Work overtime

Chapter 736

Concubine Jinde also got up very early. Ever since the eldest prince was raised in her palace, she got up early every day to take care of him and play with him.

When she heard the palace servants coming to report the celestial phenomena, Concubine Jinde immediately carried the eldest prince out, held his little hand, pointed to the sky and said, "Look at the sky."

When she looked up, she saw that the sky was indeed filled with thick purple air. The thickest place was the Fengyi Palace next door. The palace servants around her said that it was the emperor's birthday, so it was like this.

Concubine Jinde thought to herself, could it be that the queen has given birth? If so, it would be a good omen. She immediately sent someone to find out whether the queen had given birth.

Before the inquiring people left, several golden dragon shadows suddenly appeared in the clouds around the sun, flying between the clouds.

"Golden Dragon, look at the golden dragon!" I don't know who shouted this first, but it instantly caused a bigger sensation.

"dragon!"

"So is that a dragon?"

“There really are dragons in this world.”

"Kneel down and make a wish. Don't stand."

The cheering and surprised people knelt on the ground, kowtowed and prayed to the dragon, expressing their wishes.

Even the ministers and foreign envoys waiting outside Anding Gate were no exception. They talked a lot and many even knelt down and kowtowed.

"I can't believe that I can see a dragon in my lifetime. You are worthy of your reputation as descendants of the dragon," said the Portuguese missionary.

"That's right. Our Chinese nation is the Celestial Empire. Such a scene will appear in any wise monarch." A minister introduced with pride.

"It's amazing. I must record it and tell our king." exclaimed the Siamese envoy.

"I have never seen such a scene on an emperor's birthday." The Persian envoy shook his head, his eyes full of doubt. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would definitely not believe it."

"Not ordinary." The Japanese envoy crossed his arms over his chest, his face solemn, as if he was thinking about something.

It was past the hour of Mao, but no one came to check in. Some court officials began to wonder, "Did the Queen give birth? Otherwise, it wouldn't be too late for the eunuchs to open the door and check the number of people."

"He has the same birthday as the emperor. What a coincidence." The official who spoke was looking at the gorgeous sky.

The golden dragon that was just swimming in the clouds has disappeared, but the purple air is still thick.

"It's very likely. I heard that the Queen is pregnant with triplets."

"Triplets? Aren't they twins, boy and girl?"

"No, no, no, you're so behind the news. Triplets."

While everyone was talking, Liang Xiaobao suddenly rushed to the palace gate on his horse, holding the emperor's oral order, and ordered the palace servants to open the palace gate.

"According to the Emperor's order, the Empress gave birth to three princes and two princesses this morning. I am very pleased. This is a great joy for the country and also a blessing for me. I hereby inform all the ministers so that we can celebrate together. You should go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony immediately and take a rest. You are not allowed to wear any swords inside. You must accept the inspection of the guards. I will go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in half an hour to discuss state affairs with you. I decree this."

Everyone who knelt down to receive the decree was extremely shocked. A royal heir was actually born, and five in his lifetime. It was truly amazing.

After Liang Xiaobao finished his announcement, he solemnly said to the guards in charge of security checks, "You must conduct a strict inspection and make no mistakes. No one is allowed to bring dangerous goods in. Anyone who refuses to be inspected will be executed on the spot, regardless of their position. If a foreign envoy refuses to be inspected, he will be refused an audience."

After Liang Xiaobao left, the crowd simply exploded.

"Five children!" An elderly minister raised his hand and said, "The Queen is amazing."

"I never thought that the Queen would give birth to three princes and two princesses in one go. This is such a great joy!" a minister said excitedly.

"Yes, this is not only a happy event for the emperor, but also a happy event for the entire Ming Dynasty. Three princes and two princesses, this is a rare event, which indicates peace and prosperity in the country and the people, and prosperity for future generations." Another official echoed.

"The emperor will surely be very happy. We must also prepare well and present our gifts."

Some people also expressed doubt, "I can't believe it! Each of them has walked through the gates of hell. Five children."

The Persian envoy exclaimed, "This is something I have never heard of in my life. Five babies were born."

The Japanese envoy nodded, still with a serious expression, "The medical technology is amazing."

The Tatar envoy said excitedly, "They give birth more than sheep."

"Your emperor is truly extraordinary," the Siamese envoy exclaimed, "Our royal family does not have many descendants."

The Persian envoy said jokingly, "I heard that many concubines were pregnant before. It seems that the emperor is a mighty man, just like the great Caesar. The gifts this time should be prepared for beautiful women." Everyone entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony in a happy mood and waited. The birth of five sons in one pregnancy showed the emperor's personal strength, and the five sons were all safe and sound, which showed the strength of medical technology. The appearance of auspicious signs showed the nobility and sacredness of the royal family. Taken together, it showed the prosperity of the country.

It can be said to enhance the prestige of our country!

Li Beichen, who came in a hurry, was particularly happy today and his steps were full of energy.

Li Beichen sat on the throne in formal attire, his gorgeous dragon robe making him look more majestic and noble. With a smile on his face, he officially announced that the queen had successfully given birth to five heirs, and that both mother and child were safe, and he accepted the congratulations from officials and foreign envoys.

Then the Ministry of Rites reported to the emperor the various auspicious signs that had just appeared in the sky. Yuan Tianshi of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory said that this was a sign of national prosperity and good luck! He did not say whether this was a good omen for the emperor's birthday or for the little prince. Because the little prince could also come to celebrate the emperor's birthday.

The left prime minister Ye Ming suggested a general amnesty.

Right Prime Minister Zhou Shipeng suggested implementing benevolent policies, revising the criminal law and reducing torture.

Foreign envoys came forward one by one to present precious gifts to Li Beichen.

The Persian envoys presented exquisite silver plates inlaid with gems and fragrant spices, while the Siamese envoys presented exquisite ivory carvings and rare gems.

The Japanese envoys brought exquisite tea sets, Japanese tea leaves and precious books. The Korean envoys brought Korean ginseng, various precious medicinal materials and Korean horses. The northern ethnic groups presented fur products and Mongolian horses.

When the Japanese envoys presented agricultural books, Li Beichen's eyes flashed with surprise: "These books are really treasures! It would be even better if you can deal with the Japanese pirates."

The Portuguese envoys presented a world map, a telescope, soldiers' armor and weapons, and a mechanical clock.

Li Beichen persuaded them to stay in Sifang Pavilion for a few more days, and officials from the Honglu Temple took them around, even to various parts of the country, all of which could be arranged.

They are welcome to settle in China and serve the court, and he will give them generous treatment. They are also welcome to recommend talents who are good at astronomy, mathematics, physics, manufacturing technology, firearms technology, and multiple foreign languages.

For every successful introduction of an outstanding foreign talent, a hundred taels of gold will be awarded, especially for those from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. You can also recommend yourself, in which case the bonus will go to you, and you can also solve the housing problem in Beijing and guarantee the schooling of the children of the person you introduce.

The envoys were extremely surprised after hearing this. They had never thought that the Ming Dynasty would attach so much importance to talents, nor had they ever thought that the emperor would know so much about the international situation and overseas countries.

The Portuguese envoy expressed his willingness to learn more about the policy on foreigners working in China. Li Beichen handed the matter over to the Ministry of Personnel, assisted by the Honglu Temple and the Hanlin Academy.

As a modern person, everyone knows the serious consequences of the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban and the Qing Dynasty's closed-door policy. If we don't open up, learn, and innovate, we will fall behind and be beaten and invaded by Western powers.

After the court meeting, a banquet was held in the Fengtian Hall.

Among the concubines in the harem, only four high-ranking concubines, namely Concubine Jinde, Concubine Ye, Concubine Xiao Zhaoyi and Concubine Xu Zhaoyi, attended the banquet and sat on both sides of the emperor.

Concubine Jinde was holding the six-month-old eldest prince in her arms. Because his face was very childish, it looked like she was holding her younger brother. It was hard to imagine that she was already raising a child.

The eldest prince was not afraid of strangers at all, and showed great interest in the food and drinks on the table. He kept trying to grab the wine glass in front of his mother and drink secretly, and also grabbed the food on the plate with his hands.

From time to time, he used the alien language to communicate his thoughts with his mother and father, and even faced the people present with a smile on his face, and said a long string of "oh oh oh" loudly, as if to say, "Welcome to my father's birthday banquet, please eat and drink well, don't be polite", which made everyone laugh.

At first glance, he is a very talkative and outgoing child. Envoys from various countries have sent their congratulations, saying that this child is extraordinary. In fact, they all have the idea of ​​sowing discord and watching the drama. The eldest prince will inevitably conflict with the legitimate son. If the Ming Dynasty fights internally, it will be beneficial to them.

The ministers of this country were very careful with their words. On one side was the Xie family, and on the other side was the Empress, who was actually the Emperor. They couldn't afford to offend either side.

Everyone present was secretly thinking about the matter of appointing a crown prince.

Three at once, the time interval between them is estimated to be no more than two hours. Whoever is appointed at that time will not have to fight? If the eldest prince is appointed, won't the three brothers work together to bring him down?

Various performances began during the banquet, mainly singing, dancing and acrobatics, all of which were group performances, specially arranged by the Ministry of Rites.

Suddenly the host said that a guqin solo was about to be performed.

Concubine Xuan came on stage with delicate makeup and a fairy-like dress. Her slender fingers fluttered, making people intoxicated, as if the emperor had descended to earth, attracting the attention of all the men in the audience, all of whom were impressed by her beauty.

When Concubine Xuan left, she looked very pleased with herself.

The play of the drama club was temporarily cancelled because the Minister of Rites thought it was inappropriate for such a sacred occasion. Lady Lu and other members of the drama club were very disappointed.

Li Beichen happily gave rewards to everyone and praised them, but that was all.

Because he also had to drink and chat with the royal family, accept the congratulations of the ministers, encourage them in their work, and chat with foreign envoys, discussing the customs and people of foreign countries and the future prospects of friendship between countries, encouraging foreign envoys to settle down in the capital, and introducing relatives and friends to come to do business and study.
The banquet ended around four in the afternoon.

Li Beichen brought the concubines to Fengyi Palace to congratulate the Queen.

Concubine Jinde walked beside the emperor, holding the eldest prince in her arms, and walked in front.

The other three followed behind.