Chapter 26: The Banquet

“Court is adjourned!”

“We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty!”

The assembled ministers held their ceremonial tablets and withdrew from the hall.

“I pay my respects to the Commandant!” After putting on his shoes, Jiang Wen bowed to Sun Ce.

Sun Ce chuckled, saying, “I’ve told you before, there’s no need for such formalities between us in private. Now that you have your own residence, isn't it time to fulfill your duties as host?”

“Of course. In a few days, I’ll host a banquet at my house. I’ll have Tao’er prepare fine food and wine, and invite you, Brother Bofu, and Brother Ziming,” Jiang Wen replied with a gentle smile. “But speaking of Ziming, where is he? He hasn’t assumed the office of Prefect, yet I didn’t see him in court today.”

“That’s an interesting matter,” Sun Ce replied. “It was Lady Lu who arranged a marriage for him. Someone came to propose, and I only learned yesterday that the girl and Ziming grew up together—they’re childhood sweethearts, very close.”

“But Ziming loves practicing with weapons, while the girl’s parents want him to study. They say if he were to die in battle, their daughter would be left a widow.”

“Haha, so they’ve been arguing endlessly. Ziming refuses to study, and the father-in-law won’t compromise. So Ziming secretly tried to break off the engagement without telling Lady Lu, and yesterday his mother scolded him thoroughly,” Sun Ce laughed heartily, then continued, “But now, the girl has moved into Ziming’s residence and follows him everywhere.”

Jiang Wen chuckled softly. Sun Ce went on, “Tonight I’m hosting a banquet at my home. Will you come, Changsu? You can meet Ziming’s wife, and I’ll introduce you to another friend as well.”

“If Bofu invites me, how could I refuse? Just make sure there’s plenty of good food. If your cook isn’t up to the task, I’ll have Tao’er come help…”

A carriage loaded with pots, pans, and plain clothes brought them to the residence. The local people gathered, curious about the enormous mansion and who it was built for.

Sun Jian is a straightforward man—unlike those scheming overlords, his rewards are generous!

Sixty mu of land for a residence is no ordinary size. One could stroll all day within the grounds and still not circle the whole estate. Jiang Wen had always dreamed of owning a two-hundred-square-meter house; now his dream had come true, multiplied many times over.

“Jiang Residence.” The plaque above the gate was newly made, the calligraphy bold and vigorous, written by Sun Jian himself. Jiang Wen had been assigned ten elite soldiers, who now acted as servants, helping Tao’er carry in the gifts.

“Li Da, be careful! That bowl cost fifty coins—if you break it, you’ll have to pay for it!”

“Hey, hey, put that down gently! It’s filled with pickled vegetables for the young master!”

Jiang Wen watched the carriage approaching from afar. “I pay my respects to the Army Advisor. These are two thousand bolts of silk, a reward from the Minister of Works. Please accept them.”

“Very well. Since you’re here, come help me carry them inside!”

The scenery within the residence was delightful: stone bridges spanned jade lakes where brocade carp darted, cranes played in the water, and the spring breeze was gentle and pleasing. In the courtyard, lush trees provided shade, artificial hills stood tall, peculiar rocks jutted out, and pavilions and towers reflected in the water, each step revealing a new vista—a perfect balance of elegance and richness.

The towers were exquisitely built, their green tiles neatly aligned. Though the residence was said to cover sixty mu, much of it was still open land, enclosed by a wall—rich, dark earth, fertile and ready for cultivation. Jiang Wen estimated that it was probably sixty mu of fine farmland and twenty mu of mansion.

The sixty mu could be used for farming if needed.

But whether it was sixty mu of mansion or twenty, it made little difference to Jiang Wen. It was enormous either way.

He could only occupy one small pavilion himself.

The residence was divided into east and west courtyards. As the master, Jiang Wen naturally took up residence in the east courtyard. He sat on a mat, gazing at the bamboo slips laid upon the wooden table, while a bronze censer wafted fragrant smoke nearby.

“So quiet,” he mused.

The house, though grand, had its drawbacks—too few people.

“Tao’er!”

“Coming, young master!” Tao’er replied cheerfully, her cheeks flushed. “Here, have a candied fruit!”

Jiang Wen opened his mouth and ate it. “Send Li Da to the nearby counties to hire some servants, and have Yang Wu go to the small mountain village twenty li west of Fuchun County to find a man named Jiang Hao—he’s my uncle. Bring him here.”

“Understood,” Tao’er nodded. “Are you heading out now, young master?”

“The Commandant has invited me to a banquet.”

“I’ll prepare your clothes, then.”

His personal guards hitched up the carriage and brought Jiang Wen to Sun Ce’s residence. Jiang Wen dismounted, saluted the gatekeeper, and said, “I am the Army Advisor, invited by your master, here to pay respects to the Commandant of the Tiger Guards.”

The gatekeeper returned the salute. “Please wait, sir. I’ll report at once.”

“Haha, Changsu, you’re here! Come in, please!”

Jiang Wen sat down on a mat. There were five people present, including one woman with an oval face, delicate features, gentle temperament, and graceful figure. Her black hair shone, and beside her sat Lü Meng, looking troubled.

“Changsu greets Brother Ziming, Brother Gongjin. This lady must be Ziming’s wife?”

The woman blushed prettily. “I am Lu Min, pleased to meet the Army Advisor.”

“Lu Min, of the Lu family—still considered a common gentry?” Jiang Wen glanced at Sun Ce and nodded; to the Sun family, they were indeed ordinary.

Also present was a fair-skinned, handsome young man. “I am Zhou Yu, styled Gongjin. I thank the Army Advisor for your recommendation!”

Jiang Wen returned the salute and took his seat.

Sun Ce sat in the place of honor, while Jiang Wen knelt at his mat. “Today, we are not here to discuss great matters, but to enjoy music and dance.”

Sun Ce clapped twice, and the room slowly filled with the sound of the zither. He said to Jiang Wen, “My brother is terribly picky about music. I invited a master from Xiangyang City.”

Several women in splendid red skirts entered and arranged themselves gracefully. Each possessed extraordinary beauty and charm, their long sleeves fluttering as they danced with the music, displaying the gentle elegance of women.

Jiang Wen discreetly observed Ziming; of all present, only he seemed completely entranced, as if ready to whisk someone away to a private room.

“Ah, Bofu,” Jiang Wen leaned close to Sun Ce and hinted, “Ziming’s wife is here today; perhaps we should forgo the dance.”

Sun Ce glanced at Lü Meng, who was utterly smitten. Zhou Yu savored his wine with a dreamy look, but Sun Ce knew his brother was simply appreciating the music.

“You may withdraw,” Sun Ce instructed.

Lü Meng came back to his senses, complaining, “Hey, Bofu, I was enjoying this! How can you stop now?”

Jiang Wen stood and said, “In the marketplace, there's a saying: ‘If the tune is flawed, Zhou Lang will notice.’ Brother Gongjin’s musical understanding surpasses most masters. Gongjin, would you honor us with a performance?”

Zhou Yu smiled, “That’s not difficult.”

He stepped forward to stand before the musicians, who smiled and gestured, “Please, young master.”

“This piece is ‘The Song of the Long River.’”