Chapter 149 Nine Bowls of Farewell Wine

The next day, Pei Yan prepared to set off for the capital. The rising sun cast a layer of gold on the walls of Baishui Pass. In front of the temporary tent built outside the pass, Ashina had already ordered people to prepare a farewell banquet.

Pei Yan walked out of the tent in a dark uniform and was stunned by the scene in front of him. Nine small tables were lined up in a row, and on each table was a wine bowl made of different materials - pottery bowl, wooden bowl, copper bowl, silver bowl, gold bowl, jade bowl, horn bowl, stone bowl, leather bowl, shining in the morning light.

"This is..." Pei Yan raised his eyebrows and looked at Ashina.

Ashina wore the formal dress of a Tuoba prince today. His curly brown hair was tied with a gold ring and he had a curved knife on his waist. He touched his chest with his right hand and performed a standard grassland salute: "Your Majesty, this is the most solemn nine bowls of farewell wine on our grassland. Please allow me to serve it to you."

Mo Yuan whispered, "Your Majesty, it's getting late and we have to hurry..."

Pei Yan raised his hand to stop him, a gentle smile in his eyes: "Since it is Ashina's good intention, how can I let him down?"

Ashina's eyes lit up, and he immediately walked to the first table and held up the pottery bowl with both hands: "The first bowl is made of clay from the earth. May Your Majesty step on the mountains and rivers and your country be forever strong!"

Pei Yan took the ceramic bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The wine was mare's milk wine unique to the grassland, mellow with a slight sourness.

"The second bowl is carved from birch wood, symbolizing life. May Your Majesty stand tall like a green pine and live forever!" Ashina handed over the wooden bowl.

Pei Yan drank it all again, and a faint blush appeared on his face.

"The third bowl is made of bronze and has been tempered by fire. May Your Majesty be invincible and unstoppable."

Nine bowls of wine, nine kinds of blessings. When Pei Yan drank the fifth golden bowl, he shook his head gently: "Ashina, I can't drink much. I appreciate the rest."

Ashina grinned and said, "Your Majesty, you have already given me enough respect by drinking five bowls. According to grassland rules, I will drink the rest for you!"

After that, he picked up the sixth jade bowl, raised his head and drank it all: "The sixth bowl, flawless white jade, may your majesty have a heart as clear as a mirror, seeing through thousands of miles!"

Mo Yuan was stunned. He had stopped him just now because Pei Yan was drunk, but he didn't expect that... Pei Yan couldn't help but chuckle.

When Ashina drank the last bowl of wine in the leather wine vessel, his face had become as red as an autumn maple leaf, but his eyes were surprisingly bright.

"Brother Pei...Brother Pei!" Ashina was so drunk that he forgot to address her as a respectful title and grabbed Pei Yan's hand. "I have a gift for you!"

He pulled out an exquisite dagger from his bosom. The sheath was inlaid with seven gems of different colors: "The ruby ​​represents Tuoba, the sapphire represents Xianbei, and the obsidian represents Tiele... The seven northern tribes, let us form an eternal alliance!"

Pei Yan took the dagger and felt it was heavy in his hand. He solemnly put it on his waist, then took out a white jade pendant from his sleeve: "I also have a gift for you."

The word "Yonghe" is engraved on the jade pendant, and on the back is a simple map of the territories of the Great Wei and Tuoba tribes.

"This..." Ashina was speechless for a moment, holding the jade pendant.

"Take it." Pei Yan said gently, "Seeing this jade is like seeing me. If there is any trouble on the border, you can go directly to Chang'an to see me with this jade."

Ashina suddenly knelt on one knee and placed the jade pendant on his forehead: "I, Ashina Tuoba, swear to Changshengtian that as long as I am still alive, I will ensure peace on the border!"

Pei Yan helped him up and found that Ashina's eyes were a little red. He just sighed: Life's encounters are really amazing.

"Your Majesty, it's time to set off." Mo Yuan reminded softly.

Pei Yan nodded and took one last look around the border. The outline of Yonghe City is already clearly visible, and early-rising caravans are queuing up to enter the market; on the grassland in the distance, shepherds are slowly driving their sheep; further away, the Sunset Plain, which was once a river of blood, is now covered with green grass...

"Ashina." Pei Yan jumped on his horse and suddenly said, "I will come again at the autumnal equinox next year."

Ashina looked up at Pei Yan on horseback. The morning light outlined a golden edge for the Wei emperor, making him look like a god. He nodded heavily: "I'm waiting! I'll take you to see the most beautiful sunset on the grassland!"

Pei Yan smiled and kicked the horse's belly. The horse neighed loudly, raising a cloud of dust. Mo Yuan led his personal guards to follow closely behind. The team was like a long dragon, moving towards the distance.

Ashina stood there until the team disappeared from his sight. He looked down at the jade pendant in his hand. The sunlight shone through the word "Yonghe" and cast a clear shadow on the ground.

"Someone come!" He suddenly shouted loudly, "Prepare the horses! Go to Yonghe City for inspection!"

The attendant brought a fine horse, and Ashina mounted it and galloped in the opposite direction of Pei Yan. The wind blew up his robe, and the sword at his waist collided with the jade pendant, making a crisp sound.