When Alvin saw Fengkelan located on the bank of the Funing River, he couldn't help but be filled with emotion. I sighed at its majesty, grandeur and majesty. I think it is indeed unique that it can stand in this long river of history for hundreds of years. It is surrounded by mountains in the north and Xiuchuan in the west. It has dangerous mountains and rivers to rely on, and there are open plains and rivers for convenient transportation. The location of this royal capital is really a tribute to the wisdom of the ancients.
In addition to sighing at the majesty of this city, Alvin had two emotions that were entangled in his heart: nervousness and expectation. From Saluhi to Fengklan, approaching the center of power again would naturally make him feel nervous. After all, he didn't know which one would take away everything he had worked so hard to build, the storm on the surface or the vortex in the dark. As for expectation, it is a unique emotion for ambitious "species" like Alvin when they are close to the core of power. People go to higher places and water flows to lower places. He was born to belong to this kind of place. There is no need for this. doubt.
Alvin stood on the carriage, stretched out comfortably, and looked at the majestic city of Fengkelan that stretched from the mountains to the river, with a smile on his lips.
Then he glanced at Onian beside him, and coincidentally, Onian was also looking at him at this time. The two of them looked at each other and smiled, and the unspoken understanding was from the beginning of the Southern Kingdom to the rest of their lives.
"Mr. Alvin! Mr. Alvin!" Before he entered the city, he heard someone calling his name. Alvin felt very surprised.
He turned around and saw the two brothers from the Philodi family and their followers.
Alvin couldn't help but frowned and thought to himself: "What are these two guys doing here? The emperor's orders are only issued to the lords of each principality. I don't think the emperor's envoys will go to places like Tilea. , then what is the purpose of these two brothers coming to Fengkelan?"
He secretly speculated that the old wine barrel was "unwilling to be lonely" and threw his two sons to this group of elite Feng Kelan to see if there was any "business" that could be done. Fortunately, Alvin can't fall out with Old Wine Barrel at this time. He and the Principality of Tirel are already on the same level. If the backyard is still on fire at this time, the consequences will be disastrous.
Alvin knew in his heart that he had taken New Fando without a single blow, and Old Wine Barrel was naturally panicked. The benefits he had offered to Old Wine Barrel could no longer stabilize the old guy. As a businessman, the most important thing is to have both sides, and the business that does not lose money no matter what is the most satisfying. But such "intention" naturally made Alvin completely annoyed.
However, Alvin's irritation was naturally not taken openly. When he saw the two Philodi brothers, he stepped out of the carriage with a smile on his face and greeted them warmly. But deep down in his heart, he was already thinking about how to use "Fat Joe", the chess piece he had left in Tyrell City.
Then Onian, Theresia, and Fia also stepped out of the carriage. The two brothers, Rusty and John, couldn't help but have strange looks on their faces. It was a complex emotion mixed with envy, jealousy and resentment, as if every time they saw Alvin, there were beauties around them, and this time there were three of them. Although Fiya is not a great beauty, the cute little freckles on both sides of her nose show her unique innocence at this age. The most important thing is that Rusty and John know these three beauties more or less. Onian doesn't care about it, but Theresia and Fia, one is the only daughter of the Marquis of Elu, and the other is the third daughter of the Earl of Onian. Not to mention that the territory of these two old fathers has been occupied by Alvin, even My daughter still has to follow Alvin wholeheartedly. What is this?
Alvin naturally knew what the two brothers were envious of, and he was quite used to it.
Naturally, Theresa had met the two brothers of the Philodi family, so she didn't have a good look on them, and her expression was very cold. Fia hid behind Alvin, unwilling to make any eye contact with the two men. You must know that the words that Old Barrel McNee usually used to humiliate the nobles naturally spread to the ears of the Marquis of Erou and the Earl of Oneyin. The grievances of the older generation must also be extended to the younger generation.
As for Onian, she has a condescending attitude and is too lazy to speak.
As a result, when this group of people entered the city, Alvin was the only one talking to the two Philodi brothers, and the three girls seemed to be lacking in interest. Theresa even looked a little bored. She didn't come to Feng Kelan often. She wanted to have a good time with Alvin, but she didn't expect to meet these two unlucky people. Therefore, the two Philodi brothers were scolded by Theresia in her heart.
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Fengkelan, which is crisscrossed by alleys, is divided into two parts by the Funing River, and is divided into two cities, the north and the south. The North City is dominated by royal palaces, imperial institutions, and Universalist cathedrals. Nancheng is a paradise for artists and young people. Most of the Xindu churches are located south of the Funing River, and many famous galleries and opera houses are also located in Nancheng. These were what Yuhao and Turang told and Alvin heard. A local and a mixed student played the role of tour guide very well at this time.
Alvin was not very interested in the majestic churches of the Universalist Church, so he took a quick look around the North City. It was almost noon when the group of people came to the Fengdu Long Bridge connecting the north and south cities. The breeze blowing from the Funing River makes people feel a little intoxicated. It is not yet the beginning of spring, but it is actually a bit warm. After walking so much all morning, everyone was very hungry.
Looking south across the Funing River, a large number of down-and-out painters are painting for passers-by on the long embankment on the south bank. There are also many bards playing hard music to compete for the one or two runis in the pockets of passers-by. This seems to be the special scenery of Nancheng, Alvin thought.
To the north of the long bridge, adjacent to the Funing River, there is a jade-shaped flying tower with red and red couplets carved with jie, green tiles and red roofs, which is very eye-catching. When I walked in, I saw that it was actually a tavern. It's really interesting to eat and drink upstairs and watch the scenery by the river.
"This is the 'Nian Zhuo Tower'. It is said that the owner behind the scenes is a certain noble from the Xindu Sect." Turang introduced to Alvin.
"What are all these people doing outside the building?" Alvin asked in confusion.
"There is a rule in Nianchu Tower. Guests entering the building must compose a poem, and the waiter will copy it and pass it on to their boss. Only if their boss is satisfied can they enter the building," Turang said.
"Hey! It's quite interesting." Alvin laughed immediately, "I want to have a good meal in love, but do I need to be able to write poetry?"
"With Mr. Irvine's level, the owner of this restaurant will have to treat us to a meal." John Rusty laughed and made a direct flattery.
Rusty also wanted to praise Alvin, but was overtaken by his younger brother. He looked slightly unhappy, then he changed his mind and said with a smile: "Then with Mr. Alvin's poems, what a meal. That’s enough, why don’t you invite people like us to live here for days and nights for nothing?”
Theresia only heard that Alvin was quite accomplished in oil painting, but she didn't know that this guy was also good at writing poetry. But she couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard Brother Philodi's crude flattery.
Turang stood on tiptoe and looked forward, murmuring in surprise: "According to the original, one or two limericks can be mixed in. Even some poor bards can hum a few lines. Even if they can be put in, what happened today..."
"Who says it's not the case?" Someone in the crowd heard Turang saying this and also echoed, "Didn't you just fart twice and smell a little poetic...ah...hahaha..."
"Oh, you don't know, things have been different these days."
"Why is it different?"
"Recently, the scrutiny has been very strict. Anything that cannot be put on the table will be brushed off."
"What do you mean? I don't want to do business anymore because of my feelings?"
"That's right. Tsk, I don't understand."
The entourage of the noble family started chatting like this, and Alvin and his group could hear clearly from the sidelines.
At this time, the steward of a certain noble family asked one of his colleagues: "How is your family?"
The one who came back shook his head.
"Why are you so difficult for others?"
"Hey, stop talking. I heard that Shawu just wrote a song and it was thrown out."
"Ah, this Shawu is quite famous among the literati in the market. Why don't you even invite him here?"
The two butlers complained one by one.
Turang, who was listening in the audience, was also shocked. He did not expect that none of the poems written by Sha Wu could catch the eye of the owner of Nianchulou. He and Shawu were old acquaintances. Both of them had written for an underground pornographic magazine. With his understanding of Shawu's writing skills, this was not the case.
Alvin finally understood. It seems that many nobles dare not take action personally. After all, how can they see the little stuff in their stomachs? Then I had to ask the famous literati in the city to recite a poem on their behalf, and then I would be able to enter the "Nianchu Tower". It's really ironic when you think about it. The nobles have always been self-cultivation, but now they are not good at poetry and music, and they are reduced to asking for help from down-and-out literati. It is really ridiculous, Alvin thought to himself.
"Hey, get out of the way. A group of people are stuck here, chanting poems or not? Aren't you annoyed by all this chattering? You are incompetent, so don't stand in the way of my Highness." At this time, a man with a curly beard The strong man pushed aside the people and welcomed the man who was in a strong suit.
Many people here recognized this handsome man as soon as they saw him.
"Isn't this Duke Wuhua from the Principality of Vatican Ross? He's also here to join in the fun..." Someone whispered in a low voice.
"How did you know it was him?"
"Nonsense, look at his face as big as a plate. In this whole world, except for their Wuhua clan, who else is there..." Before the man could finish his words, he was stared at by the strong man with the curly beard and couldn't speak. Speak up. However, the servants in this circle all belonged to either rich or noble families, and the strong man did not make any move, only killing with his eyes.
Duke Wuhua didn't care about people's comments about his appearance. He looked at everyone and said contemptuously: "Seeing that you are all complaining and not daring to come forward, why not get out of the way earlier and don't block this obstruction. Since the noble masters behind you are We dare not show up for fear of losing this person, so let me give it a try."
"What is the theme of today?" the Duke asked, looking at the waiter in front of the tavern.
"Replying to this distinguished guest, today's title of the shop is 'The Crossing of Cold and Spring'." The waiter replied.
"Okay, I understand." Duke Wuhua nodded confidently.
Then he recited a poem: "Ah! Spring comes quietly, stepping on the girl's light steps..."
The word "Ah" directly made Alvin and Onian laugh. Obviously, this Duke is another "Yuhao poet". Even Yuhao himself felt a little embarrassed when he met this "fellow senior brother" and tried hard to hold back his laughter.
