Three Kingdoms

Yuan Shu had previously planned to arrange the banquet level for Fei Qian and Yi Ji's party as a general envoy.

In the Han Dynasty, private banquets were not mentioned. Depending on the people entertaining them, they might follow the rules, or they might be more casual because they were too familiar. But if it's something like entertaining envoys or an official official banquet, there are a lot of levels and rules.

The simplest example is that the number of dishes used in a banquet often represents the level of the banquet.

For example, there is a clear record in the "Book of Rites" that there are six out of twenty emperors, six out of ten princes, two out of ten princes, eight out of ten high officials, and six out of ten inferior officials.

The word "bean" here does not refer to beans, but to a kind of container, which is a tall plate with a rim. That is to say, the emperor's meal can have twenty-six dishes, the duke's meal can only have sixteen dishes, the princes can have only twelve dishes, the upper-level officials can have eight dishes, and the lower-level officials can have six dishes.

If the number exceeds one's level, it is called transgression, which is also a crime.

For example, the reception of Fei Qian and Yi Ji this time was based on the standard for entertaining envoys. Each guest table was assigned a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup, a plate of leek eggs, a plate of pickles, a plate of beans, and a plate of fruit. bean.

These dishes were all normal, but after Yuan Shu hinted to Yang Hong, he actually added a big dish in the banquet hall - sheep tripod cooking.

Well, it actually uses a bronze cauldron to boil mutton in plain water.

Although only a tripod is used, the meaning is quite different. In ancient times, copper could be used to make money. Putting a big copper tripod there to cook and eat would be like using a white jade bowl worth tens or even millions to eat rice in later generations, although the rice may not necessarily taste the same. It’s a big difference, but what you need is that special rich feeling…

After such a high-level banquet, the guests and hosts naturally enjoyed themselves, but after the banquet, Yi Ji, who still had a secret mission, felt a little uneasy.

Yi Ji knew in his heart that Yuan Shu's improvement in hospitality standards was definitely not because of Yi Ji himself, but mostly because of Fei Qian.

Although at the banquet, they only talked about romance, local customs, and customs, from Yuan Shu's attitude, Yi Ji had a vague feeling that Yuan Shu looked at Fei Qian in a different light.

This can't help but make Yiji a little worried.

As someone who has followed Liu Biao for many years, Yi Ji is very aware of Liu Biao's character. When he first heard that Fei Qian resigned from his post as a master, Yi Ji didn't feel much about it. Now that he was with Yuan Shu, Yi Ji suddenly felt a little bit like Liu Biao. This move seems a bit rash.

Perhaps Yiji could understand this matter from Liu Biao's perspective. After all, Liu Biao originally paid tribute to Feiqian and was just setting up a sign to recruit talents, but he didn't expect that this sign would become more and more important. As a result, Liu Biao finally felt that he could no longer afford it, so when Fei Qian proposed to resign, he naturally agreed quickly.

But is this really a good choice?

Not necessarily.

Looking at Yuan Shu's posture at today's banquet, although he didn't say it clearly, Yi Ji felt that Yuan Shu seemed to value Fei Qian quite a bit.

In terms of the overall layout of Jingxiang, Yiji also agrees with Liu Biao's strategic plan for the next stage of Jingxiang - first attack the southern part of Jingzhou, and then seek other developments after having a stable rear area - but the current situation in Nanjun must be stable. What? With the support of the Kuai family, is it possible to compete with the Cai family or even the Pang family and the Huang family?

Yi Ji touched the letter hidden close to his body and hesitated a little. Although he did not see the content of the letter, he could guess some of it——

To make Yuan Shu believe that Liu Biao is indeed not hostile, the first is to withdraw the troops from the Wancheng garrison, and even cede Wancheng if necessary, so that Yuan Shu feels that the threat from the south is not that great, and the second is to recognize the territory of Nanyang The actual ownership rights belong to Yuan Shu.

In addition, even if it is a gift of treasures or money and food, it does not have the above two, which can better reflect the sincerity of Liu Biao and Yuan Shu to live in peace.

The acknowledgment of Yuan Shu's actual control over Nanyang County is nothing more than two aspects. The first is to formally request Yuan Shu to be granted the title of Nanyang Prefect, and the second is to acknowledge Yuan Shu's control of Nanyang County's money and grain allocation.

But in this way, Yuan Shu's territory directly covers the Wancheng area, and may even extend to the vicinity of Xinye. In this case, the Huang family in Miannan will be very embarrassed.

Huang Jia Yin Yuan is located in the south of Mianshui, just south of Wancheng and north of Xiangyang. Therefore, if Yuan Shu really controls Wancheng, then the Huang family in Miannan will invisibly become the leader of the two major forces, Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. buffer zone.

The Huang family, which was originally in a safe environment, was suddenly pushed to the edge of war. This was definitely something the Huang family did not want to see or accept. Therefore, Liu Biao deliberately hid Fei Qian's knowledge. , but it makes sense to let Yi Ji handle this matter.

As for what Liu Biao wrote in the letter to Yuan Shao, Yi Ji is still not clear, but there must be other arrangements made by Liu Biao. Moreover, these two letters may contain ideas given to Liu Biao by the Kuai brothers.

After all, the Kuai family suffered a small loss last time and lost face. Taking this opportunity to attack the Huang family, they must be happy to see the result.

Alas, the Kuai family...

Yi Ji does not deny that the Kuai family did contribute a lot when Liu Biao entered Xiangyang City, but there is no need to do so. Even if the Pang family and Huang family do have potential threats, they can still sit down and talk about it. Why is it necessary?

Yi Ji was very worried. Once he handed this letter to Yuan Shu, although it would be of great help to Liu Biao in conquering the southern part of Jingzhou, on the other hand, it would also bury the hidden danger of dissatisfaction between the Jingxiang gentry and Liu Biao. .

Alas, Mr. Liu...

Yi Ji can also guess what Liu Biao is thinking. After all, Liu Biao was born after King Lu Gong and is a descendant of the Liu family royal family with upright roots. In Liu Biao's view, these nobles are all subjects of the Liu family and are all Liu Biao. As for the chess pieces on the chessboard, today you can use the Kuai family to check and balance other noble clans, and tomorrow you can naturally throw the Kuai family out to quell the anger of others...

But will things really go as smoothly as Liu Biao thinks?

Alas, not necessarily...

The world today is no longer the world it was before...

Yiji was very hesitant. Is it better to take this letter out or not?

However, as a follower of Liu Biao, Yi Ji also hoped that Liu Biao could achieve something in his heart, so that as a follower, his efforts would be valuable. Yi Ji was sincerely considering Liu Biao's concerns. Otherwise, if ordinary people just follow orders from above, they would not think about these things.

Yi Ji walked around in his guest room, going back and forth for a long time, and finally decided to implement Liu Biao's plan. As for the hidden dangers of Fei Qian and the Huang family, after the mission was over, We also need to discuss it carefully with Liu Biao...