Chapter 48 Hongmen Banquet Dao Chunqiu (I)

Hold the moon building third floor against the east side, is a large piece of flower hall, half of the building facing the empty, just can see downstairs on the first floor of the hall, the wide hu man blanket, in the downstairs flooded with fishy red, have a different flavor.

Today there is a VIP guest in the building, so this half of the flower hall will be vacated, when entering the flower hall, the second prince’s eyes subconsciously looked towards the door, and saw that two words were newly written on it with gold paint.

“Hongmen.”

Fan Xian, as the host, calmly smiled and welcomed the crowd into the hall, the flower hall was separated by screens and hanging velvet curtains, and the hot air was steaming, as soon as the great figures entered the flower hall, they were stripped of their cloak clothes by the girls beside them, and were only wearing an inner singlet.

Enough. Early there are all kinds of exquisite tea snacks shelved on the table, with plates and dishes are also good things in Jiangnan, the wine is the very best glass, the wine is the world s most expensive spirits Wuliangye, beside the service …… girls are all national colors, gentle and quiet.

Prince naturally sat in the most honorable position, he looked at Fan Xian laughing and scolded: “That is, you have such a good enjoyment, look at the things here, are three big workshop out, the palace also counts on the exchange of silver, where to dare to spend like you don’t want to spend money.”

Qing country people pure and simple, and even with the royal officials have more than a few self-scrupulous, not like the court of Northern Qi that extravagant, like Fan Xian set up this feast today, is indeed some of the oversteps. All people know, today’s inner treasury will be under the control of Fan Xian’s hand, transfer some of the use of natural no problem, just do not know clearly the crown prince smilingly said, is not in the dark stabbing what.

Fan Xian’s face remained unchanged, and he said with a smile, “This enjoyment still needs to be grasped to enjoy some.”

Xue Qing naturally sat at the first table on the left-hand side. He was ordered to come and watch the opera today, so he naturally didn’t care about anything, plus he had been in Jiangnan for a long time, so it seemed like he was used to this kind of enjoyment. Looked at the capital of these big names in the admiration, can not help but lips slightly curved, smiled, thinking that Kyoto is not easy to live in, but unfortunately the enjoyment is far less than Jiangnan.

Banquet up, the girls are quiet and speechless, began for the guests on the table cloth dishes pouring wine, although the two days after special training, but violently opened their eyes, they saw so many big shots in the Daqing dynasty, the girls still can not help but be a little nervous in the heart, the rosy lips pursed tightly.

This on the prince, officials have been in the moon and wind field roll, just suddenly so many people gathered in a hall, is really some people do not know what to do.

In fact, there are not many guests on the seat, about more than ten people, each person sitting beside a girl, kneeling behind a follower, but also will be occupied in the flower hall is somewhat full.

Serving Fan Xian is not someone else, it is the shopkeeper of holding the moon building, Sang Wen Sang girl.

Today, this kind of occasion, naturally embarrassed to drink three say four, wine order again and again, touching breasts and buttocks, especially Xue Qing and the Privy Council of the two deputy envoys here, the young noble gentleman are still some self-respect identity, the scene a moment some quiet, some dull, just talk about some of the court’s idle jokes, such as Shu Da Da Shi yesterday and drunkenly fell down in the snow on the street above the clouds.

Anyway, Shu Wu temperament sparse, do not care how the younger generation to make fun of.

No one dared to make jokes about these princes and Fan Xian, especially Fan Xian, and everyone was still guessing what the real purpose of this meal was.

In the midst of the awkwardness, Xue Qing sipped his own wine, catching the small hand of the girl beside him and playing with it, this adult suddenly shed his official air, and had more than a few hints of middle-aged prodigal son, it seems that the year’s Book Pavilion Bachelor did not have less to fight with the red building skeletons.

The second prince took a shallow sip, looked at the opposite side of Fan Xian with a slight smile, and said, “Anzhi ah, a year did not come to hold the moon building, and found that the girls in this building are quite a bit prettier than before.”

The atmosphere in the room was instantly loosened, between Fan Xian and the Second Prince, someone had to start talking.

“Bullshit.” Fan Xian laughed and scolded, “On this day this battle, to this one holding the moon building to serve you well, there is no that may …… not hide from all of you, this day this building in the thirteen girls, is not only my building in the women, but all of the most famous women in the capital, I invited all over… … …Whether it’s the courtesan boats of the Flowing Crystal River or the Church, if you can find another popular girl after leaving this building tonight, I will lose.”

The crowd was stunned, thinking to themselves that this is a great stroke, not that it’s a matter of spending money, but within this short day, letting Kyoto’s pleasure houses obediently offer up their most famous girls, Fan Xian’s might, indeed, has reached a degree that makes …… one’s hair stand on end. ……

All the people side face a look, only to see the girl beside them each shyly bowed their heads, carefully looked at two eyes, we can not help but all happy, recognized this is a person on the river of flowing crystal, he is the Department of Education a certain young lady, all are old acquaintances.

Only the second prince’s eyes dimmed for a moment, it is ridiculous, today, among the dozen girls upstairs, there are actually four girls belong to the world son Hongcheng previously responsible for the flow of crystal river matters, only later Yuan Meng died in Jiangnan, Shi Qing’er turned against Fan Xian, Li Hongcheng by King Jing grounded ……

He raised his head and looked at Fan Xian from afar, only to see Fan Xian’s face calm, only his eyes seemed to be smiling, it was unclear for a moment whether Fan Xian wanted to demonstrate through this small matter, or had any other ideas.

The second prince said with a slight smile, “Holding the moon building is run properly, I think it’s all thanks to Ms. Sang’s skillful heart and wise eyes, I’ll toast to you.”

After saying this, he raised the wine bottle in his hand and remotely toasted Sang Wen beside Fan Xian.

To his prince’s dignity, claimed to be under, but also in line with his usual gentle style, and this is in the scene of the wind and moon, if a flavor of respect and inferiority is not interesting, the crowd does not care, but just wondered …… why this first cup will be to honor Sang Wen? Where does this put the host of the day, Fan Xian?

At this time, Sang Wen was leaning on Fan Xian’s side, holding a column of moss threads to his lips, suddenly heard this, could not help but be stunned, turned back to look at Fan Xian a glance.

Fan Xian smiled and nodded, Sang Wen stood up, toward the second prince slightly a blessing, drink this cup, do not wait for the second prince to say more, and poured a cup, please sit first prince and the eldest prince.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince today, some odd, only focusing on jokes with the arms of the beauty, the beauty was coaxed by the country’s Crown Prince, the body has long been soft. The crown prince seems to be very pleased, do not pay much attention to the second prince and Fan Xian’s dark waves at the banquet.

While the First Prince and Sang Wen drank a cup, but sighed.

The second prince’s face was unchanged, smiled and said, “Today it’s rare to have all the friends present, there must be some programs to cheer up, since Miss Sang has become the treasurer of the Moon Embracing House, my Kyoto people have never had this earful again, I wonder if it’s possible to ask Miss Sang Wen to sing a piece of music.”

Sang Wen smiled faintly, that gentle face calm, stood up and was about to fetch the zither, but unexpectedly her hand was pulled by Fan Xian.

Fan Xian took Sang Wen’s hand and quietly looked at the Second Prince, saying, “Sang Wen will not sing any more songs now.”

Sang Wen was stunned, thinking, “Why should this trivial matter upset the banquet? She had been a singer since she was a child, and had long been used to singing at banquets, but had forgotten that Fan Xian was a master who was most unhappy to have his own people serve others.

The second prince frowned, a trace of incomprehension flashing across his pretty face, as if he hadn’t expected Fan Xian to be so forceful. After the feast had begun, each other were testing each other’s attitudes, and he also wanted to know just how Fan Xian was going to prepare for his return to the capital this time, which was why he had said two words in a row.

Unexpectedly, Fan Xian’s response was actually so damning.

Fan Xian glanced at the second prince, thinking that today this scenery is his own doing, but the purpose …… is to brake the scenery. Ren Shao’an, the head minister of the Taishang Temple, who was sitting at the head of the party below him, pulled on his sleeve to remind him of it, and he just laughed.

The deputy envoy of the Privy Council narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “What does little Lord Fan say about this …… Could it be that with the status of a few emperors, what can be done by letting this girl’s family offer a song?”

Fan Xian’s confrontation in front of the Privy Council that day had long since created a rift between him and the military, especially since the valley sniping matter was not ascertained for one day, and both sides would not have peace for one day.

Qing soldiers have always been simple, direct and brutal, the deputy envoy surnamed Qu Xiangdong, was the last northern expedition of the vanguard officer, thick military service in the body, naturally not afraid of Fan Xian’s power, at this time listening to Fan Xian speak indifferently, will be out of words to stab.

Fan Xian, however, was not angry, just smiled and said, “Miss Sang is now only singing in the Chen Garden, Vice Ambassador Qu, if you want to hear, go outside the capital and ask Dean Chen on your own, but there is no use asking me.”

Chen Dean these three big black light shining words threw out, the second prince smiled and did not say anything else, and the Privy Council Qu vice envoy also changed his face, and swallowed the next harsh words hard into his stomach.

“Drink!”

A piece of embarrassment, in a silent place ringing thunder, has been silent for a long time the great prince suddenly raised his cup and drank loudly, he was originally from the military, temperament heroic, this day this day want to make up for the relationship between Fan Xian and the military, at the same time want to let a few brothers between the suspicion can be smaller, but a see on the table and is so odd shape, chest own a inexplicable anger surging up, drank loudly and said.

Privy Council two deputy envoys are also from the military, boldness is not inferior, slightly frowned, will be in the hands of three or so bottles of wine a drink, anti-wrist phase demonstration idle.

Fan Xian smiled slightly, put the mouth of the bottle in the mouth of the lips, slowly tilted each other, the speed is slow, but there is no pause, the clear spring into the lake, the cup poured wine.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at the head of the table inexorably said to the Grand Prince with his cup in hand, “Big brother, I was in the midst of drinking, and with your loud voice, you nearly scared the wine out of my cup.”

The crowd laughed.

His Highness the Crown Prince laughed again to those two deputy ambassadors of the Privy Council and said, “You guys don’t think of bringing that military routine to the Moon Embracing House either. This Palace knows that you and Anzhi have some grievances with each other, but this matter has not been ascertained for a day, between subjects, why be angry? Even if you are angry, don’t spar.”

He pointed at Fan Xian and looked at the two Vice Ministers of the Privy Council with a smile, “Have you forgotten? The year before last at your highness, young Lord Fan drank three thousand cups in one night, turning that marquis from Northern Qi into a dead pig… To talk about the amount of alcohol, An Zhi won’t be afraid of you old men in the army.”

Xinqi things as the people of the East Palace, know what the master wants to do, hurriedly followed the fun said: “two generals, I do think that with the small Fan Ta-Jen spelled wine can not hurt, small Fan Ta-Jen since that night no longer poetry, if you can fill him to do three hundred poems, so that the half-idle Zhai poetry collection has a continuation of the Privy Council can be regarded as a great credit to the world … … …I’m afraid His Majesty would be overjoyed.”

When these words came out, everyone agreed, and even Xue Qing became interested, inviting Fan Xian to drink a few cups, and forcing the two Vice-Embassadors of the Privy Council to spar with Fan Xian.

With a flurry of drinks poured down, the atmosphere between the scene suddenly became much more active, and Fan Xian’s bravado in drinking also made the two Privy Council adults’ hearts ache a little bit more.

Just at this moment, the second prince suddenly smiled and said, “Speaking of An Zhi no longer composing poems from that night onwards, it is really a great loss to the world …… However, I heard that when An Zhi was in Beiqi, he gave that Beiqi saintly lady a small lyric, I don’t know if this is true or not.”

This was the most famous scandal in the whole world during the last year, the people of Northern Qi were not happy in their hearts, but the people of Southern Qing Dynasty were very happy in their hearts, listening to this, a group of big figures who were slightly drunk all made a fuss, and they had to listen to Fan Xian to talk about the specific plot of this story.

Fan Xian laughed and scolded two sentences, naturally refused to speak in detail, casually fooled around, but out of the corner of the eye glanced at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the heart of some surprise, the Crown Prince is really better than the previous two years, but His Royal Highness is now in the hands of the real power less and less, so look at himself and the oldest two fights …… want to collect the benefits of the fisherman? But where does his confidence come from? He is not his father.

The banquet is gradually disabled, the crowd intention gradually hair, the great prince stood up, grabbed those people hard to force each other to drink. Fan Xian snickered at this scene, thinking that this is about the king’s residence by the big princess of Beiqi discipline too strict, today it is not easy to have the opportunity to come out to show off a bit, naturally refused to let go of this opportunity.

Fan Xian again watched as the Crown Prince seemed to be a bit drunk, while the Second Prince still maintained a clear demeanor, and could not help but smile slightly as he opened his mouth and said, “Having not returned to Kyoto for a year, I quite miss all of you in the capital.”

His demeanor suddenly changed, sighed grimly: “Unfortunately, not yet in the capital, will meet the thieves sneak attack, my men died more than ten people, these people are the Supervisory Yuan belongs to the officer, the court’s talent, in Jiangnan for the court hard work, it is not easy to return to Kyoto and family reunion, but died tragically in the Kyoto outside the city of more than ten miles of the place … … …Those women and children who were looking forward to their return at home, I’m afraid that they are still at home at this time, living out their days in sorrow.”

He raised the cup of spirits, a drink, said in a deep voice: “Once thought of this, this wine …… is really some can not drink.”

This is more than noisy holding the moon building third floor flower hall abruptly quiet down, know that tonight’s theater bones finally arrived.

A quiet alley about five miles away from the Moon Embracing Building, at the entrance and end of the alley, a group of black-clothed people suddenly appeared, blocking the alley tightly.

The leader Mu Tie had a sullen face, looking at the three people in the alley, pointing at the leader, he said, “Can you be called Yang Attack City?”

The leader’s right hand slowly pressed on the drum at his waist and said indifferently, “Exactly, what do you want to teach me?”

Mu Tie showed his teeth and smiled, a hint of eccentricity flashed across his dark face, “Confirm the identity of your Excellency’s eight family generals, so as not to kill the wrong person.”

Then he flashed away, and the two groups of black-clothed men at the head and tail of the alley rushed over in silence.