Liu Muzhi's house was full of laughter and laughter. For today's banquet, the Liu Mansion even carried out special renovations and transformed the entire front yard into a huge open-air restaurant. The most distinguished guests were arranged in the main reception hall. Inside, according to the most standard banquet etiquette, they were seated on separate couches on the left and right sides. Liu Muzhi and Jiang Qianwen were seated in the middle. Their adult sons were greeting the guests in the courtyard back and forth. The guests in the courtyard were mostly children of small and medium-sized aristocratic families, or servants of high-level aristocratic families. About ten people were arranged to sit around a large table, and a sumptuous plate of dishes was placed on them. Here, it was still a matter of sharing the food. In the era of making it, it seemed very novel, and had the flavor of a flowing banquet in later generations.
The Jiang family brothers, dressed in red satin robes, looked festive from the inside out. More than 20 years have passed, and the overbearing young men back then have become middle-aged men with white faces and long beards. Jiang Bo is thin, while Jiang Bo is thin. Lang is as big as Liu Muzhi. If they stood together, they would never think that they would be brothers.
Liu Muzhi was wearing a purple robe, sitting upright on the throne. He stood up, and the voices inside and outside the hall gradually calmed down. Everyone's eyes were fixed on this upstart, and all they could see was his fat face. On top, with a smile on his face, he held up a wine cup in his hand, cleared his throat, and said: "Dear guests, distinguished ministers, can you all honor me today by coming to my family banquet, Liu Muzhi, for my two brothers-in-law?" The wind washes away the dust, which really makes the humble house shine. Liu started from humble beginnings, relying on some small achievements, he was fortunate enough to do something for His Majesty, for the court, and for General Liu. In public, you are Liu's colleagues, in private , you are friends of Liu. Today, Princess Langya, the Chief Assistant of the Imperial Court, Wang Shangshu, and various high-ranking families are here in person. Liu is very frightened, so I will do my best to show my respect here!"
As he spoke, he picked up the wine glass in his hand and drank it in one gulp. The Jiang family brothers sitting on the right also stood up, toasted to the audience, and then drank the wine in their glasses.
Princess Chu Lingyuan of Langya, who was first on the left, smiled slightly, covered her face with her sleeves, and also finished the glass. When she put down the wine glass, the three people sitting below were Wang Mi, Yu Yue, and Wang Yu. , also finished their drinks. When these heavyweight guests of honor put down their wine glasses, the sound of strings and bamboos on both sides rang out, which meant that today's banquet had officially begun.
The guests present began to greet each other, and the lower-class guests in the courtyard began to feast. There were many rare delicacies on the table today, such as honey hidden in the belly of the sheep. The roasted goose with juicy sauce, the wontons with fresh fish and mutton, and the clove crabs mixed with overseas spices are all tempting. Even the guests in the main hall, if it weren't for the fact that they have to carry their own high doors. The face of the aristocratic family and dignitaries would probably make them irritate themselves and eat all kinds of things.
Liu Muzhi walked up to Princess Langya, bowed and saluted: "I am really honored that the Princess is here today."
Princess Chu smiled slightly: "Liu Changshi is too polite. The success of the restoration of the Jin Dynasty depends on the bloody battles of Liu Zhenjun and the Beifu soldiers. Liu Changshi can be said to be the think tank and military advisor of the Beifu Army. Whether it is Jingkou Construction Whether it is justice or the pursuit of the Western Expedition, your hard work is indispensable. I am sitting here now, no longer a prisoner of Huan Chu, and it is mostly due to Chang Shi. I should respect you."
Liu Muzhi smiled slightly: "I was just doing my duty at the rear. The real credit belongs to the soldiers on the front line. In this Western Expedition, not only did my two brothers-in-law join the army, but also the soldiers in Jiankang City The sons and nephews of high-ranking families are also actively joining the army. This is an unprecedented event in decades. Since the return of the Jin Dynasty, the scholars and common people have really been able to work together and work together. Wang Shangshu, don't you think so."
Wang Mi was tearing into pieces of roasted goose legs that had just been taken out of the belly of a roasted lamb in front of him. They were covered in honey and the fragrance spread throughout the hall. When he heard Liu Muzhi's words, he quickly replied with a smile: "Yes, so many children from aristocratic families joined the army to serve the country, but this has never happened since the Battle of Feishui. Yu Neishi, as the head of the Yu family, you personally went to war. You are the leader of this good atmosphere. , it’s a great achievement.”
Yu Yue smiled: "I am from a high-ranking family and have the fortune of the Great Jin Dynasty. Naturally, I have to do my part for the Great Jin Dynasty. It is a pity that I am mostly in the rear army this time and did not personally go to the front line. It is also a pity. Na. Liu Changshi, I told you last time, please allow me to go out again to attack the rebels in Western Shu."
Liu Muzhi smiled slightly: "Today is a family banquet. We won't talk about state affairs. We won't talk about state affairs."
Yu Yue asked for trouble, laughed aloud, lowered his head and began to eat fish, mutton, and fresh vegetables. Liu Muzhi continued to move forward and walked in front of Wang Yu. Looking at Wang Yu who was a little restless and dazed, he smiled. He said: "General Wang, are you feeling unwell today?"
Wang Yu immediately came back to his senses, stood up, and forced out a smile: "I'm sorry, Liu Changshi, I just thought about some past events and was a little distracted. Seeing that the Jiang family brothers have made such a great contribution this time, I I’m a little ashamed.”
Liu Muzhi said softly "Oh": "Where do you start talking about this?"
Wang Yu raised his eyebrows slightly: "Back then, I was also the governor of Jiangzhou. I was on guard against the separatist rule of Jingxiang at that time. I wanted to join forces with Wang Gong to start a rebellion and march towards Huanxuan in Jiankang. But because of my mistake, , not only failed to stop Huan Xuan, but he was also caught by him, and even forced to become a thief for a time. It was because of my failure that the ambition of this traitor was fueled, and he finally committed treason. Speaking of which, , it is my sin to put the country in such a situation."
Liu Muzhi smiled slightly: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military strategists. Jiangzhou's military strength is not as good as Jingzhou. Huanxuan had been plotting to usurp the throne for a long time, and his soldiers were elite and brave. General Wang does not need to worry about this. Everyone knows that you I did my best.”
Wang Yu gritted his teeth: "There is also my brother Wang Guobao, who manipulated power and bullied the emperor, triggering the civil war in Jin Dynasty. I..."
Liu Muzhi shook his head: "The Wang Guobao is the Wang Guobao, General Wang is the General Wang, he is a traitor and has been punished by the late emperor according to the national law, and you are a loyal minister. Everyone knows this, General Wang, let's not worry about the past. Again, we have to look back, the future of the Jin Dynasty cannot be separated from families like the Wang family in Taiyuan."
Wang Yu felt elated and was about to open his mouth to play back when he saw Liu Muzhi's eyes falling towards the courtyard, and his voice came into his ears: "Hey, isn't that your noble son Wang Sui? This time It's a pity that he didn't join the army. Of course, it may be a little difficult to deal with his former father-in-law. I rule the world with filial piety in the Jin Dynasty. It's nothing. There will be many opportunities in the future, General Wang, so don't miss it again."
