The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 100 Battle Robe
During the dinner, these bigwigs chatted casually and mentioned the small meeting on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

That is, the high-level meeting the day after tomorrow.

The tone of his voice sounded even stranger to Wen Gu.

At first glance, it seems like they are discussing some important military operation, but considering the previous speculations, it seems like there is another purpose.

"Will Wen Gu attend the small meeting on the third day of the Lunar New Year?" someone asked.

The fact that Wen Gu is sitting here today represents a certain inclination of the Zhao family head.

Pei Jun, who was sitting next to her, also looked over.

Wen Gu replied respectfully, "Yes, my uncle said I should go and broaden my horizons, and also learn from the seniors."

Someone chuckled: "It's more about broadening your horizons; as for studying... cough!"

It seems there are still many things left unsaid.

The large banquet held on the first day of the Lunar New Year did not last very long.

Listen to Lao Zhao's speech, which boosted confidence, looked to the future, maintained relationships, and strengthened cohesion. Watch the professional team's song and dance performance and observe the various postures of the guests.

Towards the end of the banquet, there was much more freedom in the activities, and Wen Gu faced many tests. However, he was prepared for these in advance and was able to handle them calmly.

While dealing with these tests, Wen Gu also saw that Young Master Zhao went to chat with his uncle and cousin for a few minutes.

Young Master Zhao actually went to have a drink with Old Master Hong first before going to find his uncle.

There were discussions about academic subjects, and the soon-to-be-established Cen Tai Academy was also mentioned.

By now, anyone with even a little bit of inside information has heard about the academy's opening. In addition, with recent visits to relatives and friends and social engagements, even if you don't pay attention, the news will be proactively passed on to you.

When the academy was mentioned, the uncle was cautious, but his words revealed a supportive attitude.

Young Master Zhao understood the situation.

Recalling his aunt's eagerness to find a job at the Zhao residence before the Lunar New Year, and the advice she had given him, he reaffirmed a certain decision in his heart.

He didn't say much to his uncle and cousin He Wenyu, only staying briefly. This didn't arouse their suspicion, and bystanders simply assumed it was a greeting between relatives.

Wen Gu looked over there, and just then He Wenyu looked over and their eyes met. Wen Gu raised his wine glass.

He Wenyu was flattered.

After today's banquet, everyone knows that Wen Gu has a special status and is a capable person who can sit at the same table with the most powerful people in Xinzhou!
They are indeed of the same generation in terms of age, and both are Zhao Shaozhu's cousins, but his current status is far inferior to Zhao Shaozhu's. However, this capable man has no arrogance whatsoever, and he is very humble and polite to others.

He Wenyu hurriedly returned the gesture with his wine glass, then tilted his head back and drank it all.

After finishing his drink, he told his father, "Wen Gu seems like a very amiable person. He even raised his glass to me just now."

Uncle He was thinking of discussing poetry and literature with several renowned scholars whom he rarely met, so he didn't take the conversation to heart.

Not to mention them, even Aunt Zhao, after learning about it, believed that Wen Gu's identity was now mysterious and special, and he must be up to something important, so it was unlikely that he would target their family, who were just ordinary folks. Maintaining a polite facade was enough.

After the grand banquet, everyone went back and talked about all sorts of things, from the charcoal fire, copper stove, and fresh vegetables to the arrangement of glassware on the table. But what they talked about most was reminiscing about the past, which also increased their attention to this new scion of Xinzhou.

The same question remains—

Why was Wen Gu able to sit at the very front table?
Because Wen Gu miraculously appeared at the very front table at the banquet and gained the approval of several powerful civil and military officials, he subsequently received a large number of New Year's greeting cards.

In other words, Wen Gu is still living in the Zhao residence. If he were in Jingxingfang, they would definitely have gone there to confront him!
Wen Gu's attention was not on this; he was thinking about how to handle the small meeting in the council hall on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

Recalling the subtle reactions of those bigwigs when they learned that Wen Gu would be attending the small meeting in the council hall...

Uncle asked Wen Gu to attend this small meeting attended only by high-ranking officials, but at a time like this, having an inexperienced young man like Wen Gu attend meant that it was definitely not a discussion of any important situational decisions or strategic planning.

It's probably not a particularly important, high-secret meeting. It's likely just routine deployment and communication.

However, the military and political officials stationed in various parts of Xinzhou all returned to Xinzhou City at this time, just to go home for the New Year and attend a banquet at the Zhao Mansion.
Every meeting is definitely of great significance!

Knowing that Wen Gu would be attending this meeting, Madam Shen had her clothes prepared in advance. A complete new outfit, from head to toe, conveyed a less ostentatious and more composed demeanor.

This is a "battle robe" that Madam Shen gave to Wen Gu for participating in political discussions!
If Wen Gu is successful, it will bring her honor as his aunt, so she can't dress shabbily!
Madam Shen valued this junior colleague, who had managed to infiltrate the core circle of Xinzhou, highly. She even turned down several important visitors and specially invited Wen Gu over for a chat, offering him some advice.

The first small meeting of the new year is a meeting of Zhao's powerful confidants, and it must be of great significance and should be treated with caution!

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Wen Gu changed his clothes and put on the thick, windproof, and warm cloak that Madam Shen had given him.

It was still cold, so I dressed warmly. Wearing thick clothes wouldn't be conspicuous in these wealthy and powerful places. I braved the cold wind to arrive at my uncle's council hall.

Since her uncle and cousin hadn't arrived yet, Wen Gu waited in the warm pavilion next door.

Soon, the attendees arrived one after another, and several of them were familiar faces who had dined at the same table the day before.

However, compared to their attire at the first banquet, the group of people dressed in a completely different style today, exuding a simple and undisguised sense of financial hardship.

As if afraid others wouldn't know, they wear all their thoughts and ideas on their clothes!
Each one is more shabby than the last!
Simply put, the way these people dressed—

The grand banquet on the first day of the Lunar New Year: So stylish!

Today's little meeting: Begging!!

Even Pei Jun, a nobleman from a family with generations of merit, was wearing old clothes with frayed edges and a padded jacket, which was far less luxurious and splendid than what he wore at the grand banquet that day.

Despite their imposing presence and demeanor, they were dressed as if their family fortunes had fallen on hard times.

Don't you find it unlucky?
The group of people who came over looked at Wen Gu's expensive cloak covered with dark patterns, smiling kindly and warmly as if they were looking at an innocent child.

Wen Gu looked surprised: "...What is this, seniors?"

The visitor simply smiled, shook his head without answering, his eyes conveying a profound meaning.

Pei Jun whispered to Wen Gu as she passed by, "Learn a little first."

Regardless of their reactions, they weren't exactly mocking.

Knowing that Wen Gu was only there to broaden his horizons and learn, and would not join the battle, they were more tolerant of him.

Besides, they were planning to discuss some things with Wen Gu privately, so they certainly wouldn't put on airs in front of him. However, today's meeting was special, and it wasn't appropriate to say too much to Wen Gu before it ended.

At this moment, Steward Fusheng, who was by the side of the Zhao family head, quickly came over, opened the door of the council hall, and respectfully invited the attendees to enter.

His eyes swept quickly across the crowd, noticing the attire of several generals and scholars, and then he glanced at Wen Gu's dark-patterned embroidered cloak.

Fusheng remained outwardly calm, but thought to himself: Young Master, you still have a lot to learn!
Upon entering the council chamber, Wen Gu's seat was at the very end.

In terms of status and achievements, he is indeed inferior to others.

The brief period of peace in Xinzhou was achieved through the collective efforts of these people, who spared no effort. Wengu is only just beginning to exert its strength, and being able to sit here is already a very good start.

There were only about ten people attending today's meeting, and I could see everyone's face with just one glance.

When the Zhao family head and his young master entered the room and saw the group of people dressed in shabby, gray clothes, they felt a throbbing pain in their foreheads and their eyelids twitching even before the meeting started.

Holy crap!
Did this group agree on the style of today's meeting?
His sharp gaze swept over and saw Wen Gu, who was at the bottom of the list, and the cloak he was wearing. His expression softened slightly, and he felt greatly relieved.

so far so good!

There's also a normal one!

We really need to add more new faces, otherwise these old hands...

Just then, Wen Gu took off his outer cloak, revealing a simple, dark, old outfit underneath.

Patriarch Zhao: "..."

Wow! I never imagined that someone as handsome as you would collude with them!
Even Zhao Shaozhu's face showed a rare moment of blankness.

The generals, who were already preparing, widened their eyes in surprise.

who is it? !
Who tipped him off?

Who gave him guidance and pointers?!
They glanced at the Zhao family father and son, then at Wen Gu, and then suspiciously turned to their other colleagues, their gazes fixed on them.

There must be a traitor among us!

Wen Gu smiled modestly at everyone.

Access to upper-level power circles ×
Integrating into the upper power circle

Look how harmonious and consistent our styles are!
He had already made two preparations; if no one else was planning on this, he would continue wearing his coat. In any case, he looked frail, and in the cold winter, even if there was a heater inside, his elders would understand if a weak scholar like him dressed more warmly.

But if these people are all eyeing Lao Zhao's account as he thinks, and they all want to cry their eyes out today, then he will act in unison with them!
To be honest, I also want to get a piece of the pie!

They've revealed their "battle uniforms"!
(End of this chapter)