"Mr. Li, the Forbidden City is ahead. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ”

Li Xiao followed Cao Huachun and other eunuchs, left Yongdingmen Urn City, went all the way north, entered the inner city from Zhengyang Gate, passed through Qipan Street, Lamp Market, City God's Temple City, Inner City and other lively venues, and then entered the imperial city from the main gate of Li, and then passed through Chengtianmen, where all the staff dismounted, and then walked through the end gate, and finally came to the official entrance of the Forbidden City, the noon gate.

After listening to Cao Huachun's soft introduction, facing the majestic and vast Forbidden City in front of him, this huge building complex representing the highest achievement of ancient Chinese architecture, Li Xiao was full of emotion in his heart.

In ancient China, the center of the sky was divided into three walls: Taiwei, Ziwei, and Heavenly Emperor. Ziweiyuan is in the center and is the residence of the Emperor of Heaven. The emperor of the Ming Dynasty claimed to have accepted the orders of heaven, so he named the palace "Ziwei Palace" (from which the name of the Forbidden City derives).

The entire Forbidden City Palace is 6 miles and 16 steps in circumference, 960 meters long from north to south, 760 meters wide from east to west, and has an area of 0.72 square kilometers, which is a rectangle in the north-south direction. There are seven main buildings in the palace city pressed on the central axis, which are divided by the Qianqing Gate and divided into two parts, namely the front and back courts. The first three halls are Fengtian Hall (Jiajing 41 years changed to Huangji Palace), Huagai Hall (changed to Zhongji Hall as above), Jinshen Hall (changed to Jianji Hall as above), and the last three halls are Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace, Kunning Palace. Miyagi is surrounded by a moat that is up to 52 meters wide and is called the Imperial River.

The architects of the Ming Dynasty placed the largest Fengtian Hall (later known as the Taihe Hall) in the Forbidden City in the center for the emperor's meetings with courtiers and important ceremonies. Fengtian Palace, Huagai Hall (Zhonghe Palace), and Jinshen Hall (Baohe Palace) symbolize the three walls of Tianque. There are three steps under the three royal halls, symbolizing the "three Taiwan" stars under the Taiwei wall.

The above is the "front court", which belongs to the yang. Based on the mathematics of even yin and odd yang, the yang area has the system of "the first three halls" and "three dynasties and five gates", and the yin area has the pattern of "six palaces and six bedrooms".

The "back bed" part is yin, and it is all laid out according to Ziweiyuan. The center is the three palaces of Qianqing, Kunning and Jiaotai, and the left and right are the six palaces of the east and west, totaling fifteen palaces, which are combined with the number of fifteen stars in Ziweiyuan. And between the Qianqing Gate and the Dan Steps, there are six columns of dragons on both sides, symbolizing the six stars of the pavilion between the river god star in the sky and the Ziwei Palace. The noon gate is in front, and the five city towers are also called "five phoenix towers", which is "the yin in the yang". The Qianqing Palace in the inner courtyard is the emperor's dormitory, opposite to the Empress Kunning Palace, and the Qianyang in the dormitory is "the yang in the yin".

The architects of the Ming Dynasty have always adhered to this unique Chinese architectural idea of "yin and yang harmony", which has achieved the unique and grand Chinese charm of the Forbidden City.

Seeing Li Xiao's stunned appearance, Cao Huachun smiled secretly in his heart.

He was used to seeing the same expressions of those officials who came to the Forbidden City for the first time, and the kind of heavenly majesty exuded by the Forbidden City was enough to make everyone who came to it for the first time feel an invisible coercive power.

After all, this is the heart of the Ming Empire, and it is the place where the highest power of the entire empire is located.

Even Nuerhachi, who was the general of the Ming Dynasty Dragon and Tiger, was deeply shocked by the bearing of the Ming Forbidden City, this chieftain who grew up in the ice, snow, barren mountains and mountains of the northeast, when he met the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, that attitude can be called respectful.

Of course, Cao Huachun didn't think about it, in fact, Li Xiao didn't think about it so much, he was just thinking about the characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture.

Because the imperial garden is not far from the Qianqing Palace side of the apse, and it is also quite close to Jingshan, Li Xiao and his party bypassed the front hall and went to the back hall.

After bypassing the front hall, Li Xiao noticed that in the southeast of the front hall, there was a large building complex, and in a vacant lot of this building complex, a seven or eight-year-old child wearing a cyan cashmere tartar hat decorated with Dongzhu, wearing a azure cardigan jacket embroidered with a three-clawed dragon and blue pants, and cloth shoes with thousand-layer soles on his feet, dressed neatly and crisply, exuding a high-spirited spirit, was having fun with a group of little eunuchs in the open space.

Seeing Li Xiao turn his head to look, Cao Huachun smiled and said: "Mr. Li, that is the prince, this palace is the east palace where the prince lives, from the front to the back, in order, there are Donghua Gate, Wenyuan Pavilion, Tiren Pavilion, Wenhua Palace, Duanjing Palace。。。。。。 ”

Li Xiao stared at Zhu Cihong, the child who was running happily with a group of little eunuchs, listening to his giggles from afar, his expression was very complicated, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Subsequently, under the guidance of Cao Huachun, Li Xiao bypassed the majestic front and rear palace complexes, turned a few alleys, and finally arrived in the imperial garden where the emperor was resting.

Li Xiao noticed that although the area of this imperial garden is not very large, it is ingenious, winding paths and secluded, like a smart and unique existence in a group of majestic palace buildings.

Li Xiao and others walked all the way, only to see fragrant flowers and different grasses, green banyan trees, rockeries, clear blue ponds, and beautiful scenery. In the garden, a living spring drawn from Jingshan Mountain is agitated and clear, and the circulation is endless, irrigating all the plants and trees in the garden. In the garden, there are palace maids who don't know where they are playing the piano and playing the strings, and the music is loud, which is tempting to think.

In a small pavilion called Dongtian Pavilion, Cao Huachun urgently taught Li Xiao some etiquette on how to meet the emperor later, and then took Li Xiao to the Cuihua Pavilion where the emperor rested.

Li Xiao saw from a distance that a young man dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a crowned with hinged gold wings was sitting idly in the pavilion, holding a blue and white dragon porcelain cup in his hand, looking into the distance, and pouring himself a drink. Behind him, two little eunuchs were holding the dust in their hands, standing with their hands down.

This person is Emperor Chongzhen. Li Xiao said secretly in his heart.

"Your Majesty, Li Xiao, the chief soldier of Shandong Chifeng, has complied with the order and came here to meet the emperor." Cao Huachun took the first step and entered the pavilion to report.

"Minister, Li Xiao, the chief soldier of Shandong Chifeng, knock to see His Majesty the Emperor, and wish my Emperor long live, long live, long live!"

Li Xiao sang loudly in his mouth, and according to the etiquette taught by Cao Huachun, outside the Cuihua Pavilion, he knelt three times and bowed nine times.

"Oh, it turns out that you are that Li Xiao."

Listening to the tired voice of the young emperor, Li Xiao's heart couldn't help but tremble.

"Li Aiqing, and speak calmly."

"Your Majesty."

Li Xiao stood up, and although he didn't look up, he still secretly caught a glimpse that the young man in front of him in a bright yellow dragon robe had turned around from the chair and was looking at him with a smile on his face.

When he caught a glimpse of Emperor Chongzhen's face, Li Xiao was very emotional.

He saw that although the young emperor of the Ming Empire was only twenty-six years old this year, he was old-looking, with a haggard expression, a little gray hair on his temples, black circles under his eyes, and his eyes were blank, and he did not have the appearance of saintly majesty as he imagined.

Li Xiao sighed secretly in his heart, in order to save this aging and festering Ming Empire, this Emperor Chongzhen, who was exhausted day and night, would be so depressed and haggard.

It's just that in the face of the general trend of history, if you want to save this heavenly situation, it is really difficult for this young man with mediocre talents. What's more, the Ming Empire, which is now in turmoil at home and abroad, is like a huge furnace, holding Chongzhen on the top and barbecuing endlessly every day until the arrival of death.

"Yes, Li Aiqing is extraordinary, heroic, and really the tiger general of the Ming Dynasty!"

Chongzhen looked Li Xiao up and down, and couldn't help but admire.

Before Li Xiao could reply, Chongzhen smiled again: "Li Aiqing, I heard the report of the Ministry of War, you fought the Tartars, captured thousands of heads, and captured hundreds of prisoners, such a great achievement, I am very happy." In my view, Li Aiqing is really a model of my Ming official army! ”

After listening to Chongzhen's praise, Li Xiao hurriedly leaned over and bowed again: "In the end, the general will have to make a small contribution, and he will really trust the holy blessings!" The emperor praised him like this, and Weichen was really ashamed. ”

Chongzhen laughed and stood up, and helped Li Xiao up: "Li Aiqing, I deserve to praise you like this!" If all the generals in the border towns in our Ming Dynasty can have you as brave and good at fighting and being loyal to the country, then our great tomorrow has already been peaceful for a long time. ”

Li Xiao bowed deeply to Chongzhen, and said angrily: "The emperor is serious, the last general is a minister of the Ming Dynasty, and it is his duty to be loyal to the emperor and serve the Ming Dynasty." Your Majesty pointed out, the last general will be driven by the effect, and dare not slack off! ”

Chongzhen looked at him with an appreciative face, nodded with satisfaction, and then said to Cao Huachun: "Companion, in this Cuihua Pavilion, give Li Aiqing a wine banquet, but I have a lot to say and have a long talk with Li Aiqing." ”

Cao Huachun went as promised, and soon, a simple banquet was set up in the pavilion.

Li Xiao, who was sitting at the bottom of the long table, saw that in front of him, there was a pot of wine, four side dishes, a bowl of rice, a plate of pickled radish, and a plate of snow red.

He peeked at it again, and found that the emperor sitting at the top of the long table was actually the same wine and food, and he couldn't help but sigh again, the history books said that Chongzhen's nature was extremely frugal, and it seemed to be the truth.

In particular, after being taken to the Fengyang Emperor's Mausoleum last year, the emperor, who had been condemned for his crimes, kept reducing his meals and withdrawing from his pleasures, and this daily life is estimated to be inferior to even the moderately rich families in the capital.

It's just that the emperor Rao is so frugal, but the Ming Empire is still poor, and the finances are on the verge of collapse.

At this time, Cao Huachun replaced Chongzhen and poured the wine glass. There is another little eunuch who is full of Li Xiao.

Li Xiao noticed that the wine that the little eunuch poured into the wine glass was actually a high-count soju, not ordinary rice wine. Moreover, he peeked and saw that what was in front of Chongzhen was a small cup, and what was in front of Li Xiao was a big cup.

He didn't feel a tight feeling in his heart, what did Chongzhen mean by this?

Could it be 。。。。。。

"Li Aiqing, please drink this cup to the full! This glass of wine, I thank Li Aiqing for the people of the world. ”

Chongzhen was on top, toasting to Li Xiao, who was groaning.

Li Xiao hurriedly got up, then raised his glass and bowed to Chongzhen, and then poured the full cup of soju into his mouth in a respectful manner.

The soju is very high, and it is like a fire in the throat, Li Xiaoqiang endured it without coughing, and after this large cup was in his stomach, he could clearly feel that his face was hot.

He held the empty cup he had drunk, showed the bottom of the cup to Chongzhen, and then sat down respectfully.

Chongzhen on top raised his glass and licked it lightly with a smile.

The little eunuch on the side hurriedly filled Li Xiao with it.

Before Li Xiao could pick up the vegetables, Chongzhen's words rang in his ears again.

"Li Aiqing, please have another drink! This glass of wine, I am the ancestor of the society, thank Li Aiqing. “

When Li Xiao heard this, he hurriedly got up again, and drank the full cup of soju in one gulp.

After another big glass, under the strong effect of the soju, Li Xiao felt that his eyes were blurry, his throat was tingling uncomfortably, and his mind was a little frightened for a while.

Chongzhen, who was at the top, smiled again and licked it.

Li Xiao sat down again, and after eating a few bites of food, Chongzhen's words of persuasion to drink rang in his ears again.

"Li Aiqing, this third cup of wine is my royal clan, thank you Li Aiqing."

Li Xiao, who was obviously a little dizzy in his mind, wanted to refuse Chongzhen's persuasion this time, but he quickly thought about it, and got up and drank it respectfully.

After drinking the third large glass of soju, Li Xiao felt dizzy, the things in front of him were hazy, his throat was almost burning, the green tendons on his forehead were bouncing violently, and he was a little unsteady and slumped on the chair all of a sudden.

Seeing Li Xiao, who had drunk three cups of soju in a row, his face was red and his drunkenness was obvious, but the smile on Chongzhen's face became brighter and brighter, he waved his hand, Cao Huachun understood, and led all the eunuchs to quietly withdraw from the pavilion.

It's just that the little eunuch who poured wine for Li Xiao changed a big pot of tea before exiting the pavilion, and filled Li Xiao with a cup again, so that he would sober up and not get too drunk.

Li Xiao poured himself three cups of tea in a row, and after drinking them all, he felt a little better in his throat and stomach.

At this time, Li Xiao raised his head and met Chongzhen's gaze, both of them were full of deep meaning.

"Aiqing, do you know why I made you drink three glasses of soju in a row?" Chongzhen's face gradually became solemn, he looked directly at Li Xiao, and said slowly.

Chongzhen asked like this, Li Xiao is not a stupid person, he actually knows it in his heart.

As early as when he drank the second cup, he had already guessed what Chongzhen's intention was to make him drink three glasses of soju in a row.

It's just that he said on his lips: "Weichen is frightened, and he dares to figure out the holy will." ”

"Cough, Aiqing, now in this pavilion, there are only two of my monarchs and ministers, and there are no six ears, is there anything else that can't be talked about?" Chongzhen shook his head and sighed.

Li Xiao raised his head, and in his seemingly drunken eyes, there was a faint light shooting out, and he replied in a low voice: "Could it be that Your Majesty has something to ask Weichen, and deliberately made Weichen drunk in order to tell the truth?" ”

Chongzhen sighed: "That's exactly what it means!" I asked you to come this time, and I really don't want to hear some of your false words to welcome you. Such flattering words, which the ministers of the court and the central government say every day, have long been tired of me, and it is really of no use. ”

Chongzhen paused, and said to Li Xiao with expectation in his eyes: "Therefore, taking advantage of Li Aiqing's opportunity to lead the army to aid Beijing, I really want to hear your true views and suggestions on the current situation in the Ming Dynasty." ”

Listening to Chongzhen's words, Li Xiao felt that something seemed to be surging in his throat, and he felt unhappy.

However, he still restrained his rather drunken self and wanted to pour out, but lowered his head and muttered silently.

"Aiqing is worried, and if she says something harsh, is she afraid of annoying me?" Chongzhen saw Li Xiao groaning, and said hurriedly: "Don't worry, the words here will come out of your mouth and into my ears, and no third person will hear them." Even if you have inappropriate words, I will not punish you for being drunk, so Li Aiqing is willing to tell me the truth? ”

Li Xiao sighed lightly, got up and left the chair, bowed to the ground, and said loudly: "My emperor is a true saint tomorrow!" Weichen has to be treated by His Majesty like this, and he dares not to say anything. “

Chongzhen hurriedly helped him up: "Then please Li Aiqing, tell me in detail one by one." “

Li Xiao stood up, but instead of sitting down, he looked directly at Chongzhen's expectant eyes, and slowly said this sentence: "Your Majesty, in the opinion of the minister, if you want to really solve my Ming crisis right now, the most important thing is only eight words." “

"Oh, which eight words?"

"Outside and Qing, inside to eliminate the Liukou!"

Li Xiao's eyes were like electricity, and he said word by word. (To be continued.) )