Yang Fan knew nothing about what happened on Mount Hua. At this moment, he was heading to the Wu Clan's banquet.
The Wu Clan's banquet was held at General Wu Youyi's residence. Of course, Wu Cheng Si and Wu Sansi were more qualified to host the family banquet. However, the two of them were always competing with each other and would fight over everything. If the banquet was held in either of their houses, the other would not attend, so they could only hold it at Wu Youyi's house.
Wu Youyi's residence had a garden that was three to four mu in size. There were flowers, grass, ponds, and trees in the garden. Near the ponds, there was a pavilion with carved beams and flowers. The pavilion was two stories high and looked magnificent. Not all the guests had arrived yet. In front of the hall, there was a group of young girls in colorful clothes. They were singing and dancing to entertain the guests.
In the hall, there was jingling, rippling autumn waves, and a group of pretty and charming dancers. Below the hall, the Wu Clan's people were either sitting in twos or threes, chatting merrily or walking side by side in the corridors. At first glance, it looked like a harmonious group.
Almost all the influential figures of the Wu Clan had arrived. However, a few important members of the Wu Clan had yet to arrive. Princess Taiping's son-in-law, Wu Youji, would definitely not come. Although he was from the Wu Clan, he hated the Wu Clan to the core. Wu Youyi, the eldest brother, did not invite him either. He was afraid that if he came and got drunk, he might remember old grudges and fight Wu Sansi again.
Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi hadn't arrived yet either. Whenever there was a Wu Clan gathering like this, these two princes, who boasted themselves as the Wu Clan's masters, would definitely come. However, the two of them would never arrive before the other party, lest they appear to be inferior to the other party. This was the only thing these two cousins had a tacit understanding about.
Another reason was that Xue Huaiyi had not arrived yet. This Master Xue was someone that the entire Wu Clan wanted to curry favor with, so he was naturally more arrogant. Qiu Shenji had already arrived. Yang Fan noticed that it was not only him and Qiu Shenji who were invited. Apart from them, there were also a few officials.
Imperial Censor Zhou Yong, Ran Zuyong, Minister of Glories Song Zhixun, Imperial Servant Minister Li Jun, and Supervising Imperial Censor Yao Shaozhi were people he didn't recognize. These people were the lackeys that Wu Sansi had brought to his side. In the capital, they were known as the 'San Si Wu Gou'. Other people like Fu Youyi, Zhang Jiafu, and Wang Qingzhi were Wu Chengsi's lackeys.
Fu Youyi was the Imperial Messenger who gathered people from all walks of life to persuade Empress Wu. After Empress Wu ascended to the throne, she immediately promoted him to the position of Assistant Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion's Luantai Pavilion. In one step, he became the Prime Minister.
However, this person's abilities were too average. None of the Chancellors like Di Renjie, Li, Su Liangsi, liked him. Renjie. Under the tacit agreement of the other Prime Ministers, Fu Youyi soon became an empty shell, with no achievements to be made. After, he became Youyi 'the Chancell Chengsi, Chancell Youyi, Cheng Li, he Youyi, Wu, Chengsi, Wu, and Li, Youyi, Youyi, Hua, Wu, Chen, Wu Li, Youyi Wu's Wu.
As a result, he became even more determined to follow Wu Chengsi. He was already deeply branded with the Wu Clan. When he was proud of his success, he had to rely on the Wu Clan's support. Now that he had lost power, he had to curry favor with the Wu Clan to have a chance to make a comeback. Otherwise, there would be many people waiting to beat him down.
Zhang Jiafu was the Phoenix Pavilion's Renhuang, while Wang Qingzhi was a scholar from the Hongwen School. Seeing the Wu Clan's growing influence and envious of Fu Youyi's success, they also joined the Wu Clan and became Wu Chengsi's men. In comparison, Wu Chengsi's strength was above Wu Sansi's.
Wu Chengsi had Zhou Xing and Qiu Shenji as his subordinates. Compared to them, Wu Sansi's five dogs paled in comparison.
Although Yang Fan was invited, he was not considered an important guest. The Wu Clan wanted to rope him in, but with Yang Fan's status, he could not be considered an important guest among the princes, dukes, and nobles. Therefore, when he arrived, Qiu Shenji called him over and gave him a few words of praise.
Yang Fan only had one enemy left, Qiu Shenji. His desire for revenge was not as urgent, especially since he already had important evidence that could kill Qiu Shenji. Therefore, his attitude was more relaxed and did not show any signs of abnormality in front of Qiu Shenji. After a series of exchanges, Yang Fan retreated to the side and sat with Fu Youyi, Zhang Jiafu, Wang Qingzhi, and the others.
Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi arrived at the same time. Zhou Xing accompanied Wu Chengsi. Hearing that Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi had arrived, everyone hurriedly went out to welcome them. These two princes, one from the south and one from the north, arrived at Wu Youyi's residence at almost the same time. Wu Youyi led the Wu Clan clansmen, Qiu Shenji, Fu Youyi, and the others to open the gate. After a series of greetings and greetings, just as the two entered the residence, the sound of galloping horses could be heard. A group of fat monks riding on fine horses arrived, their clothes fluttering in the wind.
"Aiya, Master Xue is here!"
Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi, who had been reserved just a moment ago, suddenly changed their expressions and rushed out of the mansion with smiles on their faces. It was as if the two of them were the masters of the mansion, leaving Wu Youyi behind.
"Neigh ~!"
Xue Huaiyi pulled on the reins and looked around disdainfully. Wu Sansi quickly stepped forward and took the reins from Xue Huaiyi's hands. Wu Chengsi rushed forward and held the stirrups for Xue Huaiyi. Xue Huaiyi dismounted his horse and laughed. "Prince Wei, Prince Liang, I'm not late, am I?"
The two smiled sincerely and rushed to say, "Not late, not late. Master Xue came at the right time. Master Xue is our Wu Clan's honored guest. Without Master Xue, this banquet cannot be started no matter what."
Xue Huaiyi laughed loudly. Suddenly, he saw Yang Fan and left Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi behind. He strode over and looked Yang Fan up and down. The more he looked, the more pleased he became. He patted Yang Fan's shoulder heavily and laughed. "Seventeen, I've heard about your contributions in the Western Region. I'm very happy for you! Not bad! This is someone from our White Horse Temple! "
After Xue Huaiyi finished speaking, he turned to the disciples and said, "You bunch of trash. You've been with me for a long time, but when have you ever been as successful as Seventeen? All of you should learn more from your Junior Brother! "
The monks said yes. Among them, Hong Yi, Hong Liu, and the others who were familiar with Yang Fan surrounded Yang Fan and greeted him warmly. Seeing this, Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi hurried over and followed Xue Huaiyi's wishes. They praised Yang Fan and made Xue Huaiyi laugh heartily.
As they talked, they walked in. Xue Huaiyi talked about his disciple Yang Fan's contributions in the Western Region. He talked about how Yang Fan led an army to attack the Turkic Khaganate, and how Gu Gulu ran far away when he heard the news. Xue Huaiyi was exultant and everyone was flattering him. The host and the guests were happy.
Xue Huaiyi sat in the middle of the banquet hall in the garden behind the residence. Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi also sat on his left and right, and the banquet officially began. Rows of beautiful maids served up all sorts of delicacies. As the host, Wu Youyi raised his cup and gave a speech, and the banquet began.
During this banquet, besides the unrestrained and arrogant Xue Huaiyi who drank to his heart's content while his disciples, Hong One, Hong Six, and the others drank and chatted freely, the others didn't feel relaxed at all.
Wu Zetian had already ascended to the throne and the position of Crown Prince had become the topic of the Wu Clan's greatest concern. Among the Wu Clan's nephews, the ones with the greatest influence and the highest chance of winning the position of Crown Prince were Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi. Although the rest of the Wu Clan's members all had the same surname, they still had to depend on someone.
As for Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, on one hand, they had to flatter Xue Huaiyi and try their best to build a close relationship with the Emperor's lover. On the other hand, they had to take this opportunity to win over important Wu Clan members like Wu Youyi. At the same time, they had to keep the other party in check and not let the other party overshadow them.
Amidst this joyous dance and celebration of peace, there were extremely complicated calculations, trade-offs, and compromises. Other than the people of the White Horse Temple, who could ignore it because of Xue Huaiyi's high status, who else could let their guard down?
Among the guests that the Wu Clan had invited, Zhou Yongyi, Ran Zuyong, Song Zhixun, Li Jun, and Yao Shaozhi were already Wu Sansi's people. Qiu Shenji, Zhou Xing, Fu Youyi, Zhang Jiafu, and Wang Qingzhi were Wu Chengsi's people. The only person that could be won over was the newly promoted military noble, Yang Fan.
Xue Huaiyi's status was high. Although he was close to the Wu Clan, he couldn't rely on Wu Chengsi or Wu Sansi. These two people only wanted to curry favor with him and didn't dare to think that they could make him their subordinate. However, it was different now. Yang Fan was Xue Huaiyi's proudest and most beloved disciple. If Yang Fan stood on someone's side, his master would most likely side with that person.
With such a plan in mind, Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi did their utmost to curry favor with Yang Fan. Of course, with their current status, they could not lower their statuses and try to win over a young general. These things were done by their lackeys on their behalf.
Thus, as soon as the banquet began, the Wu clansmen who had pledged their allegiance to Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, as well as Zhou Yongyi and Fu Youyi, all sought out Yang Fan, toasting him, shaking his arm and trying to win him over to their side. In Xue Huaiyi's eyes, he thought that these people were giving him face and treating his disciple with special courtesy. In his joy, Xue Huaiyi downed his cup and soon became drunk.
A few members of the Wu Clan who were inclined towards Wu Chengsi stepped forward and toasted Xue Huai Yi first before toasting Wu Chengsi. When Wu Sansi saw that they had placed Wu Chengsi in front of him, he was immediately displeased. Without waiting for them to toast him again, he coldly snorted and said, "I'm going to relieve myself!" Then he flicked his sleeves and left the table.
When Wu Chengsi saw his actions, he only sneered inwardly. He drained his cup of wine and began to chat happily with his clansmen. Yang Fan had been watching Wu Sansi's every move the entire time. When he saw Wu Sansi stand up and leave, he hurriedly stood up as well. He pretended to be drunk and smiled at Hong Liu, who had stepped forward to urge him to drink. "Sixth Senior Brother, please take a seat. I'm going to relieve myself and will be back soon!"
Dancing and singing continued on the upper floor. Maids fluttered back and forth like butterflies, and a manservant stood in front of the building. Yang Fan walked to the front of the building and stated his intentions. Immediately, a delicate and pretty manservant led him to the toilet. Yang Fan looked at Wu Sansi, who was walking not too far in front of him. He only continued to walk slowly and didn't say a word.
When he arrived at the toilet, the manservant was waiting outside. Yang Fan turned around and entered the room, just in time to see Wu Sansi taking off his belt and lifting his robe. Yang Fan looked around and didn't see anyone else. He quickly caught up to Wu Sansi and bowed respectfully. "Yang Fan pays his respects to His Highness, King Liang!"
"Ah … ah, General Yang …"
Wu Sansi felt a bit awkward. His robe was halfway undone, and he was just about to relieve himself. Yang Fan's politeness really wasn't in the right place. Wu Sansi forced a smile and nodded. Just as he was about to continue relieving himself, Yang Fan suddenly flashed to his side and said in a low voice, "I have a confidential matter that I wish to report to His Highness, King Liang!"
"Hm?"
Wu Sansi immediately went on guard when he heard this. Even his desire to relieve himself was gone. He immediately asked, "What do you have to report?"
Yang Fan said, "I have captured an extremely important witness in the western regions, and it is related to His Highness, King Wei. This is no small matter, so I do not dare to report this to the imperial court, nor do I dare to destroy the evidence on my own. After thinking about it for a long time, I can only report this to His Highness, King Liang, and ask him to make a decision for me!"
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