Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 500: New Year’s Day Banquet, Lu Bu’s Gift!
After discovering that Cui Yan, Dong Zhong and others were gathering in private, Jia Xu sent people to keep an eye on all the people participating in the gathering and pay attention to their every move.

But surprisingly, they didn't do anything tricky, and they haven't gathered again since that night. They all behaved well.

This made Jia Xu start to doubt whether he was worrying too much.

These people actually had no intention of doing anything.

Of course, although he said so, he did not relax his surveillance on Cui Yan and others. He would not let down his guard until they were truly cleared of suspicion.

The empire will not tolerate insects causing trouble.

However, he still noticed one change in Chang'an City, that is, the scholars and common people began to talk more about the Imperial College.

The establishment of the Imperial College was actually a mixed bag for both the government and the public, with the vast majority of scholars and intellectuals being opposed to it.

Influenced by these remarks, many scholars and common people who did not know the truth also thought that the Imperial College was the emperor's mischief.

The main reason is that Hongdu School has a bad reputation.

Although Emperor Lingdi had good intentions in establishing the Hongdu School in order to break the aristocratic families' monopoly on the path to promotion, most people could not see through its essence.

They just thought it was ridiculous for Emperor Ling to open the Hongdumen School and select a group of people who could only compose poems, write calligraphy and paint as officials.

The Imperial College was the successor of the Hongdumen School. Although the subjects offered there were very different from those of the Hongdumen School, it was still not accepted by most people.

The Han Dynasty respected Confucianism and ruled the country with Confucianism.

The subjects offered in the Imperial College were too practical, which was contrary to the education many people received.

The sages said that we should value virtue, and the methods of governing a country and making it strong are all hidden in the books of sages, so people will tirelessly seek answers in the books.

After reading too many books of sages and listening to too many profound truths, someone suddenly told them that what was written in the books of sages was all empty talk, and that governing a country and being an official depended on laws, craftsmanship, and so on.

Not to mention those scholars who came from aristocratic families and studied classics, even many scholars from poor families found this ridiculous.

However, there were also many scholars who held the opposite attitude, believing that the Imperial Academy was the place that could truly cultivate talents, including many knowledgeable children from famous families.

Both sides insisted on their own opinions and refused to give in to each other.

Therefore, the discussion about the Imperial College became increasingly heated.

Heated arguments can be seen in every street corner.

And in this atmosphere, time passed by in a flash, and New Year's Day finally approached.

Just like the previous banquet for the capital relocation ceremony, Liu Xie issued an edict this time to invite a large number of middle and low-level soldiers who had retired due to injuries and those who had military merits to attend.

Not only them, but also many relatives of meritorious officials and martyrs, as well as all the elderly people over 60 years old in Chang'an, can come to the banquet.

The liveliness of this banquet was unprecedented.

After all, this is the first New Year's Day since the world was settled.

It was just getting dark and the sun had not yet set when Zhang Liao changed into a brand new court robe and prepared to go to the palace for the banquet.

His mansion was on the same street as Lu Bu's, so after leaving home, he rushed to Lu Bu's house, intending to call him to go to the palace together.

However, when he arrived at Lu Bu's house, he was told that Lu Bu had already set out an hour ago.

"What on earth is this guy doing lately?"

Zhang Liao felt very puzzled.

Because Lu Bu had been acting strangely in the past month, running to the military camp all day long for no reason, and he couldn't find anyone to drink with when he wanted to.

Today is the New Year's Day banquet, and Lu Bu actually set off an hour early. Why hasn't he been so active in attending banquets before?

Putting these thoughts aside, Zhang Liao pulled the reins of the horse in his hand, turned the horse's head and rushed towards the direction of the palace.

Outside the imperial city, there were already all kinds of carriages parked.

Since there are many guests attending the banquet tonight, a team of elite soldiers has been specially dispatched from outside the city to enter the city to take charge of defense.

Zhang Liao was not used to riding in a carriage, so he came on horseback, and many of the generals who attended the banquet did the same.

"Han Sheng! Zilong!"

When Zhang Liao saw Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun in the crowd, his eyes suddenly lit up and he raised his hand to greet them.

The two of them came over after hearing the sound.

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "What a coincidence, General Zhang has also arrived so early. Let's go into the palace together later."

"But why is Lord Wen not here? Didn't Lord Wen go with General Zhang?"

Everyone knows that Zhang Liao and Lu Bu have a good relationship.

The two even lived only one street apart from each other.

Zhang Liao curled his lips and said, "This guy has been in the palace for a long time. He has been acting mysterious recently and has been missing all day. We have to catch him and interrogate him later."

"But I'm not as strong as him. Zilong and Hansheng will have to help me hold him down."

Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun both smiled.

Then the three of them entered the palace hand in hand.

Since the number of people attending today's banquet is greater than that of the last capital relocation banquet, Yongshou Hall is not large enough to accommodate them all, so the banquet will be held in Chengming Hall tonight.

Zhang Liao and the other two were seated in the front row of the hall, while the seat at the head of the generals was where Lu Bu sat.

At this time, Lu Bu had already taken his seat at the table.

Zhang Liao winked at Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun, who nodded in understanding. Then the three of them quietly moved towards Lu Bu.

"Hold him down!"

Zhang Liao shouted and grabbed Lu Bu's neck, while Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun hugged Lu Bu's arms on the left and right.

Lu Bu was drinking happily when Zhang Liao strangled him by the neck, and the wine in his mouth sprayed out.

Turning his head, he saw Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong. He could not help but curse, "How dare you three sneak attack this general! You have no moral principles!"

"be honest!"

Zhang Liao glared at him, increased his strength, and asked, "Let me ask you, where have you been recently? What have you been doing?"

Lu Bu looked at his nose and his heart, and said seriously: "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Are you talking back?"

Zhang Liao snorted and continued, "If you don't tell the truth, do you believe that I will tell your two wives at home that you have a concubine in Shangbi Pavilion?"

After hearing this, Lu Bu panicked visibly and couldn't help cursing, "Zhang Wenyuan, you are such a jerk! I treat you as a brother, and you treat me like this, right?"

"And what do you mean by keeping a concubine? Can you clean your mouth? The other person sang well, I went there to listen to the music!"

Zhang Liao sneered, "Listening to music in the brothel, huh? I didn't know a rough guy like you could become so refined."

"Are you still fighting on the courtesan's horse?"

Hearing this, Lu Bu showed a look of contempt and spat, "Pooh! Vulgar! You really make me sick!"

The two of them started arguing with each other.

Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun watched silently on the side, listening to them exposing each other's dirt with great interest.

Zhang Liao interrogated him but failed to get any information. He could only let go of Lu Bu and cursed him, "You are such a stubborn fellow! You even hid the truth from me!"

"Why should I explain to you what I have done in my life?"

Lu Bu retorted bluntly, but then he smiled and said, "But just wait, you will know when the banquet starts."

While saying this, Lu Bu looked very proud.

This made Zhang Liao feel even more depressed. He waited for a while, and when everyone was present, a sharp singing of greeting came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

Everyone in the hall fell silent, stood up from their seats and turned their eyes towards the entrance of the hall.

Liu Xie, dressed in gorgeous attire, walked into the hall, and walking side by side with him was Lu Lingqi, who was dressed in the queen's attire and looked very graceful.

Zhen Mi was one position lower than the other two. After all, she was not the queen, but only a noble lady. However, no one would look down on her for this.

Because the baby in her arms was the crown prince! And her own son!

"See Your Majesty——!"

"Greetings to the Queen—!"

All the ministers bowed and shouted in unison.

It was the first time that Lu Lingqi attended such a grand occasion as the queen. Seeing the officials bowing their heads, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

Liu Xie noticed her appearance, so he gently held her hand and smiled at her.

Perhaps comforted by Liu Xie's smile, Lu Lingqi finally relaxed a little, and at this time she also noticed her father Lu Bu who was at the table.

Lu Bu was secretly looking up at her, and when he saw her gaze, he grinned, revealing a row of snow-white teeth, his face full of pride.

Seeing this, Lu Lingqi couldn't help but smile, and the tension in her heart completely disappeared.

Liu Xie took Lü Lingqi and Zhen Mi to the main seat, then turned to the civil and military officials in the hall and said, "My dear ministers, please don't be polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

All the ministers then stood up.

Looking at the civil and military officials in the palace, Liu Xie smiled and said, "It's New Year's Day again. Whenever there is such a lively banquet, I am very pleased."

"Because whenever I see all the talented people of our Han Dynasty gathered together, I will see the prosperous scene of our Han Dynasty full of vitality and all things flourishing."

"Okay, stop standing and take a seat."

"The rules of today's New Year's Day banquet are the same as before. My dear ministers, please enjoy yourself!"

Liu Xie announced loudly, which also meant that the banquet officially began.

At this moment, Lu Bu suddenly stood up and walked to the center of the hall. He bowed to Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, I have a gift to present to you."

Lu Bu's actions attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.

Liu Xie knew what Lu Bu was up to, but he still pretended not to know and said in surprise, "A gift? What gift does Lord Wen have for me?"

"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

Lu Bu perked up and nodded to Gao Shun who was sitting in the seat.

Then everyone saw Gao Shun stand up and leave the table. After bowing to the emperor, he turned and walked out of Chengming Hall.

Not long after, everyone saw a lot of flames suddenly appearing in the huge square outside Chengming Palace.

When I looked closely, I saw that they were all soldiers holding torches!
There were thousands of these soldiers, each holding a torch, forming a huge square in the wide square. The formation looked extremely neat.

"What on earth is this guy going to do?"

Zhang Liao was stunned at this time and couldn't help but look at Lu Bu, wondering why this guy suddenly summoned so many soldiers into the palace.

But Lu Bu just looked at him smugly.

"Boom!"

Just when everyone was puzzled, a uniform and dull drum sound rang out, as if knocking on the hearts, clearing the minds of the civil and military officials who were a little drowsy because the Chengming Hall was too warm.

The drumbeat sounded once and then died down, as if everything was silent. Then, accompanied by the waving of torches, the shocking and penetrating drumbeat sounded again!
"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The shocking drum beats seemed to strike at everyone's heart with every beat, making everyone's heartbeat seem to follow the beats.

"Accept the order to resign as the head of state, and go to punish the traitors!"

"Xiangge breaks the formation and enjoys the music of the Taiping people together!"

Along with this strange melody, thousands of soldiers began to sing in unison. Their voices were powerful and incredibly shocking.

"The royal wind of the four seas will make the water clear for thousands of years;"

"I won't even wear my military uniform, today I declare my success!"

"The Lord is holy and has a prosperous era. I am loyal to his great plan. "

"You see, after the revolution, there will be a peaceful autumn!"

……

The soldiers stepped forward and sang in unison, their voices shaking the sky and could be heard clearly within a radius of several miles centered on the imperial city.

The magnificent music of breaking the formation and the clanging of swords!

Outside the temple, countless torches danced in the night, like clusters of jumping fire, burning through the dark night.

The heart-stirring drum beats became more and more frequent, like rain hitting banana leaves, like cavalry charging, like the battle of thousands of troops!

Anyone who hears this formation-breaking music will feel their blood boiling with excitement, and their hearts will be so surging that they can hardly control themselves!

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the drumbeats stopped.

All the soldiers outside the palace knelt down in unison towards Chengming Palace, shouting in a voice that shook the heavens and the earth: "Congratulations to your majesty for a long and prosperous life! May your life be filled with eternal joy!"

Inside Chengming Palace, all the civil and military officials were so shocked that they were speechless.

Zhang Liao was even more stunned.

Lu Bu turned around and bowed to Liu Xie, saying, "This is the music of Wen Gong breaking the formation created by your majesty! I take the initiative and ask the soldiers in the army to practice together."

"On behalf of all the soldiers of the Han Dynasty, I wish Your Majesty a long and happy life! May the Han Dynasty be blessed with eternal peace and prosperity!"

This was the gift he had prepared for a whole month, just to present to the emperor on New Year's Day!

During this month, he first asked several folk art masters to compose music, and then selected thousands of soldiers for training, all for tonight!

When all the officials recovered from their shock, they left their seats, bowed and saluted, and congratulated in unison: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your everlasting happiness! May the Han Dynasty enjoy eternal health!"

Looking at the civil and military officials prostrating themselves below the stage, even if Liu Xie was calm, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

Although Lu Bu had consulted him in advance about the show that he was going to organize tonight, he was still quite shocked when he saw it with his own eyes.

Liu Xie suppressed his excitement, waved his sleeves, and said with a loud laugh: "All the soldiers outside the palace, I will reward them all!"

He was not stingy in rewarding the many soldiers outside the palace.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The soldiers outside the hall expressed their gratitude together.

Then Liu Xie smiled and said to Lu Bu: "I composed this song for Duke Wen, but Duke Wen gave it to me as a gift."

"However, this music of breaking the formation played by the soldiers is indeed more impressive. Lord Wen is thoughtful."

(End of this chapter)