Simultaneous time travel, starting from Little Li Flying Dagger

Yanggu County, Lion Tower.

As the largest restaurant in Yanggu, it occupies a prime location in the center of the county town, with a constant flow of money coming and going.

But tonight the place was cleared out, just to do one business deal.

Standing beside Wu Song, the short and timid Wu Da felt a little uneasy as he watched the local gentry coming and going.

"Erlang, is...is the host of this house really inviting us?"

This banquet was far too high-class; someone like me, a humble pancake seller, had never experienced anything like it.

Wu Dalang felt as if he were in a dream.

Wu Song patted Wu Dalang on the shoulder and comforted him, "Brother, don't worry. It was County Magistrate Chu who invited him, and I will be working under him from now on."

Wu Song was also quite apprehensive. Although he had previously been at Chai Jin's manor, his status was far superior to that of someone from Yanggu County.

But not only did he suffer cold treatment at Chai Manor, he had never even been allowed into the main hall to drink and chat. Now, Chu Ke had invited him and his brother to a banquet upon their first meeting.

This truly gave Wu Song a sense of "a scholar will die for one who understands him."

"Erlang," Chu Ke beckoned, inviting Wu Song to sit beside him, then turned to ask Old Qiu and Magistrate Meng,

"Gentlemen, everyone's here. Shall we begin?"

Just as Magistrate Meng was about to nod, he heard a sound coming from outside the building.

"To congratulate the newly appointed County Magistrate of Chuke on his appointment, I hereby bestow upon him one hundred taels of gold and fifty bolts of silk!"

Immediately afterwards, Ximen Qing, dressed in a magnificent robe, adorned with a flower in his hair, and carrying a folding fan, entered amidst the crowd's protection.

"Which one is the County Magistrate of Chu?"

His butler looked around at everyone and asked in a loud voice.

What a show-off!

Although Chu Ke had never met Ximen Qing before, he recognized the man at a glance.

Magistrate Meng leaned close to Chuke's ear and explained:

"This is a famous official from our Yanggu County, named Ximen Qing, who is rumored to have some connection with the Cai family in the capital."

Then he stood up, turned to Ximen Qing, and said, "My lord, your presence at the banquet tonight truly brings honor to our humble Yanggu County office. This is Chu Ke, the County Magistrate."

Magistrate Meng cupped his hands in greeting to Ximen Qing and his group.

"So it's Magistrate Meng," Ximen Qing said, glancing sideways at Meng Yi before falling silent.

Then put your hands behind your back and raise your head slightly at a 45-degree angle.

Magistrate Mengyi chuckled awkwardly, knowing he could do nothing about the disrespectful words from Ximen Qing.

After all, Ximen Qing was rumored to have the background of the current prime minister Cai Jing. He had recently risen to prominence and was in charge of some public affairs in the county. He was known for his cunning and ruthlessness, his ability to get money from people, and his ability to frame officials. Everyone in the county gave him a hard time, and even the county magistrate himself was helpless against him.

At this moment, the butler glanced around and spotted Wu Da and Wu Song at the main table. His expression immediately turned disdainful, and he shouted sharply:

"Tonight is a banquet to celebrate the inauguration of County Magistrate Chu, so how come a scoundrel selling pancakes is on the table?"

"Get up at once and offer your seat to Master Ximen!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Da's eyes dimmed, and he instinctively tried to get up.

At this moment, Wu Song grabbed his elder brother and shouted at the steward:

"Never heard of any Ximen Qing official!"

"We were personally invited to sit by County Magistrate Chu; there's no reason for us to stand up and offer our seats."

At the same time, Wu Song also looked at Chu Ke.

Thinking that this Master Ximen seemed to be of extraordinary status, I wondered what choice the County Magistrate Chu would make.

If he were to teach his brother to give up his seat now, then he would never want to serve under this person in the future.

Seeing that Wu Song dared to talk back, the steward's face immediately darkened, and he threatened:

"Well, so ungrateful, are you planning to get a beating?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the servants behind him all turned fierce and drew their weapons.

Seeing this, Magistrate Meng quickly stood up and, adopting a evasive stance, addressed the steward and his entourage:

"Tonight is a banquet to celebrate the inauguration of County Magistrate Chu. We must not use knives or guns. Quickly put them away."

Then he looked towards Wu Dadao:

"Brother, I've always thought you were honest and kind. Hurry up and go to the next table for the meal. Master Ximen must sit at the main table; otherwise, it won't look good!"

Magistrate Meng was quite tactful; he didn't ask Wu Song and his brother to get up and sit together, but simply asked Wu Da to change seats and give the seat to Ximen Qing.

As for the other servants that Ximen Qing brought, they can just sit at a side table.

Hearing the magistrate's words, Wu Da immediately stood up, and fearing his younger brother might object, he advised him:

"Erlang, it is indeed inappropriate for me to sit at this table given my status. You should drink with the county magistrate, and I will go to a side table."

Hearing his brother say this, Wu Song was at a loss for words and didn't know how to persuade him further.

"Wuhan University, wait a minute."

Chuk then spoke up and waved his hand, signaling him not to rush.

"The magistrate just said that Wu Da has always been honest, and I had heard that before."

"But who says that honest people are always bullied? Since we've already taken our seats, there's no reason to change seats."

After Chu Ke finished speaking, Wu Song immediately gave him a complicated look.

There is admiration, gratitude, and deep awe.

Upon hearing this, Ximen Qing's face darkened considerably when he saw that the county magistrate refused to let the pancake seller give him his seat, and he snorted coldly repeatedly.

Seeing this, the butler immediately asked Chuck:

"Since the county magistrate intends to protect Wu Da and his companion, who would you like to offer their seat to Master Ximen?"

This housekeeper is truly dedicated.

Chuk shook his head and said coldly:

"Today, everyone at the main table is a friend and gentry invited by Magistrate Meng and myself. There is no reason for anyone to stand up and offer their seat to Master Ximen."

Then Chu Ke pointed to the side and said to Ximen Qing:

"If Master Ximen sincerely comes to offer his congratulations tonight, then I, Chu, will simply set up a new table for everyone."

"But if you're here to show off your power and act superior, then you'd better leave as soon as possible, sir."

"Nobody here wants to see you showing off."

Ximen Qing glared at Chu Ke, clearly not expecting the newly appointed county magistrate to be so unreasonable.

Just as Ximen Qing was about to step forward, wanting to let the County Magistrate of Chu know who in Guyang County was the right person to seize power, the steward immediately stopped him.

"My lord, don't forget that we came here tonight for the tiger whip. This Chu Ke is a tiger-slaying hero. We can't afford to break off relations now."

"Why don't we wait until we buy the tiger penis and then teach this county magistrate a lesson? After all, there's plenty of time, and this man won't escape our grasp."

Ximen Qing pondered for a moment, thinking that a momentary argument was not as important as completing Cai Jing's task.

Once we establish connections with the Cai family in the capital, won't Guyang County become our own local tyrant?

As for those county magistrates and county lieutenants, give them some face and call them "Sir," otherwise just bury them in their own backyards!

"Since that's the case, let's quickly set up the table, brothers, take a seat!"

Ximen Qing casually swayed his robes and sat down leisurely.

Chu Ke looked at Ximen Qing's flamboyant manner and thought to himself with amusement,

Ximen Qing had already died in this Lion Tower. If he wanted to cause trouble tonight, I wouldn't mind burying him sooner!