August 16th was Lu Bolin's fiftieth birthday after taking charge of the class.
As the commander-in-chief of the fight against the ghost army, one can imagine his contribution to the successful fight against the ghost clan for peace.
Not only did he receive a reward from the emperor of the empire, his status in the court was greatly improved, almost ranking below one person and above ten thousand people.
The place where he held the banquet was also in the General's Mansion in the Imperial Capital.
Xiao Yuan and Peng Shuang were also invited.
This was his first time coming to the imperial capital, the land of the imperial city. Needless to say, it was so prosperous.
The extremely wide streets are not comparable to those of a small place like Liucheng. All roads are paved with bluestone floors, which are tightly fitted and comparable to today's cement roads.
On the streets everywhere, people are coming and going, business travelers are coming in an endless stream, and the sound of hawking is endless.
Among the bustling crowd, Xiao Yuan was dressed in brocade clothes and tied his hair with a wooden hairpin. He looked like a handsome young man, very handsome.
This set of clothes was bought after he received his military pay. The clothes were the same as Chinese Hanfu. Peng Shuang, who was traveling with him, was also in casual clothes, but the latter's expression at this moment was one of dumbfounded.
While walking, Peng Shuang couldn't help but sigh: "The restaurant here is so big..."
He was a typical country bumpkin entering the big city. Xiao Yuan looked at him with a smile: "Is this your first time in the imperial capital?"
"Yes." Peng Shuang nodded, still looking around.
"Let's go, the time is almost up." Xiao Yuan said, and then the two of them passed through a few more streets before finding the General's Mansion.
At this moment, there is really a lot of traffic in front of the mansion. There are countless dignitaries who come to celebrate their birthdays. It is a joyful scene. There are also the housekeepers of the Lu family and several servants who are busy there.
At the feet of the emperor, there are many high-ranking officials everywhere, and the imperial capital is also the place with the most wealthy people. Lu Bolin's status is not low. This situation is reasonable.
Fortunately, Lu Bolin had other arrangements for a group of military generals. Xiao Yuan and Peng Shuang were quickly introduced into the house by the housekeeper and brought to a separate hall.
When the two of them arrived, there were already many people in the hall. Xiao Yuan took a quick glance and found that all the people here were Lu Bolin's subordinates who had fought against the ghost army.
Among the crowd, there were mostly generals, and the worst one was also a captain, both of whom were higher in rank than the two of them. After entering, Xiao Yuan had no choice but to clasp his fists towards the crowd and said, "I have seen all the generals."
Some people glanced at Xiao Yuan and remained silent, while others continued talking to others, but no one paid attention.
Xiao Yuan put down his hand with a smile and was not angry, while Peng Shuang couldn't help but snorted.
At this time, Lu Bolin also strode in from the outside. Seeing him, all the generals in the hall quickly stopped talking, straightened their bodies, and all clasped their fists and said, "Commander Lu."
"Huh? No need to be polite." Lu Bolin waved his hand, and then walked to the position directly above.
Then, before he could speak, a general came forward and took out a brocade box. While handing it to Lu Bolin, he said with a smile on his face:
"Shuai Lu, this is just a little thought from the general. Please accept it, Marshal Lu."
"This is..." Seeing the brocade box, Lu Bolin couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
However, he did not take it, but stretched out one hand to open it. After seeing the gift inside, he couldn't help but take a breath, then waved his hands and said: "No, no, General Gao can come and do it for you." I am very happy to wish you my birthday, this gift is too precious."
Inside the brocade box is a pearl the size of a dragon's eye, which is worth a thousand gold at least.
Seeing him refuse, General Gao quickly said: "Today is Commander Lu's fiftieth birthday, so the general will prepare some small gifts to show his respect. If Commander Lu refuses, he is looking down on the general."
What he said was just as true. When Lu Bolin heard this, he began to pretend to be embarrassed.
When the other generals saw this, they began to agree: "Yes, yes, Commander Lu, this is General Gao's wish, so please don't refuse anymore..."
"This... okay..." In the end, Lu Bolin accepted the pearl with a gracious expression.
After he accepted this gift, other generals also began to give gifts. People gave them everything, but without exception, they were all precious items, including expensive agate, high-quality jade, and more. There are gold, silver and jade.
Among them, the gift from Deng Qing is especially the most precious. They are a pair of jade lions, which are crystal clear and smooth in color. Even to the uninitiated, they are priceless treasures.
The background of these generals is relatively good. To put it simply, they all have a backing.
Seeing this situation, Xiao Yuan and Peng Shuang couldn't help but look at each other. Compared with these people, the two of them were really poor!
But at this time, everyone had given their gifts, but Xiao Yuan and Peng Shuang did not move. Deng Qing couldn't help but look at the two of them, and began to sneer:
"Why, it's Lu Shuai's fiftieth birthday. Could it be that General Xiao and General Peng came here empty-handed?"
"This..." Xiao Yuan showed an embarrassed look on his face. He and Peng Shuang had prepared gifts, but now it seems that they don't have the nerve to take them out!
But now that the matter was over, he could only bite the bullet, took out a brocade box, and then handed it to Lu Bolin.
The latter took it, opened it, and saw that it was an ordinary tea set, and a look of displeasure flashed across his face.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan said with some embarrassment: "Commander Lu, the general's salary is really meager, so..."
"Huh?" Before he finished speaking, Lu Bolin interrupted him and said with a smile:
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. If General Xiao can come to celebrate my birthday, it's already in your heart. As for the gift or not, it doesn't matter."
But even though he said this, anyone could hear the alienation from Xiao Yuan in his tone.
All the generals in the hall looked at Xiao Yuan coldly and made sarcastic remarks.
At this moment, the servants in the Lu Mansion also began to serve dishes and drinks. Lu Bolin no longer said more about this matter, but returned to the main seat, stretched out his hand and said: "Everyone, please take a seat."
"Shuai Lu, please—" People sat down one after another, each with a case in front of them, and Xiao Yuan and Peng Shuang were also unknowingly placed at the end.
Next, Deng Qing took the lead, looking around at everyone with a wine glass in his hand and saying: "Everyone, today is Lu Shuai's fiftieth birthday. Let's toast Lu Shuai together."
"Congratulations to Marshal Lu -" people also shouted with cups in hand.
Lu Bolin also smiled heartily: "Okay, okay, let's all drink together, drink!"
Xiao Yuan had already seen the official atmosphere here, and he felt very uncomfortable.
There was an inexplicable disappointment and a sense of disgust.
