The Great Tong
Steady footsteps came slowly from the back hall and stopped beside Jinhong. A pair of hands covered her with a soft cloak. Jinhong stopped crying suddenly and looked up. Sun Zili was standing beside her. Her serious face had a calmness that was inconsistent with her age, but it made people feel inexplicably at ease. Just looking at her eyes, there was a gentleness that was different from her face.
Sun Zili said softly, "Jinhong, come with me."
Jinhong's tears were still rolling down her cheeks. She stared at him blankly, "Why are you here?"
Sun Zili raised the corners of his lips. It was a gentle breeze, a soft rain, just like the young man he had first met. "It was Jing Xiang who found me and told me everything. Do you remember when I asked you, if you had a sister like you, I would marry her?"
Jinhong nodded in surprise.
Sun Zili said, "I already knew then that you were a woman."
Jinhong's tears fell silently again. Sun Zili took her hand and said, "When you left without saying goodbye, I searched everywhere for you, but to no avail. Years later, I saw you again in the palace... I thought my life was hopeless, but I never expected this day to come." His eyes were also hazy, and Jinhong's figure was like the moon reflected in the water. "Prime Minister Jing and the virtuous prince have arranged everything. There's a carriage waiting outside the palace. Would you like to come with me and live the life you longed for most in your youth?"
Jinhong choked up for a moment, hooked her arms around Sun Zili's neck and hugged him.
Zhong Yujing walked slowly forward and said to them, "The mountains are high and the roads are long. I'm afraid we won't have the chance to meet again. I wish you two can enjoy each other's company day and night."
Jinhong tightly grasped Zhong Yujing's hand, a mixture of emotions condensed into one sentence, "Yujing, thank you."
We share the same hairpin and have no suspicion of each other. Our friendship is deep and no words are needed, it is always in our hearts.
Jinhong then looked behind her at Chen Qing, smiled brightly, and said, "In my heart, you will always be my brother. No matter where Zili and I are in the future, I wish you and Yujing happiness wherever we are."
A smile appeared on Chen Qing's stern face. "I grew up in Qi Country, so the people and things of Qi Country are naturally unforgettable to me."
Jinhong and Sun Zili went out from the back door and left the palace.
Chen Qing took Zhong Yujing's hand, and the two walked towards the palace gate. The guards slowly opened the palace gate. Tens of thousands of soldiers stood in a dense forest, straight as pine trees. Silence reigned. Chen Qing stepped out of the palace gate and stood on the steps, shoulder to shoulder with Zhong Yujing. He announced loudly to the generals: "Emperor Qihong abdicates and submits to Da Qing. The Qing Kingdom will finally be unified in China, and the world will belong to Da Qing!"
The morale of the generals was high, and they shouted in unison: "Long live His Highness! May the nation flourish forever! The world will be united!"
The sky is high and clear, and the breeze soars up to the sky.
Nineteen days later, crowned in a black crown and donning a dragon robe, Chen Qing ascended the steps outside the main hall of the Qing Kingdom Palace with a majestic presence. Witnessed by the civil and military officials of the Qing Kingdom, he proclaimed himself emperor and established the Qing Dynasty, unifying China. He chose the Qing script as the unified script, and within China, without boundaries, all was governed by the Qing Kingdom. He compiled the "Great Qing Code," the Qing Kingdom's unified code of law, binding everyone from the emperor to the common people. Exorbitant taxes were abolished, and all income earned by the people was personal. A standard for submitting taxes was established, exempting those with low incomes from paying taxes, with their livelihoods guaranteed by the state. Measurement standards were standardized, all counting was based on the Qing Kingdom's measurements, and women were encouraged to be self-reliant. The court appointed female officials, established a selection process, and recruited several female officials annually to participate in government. Throughout history, the Qing Dynasty finally achieved universal peace and harmony.
Chen Qing turned around in front of the dragon throne and looked down at the common people. In his sight, there were mountains and rivers reaching thousands feet high, unprecedented and unparalleled.
Emperor Qingqing established the country and named it Qing. This year was the first year of Emperor Qing.
Behind the Qing Kingdom's palace stood a gate that prohibited anyone from entering or leaving. It could only be opened when Emperor Qing arrived. Beyond this gate lay a palace, adjacent to the palace but separate from it. After finishing his daily duties, Emperor Qing would leave through this gate and proceed to the palace beyond. Hanging above the gate were three characters: "Jingchen Palace."
On this day, Emperor Qing left the court, took off his black dragon robe and black crown, and the dragon sedan had been waiting outside the Ganxian Palace for a long time, with guards and eunuchs as attendants. The dragon sedan slowly left the palace through the door behind the palace and stopped in front of the Jingchen Palace behind the door. Emperor Qing stepped down from the sedan chair, raised his head and looked at the palace gate with a gentle look in his eyes. He dismissed the guards and eunuchs and walked straight into the palace alone.
The palace was quiet, with green bamboos standing sparsely on both sides, leading him inside. The fragrance of bamboo filled the air, and at the end of the bamboo forest, it turned into a faint fragrance. Several white lotuses floated in the clear pond water, elegant and otherworldly, with a touch of green lotus heart embellishing the lotus heart. The ancient jade attached to her waist seemed to be the symbol of his wife.
Chen Qing's heart was gently caressed, feeling warm, soft and numb.
Suddenly, he saw a boy running towards him from the other side of the palace gate, "Father, Father!", his little body still swaying a little, and he dived into his arms.
He picked up the boy and looked at him lovingly. The child looked at him, exclaimed, and asked in confusion: "Why isn't your father wearing a dragon robe or a crown today?" His little hands gestured to the tassels with beads in front of his face.
Chen Qing smiled lovingly and asked, "Do you like that hat?"
The boy nodded vigorously, his eyes shining. "It looks so impressive when worn! I want one too."
He was exactly the same as when he was a child. He liked to grab his father's crown and play with it, and always wanted to wear it. However, this behavior scared his mother so much that she picked him up, covered his mouth and said, "How dare you talk nonsense? If the Queen and all the court officials hear it, our lives will be in danger!" He didn't understand the seriousness of the matter at that time, but seeing his mother panic, he didn't dare to mention it again.
At this time, the child in his arms shouted again: "Father, when I grow up, I want to wear armor with you, ride a horse, lead troops into battle, and conquer the world!"
Chen Qing smiled brightly, pinched his chubby little face, and said with a smile: "Good! My son has the heroic spirit of my past. In the future, your father will take you to fight and kill the enemies. He will also let you sit on the dragon throne in the front palace and rule the country and bring peace to the world. What do you think?"
The child sucked his fingers and scratched his head. Not quite understanding what it meant to sit on the throne and rule the country, he asked, "Is it possible to wear a crown?"
Chen Qing looked at him seriously, but his eyes were still gentle, and said, "That is what you should do after putting on the dragon robe and the crown."
The child rolled his eyes and thought for a moment, then suddenly grinned and said, "Okay! I will follow my father, sit on the throne, and rule the world!"
Chen Qing looked at him and laughed out loud, lifted him up and put him down, teasing him, and the child also laughed out loud, it was a heartwarming picture of fatherly love and child's affection.
Zhong Yujing walked out of the palace and saw the two quarreling again. She took the child from Chen Qing's arms and said affectionately, "You're so dirty from playing. Go and wash up with Aunt Heqin and prepare for dinner." Then she handed the child to a palace maid behind her and turned to Chen Qing, "You always spoil him like this."
Chen Qing took it for granted, raised the corners of his lips, and said proudly: "Why shouldn't I spoil my own son?" He followed Zhong Yujing into the palace and went to the flower hall to have dinner.
During dinner, Zhong Yujing, wanting to share his worries, asked Chen Qing, "Are there any important government matters today?"
Chen Qing said: "Everything is fine, but you are not here to accompany me."
Zhong Yujing was slightly annoyed and said, "The child and I are in the backyard palace day and night. As you wish, I will never leave your side. How could I not accompany you?"
Chen Qing sighed and said, "When I was in Qi State, every time I saw you at the court, I thought that when I conquered the world, I would have you stand by my side in the court and never let you leave me. But now, I can only see you after the court session."
Zhong Yujing pondered and said, "It's not that I mean to embarrass you. The people of Yuanqi and the entire court know that I am an official of Yuanqi. Now, no matter what position I take in the court, it will be difficult to justify myself. I am only afraid that I will be criticized, which will be disadvantageous to you."
Chen Qing frowned and said, "I never care what others think of me, and you don't need to care either!"
Zhong Yujing sighed and continued, "I only hope that history books will record that Emperor Qing Qing was a sage ruler. I can't be the only stain on your life. Besides..." She paused for a moment and continued, "After all the things that have happened before, I have long seen through the world and no longer want to participate in the treacherous and bloody struggles. Now, in my world, there are only you and the child. This is the life I most want to live."
Upon hearing this, Chen Qing's brows relaxed, his expression eased, and he finally smiled, and couldn't help but hold her hand tightly.
Late at night, the child was coaxed to sleep by He Qin. The palace was peaceful, the lotus fragrance was subtle, and the candlelight was lingering. Chen Qing picked up Zhong Yujing and carried him sideways. He was caught off guard by a sudden burst of rapid breathing. Zhong Yujing was suddenly lifted up, and his feet lost weight. He cried out in surprise. Not knowing what he was going to do, he hurriedly went over to cover his mouth, "Don't disturb Tu'er~"
Chen Qing panted, looking longingly into her eyes. He pecked the hand covering his mouth, then turned his head away to break free. His face quickly approached hers, and his breath brushed against her eyelashes. Her eyelashes trembled uncontrollably. He pressed his cheek against hers and whispered, "If you don't accompany me during the day, you must accompany me well at night!"
Zhong Yujing looked at him with her watery eyes, which sparkled and gradually became turbulent. She hooked her arms around his neck seductively. Chen Qing tightened his arms and strode towards the bed.
The veil falls slightly, the tent is warm in the spring night, the goose pear is fragrant, the breath is smoky, the rain is pouring, the shadows of the flowers are swaying, the strong feelings are intertwined, lingering and affectionate.
During the interval, Zhong Yujing's cheeks flushed, and she panted softly. She tried her best to restrain herself and said to Chen Qing, "Don't be too indulgent tonight. You have to attend court early tomorrow~" Chen Qing only muttered a vague "hmm", but did not restrain himself at all. Instead, he immersed himself more deeply, and the passion became more intense, like galloping on the battlefield, riding a horse to set the prairie on fire... Zhong Yujing finally couldn't resist him, lost her mind, and her consciousness fell into chaos...
When she woke up the next day, it was already afternoon. Chen Qing had already returned to the palace. He did not delay the morning court, nor did he let her go. Zhong Yujing used to be used to getting up early and not being lazy in bed. Since entering the Jingchen Palace, she was often forced to sleep in until the afternoon.
Many years later, historical records record that Emperor Qing of the Qing Dynasty ushered in the unification of the empire and the Great Harmony Era, making him China's first sage and wise emperor. During his reign, he diligently governed, cared for his people, and devoted himself to the public good, working tirelessly for the benefit of the nation. The Qing Dynasty reached its peak of prosperity. Emperor Qing had no harem, nor did he establish a queen. In the 49th year of his reign, Emperor Qing died. A woman shared his bed, and her coffin was removed from the Jingchen Palace and buried in the imperial mausoleum. Emperor Qing's son, Zishu Guitu, succeeded him and established the country as Tu. During the reign of Emperor Tu, the Qing Dynasty's prosperity continued, a period known in history as the Qingtu Prosperous Era.
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