The sedan passed Zuichunlou and walked forward for more than a hundred steps, and stopped at the entrance of an alley. Fang Jinshi heard someone outside in the sedan say: "Have you invited Captain Fang?" Deng An replied: "Please We're here." Immediately after the sedan curtain was lifted, a handsome young man in his early twenties came to Fang Jinshi with a smile on his face and said: "Captain Fang is here. I'm sorry for the delay in greeting you."
This man is Xiao Ming, the most powerful eldest son of the Xiao family among the Khitans in Roufu County. In the past, he would not have paid attention to a seventh-grade junior officer like Fang Jinshi, and he would have only wanted others to fawn over him. , but now the situation is different. The Liao army was defeated like a mountain. A family like his who had lost power and a country that was subjugated had to be greeted at the entrance of the alley, and he personally opened the curtain of Fang Jinshi's sedan chair.
Fang Jinshi got off the sedan amidst Xiao Ming's respectful greetings. Compared with Zuichun Tower a hundred steps away, Ruyi Tower was much quieter. The restaurant was in an alley, with red lanterns on two walls and plants planted along the road. There were some flowers. Compared to the bustling and tacky atmosphere of Zuichunlou, where the wine-stained red dress and shirtless fist pumping were taking place, this place looked more elegant and quiet. It was said to be a restaurant, but more like a private garden.
Under the lantern of more than a dozen girls, Fang Jinshi followed Xiao Ming, and behind Deng An and Wei Chong followed, they walked in from the main entrance of the two floors of Ruyi Building.
In the sea of ??flowers and woods by the lake, several long tables have been set up, with some fruits and snacks prepared on them. Next to them, there are three or four young men of about the same age as Xiao Ming standing waiting, but it was he who invited them to accompany them. All of them were young men who wanted to curry favor with Fang Jinshi, a businessman from a large shop in the county.
Xiao Ming introduced them one by one. The shopkeeper of these young men, I, also thought that Fang Jinshi was not old and it would be easier for young people to communicate with each other, so he sent the young men here.
Fang Jinshi laughed and chatted politely with these people. He thought it was quite good. After everyone sat down, the banquet was served. The cook was naturally the best cook, and the wine was also the best pure wine. After a few rounds of wine, several young masters looked at it. Fang Jinshi was chatting and laughing, and after being dazzled, he gradually lost his awe, and the atmosphere became much better.
A relatively mature and serious young man brought the wine and said: "Captain Fang, I want to toast you." Fang Jinshi remembered that when Xiao Ming introduced him just now, his surname seemed to be Jia, and his family was a rice shop owner in the city, so Fang Jinshi had a drink with him. Mr. Jia said: "The Song Dynasty official army is entering the city now. It stands to reason that merchants like us should have money and food to reward the army. However, in recent years, with the wars and wars, it is difficult to do business, and we really can't afford trumpets." The officers and soldiers have run out of food, so I ask Lieutenant Colonel Fang to be considerate and extend some grace."
Mr. Jia's attitude was sincere. Fang Jinshi looked at the others, who were all waiting for him to speak. If he asked for a delay, the others would come up to beg for mercy. Fang Jinshi smiled, put down his glass and said, "Well, it's not impossible. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m here to drink and make friends today, and we¡¯ll talk about the rest later.¡±
He pushed it off easily, because Fang Jinshi also knew that it was not that these big merchants couldn't come up with money and food, but they were waiting to see how long the Song Dynasty officials and troops could stay in this Roufu County. Anyway, he didn't have to worry about money and food for the time being. If The officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty stood firm and were not afraid that they would not pay.
When Xiao Ming saw this situation, he knew that it was useless to talk any more, so he stepped forward to smooth things over and said: "Colonel Fang is busy with military affairs, so it's easy to go out for a drink and relax. Brother Jia, it's better not to bother Colonel Fang. We'll have a long time in the future." Mr. Jia had no choice but to retreat angrily, and Xiao Ming said again: "I invited a juggler from Dali to come up and help me with the wine. How about it?" Fang Jinshi said with a smile, "Okay."
These acrobats had been prepared outside for a long time. More than a dozen Miao men and women from the Dali Kingdom came on stage and performed some stunts such as fire-eating, barefoot steel knife walking, flying fire meteors, etc. It was really lively for a while. Fang Jinshi said to These performances were just for watching, and his interest was average. He was a little tired from dealing with things in the city for days, and couldn't help but yawn.
Mr. Jia next to him saw it and said to Xiao Ming: "Brother Ming, if you don't present your gift quickly, Captain Fang will be tired and go back." Xiao Ming said: "That's right."
He waved his hand, and the Miao performers stopped, packed up their things and left. Xiao Ming smiled and said to each other: "When we first met, Xiao Ming prepared a small gift to express his feelings and asked Captain Fang to accept it. Fang Jinshi said: "Brother Xiao, you're welcome."
Xiao Ming said: "This gift is specially prepared for Colonel Fang, please be sure to accept it." He lightly slapped his palm twice. Under the tree on the left, there were five or six servant girls pouring wine and serving dishes. At this time, these people Spread out to the left and right, and a gauze screen is revealed behind.
This gauze screen may have been placed and prepared for a long time, but the woods were dimly lit and blocked by a few girls. Fang Jinshi had not noticed it before, but now that he saw it, he thought: Is this screen a gift for me? I didn¡¯t see anything surprising.
In his confusion, a bright and bright candle was lit behind the gauze screen, revealing the figure of a graceful woman?? was reflected on the screen. Two servants came up from the side and reached out to push the screen aside. Behind the screen, a large lantern was hung on a branch. The swaying candlelight reflected a person sitting dignifiedly under the tree. On the girl's face.
This girl holds a pipa in her arms, wears pink clothes, and has slightly thicker makeup. She has her hair tied up, her face is covered with powder makeup, her eyebrows are thinly drawn with black lines, and her lips are dyed with red paper. She sits quietly There, the expression was neither happy nor angry, peaceful and stiff.
Everyone looked at the girl, who had obviously seen big events before, and did not show any shyness or reserve. Xiao Ming said loudly: "Yun Nu'er, I haven't come over to see Colonel Fang yet. "
This girl¡¯s name was Yun Nuer. She stood up slowly, holding the pipa in her arms. She walked a few steps in front of Fang Jinshi and stopped. She slowly bowed and half-crouched and saluted: "My maid Yun Nuer, I would like to pay my respects to Mr. Fang."
She walked lightly for a few steps, each step as if she was afraid of stepping on ants on the road. She bowed even more neatly. Such etiquette and etiquette showed that she had gone through a lot of formal training. Fang Jinshi has always been a relatively casual person. Suddenly a woman saluted him so solemnly. He didn't know how to return the salute. He felt like he was suddenly a country boy. Xiao Ming saw Fang Jinshi's predicament and couldn't help but smile to himself. He said to Yun Nuer: "From today on, you are Colonel Fang's person. From now on, you must serve him with all your heart. Do you understand?" Yun Nuer lowered his head. Answer: "Yes."
Fang Jinshi was a little dazed for a moment. He never expected that Xiao Ming would give him a woman as a gift. If he accepted it, he really didn't know how to explain it to Liang Cuirong, and he didn't know how to place her in front of the army.
Fang Jinshi raised his head and glanced at Yun Nu'er. She happened to look up at Fang Jinshi. When their eyes met, Yun Nu'er hurriedly lowered her head. Fang Jinshi looked at her expression and his heart skipped a beat. With how much affection he showed, it would be in vain to reject such a woman. I gave it to myself, but I seemed reluctant to part with it.
Fang Jinshi breathed out secretly, turned to Xiao Ming and said: "Brother Xiao's gift is too heavy, brother, I'm just afraid I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy it."
Xiao Ming had been paying attention to the changes in his expression. He knew that he had given the right gift. Fang Jinshi was young and energetic, and the most difficult thing to resist was the beauty. He refused now, but in fact he was still reluctant to part with it. Xiao Ming smiled slightly and said: "Just a mere She¡¯s just a woman, how can she be so heavy-handed? Only Colonel Fang¡¯s young hero is worthy of such a stunning beauty. If you think Yun Nuer¡¯s beauty is mediocre, how about we go to my house and let Captain Fang choose?¡±
Fang Jinshi said in embarrassment: "Brother Xiao's words are serious. It's not because I don't know how to praise him. It's true that the brothers got married not long ago and already have a wife at home. I can only live up to Brother Xiao's good intentions."
Xiao Ming glanced at the other young masters and thought to himself that this man was indeed a country bumpkin and a henpecked man who didn't know how to enjoy things. He didn't dare to show the slightest look of contempt on his face. He stepped forward and got closer. Fang Jinshi said next to him: "What's so difficult about this? Yun Nu'er isn't trying to steal his wife to be her wife. I just need to pay for her to find a place in Roufu County for her to be an outhouse."
Fang Jinshi glanced at Yun Nuer again. She kept her head down and said nothing, not knowing what she was thinking.
Xiao Ming saw what Fang Jinshi wanted to say, and he immediately added: "If Fang Xiaowei refuses again, he is not enough of a friend. Although Yun Nuer was born in Goulan Courtyard, he has been studying music, poetry and dance skills since he was a child. He was originally going to participate in Nanjing Twenty-seven prefectures and counties competed for oirans in Youzhou City. The old bustard could be sold for a good price in the future, but Youzhou fell to the golden soldiers. I was lucky enough to get it and send it to Captain Fang. If it had been before, I would really give it to you. Sorry."
Fang Jinshi is an open-minded person. When others give him face, he will not deny it, let alone such a charming beauty. He said to Xiao Ming: "Okay, then I thank Mr. Xiao. .¡±
Xiao Ming was very happy when he heard that he accepted it. He leaned close to Fang Jinshi's ear and whispered again: "Don't worry, she is still a perfect virgin now." After saying that, he patted Fang Jinshi on the shoulder and laughed. .
Fang Jinshi suddenly felt disgusted with a young master like Xiao Ming, even though Xiao Ming gave him such a beauty. He grinned away from Xiao Ming's hand, drank the wine in his hand and said: "It's getting late, just Let¡¯s break up like this.¡±
But Xiao Ming said: "There is still one dish that has not been served. Captain Fang will finish eating before leaving." Fang Jinshi put down his wine glass and said, "I am full of wine and food. I will eat this dish next time. Say goodbye."
Xiao Ming stopped him and said, "Captain Fang doesn't know. The last dish is called Feng Tiao Yu Shun roasted whole lamb. According to our rules here, it would be very rude of the host if he didn't give it to the distinguished guests from outside to taste it, and he wouldn't taste it." If it is good for the River God, the River God will not be safe, so I hope Captain Fang will finish eating before leaving."
Fang Jinshi didn¡¯t believe in the theory of river gods and ghosts, but he wanted to eat oneIt doesn't take much time to roast a whole lamb, so it doesn't matter to give him face, so he nodded and said: "It's a local rule, then I will finish eating before leaving. I haven't eaten mutton in a long time."
Seeing that he agreed, Xiao Ming quickly shouted down: "Bring up the whole roasted lamb."