Zhoucheng
A large ship was leaning against the shore. The sky was slightly dark and the waves were sparkling. On the large ship, there were some armored soldiers lined up on the deck. Their leather armors and long knives jingled, and they immediately looked murderous.
The governor looked out from the top of the boat building. As the sun set, the governor sighed, turned his head and asked an official: "Has the Marquis of Jibei been moving lately?"
"Sir, the Marquis of Jibei suffered a loss in the Dudu Mansion and was furious when he went back. Yu did not move. Now the whole family of the Marquis Mansion is shrinking its strength. It's just that the third son of the Marquis Mansion, Wei Ang, seemed to be attacked by an assassin yesterday, but he was all killed by the guards. It’s no big deal to kill him.” The official said calmly.
"Well, I also know this. These thieves are so audacious that they dare to enter the state capital to assassinate them. Are the protection personnel arranged for this banquet?" the governor asked.
"Sir, don't worry. This banquet will be guarded by soldiers. There will be patrols at the banquet. All the guests will be checked. There will never be any cases of people getting away with weapons." The official reported.
"Well, that's fine. Supervise the Marquis of Jibei for me. His son was assassinated and he suffered a big loss. At this time, the Marquis of Jibei was so quiet. I was always a little uneasy. Although the fight in the past two years was not a mortal enemy, it was I also figured out a little bit about this person’s character.”
"This man is stoic. If he doesn't move, he will be killed if he moves. You must guard against him!" the governor said, stroking his beard.
"Sir, it is necessary to be careful, but please rest assured that the supervision must be in place. It's just that the dinner is almost here now, so please prepare for the banquet!" The official said with a smile.
Governor Ai Wen even wanted to win over the scribes.
Perhaps after a hundred years of peace, the power of the governor is deeply entrenched and there is no need for this move. But now at the beginning of the founding of the country, especially when it comes to the struggle against the founding generals, it is very important to win over Shilin - not because of fame, but because most of the candidates are from local counties. of gentry.
Last time at the banquet of the Marquis of Jibei, the newly promoted Duke Xie Yuang wrote that he would be having a drink. The governor felt deeply regretful. However, the banquet had been scheduled long ago. I heard that Duke Xie Yuang had declined many banquets recently. I wonder if he will come this time. , the official thought as he watched the governor go down, stroking his beard.
The bullock cart was trotting on the road, and a bell was tied around the neck of the cow, which made a "ding-ding" sound. Pei Zi was on the bullock cart, with his eyes slightly closed, and a long sword on his leg, which seemed to be He was resting, but also seemed to be preparing and recuperating his energy.
"Xu" followed the coachman's voice and tightened the reins, stopping on the side of the river. Not far away was the governor's banquet boat in the evening. The coachman whispered to the car: "Xie Yuangong, we have arrived at the shore of the banquet boat."
Following the coachman's soft call, Pei Ziyun opened his eyes and stabilized his mind. There must be an assassin attack tonight. The memory of his past life was that the governor was not assassinated. The specific situation was blocked and not exposed. He had no choice but to take one step at a time.
"Go find a place to rest and come pick me up after the banquet in the evening." Pei Ziyun ordered the coachman. He didn't know what would happen at night, so there was no need to involve the coachman.
"Yes, Mr. Jie Yuang." The driver responded, driving the ox cart to find a place to stay.
Pei Ziyun touched the hilt of the sword, held the invitation and headed towards the banquet boat.
There was an official off the boat and several civil servants guarding the shore. Two rows of armored soldiers were lined up, and several government officials were also standing together to guard the way to the boat.
There were several officials in front holding invitations and came forward, but they were stopped by Soldier A. The officer took the invitation and inspected it. Soldier A checked whether he was carrying a weapon before letting him pass.
"Student Pei Ziyun." Pei Ziyun handed over the invitation and held it in his hand.
"It turns out to be Pei Jieyuan." The official stared at the judge. He looked just sixteen years old and was clean and tidy. Who would have thought that he could write "Jian Jin Jiu" and become famous throughout the state
Then he smiled and said, "Please ask Pei Jieyuan to solve the sword."
Although Pei Ziyun was allowed to carry his sword, this was a governor's banquet and could not be carried with him. Pei Ziyun was startled and took off his sword. A Yamen servant came forward to take it and then let Pei Ziyun board the ship.
When we got to the ship, it was a big ship with four floors, all made of wood. There were armored soldiers guarding all sides. There were colorful flags fluttering in the wind. Some officials were blowing and talking on the side of the ship. It looked like a peaceful and prosperous time.
Entering the ship building, there is a stage inside. On the stage, the dancer is dancing gracefully with a red long ling in her hand. Many officials in the audience are sitting on the table and watching the performance.
Pei Ziyun carefully observed the surrounding environment. The windows were all wide open and the wind was blowing in. The second floor had no ceiling and was empty. The second floor could just watch the dancing on the first floor. There were lights and colorful decorations everywhere, lanterns and red hangings. Bu, very lively.
It's just that Pei Ziyun frowned. This environment was not conducive to protection and assassination, or he didn't expect that Japanese pirates would come upstream from the river and attack in the middle of the night. This couldn't be said directly.
I took a few steps and looked carefully. In addition to officials, there were also some celebrities, judges, and even a few scholars at the banquet. Some of them I had met at the last cultural banquet in the Hou Mansion.
A man came up to him and saluted: "Mr. Xie Yuangong, it's so rare to see him. I was really lucky to see him at the Marquis Mansion's banquet last time. I wonder if Mr. Xie Yuangong will have a masterpiece tonight."
Pei Ziyun looked around and saw that the famous scholar Li Shi was well-known in the state capital. There was this person in the Marquis Mansion in Jibei last time. Fu Juren introduced him specially. Hearing this question, he smiled: "It turns out to be Mr. Li. Is there anyone?" To write poems, you still need to drink a few glasses of wine. Without wine, there is no poetry."
"Haha, Mr. Jie Yuang is really brave. He invited us to sit here. They are all people from the state capital. It is really suitable for us to talk about poetry and classics together." After saying this, Li Ming came up and pulled Pei Ziyun to sit together.
The night was getting late, and just after the hour of Unity, everyone was still waiting to continue their discussion, when someone suddenly heard someone shouting: "The Governor is here!"
"It seems that we can't have fun talking now." Li Ming smiled and sighed, but saw several soldiers lined up and an official turned around and came out.
At this time, drum music was playing softly. Pei Ziyun squinted and looked at the setting sun. A piece of blood-red water, with waves hitting the side of the ship layer by layer. Two armored soldiers stood with their swords pressed like nails. Other soldiers stood in line on both sides. On the side, there was a solemn and majestic look in an instant.
In an instant, the group saluted: "I've met the Governor."
The governor smiled: "Thank you for your kindness, get up quickly. Today we will only talk about articles, regardless of rank."
After saying a few more words, the banquet was announced.
As the banquet started, people serving food came and went, and it was very lively. When the wine was served, someone came forward, holding a wine glass and said: "Mr. Xie Yuangong, I just heard you say that no poem can be written without wine. Now The wine is here, I'll toast you three glasses, you have a good article."
This person's voice was loud and his language was provocative. These people heard people everywhere praising Xie Yuan and Pei Ziyun's extraordinary literary talent, and they were very unconvinced. After hearing what Pei Ziyun said just now, they came up to propose a toast and ask for the article.
Pei Ziyun glanced at him, his facial features were not very regular, and his words were not right. Pei Ziyun smiled coldly and said, "To write poetry, you need not only wine, but also a mood. But when I see you, I don't know how to do it." To change my mood, there is wine but no poetry."
This person himself is provocative and speaks in a strange and sinister manner: "Whatever makes you feel bad, why you have wine but no poetry, I'm afraid it's an excuse for not having poetry."
The voice spoke loudly, and Pei Ziyun was disgusted. Whether on Earth in his previous life or here, there were always many people like this. As long as you were nice, he would be jealous and think of ways to find fault.
"Ignorant person." Pei Ziyun raised his eyelids slightly and said sarcastically but ignored, "I will do whatever you ask me to do. Who are you?" Do you have this face
This noise also attracted the attention of those in front. The governor raised his eyelids and asked: "Who is that young man?"
"Sir, that young man was the one who made a splash in the Marquis Mansion a few days ago and wrote about Pei Ziyun and Pei Jieyuan." The official beside the governor smiled and said, "Actually, you have seen him before, but now we are far apart."
It was common for scholars to look down on each other at literary banquets, but the governor didn't care, so he ordered: "Please come to me for Jieyuan."
Following the governor's instructions, a guard went to invite Pei Ziyun: "Gong Xie Yuan, the governor has invited you, please tell me beforehand."
Only then did Pei Ziyun happily agree. The person who had just provoked him looked at him with hot eyes, full of unwillingness.
As Pei Ziyun came closer, he could truly see the governor in his past life. He was an elegant man, tall and tall, in his forties, with a bookish air and a dignified expression of authority. He looked at Pei Ziyun coming forward and smiled. Said: "Mr. Xie Yuangong, I heard a few days ago that you wrote a poem about three cups of wine at the Marquis Mansion in Jibei, and composed "Jinjinjiu". It spread to the state capital. It is simply expensive in Luoyang. I don't know if Mr. Xie Yuangong will come today and have any masterpieces." ?”
At this moment, a voice was heard: "Your Excellency Governor, just now Duke Xie Yuang came to the door and said that with wine and poetry, there must be a masterpiece."
It turned out that the man just now had followed him. Hearing Pei Ziyun's words from a distance, he became impatient.
"Kuo Nao, the governor is talking, you have no place to interrupt. Get out of here quickly." The official next to the governor stepped forward and reprimanded him loudly. Only then did he realize that he had made a mistake and offended the governor, so he quickly retreated and sat down. Down.
The Governor didn't care, he smiled and said to Pei Ziyun, "Is this what Jieyuan meant?"
Pei Ziyun smiled and said: "When you are about to drink, don't stop drinking. The last time you drank three glasses of wine, it was poetic. Now if the Governor pours three glasses of wine, I can also compose a poem."
The governor seemed arrogant when he spoke, and the official's expression changed a bit, so he stepped forward to reprimand him.
The governor knew that Pei Ziyun had entered the Taoist sect and would not continue to progress in his official career. He stretched out his hand and pressed it lightly, smiling: "What's the difficulty? But three cups is too stingy. Last time you drank three cups, you have to The wine is about to be served. Come, I will pour you seven glasses of wine today. I wonder what kind of poem you can make after drinking it."
The man next to the governor took the wine glass, poured seven glasses in a row, and said: "Please!"
"Haha, this wine millet is grown in the field, removed from the mortar, measured in a bucket, filled into a bag, soaked in spring water, made into medicine, and drank from the cup. A gentleman should drink a few more cups." Pei Ziyun laughed, took the wine, and said, "With one sip, he drank a full glass, and the whole audience immediately applauded.
(End of chapter)