Volume 1: Zhu Xian Town Crisis Chapter 47: Attending the Birthday Banquet

  The next morning, Yue Yun carefully dressed up. Since today was to attend a banquet to celebrate Liu Zhi's birthday, he certainly couldn't wear his armor. However, when he arrived, he only brought some spare linen clothes with him, which were not suitable for attending such an occasion. Fortunately, Han Yanzhi had apparently considered this point and sent over one of his own sets of clothes as soon as it was light.

  Yue Yun wore a white silk dress with blue edges, a purple gold crown on her head, tied with a five-color long silk ribbon, and stepped out of the Han Mansion gate slowly in a pair of black small court boots.

  Niu Tong and Guan Ling were already waiting at the door, and when they saw Yue Yun come out, they both froze for a moment. Was this still the same General Yue who had charged into battle, killing his way through millions of soldiers? His face was as white as jade, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, red lips and white teeth, an exceptionally handsome appearance, completely like a refined and elegant young master from a noble family.

  Yue Yun walked out of the gate and saw Niu Tong and Guan Ling staring blankly. He asked somewhat curiously, "What are you guys staring at? Is there a stain on my face?"

  Guangling suddenly woke up and said: "Brother Yue, you're dressed like this, we almost can't recognize you! You go to the birthday party looking like this, I'm afraid others will think you're going on a blind date!"

  Yue Yun couldn't help but smile slightly and said, "This outfit was sent by Yan Zhi. The servant said that Yan Zhi has many clothes. He also helped me pick out this set."

  "Ah! General, with such a good thing, how can I forget about me, Niu Tong! I'll also go talk to Brother Yan Zhidao! I heard that this birthday banquet is not only for the big households of Chu State, but they will also bring their misses. I must leave a good impression on those girls!" Niu Tong rushed towards Han Yanzhi's bedroom as soon as he heard it.

  General Guan hesitated for a moment before speaking in a soft voice: "General, I also..."

  "Alright! You go too! I'll leave the invitation with Yunwen, you guys change into your clothes and come over together. Now I'll go to the wooden shop to pick up the walking stick, let's meet directly at Liu's residence later!" Yueyun said with a smile.

  Guan Ling was overjoyed as if he had been granted a great amnesty, and immediately followed Niu Tong in pursuit.

  Yue Yun smiled wryly and shook his head. It was rare for these two brothers to have a chance to dress up, and so far they didn't even have a decent girl, so let them also experience it.

  Yue Yun directly exited the Han Mansion's main gate and rushed towards Old Master Song's wooden furniture shop.

  Arriving at the woodwork shop, Old Master Song was also taken aback when he saw Yue Yun arrive. He widened his eyes and stared for a while before finally recognizing him. He couldn't help but chuckle and say: "Young General, with this change of clothes, I almost didn't recognize you!"

  He hastily brought out the crutch that had been made and painted. Yue Yun carefully examined and tried it, and found no significant difference from the special crutch he used in his previous life. What really amazed him was that when he lightly touched it with his finger, the paint was already dry. It seems that Old Master Song's craftsmanship is indeed exceptional.

  "How much?" Yu Yun asked casually.

  "No need!" Old Song's weathered face broke into a smile: "I, Old Song, don't have any hobbies, I just like to make things that will make people exclaim in admiration. The design you provided has been very inspiring to me, so consider this as my gift to you for the design fee. I won't take your money either, just take this cane and go!"

  Yue Yun heard about it and looked at Old Song with new eyes. Such a person who is infatuated with woodworking, except for the wooden emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty later on, is rarely seen in the world. However, he was really embarrassed to take away the crutch like this. After repeated persuasion, Old Song finally reluctantly accepted ten taels of silver as material costs.

  Yue Yun took the packaged crutches and walked to the Liu residence. The gate of the Liu residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and guests were pouring in to offer congratulations.

  At this time, those who came and went to the Liu Mansion were all high-ranking officials and nobles. Even if they didn't have an official position, they were all wealthy merchants and famous scholars with a lot of money. Those lower-ranking officials and businessmen could only hand over gifts to the steward of the Liu Mansion at the side door, smile and watch as he wrote down their names in the gift book before reluctantly leaving.

  Yue Yun Gang had just walked to the door when he was stopped by a servant who asked him to show his invitation.

  Yue Yun patted his body and only then remembered that he had given the invitation to Yu Yunwen, asking him to wait for Niu Tong and Guan Ling to change their clothes before coming over together.

  He was taken aback for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said: "I am the eldest son of General Yue, Yue Yun. I didn't bring an invitation with me, you can ask Liu Zhifu or Han Yuanshuai, Han Shaoyujiangjun, they all know me!"

  When Ding Yi heard that it was the young master of the Yue family who had arrived, he didn't dare to be slow and immediately turned around to prepare to go in and report. However, just at this moment, Yue Yun heard a surprised and delighted cry: "Young Master Yue, you've come so early!"

  Yue Yun turned his head and saw that it was indeed Geng Zhao. He then smiled wryly and said, "Yes! However, I forgot to bring the invitation letter, and I'm waiting for the announcement."

  That Ding recognized Geng Zhong and hastily stepped forward to bow and pay his respects.

  Geng Zhe waved his hand at the doorman, then said: "This is none other than the eldest son of Commander-in-Chief Yue Yuanshuai of Hubei and Jingxi Road, Mr. Yue Yun. Thanks to him, Chu State was able to repel the Jin army, and he rendered great meritorious service! You can rest assured and let him in; I'll go talk to Magistrate Liu myself!"

  That household's Ding didn't dare mention the invitation again, and hastily changed his expression, bowing his hands to say: "Please come in, both of you!"

  Geng Zhao smiled slightly and pulled Yue Yun into the Liu mansion. After turning a corner, he lowered his voice and said gratefully: "Young Master Yue, Geng Zhao owes you one."

  Yue Yun was taken aback after hearing this, but soon realized that he was talking about himself. He took out his military campaign diary and proved that the secret letter was a plot by the Jin people to sow discord.

  Yue Yun smiled and said, "General Geng is such a loyal and righteous man, how could he secretly collude with the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty? I just happened to pick up Wanyan Zongmin's military campaign log. Even if I hadn't obtained the log, over time, Marshal Han would have investigated the matter clearly and General Geng's innocence would have been revealed."

  Geng Zhong heard this, tightly grasped Yue Yun's hands, and his eyes shone with a respectful expression. He couldn't help but say excitedly: "Young Master Yue, you have cleared my name of the false accusations, yet you don't take any credit for it. You are truly a good man! A real hero! You are the second person I have respected since General Han, and from now on, if Young Master Yue has any tasks that require my assistance, I will not decline!"

  Yue Yun was also slightly surprised in his heart at this time, he did not expect that his unintentional move would make Geng Zhuo, the great general who had fought on the battlefield, so devoted.

  He also said immediately: "General Geng, what's with the 'young master' and 'general' titles, it's really getting old. I'm a bit younger, if General Geng doesn't mind, I'll just call you Big Brother Geng from now on!"

  Geng Zhe listened and became even more excited. He grasped Yue Yun's hand and said, "Good brother! From now on, I'll entrust my elder brother to you, and call you 'Yue Xian Di'!"

  Yue Yun burst out laughing and said: "Geng big brother, I'm originally younger than you anyway..."

  As they walked and talked, they felt their relationship had become much closer.

  The Liu mansion was extremely crowded today, as the merchant caravans that had been stuck outside the city for a long time had all entered the city. These foreign merchants, combined with local wealthy families, Chu State's capture officials, government officials, and Han Shizhong's Huaidong Xuanfu Siwu generals, were simply too numerous.

  Moreover, each guest brought their family members or trusted servants and attendants, adding to the Liu estate's own guards, servants, maids, and invited troupes of actors and singing and dancing girls, all coming and going in every courtyard, making it impossible to find a quiet spot anywhere in the vast Liu estate.

  Although there were many guests, Liu Mingcheng arranged everything in an orderly manner. The female guests were all led by his wife and maids to the inner courtyard for reception. The officials from Chu State City, as well as the military officers from Han Shizhong's Pacification Commission, were led to the main hall where he personally greeted them. As for the merchants, they were left in the care of his eldest son, Liu Tao.

  Although Liu Tao was born into an official family, he had no interest in being an official and only wanted to do business. He also opened several inns and wine houses within the city of Chu State. The business was quite prosperous, although his father's invisible care contributed to this, but he himself also had some business talent, managing these industries very well. Therefore, having him host these merchants was the most suitable choice.

  In the backyard of the Liu's mansion, a stage was set up for opera performances. The troupe was singing on the stage while the guests in the main hall could enjoy tea and watch the show at the same time. Familiar people were chatting and laughing, making the whole courtyard as lively and noisy as a bustling market.

  Yue Yun was attending this kind of ancient grand banquet for the first time since he traveled through to this era, and he curiously looked around...

  He and Geng Zhuo had just passed through a courtyard when they heard someone shouting loudly as he came forward: "General Geng, Young Master Yue, you've arrived too!"

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  Want to know who this person is, friends, cast your votes——. Here's a preview: the next chapter will feature a beauty, and Yung Ge (Cloud Brother) can't always be unlucky in love.