The banquet ended and the crowd dispersed. Yu Dayou stepped forward in public to pay his respects and report in detail on the state of the Zhejiang naval forces to Zhu Ping’an.
“Yu Big Head, stand aside for now. Report another day!” Zhao Wenhua pushed forward rudely, waving a hand to dismiss Yu Dayou. Zhao Wenhua had never held martial officers like Yu Dayou in any regard.
Mere warriors, nothing more than tools.
Yu Dayou was just a big-headed brute, a mere soldier, nothing but Zhu Ping’an’s lapdog. What importance did he deserve?
“Paying respects to Lord Zhao.”
Yu Dayou first cupped his fists in salute to Zhao Wenhua, then looked to Zhu Ping’an, seeking his wishes.
“Return first, General Yu. I am staying at…”
Zhu Ping’an nodded to Yu Dayou, telling him to go ahead and giving the name of his inn, asking him to come later.
“This general takes his leave.” Having received Zhu Ping’an’s meaning, Yu Dayou cupped his fists again in farewell to Zhu Ping’an, Zhao Wenhua, and the others.
“Zihou, come. Meilin and I have arranged a banquet at Zui Qiufeng. We shall eat and talk. I have many questions and wish to seek your guidance properly.”
Zhao Wenhua placed a hand on Zhu Ping’an’s shoulder, allowing no refusal, and steered him outwards. His words carried obvious sarcasm.
“Lord Zhu, after you.” Hu Zongxian stood on Zhu Ping’an’s other side, gesturing politely.
“Once again putting Lord Zhao and Lord Hu to expense.” Zhu Ping’an knew why Zhao Wenhua was doing this. He smiled faintly and allowed himself to be steered towards Zui Qiufeng.
Of course, Zhao Wenhua would not walk. Outside the governor’s yamen, his sedan chair already waited.
“Young master.”
At the gate, Liu Dadao and the others saw Zhu Ping’an being steered by Zhao Wenhua as though taken hostage. They tensed and moved forward to protect him.
“Dadao, stand down. No need for alarm. Lord Zhao and Lord Hu have invited me to banquet at Zui Qiufeng. Go and eat first. Wait for me downstairs later.” Zhu Ping’an waved a hand, indicating he was fine and telling Liu Dadao and the others to withdraw.
Seeing Zhu Ping’an unharmed, Liu Dadao and his men stepped back, though they did not go off to eat as instructed. Instead, they followed at a distance.
“Your personal guards are truly loyal.” Zhao Wenhua glanced back, boarded his sedan, and spoke to Zhu Ping’an.
Zhu Ping’an shared the same sedan with Zhao Wenhua. Hu Zongxian took another, following close behind.
“Lord Zhao’s guards are equally loyal, and moreover impressive and valiant.” Zhu Ping’an returned the compliment regarding Zhao Wenhua’s guards.
Zhao Wenhua’s guards rode on either side of the sedan, their armour gleaming, their mounts fine steeds. In appearance they far outshone Liu Dadao and the others trailing behind. Of course, it was only appearance. In real combat strength, they could not compare with Liu Dadao and his men. Liu Dadao and his group had been forged in battlefield slaughter. Zhao Wenhua’s guards had probably been forged at drinking tables.
Soon they reached Zui Qiufeng, an imposing restaurant of five storeys, built of brick and timber, luxuriously ornate.
“Lord Zhu, Zui Qiufeng’s full-fish banquet is the finest in Jiangnan. There is a poem: ‘Long have I heard of Xuanwu Lake, where the fish banquet’s fame endures. Plum blossoms grace the table, pine trees lie upon the dish. Carp offered thrice in tribute, two dragons play with pearls. Yet most beloved is the clear stew, fresh and tender, intoxicating as autumn wind.’ ” Hu Zongxian, widely read and retentive, recited poetry fluently as he spoke.
Within Yingtian city lay lakes, beyond the walls the Yangtze, and further still the sea. Water resources abounded, nurturing rich fish stocks.
The varieties of fish were numerous, fresh and plump. The art of preparing them was unrivalled across the land.
Zui Qiufeng was the foremost establishment in Yingtian for fish. Zhu Ping’an had heard of it. The flavour was excellent, though the prices were also foremost, exorbitantly high.
Hu Zongxian had already reserved the banquet. As soon as Zhu Ping’an and the others took their seats, a line of beautiful serving girls entered together to present the dishes.
“Delicacies emerge from jade cauldrons to soothe the hungry heart, strands of fresh fragrance filling all four sides. Do not speak of the many delicacies in heaven’s palace. Even immortals descend to earth in search of fish soup. Honoured guests, this is our signature, Wu Tan Jade Fish Soup. We select fresh jade-water fish from Wu Tan, paired with tofu personally prepared by Lady Xishi, slowly simmered over gentle heat for a full hour. The perfect marriage of fish and tofu.”
“Butterflies fly over the wall, yet one suspects spring’s beauty lies next door. This is our signature raw fish dish, Butterfly Wings. We select peach-flower perch from Taojiang in Hunan. The chef’s blade flashes, slicing thin as butterfly wings. Each piece retains…”
A serving girl introduced each dish in a sweet voice.
“Enough, enough. Down, down. Leave the dishes and withdraw. We have matters to discuss. Do not approach!”
Zhao Wenhua waved impatiently, cutting off the girl’s recitation of dish names and shooing the girls out.
The girls did not dare linger. They placed dish after dish of the full-fish banquet upon the table, arranged them neatly, curtsied, and withdrew.
As soon as the girls left and the door closed, Zhao Wenhua could wait no longer. His face darkened as he questioned Zhu Ping’an. “Zihou, what did you mean at the governor’s yamen?! Since when have you been so agreeable? Zhou Yu wants to seize your Zhejiang navy, and you happily hand it over?! You even rush to flatter him, offering to serve as his deputy?!”
“Before you came, what did you tell me? That your Zhejiang army was on leave. The army is on leave, yet you present the navy as a gift?!”
“Zihou, are you thinking I failed to become governor, so you seek a higher branch, going to lick Zhou Yu’s boots?! Tell me the truth! If you speak honestly, for the sake of our master-disciple relationship, we can part on good terms…”
Zhao Wenhua fired question after question like a resentful wife, his tone dripping with sarcasm, accusing Zhu Ping’an of seeking to climb higher.
He spoke of parting on good terms for the sake of their relationship, yet his furious expression made clear he did not mean it. His words and heart were at odds.
“Lord Zhao, calm yourself. Please take tea.” Zhu Ping’an could not help a faint smile. He rose and poured Zhao Wenhua a cup.
“No hurry for tea. Zihou, answer my questions first. Speak the truth.” Zhao Wenhua pushed the cup aside and pressed Zhu Ping’an.
“Very well. I shall answer Lord Zhao.” Zhu Ping’an smiled again.
“Zihou, speak honestly. No concealment, no deception!” Zhao Wenhua stressed once more, demanding truth.
“Lord Zhao, Lord Hu, the reason I agreed to Governor Zhou taking control of the Zhejiang navy, and even volunteered to serve as deputy under him…” Zhu Ping’an paused here, turning his gaze to Zhao Wenhua.
“Speak quickly. Do not leave us hanging.” Zhao Wenhua urged again.
Hu Zongxian also watched Zhu Ping’an intently, curious and attentive, awaiting the answer.
“Is because Lord Zhao intends to bring him down.” Zhu Ping’an said slowly.
At these words, Zhao Wenhua shot up from his seat, glaring at Zhu Ping’an with displeasure. “Zihou, you know I mean to ruin him, yet you still support him, handing over your navy. Are you deliberately opposing me?!”
Hu Zongxian also frowned in puzzlement at Zhu Ping’an.
