Chapter 279 Tell Shi Jian that I Want to Eat Fish

In the seventh year of Jiayou, in early May, the weather was getting hotter.

Wei Yuan took off his clothes and jumped into the quiet lake to play in the water.

There were at least twenty boats around, full of soldiers in full armor.

They were all Wei Yuan's personal guards. With them, even thousands of troops could not hurt Wei Yuan.

In addition to the boats of the personal guards, there was also a huge prostitute boat chartered by the King of Wu. There were only three prostitute boats like this in the whole Suzhou.

One was built by the government to entertain guests from inside and outside, one belonged to a famous local brothel, and the other was the one wandering in Taihu Lake at this moment.

When he led troops to suppress the Japanese two years ago, Wei Yuan learned the ability to swim from some naval officers in the southeast. Now he is not very good at swimming, but as far as Taihu Lake is concerned, there will be no mistakes.

But there are still many personal guards who dare not stay too far away from him, for fear that he will have an accident.

After all, throughout history, there have been too many people whose lives have been hanging by a thread because of playing in the water.

At the same time, a small boat, led by the guards of King Wu, was gradually approaching the flower boat.

Three women came down from the small boat, two of whom were maids, standing behind a woman wearing a bamboo hat.

The woman in the bamboo hat was dressed in white. Under the light of Taihu Lake, it seemed as if time had stopped, like a beautiful painting, slowly unfolding and spreading on the lake covered with golden light.

Even though the face of the woman in white could not be seen clearly, just by looking at her from a distance, seeing her figure, one could feel that she was a fairy descending to the earth. The feeling of being both out of the world and delicate in the world could not help but make people intoxicated.

"Xie Xiaoxiao, we are here, please get on the boat."

When they arrived in front of the flower boat, the guards of King Wu stretched out their hands and motioned for her to board the boat.

As soon as the voice fell, the huge flower boat lowered the deck ladder to connect the small boat where they were standing.

This Miss Xie is none other than the most famous prostitute in Jiangnan, Xie Yuying, who was invited by the King of Wu at great expense.

A singer who can make a name for herself in Jiangnan must have real talent and knowledge.

Xie Yuying nodded gently, holding a pipa, took small steps, and slowly boarded the flower boat along the lowered escalator.

At this time, an old man named Zhao on the flower boat had been waiting for her for a long time,

"Miss Xie, His Royal Highness the King of Wu is not on this boat recently. It will be a few days before you perform. A private room has been prepared for you. You should rest for a few days first."

Xie Yuying nodded, and suddenly heard a voice next to her ear, "Marshal Wei, be careful, the water in Taihu Lake is deep!"

She looked in the direction of the voice, and saw a man with his upper body naked swimming in the lake not far away.

After a careful look, she could vaguely see scars all over the man's back. She guessed his identity instantly and asked to confirm it.

"Is that the famous General Sai Qiqi Wei?"

Geishas like Xie Yuying usually come into contact with more people from the underworld.

So, she called Wei Yuan not "Zhongyong Hou", but his underworld title "Sai Qiqi".

Of course, there is a big difference between geishas in Jiangnan and Tokyo.

Old man Zhao nodded and said, "That is indeed General Wei."

Xie Yuying handed the pipa in her hand to a maid behind her. She stood at the end of the flower boat deck and looked at Wei Yuan who was swimming. He was like a stunning dragon.

"I didn't expect that this General Wei is very good at swimming."

Xie Yuying said with a smile.

Old man Zhao responded, "Miss, you don't know that the Danghai Army guarding our southeastern gate was created by this Marquis."

Xie Yuying nodded slightly and said, "I know about this. When the Marquis led the troops to the southeast to suppress the Japanese, he did a lot of practical things for both Jiangnan and the southeast. He is a hero of the time."

"But how did Marquis Wei and King Wu know each other?"

Old man Zhao smiled and said, "King Wu and Marquis Wei are friends regardless of age, and there are only a handful of people who know about this."

The implication is that if someone leaks this matter, then what awaits her will be a catastrophe.

Xie Yuying naturally understands these rules, "Last year, I went to Tokyo to meet Wei Xingtou of Guangyuntai. When I was discussing the art of playing the zither with him, I heard Wei Xingtou praise General Wei more than once as a great hero who is unique in the world."

"It is my great honor to meet General Wei today."

After saying that, she actually asked someone to bring a guqin and a chair.

Seeing this, old man Zhao asked curiously: "Miss, are you going to play a song?"

Xie Yuying said: "I have to play a song to see a hero like General Wei, otherwise, I will feel uneasy."

Old man Zhao stroked his beard and smiled: "I heard that Miss Xie loves talents and heroes the most. Today, I see that her reputation is well-deserved."

After a while, Xie Yuying sat up and began to play the piano.

A melodious and refreshing sound of the piano instantly spread from the flower boat to the rippling lake.

Wei Yuan, who was swimming, naturally heard it.

Wei Yuan dived for a while, just emerged from the water, listened for a while, and couldn't help but praise: "Who is playing the piano?"

The guard beside him thought: "It seems that the singer on the flower boat is playing the piano."

Wei Yuan nodded and continued to dive.

The guard hurriedly said: "My Lord, you have been swimming for half an hour, you should come up first."

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "No hurry."

While Xie Yuying was playing the piano, another person boarded the flower boat.

It was Shi Jian, the leader of the Cao Gang.

"Boss Shi, Marquis Wei has instructed that if you come, please wait for a moment."

Old man Zhao was in charge of the reception.

Shi Jian also noticed Wei Yuan swimming and said with a smile, "Don't be in a hurry."

Uncle Zhao nodded and said nothing more.

Shi Jian looked at Xie Yuying's position and murmured: "Miss Xie's piano sound is still as good as ever."

Although the latter was still playing the piano, she could still hear someone speaking behind her.

After the song ended, Xie Yuying slowly stood up and looked at Shi Jian. She was a little surprised and quickly bowed and said, "Master Shi, I haven't seen you for a long time."

In the Jiangnan area, about 60% of the brothel business is controlled by the Cao Gang's children.

In order to prevent some dissolute young people from doing whatever they want.

Therefore, there are very few people who do not know Shi Jian, such as some famous singers in Jiangnan.

They usually call Shi Jian not Gang Leader Shi, but Master Shi.

"Miss Xie, were you playing the piano for General Wei just now?" Shi Jian asked.

Xie Yuying saluted and said: "When I first met General Wei, I felt something in my heart. I wanted to take advantage of the situation and play a song to make Master Shi laugh."

Shi Jian cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for being so polite, Miss. Although the music you played is good, it is too worrying. General Wei is a martial artist, and he likes to listen to music that is soothing on the battlefield."

Xie Yuying asked curiously: "Master Shi knows that General Wei very well?"

Shi Jian laughed twice and said, "Who in the world doesn't know about the famous name of the race hussar?"

"A Guandao shocks foreign countries, and the eight tigers under his command shock Liaoxia. With such heroic appearance, who doesn't admire me, the great Zhou Erlang?"

Xie Yuying's daughter's family couldn't help but feel angry after hearing these words.

"Does Mr. Shi know what music General Wei likes to listen to?"

Hearing this, Shi Jian was silent for a moment, "Miss Xie finally asked about me."

Later, his eyes lit up and he said: "The song of breaking the formation, yes, Commander Wei likes to listen to the song of breaking the formation. Not only was this song used by Commander Wei as a piece of music for worshiping ancestors, it even became the military music of the Danglu Army. "

Breaking formation song?

Xie Yuying murmured: "As expected of General Wei, it's just that this formation-breaking song requires an ensemble of many people. I'm afraid it will take some time to prepare."

Uncle Zhao interrupted: "There are still a few days before Miss Xie's performance. Don't worry. If there is a shortage of manpower, I will make arrangements."

Xie Yuying was overjoyed and said: "In that case, many thanks to the old gentleman."

She knew that the main purpose of being invited here by the majestic King Wu was to cater to Wei Yuan.

And she is happy to cater to such a big shot.

It would be enough if a piece of music played could make such a hero unforgettable.

During the conversation.

A guard came to inform Wei Yuan that Shi Jian had arrived.

Wei Yuan then boarded a small boat, changed into clean and simple clothes, and headed to the flower boat.

When he boarded the ship, Shi Jian and the others were still chatting with Xie Yuying.

"Leader Shi, why are you here so early?"

The moment Wei Yuan got on the ship, a personal guard brought him a grand master's chair.

When Shi Jian saw him boarding the boat, he quickly bowed and said, "I've seen Marquis Wei."

Afterwards, Xie Yuying, Zhao Laobo and others bowed together.

Wei Yuan waved his hand and said: "Now that I am idle, I can avoid those common etiquette if possible."

As he spoke, Lin Zhaoyuan, who was standing next to him, suddenly saw a white pigeon flying not far away, and quickly blew a whistle that only military scouts knew about.

The flying pigeon immediately landed on Lin Zhaoyuan's raised arm. He took out the secret message tied to the flying pigeon's paw and opened it to read.

Immediately, he came to Wei Yuan again and whispered:

"Guo Hao's parents have arrived in the capital, and Fan Xianggong's visit has been fruitless."

Wei Yuan nodded, "Send a message to Liang Da and ask him to take precautions. If the Liao army suddenly goes south, let him preserve his strength."

Lin Zhaoyuan nodded, and then walked into the cabin to write a letter.

Then, Wei Yuan looked at Old Man Zhao again, "Let someone bring a chair, and Gang Leader Shi and I will have a drink."

The latter bowed and said, "No."

At this time, Xie Yuying suddenly took off her bamboo hat, walked slowly to Wei Yuan, bowed deeply and said:

"Xie Yuying, please pay your respects to Lord Wei."

Hearing the sound, Wei Yuan looked at her face, which was extremely beautiful and graceful. Unlike most women in the mortal world, this woman had more of a fairy spirit and less of a fireworks spirit.

If we say that most Jiangnan women are euphemistic, then this woman's euphemisms also have a bit of agility and agility.

Even more beautiful than Wei Xingshou.

"Xie Yuying heard that when Yang Wutuan visited Beijing last year, you went to Bianjing to look for him. Did you find him?"

Wei Yuan asked curiously.

Xie Yuying shook her head and said: "By the time the slave family arrives in Bianjing, the Yang family has already left."

"Marquis Wei is worried about state affairs all day long, taking care of everything, but he actually knows about this?"

Wei Yuan said truthfully: "That day I heard King Wu say that he wanted to invite you to perform, so he told some interesting stories about you."

Xie Yuying said: "The Nu family is famous in Jiangnan for singing Yang Jia's lyrics. It will be a pity if we can't meet Yang Jia in this life."

Wei Yuan said: "If you are determined, you will live up to the will of God."

Xie Yuying bowed.

Wei Yuan waved his hand to signal her to retreat.

Afterwards, Xie Yuying entered the cabin with her accompanying maid.

After arriving at the private room prepared by Uncle Zhao in advance, the two maids began to serve Xie Yuying to take a bath.

During this period, a maidservant said: "Is that the famous General Wei? In the past, as long as there was a storyteller telling the story of General Wei, the girl would always listen carefully. Today, I got my wish."

Another maidservant echoed: "I thought General Wei was some kind of sinister figure. Now it seems that not only is he not scary, but he also has a feeling that people can't help but want to get close to him."

Xie Yuying, who was sitting in the bathtub with a large piece of white and tender skin exposed, smiled and said: "For the two countries of Liao and Xia, isn't that Lord Wei a ferocious figure?"

A maidservant also said: "Before, when all the dignitaries saw your true appearance, girl, they all salivated or looked down upon you."

"But this time, I saw the respect for you, girl, in the eyes of Lord Wei."

respect?

Xie Yuying said sternly: "What nonsense are you talking about? He is a big shot who can reach the sky. In their eyes, to put it mildly, we are just like those kittens and puppies."

The maid continued: "I don't know what to say, but I can at least guarantee that Lord Wei has no evil thoughts in your expression."

Xie Yuying sighed and said: "I am the Marquis, who am I? I have seen people like me too many times, how can I have evil thoughts like those who have never seen a woman before?"

The maid said: "That's not true. My girl is so beautiful. Even in Tokyo, she is second to none and will conquer the country."

Xie Yuying glared at her, "Be sure not to say such words again in the future. In short, that Lord Wei is not an ordinary person. We need to be careful and treat him with care."

At this moment, on the deck of the flower boat.

Wei Yuan was sitting on a chair, holding a pair of fishing rods in his hands, drinking and fishing with Shi Jian sitting next to him.

After three rounds of drinking, Shi Jian slowly spoke: "Guo Hao has a big appetite. He invited me to a banquet that day. The banquet was the Hongmen Banquet. There were more than 20 soldiers wearing armor and sabers at the banquet."

"There were at least hundreds of halberd-bearing soldiers outside the banquet. He said that what our Cao Gang has done in the southeastern coastal area in recent years is no less than an invasion by Japanese pirates."

Wei Yuan remained silent.

Shi Jian continued: "He is very open-minded and wants 30% profit. He also said that if you can do anything for Caobang, he can do it too, and he may even do better."

After that, he handed Wei Yuan the accounts in his hand and the investigated contacts between Guo Hao and major merchants.

"Many businessmen in Hangzhou and Fuzhou were coerced by him. I don't understand why he is so impatient?"

Wei Yuan inadvertently replied, "Maybe I'm afraid of poverty."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhaoyuan took the account books from his hands.

In just a moment, Wei Yuan suddenly stood up, raised the pole suddenly, and saw that a big fish had been fished ashore, "Master Shi, you are in for a treat."

Shi Jian smiled and said: "Do you like steamed or braised, Mr. Wei Hou?"

Wei Yuan glanced at him curiously, "Do you know how to cook?"

Shi Jian said seriously: "It's hard to say anything else, but when it comes to cooking fish, even the cooks at Fanlou in Tokyo may not be as proficient as I am."

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "So, the person who has the good taste is not you, but me."

After a pause, Shi Jian asked again: "Master Hou, how do you want to deal with Guo Hao?"

Wei Yuan ordered people to put away the fish he caught, and continued to sit upright and fish.

"When did I say I was going to deal with him?"

Don’t deal with it?

Shi Jian said in confusion: "Master Hou, he has done this to this extent, and he is too ungrateful. How can you just endure it like this?"

Wei Yuan was concentrating on fishing and did not respond.

Shi Jian had no choice but to be patient and watch him fishing while drinking.

It wasn't until the second fish took the bait that Wei Yuan spoke:

"One steamed, one braised."

After that, he continued fishing.

When three fish were caught, Wei Yuan threw the fishing rod aside and asked, "Where is Guo Hao?"

Lin Zhaoyuan speculated a little, "You should have arrived in Taizhou by now."

Taizhou

Wei Yuan asked: "So, this guy came to Suzhou by water?"

Lin Zhaoyuan nodded and said, "That's right."

Wei Yuan looked at the third fish placed in the barrel and murmured: "Instruct the cook in the boat to steam half of the fish and braise the other half, and then send it to Guo Hao by water."

Give it to him?

Lin Zhaoyuan bowed and said: "Commander Wei, the sun is like a scorching sun. I'm afraid that the fish will go rancid when it reaches Guo Hao."

Wei Yuan sat on the Taishi chair, enjoying the service of several prostitutes, and said slowly:

"Didn't he say that he can do what I can do?"

"Let the person who brought the fish tell him that he will eat whatever I eat, and watch him eat it with your own eyes."

Lin Zhaoyuan and Shi Jian instantly looked thoughtful.

By the time the fish was delivered to Guo Hao, it must have gone rancid.

Even the beggars on the roadside would not dare to eat such rotten fish.

If you want to eat the same thing as Mr. Hou, even if you can't eat it or swallow it, you have to endure it.

Even before people arrived in Suzhou, Ma Wei had already made arrangements.

"What if Guo Hao doesn't eat it?"

Shi Jian asked.

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "He dare not not eat. Since he wants to eat, I will force him to eat."

After that, he asked Lin Zhaoyuan,

"What happened to what Daniel and King Wu did?"

The latter responded: "The news just came that in the Jiangnan and southeast areas, as long as the merchants from the aristocratic families who have met Guo Hao have been invited to our place by King Wu and Yuan Zhi."

Hearing this, Shi Jian suddenly said in surprise: "Master Wei Hou, what you are hosting is also the Hongmen Banquet."

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "We'll talk about other things when Guo Hao comes."

"Master Shi, noon has arrived and it's time to eat. I want to eat fish."