Late at night, in Xiaodongshan, Yangzhou, Zhong Liying went to the banquet of his family.
The banquet was extravagant, and as Zhong Liying knew, it cost a lot of money. The Yin of Yangzhou invited him to the banquet just for one thing. He wanted to marry his daughter to Shi Jiu, who was also a monk in Yangzhou Academy. This was of course a good thing, Zhong Liying He immediately agreed to propose marriage for him.
In the middle of the banquet, the door maid got up to change her clothes and left the table. Zhong Liying was waiting at the table, guessing the order with the oiran who had recently become famous in Xiaodongshanfang City. Suddenly, he saw someone he knew in front of the door. Not even a familiar person.
Feng Yong, a monk from Gusu Academy.
They knew each other because they were both monks in the school. Zhong Liying had dealt with this person when he participated in the encirclement and suppression of serious criminals in Mangdang Mountain, Kuaiji and other places. They had also had several conversations and had a few drinks.
It's not a familiarity because there has been no contact since then, not even half a letter has been exchanged, but I didn't expect to meet here.
"Brother Feng came to Yangzhou but didn't tell Ying. It's really time to fight!" Zhong Liying warmly invited him to the table.
Feng Yong smiled and said: "I came here specifically to visit Brother Zhongli. I heard that brother is in Xiaodongshan, so I came here. I wonder if it disturbed Brother Zhongli?"
Zhong Liying said: "Don't worry too much. The master is a good friend of mine and has gone to change clothes. Haha... you know, when he comes back, he will be introduced to Brother Feng."
After sitting down and having three drinks together, Zhong Liying asked: "Brother Feng came all the way to Yangzhou, why?"
Feng Yong glanced at the oiran beside him. Of course, there was nothing wrong with the oiran's eyes. He immediately left, leaving only the two of them at the table.
So Feng Yong asked: "Brother Zhongli, you are close to Hangzhou. How are you doing?"
Zhong Liying was surprised: "What does Brother Feng mean by this?"
Feng Yongdao: "I heard that the Academy announced to the world last month that Sun Xingxing moved to Linzi and became a disciple, but I don't know why Brother Zhongli is still in Yangzhou and didn't go with him?"
Zhong Liying smiled and said: "Songxing has a great trust. There are many affairs here in Yangzhou Academy. How can we easily walk away? Furthermore, the school is an important place, and all those who take care of the general affairs in the School are all refining gods. I am the only one who takes care of the affairs. Where can a young qigong master be qualified to go?"
Feng Yong sighed: "That is the Academy, a place that monks like us yearn for. Although Brother Zhongli has not practiced god, he is an old man who always follows Sun Fengxing. Why can't he go?"
Zhong Liying smiled and shook his head but said nothing.
Feng Yong continued: "If you can't go to the Academy, Brother Zhongli may have a hard time in Yangzhou."
Zhong Liying was surprised again: "Why is it difficult? It's fine..."
Feng Yongdao: "Brother Zhongli, Sun Fengxing recommended Wu Xiang to go to Yangzhou. Could it be that brother Zhongli didn't know?"
Zhong Liying blinked and was a little confused: "Of course I know. We wrote about Yangzhou last month, and Wu Xingxing returned to Yanluoshan to move home. He will arrive in a few days."
"I heard that Brother Zhongli still hasn't got Sun Fengxing, only a few words and no arrangements?"
"Fengxing... I haven't said it yet, but..."
Feng Yongdun beat his chest: "In that case, why can Brother Zhongli still sit still? Are you still drinking here?"
Zhong Liying opened his mouth and asked: "Why...can't you drink wine?"
Feng Yongdao: "I heard that Brother Zhongli and Sun Feng were friends back then, but he didn't pay homage to the Lord?"
"……yes……"
"I heard that Brother Zhongli and the newly appointed Wu Xiang are just acquaintances, and there is no host or guest?"
"……yes……"
Feng Yong sighed: "No wonder...if Feng has found another way out, otherwise being trapped in Yangzhou is not the right path? I heard that there are nine scholars under the sect of Prime Minister Wu, among whom Mo You and Yue Zhong are outstanding. His reputation was no less than that of his brother Zhongli, but his trustworthiness was far greater than that of his brother. When Wu Xing took charge of Yangzhou, how could he abandon his own disciples and use brother Zhongli instead? When Sun Fengxing was there, all school affairs were decided by brother Zhongli. I don’t know how many people I can offend. Brother Zhongli, just imagine, what will be the consequences if you lose power?"
Zhong Liying realized now, is Feng Yong here as a lobbyist? I wanted to refute it, but found that I had actually gotten to the point where I could be lobbied. This sense of vanity was still very useful, so I held back and just said a few more words.
"What do you think, brother?"
"My family, Zhao Xingxing, has heard about Brother Zhongli for a long time. He knows that Brother Zhongli handles affairs well and in an orderly manner. The achievements of Yangzhou Academy in recent years are the best in the world, and it is all thanks to him, so he has long been interested in recruiting him, but he has not been able to get it. Always be brave, I dare to ask Brother Zhongli to go to Gusu for a talk. I am willing to entrust you with the general affairs of the school. I wonder what Brother Zhongli wants?"
Zhong Liying pondered for a moment, enjoying the comfort and then said: "Sun Fengxing went to Linzi, and the affairs of Yangzhou have not yet been handed over. At least for now, I still take care of them. As for Mo You and Yue Zhong, it is not what my brother said. …”
Before he finished speaking, Feng Yong said: "I have never seen any family that does not use their own family to handle common affairs. How can Wu Xingxing be an exception? If my prediction is correct, in ten months, Yangzhou's common affairs will be changed. Others take over!"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone rushed in from outside. It was Shi Jiu, a colleague from the school.
Shi Jiu gasped and said: "Brother Zhongli, Wu Xingxing... has returned to Yangzhou with his family. We invite Brother Zhongli to come back... to meet at the school. Please ask Brother Zhongli to sort out the general affairs of the school and hand them over to... Mo You, Yuezhong..."
Zhong Liying was stunned: "Handover?"
Shi Jiu nodded: "Three days...three days of handover..."
Zhong Liying looked at Feng Yong. Feng Yong on the side stroked his long beard, smiled and nodded to Zhong Liying. What do you mean, look, what did I say?
Zhong Liying asked: "Why are you so anxious?"
Shi Jiu said: "In accordance with the order, I summon brother Zhongli to Linzi to take charge of the affairs of Longhu Hall. I will go too, haha!"
Zhong Liying had been looking forward to it for a long time. To be honest, she had not received any news for a month and was really a little uneasy. Now it was here. Just as she had expected, Sun Fengxing was recruiting her to Linzi!
Go to Linzi to preside over the affairs of the Fengxing Mansion!
"Longhu Hall?" Zhong Liying didn't know what to say, and her tone was very excited.
"Yes, Longhu Hall, Sun Fengxing's cousin, brother Zhongli, come back with me quickly, there are many things to be handed over!" Shi Jiu couldn't wait.
Zhong Liying was too lazy to talk to Feng Yong anymore, she just smiled and cupped her hands at him: "Brother Feng, come to Zi when you have time, Ying will be waiting for you!"
Feng Yong smiled awkwardly and bowed to Zhong Liying to leave.
Zhong Liying even forgot what Men Yin asked her to do, or felt that the time was not right. Shi Jiu wanted to go with him to Linzi, and even if they wanted to talk about marriage, it would be in the future.
Three days later, Zhong Liying handed over the affairs of Yangzhou School to Mo You and Yue Zhong, and rushed to Linzi with Shi Jiu.
Entering the Longhu Hall at the east foot of the first peak of Xiandu Mountain, after meeting Wu Sheng, both of them felt that Wu Sheng's image was a bit taller and more majestic. Not yet accustomed to his own realm, he couldn't contain the pressure that overflowed.
When a confidant arrived, Wu Sheng left all matters to him and settled in the main palace, practicing hard and refining the world of Qi Sea.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Thanks to Wancanghai, wyxs, Xinxitang, and 20220722 for the rewards, and thanks to fellow Taoists for their encouragement with monthly tickets and recommended tickets!
