A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 403 Are You Worthy To Sit In Front Of Me?
Palace banquet on New Year's Eve.

This year's New Year's Eve palace banquet was very grand and grand. Although there were many Kanto refugee resettlement camps outside Chang'an City, this did not affect the banquet.

In order to show the strength of Zhenguan and let those foreign envoys feel the power of Tang Dynasty, the banquet was even held a bit extravagantly.

At this time, the imperial court’s finances were still quite difficult. Although the country had been founded for ten years, wars continued for years. Only this autumn was the real completion of the unification of the world, but there was still a Hetao Fengsheng that was not recovered by the Turks.There were many victims of the Kanto drought, and the imperial court had to issue bonds to tide over the difficulties.

But even if the common people celebrate the New Year, they have to cut a few catties of meat, tear some cloth, and make two new clothes for the New Year.

The Tang court had to save face even more.

Wu Huaiyu entered the palace with the old Wei next door, Wei Zheng looked at the extravagant palace banquet and shook his head again and again, calling him forgetful.

"The world has not yet been unified, and the people have not yet lived and worked in peace and contentment. The imperial court can't wait to enjoy the extravagance. What does it look like?"

"Wei Xiang, today is New Year's Eve, and there are so many envoys, you can talk about it later if you have anything to say, and don't let everyone get down." Huaiyu persuaded him with a smile.

On New Year's Eve last year, Duan Lun and Xu Jingzong put on a fireworks display, and then Wei Zheng impeached him face to face, which resulted in Duan Lun's dismissal, Xu Jingzong's relegation to Xunyang County Prime Minister, and even Wu Huaiyu's implication.

At that time Wei Zheng was just a man from Julu County, not a prime minister.

It would be a disastrous sight if he offered some honest advice tonight.

The New Year's Eve palace banquet was of a very high standard, and it also had the nature of diplomatic etiquette. All the officials from all over the border and the princes and ministers of the court and China should participate.

Everyone listens to songs, watches dances, drinks wine, and recites poems along the way. Isn't it over when you are happy?
Wait until the right occasion to talk about something.

"Wei Xiang, everyone has worked hard for a year, and it was not easy. Anyway, the first year of Zhenguan was a good start. He recruited Daibeiyuan Junzhang, pacified Shuofang Liangshidu, and even the strategy against the Turks has begun. It has worked, at least this year no Turks will invade the border again,
The imperial court also put down and punished some rebellious officials and thieves with evil intentions.

Although there is a drought in the Kanto region, the price of food has dropped a lot. Even now, the price of rice in Chang'an is only [-] to [-] yuan per bucket of rice. Last year, it was more than ten times that.

Aren't these all the hard work of His Majesty, court officials, and frontier soldiers?

Wei Xiang wants to deny everyone's efforts? "

Wei Zheng was blocked by Wu Huaiyu and couldn't answer, so he finally had to agree not to spoil the atmosphere tonight.

Princes, officials, and envoys from foreign vassals entered the palace.

Last year Wu Huaiyu was only fit to sit at the corner of the entrance of the hall, but this year he is already the Duke Yi of the six hundred households who killed Luo Yi, wiped out Liang Shidu, and beheaded Wang Junkuo. Duzhi and governing censor, plus champion general, promoted to Jin Ziguanglu doctor, Shangzhu country.

Even became the emperor's relatives.

His seat has long been lined up to the front.

The location is basically behind the prime ministers and princes.

He was about to sit down when Zhang Anan, the eunuch in a new purple robe, came over with a smile on his face, "The Diaochan Jinxian crown that Lord Yi is wearing tonight is very beautiful, especially this golden belt with ten thousand nails in precious mother-of-pearl is even more beautiful. The mighty."

"Jian Zhang is also very energetic today."

"Duke Yi, Your Majesty has a decree, please move to the seat."

The emperor asked Wu Huaiyu to sit with the prime ministers.

The people next to him were full of surprise, originally Wu Huaiyu's position was high enough, only under the prime minister and prince, together with the county king, minister, and Shifeng Duke, but now he actually wants to move forward.

"Please."

Zhang Anan, the head of the house, invited himself to pass the decree and lead the way. Wu Huaiyu felt that there were too many gazes, some were surprised, envious, and maybe even jealous.

Follow forward.

Huaiyu planned to sit next to Yuanchang, the shepherd of Yongzhou, who was already at the back among the princes who came to the banquet today, and the emperor's sons were at the front.

"Huaiyu come forward again."

The emperor waved his hand on it, and pointed to a position.

Zhang Anan smiled and said, "Please."

The position the emperor pointed to was next to Wei Zheng, which was before the princes.

"It's not good."

"A sage rewards." Zhang Anan reminded him.

When he sat behind Wei Zheng, even the Prime Minister Wei Zheng couldn't help but look at him a few more times, and several young princes all looked at him in unison.

Qin Qiong in front of Wei Zheng also cast his gaze, Huaiyu could only smile wryly in exchange.

Although it is an honor to be at the front, it also feels a bit like being roasted.

Although he holds several important positions now, they all belong to the kind of weight but not high rank, such as Yongzhou Biejia, who is only the second in command of Yongzhou in name, only from the third rank.There is also the servant of the Ministry of Minbu, although he has added a title of judgment, he is only on the fourth rank, and the official secretary Yushi, as the second official of the Yushitai, is only on the fifth rank.

As for the scholar of Chongxian Hall, there is no grade at all, and he is a full-time official.

According to the normal class, Wu Huaiyu's class is still far from the prime ministers. Although he is a real official with a third-rank rank and Zhu Guoxun, he also has a third-rank job, plus two important part-time jobs of the fourth and fifth ranks. But today's big occasion, the class is really not high.

The eldest grandson Wuji, who is in-law and brother-in-law, ranks higher than the prime ministers. Although he still has no office, he has the highest official rank of Kaifu Yitong Sansi. Although Pei Ji is no longer the prime minister, today is the occasion. Now, he still has the official rank of first rank, the title of Sikong among the three princes.

Li Gang and Pei Ju, the mascots of the East Palace, also came. Pei Ju, the Duke of Wenxi County, used to be the Prime Minister of Wude, but now he is only the Shao Zhan of the East Palace, but Li Shimin just added a crown prince and Shaobao to him, who is a third-rank official.

The prince Zhan Shi Li Gang is the prince's young teacher, and he was newly appointed as the Duke of Xinchang County.

The young prince, Fu Xiaoyu, is now the third chancellor in the Zhenguan Dynasty.

The three old men, Li Gang, Xiao Yu, and Pei Ju, were still sitting in front of the prime ministers, and they sat under Prince Li Chengqian.

With the Third Young Master of the Eastern Palace here, the Crown Prince Chengqian sat there very solemnly, not daring to make a fuss, and Li Gang kept staring at him.

Huaiyu looked away, the prince's eyes met, and the two looked at each other.

Chengqian's eyes conveyed a lot of news. Although this child was young, he had already begun to show a rebellious side and often did some foolish things, but he was indeed very smart. The emperor was angered by Huaiyu before, but later Huaiyu gave it to him. Li Shimin also listened to many sincere suggestions, and no longer let Li Gang personally teach the prince everything, and only let Kong Yingda and Lu Deming teach the classics and history,
The main affairs of the East Palace are now in charge of Shao Zhan Shi Pei Ju, and then the emperor selected a lot of younger civil and military personnel to attend classes in the East Palace in turn. Without Li Gang and their pressure every day, Cheng Qian is now much better than before.

Wu Huaiyu now occasionally goes to the East Palace to take a class. He doesn't teach classics and history, but mainly talks about medical knowledge or geography knowledge, and occasionally talks about the outside world. Cheng Qian likes to listen to his class very much. The relationship between the two is very good now .

In the past, Wu Huaiyu was a little reluctant to get in touch with him too much, always felt that this child would not be able to sit firmly as the crown prince in the future, and even had a rebellious personality, so getting involved would be troublesome.

But now even if there are no official positions in the East Palace, such as Prince Xima, Prince Youwei, etc., after all, he is still a bachelor of Chongxian Hall, and he is still considered a teacher of the prince. Seeing that he is still so young, I also want to see if he can help guide him correctly. one time.

The way he approached Chengqian, he didn't regard himself as an official or teacher of the East Palace, but tried his best to get along with him as a friend, the effect was not bad, after a long time of contact, he found that Chengqian was quite good, smart and lively, with a flexible mind He is also playful and active, and he also has some problems that a ten-year-old boy should have, but they are not too big problems.

The two exchanged eyes for a while.

Li Gang coughed lightly, Chengqian had no choice but to look away, and continued to put on the manner of the crown prince.

Li Gang turned his head and glared at Huaiyu again, this old man is very obstinate, the emperor said it was so obvious, let him manage the officials of the East Palace in the East Palace, and the issue of the crown prince's teaching should be handed over to other younger officials, but this The old man still goes to the East Palace every day, rain or shine, as long as he sees or knows what is wrong with Chengqian and made a mistake, he will definitely be reprimanded by righteousness.

Wu Huaiyu gave the prince a few lessons, and the acquaintance with the prince should be more friendly. Li Gang also came to Huaiyu to remind and warn him, saying that he should not be too intimate, and he should look like a teacher.

Huaiyu looked back and ignored the old man.

The emperor granted him the title of Duke of Xinchang, the original meaning of which was to allow him to recuperate well and leave it to other teachers, but Li Gang thought that the title of Duke of Xinchang was because the emperor rewarded him for his strict teaching of the prince.

I'm so old and confused, no wonder I'm called the prince killer. I'm over 80 years old, and I've lost several masters. I still can't figure it out, and I don't know how to reflect on the failure of my teaching method.

The banquet is about to begin.

With the sound of palace music, singing and dancing girls began to prepare to play. This grand and luxurious scene really shocked many envoys from the feudal states.

Even the envoys of the East and West Turkic Khans in this temple today, and even the envoys of the little Khans and Shi, were even more shocked. They were the people who were most familiar with Datang. In the early years, Datang had rewarded them every year. It seems that it is just a tribute to save some face by changing the name,

In the past two years, the attitude of the Tang Dynasty changed. The Turks immediately launched a large-scale attack, and the Tang Dynasty had to increase the rewards again and again.

They are very aware of the embarrassment of the Tang Dynasty. They used to be the most respected guests when they came to Tang as envoys, but it has been different since last year.

Last year's Chinese New Year was better, but this year they can feel the feeling of being left out, and they are no longer the distinguished protagonists.

Moreover, it can be seen from the grandeur and luxury of this palace banquet that the Tang Dynasty has become more prosperous, especially this year there are so many envoys.

All the envoys of the kings of the Western Regions have arrived, and none of them will be lost.

There are also envoys from the four countries of Haidong, Goguryeo, Silla, Baekje, and Wa.

In addition, the five self-proclaimed emperors of the Persian Sasanians in the Western Regions who were fighting among themselves sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty, and even the more distant Eastern Roman emperor also sent envoys.

Other countries such as Champa, Pyu, Chenla, and even Panpan, Langyaxiu, Heling, and Sri Buddhashi in the South China Sea also came.

Seeing so many envoys from various countries, the Turkic envoys were shocked, especially the envoys of Jieli Khan.

The barbarian envoys of Xue Yantuo in Mobei dared to cross their Turks to the Tang Dynasty, and the Xi, Qi, Shiwei, and Mohe tribes who belonged to their Great Khan dared to send envoys themselves this time.

It was true that Jieli, the most respected Golden Wolf Khan on the grassland, was no longer in his eyes.

While the Xieli envoy was observing the whole hall, he suddenly found a burly and sturdy minister in purple robes from the Tang Dynasty walking towards the hall with a face full of anger. In front of the last young Duke Yi.

"What merit do you deserve to sit in front of me?"

The governor of Xiangzhou and the Duke of E, Chi Jingde, also stood in front of Huaiyu, angrily reprimanded.

(End of this chapter)