Chapter 99

In Guangfu, attending a banquet is no small matter, even if it's just a small private gathering.

As a city that gathers the pinnacle of luxury and indulgence from the Southern Dynasty, different levels of guests, different occasions, different seasons, different weather, different times of the day, and even different hours, all have corresponding dress codes and etiquette to follow.

Before leaving home, one would bathe, drink some alcohol-neutralizing or heat-relieving concoctions, and then be perfumed with Tuo Ye incense or sandalwood. One would wear a light and loose robe, as this is a city that is warm and humid all year round. Various perfumed handkerchiefs and fans, as well as flintstones, knives, and other small personal items, are also essential.

Some people would carry a pouch of tobacco, which, even if not smoked, can repel insects and eliminate odors. Women would carry embroidered sachets filled with dried petals or bottles of essential oils and flower essences, which they can use to refresh themselves by applying to their forehead and chest when needed.

What I carry on my waist is a powder made from roasted and ground new tea leaves, which has a unique fragrance of fresh tea. I also wear a pair of short swords with silver hilts and a lacquered scabbard, allowing me to practice the COB dual-sword style...

Of course, this is a more extreme example. Although the tradition of scholars carrying swords has been passed down from the Sui and Tang dynasties, most people in the local area wear decorative swords that are only for show, being both beautiful and light but otherwise useless.

One should also have three to five attendants: two riding horses in front and back, two walking on either side, and one driving the carriage in the middle. With hidden weapons in the carriage, this forms a small five-flower formation.

The so-called Meishan Pavilion is actually a large building situated on a small hill. The name Meishan comes from the famous Prime Minister Song Jing, who served as the Governor of Guangzhou during the Kaiyuan period, and left behind the "Plum Blossom Ode."

Therefore, the surrounding area is composed of the gardens and villas of the wealthy and powerful, forming a few city blocks similar to new luxury residential areas. This contrasts sharply with the upper city, where the powerful and influential congregate, presenting a different style.

The grand mansions and beautiful villas, with their curved roofs and flying eaves, colorful doors, and carved fish and beasts, are hidden behind clean white walls. Passing through the door carvings of fish-tailed lions, a large, oddly shaped stone screen wall greets you, carved from a single piece of cloud-patterned marble, resembling a large hibiscus flower-shaped fountain.

The abundant spring water flows down the terrain into a large pond filled with red and white water lilies, and several winding artificial streams that encircle the area. Along with the small bridges and winding corridors, and bamboo water wheels, this creates a scene of a Jiangnan garden, distinctly different from the local style of Guangnan, refreshing and eye-catching.

Occasionally, one might encounter people sitting idly in pavilions and among artificial hills, seemingly doing nothing, enjoying themselves, or chatting quietly.

As a byproduct of power and wealth, the most common here are the large number of disciples, guests, and hangers-on attached to the numerous nobles and wealthy households. They have some skills in a particular field or are adept at cultivating refined tastes, entertaining their hosts, and livening up the atmosphere, living a more comfortable and leisurely life than most ordinary people.

Among them, there are different levels, with the lowest still living without worry and enjoying a leisurely life, while the highest can enter the inner chambers as close associates, participate in private matters, and even serve in official positions alongside their masters, transforming from idle people to important members and subordinates.

This is also the basic cover identity I provided for Wu Ping and others, and Han Liangchen and Bo Fu can also be considered this type.

"Youdexian..."

Madam Chen, dressed in a green robe and a yellow silk vest, with a light makeup, personally welcomed me and led me in.

The venue was set up in a buffet style, and there were already some guests, though not too many. They were dressed casually, and the atmosphere and environment were more like a private reception within a small circle.

She introduced me to them one by one. The people who usually frequent here are mainly divided into three categories: one is the small circle Madam Chen has cultivated, consisting of people with vested interests; another is the upper echelon she is trying to connect with or who are friendly; and the third is the professional entertainers or officials who have something to ask for.

It seems that after a period of preparation and deliberation, she has decided to introduce me to her circle of acquaintances. This is the first meeting and test within the small circle.

And it seems she has done some research on me beforehand, as she even knows my name and the industries I own.

For example, some officials who are not particularly prominent but are crucial, or some respected figures who have made significant contributions in key areas, or some distinctive merchants.

If one considers the nodes and roles they occupy in their respective fields, it naturally forms a network of mutual influence and support.

However, these are just the appetizers. After they come forward to chat and get to know me, a servant girl announced something.

After receiving some envious and resentful glances, I was led into the inner hall and invited to sit down.

"The Zongfan Institute has passed the relevant resolution..."

She came straight to the point.

"Congratulations, Sister..."

I smiled and said.

"Who is the other party?"

"You must have guessed some of it already..."

"Just waiting for Sister to clarify further..."

"Have you heard of the Zhe Dong financial group?"

The Zhe Dong financial group is an interest group formed in the southeastern coastal region.

Compared to the chaotic situation in the interior and the deeply rooted land-based traditional economic system of the Northern Dynasty, commercial activities and the capital derived from them undoubtedly have a broader scope in the Southern Dynasty, or rather, a more active and prosperous land.

These maritime and land-based merchant groups, backed by families, have played active roles in the expansion of the Southern Dynasty, such as being guides, vanguards, and even secret supporters and backbones.

Therefore, given the vast territory of the Southern Dynasty, it naturally forms several interest groups of different sizes based on different regions and clan relationships, serving as the background and foundation of the political landscape.

The Zhe Dong financial group is one of the products of the Southern Dynasty's penetration and operation in the southeastern region. Although the Southern Dynasty has turned the coastal areas into economic colonies, it still needs to support and cultivate some local forces as agents and intermediaries for indirect resource acquisition.

Although this has caused the bankruptcy and decline of many traditional industries in the southeastern region, it has also cultivated a large number of new interest groups similar to compradors, using the relatively stable environment of the southeastern coast as a source of raw materials and a market for dumping goods. In the cultivation of traditional economic crops, mining, and smelting, as well as the secondary dumping to the inland, they have formed a considerable scale and system.

In a sense, they are also one of the beneficiaries of the rise after the destruction of the traditional southeastern economic center by war.

Currently, there are more than a dozen large and small families standing in the open, and the number of those behind the scenes and associated with them is unknown. Due to the relative stability and cultural prosperity of the coastal areas, the Southern Dynasty has naturally fostered a Zhe Dong faction.

However, this time, they happen to be on the opposite side of Madam Chen, or rather, they are the biggest visible obstacle to changing the status quo.

One can imagine that if the Southeastern Circuit really turns the coastal and inland areas of the southeastern region into land directly governed by the Southern Dynasty, the interests and privileges of many people will undergo drastic changes.

Taking away someone's means of livelihood is like killing their parents, let alone the privileges of the established interest groups.

"Although they are not just the Zhe Dong financial group, I am not just backed by the Ning family."

Madam Chen hinted with a clever smile.

"As long as the right opportunity arises, they will naturally step forward to push things along..."

"Also..."

She turned serious.

"Regarding your proposal, I can represent others and preliminarily agree..."

"And I can provide sufficient assistance within my and my husband's capabilities..."

I nodded; this was the best news I received today.

"Also,"

She hesitated for a moment, seeming somewhat reluctant to continue.

"I have a personal favor to ask..."

"Could you use your people to do something for me..."

"I wonder what difficulty you are facing, Sister."

I hesitated for a moment.

"In Guangfu, there are many ears and interests entangled, and only the people you brought back are almost uninvolved..."

"After all, I lost four messengers to get this opportunity, which also drew the attention of my opponents..."

"So I can only entrust you..."

A moment later,

"The code phrase for the negotiation is: 'The hill where the kapok flowers are in full bloom.'"

My first reaction was to wonder if this was going to involve some kind of extramarital affair or emotional drama, and my expression changed.

"Do you know, although I am also from the North, I am just a foster daughter of the Chen family from Raozhou,"

But she laughed and fell into a reflective mode.

"During the season when kapok flowers are in full bloom, we, the children of military families, would climb trees to pick kapok for weaving..."

"My ancestors were said to be the orphans of the Dragon Guard's descendants,"

"Our ancestors dedicated themselves to the cause of the Northern Expedition, generation after generation, and have been in the military for over ten generations..."

"But by our generation, we are left with nothing but a surname..."

"As a woman like me, I had to work alongside adults from a young age to have clothes and food..."

"I met him during that time. I was short and thin, always lagging behind others..."

"So there was always a quiet boy, like an older brother, who took care of me..."

"I once vowed to repay him..."

"Then I had good luck and was found by a distant relative and brought to my current father..."

"Of course, meeting my current husband is another story..."

"You don't have to tell me so much..."

I sighed, somewhat troubled.

"Have you considered the consequences if my identity in the Four Seas Guard is exposed?"

"That can only be blamed on my poor judgment and my own fault..."

After saying this, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and even smiled wryly.

"Unfortunately, my husband will be implicated..."

"Alright, you win, Sister,"

I shook my head helplessly. Although she had taken the initiative to give me leverage, it also meant binding me in a way. Leverage needs to be matched with sufficient status and background to be fully effective.

After all, this is a feudal society with strict class distinctions, not a modern society where a few cents for a stamp or a self-funded visit can expose an official and their family's involvement in issues.

"Is it really that urgent?"

I thought for a moment and asked again.

"You may not know, the defense in the capital is not as tight as you think,"

She sighed.

"Although many units still have their military numbers, they are incomplete in terms of personnel..."

"Therefore, the big shots in the upper city have not yet decided to deploy their forces..."

"The long-term peace and prosperity of Guangfu have eroded the ambition and drive of many people,"

"Not only are the officials in the administrative system sluggish and dull, but even the higher-ups are hesitant, seeking to avoid mistakes rather than achieve success."

"So, this time we must find our own way..."

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