"Welcome to the prince!" In the southern suburbs of Kaifeng, at the Bianhe River pier, as soon as he landed from the official ship, he saw Zhang Dejun standing upright and waiting respectfully.
Zhang Dejun actually has a very outstanding appearance, and he is also quite handsome and elegant. If you didn't know his details, who would have thought that this man with extraordinary bearing and noble son would be a eunuch and a person with no roots.
He was dressed in a noble style, with brocade uniforms and jade crowns, and he was accompanied by several guards who knew at first sight that he was not easy to mess with. Of course Wang Pu knew Zhang Dejun, so he looked at him a few times, and when he saw his respectful look, he raised his hand and replied.
He bowed and said, "It turned out to be Zhongguan Zhang, oh, he should be the envoy now!"
"The prince has returned to the capital, and I have been ordered by the officials to come to greet you!" Zhang Dejun smiled. Although he spoke softly, he was not as gentle as a eunuch and a spy.
Upon hearing this, Wang Pu immediately looked solemnly, walked north to the palace city, and bowed solemnly.
I glanced at the scenery of the Bianhe River. The waterside is lined with green willows, stretched out with houses, densely populated, and boats on the water. Several newly added Hongqiaos hang high to connect the two sides. Then I look at the majestic Kaifeng standing in front of me, with its area doubled.
Wang Pu sighed: "In the past six or seven years, the capital has completely changed its appearance. It's staggering!"
"Tokyo has changed so much that the prince can appreciate it carefully in the future!" Zhang Dejun said: "The official issued an edict to give the prince a bath, purple clothes, and an audience in the palace. The prince's old house was too small to live in, so the official's house was located in the southeast of the imperial city.
There is a mansion to settle down with the family. The prince will follow the young one into the palace now!"
Wang Pu could not help but be grateful for the emperor's careful care, and thanked him again. Zhang Dejun pointed to the few guards accompanying him and said: "I know that the prince does not have many servants, so I specially brought a few subordinates with me. I can't do anything else to help the prince and his family."
Carrying suitcases and bags is enough!"
After listening to what he said, Wang Pu took a deep look at Zhang Dejun. This was to understand his situation clearly. The changes in Tokyo are indeed great. Zhang Dejun in front of him is an example. In the past, there was only a Wude Secretary, but now there is an emperor.
City Secretary.
Although I felt strange in my heart, I still held up my hands and thanked him: "Thank you very much, Sir Zhang, for your kind words!"
Several large boxes were unloaded from the ship. Seeing the guards struggling to carry them to the car, Zhang Dejun said playfully: "What is so heavy?"
Glancing at him, Wang Pu said calmly: "Sir Zhang, do you want to check it out?"
"The prince is joking. How dare you do such an offensive thing? I hope you can forgive me for being so offensive!" Zhang Dejun quickly apologized.
The few boxes Wang Pu brought back were of course not gold, silver or jewelry. Apart from some furniture, they were all books and atlases. However, there was no explanation. Considering Wang Pu’s temperament and identity,
He always had a certain degree of wariness and contempt for Zhang Dejun's status as a eunuch + spy. But with the emperor standing behind him, it was inconvenient for him to say anything about it.
After taking a bath, washing off the dust, and putting on new clothes, Wang Pu went directly to the palace. Kaifeng Guocheng, although the imperial city had changed greatly, the palace city was still so familiar.
The meeting place was the Wenhua Hall, where the emperor Liu Chengyou was observing the studies of the princes taking the exam. When he learned that Wang Pu asked for an audience, Liu Chengyou immediately summoned him orally and straightened his clothes, acting very solemnly.
In the palace, Liu Chengyou was sitting at his desk, Zhang Zhao, the great scholar of Wenhua Palace, was waiting on his side, and the six princes were also standing neatly below.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, Wang Pu!" After entering the palace and seeing the emperor, Wang Pu bowed prostrate and bowed.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou immediately stood up, left his seat and helped him up personally, held his hands tightly, and said emotionally: "I miss you so much when you have been in Yangzhou these years!"
Regardless of whether Liu Chengyou was really in such an excited mood, his performance was still very touching. He did not care about his deeds but his heart. Even if he was seeking fame and reputation, his demeanor as a polite and virtuous corporal was worthy of admiration and admiration.
Wang Pu was also very moved by this. Even though he was supported by Liu Chengyou's strong hands, he still bowed and bowed again: "Your Majesty, thank you for your consideration. I am extremely grateful!"
Paying attention to Dao Wang Pu's old face and gray hair, Liu Chengyou sighed: "Your temples are gray and have lines like ravines. You are so old, you can see the drama of hard work. I really can't bear it in my heart!"
Wang Puze responded calmly: "Although I am old, I am satisfied with my wishes. It is my good fortune to meet a wise king and show my abilities. Your Majesty can move as fast as a tiger and still look good. This is the blessing of a great man!"
"You have been in charge of Huaihe for many years. You have forgotten all your sleep and food, worked hard, been loyal and diligent, and are famous in the capital. Although you are thousands of miles away, you and I, our monarchs and ministers, are like neighbors!" Holding Wang Pu's hand, Liu Chengyou seemed reluctant to let go, and he said Excited, emotional, and full of gestures.
Upon hearing this, Wang Pu said: "Your Majesty has praised me highly, but I dare not accept it. Your Majesty has given me great responsibilities and heavy responsibilities on my shoulders. I am afraid that I will lose power, fail to express your kindness to the people, and live up to your Majesty's trust. However, I have done my duty wholeheartedly and tried my best to repay you."
After a pause, Wang Pu said again: "It's true that I have a defective temperament. When I was in Huaidong, I often acted carelessly in my words and deeds, which caused trouble to your majesty. Fortunately, your majesty is magnanimous and does not take it seriously. He has been tolerant many times and I think about it." , I still feel ashamed!”
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou smiled. It seemed that Wang Pu still had a certain understanding of his "notorious reputation"!
"Your words are serious!" Liu Chengyou patted his hand.
Finally letting go of Wang Pu's hand, Liu Chengyou turned around and called to several princes, saying: "Wen Bogong is a loyal and good minister of the Han Dynasty. He helps the imperial court to maintain peace and order in Huaidong and win the hearts of the people. He is a man of great talent and virtue. You are members of the Han Dynasty. Prince, you should have the awareness to set an example for the country and the country, and let’s bow to him and thank him!”
The emperor gave the order, and several princes immediately stepped forward obediently and saluted Wang Pu together. Even Liu Min, who had just entered the Wenhua Hall, followed his brothers in a confused manner, and their etiquette behavior was decent.
Wang Pu dared not accept this directly, and hurriedly returned the gift. He was extremely moved, and turned to Liu Chengyou: "The official treated me with such courtesy, I feel ashamed to receive it!"
Among the important civil and military ministers of the Han Dynasty, there were not many who were qualified to receive the gift from the prince, but only a handful of them actually received this gift. Of course, this time Wang Pu also came at the right time. He happened to be in the Wenhua Hall, and Liu Chengyou took the opportunity to think of a way to express his respect for him.
"Your Majesty has been returning all the way north. You have been on a hard journey, so I will host a banquet to welcome you!" Liu Chengyou said, and then ordered Sun Yanxi who was waiting on him: "Pass the order to prepare a meal in the Long Live Palace!"
"Yes! I'll make arrangements now!" Sun Yanxi was a little belatedly aware. This is the difference between this person and Zhang Dejun. If it were Zhang Dejun, he would have seen the opportunity and asked in advance to prepare.
"We haven't seen each other for many years. I have a lot to say and want to talk to you! Come on, let's go to the Long Live Hall together!" Liu Chengyou said to Wang Pu again.
Looking at Zhang Zhao on the side, he smiled and said, "I'm sorry to bother Mr. Zhang, how about accompanying me?"
Zhang Zhao was in the palace, looking at the "touching" scene of the meeting between the emperor and his ministers, and he could not help but feel a little envious in his heart. As a doctor of Confucian classics and well-educated in Confucianism, this kind of honor is not an extravagance. However, after all, he is just a scholar, and the emperor will treat him favorably. Courteous treatment, but it is impossible to be so condescending.
Facing the emperor's invitation, Zhang Zhao responded with a natural smile: "Your Majesty invites you. It is an honor for me. There is no reason to refuse!"
In the Long Live Hall, a table of fairly sumptuous meals was set up to entertain Wang Pu alone. Liu Chengyou said a little embarrassedly: "I heard that in Yangzhou, you have been living simply and living a vegetarian diet. You have been as frugal as before for many years. You are not tempted by the prosperity of Yangzhou, and your original intention remains the same." .
I was very moved when I heard about it. Over the years, the palace's clothing and food have gradually become more luxurious, and they are no longer the frugal and frugal days they used to be. Every time I think about it, I can't help but feel uneasy."
After hearing what the emperor said, Wang Pu said: "At the beginning of the founding of the country, there were many wastes to be renovated and the country's finances were difficult. Your Majesty set an example and practiced simplicity, which has demonstrated your virtue. Now the country is getting richer and the people have more than enough food. Your Majesty has enough to eat. , there is nothing wrong with it, just be wary of extravagance and eliminate waste.
Your Majesty is still able to warn and be cautious now, which shows your kindness!"
Liu Chengyou smiled: "When you came back, you kept praising me. I feel a little ashamed!"
Wang Pu, however, had a serious attitude and said: "What I have seen and heard on my way back north is that the people are safe and the country is prosperous, the rivers are clean and the sea is flowing, and it is like a peaceful and prosperous era. I am really impressed!"
After all, he is a person who has experienced the troubled times of the previous generation, so Wang Pu's feelings are naturally profound.
"Although I have gained something, it is not enough to be conceited and self-proclaimed. The south of the Yangtze River is not at peace, and the north of the Great Wall is uneasy. Even under the rule of the Han Dynasty, the burden on the people of Li is not easy. There is still a long way to go before the peaceful and prosperous era!" Liu Chengyou said .
For a long time, under the rule of the Han Dynasty, the burden on the people has not been light. Although the court has reduced the burden several times, it has been gradually relieved. In terms of taxes and corvee, the burden on the farmers is still serious. After all, in the past ten years, The imperial court took too many actions, and behind its achievements were often the sufferings of the people's livelihood.
Of course, compared with previous generations, the political clarity, national stability, and serious public security have reduced the people's worries other than making a living. A strong military, national wealth, and people's security are the characteristics of the current Han Dynasty.
Seeing that the emperor was not completely immersed in his existing achievements, but still maintained a cautious mind and a clear vision, Wang Pu was also very pleased and said: "Your Majesty, if you practice self-examination, one day, the world will be able to be governed and hundreds of millions of people will be able to live in it." , you should reap the benefits!”
"I hope so! To ensure public security in the future, we need good ministers like you to carefully assist us!" Liu Chengyou raised his glass and signaled to Wang Pu.