Chapter 69 4. Wei State Tribute Ceremony

In the Changle Hall of Weiyang Palace in Luoyang, the central capital of the Wei Kingdom, Emperor Wen Cao Pi sat with his sleeves folded on the dragon bed painted with gold, looking very majestic. He stared out through the gap between the strings of pearls hanging from the crown above his head, and looked at the three envoys from Xiyi who were standing in the front row under Dan Qi, his face overflowing with complacency. smile. These three Xiyi envoys came to pay tribute from Shanshan, Kucha, and Khotan, the vassals of the Western Regions of the Great Wei Dynasty.Since the rise of the "Yellow Turban Rebellion" in the late Han Dynasty forty years ago, the three vassal states of Shanshan, Qiuci, and Khotan have almost lost their tribute connection with the Central Plains court.Now that Cao Pi is on behalf of the Han Dynasty and establishes the Wei Dynasty, he occupies the two prefectures of Yong and Liang, and has reconnected with the "Silk Road" opened by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Naturally, he has restored the previous Huayi tributary system with the Western Regions.In this regard, Cao Pi believed that all of this was caused by his "prestige outside the Great Wall and the Western Regions", and he became a little complacent.

He looked happy, and turned his face to Taiwei Jiaxu, Situ Zhongyou, Sikong Wanglang, Yushi doctor Huaxin and other senior officials sitting on the seat on the right side of Danchi, and said happily: "I was ordered by heaven last year, When I was enthroned, many generals suggested that I should inherit the legacy of the late emperor, rule the world with a mighty teacher, and subdue the bandits. However, I am determined to do the holy work of Emperor Wenwen of the Han Dynasty, and strive to be far-reaching with virtue and to transform the people with benevolence. I don’t want to show off the benefits of the military revolution to others. In less than two years, the Silk Road in the Western Regions has been reopened, and the foreign kingdoms have returned to me. I am really happy in my heart!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hua Xin, the official censor, said: "Your Majesty's words are very true. In the past, the Miao family was not welcome, and Emperor Shun obeyed him by dancing with relatives; Wei Tuo proclaimed himself emperor, and Emperor Wen of Han respected him with kindness. The king of Wu, Liu Bi, did not go to court, and Emperor Wenwen of the Han Dynasty returned a few sticks of tin and sold his adversity. Emperor Wenwen of the Han Dynasty was lenient, profound and silent, and served the far with virtue, and today we have reappeared in our Great Wei Dynasty! The old minister deeply respects your majesty Long live! Long live! Long live!—” As he spoke, he led Jia Xu, Zhong Yao, Wang Lang and other officials and elders to shout long live!

Cao Pi really liked to enjoy the flattery and flattery of these officials. He half-closed his eyes and listened to their mountain chanting for a full quarter before he flicked his sleeves to stop them. Then, he turned his eyes awe-inspiringly to the three Xiyi envoys standing under Dan Chi.They lowered their eyebrows and looked very cautious. Among them, the envoy of the Kucha Kingdom was so nervous that his temples were wet with sweat, and his face was as red as a steamed carrot. "Present their tribute to the palace, and I want to sit and appreciate it with all my lovers!" Cao Pi stretched out his right sleeve, flicked it away, and gestured to Dahongxi Xinpi, who was in charge of the court rituals.

Simpi understood, and first made a gesture to the envoy of Khotan.The Khotan envoy hurriedly left the hall, and greeted two servants from Xiyi outside with a "chirpy murmur" and came in carrying a large red lacquered wooden tray. Sima Yi sat on the front seat of the long seat on the left side under the danji, and when he looked up, he couldn't help being surprised: but on the vermilion lacquer plate, there was a beautiful woman from Xiyi with a graceful figure, four feet tall. , scratching her head and twisting her waist, her hair fluttering, and her dancing posture graceful!His heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself: This country of Khotan is really weird, it's not good to send any tribute, but it sent such a "dwarf beauty".However, although this "short beauty" from Xiyi is slightly short in stature, her body and appearance, compared with the hundreds of beauties and jiao'e in the harem of the Great Wei Dynasty, has a different charm...

While he was contemplating himself, he suddenly heard Duzhi Shangshu Chen Jiao who was sitting next to him exclaim in a low voice: "Ah! This... this Xiyi girl was actually carved out of beautiful jade..." When Sima Yi heard it, he hurriedly looked at her carefully, and then realized something strange: that is indeed a real white jade beauty!She was carved out of a whole piece of the world's best Khotan mutton fat jade, with a vivid look and a lifelike attitude.What is even more astonishing is that the pair of beautiful eyes of this jade beauty are shining like stars, but they are inlaid with two exquisite and rare black pearls.

For some reason, looking at this beautifying beauty, Sima Yi's mind was slightly in a trance, and he was almost drowned in her shining pearly eyes.And that jade beauty's delicate body was covered with a layer of veiled white gauze like cicada's wings, which swayed gently in the breeze, showing her embossed and exquisite curves, which made people want to miss.Sima Yi looked at it, his mind fluttering: This jade beauty seems to be alive, the blood under the skin seems to be beating slightly, the streamer in the eyes is also extremely hot, everything is like a real person... He bit his lower lip abruptly, calming down his mood!He turned his eyes and secretly glanced at the other people in the hall: I saw that almost everyone in the Changle Hall, including His Majesty Cao Pi, was staring at the jade beauty, as if a little bewildered and dumbfounded!He was sighing slightly, but he caught sight of the two cold eyes of the Taiwei Jia Xu on the opposite table who also glanced at him—their eyes met, and there were knowing smiles on each other's lips, Then they separated again!Jia Xu deserves to be Jia Xu, his inner cultivation is indeed extraordinary: Mount Tai collapses in front of him without changing his color, beautiful women dazzle at the side without paying attention.Really a generation of outstanding people!

At this time, everyone in the field let out a low exclamation like a light tide.It turned out that there was just a gust of wind passing by, and the white gauze on the jade beauty was blown away immediately.In an instant, a beautiful and stunning carcass inside was completely revealed in the fiery eyes of everyone: the plump jade peak is raised high, and the two bright red spots on the jade peak are as attractive as cherries, and the slender Jade legs also look clean, smooth and elastic... Sima Yi didn't need to look at it now, he could guess that many of the gentlemen present were drooling.With a concentrated thought, he hit the floor hard with his right palm, and shouted loudly: "Wu Na Khotan envoy! Our Great Wei Dynasty ruled the country with propriety, favoring virtue over lust, emphasizing benevolence over treasure, you and other barbaric people outside the territory Husband, but you want to pollute the eyes and ears of my king and ministers with obscene things—what crime should I have?"

As soon as he drank it, everyone in the field woke up like a dream, and they all came back to their senses.Na Hua Xin took the Yahu and played it on the spot: "The old minister said to His Majesty: Please be decisive and smash this obscene thing as an example to others!" When the Khotan envoy heard this, he was frightened out of his wits, hurriedly fell on the floor, and kowtowed his head: "I just present this image of the 'white jade beauty' at the order of the king, in order to show my sincerity to the heavenly kingdom. How dare the humble ministers pollute the eyes and ears of the adults of the Celestial Dynasty with this? Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Cao Pi was not as excited as Sima Yi and Hua Xin at all. He chuckled, waved his big sleeves, brushed away the crowd of people under Dan Chi, and said leisurely: "Khotan is a small country, just a barbarian country, ignorant. Ignorant, what do they know about the etiquette of the Celestial Dynasty? It is not surprising that there are such gifts. Lovers must understand that they are all uncivilized barbarians. As for this jade statue, they have worked hard for thousands of miles It is not easy to make contributions from outside the territory! How can you easily reject and smash them? Xin Aiqing, let them go to the inner garden of the harem..."

Simpi wanted to persuade him, but seeing that Cao Pi had made up his mind, he had to order the Khotan envoy and his servants to take the "white jade beauty" to retreat first from the Changle Hall to the inner garden of the harem. Cao Pi's eyes stared at the direction in which the group of them went down the palace and left, seeming a little obsessed.After a long time, he regained his composure, and murmured: "The Khotan mutton fat jade looks really clear and bright, as if thin dewdrops are about to flow out of it...it's really It’s amazing! I remember that Cui Shangshu once collected a Ganoderma lucidum jade Ruyi, which was also carved from Khotan mutton fat jade... I will never forget the warm and comfortable touch when I touch it.” Speaking of this , He thought to himself: The skin of that white jade beauty seemed to be unusually white and delicate just now, it was so fluffy, if he touched it with his hands, it must be wonderful and refreshing, right?Hehehe... Judging from this jade statue alone, that beauty from Khotan is really gorgeous.After I leave the court for a while, I will definitely find the Khotan envoy and ask him to go back and tell the Khotan king that I must choose a few beautiful women from Xiyi to send to the palace according to the appearance of the "white jade beauty" Come. While thinking in such a mess, he glanced at Taiwei Jia Xu who was sitting on the "Three Dukes" seat, and said casually: "Oh... that's right! I still remember that Jia Taiwei also has an ancient treasure 'Purple Dragon Jue', the bright and clear jade quality, and the dragon-shaped purple pattern that is naturally generated in that vein... It is even more amazing! In my opinion, the sheep of the Khotan Kingdom Fat and beautiful jade is of extraordinary quality, but my Central Plains China also has its own unique jade to surpass it!" After hearing this, Jia Xu's face, which had always been as quiet as an ancient pool, couldn't help showing a slight wave, and a deep smile slowly appeared on the corner of his lips, and he raised his eyes slightly, facing the complex meaning projected by Cao Pi. eyes, slowly nodded thoughtfully. Here, Simpi waited until Cao Pi calmed down before proclaiming loudly: "I invite Shanshan and Qiuci to continue to contribute tribute!" When the envoys of Shanshan and Qiuci heard the words, they hurriedly raised the red lacquered wooden trays in their hands above their heads, walked forward on their knees, and presented them respectfully. Cao Pi opened his eyes and looked carefully: On the tray presented by the envoy of the Kucha Kingdom, there was a crystal clear agate bowl, with wonderful textures of different shapes emerging on the bowl, with mountains and waters , There are trees and rocks, birds and animals. It is like a vivid landscape painting of the Western Regions. The faint light and shadow linger like the bright morning glow, which looks absolutely graceful.However, on the tray presented by the envoys of the Shanshan Kingdom, there was a round fan woven with colorful long feathers, which seemed to have nothing special about it. Cao Pi stretched out his hand, and gently stroked the agate bowl of the Kucha Kingdom, and felt a cool and smooth feeling soaking into his fingers like a cold spring from an ice abyss.He said politely: "As soon as I saw this agate bowl, I couldn't help but feel very excited about it. I hereby compose a poem to praise it: "There are precious things with strange chapters, and they are sent to Chonggang in Zhongshan. The spiritual gifts of gold and virtue, including the magnificent chapters of white tigers. The mysterious energy of Fanshuofang, like the Yanyang of Nanli. Cang. The five colors of the bud are bright and beautiful, matched with the streamer of the bright sun. A good husband and craftsman, it is a section and an engraving. Pursue the shape and pursue the good, and find the convenience. It is carved, and the square is round. The light inside is light, and the floating scene is outside. It’s fresh. It’s red tape, and it’s colorful one after another. It’s like a star!” "What do you ladies think of this poem?" Hua Xin, Chen Qun and others immediately praised respectfully: "Your Majesty's literary talent is astonishing as the past and the present, and I admire you so much." Cao Pi smiled slightly, put the agate bowl back into the vermilion lacquer tray, and said slowly: "The mutton fat jade statue enshrined in Khotan just now is really beautiful, and I should write a poem to send it to him." Meaning——'There are the wonderful plains of Kunshan, and the steep cliffs of Khotan. The flaming waves of the Danshui, the mysterious branches of the yao trees. The pure energy in the yellow, the beauty of the country. It should be graceful and graceful, and it is graceful It's so colorful. The emperor admires it when he sees it, and the ministers feel affection for him when he sees it.' After hearing this, all the lovers, what do you think?" Sima Yi could not help but secretly frowned when he heard that Cao Pi's poem was too glamorous, without the elegance of a work written by a holy lord Mingjun. sentence. Cao Pi finally picked up the round feather fan presented by the Shanshan Kingdom, held it in his hand and slapped it casually, and said with a smile: "Why? Is this Shanshan Kingdom deceiving me that there is nothing in China in the Central Plains? A feather fan like this is in my hands. There is nothing unusual in the Huanghuang Great Wei Kingdom..." He hadn't finished speaking, but he saw that the expressions of all the ministers under Dan Chi looking at the feather fan suddenly changed: it turned out to be a kind of indescribable surprise and appreciation! Cao Pi turned his head to look, only to find that the color of the lupine in his hand had changed from colorful to pure white!He hastily slapped it again, and the plume-handled fan "swiped" into a brilliant golden color, and he slapped it again, and the fan surface turned red like fire!It turned out that this is a wonderful feather fan that can change into all kinds of colors. It is really a rare and wonderful treasure in the world! He laughed, raised his sleeves, and proclaimed: "Good! Good! Good! These three Western Regions are really respectful of their ministers and sincere in their tribute! I hereby issue an order of kindness: Reward each of them with 600 bolts of silk Silk, four hundred taels of gold, and eighty boxes of classics and historical books!" "My ministers bow down to thank God!" Under Simpi's signal and lead, the envoys of Khotan, Kucha, and Shanshan all fell down and bowed down, shouting long live.