I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 94 The Yuanhui Festival

The practice of using concubines was a common practice in ancient marriage systems.

This refers to female relatives or maids who marry into the husband's family along with the principal wife, including sisters who marry together, women from the clan who accompany the wife in their dowry, and maids who accompany the wife in their dowry. They can act on behalf of the principal wife in exercising family functions.

The purpose of this was to perpetuate the rights and interests of the wife's family through blood ties or clan bonds in political marriages.

If the principal wife is unable to bear children, then if the dowry maid is able to conceive, the family's interests can be maintained.

This is the most common phenomenon among nobles or royalty.

Sun Jian, the governor of Changsha, married the Wu sisters at the same time to protect the interests of his family.

The "Returning Maiden" hexagram, one of the sixty-four hexagrams in the I Ching, describes just such a situation.

When Zhang entered the palace to become the Crown Princess, no women from her family accompanied her as part of her dowry.

Now that she has become the Empress of the Han Dynasty, three years have passed, yet she has still not conceived a son or daughter, which makes the Zhang family feel a sense of crisis.

When Zhang returned home to visit her family, her clan asked her to bring her younger sister with her to the palace.

If she is no longer able to bear royal blood, then let her younger sister, who is now an adult, take on this important task.

To give birth.

Liu Shan knew that his second important task as emperor had arrived.

But the second young lady of the Zhang family is only five or six years old.

"Yun'er, we haven't been married for very long, so there's no need to rush."

What outsiders don't know is that Liu Shan only had sex with Zhang Shi in the last two or three months. From a biological perspective, considering the probability of pregnancy, it's perfectly normal that she didn't get pregnant.

Zhang Shi immediately saw through Liu Shan's thoughts.

"My lord, it's not that Yun'er is in a hurry, but the family is urging us to send my younger sister to the palace."

Liu Shan pressed his hand against her lips and said, "There's no rush for my little sister's matter. I'll try my best to get you pregnant with the dragon's child first."

After saying this, Liu Shan picked up Zhang Shi and carried her into the inner room.

Despite Zhang's weak and feeble fists striking his chest, he resolutely refused to back down.

An hour later, Zhang, panting heavily, lay on Liu Chan's chest, her limbs tightly embracing him.

"My lord, Yun'er is a little tired."

Liu Shan was also a little tired and said, "I'm already tired. You should rest for a while, and I'll take over later."

Zhang blushed deeply with embarrassment and begged for mercy, "I've been busy with the sacrificial rites all day, husband, please let Yun'er go today."

"Okay, I'll let you off the hook today, but you're not allowed to call 'stop' next time."

Liu Shan went to great lengths to have a son.

The two held each other tightly for a while before Zhang Shi slowly said, "Husband, what will we do if Yun'er can't conceive?"

Historically, Empress Zhang did not bear any children during her fifteen years as empress.

It's unclear whether it was due to a lack of affection between the two, or because Ms. Zhang had difficulty conceiving.

Based on historical records, Liu Shan deduced that Lady Zhang died in her thirties, which was most likely due to physical reasons that made it difficult for her to have children.

Therefore, a royal physician should be arranged immediately for diagnosis to avoid delaying the condition.

In addition, daily diet needs to be adjusted.

"Don't talk nonsense, we will definitely have our own children," Liu Shan comforted him.

Lady Zhang gently traced circles on Liu Shan's chest with her finger, then suddenly said, "Husband, if Yun'er still doesn't have a child, why don't you consider Wang Feng? Actually, her entry into the palace this time was also for..."

Liu Shan nodded and said, "I understand..."

After learning the reason why the second young lady of the Zhang family entered the palace, Liu Shan guessed why the Zhang family also sent Wang Feng to the palace.

Such a beautiful maid must be here for more than just to take care of the second young lady.

"What does my husband mean...?"

"We'll talk about it later!"

......

After the start of spring, the upcoming Yuanhui (New Year's Day) will be the most important event.

In the past year, the imperial court suffered a new defeat, Liu Bei died, a new emperor ascended the throne, and everything was in need of rebuilding.

Liu Shan revived the Imperial Academy, established training classes, and fostered a culture of learning in Chengdu, thus enabling the court to re-select outstanding officials.

The rise of agricultural science classes, water conservancy engineering classes, and tea ceremony classes has brought new expectations to the people.

Hanzhong began to build water conservancy projects, establish military farms, and support troops. Yong'an and Jiangzhou undertook major defensive works. The Wudang Flying Army was initially established, and the government was in good order.

Tax refunds to the people mean not only returning food, but also the hope for survival.

The common people didn't understand politics, but they knew that the court had given them tangible benefits.

In Chengdu, every household is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and Spring Festival couplets are pasted up, filling the streets and alleys with the joy of the New Year.

The troops guarding the border would automatically form a "ceasefire agreement," each ceasing hostilities and allowing generals and soldiers to enjoy themselves together.

According to Liu Shan's request, apart from the usual grand sacrificial ceremonies, the New Year's banquet in Chengdu this year should be kept simple.

The dishes were halved, the songs and dances were halved, and the officials looked at the delicious food and wine prepared on the table in front of them with different expressions.

After the dance ended, Liu Shan raised his wine cup and looked around at the officials.

"My esteemed subjects..."

Before Liu Shan could finish speaking, all the officials raised their wine cups.

"Today is the auspicious New Year's Day, so I will first offer my respects to everyone."

The officials raised their cups, uttering words of praise and flattery.

"This first cup is a toast to the soldiers on the front lines. They are enduring wind and snow at the border, while we can enjoy peace and prosperity here. Whenever I think of them, I feel ashamed."

The hall fell silent instantly.

They all knew that Liu Shan's words had a hidden meaning, but they had no choice but to drink the wine in their cups.

Liu Shan put down his wine cup and said, "My dear ministers, look at the banquet before you. Don't you think it's a bit meager?"

No one dared to respond to this, and the assembled officials could only look at each other in bewilderment.

"If you feel it is too meager or impolite, then I will serve you another dish."

"Someone come here!"

At Liu Shan's command, the chief eunuch Wang Gui led his attendants in, placing a scroll of bamboo slips in front of each table.

The ministers were even more puzzled.

They had no idea what Liu Shan was up to.

They dared neither ask nor open the bamboo slips.

"Please open it and take a look."

At Liu Shan's command, the courtiers, filled with trepidation, reached out to the bamboo slips before them.

"This is the poem 'Yuanhui' by the talented scholar Cao Zhi. I have always admired its beautiful language and often recite it; I can recite this poem backwards..."

Liu Shan paused for a moment, then immediately recited it from memory.

"The wine cups are filled to the brim, and the central seat is bathed in light. A medley of delicacies fills the room, overflowing with rich flavors..."

"Looking down upon the Wenxuan Pavilion, gazing up at the magnificent beams..."

"Laughter and revelry abound, joy knows no bounds. Royal glory and longevity, may you live as long as the Eastern King..."

Cao Zhi was a man of exceptional talent, and his literary brilliance captivated even the court officials.

In particular, the poems and lyrics depicting the Cao Wei Yuanhui Festival, though never seen, allow us to feel the grandeur of the time from between the lines.

Compared to the banquet before us, it was not only vastly different from that of Cao Wei, but it was not even half as grand as it was during Liu Bei's time.

But no one in the main hall dared to speak.

Anyone who dares to utter a single word against the banquet is committing a grave offense.

Liu Shan laughed and said, "What you all see is the grandeur of Cao Wei's Yuanhui feast: 'Bowls overflowing with wine, delicacies piled high, and magnificent beams to behold.' But I would like to ask you all, how much money and grain was involved, and how much wine?"

The assembled officials dared not even breathe loudly.

"This year, Yizhou has a bumper harvest, the Imperial Academy is thriving, and many talented people are emerging from the academy. The people have surplus grain. Logically speaking, I should hold a grand celebration, at least with the same prestige as when the late Emperor was alive..."

"But I don't want to."

Liu Shan spoke very decisively.

"The way to govern a country begins with enriching the people; the key to enriching the people lies in frugality."

"Because of that money and provisions, I want to keep them to provide more food and clothing for the soldiers at the front, to build more classrooms for the Imperial Academy, and to repair more irrigation canals in Hanzhong..."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to spend money, but that they need it more."

Liu Shan's voice echoed throughout the hall, each word penetrating the ears of the assembled officials.

After a moment of silence in the hall, someone finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, I have a poem that I wish to present to the Yuanhui and to all of you."

Liu Shan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qiao Zhou standing upright with his hands slightly clasped. His heart tightened.

He originally thought it would be Zhuge Liang who would take over, but he never expected it to be this stubborn old man from the Yizhou faction.

Please don't do anything crazy!