Three Kingdoms

Chang'an.

In the early morning, a young man wearing a short coat and holding an empty bowl walked out of the alley while yawning. As soon as he turned out of the alley, he was shocked, "Uncle! What are you doing? 』

At the entrance of the alley, there is a simple breakfast stall.

As the population of Chang'an gradually increased, the division of labor and cooperation in society became more and more refined. If it's an ordinary small county town, even if it's meal time, it would be good to have one or two restaurants open in the streets. It's like TV and movies, no matter where it is, even in remote areas. Going to a restaurant to eat and drink is basically a joke.

Firewood is free? There is no liquefied gas and natural gas these days. If you want the stove to be able to cook meals at any time, you must have a fire at all times. How much wood does it cost to burn it in a day? Not to mention that those small shops may never meet a fool who takes silver ingots to eat.

Small businesses are all about time. After this point, it’s gone.

For some workers who work at night, it is very uneconomical to get up and start the fire to wash the vegetables and cook during breakfast time. Therefore, most of these people will work at the breakfast stall. , spending two yuan to buy a bowl of soup cakes, you can have a delicious meal, and then go to sleep, so that you have the energy to deal with the evening errands.

But when the young man arrived at the entrance of the alley, he saw that Uncle Tian, ​​who was originally scheduled to set up a stall at the entrance of the alley, was about to close his stall!

What's happening here?

"Uncle, what's going on?" The young man hurried forward and asked, "What's going on?" "When I came here before, these small stools and tables were full of people, and they didn't close the stall so early. Could it be that I got up late? No, I came here after hearing the bells and drums on the street telling the time. The young man raised his head and looked at the sky, feeling a little hesitant. Or did you get up halfway and fall asleep again?

"Guawazi, if you don't come again, you're going to leave!" 』

"ha? ! 』

"Haha, you piece of shit," Old Man Tian has watched the young man grow up, even though it is the young man who is taking care of his business, he is not lenient at all, "General's celebration, you don't know these four things?" What's the fuss about? 』

"No, Uncle Tian, ​​didn't you say it will officially start in three days?" ” The young man scratched his head and said, “You can tell me at this moment, I will have a holiday when the time comes...”

"You silly boy," Old Man Tian said rudely, "We're going to start now. Does Qinglong Si know?" A lot of people have gone. If you don't go grab a seat now, will you help the old man get a seat then? Bring it! 』

Old Man Tian stopped cleaning up the stall and took the young man's empty bowl. Then he opened the stove door and turned up the heat to boil the soup. He muttered, "I take a big bowl every time because I dislike the old man's dirty bowl." Or do you think a big bowl of soup cake is too much? What a bastard, if the old man hadn’t given you an extra portion every time, you’d have thought everyone had the same amount! 』

The young man just laughed.

Is it a small business? Every penny is hard-earned money.

The water boiled quickly, and the old man began to pull the soup cake apart, stretch it, and then skillfully threw it into the boiling water, and then began to add seasonings to the big bowl inside the young man...

"Put more vinegar, uh, yes, put more green onions..." The young man gestured at the side.

"You're a piece of clay..." Old Man Tian cursed, but he was not stingy in his hands. Not only did he add more vinegar and chopped green onions to the young man, but he also deliberately added a little more coarse salt. Old Man Tian knew that the young man worked hard, and if he didn't add more salt, he might not be able to work long and his legs would become weak.

The young man smiled and was used to Old Man Tian's scolding. Anyway, most of the people in this alley without parents basically grew up eating Old Man Tian's soup cakes, just like Old Man Tian's children. If it weren't for Old Man Tian's bowl of noodle soup, he might not be where he is today.

"Um, is there anyone going to Qinglong Temple?" ” The young man sipped the soup cake and said, “It’s a few days in advance. It’s not business...”

Old Man Tian closed the stove door, covered the fire, and then continued to close the stall quickly, without forgetting to respond, "You said you are a melon or not?" Are you the only one going to the celebration? People started going there the day before yesterday, and a market was even built! Well, if you don’t go earlier, you’ll have to wait a long time! Eat yours! 』

The young man hummed, and then started to eat gruntingly. Halfway through the meal, he suddenly raised his head and said, "Well, uncle, you are going to Qinglong Temple. What are you going to eat tomorrow?" 』

"What a piece of shit!" Get up early these two days! Old man Tian glared rudely, "If you're delayed, just dig up the dirt and eat it yourself!" 』

Only then did the young man realize that it turned out that Old Man Tian was not abandoning his business in the alley, but that he would rush to Qinglong Temple after making breakfast...

"middle! ” The young man gulped down the food and licked the noodle soup again, then put the bowl on the basket of Old Man Tian’s stall.

"Eh? Old man Tian didn't know what was going on, "What are you doing?" 』

"Um, I'll help you carry it to Qinglong Temple!" ” The young man didn’t say much, he just wanted to help Mr. Tian choose a stall.

Old Man Tian was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "You idiot!" How long does it take to walk to Qinglong Temple? ! No need, I'll take a bus at the corner of the street... The bus to Qinglong Temple is half price these days. Do you understand that it's half price? Just charge half of the fare..."

"Oh..." the young man thought for a moment, "then, I'll help you fight to the street." 』

"Hey, you kid..." Every wrinkle on Old Man Tian's face seemed to be smiling, "Sure, let's go." 』

The young man picked up the breakfast stall and walked forward in the morning light.

Old man Tian smiled and supported the stall behind him, and followed suit.

The two of them walked towards the brighter and brighter sunshine, as if they were walking into the light...

……\\(^o^)/……

When General Hussar was about to hold a celebration, a similar celebration ceremony was held in Xu County.

Unlike Chang'an, although in Xuxian County, in order to welcome Cao Cao's promotion to prime minister, the curfew was relaxed and the market business hours were extended, but if we take it seriously, in fact, in Xuxian County, it can still be lively at night There are not many places. Except for the period around the Spring Festival and New Year every year, most of the middle- and lower-class officials finish their dinner early and turn off the lights to rest, not to mention those who find lamp oil or candles expensive. Ordinary people.

Only during the New Year and Lantern Festival, the people in the Yingchuan area of ​​Yuzhou will relax more or less. At other times, unless they get some special "support" from the government, simply put, they spend money to invite people to participate. , otherwise, I am actually not very interested in these so-called celebrations.

After all, life is stressful and sometimes there is no end to the meal. Under such circumstances, how many people would have the leisure to spend most of a day or even a whole day to attend some celebration?

But this time the celebration is different.

Qingxu won a great victory.

No matter how great the victory was, the battle was won after all, right?

Do you want to celebrate after winning a battle?

Cao Cao was promoted to prime minister.

Regardless of why he was promoted, this can be regarded as the second prime minister of the Han Dynasty in the past century besides Dong Zhuo. It can even be said that Dong Zhuo's position as prime minister was self-proclaimed and was not recognized by others at all. At most, he was silent. However, Cao Cao's position as prime minister was obtained after three concessions and three awards. It can be said that it was obtained in accordance with the standard process of the Han Dynasty. How? Can't you celebrate?

But……

How can this celebration be considered a celebration?

Emperor Liu Xie said that all counties and counties should be "celebrated together" and "lit up for ten days" to reflect the majestic style of the Han Dynasty. This kind of national celebration has never happened before in the whole country, and no one has any experience, so even after Xun Yu and others said "I obey the order", they were all a little dumbfounded.

National holiday celebrations such as New Year and Lantern Festival actually do not require these officials to worry about it. To a certain extent, these officials are a little disgusted by the people running around during the New Year and Lantern Festival. Young people If you don’t go to the factory, uh, bah, if you don’t go to the farm to work, what’s the point?

Therefore, to a certain extent, in national celebrations such as the New Year and Lantern Festival, much of the work is actually done by the people's voluntary organizations and has little to do with officials.

The preparations for the New Year's Lantern Festival celebrations always start during the twelfth lunar month. Major private businesses, powerful people, shops, etc. contribute money and efforts to bear almost all the expenses. The government only provides a little bit of fun, but it has to issue invoices... Bah , they have to keep accounts, and they will keep more records, so that the officials up and down the government can have a good year and so on. How many pig heads have to be cut off per person!

But it’s not the New Year right now, and there’s no time for it. Also, does the word “universal” in “universal celebration” include Guanzhong? If it is included, how should we say it? If it is not included, how should we say it?

How to prepare materials for the celebration, how to arrange the decorations, and where will the lanterns for the so-called "Ten Days of Lights" come from? If the celebration is really allowed, how will tourists in the inner city and outer city maintain order?

The organization and scheduling of these things alone can make people lose their few hairs and scratch their scalp.

And it is obvious that if there is such a big celebration, Emperor Liu Xie will definitely attend it once or twice. At that time, there will also be arrangements for congratulations from hundreds of officials, worship by soldiers and civilians, tributes from foreign vassals, etc. If one of the links is missing, what will happen? Didn't it become a joke?

Thinking of all the difficulties, there was silence in the chancery, and no one wanted to talk. Even Cui Yan, who had repeatedly persuaded Cao Cao to join him as prime minister, frowned and restrained his hands, feeling somewhat regretful in his heart.

In fact, Xun Yu and others did not prepare any celebration, or they wanted to hold a celebration, but they did not intend to hold it on such a large scale, let alone want a "universal celebration" as the emperor Liu Xie said...

The emperor Liu Xie was angry and said angry words.

This is something that almost everyone can see and hear.

But the problem is that if the emperor speaks in anger, what can everyone do?

You can't say, Emperor, please don't be angry, Prime Minister Cao is inappropriate?

What's more, if it is true that everyone in the world wants Cao Cao to ascend to the position of prime minister, now that he has got his wish, how can he not celebrate?

So no matter what, this celebration must be held no matter how difficult it is!

Fortunately, Xun Yu was still able to withstand the situation. On the one hand, he sent people to inform the surrounding areas of Xu County. Some people must be dispatched to participate in the celebration ceremony no matter what. At most, he would have to walk two more times outside Xu County City and enter the north gate through the south gate. On the other side, Xu County and the surrounding counties were ordered to bring out all the lanterns and other things in stock, and first to decorate the long street in front of Tianyong City.

At the same time, an edict was issued again, assigning special personnel to prepare the programs to be performed at the celebration. As for the bell and drum towers in the inner and outer cities, as well as the surrounding military drums, they must also be used together to create a A grand momentum...

The official Yamen of Xu County City sent people overnight to verify the actual number of wood, silk paper, incense candles, fireworks, fireworks, etc. that are necessary for lighting in each business shop, and be sure to leave enough for the occasion. All government-run and private craftsmen's workshops in the city immediately worked overtime and were ready to be called upon to make lanterns. Several battalions of healthy soldiers were first mobilized from the Tuntian camp, all dressed in casual clothes, and entered the city to be responsible for maintaining order inside and outside the city...

For a time, all the officials, big and small, worked frantically, collecting all the lanterns around them, and when night fell, they hung them up on both sides of the imperial street one after another.

Along with the lanterns hanging in the city, huge red lanterns were also hung on the gate tower of the Xu County Imperial Palace. Red lanterns were also hung at the nine gates of the outer city, accompanied by the sound of bells and drums in the palace. , the bell and drum towers in Xu County also rang together, one after another, as if there were echoes of bells and drums everywhere inside and outside the city.

The deep sound of bells and drums plunged the entire Xu County into an inexplicable atmosphere.

Scholars put down their books, women lit lamps, businessmen put down their account books, singers stopped playing silk and bamboo, and countless people came out quietly, standing under the eaves, standing by the windows, standing on the stone steps, standing in the streets and alleys He opened his mouth and looked at the formations of Imperial Guardsmen with bright armor walking through the streets...

In the ranks of these small squadrons, one person at the head held a lantern high, while the rest recited loudly:

"The importance of the prime minister is to consolidate the country, to appoint Yuanliang, and to ensure the integrity of the county." The general of the Han Dynasty controlled the military affairs of the seven states of Hebei, Henan, Jingqing, Xu Youyang, and supervised the civil affairs of the counties. Cao, the Marquis of Yecheng, was a man of Mengde. Kan Jian rebelled against the rebels and conquered Bei Ting..."

"The appointment is balanced, the performance is only acceptable, he has both internal and external duties, and he has a good outlook on both the government and the public. It is appropriate to remove the position of general and be granted the title of prime minister..."

"The administration is courteous, and the auspicious time is to book your destiny..."

The sound was like a stone thrown into the water, causing ripples in circles.

"In the sixth year of Taixing, Prime Minister Cao defeated the Jiangdong thieves in Qingxu!" 』

"The governor of Yangzhou will send his soldiers to present the harvest in front of the emperor's court soon!" 』

"The Emperor has issued an edict. Lights will be lit for ten days, and the whole world will celebrate!" 』

Qingxu's great victory?

General?

Prime Minister?

In fact, for many people, they have no idea where Qingzhou and Xuzhou are, and they don't know which part of the Jiangdong bandits are, but they know what "Great Victory" means and understand what "Tongqing" means. Since the Emperor If there are edicts, then it must be a great "great victory"!

So cheers first rang out from the neighbors near the Shangshu Terrace, and soon spread to the whole city. Then the cheers also came to mind in the Imperial Street, and then everyone inside and outside Xu County seemed to be immersed in joy...

And among the cheers that filled the sky, the only one without a smile was the Emperor Liu Xie, who was huddled in the ancestral temple.

The emperor, who was kneeling before the ancestral tablet, had a slightly stooped body. He seemed not to look like a young man, but like an old man in his seventies or eighties.

When Liu Xie was young, he basically lived in a greenhouse built by his grandmother, the Empress Dowager Dong. He had a stable and comfortable life and received simple knowledge instillation, which made Liu Xie even better than Liu Bian. of innocence and...

ignorance.

Fearless because of ignorance.

On the one hand, Liu Xie was young and had immature thoughts, so he was not able to understand some problems. On the other hand, under the protection of Empress Dowager Dong and the guilt of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, although Liu Xie lost his mother at a young age, he still He did not feel that life was difficult, which weakened Liu Xie's perception of the dangers of human nature and his appreciation of the difficulties of competition for survival.

Liu Xie dared to yell in front of Dong Zhuo because he was still naive and ignorant at that time and did not understand the horror of life and death like Liu Bian did.

Liu Xie dared to angrily accuse Cao Cao of killing Dong Cheng and Dong Fei because he still believed in the kindness of human nature and did not realize that human beings have known how to snatch food from their mothers since they were babies...

But now, Liu Xie has enough knowledge, so Liu Xie understands what fear is.

Fear is a natural skill of human beings, and it is the innate ability of human beings to avoid being harmed. However, precisely because human beings hate the things they fear, once given the opportunity, human beings will find ways to eliminate the source of fear. , put it in the first sequence of what you have to do.

The way to govern is to give both grace and power. This is what Liu Xie came up with after looking through all the previous historical records, the historical books written by officials called Taishi, and trying to figure out the words and deeds of Emperor Xiaowu, the founder of the Han Dynasty and the great emperor. Deep understanding.

But now Liu Xie can't do anything good, and he doesn't have much power.

So what does Liu Xie use to fight against Cao Cao now?

If you can't fight, you can only endure.

There was silence in the ancestral temple.

The cheers from the outside were faintly transmitted in, forming a noisy noise in the ancestral temple, just like the buzzing of the ancestors of the Han Dynasty on the spiritual table...

"If you don't have wings for three years, you will grow wings..."

"If it neither flies nor crows, it will be observed by the people..."

"Although there is no flying, the flying will reach the sky; although there is no sound, the sound will be amazing..."

"He is responsible for the government. He will destroy ten of them, raise nine of them, kill five of his ministers, and raise six of his ministers, and the country will be governed..."

"He raised his troops to defeat Qi, defeated Xuzhou, and defeated Heyong. He united the princes in the Song Dynasty, and then dominated the world..."

Liu Xie lowered his head and murmured in a low voice amidst the noise, as if he was reciting to the ancestors of the Han Dynasty, and also to himself...