Chapter 298 The New Year’s Day event of the Song Dynasty On New Year's Day, the city of Kaifeng was bustling with activity, showing a prosperous and affluent scene. The streets and alleys were decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and people went out of their homes to celebrate this special day together. Dongshi, as the most prosperous commercial district in Kaifeng City, is even more crowded and lively at this moment. There are many shops on both sides of the street, with a wide variety of products, which is dizzying. Vendors from all over the country set up stalls here, and the cries of sales echoed one after another, intertwined with the bargaining sounds of customers, forming a unique market symphony. Lanterns are an indispensable embellishment of the New Year's Day. The lantern production skills in Kaifeng City are exquisite, and lanterns of different shapes are hung on both sides of the streets. Some lanterns are in the shape of animals, like leaping dragons and tigers, which are lifelike; some lanterns have myths and legends as their themes, such as Chang'e flying to the moon and the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, which are fascinating. Whenever night falls, these lanterns light up, and the colorful lights and shadows intertwine, making the entire city of Kaifeng look as beautiful as a dream.
In addition to local traders and residents, many merchants from the Western Regions also gathered here. They wore exotic costumes and brought a variety of rare goods and unique crafts. These merchants from the Western Regions not only brought rich commodity resources to Kaifeng City, but also promoted cultural exchange and integration. They interacted enthusiastically with local vendors and residents on the streets, sharing each other's culture and stories. In the central square of Kaifeng City, a temporary altar attracted everyone's attention. Various offerings were placed on the altar, and incense was in full bloom. People spontaneously lined up in long lines and came forward one by one to pray for the princess devoutly. "Princess Chitose is a thousand years old!" An old man knelt devoutly in front of the altar, clasped his hands, and his eyes shone with gratitude and reverence. "Thank you to Princess Chitose for the harvest and peace. May the gods bless the princess with good health and success, and continue to work for you." We, the people of the Song Dynasty, bring blessings.” A young woman next to her also came with her child to pray. She taught the child softly: "Xiaobao, kowtow to the princess quickly. It is the princess who has given us the stable life we have today. We must remember the princess's kindness." Although the child was young, he knelt down and kowtowed sensibly, and said in a childish voice: "Sister Princess, thank you for letting us have food to eat and clothes to wear. When I grow up, I will protect everyone like you." In the temples in the city, incense is even more prosperous. People came to burn incense and pray for the safety of the princess and the prosperity of the country. Some believers spontaneously chanted sutras and prayed, hoping that the princess would be blessed by the gods. "Amitabha, may the princess live a thousand years of health and longevity, and continue to lead us to a better future." A monk clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and chanted sutras, his voice full of piety and blessings. In addition to the central square and temples, scenes of praying for the princess can also be seen everywhere on the streets of Kaifeng City. Some craftsmen carefully made various ornaments and souvenirs with the princess's name or portrait engraved on them to express their respect and gratitude to the princess. "Come and see!" A vendor shouted on the street, "This is the latest princess blessing charm. It only costs ten cents each. Hang it at home to keep your home safe!" Many people gathered around and started fighting. Please buy prayer charms. A little girl ran home happily with a newly bought prayer charm: "Mom, I bought a princess prayer charm, let's hang it up quickly!" Not only the ordinary people were full of gratitude and respect for the princess, but the gentry and celebrities in the city also joined in praying for the princess. They celebrated the New Year's Day by holding poetry recitals, concerts and other activities, and used this to pray for the princess. At a grand poetry gathering, literati and poets competed to write poems praising the princess. "The princess shows her splendor at a thousand years old, and does not let the young men outshine the male ones. She shows wisdom in governing the country, and praying for blessings to protect the country." A young talented man recited his poem loudly, winning warm applause from everyone present.
Musicians in the city also organized themselves to perform elegant music for the princess. They dressed in colorful clothes and played cheerful music in the streets and alleys, attracting many people to stop and watch. After the performance, the people came up to express their thanks: "Thank you for bringing us such wonderful music! Is this also a way to pray for the princess?" The musicians smiled and nodded in response: "Exactly! We hope that through the music To convey our respect and gratitude to the princess.” Every corner of Kaifeng City is filled with the peaceful atmosphere of praying for the princess. Whether they are old people or children, whether they are gentry, celebrities or ordinary people, they all pray for the princess in their own way. They know that it is the princess's wisdom and hard work that have brought about today's happy life; they are grateful for the princess's leadership; they pray that the gods will bless the princess with health and longevity and continue to lead the Song Dynasty to a stronger and more prosperous future. And inside the palace, it was also very lively. Zhao Yingluo hosted a banquet to entertain the officials. The palace lanterns were bright and the candlelight was swaying. The entire palace was immersed in the joy of the festival. Zhao Yingluo was wearing a gorgeous dress and sitting in the main hall. Her face was as warm as the spring breeze, and her eyes shone with wisdom and determination. The ministers raised their glasses to toast Zhao Yingluo, and shouted in unison: "I wish the princess a happy New Year's Day, good luck and longevity!" Zhao Yingluo smiled and raised her glass in return: "Same joy! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication over the past year." After several drinks, the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly lively. At this time, a young chamberlain hurriedly entered the hall, knelt down in front of Zhao Yingluo and reported: "Princess, you are a thousand years old. The people in the city spontaneously prayed for you in the square. They are grateful for your gift and pray to the gods to bless you with health and longevity." After hearing this, Zhao Yingluo was deeply gratified and moved. She stood up and said to the ministers: "The people's prayers make me feel warmer and stronger. I know that my responsibility is heavy and has a long way to go, and I will do my best to serve the Song Dynasty." to bring a better life to our people.” Yue Fei, Wang Zaixing and other generals also stood up and toasted to Zhao Yingluo to express their loyalty and respect: "Princess's foresight and decisiveness are the reason why the Song Dynasty is prosperous today. We are willing to work hard for the princess to protect the safety of the Song Dynasty!" As the banquet progressed, the atmosphere in the palace became more and more cheerful and enthusiastic, with music and laughter coming and going. Everyone was immersed in this ocean of joy, and Zhao Yingluo's heart was full of gratitude and motivation. Who doesn’t like the Song Dynasty? It wasn't until the night was deep that the banquet in Shi's palace came to an end. Zhao Yingluo, who was slightly drunk, stood up unsteadily and said, "My lords! The future of the Song Dynasty is entrusted to you. I hope you and I will work together to make our country more prosperous and prosperous." All barbarians surrender! The Great Song Dynasty conquers the whole country!” The drunken ministers also shouted, "Weijiahainei!"
