Prime Minister.

Chapter 106, Section 105: [Feast]

In the southwest corner of the city, there is a shadow garden.

At dusk, a group of high-ranking officials and nobles walked into the garden.

Tan Mingguang and Xue Huai led the way side by side, while Judge Zheng Xuan introduced the scenery of the garden to Xue Huai.

Having visited several famous gardens in Suzhou in his previous life, Xue Huai now had a unique feeling upon seeing the famous gardens of Yangzhou in person.

Upon entering the park, a lush bamboo grove immediately blocks out the view, its tall bamboos forming a screen that instantly isolates one from the hustle and bustle of the city, as if a refreshing breeze is blowing on one's face.

Zheng Xuan said enthusiastically, "Your Excellency, Your Excellency, this garden is named after shadows because of the beauty of three shadows overlapping and reflecting each other. Ahead is the northern end of the lotus pond. In spring, the willow branches dip into the water, and in summer, the lotus flowers fill the pond. Fishing boats occasionally drift out from the depths of the reeds, and the water reflections scatter like broken silver across the pond."

Everyone stopped in their tracks. Tan Mingguang asked with a smile, "What does Jing Che think?"

Xue Huai looked up and couldn't help but praise, "Surrounded by water on three sides, with over a thousand acres of lotus and ten thousand willows shrouded in mist, this scenery is breathtaking and can be said to capture the essence of mountains and rivers."

Zheng Xuan seemed greatly encouraged and pointed north, saying, "Your Excellency, standing by the lake, one can see the winding ridges of Shugang Mountain stretching northward like a dragon. On sunny days, the green peaks rise one after another, while on rainy days, clouds billow and swirl. The distant mountains are incorporated into the garden, complementing the craggy stone pillars within, creating a scene of interplay between reality and illusion, with the mountain shadows resembling reclining clouds."

Xue Huai nodded slightly.

The group then walked along the embankment by the lotus pond, where they saw thousands of willows planted along the embankment, their soft branches hanging green, creating a picturesque scene.

As Zheng Xuan said, the reflections of water, mountains, and willows here intertwine like a dream, making people feel refreshed and happy.

Xue Huai looked at Zheng Xuan and asked, "Lord Zheng, who has such a grand vision to build this Shadow Garden?"

Zheng Xuan replied, "Your Excellency, this garden was built decades ago by Zheng Yuanxun, a former scholar, and designed by the master craftsman Ji Cheng. After several changes of ownership, it was purchased by the Liu family, a prominent local clan."

Liu family?

Xue Huai glanced at Liu Rang, the prefectural judge, who stood calmly to his side and rear, and a plan began to form in his mind.

The group continued to admire the scenery. The garden was spacious and well-arranged, dotted with strange rocks, with flowers and willows lining both banks, and pavilions leading all the way to the mountains.

Before long, a refined house appeared ahead, with black tiles and white walls interspersed with crackled lattice windows. Outside the house, pine and plum trees provided shade, and inside, a zither table stood by the window.

The plaque above the door reads "Yu Gou Tang".

Tan Mingguang and Xue Huai led the way in, followed closely by the others.

"Jing Che, please take your seats and let's talk."

Tan Mingguang took the main seat first, facing south, with a screen behind him painted with the "River and Pavilion" picture. He clearly didn't want Xue Huai to feel restrained, and pointed to the head seat on the east side with a smile.

Xue Huai bowed respectfully and stepped into the room to sit down.

Prefect Liu Rang, nominally the third person in charge of the Yangzhou government, sat calmly in the head seat on the west side, facing Xue Huai from afar.

The others took their seats, and to Xue Huai's left was Judge Zheng Xuan.

A group of slender maids gracefully moved to stand behind the group.

The hall was brightly lit by candlelight, casting shadows of sparse plum blossoms on the window lattice, while the faint sound of string and bamboo instruments drifted from behind the artificial hill in the distance.

The maids lowered their eyes and poured warm Huiquan wine for everyone with light and silent movements.

Tan Mingguang smiled warmly and raised his glass first, saying, "Jing Che has just arrived in Yangzhou and may not be used to the local climate. I hope this cup of wine can dispel the fatigue of the journey and wish you a speedy settlement."

His tone was gentle, as if it were just the concern of an ordinary elder.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency."

Xue Huai raised his cup in response, his posture respectful.

The wine, once tasted, was mellow and not harsh; it was indeed a fine brew.

After the two officers took the lead, the rest gradually relaxed, and the atmosphere slowly became more lively.

Zheng Xuan exchanged a glance with Liu Rang across from him, then raised his cup to Xue Huai with a broad smile and said, "Your Excellency has come from afar, bringing great honor to Yangzhou. I am unworthy, but I offer this cup to Your Excellency. In the future, I will do my utmost to fulfill any requests you may have."

Xue Huai replied with a smile, "Lord Zheng, you are too kind. I am new here and need your help."

Zheng Xuan was slightly surprised. From their first meeting at the dock during the day to their current drinking and chatting, this young nobleman, who was rumored to be upright and outspoken, was completely unassuming. Was the rumor just false, or was the other party hiding his true abilities?
The capital and Yangzhou are far apart, so it's inevitable that the rumors would be exaggerated. However, the information sent back by the Yangzhou Guild Hall should not be wrong, or at least there shouldn't be such a big discrepancy.

Looking at the calm and elegant Xue Huai, he was unsure whether he should continue to probe Xue Huai's true nature.

Seeing this, Liu Rang put down his wine cup, gently rubbing his fingertips against the cool glass. He spoke casually, his voice low and calm: "Your Excellency is young and promising, and has already made a name for yourself in the capital. This appointment to a post outside the capital must be because you have grand plans and intend to make a great career in Jiangnan."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing the atmosphere in the room to freeze.

Although the other officials were talking, their voices unconsciously lowered, and their eyes were all secretly glancing at the main table.

Prefect Tan Mingguang seemed completely oblivious to the undercurrents caused by Liu Rang's words, and continued to savor the mellow wine in his cup.

Xue Huai remained calm, picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of lightly sliced ​​bamboo shoot, and said composedly, "Prefect Liu is too kind. I am young and inexperienced, and I am merely acting on imperial orders and doing my duty. I dare not accept any empty reputation in the capital."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Liu Rang's calm face before settling on Tan Mingguang, who sat at the head of the table. "Yangzhou is prosperous and its people are thriving. Your Excellency governs well. My only request is to assist Your Excellency in ensuring peace and stability in the region, and to share His Majesty's burdens." Upon hearing this, Tan Mingguang's smile widened, and he gestured with his hand, saying, "Jing Che's words are very much to my liking! Maintaining stability and ensuring the peace of the region is our duty. Although Jiangnan is wealthy, it is like this picturesque Yingyuan Garden; stability is of utmost importance. Let us all drink to this cup!"

Everyone quickly raised their glasses and echoed, "Your Excellency's insight is truly remarkable!"

Liu Rang lowered his eyes, finished his drink, and felt a sense of unease about Xue Huai's caution and thoroughness.

As for Prefect Tan Mingguang's attitude of changing the subject and trying to smooth things over, Liu Rang didn't take it to heart.

Initially, he and the local gentry of Yangzhou had suspected that the prefect was hiding his ambitions and putting on an act. However, after carefully examining the prefect's resume and observing him secretly for nearly half a year, they confirmed that Prefect Tan had no ambitions and was only focused on studying the classics and history. At most, he hoped that his subordinates would perform their duties and add some achievements to his term.

Liu Rang stopped worrying about Tan Mingguang's thoughts and subtly gave a look to an official at the head of the table.

The official understood, and after everyone put down their wine cups, he smiled and said to Xue Huai, "Back when Lord Xue Wensu was in Yangzhou, he built water conservancy projects and ensured that there were no floods in the area for ten years. Your Excellency also assisted the Grand Minister of Works in thoroughly investigating the Water Conservancy Department of the Ministry of Works. You are truly knowledgeable. Now that Your Excellency is in charge of the water towns of Yangzhou, I wonder if you have any insights into the water conservancy and dikes in various places? Last year's great flood really kept everyone below busy."

Xue Huai put down his chopsticks, glanced at the other man, and said gently, “River engineering and water conservancy are matters of national importance and people’s livelihood. I, Xue, only have a superficial understanding of them, so how can I make arbitrary comments? Yangzhou has a complex water system and numerous dikes and embankments, which cannot be accomplished overnight. I will thoroughly examine the water conservancy files myself and consult with the Prefect and other seniors who are familiar with the local situation. As for your insightful opinions… it is better to understand them thoroughly before discussing them. Making rash criticisms would be inappropriate.”

At this moment, a pretty maid who had been standing behind Liu Rang seemed a little nervous while pouring wine, and her hand trembled slightly, accidentally spilling a few drops of wine onto Liu Rang's sleeve.

The maid's face turned deathly pale, and she hurriedly begged for forgiveness: "Your Excellency, please forgive me! This servant deserves to die!"

There was a slight commotion at the table.

Liu Rang frowned slightly, but did not react. He simply said, "It's nothing, a small matter. You may leave."

This little incident did not cause any major upheaval, but it forced the nascent attempt to probe Xue Huai to a halt.

Such is how banquets in officialdom are conducted. Initially, Zheng Xuan took the lead, and Liu Rang set the tone. The others took turns asking Xue Huai for advice under the guise of toasting. Even Tan Mingguang could not stop them, since it was related to whether Xue Huai could successfully gain a foothold in the government office.

However, with this little incident, if the others were to continue to surround Xue Huai, it would be too blatant and would easily become a laughing stock if word got out.

In short, decency is important.

Xue Huai sat upright as firmly as Mount Tai, gradually gaining a clear understanding of the situation in the Yangzhou government office.

The prefect Liu Rang, who was sitting opposite him, came from the head of the four prominent families in Yangzhou. Coupled with Tan Mingguang's apparent attitude of completely delegating power, the people in the government were gradually turning to Liu Rang. In particular, the atmosphere at the banquet tonight was enough to prove that Liu Rang would be an unavoidable figure in his governance of Yangzhou.

As for that maid...

Her mistake happened at just the right time; it couldn't have been just a coincidence.

Xue Huai calmly raised his eyes, instantly memorizing the other person's appearance. He then put down his spoon and said solemnly, "I am deeply grateful for the concern shown by my colleagues. I am here only to get things done, and I will rely on your sincere cooperation in all future practical matters."

Liu Rang knew that the opportunity had passed, but he remained calm. This was just the beginning, and there would be plenty of opportunities to test the true worth of this young nobleman.

Xue Huai met his gaze, then raised his glass and turned to Tan Mingguang in a clear voice: "Your Excellency, I, Xue Huai, offer you a toast. I am deeply grateful for today's welcoming banquet and the magnificent scenery of Yingyuan Garden. I am truly pleased to have you here. Under Your Excellency's leadership, I hope to work together with all my colleagues to ensure the smooth and harmonious governance of Yangzhou, and to live up to His Majesty's trust!"

Tan Mingguang, naturally going along with it, raised his glass with a broad smile: "Excellent, excellent, a perfect example of working together in harmony! Gentlemen, let us unite as one to repay the Emperor's grace!"

"Let us repay the Emperor's grace together!"

A chorus of agreement immediately filled the room, creating an exceptionally warm and harmonious atmosphere.

The clinking of cups and saucers intensified once more as maids bustled about, serving wine and dishes.

Smiles returned to everyone's faces as they toasted and exchanged pleasantries, as if the witty conversation from before had never happened.

Seeing Xue Huai being surrounded by everyone and toasted again, Liu Rang couldn't stay out of it, so he smiled as usual and raised his glass to Xue Huai in return.

His movements were impeccable, only his eyes were slightly deep.

I thought a sharp-tongued, hot-headed young man was coming, but what I actually saw was a young and well-rounded tiger sitting on the mountain.

That was quite unexpected.

However... Liu Rang always believed that everyone has weaknesses, especially a young man like Xue Huai who suddenly rose to a high position. Could he really be an old fox who has cultivated for decades?
Upon thinking of this, Liu Rang put down his wine cup and coughed lightly.

A moment later, Zheng Xuan, sitting below Xue Huai, smiled broadly and said to Tan Mingguang, "Your Excellency, tonight is such a fine night with beautiful scenery and music, and the banquet is filled with delicacies and fine wine, but it seems that one thing is missing."

Tan Mingguang asked curiously, "What's missing?"

Zheng Xuan deliberately avoided looking at Xue Huai, but raised his voice slightly and said, "This humble servant feels it's a pity that there's no beautiful woman to keep him company."

"You..."

Tan Mingguang smiled and pointed at Zheng Xuan, not wanting to spoil the mood.

With Tan Mingguang's tacit approval, Zheng Xuan then said to Xue Huai, "Your Excellency, Yangzhou currently has four renowned courtesans. I have specially invited two of them tonight to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. Is that alright?"

The crowd immediately erupted in commotion.

Xue Huai put down his wine cup, a hint of wine staining his handsome face. He smiled calmly and said, "Why not?"

(End of this chapter)