eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 960: Longevity Festival!

Time flies, time flies.

As the birthday of the Emperor's birthday approaches, the capital city begins to be decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and there is a festive atmosphere everywhere.

The grain warehouses in Jingtong are now full to capacity, and the deposits in the national treasury amount to hundreds of millions of yuan. It is the emperor's fiftieth birthday, and even the current emperor's mother, Empress Dowager Zhang, would not agree to a hasty and simple celebration of such a happy event, let alone others.

The initial birthday expenses reported were about 4.5 million yuan, which was quite a small amount for the emperor.

When Empress Dowager Zhang heard this, she did not make things difficult for the emperor, but chose to pay from her own pocket. By doing so, all the concubines and daughters-in-law followed suit and donated money.

Zhu Houzhao saw what was going on, especially with foreign ministers coming to congratulate him. It was as if a great country could not afford to celebrate a birthday. Moreover, with the country's current strength, so many female relatives had to pay out of their own pockets. This was such a shabby show that even its own people were left laughing and crying.

So he waved his hand and raised the fee by another three million.

The current Prime Minister is Yan Song, and he will not block this money.

In fact, there was no need for them to say too much nonsense. Zhu Houzhao himself was trying his best to avoid spending the money on purchasing useless things, so he issued an edict to allocate one million yuan to the Beijing Planning Department.

This money is only spent on two places, one is the trash can and the other is the toilet.

His reasons were very sufficient. The so-called prosperous and peaceful times could not be a whitewashed prosperity. The palace could be magnificent, but the outside of the palace could not be filled with stench. Fortunately, he had already rectified things like feces and urine, and there were special people who took the excrement of all the residents in the city out of the city and sold it.

But even so, ordinary household garbage and kitchen waste are not necessarily cleaned up properly, and littering is even more common these days.

Taking advantage of the emperor's birthday, the capital's appearance will also be given a new look.

This decree was issued in July. At that time, people inside and outside the court did not fully understand it. They always felt that this was a move of having money but nowhere to spend it. However, everything changed drastically three months later.

There is basically a trash can at every intersection on the streets of Beijing, and there are special people to clean it. The cement road surface, which has been paved for a long time, is clean at a level rarely seen in many years. Even the air is much fresher, and people can feel relaxed physically and mentally when they are in it.

Only now did people realize the effectiveness of this rectification.

In the words of Hu Zongxian, who had just arrived in Beijing, this was truly "sharing happiness with the people."

The decree to transfer him to the attendant position was issued at the beginning of the year, but this guy dragged it out for half a year, saying that after the local locust plague, the people's production and life had not yet fully recovered, and many things were only half done. If he left at this time, the already fragile order might collapse again.

Therefore, Prince Rui had to pay attention to this young magistrate. After all, there were not many officials who could resist the temptation of their attendants. As for selling his integrity for fame, this did not work in the Zhengde Dynasty.

Today Hu Zongxian went to visit Prince Rui at his residence.

What he saw and heard on the way naturally amazed him, and he said to the guide of the Prince's Palace: "No wonder there is a saying that if you don't come to the capital, you don't know what it means to live and work in peace and contentment. The streets and shops are so clean, which is far inferior to those of ordinary county towns. Living here really feels like living in seclusion by the mountains and rivers, feeling relaxed and happy."

"This is something that the emperor has repeatedly asked about after issuing an order. Who dares to ignore it? I would also like to remind Lord Hu that there are things called trash cans on the roadside now. If you have waste, please do not throw it on the ground, otherwise you will be fined 5 silver dollars!"

Hu Zongxian was also a man who read a lot of poetry and books, so he felt that there were many dynasties that could make their armies unstoppable, but there were few dynasties that could keep a city with a population of millions so fresh and clean.

An emperor who rules over a vast territory can actually pay attention to such tiny details. His skill is reflected in the details. The emperor's governance has truly reached the pinnacle.

Just a few decades ago, there were still famine-stricken people all over the country.

Prince Rui's Palace.

Someone came forward to report, "Your Majesty, the new attendant appointed by the Emperor has arrived."

Lao Wu almost forgot about this person, but he still had to respect him when he thought of him. After all, he was a talent that even his father had praised.

So he put down the teacup and accepted Hu Zongxian's greeting with a proper attitude.

When he looked up and took a closer look, hmm... nothing special, just a little more upright and steady, "Are you Hu Ruzhen?"

"Your Highness, it is me, your humble servant."

"The Emperor's will is for you to be a servant, but you were originally just a county magistrate. Do you know why?"

Hu Zongxian said: "Your Majesty is a genius. He has been on the throne for 35 years and has made countless achievements. I am just a lowly official. I want to know the secrets of your Majesty but I have no way to get in. Therefore, I don't know the brilliant plans in your Majesty's mind."

"You really haven't thought about it at all?"

"Of course I have thought about it. Your Majesty has always valued county magistrates and prefectural officials. Perhaps he wants to use me to inspire the people of the world."

To be honest, Lao Wu couldn't understand why, but he would not doubt his father's decision.

"So what do you think?"

"I only have one line of poetry."

"Read it to me."

Hu Zongxian said calmly: "I have traveled thousands of miles to serve the king, and I have nothing to ask for."

"That's a good poem." Zai Jian stood up and said, "Let's go. I will take you to the palace to see the emperor."

Hu Zongxian was unlucky to take up duty just before the Emperor's birthday, because the Emperor was too busy. Even with Prince Rui taking him along, they had to wait for a long time.

What’s rare is that this guy understands Prince Rui’s care for him.

Zhu Houzhao did meet Hu Butang later, but he did not say much. He just asked him to rest for two days and then go to the attendant's room to work.

But behind his back he said to Zai Jin: "This man at least has the talent to be a frontier governor."

Whether this statement is right or wrong will be proven later, and time will pass quickly.

On October 26th, the emperor's birthday finally arrived.

About a month before this, governors-general, generals from all over the country, foreign representatives, even kings and princes, and tribal leaders from Mongolia and the Anxi Protectorate all arrived in the capital one after another.

All the high-end hotels built in the capital over the years are not enough to accommodate the guests. As for the city that never sleeps, it is so crowded that it is impossible to walk.

In addition, in order to create a festive atmosphere for the emperor's birthday, some seemingly ominous or unpleasant events after September were postponed for reporting. Cases of adultery and murder were all stopped. They were not stopped in the capital, but could not leave the local governor's office at all.

There were people who reported auspicious signs, and it took the emperor's approval to stop the trend.

When celebrating someone's birthday, especially the emperor's, gifts are indispensable. However, the emperor does not like antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and has not collected any so-called rare treasures for decades. Therefore, birthday gifts are difficult to give, and everyone has racked their brains.

And there are always smart people.

For example, someone gave the emperor an ordinary painting, which depicted local people hawking goods on the street and their daily lives. This was good and the emperor liked it.

Some people paint, some people write articles, as long as it is related to people's livelihood.

As a result, the court was full of "good news", and Zhu Houzhao even thought that the Ming Dynasty was a paradise.

At this moment, Zhu Houzhao did not reach out to hit the smiling person. Anyway, he accepted such gifts, but he would always add a sentence: What a magnificent scene, I really want to see it.

Anyway, let these governors and important officials understand it themselves. It’s not uncommon for the emperor to leave the palace.

When the time comes, Zhu Houzhao will have to find someone to verify it. If someone makes false or misleading reports, it would be considered deceiving the emperor.

That day,

Zhu Houzhao got up early to change his clothes.

The same was true outside the palace. It felt like thousands of lights were on before dawn. Officials who were qualified to enter the palace to attend the banquet would drag their bodies and wait outside the palace early, no matter how old they were.

On that day, the Forbidden City was filled with auspicious auras, colorful flags fluttered, and everything was silent except for the melodious sound of stringed instruments and singing that filled the nine-story palace. At the beginning of noon, bells and drums rang out, heralding the official start of the grand ceremony for the Emperor's fiftieth birthday.

On the steps in front of the Fengtian Hall, auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns are laid out, magnificent and golden, with bronze beasts and stone lions on both sides, solemn and majestic. The red carpet stretches directly to the throne, with civil and military officials standing in groups on both sides, arranged according to their ranks, wearing tall hats and wide belts, and dazzling pearls and jade, waiting for the emperor to come.

Inside the palace, there are lanterns and colorful decorations, dragons and phoenixes dancing, showing the royal atmosphere. Above the caisson hangs colorful glazed lotus lanterns, shining brightly, reflecting the beams, columns and brackets.

On the imperial table, there were a dazzling array of delicacies, all prepared by the skilled hands of the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor, with a fragrant aroma that made people salivate. On both sides were places for music and dance, with actors wearing embroidered costumes and holding various musical instruments, waiting for the emperor to arrive and then playing elegant music to celebrate his birthday.

Zhu Houzhao, who was used to attending court, rarely experienced such moments, and the events of the past thirty-five years flashed through his mind like a movie clip.

"Your Majesty, it's time."

"Walk."

Step by step, he walked towards the dragon throne.

At some point,

A sharp voice rang out, "The Emperor has arrived!"

The civil and military officials who were already standing in line knelt upon hearing the sound.

"bye!"

This voice was first shouted by You Zhi, and then passed on by a group of eunuchs one by one, until it reached a distance so far that even Zhu Houzhao, who was sitting on the dragon throne, could not see it clearly.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

“Bye again!!”

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

The sound echoed throughout the palace, like a huge sword force spreading out.

“Three bows!!”

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

At this time, the emperor ascended the throne, wearing a twelve-chapter dragon robe, a winged crown on his head, and a white jade belt around his waist, sitting upright on the nine-dragon throne. His face was full and his eyes were bright. Although he was fifty years old, his heroic spirit had not diminished, and he had added wisdom accumulated over the years.

"All the ministers present their gifts one by one!!"

This process was particularly long because there were so many people, including sixteen sons. Each of them had to come and recite auspicious blessings, praying that the emperor would be blessed with as much wealth as the East Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountains.

Or maybe the etiquette is lengthy and boring.

However, Zhu Houzhao had been the emperor for so many years, so he could finish this drama.

After the birthday celebration, the performance of the previously prepared music such as bells, chimes, zithers and flutes began.

The emperor bestowed his blessing and everyone sat at his own seat.

At this time, all the ministers bowed their heads again, shouted "Long live the emperor", raised their glasses and drank together to celebrate the emperor's long life.

Zhu Houzhao also raised his glass, stood up and looked down at his princes, important officials of the court, and foreign envoys, and said, "Let's drink together!"

After three times of this, the emperor laughed out loud, "Today is my birthday, everyone can have fun!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Brothers Zai'e, Zai'er, Zai Yao, Zai Ji, Zai'er and others all had excited looks on their faces. As for Yan Song, Xia Yan, Zhang Jing, Xing Guan and others, they also enjoyed it.

"You Zhi, pour the wine!"

The old eunuch was actually a little worried about the emperor's health, but the emperor was so imposing that he still did as he was told.

Zhu Houzhao was probably a little drunk. He held the wine glass in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and leaned forward slightly. "I inherited the will of the late emperor when I was young. When I was just a young man, I encountered difficulties in national affairs. The Tatars invaded the border and wars were raging. At that time, I was resolute and resolute. I ordered the elite troops to march north to cleanse the enemy with thunder and restore peace to our border. Since then, the frequent border troubles in the north have been reversed, and there are no more Hu horses neighing inside and outside the Great Wall! This is my first achievement since I ascended the throne and shouldered the heavy responsibility of the country!"

"Then, I worked hard to govern the country, knowing that the way to govern the country lies in maintaining peace and strengthening the foundation. So I lifted the ban on foreign trade, allowing merchants to sail to the four seas and exchange what they have, which not only enriched the national treasury, but also increased the benefits of the people; internally, I eradicated the corrupt officials and rectified the government, making it impossible for tyrants like Liu Daxia to hide, and loyal people like Yang Yiqing to realize their ambitions. During this period, I quelled the rebellion of the two rebels An Ning, prevented them from causing chaos in the local area, and stabilized the overall situation of the country. This is my second achievement in governing the country and benefiting the people!"

"Over the years, I have been deeply aware of the sufferings of the people, and I have taken into account the basics of the army and agriculture, so I issued orders to clean up the accumulated problems of military settlements, improve border defenses, and restore farmland, so that the army is strong and agriculture is abundant. Soon, I issued an imperial decree to the whole country to survey the land, impose taxes and labor fairly, eliminate old problems, unify the currency, simplify the tax system, and reduce the burden on the people. Not to mention reforming the system of vassalage, curbing excessive rewards, and standardizing the salary system, so that the children of the royal family can stay in their positions and not proliferate. This is my third achievement of reshaping the land tax system and eliminating the chaos of tax laws!"

"Looking back on my 35 years of reign, I have made decisive decisions, won battles, improved internal governance, and pacified the barbarians. I really want to make the Ming Dynasty last forever and the people live in peace. However, I know that I am at the age of destiny, and I still feel that I have a long way to go. I dare not slack off. Today, all the ministers gather together to celebrate my 50th birthday. It is a sign of peace and prosperity for the country and the people. I am very pleased. I hope that with the help of the spirit of heaven and earth, I will continue to forge ahead, live up to the trust of my ancestors, and live up to the expectations of the people. When I reach the age of 100, I will look back on the past and comfort my ancestors.
I am worthy of being the ruler of the Ming Dynasty!"

After saying that, he raised his head and drank it all in one gulp!!
As for the princes, nobles, and important officials sitting down, all of them were trembling in their hearts and looking in awe.

The fourth prince, Prince Yu, who was the most heroic and direct, could not help but let his blood boil, and sang loudly: "Father has brought peace to the country and appeased the barbarians abroad. He has made great achievements in both civil and military affairs, and his virtue has spread to the people. He has surpassed all the saints of previous dynasties and is truly the greatest ruler of all ages!"

Although Zhu Houzhao had heard a lot of flattery, he couldn't help feeling happy, because he, the fourth son, would not say such untrue words. At most, he would not say it.

Among all the ministers, Yan Song had been in the court since the beginning of the Zhengde period. Although he was a low-ranking official at the time, he had witnessed it firsthand. Thinking back carefully, the emperor had done too much. He wanted to flatter him quickly,

But Xia Yan walked in front of him, stood up and raised his glass, saying: "Looking at the ancient sage kings, some of them were famous for their civil and military achievements, while others were famous for their benevolence and education. But looking at our emperor today, his civil and military skills, benevolence and wisdom are far superior to those of previous generations. He can be said to be the embodiment of all sages. We, the ministers, are fortunate to be present at this grand event and to see your face. We are all excited and deeply moved! On this birthday of your emperor, the whole world celebrates together. I wish my emperor great fortune and longevity, and that he will continue his great achievements, set an example for future generations, and shine for thousands of years!"

Xia Yan is also a man of upright character. He said this because he is truly convinced.

Zhu Houzhao was no longer modest, "It's really fun today!"

As for the days to come, how could Yan Song, Xia Yan and other capable ministers, and rising stars such as Hu Zongxian and Ma Fang not obey the emperor's orders?

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Tomorrow is the last chapter. Three million words was what I had planned from the beginning, and I did it! The last chapter was also what I had planned from the beginning, and I will write it well, and put out the temple name, successor, etc. What temple name do you think is more appropriate?

(End of this chapter)