Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 114 Military Banquet
When Pei Nian met Qu Jizhi's gaze, he inexplicably felt his heart sink, thinking that he had discovered his secret of being a spy in Yong State.

Because she clearly saw a faint smile of "not unexpected" on Qu Jizhi's lips.

Therefore, that simple greeting made her feel difficult to respond.

The next moment, Gu Jingnian held her hand and pulled her to his side.

The two held hands, and Pei Nian felt a little uncomfortable, but he also calmed down. He thought that Gu Jingnian was, after all, a traitor who burned down the palace of Rui State, so he would not be easily suspected.

She looked up at Gu Jingnian, avoiding Qu Jizhi's gaze for a while before responding, "Mr. Qu is a famous minister of the time. I have heard of him even when I was in the enemy country."

"Pei Ji was a heroic woman. I also heard about it while I was in the enemy country."

"I'm no longer a detective, just call me Miss Pei."

Qu Jizhi nodded and said to Gu Beiming: "Marshal Gu is very lucky to have such a daughter-in-law."

Gu Beiming was a strong, resolute, and cold-blooded man. Facing Pei Nian, his "daughter-in-law", he didn't have much to say and just nodded.

Pei Nian used to believe that Gu Beiming was a loyal and capable general, and had tried desperately to prove his innocence, but ended up being greatly disappointed. Now she had disdain, confusion, hatred, and hostility towards Gu Beiming, but she did not have the respect she would have for her father-in-law, so it was quite difficult for her to behave like a daughter-in-law.

But seeing that Gu Jingnian didn't have much filial piety towards Gu Beiming, she relaxed and didn't try to act. Instead, she took Gu Jingnian's hand and replied calmly, "I just like Gu Lang, but I've never thought of becoming the daughter-in-law of the Gu family."

Gu Beiming frowned, giving people a sense of oppression.

Qu Jizhi just waved his hands and smiled to smooth things over.

"Whether you think about it or not, we are a family now."

What is rare is that these words coming out of his mouth do not sound hypocritical or slick at all, but rather very sincere.

After asking about Zhang Xiaofang's background, Gu Jingnian told the truth and said that he had received favors from her. Qu Jizhi did not look down on this country girl from Rui and arranged a table for her.

"Miss Zhang is kind and enthusiastic. She helped the father and son of the Gu family meet, and Yong State gained another great general. This is a great achievement. Yong State should also give some rewards. I wonder what you want?"

Strangely enough, in Zhang Xiaofang's eyes, a handsome young man like Gu Jingnian seems distant. Although Qu Jizhi has a higher status, his words are refreshing and more approachable.

"Tell me what you want." Qu Jizhi encouraged with an approachable smile.

"Is anything really possible?" Zhang Xiaofang asked.

"Of course."

"Can I read and write, too?"

Qu Jizhi didn't expect this request and was slightly surprised.

Zhang Xiaofang had always envied those girls who could go to school since she was a child, so she blurted out this. But she was not used to this kind of situation, so she immediately backed off and waved her hands, saying, "It doesn't matter if I can't."

Qu Jizhi said: "Of course you can. Not only that, you can also study at the Yuewei Academy I run. I guarantee you will become a talented woman."

"You don't need a talented girl." Zhang Xiaofang said, "You just need to be able to write and calculate, learn a skill and make a living."

Qu Jizhi stroked his beard and smiled, he did not feel that he was lowering his status by chatting about these trivial matters with the country girl. He himself was wearing cloth clothes, and the strangers around him were not dressed in luxurious clothes, and most of them even looked silly.

Some of Gu Beiming's staff wanted to have a long conversation with him, but although he responded appropriately, he did not go into detail, as if he was unwilling to just talk about theory.

After dealing with others, Qu Jizhi's gaze fell on Gu Jingnian again. It can be seen that he was most interested in Gu Jingnian.

"Mr. Gu's coming here is a blessing for Dayong. I would like to ask His Majesty to let you lead a group of foreigners. What do you think?"

Gu Jingnian shook his head.

Just now, when Qu Jizhi said that Yong State had gained a new general, he wanted to refute it, but he held back when he saw that it would benefit Zhang Xiaofang.

"I'm not interested in leading troops in war."

Pei Nian sat next to Gu Jingnian. Hearing this, she took a bite of the food and ate it. She thought that Qu Jizhi must be testing her. Even if Gu Jingnian wanted to agree, she would remind him to refuse politely.

Qu Jizhi was a little surprised, and said thoughtfully: "What are your concerns? You might as well tell me directly. If you are worried about being suspected, my Majesty the Great Yong has broad ambitions and employs people with confidence."

"It has nothing to do with this." Gu Jingnian said, "I just don't want to lead troops to fight."

"What a pity." Qu Jizhi sighed, "All the foreigners in my army admire you very much and hope to serve under you. Well, I won't force you to do anything. How about recommending you to be a civil servant to govern the area?"

"I really have no intention of pursuing a career in politics. I came here just to reunite with my father and brother."

"I see."

Qu Jizhi looked regretful, but he did not persuade her any further. After thinking for a while, he said, "I guess you also want to find the phoenix, right?"

Gu Jingnian was just about to pick up some food when his fingers trembled slightly when he heard this.

He didn't expect Qu Jizhi to ask so directly.

That's right, since he wasn't seeking an official position, Qu Jizhi certainly didn't believe that he came only for Gu Beiming, so it was normal for him to guess that he wanted to find Yingyao. Guessing was guessing, but being willing to say it directly was a rare frank attitude.

Qu Jizhi saw all of Gu Jingnian's actions and said, "We have all heard that a phoenix appeared in Rui Country, and that the country is secretly practicing magic. I guess your fire wings must have come from that. We also heard that the phoenix flew west and seemed to have reached the territory of Yong Country. I wonder if it's true or not?"

"Does Qu Gong really not know?"

"Not sure. After all, the phoenix has never really appeared in the sky of Dayong." Qu Jizhi said: "To be honest, I did send people to inquire, and my men smelled that someone with the scent of fertile land went west."

Gu Jingnian did not feel that Huang Hu and Ying Yao were nearby. Shaojing Pass was located to the east of Jusai City, and it was still some distance away from the old market town where they had agreed to meet. They had to continue westward instead of staying in Gu Beiming's army.

However, Qu Jizhi's straightforwardness made him a little unsure of how to respond.

"Don't worry." Qu Jizhi seemed to understand Gu Jingnian's worries, and said, "I said all this to help you do what you want to do. Do you know what the biggest difference between Yongguo and Ruiguo is?"

"Please teach me, Mr. Qu."

"Yong State does not prohibit foreigners from joining the army or serving as officials. In other words, foreigners are also citizens of Yong State, no different from ordinary people. They are restricted by Yong Law and also protected by Yong Law. Therefore, Yong State does not promote alchemy."

Gu Jingnian didn't believe it and asked, "Is it true that alchemy is not popular?"

"Yes." Qu Jizhi said, "But think about it, there are many powerful aliens in the court and the army, they will protect the aliens from being refined."

"I see."

Qu Ji stopped trying to persuade her and said, "You are in Yong State. If I can help you, just ask. I will be very happy if we can put aside our worries and work together to unify Zhongzhou."

Gu Jingnian looked over and saw that the middle-aged man in plain clothes had a sincere look in his eyes, but he always felt that Qu Jizhi's humility and frankness were somewhat fake.

It’s hard to say why, perhaps he didn’t see his true nature, and only saw too much indulgence, tolerance, and honesty, but he didn’t believe that there were such people in the world.

As for whether he came to Yong State to find Fenghuang, he couldn't deny it, but he was unwilling to admit it. Gu Jingnian simply didn't answer rudely.

Anyway, it’s okay as long as no one guessed that he was a spy sent by Switzerland.

He took a sip of wine and suddenly felt that someone at the table was looking at him.

When I looked up, I saw a fat man sitting next to Qu Jizhi.

When he came in just now, someone actually introduced everyone present to Gu Jingnian, but he didn't pay attention. Now he leaned close to Pei Nian's ear and whispered, "Who is that person?"

He came too close, and his breath blew Pei Nian's hair. Pei Nian wanted to avoid him, but thinking that they were a couple now, he didn't hide.

"Han Youxin, the military officer of Yong State, what happened?"

Gu Jingnian turned around again and saw that Han Youxin had already turned around to talk to Qu Jizhi, his fat face looking innocent.

He was too lazy to listen to the military affairs discussed by others at the table, and after eating and drinking, he got up to relieve himself.

He walked to an uninhabited place facing the cliff of Guancheng, untied his belt under the moonlight, and urinated into the empty mountain. Then he heard footsteps behind him.

"Mr. Gu? What a coincidence?"

Gu Jingnian looked back and saw a fat figure, and recognized it as Han Youxin from the banquet.

He knew it was no coincidence, the other party was following him.

"I'm fine, please join the army, Han."

"I'm not here to relieve myself." Han Youxin sniffed and said, "I'm here to get some fresh air."

Just then, something strange happened.

Gu Jingnian was clearly still listening to Han Youxin talking, but another sentence rang in his ears.

Those words were very strange. There was clearly no sound in them, yet they entered Gu Jingnian's ears so silently.

——"Min Zhenfu Envoy has told me that you and I are family."

Gu Jingnian looked around, looking for the person who was talking to him. When his eyes fell back on Han Youxin's face, he saw that the fat man was smiling, and his eyes clearly said, "I'm the one talking."

"Han Youxin, Kaiping Sinan Yashi, from today on, you and Pei Nian are under my command."

Another silent word rang in my ears.

Gu Jingnian said: "It's well ventilated, but the smell of blood is too strong here."

"Yes, when Dayong unified Zhongzhou, there wouldn't be so many people killed in the war."

The two chatted casually.

Gu Jingnian had good eyesight and saw a guard on the city wall in the distance stop and look at them, with one ear much larger than an ordinary one pricked up, as if he was listening to their conversation from a distance.

But even with such big ears, he couldn't hear what Han Youxin really wanted to tell Gu Jingnian.

"I know you are here to capture Gu Beiming and bring him back to Rui. This is not an easy task and you should not rush into it. Right now, there are other tasks for you and Pei Nian to do."

Gu Jingnian shook his head and said, "General Han, take a break. I'm leaving now."

"No hurry, let's go back together."

Han Youxin said this, but in reality he said, "You can't refuse. Don't forget that your loved ones are still in the hands of Envoy Min."

Gu Jingnian stopped.

Han Youxin smiled.

"Don't worry, what we want you to do is very simple. Qu Jizhi will go to Jusai City to meet someone next. You go with him and just kill that person..."

(End of this chapter)