That night, Song Xiang held a family banquet to welcome Su Jin and others. Although the affairs in Yangzhou City were corrupt, official etiquette was still required. Although Song Xiang was ignorant in government affairs, he was very honest. The meals served to Su Jin were only home-cooked side dishes.
That's it, the only thing that can be obtained is the big white fish from Baoyang Lake (now known as Slender West Lake) in the northern city of Yangzhou. Although it is winter, the meat of this fish is rich and plump, and it is fragrant when cooked.
Su Jin was surprised to see an acquaintance at the dinner table. This person was Song Quan and Song Shaoqing, whom Su Jin had met through Yan Biyun in Luzhou that day. Both of them were shocked when they met. Song Shaoqing pointed at Su with his mouth open.
Jin didn't say anything for a long time.
Su Jin also wondered why she met him at the family banquet. The two looked at him like a cockfight for a long time. Su Jin finally understood: "Could it be that you are the son of Lord Song?"
Song Quan also said: "Could it be that you are the food envoy from the capital?"
The two laughed loudly and held hands. Although they did not have a close relationship in Luzhou, they met as old acquaintances and felt a sense of intimacy.
Song Xiang was also puzzled and asked quickly: "Do you know each other?"
Song Quan said: "Dad didn't know something. In May, my son went to Luzhou to meet his friend Li Zhaoting. He accidentally heard Mr. Su's composition of a song with new lyrics. He was astonished. So he was introduced to me by the central government. Unexpectedly, we haven't seen each other for several months.
Mr. Su has suddenly become a special envoy of the imperial court, he is really capable."
Song Xiang scolded: "Why are you so naughty? What about 'turning into an envoy'? The envoy was personally appointed by the emperor. Even if you know each other, you can't make mistakes."
Su Jin hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, you don't have to be like this. Brother Song and I are friends. Besides, I am a temporary envoy and am not a great official. If I care too much, I will get angry."
Song Quan smiled and said: "Let me tell you, Mr. Su is not a common man who cares about these things."
Song Xiang was so choked that he couldn't breathe, and thought to himself: "You just can't speak. Are you a common man if you, dad, and I care about these things?"
Now he sat down again, poured wine and ate while chatting. Song Quan looked at the dishes on the table and there was no place to eat them and said apologetically: "It just happened to be at this time. The vegetable market on the street is not selling any food. Please wait for Brother Su."
"
Su Jin said: "It's good to be able to eat these. I don't know how many people can't even get a bite of hot rice in this cold night."
Song Xiang was so upset after hearing this that he stopped eating. Song Quan said with a smile: "We won't talk about official business at the dinner table. After we finish the business here, I will take you to Baoyang Lake to have fun. The scenery there is great and there are many places."
It’s a famous place.”
Su Jin smiled and said: "On a moonlit night over twenty bridges, where can a beautiful lady teach me how to play the flute?" The moon is bright on the platform, the white pagoda is clear with clouds, the Shugang is shining in the evening, thousands of pines are green, the mountain pavilion is overlooking, the green rice is fragrant, and the bamboo market is small
Lou, Pinggang Yanxue, Xianghai Ciyun, Meiling Chunsheng are all very famous places, but the season is not suitable, I am afraid I can only enjoy a few places."
Su Jin said: "There are so many good places, but I don't have time now. I will always have the opportunity to see them all in the future."
Song Quan said: "Yes, I came to Yangzhou to relax and have fun. I didn't want to encounter something like this just a month after I came here. Mr. Su has many ideas. I need to think of more solutions this time."
Su Jin smiled and said: "Does it need to be said? This is the purpose of my coming here. Let's have a quick meal. We still have things to do in the evening."
Song Xiang said: "Is it at night? Why are you in such a hurry? Is there anything you have to do tomorrow? The envoy's residence is arranged in the courtyard of the government office. Why not take a rest early and work tomorrow?"
Su Jin said: "Some things can only be done at night, and it is not convenient during the day. I am an impatient person, so you don't have to worry about me, Mr. Fu Zun."
Song Xiang thought for a moment and said, "I won't talk too much in this case. However, I will ask the head of the capital to send a small group of soldiers to accompany you in the evening. The people are wandering around. If something unexpected happens, I will not be forgiven."
Su Jin chuckled and said: "What's the difference between bringing a large number of people with me and operating on a white day? No need, the two guards I brought are usually not close to a dozen people, so you don't have to worry about safety issues, I have my own Proportionate.”
Seeing that Su Jin refused, Song Xiang could no longer persist. They drank two more drinks. Su Jin stopped drinking on the pretext of having to do business. After having a bowl of rice, he left.
Song Quan followed Su Jin out of the side hall and said: "Master Su, I'll go with you to see something. I've been bored to death after so many days of doing nothing."
Su Jindao: "Are you going too? I'm not going to a place where fireworks and willow alleys are used to singing songs and reciting lyrics."
Song Quan said: "Aren't you looking down on me? I am not someone who misses fireworks and romance. Besides, I still have a good wife at home. Even if you tell me to go, I won't go."
Su Jin smiled and said: "Then there may be many places that are not suitable for sight, such as seeing blood, such as fighting." Su Jin leaned into Song Quan's ear and continued: "Or... kill someone."
Song Quan trembled, looked at Su Jin and said: "Kill...kill...kill?"
Su Jin smiled and said: "Exactly, are you still coming?"
Song Quan was dumbfounded, not knowing whether Su Jin was telling the truth or a lie, but Su Jin's teasing eyes irritated him. He took off his sleeves and followed Su Jin out of the inner hall pretending not to care.
Outside, Wang Chao, Mahan and Han had already had their fill and were ready to wait here. Su Jin said softly: "Are you all ready?"
"Everything is done, let's set off." Wang Chao said with a hand.
Su Jin nodded and said, "Let's go."
Chao Chao left the government office first, with Su Jin and Ma Han following closely behind him. Song Quan, clutching a folding fan despite the cold weather, followed behind and shouted in a low voice: "Master Su, wait for me, wait for me..." "
Su Jin turned around and said, "Are you really going?"
Song Quan gasped and said, "Of course I want to go. I might as well help you. Besides, I'm familiar with the places in this city. You're new here, so don't get lost."
Su Jin thought for a while and said, "Come on, follow me."
The group of people left the Fuya Square and turned onto East Street; the winter night was freezing and the street was deserted. The north wind picked up the grass clippings on the ground and swirled them around.
It was dark on both sides of the street, with few lights on. Someone's child was crying twice, whether it was cold or hungry, adding to the silence of the quiet night.
A few people walked silently along the shadows under the closed shop. Wang Chao seemed to be very familiar with the path. After a while, he turned east and west through the streets and alleys and came to a house. He whispered in a low voice. : "Sir, this is the place."
Su Jin said: "Can you recognize it clearly?"
"That's right, the first one on the east side of Erdao Hutong in Dongcheng, facing the street, is this one."
Su Jin said: "See if the lights are on at home?"
Wang Chao looked around and saw a large tree with fallen leaves growing beside the yard. He trotted, stepped on the trunk and kicked a few steps up the tree. He climbed up a few feet and gently slid down the tree. He said: "The lights are on in the backyard, I guess I haven't slept yet."
Su Jin winked and said: "Open the door."
This time it was Mahan who came on stage. He easily took a few steps and stepped on the wall before climbing up the wall and falling lightly into the courtyard. After a while, the courtyard door opened a crack with a soft "Gada" sound.
Su Jin stepped forward and Song Quan quickly grabbed Su Jin's sleeve and said, "Brother Su, are you...are you really going to be a thief?"
Su Jin smiled and said, "That's right."
Song Quan hurriedly waved his hands and said: "No, you are the special envoy of the imperial court now, how can you do such sneaky things? If you just tell Brother Yu at hand, you can do whatever you want."
Su Jin said: "Are you going in or not?"
Song Quan said: "I don't dare to be a thief."
Su Jin smiled softly, pulled his sleeve and walked inside, saying: "Brother Song, you have already boarded the pirate ship. It's hard to tell the difference now."
Song Quan was filled with annoyance. There were three people on the other side and he was alone. He didn't dare to make too much noise, so he had to follow him inside.
The four of them walked around the alley on the side of the main hall and walked towards the back of the house. They passed through a patio and a corridor. Suddenly, they saw a large and well-maintained yard. It seemed that the family was quite wealthy. There was a window in the front of the house.
There was light shining from inside and outside, and faint voices could be heard.
Su Jin made a gesture, Wang Chao took out a few pieces of black cloth from his arms, and the three of them covered their heads and faces, leaving only their eyes exposed.
When Song Quan saw the postures of these three people, they looked like habitual gangsters. He felt even more frightened. He raised his voice and whispered: "Su...Brother Su, you can't...you can't."
Su Jin handed him a piece of black cloth and said, "Cover your face."
"I don't."
"It's up to you whether you want me to or not. If someone recognizes you later, you'll be in big trouble. I won't force you."
Su Jin stepped towards the main door of the main house, with Wang Dynasty Mahan following closely. Song Quan, with a sad face, put the folding fan behind his waist, covered his face with shaking hands, followed the three of them dejectedly, and walked towards the door.