Pei Huaijie's eyes narrowed subconsciously when he heard Ashina Zhong calling himself "a surrendered general" and "another minister". He could hear the deep complaints and dissatisfaction in it. It was obvious that he was resentful of him as a frontier official who had always been deliberately alienated.
So, are you planning to side with King Wei completely?
No one is not keen on fame and power, and even such a foreigner is unwilling to be lonely...
Pei Huaijie sat down and smiled and said to Ashina Zhong: "Xue Guogong is a meritorious service to the country. When Emperor Taizong relied on him to help him, he followed Emperor Taizong in the south and north and made countless achievements. I have always admired him. How dare I be disrespectful? Today in front of King Wei If you say this in front of His Highness and the Duke of Yue, it may make His Highness the King of Wei mistakenly think that I reject dissidents and fight against dissidents, which is not good. "
Before Ashina Zhong could reply, he saw Fang Jun opposite him take a sip of wine, put down his glass and said slowly: "Isn't it?"
Pei Huaijie was stunned for a moment, a little unbelievable. He was just saying a polite word, and you are now looking for trouble?
But after all, he is one of the best border officials in the world, and he has a calm aura. He asked in a deep voice: "It is recognized by the State of Yue that I am a party member who opposes dissidents and rejects dissidents? I don't know this, and I would like to hear the details."
Fang Jun asked curiously: "Why do you say this without knowing it? Are you teasing His Highness the King of Wei?"
Pei Huaijie's face was as dark as water: "It's just a self-effacing statement, but the Duke of Yue actually believed it? Or has it been said that the Duke of Yue has already decided that his subordinates are united in fighting dissent and rejecting dissenters, and are no longer worthy of the position of governor of Henan? If so, the Duke of Yue You can write to your Majesty to impeach me instead of sitting here and being sarcastic.”
The atmosphere instantly became serious.
Ashina Zhong looked at Pei Huaijie in surprise. He really didn't expect that this person had no tolerance. He launched a counterattack the moment Fang Jun showed his attacking posture. He did not retreat even a step and showed his sharp edge. He was worthy of being a decisive and decisive frontier leader. Official, otherwise Luoyang, Nanyang, and Hedong families would not put him in front of the stage...
"Hahaha!" Fang Jun didn't seem to feel the slightest bit of embarrassment and nervousness about confronting the feudal officials. He laughed and poured wine for Pei Huaijie with a pot in his hand, with a cheerful expression: "Pei Fuyin misunderstood. I have always thought that as a Shangguan You should have the courage of a superior official. If you can't follow the law but are constrained everywhere and make concessions before thinking, how can the party achieve great things? It's not nice to say "we are united but we are different", but who has achieved great things in the past and present without such domineering spirit? Can you go and complain to His Majesty? You have misunderstood my hard work. Come on, I’ll give you three drinks as a penalty!”
Ashina Zhong was dumbfounded: Did this guy give in so quickly?
Pei Huaijie was also dodged. Everyone knew that Fang Jun had a bad temper, so he attacked him without any mercy. He thought that he was bound to receive a furious attack from the other party, but unexpectedly, the other party was laughing and laughing without any anger at all. What else could he say? It’s hard to find a true friend in the mountains and rivers”…
Am I close friends with you?
What a joke! We are obviously enemies with completely different political ideas, okay...
However, at this moment, Fang Jun was holding the pot and pouring the wine himself with a smile. He couldn't turn over the table on the spot. After all, King Li Tai of Wei was still sitting nearby, and everyone knew that Fang Jun was a docile donkey, so there was really no need to turn against him.
"It is indeed a misunderstanding. I should be punished, I should be punished!"
Pei Huaijie sincerely "admitted his mistake" and drank three drinks in a row.
Ashina Zhong grabbed the jug and poured the wine, and sneered: "Pei Fuyin is a little weird when he comes in. Why, the Duke of Yue is a relative of the emperor and a meritorious service to the country. You can just accept the penalty of three drinks. I am loyal to the Tang Dynasty." The Turks can’t stand your sight? They’ll also be punished with three cups of wine!”
Pei Huaijie snorted in his heart, you, a Turk, really don't have much standing in front of me. I don't care if you fall out or not, and you are not qualified to punish me with wine...
However, everyone is a person of public interest, and there is no such quarrel, so they just smiled and said: "The Duke of Yue is a guest from afar. I have been rude, so I am willing to accept the punishment. Duke Xue, you are from Luoyang. We are a family, how can we fight in the same room?" The reason? It’s okay to drink wine as a penalty, but Mr. Xue will have to drink three glasses of wine with you.”
Ashina Zhong has a bold temperament and laughs: "Then I will accompany you for three cups!"
Drink three drinks in a row with Pei Huaijie.
The wine was good, but the alcohol content was very high. Pei Huaijie hurriedly took two bites of food to suppress the alcohol, fearing that the other three would take turns to persuade him to drink. He said to Fang Jun: "Tonight is the Lantern Festival, the Duke of Yue is setting off fireworks to promote the joy. Hundreds of people in Luoyang City are What an eye-opener! There are so many fireworks, all of the best types in the world, and they are all worth a lot of money. You are probably the only one in the world who can do so generously. It is really admirable.”
Fang Jun said with a smile: "If you want to call me a 'prodigal son', then go ahead. I think I am a 'prodigal son' myself."
Several people laughed.
Fang Jun changed the topic: "When I arrived in Luoyang today, I saw countless colorful lanterns on the streets, each of which showed the ancient style of Luoyang City. I was touched for a while, and I felt that I should add some light to this prosperous age. in this way That's why people gathered the city's fireworks together to add to the fun. At that time, I was in a state of excitement and just wanted to have fun with the people. Now that I think about it carefully, I can't help but be impulsive and impulsive. I hope Pei Fuyin won't laugh. "
Pei Huaijie shook his head in admiration: "Such a gesture allows everyone in Luoyang City to enjoy the wonders and feel the festive atmosphere. Although it is a bit impulsive, there are also gains and losses."
Fang Jun raised his eyebrows: "But I still didn't think well, which caused the security of Hecheng to almost be paralyzed, and brought huge trouble to Pei Fuyin and all Luoyang colleagues. I feel really guilty. Come on, come on, these three cups will punish me, Pei Fu How about sitting with Yin?”
Li Tai looked on with a smile and didn't interrupt very much, listening to the two people's bickering and sharp words.
Although the words were a bit cryptic, their respective positions and attitudes were clearly revealed. Fang Jun was strong and domineering, while Pei Huaijie was slightly feminine but refused to give in. This almost established the way the two sides would get along in the future, that is, constant confrontation and never giving in.
It’s very troublesome, but it should be so...
Pei Huaijie looked at the wine glass in front of him, and his heart skipped a beat. It was broken!
Are you going to be forced to death here today?
But with Fang Jun's identity and status, he personally held the pot and poured the wine, and also stated that he would punish himself and asked him to sit with him. How could he refuse unless he turned the table over on the spot?
Despite all the reluctance in my heart, I could only raise my glass and drink three glasses with Fang Jun in a row.
After two bites of food and nine glasses of wine, my stomach was churning, the smell of alcohol was rising, and my face was already starting to heat up...
Li Tai chewed a piece of cress in his mouth and lectured Fang Jun: "You are just too arrogant and domineering. What are you talking about? What's the decency of your words? Pei Fuyin is Henan Yin, the world's first-class feudal master." Officer, you should show respect instead of provoking me with such sharp words, it is too rude.”
Pei Huaijie said hurriedly: "His Highness has spoken seriously, I am a humble minister..."
Before he finished speaking, Fang Jun nodded repeatedly: "What your Highness said is true. I was rude and reckless. I apologize. Come on, come on, I'll toast Pei Fuyin three times... Pei Fuyin, what's your expression? Why, I don't care." I toasted and apologized, why don’t you give me face?”
Pei Huaijie: "..."
Seeing Fang Jun's attitude of "I'll get mad if you don't give me face", Pei Huaijie complained endlessly. He accidentally fell into the wolf's den today, and he was afraid that he would go out sideways when he came in standing.
However, he is also a man with a strong mind. The matter has come to this, and there is no point in regretting it. The people around him are just drinks and not poison. How can he lose his momentum?
When it comes to drinking, he has never been afraid of anyone!
What's the point of fearing wheel battles?
At that moment, he laughed boldly: "The Duke of Yue is a hero of the world. I can deserve your apology. I feel ashamed but I am honored. It should come to light! Of course, His Highness's words are wrong. Since the Duke of Yue is here Those who are not good and are sharp-edged There is no need to hide the pretense in your words. Since I am the Yin of Henan, I should maintain the stability of one party and protect the interests of the other party. In the final analysis, it is just a matter of soldiers coming to block the water and cover the ground, that's all!"
He actually didn't hide, didn't turn around, and directly declared war!
Don't say that they are all decent people, so why should they be so hypocritical and pretentious?
If you want to fight, then fight!
You are here with the king's mandate, but I am a feudal official. If you and I have conflicting interests and conflicting ideas, then we just have to give it a go and give it a try.
This is the style of officials in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Even civil servants on the herdsmen side can mount their horses and draw swords to kill the enemy. They are full of heroism and are not weak at all.
A strong showdown.
At this moment, he clinked three glasses in a row and drank all the glasses in a majestic manner.
Fang Jun swallowed his drink and couldn't hide his admiration: "Although Pei Fuyin is willing to be a lackey of the clan and fall for the benefit of the clan, his upright spirit makes me admire him very much! Speaking of it, since I met him back then, It has been many years since I met King Ma Bin and I have not seen such a generous-minded person. I am so lucky today and I will not go home until I am drunk.”
Pour the wine again and raise your glass.
Pei Huaijie knew that he couldn't be kind today, so he didn't refuse. The wine was dry.
He has been in Luoyang for many years and has long been integrated with the local clan. Therefore, when his own interests suffer losses, he can no longer escape and can only face the danger. Today I will get drunk with King Wei and Fang Jun, and tomorrow I will sober up. The two sides are enemies but not friends, and they will have a vigorous fight.
……
The fireworks burned out, the night sky was cold and silent, and countless brilliant sparkles disappeared in an instant.
Looking at Pei Huaijie, who was sleeping soundly on the table and kept mumbling drunken words, Li Tai said helplessly: "Why do you want to force someone to look like this? After all, he is a feudal official. It is unbecoming."
Fang Jun expressed his disdain: "Although His Highness has never gone to the battle to drink wine in person, he has repeatedly persuaded people to drink. He is not so innocent."
Ashina Tadashi's eyes widened, could he still talk to the prince of the country like this?
I have learned a lot...
Li Tai didn't take it seriously, glared at Fang Jun, and said, "You drank the wine, and you deal with the aftermath."
Fang Jun touched the short mustache on his lips, thought for a moment, and asked: "Did His Highness bring any concubines with him on this trip?"
Li Tai shook his head subconsciously: "I wanted to block the news before leaving. The soldiers arrived in Luoyang so quickly. How could they carry such burdens?" Then he woke up and widened his eyes: "What do you want to do?"