Tiantang

Chapter 418
Chapter 426

Ruyan and Ruyu are extremely happy. From the maids of a wealthy family to the well-known concubines in the harem of a king of a country, although their status is far from being comparable to that of the queen and six concubines, and they do not have their own independent palace, but for the two For a girl, she is already very contented.

Ruyan Ruyu fulfilled her wish, and served Zhang Xuan in Huaxia Palace for a few more days, but she didn't dare to stay any longer, so she happily returned to Zhonggong, beside Empress Cui Ying, without mentioning it.

Time flies, and it is the day of Yuanzheng in a blink of an eye.

Recently, Zhang Xuan has been busy with state affairs, and he has to personally handle many important state affairs, and he is extremely busy.It wasn't until the day of Yuanzheng came, and the whole palace, inside and outside the palace, as well as up and down the capital, entered the atmosphere of the Spring Festival, that he was considered as busy with a paragraph.

According to the customs and practices of this era, the day of Yuanzheng is New Year's Eve, and the emperor will have a big banquet in the palace for his ministers and royal nobles, singing and dancing all night to watch the year.The governors of administrative roads and military commanders from all over the country also rushed to Zhongjing before the festival to celebrate the Spring Festival and Shangyuan Festival, and at the same time report to the court and the emperor.

Because it is the first palace banquet after the founding of the country, that is, the state banquet hosted by the emperor himself, so this palace banquet is very grand. participate.

The palace banquet is held in Chongzheng Hall.

At three quarters in the afternoon, the banquet kicked off.

From this time on, ministers of civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, local feudal officials and noble clans successively entered the palace to attend the banquet. Yan Zhenqing and a group of officials from the Ministry of the Interior personally greeted them at the entrance of the Chongzheng Palace.

The first batch of high-ranking generals who rushed to arrive were Pu Gu Huai'en, the governor of Fanyang, An Sishun, the governor of Jiannan Road, and Cheng Qianli, the governor of Beiting.Pu Gu Huai'en came to Zhongjing from Fanyang a few days ago to report to the emperor and thank the emperor for his kindness.And An Sishun and Cheng Qianli's visit to Beijing this time was nothing more than a show of loyalty.

The rest of the vassal commanders, such as Ge Shuhan and Yang Lian, never returned to Beijing because they had to defend against Tubo and deal with Li Gong's rebellion.

Pu Gu Huai'en laughed, and clasped his fists at Yan Zhenqing all the way, "Master Yan, are you here all right?"

Yan Zhenqing smiled, and clasped her fists in return, "Well, Commander!"

"Lord Yan, this time the commander-in-chief returned to Beijing to report on his duties to the imperial court and to thank the emperor for his kindness. He brought over a hundred carts of fine wine brewed by Xi people from Shizhou from Fanyang, and dedicated it to His Majesty. At the same time, he also let all the adults in the court taste fresh. "

Pu Gu Huai'en smiled and greeted Yan Zhenqing while walking into the hall with his head held high.

An Sishun and Cheng Qian, who followed behind him, looked slightly complicated.The qualifications of these two people are far deeper than Pugu Huai'en, but Pugu Huai'en is the new emperor's confidant and hero, and at the moment he faintly has the posture of being the leader of the world's military town, so he doesn't put An Sishun and Cheng Qianli in the same place. In the eyes, the two of them felt a little uncomfortable.

It's just uncomfortable and there's nothing you can do about it.

As veterans of the former dynasty, they feel that they cannot be compared with the founding fathers of the new dynasty.

"Lord Yan!" Cheng Qianli cupped his fists and smiled faintly.

An Sishun also cupped his fists and greeted him.

Yan Zhenqing returned the salutes one by one, and said with a smile, "Two generals, please come in. Please sit down at your seat. Your Majesty will be there in a while."

An Sishun and Cheng Qianli nodded, and walked into the hall side by side.

Walking in and taking a quick glance, he saw that the seats of the two of them were under Pugu Huai'en, and he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.But this feeling of disappointment disappeared in a flash, and the two greeted Pugu Huai'en with a smile. Although Pugu Huai'en was a little arrogant, he couldn't be too rude, and he also got up to greet the two of them.

The second batch of local administrators rushed over were Cui Huan, Governor of Guannei Road, and Chen Tong, Governor of Hebei Road.Immediately behind them were the royal clan led by Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiugao, and members of the four noble clans of Cui, Wang, Zheng, and Lu.

In the end, Chen Xilie led the six ministers——Yang Guozhong, Minister of Officials, Pei Mian, Minister of Rites, Guo Ziyi, Minister of War, Yang Kai, Minister of Punishment, Zhang Xun, Minister of Household, Gongsun Liang, Minister of Industry, the seven most core ministers in the imperial court, Xu step in.

Yang Kai had just arrived in Zhongjing, and Feng Changqing had already rushed to the Western Regions to replace him.The difference from the mainland is that Feng Changqing has both civil and military skills in the Western Regions. He is not only the commander in charge of soldiers and horses, but also the chief protector of the Anxi Protectorate.This is determined by the special circumstances of the Western Regions.

With a smile on his face, Chen Xilie entered first.Yang Guozhong and the others entered slowly in order.

The ministers and dignitaries who had already sat down got up to say hello to Chen Xilie and the others, but Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiugao didn't get up to greet them because they were the emperor's elder blood relatives and the royal county kings.

After Chen Xilie and the others finished their seats, the eunuch's shrill and powerful voice came from the mouth of the palace—"Your Majesty is here! The empress is here! Concubine Hui, Concubine Ning, and Concubine Shu are here!"

Everyone quickly stood up and fell to the ground.

Wearing a rolling dragon robe and a gorgeous crown on his head, Zhang Xuan strode in.Behind him, Empress Cui Ying, Feng Guanxia, ​​followed closely with a dignified demeanor, while Hui Concubine Su Hudong, Ning Concubine Wan Chun, and Shu Concubine Li Tengkong followed Cui Ying in full costumes.

It is inconvenient for Sanjie Yang and sister Yang Yulian to attend this kind of public banquet, especially Yang Yulian. Although she has changed her identity, which is equivalent to "Nirvana rebirth", she never leaves her palace to avoid suspicion.As for Yifei Fengming, she didn't like this kind of singing and dancing banquet where people were greeted and sent off, so she didn't attend, only Su Hudong, Wan Chun and Li Tengkong were the representatives.

Cui Ying's face is dignified and beautiful, Su Hudong's beauty is full of wildness and alien flavor, Wan Chun is Li Tang's royal princess, and Li Tengkong is handsome and resolute, even though he is dressed in palace clothes, he can't hide it. He is heroic.

All the ministers bowed down, shouting long live: "I pay my respects to the emperor, long live my emperor! I pay my respects to the empress, concubine Hui, concubine Ning, and concubine Shu!"

Zhang Xuan strode in, hurried past the line of courtiers prostrate on the ground, and entered his throne. After Cui Ying and other women followed and found his seat, he waved his hand. He waved his hands and said loudly, "Everyone, please stand up and sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" All the officials bowed again, and then gradually returned to their seats.

Zhang Xuan got up slowly, looked around at the ministers, and said with a smile, "Everyone, today is the day of Yuanzheng, I will hold a banquet in the palace to have fun with you all! This is the first Yuanzheng day after I established the capital Zhongjing. It is the first Spring Festival. Today, in front of everyone, I want to say that after the Lantern Festival, I will personally lead the army to conquer Li Gong, the rebel in Wuwei, and attack Tubo at the same time. Thousands of miles of mountains and rivers!"

"I swear to the Tianmeng today—if the rebellion is unjust, and if Tubo is not destroyed, I swear not to return to Beijing!"

Zhang Xuan's clear, resolute and resolute voice echoed in the hall for a long time.

As soon as these words came out, all the courtiers and clan nobles in the palace were shocked except for the seven Chen Xilie.The emperor actually wants to drive his own conquest, and come to the battlefield in person...

Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiugao frowned, and immediately got up and clasped their fists together and saluted, "Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that it must not be done. I was established at the beginning of the dynasty, and His Majesty is the body of ten thousand chariots. His Majesty's safety is related to the national system and the safety of the country and society. It must not be done." Come to the battlefield!"

"Whether it's suppressing rebellion or crusade against Tubo and opening up territories, your Majesty's powerful generals are like clouds, so why do you need to do it yourself?" Zhang Jiugao also advised, "Your Majesty, please think twice before acting!"

Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiugao are the elders of the emperor. When the two stood up and began to persuade, many courtiers responded one after another.Only Chen Xilie and the others remained silent.

Zhang Xuan wanted to go on a personal conquest with the royal driver, and he had already got through with them.They also strongly opposed it at the beginning, but Zhang Xuan insisted on their own views. As courtiers, they refused to follow the advice and had to accept orders.

Zhang Xuan smiled and said nothing.

Pu Gu Huai'en came out of the row and knelt down to worship and said with emotion, "Your Majesty, I have received great grace from the emperor. I am willing to lead an army to march west to Wuwei, wipe out Li Gong's rebels, and share the worries for your majesty! Your majesty is the khan of heaven, and you must not personally risk!"

Zhang Xuan glanced at Pugu Huai'en, and said with a slight smile, "Pu Gu Huai'en, I have made up my mind, so there is no need to say more. As for you, I have another appointment for you—I will give you one year , to absorb refugees from all over the world in Anton, Bohai and Xi people's settlements, if the food here can be turned over to the national treasury on the premise of self-sufficiency, I will do a great job for you!"

"Besides, the remnants of the rebel Shi Siming occupy Silla, and you have to lead the army to be vigilant at all times to prevent the rebels from colluding with the Silla army to invade our borders."

"The land in the northeast of the world, I entrust you with the full authority to manage it. This place should be the world's big granary, and the burden on your shoulders is very heavy."

After Zhang Xuan finished speaking, he said slowly, "Everyone, the reason why I want to go to the royal conquest is to tell the people in the world that everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, even if I am the emperor, I can't help it."

"Not only me, but even my imperial concubine—" Zhang Xuan turned his head to look at Su Hudong and Li Tengkong who looked excited, smiled, and said loudly, "Huifei Su Hudong, Shufei Li Tengkong , Come forward and listen to the seal!"

The two girls stood up and bowed down.

"My Royal Conqueror personally conquered the rebellion and managed Tubo. The two of you are also the generals of the left and right women's armies. They lead the women's army to go out with me to fight against the thieves!"

"The concubine obeys the order!" Su Hudong and Li Tengkong suppressed the joy in their hearts with all their strength, and accepted the order with a salute.The two girls are heroines at first, they like to dance with guns, stick sticks and gallop on horses, let them stay in the palace for a long time to suffocate, just like birds in a cage to suffocate illness.

Especially Su Hudong, the Huihe princess.

Cui Ying and Wan Chun looked at each other, and looked at Su Hudong and Li Tengkong with some envy.They were not envious of leading the army in battle, but envious of the two women being able to stay in the army and stay with Zhang Xuan.

Seeing that the emperor even wanted to take the imperial concubine out to lead the army to fight, all the officials were speechless and choked.

In fact, the female army is a kind of vase in the army, which can't really play a big role, and the symbolic meaning is greater than the actual meaning.It's not that Zhang Xuan didn't know, but did it on purpose.The existence of female soldiers is a kind of existence, and they may not really go to the battlefield to charge and fight, but after a long time, they will gradually lead the people of the world to accept this existence.

And the next step, from the female army to the female officer... to all walks of life, under the secret promotion and guidance of Zhang Xuan, women will appear in any possible position, gradually transitioning from a rarity and ornamental to a social norm and practicality.

Zhang Xuan knows in his heart that there are many values ​​and concepts that are too advanced, which can only be guided slowly and cannot be enforced forcefully.Using the iron fist of the imperial power to promote it may have some effect in a short period of time, but after a long time, it will definitely encounter a strong backlash, and eventually it will be nothing.

He can only use various detailed national policies and policy arrangements to start from scratch, step by step, advance slowly, and subtly educate the people.

Seeing that the ministers no longer objected, Zhang Xuan smiled and waved.

In an instant, the music of silk and bamboo sounded, and the flowery and jade-like court ladies held up the wine, fruits and vegetables like butterflies, and began to serve the wine and dishes.

At the end of the song, Zhang Xuan raised his wine glass and shouted loudly, "I will drink with you all, and congratulate the Chinese New Year! May God bless my China, and let me prosper and prosper forever as a nation of all nations!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live my emperor!"

……

……

Drink three rounds.Under the leadership of Zhang Xuan, the dignitaries present drank happily, talked and laughed, watched singing and dancing, and the atmosphere gradually became lively and noisy.

Zhang Xuan raised his glass to deal with Pugu Huai'en and other founding heroes who came to toast, while chatting with Cui Ying and other women beside him in a low voice.

Although it is said to be drinking and feasting all night to watch the new year, it will not stay up all night.In the middle of the night, many ministers either passed out drunk on the spot, or bid farewell to the emperor while drunk, and went out of the palace to return to the palace.Zhang Xuan didn't think much of himself, because it was a feast, so there was no need to be so nervous.

But no one could have imagined that this was a peaceful and peaceful New Year's Eve, but there was a big or small disturbance.

Tian Kexin was overwhelmed with alcohol, and after participating in the banquet in the hall for more than an hour, she was exhausted and unable to support herself, so she left first.

Under the heavy night, the north wind howled and the temperature was extremely low.Tian Kexin wrapped her fur cloak tightly, walked out of the Chongzheng Hall with a few guards, and was about to leave the palace through the Linyou Gate on the right way.

On both sides of the palace road, palace lanterns were lit to shelter from the wind, but the lights were still a little dim.

Tian Kexin walked slowly, horses were not allowed in the palace, her carriages and horses were waiting outside Linyou Gate.

From the direction of the Chongzheng Palace behind him, there was still the sound of cheers and cheers. Tian Kexin turned her head and stared for a moment, smiled slightly, and continued walking.

Not long after walking, I heard the voice of a young man behind me.

"Miss Kexin!"

Tian Kexin frowned, but stopped in response and looked back.

I saw a young man in Chinese clothes running panting, followed by a dozen followers.

Although the light was dim, Tian Kexin could tell at a glance that this person was the youngest son of Zhang Jiuming, Prince of Qinghe County, Jinghou Zhang Changguo.

Tian Kexin waited quietly, and she didn't know what expression was floating on her face under the veil.

"Miss Kexin!"

A trace of disgust flashed in Tian Kexin's eyes, but she still forced a smile and said, "I don't know if the young master called Kexin to stop, what can I teach you?"

Tian Kexin is in charge of the Inner Court Women's Office, and is also in charge of gradually bringing together the Li Tang royal family and some of the over-expanded family properties of the current dignitaries into national ownership. Naturally, dealing with the royal family is unavoidable.

Although Tian Kexin wore a veil all day long, on that day, the wind blew the veil off and accidentally let Zhang Jiuming's youngest son Zhang Changguo see it.Although it was only a glimpse, Zhang Changguo was still amazed as a heavenly man, and he was admired all his life.

After that, she began to pursue Tian Kexin crazily.

Although Tian Kexin didn't like it, but in the face of the emperor and Zhang Jiuming, she had no choice but to pretend.

"Miss Kexin, why don't you and I find another secluded place to drink three cups together during such a good minister's day?" Zhang Changguo clasped his fists and said with a smile, the heat in his eyes couldn't be concealed at all.

Although Tian Kexin has always been honest, Zhang Changguo still enjoys it.He felt that as a member of the royal family, the cousin of the current emperor, he was a marquis, and he was quite talented, so he was quite worthy of Tian Kexin, the daughter of a general.

Tian Kexin said lightly, "I'm sorry, Lord Hou, but Kexin is not feeling well, so she has to go back to the mansion to rest..."

Zhang Changguo dashed over and grabbed Tian Kexin's wrist with a smile, "Miss Kexin is not feeling well? Let Ben Hou take the lady back to the house..."

Tian Kexin's face changed suddenly, she immediately took two steps back, and angrily said, "Master Hou, please respect yourself!"

It also deserves to happen.

Zhang Xuan's elder brothers, Zhang Huan and Zhang Ning, were canonized as princes.The two uncles, Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiugao, were canonized as county kings.

Zhang Jiuming had four sons and three daughters, all of whom were enfeoffed as marquises, and all of his daughters were enfeoffed as princesses.

Because Zhang Xuan's direct relatives have few bloodlines, and some distant relatives of Zhang Xuan have no canonization, the real ones are Zhang Jiuming, Zhang Jiugao and their descendants, which constitute the seemingly thin royal family of the dynasty.

But because of this, the children of Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiugao have a great sense of superiority.One step to the sky, some people can adjust their mentality without being surprised, while others will get carried away.

Zhang Changguo is one who gets carried away.In addition, he drank a lot of wine tonight, and he was drunk, and when he heard Tian Kexin scolding himself, he couldn't help but turned his face in anger and said, "Little bitch, don't be shameless! What is my status, I like you It's your luck!"

Tian Kexin was such a noble and aloof woman. Seeing Zhang Changguo humiliating herself so rudely, she stomped her feet angrily, turned her head and left.

But at this moment Zhang Changguo was already in a daze, how could he let her go.

He led someone to stop Tian Kexin and became violent.Several of Tian Kexin's attendants were thrown to the ground by Zhang Changguo's guards, and Tian Kexin herself was grabbed by the frightened Zhang Changguo's pink wrist and was pulling it into his arms, while the other hand Then lifted Tian Kexin's veil.

Tian Kexin shouted for help and tried desperately to break free, so she slapped Zhang Changguo loudly across the face.

……

……

Zhang Xuan was also [-]% to [-]% drunk. Seeing that Cui Ying and other women were also a little bit unable to hold on, he prepared to take them away from the Chongzheng Palace and return to the palace to rest. As for the civil and military ministers in the palace who were free to drink and drink, he let them go wild one time.

Nan Jiyun hurried into the hall with a gloomy expression.

He did not participate in the banquet tonight. The defense and security of Zhongjing, including the palace guards, were all under his control. In order to ensure that today's palace banquet was safe and without any mistakes, he brought a thousand Shence troops into the palace city to maintain order.

The movement and cries for help on the palace road attracted the palace guards, and the palace guards did not dare to neglect when they saw that the royal family was involved, so they immediately reported to General Nan Jiyun.

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Ask for a guaranteed monthly pass, it's too ugly to be naked.

(End of this chapter)