The next morning, Zhao Chen got up early.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the temperature in the morning is slightly cooler.
Zhao Chen played a piece of Ba Duan Jin in the yard to warm himself up.
The more he persisted, the stronger Zhao Chen felt physically and mentally.
Mi Luyun made breakfast herself, and the Mi family's guard sent a change of clothes and a letter.
Zhao Chen was eating breakfast while listening to Lu Yun read the letter.
The letter said: Please, little sister, serve the military advisor well. From now on, the Mi family will be your most solid backing, and even more the military advisor’s backing. Everything is subject to the words of the military advisor, so remember this.
Zhao Chen smiled slightly, this time he was completely tied to the Mi family.
Mi Lujun also showed a rare smile.
Suddenly a guard came in a hurry to report.
"Military advisor, the lord is here!"
Zhao Chen nodded. Liu Bei must have something important to do when he came early in the morning. Normally, he would not disturb his sleep.
He turned around and motioned to Mi Luyun to go back to the room for the time being and not to come out.
It would be embarrassing if Liu Bei saw him.
Liu Bei's wife is still in Xiapi, but he already has three women falling in love with him. He can't explain it.
Mi Lujun bowed to Zhao Chen very wisely and returned to his room.
Zhao Chen stood up alone and walked towards the outside of the yard.
As soon as I arrived at the door, I heard Liu Bei's greeting from afar.
"Houde, I'm really sorry. There's something I can't figure out, so I have to ask Houde for advice."
"My lord, you're welcome. It's Chen's duty to relieve your lord from his worries."
Zhao Chen prepared to salute.
Liu Bei said quickly: "You don't need to be polite to be virtuous. We have a word first. When there is no one in private, you and I are friends, not ministers. I call you Houde, and you call me Xuande. We treat each other as equals."
"Xuande!"
Zhao Chen accepted it openly and reached out to the yard to make a "please" gesture.
Zhao Chen felt more relaxed when dealing with a lord like Liu Bei.
There is not much suspicion, just 100% trust.
There are masters and ministers in front of people, and close friends behind people. The etiquette is in place and the levels are different. Then we can raise a glass together to invite the bright moon. This is the best relationship.
In the early morning, the sun was shining in the yard.
The stove had already been lit in the middle of the yard, and Zhao Chen was imitating Mi Zhu's example of making tea.
Tea in the late Eastern Han Dynasty was different from modern times. It was basically boiled, and even wine could be boiled. Therefore, many poems talk about heroes when tea is boiled and wine is boiled.
"Hude is really good at tea."
Liu Bei naturally sat in the guest seat, leaving the guest seat to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen didn't show any pretense, after all, he was the master in the courtyard and Liu Bei was the guest.
Then he stroked the tea cup gently, poured three-quarters of the cup in, and moved it to Liu Bei.
A full cup of tea will drive away guests. This is the most basic principle.
"Chen borrowed Xianhe's flowers to offer Xuande."
Zhao Chen could not inform Liu Bei of Mi Zhu's visit. This kind of blatant clique for personal gain was the most taboo for his lord.
Therefore, regarding the tea, Zhao Chen could only briefly describe the transaction between the Huaiyin County Government and Jian Yong to Liu Bei. Of course, he downplayed the plot about Bu Lianshi and Wanshi.
Liu Bei laughed loudly and drank it all in one gulp.
"What a tea that I bought for ten taels of silver."
As the saying goes, the speaker has no intention, but the listener has the intention.
Mi Luyun, who was hiding in the room, secretly peered through the window and squinted her eyes to observe the meeting between the two people in the yard.
The story of Zhao Chen exchanging ten taels of silver for tea made Lu Jun suddenly realize that the virtuous woman he cared about was named Bu Lianshi.
However, this could not shake Mi Luyun's determination. Since she had entrusted her life to the man in front of her, she naturally had to accept everything from him.
But she was also very happy with her choice. Zhao Chen was much more handsome than Liu Bei, and the key was that he was still younger.
Seeing Liu Bei's relaxed look, Zhao Chen felt measured.
Today's matter won't be difficult.
Sure enough, after Liu Bei finished drinking the tea, he said slowly: "I had an appointment with Mi Zhu Mi Zizhong via letter to enjoy the moon together on August 15th. I wonder how the military advisor will arrange this?"
It turned out to be because of this.
Zhao Chen had already thought about the agreement in the letter last night.
There was no Mid-Autumn Festival in the traditional sense at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, people began to enjoy the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but it had not yet become a custom. In the Tang Dynasty, admiring and playing with the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival became quite popular, and the Mid-Autumn Festival was officially designated as a holiday.
Although there is no Mid-Autumn Festival, worshiping the moon has existed since ancient times.
"Book of Rites" says: Autumn twilight and evening moon. According to legend, in the Zhou Dynasty, every August 15th, the ancients would welcome the cold and worship the moon.
When Emperor Gaozu founded the Han Dynasty, he had already worshiped the moon.
As for the appointment to admire the moon on August 15th, Zhao Chen was originally just on a whim. Firstly, he had just taken Huaipu at that time, and the army was not powerful enough. The agreed date could give everyone a sense of confidence. Secondly, it also let the Mi family know. Liu Bei's army is no longer what it used to be. Taking Guangling County is a matter of searching the bag to get something. There is no doubt that it is a sure thing.
Zhao Chen put down his teacup and expressed his thoughts.
"Xuande, in Yichen's opinion, not only must the moon viewing be held tonight, but it must also be held grandly."
Liu Bei was puzzled: "Hude, our army has entered Guangling for the first time after several battles. The autumn harvest has not yet begun, there is insufficient food and grass, and the personnel are exhausted. If we hold a grand moon-viewing event at this time, will it waste people and money?"
"Xuande cares about the people, and Chen admires him. It's just that this matter is unusual. He needs to be famous, but there is no need to be extravagant and wasteful."
Liu Bei raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why?"
Zhao Chen calmed down his thoughts and explained patiently: "This time for moon appreciation, Chen wants to invite heroes from all walks of life in Guangling County and surrounding counties to admire the moon, talk about the past and present, comment on the heroes of the world, and then benefit the common people. Now. Our army has initially settled in Guangling. After the battle, the army is beginning to show fatigue. It needs a moon viewing to relieve the pressure. More importantly, the surrounding counties need capable men and generals to guard it. However, our army is seriously lacking in civil servants and generals. There is no one to guard Guangling. It is easy for Yuan Shu, Sun Ce and other forces to take advantage of the situation and go north to regain Xuzhou in the future. This is a hidden danger."
Liu Bei nodded, thinking a little.
"Hude's words make sense. If the nobles and heroes from all parties can join us, we won't have to worry about having no one available, and we can naturally defend Guangling."
"Xuan De is wise. Chen thinks there are three major benefits to hosting this moon viewing event."
"First, wars are ongoing and the people don't even have enough to eat, let alone festivals. Guangling County holds a moon-viewing activity, which is a favor for the people. Our army can distribute food widely, win the hearts of the people, and demonstrate the lord's governance. The people of Guangling County live and work in peace and contentment, and are safe and stable. This will definitely attract the surrounding population to flow into Guangling County. People are the foundation of the country and must not be ignored."
"Secondly, fulfilling the agreement with the Mi family will increase the reputation of the Mi family among many families, and also let the nobles understand that the earlier they join the lord's account, the more important they will be used by the lord. This is for those hesitant nobles. The best kind of excitement.”
"Third, and most importantly, our army has just entered Guangling City and is not familiar with the place. We need a moon-viewing activity to let the people and the surrounding nobles know our lord, and prepare our army for the future battle with Xuzhou in the Central Plains. Raise a big flag."
After listening to Zhao Chen enumerate the advantages, Liu Bei smiled and clapped his hands.
"Houde's words have inspired me. I never thought that a small moon-viewing session on August 15th would have such an effect. I'm going to trouble Houde to worry about this matter. The whole people of Guangling City will enjoy the moon together tonight!"
"Chen obeys. But if you want this to happen, one person needs to speak up."
Liu Bei asked: "Who is it?"
Zhao Chen smiled and said mysteriously: "This person should be on the way already. With him, the moon viewing activity can truly be effective."
Liu Bei looked at Zhao Chen, who was stunned by the beating, and thought to himself, I don't know which young master will suffer again. Being targeted by Zhao Chen is not a good thing.
Mi Lujun, who was hiding in the room and watching, couldn't help laughing.
Liu Bei went to seek his reputation and asked, "Houde, is there a woman?"
When Zhao Chen heard this, he broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly replied: "Maybe it's a cat. There are only two of you and me in this yard."
Liu Bei looked at the window sill dubiously and nodded.
