At dusk, a carriage passed through the streets and alleys of Suzhou City and finally reached a wide street.
The carriage stopped in front of a large house. There were many officials and gentry standing in front of the door. They were all well-known figures. They were talking and laughing. When the carriage stopped, everyone's laughter suddenly stopped. The carriage driver opened the door and opened the door.
From the car curtain, two people walked out one after another, both wearing cloth clothes. They were Qin Xiao and Chen Xi.
The two got off the carriage, and all the officials came to greet them. The first one was the governor of Suzhou, Shi Ma Xingguo, and next to him was a black-robed official. The prefect of Suzhou, Liang Jiangyuan, was also among them.
"Thank you for your hard work, sir." Ma Xingguo stepped forward and said with a smile, "Originally, we were going to hold a banquet at the Governor's Mansion, but Mr. Qian repeatedly requested that tonight's banquet be held at the Qian Mansion, so the Governor ordered that the banquet be held at the Qian Mansion."
Here."
Qin Xiao and Chen Xi looked at each other, and held their hands to everyone calmly.
After the two of them finished their business at the Suzhou government office, they returned to the inn to discuss it. At dusk, a carriage came to greet them.
Pan Weixing, the governor of Suzhou, hosted a banquet in honor of the landlord. After all, he was a local official. It was not easy for the two of them to offend Pan Weixing. Only after getting off the car did they realize that the banquet was held at the Qian Mansion, which was unexpected by Qin Xiao.
unexpected.
Last night at Yuquan Tower, he punished Qian and returned to the court. The two sides formed a grudge, but today they are coming to Qian's Mansion as a guest.
"This is Master Tairanwei of Suzhou Bijiawei." Ma Changshi introduced, and then introduced more than a dozen officials around him one by one, and then pointed to an old man over fifty years old and said: "This
He is Mr. Dong of the Dong family in Suzhou. He has dozens of workshops under his name, and he is very philanthropic. He is a well-known philanthropist in Suzhou."
Mr. Dong took a step forward, cupped his hands and said, "Old Dong Yuan, I would like to pay my respects to you two adults."
Qin Xiao naturally understood that although the largest aristocratic family in Suzhou was the Qian family, the Qian family was certainly not the only big family in Suzhou. The first local gentry introduced by Ma Changshi was Dong Yuan. It can also be seen that Dong Yuan was among the gentry in Suzhou.
The family's weight is not light, and it should be the second largest family after the Qian family.
"Liu Hongju, the humble general, pays homage to the two adults." Without waiting for Ma Changshi's introduction, a military general in armor had already stepped forward and saluted the two of them with a smile on his face: "The humble general learned that the two adults are here.
When you come to Suzhou, rush over from the camp immediately, and no matter what, you must toast the two adults."
Ma Changshi smiled and said: "Master Qin, Master Chen, this is Commander Liu of the Suzhou Camp. He has nothing to say, but he is short-tempered. However, Commander Liu is highly skilled in martial arts and can command troops well. The Suzhou Camp was trained by Commander Liu."
He can be called a truly brave teacher."
"Lord Chang Shi is making fun of the humble general again." Liu Hongju laughed and said, "If it hadn't been for Sir Chang Shi's repeated advice, those brothers would have run away long ago just because the humble general is so arrogant."
Qin Xiao looked at Liu Hongju and saw that this man was in his forties, with a beard as sharp as a needle and a sword on his waist. He looked quite brave.
Ma Changshi then introduced a few more local gentry. Only then did he see Qian Guiting limping forward from the crowd, bowed deeply to Qin Xiao, and said respectfully: "Yesterday, the humble official was blind and rushed.
Offending these two adults really deserves death. When my father found out, he punished him severely and invited the two adults to come to the banquet today. Firstly, everyone can cleanse the two adults, and secondly, they also take this opportunity to express their gratitude to the two adults.
You two adults apologize." His words were very sincere.
Suzhou Biejia Wei Tairan, who had been silent for a long time, finally smiled and said: "Master Qin, Mr. Qian has always had a very strict family upbringing. After what happened yesterday, the old man had people enforce the family law and give Captain Qian twenty lashes. I hope you will."
You two adults can forgive Colonel Qian for his recklessness yesterday."
Qin Xiao sighed: "I didn't expect that the old man would be like this. In fact, what happened yesterday can't be entirely blamed on Xiaowei Qian. Xiaowei Qian also wanted to ensure the security of Suzhou. His intentions were good, but his actions were suspected of overstepping. I'm here.
In Jiangnan, if you encounter someone who exceeds your authority but turn a blind eye, you will not be able to explain it to the court after you return to Beijing."
"What Mr. Shaoqing said makes sense." Wei Tairan said with a smile: "Fortunately, it was just a small misunderstanding. Qian Xiaowei sincerely apologizes, so you two adults should not care about it."
Ma Xingguo had already said: "Don't stand outside and talk. The banquet has been prepared. Let's go in and take a seat. We will welcome the two adults tonight. There is plenty of time to talk. The governor is still waiting inside, so don't leave him alone for a long time."
Wait." At that moment, a group of people gathered around Qin Xiao and entered the Qian Mansion.
After all, Pan Weixing was the governor of Suzhou. As a second-rank official, he sent his subordinates Biejia and Changshi to greet him, which was considered as giving Qin Xiao enough face.
After all, the Qian family is the largest aristocratic family in Suzhou, but the interior of the mansion is also very luxurious. The pavilions, pavilions, bridges and flowing water are all meticulously crafted and beautifully laid out.
A banquet had already been held in the lobby. Pan Weixing, the governor of Suzhou, was talking to an old man. The old man was in his sixties, with white hair and a white head. His energy was not very good. He was getting old. When he saw Qin
When Xiao and his group came in, Pan Weixing stood up first. The old man stood up reluctantly. Qin Xiao and Chen Xi had already stepped forward to salute. Pan Weixing smiled and said: "I know you two have come to Suzhou. If I don't hold a reception banquet and spread the word,
Everyone thinks that I am a penniless person. Originally, we were going to hold a banquet at the Governor's Mansion, but when Mr. Qian found out about it, he insisted on having a banquet here. The old man was so kind that I couldn't refuse."
The bright-haired old man was leaning on a cane. He bent slightly and said, "Yesterday, the dog was reckless and neglected the two adults. For the sake of the old man's thin face, please don't be on the same level as him."
"The old man is serious." Qin Xiao said with a smile: "It's just a small misunderstanding."
"The old man was given the title of viscount when he was the late emperor." Pan Weixing said: "However, the old man kept a low profile and never mentioned this matter to outsiders. In the past two years, the old man had a serious illness and was not in good health.
There are almost no outsiders, so it is rare that I come out in person to greet the two adults this time. You two have to understand my good intentions."
Qin Xiao hurriedly said: "The old lady is not in good health? Then... then help him to rest quickly. How can this junior deserve such care from the old lady?"
"It doesn't matter." Mr. Qian said with a smile: "This old bone can still hold on for the time being." He raised his hand and greeted: "Everyone, please take a seat."
The guests and hosts were divided into seats. Pan Weixing and Mr. Qian naturally occupied the honorary seat. Qin Xiao and Chen Xi sat down next to Pan Weixing. Although Ma Xingguo and Wei Tairan were of higher rank than Qin Xiao, Qin Xiao was a guest after all, so they sat down one after another.
Chen Xi’s next chapter.
Everyone else also took their seats, and Mr. Dong sat directly below Mr. Qian. It seemed that his status in Suzhou was indeed extraordinary.
The wine is good wine, and the food is good food. Mr. Qian is old and in poor health, so naturally he cannot drink. Qian Guiting assumes the responsibility of the host and frequently toasts Qin Xiao and Chen Xi.
"Although Qin Shaoqing has only been in Beijing for a short time, he has already become famous." Pan Weixing said with a smile: "Qin Shaoqing single-handedly uncovered the malpractice of the Ministry of War. If all the young officials in the Tang Dynasty are so capable, the world will be extremely prosperous."
Qin Xiao said humbly: "Your Excellency, you are so complimentary."
"That's not an absurd compliment." Ma Xingguo said with a smile: "If you don't have extraordinary abilities, how can you be so highly regarded by the saint? I heard that Qin Shaoqing was promoted from an official in the Ministry of War to a young minister in Dali Temple, from the seventh rank to the third rank.
Many people will not be able to achieve the fourth rank in their lifetime. Even if they have enough qualifications, if they have not made great achievements, it is just wishful thinking. So we all know that Qin Shaoqing is a rare talent that we have rarely seen in the Tang Dynasty for a hundred years. "
Qin Xiao didn't know whether Ma Xingguo was praising or ridiculing, but he just laughed and said, "I will be extremely ashamed if you, sir, want to praise me like this again."
"Qin Shaoqing, it is his ability that can be appreciated by saints." Liu Hongju, the rough-looking commander of Suzhou Camp, laughed and said: "I have no ability at first. If it were not appreciated by Lord Changshi, I wouldn't be where I am today. Lord Changshi is
Bole, a humble general may not be a thousand-mile horse, hahaha...!"
Ma Xingguo smiled and said: "Old Liu, if you say that, I would be as ashamed as Qin Shaoqing." He raised his hand and said: "Qin Shaoqing was also in the army at the beginning. He was not only appreciated by the saints, but also received the Black Feather Award.
Many of you may not know the general's appreciation. The Black Feather Night Crow under General Black Feather is famous all over the world. Back then, General Black Feather took dozens of people out of the city on a snowy night and killed the Wutuo people by surprise.
And he captured King Wutuo Khan alive." He glanced at Qin Xiao and said with a smile, "Qin Shaoqing is the Black Feathered Night Crow under General Black Feather."
Everyone present was immediately amazed.
Suddenly someone asked: "Master Changshi, it was seventeen or eighteen years ago that the Khan was captured on a snowy night. Qin...Qin Shaoqing looks young. Could it be that he also participated in the feat of capturing Wutuo Khan alive?
?”
Qin Xiao didn't wait for Ma Xingguo to speak, but he took the lead and said with a smile: "I was still an infant at that time. If even an infant could capture the Wutuo Khan alive, the Wutuo Khanate would have been conquered by the Tang Dynasty."
As soon as this was said, everyone present laughed.
"Although Qin Shaoqing was not involved at the time, he is not an ordinary person who can let General Black Feather be accepted as Black Feather Night Crow." Ma Changshi said to Liu Hongju: "Old Liu, haven't you always admired General Black Feather?
Qin Shaoqing is the night crow of General Black Feather, you should also toast more."
Liu Hongju did not hesitate to take the cup and stood up, and said to Qin Xiao: "Qin Shaoqing, a lowly general and a rough man who can't speak, I would like to toast you with this glass of wine."
Qin Xiao was about to hold the cup when he suddenly heard a "click" sound, the roof of the building cracked, and a man with a black scarf covering his face flew down, and a long sword in his hand stabbed Pan Weixing straight from the air.
Everyone was caught off guard, and before they had time to react, Pan Weixing didn't even expect that the assassin would fall from the sky. At the critical moment, Chen Xi was the first to react. With a flick of his right hand, the wine glass on the table shot out like a hidden weapon, exploding at the assassin who fell from the sky.
Shoot it over.
The wine glass was as powerful as electricity, and with a "choking" sound, it hit the assassin's long sword. The long sword suddenly deflected. Mr. Qian was sitting next to Pan Weixing. His color had already changed, and he rushed towards Pan Weixing.
He used all his strength to push Pan Weixing away and shouted: "Sir, be careful!"
Pan Weixing was pushed to the ground. The assassin's first sword missed the target, but the second sword had already struck him. Even though Mr. Qian pushed Pan Weixing away, this sword hit Mr. Qian's shoulder.
Most of the people present were civil servants. The assassin suddenly fell from the sky. Most people were stunned and didn't know how to respond.
Ma Changshi stood up abruptly, but he had no weapon in his hand. He grabbed the table, but Liu Hongju, who had a sword on him, had already drawn the sword out of its sheath. He jumped over the table like a tiger descending the mountain and shouted: "Don't hurt me, sir!"