"Banquet? "Well, the Governor has been in the city for a long time, so it's impossible that the officials of Yunzhou don't know about it …" Xu Qi'an felt much better. Anyway, he couldn't sleep, and it was boring to stay in the station, so he said,
"Okay, please wait a moment, Your Excellency."
He put on his boots, tied the gong at the head of the bed to his chest, hung the long black gold saber on his waist, and opened the door of the room.
Governor Zhang stood outside the door, wearing a crimson official robe, with a straight posture and an imposing manner.
The two nodded to each other and went downstairs together. After waiting in the hall for a while, Jiang Lüzhong walked in from the yard and said, "The personnel count is done. Let's go."
The luxurious carriage stopped outside the station, accompanied by 30 Stalwart Tiger Guards and 7 night watchmen. The banquet was held in a large courtyard by the river.
It was a mansion specially used by the administrative envoy to entertain officials, a luxurious mansion with four entrances and four exits.
Tonight, the moon was bright, stars sparse, and there was no wind. Although it was midwinter, it was suitable for a banquet in the back garden. As the core of this banquet and also a guest, Governor Zhang deliberately arrived a quarter of an hour late.
This was not only to show off his authority, but also to give the host ample time to prepare.
When they arrived at the gate of the mansion, there were all kinds of carriages and sedans, some gorgeous and some simple, representing the officials of different official positions.
Led by the attendants, Governor Zhang and his group came to the front hall, where they saw the officials of Yunzhou wearing various official robes. There were more than a hundred of them.
Among them was the magistrate of Yunzhou whom Xu Qi'an met today.
"Governor." In the hearty laughter, an official in a crimson robe with a long beard greeted them.
"Governor." Governor Zhang smiled and cupped his hands.
"Governor … is equivalent to a high official …" Xu Qi'an examined the governor of Yunzhou. He had high cheekbones, long and narrow eyes, and when he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, giving off a shrewd and unscrupulous feeling.
"Ning is Song Tingfeng's long-lost father? "Right, if I remember correctly, this governor's surname is also Song …" Xu Qi'an curled up the corner of his mouth.
Administrative Envoy Song led Inspector Zhang to introduce them one by one. Xu Qi 'an's eyes followed them, and he firmly remembered the names of all the officials present.
"This is our Yunzhou's commander-in-chief, Sir Yang." Governor Song arrived in front of a middle-aged man with a scholarly style.
The surrounding voices suddenly became much lower, and many pairs of eyes stopped on Governor Zhang and Yang Chuannan.
The two officials looked at each other for a moment and laughed together.
"Governor Zhang, it's an honor."
"Governor Governor, it's an honor."
The atmosphere immediately lightened up, and the officials smiled.
… Why do I feel like I'm hanging by a thread? For a moment, Xu Qi 'an thought that the situation would become stiff, or that the two sides would sneer at each other in a strange way. This was in line with the image of an old man in the officialdom.
"It turned?"
"Inspector-General, the banquet is ready. Shall we go to the backyard?" The Chief Secretary said immediately.
In a prefecture (province), the three highest-ranking yamen were: the Commandant's Office, the Administrative Commissioner's Office, and the Punishment Commissioner's Office.
The three highest level government offices in a province were the Governor's Office, the Governor's Office, and the QING: Bureau of Inspecting and Prosecuting.
The QING: Bureau of Inspecting and Prosecuting belonged to the Imperial Censorate. Therefore, in front of Governor Zhang, the Governor was like a lackey.
Two interesting episodes happened at the main table.
Governor Zhang waved his hand and said, "Ning Yan, come to my side."
There were a total of ten seats at the main table, one for each spit and one for each nail. There were strict rules in the officialdom about who should sit and who could sit.
Everyone immediately looked at the young man called "Ning Yan". He was wearing a black uniform with a short cloak. There was a bronze gong engraved with dark patterns tied to his chest. There was a special, slender saber hanging from his waist. It was different from the standard saber.
People with sharp eyes could tell the identity of the bronze gong was unusual just by looking at the saber.
No matter where, people who could be special would not be ordinary.
Many officials secretly paid attention to Xu Qi 'an.
The second episode was that Governor Yang Chuannan stopped an official who was about to take a seat. He pointed to the seat beside him and said,
"A friend is coming."
The official was stunned. Then he thought of something and slapped his head as if he suddenly realized something. He went to the other table without any complaints.
… Friend, not a certain official, but a friend? Xu Qi 'an sat upright.
"Ning Yan, the riddle you said today …" Governor Zhang said in a low voice.
"Governor!" Xu Qi 'an said in a deep voice, "It's actually very simple. You just need to change your way of thinking."
"Why do you say that?"
"You are too serious." Governor Zhang, who was the Inspecting Censor, was a noble person in the officialdom of the capital. As an Imperial Censor, he was naturally noble.
If he was a ruffian in the officialdom who was proficient in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, he would have understood.
Just as Governor Zhang was about to speak, he saw a young female general in light armor coming in. She was tall and slender, her body proportions could be said to be perfect. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail.
A beautiful and handsome military woman … Xu Qi 'an's eyes suddenly lit up. He thought to himself, there is such a beautiful American military woman in Yunzhou?
This attire, compared to JK, black stockings, nurse, and air stewardess, was much more attractive. They were not on the same level.
The American military woman went straight to the main table and sat beside Governor Yang Chuannan.
Governor Zhang scrutinized the military woman. In his mind, he went through the list of people in Yunzhou's officialdom. He found that he could not match her.
"This is …" he asked curiously.
Yang Chuannan smiled and said, "I believe everyone has not heard of the famous Flying Swallow Heroine. She is called Li Miaozhen. She is the roaming cavalry general hired by this official. For the past year, she has been suppressing bandits everywhere and has made many contributions. If I were to reward her based on her contributions, then this official would have to give up my position as the Governor. "
His words caused the officials to express their opinions. They all praised this female general.
Governor Zhang did not express his opinion. He only nodded.
The roaming cavalry general hired by Yang Chuannan … In other words, she is not an official and does not belong to the official government … Xu Qi 'an scrutinized the American military woman.
Number Two is also in Yunzhou. She is also passionate about suppressing bandits and scolding the Yuanjing Emperor … She said that she is not a member of the government … I have even praised her for being chivalrous. And this handsome lady is called Flying Swallow Heroine … Pfft, Flying Swallow Heroine …
When they were chatting on the canal, Number Two supported Yang Chuannan. She has a close relationship with him … Could she be Number Two? Xu Qi 'an drank his tea calmly.
There is no hurry. I will slowly find a chance to test her.
In the chat group, it can be confirmed that both Number Five and Number Two are girls. Number Two is very good-looking. Her uniform is attractive … I wonder what Number Five is like … The little barbarian girl from Nanjiang.
Two rows of dancers wearing colorful clothes with bare shoulders entered the hall. They danced to the accompaniment of the musicians.
There is no Recluse Zi Yang in Yunzhou. Therefore, everyone did not speak highly of Xu Qi 'an. The topic revolved around the capital and Governor Zhang. Bah, socializing in the government is really boring and a waste of time.
Li Miaozhen quietly looked at the Governor and his entourage. She focused on Jiang Lvzhong. She knew that he was a Fourth Grade Warrior from Jinluo.
However, she did not know what he was good at or what his personality was like.
He is not young, but his vitality seems to be at its peak … She did not know what weapon he is good at and what "intent" he has cultivated. Hmm, after the banquet is over, she will ask Number Three.
Li Miaozhen lowered her head and drank a mouthful of wine. She immediately began to examine Xu Qi 'an. His breath is restrained. I can't see the depth of his Qi dynamic. However, martial artists in the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones realm will occasionally have divine light shining on the surface. However, this person does not have it. He is at most in the Spirit Refinement realm …
It was difficult to hide the exhaustion in his eyes. His eye bags were puffy and he looked like a pervert who had been emptied of his body by alcohol and women … This person was either a relative of some important person in the yamen or a relative of Inspector Zhang. I had heard from Yang Chuannan that the Imperial Censorate was managed by Wei Yuan. It was reasonable for Inspector Zhang to arrange for his relative to be a night watchman …
The banquet came to an end in a harmonious atmosphere. The servants served plates of dark colored loquats, plump and full.
There are loquats in this season? Xu Qi 'an picked up a not-so-fresh loquat. He peeled it and tasted it. It was sweet and sour. It tasted good. The most important thing was that it did not have a seed.
"Governor Zhang, try it. Our Yunzhou's loquat is the best. It ripens at the end of spring and the beginning of summer. You can't eat such a refreshing loquat in the capital.
"After the loquat ripens, it has always been kept in the freezer. Every ten days, we pick out the spoiled ones. Now, there are not many left." Governor Song enthusiastically grabbed a few and placed them in front of Governor Zhang.
Governor Zhang ate one and his eyes widened in surprise. "It's actually seedless?"
Governor Song smiled but did not say anything. The other officials also laughed.
Governor Zhang was quite surprised. It was his first time eating a seedless loquat. The experience was simply too good. He said in disbelief,
"There is actually a seedless loquat in the world. Wonderful, wonderful."
What is this? If you eat a seedless watermelon, won't you be moved to tears like rain? Xu Qi 'an said in his heart.
"This seedless loquat is a special species of Yunzhou? Why have I never heard of it before? "Governor Zhang said.
"Not really. It's only because the loquat tree has received the blessing of incense from the White Emperor's temple. That's why it bears seedless loquats." Governor Song smiled.
"Yes, yes. This is our Yunzhou's auspicious sign."
"Yunzhou has always been a land blessed by the heavens. It is under the care of the White Emperor. The weather is good."
All the officials immediately started to flatter Governor Zhang. They instilled the idea of "Yunzhou is an auspicious place" into Governor Zhang's mind.
Governor Zhang fell into deep thought. He could taste the taste, but he could not figure out where the mystery of the seedless loquat was. He was cautious and did not refute.
Governor Song peeled another loquat and passed it over. He asked with a smile, "Governor Zhang, don't you think so?"
Governor Zhang said helplessly, "What Governor Song said …"
"Governor Song's words are wrong." Suddenly, Xu Qi 'an opened his mouth and interrupted.
The officials at the main table and the other tables looked over and stared at Xu Qi 'an.
Li Miaozhen, who was eating with her head lowered, felt very disdainful. She knew the reason, but she was now on the side of Yunzhou's officialdom. Therefore, she did not expose Governor Song.
She raised her head and stared at Xu Qi 'an who spoke rudely. She wanted to hear what he had to say.
Governor Song frowned. He looked at the gong that was almost ignored by him. His smile did not change. He said, "What advice does this Governor have for me?"
Xu Qi 'an put down the wine cup. He slowly chewed the food in his mouth and swallowed it. Then, he picked up a loquat and said with a smile,
"The principle is actually very simple. You only need to pluck out the center of the stamen when the loquat is blooming. Then, the loquat will not have a seed.
"Administrative Envoy, is what this lowly official said correct?"
The table suddenly became silent. The officials of Yunzhou around him looked at him with a stiff face.
Governor Song's expression suddenly froze.
