Han Shizu

Chapter 1798
On the seventh day of March, the day of Jiaqing Festival, the sun was shining brightly and the willows were smoky with gentle breeze. It was a good time, and the long-planned festival was also launched in a grand way.In terms of excitement, it almost caught up with the Shangyuan Festival. For the courtiers, the biggest difference is probably that there are fewer holidays, only three days.

The difference from the Lunar New Year's Day was that the smile on Emperor Liu's face was more and more natural, showing a good mood. This was the first time since Empress Fu passed away.

The most important time, of course, is the birthday banquet starting in the evening, and the place is also set in the Qianyuan Hall.The princes, nobles, ministers and envoys from various countries in Beijing, as long as they can move, all gathered together.

The Qianyuan Hall under the night is brightly lit and full of voices. Hundreds of musicians are playing the "symphony", dozens of beautiful dancers are showing their graceful figures, and several painters are drinking and recording with pictures. With this grand scene.

Emperor Liu was in high spirits, laughing and talking with his courtiers, drinking and having fun, but behind the celebration, there was always a sense of loneliness. In a trance, he couldn't tell whether the smile was real or not. .

After a few rounds of drinking, he was slightly tipsy, and Emperor Liu finally made some unusual movements, which naturally attracted everyone's attention.He got up slowly, stood on the altar, and looked down at the officials in the palace.

Seeing this scene, the ceremony and music stopped, singing and dancing were over, only the fireworks outside the hall were still blooming, everyone stopped their movements, some looked straight ahead, some lowered their eyebrows pleasing to the eye, and some looked up boldly, but all Waiting for Emperor Liu's speech.

In the past, under such circumstances, Emperor Liu would usually say a few words and offer a toast, and everyone was used to it.But this time, Emperor Liu didn't pick up the wine glass.

Looking around, Emperor Liu finally spoke, and said in a tone of emotion: "Speaking of this Jiaqing Festival, I still feel ashamed to this day, let the subjects of the world come to celebrate my old man's birthday, decorate the lanterns and festoons, mobilize the teachers and mobilize the crowd, I have spent so much money, the more I think about it, the more I blush. In all dynasties, such an arrogant and self-confident monarch is probably rare!"

There was something wrong with this opening, and everyone felt it.Prime Minister Li Fang hurriedly got up and said: "Your Majesty, you are serious! Your Majesty's birthday is celebrated all over the world. This is a national ritual. Your Majesty is the father of a king. On this auspicious day, it is also proper for ministers to congratulate His Majesty!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, ignored the strangeness of the ministers, and continued: "Of course, I still have to thank you! This year's Jiaqing is different from the past, and it may be a birthday gift. I also checked the gift list just now. The offerings from the gentlemen are quite generous! However, what I am more curious about is that these gifts you offer should not disturb the people, and should not be the people's anointing."

After saying this, the faces of the officials changed, and the group of people, as if they had rehearsed, said in panic: "I dare not wait!"

Zhao Kuangyi replied: "Your Majesty's holy life, as a subject, is only offered according to the rites, to show filial piety, how dare you disturb the people and exploit, and ruin your Majesty's mighty virtue, not to mention the strict laws of the country, no one dares to violate them!"

"Hehe!" Emperor Liu immediately sneered twice: "The laws of the country are so strict that no one dares to violate them? This statement is too absolute. Over the years, how many times have I dealt with corrupt officials, treacherous ministers and villains?"

Zhao Kuangyi's expression froze, obviously he was stopped by the question.Of course, what really puzzled him was why such a disappointing thing should be brought up on such an auspicious occasion. Even if you want to beat all the ministers, you can wait for the birthday and choose another occasion
Of course, today's Emperor Liu just does whatever he wants, acting out of emotion, and doesn't care about the occasion at all.

"Okay!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyi's bitter face, Emperor Liu smiled again, waved his hands, and said, "I'm just talking casually! However, this matter also reminds us that every festival is auspicious, This exchange of human feelings is unavoidable for the sake of getting a lot of money. If I order a ban, it will seem unreasonable.

However, the value of this gift money should be limited.It should start with me, let’s forget it this time, but from now on, in festivals like this, regardless of the official position or rank, the value of the gifts offered cannot exceed five guan!

No, that's not enough, I don't want any gifts, all of them will be converted into gift money in cash, so as to save you from racking your brains and making some rare and precious playthings to confuse me! "

With this decree, the whole hall was in an uproar. Why bother to come up with so many tricks for a gift?Emperor Liu's words almost treated the courtiers as thieves. However, they still had to flatter and praise: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Of course, from a general perspective, Emperor Liu's move is also of positive significance.During festivals and festivals, human relations, this gift is naturally indispensable. From the government to the people, the auspicious meaning of it is also drawn. This is the origin of culture and traditional customs. It cannot be completely changed, but it can solemnize the atmosphere.

At least, when Emperor Liu set the highest standard for himself, what should other people do, there will always be a spectrum in mind, do you dare to exceed the emperor's standard, do you want to violate it?Is it contempt for imperial power?

"Yantuo!" Emperor Liu called out after the seriousness on his face faded and he regained his peace.

"Young one is here! What orders do the officials have?" Above the main hall, Yan Tuo bowed directly at ninety degrees.

Emperor Liu asked: "In the past years of Jiaqing, the ministers, workers and envoys presented gifts, and there are records!"

"Go back to the official's house, everything!" Yan Tuo 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 development!" Emperor Liu said lightly, and when he said this, he glanced at several prime ministers: "Didn't you always say that the country is not enough, and the left and the right are stretched out?" , then I will use the money to make up for it myself!"

Seeing that Emperor Liu was still thinking about this matter, many people showed surprise on their faces, and several ministers who were swept by Emperor Liu's eyes even lowered their heads.

And Emperor Liu's determination in this regard has once again made it clear to the world. It has been almost 30 years since the Jiaqing Festival. In the past 30 years, the birthday gifts received by Emperor Liu, even if there has been a limit, accumulated over such a long period of time, it is still It's a huge sum of money, all the gifts and gifts added up are worth 600 million guan, so it's not a problem to think about it.

At this point, Emperor Liu's speech was over. After a symbolic toast, he sat down.In the Qianyuan Hall, the scene of singing and dancing was restored again, but the behavior of Emperor Liu had skewed the tone. The atmosphere in the hall seemed to have been poured with cold water, and the melancholy sound became a bit more bleak.

Emperor Liu didn't care about those complicated emotions and surging thoughts. After enjoying the toast from his courtiers, it was inevitable that he would be touched by the scene.In times like this in the past, there was usually a talisman queen accompanying him, but now, he is alone, alone.

When the mood came up, he couldn't help but drank a few more glasses. With his drunken eyes, he saw Zhao Kuangyin at the honorable banquet. This old boy had a gray beard and his health was obviously failing. He was drinking happily with Pingyuan Gongsun Li.I heard that he quit drinking, but judging by the situation, it doesn't look like it. Could it be just pretending?

Some thoughts flashed through his mind, and Emperor Liu got up again, and with Yan Tuo's support, he walked in front of Zhao Kuangyin and Sun Li.The hall suddenly became quiet again, there was no BGM, which disturbed Emperor Liu's interest, so he waved his hand, played music, and danced.

Emperor Liu looked at Zhao and Sun who got up with a smile, raised his glass and said, "Come on, let me offer you a cup!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The two were respectful, and their movements even seemed a little flustered.

"Zhao Qing, you and I, the monarch and the minister, have not drank together for a long time! I heard that you quit drinking due to illness, and for the sake of your health, you have been suppressing your thoughts, but today is rare, but you want to drink to your heart's content !" Emperor Liu was a little drunk, but his speech was still fluent.

When Zhao Kuangyin heard the words, he 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 would have to cover up his illness, but when facing Emperor Liu, he was still calm.On the contrary, Sun Li was a little embarrassed. Many of his nephews and nephews were dealt with for committing crimes. Sun Li has almost become a model used by Emperor Liu to frighten heroes and nobles, and it has been a long time.
Therefore, even though Sun Li followed Emperor Liu very early, he still respected and feared Emperor Liu.However, Emperor Liu really didn't have much fear for this old man, otherwise, given his family's situation, he would have been dealt with long ago.

At this moment, Emperor Liu was amused seeing the helpless and naive look of the old man, so he had a drink with him and comforted him before giving up.When he left, Sun Li fell limply on the ground and drank a few sips of wine before recovering, his fear was beyond words.

(End of this chapter)