"Your Majesty, Duke Zhao Guo has come to the palace to ask for an audience. He is waiting for an edict at the palace gate!"
Long Live Hall has recently become Liu Chengyou's dormitory, where he studies, writes, and practices martial arts.
The winter wind blew the chill outside the palace. The doors and windows were left open, and smoke was rising from the heater in the palace. The steaming heat helped Liu Chengyou fight against the cold winter. The chamberlain carefully walked into the Long Live Hall and reported to Liu Chengyou who was practicing calligraphy on the table. road.
Liu Chengyou's hand was very steady. After he finished writing the word "pan", he stopped, raised his eyelids slightly, and said calmly: "Announce him to the Long Live Hall!"
"yes!"
Beside the table, the second prince Liu Yang was weighing his little feet and diligently applying ink to Liu Chengyou. There were some ink stains on his hands and sleeves. Seeing that he was struggling, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly and said kindly: "If you are tired, sit down. Later!"
Liu Yang shook his head: "I'm not tired!"
After dipping his hand in ink again, Liu Chengyou continued to write with an awe-inspiring attitude. His calligraphy was learned from the late calligrapher Yang Ningshi. Although he didn't practice hard, he succeeded after all. He could barely read it. Compared with That's right. Of course, Yang Ningshi's vigorous and indulgent attitude has not been learned at all.
"Erlang, I heard that you can recite "The Road to Shu is Difficult"?" Liu Chengyou asked casually.
"I know how to memorize the first and second questions!" Liu Yang answered honestly.
"Come back and listen!" Liu Chengyou said.
Liu Yang walked to the small table, took a sip of the boiled hot tea, and then recited aloud. Listening to the child's clear reciting voice, Liu Chengyou showed a little doubt in his mind. Meng Chang actually asked to see him, was he listening to him? What's the news?
Outside the Long Live Hall, Meng Chang was slightly bowed and dressed in gorgeous brocade clothes. After the Meng family was moved to Kaifeng, Liu Chengyou did not treat him harshly and rewarded him with a large amount of money and silk goods for his family's expenses. Of course, it is impossible for him to be as luxurious as he was in Chengdu with the fine clothes and fine food he had in Tokyo.
Meng Chang was granted the title of Duke of Zhao by Liu Chengyou, and his three sons were also honored with honorary titles. His mother, Li, had a reputation as a virtuous person and was granted the title of imperial edict. From time to time, Empress Dowager Li of the Han Dynasty summoned the female family members of the Meng family to the palace to talk to her for comfort. Demonstrate the benevolence of the heavenly family.
It was less than three months before the fall of Shu, but Meng Chang was obviously a bit older, and the gray silk in his hair was very obvious. The feeling of a subjugated king was by no means so pleasant. The only thing I felt fortunate was that after arriving in Tokyo, the Han Dynasty received preferential treatment In short, although it is slightly inferior to the Gao family in Jingnan, the luxurious aristocratic life can still be guaranteed without any humiliation.
After settling in Tokyo, Meng Chang devoted himself to the extravagant aristocratic life for a long time, becoming more decadent and decadent than before. On the one hand, he wanted to eliminate the wariness of the Han court as much as possible, and on the other hand, he also wanted to ease the grief of the country's subjugation through a life of drunkenness and dreams, and to adapt to it. new identity.
However, people have a desire to avoid disaster, and there are unforeseen circumstances. The news of the Shu Rebellion interrupted Meng Chang's peaceful life...
Under the guidance of the palace attendants, he entered the Long Live Hall. The warmth in the hall could not relieve Meng Chang's inner nervousness. The childish recitation sounded in his ears: "The difficulty of the road to Shu is as difficult as climbing to the blue sky. It makes people wither their beauty even after hearing this!" When the peaks are gone, the sky is not full, and withered pines hang upside down on the cliffs. The rushing waterfalls compete with each other, and the cliffs turn into rocks and thousands of valleys are thundered..."
After listening for a while, Meng Chang was a little dazed. A flash of memories and a bit of regret flashed through his hazy eyes. To be honest, even if he had been in Shu for decades, the difficulties and dangers of the Shu road were still a little blurry to him.
To exchange good books, follow the vx official account. [Book Friends Base Camp]. Follow now and receive cash red envelopes!
Still under the reminder of the chamberlain, Meng Chang came to his senses and hurriedly stepped forward to prostrate himself: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, Meng Chang!"
"Oh, Duke Zhao is here!" Liu Chengyou put down his pen, with a warm smile on his face, but always with a high attitude, and said: "Quickly excuse me!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The Han Emperor's gentle smile and attitude made Meng Chang feel a little relieved.
"Mr. Zhao is also good at words and has extraordinary knowledge. It just so happens that you can take a look at my handwriting." Liu Chengyou waved to Meng Chang cordially.
"Yes!" Meng Chang stepped forward and looked at Liu Chengyou's book "The Road to Shu" written by Banque, with a look of compliment on his face and words of flattery on his lips: "Your Majesty, this character is painted with iron and has a silver hook. It penetrates the back of the paper and is powerful and bold. , I feel that it is like a flying dragon tumbling in the sea of clouds, a phoenix singing in harmony in the sky, the vast and majestic momentum coming towards me, it is heart-wrenching..."
Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but feel happy. He didn't know whether it was because of Meng Chang's praise or because of his surrender gesture.
"Sit down! Serve tea!" Liu Chengyou walked to the table aside, holding Liu Yang in his arms and sitting with him, and gestured towards Meng Chang.
Looking at Meng Chang calmly, he looked much older, fatter, and looked slumped, and his handsomeness was no longer there. Liu Chengyou asked: "Mr. Zhao's hair is pale on the temples, and his complexion does not seem to be very good. Could it be that he is not used to Tokyo?" Life, or is there someone below who is deducting benefits?"
Hearing this, Meng Chang shook his head quickly and said cautiously: "I am a sinner in Shu and resisted the king. Your Majesty will not remember the old evil, put aside the past grudges, and treat my family well. I am extremely grateful!"
Liu Chengyou smiled again, and the laughter made Meng Chang feel a little uncomfortable. He asked: "What's the matter with Mr. Zhao's visit? If you have encountered any difficulties, you can speak frankly!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Chang's expression became more serious, he paused, then quickly stood up, and bowed at Liu Chengyou's feet with a dignified attitude: "I am here to apologize to your majesty!"
"You're really surprising me!" Liu Chengyou looked surprised and asked curiously: "What crime are you guilty of?"
Gritting his teeth, Meng Chang bowed his head and said: "I heard that there is chaos in Shu. The traitors and thieves are using the name of the minister to plot rebellion. I am very frightened!"
Liu Chengyou's smile slowly faded. Looking at Meng Chang who was lying on the ground, Liu Chengyou's thoughts gradually drifted away, and he felt particularly deeply in his heart. This must be the king of subjugated country. He is so groveling, anxious, and even the slightest disturbance. , so frightened and helpless.
Because of the chaos in Central Shu, someone in the DPRK and Central Government has indeed written a letter during this period, saying that they need to strengthen control over Meng Chang and reduce his treatment. Especially when the rebels in Central Shu clearly put forward the slogan of "supporting the Meng family and restoring the country" after.
Although everyone knows that it is just a slogan, and all the Meng family have been moved out of Shu, there are still people who pretend to be confused and pretend to be ignorant. They even suggested that Liu Chengyou kill Meng Chang to eliminate the desire of the people in Shu. I think, Liu Chengyou just smiled at this.
The silence of the Han Emperor made Meng Chang feel more and more uneasy. In the middle of winter, his body could not help but sweat. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou patted Liu Yang on the back and pointed at Meng Chang to signal to him.
During the meeting, Liu Yang stepped forward and stretched out his hand to convince Meng Chang, saying: "Please get up, Mr. Zhao!"
Facing Liu Yang's support, Meng Chang seemed a little flattered and hurriedly said: "Thank you, Your Highness! I don't dare to accept this!"
Looking at Meng Chang, Liu Chengyou considered his words and said: "It seems that Mr. Zhao has also heard some rumors! However, I still said what I said, never mind the past and let bygones be bygones. The Meng family has surrendered to the Han Dynasty, and I have no regrets afterwards. The meaning of questioning.
I can clearly see the rebellion in Shu. They are just treacherous people who do not understand the current affairs and have ulterior motives. They are just using their whims as a chariot. I do not take the criticism in the court seriously, so you don’t have to be afraid. I don’t dare to boast that I am broad-minded, but I can still accommodate you, Meng Chang, and the entire Meng family!"
After listening to Liu Chengyou's words, Meng Chang couldn't help crying and bowed: "Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is so thoughtful, I admire you so much! I..."
"Hey, hey!" Seeing his excited look, Liu Chengyou waved his hands repeatedly: "It doesn't have to be like this!"
Probably because he was afraid that Meng Chang would break the floor of the Long Live Hall, Liu Chengyou asked him to sit down and stared at him with stern eyes. His tone showed the strength and confidence of the emperor of the Central Government: "I might as well be honest with you. Over the years, You have indeed caused a lot of trouble for me and the Han Dynasty, but times have changed, and you control more than 200 states and counties in Sichuan and Sichuan, with millions of soldiers and civilians, but I can climb mountains as easily as walking on flat ground. What's more, now that he has lost his country and become a vassal, he lives in Kaifeng?
You can relax and live in the capital with peace of mind. I promise you a lifetime of wealth and stability for the rest of your life. If your heirs succeed in their studies in the future, they can also become officials in the Han Dynasty!"
After Liu Chengyou finished speaking, Meng Chang was stunned for a moment, his eyes were red and swollen, and the tears at the corners of his eyes even looked a little funny. But in the face of Liu Chengyou's frank smile, Meng Chang stood up again, bowed and choked with sobs: "Your Majesty is so magnanimous, I am very grateful to you. I admire you wholeheartedly!"
After Haosheng comforted Meng Chang for a while, he ordered people to send him away. Is Liu Chengyou really tolerant? It seems so, but his tolerance is also conditional, that is, it is not harmful to his authority and rule. In addition, Meng Chang's performance since entering Beijing has been very good. He does not openly worry about his homeland and sticks to his duty.
"Erlang, what do you think of Meng Chang?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Liu Yang with great interest.
When asked about this, Liu Yang was a little confused. He blinked a few times and said, "He loves to cry and he also likes to kneel!"
"Yes!" Liu Chengyou nodded, reached out and touched Liu Yang's head, and said to the child seriously: "You have to remember, this is the sorrow and helplessness of a subjugated king. As a loser, life and death are honorable and disgraceful. It’s all decided by people’s words. We can only survive by relying on the tolerance and mercy of the victor! Remember it forever!”
Liu Yang was still confused, but seeing his father's serious expression and tone, he nodded vigorously: "I remember!"
...
From the Ciming Hall, three women walked out slowly. Although they were dressed in brocade, their clothes were simple and elegant. One old woman and two young women. The old woman was Meng Chang's mother, Li family, and the two young women were his female relatives, Xu family and Li family.
This is the third time they have been invited to the palace. They are both wise women. The Empress Dowager of the Han Dynasty and Meng Chang's mother seem to have a good affinity with each other, and they are barely considered sisters. As for Meng Chang's two female relatives, they are just for company. After all, on weekdays, the palace
From time to time, noble ladies and court ladies from outside were invited to the palace to chat with the Queen Mother and the Empress.
As a woman who has subjugated her country, when entering and leaving other people's palaces, her mood is naturally full of strangeness, uneasiness and uneasiness. Fortunately, the previous time, she has been entering and exiting safely without any abnormality?
But this time, something seemed to have happened. Before leaving the palace, two eunuchs blocked the way. Their eyes swept over the enchanting bodies of the two young women, looked at the beautiful faces, and asked in a low voice: "
You are the family members of Meng Chang, Duke of Zhao, right? Which one is Mrs. Xu?"
Hearing this question, Mrs. Xu's delicate body trembled, her beautiful face showed a little fear, and she responded softly: "I am my concubine!"
Nodding, the eunuch said: "Concubine Shu heard about your talents and invited you to come to the palace to make friends with your poems..."
"I don't know Concubine Shu!" Xu said softly, biting her red lips.
Hearing what he said, the eunuch's eyes widened: "This is not what you guys care about, we just follow orders!"
Mrs. Xu couldn't help but look at Mrs. Li next to her. Mrs. Li was so shrewd that she couldn't detect any problems. There was a hint of gloom and a hint of humiliation in her kind face.
