Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 102 : Cizhou

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Zhou Gui did as Xiao Chiye said and set up a tableful of home-cooked dishes in his own courtyard. Shen Zechuan, on stepping into the courtyard, found it to be quite unconventional despite its simple setup. It was close to nature, and had no valuable wares such as gold and jade.   

Zhou Gui welcomed Xiao Chiye and invited him to take his seat. It was presently the sixth month. The side of the small table was encircled by a cool and clear stream, with hanging branches brushing against its water. It was pleasantly cool and cheery. Zhou Gui did not get anyone else to serve them. Only Kong Ling remained standing in attendance by his side to pour wine for them.     

Xiao Chiye cleaned his hands and watched as the wine in the cup was gradually filled to the brim. He said, “Your Excellency Zhou has truly gone to much trouble. Even the wine prepared is ‘On Horseback‘ from Libei. I’ve been away from home for so many years, and it has been a long time since I last drank it.” 

This wine was wine from the Libei Armored Cavalry made out of grains. It was bold and intense. Just a few sips in the snowy winter could warm the body up. The reason it was called “On Horseback” was because more than thirty years ago on his wedding night, the Prince of Libei, Xiao Fangxu, received a military report of the Biansha’s breach into the territory. With no time for him to remove his wedding outfit, he flipped onto the horse to head into the battlefield to kill the enemies. Before he set off, the Princess Consort of Libei, who was similarly still dressed in her wedding outfit, lifted the jar to pour wine and exchanged a cup of matrimony wine with Xiao Fangxu, who was sitting on horseback. This was a common scene at the frontiers, but with this person being the reputable Prince of Libei, everyone could not help but lament the fact. From then on, ‘for most of three hundred and sixty days in a year, on horseback he rides, weapon in hand” came to be how the Libei Armored Cavalry was portrayed. 

When Zhou Gui saw Xiao Chiye looking calm and serene, some of his anxiety eased. He said,  “We are close to the Northeast Provisions Bridle Path. When the military provisions were being escorted for delivery last month, the army sent many jars of wine over. Your Lordship is about to return to your hometown, but there is nothing good in Cizhou to entertain you with, so I can only offer you such a borrowed gift.”

Xiao Chiye laughed and said, “It’s the local dishes that are the most flavorful. Compared to the delicacies of Qudu, this entire table of dishes shows more sincerity. There’s no need for Your Excellency to be modest. The arrangements for matters relating to the military provisions are complex, and it’s all because of Your Excellency’s valuable assistance that Cizhou could finish sealing and loading in just a few short days. It’s only fitting for me to give you a toast as a show of my appreciation.” 

Zhou Gui did not dare to accept the toast sitting down and hurriedly rose to his feet. He held up the wine cup in both hands for a toast, then drank up with Xiao Chiye. It was only after he was done drinking the wine that he took his seat and said, “The Libei Armored Cavalry is fighting a battle with the Hanshe Tribe at the front line, and the military provisions are crucial to their success and failure on the battlefield. What I did was merely my duty. How can it be worthy enough to have Your Lordship make a special point of expressing your thanks? I really don’t deserve it.” 

“Although Cizhou had a bumper harvest last year, it has been continuously providing aid to Duanzhou and Libei since the start of spring. Those are all grains the commoners of Cizhou saved up. I should thank you for this.” With that, Xiao Chiye raised his hand and slightly stopped Kong Ling as the latter moved to pour wine. He said, “Since it’s a private family feast, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. This gentleman, please take a seat too.”