Chapter 33: The Celebration Banquet (Part 1)

  Gao Yuan's status was of course different from that of ordinary soldiers, so he was assigned to live in the guest house inside Li Mu's mansion. The house had a main hall and eight smaller rooms of varying sizes, with a small kitchen behind the main hall where one could cook for oneself. There was also a small courtyard. Such quarters were only used to entertain honored guests. At the same time, Ning Qi also assigned four male servants and four female servants to attend to Gao Yuan's daily needs.

  There were not many maids in the Li Mu government, and most of them were widows of fallen generals. Only those who served Li Yinghong had a few young waiting girls.

  Although the furniture in the house is very complete, it still lacks some essential living supplies. Some things can be taken from Li Mu's mansion, but some need to be purchased by Gao Yuan himself.

  Just as he had settled down, the highland was not yet calm, and Li Yinghong hurried over, saying: "Highland, the king has summoned your father and you to enter the palace together, hurry up and change your clothes."

  Gao Yuan only then discovered that Li Yinghong had changed into a new outfit, no longer wearing the tight-fitting martial attire of before, but rather a long silk cheongsam dress that reached the ground, with rings and jade pendants adorning her hands, her hair also styled in an updo. Although she was still young and somewhat lacking in stature, she had a captivating air about her that left Gao Yuan momentarily stunned.

  Gao Yuan's eyes stared at her without blinking, Li Yinghong's face turned slightly red, but she was also quite pleased in her heart. She spun around in a circle and smiled: "How do I look in this new outfit?"

  Gao Yuan nodded and said, "It's extremely good-looking."

  Li Yinghong said: "So is it better for me to wear a long skirt or a martial arts uniform?"

  "They all look good."

  Li Yinghong smiled and said: "You're deceiving people, just speaking pleasant words."

  The plateau also smiled and said, "No, these two kinds of clothes have their own characteristics. When you wore the warrior's uniform before, you looked spirited and full of vitality, while the long skirt made you look noble and elegant, with a refined temperament. Each has its own beauty, it's really hard to say which one looks better."

  Li Yinghong listened and couldn't help but feel delighted in her heart, saying: "You're quite the smooth talker, hurry up and change your clothes, let's go."

  Gao Yuan listened and immediately changed his clothes, reinserted his sword, and then went with Li Yinghong to see Li Mu. However, thinking that he would soon meet King Zhao, Gao Yuan's heart was somewhat tense.

  At this time, Li Mu had also changed into a loose-fitting, large-sleeved garment of the civil officials. After Zhao Wu Ling Wang promoted Hu clothing and archery in Zhao State, there was an obvious style of Hu people in clothing, narrow sleeves, close-fitting, simple and neat, convenient and flexible, but this kind of clothing was mainly popular among the people, while in the dignitaries or celebrities, especially in formal occasions, generally still wore the traditional Chinese Han costume with a high crown and wide sash.

  After seeing Gao Yuan and Li Yinghong, Li Mu also nodded and smiled: "Gao Yuan, this time is to enter the palace for a banquet, not to meet the king, so don't be too formal, just follow me and do as I say, let's go."

  Gao Yuan nodded, and then followed Li Mu's father and daughter out of the mansion. At this time, Zhao Xuan, Ning Qi, and several other gate guests were already waiting at the entrance of the mansion. The carriages and ceremonial equipment were all ready. At that moment, Li Mu's father and daughter got into the carriage, while Gao Yuan and Zhao Xuan mounted their horses, and they all set off together towards the royal palace of Zhao State.

  The royal palace of Zhao State is located in the center of Handan City, and like all imperial cities and royal cities in ancient China, it is surrounded by high city walls and wide moats, forming a city within a city.

  Everyone stopped their carriages and dismounted at the gate of the royal city. At this time, many vehicles were already parked in front of the gate of the royal city, and more vehicles were arriving one after another. Among them, there were also a few people who came on horseback. The ministers all stopped their carriages and dismounted here, walking into the city on foot. Moreover, many officials saw Li Mu and came over to greet him one after another. Li Mu also returned their greetings one by one.

  Just then, someone shouted loudly: "General, young lady, you've arrived."

  Everyone looked around, only to see a tall and robust man walking towards them with big strides. Although he was also dressed in official attire, he still exuded an air of majesty. Li Mu smiled and said: "Simen Shang, when did you return to Handan?"

  It turned out that this man was Sima Shang, the deputy general of Li Mu when he defended against the Xiongnu in the north. He was originally an ordinary small soldier and was promoted by Li Mu. The way to use troops was also taught by Li Mu. Now he can take charge alone. This time, resisting the Qin army, it was he who led the army to garrison on the north bank of the Zhang River, resisting the southern line army of the Qin.

  Simashi smiled and said: "I returned to Handan long ago, waiting for the general's return." Then Zhao Xuan greeted him, they had known each other for a long time.

  At this time, Li Yinghong also came over and bowed slightly, saying: "Uncle Sima."

  Simachen also chuckled and said: "It's been a year since we last met, Yinghong has become even more beautiful, when are you going to find someone to settle down with? I'm still waiting for the day to drink at your wedding!"

  Li Yinghong's face turned slightly red and said: "General Sima, what are you talking about?"

  Li Mu introduced Gao Yuan to Sima Shang again. Sima Shang looked up and down at Gao Yuan, saying: "Are you the one who has descended from a star?"

  Gao Yuan also smiled wryly and said, "That was just an accidental event. In fact, I'm just an ordinary person."

  Everyone was talking, when suddenly someone said: "Ah, so the master has returned. I didn't go to the city gate to welcome you, forgive me, forgive me."

  As the crowd turned to look, they saw a large group of people surrounding a high-crowned and brocade-robed official, who was over fifty years old, of medium build, with a white face and fine whiskers, an arrogant expression, and eyes that shone with a greedy and cunning light, making it difficult for people to have a good impression of him.

  Li Mu took a step forward, cupped his hands and said: "What virtue does Li Mu have to dare trouble the great General Guo with such a grand welcome?"

  Guo Kai smiled and said, "This time the king is hosting a banquet in the palace to entertain all officials. It's especially for you to rest and refresh yourself after your journey. We're all just along for the ride."

  Li Muo said calmly, "The Prime Minister has always been by the side of the great king in the court, and he hasn't attended many banquets? This small banquet is nothing but a routine meal for the Prime Minister. How can we, who have been fighting on the battlefield for years, compare to him?"

  Guo Kai naturally heard the sarcasm in Li Mu's words, so he snorted and shifted his gaze to Gao Yuan, saying: "Is this gentleman perhaps the General Star Gao who descended from the heavens with a shooting star?"

  Gao Yuan Dao: "Prime Minister Guo is indeed just an ordinary person in reality."

  Guo Kai opened his eyes and said, "An ordinary person? Mr. Gao is too modest. I heard that this time the great defeat of the Qin army, Mr. Gao was the first to achieve merit, beheading the Qin general Huan Ju. Later at the banquet, Ben Xiang also wants to see Mr. Gao's skills." As he spoke, he bowed his hands to Li Mu again and said, "Your Excellency, Ben Xiang will go ahead first." Then he led his subordinates through the city gate and into the palace. Among Guo Kai's entourage, several people deliberately looked at Gao Yuan, their eyes filled with malicious intentions.

  After they entered the Wang City, Sima Shang finally spat fiercely and said: "This great traitor will definitely not die a good death."

  Li Mubai said, "Forget it, let's just say a few less words." Then he turned to Gao Yuan and said, "Later at the banquet, Guo Kai will probably send someone to challenge you, asking for a martial arts competition in front of everyone, trying to weaken your prestige. You have to be careful not to get provoked by him."

  Zhao State valued martial arts, and among the retainers of various ministers, there were many skilled swordsmen. It was common for ministers to send their own warriors to compete in martial arts at banquets, and sometimes they would even make bets with each other. Since Gao Yuan had not yet been formally appointed to an official position, he was equivalent to a retainer of Li Mu, so it was difficult for Li Mu to stop people from challenging Gao Yuan.

  "When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. What's there to be afraid of?"

  Li Mu smiled slightly and said, "I know you have extraordinary bravery, but there are people outside of people, and heavens beyond the sky. Moreover, a duel between two people is different from clashing on the battlefield. Even if you win, it won't bring you much benefit. But if you lose, you'll lose face and that's not worth it."

  Gao Yuan Dao: "Thank you, General, for reminding me. I will definitely plan carefully before acting and will not act rashly."

  Li Mu nodded and said, "Alright, let's go in." He led the way into the royal city. The others followed behind him, entering the royal city together.

  Although it was the first time to enter the ancient Chinese palace, Gao Yuan had also visited the Forbidden City before. The scale of Zhao Guo's palace was naturally inferior to that of Beijing's Forbidden City, but it was still majestic and solemn, with a strong momentum. However, the decorations were very simple, with no colorful paintings on the walls, no carvings of clouds, water, or dragons on the pillars, and no excessive inlays of gold, silver, or beautiful jade on the doors, windows, screens, and tables, all of which were made of wood carvings. The floor was paved with bluestone, polished to a high gloss, shining brightly like a mirror.

  The banquet was set up in the main hall of the palace, and the central seat was naturally occupied by King Zhao. On either side of the throne were three tables placed diagonally. Below the king's seat, there were two rows on both sides, each with fifty seats, divided into three rows. The front row was seated with the wives of high-ranking officials and nobles, while the back row consisted of other family members of the ministers and higher-ranking guests or middle to lower-ranking officials. Although positions closer to the throne indicated a higher status, seating arrangements were not solely based on official rank. Sometimes, highly respected individuals or foreign envoys would also be seated in high positions.

  When Li Mu entered, most of the seats were already filled with people, who were chatting with each other in hushed tones. At this time, an attendant had already come over to lead Li Mu and his party to their seats on the right side of the first row. Since this banquet was originally held to celebrate the defeat of Qin State, Li Mu was naturally the main protagonist and was seated in the first seat on the right side. Li Yinghong sat with Li Mu in the front row, while Gao Yuan, Zhao Xuan, Ning Qi, Du Yi, and others sat in the second row. Sima Shang's seat was also next to Li Mu, located in the second seat on the right side.

  On the left, the first seat was Guo Kai. Behind him were those people who had just been seen outside, each with an unfriendly gaze looking at Gao Yuan. The second seat on the left was Zhao Guo's Grand Marshal, Zhao Cong. Zhao Bin, whom he had met on the road, sat in the second row of seats behind Zhao Cong. Sitting next to Zhao Bin was a young man around thirty years old who looked similar to Zhao Bin and should be Zhao Cong's eldest son, Zhao Yang, one of the three pursuers of Lin Wenqing.