Only prime ministers like them were allowed to enter, and more than ten people on the scene bowed to Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen walked into the hall, his face full of smiles as he said, "Gentlemen, please excuse your formalities! Sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone sat down.
Normally, Zhao Zhen would say some polite words or opening remarks.
Unexpectedly, today he directly said: "The banquet begins!"
"The party begins!"
Wang Shouzhong shouted again.
Someone outside struck a gong, and the sound of the gongs and drums quickly spread.
Immediately afterwards, all kinds of firecrackers were heard in the palace and square in the south, followed by various gongs and drums, dragon dances, lion dances and other dance performances.
There were also geisha dancers who walked into the palaces and squares and began to dance and play musical instruments, which immediately brought the banquet to a climax.
"What's wrong with the emperor today? He hasn't even started saying anything festive or auspicious."
Fan Zhongyan was puzzled and asked Zhao Jun at the next table.
Zhao Jun watched as a dancer entered the hall. A moving dance of colorful clothes and feathered robes began to play, and he whispered, "The emperor is waiting to go to Donghua Gate."
"I see."
Fan Zhongyan suddenly realized.
Of course, the program on New Year’s Eve is not eating, singing and dancing.
After dinner, we went to Donghuamen to have fun with the people.
It was three quarters past You in the afternoon, which was six o'clock. According to the procedure, we should go upstairs at three quarters past Xu, which was eight o'clock in the evening.
But eating and drinking takes time, and what if we talk a few more words of nonsense and end up wasting time?
The sound of singing and dancing began.
Countless eunuchs and palace maids carried trays and served dishes.
It can’t be said to be delicacies from land and sea, but it is a collection of dishes from all over the world, including glutinous rice and meat dumplings, pork elbows, braised beef, eight-treasure chicken, grilled fish, stir-fried dried bacon, etc.
There was also Zhao Jun’s favorite chili dish, and he had some left in his stomach, so it was time to enjoy it.
Then there are various reserved programs.
The officials in front wrote poems and then selected the best one to present to Zhao Zhen.
When Song Xiang's younger brother Song Qi came to present poems, there was also a situation of writing a poem in response. As a result, Zhao Jun copied a poem "New Year's Day" by Wang Anshi, which scared Song Qi so much that he ran away in a panic.
This year, no one dared to challenge Zhao Jun again. The person who presented the poem was quickly rewarded by Zhao Zhen and left happily.
Soon the banquet came to an end.
When the time came, Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "Move to Donghua Gate!"
"Move to Donghua Gate!"
Wang Shouzhong shouted in a loud voice.
Everyone walked out of the hall.
All the officials also received the news and came out from the palaces and squares.
Zhao Zhen sat on his palace dragon chariot and arrived at Donghua Gate surrounded by officials.
At this time, there were huge crowds of people outside Donghuamen, and the streets outside were full of people.
There were endless sounds of firecrackers, crowds of people, and fireworks.
As the emperor and his officials arrived at Donghua Gate, the people outside the palace city saw them and immediately cheered like thunder.
"It's the official. The official has come out."
"Where is the official?"
“There!”
"It's so dark, I can't see clearly."
"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor!"
The people shouted.
Zhao Zhen was very popular.
The harsh taxation that had plagued the Song Dynasty for many years was alleviated under his leadership.
The country's national strength increased under his leadership.
The Western Xia and Liao dynasties were defeated and even destroyed by him.
Zhao Zhen's reputation reached its peak.
He walked to Donghua Gate, looked around, and looked at the huge crowds of people below, and was filled with emotion for a moment.
"These are all my people!"
He said.
Zhao Jun laughed and said, "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. The hearts of the Song Dynasty rest with the emperor. The emperor's prestige should be known to the world!"
"One day, my name will spread throughout the world! Let everyone in the world know it!"
Zhao Zhen couldn't help but feel proud and said, "Wang Shouzhong."
"His Majesty!"
"Turn on the lights and illuminate the prosperous Song Dynasty!"
"yes!"
Wang Shouzhong agreed.
He raised a firework and released it into the sky.
This is a special firework.
Next to the Chenhui Building, on the banks of the Jinshui River, the technicians who received the information immediately started the steam engine.
The original two units have been increased to eight, connecting more than 10,000 electric lights in the palace.
As the steam engine roared, electricity began to be generated during its rotation.
Immediately afterwards, someone pulled the main switch on the Chenhui building.
Next second.
Suddenly, countless lights lit up across the entire Donghua Gate, illuminating the city wall and the surrounding area as bright as day.
It was at this moment that everyone could clearly see the countless figures on the previously dark upstairs.
People saw a middle-aged man in a red robe standing on the upper floor, with officials surrounding him.
"Official, it's the official!"
"I saw it, it was the Guan family!"
"So this is what the government officials are like!"
"Kowtow to the emperor!"
Countless people below roared again, their voices piercing the sky, as if the whole world could hear their voices!
(End of this chapter)
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