Chapter 986: The First Congratulations

Chapter 986: The First Congratulations

Chapter 986: First Congratulations (Part )
While people in Jianye were urging Sima Rui to ascend the throne, he took advantage of the situation to proclaim himself king, appointed officials, and established ancestral temples and the state. At the same time, people in Luoyang welcomed the New Year's Day court meeting in the second year of Kaiping (328).

This was the first time that Shao Xun held a grand court meeting as the Son of Heaven since he ascended the throne.

Before dawn, the Changhe Gate was already wide open.

The soldiers from the Right Jinwu Guard of Langyu Longxiong Mansion held torches and carefully checked the identity of everyone entering.

Horse-drawn carriages and ox-drawn carts drove in one after another and stopped at the doors.

The Duanmen Gate remained closed.

Civil and military officials stood on the left and right, stamping their feet and rubbing their hands, whispering to each other. Further away, there were several princes who had already left the palace and were also surrounded by a group of people.

In the sequence of military officers, Yang Jiongzhi, Chen Yougen, Mi Huang, Pei Kuo and others ranked at the top and had the highest status.

Among the civil servants, Prime Minister Wang Yan, Pan Tao, Pei Miao, Liu Han and others ranked the highest.

Yao Yi Zhong was the General of Ningshuo and the prefect of Nannan, standing among the military officers.

On top of the gate tower, in the firelight, several large flags were flying in the wind.

Liang!
Yao Yi Zhong narrowed his eyes and stared for a long time.

The country has changed hands, they are no longer people of Jin, but people of Liang.

All the past events came to his mind. The impact of the Liang Dynasty on him was much greater than that of the Jin Dynasty.

From now on, he would eat from Liang's big pot.

Everything he has is related to the Daliang Dynasty, including his life, his clan's wealth, and even the young and old in the tribe who have followed his family for generations.

He had no intention of resisting the Emperor of Daliang, and he was willing to seek wealth and honor in the Daliang Dynasty - at least that was what he thought for now.

After retracting his gaze, Yao Yi Zhong looked at other people.

He was wearing a bright red fox fur coat, which was very eye-catching. Through the gap in the crowd, he saw the Minister Liu Runzhong who was chatting and laughing with someone opposite him.

On his way to Luoyang, passing through Chang'an, he heard that Liu Runzhong had taken a new wife, a daughter of Wang from Taiyuan.

This family had been severely punished by the emperor, and some of the family members followed the Xiongnu to the west to Guanzhong. After the fall of Liu Han, the family became increasingly weak, which allowed Liu Runzhong to take advantage.

If it were in the past, how could this guy have done this?
At this moment, Yao Yi Zhong realized more deeply what a change of dynasty meant.

It’s really different now. Some people go down, some people go up. If you don’t seize this opportunity, you don’t know how many years you will have to wait.

The changes of power in times of peace are always very slow and never as drastic as this kind of change of dynasties.

There was also someone on the opposite side looking over here, it was the Minister of Personnel Mao Bang, Yao Yi Zhong noticed it.

This man is not even forty years old, but he is already in charge of confidential matters. I just don't know if he can control all those big and small powerful officials.

Seeing Mao Bang's eyes on him, Yao Yi Zhong smiled back.

Lao Qiang is very practical. Nan'an County can select one filial and honest person this year. There is no doubt that Lao Qiang will recommend talents regardless of relatives. He is ready to directly recommend his own sons and nephews, but in the end, it still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Personnel, and the person has to come to Luoyang. The Ministry of Personnel can block this filial and honest person quota.

For the Yao family, whose official power is weak, every official position is very important. Losing one would be very painful and they cannot afford to offend anyone.

Mao Bang stood among the crowd with a solemn expression.

No one talked to him, maybe because he had just taken office and everyone was not familiar with him. But he knew very well that this was only one of the reasons.

Fortunately, he often consulted Sikong Liu Han for advice, and they had a semi-teacher relationship, which allowed him to get to know many classmates. These classmates would also introduce him to their own circles, and with his status, over time, he had more contacts.

Master Shao told him privately that they needed someone to connect the martial arts students and the aristocratic circle.

The two circles cannot be too close, but they cannot be too clearly separated either.

The clearer the distinction, the easier it is to make misjudgments and distrust, which will ultimately lead to confrontation and damage national affairs.

But it is not easy to grasp the balance in the middle. He is also thinking and adjusting.

There was a shout from the front.

Mao Bang turned his head and saw that the gate was open.

Everyone was greatly excited, finally they didn't have to wait in the cold wind, so they stamped their feet and breathed out, lined up, and entered in order.

******
The sky is still dark.

The cold wind blew the flames in the brazier all over the place.

In the square in front of the Taiji Hall, the firewood from last night's garden fire was still warm.

The warriors in distinctive armor stood solemnly, not looking away.

Sima Tuoba Sigong of the Dubei Defense Department of Longxiang Prefecture in the Right Cavalry Guard was one of them.

He arrived in the second half of the night, bringing his 300 knights to replace the brothers who had been stationed in the first half of the night.

It was cold and windy, but he felt strangely hot.

This feeling is hard to describe.

I am originally from the Xianbei and Donghu tribe, but now I serve as a guard for the Han emperor.

The palace is magnificent and splendid, exuding majesty everywhere.

This imperial court arose from iron and fire, was invincible in every battle and every attack, until in the end all the heroes were helpless and had to lie low on the ground.

He seemed to have a sense of pride in being a citizen of Liang State.

The princes, ministers, civil and military officials gradually came to the square in front of the palace.

Officials from the Honglu Temple and the Taichang Temple ran back and forth to maintain the rituals.

The sound of bells rang out.

The emperor's imperial chariot drove up from behind and stopped in front of the Taiji Hall.

"Long live the emperor!" A uniform voice rang out. Tuoba Sigong glanced at it from the corner of his eye and saw more than a hundred officers and officials prostrating themselves on the ground. Emperor Shao Xun, who was wearing a large fur robe, said something and then entered the palace.

The high-pitched voice of the Tongshi Sheren continued to sound.

The civil and military officials pricked up their ears, and when they heard their names, they immediately straightened their appearance and entered the hall to pay homage.

Tuoba Sigong was completely attracted.

It can be seen that these officials are a little nervous, even serious.

After calling out the names more than a dozen times, Tuoba Sigong even saw a person accidentally fall to the ground. He didn't know whether his legs were numb from standing for so long or he was too excited and tripped himself.

But when he fell, no one dared to laugh.

Tuoba Sigong didn't know what the New Year's Day celebrations were like in the Jin Dynasty, but he felt that the officials of the Liang Dynasty were very reluctant to "lose manners in front of the emperor" and were therefore too nervous.

Officials came in one after another, and after paying homage, they went out from the side door one after another and went to the side hall behind Tuoba Sigong to rest.

There were faint voices coming from inside.

"I didn't dare drink water when I went out this morning, for fear that—"

"Haha, I am the same. Alas, it is my first New Year's Day meeting, I dare not make any mistakes."

"I am also a veteran of several dynasties. I attended the New Year's Day court meeting during the reign of Emperor Hui. The warriors holding halberds at that time were too lazy and lost all the ritual vessels. The warriors of this dynasty are holding real weapons, and they are fierce and fierce. They are indeed elite soldiers who have fought in hundreds of battles."

"The palace soldiers take turns to guard the palace, so they are of course real weapons. The Daliang Dynasty was indeed different. I heard that when Emperor Wu of Jin founded the country, the palace was also in chaos. Not to mention the sheep carts waiting for the emperor's favor, there were also people who teased the emperor at the New Year's Day court meeting."

"Isn't it the same now? When I heard that the prince of Sima Rui of Jiangzuo was born, I was overjoyed and rewarded all my officials. Some people laughed and said, 'I have no contribution to this matter, so I dare not accept the reward.'"

A burst of cheerful laughter was heard.

Tuoba Sigong also wanted to laugh.

He couldn't imagine that if a concubine of the Emperor of Daliang gave birth to a prince, would any minister dare to say that he had no contribution in this matter? He would probably be beaten to a pulp!
The sound of bells and chimes rang out again, and the sky was already bright.

Tuoba Sigong looked towards the front of the hall, but saw that the officials who had been coming in to pay homage one by one had been replaced by groups of people of lower status.

The morning celebration is coming to an end.

******
The long and tedious court ceremony was about to end, and the last to come in were the foreign kings.

Shao Xun had left once before, and this time he sat behind the dragon table again, looking at Lady Wang, the Grand Lady of Dai, Prime Minister Wang Feng, and Shao Zhen (Yuan Zhen), the Duke of Liangcheng, who came in to pay their respects.

"Your Majesty has accomplished both literary and military virtues, and hundreds of millions of people are loyal to you. Your achievements surpass those of hundreds of kings, and your influence spans thousands of generations. May the kingdom of Daliang prosper, and the people of China live and work in peace and contentment." Wang bowed to the ground and congratulated him.

"Your Majesty's power is known throughout the world, and your virtue is bestowed upon all people. You are truly a blessing to the Holy Emperor and the nine provinces. May Daliang enjoy good weather, peace and prosperity for the people." Wang Feng also bowed.

Shao Xun's ears were so tired of hearing these flattering words that his eyes were only on Yuan Zhen.

"Your Majesty is a great hero." Shao Zhen said in a baby voice, blinking his big eyes.

When Shao Xun heard this, he laughed so hard that his beard almost stood up.

He quickly stood up and walked in front of the three people, saying, "Get up quickly."

Then he subconsciously wanted to stretch out his hands, but finally withdrew one of them, and only held Shao Zhen with his right hand, saying kindly: "Li Zhen can come with me when I give the banquet later."

Shao Zhen looked at his mother.

Wang gave Shao Xun a subtle look, but she was somewhat pleased in her heart, and said, "Today is the New Year's Day, Li Zhen must not speak carelessly."

Shao Zhen said "oh".

Shao Xun looked at the Wang brothers and sisters again and said, "Don't leave until after the Spring Festival. After you go back, you can prepare your troops, but don't make it public."

"Your Majesty, do you want to conquer Liangzhou?" Wang Feng asked.

"We should use both suppression and appeasement." Shao Xun said, "The Xiongnu can only attack Liangzhou via one route, but I can send troops via three routes, including Dai. How is Bei Yishan doing?"

Wang Feng looked ashamed and said, "Last year, Shuofang and Kujiesha rebelled repeatedly, and the country has been suppressing the rebellion. We only sent a vanguard to the south, occupied the area near the end of Beiyi Mountain near Shuofang, and surrendered several tribes."

"Not bad." Shao Xun said, "I have established a new dynasty. As long as you are willing to work hard, you will be rich and powerful. Go down. There will be a banquet for you later."

"Yes." The two answered in unison.

Shao Xun held Shao Zhen's hand tightly and said with a smile, "You guys hurry up, I will bring the Duke of Liangcheng to the banquet."

As they were talking, palace servants came in, removed the furnishings and brought in a desk.

Shao Xun simply picked up Shao Zhen and returned to the throne. The father and son talked and laughed happily.

The Wang siblings' faces changed. They didn't dare to say anything and bowed and left.

A moment later, Prime Minister Wang Yan appeared outside the hall.

Shao Xun stood up and gently put his son down.

Shao Zhen was sensible enough not to make a fuss and gently let go of his hand.

When Shao Xun saw this, he was even more approving and felt even more guilty.

This son is so sensible that it makes people feel distressed.

Shangshu Ling Chu Huo, Zhongshu Jian Zhang Bin and others entered one after another. When they saw Shao Zhen, they couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

Soon, Qi Wang Shao Zhang, Chu Wang Shao Gui, Zhao Wang Shao Xu, Yan Wang Shao Yu and others also arrived.

The other three just took a glance and immediately looked away as if to avoid suspicion.

Only the fourth child, Tiger Head, looked at Shao Zhen as if he were looking at a toy.

Shi Yijian’s younger brother, very interesting.

(End of this chapter)