The sun never sets in America

Chapter 313 The Nineteenth Year of Longwu: Country and Family

The sound of firecrackers "farewelling to the old and welcoming the new" triggered the ringing of the 19th year of Longwu.

Because of the Chinese New Year, the flow of people on the street looks like crowded sardines, giving people a sense of nudity after the tide has receded.

Looking down from a high altitude, a dense "pressure" hit us.

On the street, people selling New Year's goods never stop shouting. The entrances of major dim sum shops and cake shops are full of people. Although according to custom, these things should be prepared before the Chinese New Year, but because of the shelf life, something like Cakes and snacks are often freshly made.

In the cake shop, children are playing "cream" exercises in twos and threes, and adults are still queuing up.

Other shops have basically been closed. Except for some shops selling snacks and ice cream that are still open, most of them have closed and gone home.

In the cabinet, it was a different scene. The heads of various ministries were gathering together to pay New Year greetings to each other, and then they were waiting for the imperial edict to "grace" from the palace.

"Hu Xiang, happy New Year!!"

"Xiang Hu, may you have a happy new year——"

"Hu Xiang——"

Hu Junding was surrounded by shouts of "New Year greetings" that made him unable to resist.

"I'm coming!!"

"The civil servant is here!!"

Just when Hu Junding was struggling to answer, an excited shout came from outside, saving his "tired" soul.

Wen Ting walked up to him, spread out the imperial edict, and shouted:

"By the fate of heaven, the emperor issued an edict: bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. The country will be peaceful and the people are safe in the last year. It all depends on the efforts of all the ministers. If ten thousand people are united, things will be accomplished. If ten thousand people are united, the country will be revitalized——"

After reading, Wen Ting asked people to give wedding money to these ministers. The money was not much, a maximum of 100, but everyone took it happily.

If some guy comes to the door with this money, maybe these "old foxes" will throw it out and say one last thing:

"Take this to test me. Which official can't stand such a test!!"

But if the money was sent by Liu Peng, it would be different. What does it mean? It means that His Majesty has them in his heart. If they are not there, he can also send special wedding money. It would be good to have an imperial edict.

After the distribution, Hu Junding also pretended to invite Wen Ting in for a cup of New Year tea, but Wen Ting refused, saying that she was going to the "Imperial Parliament".

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present, including Hu Junding, changed slightly.

It wasn't until Wen Ting left that they started whispering.

"Humph, what kind of parliament, what kind of members, I think they are all a bunch of scum. They usually talk about state affairs, but these people will always only cause trouble. If I really ask them for advice, it's Zuo Guyan again - —”

"I think this group of people is a scourge. They keep an eye on the budget every day, and they are afraid that we are greedy. They don't even think about whether any of the money from the court should be disclosed to the public. What's more, when the money is divided every year, it is jointly managed by various ministries. Do you have money to give us??"

"Haha, maybe they are coveting wealth and power, trying to get their hands on it and enrich themselves at the expense of the country. We are blocking their way of making money. It's strange that they don't oppose us!!"

"Damn it, I shouldn't have allowed this bullshit parliament to be established in the first place. Now it's fine. Surrounded by a swarm of flies all day long, it's as uncomfortable as you want--"

As soon as Wen Ting left, there was an explosion all around. These guys who usually call themselves the pillars of the imperial court and "gongqing" are like "the enemy who killed his father", and the so-called "enemy" is the Imperial Council.

Because of the supervision of the Imperial Parliament, many proposals that were originally easy to pass had to be debated for a long time until everyone was able to accept them. Except for some national key projects that Liu Peng was particularly concerned about, most of them had to be passed in "slobbering". Once upon a time.

Like a limerick written by a local official:

"Ask the foreman Bai Chen about his plan, and the crows will circle around his head and the plan will be broken."

"Please God lend me a three-foot bow to shoot through the dark clouds and usher in peace."

Everyone knows what the "crows" and "dark clouds" refer to. This is also the main reason why the relationship between civil servants and parliament has become increasingly tense.

Hu Junding stood aside without saying a word. He knew very well that at this time, anything he said would be interpreted.

But someone just wanted him to say:

"Hu Xiang, tell me, should the power of this group of people be restricted? If we let them continue, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to stand up!!"

"Hu Xiang——"

Looking at the newly promoted Wu Shaowen in front of him, Minister Wu, Hu Junding had scolded him several times in his heart, but due to the "eager" eyes around him, he could only say:

"Parliament matters have long existed in Europe. Although they are foreign, we can still learn from them. After all, if we are three people together, we must be my master!!"

"Everyone is saying today that the Parliament is constrained and interferes too much. However, have you ever thought about it, if these things are gone, it will be back to the original position. By then, you will be in a lawless position again. Your Majesty, there is still Don’t worry, I’m afraid the people from the Investigation Bureau are keeping an eye on you every day, and it won’t be up to you to decide whether to save your head or not!!”

Hu Junding's words were definitely spoken from the bottom of his heart. After all, he knew the character of the "Emperor Longwu" very well. The monarch and his ministers were usually respectful, but if something happened against his will, the investigation bureau's knife would definitely be fast and accurate. , no mercy.

When the ministers around him heard this, their voices, which had been "excited and angry" just now, suddenly became depressed. Finally, it was Wu Shaowen who just stood up and asked Hu Junding:

"What does Mr. Hu think we should do?"

"After all, if you really do what these people do, they will ride on us sooner or later. What should we do then?"

Wu Shaoyun's words also represented the aspirations of everyone to a certain extent, and they all echoed, including some radical words.

Hu Junding looked at the people in front of him, then at Wu Shaoyun who didn't know how to advance or retreat, and finally said:

"How far can they make trouble? Can it go to heaven? I don't think it's possible. Even if they make trouble to heaven, they will be suppressed by Tathagata in the end. When the time comes, it will be our chance!!"

This kind of "vague" words made some people not understand it very well. Wu Shaoyun happened to be the one who understood. After hearing this, he immediately leaned over and said:

"Goodbye Mr. Hu!!"

In the end, the people around him had no choice but to shout the word "Gao Jian" too.

Hu Junding, who was opposite, didn't look happy at all. He just said "hmm" and left with the excuse of being old.

Behind him, Wu Shaoyun continued to discuss with the cabinet ministers how to cause "trouble", and did not listen to Hu Junding's wishes at all.

…………

"Emperor, what are you looking at??"

In the palace, Queen Mother An looked at her "son" who was absent-minded when he had nothing to do. She always felt that he was not here to celebrate the New Year, but to work.

"Mom, it's nothing, just some trivial government affairs."

After Liu Peng raised his head, he responded slightly "awkwardly" to what Taigong An had just said.

"Although state affairs are important, they are not as important as family affairs. The family, the country, and the country, after all, this family must come before the country..."

Queen Mother An rambled on about the so-called "family and country", starting and ending. In fact, the translation means don't just remember the country and forget the home.

Liu Peng naturally understood this meaning and hurriedly said:

"Mom, family and country affairs are all equally important regardless of high or low. After all, I, a big man, am made up of thousands of families. Indeed, as my mother said, home is before the country."

"It's just that if there is no country, the family cannot be saved..."

Listening to Liu Peng's words, Queen Mother An was very satisfied at first, thinking that her son finally listened to her, but she did not expect that the last sentence completely "broken" her good mood.

"Mom, today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the prince hasn't come yet. Why don't we invite Weiyuan Hou's family to the palace for dinner? What do you think?"

Liu Peng seemed to realize that what he just said was wrong, and quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

Upon hearing this, Queen Mother An was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear and shouted:

"Go quickly, go and call someone."

"By the way, don't wait too long."

Liu Peng looked at Queen Mother An who was busy calling people out of the palace, with a smile on her face, but she was already thinking about how to get along with the Weiyuan Marquis later.

After all, since Li Zhaowu retired, in addition to a few greetings at the beginning, he now regularly asks the Ministry of Internal Affairs to send some palace food every year to express his "attention" as the emperor.

It's just that now that they are in-laws with me, it will be difficult for them to treat others with the same attitude as before.

In the end, I could only tell the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare more "good food" and "good wine" and spread the word, so that I, the emperor, would not be neglecting others.

.............................................

Weiyuan Hou Mansion...

A mansion in a prosperous area of ​​Xijing is called a mansion because of its location and area.

It is located in the northern district close to Central Street. Two steps away is the most prosperous business district in Xijing. Upward is the government district. It can be said that it is sandwiched between officials and money. In the words of some people:

"With the Feng Shui of Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, it is not impossible for another Marquis to appear in the future."

The Marquis didn't have one, but a "Phoenix" came out. Since the engagement of Liu Yu and Li Zhenxiu, the entire Weiyuan Hou Mansion has gone from being a "few people" to the current "walking around in the streets".

It is in sharp contrast to other declining Hou Men.

I don’t know how many people are envious! !

After getting engaged, Li Zhaowu changed his original habit of meeting friends and playing cards, and became low-key. He even often went fishing alone, and many of the court officials he had been dating disappeared around him.

Even when he asked to see his "old friend", he just chatted casually for a few words and finally sent the person away.

Such an inhumane approach naturally aroused dissatisfaction among some people, and legends such as "getting carried away" and "turning one's face and refusing to recognize others" spread, so that currently Li Zhaowu, or the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, has a good reputation. A mixed bag.

Most of the people who said bad things about him were newcomers. Even if those people and Li Zhaowu were unhappy, they would not say anything bad.

After all, it turns out that when Li Zhaowu was in office, he treated them well, so they couldn't be without conscience.

"Master, master..."

"Someone is coming from the palace!!"

Li Zhaowu, who was reuniting with his family, heard the news. His expression changed immediately, as if he had thought of something, and he directly ordered:

"Quick, go change clothes!!"

"Change to the best..."

The children, wives and concubines at home didn't understand what he meant, but they were frightened by the image of a "strict father" and could only go back to their rooms to change clothes and freshen up.

When Li Zhaowu came to the door, he saw the decree asking him to enter the palace to celebrate the New Year, took a deep breath, and then knelt down to greet him.

When the whole family learned that they were going to enter the palace, everyone became excited. The younger son almost jumped up, but in the end he did not jump up because when he had the idea of ​​"jumping out", he was given a look by Li Zhaowu. stop.

When several luxurious carriages drove into the palace gate, Li Zhaowu seemed to recall that when he was still Minister of War, Liu Peng often asked him to enter the palace to ask for advice.

In the blink of an eye, seven or eight years have passed, and he has grown old, while His Majesty is in the prime of his life.

After thinking about it, Li Zhaowu told the family members around him:

"When you meet the Holy Spirit, answer whatever you ask. Think clearly and don't talk nonsense."

Several children around nodded.

When Li Zhaowu set his sights on his youngest daughter Zhenxiu, he said in a calm tone:

"If His Majesty asks you about your age, you can answer truthfully. If he asks about your knowledge, you can answer that you are still studying at Xijing Women's College. If you ask about your hobbies, you can answer calligraphy and painting..."

After talking a lot, I finally stopped when I heard the sound of "getting off the car" from outside.

When Li Zhaowu and his family walked into this palace full of "New Year's flavor", Liu Yu had just arrived after finishing packing things in the East Palace.

"Marquis Weiyuan, you are well and well!!"

"Your Majesty, I am in a bad state and have never seen the Holy Face!!"

"Haha, sit down, sit down..."

Liu Peng and Li Zhaowu "inquired" for a few words and then ordered people to take their seats.

At the table, although Liu Yu's eyes were "focused" and he looked very serious, he always looked down to the right, where Li Zhenxiu's seat was. Once, the two people's eyes met, which was worthy of "Little Lotus Show" Li Zhenxiu immediately lowered his head shyly.

Liu Peng was naturally aware of this situation. After chatting with Li Zhaowu for a few words, he smiled and said:

"It's not good for the prince and the princess to be so far apart. As the dragon and the phoenix sing together, I think it's better to be together!!"

Li Zhaowu also reacted and motioned for his son and daughter to change places.

After Li Zhenxiu sat down with Liu Yu with his head lowered, Liu Peng said again:

"Just now, the Queen Mother said she wanted to have dinner and asked the Crown Princess to go over and chat alone. Marquis Weiyuan, what do you think?"

When Liu Peng asked this question, Li Zhaowu was picking up vegetables. When he heard this, he immediately put down his chopsticks and replied:

"The so-called married daughter is the water thrown out. The Queen Mother is the mother of the emperor. Let alone the little daughter, it is not bad to meet the whole family!!"

After hearing this, Liu Peng nodded, and then asked:

"I recently heard that Xu Zhi is ill. Is this true??"

"Alas, Your Majesty doesn't know something. Xu Shuai indulged too much in his early years, and as he got older, he even took in wives and concubines. It would be strange if nothing happened!!"

Li Zhaowu felt a little embarrassed when he mentioned Xu Zhi's incident. After all, these things were just a slap in the face of the nobles of Xijing. If they spread the word, everyone thought that these nobles were all so "dissolute and extravagant"! !

After hearing this, Liu Peng's expression suddenly changed, then recovered and said in an "unhappy" tone:

"This Xu Zhi, I think so highly of him that he ended up like this..."

"What a disgrace!!"

Listening to what this "Emperor Longwu" said without knowing whether it was true or not, Li Zhaowu could only comfort him: "Your Majesty, calm down. Although Xu Zhi is unwise, he is an old minister who plans and fights for the country. Although There are bad habits, but after all it is a private matter, just find someone to scold, it is better not to make it bigger..."

Listening to Li Zhaowu's words of "old minister" and "fighting for the country", Liu Peng already understood what the other party meant, so he simply said:

"In recent years, some people have said that I owe a lot to my great merits, and all my official positions have been taken up by civil servants who have passed the imperial examination. What do you think?"

"Am I a heartless and unjust king??"

"Snapped!!"

Li Zhaowu was so frightened that he dropped his chopsticks, and finally replied in a "calm" tone:

"Your Majesty is a benevolent king. Looking at the past dynasties, all the meritorious officials have been able to have wives and children. From beginning to end, I am afraid that only Your Majesty is the only one."

"Those are all provocative words from outside, but Your Majesty cannot believe it..."

"Whoever said this should be killed!!"

Li Zhaowu's tone was full of murderous intent, turning a good dinner into a "review" meeting.

Looking at the Li family who were "nervous" because of the conversation, Liu Yu immediately stood up and shouted:

"Happy New Year……"

Liu Peng glanced at his son, who restored the atmosphere, with a smile on his lips, and then followed the instructions:

"Go and get some wine. Today I want to meet Marquis Weiyuan. I won't come back until I'm drunk!!"

Li Zhaowu repeatedly said that he "dare not".

After drinking for a few rounds, Liu Peng looked at Li Zhaowu and asked: "Among the nobles, who does Weiyuan Marquis think can be used?"

After hearing this, Li Zhaowu thought for a few times and replied:

"Lan Shaofeng, the son of Muyun Hou Lanyun, is still serving in the local government. He is considered a good seedling."

"Tang Wuwei's son Tang Xian serves in the army. He is now a major. He was also among the top three cavalrymen in the sergeant academy. He is also a talented person..."

"besides……"

Li Zhaowu said everything he could think of, trying his best not to offend anyone.

After hearing this, Liu Peng said directly without comment:

"Even after Zhongliang, he will have a bright future. I think except for Tang Xian, most of the others are in civilian positions. Even if they are in military positions, they are not obvious..."

"I plan to let them enter the parliament, what do you think?"

Liu Peng held a wine glass and asked Li Zhaowu. It seemed like he was asking, but in fact he was looking for "opinions."

Li Zhaowu also understood this meaning and directly raised the cup to express:

"The honorable men and nobles of the Han Dynasty are all conferred by your Majesty. Your Majesty's use of us is a blessing from God. How can we shirk it!!"

"I am waiting for all the noble people in this city. I would like to thank Your Majesty."

Then, he drank it all in one gulp in front of Liu Peng.

Liu Peng said nothing, Liu Yu immediately stood up, picked up the wine glass, filled it, and then said to Li Zhaowu:

"Marquis Weiyuan, no, father-in-law!!"

Then he drank it all in one gulp.

Li Zhaowu looked at Liu Yu, who looked very similar to Liu Peng when he was young, stood up quickly, and drank another glass.

When leaving, Li Zhaowu was carried back.

Liu Peng looked at the carriage leaving Li Zhaowu and his family and asked Liu Yu:

"Is your heart at ease now that the Crown Princess has seen you?"

Liu Yu's face turned red instantly.

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(End of this chapter)