People in the Song Dynasty were lawless

Chapter 435: Turn on the lights and illuminate the prosperous Song Dynasty

On New Year's Eve of the eighth year of the Qingli period, the Constitutional Council summarized the day's developments in the morning, and everyone went back home in the afternoon.

There is no need to go to Chongzheng Hall for meetings, nor do I need to work anymore. I always have to go home to spend time with my family.

Because at night the time no longer belongs to the officials, but they have to participate in activities.

By the evening, the streets of Bianliang were already bustling with activity.

Lights and decorations are on and firecrackers are set off.

The night market outside Donghuamen is extremely prosperous. Many vendors live on the street and set up stalls after having dinner with their families.

Walking along Donghuamen all the way to Maxing Street, there are already crowds of people coming and going.

The crowds are not simply walking around the streets, but there are parades, dragon dances, lion dances, flower boats, and colorful sedan chairs.

Starting from the early morning, the rosy glow of the early morning clouds illuminated the streets, and people were already preparing for the Spring Festival on the morning of New Year's Eve.

On both sides of the street, colorful lanterns hang high, dancing like flying dragons, ribbons flutter in the breeze, and colorful decorations dot the streets.

There is a wide variety of goods, including crowns and combs, pearls and jade, head ornaments, clothing, flowers, scarves, boots and shoes, and toys.

The streets are filled with all kinds of acrobatic performances such as "Flapping Flags", "Exploding Firecrackers", "Holding Gongs", "Hard Ghosts", "Dancing Judges", "Mute Variety Shows", "Seven Sacred Knives", and "Stopping the Tent", which are overwhelming.

The people of the Song Dynasty were busy shuttling between restaurants, teahouses and markets decorated with lights and colorful decorations, enveloped in the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

In the evening, the sun gradually sets and the streets become even more lively.

The ladies from prominent families watched the game of Guanpu at will, either sitting in a circle or drinking from their glasses.

Smoke from cooking fires rises up from every household as they prepare food and drinks. Relatives and friends gather together to drink and celebrate the beginning of the new year.

Ordinary families took to the streets, with adults lifting their children above their heads and following the parade along the streets. Some bought candied haws and tiger-head hats for their children, while others followed the crowd to enjoy acrobatic performances.

The most anticipated events are the royal parade of floats and the pageant outside Donghua Gate, because sometimes the royal family will scatter copper coins.

This custom began in the Tang Dynasty.

Gu Kuang's poem "Palace Poems" describes Li Longji, who loved to throw red envelopes as rain during the New Year during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang: "When the noisy bells and drums stopped, thousands of people went downstairs to pick up gold coins."

By the Northern Song Dynasty, "Zizhi Tongjian" also recorded the scenes of scattering money during the reigns of Song Taizong Zhao Kuangyi, Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng, and Song Renzong Zhao Zhen.

Although in recent years, Zhao Zhen was dissuaded from this habit by Zhao Jun, not because the court was short of money, but because it could easily cause stampede accidents.

The imperial court hasn't thrown money away for several years.

But ordinary people don’t know, and even if they do know, they hope it will change back to normal this year.

And even if you don't throw money, you can still have fun by following the floats.

Therefore, every Chinese New Year, when the floats parade through the streets, people are the happiest. Often when looking down from a high altitude, the streets are deserted and filled with people.

Zhao Jun's home was just outside Xihuamen. After leaving home, he took his wife and children on a carriage and headed towards the imperial palace.

After walking less than 200 meters, we entered the palace through the newly built Xihua Gate.

Now that the palace has been expanded, it is much wider.

His carriage continued to move forward. A palace plaque was hung on it, indicating that it was specially allowed to travel within the palace. Otherwise, the expansion of the palace would have to be done on foot, which would have been a very long way.

After entering from Xihuamen, the expanded Yeonbokgung Palace is to the north.

A palace complex has been built here, with tall buildings and flowers standing within the palace walls. There are gardens, ponds, artificial lakes and groves, as well as five- or six-story concrete buildings.

The tube-shaped buildings outside the city do not have much aesthetic appeal, and look exactly like the five- or six-story rectangular buildings of later generations.

But the palace architecture is magnificent. The interior structure is made of cement and steel bars, while the exterior still has a wooden structure with brackets and flying eaves, demonstrating a unique Chinese style.

The carriage went east along the palace road and stopped at Zuo Chengtian Gate. Originally, the south side of this place was not a palace, but a huge parade ground with nearly 10,000 soldiers stationed here, including the Imperial City Division.

Now its appearance has changed greatly. All the former military barracks have been demolished, some palaces have been built, and a large square has been preserved outside.

The reason for this is that in the past, various celebrations of the Northern Song Dynasty imperial palace were held in the Daqing Hall and the square south of the Daqing Hall, including various sacrificial ceremonies, receptions with foreign envoys, the New Year's Day court assembly, and so on.

As a result, Zhao Jun waved his hand and used the Daqing Hall as the Political System Institute, and the square to the south also became the office space of the Political System Institute. The court lacked a venue for major events.

Therefore, the location was changed to the square inside Zuo Chengtian Gate.

At this time, the main hall inside Zuochengmen and the nearby palaces were crowded with people. All the officials of Bianliang, both great and small, entered from Zuoyemen and arrived at the square palace in the front hall.

The halls were crowded with people, and officials were talking loudly. The chaotic voices penetrated the inner hall and reached the back door.

Zhao Jun got off the carriage first, and then Zhao Qingyun got out of the carriage. He hugged her and said happily, "Slow down, be careful not to fall."

Cao Miaoxin and Zhao Tan also got off the carriage. The eight-year-old Zhao Tan said with a bitter face, "Father, can't I not go?"

"We have to go. It's New Year's Day, and we want to have some fun."

Zhao Jun advised.

"But I just think they are noisy. I am not a three or four-year-old child anymore. There is no fun in playing with those kids."

Zhao Tan was very unhappy.

"I, your father, used to be as socially anxious as you are."

"now what?"

“It’s still the same now.”

Zhao Jun laughed and said, "But he is already a social terrorist."

Zhao Tan scratched his head. He didn't understand what his father said.

"All right."

Cao Miaoxin took Zhao Qingyun from Zhao Jun and said, "Husband, we'll go first."

"Ah."

Zhao Jun nodded and said, "Keep an eye on Qingyun. This child is very impetuous. She has been following you in brandishing swords and sticks since she was four years old. Be careful not to hurt anyone in the palace."

"understood."

Cao Miaoxin took her children and headed north towards Xuanyou Gate.

The officials had a banquet in the Southern Palace, hosted by Emperor Zhao Zhen, while the family members were in the Northern Palace, hosted by Empress Cao.

Zhao Qingyun is different from her brother. Zhao Tan's personality is more like Zhao Jun. Zhao Jun can see at a glance that this kid is a repressed and narcissistic type. He is well-educated and always thinks he is very powerful. He likes to stand on a high place and point fingers at others. He becomes very aggressive when he is provoked. He is too similar to him when he was in junior high and high school. If Zhao Tan traveled through time to the third year of Jingyou, he would probably be fooled by Yan Shu and the others as well.

Zhao Qingyun is just like her mother. She is only five years old and has no scheming at all. She is as carefree as a girl from Northeast China. She also likes to wield swords and sticks, and will beat people if she makes her angry.

The only good news is that Cao Miaoxin has strict family education, and Zhao Jun has been teaching them the correct outlook on life and values ​​and shaping their kind nature.

Once, Zhao Qingyun bullied her classmates in kindergarten.

Although she certainly didn't realize that this was bullying, Cao Miaoxin still taught her a lesson severely. Zhao Jun didn't let her go, so he let Cao Miaoxin beat her with a bamboo stick and took her to apologize to the other party.

Therefore, the couple has always taken good care of the two children in terms of their behavior. At least they have not been spoiled into two little yamen boys, otherwise where would Zhao Jun put his face?
After watching his wife and children walk into the Xuanyou Gate, Zhao Jun turned around and walked into the Zuo Chengtian Gate.

The young eunuch at the door saw him and hurried forward and said, "Master."

"Well, has the official arrived?"

"not yet."

"What time does the banquet start?"

"Right away."

"it is good."

Zhao Jun nodded.

Led by the young eunuch, they went all the way to the main hall inside Chengtian Gate.

There were not many people in the hall at the moment, only Jia Changchao, Xia Song, Zheng Jian and Du Yan.

They have less experience and are still relatively young, so naturally they have to arrive first.

The others, such as Zhang Shixun and Li Di, who have more experience, will be slower.

"Zhiyuan."

Seeing Zhao Jun coming, the four people stood up to greet him.

In the Constitutional Court, only a few people are qualified to call him by his name.

With the deaths of Lü Yijian, Wang Zeng, Wang Sui, Sheng Du and others, there are only Yan Shu, Fan Zhongyan, Cai Qi and Song Shou left.

The rest of you need to remain respectful to him.

"You all came quite early."

Zhao Jun smiled and said, "I live outside Xihua Gate. I thought I was the first one to arrive."

Xia Song smiled and said, "I heard that the government is going to display lights today, so of course we have to get there early."

As he spoke he pointed to the light bulb above his head.

Although the power plant had been built, it was not supplied to the public but to the imperial palace first.

This is not because Zhao Zhen is selfish, but it is easy to take the lead in this way.

By showing the function of electric lights to officials and ordinary people, it will be easy for people to see that there is something that can change darkness and change the world.

"This electric light is a great thing. From now on, our Song Dynasty will say goodbye to the darkness."

Zhao Jun looked at the light bulb hanging in the room, and under the guidance of the eunuch, he took the first position below Zhao Zhen, then smiled and said: "Your Majesty has done a great deed. From now on, our Song Dynasty will enter the era of electrification."

"As soon as I came in, I heard Hanlong flattering the government."

Yan Shu almost stepped into the hall, and said with a smile: "You two, grandparents and grandchildren, you really feel uncomfortable if you don't flatter each other for a day, right?"

"How can that be considered bragging?"

Zhao Jun rolled his eyes at the old man and said, "The emperor praises me because his descendants are promising. I praise the emperor because I see that our ancestors worked so hard under my urging and lived up to my expectations, which makes me feel proud and gratified." "Well said."

Fan Zhongyan also walked in and said with a smile: "We have seen your efforts over the years. If your Majesty does not do well, your subjects should advise you. If your Majesty does well, your subjects should of course encourage you."

"Hahahaha, Old Fan is still sensible."

Zhao Jun laughed.

Yan Shu rolled his eyes and came over to sit down and said, "You guys are a bunch of flatterers."

A few people were chatting and laughing, and the scene outside became increasingly lively.

If you look down from a high altitude, you will see the expansion of the Imperial Palace of the Great Song Dynasty, with numerous palaces, gardens, pavilions and towers.

The inner and outer palaces were connected, the Zuoye Gate on the south side was wide open, and countless officials entered one after another.

They entered the palace in groups and in an orderly manner according to their rank.

Many officials wearing blue and green clothes had only this one chance every year to enter the palace, and they all looked around curiously.

In addition, Zhao Zhen also invited all the elderly people in the city over 80 years old, regardless of their wealth, to sit down and attend the banquet.

He also ordered that the money from the treasury be used to deliver oil, grain, salt and currency to the five-guarantee households and poor families throughout the city.

This can be regarded as extra care during the four major festivals every year: Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, bringing warmth to the poor people in Kaifeng.

Not long after, the other prime ministers arrived one after another. The sky gradually darkened and it was already three quarters past the hour of You.

"His Majesty is here!"

At this moment, Wang Shouzhong came out from the back hall and shouted loudly.

"See Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up and saluted Zhao Zhen.

This hall is of the highest level, and even the second-rank ministers of the first-level institutions of various ministries are not qualified to enter.

Only prime ministers like them were allowed to enter. More than ten people on the scene bowed to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen walked into the hall, smiling and said, "Gentlemen, please don't be polite! Sit down!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone sat down.

Normally, Zhao Zhen would say some polite words, opening remarks and the like.

Unexpectedly, today he directly said: "The banquet begins!"

"The party begins!"

Wang Shouzhong shouted again.

Someone outside struck a gong, and the sound quickly spread out.

Immediately afterwards, all kinds of firecrackers were heard in the palace and square in the south, followed by various gongs and drums, dragon dances, lion dances and other dance performances.

There were also geisha dancers who walked into the palaces and squares and began to dance, and musical instruments were played, which immediately brought the banquet to a climax.

"What's wrong with the emperor today? He hasn't even started to say anything festive or auspicious."

Fan Zhongyan was puzzled and asked Zhao Jun at the next table.

Zhao Jun watched as a dancer entered the hall. A moving dance of colorful clothes and feathered robes sounded, and he whispered, "The emperor is waiting to go to Donghua Gate."

"I see."

Fan Zhongyan suddenly realized.

The program on New Year’s Eve is certainly not eating, singing and dancing.

After dinner, we went to Donghua Gate to have fun with the people.

It was 3:15 pm, which was 6:00 pm. According to the procedure, we should go upstairs at 3:15 pm, which was 8:00 pm.

But eating and drinking takes time, and if you talk a few more words of nonsense, what if you delay the time?
Singing and dancing began.

Countless eunuchs and palace maids carried trays and served dishes.

It can’t be said to be delicacies from land and sea, but it is dishes from all over the world, including glutinous rice and meat dumplings, pork elbows, braised beef, eight-treasure chicken, grilled fish, stir-fried bacon, etc.

There was also some of Zhao Jun’s favorite chili dishes, and he had saved some for later, so it was time to enjoy a feast.

Then there were various reserved programs.

The officials in front wrote poems, and then selected the best one to present to Zhao Zhen.

When Song Xiang's younger brother Song Qi came to present poems, there was also a situation of writing poems in response. As a result, Zhao Jun copied a poem "New Year's Day" by Wang Anshi, which scared Song Qi so much that he ran away in embarrassment.

This year, no one had the courage to challenge Zhao Jun again. The person who presented the poem was quickly rewarded by Zhao Zhen and left happily.

Soon the banquet came to an end.

When the time came, Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "Move to Donghua Gate!"

"Move to Donghua Gate!"

Wang Shouzhong shouted in a loud voice.

Everyone walked out of the hall.

The officials also received the news and came out from the palaces and squares.

Zhao Zhen sat on his palace dragon chariot and arrived at the Donghua Gate surrounded by officials.

At this time, there were huge crowds of people outside Donghuamen, and the streets outside were full of people.

There were endless sounds of firecrackers, crowds of people, and fireworks.

As the emperor and his officials arrived at Donghua Gate, the people outside the palace city saw them and cheered loudly.

"It's the official. The official has come out."

"Where is the official?"

"there!"

"It's so dark, I can't see clearly."

"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor!"

The people shouted.

Zhao Zhen was very popular.

The harsh taxation that had plagued the Song Dynasty for many years was alleviated under his leadership.

The country's national strength was enhanced under his leadership.

The Western Xia and Liao dynasties were defeated and even destroyed by him.

Zhao Zhen's reputation reached its peak.

He walked to the Donghua Gate, looked around, and looked at the sea of ​​people below, feeling deeply moved for a moment.

"These are all my people!"

He said.

Zhao Jun smiled and said, "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. The hearts of the people of the Song Dynasty are with the emperor. The emperor's prestige should be known to the world!"

"My name will one day spread throughout the world! Let everyone in the world know it!"

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but feel proud and said, "Wang Shouzhong."

"His Majesty!"

"Turn on the lights and illuminate the prosperous Song Dynasty!"

"Yes!"

Wang Shouzhong responded.

He raised a firework and released it into the sky.

This is a special firework.

Next to the Chenhui Building, on the banks of the Jinshui River, the technicians who received the information immediately started the steam engine.

The two machines at the beginning have been increased to eight, connecting more than 10,000 electric lights in the palace.

As the steam engine roared, electricity began to be generated during its rotation.

Immediately afterwards, someone pulled the main switch on the Chenhui building.

next second.

Suddenly, countless lights lit up across the Donghua Gate, illuminating the city wall and the surrounding area as bright as day.

It was at this moment that everyone could clearly see the countless figures on the originally dark upper floor.

People saw a middle-aged man in a red robe standing on the upper floor, with officials surrounding him.

"Officials, it's the officials!"

"I saw it, it's Guan's!"

"So this is what the government officials are like!"

"Kowtow to the government!"

Countless people below roared again, their voices piercing the sky, as if the whole world could hear their voices!
(End of this chapter)