Zhongli Kuang's nose was sore after hearing what Zheng Rong said, and tears immediately flowed from his eyes. He said, "I was originally just a poor scholar. I was honored to be the prime minister because of the emperor's appreciation. I really dare not slack off. If I fail to live up to the emperor's high expectations, even if the emperor can forgive me, I will not be able to live with myself."
"I was afraid you would say that. You are about the same age as me, and I still want to use you for the rest of my life. When I am old and frail and pass the throne to someone new, you can retire and travel with me among the mountains and rivers. Wouldn't that be a beautiful story of a monarch and his subjects meeting each other?"
This is another extremely important piece of news—it turns out that Zheng Rong did not want to be emperor until his death, but to abdicate the throne to his successor after several years.
Zheng Xin's heart warmed when he heard the news. He thought that he might be able to inherit the throne soon. He couldn't help but smile, but he quickly put it away. He stood up and knelt on the ground, saying, "Father is in his prime. You must not say such words. How can I, your son, bear it?"
Zheng Rong nodded and praised, "What you said is the way of loyalty and filial piety of the saints, and it is worthy of your careful teachings of Mr. Zhongli over the years."
He changed the subject and continued, "Mr. Zhongli is loyal to the state and teaches and educates the younger generation for me. This contribution is unique among the ministers in the court. I will issue an edict today to confer Mr. Zhongli the title of Grand Tutor."
According to the official system of the Han Dynasty, the prime minister was the head of the civil officials, and the marshal was the most respected military officer. Above the prime minister and marshal, there were three other titles: the Grand Master, the Grand Tutor, and the Grand Protector, collectively known as the "Three Masters". Although these "Three Masters" titles had no actual power, they were honors coveted by civil officials and military officers. Even if they were conferred posthumously, it would be a great event to bring honor to the family. And those who could be conferred titles during their lifetime were even rarer.
It is no wonder that Zhongli Kuang was shocked when he heard this. He kowtowed twice and said, "I was just loyal to my duty. I have not done anything great. How dare I accept this commendation?"
Zheng Rong said, "How many officials in the world can do the simple words 'serve their duty'? I appointed Mr. Zhongli as the Grand Tutor to let all officials know that as long as they serve the country loyally, I will reward them. As for those officials who are idle or abuse their power for personal gain, I will punish them severely, so that all officials can have a warning."
After Zheng Rong said this, Qiu Yizi could no longer sit still, and quickly stood up, knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying: "Your Majesty, I understand your deep meaning. I will do my duty when I return and build a paradise for your Majesty where 'no one picks up lost items on the road and doors are not locked at night'."
Zheng Rong nodded with great satisfaction and said, "Since you have such insight, what I said just now was not in vain. Well, you and your elder brother can both leave. I still have a few important words to say to your master. Remember to come and have dinner with me then. If you are late, I will make you drink as a punishment."
Qiu Yizhi felt a little relieved after hearing Zheng Rong's joke, so she kowtowed again and said, "I haven't seen the Queen for a long time, and I miss her so much. Can Your Highness accompany me so that I can kowtow and pay my respects?"
Zheng Rong nodded again and said, "That's as it should be. The Queen often mentioned you in front of me, and always complained why I let you go and become a seventh-rank official." At this point, Zheng Rong couldn't help but chuckle, "Why is it a woman? After all, she is a little less knowledgeable. You should go and talk to her more. If the Queen is interested, you can come over for dinner."
The royal family has strict rules. Except for the Lantern Festival, Zhongyuan Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year's Eve and other festivals, the palace family members are not allowed to see outsiders. Even Zheng Xin has not seen his mother for a long time. Therefore, although he and Qiu Yizhi, his sworn brother, usually get along neither coldly nor warmly, he is grateful enough to see his mother today for his face.
So Zheng Xin hurriedly thanked him, grabbed Qiu Yizi and ran towards the harem.
The current queen was Zheng Rong's first wife when he was still the Prince of Youyan. She was born in an official family and had a very calm and quiet personality. Since Zheng Rong ascended the throne, her status has also risen rapidly. She was immediately promoted to the queen who was the leader of the harem. She was raised by Rong to be more and more happy and plump.
Also, because Zheng Rong's eldest son Zheng Xin and third son Zheng Miao were both her biological sons, and the mother of her second son Zheng Sen was a Hu person, after Zheng Rong's death, her position as empress dowager was almost certain. Therefore, she never competed with other concubines for favor, and was content to act like a mother of the country and tolerant of everything.
However, family happiness is human nature after all. When she heard that her eldest son Zheng Xin was coming to visit her, she was immediately very excited. She ordered someone to tidy up the room and bring Zheng Xin in.
As for Qiu Yizi, she was not very close to him and sometimes even thought that the child was wild and always causing trouble. However, her husband was so happy that she had nothing to say and never failed to show her generosity.
The three of them talked for a long time with great interest. As the sun set, it was time for dinner.
Seeing that it was getting late, Zheng Xin said to his mother, "My father is hosting a banquet in the Shuli Palace. The four of us brothers are present, besides Mr. Zhongli. My father said that if my mother is interested, she can also come to the banquet with us."
The queen really wanted to go, but then she changed her mind and said, "Since we are dining in the Shuli Palace, the discussion will be about state affairs. What do I, a woman, know? I'm afraid I'll disturb you brothers and your teachers! I think we don't need to go this time."
Zheng Xin and Qiu Yizi invited the queen a few more times, but she still refused. They could not force her, so they kowtowed a few times and left.
An octagonal table had already been set up under the shed behind the Shuli Palace according to Zheng Rong's arrangement. Candles were lit all around it, illuminating the entire table as if it were daytime.
The second prince Zheng Sen, who was in charge of the Ministry of War, was organizing military exercises outside the city; the third prince Zheng Miao, who was in charge of the Ministry of Rites, was meeting with foreign envoys in the city. When they heard that the emperor wanted to invite them to dinner, they immediately put down their work and rode to the palace at full speed.
Zheng Sen was born to Zheng Rong and a Hu princess. He was born with a curly beard and a strange appearance. He was also a rough and straightforward person and loved to lead troops to fight. He was about the same age as his elder brother Zheng Xin and they got along well. Last year, he experienced two major battles, the one against the Tianzun Sect and the one against the rebels. In the process, he deeply appreciated Qiu Yi's style of making all kinds of ingenious plans, and thus his relationship with him gradually improved.
Zheng Miao is the second son of Zheng Rong and the Queen. He is a very elegant and suave man. He usually keeps a low profile, but he does everything perfectly. In front of Qiu Yizi, Zheng Rong has expressed his desire to make his third son the emperor more than once.
Zheng Miao and Qiu Yizi are close in age and grew up playing together, so they have the best relationship. When he saw Qiu Yizi coming, he hurried forward, grabbed Qiu Yizi's hands, and said, "Brother, it's been a long time since we last met. One day without seeing each other feels like three years. I just realized it."
Qiu Yizi was also very moved and said, "I am grateful for your concern, brother. I am doing fine. I am far away in Jiangnan and miss my father and brothers very much." After saying that, he couldn't help but reach out and wipe away his tears.
Zheng Rong was very pleased to see the family being so friendly and respectful to each other, so he invited everyone to sit down and eat. He also told everyone: "Today is an ordinary family dinner. There are only fathers and sons, but no emperor or ministers. There is no need to be formal. You can be casual, just like we did in Youyan Road back then."
With Zheng Rong's words, the atmosphere at the table immediately became lively.
When the restaurant in the capital heard that the banquet was ordered by the emperor, they selected all the famous chefs in the restaurant to prepare their best dishes, and sent them to the palace. The banquet had more than 20 dishes of various sizes, all of which were uniquely prepared and delicious - which was the icing on the cake.
Zheng Rong also ordered his men to bring out the aged fine wine presented as tribute by the Yunnan-Guizhou Road, and he personally filled everyone's cups with wine.
Everyone at the banquet felt extremely honored and stood up to toast the emperor with wine from their glasses.
Zheng Rong was delighted to see this and took the lead in drinking it all. The other four also raised their heads and drank the wine in their cups, then smiled at each other.
After three rounds of drinking, Zheng Rong saw that they were just drinking and eating, which seemed a bit boring, so he started to say: "You guys are no different from fools in your hometown if you drink like this. Why don't you drink and play drinking games at the same time, which will be beneficial. Mr. Zhongli, please start!"
Zhongli Kuang still had a serious look on his face, but his voice was full of joy. He answered, "Okay! I'll give you a question. It's not very difficult. Just say a word first, add a radical to make another word, then change the radical to make another word, and finally say a proverb or a poem. It can't be an example. For example-"
Zhongli Kuang paused, then began to write: "The original meaning of qing is blue, and the sun is clear; remove the word "sun" and water, and it becomes love - the sun rises in the east and it rains in the west, it is said that there is no clear sky, but there is clear sky."
Zheng Xin and his brothers were enjoying their meal and when they heard that the topic proposed by Zhongli Kuang was so difficult, they couldn't help but frown.
Zheng Rong was in high spirits after hearing this. He smiled and said, "Mr. Zhongli, this is a good topic! My sons have been free from their homework these days, so I'll take this opportunity to test them." He glanced at his sons and said, "You guys should follow my instructions. If you do well, I'll reward you. If you do not, you'll be punished!"
Zheng Xin was the eldest son, and was the first to be affected. He said, "The character 良 originally means 良, and adding 米 also means 凉. Remove 粒 (rice) and add 女 (girl), and it becomes 娘 (mother)—buy land instead of grain, marry a daughter instead of a mother."
After listening to this, Zheng Rong commented, "Well, although what you did is not elegant, it is in line with the topic. It is rare for you to have such quick wit. Aren't you short of food? I will reward you with 100 dan of rice that Annan has paid tribute to, so that your family can have a full meal." After saying this, he laughed.
Zheng Sen was the second son, and he should have been the next to receive the order. However, he was illiterate and scratched his head for a long time but could not utter a word.
Seeing his embarrassment, Zhongli Kuang was both angry and amused, so he put on the airs of a master and said, "Zheng Sen, if you can't think of a drinking order, just say it!"
Zheng Sen was shocked when he heard this, but fearing being punished, he hurriedly said, "I can think of something, but I can't say it right now. Can you two brothers speak first?"
Zheng Rong actually liked Zheng Sen's rough character. When he heard him begging for mercy, he said, "Okay, listen to Zheng Miao and Yizhi's drinking game first. If they tell you something and you can't tell it, you will be punished!"
Zheng Miao had already thought of the drinking order. When his father called his name, he said slowly, "The word 'Xiang' also means 'Xiang'. Add water to it and it becomes 'Xiang'. Remove the water from the Xiang River and it will turn into frost after rain. The autumn wind is bleak and the weather is cold. The grass and trees are shaking and the dew turns into frost."
Before he finished speaking, Zheng Rong slammed the table and exclaimed: "Good, well-matched! The scene and the mood blend together, and the matching is also neat. I have a reward for you. I will give you a cart of spring water shipped down from Junshan Mountain tomorrow. You can drink it when you go back, or make ice cream. It all depends on your wishes." After that, he laughed again. (To be continued)