Although it is said to be a family banquet for Liu Bei, for Liu Bei and Chen Chong, this family banquet is still very unusual.
Since entering the court, Chen Chong has not been involved in Liu Bei's family affairs for a long time. After all, since the two palaces were established, Chen Chong has been in Chang'an for a long time, while Liu Bei has been in Jinyang for a long time due to war needs. Therefore, except for Liu Xie who came to be his disciple, Liu Bei
His wife and children all stayed in Bingzhou. It was not until he ascended the throne at the beginning of the year that Liu Bei began to move his family to Chang'an.
In the past few years, Liu Bei added concubines and gave birth to many children. Although Chen Chong heard about it, he was not familiar with it. Even the queen Liu Jia, who was nominally his adopted sister, was the reason why Chen Chong came during the last battle of Pingcheng.
I went in a hurry and didn't take time to visit. So in the past ten years, this was the first time for Chen Chong to actually participate in Liu Bei's family banquet.
The banquet was still held in Weiyang Palace, but it was no longer in the main hall at noon, but in a side hall. The front of the hall was full of pink and white plum blossoms, and some palace people were sweeping away the remaining snow in the corridor. At this time
It was a clear winter day. Chen Chong walked along the railing for a while, admiring the exquisite stone paintings on the railing. It was not until Liu Bei came to call him that he slowly walked into the hall.
Although the number of people attending the meeting was not as high as yesterday's banquet, there were still a lot of people, but the hall seemed a bit empty. In addition to Liu Bei, Chen Chong, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, there were Queen Liu Jia, Prince Liu Xie, and Huang Ci.
His son Liu Dan, the third son of the emperor Liu Cheng, the eighth son of the emperor Liu Li were present at the table, and the imperial concubines Gan and Wang were sitting beside them. Among them, Liu Dan and Liu Cheng were both Liu Bei's legitimate sons, and they had not been in Yuan Dynasty for a long time. And Liu Li
Born from Gan family, only three years old.
As soon as Liu Bei sat down, he held the youngest Liu Li in his arms, pointed at Chen Chong and others and said: "Come on, call uncle." Chen Chong saw that the child quickly called Guan and Zhang "uncle" twice.
But when he bit his finger and turned his gaze to himself, he looked at it in confusion for a while, and then his round face gradually grinned: "Oh, hello." The child's words were filled with childish vitality and smile.
Everyone laughed when they heard this. Liu Bei pointed at Chen Chong and said: "Ting Jian, don't blame my Ali, you look a generation older!" Chen Chong didn't take it seriously, put his hands behind his hands and smiled lightly: "If I can compare with you,
Being a generation older is something you should be proud of."
Then Liu Bei asked Liu Dan and Liu Cheng to come forward and bow to Chen Chong as disciples. Chen Chong helped them up and then looked at the two young men. Liu Dan was two years older, seventeen this year, but he looked more frail and looked
He was also relatively taciturn. Liu Cheng, on the other hand, was tall and majestic. Although he was only fifteen, his skin was dark. He rolled up his sleeves to reveal his thick arms, just like an adult. Chen Chong thought to himself: This is the physique of a warrior. In a few years, he will definitely become a warrior.
Be on the battlefield.
So he asked the two of them if they had chosen their own characters. After asking, he found out that both of them had studied under Wang Gai of Taiyuan, and Wang Gai had also chosen their characters. Liu Dan had the courtesy name Changlue, and Liu Cheng had the courtesy name Zitong. He couldn't help but laugh and asked.
Said: "Then what ambitions do you two have?"
Liu Cheng glanced at Liu Bei and answered first: "When we were in Jinyang, my father often taught us that as a royal family, we should always think about taking care of the country's worries, so I often practice riding and archery, and now I am proficient in it.
, it’s just that the way of general still needs to be sharpened. Although hundreds of schools of classics and history have dabbled in it, it can only be understood through experiencing the battlefield."
Liu Bei nodded frequently on the side, but Chen Chong saw Liu Xie's eyes filled with gloom. He quickly ended the topic and asked Liu Dan: "What about the long strategy?"
Liu Dan was silent for a while and said slowly: "My father and brother have the final say on major matters. I think the country will soon be free of chaos. In the future, we will go hunting in the spring and summer, cook wine in the autumn and winter, the husband and wife will be harmonious, and the children and grandchildren will be full of children. Let's do it again."
A good article is enough to comfort me throughout my life."
Chen Chong was extremely surprised when he heard this. He didn't expect this child to understand at such a young age that the most unrestrained life in the world is to be an idle prince. He patted Liu Dan on the shoulder and sighed to everyone: "This is also the life I want to live.
Ah!"
Liu Dan and Liu Cheng were quite puzzled when they heard this, and their eyes widened, thinking that Chen Chong was joking. But Liu Bei knew that Chen Chong meant what he said, so he waved his hand to Gan to pour tea for Chen Chong, and said softly: "No matter how hard you work,
After you have regained Youzhou in two years, and I will hand over the throne to Gong Lin, wouldn't it be nice for you and my brothers to go hunting in Taoyang?"
With that said, Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei standing aside, and said with a smile: "Yun Chang, can you still fight a tiger? Yide, can you still lose a eagle?" Seeing that both of them nodded in agreement, Liu Bei continued to add to Chen Chong.
He said: "When the time comes, I will make you a tiger skin cloak with my own hands, and put carved feathers on the saddle, which will make you ten years younger!"
Chen Chong smiled, said "I accept your good words", and then drank the wine in the glass, but in his heart he felt that this statement was very unrealistic. Liu Bei actually felt the same way. He paused and said to his wife next to him.
: "You and Ting Jian haven't seen each other for many years, didn't you say you wanted to give him a gift?"
Hearing this, Liu Jia hurriedly conveyed orders to the palace people, and actually carried out a wooden plaque one foot long and three feet wide from the backyard. The plaque was still covered with embroidered cloth. She turned to Chen Chong and smiled and said: "This is what I am going to do next."
When I left, the Jinyang fathers gave it to my brother, and asked me to deliver it to him personally." After that, she opened the embroidered cloth and revealed the four words on the wooden plaque: "Thank you for your kindness." The font is simple and elegant.
It was written by a famous person from Jinyang. On the back of the plaque, there are also countless names of petitions from thousands of people in Taiyuan County.
Chen Chong was very emotional after seeing it. He did not refuse, turned to thank Liu Jia, and asked Liu Jia to help transport it to his house, but he thought in his heart: This plaque will probably never be hung up.
Chen Chong and Liu Jia had not seen each other for several years. Liu Jia was now nearly forty years old and no longer had the coquettishness of the Huns princess. Her words and deeds were extremely dignified and steady, and there was a steady and steady look between her eyebrows.
Guiqi, obviously spent some time learning etiquette in the past. When we talk this time, both of them are a little unfamiliar.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jia suddenly sighed and said, "Brother, he still hasn't changed!"
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Chen Chong was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but laugh at himself: "Isn't it possible that he hasn't aged?"
Liu Jia added: "Your eyes are still like an eagle's, looking at everyone with sharp eyes. I thought that after a few years, my brother's murderous aura could be reduced."
Chen Chong was stunned for a while and wanted to continue talking to Liu Jia, but she had already retreated, while Liu Bei waved his hands to order the palace servants to serve the food.
Although he was already the emperor, Liu Bei behaved quite simply. Firstly, he did not build any new palaces. Secondly, he abolished the palace staff and banned the eunuchs, leaving the palace with only more than 200 servants, less than the eleven and ministers of the Ling Emperor.
Therefore, it is often said that he has the style of Emperor Wen. However, this is not because Liu Bei is really frugal. It is more because as a monarch, he has to set an example and has to do so. However, he is a bit indulgent in food. What he served at the family banquet is all
Some rare delicacies, such as bear paws, fish dumplings, candied dates and mutton, preserved five-flavored food, etc. What is poured into the cup is naturally wine.
Then a few people started chatting casually, with several princes listening. Only Liu Xie could interject from time to time. First, Chen Chong talked about some interesting stories about Bashu. In fact, Chen Chong had already written detailed battle reports before, but it was still very difficult to write and interview in words.
There were differences. Chen Chong talked more about the mountains and geography of Shu, but Liu Bei especially liked to hear about the deeds of elephants. When he learned that three elephants had been captured, he asked Chen Chong reproachfully why he didn't bring the elephants into Guanzhong.
After learning that the Shu Road was not strong enough for an elephant to pass through, he felt very regretful and determined to see one in the future.
When Chen Chong took a break, Liu Bei took the initiative to talk about what he had seen in Hebei. He talked about the hardships of this year's war. He couldn't bear to look back for a while. But when he talked about the unyielding suicide of the judge, he couldn't help but sigh: "There are so many righteous men in Hebei! It's a pity that I came from a quiet background."
Yan, but it cannot be used by me."
Zhang Fei suffered a lot at Ye City and was very angry with Shen Pei. Hearing this, he sneered: "A traitor who doesn't know how to obey has brought so much disaster to the country, how can he be called a righteous man?" Guan Yu was standing aside.
He waved his hand and said, "Everyone is his own master. It's no shame. But it's just too harsh."
Chen Chong suddenly remembered that Liu Xie also wanted to join the Eastern Expedition. He glanced sideways and found that Liu Xie was also looking at him, so he smiled at him. He turned to Liu Bei and said, "That's not necessary.
I feel sad for this. Although Hebei has many talented people, how can they compare with the later heroes? Shen Pei, Cao Cao, and Tian Feng are all old people. This time when they enter Shu, Governor Duan is also old. I am afraid that he will be serving as an official in two years.
, the era of you and me is coming to an end. As the saying goes, plan ahead for a rainy day. Now it’s better to think more about how to support the younger generations."
When Liu Bei heard this, he looked back at his eldest son and understood immediately. He patted his knees and smiled and said: "I know what you mean. Once the matter of moving the capital is over, you and I will consult with each other and see who will be brought to the next Eastern Expedition.
”
When it got late, Liu Bei wanted to let Chen Chong continue to rest in the palace, but Chen Chong still declined. He still remembered the strange look in Chen Zhang's eyes during the prisoner presentation ceremony, so he planned to go back to his house to take a look first. Liu Bei knew that the New Year was approaching, so he did not
If you don't want to stay, make an appointment with him to meet again after the new year, and then continue drinking with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
Walking out of the door, the fragrance of flowers in the palace is fragrant. In the dusk, the pink and white sunset is dotted, a breeze passes through, and the shadows of the trees are swaying. Liu Xie still comes out to lead the way for Chen Chong, and the two of them walk out of Weiyang Palace step by step. Weiyang Palace is very large, and the surroundings are quiet.
Silently, Chen Chong heard the sound of his boots walking on the stone floor of the corridor. Walking from one courtyard to another, he saw few palace people and could only hear the sound of monks chanting sutras softly. Liu Xie saw Chen Chong listening attentively,
He said softly: "This is an eminent monk from the Western Region praying for the fallen soldiers."
Chen Chong nodded slightly. He took Qingzhuo at the entrance of the palace, called the waiting guards, and walked slowly towards the Prime Minister's Mansion. When he passed a corner on the road, he felt something in his heart, as if someone was watching.
But when he looked back and looked around, he found nothing.
Is it an illusion? Chen Chong was a little confused, but it was already getting late. People on the street gradually lit up lights. In the darkness, it seemed as if cleansing waves were rising from the lake. He did not continue to think about it, but continued to move towards the mansion.<