King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 513 At the Family Banquet

Baochai chatted with the Queen, and soon the Crown Princess arrived, followed by a large number of family members, including Princess Rui Chen Zhi.

The place became lively when there were more people. Although these people were all extremely flattering, Yang Qingyin was not very happy.

Time passed quickly, and the state banquet began to be held in the palace. Although the emperor sent someone to invite it, Zhu Jinghong avoided it because of a stomachache.

Anyway, with the queen supporting him, he was not afraid of the old man being angry.

Of course, a state banquet is of a ceremonial nature, with a lot of activities. Eating and drinking are the least important things, and the whole ceremony can be regarded as physical work.

Compared to before, the Supreme Emperor's health was indeed much worse, so much so that halfway through the ceremony, his body was already exhausted.

But this is a play, and there are audiences from all over the world. Even if the Emperor sits still, he still has to sing along with the emperor to the end of the play.

A state banquet was being held outside Chongzheng Gate, and in the Chonghua Hall on the other side, there were also a large number of eunuchs and maids busy because a family banquet would be held here soon.

Compared with the state banquet, the atmosphere here is obviously much softer and more festive, emphasizing a "home" atmosphere.

The scope of participation in today's family banquet is limited to the prince and princess, and the number of people is relatively small.

When it was almost time, the queen led a group of female relatives and slowly arrived at the Chonghua Hall venue, where a banquet had already been set up.

The seats are still arranged according to position. Of course, the throne is in the middle of everyone. However, today the Supreme Emperor has to sit there. On either side of the throne are the emperor and empress.

Below the three of them, Fang is the concubine in the palace and above, and below them are the prince Rui Wang, Zhu Jinghong and princess Zhu Yunsheng.

After them, there were the kings and princesses ranked according to their seniority, and everything on the scene went on in an orderly manner.

Since everyone else was attending the state banquet, Zhu Jinghong, who arrived early, stood out because he was the only man present.

"Thirteenth brother, now that you are out there, everyone in the world admires and admires you. They want to see you, but now you are avoiding it. Why are you avoiding it?"

Looking at Chen Zhi with a soft smile in front of him, Zhu Jinghong felt as if he had eaten a fly.

Fortunately, there was no need for him to reply. Baochai, who was beside him, replied: "Sister-in-law, please don't praise him. As for the things he does outside, don't gossip about him behind his back!"

"Now that he is ill, there is no need to look for him!"

"I'm afraid my sister-in-law still doesn't know that the impeachments in our palace are like snowflakes, the rumors are like sharp knives, and I don't know what dirty things are stirring up trouble!"

Although Baochai's words were not loud, they were heard by several nearby princesses, and then they all consciously walked a few steps away.

When these two quarreled, it would be a disaster for the lower-ranking person, so naturally they would hide if they could.

Yuanchun, who was the only one qualified to interrupt, was currently talking beside the queen.

"Fortunately, my father is wise and laughs off the rumors. Otherwise, honest people like us... would have been abused by others!"

Seeing Chen Zhi's smile fade away, Baochai then asked: "Sister-in-law, tell me, those people who stir up trouble behind my back...is she mean?"

"Humph..." Chen Zhipi smiled, suppressing his anger.

"If there really is such a person, it is indeed extremely abominable!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little tense, Zhu Jinghong then said: "Okay, okay... what are you talking about?"

"Is there anyone there who is stirring up trouble behind my back? You are too alarmist, making it seem like someone is harming me!"

"Besides, what's wrong with being said a few words? If I get angry over such a trivial matter, if word gets out, I won't be laughed at!"

In this way, Zhu Jinghong said a few harsh words to Baochai and packaged himself into a white lotus. It can be said that it was tea to the bone.

Baochai didn't show any weakness and responded immediately: "You are at a disadvantage and you are not allowed to say a few words? You are a hero and have a lot of courage. I can't swallow this breath..."

Originally, Chen Zhi had prepared a lot of words, but now she has no shame in staying here.

"Today is a family dinner, why bother arguing over trivial matters? It's not worth it... Stop it!"

After saying this with a forced smile, Chen Zhi turned to where the Queen was. At this moment, she would rather fight Yuan Chun.

After he left, Zhu Jinghong approached Baochai and lowered his voice: "You couldn't hold it back!"

Baochai calmly replied: "I can't bear it anymore!"

Zhu Jinghong was stunned for a moment, and then he figured out what Baochai meant, and then his smile became even brighter. "

Just listen to Baochai reply: "In the past two years, I have allowed her to make troubles, but I only made a few sarcastic remarks in secret, which is considered extremely restrained!"

If we really want to talk about it, Baochai pointed at Chen Zhi with a red face and scolded her for her unlimited operations, and she also occupied the moral high ground.

"It's really restrained!" Zhu Jinghong replied

Although the atmosphere was tense just now, it only lasted a few seconds and did not affect the overall situation of the banquet.

The clan members still came to greet them one after another, and Baochai responded with a warm and positive attitude, which made Zhu Jinghong become a foil.

After half an hour like this, there was finally a call from outside. It was the emperor and his entourage who had finished the state banquet, who had arrived.

When the emperor arrived, everyone was greeted outside Chonghua Gate. Only the queen sat where she was and did not move because she and Zhu Xianming no longer cared about formality.

"Kowtow to Father (His Majesty)..."

Outside the Chonghua Gate, the Supreme Emperor did not appear. The person walking at the front was Zhu Xianming. At this moment, his chariot sedan had landed on the ground, and the Crown Prince and Prince Rui were helping their father get off the chariot.

Behind them, there were a group of royal clans, princes and princes, who were also attending the state banquet just now.

"Everyone get up!"

"Thank you, Father (Your Majesty)..."

After everyone got up, Zhu Xianming had already walked up the steps and finally stopped in front of Zhu Jinghong.

"Old Thirteen, is your stomach feeling better?"

The physical discomfort reported by Zhu Jinghong was that he had diarrhea, so Zhu Xianming asked this question.

"Thank you for your concern, Father. My son is getting much better!"

As he walked inside, Zhu Xianming said slowly: "In the bitter cold outside the Great Wall, you are alive and kicking, but you fall ill when you return to the capital. This is really strange!"

Following on one side, Zhu Jinghong replied: "Dad, there are unpredictable events in the sky, and people have misfortunes and blessings... How can you tell these things accurately!"

At this time, Prince Zhu Jingyuan said: "Thirteenth brother, although you did not come to the state banquet today, your deeds were everywhere at the banquet. Envoys from all over the world are talking about you!"

If Lao Liu said this, Zhu Jinghong would definitely suspect that he had sinister intentions.

"Fourth brother, you have promoted me again. Now I don't know how many people are scolding me, but you are the only one who still thinks highly of my younger brother!"

The words "just you" are very interesting. They directly exclude Zhu Jingyuan, and the meaning is self-evident.

At this time, Zhu Jingyuan spoke up in time: "Thirteenth brother, those people are talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart. Father Shengming will not be deceived by them!"

Zhu Jinghong smiled, and then replied: "Goodbye, Sixth Brother!"

Just pulling these useless things, the emperor went directly to the throne in the middle and sat down where the Supreme Emperor should have sat.

"The Emperor is not coming?"

Facing the queen's inquiry, Zhu Xianming replied: "The old man is tired, so he went back to the palace first!"

After giving Zhu Xianming a deep look, Yang Qingyin said, "Then we should make the ceremony simpler. The old man is old after all!"

"I didn't think carefully!"

When Zhu Xianming answered, there was no regret on his face. If the Emperor could survive until October next year, he would perform this ceremony again.

Although it is a family dinner, there are also simple rituals.

After a few brief words with Zhu Xianming, Yang Qingyin led the concubines and clan members to kowtow to the emperor on the throne.

After some fuss, the banquet officially began. Compared to the state banquet, the atmosphere here was much gentler.

Song and dance performances were indispensable. Amidst the peaceful and melodious music, the concubines and princes toasted to Zhu Xianming one after another.

Even after Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jingchun left, Baochai saw that Zhu Jinghong was still as stable as a mountain. Baochai couldn't help but remind him: "Hey... stop being so stubborn. It's time to show your face in front of His Majesty!" Seeing that he was motionless, Baochai He pushed him again and said, "Go quickly!"

They were sitting near the front, and many people saw these actions.

In this way, others would only think that Zhu Jinghong was lazy and that he was forced to show his face by the princess, so he would definitely not have any agenda.

After signaling the palace maid to fill up the wine, Baochai handed the wine glass to Zhu Jinghong's hand.

"Go!"

There was no other way, Zhu Jinghong could only get up and walk towards the throne.

Normally, toasts are made under the steps, but the three brothers Zhu Jinghong were an exception, but Zhu Jinghong was an exception because he stopped at the bottom of the steps.

Fortunately, at this time, the queen gave an assist: "Old Thirteen, why are you dawdling... why don't you come here quickly!"

"Don't talk about him. He grew up his ambition in the northwest, but now his wings have become stiff and he is alienated from us!" the emperor said slowly.

Nowadays, rumors about Zhu Jinghong are everywhere. Combined with the words Zhu Xianming said at this moment, if Prince Rui and Prince Rui were in this situation, he would definitely feel chills down his back.

Zhu Jinghong was not timid. He walked straight up the steps and then came to the emperor.

"Dad, my son is afraid that you will be upset when you see me, so I stay away!"

Zhu Xianming said calmly: "If you cause more trouble outside, I won't be bothered anymore!"

“Dad, I don’t cause trouble, you’re just afraid that trouble will cause me trouble!”

Zhu Xianming smiled and said: "That's true. For example, the North Korean envoy found his way to your house!"

"Dad, he is also a person who knows how to repay his kindness. My son saved him at the beginning of the year, and now he comes to express his gratitude!"

"Just come to say thank you?"

Zhu Jinghong knew that the emperor was asking about gold. After all, he had promised the old man an excessive amount of money before.

But this question at this time can lead to exactly what he wants to say.

"Then Li Hui told his son something else!"

"Oh?"

"Now that North Korea is under the control of his eldest son Li Xuan, Li Huiyan may have been bewitched by his brother to create North Korea's own writing, laws and regulations..."

As an emperor with great political acumen, Zhu Xianming certainly understood what this meant, so his face suddenly became ugly.

"Could it be that he is talking nonsense!" Zhu Xianming frowned.

Zhu Jinghong replied: "Whether he is talking nonsense or not, send someone to investigate and it will become clear!"

"only……"

Seeing Zhu Jinghong hesitating, Zhu Xianming raised his head and said, "If you have something to say, just say it!"

"My son thinks it would be better to send people from Beijing to investigate. Whether it is the Liaodong Thousand Household Office of the Northern Division or the Korean Thousand Household Office of the Southern Division, I'm afraid..."

Zhu Jinghong didn't finish what he said later, but his meaning was already very obvious.

"These trashes deserve to die!" Zhu Xianming said coldly.

He could tolerate the greed of domestic slaves for money, and he could accept the exercise of power, but if he lost all loyalty to his master, in Zhu Xianming's opinion, he could just die.

Two major events occurred in the first half of the year, Gansu and Liaodong, and three thousand-household offices in North Korea, in which many high-ranking officials were dismissed and killed, but they still did not play a role in clarifying the superiors and subordinates of Jinyiwei.

Then we can only continue to kill... Zhu Xianming said secretly.

When the father and son were silent, they only heard the queen say: "Today is a family dinner, stop talking about these fighting and killing things!"

Zhu Xianming ignored this and said slowly: "I'm afraid Li Xuan is not the only one involved in these things in North Korea!"

Zhu Jinghong replied: "Japanese and Rakshasa people may be causing trouble behind the scenes!"

With deep eyes, Zhu Xianming nodded and said: "That's right!"

"This matter is important, we must send some capable people to investigate!"

Seeing the right opportunity, Zhu Jinghong replied: "There is a suitable candidate for my son!"

"Who?"

Zhu Jinghong replied: "Chen Yuntai from a hundred households in Nancheng. This person has always been thoughtful and considerate. His son has ordered him to do many things, and there has never been a single mistake."

His words, while recommending Chen Yuntai, also made no secret of his close relationship with him, giving people a feeling of being aboveboard.

If he hadn't said that, the emperor would have doubted his motives, but now that he had said it, his doubts had faded a lot.

"Well... let's talk about this later!"

After the matter was completed, Zhu Jinghong immediately raised his waist, raised the cup with both hands and said, "Dad, my son, here is a toast to you. I wish you a happy life!"

Holding the cup, Zhu Xianming said calmly: "Don't you have anything else to talk about?"

"This...what else can happen? Please ask father for advice!"

Zhu Xianming said: "Boy, did Li Hui come here just to say something to you?"

Having said this, Zhu Jinghong couldn't pretend to be stupid anymore, so he said: "Dad... you don't really want your son's little money, do you?"

Although a few thousand taels of gold was a lot, it was just that to the emperor, and he was not really greedy for this little money.

It's just that Zhu Jinghong said nothing. As the emperor, of course he had to intervene, otherwise there would be no dignity in being a father.

"You have a good tone, how about a little money?" Zhu Xianming asked back.

At this time, Yang Qingyin interrupted again: "Your Majesty, why do you have to worry about a child?"

"Child? You are the only one who treats him as a child!" Zhu Xianming said angrily.

After all this pulling and pulling, the gold matter was over, and Zhu Xianming also accepted Zhu Jinghong’s toast.

"Dad, my son sent people to do sea trade at the beginning of the year, and now he has made money. It shows how lucrative sea trade is!"

Zhu Jinghong Xixin reminded: "Nowadays, there are so many merchant ships plying and commerce on the sea. Don't forget about expanding the navy, otherwise you will suffer a big loss if you can't collect the wasted money..."

If the imperial court takes the initiative to engage in maritime trade, it will definitely not be able to make money as quickly as taxing. The problem is to be able to collect taxes. The key is to be able to control the ocean, which requires a strong navy.

Otherwise, even if the tax can be collected, if a foreign fleet comes to sail freely, the sea trade route will be blocked, repeating the mistakes of Zhu Jinghong's previous life.

Just listen to Zhu Xianming's reply: "Liaodong Navy has now added a lot of warships and is intensifying training every day!"

Suppressing rebellion in the northwest, suppressing chaos in Annan, building a navy, regulating rivers and embankments, relieving victims, and rewarding officials...

Everything is a big deal, and everything costs a lot of money. These things give Zhu Xianming a headache.

He was upset when he thought of these things. Seeing Zhu Jinghong who caused this moment, Zhu Xianming only felt very unpleasant.

"You talk a lot all the time. If you don't hurry up and get down, I'll get angry just looking at you!"

"Son, please retire!" Zhu Jinghong saluted respectfully.

Since Prince Rui and Prince Rui were far apart, they only saw Zhu Jinghong being disciplined from beginning to end. They had no idea that the father and son had already agreed on many important matters.

Zhu Jinghong came forward to toast, which was just a small interlude. After he retired, more people came to the emperor and tried their best to flatter and please the emperor.

The guests and hosts enjoyed the family dinner, especially the Crown Prince and Prince Rui, who performed extremely well and received public praise from Zhu Xianming, making them as happy as children.

Especially the prince, who rarely received recognition from his own father, was so excited that he almost shed tears, which made Zhu Xianming even more disappointed in him.

(End of this chapter)