Prefecture City
A ship was leaning against the shore. The sky was dark, and the waves were gleaming. On the deck of the ship, there were several soldiers lined up. Their leather armors clanged against each other, emitting a murderous aura.
The Governor stood at the top of the ship, gazing at the setting sun. He sighed and turned to an official, "Has there been any movement from Ji Bei Hou recently?"
"Your excellency, Ji Bei Hou suffered a loss at the Governor's palace, and was enraged when he returned. There hasn't been any movement from him. Now, the entire Hou Mansion is retreating. It's just that yesterday, the third son of Hou Mansion, Wei Ang, was ambushed by an assassin. However, he was killed by the guards, and nothing serious happened." The official reported.
"Mm, I'm aware of this as well. These assassins are truly audacious. They even dared to enter the palace and attempt an assassination. For this banquet, have you arranged for the guards to be present?" The Governor asked.
"Your excellency, don't worry. This banquet is well guarded. There are even guards patrolling the grounds. All the guests have been checked, and no one will be armed." The official reported.
"Mm, that's good. Keep an eye on Ji Bei Hou. His son was assassinated, and he suffered a great loss. Seeing Ji Bei Hou being so quiet, I can't help but feel uneasy. After two years of fighting, although we aren't mortal enemies, I've gained a better understanding of his character."
"This man is very patient. If he doesn't make a move, he'll be killed. We have to be careful!" The Governor stroked his beard as he spoke.
"Your excellency, it's necessary to be careful. But don't worry, I will keep an eye on him. It's almost time for the banquet, please prepare to start!" The official laughed.
The Governor had the intention to recruit the scholars.
Perhaps after a hundred years of peace, the Governor's power was deeply entrenched, and there was no need for such a move. But now that the country was about to be established, it was extremely important to gain the support of the scholars. It wasn't because of fame, but because most of the High Scholars were local officials.
Previously, during Ji Bei Hou's banquet, the newly crowned Master Top Scorer had invited the Governor to drink with him. The Governor was deeply regretful. However, this banquet had been scheduled for a long time. It was rumored that Master Top Scorer had declined many banquets. He wondered if he would attend this banquet. The official looked at the Governor and stroked his beard as he pondered.
The ox cart trotted along the road. A bell was tied to the ox's neck. "Ding ding dang dang!" Pei Zi sat on the ox-cart with his eyes closed. A long sword rested on his thighs. He seemed to be resting, but at the same time, he looked like he was preparing and recuperating.
"Neigh!" The coachman pulled on the reins and stopped by the side of the river. Not too far away was the Governor's banquet ship. The coachman then whispered into the carriage, "Master Top Scorer, we've reached the shore of the banquet ship."
Hearing the coachman's soft voice, Pei Zi Yun opened his eyes and calmed himself down. There would definitely be an assassination attempt tonight. Based on the memories of his previous life, the Governor's assassination attempt had failed, and the details of the assassination attempt had not been leaked. He had no choice but to take things one step at a time.
"Go find a place to rest. Come pick me up after the banquet tonight." Pei Zi Yun instructed the coachman. He didn't know what was going to happen tonight, so he didn't want the coachman to get involved.
"Yes, master Top Scorer." The coachman acknowledged as he hurried the oxcart to find a place to rest.
Pei Zi Yun touched the hilt of his sword and held onto the invitation as he walked towards the banquet ship.
There was an official standing guard at the bottom of the ship, along with several other officials. Two rows of armored soldiers were lined up, and several bailiffs were standing guard as well, guarding the way to the ship.
In front of him, there were several officials holding onto their invitations. However, they were stopped by the armored soldiers. The official took the invitation and examined it. The soldiers checked to see if they were carrying any weapons before letting them pass.
"Student Pei Zi Yun." Pei Zi Yun handed over the invitation and clasped his hands.
"So it's Top Scorer Pei." The official looked at this High Scholar. He looked to be about sixteen years of age, and was clean and neat. Who would have thought that he would be able to write 'Jiang Jing Jiu', and become famous throughout the entire prefecture?
He then smiled, "May I invite Top Scorer Pei to unsheathe my sword."
Although Pei Zi Yun was a High Scholar and could carry a sword with him, this was the Governor's banquet, and he was not allowed to carry it. Pei Zi Yun paused for a moment before retrieving his sword. A bailiff came forward to receive it before allowing Pei Zi Yun to board the ship.
The ship was huge, and had four levels. It was made out of wood, and was guarded by armored soldiers. Colorful flags were fluttering in the wind, and several officials were standing by the side of the ship, chatting with each other. It was a scene of peace and prosperity.
As he entered the ship, he saw that there was a stage. On the stage, a female dancer was holding a red spear in her hands, and was dancing gracefully. Below the stage, several officials were seated at the tables, watching the performance.
Pei Zi Yun observed his surroundings carefully. The windows were wide open, allowing the wind to blow in. The second floor had no ceiling, and was empty. He could watch the dance on the first floor from the second floor. The entire place was decorated with lanterns and red cloth. It was a very lively scene.
However, Pei Zi Yun frowned. This environment was not suitable for an assassination attempt. Or perhaps, he did not expect that there would be pirates coming up the river to attack him in the middle of the night. He could not say this out loud.
He took several steps forward and looked around carefully. Apart from the officials, there were also some famous scholars, High Scholars, and even a few Elementary Scholars. He had seen some of them before during the banquet at Hou Mansion.
A man walked up to him and bowed, "Master Top Scorer, it's rare to see you. The last time during the banquet at Hou Mansion, I was fortunate enough to see you in person. I wonder if master Top Scorer will have a masterpiece tonight?"
Pei Zi Yun looked over and saw that his name was Li Shi. He was a famous scholar in the prefecture. The last time he was at Ji Bei Hou Mansion, he had been introduced to him by High Scholar Fu. Hearing this, Pei Zi Yun laughed, "So it's Mister Li. Do you have a poem or not? We'll have to drink a few cups of wine first.
"Haha, master Top Scorer is indeed generous. Please take a seat over here. We're all from the prefecture, it's a good idea for us to discuss poetry together." As soon as he finished speaking, Li Ming pulled Pei Zi Yun to sit beside him.
The sky was getting darker, and it was just after 5pm. Everyone was still discussing when someone shouted, "His excellency the Governor has arrived!"
"Looks like I can't talk to my heart's content now." Li Ming smiled and sighed. He then saw several soldiers standing in line as an official walked out.
At this point, the sound of drums could be heard. Pei Zi Yun squinted his eyes and looked up at the setting sun. The blood red waters were splashing against the sides of the boat. Two soldiers stood there with their swords in their hands. The rest of the soldiers stood on both sides of the boat. The entire scene was solemn and dignified.
Everyone bowed, "Greetings, Governor."
The Governor smiled, "I'm honored to be with you all. Get up. Today, we'll only talk about poetry and not the quality of the poems."
After saying a few more words, he announced the start of the banquet.
As the banquet started, people started serving the dishes. It was extremely lively. When the wine was served, someone stepped forward and held up a cup of wine, "Master Top Scorer, I heard you say that without wine, there can't be a poem. Now that the wine has been served, let me toast you three cups. Do you have a good poem?"
This person's voice was very loud, and his words were filled with provocation. These people had heard people praising Pei Zi Yun's literary talent and were extremely displeased. When they heard Pei Zi Yun's words, they wanted to toast him and ask him to write a poem.
Pei Zi Yun glanced at him. This person's features were not very good, and his words were filled with a sense of displeasure. Pei Zi Yun laughed coldly and said, "To write a poem, one must not only have wine, but also a good mood. But seeing you, I'm not in the mood. Even if there's wine, there's no poem."
This person's words were filled with provocation, and his words were filled with sarcasm, "What bad mood? What wine but no poem? I'm afraid that's just an excuse for not having a poem."
This person's words were extremely loud, and Pei Zi Yun was annoyed. Regardless of whether it was on earth or here, he had seen many people like this. As long as someone was good, he would be jealous and would think of ways to find fault with them.
"Ignorant fool." Pei Zi Yun raised his eyelids slightly, and ignored his sarcastic words. If you want me to write, I'll write. Who are you? Do you have the face to do so?
This commotion attracted the attention of the people in front. The Governor raised his eyelids and asked, "Who's that young man?"
"Your excellency, that young man was the Top Scorer Pei Yun who showed off his talents in Hou Mansion a few days ago." The official beside the Governor smiled and said, "Actually you've seen him before, but he's far away now."
It was common for scholars to mock each other at banquets, and thus the Governor didn't mind. He then instructed, "Invite Top Scorer Pei over."
Following the Governor's orders, an imperial guard walked over to invite Pei Zi Yun, "Master Top Scorer, the Governor has invited you. Please come forward."
Only then did Pei Zi Yun agree. The person who had provoked him earlier looked at him with a heated gaze, and was filled with unwillingness.
As Pei Zi Yun approached, he realized that he had finally met the Governor in his previous life. He was a refined man, with a tall stature. He was around forty years old, and had a scholarly air about him. He had a dignified air about him, as well as an authoritative aura. He smiled and said, "Master Top Scorer, I've heard that you were able to compose a poem after drinking three cups of wine at Ji Bei Hou's Mansion. Your poem is famous throughout the entire prefecture. I wonder if master Top Scorer has anything to write today?"
At this point, a voice could be heard, "Governor your excellency, master Top Scorer has just arrived. He said that if there's wine and a poem, there's definitely something to write."
It was the man who had followed Pei Zi Yun from afar. When he heard Pei Zi Yun's words, he became impatient.
"Shut up. The Governor is speaking, and you have no right to interrupt. Hurry up and leave." The official beside the Governor stepped forward and reprimanded him loudly. Only then did the man realize that he had made a mistake, and that he had offended the Governor. He then hurriedly retreated back to his seat.
The Governor didn't take it to heart, and smiled at Pei Zi Yun, "Is that what Top Scorer means?"
Pei Zi Yun smiled and said, "When I'm about to enter the wine, don't stop. The last time, I drank three cups of wine before I could compose a poem. If your excellency the Governor were to pour three cups of wine, I would be able to compose a poem as well."
The way he spoke to the Governor was extremely arrogant. The official's expression changed, and was about to step forward to reprimand him.
The Governor knew that Pei Zi Yun had already entered a Daoist sect, and had no plans to continue advancing in his career. He then stretched out a hand to stop him and smiled, "What's so difficult about that? But three cups is too stingy. The last time you drank three cups, you had to bring in more wine. Come, I shall personally pour seven cups of wine. I wonder what kind of poem you can compose after drinking it."
The Governor took the cups from the official beside him and poured seven cups, "Please!"
"Haha, this wine is grown in the fields. Remove the grain from the mortar, measure it in a bucket, and fill it in a bag. Soak it in spring water, and use it as a melody. Pei Zi Yun laughed and received the cup of wine. With a gulp, he finished the entire cup. Everyone cheered.
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