After noon, Liu Jiangsheng, who had changed his appearance and looked like an officer, hurried over with a battalion of soldiers to join them. After Li Yuan selected half of the soldiers to stay in the other courtyard, he led the two brothers and the remaining soldiers to set off in a mighty manner.
In order to save time on the way back and forth, Li Yuan decided to cross the river from Runzhou to the east, then take Yangzhou, and then go north. He would reach the border of Chuzhou in three or four days.
We have to go more than 300 miles, and there are not enough horses. Although the autumn wind had begun to rise, when they really started on the road, the hundreds of soldiers were still sweating profusely, and they just thought they were marching and practicing with Li Yuhou. Li Yuan was quite leisurely. He kept observing the terrain and features along the way and kept it in mind.
More than a day later, Li Yuan and his party arrived at Yangzhou Mansion, the eastern capital. As soon as we settled down at the post station that morning, a large group of officials from Yangzhou got the news at noon and came over after hearing the news, saying they wanted to pay a visit to Li Yuhou.
Seeing these officials carrying large and small boxes, Li Yuan was now well aware of the prevailing atmosphere, so he did not refuse. After being polite to his colleagues, he just ordered some heavy items to be returned and kept the remaining items. Some gold, silver and cash were distributed to the accompanying battalion of soldiers and soldiers. This move naturally gained another wave of military morale.
After everyone was settled, Li Yuan asked Liu Jiangsheng to take charge of the post. After washing his face and choosing some suitable gifts, he took Luo Erhu alone out of the house.
Having just found out from the officials in Yangzhou, Li Yuan quickly found his destination in Yangzhou city, which was densely covered with lakes and alleys - the Dongdu Left-behind Mansion.
At this time, there were many cars and horses in front of the left-behind residence, the gate of the residence was wide open, and the servants were busy in line, as if there was a banquet to receive guests.
Luo Erhu struggled to squeeze to the door and handed Li Yuan the temporary greeting card he had written.
The manager first glanced at the reckless black man suspiciously, but because he had pushed many visitors, he had no choice but to glance at the greeting card. He suddenly showed a look of surprise and immediately raised his head to look at the person not far away. The young man in purple robe. Then he trotted back to his hometown to report the news.
Li Yuan didn't pay attention to so many details. In his eyes, this trip to the left-behind mansion was a must. The Eastern Capital has the same standards as the national capital. Zhou Zong who stayed in the Eastern Capital was a veteran of the late emperor and a high-ranking official, so he could not afford to offend him. Now that he has become an official and has arrived on someone else's territory, he must always fulfill some etiquette. What's more, I also bought someone else's house, which is a wonderful fate.
As soon as the sun was high in the sky, Luo Erhu began to complain: "Brother, what is the background of Mr. Zhou Zongzhou? This faction is too big! It's almost half an hour, and I, a rough guy, have no time to wait. That's okay, but brother, you are now the dignified Duke of Yu, how can I be shut out of the door?"
"It's okay, Erhu. This Zhou Zong is an old minister who served the late emperor and is quite famous. Now he is guarding the Eastern Capital. We are passing through this place. As a subordinate, we have to come to visit! Just wait a while!" Having said that! , Li Yuan was indeed waiting anxiously, because he eagerly wanted to pay homage to this famous Qingliu minister of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and he was the father of Emperor Zhou E!
Finally, the steward ran over with an apology on his face, and then respectfully led a few boys to greet him.
Li Yuan and his wife walked all the way through the unfathomable courtyard, and when they arrived at the banquet hall, they discovered that at least fifty or sixty people had already taken their seats at the banquet. Most of the people were dressed in gold, silver and brocade, making them look extremely luxurious. They must be local officials and wealthy businessmen. There are also more than ten people in plain clothes and long robes, they should be literary talents. Without others, they all have thin arms and legs, and they are undoubtedly scholars.
According to the steward's guidance, Li Yuan was placed in a relatively backward position. Although according to his current Pinyi, apart from Zhou Zong, there are really many people who are taller than him in Yangzhou City on two hands. But after all, it is a dragon crossing the river, so you have to lie down. Thinking about Li Yuan, you feel relieved.
Soon after the banquet was filled with people, an old man in purple robe with a long beard and white beard stood up slowly under the attention of everyone and said with a smile: "Although Zhou has lived in the court for a long time, he has always admired celebrities and elegant people, so he put up his hat today." We're going to have a grand party. Please come to my humble residence. We'll talk about poetry, eat wine and meet friends. Please don't despise me for being arty!"
Talking about poetry, eating wine and meeting friends... Li Yuan was suddenly speechless. This was not the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty. There were wars outside every year! Why are you still doing this? It's too comfortable...
After all, Zhou Zong was the founding hero and the host. There were some dignitaries present, but they all gave enough respect and asked Zhou Zong to go around holding a wine glass and introduce the official names one by one.
This process has taken a lot of time. Li Yuan and Luo Erhu almost fell asleep watching this large group of people bowing and being polite. But it seems that all the guests present like this. After all, in this feudal era, the idea of officialdom is deeply rooted.
Unknowingly, Zhou Zong staggered up to Li Yuan. He smiled brightly and suddenly raised his voice: "This newly arrived distinguished guest is General Xuanwei and Li Yuan, the Prince of Yu! I believe you have already seen this. I heard that this time when the Tang Dynasty sent troops to the Chu Kingdom, Li Yuhou rode three horses into the city, saying that he had surrendered the King of Chu to show his power in the sky! Come on, everyone, raise your glasses to welcome Li Yuhou and wash away the dust!"
All the guests present looked sideways, but they were extremely cooperative and raised their wine glasses with a splash. There were also many people pointing curiously, but most of them were kind.
Li Yuan was a little flattered, and he immediately regained his energy to deal with it. He quickly raised his wine glass with his right hand and bowed respectfully to Zhou Zong: "I'm sorry for bothering you today! Thank you, Mr. Zhou!"
Zhou Zong unexpectedly took a few steps closer, showed a kind smile, and whispered: "Li Yuhou, there is no need to be polite. You and I are destined to take care of each other. It's natural for us to take care of each other!"
Li Yuan quickly followed Zhou Zong and drank it all in one gulp.
Immediately afterwards, the whole audience exchanged cups and cups happily.
Luo Erhu had never seen such a big banquet before. He didn't know whether he was hungry for a while or tired from standing. As soon as these dazzling arrays of good wine and delicious food were put on the table, this black man ignored the eyes of the people at the table and rushed to get started. .
Every time a dish was served, the man would first put a large chopstick into Li Yuan's bowl, and then he would eat it by himself. Li Yuan smiled awkwardly, but he didn't want to stop it. He felt a little sorry for the black man in his heart, for fear that he would choke to death.
Li Yuan used his chopsticks to eat for a while. After he was only seven to eight percent full, he glanced in the direction of Zhou Zong. However, I saw that a lot of food and wine had been removed from the two or three tables near Zhou Zong, and the maids began to place a lot of rice paper, inkstones, pens and other items. Presumably this so-called "talking about poetry" has already begun.
"Brother, these scholars and talented people are really busy with their time! We are out fighting in every possible way, working with these people day in and day out, and that's all we do? Let me tell you, it's better to practice martial arts for fun!" Luo Er Tiger held the buttery chicken drumstick in one hand and gnawed on it, muttering at the same time.
Li Yuan just smiled faintly: "You can't say that. We are used to being in the barracks, but these people are not! If you let them go to the battlefield, they will probably pee as soon as they touch the sword."
Luo Erhu smiled knowingly: "Hehe! That's true!"
Then he cleaned the chicken leg bone, wiped it casually on his clothes, and began to persuade: "Brother, why don't we leave quickly! I'm really bored, and my stomach is full." full."
Li Yuan glanced at it and saw that the black man's belly was full, but there was still a lot of uneaten meat and vegetables in the bowl. Looking at the guests at the same table, they were all staring at the empty porcelain plates on the table with sad faces.
It's just because of Li Yuan's current official position and reputation, these people must have cursed this black guy tens of thousands of times in their hearts! Li Yuan shook his head thinking about it, suppressed his smile and whispered: "It's not urgent. I see you're still hungry, so eat more."
