Empress Dowager Guo's sworn sister, Zhen, actually came to the banquet. Qin Liang had not publicly interacted with her in the past, and even had occasional trysts, and was very cautious, just to avoid suspicion. However, her sudden appearance at the banquet did not seem to be a big problem.
.
Qin Liang invited Zhen De (Guo De), who could attend the banquet as a female member of the Zhen De family. Zhen had a relationship with the deposed wife Wu (Qin Liang first met Zhen at the Wu family's house),
People don't seem to find it strange that friends come together. Besides, there are many guests at General Wei's Mansion today, so most people probably won't notice Mrs. Zhen.
So Qin Liang didn't think much about it. When he returned to the hall of the palace, the banquet started soon.
While the dancers were not on stage, Qin Liang toasted in public and drank with the guests. Everyone also congratulated and toasted. When the musicians played Qingshang music, the dancers went to the hall to sing and dance. In the huge hall, everyone began
They talked and drank separately. Because the front hall is very spacious, there is music interference, and there are many people noisy, so you can't hear others talking if you are a little farther away.
Xia Houxuan was indeed well-known and had a wide circle of acquaintances. He was in trouble at this time, but people continued to come to toast and chat, and there were often three or five people around him forming a circle.
Qing Shang music and dance is the most popular banquet and entertainment program in Wei State. The lyrics basically do not involve government affairs, but mainly focus on the love between men and women. It is said to come from the Han Dynasty Yuefu. Later, starting from Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi and others were very fond of Qing Shang music
, and wrote many works, which have now become one of the mainstream songs and dances. The official female music organization of the imperial court was called Qing Commercial Department.
For this banquet, the songs and dances prepared by General Wei's Mansion were mainly Qing Shang music and dance, with not much new content. Firstly, Qin Liang did not have time to prepare, and secondly, the achievement he was celebrating was, after all, the victory of the civil war, and Qin Liang did not want to mess up the banquet.
It's too grand. And the war on the Western Front isn't over yet, so the banquet size is about the same.
Linghu Yu, Qin Lang came up and knelt down next to him. Qin Liang also said the same thing, "Not long ago, I heard about the Qianghu rebellion in Liangzhou, and the Shu Han army marched northward in large numbers. The war is still ongoing. We held a big banquet in Luoyang.
It’s not appropriate.”
Wang Guang advised: "Your great-uncle (Guo Huai) has been guarding the Western Front all year round and is very experienced in dealing with the Shu army. Zhongming does not need to worry."
Linghu Yu also said: "If there is any situation in Liangzhou, we will report it to the imperial court. Now that the country is a little more peaceful, we can then report it to the Chinese army for reinforcements."
Qin Liang nodded and said, "Uncle, my cousin is right."
After a while, Zhong Hui came up to propose a toast and chatted and laughed with a few people. Zhong Hui was young, but he was well-mannered in his interactions with others and would not make people feel embarrassed. Before, Qin Liang thought that he was from a noble family and was influenced by his influence.
reasons; but this is not all the reason, some of the gentry’s children are not easy to get along with on a daily basis.
Of course, it could also be that Qin Liang and Zhong Hui could get along harmoniously just because they had no grudges. Zhong Hui would still not show mercy when dealing with friends, such as Ji Kang.
Qin Liang asked Zhong Hui: "What do Shi Ji think of the Qing Shang music and dance in the hall?"
Zhong Hui smiled and said: "It's good, there's no problem."
After hearing what he said, Qin Liang said with a smile: "It seems that the skills of the singers and dancers are still somewhat lacking."
Zhong Hui said: "It's great that the dancers are so skilled, but if they want to be unique, they need the guidance of famous experts."
After all, Qin Liang was not from a noble family and did not know much about these things. He then asked: "Is Shi Ji a famous person?"
"Don't dare." Zhong Hui waved his hand and said lightly with a smile, "Yingchuan Xun Gong Zeng (Xun Xu) can be regarded as a famous merchant and music master in the Qing Dynasty. General Wang should also know."
When Qin Liang heard this, he suddenly understood vaguely that Zhong Hui seemed to be taking the opportunity to recommend someone to him.
The Zhong family is also from Yingchuan County. These noble families in the same place are almost all related. The Xun family and the Zhong family seem to be related by marriage? The gentry in Wei State have large and small circles. Qin Liang also
no way.
Wang Guang nodded and said: "When Xun Xu was an official in Zhongshu Province, I had contacts with him. He did have a lot of experience in Qing Dynasty business music."
Qin Liang didn't criticize him and asked, "Where is Xun Xu now?"
Zhong Hui immediately said: "Xun Xu first worked as a slave in Cao Zhaobo's house, and later became an official in Zhongshu Province. After the Sima family rebelled, Xun Xu was dismissed from office and returned home. He was probably in Xuchang at this time."
"That's it." Qin Liang looked stunned.
Wang Guang continued the previous topic: "Shiji's most accomplished thing is calligraphy, which was passed down by Taifu Zhong."
Zhong Hui said hurriedly: "I can't compare with my late father."
Zhong Hui's late father, Zhong Yao, was indeed the originator of calligraphy, and those who had a little exposure to calligraphy were not immune to his influence. However, when Qin Liang became an official, Zhong Yao had already passed away, which was indeed a bit regretful.
Qin Liang asked casually on a whim: "Taifu Zhong has a disciple named Mrs. Wei?"
Zhong Hui thought for a while and said: "The person who studied my late father's calligraphy is indeed a surnamed Wei. If I have the opportunity, I will introduce her to General Qin." He then said in a casual tone, "But she is a bit old."
Qin Liang thought for a while and realized that the time didn't match up. The lady should just happen to be named Wei, so he smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, calligraphy has nothing to do with age."
Subconsciously, he felt something was wrong. He had always been known as a womanizer, but when he mentioned his wife, why did Zhong Hui immediately remind him of his age?
Zhong Hui talked here for a while and then returned to his seat. People came up one after another to toast and chat.
At this time, Linghu Yu had to go to the toilet and called Qin Liang out of habit. Qin Liang did not hesitate and said hello to Wang Guang, and the uncle and nephew left their seats.
After Qin Liang left the banquet hall, he walked around outside to get some fresh air, and he seemed to be more awake. The noise above the pavilion was still clearly audible, but it was indeed quieter outside.
The two of them walked to the water tank. No one was around at the moment. Qin Liang washed his hands and took out a handkerchief to wipe the water, then stood aside and waited for Linghuyu.
Linghuyu turned around and observed, and found that no one was coming, so he said, "The emperor really hates us."
Linghuyu mentioned the emperor probably because Guanqiu Jian met with the secret envoy in Yecheng last year and received a blood edict. This matter was brought to trial by Tingwei not long ago.
What is certain at present is that Guanqiu Jian met with the secret envoy from Luoyang and received the edict; but Wang, Qin, Linghu and his family all believed that the blood edict came from the emperor! Otherwise, if he wanted to forge the edict, why would he have to send it quietly from Luoyang?
past?
Qin Liang said calmly: "That should be it."
Linghuyu whispered: "Last year, Li Feng and Xu Yun conspired to assassinate Zhongming, and there were eunuchs involved. The mastermind behind it was probably the emperor. If we send people to Tingwei now to torture those eunuchs, we will definitely get the truth
.”
Qin Liang also believed this statement.
Linghuyu finished washing his hands, walked closer and whispered: "The current emperor is dim and has trouble with us one after another. Why don't we depose him?"
Qin Liang was slightly surprised by such straightforward words, but did not react much.
Cousin Linghuyu seems to have never had a good impression of Cao Fang. When he first raised troops in Yangzhou, Linghuyu advocated directly deposing Cao Fang, establishing a new king, and crusading against Luoyang in the name of the new king.
At that time, Qin Liang must have disagreed. The main reason was that he abolished and established the army before the army was launched, which was really bad for the senses of the people in the world.
But now Qin Liang has no further objections. Guanqiu Jian, who supported Cao Fang with troops, is dead. Taking advantage of the opportunity to frighten the court, there is no need to abolish the establishment at this time.
What Cao Fang did was also very bad. He directly wanted Qin Liang's life! Whether it was Li Feng, Xu Yun or Guan Qiu Jian, the key issue behind it was obviously Cao Fang. If others wanted Qin Liang's life, Qin Liang could Are you satisfied with him?
Last year, Qin Liang didn't want to implicate the emperor in the assassination case, just because the situation inside and outside the court was not good at that time. In order to avoid extraneous matters, he tried to maintain the status quo and had to endure it! However, at this moment, at that moment, and now he can retaliate, he can also say something Bad breath.
Qin Liang said in a deep voice: "We should discuss this with my grandfather in advance."
Linghuyu nodded: "I'll find a chance to talk to Gongyuan."
When the two of them walked back, they stopped continuing the conversation. People were often walking around near the palace. Soon they met a person, Yang Hu, who was about to go up the steps of the palace. The three met and exchanged greetings. A few sentences.
Qin Liang took the initiative and said: "Let's walk for a while and then go back to the banquet hall to get some fresh air."
Yang Hu nodded in agreement. After hearing this, Linghu Yu said, "I'll go back and drink with your uncle first."
Qin Liang and Yang Hu slowly came to the corridor, and Qin Liang said: "Lan Shi (Fu Gu) is going to be the captain of the city gate, and I am preparing to invite Yuan Kai (Du Yu) to take over as the governor of General Wei."
Qin Liang mentioned Du Yu in front of Yang Hu because Yang Hu had a relationship with Du Yu. Moreover, the Du family had a very good relationship with the Xin family, and Yang Hu was a relative of Xin Chang.
Yang Hu thought for a while, then suddenly said: "Yuan Kai is very talented, and General Qin has a sharp eye for pearls."
But Qin Liang wanted to conquer Du Yu and make him a long history, of course, not only because of his talent, but also because he felt that Du Yu could become a more reliable person.
Before and after the Battle of Julu, Du Yu made plans and assisted in the army, working very hard. It can be seen that he wanted to get closer to Qin Liang; after all, his father was able to overturn the case and clear his name, and it was Qin Liang who contributed to it.
Although Du Yu has some relationship with the Xun family, it is because he is grateful for Xun Yu's kindness to the Du family back then. He and Guanqiu Jian's wife Xun didn't know each other, so naturally they couldn't involve the Guanqiu family... Otherwise, Du Yu's position would not be so clear when he attacked the Guanqiu family.
Chang Shi presides over the daily affairs of the entire Wei General's Mansion, and they get along day and night, which is able to cultivate a relationship of mutual trust.
Now that Qin Liang recommended Fu Gu to be an official, he felt that Fu Gu was already very reliable and there was no need to continue to serve as an official in General Wei's Mansion. Last year, there was a murder case in the court, and Fu Gu was risking his life to save Qin Liang. As a result, Tuigu received several sword blows on his thigh.