Chapter 308 (2/2)
”What? Didn't I hear you?”
”General, your order is...”
”I made it clear that no one can leave the camp without my warrant! Is there any doubt?”
”This, this seems...”
”Your order can be executed!”
”Respect the order of Dazhu state!”
……
”My Lord, didn't the court give you leave to recuperate at home?” asked the official on duty of the Ministry of justice.
Cao Yi pleaded for Zhang Zhou at the palace gate, resulting in serious injuries to his knees. Now he still can't walk and can only rely on a stretcher. Even the emperor's birthday can not go, but adhere to the Ministry of justice on duty!
”Today is the birthday of the son of heaven. There are many things in Kyoto. How dare I steal time at home, as the head of the Ministry of justice?”
”Look what you said, your Majesty's birthday is not the first time. Don't all the adults of all departments go to the palace? Besides, the forbidden army has been under martial law in the whole city. How can anyone dare to make trouble at this time!”
”Hehe, today may be different from the past!”
……
”Empress, am I much older?” Zhao Qianyuan asked faintly to the bronze mirror.
”Your Majesty is upright and prosperous in spring and autumn, holding the posture of dragon and tiger, but you can't see that he is a little old!” the queen smiled.
”Alas, how can a person not be old? After all, years do not forgive people!”
”Your Majesty is not an ordinary person, but the son of heaven. No matter how ruthless the years are, he doesn't dare to offend Long Yan?”
”Yes, I am the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Who dares to offend the saint? Although I am old, I can still control the rivers and mountains of the Tang Dynasty!”
”Your Majesty is always so wise and powerful in the eyes of his concubines!”
At this time, footsteps came from outside. After reporting, Hong Xi bowed in.
”Your Majesty, the time has come. It's time to drive to the temple!”
Zhao Qianyuan said ”well”, turned and strode outward, followed by the empress. When he came to the door, Zhao Qianyuan stopped and looked at the snowflakes falling all over the sky.
”Auspicious snow heralds a good year! It seems that today is a good day!”
”Your Majesty is right. According to the old slave, heaven knows your Majesty's birthday and comes at the right time!” Hong Xi said with a smile.
”Really? It seems that God's will is on my side. It's good! Hong Xi's words make me very happy. I will reward you if I have a chance!”
”Thank you for your grace...”
”Rise in vain!” before Hong Xi's voice fell, Zhao Qianyuan shouted.
A middle-aged eunuch standing under the eaves came out.
”Your Majesty, the slave is here!”
Hong Xi is the chief eunuch around Zhao Qianyuan, but he is not the only eunuch to serve. There are some eunuchs at a lower level who are responsible for daily service. Bai Qi is an ordinary mending eunuch.
This kind of eunuch was replaced very frequently. Some eunuchs were replaced without even the opportunity to get familiar with the emperor, because Hong Xi did not allow other eunuchs to have too many opportunities to contact the emperor. But this position is still hot. Many people will try their best to get this job, just to win an opportunity to change their destiny!
Bai Qi spent a lot of money to get this position. He was on duty the day before yesterday!
It is reasonable to say that it is difficult for the emperor to look at such a person. Today, Zhao Qianyuan named him.
”Today, you serve with Hong Xi and learn from Hong Xi!”
Bai Qi knelt down and received the order without being surprised. After getting up, he saluted Hong Xi with a fist, and then stood next to Hong Xi.
As soon as Hong Xi's face changed slightly, he immediately responded with a smile, and then there was no intersection.
”Your Majesty, the sacrifice is ready. Don't miss the time.” the queen whispered.
Zhao Qianyuan nodded.
”The queen said, let's start now!”
……
Sacrifice at the imperial temple is an indispensable link in the emperor's birthday celebrations. Only after the relevant things are completed, the last item is the state banquet for the emperor to entertain officials and celebrities from all walks of life!
The place of sacrifice is in the Taimiao temple, which is the place to worship the ancestors of the Zhao family. It is built in the back of the center of the palace and belongs to the core area of the palace!
Although both the Forbidden City and the inner palace are magnificent, there are many palaces and pavilions inside and outside, and the adjacent ones are very compact. The Taimiao temple is the most spacious place in the palace!
Civil and military officials and representatives of celebrities from all walks of life have already gathered on the square of the Taimiao temple. Waiting for the emperor's personal visit, they can start offering sacrifices! In cold weather and snow, many frail old guys have begun to shiver.
Zheng Youliang, the main hall of the Ministry of rites, is responsible for the arrangements related to the sacrifice. Since the accident of Hu Xianwen, he has made up for it from the position of Zuo Shi.
At the moment, Zheng Youliang looked embarrassed and stared at the reporter!
”What are you talking about? I broke my leg? The sacrifice will begin soon. Where can I find someone to replace me?”
Zhao Qianyuan believed in ghosts and gods. It is well known that during sacrifice, there will be eight ”people who invite gods” around the altar in front of the temple to do prayer magic. However, one of the ”great gods” accidentally broke his leg at this critical moment!
The number of people entering the Forbidden City is determined strictly according to the head. Now where can I find someone to fill the vacancy?
What does ”eight sides” mean by one less side? Will Zhao Qianyuan forgive him when he sees it? That's impossible. I'm not sure I can ”click” him on the spot.
”Don't worry, my Lord. I know someone and know some unorthodox tricks. I'm not sure I can try it?”
”Do you think it's fun? Once someone finds out, it's a disaster!”
”Those 'great gods' wear masks and dance things that others can't understand. How can your majesty distinguish them one by one? Besides, is there any other remedy up to now?”
”Can that man be trusted?” Zheng Youliang was still vigilant.
”This man is the 'opera actor' in the palace. The background should be credible!”
”Well, go and arrange it quickly. Don't let others know that there will be a big reward after it is done!”
The ”opera singer” is an artist who specializes in performing for dignitaries in the palace. He is also a person who has been in and out of the palace for many years. There should be no problem with his background. Moreover, there is really no other way now!
……
The walls of the palace city are not only extremely high, but also very wide and thick, enough to drive a carriage on it! The bodyguard of the Imperial College is usually responsible for guarding. Today, not only the number of bodyguards on duty has been increased, but also a large number of forbidden troops have been sent to guard!
The forbidden army monitors the outside of the city. The bodyguards monitor the forbidden army one-on-one behind. It seems that it is absolutely heavily guarded and well prepared!
”Steward Liu has worked hard!”
”Wang lvshuai worked hard. I remember it wasn't you who arranged the defense today?”
Liu Xin, one of the bodyguards in the Imperial College, was obviously surprised by the emergence of school captain Wang Zhan, a powerful force of the imperial guards in the right hall.
”Yes, this is a temporary adjustment made by the forbidden army Yamen. I never thought there would be such a change. However, it's a great honor to cooperate with manager Liu...” Wang Zhan smiled.