solidarity with the country. .
Over the years, there has been a saying among the upper echelons of the Han Dynasty: It is easy to enter the Zhaolie Temple, but it is difficult to enter the Gongchen Pavilion. The Hall of Meritorious Ministers is by no means accessible to ordinary people. There are hundreds of princes and counts in the Han Dynasty, but less than one-third can enjoy the incense and incense in the memorial tablet after their death.
The establishment of the Hall of Heroes naturally focused on the twenty-four heroes of Qianyou at the beginning. Their plaques were placed in the center, supplemented by portraits. Similarly, only the twenty-four ministers were qualified to hang the portraits. This was different from the portraits of other meritorious officials. The status is directly distinguished.
The rest will be arranged in order. The threshold for entering the Hall of Meritorious Officers is very high. Although there are a series of comprehensive trade-offs, there is only one core point, and those who have not achieved great merit will not be admitted. In this regard, Emperor Liu's attitude was clear and tough. Many of the emperor's relatives and relatives were uncompromisingly excluded. So far, except for his uncle Li Hongwei of Surabaya, no one has joined the cabinet. From now on, in the end, It may be that King Yong Liu Chengxun, Duke Shou Li Shaoyou and Duke Huiguo Song Yan are in charge. According to Emperor Liu's rules, even Xu King Liu Cheng? is not qualified, even if he is the current head of the clan.
In this way, the standard of the Heroes' Pavilion has become higher and higher, and its status has become more prominent. Before they die, many nobles, besides their posthumous affairs, mostly worry about whether they can enter the Heroes' Pavilion.
Over the past ten or twenty years, the veterans have withered and the heroes have passed away. Naturally, the Gongchen Pavilion is no longer as "deserted" as it was before. People continue to move in and the incense is becoming increasingly prosperous.
Recently, two new members have been added, one of whom is naturally Wen Guogong Xiang Xun. Xiang Xun's fate was still calculated, but he could not withstand the power of metaphysics. He died of illness at home seven days after Emperor Liu's visit.
The other one is Duke Yanchao of Wuqing, the older generation of the vassal town. Wang Yanchao was not considered a founding father, nor was he a loyal minister of Emperor Liu. He did not even join the imperial court early. However, this man had outstanding military talents and had political acumen and insights that were different from ordinary military ministers. In the south of the Han Dynasty, He also made great contributions in the process of conquering the Northern War and unifying the world. Coupled with his deep seniority and good impression of Emperor Liu, he finally got a county dukedom. He also lived a long life at the age of seventy-five. He died a good death and had rich experiences in his life. There are no regrets either.
Of course, too many heroes of the Han Dynasty have withered away. In addition, Yu Xiangxun passed away, so the momentum was covered up and did not cause much response. The family arranged the funeral in a low-key manner. Wang Yanchao passed away quietly. of......
At this time, the door of the Heroes' Pavilion was wide open, and the solemn and solemn pavilion was filled with people. Most of the Han Dynasty's distinguished officials in Beijing were here. This is the second time this year. The last time it was at a public sacrifice ceremony presided over by the prince, but this time it came under an imperial edict.
The space inside the main temple is very large. One or two hundred people gathered together without any crowding. The scene was very serious and orderly. In such a solemn and sacred place, everyone remained in awe and did not dare to do anything that exceeded the rules. , but they arranged themselves in order, looked up to the memorial tablets and portraits of their ancestors with a pious attitude, and silently comforted the heroic spirits.
Things always move forward, and a new generation replaces the old ones. At that time, the great nobles of the Han Dynasty were such influential figures as Murong Yanzhao, Chai Rong, Xiang Xun, Gao Huaide, Zhao Kuangyin, Wei Renpu, Wang Pu, Li Gu, and Xue Juzheng , now, has been replaced by some second and third generation nobles.
Among the people present, the person with the highest status has become Gong Hantong of Hanoi. You must know that although Hantong followed Emperor Liu earlier, he was never the first echelon of powerful people, and his status was always inferior to others.
Today, things are different. For example, people like Murong Yanzhao, Chai Rong and even Zhao Kuangyin, no matter how great their merits and abilities are, they have long been reduced to nothing.
And he, Han Tong, has a hard life, lives longer, is in better health, can still eat wine and meat, and his son is already in the prime minister's hall. This kind of prominence has surpassed most nobles.
Among the nobles present, anyone who saw Han Tong had to bow their head obediently and respectfully call out "Han Gong" in a low voice. Even if he relied on his elders and pointed out all kinds of things to them, they had to listen honestly.
This kind of status and treatment was something Han Tong could not enjoy at the beginning. Therefore, in the Hall of Meritorious Officers, Han Tong stood at the head of all the nobles, although he was leaning on a cane, but he held his head high. The cane was made of gilded sandalwood and shaped like a dragon's head. It was given to him by Emperor Liu last year when he saw that his legs and feet were inconvenient.
Han Tong observed the "old guys" enshrined on the altar. While sighing in his heart, he couldn't help but think that after he died, he should be able to join the cabinet. This should be inevitable, even Wang Yanchao is qualified, let alone Han Tong!
In the solemn atmosphere, there was no noise, and everyone was waiting silently, after all, the real owner had not arrived yet. However, he did not wait too long. With a high-pitched cry, the voice and shadow of Emperor Liu appeared.
The old emperor has arrived, and although these distinguished nobles in front of them are not like a mouse meeting a cat, they are not much different. They all lowered their eyebrows and held their breath, and even Han Tong did not dare to keep his chest raised.
The bamboo stick has become the standard accessory of Emperor Liu. He never leaves his hand when walking. He no longer walks as fast as before. He just walks slowly through the company of Prince Liu? and Jin Wang Liu? The nobles, with cautious and awe-stricken eyes, walked step by step towards the crowd.
A sudden stop made people tense up their bodies subconsciously. Emperor Liu stopped in front of Pingyuan Gongsun Li. This "negative teaching material" that Emperor Liu often used to teach him a lesson was now showing his age, with gray beard and hair, thin body, and only a few rotten teeth left in his mouth. Stay strong.
Seeing his old appearance, Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel some sympathy. He pointed at Sun Li's old, spotted face and said, "You idiot, you are old too!"
Facing Emperor Liu's gentle gaze, Sun Li grinned and said straightforwardly: "Although I am old, I am still your Majesty's pawn!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, took two steps forward, and stopped again. This time it was Wang Yansheng. General Er'er, ever since the Northern Expedition and his return from Mobei's narrow escape, has been in poor health. It was once thought that he was about to die, but nearly twenty years have passed. His old comrades, including Bowang Hou Guo Jin, etc., all passed away early. He is still alive.
However, the erosion of time was really hard to resist. Wang Yansheng was also extremely old, his legs were lame, his eyes were dim, and his ears were not working properly. Emperor Liu called him, but there was no response. Yang Ye next to him reminded him, Only then did he come back to his senses: "Your Majesty is here? Where are you?"
"Your Majesty is in front of you!" Yang Ye couldn't help but lean into his ear and raise his voice to remind him.
This time I heard clearly, Wang Yansheng immediately wanted to salute, but his movements were clumsy, not as strong as before. You know, Wang Yansheng was famous for his bravery and bravery back then.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu subconsciously stretched out his hand to support Wang Yansheng, shook his hand, asked Yang Ye to support him, and said: "Take good care of him!"
Based on Emperor Liu's nature, he should have suspected that Wang Yansheng's behavior was disguised, but at this time, he didn't think much about it. He felt sorry for the old man and also left a little warmth in the relationship between monarch and minister... ..
Going further, Emperor Liu noticed Shi Shouxin. Since returning to Beijing, he had served as the commander-in-chief for a period of time. However, he soon fell ill and had to stay in bed to recuperate.
Looking at Shi Shouxin's sickly old face, Emperor Liu frowned and said, "If you feel uncomfortable and have difficulty moving, just rest well. Why do you need to move?"
Emperor Liu's words should be taken as concern. Shi Shouxin coughed twice and said in a weak voice: "Your Majesty has summoned you, how can you be confined to a mere sick bed? I am already old and will not live forever, so I should cherish your listening. Opportunities for Hadith…”
Shi Shouxin's words were extremely humble and loyal, but it was quite sad to hear them. There was some confusion in Emperor Liu's old eyes. He raised his hand and patted his shoulder gently. Everything was gone without saying a word.
