Chaos of the Three Kingdoms Summons

Chapter 2440: The Second Year of Yuanshi, Wang Meng Discusses Politics

In our busy world, time flies by fast.

Even at the end of the year, the huge machine of Dajin was still operating in an orderly manner, strictly abiding by the established policies and systems.

As time flies, the old year is about to end and the new year is about to begin.

The people of Jin did not care much about the New Year, but they did care about it completely. The first month of the year was the New Year, not to mention the most lively Lantern Festival.

After a year of turmoil, many people now see it as a conclusion, an end, and also a new beginning.

In Luoyang, the capital of the Jin Dynasty, every street, every temple and every monastery was bustling and noisy. The festive atmosphere of the New Year dispelled some of the chill of winter.

Although there were no fireworks in this era, the city was bustling with people coming and going, and the bright red color was everywhere, full of joy and enthusiasm. The entire city of Luoyang was filled with a sense of hope and warmth.

Although it is a time of chaos, at this critical moment of the year, there seems to be a touch of the atmosphere that only a prosperous age should have.

In the Yongshou Palace, the retired emperor and his wife, for the rare occasion, called over Li Xiang, Empress Wei Zifu, several imperial concubines, and their princes and princesses. They gathered them around a large table with a hot pot placed in the middle, bubbling and surging with heat.

The retired emperor and his wife were not very accepting of such novel food as hot pot, but the younger princes liked it. After all, the retired emperor was old and they were the grandchildren of the same generation, so he was naturally happy to obey the wishes of his grandchildren.

It was a rare occasion for the whole family to get together like this. Although the retired emperor and his wife were a little old-fashioned, they would not care about such trivial matters at the end of the year.

Especially in the past two years, as the emperor has been getting older, his health has also started to deteriorate, and it is unknown how long he can last.

"Come, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. The Emperor will be with all the ministers and officials, so we can celebrate today..." The Queen Mother sat next to Li Xiang, her face flushed and she spoke with a loud laugh.

It is hard for the old people to leave their hometown. Since Li Xiang became emperor, although they have their palace in the imperial palace, the two old people still like to stay in their hometown of Taiyuan, Bingzhou.

Every year, he would only return to Luoyang for the last two or three months at the end of the year to play with his grandchildren.

Wei Zifu and the others all agreed with a smile, and after a few words of blessing, they all started eating.

Everyone was less reserved than usual and was talking, laughing, and making noises.

Li Xiang sat there, looking a little dazed. Another year had passed, and his son had already gotten married. He had even become a grandfather.

If this happened in later generations, at his current age, let alone having a grandson, he would probably have only had a son for a few years!

In the end, the prince had no choice but to follow the arrangements of Li Xiang and Wei Zifu, and finally married the daughter of the Xun family as his principal wife.

The Queen and others were very happy. They were talking and laughing with the Queen Mother. Although they didn't drink, they were still toasting and having fun, and it was quite lively.

After a while, after having eaten and drunk their fill, the retired emperor and the empress dowager seemed unable to hold on any longer, so Wei Zifu and others hurriedly escorted them back to their bedroom.

Li Xiang also left Yongshou Palace and returned to the main palace warm room. He lay on the soft couch and let out a long breath. He drank some wine and felt a little dizzy. He glanced at the eunuch not far away and said with a smile: "I'll give you half a day off. Go back and have a meal. Don't neglect your family. It's time to have some fun."

Even eunuchs have families, and they take turns going home for a few days a year.

The head eunuch smiled and said, "I have switched shifts with Eunuch Liu. He will go home today and I will go back tomorrow."

Li Xiang hummed, and said dizzily, "Okay then, I'll sleep for a while, you go."

"Yes." The eunuch responded, heated up the fire in the hot basin a little more, and then quietly retreated.

Similar to Li Xiang, the adults from the six ministries and various generals' mansions also celebrated this moment with their families. The whole family was having fun, with the tables filled with wine and food.

No matter what, it is rare to have a relaxed and lively atmosphere to reunite with family throughout the year.

Many officials serving as officials and generals in various places can go back home to spend a good year at the end of the year under the pretext of reporting on their work in Beijing.

After all, in the previous three years, due to the epidemic, officials from all over the country were basically unable to return, and they did not have a good year for three consecutive years. Naturally, they will not miss this opportunity this time.

Many officials or generals have not been reunited with their families for three or four years.

The court officials gathered together, and the common people were no exception. Families reunited and firecrackers were set off like thunder, echoing throughout the capital.

Early the next morning, which was New Year's Eve, every household was still filled with joy, but the cabinet immediately started working again, continuing with its complicated and huge government affairs.

With the arrival of New Year's Eve, the new year officially begins. Unknowingly, the second year of Yuanshi has begun.

After lunch, Wang Meng and Li Xiang strolled side by side in the Imperial Garden. For some reason, with the arrival of the new year, Wang Meng was in a very happy mood and his tone was cheerful.

"Your Majesty, the Censorate has already checked again and sorted out the officials' hometown friends, teachers and students, in-laws, property, past relationships, etc., and has re-selected and checked at every level..." Wang Meng said with a smile.

The two censors of the Inspectorate, Wei Xiaokuan and Tian Feng, are both old men, and Li Xiang and Wang Meng are still very confident in their work.

Li Xiang put his hands behind his back and said in a relaxed manner, "Well, I'll leave this matter to you, my dear minister, to arrange for yourself."

The appointment and arrangement of officials was originally the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel.

Wang Meng and other officials under him in the Ministry of Personnel would discuss the specific plan on their own; Li Xiang only needed a final result.

Wang Meng had a thousand opinions about Li Xiang, but he kept them to himself for the sake of respecting his father. He was very pleased that Li Xiang was willing to give up his power. He responded and continued, "The six ministries, the Supervisory Office, the Dali Temple, etc. have all formulated plans for the advancement of next year. I have sorted them out and submitted them to the Imperial Study."

Li Xiang nodded. He had already looked at it this morning and was very dissatisfied with the progress of these departments, so he kept it and planned to find another opportunity to talk about it.

Wang Meng was very satisfied with this plan. It was very safe and would not cause any trouble. Seeing that Li Xiang did not speak, he continued, "Regarding the appointment of local officials in the Central Plains this year, especially the county magistrates, the six ministries have made plans and are preparing to rotate or transfer all officials within one to two years to cooperate with the pace of Minister Guan's 'New Deal'..."