On New Year's Eve, which is the last day of the third year of Chuping, all the officials of the court followed the emperor to the ancestral temple to worship their ancestors. After all, since the death of the late emperor, the court has been in flux for nearly three years, and has been in danger of overturning several times, until today.
The officials were happy to be preserved, and they also reported the courtesy to their ancestors, hoping that in the nine heavens and in the dark, the ancestors could also bless the Han Dynasty, so that the Han Dynasty would be prosperous and the world would enjoy peace again.
After some complicated etiquette, the emperor, wearing a crown with twelve dragon patterns, a black robe on top, and a red robe on the bottom, slowly walked up to the Mingtai and read to the heaven and earth the "An Hanwen to the Ancestors of Sheji" written by Chen Chong.
Then they burned the inscription into the book. After seeing a wisp of green smoke dissipate on the stage, Chen Chong and Liu Bei led the ministers to bow three times to the heaven and earth, and then to the emperor three times. Then Taichang rang the huge bell three times to complete the ceremony.
Sound. Under the clear sound of the bells, all the officials knelt down at the steps respectfully and listened to the emperor's announcement that the title of the next year would be changed to Yanxing.
The change of Yuan Dynasty has always been a national event. According to the "Book of Han" records, in October of the first year of Yuan Shou, Emperor Shizong personally caught a one-horned white lin when he went hunting. After seeing it, all the officials thought it was an auspicious creature.
It is worthy of commemoration, so the era name was established as Yuan Shou. Since then, the country has used the era name as a chronology, and unless the country has experienced major events, it is not allowed to change the era name. However, times have changed, and today, three hundred years later, the country is in turmoil.
The late emperor frequently changed the reign names, such as Jianning, Xiping, Guanghe, and Zhongping, in the hope that God would be kind to the great Han Dynasty, but how could it have any effect? What the late emperor said was really putting the cart before the horse.
This time the country changed its Yuan Dynasty, hundreds of officials proposed three era names, namely Yongping, Hanshou and Yanxing.
When it came to Yongping, Chen Chong discussed with Liu Bei for a while and said to the minister: "How can there be a year of Yongping in the world? There is a Yellow Turban sea boiling in Zhongping, and Dong Zhuo usurps in Chuping. What harm can happen to Yongping? It is unlucky.
”
Then there was Han Shou, but the two were still dissatisfied. Liu Bei said: "Although the name of Han Shou is good, it is not the name of the reign of this time. The country is still in chaos and the world has not yet been peaceful. How can we call Shou? This is the name of governing the world.
, and then change."
Finally, it was Chen Chong himself who proposed the Yanxing reign name and explained: "The Yan Han Dynasty was so virtuous that it suffered from continuous disasters and floods, and was in danger of overthrowing. This is why we, the lofty ideals, worked hard. What is Yanxing? We use our lives as a salary.
And to promote the virtue of fire and build a new era together, all the kings encourage it!" All the officials heard this and had no objections. When the people in Guanzhong heard about the new year's name, they were very happy and spread the word to each other: "The little man who takes people as a salary
There are officials everywhere in the world, and we have seen them today.”
After the worship, the emperor left Chen Chong to have a meal with Liu Bei in the palace. The emperor was usually quiet, but in front of Liu Bei and Chen Chong, he was particularly talkative. He first asked the two about their attitude towards the late emperor, and then asked the late emperor about the two.
Regarding people’s attitudes, both of them told the truth.
When the emperor learned that Liu Bei had a Zhongxing sword given by the late emperor, he suddenly had a whim and asked Liu Bei to perform a sword dance in the palace. Liu Bei did not refuse after thinking for a moment, and immediately sent someone to get the sword.
When the sword arrived, Chen Chong borrowed a transverse flute, sat next to Liu Bei, and played the "Soldiers' Formation Song" for him. The sound of the flute became clearer and more exciting, as if directly expressing the soldiers' thoughts. The palace was filled with the sounds of passionate conquest.
The emperor had clearly seen the corpses on the battlefield, but when he saw Liu Bei's sword flashing, he was so angry that he broke out in cold sweat. Seeing this, Chen Chong had to stop playing music and said to the emperor: "Conquest is a matter for ministers, your majesty does not need to
Mind you."
The banquet ended like this. After the meeting, Liu Bei and Chen Chong walked out and said to him with emotion: "Although your Majesty has a very good heart and courage, you are still a man of gentleness." Chen Chong said aside: "
This is not a bad thing. If you love others but do not have the intention to kill, there will be fewer disputes."
The two of them walked out of the palace while talking and rushed directly to Sili Xiaowei's Mansion. After all, on New Year's Eve, both of them still wanted to get together with their families. Unexpectedly, around a corner, they bumped into three warriors. These three heads
Wearing a riding leather hat, a military uniform, a fur coat, and a short knife hanging on his belt, he looked like a high-ranking military official. Chen Chong recognized that the leader was Gao Zhun, so he stopped and waited for them to come. It was still time.
I came to talk to them, obviously to report important military matters.
Gao Zhun was very happy when he saw Chen Chong and Liu Bei. He raised his hands and said to the two of them: "General, Ambassador Chen, good news has come from Luoyang in the east. It is said that the Liuzhou Mu envoy from Youzhou has arrived and that he can send 20,000 reinforcements.
Assist in the Eastern Expedition and we will reach Luoyang in twenty days!"
This was completely in line with Chen Chong's expectations. He and Liu Bei looked at each other and smiled, then asked Gao Zhun, "Are these the only things? There's no need for you to send a message! When I saw you coming, I thought it was Liang Ren who was attacking me again.
Coming over."
"How is that possible? Didn't General Fenwu say a few days ago that the Liang people in Chencang did not dare to fight and fled to Wudu when they saw the army? How could they get here?"
Speaking of this, Gao Zhun was quite embarrassed and said with a smile: "Actually, the brothers in the army are lonely. Today I went to the south of the city to hunt some deer and came back. I don't want to have it all to myself, so I hope that the general and the envoy can spend the night in the army. Soldiers
I will be happier too. General Zhang has been invited over!"
Hearing what he said, several people laughed, and Chen Chong took over: "It depends on how well your venison is cooked. If it tastes bad, I would rather stay at home and spend more time with my Zhao Ji and Xiao'er!"
He said this, but he did not hesitate. He went to the mansion to confess to his wife and family, then immediately rode Qingkui and went to the camp in the north of the city with a few others.
It was already late at night, but the camp was full of joy. The smell of campfires and meat almost spread to the entire south bank of the Wei River. The hot atmosphere in the camp seemed to have dispelled even the coldness of winter.
Under Chen Chong's arrangement, alcohol has always been prohibited in the army, so naturally there is no alcohol to drink on weekdays. But today is an exception. The soldiers brought these drinks from Chang'an City, and they moved so many jars that they were everywhere.
They were soldiers competing for their drinking capacity. In the main camp, just as Gao Zhun said, several skinned elk were roasting. The blood and yellow fat dripped onto the fireworks, and bursts of white smoke came out.
Seeing the two men arriving, the soldiers began to boo, and crowded around Chen Chong and Liu Bei to get to Zhang Fei. The three brothers were extremely emotional, feeling very sorry that Guan Yu was not here.
After a while, the sound of a watch came from the military camp one after another. This was a sign that told everyone in the camp that the third year of Chuping had passed and the first year of Yanxing had officially begun.
Some people turned their attention to Liu Bei. Liu Bei suddenly realized what he should say. He thought of it and said it. He held a glass of wine and stood up gently. However, the scene was already silent, and everyone could only hear the faint sound of air flowing.
, Liu Bei said slowly:
"The ancients often said that people make things happen, and they also often say that people fail because of things. Liu Bei has gone through wars, winning and losing, and he can be said to be deeply touched by this. If you talk about the heroes of the world, I am not as good as Ting Jian in military use, not as courageous as Yun Chang, and not as brave as Wu.
Virtue, erudition, family reputation, and resourcefulness are all not strong points. What I have been able to do so far is just a spirit of forge ahead."
"But there are so many people in the world who are striving for progress. Regardless of fish, birds, beasts, caterpillars, flowers and trees, they all have things they want to achieve and ambitions to achieve, not to mention the heroes of the world. Liu Bei has been able to hold the position of assisting the government today, and he will carry out unification.
Well, this is all because of your support and assistance!"
At this point, he drank the wine in one gulp, then filled it up again, and continued:
"Everyone who has followed me in the war, no matter how long the time, no matter how deep the friendship is, is a generous and righteous man. After all, you have given up your family relationship, abandoned your beloved relatives, and risked your life to trust Liu Bei. You are not a true righteous man. How can you be like this today?
Come to think of it, on the battlefield, none of you abandoned Liu Bei, and on the battlefield, none of you slandered Liu Bei. Thinking of this deep gratitude is like an ocean, and every time Liu Bei thinks about it, he feels completely uneasy, even though he has thousands of taels of gold and thousands of silks.
How can I repay a horse?"
At this time, someone in the crowd replied: "Why is the general like this? The world is in ruins and the people are hungry and cold. If the general had not advocated righteousness and held the sword, we would all be dead bones in the road. We are just waiting to die. If we can wrap our bodies in horse leather, it is better than dying on the bed of illness!"
The kindness and righteousness of the general are like my parents. Fighting for the general, there is no regret even if you die!" These words expressed the hearts of the soldiers, and they all echoed loudly.
When the voice became quiet again, Liu Bei took a few steps forward and said slowly: "How can human life be such a worthless thing? Remembering our dead comrades, how can we die for the sake of death? Mencius said, the people are for the sake of death.
The noblest is the country, the country is second, the king is the least important. Therefore, every time Liu Bei thinks of the people of the world, every time he thinks of the heroes and heroes of the martyrs, his only wish is to help the Han Dynasty, calm the troubled times in the world, and restore peace to the people."
He said loudly: "Liu Bei has great ambitions and talents, and does not measure his virtues and abilities. Only these words and ambitions are like the bright sun shining in the sky. Even though hundreds of generations have passed, he will never forget it!"
After that, he poured the wine down three times and then refilled it, saying:
"Honor the Emperor of Han Dynasty!"
"Respect the great Han Dynasty!"
"Honor the great hero!"
Liu Xuande spoke generously and was full of energy. All the officers and soldiers looked moved and raised their wine cups in response to the general. The banquet continued as before.
The banquet lasted until Chenshi. The soldiers and officers had a good night and went back to the camp to rest. Liu Bei and Chen Chong slowly walked out of the camp and happened to catch the first sunrise in the first year of Yanxing. It appeared from the top of Lishan Mountain.
The golden sunshine covered the snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and Chang'an. Although it was a desolate scene, they all felt the refreshing warmth.
The two of them both recalled the time in Taoyang, which happened more than ten years ago in the blink of an eye.
Liu Bei smiled and asked Chen Chong: "What kind of year will it be in the year of prosperity?"
Chen Chong felt the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the east wind, brewing a different kind of pride in his heart. He pointed his riding crop at Chang'an and said: "It will be a time that will be sung to the world a thousand years later."
After that, he said goodbye to Liu Bei and rode quickly onto the official road into the city. He knew that his wife must not have slept yet and was waiting for his return at the door of the house.