Chapter 242
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Boating on the lake surface.
Outside was a cold wind.
But on the boat there was a charcoal fire, warm and cozy.
The windows couldn't be closed, as it would be too hot if closed.
Mainly because Lord Jia came in a hurry today, the clothes inside weren't so nice looking.
Not good for taking off.
Next time he felt he should pay attention, wear a cloak or something on the outside, and wear less underneath, so it wouldn't be so hot sitting indoors, and getting hot makes one anxious.
At this moment, sitting in front of him was the founder of kung fu tea, brewing tea for him.
He drank it so well he wanted to bow down in worship.
He also wanted to learn seriously, so he could brag about it when he went out.
Seeing the father and daughter pair drinking casually on the side, he felt they were wasting the tea.
After drinking a stomach-warming small green tangerine peel tea, he saw Teacher Yin take out a tea canister from the box he brought with him.
The mark on that tea canister looked somewhat familiar, wasn't it the same as the mark on the tea canister he had forcibly taken from his elder brother?
His brother said it was as precious as gold, priceless and unavailable on the market, but this Aunt Yin from the Commander Jiang's family in Jingzhou actually took it out casually.
"This tea?"
"This is the tea roasted by the young master, indeed the production is not high, we only kept about ten catties at home, and it's almost finished," Aunt Yin explained.
Lord Jia's silence was deafening.
Damn, he had been shown up again.
He only grabbed two taels when he snatched it.
And still bragged about it.
But ended up bragging in front of the real owner.
Drinking another brew of this tea made by Teacher Yin.
The taste was indeed somewhat similar, he understood why it was as precious as gold, because when drunk thoroughly, it moistened the mouth and tongue.
Smelling that tea fragrance, he also understood why Teacher Yin frowned earlier, the same tea seemed to taste different when he brewed it, always with a hint of bitterness.
He thought that was the aftertaste, that sweetness would follow after the bitterness.
In fact, truly good tea doesn't have that bitter taste, only smooth and pleasant, followed by a sweet aftertaste.
"Your tea hasn't been stored properly, it should be kept in a place with consistent humidity, sealed and stored, if opened and contaminated with other flavors, it won't taste as good," Aunt Yin explained.
Indeed, the tea might be the same tea, but it tastes different when brewed.
He felt his head was a bit stuffy, maybe his brain was growing.
Lord Jia drank tea and chatted with Commander Jiang.
Brother Jiang was really good at conversation, not only handsome, but also spoke well, knowledgeable, and good at listening.
Whatever Lord Jia said, Brother Jiang would show a serious listening expression, and appropriately give questioning words, listening very attentively and engagingly.
Lord Jia loved to talk and loved to show off.
He would always start with "my elder brother, from the Ministry of Justice...", "my uncle from the Ministry of Rites...", "my maternal uncle from the Ministry of Revenue...", pulling together a bunch of connections, making it seem like he had a very impressive background, reciting his family tree, listing all the important figures in his family.
Jiang Changtian listened patiently, appropriately showing expressions of amazement and appreciation.
Apart from talking about his family tree, Lord Jia was also very knowledgeable when it came to talking about food, drink, entertainment, and spending money.
After chatting for an afternoon, it was time for the welcome banquet in the evening.
Jiang Changtian usually didn't socialize easily.
He would spend more time with his family if he had time.
If he came out to socialize, it should be because this person was useful, or should die.
Lord Jia should be the former.
And he was also quite interesting and sincere.
He didn't know Commander Jiang's characteristics, just felt that Commander Jiang was a good person, elegant and easy to get along with.
By the time of the evening welcome banquet, Lord Jia was already calling Jiang Changtian brother and treating him very intimately.
Jiang Changtian was actually a bit tired, but being new here, he still put on an act.
His essential nature was actually more inclined towards enjoying life and being a lazy homebody.
Facing each Jiangzhou official, he politely greeted them.
He originally thought this would be a night of socializing.
But he didn't expect to meet an unexpected person.
"Commander Jiang, I've long admired you."
"Master Gong, I've long admired you."
"How are you?"
"How are you?"
"You came."
"I came."
"You're late."
"Just in time."
Gong Qichi's temples were graying, his body thin, suddenly looking ten years older, already looking like a retiring old official, mixed among a group of officials, but still spirited and energetic.
Glasses clinked, voices buzzed, various official robes, different ranks, verbal sparring, back and forth.
In such a noisy and busy place of fame and fortune.
Jiang Changtian met an old friend from many years ago.
Gong Qichi also smiled.
His waist was more bent than before, his shoulders more hunched, his rank higher than before.
In this place of fame and fortune, colorful and varied.
You wear a mask, I wear a mask.
Yet in this place of fame and fortune, he saw an old friend.
The trip was not in vain.
Lord Jia sat on Jiang Changtian's left, Gong Qichi sat on Jiang Changtian's right.
Gong Qichi blocked drinks for Jiang Changtian.
"He can't drink, I can."
"I'll drink, three cups."
Gong Qichi was particularly enthusiastic tonight.
Master Gong, who was considered an old fox in the Jiangzhou official circle, was as enthusiastic as if he had taken the wrong medicine today.
Governor Lu of Jiangzhou, seeing Commander Jiang's pretty boy appearance, spoke up: "Commander Jiang, at this welcome banquet today, I have an unreasonable request, I don't know if I should say it or not."
Jiang Changtian smiled.
Governor Lu laughed and said: "I have always liked fine horses, and I see that the horses Commander Jiang brought are very good. I wonder if you would be willing to part with them. Don't worry, I will definitely pay you higher than the market price. Those fine horses on the market are fifty taels each, I am willing to pay a hundred taels of silver."
Jia Sen felt this was inappropriate. Those fifty-tael horses on the market were all inferior horses, old, weak, sick, and disabled. Even a hundred taels couldn't buy a good horse. The horses Commander Jiang rode here were all plump and strong, how could they possibly be a hundred taels of silver? According to the market price, even a thousand taels probably couldn't buy them.
This Governor Lu was going too far, but he had close ties with the Eunuch Faction and was very powerful in Jiangzhou.
"Governor Lu is so noble, actually willing to spend money to buy things. But how could I let Governor Lu spend money? Don't worry, I will definitely send the good horses to your mansion tomorrow," Jiang Changtian agreed readily.
Governor Lu laughed heartily and patted Jiang Changtian's shoulder, saying: "Brother Jiang is really a wonderful person. Let's have tea together another day. I wonder what Brother Jiang's hobbies are?"
Jiang Changtian thought seriously for a moment and said: "I like to sleepwalk when I sleep."
Gong Qichi chimed in: "What a coincidence, I also like to sleepwalk when I sleep."
Gong Qichi took a bite of the dish, felt the taste was not bad, and used the public chopsticks to put some more on Changtian's plate.
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