I have lived forever since the end of Qin Dynasty

Chapter 283 The grand ceremony has begun, and all the kings have arrived

In the side hall.

Chen Luo was thinking worriedly about the big man's contradictions in the lively crowd.

He looked around and saw that the future was shrouded in fog, and he didn't know which direction he should go before he was on the right path.

"Marquis Yang Xia, it's time for us to go to the main hall." Lu Matong reminded softly. If a eunuch hadn't come in at the palace gate to announce the invitation, he would not disturb Chen Luo, who was obviously deep in thought.

"Huh?" Chen Luo suddenly raised his head and found that Han Xin, Chen Ping and others were already in the palace. Even Zhang Liang, who usually travels around, returned to Chang'an at some point to attend the court celebration.

When all the talents have arrived, the ceremony will naturally begin.

I was thinking about other things just now, so I didn't pay attention to the changes in the external situation.

Nodding towards Lu Matong, Chen Luo smiled and said, "Thank you, Marquis Zhongshui, for reminding me."

"You're welcome, Marquis Yang Xia." Lu Matong answered quickly. He came to Chang'an this time just to establish some relationships with the big guys here.

Because his hometown was in Zhongshui, he was sealed to Zhao, but he was originally Xiang Yu's subordinate. Because of this important status, Lu Matong found it difficult to join the "Zhao Party" composed of Liu Bang's subordinates, and he seemed out of place in Zhao.

After Chen Luo and Lu Matong exchanged a few more words, they realized what the other party was thinking.

After thinking for a while, he said softly: "If Marquis Zhongshui has time these days, you can come to my humble residence to have a drink and talk."

There were only a few Chehous in the palace who did not hold the United Party, and Lu Matong happened to be one of them, and he was Xiang Yu's former subordinate, so he was naturally close to him.

I want to reduce the influence of the local Chehou group. Just issuing orders from the central government will only make the other party stressed and intensify the conflicts. Only through differentiation can we reduce their internal cohesion and avoid local Chehou. Hou sits big.

Then Lu Matong can become an important chess piece and test the waters in Zhao land first.

Seeing Lu Matong with infinite excitement in his eyes, Chen Luo smiled lightly, said nothing more, and walked towards the attendant leading the way at the palace gate.

Han Xin and others had been standing there for a long time. When they saw Chen Luo approaching, they all greeted him in a low voice.

After all, the status of these people is not much different from that of Chen Luo, and they are already quite familiar with each other. Naturally, they don't need to be like the previous Chehous, for fear of being said to be those who follow the crowd.

"Jiang Ning is fine in the morning. I originally wanted to ask you to come with me today, but I didn't expect to ask in front of your mansion. The gatekeeper told me that you had left long ago." Han Xin rubbed his chin helplessly. Obviously, he didn't expect that he had already woken up early today, but the other party got up earlier than him.

Chen Ping on the side also smiled and said: "Prime Minister Chen has to arrange everything for the morning celebration, so of course he needs to come to the palace early. Wasn't he talking to the Chehous over there just now?

If he didn't come here earlier, I think Shusun Taichang alone would not be able to cope with it. "

In the past ten years, his appearance has changed a lot. It is different from the Chinese character face when Chen Luo first met. There is a lot of fat on his face, and the facial lines are going down, revealing a bit of fierceness.

Zhang Cang's fat face looks like a wealthy man who is living comfortably in his old age; after Chen Ping gained weight, he became a majestic prime minister.

"Brother Chen is looking down on Uncle Sun Taichang. He has already arranged everything. Luo is only responsible in name. If we want to do the actual work, it is him." Chen Luo smiled lightly.

A leader takes all the credit for himself. This behavior is okay once or twice, but when it happens more than once, it becomes annoying and extremely demotivates subordinates.

What's more, he doesn't have much room for promotion now, and it's dangerous to have too many achievements.

Not far away, Shusun Tong was talking to several Chehous, but his ears were sharp and he had already heard what Chen Luo had just said.

His eyes did not shift away, he was still performing his duties, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

Seeing this, Chen Ping knew that his refutation would offend Shusun Tong, so he could only continue: "The Prime Minister is considerate of his subordinates, and he has the ability to understand people and use his talents wisely. Ping admires him very much."

"Jiang Ning, you look very good."

Zhang Liang, who had been silent before, suddenly interrupted and attracted everyone's attention.

When the Han Dynasty was just founded, if we were to discuss the most powerful and status figures, Zhang Liang would definitely be in the top ten, including Liu Bang, Xiang Yu, and Lu Pheasant. If we only talk about ministers, he would be ranked fifth and third.

In the past seven or eight years, Zhang Liang, who was originally as dazzling as a shooting star, suddenly fell into silence and darkness after streaking across the sky. At first, he frequently reported illness, then withdrew from the court, and finally left Chang'an for a long time for the reason of practicing Taoism. , traveling around.

Few people in Chang'an understood this genius counselor.

When the First Emperor was still alive, he planned an assassination incident that shocked the world; when the world was in chaos, he worked tirelessly to assist Han Wangcheng, and finally separated one side; when Han Wangcheng was attacked and died, he went to Han alone without hesitation to help Liu Bang conquered the world.

Shouldn't the next step be the time to take the third position in the court and enjoy life?

As a result, he decisively chose to leave, which went against the conventional thinking of ordinary people.

Chen Luo was not too surprised.

Han Xin mentioned that this matter was discussed before. When he wanted to discuss it with him, he just read a passage from the original text of "Laozi", "If you hold on to it and make it full, it will not be as good as it is; if you keep it and sharpen it, you cannot keep it for a long time; if the house is filled with gold and jade, If you are unable to defend yourself, if you become arrogant because of your wealth, you will be blamed for it. If you succeed in your success and retreat, this is the way of heaven."

After that discussion, Han Xin seemed to understand something. After that, although he held the title of general, he gave up the position of Taiwei to Zhou Bo. The frequency of iterations of military books in the warehouse of Chen Luo's house accelerated again. Quite a few.

Regarding Zhang Liang's praise, Chen Luo turned his head and responded: "Huh? I really don't have anything to do these days, but I still want to borrow the good words from the ovary, I hope so."

"What I said..." Zhang Liang pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly, "I don't know how to describe it, but I feel that compared to ten years ago, Jiang Ning, your energy is better."

Chen Luo was stunned for a moment, and then responded: "The war ended ten years ago, and now the world is stable. Compared with staying in the barracks for a long time, you need to march, and you will encounter wars from time to time.

Nowadays, even if there are political matters that need to be taken care of, most of them stay indoors and sit leisurely.

Wouldn't it be better for me to rest?
Therefore, your complexion looks better than before, which is normal. "

The last time he used the system and spent freely allocated points to modify his appearance was three years ago.

It's just that what he has changed is his appearance, but his energy and spirit are more elusive and reflected more in his body posture, eyes, and appearance.

As Chen Luo's health, force and other values ​​increase, without deliberately pretending, he will indeed look more energetic than ten years ago.

"Zifang has traveled far and wide to practice Taoism. He must have reached a certain level. It seems that Prime Minister Chen is indeed in good condition and can still contribute to the Han Dynasty for a long time." Chen Ping added on the side.

Zhang Liang sighed leisurely and said: "Liang Li is still far from enlightening the true way."

After leaving Chang'an, the first stop on the journey was Korea.

Han Wangxin sincerely invited him to go there many times, saying that he wanted to seek advice on the concept of governing the country, so he left Hangu Pass and went to Taiyuan City.

As a result, he stayed in the Han Palace for two and a half days, broke through the defenses, and left in a carriage without looking back.

After that, every time he thought about what happened in those few days, Zhang Liang couldn't suppress the anger in his heart. He instantly understood why his father always looked dull when he came home, looking up at the bright moon and crying.King Han is inhuman!

Therefore, he felt that those who succeeded in cultivating the Taoism would be able to maintain a normal mind towards such things.

But until now, I haven't been able to do this.

Chen Ping complimented: "Zifang will definitely succeed."

After this interruption, the discussion between Chen Luo and Zhang Liang did not continue.

In addition, the attendants at the palace gate were almost there, so they followed step by step, walked out of the side hall, and headed towards the main hall.

After about a quarter of an hour.

Changle Palace was overcrowded.

This place is different from ordinary lively and crowded markets. If a piece of rubble falls from the top, it will hit at least one Chehou. They are powerful in the outside world, but here they are ordinary.

"Your Majesty has arrived, all ministers salute you." The special eunuch shouted loudly, and the dragon chariot came out from the back of the palace.

Everyone in the hall stood up and bowed.

After Liu Bang got off the dragon chariot, the two attendants beside him supported him on the left and right, carefully helped him to the upper position, and stood behind him respectfully with hands lowered to prevent him from falling on his side if he did not sit firmly. edge.

Liu Bang is already very old.

His beard is dry and white, and wrinkles are deeply etched on his face. Only his slightly squinted eyes, which are not cloudy, can tell the difference between him and ordinary old people.

"Today is the 15th year of the founding of the Han Dynasty. I am very pleased to see so many people gathered in Changle Palace." Liu Bang did not make any long remarks. He only said a brief opening and ended his speech. .

Just a few words cost him a lot of energy, and his breathing speeded up a bit.

At the end of the opening ceremony, as usual, the people below presented a list of treasures in order to congratulate this court celebration and congratulate the great man on his stable fifteen years.

After all, his predecessor Qin Chao was already a terminally ill old man when he lived to this age.

Although Liu Bang felt a little tight in his chest, he raised the corners of his mouth, glanced below, and tried hard to identify the princes who presented the treasures.

This is Fatty.

Unexpectedly, he was chubby when he was a child, but became thinner as he grew up. I wonder if it is because he is not acclimatized to the soil or the food there does not suit his appetite?
But after hearing what Lao Cao said, he was a wise monarch and treated the local people well, which made me feel relieved.

Well, this is Bi'er, right?
He looks very similar to my second brother, but he looks more heroic.

Under Bi'er's governance, taxes in Jingdi have increased more and more, and I heard that the number of people's households has also continued to grow. He is also the wise king of our old Liu family.

This... In a daze, I thought I was back ten years ago.

Unexpectedly, after such a long time, King Xiang has not changed much and his figure is still strong.

Liu Bang specifically asked his attendants to bring the silk and put his head close to distinguish the items recorded on it. They were all rare treasures from Chu, and they were listed in a long list.

After reading this, he nodded with satisfaction.

I heard that Xiang Yu's most common activities in Chu were hunting and banqueting, and he had no other hobbies. It seems that he still has a respectful heart.

Then I can rest assured.

So he started to pay attention to the next prince and king again.

This person is Wu Rui, King of Changsha, he probably looks like this.

I must be right.

Liu Bang rubbed his brows distressedly. As people get older, their memory is not as good as before. Those things that he could remember after reading them two or three times in the past may now be hard to remember even after reading them over and over again, like thirteen or four times. He had almost forgotten all the gifts presented by Chu State that he had just seen.

Wu Rui, a prince with a low sense of presence, had never entered Chang'an for five or six years. The reason why Liu Bang recognized him was mainly because he used the elimination method to eliminate all the princes and kings he knew, and only Wu Rui remained.

I haven't heard any news about his Changsha country in recent years.

It's just that the place is sparsely populated, so I can't hear much news, which is normal.

Liu Bang exhaled slowly, and then looked at the man following Wu Rui.

His clothing and appearance are quite different from those of the previous princes and kings, and his complexion is darker, and he has the indelible fatigue caused by the journey.

Liu Bang's eyes showed a bit of satisfaction.

Such an envoy himself can meet once every two or three years, coming from South Vietnam.

Rather than sending gifts from the princes and kings within the Han Dynasty, he preferred the princes and kings from outside the vassal state to come and pay tribute.

But what I like is not the gifts, but the psychological pleasure.

Turn the barbarians into summer and expand the territory!
This will always be the first-class achievement in Chinese history, even less than sweeping the world.

After the princes and kings had finished sending gifts, it was time for the princes to present gifts for the court celebration.

However, compared to the previous stage, this process is much simpler.

There are only a few princes and kings, but there are more than a hundred people in Chehou. If they all come forward to report one by one, what is the difference between Liu Bang at this age and the old lady Zhan Ying?
After all the Chehous presented their gifts, the courtiers had no chance to come forward.

The courtiers staying here are all of extraordinary status, but without the title of Marquis Che, it means they cannot step into this threshold, so they can only look down with envy.

After all the previous processes were completed, everyone's eyes turned to Liu Bang again, waiting for the next step.

"Everyone." Liu Bang stood up tremblingly with the support of his attendants, his eyes were serious, and he said solemnly, "Follow me out of the palace in order."

After hearing this decree, everyone stood up in an orderly manner. Although the scale of this court celebration was larger than before, they had accumulated a lot of experience in the previous ceremonies, and they were guided by attendants, so it seemed quite orderly.

At this time, Chen Luo, who was in the team, had a look of shock in his eyes.

According to the arrangement of the process, the next step should be to go to the banquet, not to leave the palace in a group!
(End of this chapter)