Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Since the concerned Chunshen Jun urgently dispatched the Elite Cavalry from the South Bank of the Huai River for protection, it has been confirmed that Huang Xie is safe, and Luzi should leave Chu State immediately. He has two options: the first is to go directly to Wei Kingdom to speak with King Wei You, and the second is to pass through Qi State to persuade King Yan of Yan Kingdom. For some reason, he did not choose either course of action.
After arriving in the capital of Chu State, Shouchun, with the State Guard, Luzi did not leave immediately. Upon learning that Chunshen Jun had entered the palace to meet the King of Chu, he still showed no intention of departing. News from Shangdang indicated that Bai Qi had surrounded Zhao Kuo's troops. With battle imminent, returning later might mean missing out on any glory!
Impatient, Sun Thirteen urged Li Xin to confront Luzi and stir up some emotions. Only Luzi could take this seriously and set off immediately to fulfill his mission of persuading Yan Kingdom and Wei Kingdom, believing he could still return to Shangdang in time for a meal.
Li Xin's absence from military service does not mean he dislikes Military Merit Rewards; besides, with Wang Jian around, he truly cannot afford any delays! If Wang Jian were to be promoted to a high position while he remained a Centurion, it would be quite embarrassing. Just thinking about it brings tears to his eyes.
Luzi stayed in the capital of Chu without leaving right away; instead, he visited several old leaders of Chu State. It might be a long time before he returns to Chu again, so he needed to gather information about these elders' assessments of the current situation in Chu.
Of course, Luzi was still using his identity as the Big Shopkeeper of Prosperity Pavilion, which was well-known in Chu. The results he gathered confirmed his expectations: none of the prominent elders held a favorable view of the current Li Guojiao. As for Queen Li Yan... it was just a matter of time!
Luzi also had dealings with Li Yuan; if it weren't for Chunshen Jun and Huang Xie's connections, he might have been much closer to Li Yuan. However, this closeness was relative and not one where they shared everything. If it were Housheng in this situation, it would be a different story altogether.
People are indeed strange!
From the attitudes of these esteemed elders in Chu State, it became clear that certain matters had reached a conclusion. Many envy those who seem to know the future; in reality, it's not that complicated.
History serves as a mirror for understanding change.
When Chunshen Jun entered the palace to meet the King of Chu, he did not even bring the edict that Luzi had requested from King Zhou She. Perhaps it was a way to show Luzi that Huang Xie's position in Chu was unparalleled or maybe he simply did not need Zhou Tianzi's edict at all. Regardless of how Huang Xie acted or what he said, the message conveyed to Luzi was simply two words.
Settled!
When Luzi received this news during lunch at the inn after visiting the old officials of Chu State, he merely smiled slightly. Finally receiving good news, Luzi ordered several jars of fine wine recently bestowed by Sikong of Chu State to be brought up for a celebratory drink.
Li Xin, who had just been secretly smiling at the good news, heard that there would be more drinking. He looked at Sun Thirteen and hurriedly approached Luzi, saying, "Innkeeper! We still have to travel this afternoon, so let's skip the drinks!"
Lu Zizheng was calling the Shop Assistant to bring out a couple of dishes for a little indulgence when he heard someone mention traveling in the afternoon. Turning to Li Xin, he asked in confusion, "Traveling in the afternoon? Where are you planning to go?"
Li Xin was taken aback by the question and stammered without being able to explain himself.
Seeing that Li Shiba was unable to handle the situation, Sun Thirteen stepped in. "Innkeeper! Since news has come from the Chu State, we should set off."
Upon realizing this was the matter at hand, Luzi decided to ignore the two of them. He called for the Shop Assistant to bring the dishes to the table and then opened a wine jar, pouring some into a bowl. He gestured for Sun Thirteen and Li Xin to sit down and told them that the Qin State was only worried about Qi and Chu joining forces for an attack. After saying this, he added casually, "As for other feudal lords... it's just a matter of time!"
As Luzi explained this to the two, the aroma of wine had already filled the air. Knowing Luzi's character, which never involved exaggerated dealings, Sun Thirteen and Li Xin naturally relaxed upon hearing his words.
Sun Thirteen also enjoyed drinking. Once, while passing by a tavern, he saw an old man with a wine gourd hanging from his waist. He sighed, realizing that this was what a true drinker looked like, and from that moment on, he couldn't sleep well. He dreamed of carrying such a wine gourd with him but had never found a suitable one.
Last night, while shopping with Li Xin, he finally got his wish fulfilled. Without even haggling, he bought a gourd that looked just like the one he had seen at the tavern. Now it hung proudly at his waist, giving him a special sense of satisfaction.
However, while he had acquired the gourd, it was still empty. If it weren't for Luzi's reluctance to leave, he would have wanted to finish this business quickly. Hearing Luzi say there was no need to rush, he took off the gourd and placed it on the table before standing up to grab an unopened jar of wine and began filling it.
Li Xin looked helplessly at Sun Thirteen's serious demeanor and said in frustration, "Are we not leaving then?"
Lost in the aroma of wine, Luzi asked Sun Thirteen, who was busy pouring. "Is this considered against the rules?"
Sun Thirteen was focused on his task and replied without looking up, "Not at all! How could this be against the rules?"
"Does it really not count?"
"Of course it does!"
Hearing Sun Thirteen speak with such certainty, Luzi accepted it and raised his cup to Li Xin, saying, "Thirteen is very busy! Let's drink three cups to moisten our throats!" With that, he downed his drink in one go.
Indeed, alcohol is a wonderful thing; when untouched, one can maintain composure, but once indulged, it's hard to break free. By the time the lights began to glow in the evening, the three of them had drunk enough to feel quite tipsy. Just as they were about to wipe the table and serve more dishes, they heard that the head of the guards from the Chancellor of Chu was requesting an audience.
If there were no outsiders, Luzi would never dine separately from his brothers. Upon hearing that someone was coming, Sun Thirteen and Li Xin prepared to rise. It was acceptable to act freely in private, but being seen by outsiders would be considered improper.
When they learned that the visitor was Huang Jing, the head of guards from the Prime Minister's Residence, Luzi gestured for the two to remain calm. Just as he was about to stand up and go out to greet him, he saw the figure of the heroic Huang Yong appearing at the door, carrying two jars of wine.
Luzi quickly stood up and said, "I did not know that General Huang had graced us with your presence. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."
Although Huang Yong was the leader of the Twenty-Four Swordsmen from the Prime Minister's Residence, he carried no air of authority. He preferred Luzi's way of drinking rather than the pretense of formal seating arrangements. However, he understood that certain formalities must be observed; otherwise, it would disrupt decorum.
Huang Yong handed one of the wine jars to Li Xin, then bowed slightly in greeting. "Your Excellency Huang Yong! I pay my respects to the Governor!"
Comment 0 Comment Count