Fang Jie took Mo Ningzhi's hand and walked slowly into the main entrance of Mu Mansion. This pair of Bi people attracted the attention of the servants who were welcoming guests at the door of Mu Mansion and couldn't help but keep following them. Mu Guangling, Duke of Ning, was waiting at the door in formal attire. When he saw Fang Xie approaching, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him with a smile: "I have long heard that Duke Zhen is a once-in-a-hundred-year-old talent in the Sui Dynasty. Only when I saw him today did I realize that I have heard so much praise before." Words are not enough to praise the demeanor of Lord Zhen Guo."
Fang Jie clasped his fists and saluted: "Duke Ning is absurdly praised, and he is extremely terrified."
Mu Guangling came over with a smile, pulled Fang Jie's arm and walked inside: "The last time Quanzi came back and said that Lord Zhen Guo would come to my house as a guest, I have been waiting and looking forward to it, and today I finally have you here. Although you and I are new to each other, I have heard the name of Duke Zhen for a long time. Protecting the southwestern part of the Sui Dynasty, expelling the barbarians, and destroying the Southern Yan by myself. "
He said as he walked, "I admire Yinghao the most. I am really happy to meet Lord Zhen Guo today."
Fang Jie smiled and said: "This time it's a private matter, I didn't dare to bother the family, it's fate to meet the young man, if I don't come to visit again, it would be rude."
"Where is the need to be so polite."
Mu Guangling said: "After Gouzi came back, he praised Lord Zhen Guo greatly, and even cited him as an example. If he doesn't see you, he doesn't know the heights of heaven and earth. He has been arrogant since he was a child, and this time he finally met someone who convinced him. It will be of great benefit to him in the future."
When these words came out of his mouth, there was no trace of hypocrisy in his tone. Fang Xie couldn't help but praise in his heart, it's really skillful to be able to say something that is unconscionable so sincerely.
The two exchanged pleasantries as they walked, and said some dispensable compliments. After arriving at the living room, a young servant served fragrant tea, which was rock tea from Wuyi Mountain in the south of the Yangtze River, which was very valuable.
Mu Guangling said a few more polite words, and then asked about the Southwest of the Sui Dynasty. Fang Jie casually told the story of the Black Banner Army's expulsion of the Heren and the suppression of Nanyan, and Mu Guangling once again highly appreciated it. When chatting with someone like Mu Guangling, there will never be an embarrassing moment when there is nothing to say. This person is extremely enthusiastic, but not unfamiliar, and can always find a topic.
"Da Sui needs someone like Duke Zhen to turn the tide."
Mu Guangling sighed after listening to Fang's explanation of some things in the southwest: "I also wanted to lead troops eastward to serve the country, but I dare not leave my post without the imperial order. I was ordered to guard the eastern border and protect the safety of thousands of people. , even if I am anxious, I can't leave easily. Every time I think of the country's disaster and I can't do anything, I feel inexplicable pain in my heart."
He was silent for a while and then said: "If there is an order from the imperial court, I will immediately lead Dongjiang's son to fight the rebels to the death. But as a subject, I have the responsibility to guard the land. I am worried that once I leave with my troops, Dongjiang will also Chaos ensued. Although I don't have any skills, but if I stay in Dongjiang for a day, it will be safe and stable here."
"Duke Ning is the pillar of the country."
Fang Jie said: "There is chaos everywhere in the Sui Dynasty, but the eastern border is peaceful as before. I am quite shocked by what I saw and heard all the way here. The people are happy and the legal system is peaceful. Before my arrival, Her Royal Highness specially instructed that if you see Duke Ning, you must thank you on her behalf."
"This is the duty of a minister, how dare His Highness the Eldest Princess thank you?"
Mu Guangling said: "My greatest wish in life is the peace and harmony of the people in the world. When the late emperor asked me to guard the Eastern Frontier, it was a great trust. How dare I not do my best?"
"correct… "
Mu Guangling stood up suddenly, and the other party clasped his fists and said, "I should have apologized to Zhen Guogong first, but I forgot it in a moment of excitement. When Quanzi and his guards met you a while ago, I was quite disrespectful. I have already been punished. I hope that Zhenguo Gong Haihan, the fault of this matter is mine after all. As a father, I failed to educate my children well, which is my responsibility. As a minister, I failed to lead my subordinates well, this is my negligence... Please Zhen Guo Forgive me."
"Where is such a thing?"
Fang Jie also stood up and bowed back: "I really like the straightforward nature of the young man. I am about the same age as him. If possible, I would like to be friends with him."
"That would be the best."
Mu Guangling smiled, pretending to think of something suddenly, pointed to the person standing beside him and introduced: "This is Su Yang, the head teacher of the Penglai Sect, and also the mentor of the dog. The Duke is also extremely admired, so he begged me to bring him to see you."
Fang Jie cupped his fists towards Su Yang: "Headmaster Su, I've admired you for a long time."
Su Yang hurriedly leaned over and saluted: "Young Master, you are being polite. The grass people just admire the style of the Duke. Knowing that the Duke is coming to the Mu Mansion, he couldn't bear it, so he ran over and asked Mr. Ning to introduce him on his behalf."
"Sit, sit, sit."
Mu Guangling said: "I've already asked someone to prepare a banquet, and I'm going to get drunk with Lord Zhen Guo today."
Fang Jie smiled: "I dare not get drunk when I am outside."
There was a flash of strangeness in Mu Guangling's eyes, as if it had never appeared before. Hearing what Fang Jie said, he nodded quickly: "Small drink to enjoy yourself, drink hard to make things worse, I am also the leader of the army, so I know this truth, so I won't get you drunk, but I don't want to have a drink with you, I feel unwilling."
He beckoned: "Come here, bring the food and wine!"
Outside, a row of soldiers in livery came in one after another, holding trays one by one, and soon, the table was full. Originally, according to the custom of the Han people in the Sui Dynasty, even when entertaining the best friends, they would share the meals. The more distinguished guests they met, the stricter the rules. However, as I got more in contact with the Mongolian Yuan people, Eastern Chu people, and northern barbarians, it became rare to share meals.
"This is the signature dish of Juxing Building in Dongding City, called Ziqi Donglai..."
He glanced at Fang Jie meaningfully: "Come, Lord Zhen Guo, how about this taste?"
…
…
"I heard that Lord Zhen Guo wandered around the world when he was young, but I just heard about it but don't know the details. If Lord Zhen Guo doesn't mind, can you tell me about it?"
Su Yang glanced at Fang Jie and said slowly.
Fang Jie's background has always been criticized by those from wealthy families. In their view, Fang Jie's background is humble. Of course, those who secretly commented like this absolutely dare not say that in front of Fang Jie. Now that Fang Jie's family dominates in the southwest, who would dare to talk nonsense about right and wrong among those so-called aristocratic families? At most, he secretly said something about Fang Xie's humble background to comfort himself, and secretly said it as if he had taken revenge.
When Su Yang mentioned this, he naturally had no good intentions.
"Why would you mind?"
Fang Jie said with a smile: "Before I was fifteen years old, I was on the run. Just this one sentence will satisfy Master Su, right?"
Su Yang blushed slightly, and quickly explained: "I'm just curious about the past of the Duke of the Kingdom, and I looked at the Duke of the Kingdom Haihan when I was rude. The heroes of the world don't ask where they come from. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, the great general Li Xiaoping settled Jiangnan and established Shi Zhigong also came from a poor family, and after a hundred years, the Li family became a prominent family in the Northwest. Although Li Xiao did not come from a family, he built a family, which is admirable."
Fang Jie smiled and said, "Master Su compares me to the Li family, how dare I accept it."
Mu Guangling hurriedly interjected, "Headmaster Su is an outsider who lives on Penglai Island, so his words are unavoidably blunt, but he definitely has no disrespect towards Lord Zhen Guo. Headmaster Su, why don't you apologize to Lord Zhen Guo? "
Su Yang quickly stood up, picked up the jug and poured Fang Jie a glass of wine. When he picked up the wine jug, he held the inner strength in his palm, and the wine changed immediately. It seemed that there was no change on the surface, but it became extremely strong. At this time, there was no degree of alcohol to speak of, but his inner strength was in the wine. After walking around in the jug, the wine was much hotter than before.
Fang Jie didn't seem to notice anything, raised his glass and said, "You and I drink together."
Su Yang smiled and said: "I apologize for the Duke, and I deserve to drink with you."
He poured himself a glass, then picked it up and looked at Fang Jie. Fang Jie chuckled and drank the wine in the glass. Su Yang originally thought that Fang Jie would react to it being so hot, but who would have thought that Fang Jieyun would drink it calmly, without showing the slightest sign. Su Yang's heart was shocked, seeing Fang Jie's eyes looking over, he quickly raised his glass to drink.
puff!
After taking this sip, he immediately spit it out again.
The wine in his glass became abnormally cold for some reason. After taking a sip of the wine, a layer of frost formed on his lips in an instant, and the frost was still spreading outwards. In an instant, half of Su Yang's face turned into cold. Cyan purple. Fang Jie lowered his head and smiled, tapped his fingers on the table lightly, his eyes were full of smiles.
Su Yang quickly used his internal energy to suppress the chill, but he was speechless for a while. He stood there awkwardly, neither sitting nor standing.
"Good wine."
Fang Jie smiled and said two words, poured himself another glass: "Su Zhangjiao, I will pay you another glass."
Su Yang wanted to refuse, but at this time, refusing would mean admitting defeat. He provoked this secret fight, so he naturally refused to lose face. He raised his wine glass nervously, and tried to make the wine milder with his inner strength in his palm. Fang Jie drank it down again, so he had no choice but to drink with him.
puff!
Su Yang spit out the second sip of wine immediately, and saw that the remaining wine in the glass he was holding was bubbling, like boiling water. In an instant, his originally blue-purple lips changed again, becoming red and red, as if they were baked.
Fang Jie's face darkened: "Headmaster Su, what do you mean?"
Su Yang wanted to argue, but couldn't open his mouth at all.
He had chatted with Zhou Changmei and knew that Fang Jie had an invisible means of cultivation, which was why Zhou Changmei was at a disadvantage. He had already been careful, but he didn't expect Fang Xie's invisible force to penetrate into every hole. He didn't even notice when Fang Jie tampered with his wine.
Mu Guangling's eyes froze, he looked at Su Yang and said, "Headmaster Su, you are being too rude. Could it be that you don't like the wine in my house, or the wine is too cheap."
He reached out and took the wine glass in Su Yang's hand, and drank it in one gulp: "My wine has been sealed for twenty years, it's the best wine, why do you vomit?"
He glanced at Fang Jie, and something different flickered in his eyes.
…
…
"How long will Lord Zhen Guo stay in Dongjiang?"
Mu Guangling asked after putting down his glass.
Fang Jiedao: "After today's meeting, I will set off to go back. I was ordered by the emperor to guard the southwest of the Sui Dynasty. I have been away for several months. If I don't go back, I am afraid that something will happen. I will eat the emperor's salary and be loyal to the emperor, so I plan to go back tomorrow. Depart early in the morning and head back to the southwest."
"oh."
Mu Guangling said with a oh: "When I arrive in the eastern border, I can't lose my courtesy. And now the eastern border is not as good as before, and bandits are rampant everywhere. Why don't I send some people to escort Zhen Guogong back? Zhen Guogong Don't be polite, this is my duty, and at worst, I will send it to Shengfang Pavilion by the river."
When he said the words Shengfangting, he gave Fang Xie a meaningful look.
Fang Jie smiled and said, "Duke Ning is being polite. I didn't bring any gifts when I came to visit, so I had to ask someone to buy some on the way. If the gifts I bought are not good enough, don't blame Ning Guogong."
"how come."
Mu Guangling smiled, and just as he was about to continue, he saw Zhou Fu, the old butler of the mansion, come in quickly from the outside, and then whispered something in his ear, Mu Guangling's face turned cold, and he looked at Fang Xie said: "Duke Zhen has a heart, the gift you gave me has arrived."
Fang Jie took a sip from his wine glass and said with a smile, "Etiquette is light and affection is heavy, as long as Duke Ning doesn't dislike it."
Outside the gate of the Mu Mansion, two things suddenly flew from a distance, and the gatekeepers didn't see where the things came from, let alone the person who threw them. But they recognized these two things, not only did they know them, but they were very familiar with them.
Of these two things, one is the head of Qingya, and the other is the head of Baimei.
Both eyes were open on the heads of the two people, and it was obvious that they were dying. The gatekeeper naturally knew these two people, so he backed away in fright. It seemed that the eyes on the two heads were so unwilling.