Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 400: Building a mountain building, extremely luxurious!

Sunset.

The Fengtian Hall is brightly lit.

After the founding of the country, the Ming Dynasty was accustomed to holding "grand banquets" in the Fengtian Hall.

This time is no exception.

The preparations for the grand banquet are still the responsibility of the Shangbao Division. Now the imperial throne has been set up in the hall, with a yellow flag spread out. Twenty-four guards, including the Jinwu Guard, are standing on the left and right. The Jiaofang Division has set up nine types of music inside the hall, and grand music outside the hall. There are also dancing troupes waiting outside the hall.

Under normal circumstances, the Guanglu Temple set up a wine pavilion to the west of the imperial throne, a food pavilion to the east of the imperial throne, and a delicacies pavilion on the east and west sides of the wine and food pavilion.

The imperial banquet was placed to the east and west of the throne. The crown prince's seat was to the east of the throne, facing west. The kings' seats were placed in order from south to east and west.

Ministers above the fourth rank were entertained inside the palace, while ministers below the fifth rank were entertained outside the palace, and a group of people including the pot steward, wine steward, and food steward were arranged to serve them.

This time only military officers were invited to the banquet, so many seats were waived.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang had reduced his extravagance somewhat, the Shangbao Division was still working diligently and organizing the banquet according to the rules of "etiquette". The necessary procedures were not omitted and the specifications were not reduced at all. At most, some changes were made to the banquet food, and not too many exotic foods were selected. However, the vast majority of the ingredients were still transported to Beijing by land and water from all over the country, and they were all of the best quality.

The standard of royal banquets can usually be described in just one sentence.

The mountain tower is magnificent and luxurious!

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang was known as the most frugal emperor, the banquets he prescribed were still so extravagant. This was the emperor's pomp and dignity. Even if there were some reductions, the huge scale must still be maintained to demonstrate the emperor's majesty.

When the banquet started, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly walked out at the loud request of the Ministry of Rites.

The grand music that had been waiting all around started immediately.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the emperor's throne with a serious expression. It was also at this time that the music stopped. At the same time, officials headed by Zhu Biao entered the hall one by one. Then, military officers above the fourth rank entered from the east and west. Everything was subject to strict rules and no one was allowed to transgress or exceed them.

The great hall.

Zhu Biao, Tang He and others sat in the upper part of the hall. Military officers above the fourth rank stood in the middle of the hall, while those below the fifth rank could only stand below the hall. Then, under the loud shouts of the Department of Rites, all officials began to perform the ceremony of praise and worship, and the ceremony ended.

Since only military officers were present, the Guanglu Temple did not need to open the cups and pour wine.

It was changed to Zhu Biao who toasted the emperor first.

This set of procedures was very formal and complicated, but even a military general like Lan Yu stood obediently in the queue, respectfully waiting for his own process. After Zhu Biao, Tang He, Feng Sheng and other generals toasted, the fourth and fifth rank generals toasted, and then Tang was toasted.

After the second "soup offering" was finished, it was time for the food.

Then there was another round of martial arts dance.

"Dance to Pacific the World".

Play the song of "Loving the Emperor Ming", and dance the dance of "Pacifying the Four Barbarians". Play the song of "The Legend of Heaven", and dance the dance of "The Meeting of Cars and Books". Play the song of "Strengthening the Imperial Power", and dance the dance of "The Hundred Plays and Proceedings". Play the song of "Jinling", and dance the dance of "Eight Barbarians Offering Treasures". Play the song of "Changyang", and dance the dance of "The Lotus Picking Team". Play the song of "Fragrant Liquor", and dance the dance of "Fish Leaping into the Deep". Play the song of "Driving Six Dragons".
After nine rounds, everyone present was starving.

At this time, it was finally time to have the big meal.

Led by Zhu Biao, all the ministers stood up, expressed their gratitude and sat down again, and the dishes were served in order.

It was also from this time on that all officials could have normal banquets.

After all this trouble, Lan Yu and the others were already extremely hungry. As soon as the meal was served, they picked up their chopsticks and started eating impatiently without caring about their eating manners. Zhu Yuanzhang didn't take it to heart and started eating too.

He used to be dismissive of this etiquette, thinking it was just a nuisance.

But after using it a few times, it was found that the effect was quite good, especially in taming those rebellious officials. It was surprisingly effective, and no one dared to make a noise in public, let alone question it. Even the sumptuous meals that were served were usually eaten up, with very little waste.

As a result, the officials' awe of him also increased.

Therefore, after the founding of the country, he restored this ritual and music system under the advocacy of Song Lian.

And thus the corresponding regulations were formulated.

now.

Be it Zhu Biao, Tang He, or even Lan Xiaoer and the others, they all buried their heads, eating the meal in front of them, and had no intention of speaking. After all this trouble, they were really tired and exhausted, and just wanted to eat a good meal to replenish their energy.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't have much appetite.

I simply picked up my chopsticks and took a few bites, then lost interest.

When the generals were almost full, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke: "I held a banquet this time and called you here. I guess you all have some ideas in your mind. Some of you think that I am preparing to attack the Northern Yuan Dynasty in the north, and some are thinking whether I want to announce the generals at the banquet. Some generals even think that I just want to treat you to a meal, but these ideas are wrong."

"We called you here this time for only one purpose."

"Establish a name for the general!!!"

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang speak, Lan Yu and others who originally wanted to continue to feast on the food looked at the food in front of them reluctantly. They had to put down their chopsticks and respectfully listened to Zhu Yuanzhang's teachings. However, when they heard Zhu Yuanzhang say that he wanted to establish a reputation for the military generals, they felt a little confused.

What kind of name should a military general have?

Isn't that what those nerds are into?
The generals only need to mount their horses, kill the enemies, and achieve great things.

What's the point of all the other stuff?

Seeing that the generals below had no reaction at all, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that he had been frustrated and couldn't help cursing in his heart, thinking that they were a bunch of uncouth men who were really not worth planning for. However, Tang He, who had been informed of this long ago, understood it immediately and quickly spoke up to please them.

Tang He said: "Your Majesty is wise."

"I also feel that the generals of the Ming Dynasty need to establish their reputations."

"Since the Song Dynasty, the world has valued culture over military, resulting in the slackening of military preparations, and China has been weakened. It has been attacked by barbarians one after another, and China has been covered in dust. Now Your Majesty is wielding a sword to pacify the world and open up a new world for the Han people. You should indeed revive the world's thought of valuing culture over military for hundreds of years."

"Let warriors get the respect they deserve in the world."

"I think it's good."

Tang He responded to Zhu Yuanzhang's words respectfully and seriously.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Tang He and nodded with satisfaction. However, he felt a headache again when he saw the bunch of people below who were only concerned with eating. He even felt that it was a waste of effort and energy to make such a grand show.

These people are simply not worth it.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked away, thinking that out of sight, out of mind, he continued, "Han had the 28 generals in the Yuntai, Tang had the 24 heroes in the Lingyan Pavilion, so I think that the Ming Dynasty should also carve a monument and write a biography for the heroes who followed us to conquer the world."

"After all, can the Ming Dynasty be weaker than the Han and Tang Dynasties?!"

(End of this chapter)