On August 3, the wind was beautiful and the sun was shining.

Early in the morning, inside and outside the imperial city, it was already full of lights and festive.

Liu Xie, the son of heaven, was in the palace, and he put on a grand costume early, wearing twelve crowns, a sword hanging from his waist, and golden boots on his feet, looking majestic and impressive. Under the guidance of the eunuchs, they went to the main hall.

In the court, the officials were lined up on both sides, with solemn faces and solemn faces.

On the dragon chair directly above, it was still empty, and the Son of Heaven had not yet arrived.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

A voice like a duck's throat came from outside the main hall.

Immediately afterwards, surrounded by eunuchs, Liu Xie, the son of heaven, wore a crown on his head and wore a gown, and strode over. He was slender and walked steadily.

Liu Xie walked to the dragon chair and sat down, and the officials in the court bowed and saluted.

"It's timeless!"

At this time, a loud and deep voice sounded outside the main hall.

Liu Xie listened to this voice, and there was a trace of anger in his eyes, but he hid it well. He is the Son of Heaven, and the current situation, as if Cao Cao is the protagonist, is one step later than him.

It's just that Liu Xie can only think about it in his heart, and he doesn't dare to expose what he thinks.

"Step, step!"

Cao Cao wore a crown on his head, a sword hanging from his waist, and strode over.

When the officials of the court entered the main hall, they were not allowed to wear swords. However, Cao Cao is a sword walking in the palace, and the specifications are extraordinary. In such a situation, he has already ignored Liu Xie, the little emperor.

Cao Cao's face was majestic, and he walked to the front of the main hall, his body was straight, his hand was raised, and he said very casually: "Minister Cao Cao, please see Your Majesty." ”

The corners of Liu Xie's mouth twitched slightly, but he smiled and said, "It's a matter of courtesy." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Cao Cao thanked him and turned to look at all the officials in the court.

Everywhere his eyes passed, all the officials lowered their heads, not daring to meet Cao Cao's gaze.

Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "Because this official is out on the expedition, it has delayed His Majesty's birthday. Today, this official congratulates His Majesty on his birthday. Come on, Xuanjiangdong Zhang Hong will go to the palace to present a gift!"

Cao Cao was extremely domineering, he stood on top of the main hall, and the rest of the officials, no one dared to plunder his edge.

"Xuan Zhanghong went to the palace. ”

Outside the main hall, the soldiers passed the word, and after a while, Zhang Hong walked in with an entourage.

Zhang Hong's clothes were neat, and his face was even more serious.

The attendant behind him, holding a sandalwood box in his hand, was even more solemn. Zhang Hong walked to the main hall, put his hands together, and bowed ninety degrees: "Jiangdong Zhang Hong, meet Your Majesty." ”

"Excuse me!"

Liu Xie was like a puppet, waving his hand to let Zhang Hong get up.

Zhang Hong said again: "Your Majesty's birthday, Huiji Taishou Sun Quan, ten pearls, three night pearls, a pair of agate, I wish Your Majesty a long life and a healthy dragon." ”

In the title, Sun Quan's current official position is used.

Although Sun Quan is in charge of Jiangdong, his current official position is still only that of the Huiji Taishou.

Sun Quan's offering of pearls, ten night pearls, and three agate pairs is a very ordinary gift. It can be seen that Sun Quan did not have much respect for the emperor.

Liu Xie's face was expressionless, and he said, "Sun Qing is polite!"

It's just that in Liu Xie's heart, he scolded Sun Quan, who commanded Jiangdong, and the gift was so perfunctory, which disappointed Liu Xie.

Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Mrs. Sun has good intentions, Your Majesty has already known about it." Mr. Zizuna, please take a seat. ”

Immediately, a eunuch led Zhang Hong to a seat.

Zhang Hong's position is located in the second position on the left. The first position on the left, as well as the position below Cao Cao, are vacant. Seeing this, Zhang Hong's brows furrowed slightly, but he still sat down.

Cao Cao said again: "Xuan, Jingzhou Pang Degong went to the palace to present a gift." ”

"Xuan Pang Degong goes to the palace!"

The soldier shouted again, and in a short time Pound strode forward.

Behind Pang Degong, followed by two attendants, he slowly walked in carrying a sandalwood box.

Dressed in a black robe, Pang Degong walked to the center of the hall and arched his hand: "Jingzhou Pang Degong, meet Your Majesty." ”

"Excuse me!"

Liu Xie nodded slightly, with a smile on his face.

For Pang Degong, he has a natural liking. First, Pang Degong was sent by Liu Biao, and Liu Biao was a relative of the royal family; second, Pang Degong was Liu Xiu's teacher, and he had to rely on Liu Xiu.

No matter what aspect he is, he has no reason to keep a straight face to Pang Degong.

Pang Degong said slowly: "Your Majesty's birthday, Zhennan General Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao, offering one hundred and eight pearls, thirty-six pairs of agate, eighteen pieces of jade, nine pieces of antiques, I wish Your Majesty the health of the dragon." ”

Liu Xie bowed slightly, and his smile was even stronger.

Listening to the number of gifts, it is also far more than Koto.

Zhang Hong's face also showed a trace of embarrassment, but it was fleeting.

Liu Xie said: "Liu Qing's heart, I received it, Liu Qing has a heart." ”

Cao Cao took over and ordered: "Your Majesty has already known about Liu Jingzhou's congratulatory gift, please take a seat." ”

Pang Degong's position, on the first place on the right, is above Zhang Hong. It can be seen that Cao Cao's attention to Jingzhou is obviously higher than that of Jiangdong.

At this time, Cao Cao looked at Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty's birthday, the minister presents the Xiliang Horse Surrender Table to congratulate Your Majesty." ”

As soon as these words came out, the officials in the court discussed for a while.

Cao Cao had just pacified the annexation of the states and unified the north. Now, Ma Teng's descending table is presented. It means that Ma Teng has nominally accepted the jurisdiction of the imperial court.

Such a gift is naturally extraordinary.

Liu Xie's face also showed a hint of excitement, and there was one more place under the jurisdiction of the Son of Heaven.

Liu Xie smiled and said: "Sikong has a heart, Sikong's gift, I like it very much." ”

Cao Cao's face showed a look of joy. He looked at Pang Degong and Zhang Hong, and he was even more high-spirited. The reason why Ma Teng's surrender table is now announced is to inform the two that he, Cao Cao, has stabilized the situation in the north and can wave his army south at any time.

Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger, this is the real knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger.

Zhang Hong's brows furrowed, his heart was very heavy, and he felt that Jiangdong was facing a crisis.

Pang Degong was in a heavy mood because he was worried about Liu Xiu. Cao Cao had pacified the north, which meant that he would soon go south, so Liu Xiu had too little time. If Liu Xiu had been given two or three more years, the result would have been different.

Cao Cao waved his hand, stopped the courtiers from talking, and said, "Courtiers give gifts!"

In a word, the ministers of the court began to offer gifts.

When it was the turn of the courtiers, the specifications of the gifts were naturally lowered a lot, and the gifts were even more varied and different.

After the courtiers finished their offerings, Cao Cao looked at Pang Degong and asked, "Pang Gong, Liu Xiu is the son of Liu Jingzhou, and he should participate in the birthday celebration for His Majesty, why didn't he come?"

Pang Degong smiled slightly and replied, "Back to Sikong, Liu Xiu has already arrived and is waiting outside the hall. Today's birthday of the Son of Heaven, Liu Xiu also prepared a gift to celebrate the birthday of the Son of Heaven. ”

Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and there was a trace of solemnity in his eyes.

Instinctively, Cao Cao wanted to refuse.

Liu Xie couldn't wait, and said, "What gift Liu Xiu has prepared, I am very curious. Come and announce Liu Xiu to the palace. ”

At the gate, when the soldiers heard it, they did not open their mouths to shout.

This scene is even more embarrassing.

Liu Xie's face turned red all of a sudden, but he could only look at Cao Cao and wait for Cao Cao's reply.

Cao Cao suddenly said: "Order, Xuan Liu Xiu will go to the palace." ”

"Xuan, Liu Xiu went to the palace. ”

The soldier spoke, and a loud voice was heard.

When Xun Yu, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu and others heard this, their faces were invariably unanimous, revealing a trace of worry. This gift was specially prepared for Cao Cao's announcement of Ma Teng's title as a minister.

If Liu Xiu reconciles, the effect will be weakened again.

It's just that Cao Cao has already agreed, and it is impossible to stop it again.

After a while, Liu Xiu strode in with a sandalwood box in both hands. This sandalwood box, five feet long, one foot wide, and eight inches high, is simple and heavy, and it is more dignified and atmospheric.

Liu Xiu entered the main hall, saw Liu Xie, and saluted: "Liu Xiu, meet Your Majesty." ”