That evening, in a side hall of the temporary Marquis's residence.
Xiao Gui stood at the door, full of energy and with piercing eyes, as if facing a formidable enemy.
He shouted in a deep voice to the several Xianbei women who filed in:
"Keep it level, don't let the soup spill!"
"And you, you must use both hands to serve these dishes, understand?"
Do you know how to pour wine?
Xiao Guizi even took a small bite of the food and wine that were served inside.
In the small hall, several oil lamps were lit, illuminating the interior brightly.
On either side, Liu Wei's civil and military officials knelt in turn.
Each person has a small table in front of them, on which are placed various meats such as mutton, fish, and beef, as well as wine vessels.
On the right are Yao Guangxiao, Liu Du, Pugu Huaiyu, and a nervous-looking Xiongnu man, who is none other than Huyan Gu, the Bone Marquis of Yufuluo.
On the left are Xue Rengui, Zhang Liao, and Li Su;
There is still an empty seat between Xue Rengui and Zhang Liao.
Xue Rengui led three thousand cavalrymen across the Manhan Mountains and into the clouds to put pressure on Huchuquan.
In recent days, they have frequently appeared in various Xiongnu settlements in Yunzhong.
This caused the Xiongnu people in the Yunzhong Commandery and the area north of the Manhan Mountains to flock to Yunzhong City like frightened birds.
Subsequently, Xue Rengui was secretly summoned back to Shanwu.
Liu Du led his troops to clear out the remaining Xiongnu forces in Dingxiang County, while Pugu Huaiyu reinforced the city's defenses in Zhongling.
Dingxiang Commandery is the smallest of the four commanderies in Yunzhong.
The prefecture was located in Shanwu, and under its jurisdiction were four county towns: Zhongling, Tongguo, Wucheng, and Luoxian.
A section of the Qin and Han Great Wall stretches from southwest to northeast, dividing Dingxiang in two.
Luo County was massacred by the Xiongnu, leaving only three or four cities in Dingxiang County.
Liu Du and Pugu were also summoned back yesterday and happened to arrive just in time for the banquet.
What was originally intended as a welcome banquet for Yao Guangxiao and Zhang Liao by Liu Wei ended up attracting more and more guests.
By now, this is practically Liu Wei's core team.
Liu Wei then instructed Xiao Guizi to increase preparations, turning it into a larger banquet.
The aroma of fine wine and meat filled the small hall.
But they didn't dare to touch their chopsticks until Liu Wei arrived.
The old monk Yao Guangxiao entered into meditation, closing his eyes to rest.
Xue Rengui sat upright, his expression calm and composed.
Before the Battle of Shanwu, Zhang Liao knew Xue Rengui, Li Su, Liu Du, Pugu, and others, so they nodded to each other in a friendly manner.
Huyan Gu, on the other hand, looked at everyone with a fawning gaze, seemingly both apprehensive and obsequious.
He knew that there were fierce generals who had ambushed and captured Yufulo alive, as well as Xianbei leaders who had killed Yufulo's pledge of allegiance, and centurions who had previously served under Yufulo.
It is an absolute honor for him to be able to attend this banquet.
Liu Du and Li Su, however, were speculating about who would fill the empty space between Xue Rengui and Zhang Liao.
After thinking through everyone around Liu Wei and under his command, it seemed there was no one else.
However, this person was second only to Xue Rengui and above Zhang Liao, so he must have been an extraordinary figure.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!"
A cheerful voice came from outside the door, and Liu Wei, full of vigor, walked in with a scholar who looked refined but was actually quite burly.
"I went outside the city to greet Mr. Zhang, so I'm a little late!"
Everyone in the small hall stood up and bowed.
"Please sit down, everyone!"
Looking at the civil and military officials under his command on both sides, an aura of superiority emanated from Liu Wei.
Liu Wei, who originally had royal blood, seemed to have awakened some of the demeanor of an emperor.
"Mr. Zhang Xun, please sit there!"
Liu Wei pointed down at Xue Rengui.
Zhang Xun?
Everyone stared at him, and Yao Guangxiao opened his eyes when he heard the name, a glint of shrewdness flashing across his face.
Liu Wei neither introduced nor explained, and then sat down in the main seat with an air of authority.
In this era, there were no chairs; people sat on the floor at banquets.
After Liu Wei sat down, Xiao Guizi immediately dismissed the Xianbei maids and closed the door behind him.
Guo Luo and Yang Yi, along with ten old guards, guarded the area outside the door.
"Gentlemen, our strategist has returned victorious from his campaign against Meiji! The Southern Xiongnu royal court is no more! This cup is to celebrate our strategist!"
"Military Advisor He!"
Everyone raised their glasses together. Huyan Gu was somewhat saddened and hesitated for a moment, while Pugu Huaiyu felt nothing at all.
"The second cup is for the return of Commandant Zhang as scheduled, with eight hundred cavalrymen, not a single one lost, which is truly admirable!"
"Congratulations, Commandant Zhang!"
After leading everyone to finish their second drink, Liu Wei said:
"This third cup signifies the addition of two new colleagues to my Yinshan Marquis's entourage!"
"Zhang Xun, a renowned scholar from Hedong, is skilled in both literature and martial arts; effective today, he is appointed Prefect of Dingxiang and Cavalry Commandant!"
oh!
Everyone suddenly realized that he was a renowned scholar whom the Marquis had brought from Bingzhou, and that he had come to serve as the Marquis's governor, in charge of Dingxiang County.
"Huyan Gu, the Right Wise King Guduhou, is our old friend. He has been appointed as the Dingxiang Commandery Attendant and Protector of the Xiongnu."
Huyan Gu hurriedly stood up and bowed to everyone.
He carried Yufuluo's head to deliver a message to Qiangqu on behalf of Liu Wei. Luckily, he escaped with his life and was not punished.
When Qiangqu rebelled, he was imprisoned in Meiji.
Yao Guangxiao broke through the Xiongnu royal court and rescued him.
Seeing the Southern Xiongnu wiped out, and having developed a deep admiration for Han culture, Huyan Gu had long harbored thoughts of submission and annexation.
"From now on, we all belong to the Marquis. Let's get closer!"
When Liu Du saw that Liu Wei had made Huyan Gu an official, he knew that the past should not be mentioned again, so he took the initiative to greet Huyan Gu.
"step by step..."
Huyan Gu didn't know that Liu Du had changed his surname, but calling him King Budugen seemed inappropriate, so he stammered!
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