serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 367 Mid-Autumn Festival 3
The sun has set. Looking from the tower of the Imperial City, red lanterns are rising on Qianmen Street. It is not dark yet, the lanterns have been lit, and the streets are bustling with people and extremely lively.

From a distance, it looks like a festive atmosphere, with the smell of Mid-Autumn Festival filling the air.

On the city wall, Emperor Jianwu walked in front with his hands behind his back, and Wang Hetang and Zhao Zixun followed behind him.

Dai Quan followed closely behind, holding his cloak.

Emperor Jianwu said as he walked: "The price of food in the capital has risen too fast. It costs [-] yuan. Although the people have saved some money in the past two years, they cannot withstand such a toss. What I mean is to start with The Tongzhou military grain depot transferred [-] shi of military rations, and the Shuntian Prefecture distributed them to civilians in the north and south cities according to population. Also, the cabinet drafted an official document telling the grain merchants that the price of grain in the capital should not exceed [-] yuan."

Wang Hetang: "Yes."

Zhao Zixun spoke: "The Tongzhou military grain depot can no longer allocate food. The military food for the more than 15 garrison outside the pass is allocated from there. Also, at the end of the month, [-] stones of grain and rice will be allocated to the garrison of Yanshan Fortress. Yesterday I asked the Ministry of Household Affairs and they said that there are less than [-] stones of grain and rice left in the Tongzhou military grain depot."

Emperor Jianwu stopped and said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs has purchased a batch of grain from a large gentry family in Jiangxi, and it can be brought to Beijing in early September."

Wang Hetang and Zhao Zixun looked at each other.

Emperor Jianwu looked at Wang Hetang: "When will the food from Korea and Japan arrive?"

Wang Hetang: "The autumn harvest in these two countries has not started yet, and it will not be delivered until the end of October at the earliest."

Emperor Jianwu pondered for a long time, and then said flatly: "No! Let them deliver the food immediately, and deliver it before the end of September."

Wang Hetang was shocked: "I won't be able to deliver this in one and a half months."

Emperor Jianwu thought for a while: "Let the Ministry of Internal Affairs send a ship. In addition, 20 dan per family will be enough."

Wang Hetang: "I obey the order."

Emperor Jianwu walked away again: "I have not been in good health recently. Please take more responsibility for the affairs of the court, especially the wars in the northwest, southern Xinjiang and Nanyang. This is directly related to the safety of the court."

Wang Hetang and Zhao Zixun: "I obey the order."

Emperor Jianwu said: "I have family filial piety. This year is not the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I won't let you eat melon cakes."

"Yes." The two of them bowed and then withdrew.

"Zhao Zixun stays." Emperor Jianwu added.

Zhao Zixun stopped.

As Emperor Jianwu walked, he asked Zhao Zixun: "Are your health and bones okay now?"

Zhao Zixun: "Please bear with me, Your Majesty, I have always been fine. I just caught a little wind and couldn't sleep well at night."

Emperor Jianwu: "It's the same for me. I'm fine during the day, but I start to cough at night, and I can't sleep well every night. I only slept four times and one night for several nights in a row, and I can't sleep anymore. I can obviously feel weak." few."

When Zhao Zixun heard this, he quickly raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, please take care of the dragon body!"

Emperor Jianwu sighed deeply: "Many people think that being an emperor is a pleasure, but according to me, it is the most difficult job in the world. Since I ascended the throne, there has never been a day when I have not been worried and unable to sleep or eat well! I am afraid of the inheritance of my ancestors. Destroyed by your own hands." After saying that, he stopped and then looked at Zhao Zixun, "I know that you have resentment in your heart because of the matter between Jin Shuqing and the royalists."

Zhao Zixun just glanced at the emperor and lowered his eyes.

A strong feeling of loneliness came over him, and Emperor Jianwu felt sour in his heart. He was silent for a while, and then said: "I originally wanted you to practice more, but now that the situation in the court has changed, you will serve as the second assistant in the cabinet. How about it?"

Zhao Zixun was simply stunned and stood there motionless.

Dai Quan reminded him gently: "Second Assistant, thank you."

Only then did Zhao Zixun wake up, knelt down with a plop, and hurriedly replied: "I would like to thank Your Majesty for your grace!"

A smile appeared on Emperor Jianwu's face: "Get up, get up and talk."

Zhao Zixun kowtowed and then stood up.

Emperor Jianwu: "The leading nobles from outside the pass are about to enter the capital. Next, I will take care of my generals and prepare for the hunt in the Western Mountains. Therefore, you have to keep an eye on the affairs of the court for me. As long as you are here, I can rest assured."

Zhao Zixun: "Yes."

"It's getting late, go back and spend the holidays with your family."

"Yes."

Looking at his retreating figure, Emperor Jianwu asked: "Who is on duty at Wenyuan Pavilion today?"

Dai Quan: "It's Li Shouzhong." After saying that, he came over and put the cloak on him.

"Li Shouzhong?"

Emperor Jianwu looked up at the moon in the sky and thought for a while: "Let's go to Wenyuan Pavilion."

An orange-yellow moon hangs diagonally on the eaves of the Jiayin Hall in the Grand View Garden, shining quietly.

At this time, the main entrance of the Grand View Garden was wide open, and large ram's horn lanterns were hung under the dripping eaves of the gate. The lanterns everywhere had already been lit, illuminating the garden brightly.

On the platform in front of Jiayin Hall, incense sticks are burned, and melon cakes and various fruits are presented with wind candles.

Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, Xue Baoqin, Aunt Li's mother and daughter, and the female relatives of the Lin family were all waiting inside.

The ground was covered with worship carpets and brocade mattresses, and Jia Mu held incense and worshiped the moon. After Jia Mu finished praying, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Lin Daiyu and other Jia family members knelt down to worship the moon together. Jia Hu, Jia She, Jia Zheng and others All stood aside.

There is a folk proverb that men do not worship the moon and women do not worship the stove.

Men do not worship the moon.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunions. The whole family eats a reunion dinner together and enjoys the moon.

In previous years, they were separated by screens, with the women sitting inside and the men sitting outside, eating together and admiring the moon.

There are more Lin families this year. It is impossible for the men of the Lin family to sit together with the women of the Jia family. Similarly, the men of the Jia family cannot sit together with the women of the Lin family.

Therefore, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet was held in two places. Jia Mu led the female family members to eat and admire the moon in the Grand View Garden, while all the men were in Huifang Garden. Of course, the big-faced treasure was a special exception.

After worshiping the moon, Jia Mu said: "You go ahead. Entertain your in-laws well and don't neglect them. Even if you are not here, their sisters can let go this year. They are not as rigid as in previous years. I can also follow Lele." ." Then to Jia Hu, "Have a few drinks with your uncle, but don't let him drink too much, you know?"

Jia Hu smiled: "Don't worry, old lady."

Jia Mu then said to Jia She and Jia Zheng, "Don't drink too much, just stay with your brother-in-law and talk about homely things."

"Yes."

Jia She and Jia Zheng led the crowd to salute Jia Mu before retreating.

Xiangyun and Xichun had been hiding behind Lin Daiyu and watching quietly. Seeing this, Xiangyun pulled Xichun. Xichun understood and immediately shouted: "Brother!"

After hearing this, Jia Hu said a few words to Jia Rong, then turned around and walked over.

Here, Xichun walked out from behind Lin Daiyu and looked at Jia Hu happily.

Jia Hu glanced at Lin Daiyu, and then said to Xichun: "I will come over at the second watch to accompany you to have wine and admire the moon." After saying that, he touched her head and said, "What's the matter, tell me."

Xichun looked at Jia Hu with twinkling eyes and said nothing.

Jia Hu held back her laughter and said, "If you don't tell me, then I'll leave!"

"Ouch! Why are you so stingy!"

Xichun was so angry that she stamped her feet and pouted: "Sister Yun wants to set off fireworks, and I want to set off Kongming lanterns."

After a pause, "Second sister, third sister, and sister Lin all want to set off Kongming lanterns. Really!"

Jia Hu smiled and nodded at her: "Okay. Just think it's your second sister, third sister, and sister Lin who want to set off the Kongming lanterns and fireworks."

Xiangyun burst into laughter and quickly held it back.

Lin Daiyu, who was watching from the side, couldn't help laughing, covering her mouth and laughing.

Xichun blushed and was about to speak.

Jia Hu continued: "I'll bring it up at the second watch, and let's set off fireworks and sky lanterns to relieve the hangover."

Xichun smiled happily.

Jia Hu walked over and knocked Xiangyun on the head, and said to Lin Daiyu, "Are you not cold?" He touched her hand again.

Lin Daiyu slapped his hand away and said with a smile: "Go quickly." After saying that, she took off the rosary beads on her wrist and handed them to him.

Jia Hu touched the gold ring and jade rabbit earrings on her ears again, "Do you like them?"

Jia Mu couldn't help it anymore: "Are you done yet?!" Everyone laughed.

Even though she was used to Jia Hu's unruliness, Lin Daiyu blushed and pushed him.

Jia Hu smiled, turned around and walked out.

Seeing that Jia Hu was gone, Jia's mother ordered people to invite the female relatives of the three families out and let them also worship the moon.

After paying homage to the moon, Jia Mu and others had tea and talked in Jiayin Hall again.

Jia Mu said with a smile: "I like liveliness the most, and it is even more lively this year. The best place to watch the moon is on the mountain. I have ordered people to hold a banquet in the hall on the ridge, and we will eat wine and watch the moon there. Then we have the drinking order, that would be interesting."

Before he could finish his words, Li Wan walked in: "Old lady, everything is ready."

Mother Jia smiled at Aunt Xue, Aunt Li and others: "Let's go." After saying that, she held Yuanyang's hand up the mountain, and said to Wang Xifeng: "Look carefully at your steps and watch."

"Hi, it's alright."

As he said this, Wang Xifeng held Ping'er's hand tightly.

After only a hundred steps, everyone arrived at Tubi Villa, where a banquet was already placed on the platform in front of the hall.

The tables and chairs used for the Mid-Autumn Festival are all round and shaped like the moon, which means family reunion.

There was a table for the female relatives of the Lin family, and a table for the mothers and daughters of the Xue family and the Li family.

In the middle, Mother Jia sits down, with Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Youshi, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, and Qin Keqing hanging on her left, and Lin Daiyu, Xichun, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xiangyun, and Baoyu on the right.

Jia Mu smiled and said: "I am a person who cannot speak, so I can only toast you with a thin glass of wine and express my feelings. The reception is not good tonight, so please bear with me." She picked up the wine glass.

Everyone raised their glasses and stood up.

The moonlight also splashed quietly on the ridge of the guest house.

The window was wide open, the door was also wide open, and a patch of moonlight shone into the room through the window.

Under the moonlight, Hong Zhou and Elder Doi sat opposite each other. On the Kang table between them, there were official documents issued by the cabinet to the two countries, urging the payment of filial piety.

Hong Zhou spoke: "We can't hide. The emperor has spoken, and those civil servants dare not intercede with us anymore." Elder Doi: "Yes. 20 shi, according to the current price of grain, nearly 20 taels of silver Ah, enough to cover the expenses of the entire shogunate for three years."

Hong Zhou glanced at him in surprise.

Elder Doi: "Compared to the Central Plains, in a small country like ours which is extremely poor in supplies, even the nobles only have two meals a day of dried fish, pickled radishes, pickles, rice, soup rice, etc. Even the generals They cannot eat a bowl of white rice and sashimi every day. Even ordinary people can only eat wild vegetables and omnivores to barely satisfy their hunger."

Hong Zhou smiled in his heart, no wonder they all looked like starving ghosts.

Elder Doi continued: "We thought we could bring some food back from the Central Plains this time. Things are unpredictable!"

Hong Zhou: "Decided?"

Elder Doi sighed: "Otherwise? The emperor's intention is obvious. He agrees. He will go to the merchant ship of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If he doesn't agree...ha!"

Hong Zhou suddenly remembered: "There is something I have only heard in the past few days. There is someone in the Ministry of Internal Affairs doing the grain business."

Mr. Doi stared at him closely without blinking.

"We can't bring out so much rice. It happens that the ship of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is going to transport grain, and it's a matter of left hand and right hand."

"what price?"

"I heard that it is based on the food price in the capital that day."

"Can't it be cheap?"

Hong Zhou was stunned and didn't say anything for a long time.

Mr. Doi: "We brought a total of about 10 taels worth of property, and now we have almost pawned it."

Hong Zhou smiled: "We can lend it to you."

Elder Doi was stunned: "Oh?"

Hong Zhou waved his hand: "I once told you that once chaos breaks out in the Zhou Dynasty, we can reap some benefits. At that time, we still need our two families to work together!"

"This?!" Elder Doi was stunned again.

Hong Zhou: "Now is not the time to talk about this matter."

At this moment, a burst of noise came from outside the courtyard, and then Murakami's voice came: "I want to see the elder!"

Elder Doi: "Let him come in."

With a click, the courtyard door opened, and Murayama walked in quickly.

When Murakami saw the elder, he knelt down and said, "Elder, Mr. Doi went out against your order."

Mr. Doi frowned: "Where has he gone?"

Murakami: "I said I was going to Daxiangguo Temple to participate in a blessing ceremony."

Hearing this, Elder Doi waved his hand: "Let him go."

Murakami: "Yes." He answered, stood up, and then walked out.

Hong Zhou stood up, looked up at the moon, and said with a smile: "I have asked people to prepare a banquet. Let's eat wine and admire the moon while discussing the matter of buying food." After saying this, he gave up his hand.

Elder Doi pondered for a moment: "Sorry for disturbing you!" After saying that, he accompanied Hong Zhou and walked out.

The Grand View Garden is still brightly lit.

The two women were holding lanterns in front of them. Jia Hu changed into an azure-colored casual robe with a golden ribbon tied around her waist, and walked towards Tubi Villa with her hands behind her back.

Amber hugged a large crimson woolen cloak and followed closely.

Behind him, a dozen women from Lin Zhixiao's family were carrying three boxes and four baskets.

In a blink of an eye, the group of people arrived at the foot of the mountain.

Suddenly, a melodious flute sound came.

Jia Hu stopped, listened attentively, and then said with a smile: "When it comes to enjoyment, no one in this family can compare to the old lady." Hu Hu and everyone laughed.

Jia Hu took out his pocket watch and took a look. It was already the second watch. Jia Hu walked up the mountain while listening to the sound of the flute.

Here Jia Mu took everyone to enjoy the sweet-scented osmanthus, and then went to the table to exchange for warm wine. While listening to the sound of the flute, she ate wine and admired the moon.

At this time, fireworks were falling colorfully from the sky not far away, accompanied by the sound of two kicks and explosions in the air, and everyone turned around to look.

Mother Jia smiled: "Which family is setting off fireworks?"

Wang Xifeng: "Looking in the direction, it should be near the home of Grand Confucian Dai Confucius."

Youshi smiled and said, "It must have been Jia Yun who put it."

Wang Xifeng was curious: "Is there any happy event?"

You said to Jia's mother: "At dusk, his mother sent someone to tell her that the third sister is happy."

Jia Mu smiled and said, "It is indeed a happy event and we must celebrate it. Come, let's have a drink together." After that, she picked up the wine glass and drank it.

Everyone picked up their glasses and drank.

Suddenly, the mother-in-law's voice came from outside the door: "The second master is here!"

Before he finished speaking, Jia Hu walked in and said with a smile: "Sure enough, the old lady knows how to enjoy it. Taking advantage of the bright moon and clear breeze, the sky and the ground are quiet, and then listen to the melodious flute sound, it is really a relief. All worries are removed."

Jia Mu smiled and said, "This is not very good. You have to choose the music score and play it as slowly as possible."

At this time, except Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing and others all stood up to greet him.

Jia Hu smiled and nodded: "Don't be too polite, don't be too polite."

Everyone sat down in confusion again.

After walking up to Lin Daiyu and saying a few words to her aunt and aunt, and then turning around to say hello to Aunt Xue and Aunt Li, Jia Hu walked straight to Lin Daiyu and sat down, picked up a piece of moon cake and ate it.

Xichun quickly poured a glass of hot wine for Jia Hu, then held his face in his hands and looked at him with a smile.

Jia Hu glanced at her angrily, picked up the wine glass, drank it in one gulp, and ate another piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake. Then he said, "I didn't forget your Kong Ming Lantern. I'll bring it up shortly."

Before he could say anything, Lin Zhixiao's wife came in carrying boxes and baskets, placed them in the courtyard, and then left.

Xiangyun and Xichun looked at Jia Mu together.

Jia Mu smiled and said, "Let's also put out the fireworks and Kongming lanterns to relieve the hangover."

After hearing this, everyone became active.

The steward's wife hurriedly stepped forward to place the fireworks and Kongming lanterns, and a maid over there brought incense sticks.

Xiangyun took a piece of incense and walked up excitedly, and directly lit a two-kicking kick. With a "bang", the two-kicking kick roared to the sky above Tubi Villa and made another sound.

Tanchun, Xichun and Baoqin also came forward with incense sticks to set off fireworks.

Jia Hu took the cloak from Hu Hu and put it on Lin Daiyu, then held her in his arms and covered her ears.

Jia Mu smiled and nodded at him, but didn't say anything.

The fires lit on the ground were emitting fireworks, and the sky was also colorfully falling with fireworks, interspersed with the sounds of two kicks, one thunder, ten flying blasts and other firecrackers. How can the word "fun" be said!
After letting it go, Xichun and Xiangyun lit the Kongming Lantern again.

At this time, the moon is in the middle of the sky, and it is more charming than before. The red sky lanterns are rising slowly, in the bright night sky, like bright stars, flying towards the moon.

When Jia Mu got excited, she also flew a Kongming lantern and prayed solemnly for a while.

Jia Hu also accompanied Lin Daiyu to fly a Kongming lantern, and then was forced by Xichun to fly another Kongming lantern.

Xiangyun and Tanchun opened three more cages, which were all filled with cloaks.

Jia Hu smiled and said, "I just remembered that there will be strong winds after the fifteenth day."

Xichun was curious: "Brother, how did you know?"

Tan Chun said with a smile: "Second brother has been leading troops in wars all year round, so he naturally knows how to observe the sky at night."

"Wow! Brother, you are so awesome!" Xichun looked at Jia Hu with admiration.

Jia Hu laughed loudly: "That's right, don't even look at whose brother I am!"

Xichun also smiled happily.

Seeing the brother and sister complimenting each other, everyone laughed.

After talking about it for a while, everyone not only recovered from the alcohol, but also felt a little hungry.

The small kitchen has already prepared light rice porridge and several exquisite side dishes.

Everyone ate some casually, drank some mouthwash tea, and sat around talking and laughing to pass the time.

There is a rule to stay up late during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to folklore, on the Mid-Autumn Festival night, the later you sleep, the longer you live.

With Wang Xifeng here, there will never be a moment of silence. As they were talking and laughing, Xiangyun and Baoyu suddenly stood up and said in unison: "Sixteen!"

Everyone was startled at first, and then looked at Jia Hu.

At this moment, a sound of "ding-dong-dong-" from the bronze horse came in from under the eaves of the house.

Then, a gust of wind blew up, and the corners of everyone's robes were blown up.

"The wind is blowing! The wind is blowing!" Xichun shouted in surprise.

Jia Mu's eyes lit up.

Everyone's eyes changed when they looked at Jia Hu.

Yuanyang and others quickly took the cloaks and put them on Jia Mu and others.

At this time, Jia Hu took out his pocket watch from his arms. When the time was up, he turned and looked outside the courtyard gate. This direction happened to be the Daxiangguo Temple in the outer city.

Suddenly, a fire lit up in the dark night, and Jia Hu understood that the Daxiangguo Temple was burning.

The wind blew fiercely, and soon half of the sky was red.
(End of this chapter)