Chương 624: Drinking and Composing Poetry

The child paused for a moment, then ran off clutching the candy, glancing back at him as he ran.

Lu Bing resumed his aloof demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

Upon entering the Taiji Hall, one finds that everything has already been prepared.

The tables were neatly arranged, with crystal plates on them filled with sliced melons, grapes, and pomegranates, a vibrant mix of red and green. There were also stacks of mooncakes, including various fillings like five-nut, red bean paste, and lotus seed paste, piled high like small mountains.

Osmanthus wine was warming nearby, its aroma mingling with the fragrance of fruit, filling the entire hall; even a breath of it tasted sweet.

In the corner, musicians tuned their instruments, preparing to play music later; the sounds of string and wind instruments could be faintly heard.

The officials sat down according to their rank, and as soon as their bottoms touched the cushions, they gathered in small groups to chat.

Among the civil officials, Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun You, and others sat around a table, discussing the situation after the implementation of the regional division of the imperial examination system. They said that the students in the south were much more enthusiastic, and the number of applicants this year had doubled, several hundred more than last year.

The most lively place was among the military officers.

Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, Cheng Yaojin, Xu Chu, and others sat around the table, slapping their thighs and reminiscing about each other's embarrassing moments, laughing so hard they almost knocked the table apart.

The women sat on side seats, making the atmosphere even more lively.

The ladies chatted about the new Shu brocade patterns, the new osmanthus cake recipe from the palace, and the funny stories about their children, occasionally letting out bursts of silvery laughter that were even more beautiful than the music played by the musicians.

The children were the most energetic, chasing each other around the hall, playing with the rabbit lanterns, laughing and joking.

Zhang Bao and Guan Xing huddled together, secretly taking grapes from the table to eat. They each stuffed one into each other's mouths, their mouths full of juice, and then they looked at each other and grinned foolishly.

The eunuchs and palace maids chased after them, shouting, "Little ancestor, slow down, don't fall!" The whole hall was noisy, like it was New Year's Day. There was no solemnity to the court, and it was more like a banquet in a wealthy family.

"His Majesty has arrived! Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! Her Imperial Concubines have arrived!"

Li Dequan's shrill voice suddenly rang out, piercing through the noisy hall.

Instantly, the entire hall fell silent; even breathing stopped.

Everyone stood up abruptly, straightened their clothes, and stood ramrod straight, like rows of wooden stakes.

The children were also held down by the adults, standing obediently with their big eyes staring at the entrance of the hall, full of curiosity.

Liu Ce, dressed in a black casual robe embroidered with gold dragons, walked at the front with a relaxed smile on his face and light steps.

Following behind was Empress Cai Yan, dressed in a bright red gown, dignified, gentle, and elegant.

Behind them were Zhang Ning, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Mi, the two Qiao sisters, and a group of other concubines, all dressed in gorgeous clothes, their jade pendants jingling, and their jewelry sparkling, like a group of fairies descending to earth.

At the very back were more than twenty princes and princesses, the oldest being 13 years old, such as Liu Chen, Liu Ying, Liu Heng, Liu Yao, Liu Sui, Liu Yi, Liu Mei, Liu Yong, Liu Ran, Liu Nong, and Liu Yan, who already looked like little adults.

The youngest are 8 years old, such as Liu Xian, Liu Wan, Liu Yao, Liu Jin, Liu Hui, Liu Xuan, Liu Zhi, Liu Heng, Liu Yi, Liu Shao, Liu Ke, Liu Su, Liu Jun, Liu Yi, Liu Yang, and Liu You. Each one is exquisitely beautiful and incredibly cute.

Liu Ce walked to the head seat, turned around, looked at the huge crowd below, and waved with a smile:

"No need for formalities. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner, so there aren't many rules. Please sit down, and the children can play freely, just don't fall. Tonight, we're all family."

"Your Majesty, we thank you!"

The officials, along with their families, bowed in unison, their voices so synchronized that the dust on the palace beams fell down.

The children imitated the adults, shouting in their childish voices. Some of them were still unsteady on their feet, swaying back and forth, which made Liu Ce laugh.

Liu Ce picked up the wine cup on the table and cleared his throat.

Seeing this, everyone raised their wine cups and looked toward the person in the main seat.

The music in the hall gradually stopped, and everyone quieted down to listen to him speak; even the children stopped making noise.

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunion. I have invited everyone to the palace for no other reason than to have a meal together, admire the moon, and enjoy the festivities. Please do not be shy and eat and drink to your heart's content."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every face in the hall, his tone slowing as if chatting with an old friend:

"In the past, I thought, when will the world be at peace, and the people be able to sit at home and enjoy a hot mooncake? That would be wonderful. Back then, mooncakes were a luxury, and we could only afford a few throughout the year."

The veteran officials below all felt this deeply.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin, who all rose to power under Liu Ce, were moved to tears as they recalled the hardships of those days, their eyes slightly reddening.

"Now, we've done it." Liu Ce smiled, his voice brightening.

"The First Five-Year Plan is finished, the Second Five-Year Plan is underway, the people have enough to eat, the Xianbei and Xiongnu in the north have been defeated, the Western Regions have been returned, and even Kangju has become our territory."

This is not my achievement alone; it is the result of the tireless and diligent work of each and every one of you present, day and night; it is the result of the hard work of all the people of the world, toiling in the fields from dawn till dusk. I salute you all!

As he spoke, he raised his wine cup:

"The first cup is a toast to the past. A toast to those who died in the chaos of war, a toast to the hardships we endured, for they were not in vain."

The second toast is to the present moment. To the lights of every home, to peace and prosperity throughout the world, and to the family reunions of everyone present.

The third toast is to the future. To the ever-expanding empire of the Han Dynasty, to the ever-improving lives of the people, and to our descendants who will forever enjoy peace.

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp. The wine burned as it went down his throat.

"We, your humble servants, respect Your Majesty! We respect the Great Han Dynasty!"

The officials also raised their cups and drank them down in one gulp.

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly warmed to the bone, like a spring breeze.

The musicians played light and cheerful music, the sounds of strings and bamboo instruments melodious and gentle. Everyone picked up their chopsticks and began to eat, drink, chat, and laugh, enjoying themselves immensely.

Cheng Yaojin ate his wine and meat in quick succession, his mouth greasy with oil, and still remembered to serve his wife a large piece of braised pork...

Zhang Fei clinked glasses with Xu Chu, who was sitting next to him, and each time they drank from a large bowl. The two of them drank together, clattering and clattering...

The civil officials, on the other hand, were more refined. They ate and chatted, occasionally raising their glasses in toasts, and engaging in lively conversation.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food, The moon outside the palace rose to its zenith, large and round, its clear light spilling into the palace and falling on the ground like a layer of silver frost, bright and shining.

Cai Yong stood up, bowed to Liu Ce, and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon is bright, and the country is at peace. I have a suggestion: why don't we drink wine and compose poems on the theme of 'Moonlight, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Peace for the Country' to add to the festivities? Firstly, it would be a good time to enjoy this beautiful occasion, and secondly, it would allow future generations to learn from the literary talents of you gentlemen. It would be a wonderful thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of the civil officials below lit up, and they all nodded in agreement, like a flock of chickens pecking at rice.

"Excellent! Mr. Bach's suggestion is perfectly timed!"

"Enjoying the moon and composing poems during the Mid-Autumn Festival is an elegant pastime throughout the ages! Absolutely essential!"

"I second that proposal!"

Upon hearing that they were to compose poems, the military officers' faces instantly fell, looking like wilted eggplants, each one dejected.