A banquet? Hmm, the Governor has been in the city for so long, the Cloud State officials must know… Xu Qi An’s mental state had improved significantly. Since he couldn’t sleep anyway and staying at the relay station was boring, he said:
“Alright, please wait a moment, Your Excellency.”
He put on his boots, strapped the bronze gong to his chest that was placed at the bedside, hung the black-gold long saber on his lower back, and opened the door.
Governor Zhang stood outside, wearing a crimson official robe, his posture straight and his bearing impressive.
The two nodded to each other and went downstairs together. After waiting for a moment in the main hall, Jiang Luzhong came in from the courtyard and said, “Personnel count complete. Let’s go.”
A luxurious carriage waited outside the relay station, with 30 Tiger Warriors as escort guards and 7 night watchmen. The venue for tonight’s banquet was a large courtyard by the river.
It was a mansion specifically used by the Provincial Administration Commission to entertain officials, a grand residence with four courtyards.
Tonight, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. There was no wind, and although it was the dead of winter, it was suitable for setting up a banquet in the back garden. As the core of tonight’s banquet and also a guest, Governor Zhang deliberately arrived a quarter of an hour late.
This was both a display of official authority and a way to give the host ample time for preparation.
Arriving at the mansion’s entrance, various carriages and sedan chairs were already parked there, ranging from luxurious to simple, representing officials of different ranks.
Led by attendants, Governor Zhang, and his group came to the front hall, where they saw over a hundred Cloud State officials in various colored robes.
Among them was the Cloud State Prefect whom Xu Qi An had met earlier today.
“Governor,” a hearty laugh rang out as an official in a crimson robe with a long beard came forward.
“Provincial Administrator,” Governor Zhang smiled and cupped his hands.
Provincial Administrator… That’s quite a high-ranking official… Xu Qi An scrutinized the Cloud State Provincial Administrator. He had slightly high cheekbones and narrow eyes. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, giving an impression of shrewdness and cunning.
Could he be Song Tingfeng’s long-lost father? Oh right, if I remember correctly, this Provincial Administrator’s surname is also Song… Xu Qi An’s lips curled into a smile.
Provincial Administrator Song led Governor Zhang, introducing him to everyone. Xu Qi An’s gaze followed, firmly memorizing the officials present.
“This is our Cloud State’s Commander-in-Chief, Lord Yang,” Provincial Administrator Song said to a middle-aged man with a scholarly military style.
The surrounding voices suddenly quieted, and all eyes rested on Governor Zhang and Yang Chuannan.
The two high-ranking imperial officials sized each other up for a moment, then burst into laughter simultaneously:
“Governor Zhang, it’s an honor to meet you.”
“Commander-in-Chief, the honor is mine.”
The atmosphere immediately lightened, and smiles appeared on the faces of the officials.
…Why do I have a feeling of impending crisis? For a moment, Xu Qi An thought the scene would become tense, or that both parties would exchange sarcastic remarks, hiding needles in cotton wool, which would fit the image of seasoned officials. But it turned out to be so harmonious.
“Governor, the banquet is ready. Shall we proceed to the back garden?” the Provincial Administrator immediately said.
In a province (state), the three highest-ranking offices were: the Command Post, the Provincial Administration Commission, and the Provincial Surveillance Commission.
Among them, the Provincial Surveillance Commission was subordinate to the Censorate, so the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner acted most like a lackey in front of Governor Zhang.
Arriving at the back garden, the officials took their seats. Two interesting incidents occurred at the main table.
The first incident:
Governor Zhang beckoned, saying, “Ning’yan, come sit by me.”
The main table had a total of ten seats. Who should sit where and who could sit where were strictly regulated in official circles.
Everyone immediately looked at the young man called “Ning’yan.” He wore a dark uniform with a short cloak, a bronze gong with dark patterns engraved on it strapped to his chest, and a special, long battle saber different from the standard issue hanging at his lower back.
Those with sharp eyes realized just by looking at this battle saber that this Bronze Gong had an unusual status.
No matter where those who could be treated especially were never ordinary people.
Many officials secretly took note of Xu Qi An.
The second incident was when Commander-in-Chief Yang Chuannan stopped an official who was about to sit down, pointing to the seat beside him and saying:
“A friend is coming.”
That official was stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize something. He slapped his forehead as if suddenly understanding and went to another table without complaint.
…A friend, not some lord, but a friend? Xu Qi An sat up straight.
“Ning’yan, about that riddle you mentioned today…” Governor Zhang said in a low voice.
“Governor!” Xu Qi An said solemnly, “Actually, it’s very simple. You just need to change your perspective.”
“How so?”
“You’re just too proper.” As a Supervising Censor, Governor Zhang belonged to the clean and noble category in the capital’s officialdom. As a remonstrance official, he was naturally noble.
If it were an official well-versed in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, they would have understood immediately.
Just as Governor Zhang was about to speak, he caught sight of a young female general in light armor entering. She had a tall figure, perfect proportions, and a high ponytail.
A beautiful and handsome military woman… Xu Qi An’s eyes suddenly lit up. He thought to himself, Cloud State has such a stunning military beauty.
This outfit was far more alluring than any JK uniform, black stockings, nurse, or flight attendant outfit. It was on a completely different level.
The beautiful military woman went straight to the main table and sat down next to Commander-in-Chief Yang Chuannan.
Governor Zhang scrutinized the military woman, running through the list of Cloud State officials in his mind, but couldn’t match her to anyone.
“This is…” he asked curiously.
Yang Chuannan smiled and said, “I suppose everyone hasn’t heard of the Flying Swallow Heroine. Her name is Li Miaozheng, a roving general I’ve employed. For the past year and more, she’s been suppressing bandits everywhere, repeatedly achieving military merits. If we were to reward based on merits, I’d have to hand over my position as Commander-in-Chief.”
His words prompted a round of praise from the officials, all complimenting this female general.
Governor Zhang didn’t comment, just nodded.
A roving general employed by Yang Chuannan… In other words, she doesn’t have an official position, not a regular imperial general… Xu Qi An scrutinized the beautiful military woman, his mind stirring.
Number Two is also in Cloud State, keen on suppressing bandits and criticizing Emperor Yuanjing… She said she wasn’t part of the imperial court… I once praised her chivalrous spirit, and this cool young lady is called the Flying Swallow Heroine… Pfft, Flying Swallow Heroine…
When chatting on the Grand Canal, Number Two strongly supported Yang Chuannan, having a close relationship with him… Could she be Number Two? Xu Qi An drank his tea nonchalantly.
No rush, there will be opportunities to probe later.
In the Book of Sealed Earth chat group, it’s now confirmed that both Number Five and Number Two are girls. Number Two is quite a looker, and the uniform fetish is on point… Wonder what Number Five looks like… A little barbarian girl from the Southern Frontier.
Two rows of dancers in colorful clothes, with bare shoulders, entered. They began to dance gracefully to the accompaniment of musicians.
Since there was no Purple Sun Recluse in Cloud State, no one paid much attention to Xu Qi An. The topics revolved around the capital and Governor Zhang. Tch, official socializing is truly boring, and a waste of time.
Li Miaozheng discreetly observed the Governor’s group, focusing on Jiang Luzhong. She knew he was a Golden Gong, a fourth-rank martial artist.
But she knew nothing about his specialties or personality.
He’s not young, but his qi and blood seem to be at their peak… I wonder what weapons he’s good at, what kind of “intent” he’s cultivated. Hmm, after the banquet, I’ll ask Number Three.
Li Miaozheng took a sip of wine and then began to scrutinize Xu Qi An: His aura was restrained, making it impossible to gauge the depth of his qi. But martial artists at the Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm occasionally had divine light flickering on their skin, while this person didn’t, at most he was at the Spirit Refining realm…
His eyes were visibly tired, with swollen eye bags, looking like a lecher drained by wine and women… This person is either a relative of some big shot in the Night Watchmen Yamen or a relative of Governor Zhang. I’ve heard Yang Chuannan say that the Censorate is under Wei Yuan’s control, so it makes sense for Governor Zhang to arrange his relative in the Night Watchmen…
As the banquet was drawing to a harmonious close, servants brought out plates of dark-colored, plump loquats.
Loquats at this time of year? Xu Qi An picked up a not-so-fresh loquat, peeled it, and tasted it. It was sweet and sour, quite delicious, and most importantly, it had no pit.
“Governor, please try some. Our Cloud State loquats are truly exceptional. They ripen in late spring to early summer. You can’t get such refreshing loquats in the capital.”
“After the loquats ripen, they’re stored in ice cellars. We sort out the spoiled ones every ten days. By now, there aren’t many left.” Song Changfu, the Provincial Administrator, enthusiastically picked a few and placed them in front of Governor Zhang.
Governor Zhang ate one and widened his eyes in surprise: “It has no pit?”
The Provincial Administrator smiled without speaking, and the other officials also started smiling.
Governor Zhang was quite amazed. It was his first time eating a pitless loquat, and the experience was simply fantastic. He said in disbelief:
“I never knew there were pitless loquats in the world. Marvelous, truly marvelous.”
What’s the big deal? If you ate seedless watermelon, wouldn’t you be moved to tears? Xu Qi An thought to himself.
“Are these pitless loquats a special variety from Cloud State? Why haven’t I heard of them before?” Governor Zhang asked.
“Not at all. It’s because the loquat trees have been blessed by the incense aura from the White Emperor Temple, that’s why they bear pitless fruits,” the Provincial Administrator said with a smile.
“Indeed, this is an auspicious sign for our Cloud State.”
“Cloud State is already a blessed land, under the protection of the White Emperor, with favorable weather.”
The officials immediately started flattering, instilling the idea of “Cloud State as an auspicious land” in Governor Zhang’s mind, united in their efforts.
Governor Zhang fell into deep thought. He had grasped the flavor, but couldn’t figure out the mystery behind the pitless loquats. Cautiously, he didn’t refute.
The Provincial Administrator peeled another loquat, handed it over, and asked with a smile, “Governor, don’t you agree?”
…Governor Zhang said helplessly, “What Lord Song says…”
“Lord Song’s words are incorrect.” Suddenly, Xu Qi An interrupted.
Officials at the main table and other tables looked over, staring at Xu Qi An.
Li Miaozheng, who had been eating with her head down, felt quite disdainful in her heart. She knew the reason, but as she now stood on the side of the Cloud State officials, she didn’t expose the Provincial Administrator.
She raised her head, staring at the impertinent Xu Qi An, wanting to hear what he would say.
The Provincial Administrator frowned slightly, looked at the Bronze Gong he had almost ignored, and said with an unchanged smile, “What insights does this official have?”
Xu Qi An put down his wine cup, slowly chewed the food in his mouth, swallowed, then picked up a loquat and said with a smile:
“The principle is simple. You just need to remove one stamen from the center of the loquat flower during the flowering period, and the resulting fruit will have no pit.”
“Lord Provincial Administrator, is what I said correct?”
The table suddenly fell silent, and the surrounding Cloud State officials looked at him with stiff expressions.
The Provincial Administrator’s expression suddenly froze.