Ji Tang

Just when everyone was talking, in a daze, or shocked, a deep and clear voice sounded regularly.

I saw three rows of bronze chimes making intoxicating sounds under the small hammer in Le's hand.

Seeing this, many officials shut their mouths and looked towards the entrance of the hall.

"Hahaha, I have indeed kept you all waiting for so long. I am so sorry, so sorry!"

Ji Song was wearing the purple court robes of a duke, a purple gold crown on his head, and a beautiful goat beard. He walked forward with a smile on his face. Before he spoke, he was already in the center of the hall.

But he did not stop. He walked up to the Danbi in the surprised eyes of the crowd, turned around suddenly, looked around, and said loudly: "Everyone, as the organizer of this grand ceremony, I have been ordered by His Majesty. I will host the grand ceremony tonight. Please give me some face and don't make me look bad in public!"

"Hahaha, it couldn't be better to have Lord Qing preside over this. Who doesn't know that Lord Qing has been very good at organizing things since he entered the government? And you are always full of brilliant ideas. I believe that tonight's ceremony will not disappoint us. Don't you think so?"

"That's right, that's right. As soon as we came in, we were astonished by tonight's work. We were wondering who was behind this. But after much investigation, it turns out that it was Lord Qing who was behind it. Tonight, we are in for a feast for the eyes!"

"Yes, it is an honor for us to have Lord Qing preside over this event!"

"."

Everyone was talking at once with some anticipation, which made many people who disliked Ji Song very unhappy. However, tonight was the grand ceremony of the Tang Dynasty, and so many envoys and even kings from other countries were here. Even if they were dissatisfied, they would not cause any unpleasantness at this time!

If it was something that was not said in the past, no matter good or bad, I would ask a few questions first. But tonight's grand ceremony is to celebrate the completion of the Wanmin Palace for the emperor, and to put it in a big way, it is a major event to enhance the prestige of our Tang Dynasty. Those present are not fools. Even if they don't know the secrets, they can at least see something. No one will let foreign envoys see the excitement of the Tang Dynasty at this time.

"Then I would like to thank you all!" Ji Song bowed and said with a smile.

"However, many envoys from various countries are here tonight, and some have come from far away. As guests of the Tang Dynasty, you must eat well and have fun tonight."

After he finished speaking, he paused and continued, "Now that your Majesty and the Empress have not arrived yet, I would like to say a few words. As the saying goes, there is no order without rules. In order for all my colleagues and envoys to have a better experience tonight and not make any jokes, I have set a few rules. If there is anything wrong, please correct me!"

Having said that, Ji Song's tone did not indicate that he wanted to discuss this with everyone.

Ji Song said solemnly: "First, as the host, you colleagues should really show the demeanor of our Tang Dynasty, a country of etiquette. You must not do rude things, say rude words, or act rudely."

"Second, everyone will be accompanied by a eunuch or palace maid tonight. If you have any instructions, please feel free to ask. As long as it is not excessive, we will definitely solve it for you."

"Third, in order not to affect the progress of the ceremony, everyone should try to drink less in the early stages. If you get drunk, I'm sorry, so I'll ask you to leave first."

"fourth."

He finished with more than ten points, which made many people feel dissatisfied. Cheng Yaojin even shouted: "Not drinking? How can that be possible? No, no, this one is not allowed!"

But before he finished speaking, he saw Yuchi Gong glaring at him and angrily said, "Old man, are you looking for trouble? You are such a drunkard at a banquet, and you will definitely make a scene when you are drunk. How can we have fun?"

"If you can't speak, just shut up. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will throw you out first."

Ji Song glanced at them and ignored them because the time was up.
"The Emperor and Empress Dowager have arrived!"

"Your Majesty has arrived!" "The Eastern Roman Emperor, His Majesty Constantine II has arrived!"

"welcome!"

"."

"We are here to see the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty!"

"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Rome!"

Ji Song walked down the Danbi and spoke first.

"We are here to see the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty!"

"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Rome!"

Since Ji Song had already made it clear, the Tang officials were puzzled as to why the Roman emperor was treated so solemnly, but they still stood up to greet him.

Most of the envoys followed the rules. Of course, they had to listen to what the other party said when they were on someone else's territory, so they also said:
"We are here to see the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty!"

"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Rome!"

But the face of the Arab envoy changed drastically. He did not expect that the Tang Dynasty would raise the status of Constantine II so much, and it even seemed like they were on an equal footing. Did they reach some kind of alliance?
Thinking of this, his face changed drastically. No, this matter must be investigated thoroughly. Thinking of what Ji Song said outside just now, he wanted to visit again after a while, but now it seems that he has to go immediately after the banquet is over. If he cannot find out the other party's intentions, he, as an envoy, will be derelict in his duty. If the other party really achieves a certain goal, then the Arabs will be in real danger.

The two great powers in the east and the west sandwiched the Arabs in the middle, and the Tang navy fleet was rampant on the sea, so the Arabs were surrounded on three sides.

"Everyone, come to your senses!"

Li Shimin waved his sleeves, and was very satisfied when he saw so many envoys coming. In the past, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty invited many envoys to hold a grand ceremony in Chang'an, and he was fortunate to participate. At that time, he was shocked. But compared with today, what is that? They are just some small countries around, most of them are tribal leaders, what is there to be proud of?
But today, not only did the Eastern Roman Emperor, one of the three great empires in the world, come in person, but many great Western powers such as the Caliphate, Persia, etc. also sent heavyweight envoys. Not to mention those small countries, according to Cheng Qian, there are more than 300 well-known countries that have come, not to mention the leaders of the big tribes, there are thousands of people. Even Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty didn't have the face to do so, right?
"Come here, let's have a banquet!"

Without further ado, the ceremony was announced to begin.

Upon hearing this, Ji Song stepped forward and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty has ordered a banquet~"

ding dong~ ding dong~
The sound of chimes rang out, and the guzheng, flute, huqin, waist drum and other instruments all scrambled to play. This piece of music that made people feel majestic and showed the grandeur of a great country was deeply engraved in everyone's hearts.
Soon, many palace maids in gorgeous costumes came carrying covered plates, and they walked gracefully like fairies from the Moon Palace.

When the plates were placed on the table, everyone was curious. When they were placed in front of everyone, Ji Song clapped his hands and said, "Stand up!"

As soon as the voice fell, in the midst of everyone's impatience, a eunuch and a maid opened the plate of food, which immediately whetted everyone's appetite and their gluttonous desire could no longer be suppressed.

There was a curled up big goose on the plate, with its rich and fragrant soup, which made people's appetite whet.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Ji Song smiled proudly. This is a rare delicacy! (End of this chapter)