Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, on the night of August 14. Although Yizhou, Hebei is a border city, preparations for the festival have already begun long before the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival. Red lanterns have been hung up early on the long street, and some wooden racks in the lantern market have been half-built.
The weather has been good in recent years, and in the season just after the harvest, everyone from officials to ordinary people are preparing to celebrate the festival happily.
On the north city tower, a young general was holding the hilt of his sword, pacing slowly back and forth behind the parapet, waiting to be off duty so he could go back to his family. His eyes were fixed on the brightly lit streets in the city.
At this moment, he suddenly heard an unusual muffled sound and turned to look outside the city. The moonlight was cold and the ground was dark, with only a few tiny lights in the distance.
The general frowned and stared into the distance.
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard. A warhorse galloped to the foot of the city. The knight on the horse raised his head and shouted: The Liao army is invading!
The general was horrified and turned around and shouted: "Beat the drums and prepare for battle! Send someone to report to the military headquarters immediately!"
In an instant, a dark shadow surged up and down under the moonlight, and a large group of horsemen rushed towards the city gate quickly. There seemed to be something wrapped around the horses' hooves, and the sound was very small. As they got closer, the dull sound of the horses' hooves galloping became clearer and clearer.
Boom boom! The war drums on the city wall sounded.
At this time, the general heard a commotion and suddenly found a group of horses in the city heading straight for the city gate. He asked loudly: "Who are these people and horses?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the group of black shadows on horseback had already rushed into the city gate. There was a clanging sound inside the city gate, and screams were heard everywhere. The general's face turned pale, and he quickly drew his sword and led his men to rush to the stone steps of the upper city, while shouting for reinforcements.
But it was too late. The shadows quickly opened the door and cut the iron chain of the suspension bridge with axes. The suspension bridge fell straight down with a bang, and a group of horsemen rushed towards the city gate frantically.
As soon as the cavalry group passed through the city wall, the Zhou army defenders realized it was too late to resist, and a large number of cavalry troops rushed directly into the city.
The brightly lit street was immediately in chaos. The incident happened very suddenly, and there were screams and the sound of horse hooves mixed together.
In the grand Tokyo Imperial City, a layer of milky white mist covered the pavilions and palaces in the early morning, making it look like a palace. The sound of bamboo strings came from the main hall, creating a scene of prosperity and wealth.
At the imperial palace banquet, Guo Shao and Fu Ermei sat at the upper seats respectively, and the concubines, civil and military ministers, and wives of imperial officials came forward one by one to greet them. The musicians kneeling by the wall played the harp and the flute with great joy.
When Cao Bin returned to the capital, Guo Shao held a banquet to celebrate his success. It was also the Mid-Autumn Festival, so the banquet was very lively and gathered the most powerful and wealthy people in Tokyo.
Empress Fu Ermei was smiling, her eyes were like the crescent moon, and it was very pleasing to look at. However, Guo Shao still felt a little regretful that Fu Jinzhan could not attend the banquet. The emperor and empress sat here, and although Fu Jinzhan had the honorific title, she was the empress of the previous emperor, so it was a little difficult to find a seat, so she simply did not come.
Instead, it was Taizu's noblewoman Zhang who came to the banquet. She had been in Wanfu Palace for many years, and this was the first time she returned to the front hall to participate in such a grand banquet. Her nephew Cao Bin was the most eye-catching newcomer at the banquet today.
There were many people at the banquet, but everyone who could participate had a status. After everyone greeted the emperor and empress, they found their seats politely, exchanging pleasantries while paying attention to the people around them. Everyone looked at the young Concubine Tai from time to time, paying close attention to her without saying anything. No one knew whether Concubine Tai got the favor of her grandson Cao Bin or Cao Bin got the favor of Concubine Tai, who was still young and beautiful. After all, no matter how capable Cao Bin was, he was just one of many military generals and might not have the opportunity to lead an army of 100,000 to the south.
Grand Imperial Concubine Zhang had been away from the front hall and the circle of nobles for too long, and no one talked to her, mainly because they were unfamiliar with her and didn't know what to say, and if they said something wrong, it would just make people suspicious. Zhang dressed up carefully today, wearing a formal dress, and her whole body was bright and beautiful. She was also very silent, but she sat upright, with a half-smile on her face, not a sad face.
At this time, the young general Dong Zunhui came forward with his mother Gao to greet him. Gao was given the title of Imperial Lady, so she was invited to the banquet. Guo Shao had previously accepted the greetings with a nod, but this time he immediately asked: "How is your sister doing lately?"
Gao bent her knees slightly and said: Thank you, Your Majesty, I am fine.
Guo Shao felt a little sad. He had been busy recently and had no reasonable reason to see Gao. He hadn't seen her for a long time. Guo Shao looked at Gao. She was still plump and dignified, and she seemed to have not changed much. Today, she was even more glamorous and beautiful. Every woman who attended the banquet was carefully dressed up.
Gao Shi also makes people feel a little pitiful. She has been separated from her family. She was kidnapped by the Khitans and could not see her son. Now she cannot recognize her own daughter. It is really sad that someone of Gao Shi's status was kidnapped by the Khitans.
Guo Shao couldn't help but said to Dong Zun: General Dong, your mother has had a rough life, you have to be more filial to her.
Dong Zunhui clasped his fists and said: I will follow your majesty's instructions.
After Dong Zunhui and Gao finished their ceremony, they took their seats on the left and right.
Guo Shao turned his head and looked, his eyes resting on Jingniang, who was wearing a round-necked purple robe. Jingniang came over calmly and bent down beside Guo Shao. Guo Shao whispered: After the banquet, you take Mrs. Dong to visit Yulian and let him meet Princess Guo Jinsuo.
Jingniang said expressionlessly: Yes.
At this time, the officials sang: The Grand Commander of the Five Military Commands, the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World, Cao Bin, is here to see you.
One of the reasons for this banquet was to celebrate Cao Bin's victory. Everyone turned their heads to look outside the door. Cao Bin, dressed in military uniform, walked in with high spirits and a flushed face. Then they heard the Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council Wei Renpu say with a smile: Congratulations to General Cao on his victory.
Cao Bin bowed to the left and right, holding a large seal wrapped in red cloth in both hands, strode to the bottom of the dragon throne, knelt on one knee, held up the seal and said: "Your Majesty, the Queen, I have come to the south in compliance with the order, and finally lived up to your Majesty's trust, conquered the Southern Han Kingdom, and returned victoriously. Now I return the seal of the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World. Long live the Emperor."
The eunuch walked down and took the seal.
Guo Shao praised him and ordered him to be awarded a silver ribbon, a scabbard inlaid with gems and gold, and a brocade robe, which Cao Bin wore in public. Everyone congratulated him, and Cao Bin's face was full of red. He clasped his fists to thank his colleagues and greeted them. The hall was filled with joy.
Cao Bin bowed to the emperor again and said: I have captured Liu Jixing, the ruler of Southern Han, and Fan Huzi, the ruler's imperial teacher. I promised to bring her to meet the emperor.
Guo Shaodao: Let them in.