There was melodious music in the flower hall, and the maids danced gracefully as the musicians played.

Appreciating the graceful dance, even Zhu Guoqiang, who has seen too many party performances, can't help but be intoxicated. After all, in another world, this is a lost dance.

Throughout the history of China's feudal society, music and dance have been established in the palaces of all dynasties. This is because music and dance have always been an important part of various court rituals and banquet activities. The combination of "music, dance" and "ritual" is called the "ritual and music system"

.

The establishment of court music and dance in the Ming Dynasty was, firstly, to restore the Han culture that had been subverted by the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty, and secondly, to maintain rule, because music and dance itself was part of the "ritual and music system". However, all of this was followed by Zheng Manqing's

After entering the customs, they were completely destroyed. Not only were most of the palace music and dances banned, but also folk dances, and women had their feet bound... By the way, how do you dance with your little feet?

It is a tradition of the Ming Dynasty court to dance when having fun, and of course it is also a tradition of the royal palace. Therefore, every royal palace has maids who specialize in teaching dance and music, unlike the Manchu and Qing Dynasties... only some eunuchs perform music and dance during sacrifices and court meetings.

However, for Chen Wudi, Qian Degong, and Wang Ziye, who were members of the palace guards and mausoleum guards, this was the second time to attend such a banquet. The last time was to celebrate the withdrawal of the Qing army.

Seeing their eyes following the graceful figures of the palace maids, Zhu Guoqiang smiled.

"Come, generals, congratulations on your martial arts achievements!"

"Congratulations to the Crown Prince..."

When Chen Wudi, Qian Degong, and Wang Ziye heard this, they all drank and returned the gift. If it had been left to the Manchus, they would still have to kneel down to return the gift even at a banquet.

After finishing the glass, Zhu Guoqiang sat on a chair and stared at the dozen or so people with complicated expressions. Zhu Guoqiang read their names one by one.

"Chen Wudi, Qian Degong, Wang Ziye, Sun Zhi..."

These thirteen people are all the ceremonial guards, mausoleum guards, deputy guards and hundreds of households in the palace. They are also the arms that he can rely on. After drinking a glass of wine, Zhu Guoqiang motioned to the maid serving the wine at the side not to continue the wine, but to stand.

He stood up and walked up to them in person. He was holding the wine jar in one hand and poured wine for them himself.

"Your Majesty, how can I allow you to pour wine for me..."

Seeing the prince pouring himself wine, Chen Wudi quickly bowed his head.

"Here's the wine!"

Staring at Chen Wudi, Zhu Guoqiang smiled.

"Last time, the reason why Jinan was able to hold on undefeated was all because of the generals. If the generals had not sacrificed their lives, how could we have succeeded alone? This wine is a tribute to the generals on behalf of my father and the people of Jinan.

!”

"Oh, the Crown Prince, others don't know, and you guys don't know it yet. If it weren't for the Crown Prince, how could Jinan City have been defended? The Crown Prince said this, but I'll be embarrassed to death..."

"That's right, Mr. Shi, others don't know it, and the younger ones don't know that fire..."

"Zhiwu, don't talk nonsense!"

"Yes, yes, it was a small slip of the tongue!"

When Sun Zhi heard this, he quickly stopped talking and apologized repeatedly.

The reason why they are so cautious is because the chief officials have long told them not to talk nonsense. After all, there are some things that cannot be said.

After patting Sun Zhi on the shoulder, Zhu Guoqiang forced a smile.

"Actually, speaking of it, I feel really guilty about you. You have made great contributions to the imperial court, but because you are hereditary officials, you cannot be further rewarded. It is really..."

Different from civil servants, military attachés such as Yiwei Si and Lingwei are all hereditary government officials. Therefore, even if they are responsible for the merits of Jinan's defense, there is no specific reward. After all, they are government officials.

It has reached a point where it can no longer be sealed.

"Look at what the Crown Prince said, we are retainers of the royal family and we serve the Crown Prince. That is natural. As for whether we have military merit or not, what's the big deal?"

"That's right, as long as the prince keeps us in mind, we will be content."

In fact, it would be a lie to say that there is no complaint in my heart. After all, who wouldn’t want to be promoted and make a fortune? Seeing that they seemed a little disappointed, Zhu Guoqiang nodded to Wang Xi, and Wang Xi took the photo.

With two clicks of the palm, someone walked in with a plate. What was placed on the lacquer plate was not a banknote, but a thin house deed.

"You have worked so hard and accomplished so much, how can I forget it? Besides, you are the retainers and generals of our De Fan. I, Zhu Ciying (next to the word "fire") will not say any nonsense. At this time of turmoil, the lives and family fortunes of our De Fan are all at stake.

I rely on you all. In short, you will be the retainers and generals of my De Fan in this life. In the future, your descendants will also be the retainers and generals of my De Fan. As long as De Fan is here, I will never treat you and your descendants badly. This is

From now on, you are the ministers of our Defan city and our family members of Defan..."

What!

Chen Wudi, Qian Degong and the others all looked at the house deed in front of them in surprise. Although the prince had given each of them a few thousand taels of silver reward when he retreated last time, it was only a reward after all, but the house deed in front of them was

What is it?

It's the house behind Hengqiang. Normally, the clan members live there, where the princes and clan members live. Prince, this...is treating them as family!

"Your Majesty, I'll wait, I'll wait..."

In the past, although they were retainers, they lived outside the city in the name of retainers and lived on a few taels of salary. But now, this house deed is telling them that from now on, they will be the royal family.

The status of family members is even equal to that of clan members. In excitement, they all knelt down and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty, our descendants and descendants will swear to serve your Majesty to the death! If we violate this oath, we will be struck by five thunders from heaven."

There is nothing artificial, only reality, only naked interests. They have been in the officialdom for a long time and they know what "win people's hearts" means. How can they hesitate in the face of the crown prince's reward? Of course, they also feel the same in their hearts.

The sentiment of "a scholar will die for his bosom friend" was born. After all, from then on, they and their son were tightly bound to De Fan.

"Everyone, please get up. From now on we are a family, why should we be so polite!"

Looking at the thirteen of them, Zhu Guoqiang felt a little proud. Sometimes, it is not complicated to win people's hearts. The status of the clan is not bad. Just the name of a retainer and general can make these people serve wholeheartedly.

Of course, in fact, even if this happens, they will not betray themselves. After all, in their hearts, they are the gods of fire.
Chapter completed!