In the Tang Dynasty, there was a morning court held every day. It was called Chang Shen. According to the system, "Every civil and military official in the capital had already reached the ninth rank. Every morning, they would be Wang Chao Shen. The fifth rank had already reached the Consecrated Officer, Yuanwai Lang, Imperial Censor, and Taichang Doctor, and they would be Chang Shen." Normally, there was no need for a ceremonial procession, nor was there any extravagance. It was a real administrative day. The participants were called regular staff officers. There were few of them, but their ranks were high. They were all above rank five and held important positions.
In addition to the daily reference, there was also the annual reference, which was on the first and fifteenth of every month. On the first and fifteenth of every month, there would be candles, banquets, incense burners, incense burners, and other ceremonial rites. Under the leadership of the Imperial Censor, the officials would take their positions in the hall according to their ranks. The Emperor would sit on the throne as soon as he appeared, and the officials would sing praises before bowing to him.
The grandest was the Imperial Court Assembly held on the Lantern Festival and the Winter Solstice Festival. It required a "grand display", a display of the palace and the drums, and a display of carriages and imperial carriages. At that time, the Emperor would "wear a ceremonial crown (the Winter Solstice Dress Reaching Heaven Crown and Crimson Gauze Robe), the Imperial Carriage would be set out, the Imperial Bodyguards would be as usual." He would receive the congratulations of the officials and guests attending the Imperial Court Assembly.
What Li Zexuan was going to attend today, strictly speaking, was not called the Imperial Court Meeting. It was called the Lunar Palace Meeting because today was not the Lantern Festival, nor was it the Winter Solstice. Today happened to be the fifteenth of October.
Entering the Imperial City, he saw that there was already a crowd at the bottom of the stairs of the Taiji Palace. Officials dressed in court attire of various colors were chatting in groups of three to five. They were talking and laughing, looking very amiable. However, it was hard to say whether or not there was a knife hidden in his smile.
In addition to the courtiers that Li Zexuan often saw in the past, he also saw a group of unexpected people today. A group of brown-skinned people. Aren't they the emissaries from the Southeast Asian countries who came back with Li Xiaogong last time?
"Hey! You're finally here? Out of everyone in the Imperial Court, you're probably the one who hates attending the Imperial Court the most! "
While Li Zexuan was still in a daze, Li Xiaogong walked over from the side and pointed at Li Zexuan with a smile.
"Uh, your highness!"
Li Zexuan came back to his senses and said awkwardly, "What are you talking about? I have always been very willing to participate in the morning court. It's just that the Academy is usually too busy!"
"Hey, you brat!"
Li Xiaogong said with a faint smile, "Do you think This King doesn't know you? Before you say that, you better wipe the boogers off the corners of your eyes before you speak! "
When Li Zexuan heard this, he subconsciously rubbed the corners of his eyes, but …
"Sigh! Your Highness, you also have boogers at the corners of your eyes! "
Li Zexuan pointed at Li Xiaogong's face and shouted in all seriousness.
He really didn't expect that he, a transmigrator, would be tricked by Li Xiaogong, a person from ancient times.
Li Xiaogong did not fall for it at all. He laughed loudly and said, "Haha! Interesting! You're really interesting! Alright, I won't joke with you anymore. I heard that you broke through again the day before yesterday. Not bad, not bad. The younger generation will surpass us in time! Right now, your martial prowess is catching up to the old generals of our generation! I reckon that even this king is no match for you now! "
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Your Highness has been through hundreds of battles. I am no match for you!"
"Hehe!"
Li Xiaogong smiled but didn't deny it.
"Your Highness, today's court session should be mainly for the envoys from the various countries, right?"
Li Zexuan glanced at the 'Southeast Asian envoys' in front of him and asked Li Xiaogong.
"Mm, it should be! Since the founding of the Great Tang, it's rare to see so many envoys from so many countries. Logically speaking, today's court session should be mainly for these envoys to present their tributes! "
Li Xiaogong stroked his beard and smiled.
"Oh, that's good then!"
Li Zexuan sighed in relief. As long as they weren't looking for trouble with him, it was fine.
"The time has come! All civil and military officials, enter the court for an audience! "
As the two spoke, a eunuch walked out of Taiji Palace and shouted in a shrill voice.
The officials immediately fell silent. They stood in line, lowered their heads, and walked up the stairs into Taiji Palace. After the courteous formalities, the court session finally began.
"Your Majesty, the fleet has not only brought back abundant resources for the Imperial Court, but also the friendship of the Southeast Asian countries toward our Great Tang! These envoys have brought various gifts to Your Majesty, and they hope that they can present them to Your Majesty today to continue the friendship between their countries and the Great Tang! "
Cui Shanfu had been in the Imperial Court for so many years, and for the first time, he was the first to speak at the court session.
Li Er was elated to hear this. "Haha! Good! The various envoys have traveled thousands of li to the Great Tang. Not only are they tired from the journey, they have also brought gifts for Us. We are gratified! Beloved Official Cui, make a record and return the gifts one by one! "
Cui Shanfu bowed and said, "This subject obeys the decree!"
The Chamberlain of Dependencies naturally provided a 'translator' to translate Li Er's words into the languages of the various countries.
An envoy stepped forward and excitedly said (after the translation), "Envoy Puyatu of Zhenla pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang! On behalf of my country, Puyatu presents twenty pairs of top-grade ivory, two leopards, four top-grade jade, and five kilograms of top-grade spices to Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang … I wish Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang good health and longevity! "
Li Er was pleased with himself, but he smiled calmly and said, "I appreciate the kindness of the King of Zhenla! Puyatu, how have you been in Chang 'an these days? "
After the Zhenla envoy heard the translation, he immediately smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, Puyatu has been living very well in Chang 'an these days! The prosperity and vastness of Chang 'an are something that Puyatu has never seen before! Ten Zhenla capitals are not comparable to it! Puyatu hopes that the Great Tang can maintain friendly relations with Zhenla! "
In this era, as the largest city in the world, no one could resist the charm of Chang 'an!
Li Er smiled and said, "As long as the countries are friendly to the Great Tang, I will be friendly with them! Puyatu, rest assured! "
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Puyatu smiled and tactfully retreated.
The second envoy came forward and bowed humbly, saying, "The envoy of Fu Nan Kingdom, Bai Yinche, pays his respects to Your Majesty! I present ten pairs of top-grade white jade, fifty high-quality tiger skins, and two tiger cubs to Your Majesty … I wish Your Majesty good health! "
"The envoy of Piao Kingdom, Bai Wayu, pays his respects to Your Majesty …"
In this way, the thirty-two envoys from the small Nanyang countries who came back with Li Xiaogong came forward one by one to present their gifts to Li Er. Each gift list was very long, mainly because they were already shocked by the huge fleet of the Great Tang when they came. After coming to Chang 'an, they were conquered by the prosperity of Chang' an. In the face of such a powerful country, of course, they would try their best to please! Cui Shanfu, who was suffering, was sweating profusely just by remembering the list of gifts.
The courtiers stood by the side, each of them feeling proud in their hearts. The arrival of tens of thousands of countries was a sign of the coming of a golden age!
Li Er, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was overjoyed and full of pride. "When I deal with the Turks, I think it will be time to welcome the arrival of tens of thousands of countries!"
…
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