Chapter Thirty-Nine: Flowers Overflow the Banquet, Heart Trembles
“Just because they don’t send troops themselves doesn’t mean they can’t send their allies to probe and harass us.” Zhong Li’an put down his small bowl and looked earnestly at Qi Kun.
Qi Kun stood up as expected, "Xiao Yan and her brother's current power was obtained by colluding with treacherous officials. Xiao Yun was extremely good at this when she came to power, and she must be doing the same today."
"Our alliance with Jiangnan is no small matter, especially since we have gained a new talent." As he spoke, he smiled and glanced at Cen Xun, who was drinking pear soup with his head down. "In Jiangnan, Tongxi is no small figure. So in my opinion, they will most likely send some henchmen to test us."
Zhong Li'an took a sip of the still-warm pear soup and nodded. "From this perspective, there shouldn't be any major problems. Some of the forces around Xiao Yan have either pledged allegiance to him, or are still wavering, while others are just waiting to reap the benefits."
"Doesn't this just show how fast we've grown?" Zhongli Shuo crossed his arms nonchalantly and smiled at Zhongli An. "Brother, don't worry. We're not even afraid of Xiao Yan, so what are her few lackeys?"
Yang Xiao nodded upon hearing this. "Now that our lord's cause is taking shape and Xiao Yan's foundation is not yet secure, there is no possibility of a large-scale war between us and the enemy." She smiled and put her arm around Cen Xun's shoulder. "With Master and Tong Xi here, plus our well-trained soldiers, no matter what tricks Xiao Yan has up his sleeve, we can turn the tables on him!"
“That’s right.” Bai Ming also looked at Yang Xiao approvingly. “We’ll deal with whatever comes our way.”
“What you three say is absolutely right,” Zhong Li’an said with a heartfelt smile. “You have all made great contributions in the south, and Tongxi has just arrived in the north.” He stood up and looked at everyone gently. “Why don’t we hold a celebration banquet for all of you meritorious officials tonight, and also give Tongxi a welcome feast?”
“Great!” Zhongli Shuo stood up happily upon hearing about the banquet, but then he thought for a moment and leaned on Zhongli An’s arm. “Wait a minute, brother, Tongxi is new here, and the strategist and Lingyu Zhaoqing have made great contributions in the south. What about me? You need to think of a reason for me to attend the banquet, quick.”
Everyone laughed upon hearing this. Zhongli An chuckled and stepped forward, patting Zhongli Shuo on the shoulder. "Then I'll give you the honor of guarding the four prefectures from foreign invasion. Will you come with us?"
“Okay,” Zhong Lishuo smiled and put his arm around Zhong Li’an’s back, looking at the laughing crowd beside him. “It’s getting late, why don’t we get ready to go?”
Zhong Li'an smiled and nodded, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd. "Everyone, the banquet is ready. Please follow me."
Amidst laughter and chatter, the group stepped into the sunset-lit sky.
-
A stove had already been set up next to the pavilion, and plates of sliced meat were placed on a long table beside it.
“Great, brother,” Zhongli Shuo couldn’t help but run over to the table, looked at it with delight for a moment, and then looked back at everyone, “So you were prepared all along.”
Zhong Lishuo nodded with a light laugh, his hands behind his back. "Yes, it's getting cold and winter is just around the corner. Let's roast some meat to warm everyone up."
“You really are very thoughtful,” Yang Xiao chimed in, then glanced at Cen Xun beside her. “I just don’t know if you, Tongxi, will be able to eat it.”
Cen Xun looked at Yang Xiao and couldn't help but laugh. "Really, not all people from Jiangnan become monks." She turned to look at Zhong Li'an. "It's truly a fortunate thing to be treated so well by the governor so soon after arriving in the north."
“You’ve come all this way, so we’ll definitely treat you well,” Zhongli Shuo said with a smile as he walked back to Cen Xun. “Besides, there will be plenty of times like this in Jizhou, so relax and do whatever you want.”
“Alright,” Zhong Li’an put his arm around Zhong Li’s shoulder and chuckled, “Since we’re all here, we’re all family. Why bother with all the small talk? Like those two.” Zhong Li’an nodded at Yang Xiao and Bai Ming, “We’ve known each other for a long time, yet they’re always being so polite to each other.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao crossed her arms reproachfully, "Oh, my lord..."
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore." Zhong Li'an shook his head with a smile, coaxing and accommodating him, and then greeted everyone, "Please have a seat."
Zhongli Shuo pulled Bai Ming to sit with him, then handed the meat to the soldier next to him. He looked around, then looked at Zhongli An with a puzzled expression, "Brother, something's not right. How can there be no wine at a victory celebration?"
"A little wine is good for the soul, but too much is bad for your health." Zhong Li'an set his plate aside and looked up at Zhong Li Shuo.
"But……"
Before Zhong Lishuo could finish speaking, Bai Ming chuckled and patted his shoulder, "You didn't drink, but the three of us drank on the ship."
"Alright, Zhaoqing," Zhongli Shuo smiled and pointed at Bai Ming, "Why are you still secretly drinking behind my back?"
Bai Ming took the opportunity to back away, and coaxed with a smile, "How can I drink behind your back? I'm not under your command, do I have to report to you about drinking?"
“Honestly,” Zhong Lishuo chuckled and slumped onto the table, “I always feel like something’s missing if I don’t drink.”
Yang Xiao turned her head and smiled, "What, is it bad to use tea instead of wine?"
Zhong Lishuo chuckled and shook his head. "No, it's too bitter."
“I don’t think so.” Before Zhong Lishuo could finish speaking, Cen Xun interrupted him with a smile.
"Oh?" Zhong Lishuo immediately raised his head, his eyes lighting up. "What do you mean by that, Miss Cen?"
Yang Xiao sat to the side with her arms crossed, watching the two of them with a knowing smile.
Cen Xun chuckled and took out a small packet of tea from his sleeve, handing it to the soldier beside him and nodding gently, "Thank you for your trouble."
"You really can pull out a tea packet anywhere," Yang Xiao joked with a smile. "Is this the same one we drank at noon?"
“Similar, but not quite the same,” Cen Xun looked back at Yang Xiao. “In Jiangnan, there are more than a dozen kinds of flower teas. Although they taste similar, they are quite different.”
Zhong Lishuo, standing to the side, watched Cen Xun's smiling figure. With every gesture, his long sleeves fluttered like flying catkins, disturbing his mind. He leaned slightly towards Bai Ming and nudged him gently with his elbow.
"What's wrong?" Bai Ming turned to look at Zhong Lishuo and asked softly.
Zhong Lishuo looked up at the darkening sky and asked, "Zhaoqing, do you believe in love at first sight?"
Bai Ming's gaze involuntarily fell on that red figure, whose battle robe, bathed in the setting sun, seemed to burn slowly like fireworks.
"Zhao Qing?" Zhong Lishuo turned to look at Bai Ming when he saw that Bai Ming did not respond.
A smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of Bai Ming's eyes. He nodded slightly, "I believe you."
"General Yude." A soldier suddenly walked up to Zhongli Shuo with a pot of hot tea, startling him so much that he looked up at the soldier and stared blankly for a long time.
The soldier leaned forward and poured tea into Zhongli Shuo's cup. "General, please enjoy."
Cen Xun saw the soldier pour the tea and then looked expectantly at Zhongli Shuo.
A refreshing aroma immediately filled his lungs. Zhong Lishuo leaned over and sniffed the cup, then raised his hand to pick it up and drink.
Cen Xun looked at the scalding hot tea and was so startled that she quickly raised her hand to stop it. But before she could even extend her hand, Zhong Lishuo was burned and put down the teacup, gasping for breath.
"Hahahaha..." Everyone burst into laughter upon seeing this. Zhongli An patted Zhongli Shuo on the back and said with a smile, "Slow down, no one's going to take it from you. This water just boiled, aren't you afraid of getting burned?"
Zhongli Shuo nodded and fanned himself to cool down, then looked up at Cen Xun who was watching with a smile, and couldn't help but chuckle softly, "This can't be blamed on me, brother," he said, handing his cup to Zhongli An, "you'll know how fragrant it is just by smelling it."
Zhong Li'an chuckled and tapped Zhong Li Shuo's forehead, then straightened his sleeves and sat back down. "I don't know if it's the sweetness of the tea, or if something is quietly stirring up trouble in your heart."
“General, there’s no need to be in a hurry. I brought quite a bit of tea with me,” Cen Xun said with a light smile, looking at Zhongli Shuo. “I heard from Lingyu that you are very interested in Jiangnan. Is that true?”
“Yes,” Zhongli Shuo quickly nodded, seizing the opportunity to continue Cen Xun’s words. “I originally planned to go in person this time, but Zhao Qing also wanted to go, so I reluctantly stayed in Jizhou.” He looked at Cen Xun with a smile. “I wonder if Miss could tell me a little about Jiangnan when she has some free time in the future?”
Cen Xun nodded with a smile, "Great, I couldn't be happier."
The sounds of laughter and chatter faded into the night along with the smoke from the stove. The days of travel had come to an end, but the unease hidden deep within my heart began to stir again.
-
Within two days, the atmosphere in the military camp returned to normal. Xiao Yan's momentum grew stronger, and the three generals' drills became more frequent each day.
The three of them took turns occupying the drill platform, and although the soldiers complained incessantly, their morale did not drop in the slightest. On the contrary, they vented all their resentment on Xiao Yan, and during training, they were even more energetic.
As autumn gradually arrives, the golden leaves all over the city fall with the west wind, leaving only the scorching sun shining on the overgrown branches.
Yang Xiao twirled the gun in his hand, standing on the drill platform and watching the soldiers below move in response to the sound.
The cold wind was biting, but the people below the stage did not tremble in the slightest. Yang Xiao looked at the soldiers below the stage, who were in various formations, and nodded slightly. Then, as if she suddenly noticed something, she turned her head to look at Zhang Ping, who was gripping the barrel of a gun.
The weather was getting colder, but the soldiers below the stage were all covered in sweat. Their muscles were tense, they gritted their teeth and persevered, their eyes fixed on the tip of their guns, letting large drops of sweat roll down their temples.
Zhang Ping, the vice-captain of the Eagles team, was no exception. His hand movements differed from the others, seemingly due to his own considerations, but undoubtedly much more difficult. Maintaining stillness for a long time was undoubtedly a huge test for both his mind and body.
He gritted his teeth and barely managed to steady himself, his eyes fixed intently on the tip of his spear, showing no sign of backing down.
Yang Xiao watched his movements thoughtfully, then let out a sigh of approval, nodding with a mixture of admiration and helplessness. The movement was ingenious, yet also full of flaws.
She seemed to want to give Zhang Ping another chance to prove himself. Looking at the crowd below the stage, she turned her back, twirled the silver spear in her hand, and said, "Put it away! Take a short break, and we'll do it again."
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