Song Chi raised his head and saw an old face. The face was covered with fine wrinkles and ravines, and the eyeballs were a little yellow.
Emperor Yuan Jing is fifty-four years old this year.
Twenty-four years ago, he was a vassal king but was brought to the capital because of an incident in the palace. The throne fell from the sky. He was thirty years old that year. He had been the emperor for more than twenty years, and had grown from a young man to an old man.
Perhaps every day when he wakes up and looks in the mirror, he will see that his wrinkles are increasing day by day and he is getting older day by day, and a strong sense of crisis will surge in his heart.
He is the Emperor of the Great Zhou, the most powerful man in the entire continent.
He has everything, and anyone and anything can obey his wishes, except getting old.
He panicked. He couldn't accept the passage of time. He wanted to pursue immortality and eternal life. Compared to that, nothing else mattered.
Throughout the dynasties, countless emperors and kings grew old and foolish, seeking immortality.
This was the case with Emperor Yuan Jing.
Song Chi was thinking about it but before he could respond, Lu Taiyuan beside him spoke up as if to claim credit: "Your Majesty, he is the one you personally selected as the Grand Prize Winner, Song Chi."
This old guy acts very aloof outside, as if he is concerned about the country and the people, but he is a bootlicker in front of Emperor Yuan Jing.
There was a hint of boasting in his tone.
I discovered this talent. Come on, praise me. Come on, praise me.
His face was filled with anticipation, and he was fully prepared. However, the emperor's mind was unpredictable. Emperor Yuan Jing glanced over and asked calmly, "Did I ask you anything?"
Lu Taiyuan's old face froze for a moment, then he bowed and said, "I, the old minister, have said too much."
Emperor Yuan Jing turned his gaze back, and Song Chi said calmly, "Your Majesty, I am Song Chi."
Shengqian Huiyuan is a disciple of the emperor, so it is most appropriate for him to call himself a student.
"You are so young. How old are you?" Emperor Yuan Jing became more interested.
"Your Majesty, I am seventeen years old."
"Seventeen."
Emperor Yuan Jing exclaimed in admiration, "At such a young age, he is able to write such a policy essay. His future is limitless."
These words shocked and puzzled everyone present.
They were more curious about the essays in the Songchi examination.
If His Majesty the Emperor himself says that a person has a promising future, then that person truly has a promising future.
It can be predicted that a new star will rise in the Great Zhou.
The emperor today values literature.
The Prime Minister Song Shiwen was once just a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel, but because of an article he became the current Prime Minister of the Great Zhou. I wonder what achievements Song Chi will make next.
He is only seventeen years old.
People couldn't help but have endless fantasies in their minds, and at this time, Emperor Yuan Jing was already sitting behind the dragon table in the front.
The person closest to him was Liu Bao, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, an old eunuch over fifty years old with gray hair.
"Please take a seat."
Emperor Yuan Jing waved his hand and everyone present at the banquet sat down in order.
The princes were in the front, along with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and other court officials. Liang Qingwu was also seated near the front. Song Chi was about to move back when he heard Liu Bao's hoarse voice shout, "Song Huiyuan, your seat is right here."
He pointed to a position near the front, which happened to be next to Liang Qingwu.
The Saint Before the Meeting is listed together with the female commander of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
This scene again surprised many people.
Song Chi saluted and walked over expressionlessly. He certainly knew the purpose of this arrangement.
Emperor Yuan Jing wanted to start a war, and he wanted to use Liang Qingwu and the Northern Army led by her. But now this female commander of the Great Zhou has advised for a ceasefire more than once, and is still doing so now. Emperor Yuan Jing is unable to persuade her, so he has to use his policy papers to persuade her.
In this way, a contradiction arises.
The day of reunion is also the day of breakup.
Song Chi didn't dare to look into Liang Qingwu's eyes. He felt a little guilty, but he quickly suppressed it.
This is all part of the plan.
Song Chi was neither humble nor arrogant, and was not surprised by honor or disgrace. Such an expression made people praise him, and even Liu Bao nodded secretly.
This boy, who is only seventeen years old, has a calmness that does not match his age.
However, his origin is questionable, and it is not known whether he is Song Shiwen's son.
They both came from Ji County and had the same surname, Song.
How could this be a coincidence?
It seems that Song Chi has an uncle. I have to send someone to investigate.
Liu Bao thought to himself.
Song Chi had already sat down, his back straight, his eyes fixed on the side, but Shen Liangyu, who was standing behind Liang Qingwu, had mixed feelings.
A year ago, at the banquet for the female commander's homecoming, Song Chi, as a servant of the Shen family, was not qualified to attend the banquet. She begged her father hard before he agreed to allow her to attend the banquet as an entourage. At that time, the female commander of the Great Zhou and the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou were both unattainable figures.
Now, only a year later, he was invited to the banquet with these people and could sit in the same row.
He is indeed the man I like.
Shen Liangyu's heart was filled with joy and pride, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, becoming a pout.
Maybe you can do it.
At this moment, Liang Qingwu was in a complicated mood, and she also had doubts in her heart.
What kind of policy proposal did Song Chi make that Your Majesty appreciates it so much?
Why is he sitting next to me?
Is there anything special about this?
"Come, raise your glass with me, and toast to the Great Zhou, wishing good weather, peace and prosperity to the country and the people."
Emperor Yuan Jing raised his glass, and the others followed suit.
After drinking it all in one gulp, Emperor Yuan Jing put down his wine glass and said, "The reason for holding the banquet today is because my son Yun Di has finally returned after guarding the border for several years, and Marquis Wu'an has also returned."
"Besides that, it's because of the upcoming war!"
As soon as these words fell, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed.
Emperor Yuan Jing said to himself, "I know that there is some public opinion among the people, and even some people in the court are advising to stop the war. War is approaching, and we must calm the people's hearts. If there are noises in the court, how can public opinion outside the court be calmed?"
These words clearly have a hidden meaning.
There was delicious food and wine in front of everyone, but none of them tasted good.
There is no good wine, and there is no good banquet.
"I initiated this war. I will never allow this war to be lost, and I don't want to hear any noise. But some people don't understand my intentions. Am I fighting for myself? I am fighting for the Great Zhou!"
Emperor Yuan Jing raised his voice, or perhaps he choked on something, and started coughing violently.
The Crown Prince quickly stood up and said, "Father, please take care of yourself. I am the Crown Prince and I will not forgive anyone who dares to disobey you."
As he spoke, he glanced at Prince Qing and continued, "I have heard that there are people around Prince Qing who are spreading rumors. They have refused to change despite repeated warnings, and this may affect the progress of the war."
The royal family has no family affection and doesn’t even call each other brothers.
The two men fought fiercely for the throne and did not miss any opportunity to attack each other.
He doesn't even need anyone around him to say anything, he can just do it himself.
The person the Crown Prince was referring to was naturally Liang Qingwu. Prince Qing's expression changed slightly, and he was about to refute, but he saw that Emperor Yuan Jing had finished coughing. He raised his hand to signal for silence and said again: "I am not old yet. I know who is saying what, who is sincere and who is not!"
"No one can understand what I want to do, but there is one person who understands my intentions and knows why I started this war."
Emperor Yuan Jing looked at Song Chi, "Aren't you all curious about why I appointed Song Chi as the first place in the Holy Pre-Exam? Aren't you all curious about what policy papers he wrote? Then I will announce it first..."
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