The Prosperous Era of Longwan

The first day of the first lunar month every year is one of the three major festivals in Han society in the Ming Dynasty.

At that time, all officials will have the New Year's holiday, and both the officials and the common people will have warm celebrations, etiquette, cultural, sports and entertainment activities.

The imperial court will hold ceremonial activities in which all officials pay tribute to the emperor and congratulations to the queen. The prince, prince and their concubines also have to pay tribute to the emperor and the queen mother respectively. At the same time, the prince also has to accept the congratulations of all officials.

In the local area, there is a ritual of "paying homage to the palace in all yamen all over the world". That is, on the first day of the first lunar month, in addition to officials from the capital, officials from various yamen and government offices across the country wear official uniforms and go to their yamen to hold a ceremony of "looking at the que and congratulating them from afar".

Officials danced and chanted, knelt and worshipped, and verbally congratulated the emperor on the new year.

The vassal kings from all over the country also have to perform the ceremony of "looking at the tower to celebrate". After the court and local officials completed their greetings and visits, they also interacted with each other and performed "New Year greetings".

However, in the middle and late period of the Jiajing Dynasty, such a strong ceremony as the Zhengdan Dynasty Meeting was never held again. All the ceremonial activities in which hundreds of officials paid tribute to the emperor and congratulations to the queen were cancelled.

Wei Guangde had been an official for several years, but he had not participated in even a single court meeting. The only time when Emperor Jiajing still stayed in the palace was during the imperial examination every three years.

However, in the past two years, he chose not to go to the palace, and the officials had nothing to say. Now that the reconstruction of the three main halls has not been completed, the emperor cannot be allowed to stand in front of the construction site to accept the congratulations from the officials.

Not holding a court meeting did not mean that he could sleep in on the first day of the new year. On the contrary, Wei Guangde got up earlier than usual because he had to go to Fengtianmen to pay homage to the temple. After that, the officials continued their holiday and gathered friends to find places to have fun.

At Yinshi, Wei Guangde had already gotten up and washed, dressed neatly with the help of his wife, walked out of the house and got into the carriage with his head against the dim night sky.

With the sound of a whip whipping the horses, the "crunching" wooden wheels rolled forward against the snow on the ground. Wei Guangde was taking a nap while leaning on the carriage. Although there were hot tea and food on the table, But he had no appetite at the moment and just wanted to be drowsy.

It's been a long time since I had such an experience. Fortunately, Emperor Jiajing didn't go to the morning court, otherwise he wouldn't have exhausted all the officials in the capital.

Wei Guangde now thought with some schadenfreude that it was not easy to meet such a good emperor as Jiajing.

A lantern hung on the front and back of the carriage, which was the only light in the alley at the moment.

Fortunately, we didn't walk long before we turned out of the alley and saw lanterns all over the road. The destination was naturally the same as Wei Guangde.

The teams rushing to the morning meeting followed one another, forming a mighty ancient version of the luxury car team and continuing forward. Not far ahead was the gate of Fangshi. The gate had already been opened, and the night watch soldiers stood on both sides with guns and did not dare to do anything careless.

At this moment, the people on the carriage and in the sedan were all big shots they couldn't afford to offend.

At this time, in the streets and alleys on both sides of Chang'an Street, teams of cars and cars continued to appear. Everyone gathered together and continued to walk along the road towards Chengtianmen.

When they were still far away from Chengtian Gate, the carriage could no longer move. The front was already blocked by cars and sedans that had arrived earlier. Wei Guangde had no choice but to drink hot tea and eat something before getting off the carriage and walking forward. Walk.

Entering from Chengtian Gate, outside the Meridian Gate, officials lined up according to rank.

Now Wei Guangde is no longer the highest among his generation of Jinshi in terms of grade.

Except for the number one scholar who will be awarded the official position of sixth-rank Hanlin editor, the other Jinshi will only be the seventh-rank and start from the seventh-rank official position, and they will have to be at least half a year behind the first-grade and three-rank officials before they can be awarded an official.

Jinshi who are sent to other places also have a long road to promotion, but most of those who stay in Beijing and are placed in the Sixth Ministry will have the opportunity to be promoted within one or two years after being awarded the title.

In fact, when it comes to grades alone, there is one shortcoming of entering the Hanlin, that is, the grade rises very slowly, which is not as good as those who entered the Sixth Department in the same year.

When Wei Guangde first entered the officialdom, he quickly caught up with the number one scholar and other major titles. He did make a small reputation, but it is different now.

Wei Guangde didn't go too far when he vaguely saw a person walking forward in front of him. His back looked like he was tired.

Now Lao Kan is the head of the Shanxi Qingli Department of the Ministry of Punishment, and he is also the sixth grade, the same grade as Wei Guangde.

After taking a few hurried steps, Wei Guangde caught up with Lao Kan.

"Shandai, are you still behind me?"

Lao Kan heard someone calling his name from behind. He stopped and turned around to see it was Wei Guangde. He smiled and said, cupping his hands and saying, "Congratulations on the New Year."

"Congratulations on the New Year."

Wei Guangde also hurriedly raised his hands.

According to folklore, in the ancient times, there was a ferocious monster with a big head and a small body. It was ferocious in nature and made a "Nian~" sound when it roared, so it was named Nian Beast.

As time went by, people gradually discovered the activity pattern of the Nian beast. It turned out that it would scurry into the town every 365 days, and it would only appear and appear in the dark. It would wait until the rooster crows and leave at dawn. This terrible night was regarded as a bad night. It's called "New Year's Eve".

Later, people discovered that the Nian beast was afraid of three things, namely red, fire and loud noises, so later people would gather together on New Year’s Eve when the Nian beast was about to arrive, and post red paper (later gradually changed to paste peach charms or red couplets), hanging red lanterns, setting off firecrackers, etc., in order to drive away the Nian beast.

After New Year's Eve, it is natural to celebrate the New Year smoothly.

The two of them were of the same rank, so they naturally lined up together. They were both wearing green robes, so they were at the end of the queue.

"If you don't have to go to the queue at the Metropolitan Procuratorate, you can still walk around."

Lao Kan knew that Wei Guangde was restless and restless. The officials stood in line and behaved themselves. Only the censor from the Metropolitan Procuratorate was wandering around outside, recording violations of the rules.

"I didn't get it."

Wei Guangde smiled and said, it's not that he didn't want to, it's just that he didn't get the job.

Not long after, the sound of three-way drums sounded from the tower of Wufeng Tower, indicating that the time had come.

The line of officials in front still stood there motionless, but the lines of generals and lieutenants on duty on both sides of the line of officials began to move. They quickly entered through the Meridian Gate to place a guard of honor.

Although Emperor Jiajing did not come here, there was no shortage of required procedures. However, the officials did not need to enter Fengtianmen. They knelt down directly outside Fengtianmen and completed today's meeting.

The weather was a bit cold, but Wei Guangde could only stand like this until the bell rang. The civil and military officials who lined up lined up closed the doors from the left and right, walked in through the Meridian Gate and arrived outside the Fengtian Gate.

Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, stood at the forefront of hundreds of officials and relatives. Under his leadership, hundreds of people bowed five times and kowtowed three times to Fengtian Gate.

Originally, in a normal court meeting, hundreds of officials would have to enter Fengtian Gate to Fengtian Hall. After congratulating the emperor, there would be many ceremonies, and there would even be activities such as receiving foreign guests, and finally a banquet would be given. Now the whole province is covered.

Wei Guangde was flanked by many of his familiar colleagues and peers. After the court meeting, they naturally walked out together. They had to find a place to drink and warm up first. It was holiday time again, and the emperor had no control over what he did during the holiday. .

As a group of people walked out slowly, they passed by the right gate and saw a green-robed official arguing with the chamberlain guarding the gate.

Wei Guangde knew that person. He was from the Sixth Section. He might be planning to go to the Sixth Section for room check-in.

Wei Guangde was not interested in him going to the check-in room during the annual vacation. He just laughed and walked out with others. However, when he got closer, the conversation there still fell into his ears.

"Master Nie, just wait a little longer. The ladies have to go to Xiyuan from Xihua Gate. Wait a little longer. I will let you in when the honor guard over there has passed."

The chamberlain stopped him and refused to let the man in, but Wei Guangde also heard that it must be Emperor Jiajing's harem who had gone to greet the emperor early, so he temporarily sealed the Youshun Gate.

Wei Guangde didn't take it seriously. After leaving the Forbidden City, he and his colleagues walked along Chang'an Street to find a restaurant. It was just dawn.

Following the tradition over the years, restaurants near Chang'an Street chose to open their doors on the first day of the Lunar New Year, because their first customers were officials who had just returned from the palace to complete the court etiquette.

Of course, if it were another emperor's grand meeting, they would have nothing to worry about. Thanks to Emperor Jiajing for allowing these officials to come and have dinner early.

As soon as Wei Guangde walked in front of the restaurant, he heard the people who had entered first were already shouting for the store to bring some hot food.

It snowed all day on New Year's Eve yesterday. It stopped snowing this morning, but it felt even colder.

However, the store owner was naturally well prepared. When Wei Guangde entered, not only was the brazier already burning brightly, but the steaming food and wine were also ready.

"Guozhen booked a private room here two days ago, haha."

Lao Kan behind him smiled.

"I really forgot about this."

Wei Guangde was happy when he heard it, and thinking about it, this was not the first time he had encountered it.

When I was an official in the capital in my first year, I left the palace early in the morning and didn't know where I was going. I saw some restaurants along the street open, but I didn't know until I got there that they were full and had been booked in advance.

While Wei Guangde and others were eating delicious food and drinking hot wine in the restaurant, the Yongshou Palace in Xiyuan was also very lively, with many maids and chamberlains present.

Normally, there are not many people in Yongshou Palace. Emperor Jiajing wants to practice here, so he naturally prefers peace and quiet.

But today is different. On the first day of the lunar month, Concubine Shen and Concubine Lu Jing from the harem came here with more than a dozen concubines to pay New Year greetings to Emperor Jiajing.

Since Empress Fang, Emperor Jiajing has not established another empress. Naturally, all the power in the harem fell into the hands of the only imperial concubine Shen. Concubine Lu Jing was not only favored by Emperor Jiajing, but also had a son, Prince Jing, whose status was She is also not low in the palace, her status is higher than other imperial concubines and second only to Concubine Shen.

Of course, after King Jing's vassal issue was put on the agenda, Concubine Lu Jing's dream of being the Queen Mother came to an end, and her status in the palace began to decline. At the beginning, she was someone who dared to directly challenge Concubine Shen's harem.

After all, even many civil servants could not understand Emperor Jiajing's true thoughts. Some people really thought that because of Concubine Lu Jing's favor, Emperor Jiajing might choose to pass the throne to Prince Jing, which was even more so for other people in the harem. So true.

But at this time, in the main hall of Yongshou Palace, the previously festive atmosphere had disappeared.

After Concubine Shen and the other concubines paid homage to Emperor Jiajing, Emperor Jiajing was naturally very happy and did not reward him as usual in previous years. Instead, he rewarded her with much richer property.

Concubine Shen was a concubine in the third month of the 10th year of Jiajing reign, and was appreciated for her intelligence and prudence.

In the 13th year of Jiajing's reign, Queen Zhang was deposed, and Fang was appointed as the queen because she was "cautious and not slack, and she respected the emperor's wishes". At the same time, Concubine Shen Xi was conferred the title of Concubine Chen, and Concubine Yan Li was conferred the title of Concubine Li.

In the 15th year of Jiajing's reign, Concubine Shen Chen was promoted to a noble concubine, and in the 19th year of Jiajing's reign, she was promoted to an imperial concubine on the same day as the crown prince mother Wang Guifei.

She was able to become an imperial concubine step by step, so she was an extraordinary person. She knew that Emperor Jiajing was fond of practicing Taoism and would never bother him in the slightest.

But once the emperor summons her or there is a solar term, she will do everything she needs to do.

However, as a noble concubine, Shen's fate was not good. She had no children in her life. After Concubine Cao Duan was executed in the 26th year of Jiajing, Shen raised Concubine Cao Duan's second daughter, Princess Ning'an Zhu Luyu. In the fifth year, Princess Ning'an got married, and the etiquette for paying homage to the Shen family was the same as that of her biological mother, so she had an adopted daughter.

After leading the concubines in the harem to pay their respects, Concubine Shen said many festive words, naturally hoping to make Emperor Jiajing happy. Since it was the New Year, she naturally hoped that everyone would be happy.

The two princes who should have been the rightful masters and who could please the emperor the most were King Yu and King Jing, but these two princes could only kneel outside the gate of Yongshou Palace before leaving.

But now, Concubine Shen, who was known for her eloquence, could only retreat to one side without daring to express her anger. The other concubines also hid on both sides like frightened birds, leaving only Concubine Lu Jing kneeling in the middle.

"The fiefdom of the vassal king is a matter of national affairs. When did it become the harem's turn to interfere?"

Emperor Jiajing sat at the top and watched Concubine Lu Jing speak word by word.

"Your Majesty, I just want Zhen'er to be closer to me. Please allow your Majesty."

Concubine Lu Jing's eyes turned red at this time, and she was already lying on the ground as she spoke.

Maybe she also realized that she had done something wrong today, or at least the situation was wrong, but since the words had been spoken, she could only hope that she could use family affection to calm Emperor Jiajing's anger.

"The feudal kingdom I have found for King Jing will certainly not be bad. The construction of the royal palace is nearing completion. These are all handled by the imperial court. You are not the one to speak on national affairs. If Zhu Zaizhen is dissatisfied, he can report it."

Emperor Jiajing was not affected by Concubine Lu Jing's performance at all, and still spoke coldly.

Previously, after Concubine Shen spoke, Concubine Lu Jing also came up to say a few words, but she quickly brought the topic to Prince Jing's enfeoffment of the country.

De'an Mansion in Huguang was thousands of miles away, and Concubine Lu Jing was naturally unwilling to send her only son there. She wanted to change King Jing's feudal state to Beizhili, or Shandong.

However, it seems that the idea is just to keep her son closer to her, but it really touches an iron law of the harem in the Ming Dynasty, that is, "the harem must not interfere with politics."

It is said that this was first said by Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang to Queen Ma, and it later became an iron rule in the harem of the Ming Dynasty.

Perhaps Emperor Jiajing was too kind to Concubine Lu Jing in the past, so she dared to talk to Emperor Jiajing about this matter, but after seeing the emperor getting angry, she did not dare to say anything more.

"If you have a message for him, if you have any ideas, write a memorial yourself and don't do those little tricks."

Emperor Jiajing looked at the woman kneeling in the hall coldly. He seemed very smart before, but he made such a mistake at this time.