The entourages of Pingxi County Magistrate Ye Tiancheng and Pingxi County Military Governor Huangfu Qianqi arrived outside the Chu family manor almost at the same time at 1:00 p.m. There were not many people following the two men to the banquet. Huangfu Qianqi only brought two personal soldiers with him, while Ye Tiancheng brought a little more people, but including the coachman and his entourage, there were no more than six people.
Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji were arranged by Sun Bingchen to welcome the two people at the gate of the manor.
At this time, it was just getting dark.
"Greetings, His Excellency the County Magistrate!" Huangfu Qianqi jumped off the horse and saluted Ye Tiancheng first.
“Hahaha, so the commander-in-chief has also arrived. That’s great, let’s go in together…” Ye Tiancheng, who got off the carriage, laughed when he saw Huangfu Qianqi had also arrived. He and Huangfu Qianqi walked towards the main gate of the manor with a friendly look on their faces, and their entourage followed behind them.
Seeing the two people stop at the gate of the manor, Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji, who were waiting at the gate, immediately went to greet them. After bowing to the two people according to official etiquette, the two men led the way and welcomed the two people in.
"You are Yan Liqiang, the one chosen by the inspector, right? You are indeed a young hero!" As soon as he entered the manor, Ye Tiancheng took a look at Yan Liqiang, who was leading the way, and praised him loudly, "The inspector is indeed a discerning person. He has only been in Pingxi City for a few days, and he has snatched away a talented person from my Pingxi County. It's a pity. If I had met you earlier, I guess the inspector would not have this opportunity. What do you think, Lord Governor?"
"Those chosen by the inspector are naturally promising talents!" Huangfu Qianqi said implicitly.
"Thank you for the compliments, my Excellencies. I am lucky. I just learned a few things from Lord Sun..." Yan Liqiang said with pretended panic. At this time, walking together with Huangfu Qianqi and Ye Tiancheng again in this identity, Yan Liqiang had a different feeling in his heart. The so-called wonder of fate was just like this, but he still looked like a young boy.
“Well, you should work hard under Lord Sun in the future. With Lord Sun’s support, it will be no problem for you to make achievements in your career. But by then, Li Qiang, you must not forget that you were born and raised in Pingxi County. The people of Pingxi County are all thinking about you…” Ye Tiancheng spoke earnestly and expectantly, full of “leadership” style. After hearing this, Yan Liqiang naturally nodded quickly.
While they were talking, Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji had already led Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi through a courtyard, where a team of ceremonial guards accompanying Sun Bingchen were loading things onto the carriage.
"Li Qiang, why is Lord Sun leaving?" Ye Tiancheng asked casually.
"Well, the adults have asked us to pack up and prepare to leave tomorrow..." Yan Liqiang glanced at Liang Yiji and answered honestly.
"Lord Sun has worked hard in Pingxi County for many days..." Ye Tiancheng said with a smile.
After walking a few more steps, the followers of Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi were led to the side hall to eat and rest. Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji continued to lead the two people to the main hall of the manor. After a few steps, the four of them walked to the main hall and saw Sun Bingchen standing at the door of the main hall, looking at them with a smile. Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi hurriedly stepped forward and performed the etiquette of subordinates to Sun Bingchen.
"Greetings, Lord Sun!"
"Greetings, Lord Sun!"
"Hahaha, it's not the first time we meet, no need to be polite!" Sun Bingchen waved his hand, then said to Liang Yijie calmly, "Yijie, you are not needed here, go and tell someone to take the things we need to leave with us, Liqiang can stay here with us!"
"Yes, sir!" Liang Yiji bowed to Sun Bingchen, then took his leave.
"Please come in, my lords!"
"Please, Lord Sun!"
Sun Bingchen and Ye Tiancheng exchanged polite words with Huangfu Qianqi and then walked into the main hall.
Sun Bingchen sat as the chairman in the main hall, Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi sat on the left and right respectively. Yan Liqiang, as Sun Bingchen's attendant, stood next to the screen two meters behind Sun Bingchen, standing solemnly, ready to respond to Sun Bingchen's call at any time.
As the banquet began, the servants in the manor brought up the prepared wine and food in the blink of an eye. Next to Sun Bingchen, Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi, there was a pretty maid responsible for pouring wine. The atmosphere in the whole hall was relaxed and harmonious.
Sun Bingchen raised his glass, and Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi also raised their glasses.
Sun Bingchen sighed, "I remember that the last time I came to Ganzhou was 27 years ago. At that time, I accompanied the Minister of War, Gu Hongzhang, to Ganzhou to inspect the frontier army's armaments. I didn't expect that 27 years have passed since I came to Ganzhou again. In these 27 years, Ganzhou has changed a lot. It used to be a place of hundreds of battles, but now there are cities and fertile fields everywhere. My Chinese people have taken root in Ganzhou again. These days, I have walked around as an inspector and have a look. It is really gratifying. This situation and this scene, we are waiting here today to make it clear. The two adults, please!"
As soon as Sun Bingchen finished his opening remarks, he drank the wine in the glass. Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi saw this and drank the wine in their glasses as well. Today's banquet officially began with this glass of wine.
"Ganzhou's ability to have such a grand occasion is naturally inseparable from the strong support of the officials in the court and the blood, sweat and bravery of the soldiers in the state. I propose that this second glass of wine be dedicated to the officials in the court and the soldiers in the state!" After Ye Tiancheng finished drinking the wine, the maid next to him poured him another glass. He picked up the wine and took the initiative to speak.
"Hahaha, Lord Ye's suggestion is great. This second glass of wine is for the officials in the court and the soldiers in the state!" Sun Bingchen also laughed...
…
Although Yan Liqiang was not sitting at the table, as a bystander, he had a different feeling when he experienced such a drinking party and watched the three people chatting and toasting in the main hall.
Among the three, Huangfu Qianqi has the lowest official position and therefore speaks the least. If no one talks to him, he seldom speaks on his own initiative and always responds from the side. Sun Bingchen is in control of the overall situation and Ye Tiancheng cooperates on the side. The atmosphere seems to be extremely harmonious.
By the time the wine had been drunk for more than seventy minutes and the meal had finished three portions, and the food on the table had completely cooled down, almost an hour had passed and it was already dark outside.
Just when the atmosphere in the dining room was at its most lively, Liang Yiji had appeared at the door of the hall at some point and personally had someone bring in the freshly prepared wine and food.
"Yijie, why are you here?" Sun Bingchen asked Liang Yijie.
"Sir, the things to be taken away tomorrow have been packed. Let me see if you have any other instructions!" Liang Yiji bowed.
"It's done. That's good. You can leave now!" Sun Bingchen said with a smile.
Others might think this is normal, but for Yan Liqiang, who has been with Sun Bingchen for many days, it was the first time he saw Liang Yijie come to Sun Bingchen in person to report such a small matter. He always felt a little strange. You know, Liang Yijie has a rather cold temper, and he rarely asks about these small matters, let alone come to report in person.
Yan Liqiang looked at Liang Yiji's face carefully again, and found that Liang Yiji's face seemed calm, but even in this calmness, there was a hint of indifference and determination that was not usually there.
For some reason, Yan Liqiang suddenly felt his heart tighten while listening to the conversation between Liang Yiji and Sun Bingchen.
"yes!"
Liang Yijie turned around, and when he passed by Ye Tiancheng, he suddenly attacked. A sword light flew out from his waist and swept towards Ye Tiancheng next to him...
(End of this chapter)