My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 67 The Banquet

On the afternoon of the third day, Lu Shuyin led Lin Ziping and the other two to a restaurant in the county town. The restaurant was a three-story building that stood tall and imposing on the street. A plaque with the three characters "Fuchunlou" hanging in the middle of the third floor subtly revealed a domineering aura, which complemented the three-story building.

"These words were inscribed by His Majesty the Emperor when he came here back then," Xiao Jiazheng said proudly as he watched Lin Ziping explain the plaque. "A three-story restaurant like this is quite rare even in the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Lin Ziping was still angry that the two of them had inexplicably pinned the matter of catching bandits on him. Besides, when it came to building height, let alone three-story buildings, 10, 20, and 30-story buildings were commonplace. Buildings under 24 meters were only considered multi-story, okay?

“I’ve been here for the past few days and I feel that Fuchun is no match for Qingyang. Why would His Majesty the Emperor come here?” Lin Ziping asked in a low voice.

“I heard my father say that Fuchun used to be no worse than your Qingyang, but the river changed course and it gradually became like this,” Bai Xin said after hearing Lin Ziping’s words.

"Forget all that, this is the only restaurant in Fuchun that has received praise and a name from His Majesty the Emperor. The chefs here came from the Imperial Kitchen, so we have to have a good taste today," Xiao Jiazheng said excitedly.

Lin Ziping couldn't help but roll his eyes at him: "You're praising it to the skies, acting like Fuchunlou is your own property."

Bai Xin nodded: "Indeed, Fuchunlou is the main property of the Xiao family."

Um... I'm sorry to bother you.

Lin Ziping thought to himself that it was rather strange from the beginning that Fuchun County was like this. Judging from the county government's appearance, it shouldn't have much fiscal revenue. How could it have the funds to hold a banquet in a high-class place like Fuchunlou? It turns out that it belongs to Xiao Jiazheng. This banquet was purely sponsored by someone.

Lu Shuyin coughed twice, and the others immediately shut up and looked at him.

"Let's go inside."

Lu Shuyin led the three into Fuchun Restaurant, where a tall, middle-aged man approached them. Upon seeing Lu Shuyin, the man smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, "Lu Shuyin has arrived."

Lu Shuyin bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Manager Xiao. We've come to see how things are going."

"It's almost ready. Lu Shuyin, come up with me to take a look in a bit," said Manager Xiao. "And who are these two?"

“These are the new staff members from the county government this year,” Lu Shuyin said. “I’m bringing them here to take a look.”

"Manager Xiao, this is Bai Xin." Bai Xin clasped his hands in greeting.

Lin Ziping then introduced himself, following Bai Xin's lead.

Xiao Jiazheng looked somewhat hesitant: "Third Uncle."

"Lu Shuyin, our family is very grateful for your guidance." Manager Xiao glared at Xiao Jiazheng and said to Lu Shuyin with a smile.

Lu Shuyin waved his hand.

Shopkeeper Xiao smiled at Bai Xin and Lin Ziping and said, "I'll have to ask you to take good care of Jia Zheng in the future."

Bai Xinlian said, "I have also learned a lot from my brother Jiazheng."

Lin Ziping didn't speak, but smiled and nodded, indicating his agreement with Bai Xin.

Shopkeeper Xiao's smile became even more gentle.

But Lin Ziping felt somewhat uncomfortable. Shopkeeper Xiao had a deep scar on his face, which made him look fierce when he wasn't smiling, but when he put on a gentle smile, it felt a bit out of place.

"Manager Xiao, where is it located? Take us to see it," Lu Shuyin said.

"This way, please."

Manager Xiao led Lu Shu and the others upstairs.

"Make this table bigger." Lu Shuyin inspected everything for today's banquet, then instructed Lin Ziping and the others, "You will all sit here with the magistrate in a little while."

Lin Ziping looked around and saw that the three of them were seated in three places near the door, and the county magistrate was directly opposite Lin Ziping's seat.

As the sun began to set, people from the county government arrived one after another, and Lin Ziping finally met the top official of Fuchun County.

Then, County Magistrate Feng entered with a middle-aged man who wore a small crown, a scholar's robe, and was somewhat overweight.

The crowd stood in the hall, bowed, and greeted him in unison, "Magistrate."

Magistrate Wei waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's not my shift time now, so there's no need for such formalities."

Lu Shuyin gave Magistrate Feng a meaningful look.

County Magistrate Feng leaned closer to Magistrate Wei and said, "Everything has been arranged. Would you like to begin, Magistrate Wei?"

Magistrate Wei nodded.

The crowd stood on both sides and made way for them.

Magistrate Wei walked upstairs with a smile, and the others followed him upstairs.

"Guests, please be seated." As Manager Xiao's voice fell, servants brought wine and dishes to the table.

After the leaders of Fuchun were seated, Lin Ziping and his two companions sat down near the door.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, we shared a toast.

After several rounds of drinks, Magistrate Feng pointed to Lin Ziping and the other two and introduced them to Magistrate Wei: "These are the three newcomers to the county government this year: Bai Xin, Lin Ziping, and Xiao Jiazheng."

The three men stood up and toasted Magistrate Wei.

"I heard that the three of you made great contributions in capturing the bandits. Now that I see you, you are indeed young and promising. Haha..." Magistrate Wei said to the three of them with a look of satisfaction.

"You flatter me, sir. It is our duty."

"Haha...good..." Magistrate Wei shifted his gaze to Lin Ziping, "You are Lin Ziping?"

Lin Ziping stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Yes, sir."

Magistrate Wei stroked his beard and said, "I heard you're studying at Moshan Academy?"

"Yes, sir, I previously studied at Moshan Academy."

County Magistrate Feng smiled and said to County Magistrate Wei, "I just passed the prefectural examination in Huai Prefecture."

"Oh, not only a scholar but also a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the county level), who is your teacher? And can you give me your courtesy name?" Magistrate Wei's smile deepened.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, I studied under Master Cheng of Moshan and was given the courtesy name Shaoying," Lin Ziping said.

"Lin Ziping, Lin Shaoying. The name Shaoying has a bad connotation, implying the death of a young hero," Magistrate Wei said, shaking his head as he smacked his lips.

This... Lin Ziping doesn't know how to answer this question. This is his former name. What does "Young hero died" mean? Can't it be interpreted as "young hero"?

Fortunately, Magistrate Wei did not dwell on the matter and said to Lin Ziping, "Do your job well in Fuchun, and come to me if you need anything."

Lin Ziping clasped his hands in agreement, picked up his wine cup and drank three cups in a row, winning cheers from the whole table. Magistrate Wei smiled and showed approval in his eyes.

As the moon rose above the trees, the banquet continued. Lin Ziping drank an unknown amount; the rice wine of this era had a low alcohol content, but a strong aftereffect.

The guests enjoyed themselves and left one after another.

Lin Ziping, despite being drunk, saw all the leaders off before staggering away from Fuchunlou.