Johime Three Kingdoms

Chapter 511 The Ceremony of Chu State

Bai Tu, a kind person, a pure person, a person who has escaped from vulgar taste.

Originally, the officials of the Chu State would not say much about the King of Chu's harem. After all, since the Yangzhou Prefecture period, Bai Tu had refused proposals in this regard more than once, appearing to be very stubborn. Moreover, since the establishment of the Chu State, Bai Tu had The king of Chu and the state of Chu were separated, and no one mentioned it now...

Hosting the harem is a key part of the exchange of interests. Even though Bai Tu has completed many exchanges of interests through "shareholding", which has made many people feel at ease in other ways, it still makes everyone worry about it.

However, this time the situation was obviously special - for Lu Kang, a great scholar of the Chu State who was dedicated and hard-working, to become an official. No matter what request he made, Bai Tu had no reason to act. Even...for this kind of request that was not too excessive, It's hard to even say no.

As soon as Lu Kang said this, the other princes were stunned for a moment, and then the officials of the Jiangdong noble clan showed excited expressions one after another.

Many people instinctively looked at Xu Rong - because it was a meeting of the imperial court, Xu Rong, as Taishi Ling, was also at the table at this time.

Even because of the special nature of Taishiling's position - it doesn't have much power, but it is closely related to sacrifices and other matters. Therefore, although he does not get involved in court affairs, he still sits quite close to the front during court meetings!
The State of Chu actually attached great importance to sacrifices, but the rituals had changed a lot, and the items of sacrifices were also different from those in the past.

From the perspective of the people, the biggest difference is that the "sacrifice days" of the Chu State have gradually developed into "festivals" and "anniversaries". The responsibility of the Taishi Bureau has changed from calculating auspicious days for sacrifices to stipulating corresponding anniversaries. From divination, it became a "prescribed" so-called auspicious day!
For example, on the fifth day of February, which was the anniversary of the day when Yuan Shu sent Zhang Xun to rebel against Yangzhou Mubaitu, and the Yangzhou defenders who were recruited and trained in a short period of time fought with the rebels for the first time in Qu'a, it was established as the "Military and Civilian Unity" day".

According to the official statement of the Chu State, this great victory was achieved because the lower-level generals in the army sacrificed their lives and the people of Qu'a rushed to help...

On this day every year, corresponding activities are held in various parts of Chu State, such as organizing military performances by opera troupes to praise the spirit of unity between the army and the people; such as encouraging middle- and high-level generals to serve in public welfare organizations for lonely widowers and serve as one-day laborers, embodying the unyielding spirit of the army. Forget about the people; for example, encourage the organization of other military-civilian entertainment activities, reward grassroots generals, etc.

And June 23rd was the day when Bai Tu recruited Huang Yueying, a talent in Jinling, and it was also considered to be the day when Chu forces first recruited female officers - as for Lu Lingqi, the then chief of guard... she was closer to Bai Tu's home Therefore, Huang Yueying is more representative, so this day was established as "Women's Day" by the Taishi Bureau.

The workshop will give female workers a paid half-day off. The "Women's Rights and Interests Protection Association", headed by Lu Lingqi, will organize various compassionate activities on this day and vigorously promote and commend outstanding examples.

The so-called excellent models are naturally excellent working women - block out interference such as using female virtue as the criterion for evaluation!

Since the Empress of Chu, Lu Lingqi, was the one to perform the task in name, naturally nowadays, there would be no "evil outsiders" who could deviate from the selection criteria.

In addition, among the people, influenced by some gossip, it seems that there is a custom of wives pouring a cup of Gaolu tea to their husbands on this day. It has even gradually developed into the custom of pouring a cup of Gaolu tea to men on this day. A hint of confession...

It is said that Huang Yueying, the greatest machine master of Chu State, tested the King of Chu in this way. It was precisely because he passed the test that the era of great development of Chu State started.

To some extent, these can be regarded as "sacrifices", but they are more folk-oriented. Even if they are official activities, most of them are entertainment activities such as parading the streets with floats.

It is very different from traditional sacrifices, and even completely opposite in terms of solemnity. It focuses more on penetrating influence into the people, rather than paying high costs, and doing some face-saving rituals.

At first, because of the establishment of these festivals and anniversaries, many officials had opinions on Xu Rong - although they knew in their hearts that this was not Xu Rong's own intention, but after all... impeaching Xu Rong seemed more gentle. !
However, firstly, with the support of Bai Tu, and secondly, with the unconditional support of the Jiangdong gentry, Xu Rong's position remained stable despite being impeached many times.

And through the "confrontations" in the past few years, everyone also understands how soft on the outside and strong on the inside this young girl is. It cannot be shaken by some impeachments and attacks!
But at this moment, Xu Rong lowered her head, her face was obviously red, and she looked embarrassed to raise her head...

In order to avoid leaking this matter in advance, Lu Kang didn't discuss it with anyone else. He only mentioned it to Xu Rong and hinted at Xu Rong's father!
"Ahem, now the Kingdom of Chu is in its infancy, and I and you all should put state affairs first..." Bai Tu couldn't refuse immediately.

Firstly, this was Lu Kang's request before he became an official, and it was very important. Secondly... Lu Kang just said something like "Xu Taishi has always admired the king of Chu", which gave Baitu a lot of leeway smaller!

If it were someone else who dared to "force the palace" like this, Bai Tu would definitely let him know how to wear small shoes to be comfortable.

but……

How could Baitu criticize Lu Kanglin for being wayward before he became an official?

"Your Majesty, your Majesty! In my opinion, although your Majesty has now had two sons, he is still not prosperous. What's more... the Queen is known for her generosity and kindness. If the Majesty does not accept the concubine for a long time, it may damage the Queen's reputation and the Majesty's reputation." Prestige!"

These words are not unreasonable nowadays. For example, in history, Sun Quan's wife and uncrowned back-up trainer was most praised for her ability to tolerate others and took the initiative to arrange concubines for Sun Quan.

The two Han Dynasties were not superstitious about the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues", and their views on women's chastity were different from those of the times after the rigidification of Neo-Confucianism.

However, the resistance to "envy" has already formed. The only difference is that in the period of rigid Neo Confucianism, if the wife is jealous, it is just that she is not a woman. , It also means that the husband is "incapable of managing the family", and the Han people recognize that both parties have equal responsibilities.

Of course, in the state of Chu, ordinary courtiers...whether it is a scholar of the palace or the six ministers, if they dare to "kidnap" Bai Tu with this matter, there must be no good fruit to eat. Not only Bai Tu is not happy, but the queen's father, that is, Lu Bu , I’m afraid that everyone except... Lu Bu himself would want to make him look good.

That's right, the one who just stood up from his chair and spoke out was Lu Bu, the privy envoy and the head of state!

Baitu: ...

Seeing that Lu Bu had already spoken out, the others couldn't wait for the Jiangdong nobles. They all stood up and bowed in Bai Tu's direction, arguing one by one that Bai Tu's harem needed to be expanded.

Although the other Chu ministers did not support him, they were just watching the fun and could not really oppose it.

In fact, everyone knows the reason why Lu Kang expected Xu Rong to enter the Queen of Chu's harem - the Xu family is not among the four surnames in Jiangdong, but it is also a first-class noble family in Jiangdong, no less than the Yu family and the Wei family ten years ago...

It is only because of the "unprecedented changes" in the past ten years that various companies have higher requirements for talents, and there is a lack of first-class talents, Xu's, has gradually become weaker.

However, after Xu Rong was recommended as Taishi Ling, the Xu family not only returned to the first echelon of the Jiangdong gentry, but even vaguely meant to be the second core after the Lu family.

After all, everyone knows that Xu Rong was recommended for reasons other than ability—Xu Rong’s qualifications and achievements in stargazing, she is the only female of the right age in Jiangdong who can become a court official...

And the reason why you become a court official is to watch the stars and set up weird festivals?
of course not!

The Jiangdong gentry, who knew this well, naturally supported Xu Rong.

However, in the past few years, Bai Tu has been holding back and regressing in this regard, which has made many people anxious, especially... In the past, you could use "not of the right age" as an excuse, but Xu Rong is already almost 20 years old. !

Even according to what Chu State advocated, Xu Rong had already reached the marriageable age.

At this time, Xu Rong felt a little hot-skinned - when she was being discussed about marriage and recommended the concubine to the king, she was also present... This kind of thing is not something that everyone can experience, so naturally she was even more shocked. stand up.

Lu Kang had indeed mentioned this matter to her clearly before. After all... Old Man Lu knew that if something happened and Xu Rong had no intention of doing so, or even felt conflicted, he would not be able to explain it easily.

However, the sophisticated Lu Kang saw it. When Xu Rong was mentioned about this matter, although she was a little shy, she had no intention of resisting.

This is indeed the case. In Xu Rong's heart, her favorite thing to do is undoubtedly doing math problems. Only math problems can make her happy.

What I want from my future husband...

It would be great to be able to do math problems together!
One is that Xu Rong knew some of the intentions from her father when she first became Taishi Ling, so she was prepared for it. Second... Xu Rong knew from Pang Tong that many of the math problems she did were From the white picture!

Mathematics questions one after another, in Xu Rong's opinion, are like a touching love letter.

The days and nights I used to study questions were spent tasting the taste of love(?)...

So when Lu Kang mentioned the matter again, Xu Rong was still very willing.

In the past few years, she has had quite a lot of contact with Bai Tu. After all, Bai Tu would often ask her to do strange things in private - setting up festivals and anniversaries.

Although she was mentally prepared, after Lu Kang raised the matter at the court meeting, Xu Rong was still distracted and in a daze, not knowing how it would end in the end.

I only know that when I came out of Jiangshanyuan, many people congratulated me, and...unknowingly, they seemed to be more respectful?

Originally, although Tai Shiling had little power and a high position, and was considered the number one figure in the court, he would not be fawned over by other court officials, especially... when Xu Rong was still a woman, many people were even more embarrassed to do so. !

"Rongrong, don't forget to go to the Chu Palace later... It's still early, a little later, go during dinner." Lu Kang reminded.

"Ah? Ah! I mean...Thank you, Uncle Lu, for reminding me." Xu Rong immediately said in shock, and at the same time she finally understood what had just happened.

Of course, although Xu Rong's incident was also very explosive, the protagonist of the current San Dynasty was obviously not him.

In front of the gate of Jiangshan Garden, all the ministers watched Lu Kang get into the carriage...

Lu Kang may still come to Jiangshanyuan in the future, but it is no longer his obligation - Lu Kang, who has advised Bai Tu and coordinated the internal interests of the Bai Tu Group since the Yangzhou Prefecture period, officially withdrew from the court today.

(End of this chapter)