Li Qinzai stood in front of Lu Antong, smiling kindly.
After coming to Jiangnan for many days, people from the eight famous families finally lost their composure and took the initiative to look for him.
Counting the days, it’s time for some reaction. Li Qinzai, the emperor’s imperial envoy, came to Jiangnan. If he was really ignored by the noble family, it would be too shameful.
The Lu Antong in front of him was obviously sent by the eight prominent families to test him.
"It turns out to be Butler Lu, haha, I've been admiring you for a long time." Li Qinzai didn't return the greeting, he just looked up to the sky and said haha.
Lu Antong was a little confused. I, a housekeeper, have been "admired" by you, the Duke of Tang Dynasty. Have you really admired me for a long time?
Seeing Lu Antong's face full of doubts, Li Qinzai thought about what he had just said, and suddenly felt that he had made a mistake, so he corrected himself without changing his expression: "I said it wrong. I'm glad to see you."
Only then did Lu Antong relax his expression.
"The Lu family of Wu County heard that Duke Li was ordered to inspect the south of the Yangtze River. Everyone in the family was happy, so they sent people down to Jiangzhou to welcome him and gave him a small gift to show their respect." Lu Antong said humbly.
Li Qinzai's eyes suddenly lit up: "A thin gift? How thin is it?"
Lu Antong was stunned again, feeling that he couldn't keep up with the Duke's thinking rhythm.
"Well, I said it was a small gift, but actually..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Qinzai waved his hand: "I know, I'm being modest, but the gift is actually a generous gift, right? Let's not talk nonsense, let's go through the process, receive the gift first, and then chat."
Lu Antong was stunned for a while and waved behind him.
A group of servants in green clothes and hats drove several carriages slowly from the corner of the camp gate. The carriages were loaded with gifts. Li Qinzai took a casual look and found that most of them were famous silks, porcelain, etc. from Jiangnan.
There was a sandalwood box placed on a carriage at first. The box was not big, but it was obviously very valuable. Li Qinzai could feel the aura of wealth emanating from the box from so far away, which was very compelling.
Rubbing his hands, Li Qinzai smiled brightly: "Oh, how can I be so embarrassed? I spent a lot of money teaching you the Gu family of Wu County, haha, it cost a lot..."
After speaking, Li Qinzai walked towards the carriage. The next step was to inspect the goods.
As soon as he took a step, his arm was grabbed by Lu Antong.
Lu Antong had a complex look on his face, with a bit of anxiety: "Jun Gong Li, he is the Lu family of Wu County, not the Gu family!"
Good fellow, you are crying at the wrong grave.
I gave such a heavy gift and even the real owner misremembered it. What is the difference between this heavy gift and a meat bun used to beat a dog?
Li Qinzai's expression froze, and he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
I was really too excited just now. When I saw the gift given by others, I forgot everything in my mind. I only thought about getting it safe. Who cares what the name of the person who gave the gift was.
"You heard wrong. What I just said was the Lu family of Wu County. I am from Guanzhong and I speak with an accent." Li Qinzai defended seriously.
Lu Antong's cheek twitched, but he still bowed and apologized: "It turns out that I misunderstood. Lord Li, please forgive me."
Li Qinzai laughed loudly, acted cheerfully and boldly, and still planned to walk towards the carriage. Yes, the inspection process is very important.
Unexpectedly, someone grabbed his arm again. Li Qinzai was a little angry. He turned around and saw that the person grabbing him this time was Prince Teng.
Prince Teng had a fake smile on his face, leaned into his ear and said through gritted teeth: "You are a prince, have you never eaten before? Can you pay attention to the way you eat, and don't make it too ugly?"
Li Qinzai came back to his senses, glanced at the carriages reluctantly, and gave up the idea of inspecting the goods.
This is not a generation gap between two generations, but a generation gap separated by thousands of years.
It was a custom in previous lives to open gifts in front of others, as this was a sign of respect for the gift giver.
Forget it, don’t argue with the ignorant ancient people.
"Do you have a problem with me?" Li Qinzai asked Lu Antong straight to the point.
Lu Antong was confused again. Do people from Chang'an speak and do things so efficiently and concisely? Are they not going to talk nonsense first?
Besides, I gave you such a heavy gift, so you at least treat me as a guest and invite me into the camp to chat. What's the point of standing in front of the gate of the camp and chatting?
However, Li Qinzai seemed to have no intention of inviting him into the camp as a guest. Lu Antong had no choice but to keep up with Li Qinzai's pace and stood outside the camp gate and bowed to Li Qinzai.
"On the orders of the head of the Lu family, I invite Duke Li and His Highnesses Prince Teng and Prince Xun to the Governor's Mansion in Jiangzhou City. There will be a banquet at the mansion tonight. I beg Duke Li and their two highnesses to take the time to gather together."
Li Qinzai narrowed his eyes: "The head of the Lu family came to Jiangzhou City in person?"
Lu Antong said carefully: "The master of the family is old and cannot travel far. The master's legitimate son Lu Yun has arrived in Jiangzhou City and is waiting for the three of them at the Governor's Mansion."
Li Qinzai nodded. The legitimate son of a prominent Jiangnan family came to entertain him. His status was quite sufficient.
"Okay, tell Lu Yun that Li will be at the banquet on time tonight."
…………
Not only were they given gifts, but they were also treated to a meal. What a pleasant treatment, it would be rude not to go.
In the evening, Li Qinzai and Teng Wang Li Sujie appeared outside the gate of Jiangzhou City.
The three of them went to the banquet and brought with them more than a hundred personal guards, each of whom was equipped with firearms.
If this banquet is destined to be the Hongmen Banquet, the array of more than a hundred firearms will be enough to defeat a thousand-man cavalry.
Li Qinzai is not a simple-minded hero. He would never do such stupid things as going to a meeting alone. If possible, he would like to tie thousands of troops to his belt and run around.
As soon as the group arrived outside the city gate, they saw a group of people standing quietly by the suspension bridge. The leader was riding a horse, wearing a gorgeous silk shirt. He was about thirty years old, with a green beard blowing in the wind under his chin, his face
Wear a kind smile.
Seeing Li Qinzai and his party approaching, the man immediately dismounted and walked to greet them.
"I'm Lu Yun of Wu County. I'd like to pay my respects to Duke Li, His Royal Highness Prince Teng and His Royal Highness Prince Xun." Lu Yun bowed his head and saluted.
Li Qinzai's eyes subconsciously glanced behind Lu Yun, and a look of disappointment flashed across his face.
Sure enough... once you give a gift, there won't be a second time.
After all, I am still too young, and I have not fully understood the principle of "it is not strange to treat others with courtesy".
Will you die if you give it one more time?
"Mr. Lu, I have admired you for a long time." Li Qinzai returned the greeting with his hands in hand.
"In front of Duke Li, how dare I use the word 'gongzi'? It's a shame. I just call you 'Huai'an'," said Duke Li.
"Lu Yun and Lu Huaian are handsome gentlemen, humble and courteous, worthy of being members of a distinguished family." Li Qinzai praised with a smile.
"You come from a distinguished family, how dare you compare with the famous generals of Ying Gong. Duke Li is truly famous all over the world and the mainstay of the country. Today I can see your face, and I will be lucky for the next three lives."
Li Qinzai looked at him deeply.
It was true that Li Qinzai praised him just now. The young man from a prominent family in front of him seemed quite extraordinary in terms of his upbringing and conduct, and his conversation was neither humble nor arrogant.
This is how a true disciple of aristocratic families should behave. Those disciples who are arrogant, arrogant and domineering as soon as they meet are actually very few, and it is impossible for a distinguished family with a profound foundation to cultivate such a thing.