In the fourth year of Xianqing (659 AD), on the first day of the first month, two minutes of the first month, the first day of the great court.

The most solemn court meeting in the Tang Dynasty included the Yuan Day Dynasty and the Winter Solstice Dynasty Meeting. Yuan Ri is also known as Sanyuan, the so-called Spring Festival, also known as Yuan Zheng or New Year's Day, which represents the beginning of the new year. The so-called Great Dynasty Meeting, that is, the hundred officials meet the Son of Heaven, and Zhou Li gives an explanation: Spring sees the Dynasty, Summer sees the Zong, Autumn sees the Hajj, and Winter sees the encounter.

Generally speaking, it is a hundred officials in the capital, foreign envoys, and relatives of the emperor; The Governor of the Governor's Mansion, the Protector of the Governor's Mansion, the Deputy Protector, the Assassin History of the Prefectures, etc., gathered in the Taiji Hall to pay New Year's greetings to the emperor. may not be able to arrive, for all kinds of objective reasons, it is polite to the point that no one can do.

Its political significance is divided into internal and external. Internally, the relationship between the monarch and the minister was clarified, and the control of the magistrates was strengthened, so as to strengthen the central government's control over the prefectures and counties. Maintain hierarchical order and consolidate the rule of the Li family.

Externally, the suzerainty relationship between the Zhufan State and the Tang Dynasty and the ethnic minorities was clarified. Strengthen ties with ethnic minorities and declare the strength of the Tang Dynasty. Strengthen the rule over the frontiers, strengthen the deterrence of neighboring countries, and maintain the long-term peace and stability of the country.

Today's Chang'an City, a state of special alert, traffic control on all streets. The guards of the Southern Ya and the forbidden army of the Northern Ya, all the bad people, almost poured out. Around the walls of each square, the guards wore armor, carried strong bows and long knives, and were armed to the teeth.

To the north of Hengjie in the imperial city, the flag covers the sky and the sun, relying on the dots, all over the palace. From Chengtianmen to Taiji Hall, along both sides of the main road, there are a total of twelve squares. It is distributed in the left and right squares, called the left and right compartments, similar to the big military parade.

In the afternoon of yesterday, the left and right sides led the left and right mansions, and were ordered to go to the Taiji Hall to cooperate with the officials of the Ministry of Rites to arrange the imperial tent of the court. Behind the throne is a black wall, which is an axe-shaped patterned screen; The red carpet is spread in the main hall, and the beautiful name is called the tiptoe seat; Place the smoker and incense case, and plan the guest area according to the official position and ministers.

Before dawn, the guests gathered, the imperial historian led the subordinate officials, waited in the west room of the Taiji Palace, and the imperial historians arranged the queue. When the morning dawned, the Jiade Gate opened, and the superintendent Yushi led people into the door. The captains of the left and right prison gates took the roster and named them, and the ones who were pointed shouted "here".

Hundreds of names, all of which are ordered, are also manual work. It's easy to finish the roll call, supervise the leadership of the imperial history, enter the east pavilion door of the civil official, enter the west pavilion door of the military attaché, and line up in Taiji Square. The prime minister of the middle book, headed by the provincial servant of the door, prayed after the incense case.

Li Yifu and Du Zhenglun were demoted, Xu Jingzong took over as Zhongshu Ling, and Xin Mao, the former secretary of Dali, was promoted to the provincial servant. Lao Xin made a cameo appearance as the master of ceremonies, recited the opening speech, and announced the internal office of the atrium. The officials of the Imperial History Terrace, according to the rank of the hundred officials, arranged for the guests to be in place and waited for Li Jiu to arrive.

The guests are all in place, and Xin Mao will instruct Honglu Temple to go to the west gate to invite the main lord and call it the foreign office. The main lord wears a crown, a crown of twelve jade beads, and a robe of twelve coats of arms. The twelve are ready to carry the imperial opinion, and the twelve palace people hold the ceremonial fan and follow the royal public opinion on both sides. The instrument fan is a long-handled wooden fan, similar to a banana fan, inlaid with gold and jade is very luxurious, used to block the wind and the sun.

Twenty-four or so are prepared, with a strong bow and arrow bag on their backs, and they are lined up behind the imperial court. Twenty-four thousand oxen are prepared, wearing bright iron armor, holding slender thousand oxen swords, guarding both sides of the imperial court. Wu Kang wore a golden armor and walked at the forefront of the left team, standing out from the crowd with golden light, and blinding everyone's eyes.

To the west side of the Taiji Palace, Yuyu slowly fell, Wu Kang approached Yuyu, his right arm was blunt, and his right hand was clenched into a fist. The big guy pressed his wrist and slowly walked down the imperial court, just like the eunuch Li Lianying, serving Cixi Lafayette. was disgusted in an instant, Mei Niang's bad idea is not shallow.

Half a position behind, he prepared Li Yang with Qianniu to protect the king. All Qianniu are prepared, all are prepared, and follow behind the two. The twelve bananas fan opened the way, crossed into a fan array, covering the king's face, and it seemed to be unsightly.

Entering the Taiji Palace, all the guests stood up, and the emperor ascended to the throne. There are three left and right sides, Wu Kang and Li Yang, who are guarding the left and right under the steps. Being able to stand in this position shows that the Holy Grace is Zhenglong and is the emperor's confidant. Li Yang's father Li Yifu, Wu Kang's sister Wu Meiniang, but also said the past.

General Zuo Wu waited for the guard, and came out to report loudly: the left and right compartments are safe inside and outside. The general secretary will be named, and Xin Mao will lead the guests to bow down to the king. Worship twice in a row, which roughly means: Today's Spring Festival, the ministers wish Your Majesty a happy New Year and all the best.

After the chief inspector was finished, Lao Xin stepped forward to ask for instructions, and Li Jiu said: "It can be made." Lao Xin walked to the northeast and announced loudly facing west: There is a system. The hundred officials once again audited, and Lao Xin announced his will: the celebration of his new appointment is the same as that of the public. It probably means that when we say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, we all rejoice together.

Accompanied by the sound of music, serious scenes, and sudden changes in the style of painting. The Tai Chi Hall turned into a dance party in seconds, and the guests danced with their hands, shook their arms and hung their buttocks, scratched their heads at Li Jiu, and grinned with bared teeth. Wu Kang was dumbfounded, and the legendary demons danced wildly, and finally saw it.

The eldest grandson Wuji and Li Tao and others, elderly officials, dance heart-wrenching. Wu Kang was really worried about them, and jumped the old bones apart; Xu Jingzong, who was fat into a ball, was shaking with fat all over his body. All kinds of spicy eyes, I can't bear to look at them directly, do you want to laugh to death?

The herdsmen who can sing and dance are not to be outdone, and their clothes are fluttering and their hair is scattered. A chief jumped closer, wanting to go to the imperial platform, Wu Kang frowned slightly, and moved in front of him. The chief was slightly stunned, continued to twist his fat waist, danced in front of Li Yang, and continued to go on stage.

Yutai's footsteps sounded, and Li Jiu stepped down from the stage and came to Li Yang. The bearded chieftain knelt at Li Jiu's feet, holding his boots in both hands, bowing his head and sniffing his boots. Legend has it that holding the feet and sniffing the boots, the highest etiquette of the nomadic tribes, is exercised only to the khan. Wu Kang was stunned, the legendary stinky feet were an eye-opener.

Li Jiu laughed heartily, and the chief smiled and twisted his ass back to the dance floor. Another chief approached, and Wu Kang also got closer, staring at the stinky foot chieftain. The tense muscles are ready to go, if there is an abnormality in half a point, raise your foot and kick the chieftain, and the thousand ox knife will split in half. Li Jiu, who killed a thousand knives, isn't it good to stay on it, doesn't it increase the difficulty of work?

There are twenty-five envoys, holding stinky feet and sniffing boots, and they are not disgusting. Then the hundred officials approached, stopped three feet away, and showed a graceful dance. Li Jiu was in a good mood, kept waving his hand in greeting, and when the end was near, he turned around and returned to the throne. passed by Wu Kang's side, and whispered in his ear: "Aiqing doesn't have to be nervous, that's their etiquette." ”

Wu Kang lightly agreed, but he complained in his heart, you don't have back pain when you stand and talk. If someone has a bad idea and comes to assassinate King Qin, I will definitely be the unlucky one. The music came to an end, the demons danced to an end, and the hundred officials looked at each other again. The three bows were completed, the first day of worship ended, and the atmosphere was pushed to a climax.

Xin Mao will preside over the ceremony, and the imperial historian will hold the roster in his hand, and pass the honor guard into the hall to be reviewed by the saints. The left and right led the guards, responsible for the Huang Lu battle, twenty people opened the way, and ten people broke off. Wear a red daze, hold a halberd in both hands, and hang a red silk pendant.

The left and right guard the yellow flag, the left and right Xiaowei red flag battle, the left and right Wuwei white flag battle, the left and right Tunwei black flag battle, and the left and right Wuhou Weiqing flag battle. Different colors, different guards, different hilts and halberds; The same military appearance, the same momentum, the same majesty. The envoys of Fanbang were indeed shocked and dumbfounded.

Half an hour later, the guard of honor review was completed, and Xin Mao would continue to preside. Officials of the states and vassal states contributed to the production of local products. The messenger held the gift list, and first read out how many cattle and sheep were sent by each subject country, such as a certain tribe of the Western Turks, how many war horses were sent by the Uighurs, and how many Silla women were sent by Silla...

Then there is the Tang Prefecture Mansion, which one is announced, and which one gets up and salutes. What kind of things, such as mats, sour dates, mulberries, will be rotten in the future, but now they are offerings. Wu Kang's lack of interest, his desire for money has dropped to a record low, and money can't buy good things.

When it was Wuzhou's turn, it was a good cheer. Di Renjie wears a red robe, he seems to have gained a lot of weight, others are vertically long, but you are horizontally long, with a fat head and big ears, you are about to become a meat ball. With a disdainful look, such a good food is not less corrupt, right?

Lao Di didn't squint, pouted slightly, and responded to the big guy's disdain. There are a lot of Tugong in Wuzhou, there are kudzu and arrowroot powder, fragrant japonica and coptis chinensis, silk cloth and rattan paper, white ash and yellow wax, red pine stream rice and Champa sweet rice, all kinds of fluorite jewelry. Li Jiu was very satisfied, praised Lao Di a few words, and said that Wuzhou is a treasure of nature.

Wu Kang was also very pleased, and yesterday I heard Mei Niang say that Wuguan's political performance is very good, and the economy is booming. Mei Niang blew the wind on the pillow, withdrew the governor's mansion of Yuezhou, and set up the governor's mansion of Wuzhou, which was rejected by Li Jiu. Blow the pillow wind again, promote Di Renjie to Beijing, fill the vacancy of General Xin Mao, and take over as Dali Temple.

Li Jiu still refused, and gave two choices, either Wuzhou Thorn History, or Dali Temple. The history of Wuzhou thorn is from the third grade, and Dali Cheng is from the sixth grade, with a difference of eleven levels. The only advantage is to become a Beijing official and be close to the political center.

It seems that he is obedient to Mei Niang's life and is unmoved by politics. Wu Kang even felt that Li Jiu's suppression of the Wu system was restricting Mei Niang. The depreciation of the martial arts brothers is just pushing the boat down the river, and its fundamental purpose is to restrict Mei Niang.

In the Western Turkic Campaign, I made many military exploits, and I only prepared for a thousand cattle. The left and right leaders of the left and right governments, the general of Qianniu, sounds lofty, but in fact he is the head of the bodyguards, and has no military power and political power. Dedicated the secret art of curing choking, saved the princess's life, and only rewarded the sword and helmet. The bastard who killed a thousand knives deliberately suppressed me, and also to restrict Mei Niang?

I couldn't help but feel numb on my scalp, if that was the case, Li Jiu would be terrible. I must remind Mei Niang not to participate in politics too much, and I must also determine to what extent Li Jiu is wary of the martial arts. I can't check the sigh, wait for the end of the court, and find Di Renjie to catch up. Stay in Wuzhou to do the history of assassination, enter Beijing to be Dalicheng, give a quasi-word.

The stinky and long gift list was finally read out, and then the funny began. The states and vassal states offer the so-called auspiciousness. All kinds of weird, all kinds of donkey hooves and horseshoe, Wu Kang couldn't cry or laugh, what a thing.

The strange stones, with the lines on them, look like words, are listed as high-class auspicious, and the devotees are rewarded with ten thousand gold. Right-angled natural small stone strips are indeed a good thing, proof of the movement of the earth's crust. But unfortunately, there was no geology in the Tang Dynasty.

Cute mice, turned into high-grade auspicious, they are in the afterlife, unlucky test subjects. And even happier, there was a woman in the state who gave birth to four boys in one child. Li Jiu was very excited, and the Xuan woman entered the hall, encouraged her for a long time, and hugged the four baby boys one by one.

Quadruplets are not common, but they are not auspicious, and they are rare and strange. It seems that Li Jiu has a magic barrier, and the palace people took the five mothers and brought them to the harem to see the queen. Let the queen be angry, and also have quadruplets, and treat Mei Niang as a sow.

The happy hour passed quickly, the auspicious offering was completed, the household book was listed, and the tributes from all over the country belonged to me. The Ministry of Rites does not show weakness, and I will take away the tribute from the vassal state. Li Jiu agreed, and Shangshu found his younger brother and pulled things into the warehouse, except for the quadruplets women.

Entering the final process, the saint feasts the guests, all of which are ceremonial food. For example, drinking Tusu wine, which is soaked in medicinal herbs such as rhubarb and peppercorns. It can benefit the temperature and yang, dispel the wind and cold, and avoid the epidemic. Promoted by Sun Simiao, it gradually spread and became a custom.

When drinking ordinary wine, the elders drink it first, and Tusu wine is just the opposite. The younger ones drink first, in ascending order of age, and the oldest ones drink last. Su Shi once had a poem, and he drank and slaughtered Su at the end of every year, and he didn't feel that he had been more than 70 years old, which is a portrayal of this custom.

Onions, garlic, leek mustard and artemisia annua, shredded into five-spice plates, meaning to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, can dredge dirty gas, and prevent influenza. Peach wood is boiled into a soup that is said to ward off evil spirits. Wu Kang is noncommittal, authenticity aside, the taste is definitely not good.

The guests feasted, and Wu Kang scoffed. You are in groups of three or five, chatting, and I am holding a thousand cattle knives, standing guard on duty. You sit and I stand, you eat and I watch, it's quite depressing. In order to relieve the depression, quietly look at the crowd and try to remember the faces, which is ready for emergencies.

The carpet leading to the door of the temple is divided into two halves for guests. The east side, near the throne, is the most noble area, where civil officials of the third rank and above are seated. Led by the eldest grandson Wuji and Li Tao, all of them are big guys, and they must be remembered.

At the end of the big guy team, a white-haired old man sits and wears the most formal Confucian robe. He was a descendant of Confucius, and he had the honor to attend the conference. There are two people sitting opposite the civil officials, they are Duke Jie and Duke Xu, Duke Jie is the royal family of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and Duke Yu is the royal family of the Sui Dynasty.

Behind them, there were military attachés above the third rank, such as the Sixteenth Wei General, and Su Dingfang was also among them. To the south of the Sanpin civil and military attachés were envoys of vassal states, and the rest were local officials. The governors of each prefecture, the governors and vice-governors of each prefecture, and the history of the state.

The above is the main area, and the sub-area is in the east of the main hall, including civil officials of the fourth and fifth ranks, and civil officials below the sixth rank. Near the palace gate are the royal family members, who are very unpopular. Outside the main hall, there are also the long histories of various states, sesame mung beans, and so on.

Feeling being watched, he suddenly rolled his eyes, it was the eldest grandson of the Taiwei Wuji. Wuji was caught off guard, hesitated for a few seconds to collect his gaze, and continued to drink peach soup. This old guy should hate me to the bone, but it's okay, I'll clean you up right away.

Wu Kang withdrew his gaze, trying to remember his appearance, determining what could be fought for and what he had to die. I can't help but feel bad about it, and if there is a terrorist attack, throw a grenade at the main hall. The Tang Dynasty, the elite is lost, will it fall apart, right?

I don't know how long it took for the atmosphere of harmony to appear discordant. Tubo Deputy Prime Minister Dayan. Mang Buzhi saluted Li Jiu, and said in a gong-like voice: "Respected Your Majesty of the Tang Kingdom, today's Yuanzheng Dynasty will be full of wise men. The minister has a riddle that he can't figure out, and I beg you to clear up your doubts. ”

The guests' eyes were focused, the hall was silent, and Tubo was a demon again. Wu Kang's eyes swept over, and he almost laughed out loud, he looked too happy. The head is like a shuttle, and he was born without a sin, with freckles on his face and a catfish mouth with triangular eyes.

Seeing that the rebellion was not going well, he was quickly provoking, and he was rejected last year, so he held a grudge. With Li Jiu's permission, Mang Buzhi glanced at the hall and said loudly: "Can make a certain sound, walking on four legs in the morning, walking on two legs at noon, and walking on three legs at night, what is it?" ”

When everyone heard this, their brows furrowed; Wu Kang was dumbfounded when he heard this. This is the Pyramid of Khufu, the legend of the Sphinx, a very classic riddle. Because I like history, I read world history at the age of fifteen and knew this legend. Tibet and Egypt, 108,000 apart, how did he know?

The hall was silent, and the elites of the Tang Dynasty, some of them pondered and pondered, and some of them exchanged their heads and ears, and they didn't seem to know. For about half a quarter of an hour, Mang Buzhi was very arrogant: "Don't blame you Langjun, this mystery is really difficult, and I thought hard for a day before I solved the mystery." ”

The meaning is obvious, you can't answer, it's all imaginary, the elites are tied together, it's better to praise the big Xianglu Dongzan. The naked provocation, the ministers' faces were ugly, Li Jiu was also angry, and glanced at the civil and military officials: "Everyone, Aiqing, answer as soon as possible." ”

Ten minutes passed, including Wuji and Li Tao, all frowning and pondering, and no one guessed the answer to the riddle. Mang Buzhi sneered, Li Jiu's face was gloomy, and his words were angry: "Give an answer as soon as possible, and the first person to answer will be rewarded." ”

Wu Kang really wants to ask, what do you always appreciate, can you impress me. Wait a few more minutes, sigh helplessly, or let me answer. Not for pretending, just for rewards, and not used to being arrogant. Coughing lightly twice, attracting attention, he turned to look at Li Jiu and reminded him: "Morning, noon and evening can be understood as childhood, adulthood and twilight. ”

Li Jiu was stunned for a few seconds, and Long Yan smiled lightly, he already understood. The officials are all elites, and they all know it, but no one speaks, and they want the big guy to pretend to be forced. Li Jiu didn't give in, and said lightly: "Crawling and walking in childhood, walking on both feet in adulthood, and walking on crutches in twilight years, the mystery is people." ”

All the officials got up and shouted to His Majesty Shengming, we are ashamed of ourselves. Mang Buzhi's eyes were incredible, and the big minister didn't guess that it was given by Kunlunnu. This guard is not simple, it is said that he is a relative, and he is also the younger brother of the Empress Wu.

Li Jiu was in a good mood, and said with a lot of trouble: "Lu Dongzan thought hard all day, I didn't use the guards, it only took two quarters of an hour, and I agreed to it." Wu Kang did a good job, he didn't embarrass the queen, and I didn't refuse to accept any reward I wanted. ”

You don't use it, or this kind of rhetoric, obviously you don't want to give it. After Wu Kang complained, he cooperated with him to act: "This kind of riddle solution is just a boring game to play after tea and dinner, and it is difficult to get into the elegant hall." The minister did not dare to take credit, so please take back your majesty's fate. ”

Everyone's faces were different, Su Dingfang and Di Renjie had a faint sorrow. Li Jiu was quite satisfied, got up with a wine glass, and invited the ministers to drink together: "All the envoys of Aiqing, drink teacups with me, and celebrate the Yuan-Ri Dynasty meeting." ”

The guests rose and drank with the king. Wu Kang keenly captured the sorrow of his mentor and Lao Di, the banter of the eldest grandson Wuji, and the gloating of Li Tao. Soon it was like being struck by lightning, it seems that it is not bad, Li Jiu, the turtle grandson, is indeed suppressing and restricting me.

Li Jiu, who is eloquent and strategic, was hacked into an incompetent and faint king, and all evil public opinion. My days in Datang are terrifying...