The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 646 Banquet
Liu Ji heard everything clearly just now, and saw the change in Zhang Er's mood even more clearly.

After hesitating for a moment, he said softly, "Don't worry, brother. I know a little about the origin of these Qin people."

Zhang Er, who was deep in thought, was stunned when he heard this and asked, "Brother, how do you know Qin people?"

Liu Ji smiled and said, "It was fate. I met them on my way to Waihuang. We had a great conversation and became good friends. I followed their convoy all the way here."

Zhang Er was delighted, but his face remained calm. He smiled and asked, "Brother, do you know why they came? What are their identities?"

Liu Ji said softly, "Brother, please be at ease for now. They just went to Qi to pick up a nobleman. They are on their way back to Xianyang. I happened to be coming to Waihuang as well. I agreed with the owner of the caravan to get drunk, so I came to Waihuang to rest for a while."

"As for their identities, I know them, but please don't blame me. I haven't asked the owner of the convoy for his opinion, so I dare not speak nonsense. What I can be sure of is that these people will never cause trouble to you. They are just passing by and have no ill intentions."

The more Zhang Er listened, the more surprised he was. This time, he really looked Liu Ji in the face. He carefully looked at Liu Ji again. He was calm and composed in front of him, and his words were measured and clear. He was neither humble nor arrogant, and his smile was friendly and friendly, and his eyes were confident and high-spirited.

Zhang Er believed Liu Ji's words to a certain extent and felt a little relieved.

He smiled cheerfully: "I feel relieved when you say that. I also understand your difficulties. You are right. If a man has no integrity, how can he stand between heaven and earth? How can he be a real man?"

"My dear brother said that he and the owner of the caravan had an appointment to get drunk. I wonder if you can take me along? I will set up a banquet in this mansion to entertain you. Can we all get drunk together?"

"The other side has more than a hundred people. After all, there are so many people. It is difficult for you to make arrangements in a hurry. It is not good to delay your friend's important business."

"You and I are brothers, and we are one and the same. Your friends are my friends, so let me be a good host, okay?"

Liu Ji hesitated and said, "Thank you for your kindness, brother. I am very grateful. However, I dare not make a decision on my own. Can you allow me to invite them? If it is convenient for you, then I will trouble you."

Zhang Er laughed loudly: "Very well, very well. Go ahead, my dear brother. I will wait for your news."

After Liu Ji left Zhang Er's mansion, he hurried to the guesthouse to meet the Zhu family.

When Zhu Jia saw Liu Ji, his face was filled with joy and he personally went to greet him: "Brother, you're back so soon? Great, great, hahahaha, I wonder if this trip to see you went smoothly?"

Zhu Jia said as he pulled Liu Ji to sit down: "Brother will host a banquet in a while. Although this place is a bit shabby and we can't prepare any good dishes in a hurry, the wine here is still good. We must not leave until we are drunk today, hahaha."

Liu Ji quickly said: "Thank you for your kindness, brother, but I have something to say."

Liu Ji basically recounted what happened when he met Zhang Er today, mainly talking about the misunderstanding of the Waihuang County Court, and his own unauthorized explanation, slightly revealing some information about the Zhu family.

Zhu Jia's mind turned, and he understood, and smiled: "Brother, your explanation is correct. It will avoid misunderstandings and save a lot of trouble. Brother, you have no other purpose for this trip. You will not embarrass others, yourself, or your brother."

"We should keep to ourselves. Besides, since we are brothers, we are all family. Hahaha."

Liu Ji was moved by Zhu Jia's nonchalant attitude and his words.

He bowed and said with a smile: "Thank you for your understanding, brother. I am afraid that there will be some misunderstandings, but please rest assured, brother, I have never revealed your identity! I swear to heaven!"

Zhu Jia grabbed Liu Ji's hand, patted it gently on the back of his hand, looked into Liu Ji's eyes, and smiled, "Brother, what are you talking about? I believe you. You are a loyal person, and I will never doubt you."

Liu Ji's heart ached and he was deeply moved. Just as he was about to say something else, Zhu Jia laughed and said:

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, come on, get ready to drink. We must get drunk today."

Liu Ji hurriedly said, "Brother, I have something else to say. My brother wants to host a banquet in the mansion on my behalf to entertain you and all the brothers. I dare not make the decision on my own, so I ask you to make the decision."

Liu Ji smiled bitterly: "Alas, my brother seems to be still a little worried."

Zhu Jia smiled knowingly and waved his hand: "It's the same wherever you drink. As the county magistrate, my brother Shixiong must have some good wine in his collection. If you don't mind bothering me, we'll go there."

Liu Ji was overjoyed and said hurriedly, "How could it be possible? It is my honor that you are willing to come to visit me."

Zhu Jia hesitated for a moment, then said, "It is better to do it today than to wait for a day. Let's do it today. My brother has important things to do, so we can't delay any longer."

"I understand what my brother is thinking. I don't want to embarrass my brother. Please go and inform him. If it is convenient, we will go there at noon today."

Liu Ji was overjoyed when he heard this. He felt both touched and excited. Now he finally had some face.

Liu Ji knew that the Zhu family was busy, and he was going to leave after resting today, but he was attending the banquet today, so he was delayed for another day because of him.

Liu Ji bowed and said, "Thank you, brother! I really have nothing to say. Brother, from now on, whenever you call me, I will respond!" Zhu Jia pretended to be displeased, "We are brothers, don't say such polite words."

Since he was a child, Liu Ji had never been valued so much by a person of high status, let alone so close and trusted. His nose was sore and he almost cried.

He forced himself to hold back and hurriedly took his leave to go and inform Zhang Er. Not far from the residence, a tear fell. Liu Ji wiped his eyes, strode forward with his head held high, feeling his chest open and his heart full of righteousness.

Liu Ji hurried to Zhang Er's residence. This time, Zhang Er went out to greet him personally with an even more enthusiastic attitude. He was even more delighted when he saw Liu Ji's confident face and peace of mind.

Sure enough, Liu Ji told him that the other party was willing to keep the appointment and would come today.

After hearing this, Zhang Er tried to hold back a smile and said, "Today's matter is all thanks to you, my dear brother. Thank you very much."

Zhang Er pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "I have no Qin friends, so it would be bad if I were to be impolite. Besides, I am hosting the banquet on your behalf, so I dare not interfere. Would you please help me arrange all matters related to the banquet?"

When Liu Ji heard this, he was delighted and agreed immediately.

At noon, the Zhu family led everyone to the banquet. At Zhang Er's strong request, everyone arrived.

Zhang Er and Liu Ji were waiting outside the mansion gate to greet them personally. They hung lanterns and decorated the house, and swept the bed to welcome them, which showed their full sincerity.

But except for Liu Ji, no one else in the county government office shouted, not even the county magistrate.

Zhu Jia, along with Tian Zhong and Tian Mi, as well as two friends in the army and one of Tian Mi's personal maids, followed Zhang Er into the inner hall. The rest of the people were arranged by the steward in Zhang Er's mansion.

Zhang Er attached great importance to this banquet and spared no expense in preparing a sumptuous banquet and vowed to entertain everyone well.

After several people sat down, Zhang Er asked Liu Ji to sit in the main seat with him, but Zhang Er was on the right and Liu Ji was on the left. Liu Ji was very satisfied with this.

Liu Ji would not really believe Zhang Er's words that he would host the banquet on his behalf. Others could say such things, but Liu Ji could not believe them. If he really regarded himself as the host, he would be overestimating his own abilities and being arrogant.

You know, I didn't spend a penny on such a grand occasion!

To be honest, I can't afford it. My father gave me a lot of money, but it's far from enough to treat more than a hundred people to good food and drinks.

Besides, he had never seen such a grand occasion as today's, and he knew without thinking that his money was not enough to support such a scene.

The scene Zhang Er created was far better than anything an ordinary county magistrate could create. After all, his wife came from a prominent family, and since he was entertaining distinguished guests, he naturally had to follow the standards for entertaining distinguished guests.

All the bronze, lacquer and jade wares were of excellent quality. Although the main course had not yet been served, the fruits and vegetables placed on the table were rich enough. There was an endless stream of servants and maids busying about, and the aroma of wine was already lingering in the hall before the banquet began.

There were also four musicians playing the 竽 and 琴 on the side. To be honest, Liu Ji, whose family had long been in decline, had never seen such a scene.

What's rare is that he is not at all stage-frightened.

Liu Ji couldn't help but sigh in his heart that it was amazing that all this could be prepared in just one morning. He really deserved to be Baili Hou.

Liu Ji didn't know that this was not something a county magistrate of ordinary origin could stage, and Zhang Er was always a man who planned before taking action, so he had made the necessary preparations long ago, otherwise it would not have been so easy in such a hurry.

After everyone sat down, Tian Mi took off her veil. Zhang Er glanced at her casually, his eyes fixed for a moment, and then he quickly looked away.

I was even more shocked.

When they sat down just now, it was normal for the Zhu family to sit in the first seat for guests, as they were so majestic. But the fact that this woman sat in the second seat had already shocked Zhang Er, and now seeing her appearance, he was even more shocked.

He had already secretly determined in his heart that the noble person that the Qin people were going to Qi to pick up should be this girl.

Although this girl was extremely beautiful and looked young and innocent, she was naturally charming and enchanting, a little too seductive, and did not have the graceful bearing of a wealthy family.

Moreover, one can see from his eyes that he is somewhat timid and cautious, which does not seem like someone from a noble family.

Although he thought so, Zhang Er still gave a look to the maid beside him and asked her to ask the lady to come over. It is better for a woman to be accompanied by a female family member.

As the host, Zhang Er bowed and greeted everyone. He was the first to speak: "It is a great honor for all the distinguished guests to come to my humble home. Although my home is poor, I don't have any delicious food, but I have prepared it with all my heart. I hope you will not despise it and taste it. I will be very grateful."

(End of this chapter)