Chapter 017: The Hero Meets the Traitor
The prefect of Jinling was a fourth-rank official, and the chancellor of Shuntian Prefecture was also a fourth-rank official, and was demoted from a full-time official to a deputy position. It seemed that their actual power had been greatly reduced - but in those days, officials in the capital were noble and honorable, and even though the chancellor of Shuntian Prefecture could only be considered half a capital official, he was still worthy of the word "promotion" in the eyes of people at the time.
However, even such a good thing that was envied by officials all over the world, in the eyes of the wealthy servants in the Jia family, was still seven parts disdain and three parts jealous. They kept saying that the fourth-rank official was a pauper, as if without the support of his relatives and friends in the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Yucun would be worse than dog shit!
Tsk~
Sun Shaozong finally understood what it meant to "look down on people with low eyes". He also thought that these servants probably slandered the Sun family a lot, so he naturally became less close to them.
But because of Jia Lian, he couldn't show any disapproval to Xing'er.
So he just responded indifferently and walked straight towards the living room.
Since Jia Lian mentioned him in front of Jia Yucun, it seems that he also wanted to bring the two of them together - besides, since they are going to travel together, it is better to meet earlier than later.
But when they reached the door of the living room, they heard someone inside saying in a vivid voice: "The abbot of Jiming Temple didn't like the dirty toilet, so he went to the back garden to relieve himself in the dark. Unexpectedly . The young monk heard the sound and came over. He couldn't help but put his hands together and said: Amitabha, it really is retribution!"
Before he finished speaking, Sun Shaozong had already arrived at the door and saw a middle-aged scholar in the hall with his hands clasped together, his face half surprised, half happy and a little panicked, just like the young monk who had just gotten rid of the hatred in his back garden but was afraid that the Buddha would blame him.
This excellent performance naturally made Jia Lian laugh loudly, saying, "What a retribution, what a retribution!"
Sun Shaozong paused for a moment, then stepped over the threshold with a smile, jokingly saying, "I don't think it's retribution. It's clearly because the old monk didn't show off enough. If he could be like your second brother Lian, who has three or five lanterns to light up his bowel movements, how could he have met with this disaster?"
Seeing that it was Sun Shaozong who came in to join in the conversation, Jia Lian couldn't help but laugh even more cheerfully. He stood up and poked him with his finger, scolding him with a smile: "I don't like the pleasure of being warm-hearted. Erlang, don't think of putting the blame on me!"
As he spoke, he pulled Sun Shaozong to the table affectionately and introduced him to Jia Yucun, "Brother, this is the second son of the Sun family. Their family and the Rongguo Mansion have been friends for generations."
He pointed at Jia Yucun and said, "This old man is also from the same clan as me in the Jia family. His given name is Yucun. Erlang, come forward and greet him quickly."
Although Jia Lian called Jia Yucun "elder brother" and "old brother", his words and actions clearly showed that he did not take Jia Yucun seriously. Comparing this with the servant's previous remarks, Sun Shaozong could not help but sigh in his heart: Like master, like servant.
He was filled with emotion, but his face was full of smiles. He bowed to Jia Yucun and introduced himself, saying, "I am Sun Shaozong, nice to meet you, Master Jia."
Jia Yucun had also heard of Sun Shaozong from Jia Lian. If we only consider their identity and background, Yucun did not take the Sun family, a "fallen family", seriously. However, seeing that Sun Shaozong was born with extraordinary strength and an awe-inspiring heroic spirit, he did not dare to underestimate him.
So he also stood up and returned the greeting, smiling warmly, "This is a family dinner, we are all family, why should we be so polite? Come on, come on, brother Sun, please take your seat and tell me about the customs and habits of Qianxiang Country, so that Yucun can broaden his horizons and have more topics to talk about."
Sun Shaozong said "I dare not", then sat down with the two men, and drank a few cups.
It didn't take long for Sun Shaozong to see that Jia Yucun was indeed a man of character, and he took the initiative while just chatting and laughing.
He was the one who initiated most of the topics at the dinner table. Sometimes he made witty remarks, sometimes he made obscene remarks without being vulgar, yet he always left room for Jia Lian to show off, and he took the opportunity to put a high hat on Jia Lian's head. However, there was not much flattery or servility in his words. His experience in knowing when to stop was truly admirable.
Moreover, Jia Yucun's views on officialdom, people's livelihood and current problems are also unique. It can be seen that he is not only good at socializing, but also has a lot of ideas in his mind.
Sun Shaozong recalled the officials he had met in these days, and it seemed that only the Prime Minister of Qianxiang Kingdom, Ruan Fuzhong, could be his rival - it was ridiculous that the servants of the Jia family regarded such a person as a "downtrodden man"!
"Brother Sun."
Just as he was despising the slave in his heart, he heard Jia Yucun's half-joking and half-serious advice: "With your knowledge, being a brave warrior is really a waste of talent. If you have the opportunity, you might as well switch to a civilian job. I believe you will be able to achieve something in the future!"
It turns out that when Sun Shaozong was commenting on Jia Yucun, Jia Yucun was also commenting on Sun Shaozong.
Among the three people at the banquet at this time, Jia Yucun certainly took the initiative and coaxed Jia Lian into dancing to his words like a puppet.
However, Sun Shaozong was still able to maintain his own position without being humble or arrogant, and his words on people's livelihood and political affairs were meaningful, unlike the young people nowadays who are full of empty talk.
For a person of this age and this character, it is most appropriate to describe him as having a promising future!
Therefore, Jia Yucun couldn't help but feel three parts jealous and seven parts admiration for talent, hence this saying.
Sun Shaozong smiled when he heard this, and was about to speak out when Jia Lian beside him shook his head: "Brother Yucun, this is exactly what you are wrong about. With Erlang's martial arts skills, it would be a pity if he didn't use them in the army! Do you think everyone is like you, happy to waste time on paperwork?"
"Ha ha……"
Jia Yucun slapped his forehead lightly and laughed, "It's my fault, it's my fault. I only thought that Shao Zong was knowledgeable, but forgot that he was also a fierce general. Well, I'll drink a cup of wine to apologize first!"
This wine was drunk until three o'clock in the morning.
Jia Lian was drunk again. Sun Shaozong and Jia Yucun called the servants, carried him back to his residence like a dead pig, and then staggered out of the living room.
The two walked side by side along the way, chatting and talking in a drunken manner, and no one knew what they were talking about.
When they arrived at the guest room in the northwest of the office, since they were not in the same courtyard, they said good night to each other, each of them supported by someone, and stumbled towards their own residence.
But Sun Shaozong walked more than ten steps away with the support of Feng Xin , and subconsciously looked back. Unexpectedly, his gaze met Jia Yucun's. The four eyes were sparkling and full of inquiry, but there was no sign of drunkenness at all.
The two of them were stunned, and then they laughed at the same time.
After laughing for a long time, they bowed to each other from a distance and walked back to their respective rooms - this time, there was no sign of staggering in their feet.
