Weiyang Palace.
Book of Songs: "How does the night go? The night never ends. "
This was the origin of Weiyang Palace. Since the Han Dynasty, Weiyang Palace had been the center of the royal family's activities. Many historical events had happened here.
This was especially true when he killed Han Xin in the Weiyang Palace, which added a mysterious aura to the palace.
Today, Weiyang Palace was even more bustling. The Retired Emperor's birthday was held here. There were wine for the dignitaries in the imperial court. Just Xie Qianchou alone had brought 500 bottles from the wine cellar of Village Mo.
When Meton arrived at the gate of Weiyang Palace, he was stopped by Cheng Yaojin and questioned, "Little Mo, you are not honest!"
Meton said innocently, "Uncle Cheng, why do you say that? I didn't lie to you."
"Xie Qianchou is out of stock in Chang 'an. The Old Man can't buy it even if he wants to. It is said that Village Mo doesn't supply enough. It turns out that you hid it." Cheng Yaojin blamed him.
Hearing this, Meton chuckled and said, "Uncle Cheng, you want to drink. I will send you a cart of wine in person. Uncle Cheng, you can't finish it every day!"
Cheng Yaojin pretended to keep a straight face and said, "I can't afford it. You look harmless, but you have a black heart. Even if I sell my Public House, I won't be able to afford a bottle of wine."
Meton's face fell when he heard this. When this old man was shameless, he was invincible. He wanted to drink wine but didn't want to owe anyone.
"This is the wine provided by Village Mo. It is the cost price!" Meton said with a black face.
Cheng Yaojin smiled and said, "Well, I know I didn't misjudge you. You are filial. You are much better than my hothead."
Cheng Yaojin pulled Meton into Weiyang Palace without saying anything.
"Duke Cheng and Marquis Merton are here!" With the eunuch's report, all the civil and military officials in the Weiyang Palace immediately quieted down. They could not help but look at the two of them.
Cheng Yaojin's face immediately revealed a complacent expression as he stepped into the palace. He had only taken a few steps when he realized that everyone had turned a blind eye to him. Everyone's eyes were focused on Meton who was behind him.
After all, Meton had been in the limelight in Chang 'an recently. He had graduated from the Imperial College with the first grade in six subjects, and had written a masterpiece that shocked Chang' an. Mo Jiazi's name was like thunder to the ears.
It was just that Meton spent most of his time in the Imperial College, so it was rare for people to see him. Today, when they saw Meton coming, he attracted a lot of attention.
"Oh! But Meton is here. Let him come and have an audience. "Li Yuan, who was on the main seat, heard the report and could not help but look sideways.
He had a very deep impression of Meton. Last time, Meton came with Li Chengqian and Princess Changle and presented the secret hair dyeing technique. It was very much to his liking.
And he knew that the secret hair dyeing technique of Taoism only began to be sold in Chang 'an more than a month ago. It could be seen that Meton presented the first one, which made Li Yuan very satisfied. After all, since he stepped down from the throne, he had not experienced the feeling of enjoying the world alone for a long time.
"Marquis Merton is summoned by the Retired Emperor!"
A eunuch of Weiyang Palace walked to Meton and said. As for Cheng Yaojin, Li Yuan did not even ask. Li Yuan had already reached this age and no longer had any misgivings about these valiant generals who forced the emperor to abdicate and rebel. Although he did not make things difficult for them, he would not give them a good look.
He did not see Yuchi Jingde, who once attacked Taiji Palace and directly threatened Li Yuan to abdicate, sitting in the corner obediently without saying a word, like a wooden man.
Cheng Yaojin tactfully touched his nose and consciously sat next to Yuchi Jingde, also like a statue.
When Meton followed the eunuch to Li Yuan, Li Chengqian led a group of princes to present birthday gifts to Li Yuan. Li Yuan looked at the gifts made by the princes in his hand and smiled from ear to ear. Li Shimin smiled apologetically at the side and echoed.
"Greetings to the Retired Emperor!" Meton stepped forward and bowed.
"Come, everyone, come and take a look at me, a dignified young man of the Tang dynasty!" Li Yuan pointed at Meton and laughed. Meton's "Young Tang dynasty" was famous in Chang 'an City. Li Yuan naturally also read it. Seeing Meton come, he was very happy in his heart.
"Indeed a great man!" A stiff official of the Tang dynasty echoed. Meton looked out of the corner of his eye and saw a tall and sturdy man with a long beard, dressed in Turks clothing.
Meton's heart moved. Could this person be Xieli Khan?
Xieli Khan was no more than fifty years old, but his face was full of vicissitudes. His face looked withered, and his spirit was almost seventy years old. Even Li Yuan, who had dyed his hair black, was not as good as him.
"I don't deserve the Great General's praise," Meton bowed and said.
After Xieli Khan was captured by Li Shimin and brought to Chang 'an City, he was appointed by Li Shimin as the Great General of the Right Guard. Of course, it was only an empty position without real power. Meton calling him the Great General was not inappropriate.
Meton suddenly found that someone had been staring at him. Turning his head, he saw that on the right side of Li Yuan, an official of about thirty years old dressed like the southern barbarians that Meton saw at the Eastern City Gate was looking at him. Presumably, this was Feng Zhidai, the nephew of King of Lingnan Feng Ang.
Meton smiled slightly at him, but he saw Feng Zhidai reveal a strange smile.
Meton was surprised. Before he had time to think carefully, he saw Xieli Khan stand up and salute Li Yuan. "Retired Emperor's birthday, Xieli is a guest in Chang 'an. I have nothing but this golden knife to accompany me. Today, I specially present it to celebrate Retired Emperor's birthday."
Xieli Khan's expression was humble and extremely respectful. Only a eunuch immediately presented a brocade box from the side and handed it to Li Yuan. The golden knife was a prohibited item. Naturally, Xieli Khan could not bring it to the main hall. It had long been given to the eunuch by the side for safekeeping.
Li Yuan saw his former opponent prostrate before him. He was in a great mood. Taking the brocade box, he opened it and saw a short knife glittering with golden light lying in the brocade box. It was rumored that this was Xieli Khan's favorite item. Because it was short and small, after it was brought to Chang 'an, it was not confiscated. This was probably the last item that Xieli Khan used to recall his glory. Who would have thought that he would be willing to offer it?
"The Great General is considerate!" Li Yuan laughed. After playing with it for a while, he felt that it was dull and uninteresting. He casually handed it to the eunuch for safekeeping.
Xieli Khan immediately lowered his head even more.
Meton vaguely glanced at Li Shimin at the side. He thought, presumably, this must be Li Shimin's method of currying favor with Li Yuan.
"This official also has a birthday gift to offer to Retired Emperor!" Feng Zhidai at the side stood up and said.
"Oh!" Li Yuan was currently in high spirits. He could not help but look at Feng Zhidai at the side. Li Yuan knew that before this, Feng Ang had already offered many rare treasures from the South Sea.
"What this official wants to offer is not gold and silver, but seeds!" Feng Zhidai glanced at Meton and said boldly.
"Seeds?" Li Yuan was puzzled.
"What the Minister wants to offer is rice seeds from the Kingdom of Johor that ripen three times a year!"
When Feng Zhidai said this, everyone was suddenly shocked. They kept switching between Meton and Feng Zhidai.
Li Shimin's hand paused. He looked at Feng Zhidai with a sharp gaze.
During the Western Regions Assembly, Meton spent money like gold. He lured Johor merchants with great profits to say that Johor had excellent rice seeds that ripened three times a year. However, whether this was true or false was unknown. Everyone was also skeptical.
However, everyone knew that if this matter was true, then it would definitely be a great merit.
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