Literati and scholars have their own unique way of communicating with each other.
As long as you talk in the right way, the atmosphere will be very harmonious.
Soon Xu Wei became friends with Xu Zhongxing, Zong Chen and others, and they had a great time chatting with them.
Xu Wei was definitely one of those literati who was delayed by the imperial examination, but he could talk about topics that really interested him.
The four of them were so excited chatting that they even forgot to eat. It was Xu Yan who noticed it first and smiled as he invited the three of them to a banquet.
Xu Zhongxing and Zong Chen naturally would not refuse since they had come from afar. As for Xu Wei, he was spending the employer's money, so it would be a waste not to go.
Hangzhou is extremely prosperous, with restaurants lined up one after another.
Xu Yan chose a restaurant close to Gushan Mountain to entertain his friends.
The name of this restaurant is Haoran Xuan, which means uprightness and greatness.
This restaurant is doing very good business because it offers a view of West Lake.
Xu Yan and his group were lucky, as they had the last table by the window when they arrived.
When you come to Hangzhou, you must order the most famous West Lake Vinegar Fish.
Xu Yan was generous and felt that one fish was not enough for four people, so he simply ordered two.
As for other delicacies from land and sea, Xu Yan was not stingy and ordered them all.
The waiter was delighted to see that the guests at this table were so generous.
They served Xu Yan with delicious food and wine, and even asked him if he wanted to have a singing girl to sing with him.
Xu Yan just smiled and continued chatting with his friends.
"Brother Wen, I heard that you've been studying Kunshan Opera recently. Do you have any experience?"
Xu Yan took a sip of rice wine and smiled slightly.
"Well, this Kunshan dialect has a unique tone. I recently made some modifications based on the Peony Pavilion. I'll have someone sing it for you someday."
When talking about The Peony Pavilion, Xu Wei became very excited.
Xu Zhongxing and Zong Chen had naturally heard of the Peony Pavilion. Although the Peony Pavilion might not be very famous in the north, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was known to everyone in the south of the Yangtze River.
"The poems in The Peony Pavilion are all of superb quality. If there's anything comparable, I'm afraid the only one that can compare is The Story of the Stone."
Zong Chen spoke eloquently, "I heard that both of these were discovered by Brother Yishi. Brother Yishi really has a keen eye."
Xu Yan said modestly: "Not really, I just had better luck."
As they were chatting, a loud noise suddenly came from the restaurant.
Xu Yan couldn't help but frown. It was such a pity that his good time was interrupted.
Looking over, I saw a table of drinkers making noise, as if they were arguing about something.
The deafening sound naturally alarmed the shopkeeper.
If we let them continue to make trouble like this, how can other drinkers stay here?
The restaurant owner personally stepped forward to apologize, hoping to settle the matter peacefully.
Unexpectedly, the other party did not give him any face at all, but instead shouted: "Open your dog eyes and see who I belong to. If you offend the Zhao family, how can you still open this crappy store?"
The shopkeeper's face changed.
In the city of Hangzhou, who else can be mentioned about the Zhao family besides Zhao Wenjie's family?
He has connections in the court and is fearless. Someone like Haoranxuan, who has no background, cannot afford to offend him.
"Ah, it's Mr. Zhao. My apologies."
The old shopkeeper gritted his teeth and swallowed his anger, saying with a smile on his face, "It's all because of my ignorance. Master Zhao, please be magnanimous and forgive me this time."
"If you can get under my crotch, I'll spare you."
The playboy laughed wildly.
Naturally, Xu Yan saw all of this.
It seems that the arrogant and domineering young man in front of him is Zhao Wenjie's son.
Zhao Wenjie is a guy who only remembers eating and not being beaten!
Last time he was taken to court and beaten with a stick, doesn’t he know how to discipline his son?
Since you don't want to take care of it, I will do it for you.
He took a few steps forward, cleared his throat, and asked, "Are you Zhao Wenjie's son?"
The dandy young man said unhappily, "I will never change my name. Zhao Youdao is my full name, and Zhao Wenjie is my father."
"Your uncle is Zhao Wenhua?"
"Exactly."
Zhao Youdao said very proudly.
"Shameless."
Xu Yan cursed without hesitation.
Zhao Youdao obviously didn't expect Xu Yan to dare to scold him, and was stunned.
"You! Who the hell are you? How dare you scold me?"
Xu Yan glanced at him contemptuously and said, "What's wrong with scolding you? Shouldn't people like you be scolded?"
“Bold!”
Being humiliated so blatantly, Zhao Youdao was naturally furious.
"Actually, I'm curious about how someone like you managed to survive until now."
Xu Yan was not affected at all, and continued to speak: "If you were in the capital, you would have died countless times."
Xu Yan didn't lie to him.
Emperor Jiajing was a man of strict discipline towards others but lenient towards himself, and he could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes. He hated this kind of dandy bullying and opportunistic young man the most.
Therefore, the dandy young men in the capital are the most miserable. They can't pretend to be cool and can't pick up girls. Although they are born into a noble family, they have to keep a low profile.
But Zhao Youdao didn't know.
Seeing Xu Yan so arrogant, he blurted out, "Bullshit! Even if I were in the capital, no one would dare to touch me. My uncle is the Left Minister of Finance, who would dare to touch me?"
Xu Yan clapped his hands and said, "Excellent, absolutely wonderful. Did everyone hear it?"
But these words were said to Xu Wei and others.
The three of them had long been unhappy with Zhao Youdao, and now that they saw him jumping into the pit himself, they naturally wanted to step on him.
"This is truly arrogant. Doesn't it include His Majesty as well?"
Xu Wei added the finishing blow.
Zong Chen sneered and said, "A mere Zuo Tongzheng thinks you can cover up everything? Do you know that in the capital, third-rank officials are everywhere, and fourth-rank officials are worse than dogs?"
"Yes!"
Xu Zhongxing echoed.
Hearing this, Zhao Youdao also felt something was wrong and subconsciously felt a chill.
"It seems that Master Zhao is heading for the tiger mountain even though he knows there is a tiger there."
Xu Yan smiled slyly and said, "If I record these words and deeds and submit them to a book, I wonder what effect it will have."
"You dare!"
Zhao Youdao's momentum had already been largely lost, and he shouted forcefully.
"See if I dare."
"Hmph, let's wait and see!"
Zhao Youdao realized that he would suffer if he continued to argue, so he simply took his followers and slipped away.
Seeing him run away in disgrace, Xu Yan said to the old shopkeeper, "Don't worry, shopkeeper. This guy is a bully who only bullies the weak and fears the strong. He wouldn't dare to do anything illegal."
"Thank you very much, sir."
The old shopkeeper bowed deeply to Xu Yan and said, "But please be careful, young master, to prevent this guy from taking revenge."
Xu Yan smiled and said, "I was worried that he wouldn't come."
Xu Wei explained, "Last time the Zhao family vandalized Jishengju, it was Master Xu who stepped in to uphold justice."
The old shopkeeper suddenly realized.
"So it's Master Xu. No wonder he's not afraid of that evil young man."
The Zhao family is used to doing evil things in Hangzhou and doesn't take ordinary people seriously at all.
In other words, only Xu Yan, a favorite in the eyes of the Governor, dares to confront him head-on.
...
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com