Chapter 80

On the evening of mid autumn, the full moon fills the sky.

Yuexi Festival is an important festival of Daqian. Therefore, in accordance with the rules of etiquette, the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the moon should be held every Yuexi Festival, and the Emperor himself should be the main one. However, the ceremony of sacrificing the moon is not as grand as the ceremony of sacrificing the heaven. Although the ceremony was held by the emperor, it was not held at the Wentian temple in the southern suburb of the capital. It was generally held at Shenghuang square, the largest square in the capital.

There are three reasons why the ceremony was held in Shenghuang square.

First, Shenghuang square covers an extremely large area and has a very high standard. At the beginning of its construction, there was an altar. The whole square was built according to the number of 95, with the mountain and river geography at the bottom and the Guanghan stars at the top. In terms of etiquette, this place is a place of good fortune. Holding a memorial ceremony here can bless the country, benefit the people and benefit the descendants.

Second, during the reign of emperor Taizu, because the turbulent times had just ended and all kinds of waste were waiting for prosperity, Daqian did not hold the ceremony of lunar evening sacrifice like the previous dynasty. It was only after Emperor Gaozong succeeded that the ceremony was resumed under the invitation of the Ministry of rites. The site chosen at that time was Shenghuang square. Later, after generations of inheritance, it became Dingli.

Besides, there is a huge statue of the founding empress in the center of Shenghuang square. Beside the statue of the empress, there is a statue of the civil and military officials of Shenghuang Dynasty. The ceremony of sacrificing the moon is held here, which is not only necessary for etiquette, but also means to comfort the ancestors and pursue the sages.

The third reason is that Shenghuang square is not far from the South Gate of the imperial palace. It is next to the Tianjie street, which runs through the whole capital city due to the South and North. Although some flowers and trees of the four seasons are planted, the vision is very broad. It is not only convenient for the emperor's officials to travel, but also conducive to the protection of the imperial guards.

In the evening, before dusk, the guards of the upper army, the lower army, the left army and the right army, who were guarding the outer city of the Imperial Palace, sent out a thousand people camp to surround the whole Shenghuang square. Although Daqian's ceremony not only offered sacrifices to the Royal ancestral temple, but also stopped the people from watching, the emperor was a country, coupled with the recent undercurrent in the capital, You can't be too careful.

When a bright moon rises from the eastern sky, the main door of the palace suddenly opens. The Ziji guard led by nangonghuan and the Qianyang guard led by beigonghuai protect the emperor's guard of honor and the instrument car of the officials from around, slowly moving towards Shenghuang square. Both of the two commanders pressed the handle of the knife and looked dignified. They kept scanning the crowd on their mounts.

Speaking of Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai, we should start with their surnames. Their ancestors were the sons of the aristocratic family, the sons of the house slaves. According to the previous law, the children of the house slaves were slaves from generation to generation and served forever. Their ancestors could not bear to be bullied by their masters, so they escaped from their masters and became slaves.

However, in the turbulent times when the princes were fighting with each other, the good people were all precarious, not to mention the two runaway slaves. Fortunately, although they were slaves, they had read books for several years as master's schoolboys. Because they could not bear to be bullied, they even stole some of the master's Gongfa they used to practice when they ran away. After several near death, they joined Yu Wangshu, the founder of the country, and became soldiers.

After more than ten years of bloody war, Emperor Taizu founded the country. Because of their bravery and meritorious service, they had already taken the position of commander of the first battalion. Seeing that they were loyal and resolute, Emperor Taizu transferred them into the forbidden army to defend the outer city of the imperial palace. However, because they were both slaves, they had no surname, so Taizu gave them the surname of the palace city where they were stationed at that time. They were Nangong and Beigong.

The Nangong and Beigong also served as the commander of the imperial guards in the past dynasties, either as the imperial guards of the seven halls, or as the upper, lower, left and right four guards. They were loyal to the Yu family. Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai, when the king of Dongping was in trouble, both tried to protect the Emperor Yu Yuanxu as the Royal orthodoxy. They led a bloody battle with the rebels in the eight Marquis's house. They were protected by the king Qin, and they were trusted by the Emperor Yu Yuanxu. They had been favored by him for 20 years. At this time, they were appointed as the first-class County marquis.

Just as Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai were scanning the crowd, the frame of the emperor and the queen had come to Tianjie. There was a cheer from the crowd on both sides, and the sound of long live was heard all the time. It can be seen that the people of the Qianyuan Dynasty loved the emperor who made little contribution and made great efforts to govern after the collapse of the Qingyang empire.

When the frame of the emperor and the officials came to Shenghuang square, the officials came to stand under the altar under the singing of the ceremony officials. The emperor and the queen went to the altar hand in hand. Wang Zan, the chief steward of the internal service, took the prepared prayer for the moon in both hands and respectfully sent it to Qian Huang Yu Yuanxu.

Just as the emperor read the prayer, Zhong lilun, the Minister of rites standing on one side, showed a sullen look on his face. In the Da Qian Dynasty, Zhong lilun was the eldest minister, and always attached the most importance to etiquette. Before, he had clearly agreed with the emperor about the etiquette rules, but now the Empresses of the harem who should have accompanied him did not appear in the ceremony.

Moreover, even Prince Yu Minghao, the eldest princess Yu Tianxiang and the youngest princess Yu Piaoxiang did not show up. Although Zhong lilun also felt that the situation in Beijing was a bit strange recently, as a minister of rites, the rules of rites could not be changed without authorization. What's more, after the ceremony, the empress and the empress, together with the concubines, princes and daughters in the harem, had to go to the Jingxing gate of the imperial city to enjoy the moon and drink with the people, and then there was the Royal Palace Banquet on the eve of the moon.

But now, except for the emperor and the empress, none of the other concubines and imperial heirs has been seen. This makes Zhong lilun, the old minister, angry. If the emperor is not reading a prayer now, he will come forward and ask what happened.

Just after Emperor Yu Yuanxu finished reading the prayer, Zhong lilun hesitated to stop the ceremony. But without waiting for him to speak, both Emperor Yu Yuanxu and empress Lu Qin had begun to burn incense to worship the heaven and the moon. Just after the yellow paper was thrown into the sacrificial cauldron, the emperor was ready to turn around and walk down the altar. When he heard a loud bang, the whole altar burst apart.

With the loud noise, countless stones of different sizes were thrown around, and the air was filled with the smell of burning black powder. Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai, standing in front of the altar, suddenly burst into momentum. The two visible vigorous gas barriers immediately wrapped up the officials. The stones that flew to the officials seemed to encounter endless resistance. After rippling on the vigorous gas barrier, they slowly fell to the ground.

"Escort, escort." The Ziji guard and Qianyang guard, who were originally guards on the periphery, rushed to the altar like crazy, while the four guards' thousand people camp guarding Shenghuang square were all armed with swords and spears. However, the well-trained did not move under the altar, but after shrinking the formation, they stared at the crowd who had become riotous because of the explosion.

Just as the officials were scrambling to find the emperor and queen, Emperor Yu Yuanxu and queen Lu Qin slowly came out of the smoke, and behind them was Yun Shu, the head of the imperial city. Apart from a slight frown, the empress and Emperor Yu Yuanxu's face is still natural. Emperor Yu Yuanxu glances at the officials and looks at Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai.

"Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai, you two lead Ziji and Qianyang guards to evacuate the crowd." The emperor's voice is still full of air, obviously not affected by the explosion. Although his cultivation is not very high, it is also the highest cultivation of the spirit at this time. The cultivation of empress Lu Qin is higher than that of him, and Yunshu protects him secretly. Although the explosion is violent, it doesn't hurt him at all.

"Your Majesty, the situation is not clear now. Your majesty and the queen should go back to the palace earlier." Nangong Huan immediately began to persuade. Although the emperor was in a turbulent situation recently, he didn't expect that someone wanted to assassinate the emperor, which really surprised him.

"Your Majesty, the commander of Nangong said that the evacuation of the people can be handed over to the four guards. Your majesty is a country, so you should go back to the palace." Beigong Huai also said that he didn't know why such a thing happened. At the first time of the explosion, he controlled the officials of the Ministry of rites. After all, the ritual schedule was made by the Ministry of rites, and there was no escape from the Ministry of rites for such things as placing gunpowder under the tripod and the altar. However, the situation is not clear now. It is safer for the emperor to return to the palace.

"No, since someone has arranged a big play for me, if I go back to the palace, it will not spoil the interest of others." Yu Yuanxu shook his head and said playfully, "you'd better evacuate the people first. As for my safety, you don't have to worry. With Yunqing here, no one can hurt me."

"Also ~" Yu Yuanxu took another look at the official of the Ministry of rites who was controlled by beigonghuai and said, "let go of all the people in the Ministry of rites. Before there is no conclusive evidence, they are still the officials of the imperial court."

"I will comply with the order." Nangong Huan and Beigong Huai look at each other and answer the promise.

"Is everything all right with you Yu Yuanxu also set his eyes on the officials.

"Thanks to your Majesty's great blessing, I have nothing to do with you." At the same time, the ministers bowed down to promise, but at this time, the crowd was angry, shocked and frightened by the explosion.

"Since there is nothing wrong, will you accompany me and the queen to see this drama at the mid autumn moon?" Yu Yuanxu's eyes flashed a wisp of cold light, and all the courtiers trembled, especially some old courtiers knew that his majesty seemed benevolent, but he had done such things as poisoning his younger brother, banishing his younger sister, and killing his family. Although it was led by the eldest princess Yu Chuqing, after all, the Emperor gave the will.

At this time, looking at the emperor's eyes, all the officials were worried. Usually, because of different political opinions, they dared to argue with the emperor. But now, none of them dared to say no. they all bowed to their promises.

"Queen, go with me." Looking at the smashed altar behind him, Yu Yuanxu's face is also very ugly, and says to Queen Lu Qin.

"Your Majesty has orders, how dare I not follow." Queen Lu Qin said with a smile. Since she was a child, she has been wandering with her elder brother Lu Chun in the world. She has experienced numerous storms. In addition, she has made certain psychological preparations before. When the altar was destroyed, she just lamented that the thief was crazy, but there were not many accidents.

At this time, a cry of killing came from the south gate. Because it was far away, the voice was not very loud, but people above Lingtai still heard it. Emperor Yu Yuanxu glanced at the south gate. There was a trace of disdain in his eyes. He raised his foot and walked towards the center of Shenghuang square, while the officials of chaotang followed him.

Because the whole Shenghuang square is surrounded by four guards, and there are three guards to protect it. Yu Yuanxu doesn't worry about any more accidents. He walks to the huge statue of the empress. Yu Yuanxu straightens her clothes and kneels down on her knees. "The ancestors are here, but the descendants of Yu Yuanxu are shocked." With that, Yu Yuanxu kowtowed three times to the statue of the queen.

"Ah, all the histories of the past dynasties are bloodstained. I didn't expect that Daqian would not be able to avoid the killing of people of this surname. It's a matter of human heart and desire."

A cold female voice appears directly in Yu Yuanxu's mind. Yu Yuanxu is shocked and looks behind him. He finds that no matter the empress Lu Qin, the Imperial City worshipping Yun Shu, or the officials behind him, they are all obedient to the ground. Yu Yuanxu knew that this should be the voice of emperor Taizu's spirit, because he once heard this voice when he was sacrificing to the ancestral temple at the beginning of his succession. The voice was pure and arrogant, arrogant and domineering, which others could not imitate even if they wanted to.

"You are the emperor of Daqian, and you are also the head of the Yu family. The matter of Daqian is up to you. But remember, I have done a lot to build a nation with fire. Fire is the source of civilization, and man is the base of civilization. At that time, those who were emperors reflected on themselves and treated the people well. " Just when Yu Yuanxu wanted to look up at the statue of the queen, the voice appeared in his mind again. The voice of the founding empress appeared in his mind again. He was so scared that he quickly lowered his head.

"Thank you for your religious instruction. Yuanxu understands." Yu Yuanxu said silently in his heart.

"Ah." The voice of the empress seemed melancholy, leaving Yu Yuanxu with a long sigh. No matter what Yu Yuanxu said in his heart, the voice of the empress would no longer respond. Yu Yuanxu stood up, looking at the tall statue of the queen, listening to the sound of the cry of killing closer and closer, but also raised a helpless heart.

Because of Daqian's patriarchal system, after the former Emperor abdicated, he secretly supervised the country for three years to investigate the successor's mental ability and ensure the smooth transition of power. Although there were disagreements within the royal family, there had never been any fratricidal incidents, all the way to him. He knew that no matter how this matter was solved in the end, he had set a bad example for future generations. Maybe the future royal family's fighting style started from him.

Now that he has reached the peak of Lingtai, he is about to enter the realm of catastrophe. He does not know whether he can carry the catastrophe. It is time to cultivate Prince Ming Hao. Thinking of this as like as two peas, Yu Yuan thought of his daughter Yu Tianxiang, who was almost the same as her elder sister Yu Chu Qing. At this time, he also understood why the father had been asked what he wanted to do when he died.

"To your majesty." Just as Yu Yuanxu was dazzled by the statue of the queen, a herald school with a red flag on its back came from outside the square. It was not until the time of the square that the guards stopped him.

"What happened?" Yu Yuanxu waved, let people put the school in, asked.

"To your majesty. The Shesheng camp guarding the South Gate of the imperial capital has reversed and is coming to Shenghuang square. " The little school panted and said that his right hand was still dripping blood while he was talking. It was obvious that he was seriously injured.

The officials were in an uproar when they heard that the general of Shesheng camp of Changqing army was ran Zhen, the Wenchang Marquis among the thirty-six civil and military marquis. Ran Zhen was a man of ability in both literature and military. He made great achievements in both military and political studies. Five years ago, the Changqing army was transferred back to the capital from the south. The emperor asked ran Zhen to take the post of general of Shesheng camp. No one thought that such a person would be rebellious.

"Anything else?" Yu Yuanxu's eyes twinkled for a moment, and a trace of clarity flashed in his eyes. He asked again.

"There are also a group of unidentified masked people, who are highly cultivated and suddenly killed, causing great damage to the badminton army." There was a flash of panic in Xiao Xiao's eyes when he spoke. Just when he came to report the time difference, he was blocked by a masked man in black. If he hadn't seen the opportunity early, he would have been a dead man if he had pulled out his saber and slashed the horse's buttocks, which made the speed of the horse increase a lot.

"I see." Yu Yuanxu took a look at the school and found that there were several wounds on his arm. He said, "go down to bandage the wound first, and then stay here. There's no need to go back."

"No Although it's just a short sentence, the face of the little school is red, and its expression is also very excited. I wish I had more and heavier injuries at this time.

Hearing the sound of shouting and killing getting closer and closer, the ministers on the scene were also in a commotion. However, both Emperor Yu Yuanxu and empress Lu Qin were indifferent, as if they were blind to the approaching rebels.

Zhuge Xingzhi, the prime minister, stood in the noisy crowd and said nothing. His eyes were staring at the stars that could compete with the bright moon. Although ran Zhen was surprised, he was not surprised. Because ran Zhen's elder sister, ran Qi, was the princess of Dongping at that time. The old Wenchang Marquis died early. Ran Zhen was brought up by ran Qi's hand in hand, and their feelings were very deep.

Although the rebellion of the king of Dongping didn't involve Ran's house, the princess of Dongping was chaste. After learning that the king of Dongping had been poisoned, she committed suicide in prison. If Lu Chun's message to zhugeju is correct, the posthumous son of the king of Dongping should be ran Zhen's nephew. It's natural for the Marquis Wenchang to do so.

Moreover, Zhuge Xingzhi also knew that Wenchang Marquis's house was different from those noble families who won the title of marquis only after the founding of the great chieftains. The ran family had its own country more than two hundred years ago, but the founding empress had too many soldiers, which led to the surrender of the clan. Because at the beginning of the founding of the country, she gave up all the books in the clan and enriched the collection of the newly built Jiuda University palace, This is why she was granted the title of Marquis of Wenchang by the female emperor.

"I've heard that the teacher is proficient in celestial phenomena. When I wanted to study, I was rejected by the teacher for lack of qualification. I don't know if the celestial phenomena said what my future would be like?" When Yu Yuanxu sees Zhuge Xingzhi looking up at the sky, he walks up to him and says with a smile that although he can hear the killing sound not far away, he is very calm in his heart. Instead, he plays a joke with Zhuge Xingzhi.

"Potential is like fire, talent is like stars, so why say it?" Zhuge Xing's face also showed a smile. At this time, several military ministers in waige and Duke Wei, who had just returned to Beijing, did not appear. It was obvious that the emperor had arranged for him, so he was relieved.

"How about tonight?" Yu Yuanxu asked again.

"Tonight? Tonight is your natural death. " Just then a slightly evil voice came from the southwest.