Zhu Ping’an was politely refused by the two eunuchs. He had no choice but to leave. Under the surveillance of the Jinyiwei, he departed from the main gate of the governor’s mansion.
Zhu Ping’an stepped out of the governor’s mansion gate, scanned around, looking for Liu Dadao and the others. However, he saw an eight-bearer grand sedan parked outside. It was extremely luxurious, without any emblem. The eight sturdy sedan bearers had sabres hanging at their waists, clearly not ordinary people. Looking further afar, he spotted Liu Dadao and the others approaching from a distance to greet him.
“Young master, are you alright? The two eunuchs arrived with the Jinyiwei to proclaim the edict, and drove us out. Those Jinyiwei seemed hostile. We were worried about you, and were about to ask someone to pass a message to you. Those Jinyiwei said today’s matter had nothing to do with you, then fiercely shoved us out. We were afraid of causing trouble for you, so we didn’t fight back, and were pushed out by them. Young master, what happened?”
Liu Dadao came forward, asking with concern.
“It’s nothing. I was also asked to leave. As for what happened, I’ll tell you when we return to the camp outside the city. This is not the place to discuss matters.” Zhu Ping’an waved his hand, speaking softly. “Let’s go. We’ll head to the camp outside the city.”
Zhu Ping’an was about to set off when suddenly the curtain of the eight-bearer grand sedan parked outside the governor’s yamen was lifted. Zhao Wenhua’s face appeared. Zhao Wenhua extended his hand from the sedan, triumphantly beckoning to Zhu Ping’an.
Zhu Ping’an told Liu Dadao and the others to wait a moment. He strode towards Zhao Wenhua, reached the sedan, and bowed with cupped hands. “Master Zhao.”
“Come up, Zihou. Today is a day of great joy. Let’s go to Yangchun Tower for a small drink.” Zhao Wenhua beckoned to Zhu Ping’an.
A day of great joy?!
Heh, today is not a day of great joy for you. Zhang Jing, Governor Zhang, has been impeached by you!
However, for me, for the Great Ming, for the people of the world, it is not a day of great joy at all!
On the contrary, it is a day of great sorrow.
You framed a loyal and good man, causing the anti-Japanese campaign that had just gotten on the right track to collapse midway. The days of the people in Jiangnan suffering from the Japanese pirates’ ravages have increased! Zhao Wenhua’s actions are truly insane and harmful without end.
After hearing this, Zhu Ping’an very much wanted to slap Zhao Wenhua back and forth. You framed a loyal man, making your relatives grieve and your enemies rejoice, yet here you are, smug and proud, taking shame as glory. Truly a complete villain!
Of course, Zhu Ping’an only thought about it. One can offend a gentleman, but not a villain, especially a villain like Zhao Wenhua who is capable, vengeful, insidious, and ruthless. He must not be offended lightly.
“Thank you for your kind intention, Master Zhao, but the student has just eaten…” Zhu Ping’an phrased a polite refusal.
Zhu Ping’an did not want to celebrate with him the impeachment of Zhang Jing!!! He was afraid he might not be able to hold back from flipping the table and cursing!!!
“Hehe, Zihou, you call me Master Zhao, yet you’re still shy with me?! In the governor’s mansion, you didn’t eat a single bite of breakfast.”
Zhao Wenhua chuckled, but his eyes were like a venomous snake, staring at Zhu Ping’an.
Uh!
Zhu Ping’an’s expression changed involuntarily. His heart was greatly shocked. How did Zhao Wenhua know that he hadn’t eaten a single bite of breakfast in Zhang Jing’s mansion?!
This, he has spies in Zhang Jing’s mansion! To know it so clearly, there must be more than one or two spies!
Moreover!
Zhao Wenhua has spies in Zhang Jing’s mansion. He knows clearly that he didn’t eat breakfast, and in such a short time. Then, his every move in Zhang Jing’s mansion must have already reached Zhao Wenhua’s ears.
He came to Zhang Jing’s mansion to save Zhang Jing, in other words, to sabotage Zhao Wenhua’s impeachment.
Zhao Wenhua must have known long ago. Then why is he waiting here?! Is it to watch Zhang Jing’s joke, or specifically waiting for him?!
Indeed, looking at Zhao Wenhua again, he noticed the ill intent in his eyes. Uh, it seems this meal must be eaten whether he wants to or not.
“Zihou, you’re famous in the capital for being able to eat, good at eating, and loving to eat. How come, you don’t want to dine with me?!”
Zhao Wenhua chuckled, looking at Zhu Ping’an with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, his tone unkind.
“How could that be? Master Zhao is overstating.” Zhu Ping’an quickly bowed with cupped hands.
“Hehe, Lord Zhu, Lord Zhao specially reserved a table of water and land eight delicacies grand banquet at Yangchun Tower. Deer antler, sea cucumber, abalone, shark fin, everything is there. If Lord Zhu doesn’t go, it would be too regrettable.”
At this moment, another person poked his head out from the eight-bearer grand sedan. It was Hu Zongxian, chuckling as he spoke to Zhu Ping’an.
“So sumptuous, then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Zhu Ping’an smoothly agreed. Anyway, he couldn’t refuse.
“Hehe, that’s right. Get in the sedan.” Zhao Wenhua nodded slightly in satisfaction.
Zhu Ping’an instructed Liu Dadao and the others, telling them to return first to the temporary camp of the Zhejiang army outside the city, and to guard the camp well.
Liu Dadao and the others insisted on waiting for Zhu Ping’an outside Yangchun Tower. Recently, Japanese pirates have been rampant. They were worried about Zhu Ping’an’s safety.
Zhu Ping’an had no choice but to let Liu Dadao and two personal guards stay, and have the others return to the temporary camp of the Zhejiang army outside the city.
Yangchun Tower, the number one tower in Jiaxing City, five storeys high, with magnificent architecture, flying eaves and upturned corners, carved beams and painted rafters. Countless brick carvings, stone carvings, jade carvings as ornaments, rockeries and flowing water, screens and curtains, designed beautifully and splendidly.
On the first floor, there were acrobatics. A thrilling tightrope walking was being performed. Two tightrope female dancers walked along a rope towards each other, meeting and passing shoulder to shoulder, smooth and fluid. The surrounding diners applauded and cheered.
On the second floor stage, a currently popular opera was being performed. Several tables of obvious literati diners watched while commenting.
The third floor…
Zhu Ping’an followed Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian up to the fifth floor. Zhao Wenhua had indeed reserved a table there.
The fifth floor had only one table, in the centre, the best viewing position. Sitting in the seat, one could overlook the shimmering river view.
As the three went upstairs, dishes of cold and hot appetisers were placed on the table. Just as Hu Zongxian said, abalone, sea cucumber, deer antler, shark fin were all on the table. Colour, aroma, taste all complete. Zhu Ping’an estimated that this table of dishes alone was conservatively worth over a hundred taels of silver.
Three people eating this table, it was truly too extravagant.
According to current grain prices, one tael of silver could buy about two shi of grain. A hundred taels of silver could buy two hundred shi of grain. This hundred taels of silver was enough for all the Zhejiang army soldiers to eat heartily for three days.
“Zihou, Meilin, take your seats.” Zhao Wenhua unceremoniously sat in the main seat, smiling as he gestured.
“Thank you, Master Zhao.”
Zhu Ping’an and Hu Zongxian exchanged pleasantries, then took their seats one after another.
Zhao Wenhua sat in the main position. Zhu Ping’an and Hu Zongxian sat on the left and right respectively. Zhu Ping’an on the left, Hu Zongxian on the right.
Zhu Ping’an sat upright, facing the delicious food before him that was full of colour, aroma, and taste. He had no appetite at all, only vigilance. This was a Hongmen Banquet. He had to be on his guard.
