Chapter 157.2
Thus, several days passed, and the New Year was drawing near, with the festive atmosphere growing thicker.
Lin Beifan announced a national holiday, as in previous years, granting a 15-day break from the first to the fifteenth day of the lunar year, allowing everyone to have a good rest.
After the rest, they would return, reinvigorated, to build the great nation of Xia.
Although the holiday lasted half a month, wages would be paid as usual, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the New Year.
This was the New Years red envelope that Lin Beifan gave to the common people of the nation.
Thanks to our lord for his grace! Long live the Emperor! the people exclaimed with joy.
Over the past year, Great Xia has been visibly growing stronger, and their lives have been visibly improving.
The sense of identification with Great Xia is growing stronger, and the adoration for Lin Beifan is increasing.
They are looking forward to Great Xia getting better and better, and they hope that Lin Beifan can remain on the throne forever.
Only in this way can they continue to have the good life they currently enjoy.
People have already started to buy goods for the New Year, decorating with lights and colors, and are ready to welcome the new year.
At this time, an astonishing tacit understanding has formed between the court and the common folk.
If theres nothing urgent, try not to deal with it. First, enjoy the New Year festivities. We can talk about everything else after the holiday.
Lin Beifan also found himself at leisure, indulging in luxury every day, paying no attention to government affairs.
A couple of days passed, and New Years Day (the first day of the lunar year) arrived.
The common people across the nation were already on holiday, visiting and exchanging New Years greetings with relatives, but the imperial court still had to hold a grand assembly.
This was a tradition. On this day, civil and military officials would pay their New Years respects to Lin Beifan, who would then host a banquet to reward the officials and strengthen the bonds between the sovereign and his subjects.
On that day, Lin Beifan, dressed in imperial robes, sat on the throne as civil and military officials took turns to offer their New Years greetings.
The two chief ministers, Xiao Guoliang and Chai Yulang arrived side by side.
They carried a huge painting in their hands, their faces beaming with smiles: Your Majesty, weve come to wish you a Happy New Year!
Lin Beifan shook his head: This is not proper! It has always been the younger generation that pays respects to their elders during the New Year, you are my uncles, how can you be the ones to pay respects to me?
Xiao Guoliang gently shook his head, smiling and said: Your Majesty, although we are your elders, we are also your subjects. Thus, the proprieties must not be abandoned! Your Majesty, this is a gift that Chai and I have carefully prepared for you!
Lin Beifan asked with curiosity: What kind of gift is it?
Please have a look, Your Majesty!
The two of them slowly unfurled the scroll.
Before everyones eyes was a vast landscape painting.
However, this landscape painting was special because it was composed entirely of the character (shu), which means longevity.
The characters varied in size and were ingeniously combined together.
Your Majesty, this is the gift we have meticulously prepared for you. We commissioned 10 painters to create it, and it contains a total of 10,000 characters, each with a unique form! We wish you auspiciousness in the New Year and boundless longevity!
Excellent, excellent!
Lin Beifan laughed heartily: I am very pleased with this gift! My two uncles, please take your seats!
Thank you, Your Majesty! Xiao Guoliang and Chai Yuxin said in unison.
After the two ministers stepped back, the civil and military officials continued to line up to present their gifts.
The gifts were plentiful and meaningful, inadvertently prompting Lin Beifan to burst into hearty laughter.
On this day, the smile never left Lin Beifans face.
Although there were many gifts, not a single one was of gold, silver, or jewels.
Everyone knew that the last thing His Majesty lacked was money; no matter how much you gave, it wouldnt earn you an extra glance from him.
But if you presented some other rare trinket, winning Lin Beifans favor was much easier.
Only then might you have the chance to rise in rank and wealth.
Before he knew it, it was Chai Yuxins turn.
Lin Beifan saw her coming empty-handed and was very curious, Yuxin, what gift are you giving me?
Chai Yuxins face turned red, and she spoke with a bit of shyness, Your Majesty, I have prepared a surprise for you, but it can only be given to you in the evening!
Lin Beifan was puzzled, Cant it be now?
Its not quite convenient during the day!
Lin Beifans spirits lifted.
What kind of surprise could it be that it could only be given at night and was not quite convenient during the day?
Upon seeing the other partys coy and shy demeanor, Lin Beifan instantly understood and broke into a smile, saying, Good! This Emperor will patiently wait and look forward to your surprise tonight!
Half an incense sticks time passed, and all the officials had finished offering their New Years greetings.
This Emperor has accepted the gifts from all the ministers and wishes each minister a prosperous New Year and success in all endeavors! I have ordered Minister Li to prepare a grand Banquet of Ultimate Bliss to reward all the ministers!
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, everyone arrives at the venue for the Banquet of Ultimate Bliss.
The place was festooned with lights and decorations, colorful lights reflecting off each other, silk ribbons cascading from above, and an array of exquisite dishes and fine wines laid out in abundance. The aroma of wine and meat was even more intoxicating than last year, displaying a level of luxury that surpassed the previous one.
Indeed, it was truly luxurious, for it had cost one million taels of silver, an amount that would strain the coffers of an ordinary great kingdom.
But for Lin Beifan, it didnt matter; happiness was the most important thing.
Standing in the middle of the arena, Lin Beifan declared loudly, Now, I announce: The Banquet of Ultimate Bliss officially begins! Here, there are no distinctions between sovereign and subject, no differences in rank or status. Everyone, enjoy yourselves to the fullest and revel in the pleasure!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
With the experience from last year, everyone was quite at ease.
The Wine Sword Immortal, Ouyezi, and the Heng Ha Generals, who were all martial artists fond of drinking, gathered together for a hearty toast.
The Deadly Scholar and the Empty Hand Master sipped wine while engaging in a battle of poetry.
The seven Emperors once again came together, competing in drinking, even playing drinking games, with no one willing to concede to the others.
Not only were the officials invited, but their families were also asked to join, all of them dressed to the nines, vying with each other in splendor, adding many brilliant colors to the Banquet of Ultimate Bliss.
There were also various spectacular performances that dazzled the audience.
Lin Beifan gently wrapped his arm around his Consort, smiling contentedly as he watched everything unfold.
At that moment, Li Linfu approached, clasping his hands with a smile, and said, Your Majesty, your humble servant has a surprise for you; please come outside to see!
Good, I will accompany you to take a look! They walked out.
The rest of the crowd, also curious, followed them out.
Upon Li Linfus command, all the streets suddenly lit up with red lanterns, a red lantern every ten feet, illuminating the entire capital city in a breathtakingly beautiful display.
At that moment, a grand fireworks display ignited in the distance, lighting up the starry sky.
The fireworks were clearly designed with care, bursting forth with messages like Long Live the Emperor, Endless Blessings to the Emperor, Eternal Sage Monarch, Happy New Year to Our Esteemed Readers, and May Our Esteemed Readers Wishes Come True, leaving onlookers overwhelmed with amazement and admiration.
The fireworks in the sky and the myriad lights on the ground reflected each others brilliance, creating a painting of a prosperous age.
At this time, Li Linfu loudly offered his respects: Your Majesty, this golden age is as you have wished!
The assembly of ministers shouted in unison: Your Majesty, this golden age is as you have wished!
Lin Beifan laughed heartily: Good, good, good
***
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