Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 198 Sister, I think you are beautiful, but my elder brother has poor eyesight.

As the mayor of the prefectural city, Jiang Changning certainly knew where Yunteng Tower was.

He also knew how much the Xiaoyuan Earl family in the East Territory had spent for the Jade Buddha Bodhi Seed.

Similarly, Jiang Yulang valued the Jade Buddha Bodhi seeds because he was able to obtain the sales rights.

"No wonder Gong Jixue wanted to hold a banquet. It was probably just for him."

Jiang Changning whispered, looked up and forward, and strode forward.

The purpose of this banquet was not important to him.

More importantly, he had the opportunity to meet several important figures in the county and communicate with them.

All the gifts given to Gong Yuzheng in the past were not in vain.

At this time, on the fourth floor, Zhou Zhengtong was sitting in a private room, chatting with Qin Pingliang about the guarding and monster-killing on the river.

Mr. Gu, who was extremely terrified, listened from the side.

In the corridor outside the private room, Qin Muyang's eyes gleamed with brilliance as he whispered, "Hei Hu, did he really say that?"

Qin Yuqing nodded and said softly, "He is looking for information about the Jianghu forces around Zhengyang County, and is also asking about the Jianghu gangs on the Yangtze River. He must be planning to suppress the Jianghu."

Qin Muyang pondered for a moment, then said, "Your second brother said that Black Tiger's strength is no less than that of a Grandmaster. If he is truly willing, and my garrison troops give their full support, then this may be possible."

"If you have the chance, please introduce me to him. Suppressing the martial arts world is a major matter. I want to communicate with him face to face."

Hearing Qin Muyang's introduction, Qin Yuqing was stunned and said softly, "Father, didn't my second brother tell you that the one who was entertaining guests downstairs with Gong Jixue just now was Black Tiger."

Entertaining guests downstairs?

Qin Muyang's eyes widened and he whispered, "Zhang Nineteen?"

Qin Yuqing nodded.

"It's him..." Qin Muyang murmured.

At the stairs, Jiang Changning walked up quickly with a smile on his face: "Commander-in-Chief——"

Qin Yuqing retreated quietly.

……

In front of Yunteng Tower.

When Zhao Yu, who came with Zuo Qiu Ren, looked up and saw Zhang Yuan, he felt a little shy for no reason.

This was the first time she wore women's clothes in front of Zhang Yuan.

She had been on good terms with Zhang Yuan for so long, and now she felt a little embarrassed to see him dressed as a woman.

"Let me guess, Gong Jixue must have gotten something good, otherwise he wouldn't be treating us."

Zuoqiu Ren stroked his long beard and looked at Gong Yuzheng with a smile: "Last time, you spent a lot of money, but you still got a piece of Yutian stone."

"Haha, I know I can't hide it from you." Gong Yuzheng reached out to take the scroll in Zhang Yuan's hand, untied the rope, and slowly unfolded a small section in front of Zuo Qiuren.

Zuoqiu Ren had a smile on his face at first, and then the smile stopped.

"This, this painting—"

"Haha," Gong Yuzheng put the scroll away and handed it back to Zhang Yuan, "Have a few more drinks later, and I'll let you take a good look at it."

"No, this painting—"

Zuo Qiuren was about to say something when Gong Yu patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Old Ji is here. Wait and see what he will think when he sees this painting. Haha..."

Gong Yuzheng smiled and strode forward to meet Ji Yuntang who was coming.

Zuo Qiuren looked at Zhang Yuan, then glanced at Zhao Yu, nodded to Sun Ze, then turned around and looked at Ji Yuntang who was walking towards him.

"Old Ji, this is Sun Zhuancao, you should recognize him."

"Your martial arts training student Zhang Shijiu, and this one..."

Gong Yuzheng introduced Ji Yuntang to him, but Ji Yuntang just nodded.

Zhang Yuan was about to salute, but he raised his hand and waved it, saying directly, "Forget it."

As he spoke, he walked towards the building.

Is this a deliberate attempt to prevent Zhang Yuan from exposing their relationship?

Zhang Yuan felt that there seemed to be something complicated between these old foxes.

After all, scholars are not as straightforward as warriors.

Zhao Yu walked up to Zhang Yuan and whispered, "I rarely wear women's clothes. Today..."

Zhang Yuan looked at him and nodded, "Well, I think you feel more comfortable in men's clothes."

This made Zhao Yu stare.

Here, Gong Yuzheng was already leading Zhang Yuan and the others towards Yunteng Tower.

"Sister, I think you are beautiful."

"My eldest brother, his eyesight is not good."

Zhou Ru stood beside Zhao Yu and spoke.

Zhao Yu nodded heavily: "Yes, his eyesight is not good."

----------------

Yunteng Building, fourth floor, Yunhexuan.

There were small square tables, on which jade bowls, jade chopsticks, wine cups and teacups were placed.

Zhao Yu, who was sitting above Zhang Yuan, turned sideways, moved closer to Zhang Yuan, and lowered his voice: "Have you ever had a meal like this?" Zhang Yuan shook his head.

Only high-ranking officials and nobles have this custom of dining at separate tables.

Ordinary people’s homes all have square tables, which are said to bring wealth from all directions.

Ordinary people cannot afford to eat at separate tables.

"Let's see how others eat first." Zhao Yu glanced over and sat up straight.

In the spacious hall, at the top seat were Gong Yuzheng, Qin Muyang, Zhou Zhengtong, and Ji Yuntang, the four of them sitting opposite each other.

At the bottom, Zuo Qiuren and Jiang Changning sat opposite each other.

Beside Zhang Yuan were Zhao Yu and Zhou Ru, and opposite him were Qin Pingliang, Sun Ze, Jiang Yulang, and the nervous-looking Master Gu.

"Brother Gong, that painting—"

Zuo Qiuren looked at Gong Yuzheng, who coughed lightly and waved his hand, saying, "Let's have a banquet."

A group of women in palace costumes came up with jade plates in their hands and placed them on the small table in front of each person. They also held wine jugs and poured wine into each person's glass on the table.

"Ming Yueguang, Jiutianchi, Mr. Gong, brother, you are so generous this time." Qin Muyang looked at the dishes on the plate in front of him and the wine on the table, and spoke with a smile.

While the others were examining the dishes in front of them, Zhao Yu moved closer to Zhang Yuan. "Nine Heavens Wings are made with a secret recipe of nine kinds of wings. Look at the size and position. When you eat, first taste the texture of the meat, then the flavor. You need to chew from large to small, and the more you chew, the better..."

She did not continue.

Because there were only two pieces of Nine-Sky Wings left on the plate in front of Zhang Yuan.

"How do you eat it?" Zhang Yuan turned his head.

At the bottom, Zhou Ru, who was holding a bone in his hand, looked up and also looked at Zhao Yu.

"Forget it, eat whatever you like..." Zhao Yu muttered, turned around and looked at the jade plate in front of him.

Several dishes were served one after another. Jiang Yulang and others on the opposite side went to taste them, but Zhang Yuan and Zhou Ru didn't care at all and just ate.

"Brother, this chicken leg isn't as delicious as the fish. Try my fish."

"Sister, don't you want to eat your chicken drumstick? Big brother likes chicken drumsticks, give him yours."

Zhou Ru's words made Jiang Yulang and others on the opposite side lower their heads.

The people at the top turned their heads.

A look of surprise flashed across Jiang Changning's face.

The son of Zhou Sima and the princess of Zhaowang Mansion are both so close to this Master Zhang.

What is the background of this Mr. Zhang?
"Mr. Zhang," Jiang Changning said with a smile, holding up the wine glass in front of him and motioning towards Zhang Yuan, "I offer you a toast."

The wealthy sponsor who owns the Jade Buddha Bodhi seeds deserves his toast.

Below, Master Gu looked up with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The head of the Jiang family, the chancellor of the government office, although his power is not high in the county town, he is quite wealthy.

Such a person actually took the initiative to toast Zhang Shijiu?
Sun Ze raised his head, confusion in his eyes.

Jiang Changning, a government official, actually condescended to toast Zhang Yuan?
"Can you drink it?" Zhao Yu whispered, "How about I help you drink it?"

Zhang Yuan shook his head, picked up the wine glass, gestured to Jiang Changning, and then drank it all.

"Mr. Zhang has a good alcohol tolerance." Jiang Changning smiled and put down the wine cup.

The maid in palace dress hurried forward and filled all the wine glasses.

Zhou Zhengtong's eyes flashed with a glint of brilliance. He raised his wine glass and looked at Zhang Yuan: "Mr. Zhang, I'll toast you too."

Zhou Zhengtong's words instantly made the hall quiet.

The County Sima Ke is the chief officer of the county army and ranks among the top five in the county.

Such a high-ranking official actually toasted Zhang Yuan?

Master Gu opened his mouth, not knowing what he wanted to say.

There was already an expression of surprise in Sun Ze's eyes that he could hardly suppress.

Jiang Yulang's palm trembled and he almost dropped the jade chopsticks in his hand.

Gong Yu had a hint of doubt on his face, but he concealed it well.

Qin Muyang and Qin Pingliang, father and son, had the most natural expressions. They thought Zhou Zhengtong knew Zhang Yuan's identity.

Ji Yuntang understood that this glass of wine was offered on behalf of Zhou Rujing.

Zuo Qiuren had no expression on his face, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

He was well aware of Zhang Shijiu's talent and ability, but he was just training military officers. Was he worthy of Zhou Zhengtong's toast?
In other words, Zhou Zhengtong's purpose was...

Zuoqiu Ren recalled the last time he sat at the same table with the county governor and heard him say that he wanted to arrange for people to go to the war-torn front line of Northern Yan to guard the area.

Are you toasting Zhang Shijiu because you want him to go to the war-torn area to guard it?
While Zuoqiu Ren was still thinking, Zhou Zhengtong and Zhang Yuan had already finished their glass of wine.

A voice sounded at the side.

"Mr. Zhang, I'd like to offer you a toast."

Qin Muyang, Lieutenant General of the Zhengyang County Garrison Army.

In the entire Zhengyang County, the number of people he could toast to was no more than a handful.

"Dang Cang."

The jade chopsticks in Master Gu's hand finally fell.

(End of this chapter)