Chapter 48: Liu Bei's Feast

  Thanks to book friend Kuang Ma for casting 5 votes of 10 points evaluation and book friend Zhuang Liang's reward.

  After leaving the government hostel, Yuan Shang and others either took a carriage or rode horses, rushing straight to the office of the Governor of Ru'nan.

  The Taishou Mansion is located in the west of the city, and the whole mansion faces the Ying River. It covers an area of several hectares and has a grand momentum from its exterior view.

  Tonight's banquet, not only Yuan Shang and his entourage, but almost all the high-ranking officials of Runan County are present. In front of the governor's mansion, one after another, carriages carrying officials arrive in succession. Everyone is smiling and greeting each other with courtesy, coming and going with politeness. Each and every one of them is either exceptionally heroic or extremely elegant and refined, all of them being extraordinary individuals.

  Yuan Shang and others happened to meet Gao Lan waiting in front of the governor's mansion, after a few people saw each other off, they immediately followed Sun Gan into the inner hall.

  More than ten steps away from the front hall, a majestic and powerful Zhang Fei with a tiger's back and bear's waist appeared, laughing loudly as he approached Yuan Shang. As he walked, he cupped his hands in greeting: "Yuan Third Master, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you here on behalf of my elder brother for quite some time now. Please, enter the hall! Everyone, please!"

  Liu Bei was indeed very respectful to Yuan Shang, and a night feast would even send Zhang Fei himself to welcome him, it can be imagined how much he valued Yuan Shang.

  Yuan Shang's face also revealed a faint smile, and he returned the courtesy with a bow: "I'm honored that General Zhang Fei is waiting here, I'm flattered and terrified. General Zhang, please come in!"

  Zhang Fei burst out laughing and raised his head, only to see Sun Qian standing behind Yuan Shang with a half-face scar. He was startled at first, then opened his mouth and laughed: "Yuan San Gongzi, who is this person? I didn't seem to have seen him when he came to Yunnan. Haha, damn it, he's even more intimidating than me!"

  Sun Qian's face suddenly stiffened upon hearing the words, and after a while, he slowly opened his mouth to say: "Yide, don't be alarmed, it's me..."

  Zhang Fei was taken aback by the other's words, and then narrowed his eyes to take a closer look. He saw that the left half of the other's face had a pale complexion, with a shiny big package on his head, which was quite astonishing. As for the appearance, well, it really did have a few familiar points.

  After a while, Fang saw Zhang Fei take in a breath of cold air and asked the man in disbelief: "You... you're not Gong Yu, are you?"

  Sun Qian's eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes were cast down, looking rather despondent. Upon hearing the words, he didn't respond, only giving a faint "hmm".

  Zhang Fei's mouth was agape for a long time, and he didn't close it until he finally spoke: "Master Gongyu, why did you depict yourself in such a way? And on your head...you've grown horns!"

  After hearing Zhang Fei's words, Sun Qian's mouth twitched involuntarily and his face looked very unsightly.

  After a while, Fang Jian saw Sun Qian let out a long sigh and said: "Yi De, this matter is a long story, the master is still waiting inside, it's more important to ask Young Master Yuan to go in and meet the master first."

  Zhang Fei curiously glanced at Sun Qian, but didn't say anything more, and stretched out his hand to invite Yuan Shang and the others into the hall.

  Sun Qian followed behind Yuan Shang and Zhang Fei, his face somewhat depressed. However, he saw a figure quietly slip over, and in a low voice said to Sun Qian with a smile: "Master Gongyu doesn't need to worry so much. Disaster and fortune are intertwined, good fortune can turn into disaster, and vice versa. Although you were hit in the face by a green brick today, who knows, maybe tomorrow it'll be a golden brick? It's better not to dwell on it too much, lest it affect your body."

  Sun Qian turned his head and saw that the person who came to comfort him was actually Deng Cheng, Yuan Shang's chief clerk. He forced a smile and said: "Thank you, Clerk Deng, for your concern. This calamity is destined for me, it is heaven's will, not man-made..."

  "Who said that!"

  Deng Xiang's face showed a righteous and dignified expression, and he said in a low voice: "Mr. Gong Yu doesn't have to worry too much. The attack on you at the inn has been thought through by me, and I already have some leads. After tonight's banquet, starting tomorrow, I will definitely find a way to catch the killer for Mr. Gong Yu and avenge his shame! This matter must be brought to justice!"

  Sun Qian heard this, his face showed a look of surprise and shock, and he said: "I have no relationship with Mr. Tong Zhi, we hardly know each other before, why are you so dedicated to my affairs?"

  Deng Cheng's face was solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "Mr. Gong Yu, what are you talking about? A scholar cannot be without grandeur and integrity, with a heavy responsibility and a long way to go. Is it not a heavy burden to take on the responsibility of benevolence for oneself? Is it not a distant goal to die after fulfilling one's duty? If a scholar is content with his own comfort, he is not worthy of being a scholar! As for me, Deng, I have always regarded others' suffering as my own suffering, and others' worries as my own worries. How can I possibly see you, Mr. Gong Yu, in trouble and not offer assistance? If I were to do so, I would be abandoning the way of a gentleman! I swear that I will never do such a thing!"

  Sun Gan stared at Deng Ai with his mouth agape, a warm current surging up to his heart. He saw that he couldn't help but grab Deng Ai's hand and said with a sigh: "I didn't expect General Deng to be so noble, truly a rare sight in this world! Sun Gan regrets not meeting General Deng earlier!"

  Sun Gan suddenly shook the hem of his robe and said solemnly: "Today, I am fortunate to meet Lord Deng, it is a great blessing. I wish to become sworn brothers with you, from now on we will share good fortune together, and face difficulties together. We do not ask to be born at the same time, but we ask to die at the same time. What do you think, Lord Deng?"

  Deng Chang's face tightened at the words, and he excitedly clasped his fists together, saying: "Brother!"

  "Brother!"

  "From today on, brother's affairs are my affairs, brother's life is my life, brother's injury is my injury! Brother, rest assured, the assassination at the inn will be taken care of by me! I will definitely find a way to capture that villain and bring justice for you!"

  At this moment, Deng Zhan's whole body exudes a heroic and majestic aura, which makes people involuntarily moved.

  Sun Qian sighed and nodded his head, saying: "My brother is indeed a true gentleman!"

  Needless to say, Deng Zhi and Sun Qian unexpectedly wanted to become sworn brothers outside the hall. Let's just say that Yuan Shang followed Zhang Fei into the main hall, where most of the people had already arrived.

  Liu Bei sat in the main seat, wearing a large red robe. When Yuan Shang and others arrived, he immediately stood up with a big laugh, cupped his hands and said: "Yuan Gongzi has arrived, and Yuzhou is shining! The banquet has been prepared for a long time, just waiting for this noble guest." Then he arranged for Yuan Shang and others to sit on the left side of the hall.

  Yuan Shang hastily smiled and modestly said a few words to Liu Bei.

  The officials of Ru Nan also stood up one after another and paid their respects to Yuan Shang and the others.

  With the formalities complete, Yuan Shang immediately led Zhang Jue to take their seats on the side benches in the great hall. Just then, Deng Ai and Sun Qian rushed in hastily.

  Deng Chao had to go to where Yuan Shang was, and with a smile, he didn't say much, and immediately sat down on one side of the seat next to Yuan Shang.

  Yuan Shang furrowed his brow and said in a low voice, "Where did you run off to? Why are you so slow getting back?"

  "I'll tell you later."

  Deng Chang's face burst into a smile like a flower blooming, as if he had picked up some great bargain, and instantly made Yuan Shang suspicious.

  The wine party began, but as soon as the musicians started playing the bronze bell and blowing the sheng, a group of dancing girls with long sleeves swayed in the hall, taking light steps, and the tables were filled with wine and meat, having an extraordinary pleasure for a while.

  Liu Bei stroked his beard and toasted Yuan Shang and the others from afar, drinking with abandon, overjoyed and unable to contain himself.

  Furthermore, the melodious music played by the bronze instruments in the hall, combined with the beautiful dance of the maiden, is truly breathtaking. It makes everyone present feel a sense of comfort and joy that cannot be put into words, as if their entire being is filled with an inexplicable feeling of relaxation and delight.

  Delicious food and fine wine, singing and dancing, Liu Bei was thoroughly enjoying himself when suddenly a discordant voice of argument rose from the table nearby.

  Although the voice was small, it also fell into Liu Bei's ears, which was very refreshing.

  "What? You've actually become sworn brothers with him? And you've even exchanged oaths?"

  "Haha, don't you understand? This is Deng's extraordinary skill."

  "You're really something, there's actually someone as shameless as you in this world. I'm so angry that I want to take justice into my own hands and slap you to death."

  "Oh my, young master, how can you talk like that? You didn't even praise me, but instead, you're mocking me? What did I do to provoke you?"

  "You've lost me face, don't talk to me, go wherever you like!"

  "I really have to tell you about this today! Is there a master like you who is so muddle-headed and unclear in rewards and punishments? I'm fed up, I won't be the steward anymore!"

  "You can love or not, but if you want to leave, leave early and remember to leave your son Deng Ai behind!"

  "What's going on?! That's my son!"

  "Name your price, how much money are you willing to sell your son for?"

  "Sir, can't you be reasonable? Is there anyone in this world who would force someone to sell their own child? I've never heard of such a thing."

  "Cut the nonsense! Are you selling or not? If not, I'll just take it by force!"

  The voices of the two men's argument were extremely low, and except for Liu Bei who was nearby, almost no one else could hear them.

  And that's why in the hall, only Liu Bei's face became increasingly stiff and pale, but he was so angry that he couldn't speak out.

  Sweat dripped down Liu Bei's forehead and back, like a faucet that hadn't been turned off tightly, dripping constantly, growing more and more, accumulating more and more, almost enough to form a stream.

  After a while, Liu Bei finally put down his wine cup, slowly closed his eyes, and began to mutter to himself in a low voice.

  "Not like a human being, that little brat! I won't treat him as an equal... Not like a human being, that little brat! I won't treat him as an equal... Not like a human being, that little brat! I won't treat him as an equal... Right, I absolutely won't treat him as an equal!"