On the seventh day of March, the day of the Jiaqing Festival, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze was blowing in the willows. It was a good time, and the long-prepared festival also started in a grand way. In terms of excitement, it was almost as good as the Yuan Festival. For the courtiers,
The biggest difference is probably that there are fewer holidays, only three days.
What was different from the Lantern Festival at the beginning of the new year was that the smile on Emperor Liu's face was more numerous and more natural, showing that he was in a good mood. This was the first time since the death of Empress Fu.
The most important time period is naturally the birthday banquet that starts in the evening. It is also held in the Qianyuan Hall. It is grand, crowded with canopies, and full of guests. The princes, dignitaries, ministers and envoys from various countries in Beijing, as long as they can still move, will
Come together.
At night, the Qianyuan Hall is brightly lit and full of people. Hundreds of musicians are playing "symphony", dozens of beautiful dancers are showing off their graceful figures, and several painters are drinking, swiping their pens, and recording with pictures.
With this grand scene.
Emperor Liu was in high spirits, laughing, chatting, drinking, and having fun with his ministers. But behind the celebration, there was always a sense of loneliness. In a daze, even he couldn't tell whether the smile was real or fake.
.
After drinking for a few rounds, Emperor Liu was slightly tipsy. Finally, Emperor Liu made some unusual movements, which naturally attracted everyone's attention. He slowly stood up, stood on the Danqi, and looked down at the ministers in the palace.
Seeing this scene, the rituals, music, singing and dancing had ended, and only the fireworks outside the hall were still blooming. Everyone stopped what they were doing, some looked straight ahead, some lowered their eyebrows, and some looked up boldly, but all
Waiting for Emperor Liu's speech.
In the past, Emperor Liu would usually say a few words and offer a toast in the past, and everyone was used to it. But this time, Emperor Liu did not pick up the wine glass.
After looking around, Emperor Liu finally spoke and said in a tone of emotion: "I still feel ashamed when talking about this Jiaqing Festival. Let the people from all over the world come to celebrate the birthday of this old man like me, put up lanterns and colors, mobilize troops and mobilize people,
It’s a waste of money, and the more I think about it, the more I blush. Throughout all dynasties, such arrogant and conceited monarchs are rare!”
There was something wrong with this opening, and everyone felt it. Prime Minister Li Fang hurriedly stood up and said: "Your Majesty's words are serious! Your Majesty's birthday is celebrated by the whole world. This is a national ceremony. Your Majesty is the king's father. On this festive and auspicious day, the ministers and others are here to celebrate.
Your Majesty’s congratulations are appropriate!”
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled and continued, regardless of the strangeness of the ministers: "Of course, I still have to thank you! This year's Jiaqing, what is different from the past, may be birthday gifts. Just now I checked the gift list,
The gifts you have given me are quite generous! However, what I am more curious about is that these gifts you have given me should not disturb the people, and should not be plundered for the people's wealth and anointing."
After saying this, the expressions of the ministers changed. As if they had rehearsed, they said in fear: "I don't dare!"
Zhao Kuangyi responded: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, is a minister. You only offer gifts according to etiquette and fulfill your filial piety. How dare you disturb the people and exploit your Majesty and destroy your Majesty's majesty? What's more, the national laws are so strict that no one dares to violate them!"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu suddenly sneered twice: "The national law is so strict that no one dares to violate it? Isn't this too absolute? I have dealt with corrupt officials, treacherous ministers and thieves a lot in these years?"
Zhao Kuangyi's expression froze, and he was obviously confused by the question. Of course, what really puzzled him was why he mentioned such a disappointing thing on such an auspicious occasion. Even if he wanted to beat the ministers, he could wait until after his birthday to choose another one.
Occasion
Of course, today's Emperor Liu is so free and easy to act according to his feelings, and doesn't care about the occasion at all.
"Okay!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyi's grimace, Emperor Liu smiled again, waved his hand and said, "I just said it casually! However, this matter also reminds us that every festive season,
This kind of exchange of favors is unavoidable for the sake of luck. It would be unreasonable for me to order a ban.
However, the value of this gift should be limited. It should start with me. Forget it this time, but from now on, in festivals like this, regardless of official position, rank, or rank, the value of the gift cannot exceed five guan!
No, this is not enough, I don’t want any gifts, I will convert them all into cash gifts, so that you don’t have to waste your time to get some rare and precious toys to confuse me!”
After this decree, the whole palace was in an uproar. Why bother with so many tricks for a gift? Emperor Liu's words almost made the courtiers think they were thieves. However, they still had to compliment and praise neatly: "Your Majesty
wise!"
Of course, from a general perspective, Emperor Liu's move also has positive significance. During festivals and human exchanges, this gift is naturally indispensable. From the government to the people, they also see the auspicious meaning in it. This is a cultural origin.
Traditional customs cannot be completely changed, but they can calm the atmosphere.
At least, when Emperor Liu sets the highest standard for himself, what should others do? There will always be a clue in his mind. Do you dare to exceed the emperor's standards? Do you want to commit a crime? Do you despise the imperial power?
"Yantuo!" The seriousness on Emperor Liu's face faded away and he regained his composure, calling.
"Here you are! What are your orders from the officials?" Above the main hall, Yan Tuo's waist bowed ninety degrees.
Emperor Liu asked: "In the past years of Jiaqing, the gifts given by ministers and envoys have been recorded, right?"
"When I return to the official residence, I can do it all!" Yantuo didn't know what Emperor Liu had planned, so he could only answer honestly.
"In this way, this time, together with the previous birthday gifts, all will be used for immigration and development!" Emperor Liu said lightly. When he said this, he glanced at several prime ministers: "Don't you always say that the country's resources are insufficient and the left and right are starved for support?
, then I will use my own money to make up for it!”
Seeing that Emperor Liu was thinking deeply about this matter, many people looked surprised. Several ministers who were glanced at by Emperor Liu even lowered their heads.
Emperor Liu's determination in this regard has once again been made clear to the world. It has been almost thirty years since the Jiaqing Festival. In the past thirty years, the birthday gifts collected by Emperor Liu, even though there have been restrictions, have accumulated over such a long time.
, which is also a huge sum of money. All the gifts and gifts added up are worth five to six million yuan, which is not a problem if you think about it.
At this point, Emperor Liu's speech was considered over. Afterwards, he toasted a glass of wine symbolically and took his seat. In the Qianyuan Hall, the scene of singing and dancing once again resumed, but Emperor Liu's behavior brought the tone astray.
, the atmosphere in the palace seemed to have been poured with cold water, and the melancholy sound became a bit more desolate.
Emperor Liu didn't care about those complicated emotions and surging thoughts. After enjoying the toasts of his ministers, he would inevitably fall in love with the scene. In the past, Empress Fu usually accompanied him, but now, he was the only one left, alone. Already.
When I was in a mood, I drank a few more drinks. With my drunken eyes, I saw Zhao Kuangyin in the honorable banquet. This old boy, with his beard turned gray and his health was obviously not good, was drinking happily with Pingyuan Gongsunli. I heard that he has given up drinking, but it doesn’t look like this. Could it be that he is just faking it?
Some thoughts flashed through his mind in fragments. Emperor Liu stood up again, and with the support of Yan Tuo, he walked in front of Zhao Kuangyin and Sun Li. The palace suddenly became quiet again, and there was no BGM, which would disturb Emperor Liu. I got excited, so I waved my hand, started playing music, and started dancing.
Emperor Liu looked at Zhao and Sun who were standing up with a smile, raised his glass and said: "Come on, I'll toast you two!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The two of them said respectfully, even looking a little flustered in their movements.
"Qing Zhao, you and I, the monarch and my minister, have not had a drink together for a long time! I heard that you have given up drinking due to illness. For the sake of your health, I have been suppressing my thoughts, but today is a rare occasion, so I have to drink to my heart's content. !" Emperor Liu was a little drunk, but his speech was still fluent.
When Zhao Kuangyin heard this, he naturally could only respond: "Thank you, Your Majesty, this is my honor!"
Zhao Kuangyin retired in his prime and stayed in the mansion for more than ten years. Even if he was not sick, he had to cover up his illness. However, when facing Emperor Liu, he was still calm. On the contrary, Sun Like was a little embarrassed. , many of his nephews and former subordinates were punished for committing crimes. Sun Li almost became a model used by Emperor Liu to frighten the heroes and nobles, and this was for a long time.
Therefore, even though Sun Li had followed Emperor Liu for a long time, he was still respectful and afraid of Emperor Liu. However, Emperor Liu really didn't have much fear for this old man, otherwise, given the situation of his family, he would have been dealt with long ago Already.
At this time, seeing the old man's helpless and silly look, Emperor Liu was amused. He had a drink with him and comforted him for a while before giving up. When he left, Sun Li fell to the ground softly and fiercely After taking a few sips of wine, I finally regained my composure, and my fear was palpable.