Chapter 448 Hunting Ceremony

Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng explained to Duan Rong in detail the various steps of the autumn hunting ceremony.

Duan Rong listened and asked questions, bowing his head and pondering from time to time.

"Officials above the third rank will participate in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heaven, so you two should have been there that day, right?" Duan Rong asked as he glanced at Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng.

"For such a ceremony, even if you are sick, you will not miss it as long as you can get up." Zhu Zhengfu said, his eyes slightly moving, "But this is talking about the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heaven. It may not be the case for the autumn hunting."

Duan Rong's eyes were slightly surprised. "Autumn hunting and offering sacrifice to heaven, aren't they a grand ceremony?"

Zhu Zhengfu smiled faintly and said, "This ceremony is generally called the Autumn Hunting and Heaven Offering Ceremony in the court and the public. But in fact, autumn hunting is autumn hunting, and offering sacrifice to heaven is offering sacrifice to heaven. Strictly speaking, offering sacrifice to heaven is a grand ceremony, and autumn hunting is just a prelude to preparing for offering sacrifice to heaven."

Zhu Zhengfu paused slightly and continued, "Take me as an example. I haven't participated in the hunting ceremony for more than ten years. But I have never missed the ceremony of offering sacrifice to heaven."

Duan Rong's eyes moved slightly, looking at Zhu Zhengfu, and said, "May I ask, Lord Zhu, is there any explanation for this?"

Zhu Zhengfu said, "Of course there is an explanation. In the autumn hunting ceremony on Wuji Mountain, you cannot use internal energy, you can only use muscle strength to shoot and kill prey."

Duan Rong noticed Zhu Zhengfu's words, he was talking about the autumn hunting ceremony. "Can only use muscle power?"

"Yes." Zhu Zhengfu said, but he laughed at himself and said: "My Lord, I have lived a comfortable life for more than ten years. My thigh muscles have regenerated. If I don't use internal energy and only use muscle power, I'm afraid I can't even bend a bow!"

Duan Rong just smiled warmly. He was not interested in whether Zhu Zhengfu's thigh muscles would regenerate or not.

A few days ago, in the morning, before dawn, he was guarding in front of the wonton stall. At that time, he used his spiritual sense to detect Li Shensi.

In the narrow sedan chair, Li Shensi's arms were muscular and strong, which left a deep impression on him.

Duan Rong asked: "Which adults usually participate in the autumn hunting ceremony?"

Zhu Zhengfu said: "There will be more military officers participating. As for the palace owner Wang Maochun, he has not participated in the autumn hunting for many years. Dali Temple Minister Chen Shanmeng, Counselor Ge Hengtai, and Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun should all participate."

Duan Rong could understand what Zhu Zhengfu meant. Dali Temple Minister Chen Shanmeng and Counselor Ge Hengtai should have participated in the autumn hunting in previous years. Although Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun took office this year, he was a military general and would not be absent from such occasions.

Duan Rong frowned and asked, "What about Li Shensi? Will he participate in the autumn hunt?"

"This..." Zhu Zhengfu pondered for a moment, glanced at Zhu Cheng, and said, "Your Excellency, Li Shensi took office only two months ago. I don't know his personality very well."

Duan Rong glanced at Zhu Cheng and asked, "Zhu Cheng, what do you say?"

Zhu Cheng said cautiously, "Your Excellency, I dare not make a wrong judgment."

Duan Rong looked at Zhu Cheng and said, "We are just chatting, don't be restrained. Put right and wrong aside, just say what you think."

Zhu Cheng then clasped his fists and said cautiously, "Yes, sir."

He was reluctant to say it just now, firstly because he was afraid of making mistakes, and secondly, Zhu Zhengfu said he didn't understand, and he immediately gave the answer. Wouldn't it be a slap in the face of his boss?

Zhu Cheng said: "In my humble opinion, the Shangshu Ling Lord Li Shensi will definitely attend the autumn hunting ceremony."

"Oh!" Duan Rong's eyes lit up and asked: "Why do you think so?"

Zhu Cheng said confidently: "Your Excellency, as far as I know, Lord Li Shensi's grandfather made his fortune in the fur business, and their ancestors were hunters for generations. Lord Li Shensi was naughty when he was young, and he often went hunting in the mountains with his father. In this autumn hunting ceremony, the prey has been kept in captivity for half a year. Now is the time when the prey is fat in autumn. How can he not be itchy?"

Duan Rong smiled faintly and glanced at the pile of information on the table. Zhu Cheng had copied all this information in detail in the pile of information.

His opinion was exactly the same as Zhu Cheng's.

Li Shensi will definitely attend the autumn hunting ceremony!

Duan Rong's eyes suddenly became deep. Knowing that Li Shensi will definitely attend is just the first step!

Last night, on the bed, the idea of ​​autumn hunting as the scene flashed through his mind again. He suddenly looked at Zhu Cheng and asked, "Which government office prepares and supplies the ritual utensils for offering sacrifices to the heaven, as well as the horses and weapons for autumn hunting?"

Zhu Cheng naturally knew this question in detail, but he did not answer, because he knew that Zhu Zhengfu also knew this question.

Sure enough, when Zhu Zhengfu saw Zhu Cheng silent, he answered, "The ritual utensils for offering sacrifices to the heaven have always been managed by the government office of the mansion owner. And the horses and weapons for autumn hunting are generally supplied by the Privy Council."

"Privy Council?" Duan Rong frowned. "Isn't Zhu Peng the Privy Councilor of the Privy Council?"

Zhu Zhengfu saw that Duan Rong suddenly mentioned Zhu Peng, and did not respond.

Duan Rong asked again: "During the autumn hunting, who will use which horse? Is it determined?"

Zhu Zhengfu said: "It is determined. Hunting in Wuji Mountain also follows etiquette. Civil officials and military officials, first-rank officials and second-rank officials, they ride different horses and use different bows and arrows. It is based on ancient etiquette and is graded."

"Graded?" Duan Rong pondered for a moment and asked: "When will it be determined at the latest which horse Li Shensi will ride?"

After hearing this, Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng were completely clear that Duan Rong wanted to take action during the autumn hunting.

But they felt that killing Li Shensi in public at such a grand ceremony, in front of so many people, would be too sensational?

Zhu Zhengfu was silent for a while, because he couldn't answer this question.

Duan Rong turned his eyes to Zhu Cheng.

Zhu Cheng moved his butt on the seat, and then said: "The final decision can only be made the night before the autumn hunting sacrifice."

Duan Rong looked at Zhu Cheng and asked in a deep voice: "I want to know which horse Li Shensi is riding at the first time. Can you do it?"

"Yes!" Zhu Cheng's heart tightened slightly, because at this time, Duan Rong's look at him was a kind of pressure. "Zhu Peng is the Privy Councilor of the Privy Council. He should be able to get this level of information at the first time."

"That's good." Duan Rong nodded and said, "Give me the information as soon as you get it."

"Yes!"

In the next few days, Duan Rong was in the other courtyard, studying the information about Li Shensi compiled by Zhu Cheng.

Because he was not sure whether there would be an opportunity to make a move in the autumn hunting ceremony. What if Li Shensi did not participate in the autumn hunting ceremony at all and directly participated in the heavenly sacrifice ceremony?

This is entirely possible.

Therefore, if the autumn hunting ceremony failed, he would immediately have a second plan.

Duan Rong was in this other courtyard, and he was quite comfortable with a strong man guarding the door and a red sleeve adding fragrance.

Five days passed in a flash.

At about the time of Hai that night, a hurried sound of footsteps suddenly sounded at the gate of the other courtyard.

Zhu Cheng rushed in with Zhu Peng.

Zhu Zhengfu did not come with them. At dusk, he was called to the mansion yamen by the mansion lord Wang Maochun. Not only him, but many officials were called by Wang Maochun to announce the etiquette rules for tomorrow's autumn hunting ceremony.

The etiquette rules are similar every year, but there are often some changes. Especially this year, Shangshu Ling Li Shensi and Da Du Hu Jiang Zhuoyun are both participating in the ceremony for the first time. Some cumbersome and difficult etiquettes are not allowed to be handled by them.

Once a mistake is made, it will not only be embarrassing in front of the civil and military officials, but the people of the whole city are all around the rooftop, watching.

Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng stepped into the door, and Ruyi was changing the teacup for Duan Rong.

Zhu Peng stood at the door, slightly startled, and looked at Ruyi.

Ruyi is indeed plump, white, and full of youthful breath, and is indeed tempting.

Zhu Cheng coughed, and Zhu Peng woke up. The two knelt down to Duan Rong at the door together.

"Your humble servant pays respect to you, sir!"

When Duan Rong saw Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng coming together, he knew that there was definite news about that matter.

Duan Rong glanced at Ruyi and said, "Ruyi, go out first and close the door."

Ruyi knelt down and bowed, saying, "Yes, sir!"

When Ruyi walked over, Zhu Peng was kneeling there, and his eyes couldn't help but look at the little feet in pink flower shoes moving slowly.

Ruyi closed the door, and Duan Rong said, "Your Excellencies, please get up."

Duan Rong sat down and bowed, and after letting the two of them sit down, he asked directly, "Has Li Shensi's horse been determined?"

Zhu Peng said, "It has been determined."

No mistake, one poem, one post, one content, one book, one bar, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar, one look!

Zhu Peng immediately stood up, took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, and placed it on the table in front of Duan Rong.

Duan Rong's eyes moved, and he immediately picked up the paper and looked at it intently.

As soon as he saw the content on the paper, the muscles on his face twitched and he said, "What are you drawing?"

Zhu Peng immediately leaned over and pointed at the paper, explaining, "Outside is the Privy Council's office, this place is the stable, and next to the stable are the horses prepared for tomorrow's autumn hunt, all of which have been bridled. The second horse on the east side with a small circle in red is Li Shensi's horse."

Duan Rong looked at the picture in his hand, and after listening to Zhu Peng's explanation, he suddenly felt a little amused and said, "Your painting is too abstract, I really can't tell that this is a horse?"

"What is this in front of the stable?" Duan Rong pointed to a twisted and curved thing in the picture and asked.

Zhu Peng glanced at the place where Duan Rong pointed and replied, "That is a rockery not far in front of the stable."

Duan Rong was surprised and wanted to laugh when he heard this: "Is this a rockery?!"

That is not a mountain, it is just a bunch of twisted and chaotic strokes.

Not to mention that Duan Rong's calligraphy and painting skills have long surpassed ordinary secular masters through devouring the spirit of the weapon. Even ordinary people would sneer at such brushwork as children's graffiti.

Zhu Peng smiled awkwardly and said, "I can't draw, so I can only draw a rough outline. Such confidential matters cannot be entrusted to others, so I can only do it myself. Don't laugh at me, sir!"

Duan Rong heard this and put away the faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Zhu Peng drew this rockery to tell him about the environment around the stable. And although the painting is clumsy, there are still many things that should be drawn.

Duan Rong changed his way of looking at the painting. He understood the scenes in the painting from Zhu Peng's immature brushstrokes.

Duan Rong gently shook the drawing paper in his hand, looked at Zhu Peng and said, "Your painting is a mess in terms of brushwork. However, you also put a lot of thought into the intention. It has everything it should have, so it's still good!"

Zhu Peng smiled when he heard Duan Rong's three-word evaluation of "good".

After Duan Rong talked with Zhu Peng about some details, he basically had a clear idea. He looked at the two and said, "Okay. You go back first."

Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng understood, and stood up and clasped their fists, saying, "Then I won't disturb you to rest."

Duan Rong only hummed lightly, and the two retreated.

The two walked out of the door. Ruyi was waiting outside the door. When she saw the two go out, she squatted and bowed. Zhu Peng glanced at Ruyi's white neck, and then hurriedly followed Zhu Cheng in the night.

After the two left, Ruyi's eyes flashed with anger, and she turned and went into the room.

When she went in, Duan Rong had already put the paper that Zhu Peng drew close to her body. He glanced at Ruyi and said, "Rest."

Ruyi said happily, "So early tonight?"

Duan Rong said, "Well, I'm a little tired tonight."

Ruyi served Duan Rong to change clothes and wash his feet until Duan Rong lay on the bed.

Although Ruyi was only wearing a bellyband and underwear, Duan Rong seemed to be worried. From beginning to end, he didn't even look at her. The joy that had just risen in Ruyi's heart was immediately lost.

Shortly after the lights were turned off, the two seemed to have fallen asleep.

There was a slight breathing sound in the darkness.

But Duan Rong just lay on the bed, closed his eyes and rested, and did not really fall asleep.

Are you kidding! Tomorrow is the day of autumn hunting and offering sacrifices to the sky. What should be done tonight has not been done yet, how dare he sleep?

Outside, the sound of the night watchman knocking on the clapper came faintly, Duan Rong closed his eyes and lay on the bed, silently counting points.

In the darkness, his eyes suddenly opened, his eyes were focused and bright as stars.

It's midnight!

Duan Rong got out of bed lightly and stood there barefoot. He looked at Ruyi in the night, hesitated for a moment, and did not give Ruyi the drug.

In the dark, he put on his clothes quietly and jumped out of the room through the window.

After Duan Rong left for a while, a long sigh suddenly sounded in the room.

"My lord, I have slept with you for several nights, but you never even touched me, but always sneaked out in the middle of the night. Could it be that you went to steal someone?"

Ruyi was lying there. In the night, her face was no longer as pure and gentle as usual, but she smiled evilly, and then her hand slid across her chest, and she began to hum in her throat...

Outside, in the dark night.

Duan Rong had already been like a ghost, passing through the streets and alleys. At this time, his consciousness was released, and the surrounding scenery and human traces were clearly visible.

At this time, he was standing in the shadow of an alley, looking at the high wall across the street.

The high wall was the back wall of the Privy Council.

Duan Rong used his body again, like a flying eagle ghost, and jumped through. When he landed, he was already inside the high wall.

This place is a remote place at the back wall, where firewood and charcoal are stored.

Duan Rong tapped his toes again and jumped out of a dilapidated yard. Following the direction drawn by Zhu Peng, he went to the stable...