Zhurou

Chapter 248 Banquet

Pei Yong made up his mind that day and started going out to socialize the next day.

His status was special, and most of the civil and military officials who had taken sides would keep their distance from him. However, there were always opportunists who wanted to take a chance in order to gain future benefits. Besides, Jingzhao Prefecture also had some old friends in the capital.

Originally, people were reluctant to interact with Pei Yong because he was in the military camp day and night, but now that they learned that he had moved to the government post and was willing to accept the invitation, they naturally flocked to him.

For a time, the post officials had to count the visiting cards and invitations they received in a day in bamboo baskets.

Pei Yong returned to the capital with his achievements, and his every move attracted much attention. He went out so often that outsiders found it difficult to understand.

Because the people he met and the appointments he kept seemed to be unpredictable. In addition to old friends, there were also failed scholars and those who were depressed and frustrated in the capital. Even if they had not sent him a name card, he would often send a visiting card to invite them.

There were also those skilled craftsmen, eccentrics, or those with great martial arts skills or outstanding numerology. He would often ask others to introduce them to him, without any age restrictions, and there were no taboos for men, women, young or old.

On the contrary, he paid little attention to those civil and military officials who had some foundation of their own, or the sons of powerful eunuchs who wanted to make friends with him upon hearing the news.

Zhang Yi's retainer heard all this news and had to report back. He finally said, "Pei Yong just received a house from the emperor, but he insisted on moving to the official post to stay. In addition, he also spread the word that he would start a large-scale construction project. In my opinion, this is just like what the official said, it is just a big show, but it makes things worse."

"He knows that his actions are too conspicuous, so he has to use this to cover up his tracks." Zhang Yi felt that he had seen through Pei Yong, and when he spoke, he felt like he was pointing fingers at the country. "If he really wanted to live in the capital for a long time, he would not go to rebuild the house given by the emperor. There is no deed, and you can't take it with you when you die. He has been running Jingzhao Prefecture for many years. Others are short of money and cannot buy houses, but this little bit of gold and silver, can it be difficult for him to get it?"

The retainer was shocked when he heard this and couldn't help asking, "The emperor gave me a house without a title deed? How could this be? It's not a government office, is it?"

Zhang Yi sneered and said, "There was a deed in the previous dynasty. When Emperor Taizong was in power, he granted Chen Xianggong a house. Chen Xianggong said that he had no merits and was only old and hardworking. He also said that he was afraid that if he gave too much support, his descendants would be unfilial, so he returned the deed."

"Even a meritorious official like Chen Qi refused. After that, no one dared to ask for the land deed when the emperor bestowed a house. It became a custom."

"I am so ignorant that I didn't even know..." the retainer said ashamedly.

Zhang Yi waved his hand and said, "It's not your fault. In the past hundred years, there have been only a few people who have been granted a house by the emperor. Who would tell others about it? Naturally, it is unknown to outsiders."

The retainer lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said, "No wonder we have spent so many days but there is no progress on the house. Someone in the mansion has stepped forward and is looking for someone to draw the blueprints for the house. They are not famous people, but they said Pei Yong has no requirements. He just wants them to do their own thing and does not set a date. He said that when the blueprints are drawn, they can be sent to the official post station and we will come back to decide later."

When he said this, he was silent for a long time before saying, "He is indeed going back to Jingzhao Prefecture by doing this. He is jumping up and down just to confuse people."

Then he suddenly realized, "Pei Yong went around looking for people from all walks of life. A few days ago, one of my classmates got a visiting card from him. After he came to my house, he asked my classmate for my past articles and asked about many practical matters. Finally, he gave me a lot of money and asked me to write a poem for Xishan."

"Is he doing all this for the purpose of investigation, and hoping to find retainers to bring back to Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Zhang Yi didn't say anything.

It was a consensus that Pei Yong wanted to return to Jingzhao Prefecture. He wanted to return to his own territory, and most of the people in the Privy Council did not want him to stay in the court and be a constraint.

We are all leaving, so no matter how much trouble we go through before leaving, we just have to bear with it.

But something else was bothering him right now.

The emperor was stubborn, like a bull, who would not turn back even if he hit a wall. But now that he had decided on the princess, he would listen to her in everything.

He had to obey orders from officials, deployments of soldiers, and major military and national affairs. When the princess fell ill, it was as if the sky had fallen into his heart. Even if the princess could not get up, he would not give up power, and all the civil and military officials had to wait for "sister to decide."

There are many chaotic situations in Guangnan, western Shu, and eastern Qian. The soldiers and generals recommended by my family before were not said casually. There were many calculations involved. Who knew that they were rejected by the princess and were disrupted with many reasons. If I can't do it according to my wishes, these places may not be easily controlled in the future.

Regardless of whether what Zhao Mingzhi did and said was right or wrong, the situation was developing in this way, and it was really not good for the emperor to be so dependent on him.

But the princess sat quietly behind the curtain, with no intention of keeping a low profile. She wanted to have a say in everything and had no idea what it meant to "rule the world with the scholars and officials."

If Zong Gu had not died an unjust death, she would have been married off. But now, where could another Zong Gu be found to marry her off far away?

Zhang Yi was lost in thought for a moment, but he didn't notice that the person opposite him didn't continue talking after he finished speaking, but fell silent as well.

The retainer thought of many things his classmate had said to him yesterday when they had tea together, and his heart felt itchy as if it were being scratched by a cat.

He has been Zhang Yi's disciple for many years, so he naturally cannot go against his conscience and say that he has not gained any benefits. But if you think about it carefully, the benefits are really not much.

When Zhang Yi was promoted to the position of Deputy Privy Councilor, all the guests who came and went under his command were familiar faces. Many of them were because the Prime Minister was nostalgic and liked to employ experienced people. This was understandable to his master, but if he was unwilling to make plans and release the people, his subordinates would have to stay in this mansion for the rest of their lives.

Who would be willing to serve as a secretary or guest official under someone every day, even if that person is the prime minister?

All the scholars in the world just want to fall into the emperor's trap.

Look at the other gentlemen, every time after seven or eight years, they would release the ones they had used and find a career for them. This was not only a way for other retainers to think about them, but also a way to establish their own branches in the future. People like Zhang Yi were really rare.

But this retainer has been with Zhang Yi for a long time, and knows that the master is very narrow-minded. If the other party does not take the initiative to bring it up, there is no need to think about the so-called origin. Once the relationship is torn, not only will his own future be ruined, but even his descendants will be in vain. If you can't give me an origin, I will be tied to your house and used as a coolie in the future, so that's fine, but at least give me more gold and silver!

When the guest thought of the silver ingot as big as a child's fist in his classmate's room, he felt his breathing become weak. He even couldn't help but wonder, if he was not at Zhang's house, considering his character and writing skills, which were much better than his classmate's, would the governor Pei Yong come to invite him?

I have received such treatment before I even got in. What will happen once I get in?

As he was Zhang Yi's disciple, what he saw and knew was naturally different from others. He knew that according to the current development, Jingzhao Prefecture would probably not rebel again. Once that person returned to the northwest, they would have at least another 10 to 20 years of good life. As for what would happen after the emperor grew up, that would naturally be discussed later.

  Although Jingzhao Prefecture is far away, as the saying goes, "A tree that is moved will die, but a person who moves will live." Since my family can move around with Zhang Yi, why can't we move with others?

He was assigned by his master to focus more on investigating the affairs of Jingzhao Prefecture. Naturally, he knew a lot about the treatment of Pei Mansion's retainers. Not only did their monthly allowance far exceed that of ordinary families, but there were also rewards during festivals, solar terms and special days. In addition, there were many good things to be distributed. It was truly a rare and good place to be.

In comparison, people like me who are under the prime minister's tutelage seem excessively pitiful.

  ***

Not to mention that Zhang Yi was racking his brains to marry the princess off far away, his retainer was also full of thoughts and wanted to choose another good man. In the camp west of the city, Wei Chengyan, who had suddenly received an audience with the emperor, was also racking his brains but could not figure out why he suddenly had to go to the palace for a banquet.

He received the decree and could not help asking the eunuch who delivered the order, "Besides me, which other officials will be attending the banquet?"

He then asked, "Has Jiedu Pei been summoned by the emperor?"

The eunuch was very serious and said with his head lowered, "I am only here to invite the general to the banquet. As for the rest, I don't know."

He then politely urged him to get ready to set off, saying, "It will take an hour to ride a horse. I'm afraid the general will be late and the emperor will be worried."

Wei Chengyan naturally wouldn't embarrass a eunuch, but he couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard the other party say that.

It's not that he didn't want to see the emperor, but when he heard that it was a banquet, he felt very uncomfortable when he thought of the table of steamed dishes he had eaten last time.

Wei Chengyan felt that he was not picky at all, but when he saw the several plates of messy and unrecognizable fat and lean meat that had been seasoned and steamed over and over again for who knows how many times, when he put it in his mouth, there was no taste of meat at all, only the smell of mutton. He couldn't vomit it out, firstly because it was a waste, and secondly, how could he be so impolite in front of the emperor? But if he could eat it, he would really want to vomit.

  He tried hard not to show a forced expression and wanted to ask again, but when he saw the eunuch's anxious look, he swallowed the words back and thought to himself: I will have three days of rest starting tomorrow. No matter how bad the food is tonight, I can find a chance to get some dried meat to fill my stomach before leaving. I can always make do. After leaving the palace, I can find other food. Can I still argue with the emperor?

Thinking so, Wei Chengyan really took the opportunity to grab a handful of dried ox tendon strips and put them into his sleeves. He was carefully urged out of the house by the eunuch, got on the horse at the gate, and galloped all the way. In fact, he arrived outside the Xuande Gate at the end of the day. Before he dismounted, he saw a group of people on the opposite side who had just dismounted. The one in the lead looked very familiar.

He couldn't help but open his mouth, and when the words came to his lips, he changed his name and said, "Jiedu!"

As expected, Pei Yong was in front of him.

The two brothers did not communicate much in front of outsiders. They dismounted their horses one after another and entered the palace together.

Seeing that he was being led by the eunuchs to a more remote place, neither the Zichen Palace where the banquet was held in the past nor the Chuigong Palace, and he had no idea where he was going, Wei Chengyan had to think more. He looked around several times and saw that there were no other officials. He moved to the right and approached Pei Yong, and whispered, "Second brother, you are only inviting you and me to the banquet. Is there any trickery?"

Seeing Pei Yong looking at him, he simply said, "Didn't we have the Hongmen Banquet in the past? Now there are only two of us. If...ah!"

There were two "ah" sounds. The first sound was Pei Yong grabbing his arm with one hand and dragging him away with such great force that Wei Chengyan only felt pain in his hand. The second sound was a weight falling on his feet, and he felt cold again. It turned out that he did not look at the road and stepped into a puddle on the side of the road. Half of the left boot was submerged in water.

He looked down and found that the ground on the road was wet. It had rained a lot in the past few days and the road had not dried up completely. There were inevitably some potholes because of the rain. In fact, if he had just taken a closer look, he would not have gone astray. However, Wei Chengyan was absent-minded and got lost.

Fortunately, Pei Yong was quick-witted and pulled him out, and Wei Chengyan also reacted quickly. He realized it before he stepped firmly and quickly pulled his legs away. Even so, the water had already poured in.

He cursed inwardly how unlucky it was. It was really uncomfortable to walk with water on his feet. He would be attending the emperor's banquet soon, and he didn't even have the chance to change his boots. He could only endure this night, and his feet would probably be wrinkled by then.

When the eunuchs in front and behind heard the noise, they had to come over to greet them, but there was nothing else they could do for the time being.

Wei Chengyan arrived at the palace gate with a lot of complaints in his mind. He wanted to ask Pei Yong more questions, but he no longer had the chance.

The two of them didn't wait for long. They just stood there for a moment and then someone informed them from inside and they went in together.

It was still early at this moment, but the table had been set up, and there was a person sitting on the main seat. He was wearing a plain robe with wide sleeves, a very casual outfit. He was holding a book in his hand, and no one knew what he was reading. However, he was not the emperor, but a woman.

She had a simple bun on her head, adorned with a simple jade hairpin. When she heard the announcement, she put down the book in her hand, stood up, and called out with a smile, "Brother Wei San."

Wei Chengyan had already made a gesture with his hand, and was about to salute out of habit. He had only bent halfway and had not even opened his mouth to ask for greeting when he heard the person opposite him speak.

The voice was so familiar that he looked up involuntarily. He saw the person opposite him smiling. He clearly only had two eyes, a nose and a mouth. But for some reason, he was caught off guard at the first glance and was shocked by the appearance and temperament. He was almost stunned.

Her eyes were particularly beautiful, with black and round pupils that contrasted with the whites of her eyes, with a distinct black and white. To describe them as white mercury or black mercury would be too vulgar. Wei Chengyan didn't dare to look closely at the rest of her, as he always felt that staring at her would be an offense. But her nose and mouth were too perfect, and her facial features combined together were so beautiful. If one had to find fault, it would be that she looked a little weak, but that weakness gave her a different kind of elegance. She was indeed a peerless beauty, and he didn't know what to say for a moment, and could only stare blankly with his mouth open.

Wei Chengyan was stunned for a moment. Finally, his three souls and seven spirits returned to him, but his mind still didn't work very well.

He clearly had a premonition, but he didn't dare to think too deeply about it. He was misled by the contradictions. Standing there, he felt stupid. He wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only turn his head to look at Pei Yong and said incoherently: "Second brother, this... Second brother?"

He turned back and looked at the woman opposite him, whispering tentatively, "Xiao Zhao?"