Chapter 15: Tree Flag

  Zhuangzi was the host, sitting in the master's seat. Confucius and Zigong were guests. Whoever sat on the right would have to show some modesty. Among all the feudal lords under heaven, except for Chu which honored the left, every other state honored the right. The important guest should naturally sit on the right.

  Kong Yuzhi thought that this banquet was originally to welcome Qingji, and since he was the son of the State of Wu, he should sit in the upper seat. Qingji, on seeing Kong Dafu's tall stature, had a vision of a glittering golden signboard with the four characters "Supreme Sage and Former Master" appearing in his mind, so how could he let him take a lower seat? The two thus yielded to each other.

  Confucius revered the Zhou ritual, which integrated etiquette for superiors and inferiors into various aspects of life, subtly influencing people to follow rules. At that time, rituals were not just a matter of politeness, so Confucius attached great importance to them and would never do anything improper. When he heard Old Master Zheng speak solemnly about "rituals", he was immediately intimidated and took his seat on the right side, only then did the host and guest joyfully begin the banquet.

  Madam Chengbi often came to Lacquer City for short stays, and this separate courtyard had been supporting a group of musicians and dancers all year round, so the hall was filled with music and dance, very lively.

  Zhan Daifu raised his cup and toasted the two, then put down the cup and asked Confucius: "Zhongni, when you left in a huff, I heard about it from my brother and sighed with regret for a long time. Now that you're back, do you have any plans?"

  Confucius hesitated for a moment before slowly putting down his wine cup, and smiled faintly: "I plan to return to my hometown, set up an altar and lecture, what do you think, brother?"

  Zhan Daifu stroked his beard and smiled: "Zhongni is a learned man of propriety, respected by the world. Now that he's in his prime, it's time for him to take action."

  Confucius sighed and said: "I wish to serve in Lu, but I fear it will be a difficult path ahead."

  "Does Confucius still remember the time when he rebuked Ji Sun in person for being overbearing? Confucius, Ji Sun is now in charge of state affairs and is eager to recruit talented individuals. How could such a trivial matter be on his mind? You are a renowned figure in Lu, well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, with a reputation that has spread throughout the vassal states. Ji Sun has ambitions to strengthen Lu, how could he possibly overlook a talent like yours and not employ you? If you're willing to serve, I can introduce you to him."

  Confucius was moved, and after a moment's thought, he raised his cup with a smile: "Brother Zhan, your kindness is overwhelming. It has been so long since I left my hometown, I must go back and take a look. When Confucius returns home for a short stay, I will visit Brother Zhan in Qufu again."

  He said so, which was tantamount to agreeing. Xuan Hui's heart was filled with joy, and he drank another cup with him. Confucius put down his cup and asked Qing Chi with a smile: "Can you go to Qufu?"

  Qing Ji smiled slightly, his eyes also swept a glance, and he replied proudly: "Qing Ji originally intended to go to Qufu to recover from his injuries. Now that his injuries are gradually healing, his heart is set on returning home like an arrow. This Qufu trip can be cancelled. Thanks to the kindness of Meng Zhan, Qing Ji will stay here for a few days until he can move freely, and then immediately return to Ai City, recruit soldiers and buy horses, and once again attack Wu. If the revenge for his father's death is not avenged, wouldn't Qing Ji be ashamed as a son?"

  Confucius was taken aback and immediately applauded, calling it wonderful.

  Filial piety is an important part of his advocacy, and the celebration of the anniversary is just what he likes. How can he not be heartbroken? One of his disciples once asked him what to do if someone had a father-killing feud with others. At that time, Confucius replied vaguely, which was later recorded in the Analects.

  In today's vernacular, the meaning of that passage is: If there is a father's revenge that has not been avenged, one cannot wear good clothes, eat well, or become an official. No matter what method is used, one must kill the enemy to avenge their father. If they happen to meet on the road and do not have a weapon in hand, they will pick up a brick to kill them.

  So he naturally praised Qingji's filial piety, immediately saying: "Young master, your words are indeed correct! The enemy of one's parents is not to be shared under the same sky. Not to mention that Young Master Guang usurped the throne and seized power, a great rebellion against morality, even if he was originally the ruler of a country, as a son, having such deep-seated hatred for his father, should also cut off all ties with his father, and absolutely cannot abandon his father for the sake of being a ruler."

  Qing Xi listened in stunned silence: "Isn't Confucianism all about the lord being right and the minister dying for him, how can Confucius say something like 'it's better to be a filial son than a loyal subject', are those just phrases coined by later generations of Confucians who fawned on emperors, having nothing to do with Confucius himself?"

  Zhan Heng smiled and twirled his mustache, but after hearing Qing Ji's words, his face didn't show any emotion. Just then, a gust of wind blew in, carrying with it a strange and pungent smell. The musicians and dancers on either side covered their noses and frowned. Zhan Heng flew into a rage, shouting: "What is the meaning of this? What kind of smell is this?"

  The housekeeper hastily ran out to investigate and returned in a moment, saying: "Master Zhan, I've asked around and it seems that the White family next door is fertilizing their land, and the smell has wafted over."

  Zhan was waiting for the guest, but a strong smell of grains wafted from the table, instantly making him lose face. Zhan's face turned iron-green with rage. He knew that the so-called White Mansion next door was actually the residence of Bai Ziling, a wealthy merchant from Lu State. As a high-ranking official from Lu State, he naturally looked down on Bai Ziling.

  Now that Bai Ziling is not around, the Bai Manor only has some lower-ranking servants. He didn't want to lower his own status by appearing in person, so he angrily ordered: "Go tell them that the manor is currently hosting a banquet. If there's any further disturbance of my mood, I won't forgive it lightly."

  That busybody ran out and shouted over the wall, and the voice on the other side was as loud as thunder. Zhang Huan and others sitting in the hall also heard clearly. A man's voice said with a strange tone: "You entertain your guests, I fertilize my fields, if you want to blame someone, go blame the wind for being impolite, what does it have to do with me?"

  As soon as the words were spoken, a burst of loud laughter came from behind the wall. Xuan Hu heard this and his eyebrows suddenly stood up, "pa" he slapped the case and got up. Qing Xi advised: "Doctor, don't be angry, let the family members go to the White House to clarify the doctor's identity, and the naughty boy will know to fear."

  Zhan Huan swallowed his anger, and with a stern face, he called over Cheng Fu's steward to have him negotiate with the White House. The steward didn't expect the White House servants to be so bold, but he took orders and hastily went to the White House. Just after a short while, a miserable cry was heard from behind the wall. Zhan Huan, Qing Xi, and Kong Qiu looked at each other in shock, and soon they saw Cheng Fu's steward and several house slaves supporting each other, with bruised noses and swollen faces, hurrying back.

  Cheng Fu's steward knelt on the ground, crying and complaining that he had been beaten by a rough servant of the White Mansion, and begged Master Zhang to intervene. Master Zhang was so angry that his whole body trembled, and Confucius' big eyes also stared wide, the two moral pillars clenched their fists and were about to take matters into their own hands to seek justice.

  Qing Ji saw this scene and couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart. Just now, Fang Daifu said that the White family was just a merchant from Lu State. Clearly knowing that next door was a grand feast hosted by a prominent official, how dare a member of a merchant's household be so presumptuous? Spreading foul smells was one thing, but they even beat up someone who came to reason with them until he looked like this - it was clear that they were intentionally provoking them. What did they want to do?

  Qing Jin's heart skipped a beat, then he calmed down and sat steadily there, saying: "Zhan Daifu, Kong Xiansheng, please be patient. Liang Hu Zi, come forward!"

  Zuo Bingwei Liang Huizi sang a note, stepped down from the hall and entered with big steps, saluting with military courtesy. Qing Ji stared at Liang Huizi and said lightly: "You go, don't let ordinary people disturb everyone's interest."

  Liang Huzi was a former general of the Wu State, who had always followed Qingji. He understood his intentions best. When he made a fist and bowed, he looked at Qingji, whose eyes slightly condensed on him before quickly looking down at his wine cup. Liang Huzi nodded in understanding, raised an eyebrow, and stepped back, leading twenty tiger-like soldiers out of the gate like the wind.

  Zhan finally reacted at this time, and said anxiously: "The young master has come from afar as a guest, the hospitality is not good enough, it's already Zhan's fault, to trouble your soldiers again, wouldn't Zhan be ashamed?"

  Qing Ji bowed slightly, smiling and said: "Doctor's hospitality is generous, Qing Ji is ashamed to have no way to repay. A small matter, Qing Ji will take care of it personally, let's consider it as a thank you for Doctor's kindness. Come on, don't let the villain disturb the wine, please sit down, Doctor, and Mr. Kong."

  Zhuangzi raised his cup in response to Confucius' toast, but his ears perked up, listening intently to the noise from next door.

  Liang Hu-zi led twenty soldiers to the front gate of the White Mansion, pounded on the large gate until it echoed through the mountains, and shouted loudly: "Open the door! Open the door!"

  Someone inside sneered, "Is the dog from the Cheng Mansion here to bark wildly again? If you want to come in, there's a door on the side. Don't break my family's main gate, or you won't be able to afford the compensation."

  Li Hu-zi glanced to the side and saw that it was a dog hole opened on the door, and he couldn't help but burst into anger. He looked around and saw a stone roller lying under the lintel next to him, so he walked over, grasped the concave holes on both sides of the stone roller, took a deep breath, let out a loud roar, and lifted up the stone roller.

  This boulder weighs no less than 300 catties, and ordinary strong men can't even lift it up. Liang Hu Zi has always had incredible strength, his physical power is only slightly inferior to Qing Xi's. With a loud shout, he actually lifted the boulder over his head, and the soldiers beside him immediately cheered. Liang Hu Zi's face was covered in sweat, holding the boulder step by step onto the stairs, until he reached the door and slammed it forward with great force, causing a deafening crash like thunder, the extremely sturdy gate cracked open, the horizontal beam snapped, and many sharp spikes protruded out.

  Liang Hu-zi let out another loud roar, and the boulder rolled forward with a loud crash, smashing open the gate. Half of the gate was broken off at the hinges and lay crookedly on the ground.

  Liang Hu-zi threw away the stone roller, lifted his leg and kicked it. The half-gate fell to the ground with a loud crash, raising a cloud of dust. As the dust slowly dissipated, Liang Hu-zi had already led twenty soldiers into the courtyard, holding long spears, glaring angrily and shouting loudly: "Who is in charge of the White Mansion?"

  Seeing them so powerful, the several thieves who pretended to be family members on purpose felt a slight fear in their hearts. One of the tall men stepped forward and shouted fiercely: "You are so rude, how dare you smash my family's gate?"

  Li Hu-zi let out a loud shout, grabbed his collar and glared at him with piercing eyes: "My master is drinking peacefully in the hall, but you people are making a big stink. The steward of the Cheng mansion tried to reason with you, but was beaten up by you for no reason. Etiquette? Ha! Can someone like you even talk about etiquette?"

  "What kind of person are you?" The bandit leader Li Xuan appeared at the entrance, coldly sizing up this martially dressed and robust big man.

  Liang Hu-zi gave him a glance, seeing his stance and demeanor, knew that this was the real mastermind, pushed his hand, and the thief who was arguing with him retreated several steps, fortunately being caught by his accomplices before he fell to the ground.

  "I am Liang Hu-zi, a Wu man. My master, Meng Ru-guo Da-fu, was invited to drink wine at the Cheng Mansion, but why do you people from the White Mansion repeatedly harass and provoke us?"

  Li Xuan's heart was filled with anger, and he coldly laughed: "This is strange, I'm standing in my own courtyard, how did I end up being accused of seeking trouble? Are all you people from Wu so arrogant and lawless? Bah, what kind of person is your master?"

  Li Hu-zi flew into a rage: "My master's identity is noble and esteemed, how could it be something that a lowly person like you can hear about? Be more careful with your words, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite."

  Li Xuan burst out laughing: "You barbarians, what do you know about propriety? You're just beasts that hide your heads and show your tails, not daring to meet people!"

  Qing Jin clearly heard the sound from the main hall, his eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. Immediately afterwards, he heard the clanging of weapons coming from the neighboring courtyard, indicating that both sides had already engaged in combat.

  Zhan Dafu nervously stretched his neck to look around, but couldn't see anything. If Qing Ji's subordinates were injured by someone, he would lose face today. Just then, a shout came from next door: "Murder! Murder!" followed by a chaotic and frantic cry.

  Zhang Dafu could no longer sit still, and suddenly stood up, saying: "Quickly, quickly go and take a look."

  As soon as he finished speaking, the gate burst open and twenty armored soldiers escorted Liang Hu Zi in, who was holding a bloody head in his hand. He strode up to the hall, knelt down with his sword in hand, and reported loudly: "The White Mansion's family members provoked trouble and insulted my master. I have beheaded him with my sword. Now I come to report back."

  As soon as Liang Hu-zi spoke, everyone in the hall was shocked. Liang Hu-zi knocked his head heavily and said: "Please let the master and Zhang Dafu, Kong Xiansheng rest assured to drink wine, no one will dare to disturb again, I will retire." After finishing speaking, he got up and retreated towards the door of the hall.

  Qing Ji picked up the wine jug and poured wine into his cup, without raising his head, he lightly asked: "You're carrying a human head, where are you going?"

  Liang Huzi stopped and bowed his head, saying: "I dare not serve the emperor with a guilty body, I will go to see the city's pastor and ask for punishment."

  Qing Xi laughed and said, "You are loyal to your master, I only know of merit, what fault is there? Return this head to the White family and tell them that Wu Guo Qing Xi hunted in their courtyard and killed a vicious dog. If they want compensation, come see me, Qing Xi will personally receive you!"

  Qing Ji said it lightly, but Xuan Huai's face turned pale, while the guards and servants in the hall looked relieved.

  Qing Ji said with a smile, "Zhan Taifu, this young master's subordinate is of a violent temperament and is deeply devoted to his lord, which has caused you amusement."

  Zhan's eyes widened in shock, and he hastily said: "Ah... Ah... The White family is so arrogant and domineering, they even humiliated the young master. There is a way to seek death for this offense. Young master has such loyalty and righteousness, Zhan is deeply... deeply admiring."

  At that time, only a few countries in the Central Plains had clearly formulated laws. Many vassal states, including Lu State, had clear regulations on land and etiquette, but no written criminal codes were implemented. Citizens did not know the specific provisions of the law, and when cases occurred, local officials would discuss and decide the punishment results, with a large degree of arbitrariness.

  So, if a noble kills someone to avenge their family or because of their good reputation, the common people will petition for mercy and the officials will let them off. If a member of the nobility kills a commoner, they can get away with it even more easily. Gongzi Qingji is a noble, while the other party are just a few slaves from a merchant's family, with low social status. As a slave, they have humiliated a noble, and even if they die, there will be no official investigation, and commoners do not have any legal basis to protest. Whether someone deserves to die or not, whether they are guilty or not, it all depends on the words of the officials.

  Qing Ji burst out laughing and said, "I originally wanted to rest here for a few days before returning to the State of Wei. I didn't expect that villain to repeatedly cause trouble, causing Zhang Daofu to be embarrassed. It's really a crime."

  He said this, turned his head to look outside, and shouted loudly: "Dong Gou, go to the front of the government office and set up my name sign. Wu Guoqing is a good man who can stand upright anywhere, I don't think anyone else dares to cause trouble!"

  Ukon no Fuyuaso was a samurai from Shinagawa who had come to serve him, and he was also good at writing. He loudly acknowledged the order and quickly left.

  Qing Xi's expression changed again, and he smiled as he raised his cup. He said to Zhan Gong and Confucius with a relaxed tone: "Come on, the villain has left, we can drink at ease."

  The official in charge of the Cheng government saw that this young master had vented his anger and was overjoyed, dancing with joy. He hastily glared at the people around him with his beady eyes and shouted: "Don't you start playing music and dancing?"

  The musicians and dancers on both sides were shocked by his shout, as if awakened from a dream. Immediately, the shengs and xiaos sounded in unison, the green sleeves fluttered, and the entire hall was once again filled with music and dance.

  Zhan Huan and Kong Qiu exchanged a bitter smile, they really didn't expect that Qing Ji, a fallen country's prince, would not keep a low profile in Lu State, but instead was so vigorous, so they could only raise their cups to toast along with him.

  She raised her cup and had drunk half of the wine when suddenly a gleam of insight flashed through her mind, and she woke up to the fact: "Good heavens! I've fallen into Qingzhong's trap!"

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