Huan Rong

Yuanri palace banquet, after the congratulatory gifts of hundreds of officials, from princes to two thousand officials, were led to the front of the hall by the visitors one after another, and offered birthday wine.

When drinking, the audience knelt down and said, "The minister waits for the cup to be served before worshiping, and he will live for tens of millions of years."

Xi Chao took the wine and placed it in front of the throne, and said, "The cup is served."

Before Huan Rong raised his cup, all the officials bowed in front of the throne, proclaiming long live.

During the whole process, the music never stopped.

From the princes down to the officials, everyone toasts must strictly follow the procedures, no mistakes can be made, and no steps can be omitted.

After drinking the last cup of longevity wine, Huan Rong heaved a sigh of relief.

It's not that I'm worried about getting drunk, but I feel that His Royal Highness is too tired.

Fortunately, the number of officials with more than two thousand stones is limited.

If the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty had to come here once, counting the number of prostrations, by the end of the banquet, at least half of the courtiers would be bedridden and lie at home for a few days.

"The wine is over, let's have a feast!"

Those who paid a visit led the officials to retreat, and the ministers paid homage to the table again.

The eunuchs and maidservants filed in to serve delicious food and wine.

Huan Rong raised his glass and invited all the ministers to drink together.

After three glasses of wine, the sound of the music suddenly changed, the sound of the drums weakened, the strings of the qin rose loudly, the voice of the singer was crisp, and the dancers whirled along with the sound of the music.

The palace banquet dishes are customized, most of them are from the previous dynasty, and minced meat is naturally indispensable.

No matter how many times he has eaten it, Huan Rong is not used to it, so he just ordered the eunuch to move his hands and feet when cooking, spread a layer of fresh minced meat on the top layer, and make all the bottom layer stir-fried, it is best to add some boiling soup.

You can't see any clues from the surface. After entering it, turn it over twice with chopsticks, and all the minced meat will be immersed in the soup. It is an alternative shabu-shabu.

Leaving aside the taste, at least there is no need to eat raw meat.

Huan Rong thought he was clever, but in fact he had a fatal flaw.

Who has ever seen a bowl of minced meat steaming?

Fortunately, he sat at the top, with a certain distance from the officials.Otherwise, it will definitely be revealed on the spot.

When the song is over, the dancers bow and leave.The eunuch's palace servants brought in new dishes, which were sea fish and venison roasted with spices, accompanied by new wines.

Compared with the usual drinking, this wine is much stronger.

Most of the officials didn't know the details, and when they drank it, their chests instantly burned, and their cheeks flushed.

The foreign envoys who were present shouted happily, and some people got drunk, left their seats and strode to the front of the hall.

"Your Majesty the Great Emperor!"

The envoy clasped one hand on his chest, pouring out good words like money.He didn't pay attention to skills when speaking, it was too straightforward, and Huan Rong felt a little uncomfortable when he heard it.

After finishing the good words, the envoy expressed his sincerity, hoping to buy this spirit in large quantities.

During half a month in Jiankang, the envoy went in and out of the market several times, but he had never seen this kind of wine at all.Therefore, it is not sure how much of this kind of spirit is available and whether it is allowed to be sold in the market.

If the market sale is allowed, it is absolutely necessary to act first and speak before others.Even if the quantity is limited, it can be divided into several jars.

To be entrusted with important tasks by the lords and tribal leaders, and to lead a team to pay tribute to Huan Han, he would definitely not be a dull person.

When the spirits were delivered to the banquet, many people guessed in their hearts, fearing that there was a deeper meaning behind it.However, even if there is a hole in front of him, for such a good wine, he still has to hold his nose and jump down.

For grassland tribes who have not mastered the method of wine making, spirits are like magic horses.

The opportunity is in front of you, how can you miss it?

"Your Majesty the Great Emperor, you are like the sun in the sky, your brilliance can shine on the world!"

Huan Rong coughed, secretly thankful that he had put down his wine glass early, otherwise he would definitely lose his composure on the spot, and was recorded in the document by the historian, becoming the first emperor to be choked at a palace banquet.

However, the envoy's request was exactly what he wanted.

The reason why spirits are put on the palace banquet is that on such an occasion, an important purpose is to "open the market".

It is also necessary for the caravan to open up business, however, to gain fame at the palace banquet, the price will definitely be several times higher.If the matter spreads, no one will think that the asking price is too high.

Putting the word "Queen" in itself represents a high-end atmosphere.

Heart too dark?

Huan Rong spread his hands, expressing that it doesn't matter.

Food is needed to brew this kind of wine. If the price is not high, wouldn't it be a disadvantage?

In such years and months, there will be natural disasters every now and then, and the grain harvest will fail or even fail.Even if supplemented by commercial routes and sea trade in the Western Regions, large-scale wine making will still attract criticism.

If you want to stop the mouths of the officials, you need nothing more than the word "benefits".

Grains from the Western Regions and seas are sold, sent to workshops to be brewed into fine wine, and then sold at high prices, the profits are definitely huge.In the form of commercial tax into the national treasury, the country is not short of money, and can continue to reduce or exempt the people's food tax.

After going through the most difficult period, land reclamation has begun to show results, and the yield per mu has reached a certain level, everything will naturally go on the right track.

Regardless of whether the conditions are harsh or idealized, someone has to do something.

Besides, you won't have much to lose by giving it a try.If it can be successful, it will definitely avoid many detours, which will be of great benefit to the country and the people.

As for the damaged neighbor... Huan Rong picked up the wine glass and shared a drink with the envoy with a smile.

Zhou Yu beat Huang Gai, willing to fight and suffer.

No need to feel bad at all.

Huan Rong didn't care whether the history books of later generations would accuse him of being a wicked man who oppressed foreign countries.

The foreign envoys pleaded vigorously, and even offered to exchange gold for spirits.Huan Rong didn't agree on the spot, obviously trying to whet the opponent's appetite, and was going to take a long time to catch big fish.

Someone just took the initiative to bite the hook, and there was more than one.

With more competitors, the envoy's urgency to bite the bait became more and more urgent. He wished he could jump, hold the fishing line firmly, and wrap himself around several times, without giving anyone else a chance.

Seeing this scene in their eyes, the civil and military officials of Manchu Dynasty were a little speechless.

Xi Yin almost spit out alcohol, so he had to turn his head and cough twice.

Xie An managed to maintain his banished fairy posture, but the trembling corners of his mouth betrayed him.

Sitting at the banquet, Wang Biaozhi's face turned red, whether it was caused by the smell of alcohol or suppressed laughter.

Only Jia Bing and Xi Chao remained indifferent.

The two even raised their glasses to drink in the air, feeling very sympathetic to each other.Standing on the same standpoint, the two have a lot in common when it comes to digging holes and burying people.

The scene in front of the palace was so funny that people couldn't help laughing, and even the music became intermittent.

Huan Rong was troubled, and said solemnly: It's not that I'm embarrassing you, it's really not easy to make good wine, and the quantity is limited, so it's not easy to divide.

Bad points?

Then it doesn't matter!

Some envoys reacted quickly, stood up immediately, and raised the price before others, as if they were not talking about gold, but stones on the side of the road.

Under the scramble to "ask the price", the price offered was getting higher and higher, soon exceeding Huan Rong's expectation.When someone wins and calculates the profit that can be obtained, Huan Rong bites his back molars hard, and barely suppresses the upturned corners of his mouth.

The messy scene is really out of order.

All the civil and military personnel of the Manchu Dynasty were in the hall, but no one spoke out to criticize.

Carefully study the expressions of everyone, some are surprised, some are stunned, some are suddenly enlightened, some shake their heads and laugh.

Some people may feel that Huan Rong is messing around and still has a youthful heart after being a king for several years, which is really not calm enough.After thinking about it again, no matter how nonsense it is, it will actually bring benefits to the country.

Nonsense or wisdom, how to define it is really a bit of a headache.

After two full quarters, Huan Rong finally nodded and agreed to drink to Fanbangshi.

Previously, Youzhou's fine wine had long been famous, and it would surely sell at a high price when transported to the North, let alone the Western Regions and grasslands.

It was heard that a caravan traveled all the way to the west, reaching as far as Persia and other countries. The appearance of silk and fine wine almost caused a sensation, and the supply was completely in short supply.

According to the map drawn by the caravan and the experience of the merchants, Huan Rong was very suspicious that they had contact with the merchants of the Roman Empire.

It's just that the language is not clear, and the merchant's narration is somewhat vague. For these foreigners with strange eyes, they are often replaced by "ape-like". It is really difficult for Huan Rong to further confirm.

According to the historical process, in more than ten years, the Roman Empire will be divided, and the Eastern Roman Empire will last for more than a thousand years. It was once glorious, and the history books of the Tang Dynasty have clear records.

After weighing and comparing, Huan Rong thinks that there is not much benefit in contacting the other party now.It's better to put it down for now and wait until the Central Plains is unified.

After the palace banquet on Yuanri, there are three important festivals in the first month, namely, the seventh day of the first lunar month, the fifteenth day of the first month and the dark day of the first month.

People eat seven vegetable soups a day, climb high to enjoy the scenery; the gates of fifteen temples offer sacrifices to households, and in the south of the Yangtze River, ointment porridge is often used to worship silkworm saints. As for the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival, that is the rule after the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

The last day of the first lunar month is a day to eliminate darkness, eliminate disasters and relieve misfortune.

Regardless of the gentry or the common people, according to the ancient rules, they went to the water's edge to go boating, feasting, washing clothes, praying for the elimination of disasters and good luck in the coming year.

During the whole first month, Princess Nankang and Mrs. Li had no time to be idle. First, they had to host a banquet to entertain the family members of the gentry, and second, they had to pay attention to the news of Gushu and Chang'an.

As early as the time of Empress Dowager Chu, Princess Nankang participated in the arrangement of palace banquets many times. Now with the help of Mrs. Li, she is more and more familiar with it.Sima Daofu and Wang Fahui entered the palace together, met Princess Nankang and Mrs. Li, who had no time to spare, and offered to help a lot.

It is strange to say that after Wang Fahui and Sima Yao divorced, they became friends with Sima Daofu, introduced each other as close friends, regarded each other as confidants, and often went out together.

It's no secret that Sima Daofu raised noodles in the mansion. Wang Fahui made friends with her, and the Wang clan had a lot of opinions.Worried about the reputation of the clan, some clan elders even approached Wang Yun and accused her of lax goddaughter.

Several times, Wang Yun couldn't bear it, so he could only ask his wife, Mrs. Liu, to discuss with her daughter and let her restrain herself.

"Good reputation?" Wang Fahui sneered, "What exactly does Grandmother mean by good reputation? Is it me or the clan?"

Mrs. Liu was speechless when asked.

"The so-called good reputation in the clan should be hanged with a rope, or become a female monk, or else, lose their hair and become a bhikkhuni? Putting aside the relationship with the Sima family, it has fulfilled their reputation?"

"My daughter..." Thinking of what happened to her daughter, Madam Liu also felt sad.

"My mother can tell my father as much as I want, and I don't need to pay attention to short-sighted people's words."

"Since ascending to the throne, all the royal clans of Jin Dynasty have been downgraded, and some have even been expelled from the ranks. Only Her Royal Highness and Princess Xin'an County remain unchanged, so it doesn't matter!"

"The Queen Mother is the birth mother of the official family, so she is naturally honorable. The princess of Xin'an County divorced her official brother, and she is still protected by the Queen Mother. Anyone with a discerning eye should see clearly!"

"The princess of the county is the face-raiser, so what?"

When she spoke, Wang Fahui straightened her back, her expression was mocking, and her voice did not tremble a bit. She was a different person from when she first married Sima Yao.

"The official family is an unborn hero, and the queen mother is not confused. If my father wants to go further, it is best to leave those fools aside, and don't pay attention to the short-sighted words of mediocrity."

Mrs. Liu pondered for a while, her brows were furrowed, as if she wanted to persuade her, but she didn't know how to speak.

"Besides, brother and brother are interested in selecting officials, so why not go to Bianzhou for a try."

"Auntie?"

"Mother thought that I went to and from Taicheng with Princess Xin'an County just to chat with the queen mother to relieve boredom?" Wang Fahui said solemnly, "If the majesty is willing to listen to me, brother and brother must not stay in the capital."

"Why?" Liu was puzzled.

"Officials have great ambitions, how can they be confined to the land of the south of the Yangtze River, and sooner or later they will sweep down Chang'an and unify the world." Wang Fahui said in a deep voice.

"The Empress Dowager held a palace banquet in the first month of the lunar year, which is to reveal the news to the female families. Langya Wang, Chenjun Xie, Taiyuan Wang, Gaoping Xi and even several Wu surnames have heard the news and moved."

"In the past, the officials patrolled the hunting grounds, and the chaperones all went out to official places. They will definitely accomplish a lot in the future."

"Brother and younger brother failed to seize the opportunity, and they missed it once. Now that the opportunity comes again, the majesty does not want to seize it, but cares about some unimportant things, and is led by the nose by the people of the clan, isn't it true? joke!"

Liu's face was full of surprise, she never expected to hear such words from her daughter.

"Mother, the child will grow up." Wang Fahui sighed, "My daughter was once the Queen of Jin Dynasty, even if it was only for a few days, it is still a further obstacle for my father and brother."

"Auntie..."

"I know that my mother intends to let me remarry, but how can things be so simple in the world? All families who are well-matched will never nod easily. If they are willing to get married, I am afraid they have other plans."

"Instead of being aggrieved for the rest of my life and worrying my mother, my daughter would rather be willful this time."

"People in the world will accuse my daughter of being immoral, so I won't say much about my daughter's entry into the Jin Dynasty. Sima Yao cares about himself, and he doesn't want to have anything to do with me. From now on, it will be difficult for the Maharaja and his elder brother to rule, but it will be more difficult than that of the Jin Dynasty." In-laws' are much better."

"As long as brother and brother are willing to serve in Bianzhou as soon as possible, they will always be able to achieve something in the future."

Mrs. Liu was persuaded, and held her daughter and cried for a while.Seeing Wang Yun, he repeated his daughter's words verbatim.

Wang Yun sighed for a long time, and called the two sons to talk in detail that day.

Not half a month later, the Wang brothers were appraised by Da Zhongzheng, asked by the emperor, and successively went to Bianzhou.One went to Hanzhong to be an official, and the other went to the Western Regions.

Before leaving, the two brothers bid farewell to their parents and talked to Wang Fahui respectively.

Wang Shuang has a straightforward personality, worried that his elder sister would be bullied, so he went directly to the people in the upper clan who laughed at Wang Fahui, and used the name of a martial arts competition to beat him up severely.

When the clansmen approached Wang Yun, instead of finding justice, they were ridiculed and thrown out of the mansion directly.

After this incident, Wang Yun completely broke up with the two families in the clan.However, the elders of the clan did not criticize, but changed their attitudes. Instead, they took the complainant into the ancestral hall and severely reprimanded them with the ancestral precepts.

Knowing the whole story, Wang Fahui couldn't help laughing out loud. After laughing, tears rolled down her cheeks, and finally threw herself on the couch, crying hard once.

Taiyuan five years, March

The Wang brothers left Bianzhou as an official, and Wang Yun was promoted to be a minister and servant.

In April, the tribute envoys left Beijing one after another. When they left, each of them was empty-handed, and the horses and camels pulling the carts seemed to be struggling.

Sending off the last batch of envoys, Huan Rong thought he could breathe a sigh of relief.Unexpectedly, within two days, another team entered Beijing.Those who came came under the banner of Wusun, but half of them were Husbands and Han Chinese.

Knowing who was in the team, Huan Rong was even more surprised.

Although there are only a few sides, he will not admit his mistakes.

It was none other than Qin Jing's sixth younger brother, Qin Jue who was supposed to be stationed in Pengcheng!