Chapter 313

Magistrate Hua's eulogy was beautifully written, with more than ten thousand words. Professor Gu and Huang Xundao stood below with their eyes slightly closed. They shook their heads and wagged their tails as they listened. They felt that every word was a gem, and it was truly a good article! Ye Xiaotian did not listen to even half a sentence, he only muttered in his heart, "The old granny's foot-binding cloth, smelly and long!"

When Magistrate Hua finally finished reading the eulogy and held a series of sacrificial ceremonies, he walked down the stage in a warm applause. Ye Xiaotian was refreshed. He strode to the stage and announced loudly, "Now, all colleagues go to Taibai Residence and gather with the gentry of this county. Officials and people celebrate together and welcome the Winter Festival!"

His words immediately drew a thunderous applause, especially from the military officials of the Inspection Department, their applause was especially loud. Then the officials scattered, riding horses, sitting in sedan chairs, riding carriages, there were also some minor officials who leisurely walked on carriages, running towards Taibai Restaurant in a chaotic manner.

Taibai Tavern was the largest tavern in Gourd County. It was located right opposite the county government office. There were dozens of private rooms in the tavern, and the banquet hall on the first floor could accommodate hundreds of people. The entire restaurant was in the shape of a circle, with a huge courtyard in the middle. There were potted bamboos, flowers, and strange rocks in the courtyard, just like a small garden.

Today, the Tai Bai Ju Restaurant had been booked by the government. The banquet was set up in the courtyard of this exquisite garden. The banquet tables were scattered among the flowers and trees, and a small stream gurgled among them. It was extremely elegant. In the distance, there was a musician playing the pipa. The tune was beautiful and unique.

All the officials and gentry gathered together. The junior gentry complimented the senior gentry, the senior gentry complimented the officials, and the junior officials complimented the senior officials. They exchanged toasts and toasted each other, and it was extremely lively. There was also a variety of games to help people drink, such as the Quiver of Arrows, the Winding Stream, the Drinking Game, and so on.

Ye Xiaotian became the focus of everyone's greetings. Many people came in front of Magistrate Hua and just politely toasted him. But in front of Ye Xiaotian, they couldn't wait to stay a little longer and talk more. If Ye Xiaotian chatted with him a little longer, they would leave with a red face, as if they were proud of him.

Hua Qingfeng saw this scene and felt very uncomfortable in his heart. But he couldn't show it, so he could only force himself to be graceful, but the smile on his face gradually became stiff.

Ever since Ye Xiaotian sat down, he had never stopped drinking. Although he only needed to take a sip to show his sincerity, there were too many people around. After a while, he felt a little tipsy.

Ye Xiaotian saw that the situation was not good, so he hurriedly used a pee escape spell and pretended to go to the toilet. As soon as he left the hall, he let out a long sigh of relief and walked to the back of the hall, looking for a quiet place to sober up.

The waiters in the hotel were all standing around, waiting for the officials to call people to serve them. As soon as they saw Magistrate Ye coming out, two waiters hurriedly stepped forward. He was the most powerful person in the county. Waiters in Taibai House, how could they not know this big boss?

Just as the two assistants were about to reach Ye Xiaotian's side, they bent down with eager smiles on their faces. Suddenly, they felt a gust of wind by their ears. A green shadow flashed past them with a swoosh. The two waiters were startled. When they took a closer look, they found it was their owner, Sheng Long.

Sheng Long was fat, and when he ran, his round belly bounced up and down. His body, which was more than three hundred kilograms, seemed to be as light as a swallow. When he came to Ye Xiaotian, Sheng Long showed an appropriate standard smile, politely stretched out his white and fat palm, and said flatteringly: "Milord, this way please!"

Ye Xiaotian nodded and followed the shopkeeper to go upstairs. After turning a corner, there was an elegant room. The window was open, and from above, they could see the people who were having a banquet in the courtyard. But because of the green curtain, it was difficult for people below to see the people in the elegant room upstairs.

The furnishings in the room were simple and elegant. When Ye Xiaotian came to the room, he saw Register Wang sitting there with his eyes slightly closed. One of his hands was on the table, and his fingers were slightly bent, gently tapping on the table. It seemed that he was listening to the melodious music coming from afar.

Hearing the movement, Register Wang opened his eyes slightly. When he saw it was Ye Xiaotian, he couldn't help sitting up straight and said with a smile: "Haha, I'm old and can't stand the noise. Why did you, Milord Ye, also become a deserter? "

Ye Xiaotian shook his head and said with a smile: "I thought that I was the only one who escaped, but I didn't expect that you, Milord Wang, would be one step ahead. No, I really can't hold my liquor, so I can only escape. "

As Ye Xiaotian said this, he sat down on a chair at the side. A waiter had already brought a pot of fragrant tea and four platters of fruits and candied fruits. Mister Sheng nodded and bowed: "Milords, please rest. If there is anything you need, just let me know."

Shopkeeper Sheng finished speaking and left. Ye Xiaotian and Register Wang chatted for a while. Register Wang looked downstairs and shook his head: "Looking at the situation, I'm afraid that this banquet will not end until the lanterns are lit. Both of us have escaped, but the district magistrate has suffered. Right now, everyone is toasting to him. "

Ye Xiaotian joked: "Milord Wang, why don't you go down and help our district magistrate out of trouble?"

Register Wang glanced at him, stroked his beard and said with a smile: "In this kind of matter, only a young person like you should rush to the front. There is no reason for an old man like me to come forward. Shopkeeper, shopkeeper … "

Shopkeeper Sheng appeared at the door with a swoosh. It turned out that ever since the county's second and third in command came to this private room, this shopkeeper had been guarding the door and had not left. Register Wang originally wanted to change a waiter, but he didn't expect such a big fat man to appear. Register Wang was startled and said with a smile: "Shopkeeper, go and get a chess set."

"Yes, yes, yes. Milords, please wait for a moment. I will be back soon!" Shopkeeper Sheng bowed and laughed twice, then turned around and disappeared at the door. With that fat body of his, he actually had such vigorous skills. It was truly a sight to behold.

After a while, a good chessboard was delivered, and Shopkeeper Sheng retreated with a smile.

Ye Xiaotian said with a smile: "Milord Wang's chess skills are profound. I am no match for you."

Register Wang smiled as he set the chess board: "Hey! It's just a friendly match. Milord Ye, you don't have to be too polite. This old man has only dabbled a little in the way of chess, so it can't be considered profound. You and I can play a casual game, just treat it as killing time. "

Ye Xiaotian rolled up his sleeves, leaned over, and said with a smile: "It is better to be polite than to be polite. Alright, let's just have a casual match. Milord Wang, you first! "

…

Chen Muyan's coffin was moved to the temple after the funeral. Today was the day of the funeral, so he had to go to the temple to retrieve his coffin. Early in the morning, the Chen family was busy. The Chen family's wife packed up all the things she needed to bring back to her hometown and put them in the carriage. The courtyard door was locked, and the key was given to a family brother. He would stay behind to deal with the aftermath.

The neighbors all rushed over when they heard the news and stood by the side of the road to watch. No matter how they usually got along with the Chen family, they couldn't help but feel a little sad after this parting. Therefore, they all greeted the mother and daughter of the Chen family.

"Sister-in-law, let's go."

The Chen brothers packed the luggage and tied it up properly, then rushed over to tell the Chen family's wife. The Chen family's wife nodded, and the group boarded the carriage and went straight to the small temple on the outskirts of the city.

The small temple was not big, and the coffin was parked in the pine forest behind the temple. The fee to park the coffin was not high. Back then, the Chen family's wife had paid three months in advance, so they happily carried the coffin out.

The Chen brothers had already prepared a long-distance carriage. The coffin was helped onto the carriage, secured and locked, and then walked along the official road to the post road. Along the way, the Chen family's wife held her husband's memorial tablet, calling his name from time to time to summon the soul. In front of them, there were people from the Chen family brushing their hair and scattering paper money, opening the way for the soul.

"Chen family's wife, Chen family's wife …"

Su Xuntian hurried over. He first went to the Chen family, but only General Tie guarded the door. After asking the neighbors, he ran to the small temple and asked the old monk in the temple before catching up.

Because it was a long way, the Chen family's wife did not walk. Instead, she wore mourning clothes and held the memorial tablet as she sat in the carriage. As soon as Su Xuntian called out, the carriages stopped. The Chen family's wife coldly glanced at him, but did not say anything. Su Xuntian wiped the sweat off his forehead and said to the Chen family's wife, "Wife, today you are helping your husband return home. Is there anything you need the county to help you with?"

The Chen family's wife coldly said, "There is no need for your concern. My husband's coffin will be escorted by my Chen family's relatives."

Su Xuntian sighed and took out the ingot of silver from his sleeve. With Su Xuntian's personality, he would even pluck the goose's feathers when it passed by. After it passed through his hands, it was inevitable that the silver would shrink. But this was money given to the dead. Su Xuntian also had his bottom line as a person. What he was holding in his hand was a solid five taels of silver.

Su Xuntian said, "Chen family's wife, along the way, you will have to spend a lot of money to support the coffin back home. This five taels of silver is a small token of appreciation from the county. Please accept it, wife. "

This time, the Chen family's wife did not say anything. She only looked at him coldly and said to the men who were supporting the coffin, "Let's go!"

The carriages began to move slowly, completely ignoring Su Xuntian. Su Xuntian helplessly retreated to the side of the road. Watching the carriages moving further and further away, he gently shook his head and let out a long sigh.

…

At the Gourd County tax customs, the traveling merchants were waiting in line to be inspected and collected taxes. Suddenly, the sound of a suona came from afar. A moment later, they saw a white banner fluttering in the wind. Suddenly, someone thought of something and blurted out, "Oh! Today is the day that Ambassador Chen returns home! "

With just this sentence, the entire tax customs immediately quieted down. The busy tax collectors also stopped what they were doing and silently watched the procession of coffins coming from afar. The traveling merchants consciously retreated to the side, opening a path for the funeral procession.

In front of them, there was a caravan that had just finished inspecting their goods and paying taxes. The carriages stopped at the customs and were repacking their goods. Suddenly, they heard the funeral music and couldn't help but stop to listen and look in the direction of the sound. In the caravan, there was an old man in his fifties wearing a blue robe. He put his hand on the awning and looked around. He said in surprise, "Who is this funeral procession?"

A tax collector next to him sighed and said, "That is Ambassador Chen's coffin. The Chen family is carrying the coffin back home."

The blue-robed merchant let out an "ah" and his expression became solemn. He hurriedly tidied up his robe and waited for the funeral procession to arrive before solemnly bowing. The tax collector couldn't help but ask, "Why, Master Lu, do you know our Ambassador Chen?"

Master Lu sighed and said, "Although we don't have a deep relationship, we have had some dealings. No matter what the officials say, in my heart, Ambassador Chen is an extremely good person. "

Seeing that someone was bowing to the coffin, as a widow, how could she ignore it? She hurriedly got off the carriage and bowed back. The blue-robed merchant sighed and said, "This must be the Chen family's wife. This old man is Lu Mo, and I have met Ambassador Chen several times. I didn't expect that after just a month, we would be separated by life and death. It really makes one sigh."

The Chen family's wife faintly said, "Thank you, Master Lu, for thinking of my husband …" At this point, her eyes turned red and tears almost fell down. Lu Mo looked at the funeral procession of the Chen family and sighed, "From here to Deer Horn Town, there is no one along the way. You only have two carriages, and most people can only walk. It is too difficult to walk out. Why don't you take my caravan's carriage and travel together? I will take you to Deer Horn Town, and then everyone will go their separate ways. "

When the Chen brothers heard this, they were overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Master Lu, thank you, Master Lu!"

The Chen family's wife glanced at her brother-in-law and also bowed, saying, "In that case, thank you, Master Lu."

When the onlookers saw this, they all secretly praised the merchant surnamed Lu for his righteousness. However, Master Lu repeatedly waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, no need to thank me, no need to thank me. Then, please wait for a moment. When this old man's convoy is ready, we will leave together."

…

In Taibai Ju, the sky gradually darkened. Lanterns were hung in the courtyard, and a lamp was also lit in the private room of Ye Xiaotian and Register Wang. The two of them played under the lamp, and the game gradually came to an end. The situation was extremely unfavorable for Ye Xiaotian. Register Wang wiped the tea with the lid of his teacup and quickly glanced outside the window. He stared at the chessboard and smiled, "Lord Ye, this game, it seems that this old man … will definitely win!"