Chapter 24: The Prefect's Banquet

"Bring them in and tie up these rebels and scoundrels!" Chen Tang suddenly shouted. Several bailiffs rushed into the hall, but seeing that one was the prefect's son and the other was the prefect's brother-in-law, they were stunned, unsure whether to tie them up or not.

"What are you waiting for? They have plotted to harm the prince, a crime punishable by death. Quickly seize them and hand them over to the prince for disposal!" Chen Tang roared at the bailiffs. The bailiffs did not dare to delay, pulling out ropes and tightly binding the two.

"Father!"

"Brother-in-law!"

"Do you think that just because I am the prefect, you can act lawlessly outside? Today, you have committed a crime that could lead to the extermination of nine generations, and I cannot save you!" Chen Tang slapped them several times, then turned and knelt before Prince Zhao Cheng, "Your Highness, this official is incompetent and has raised a rebel. I now hand him over to you for any punishment you see fit!" As he spoke, he bowed his head and knocked it on the ground with a loud thud.

"Hiss, what a sly old fox!" Chen Tang's actions were completely unexpected by the group from the prince's residence, leaving them at a loss. Zhao Cheng cursed inwardly. This old man was sacrificing his subordinates to protect himself, using a retreat to advance. He first distanced himself from the situation, bowed and admitted his fault to show his attitude, assuming that he would not dare to kill in public, thus leaving room for maneuver. What a clever plan!

"Chen大人, what are you doing, get up quickly!" Zhao Cheng quickly jumped off his chair and extended his hand to help him up. Chen Tang indeed took the opportunity to stand up, stepping aside without even looking at the two men tied up like mummies, presenting a righteous and stern appearance. "Since Chen大人 has handed them over to us, bring in Instructor Yang to interrogate them here. We must find out why they dared to kill me and rob me of my money!" Zhao Cheng instructed Jian Xi.

Zhao Cheng glanced sideways at Chen Tang, whose face had turned pale. He thought to himself, if you play tricks with me, don't blame me for using cunning. I'll turn this fake play into a real one.

When Chen Tang heard that the prince intended to interrogate them in the hall, he became nervous. He wondered why the prince wasn't following the 'rules.' Killing someone should only involve a nod of the head, and since he had publicly admitted his fault, the prince should have let him 'handle it fairly' and privately find two scapegoats to take the blame, thus preserving his position and giving an account. But now the prince was taking it seriously, and if the two men couldn't withstand the torture, they might implicate him!

Seeing the prince's stern and angry face, Chen Tang broke out in a cold sweat, cursing himself for his poor judgment. The prince was a child and didn't understand the rules. If he suffered a loss, he would certainly seek to recover it. What should he do now?

"Instructor Yang, the prince wants you to interrogate these two. What methods do you have?" Jian Xi asked, but in his heart, he was thinking that the prince was using him as a shield. If he could avoid being beaten by the officials after returning, it would be fine.

"Your Highness, rest assured. I have a technique that will make them confess with just one move!" Yang Feng said, bowing. He intended to seize this opportunity to win the prince's favor.

"Oh, what is your method?" Zhao Cheng asked, feigning interest, twisting in his chair and looking expectantly.

"I have learned a set of 'Bone Separation Techniques' that can dislocate joints and cause unbearable pain. When asked, they will say anything!" Yang Feng said with a cruel smile.

"Hmm, that sounds fun. What are you waiting for? Start with this constable. This boy is the most despicable, leading people to break into our house and rob us!" Jian Xi pointed at Zhang Yan. Zhang Yan, hearing that he would be the first to be interrogated, curled his body tightly, but being bound so tightly, he couldn't move at all. He looked at Chen Tang, hoping his brother-in-law would help him, but Chen Tang turned his face away.

"Instructor Yang, I've heard that the Bone Separation Techniques are extremely cruel, and the prisoners might bite their tongues and commit suicide!" The head of the bailiffs said to Yang Feng.

"Damn, you're just trying to hint to Chen Tang to bite his tongue and commit suicide!" Zhao Cheng thought coldly.

"Quick, block his mouth!" Jian Xi saw that Zhang Yan was indeed ruthless, opening his mouth to bite after hearing the bailiff's words. He knew his brother-in-law was preparing to sacrifice him. If he died now, it would preserve the family's wealth and status, and he would suffer less.

"Not so easy!" Yang Feng moved quickly, pinching Zhang Yan's cheeks, making it impossible for him to bite. "Hmph, you want to die? I'll pull out all your teeth and see what you can bite with!" Yang Feng, angry that Zhang Yan had almost ruined his fortune, snapped his fingers and knocked out one of Zhang Yan's front teeth, causing him to shiver in pain.

"Ah!" The group of officials in the hall gasped. Their faces were not good, but they were also terrified by Yang Feng's ruthless methods. Chen Zian, standing to one side, would have collapsed if not for the two bailiffs holding him up.

"Ahem, ahem." Chen Tang suddenly coughed a few times, and a clerk stepped forward with a smile, saying to Zhao Cheng, "Your Highness, it is already noon. The prefect has prepared a midday banquet. We can continue the interrogation in the afternoon; they won't run away!"

"Oh! What good food do you have here? You mention it, and I'm really getting hungry!" Zhao Cheng rubbed his stomach and said.

"Your Highness, today the prefect has specially prepared a table of wild game, including birds, beasts, and fish, all served at the most famous Hongbin Tower in Gongzhou. The chefs are from the capital!" The clerk tempted him.

"Hmm, alright. We have quite a few people. Can you provide for us?" Zhao Cheng said 'seriously.'

"Your Highness, a simple meal is no problem for this official!" Chen Tang quickly said, inwardly delighted. Children are indeed children, easy to fool.

"Then let's eat first. After we're full, we'll continue the interrogation. Don't give them any food!" Zhao Cheng stood up and said. When he finished speaking, he seemed to hear many people sighing in relief.

The group, led by the prefect, headed straight for Hongbin Tower, which had been cleared and reserved for the prince's visit. Zhao Cheng got out of the sedan chair and looked up at the three-story building, which was intricately carved and stood out in the city. He couldn't help but marvel that, whether in his past life or this one, the most grand places in China were either government buildings or restaurants. It seemed this had been the case since ancient times!

"Tell everyone, when we eat, there's no need to be polite. Eat as much as you can, and drink as much as you want!" Zhao Cheng said as he climbed the stairs, with Jian Xi supporting him.

"Your Highness, that's not appropriate. It would disgrace the prince's residence!" Jian Xi was confused, not knowing what the prince was up to.

"How much is face worth? It's not measured by weight. Pass the word!" Zhao Cheng whispered with a smile, and Jian Xi, helpless, called over a small eunuch to relay the message. Apart from the chief steward and Jian Xi, everyone else stayed on the first floor, except for the four bodyguards who followed the prince upstairs to protect his safety.

Zhao Cheng took the main seat without hesitation, with Jian Xi and the chief steward on his left, and Prefect Chen Tang and several officials from the prefecture on his right. Everyone sat down, and the banquet began immediately. First, a few fruits and sweets were served, which was quite different from the modern order of serving dishes, more like a Western-style meal.

"Four seasonal fruits: tangerines, pomegranates, pears, and apples."

"Four dried fruits: longans, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and ginkgo nuts."

"Four fragrant herbs: licorice flowers, cinnabar balls, white atractylodes, and ginseng, olive flowers."

"Four carved honey dishes: carved bamboo shoots, honey winter melon fish, large slices of quince, and carved golden oranges."

"Four cured meats: meat strips, shrimp jerky, cured meat, and vinegar meat." The waiters came in one after another, announcing the dishes as they placed the various fruits and sweets on the table.

Jian Xi first used a clean napkin to replace Zhao Cheng's bowl and plate, then took a set of specially made ivory chopsticks and white jade plates from a small eunuch behind him and replaced them. He then personally peeled a few hazelnuts and pine nuts for Zhao Cheng. Zhao Cheng ate two pine nuts and drank a sip of tea, then stopped eating, chatting with them for a while before falling silent.

"Prefect Chen, is this all you have prepared? It doesn't quite qualify as a feast of delicacies, does it?" Zhao Cheng, being young, couldn't drink and was not interested in the food. Seeing that the main dishes were not yet served, he frowned and said with dissatisfaction.

"This official was careless and has neglected the prince. The main dishes will be served shortly!" Chen Tang said, instructing the waiters to change the dishes. With a shout, the waiters removed all the fruits from the table and brought in new dishes.

"Lamb tongue skewers!" The first dish was served, and the waiter announced the name. "Second Master, try this!" Jian Xi first picked one and placed it on the prince's plate.

Zhao Cheng nodded, looking at the lamb tongue skewers, which resembled spring rolls. He took a small bite and initially found it to be just a fried meat roll. However, on the second bite, he realized it was not ordinary. The outer layer was made of shredded meat, which was different from what he had tasted before. It was crispy and chewy, and the meat was tender, likely lamb tongue. The meat paste inside, when lightly chewed, was smooth and refreshing, with a rich and fresh flavor. Everyone at the table watched him, eagerly awaiting the prince's evaluation.

"This has fish meat added, very fresh!" Zhao Cheng said with a smile.

"Your Highness is truly an expert, able to taste the fish. This official only discovered the secret after trying it many times!" Chen Tang praised, raising his thumb and smiling obsequiously.