In the past two days, Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu and other Confucian scholars in the academy have been busy running around during the day, coordinating matters with the six ministries of the imperial court.

At night, he would read the books of ethics and revise the ritual procedures for the Fengshan Ceremony.

Finally, he roughly figured out the outline of this Fengshan ceremony, and submitted a thick memorial to the court at the morning court on the third day.

The Regent Empress Dowager Dugu and the Regent Prince Li Mingyi read the memorials on behalf of the young emperor, and issued a series of imperial edicts meticulously according to the "suggested arrangements" item by item.

All officials in charge of cultural relics received the order.

Yesterday, the period for Dugu and the young emperor to keep vigil for the late Emperor Dali had expired, and they could leave the capital.

In the court in the early morning.

The morning light slanted in from the door, spreading over the feet of Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu, who were dressed in the official uniforms of the Ministry of Rites, Li Mingyi, who was dressed in a dragon robe, and Zhang Huizhi and other civil and military officials.

Sitting at the highest point, the widow in white veil behind the pearl curtain announced the departure today.

She slowly issued imperial edicts to make arrangements and deployments.

In the silent hall, Dugu Chanyi's voice, as clear as a yellow warbler, echoed back...

After the morning court session, everyone was busy preparing for the whole morning.

At 1:00 p.m., a huge team of no less than tens of thousands of people gathered at the city gate.

There are fully armed imperial guards.

There is a magnificent and solemn imperial palace where the empress dowager and the emperor travel.

There were also many officials and their carriages and horses...

The team was magnificent and set off in a mighty manner.

Behind them, there were also people who had spontaneously followed out of Beijing to attend the upcoming grand festival of worshipping Moon Mountain...

…

"So, you were waiting for me on an empty stomach on the tower that day?"

"Um."

"Didn't I tell you that if you're hungry, you can go eat something by yourself? Let's go back to the mansion first."

"I don't want to. What if you come out right after I leave?"

"Silly girl."

"whee."

“…”

On a sunny day, a huge team stretching for dozens of miles is walking on the official road.

Looking down from the sky, this unprecedentedly large team was winding around, with each vehicle being driven around and densely packed with people...

Zhao Rong was smiling at this time, with Xiao Qian'er behind him.

The two men rode their horses, slightly increasing their speed, passing the crowd along the way and rushing towards a magnificent and solemn imperial palace in the center of the team not far ahead.

At this moment, everyone has been traveling for a day and a night, and they will probably reach the Moon Festival Mountain soon.

However, Zhao Rong was not in a hurry.

Because according to the arrangement, a team had already rushed to Jiyue Mountain in advance to make arrangements, and by the time Zhao Rong and his team arrived, the deployment would have been almost completed.

When Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu arrived at Jiyue Mountain, they could start the Fengshan Ceremony directly.

"The team that went first should have arrived. We should be able to arrive by this time tomorrow."

At this moment, the young Confucian scholar was riding on a horse, squinting his eyes at the front, where he could not see the end, and nodded slightly.

In the past two days, with the issuance of imperial edicts, the entire Dali has taken action and gathered towards Jiyue Mountain.

Every day many people come from all over the place and join the team.

At present, the spacious official road in the past seems to be insufficient.

"Well, Brother Rong'er, I miss my young lady a little bit. After you finish the ceremony in the next few days, let's go back quickly."

Xiao Qian'er touched the brown hair on the horse's head and smiled.

Zhao Rong looked back at her and laughed, "We've only been apart for a few days and you're already missing Qingjun. Okay, okay."

"Huh, don't you miss Miss?"

The little girl tilted her head and spoke in a threatening tone.

"Okay, okay, I want to, I want to, I want to."

The young Confucian scholar was helpless and reached out to touch the white jade around his waist.

He raised his head slightly while riding on horseback, squinted his eyes and looked at the approaching imperial camp in front of him, then suddenly asked with a smile:

"So, the other day on the tower, Miss Su was just like you, waiting for me with an empty stomach? You and she were both in the hall, and...didn't you go out to move around?"

"What activities? Nothing. Humph, boring. She was also boring. Kaixian tried to chat with me, but I ignored her. She just sat there the whole time, and later she took out a book and pretended to read it."

"oh."

Zhao Rong nodded slightly, squinting his eyes as if concentrating on looking at the scenery ahead, and asked no more questions.

Xiao Qian'er often insults a certain fairy in front of Zhao Rong.

"I think she is probably lost in thought. She is just a little maid, and without the help of Brother Rong'er, how could she understand the Mohist Scripture? If it weren't for your previous guidance, Su Qingdai probably wouldn't have known how to learn the Mohist school."

Zhao Rong smiled and didn't respond.

The little girl kicked her horse forward, stretched out her slender hand, and straightened the wrinkles on Zhao Rong's collar, humming to herself.

"It's much more comfortable without her around. By the way, has she become more and more bold recently? Is she adjusting my authority in our Zhao family?"

She shook the reins.

"No, I will have to discipline Su Maid again. Uncle Xiaobai has been busy these days and he just came back last night. I was busy dealing with the Duke's Mansion's affairs in Hanjing Commercial House and neglected to discipline Su Maid."

Speaking of this, the little girl couldn't help but mutter:

"That's strange. She was well disciplined before, but why has she become more and more wild recently? She even dares to jump? Does she think that after reading a few Mo Sutras and getting some guidance from Brother Rong'er, she has the strength to challenge me? What a stupid maid."

A certain young Confucian scholar who loved to teach and answer questions couldn't help but cover his mouth with his fist.

“Ahem…”

"Brother Rong'er, why are you coughing? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Ah, it's okay. Hey, we're almost there, let's get ready and go meet the Queen Mother and the little emperor."

"Oh, sure."

Right now Zhao Rong was going to look for Dugu, who had just sent someone to call Zhao Rong over, but no one knew what the matter was.

However, Xiao Qian'er rushed over, leaving Su Qingdai and Li Bai in the carriage at the back.

Zhao Rong brought Xiao Qian'er to the emperor's residence.

This is the largest chariot in the current team, pulled by more than a dozen dragon horses.

The tall and majestic, purple, jade and yellow solemn curtains are deep and are surrounded by many Crescent Moon Ladies such as Xuecan and mighty guards.

This time we went to Jiyue Mountain.

Hanjing was almost half empty, and Yuefangsi was also out in full force.

Dugu brought out a large number of women with him, and only left the Grand Master of Music Mu Jin and some of his confidants in Hanjing.

Almost all members of the Li royal family, including Li Mingyi, were brought out, except for some princes who were too old to travel.

The same was true for all the civil and military officials who left the court, with only some old ministers staying in Hanjing.

Zhao Rong understood this very well. If he were Dugu, he would also be on guard against certain things...

At this moment, it seemed that Dugu and the young emperor were summoning ministers in the headquarters. The meeting was just about to end, and the curtain was lifted by Xuecan and other Crescent Moon Girls, and Li Mingyi and several strangers walked out.

"Mr. Zhao."

The majestic man in a dragon robe smiled and greeted.

Zhao Rong nodded and glanced sideways at the two strangers who came out with Li Mingyi.

The way they dress and dress makes them look like people who don't want to leave the real world.

"These are envoys from a neighboring country... coming from the west."

Li Mingyi gave a brief explanation and said nothing more. He exchanged greetings with Zhao Rong briefly and then left with the two foreign envoys at a brisk pace.

"Neighboring country, to the west..."

Zhao Rong turned his head to look at their departing backs and muttered softly.

"It should have nothing to do with Fengshan. It should be their diplomatic affairs..."

After a moment, he shook his head, didn't look any more, and turned back.

"Please inform her that Zhao Ziyu has come here at her invitation."

Xuecan glanced at the young scholar, opened the curtain, and let Zhao Rong and Zhao Qian'er in...

Zhao Rong originally thought that Dugu called him over to discuss something important.

However, after he had been inside for a while, he discovered that the beautiful widow behind the upper curtain was saying a lot of things:

Some of them were concerned about Mr. Zhao's well-being, some were just chatting about the past of the late Emperor of Dali, and some were talking about the process of the young emperor ascending the throne as the crown prince...

There seemed to be no central theme, but Zhao Rong was no fool and he quickly realized that Dugu seemed to be compiling history for the academy.

I mistakenly thought that Zhao Rong was the historian on the seventh floor of the library.

A lot of the things she said actually emphasized two points.

As the founder of the Dali Dynasty, the former emperor of Dali started an uprising among the common people in Jiangzuo and gained the country in a very legitimate way.

As the crown prince personally appointed by the former, the young emperor was in line with the great order and deserved to ascend the throne. He was truly orthodox...

Zhao Rong was speechless after hearing this.

However, he had some considerations about this and did not explain too much.

So, in full view of everyone, Empress Dowager Yongrong, who was sitting at the top of the dragon carriage, and the little emperor, started chatting with the young Confucian scholar who was standing quietly below, asking about their well-being.

The king and his ministers asked and answered questions.

Zhao Rong was quite patient. While handling the situation with ease, he looked at everyone on the field.

His eyes met with the solemn little emperor sitting above him.

The latter seemed to want to talk to him very much, but because Dugu was beside him, he couldn't speak like he would in private.

However, the boy looked at Zhao Rong with a hint of gratitude.

Zhao Rong smiled inwardly.

It should be about the plea for him a few days ago.

So the two of them looked at each other and blinked in tacit understanding.

The beautiful empress dowager beside the little emperor seemed to have forgotten what happened that day, as if it had never happened.

Facing Zhao Rong below, she sat dignified and graceful.

The two of them could only see each other's shadows through the heavy curtains.

Although Zhao Rong couldn't see her expression, the tone of Dugu Chanyi's voice was almost the same as before.

There is a sense of intimacy and reliance, but it also implies some politeness and distance.

To the ears of other people around, the distance between them is like a chasm that is difficult to cross.

In public, inside the headquarters, the empress dowager and her ministers observed propriety and integrity in every move they made.

It is truly a model of how the monarch and his subjects should get along.

Many people around nodded secretly: This Mr. Zhao is worthy of being a Linlu Confucian scholar, he is truly elegant and refined. The Empress Dowager is so concerned about her and really relies on Mr. Zhao.

At a certain moment, the young scholar couldn't help but look up and glance at the beautiful widow standing high above him.

The latter spoke slowly, his tone still calm as usual.

"Mr. Zhao has been working really hard lately. He has been toiling for the sake of Dali's country... I am ashamed."

"Your Highness is too polite. It's not hard, it's all I should do. And being able to share your worries is a blessing for me. I will definitely do my best in the Fengshan ceremony."

Although Dugu Chanyi looked graceful and elegant behind the curtain, she couldn't help but take a closer look at the serious scholar standing respectfully below her.

But of course she wouldn't say these words at this time.

Behind the beaded curtain, the beautiful widow smiled and praised:

"Mr. Zhao is extremely intelligent, thoughtful, modest and elegant. He is truly a loyal and loyal minister..."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind..."

“…”

About one stick of incense later.

Zhao Rong politely declined Dugu's invitation to dinner and left the camp with Xiao Qian'er.

"Brother Rong'er, the Queen Mother Dali said a lot, and I didn't understand what she was trying to say... Could it be that she really wants to treat you to a meal?"

On the way back, Xiao Qianer came forward and asked curiously.

Zhao Rong thought about it, then turned around and told the little girl about how Dugu had misunderstood him as a historian in the library.

"Oh, history? What's the point? She just wants you to write a few good words for them in the future?"

Zhao Rong looked around and shook his head, "It's not that simple. It's not that simple for the Youlan Prefecture History Museum to entrust the library to compile history. Compiling history itself is not that simple for the Shanxia Dynasty."

He paused, "I don't know what the first part means, but I can tell you about the second part."

"Oh? How is it not simple? It's just a history book. Not many people read it now. How can a picture novel be popular in the mountains?"

"It's true that not many people read it, but history books are not meant for the general public. They are meant for those who are interested. When there is a need, it is the most needed thing, so..."

The young scholar shook his head and uttered four words.

"Shake the country."

"What Kunimoto?"

Zhao Rong turned around and said seriously, "If it is a small country at the foot of the mountain, it doesn't really matter. But... for a big dynasty at the foot of the mountain that wants to be strong, is it legitimate? What is written in history books? These are very important."

"Otherwise, the words 'unjust acquisition of power' alone could become a source of instability for the respective imperial powers, and could be used as an excuse for rebellion at any time..."

"This is probably a bit like... the current Fengshan ceremony, which is all for the purpose of consolidating the secular imperial power."

The bustling scenes he had seen downstairs in the library flashed before his eyes. Envoys from various countries came to Linlu Book Mountain in an endless stream.

These people came not only to deliver history books on behalf of the kings of various countries at the foot of the mountain, but also to... deliver gifts and inquire.

The same was true of Dugu's enthusiastic show of goodwill just now.

She actually hated him... Zhao Rong was not stupid and saw it clearly.

That's why I didn't want to stay in the camp any longer.

The young scholar thought to himself… People say beautiful women can act, and that’s true, but I’m not interested in acting against each other.

He glanced at Xiao Qian'er, who looked curious, and continued:

"In the past, the right to compile these official histories was in the hands of the secular dynasties, and they could write whatever they wanted. But now, a more authoritative and powerful force has taken back the power and is compiling the history itself. Which side do you think has greater authority and persuasiveness?"

Zhao Rong smiled and answered his own question:

"It's obvious. So any king or royal family down there who has some ambition and wants to stabilize the country would certainly want the history of the academy to be beneficial to them. At least it shouldn't have any bad bias."

"Silly girl, have you ever heard of the Spring and Autumn calligraphy style?"

"What is the Chunqiu style of writing? Who is Chunqiu?"

“…”

Zhao Rong couldn't help laughing and shook his head.

"It's alright. Anyway, you just need to know that scholars are very good at playing word games. Intentionally or unintentionally, a few words can create a lot of tricks."

"The same is true for compiling history..."

Xiao Qian'er nodded thoughtfully.

She suddenly asked, "So, the Queen Mother Dali cares so much about these things... She actually has great ambitions?"

Zhao Rong said nothing.

…