Luoyang.
As dusk approached, the square outside the South Palace was already filled with people who had come to attend the banquet.
These people included officials of the court, scholars from outside the court, military officers, members of the imperial family, renowned craftsmen from various industries, and representatives of various ethnic groups who had submitted to the Han Dynasty.
Before long, the palace gates opened, and Zhang Rang led a group of eunuchs out of the palace.
After bowing and greeting the leading cabinet officials, Zhang Rang led the palace eunuchs and the group toward the palace.
Because there were too many people at the banquet, Yingchun Hall could not accommodate them all. Therefore, Liu Hong decided to hold the banquet in the square in front of Deyang Hall.
As darkness fell and the lanterns were lit, the entire palace was ablaze with light.
The people who came to the banquet sat in their respective seats, chatting and laughing with those around them, talking about the future of the Han Dynasty.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
With a loud shout, the previously noisy banquet hall fell silent. Everyone stood up and stared intently at the entrance of the hall.
Surrounded by palace servants, Liu Hong, dressed in imperial robes, walked out of the hall with the Empress and the eldest prince.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"
After Liu Hong stood still, everyone at the banquet bowed in greeting.
"Please, everyone, no need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After everyone had exchanged greetings, Liu Hong nodded to Zhang Rang beside him.
Zhang Rang understood, immediately stepped forward, and announced loudly, "It's Xu Shi (7-9 PM) now, the banquet begins!!"
As Zhang Rang shouted, the palace maids and eunuchs waiting behind the hall came over carrying plates of fine wine and delicacies.
Liu Hong then walked toward a round table in front of the hall.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Upon seeing Liu Hong approach, the dozen or so teenagers standing around the round table immediately bowed in greeting.
These young men were led by four sworn brothers: Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Zhang He, and Yang Yan, followed by Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Li Dian, Yu Jin, Yue Jin, and other rising stars of the Imperial Guard.
Liu Hong smiled and gestured for everyone to sit down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After taking his seat, Liu Hong looked at Zhao Yun beside him and asked with a smile, "I heard that in this graduation martial arts competition, Zilong took the lead and broke through the opponent's blockade all by himself, winning the first place?"
Zhao Yun replied modestly, "Your Majesty, this is entirely due to the assistance of my colleagues; I was merely fortunate!"
Seeing Zhao Yun's expression, Liu Hong smiled with satisfaction: "Zilong, now that you've graduated, do you have any plans?"
Upon hearing the emperor's question, Zhao Yun's expression turned solemn, and he respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I wish to go to Liangzhou!"
Liu Hong was not surprised at all by Zhao Yun's answer.
Over the years, the Han army has successively quelled border troubles in Liaozhou, the Southern Barbarians, and the grasslands.
Looking at the surrounding forces of the Han Dynasty, only the Baiyue in the south, the Qiang people in the west, and a few states on the southwestern plateau remain.
Due to geographical and climatic reasons, the Han army could not easily send troops to the Baiyue and the southwestern plateau. Therefore, the Qiang people in the west became the place in Zhao Yun's eyes where he could gain military merit.
Of course, it wasn't just Zhao Yun; all the Imperial Guard trainees in his cohort shared the same thought.
Seeing the expectant looks on the faces of the group of teenagers, Liu Hong smiled and then asked, "What about you? Do you also want to go to Liangzhou?"
"Your Majesty, we are willing to go!"
Without the slightest hesitation, everyone responded in unison.
"As you wish, you shall report to Huangfu Song after the New Year!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Upon seeing the emperor nod, the faces of the group of young people were filled with joy.
Afterwards, Liu Hong chatted casually with the group of teenagers, mostly about everyday matters.
Throughout the banquet, apart from the chairman, Liu Hong, the group of special members at another table to his right and behind him attracted the most attention.
The people at this table were mostly children aged two to four.
Seated in the main seat was the eldest prince Liu Cheng, held in the arms of a female official. Following him were Zhou Yu, son of Zhou Yi; Xi Ping, son of Xi Zhicai; Cao Ang, son of Cao Cao; and Sun Ce, son of Sun Jian.
Xi Zhicai, Cao Cao, and others were already the emperor's confidants, and now their sons have been placed by the side of the eldest prince. Their intentions are self-evident.
These little ones were quite well-behaved; they weren't shy at all at such a grand banquet and had a very enjoyable time.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere of the banquet immediately became lively as the royal performance troupe entered, and everyone looked expectantly at the stage in the center of the banquet.
During the banquet, Xun Shuang chuckled and nudged Cao Song beside him: "Grand Secretary Cao, what do you think the opening performance will be this year?"
Cao Song revealed a meaningful smile: "I don't know what it is, but it's definitely different from previous years!"
Xun Shuang smiled and said, "That's true. It will soon be the tenth anniversary of His Majesty's ascension to the throne, which is of great significance!"
Cao Song stroked his already gray beard: "Yes, time flies, so many years have passed. But these ten years have been the most fulfilling and happiest ten years of my life!"
"I only hope we can live a few more years so we can see for ourselves how His Majesty will lead the Han Dynasty to all sorts of heights!"
Xun Shuang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Don't worry, Grand Secretary Cao, you, the Shennong of the Han Dynasty, will live for at least several more decades!"
"Haha, then I'll accept your kind words!"
Upon hearing Xun Shuang's words, Cao Song couldn't help but laugh out loud.
As the two were talking, the curtain on the stage slowly opened, and the entire banquet hall fell silent.
Under the watchful eyes of all the guests, a boy of about twelve years old, dressed in a white robe, slowly walked to the center of the stage.
"Hmm~, this is a stage play!"
"Who is this boy playing?"
"Those who can be brought to the stage are all famous figures in history."
"There are only a handful of people who can be written about at this age, aren't there?"
"Could it be the Marquis of Champion?"
Upon seeing the first boy to appear, the crowd immediately began to whisper among themselves.
Just as everyone was whispering among themselves, a voice suddenly rang out: "Jizhou, Hejian, the residence of the Marquis of Jiedu Pavilion..."
Upon hearing this opening remark, everyone present immediately understood that the young man on stage was playing the role of the emperor in his youth.
This is about to tell the story of the emperor!
The banquet hall fell silent as everyone watched intently as the young man walked slowly across the stage.
After the boy stopped walking, flakes of white fluff, resembling snowflakes, suddenly drifted down from above the stage.
The boy reached out and took a piece of white fluff, his face filled with sorrow as he murmured, "The weather is getting colder and colder, and the people are going to suffer again!"
An old servant then came up behind the young man: "Young master, as you instructed, this old servant has taken out all the money and clothing in the manor, enough for the surrounding people to get through this cold winter!"
"Alas, I wonder if the people in other parts of the Han Dynasty will be able to get through this cold winter?"
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