Chang'an ancient meaning

On March 37th, the emperor hosted a banquet for [-] Xinke Scholars in Furong Yuyuan.March is the best season of the year in Qujiang. The warm wind on the water is like green plum wine, the flowers on both sides of the river are like beautiful cheeks, a vein of smoked willows is flying, and poplar flowers and catkins are blowing snow.Since the beginning of spring, there has been an endless stream of people coming to Qujiang for a spring outing. Today, because of the Qujiang banquet for new scholars, the whole city is in a frenzy. They support the old and the young, and gather in groups on both sides of the Qujiang. Looking at the spring scenery, the two of you watched Xinke Jinshi and the emperor's holy face.

Today, Xinke Scholars can summon the prostitutes in the Pingkang Trilogy to perform. This is a rare opportunity to perform in front of the emperor. The women in the Qujiang are honored to be summoned today, and they gather in Qujiang in beautiful clothes.From early in the morning, hitchhiking cars on the shore are like flowing water and horses are like swimming dragons. Oil wall incense cars are parked under the tall willows. It is hard to tell whether they are famous ladies or goddesses in the song. Every spring breeze blows and blows them. I don't know if the fragrance of Mu Mu comes from the flowers and trees all over the place, or from the clothes of the beauties in the fragrant car.The teenagers wear hairpin flowers in their hats, hold flutes in their mouths, and tage shuttle between the fragrant cars, deliberately teasing, eager to catch a glimpse of the beauty's face when the wind blows the curtains.And the beauties can't stop peeping through the gaps in the curtains, looking for a good son-in-law and a good companion for themselves.

Around the Qujiang River, starting from Furong Garden on the north bank, there are thousands of palaces and hundreds of offices, which extend from east to west in turn. They are called pavilions. They are villas specially used for banquets by officials of Shangshusheng, Menxiasheng, and Yushitai, and ordinary people cannot set foot in them.All the pavilions and stars surround a colorful building, which is where the emperor watches spring.Although today is a banquet given by the Son of Heaven, it is managed by the Jingzhao Prefecture together with Chang'an and Wannian counties. The water and land in the pavilion are mixed, and there are musicians from the Jiaofang Division playing music to add to the fun. Compared with the imperial banquet in the imperial court , the atmosphere is much more relaxed.

At around noon, the emperor took his clan and the provincial prime ministers to the colorful building by the riverside. As soon as he sat down, he heard thunderous cheers downstairs, mixed with the faint voices of children clapping and laughing: "Look at the number one scholar! Look at the number one scholar!" Seeing Prince Li Longji and Song King Li Chengqi stand up, they said with a smile, "They are here, let's go and see the excitement." The top three wore red ribbons and walked to the bow, and immediately the cheers of the crowd surged like waves, probably because they were amazed at the youthful beauty of Zhuangyuanlang.The fragrant cars on both sides of the strait couldn't hold back, and they opened the curtains one after another to look at it. There were even women who didn't want to look in the car, and got out of the car to squeeze into the crowd, which made the onlookers crazy.Thousands of eyes were staring at the boat for a while, their eagerness and anticipation far surpassed the cheers aroused when the emperor ascended the tower. Today's Qujiang belongs to these upstarts, and even the emperor has become a dispensable embellishment.

The emperor smiled and looked at it for a while with great interest, and said to several prime ministers: "This time the number one scholar is a handsome young man. I heard that he is not yet married. I am afraid that those rich and noble families will be listed for their sons-in-law again. I want to persuade Princess Yuzhen to return to vulgarity, but I don't know. Which lover is willing to be a matchmaker?" Although Princess Yuzhen is a monk, she often associates with talented people in the court and the opposition. Everyone knows that she loves beautiful and talented people, so the emperor wanted to do what she likes, and lured the princess to return to the vulgar.The ministers looked at each other, as if there was something difficult to say, the emperor was taken aback, and asked Li Longji, "Why, you don't think it's right?"

Li Longji hurriedly said: "If this person can impress Sister Yuzhen and let her return to vulgarity, it would be good... It's just that I heard a joke. That day, when the Xingyuan passed the customs banquet, His Majesty ordered the number one scholar and No.13 as Tanhualang Chang Wuming came to a garden where Chang Wuming explored the flowers. The young lady of the family made a screen of hundreds of flowers. Behind the screen, she tried to test Chang Wuming's poetry talent. Give him a peony from the hairpin on his head as a gift. Chang Wuming immediately sent someone home to ask his father to propose marriage."

The emperor was surprised and said: "Whose daughter has such talent and appearance, and won the champion?" Zhang said his face was slightly red, and he bowed out and said: "The minister is acting perversely, and the minister will not know about this until the matchmaker comes to the door. I have not agreed to the Chang family, so I rejected them today." Cui Shi sneered and said: "Master Zhang is elegant and high-minded, and his family really has the legacy of Wenjun." It is contempt.

The emperor glanced at Li Longji and Zhang Shuo, and said with a faint smile: "A gifted man and a beautiful woman are a perfect couple, and I will not be a villain." He watched the crowd downstairs, sighed suddenly, and said, "My family did not have such good fortune. .Until today, I don’t know the value of studying. You go and accompany them on the boat.” The prime ministers don’t know whether the emperor is depressed because of the princess’s marriage, but as usual, only the prime minister, The three envoys, the officials of the northern province, and the Hanlin scholars, these two colorful boats, even the emperor is not qualified to board.

The prime ministers went downstairs one after another, and only the emperor's family was left upstairs.The emperor smiled at Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian and said: "You go to the Furong Garden to arrange it first. After they finish their boating, I will take them there." Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian also said goodbye, and the emperor said to Li Chengyi and others: "You also go downstairs to join Let's join in the fun, don't run away, and I will have a few words with the prince." When all the clan members went downstairs, the emperor sat and stood with Li Longji, facing each other silently, Li Longji hesitated for a while, and said hesitantly: "Father, if I can't bear the loneliness of the two younger sisters, but let them choose a son-in-law from a noble family in the imperial court, and I think they will be handsome."

The emperor smiled and said: "If they are willing, of course Daddy has no objection. Just now Daddy was thinking that your aunt has contributed the most to the opening of the department. If she can see today's wonderful scenery, I don't know how happy she will be." Li Longji's face sank slightly, He bowed his head and said: "From then on, the government and the public will be peaceful, and it will become a rule to open a course to obtain scholars. Naturally, my aunt will see the day." The emperor was silent for a moment, and said: "Your aunt wants to take the flower slaves to Puzhou." Li Longji suddenly raised his head and said: "Does my aunt know about that?" The emperor said in a little embarrassment, "Your aunt just said that Hua Nu was naughty, and she was afraid that leaving him alone in Beijing would cause trouble. Hua Nu never left your aunt's side. Sudden separation, thinking about your aunt is also eager to have a child."

Li Longji sneered in his heart, neither the emperor nor Li Chengqi would let Xue Chongjian go to Puzhou. The emperor talked about it in a roundabout way, but he wanted him to speak first and bring Princess Taiping back.He gritted his teeth and lifted his clothes, knelt down and said: "I have mishandled Gao Jin's case, and since I became the crown prince, I have repeatedly disappointed His Majesty. Please return the reserve position to eldest brother!"

The emperor was slightly startled, and then he looked at Li Longji and said: "Sanlang, Daddy never meant that." Li Longji said, "I know, so I don't want to embarrass your majesty." The emperor frowned for a long while, and sighed: "You can Can't you tolerate your aunt like this?" Li Longji smiled shyly and said: "How dare I? I don't like my aunt, I just want to resign from the crown prince, then my aunt will be able to accept the courtship at my father's knee." The emperor sighed Heaving a sigh of relief, he got up and went downstairs with his sleeves. Seeing that the prince was still kneeling upright, the servant hurried forward to support the emperor.

After the Jinshi finished their tour of the Qujiang River, the emperor gave the Xinke Jinshi a lot of peonies in the Hibiscus Garden.Furong Garden is a royal forbidden garden, and it is rare for the prime ministers of the province to visit. The emperor's move is also to add glory to the Jinshi as much as possible, in order to honor the ancestral motto of attracting talents from all over the world that has been practiced since Emperor Taizong.The emperor and the princes first entered the garden to take their seats, then the Jinshi were led by the servants and filed into the garden, and finally the prime ministers and officials.After all Jinshi kowtowed to thank you, the emperor smiled and said: "Today's Qujiang meeting, all the lovers are honored and favored by the world. I am only counted as an uninvited guest. You don't have to be restrained, but you can enjoy yourself. .”

Chang Wuming walked forward on his knees and recited the gratitude table made by the Jinshi of the same department. After listening attentively, the emperor nodded and smiled and said: "Emperor Taizong once praised Xiao Yu's wind knows the strength of the grass, and the toughness knows the honest minister. The brave man knows the righteousness A wise man must have benevolence.' The country has suffered many times, and it is all thanks to Zhang Jianzhi and other loyal officials and righteous men who calm down the chaos and calm the difficulties, so that the clan can be preserved. All the loves are super talented and loyal, which is very comforting to me Heart. Talents born in the generation must be governed by the state. Officials get their people, so they can manage things. I also hope that you will use the sages as models, and take the people's country as the original intention, and strive to bring peace to me."

The Jinshi worshiped again, and the emperor smiled and pointed to the white jade fence surrounding the peony flowers after they got up, and said: "The peonies were loved by the late emperor. At the beginning of the year, I ordered the King of Song and the Prince of Lijie to work in the garden, and transplanted eight copies from Shangyuan. The golden jade was used as a fence, and the butter cake was used as a paste, which was reserved for today's lovers to enjoy. This flower is layered with layers, and its national beauty is unparalleled. Being rich in the prosperity of three springs can be said to be a collection of thousands of flowers, so I don’t hesitate to store them in splendor. Gentlemen often despise wealth, but in fact they despise unrighteous wealth. If this flower is rich in varieties and elegant, no one can’t afford to love it Heart, what's the matter with being rich? If you are rich in flowers, it will be fragrant and beautiful. If you are rich in people, you will be loyal, faithful and filial. May all the kings keep this inherent wealth, so that such a flower will be famous for a lifetime, and the country will cherish it as much as it raises this flower. Gentlemen."

Xue Chongjian was listening, and he and Li Chengqi were too bored to raise a few flowers, and his uncle would tell the truth in a small way, and he just wanted to laugh, but he pursed his lips to hold it back.The emperor said with a smile: "The minister of the Ministry of Rites will pick up scholars for me. I have already rewarded them. King Song and King Lijie planted this wonderful flower for me. I will reward you with a glass of wine today." The emperor poured two glasses of wine himself, and Li Chengqi Xie En and Xue Chongjian hurried forward to pick it up.None of the Xinke Scholars had ever entered the court and had never seen these two nobles, so they all raised their heads curiously for a moment, wanting to see what the son of Song Wang and Princess Taiping, who had given up the crown prince, would look like.Seeing that others were acceptable, Chang Wuming turned pale with shock. Seeing his expression, Xue Chongjian turned around and made a face at him while no one was paying attention, and then put on a dignified appearance and stood behind King Xue.

The emperor said with a smile: "I originally said that today I came to join in the fun, so don't let me spoil the fun. Today, there is a wine table set up ten steps away from the garden. The lovers can take their own wine, food, pens and ink, and there are hairpins on the trees in the garden." Red note, if you have a good sentence, you can leave it for me. This garden is very big, you can enjoy the flowers here, and you can also visit the scenery in the garden. After playing this day to your heart's content, you should have a good life and prepare for release. Let's take the test."

All the people thanked them for their kindness, and they all flocked to the fence to enjoy the flowers. The emperor waved to Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian and said, "You don't care about these flowers anymore. Come and have a chat with me." Li Chengqi and Xue Chongjian stepped forward and knelt down. Beside the emperor, Li Longji turned pale, got up and walked out, Gao Lishi hurriedly followed.

Li Longji just walked south with big strides, Gao Lishi chased after him and said, "Where is your husband going?" Li Longji hummed: "No matter where you go, just don't be an eyesore in front of others." Gao Lishi said: "The house has not left yet. After all, it’s a little disrespectful for Mr. Lang not to wait in front of you.” Li Longji sneered and said, “Look around the house, is there a place for me?” Gao Lishi was also speechless, and walked a few steps silently with him. It is high in the southeast and low in the northwest, and the terrain gets higher as you go south. The two climbed up a gentle slope and sat down in a pavilion.

The scene in front of him suddenly opened up a lot. Li Longji breathed a sigh of relief. Through the smokey catkins, he looked towards the green hills in the south. Do you know where we are sitting?" Gao Lishi asked in surprise, "Isn't it Furong Garden?" Li Longji nodded and said, "The southern end of Furong Garden is Qin Yichun Court, where Zhao Gao buried Qin II Emperor Hu Hai in a civilian ceremony. It’s here. When I first came to Chang’an, I came here to look for his tomb, and there was a ruined stele erected at that time, but later the Emperor thought it was bad luck, so he had someone tear it down.”

Gao Lishi laughed and said: "Is it just the second generation ancestor who turned a deer into a horse? He is also worthy of His Highness's respect?" Li Longji smiled and said: "I am not for him. Sima Xiangru once came here to write an essay for him." He pondered For a moment, he chanted: "If you don't hold your body carefully, the country will lose its power; if you don't believe in slander, the ancestral temple will be extinct. Wuhu! If you don't do it well, the tomb will be filthy and not repaired, and the soul will return without food. Xi, it is long gone and healed. The essence is flying away, picking up nine days and passing away forever." He sighed and said: "That day, Wang Tongjiao and I sighed here for a long time when we rebelled against Wei's dictatorship. The late emperor was murdered by treachery. It's just that the person who accompanied me to climb the mountain is no longer there."

Gao Lishi was silent, he understood that Li Longji was angry with Zhongzong back then, and if he came back today, he might be even more worried.

The two silently watched the lake and willow colors at the foot of the mountain. Gao Lishi suddenly heard footsteps. He turned his head and saw a young official looking around behind him with an arrogant and rude expression. Entering the pavilion, he sneered and said, "Really? I only heard of Princess Taiping outside, but never heard of a prince."

Li Longji turned his face slowly, stared at the official for a moment, nodded and said: "Zhuji chief secretary Wang Ju. I met you at Wang Tongjiao's place. Because you are his old friend, I just said that I don't agree with you." Don't worry, you go down the mountain quickly." Wang Ju looked at Li Longji calmly and said with a smile: "Your Highness has a good memory. I know that this green robe is a gift from His Highness, so I came here to thank you." Li Longji shook his head lightly and said: "That's not necessary. There was a great chaos in Niwei, and there were not many loyal people left. If you escaped from death, you should cherish your blessings and love yourself. From then on, the world will be peaceful, so you can live and serve His Majesty."

Wang Ju listened to Li Longji's words of water tightness, knew that he still didn't believe him, and said with a smile: "It's true that I have died a few times, but the world may not be peaceful now. Just now, the minister was outside the pavilion, listening to His Royal Highness's memory of the king's son-in-law and condolences to Qin II. Your Highness knows that Today's disasters are far better than those in the days of Wei Wei and pre-Qin?" Li Longji turned his head and said: "You want to mourn the past and hurt the present, and there are many poets and poets in the mountains today, so go make a fuss with them." Wang Ju laughed and said: "Taiping really deserves to be Zetian's beloved daughter! Your Highness is not afraid of Niwei swordsman fashion, and now she is four hundred miles away, and His Highness is so frightened by hearing the news. Taiping is really the one who inherits Zetian's ambition!"

Gao Lishi couldn't bear it, and said angrily: "You official is looking for death!" Li Longji stared at Wang Ju coldly, and said to Gao Lishi, "Go and guard outside the pavilion." Gao Lishi responded and came outside the pavilion , Wang Ju still looked at Gao Lishi, Li Longji nodded and said: "He is my benefactor, Mr. Wang, please sit down." He gave up half of the fence, and Wang Ju went up to his clothes and knelt down, kowtowed and said: "Your words are rude. Offending His Highness deserves death. It’s just that the court is dying, and His Highness is avoiding medical treatment. If I don’t give pains, it’s hard to awaken His Highness’s heart.” Li Longji said with a light smile: “Why is Chaotang dying, and how can I avoid medical treatment?”

Wang Judao: "Based on the theory of the court, at that time Wei Shuren had little knowledge and knowledge. He personally murdered the rebellious, and his people's hearts were shaken. He thought of setting up the Li family, and His Highness punished him easily. The so-called disease lies in the skin. Now Taiping is the daughter of Zetian, fierce. She is extremely cunning, concentrating on meritorious service, and the ministers of the court mostly use it for her. The Lord, with the love of Yuanmei, can endure it. Isn't it poisonous and terminally ill? In terms of His Highness, today His Majesty is hosting a banquet for all the ministers and Xinke Scholars, Your Majesty You are still in the garden with all the kings, but His Highness has left alone, isn’t it because you hide your illness and avoid medical treatment?”

Li Longji was silent for a moment and said: "Your Majesty does not want to see me."

Wang Ju said seriously: "Your Highness is mistaken! Whether His Majesty would like to see His Majesty, the officials don't know, even His Highness himself doesn't know, but His Highness abandons His Majesty before all officials, it is obvious to all. The more His Highness is like this, the more hurt His Majesty will be." If you want to be a villain, it is no wonder that there are rumors outside, it is really caused by His Highness's actions."

Li Longji said dejectedly: "I will force a smile in front of Your Majesty, be gentle and calm, and it is difficult to say a word to him."

Wang Ju said: "Let me guess, the estrangement between Your Highness and Your Majesty is so deep, but it is because of the matter of inviting Princess Taiping back to Beijing." Li Longji was surprised, then calmed down, and said: "Your Majesty is free to decide whether to invite my aunt to Beijing. "Wang Ju laughed and said: "I cut my liver and gouged out my gallbladder to meet each other, but your highness still deceives me with false words. Taiping left Beijing for two months, and your majesty missed his sister. Because of his highness, no one dared to advocate for Taiping to return to Beijing. It's not convenient for your majesty to personally Sending an edict, waiting for His Highness to say a word! Why is it that His Highness has not even said a word?"

Li Longji frowned and said nothing, Wang Ju continued: "Your Highness really thought that if you put Taiping outside Beijing, you can secure the crown prince's position? Although the people of Taiping are outside now, there is King Lijie inside, which is worthy of His Majesty's favor." Pet, Cui Shi Dou Huaizhen controls the center, and Xiao Zhizhong is the governor of Puzhou outside, passing the news on his behalf. The court is secret, no one can avoid his eyes and ears, officials are dismissed, and no one can escape his master, His Royal Highness is forced to leave alone The notoriety of my aunt has caused His Majesty to worry about it day and night, and I feel guilty about Taiping and will respond to every request, why bother?" Li Longji said with a smile: "Welcome her back, and the widow will be safe?" Wang Ju said with a stern look on his face. : "If you don't recruit people within reach, how can you criticize them?"

Li Longji was taken aback, and a thought flashed dimly several times, but he had never dared to seriously think about it was suddenly brought up by this person. Although he knew that there was no one outside, he still couldn't help his heart beating wildly, and subconsciously looked back.In order to conceal his panic at this moment, he turned his face sideways and looked down the mountain, and said slowly: "It's nothing to do with rats." Wang Ju said in a low voice: "It's stored deep in the palace, so you can't be hurt by rats." Li Longji shook his head Said: "You don't understand, my family has gone up to this day, and the bones and flesh are scattered. Your Majesty's brothers and sisters, now there is only peace, not to mention that both Your Majesty and King Song are greatly favored by her. If this is the case, killing Your Majesty and King Song."

Wang Judao: "The filial piety of the Son of Heaven is more valuable than the Anzong Temple, where ten thousand people are determined. In the past, Gaizhu, the eldest sister of Emperor Han, the emperor's child, and Gaizhu raised the emperor together in the palace. Later, he conspired with Shangguan Jie and King Yan to kill Da Sima. Huo Guang, don't talk about your majesty, the lord of the Han Dynasty is afraid of endangering the Liu family, so he went with righteousness. In fact, your majesty knows well that your majesty can't live without peace, but the world can't do without your majesty. Although your majesty is benevolent, he is not a foolish lord. Your majesty Your meritorious deeds are high, you are the crown prince, and on the day you insist on making a choice, it is expected that your Majesty will protect the Mingjun for the world!"

Li Longji took a deep breath and looked at the area below the mountain where the spring water was like green, and the mountains were covered with spring flowers like brocade.He looked at Wang Ju and said with a smile: "I want to use the king again, but the people who are close to me in the court are all taboo by the group of young people. What little art do you have, can you hide and go with the widow?" Wang Ju said with a smile: "Fei Dan Refining medicine, talking about jokes and chanting, can stand shoulder to shoulder with excellent people." Li Longji laughed hard and said, "I'm afraid that I will be wronged." Wang Ju said with a smile: "Your Highness doesn't think you are wronged, how dare I complain?" Li Longji Standing up with a smile, he said: "If you don't climb to a high place, you don't know the size of the world and the beauty of the mountains and rivers. We should also go down and see the peony of the eldest brother."