OBS Chapter 389: Court Anecdotes
Chapter 389: Court Anecdotes
September 9th, the Double Ninth Festival, also known as "Double Ninth" and "Tading Qiu", is one of China's traditional festivals.
In the Book of Changes, "nine" is defined as a yang number. On September 9th, the sun and the moon are both yang, and two nines are repeated, so it is called "Double Ninth Festival".
The Double Ninth Festival originated from the worship of celestial phenomena. It began in ancient times, became popular in the Western Han Dynasty, and reached its peak after the Tang Dynasty.
According to existing historical materials and research, in ancient times, there were activities of harvest sacrifices to heaven and ancestors in autumn;
In ancient times, people offered sacrifices to the Emperor of Heaven and their ancestors when the crops were harvested in September to thank them for their kindness. This was the original form of the Double Ninth Festival as an autumn harvest sacrificial activity.
In ancient times, people had the customs of climbing high places to pray for blessings, worshiping gods and ancestors, drying autumn leaves, appreciating chrysanthemums, and having banquets to pray for longevity on the Double Ninth Festival.
On such a special day, in the Song Dynasty's Bianliang City, Emperor Zhezong, dressed in a small dragon robe, led his ministers to the highest point of the imperial city to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for blessings.
"I was able to ascend the throne at a young age, all thanks to the grace of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, and the assistance of a group of wise ministers, which has enabled us to achieve today's prosperity."
"This time, the Song Dynasty's northern expedition, the recovery of Yanyun, and the unification of the country are actions that follow the will of heaven."
"God above, and the Earth below, may you protect the soldiers and civilians of the Song Dynasty, wash away a century of humiliation, and conquer Yanyun in one battle!"
The little emperor respectfully took the sacrificial vessels handed over by the ritual hall and slowly knelt down to kowtow to heaven and earth.
All he could think about was his worry and concern about the war ahead. The elderly Wang Gui and the ministers behind him looked at each other and smiled helplessly.
Although the emperor did not mention a word, all the court officials present knew who he was looking forward to, and it was none other than the 'imperial teacher'.
The fighting on the front line has lasted for about three months, but Han has not received any military reports.
This caused rumors to spread throughout the entire city of Bianjing, with people saying all kinds of things, none of which were good.
After all, the job of speaking ill of others is unavoidable, no matter in ancient or modern times, in China or abroad. Most of the people who do this have bad intentions and unknown thoughts.
But for the rulers at the core of the imperial court, no news is actually the best news.
Given Han's personality, unless there is a big victory or a big defeat, local victory or defeat will not affect the overall strategic deployment, so it doesn't matter whether it is reported or not.
When Han really wants to report military intelligence to the rear, it will be a crucial showdown or the final victory, so these old foxes are not in a hurry at all.
However, the young Emperor Zhezong did not have the ability to cultivate his energy like his teacher. Even though Han Duanyang repeatedly advised him that everything was fine on the front line, the young emperor still could not contain his anxiety and chose to climb a high place to pray for blessings on September 9th.
"Zhongzheng, the emperor is still young after all, and many situations are unclear to him. As the Imperial Secretary, the emperor's closest attendant, you must persuade him."
After the sacrifice to heaven was over, everyone slowly returned to their respective offices. Wang Gui, along with a group of ministers, stopped Han Duanyang who was heading towards the Wende Hall.
"I did try to dissuade him, but it was of no use."
Han Duanyang sighed helplessly, not knowing what to do.
"I remember your father revising the book 'Jingyuan Poetry' a few years ago, adding many excellent poems to it."
"Why don't you present one to the government to divert their attention?"
Seeing his grandson's helpless expression, Han Shipu couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder and gave him some advice.
"Grandfather is right. I'll do it right away!"
Han Duanyang's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed to everyone, then trotted towards the Secretariat holding his official robe.
"This kid, I find he's becoming more and more like Brother Zhigui."
Wang Jiefu said with some sigh, stroking his beard.
"Hahaha, this is what they call 'inheritance', after all, Shi Pu and Jing Yuan don't take after Grandpa Han at all."
Uncle Lu Hui threw his head back and laughed, teasing Han Shipu and Han Ming who was far away.
Han Shipu had no idea what to do with his father-in-law's younger brother and could only laugh and cry.
"Although I advise you not to worry too much about the frontline, you can't just sit there and do nothing."
"Have Prime Minister Fu send a letter of inquiry to the front lines in the name of the Privy Council to see what the current situation is like. Do they still need any assistance from the court?"
"We've accumulated a lot of wealth through the new policy reforms over the years. While we can't be too wasteful, there's no need to be as stingy as before."
"Anything we need, such as food, fodder, or military equipment, please have Cun Zhong (Shen Kuo) send to the front lines. Don't let our soldiers shed blood, tears, and starve!"
Wang Gui now sits comfortably in his position as the head of the prime minister, relying on the national treasury foundation laid by a series of predecessors such as Han Zhang, Fu Yanguo, Zeng Mingzhong, and Chen Shengzhi.
Everything is decided by the four-person group of Han Ming, Wang Jiefu, Sima Junshi and Han Shipu. Wang Gui, Wen Kuanfu and Lu Huishu are now in a semi-lying state.
All the documents and memorials submitted from below had to go through the Privy Council and the Three Departments before entering the Secretariat.
Then Mr. Wang and his three companions just stamped the cards without looking at anything carefully, highlighting their status of being on the job and slacking off while being paid.
According to Wang Gui and the other two, when the Northern Expedition was over and Han Ming returned to the court, these old guys would make room for Han and retire and return home.
Let the other party take advantage of the great achievements of the Northern Expedition to truly secure the position of the head of the prime minister. As for how long Mr. Han can do it, that is not something they can consider.
As long as the emperor and Mr. Han wanted to, it was possible that they would die of old age on the job.
After all, the deep affection between master and disciple is vividly displayed in the young Emperor Zhezong and Han Ming, which makes people envious and jealous.
"Prime Minister Wang has more than enough food on his hands now, so he's not worried. He couldn't have said such a bold statement twenty years ago."
Old man Wen Kuanfu was also in a good mood and took the initiative to make a joke.
"Haha, isn't this the foundation left by our predecessors?!"
"Now I have finally experienced what it means to enjoy the shade under a big tree!"
Wang Gui was open-minded and didn't care about such ridicule at all.
However, what he said made all the ministers nod their heads slightly in agreement.
"In the past, I envied Mr. Zeng and Mr. Chen for having such a good subordinate like Jingyuan. Now, we are the ones who are reaping the credit."
Wen Kuanfu's words made the old men laugh so hard that they couldn't stop, which attracted the attention of officials from the Secretariat and other government offices.
"The old men look very happy. Is there good news from the front?"
Sheng Changfeng asked Liang Han, who was hurriedly holding a pile of documents.
"What's the point of asking me? I'm in charge of salt and iron, and I don't have direct contact with the frontline troops."
Liang Han pulled Sheng Changfeng's hand away and hurried to the Sansi General Office to discuss the local salt tax reform for next year, as well as reports on tea, mining, industrial and commercial taxes, rivers and canals, and military equipment.
With the expansion of the Song Dynasty's overseas territories in recent years, many minerals were transported back to the Song Dynasty, and their Salt and Iron Bureau was busy all day long.
Liang Han didn't even have time to spend with his wife Molan, he was so annoyed.
"You are still so impatient after all these years. What will happen if you want to become the head of the government hall in the future?"
Sheng Hong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, walked quickly with Sheng Changbai, who was now the Vice Prime Minister. Seeing Chang Feng still asking questions, he glared at him angrily.
Not expecting his brother and father to suddenly show up, Sheng Changfeng gave a wry smile and hurried to the Honglu Temple. After all, he was now also a Shaoqing.
"Father, please hurry back to the Privy Council to receive orders. Now that we are about to go to war, I'm sure Mr. Fu won't have enough men on hand."
Sheng Changbai now had a long beard, and after reminding Sheng Hong, he also walked quickly towards the government hall.
The Northern Expedition was a matter of great importance and had far-reaching implications. All departments of the imperial court were basically operating at high speed, providing a large amount of reinforcements from the rear every day.
They have been working hard without having to work for more than half a year. Officials coming and going from the court offices every day are in a hurry and look worried.
The Ministry of War where Sheng Hong worked was originally responsible for managing military rosters and military households. However, once the war broke out, Han Ming gave an order and the Ministry of War was temporarily transferred to the Privy Council for management.
Sheng Hong is such an unlucky guy. He is already in his sixties, but he still has to report to the Privy Council every day.
He wanted to go home and complain, but when he saw Fu Yaoyu, who was older than him and still fighting on the front line, he had no choice but to tighten his belt and work hard with him.
Sheng Hong was still recalling the hardships he had endured during this period when suddenly the Secretary of the Ministry of War came running over, grabbed Old Man Sheng and ran away.
"Hey, Xiaolin, what are you doing?!"
Sheng Hong was so frightened that his beard trembled and he quickly steadied himself.
"Minister Sheng, please leave quickly. Minister Fu wants to collect military rosters from the front lines, and we don't have enough manpower!"
The envoy called "Xiao Lin" explained while pulling Sheng Hong to run.
The corners of Sheng Hong's mouth twitched. He could only take a deep breath, pick up his official robe, and quickly rush to the Privy Council.
For a moment, the entire imperial court was in a state of bustle, and no one dared to chat...