Chapter 291: Encounters

Lights blazed, and people bustled.

Rain had just fallen, and water still pooled on the streets outside. This cluster of courtyards on the north side of Hangzhou was brightly lit, with large red lanterns outlining the long street. Groups of carriages, horses, and people converged, transforming the area into the most bustling scene since Fang La’s enthronement.

It was August 22nd, the day of the Yongle Dynasty’s Grand Banquet for Officials.

This area was originally known as Changxing Street, where influential gentry families of Hangzhou resided. Just two streets away, a grand mansion that once belonged to a prince now served as the imperial palace of the Yongle Dynasty. Changxing Street itself had not suffered much damage during the earthquake, and the surrounding area had been favored by Fang Qifo long before, thus it was spared widespread destruction during the subsequent military conflicts. Consequently, this relatively grand Banquet for Officials was held here.

Ning Yi had already eaten at home before coming. His attendant, instructed by A Chang, accompanied him only to the entrance. After presenting his invitation, Ning Yi entered under the guidance of soldiers, greeting a scholar he recognized from the academy along the way.

Around four to five hundred guests were invited to this Banquet for Officials. Including the soldiers responsible for security and the servants attending to the event, the total number of people reached several thousand. This area, originally a luxurious complex of courtyards and gardens, usually exuded grandeur. However, walking through it now, with people coming and going amidst the lamp-lit shadows, and various figures moving along the rockeries, pavilions, and gravel paths, it felt more like a bustling temple fair.

However, the view opened up considerably further back. Here, surrounded by buildings, lay a medium-sized square. The walls of the surrounding buildings facing the square had been removed, and rows of red lacquered round tables stretched out like a long dragon under their eaves, presenting a rather grand sight. Most of the tall awnings originally erected over the square had been taken down, leaving the ground mostly dry. The remaining awnings encircled the area, with numerous lanterns hanging high beneath them, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Although the army that entered Hangzhou was primarily composed of farmers with little to no wealthy background, after conquering the city, there was certainly no shortage of luxurious decorating materials. Ning Yi's current social circle in Hangzhou was small, but he did know some people, such as scholars from Wenlie Academy and parents of some academy students. However, today it was more fitting to converse with participants from the Badou Camp. After a brief search, he found a seat in a corner of a room at the back.

This particular table was mostly occupied by managers from the Badou Camp, including two scholars who had previously assisted Liu Dabiao with various matters, and several of Liu Tiannan’s subordinates. With the establishment of Fang La's Yongle Dynasty, they were all, to some extent, considered officials, and had come to join the festivities and make an appearance. As for Liu Tiannan, Liu Dabiao, Du Sha (the chief of their guards), and Luo Bingren, even if they attended, they wouldn't sit at this table, despite their amicable relationships with those present.

Although Ning Yi was an outsider, everyone recognized his considerable abilities and treated him respectfully. Ning Yi, in turn, was never one to give a negative impression in conversation, getting along well even with the two scholars at the table. These men were all veterans of the Badou Camp with significant experience from various campaigns. Once Ning Yi was seated, one of them, a scribe named Liu Zhizhang, drew him into conversation, pointing out and introducing some of the attendees.

“Look,” Liu Zhizhang began, “the man with the long beard over there is Gao Yu. He’s someone I know; very capable, skilled in both civil and military arts. We’ve shared meals before. Not far from him, the somewhat stout gentleman is Prime Minister Zu Shiyuan, who is very good to the Master. We've spoken before, practically family... And over here, see the one smiling? That’s Zhang Daoyuan. He can be quite reckless at times, though some say he’s sweet-mouthed but malicious at heart. But don’t worry about him…”

“What about Xu Bai and Yuan Xing? They’re often together… And Li Tiangu? Jia He, have you seen Li Tiangu?”

Liu Zhizhang continued to point and talk for a while, seeming to deliberately pick out certain individuals for Ning Yi’s attention. Ning Yi realized that Zhang Daoyuan, Xu Bai, Yuan Xing, and Li Tiangu were among those who had once attempted to kill him, only retreating when Chen Fan appeared. Although Liu Zhizhang and his companions were only moderately skilled at managing affairs, their access to information within the Badou Camp undoubtedly surpassed Ning Yi’s. They had evidently made discreet inquiries about that day’s events and were now subtly warning Ning Yi.

Tang Jiahe, a manor steward in his thirties, sat nearby, cracking peanuts with a somewhat ruffian air. He was currently in charge of miscellaneous affairs on several streets. After glancing around, he patted Ning Yi’s shoulder nonchalantly. “Haven’t seen him,” he said, “so what? Brother Ning, don’t concern yourself with such people. Whatever Li Tiangu’s intentions, even if his elder brother, Marshal Li, were here, he wouldn't dare disrespect the Master.”

After he said this, someone nearby pondered for a moment and then asked, “I heard Brother Ning also offended Marshal Shi?” Tang Jiahe scratched his head. “Marshal Shi is a man of considerable tolerance,” he replied. “He’s not so unreasonable. Brother Ning is one of us now; he’ll consider that. Even if he holds a grudge, doesn’t Chen Fan also have a good relationship with Brother Ning? Between Marshal Li, Marshal Shi, the Master, and Chen Fan, it’s just a stalemate…”

“That’s a tough one, though; the Master and Chen Fan are still young, after all…”

“But the Master and Marshal Shi have fought before…”

The Marshal Li they spoke of was naturally Li Tianhe, and Marshal Shi was Shi Bao. The status of these powerful figures before Fang La was evidently quite exceptional. If a conflict arose, they might attempt to reason if logic favored them, but if not, they would simply draw their swords and settle it through a duel. Such incidents were clearly not uncommon, and everyone at the table spoke with relish, while Ning Yi listened with considerable interest.

Ning Yi, of course, had no reason to worry about this now. Liu Dabiao was clearly someone who understood the gravity of situations; having decided to protect Ning Yi, he had obviously weighed the implications. For now, he seemed trustworthy. After chatting for a while, the group moved on to discussing who was the most formidable and influential among the rebel forces.

In fact, Ning Yi knew that very few true heavyweights of the rebel army were present at this Banquet for Officials. Fang Qifo, who held a position above ten thousand people, was currently engaged in battle in Jiaxing. Though he commanded figures like Shi Bao and Li Tianhe, the campaign did not appear to be going smoothly. Fang Baihua had returned a few days prior for the Mid-Autumn Festival and was expected to attend the banquet, but she had hastily departed the city the day before, taking charge of the northwestern front. Meanwhile, Wang Yin, the Minister of War, was in the south, coordinating with Si Xingfang and Deng Yuanjue in the Yuezhou and Taizhou regions, and supporting Lü Shinang’s uprising in Taizhou – a campaign that was proving quite successful.

The Four Great Heavenly Kings and other truly influential figures were largely absent. Among those currently in Hangzhou, Lou Minzhong represented one faction, effectively holding significant power over court affairs. Right Prime Minister Zu Shiyuan, somewhat indecisive, maintained good relations with both Lou Minzhong and Privy Councillor Qi Yuankang. And while Heavenly Master Bao Daoyi seemed low-key, he was, in fact, a classic example of someone with ample wealth, numerous followers, and significant resources. Consequently, people seeking patronage primarily approached these few individuals. While other factions existed, their prominence paled in comparison. As for figures like Liu Dabiao, they essentially operated within their own internal circles, making it difficult for outsiders to seek their patronage, and thus their existence was less widely known.

Ning Yi already had a general understanding of the power dynamics, and hearing these bits of gossip only made the picture clearer. Bao Daoyi and Qi Yuankang had not yet arrived, while Lou Minzhong and Zu Shiyuan were surrounded by people, projecting a considerable aura even from a distance. After observing for a while, Ning Yi excused himself to use the restroom. On his way back through the corridor, he was stopped by a figure.

“Ning Liheng.”

The person who approached had a dignified appearance, a calm demeanor, and a hint of scholarly refinement. He seemed to be in his late thirties. After speaking, he cupped his hands in a traditional greeting. Ning Yi looked at him for a moment, then recognized him from his memory. “Head of the Guild Long,” he said, “long time no see.”

Ning Yi had met this man only about twice before: once upon his initial arrival in Hangzhou, when he and Tan'er paid a visit, and another time when they had a chance encounter on the street and exchanged greetings. The man's name was Long Boyuan, and he had formerly been the head of the cloth merchants’ guild in Hangzhou. Seeing that Ning Yi still remembered him, he showed a slight surprise and waved his hand with a smile. “Ah, no longer the Head of the Guild,” he said, “that’s in the past.”

After a brief chuckle, he asked, “So, Nephew Ning couldn’t return home? What about your niece, Miss Su?”

“It’s a long story,” Ning Yi replied, “but Tan'er has returned home. Thank you for your concern, Brother Long.”

“She returned? That’s good, that’s good.” Long Boyuan smiled, nodded, and then patted Ning Yi’s shoulder. “And what about you, Liheng? Where are you living now? How are things for you?”

“Ah, I wasn’t able to escape,” Ning Yi chuckled, “so I’m working as a teacher at Wenlie Academy, mostly writing and categorizing things for people.” He briefly outlined his situation. “How are things for you, Brother Long?”

“Not good at all,” Long Boyuan replied. “When the army entered the city, my family business was nearly plundered clean. Although I have some experience in the cloth trade, all my old connections have left. The market is now full of all sorts of unfamiliar faces, and I’m unsure how to navigate the new rules. I’m barely managing; business is tough in these chaotic times.” He smiled. “What truly makes me happy now is seeing old acquaintances safe, even if being here isn't necessarily a good thing for them. It’s good that your niece, Miss Su, left. But since you’re here, Liheng, let’s keep in touch when you have time. I still live in my old place. My younger brother, Bofen, is also a scholar, just like you, and you two would get along well.” He added that despite being a merchant, his brother Long Bofen was a true man of letters.

Ning Yi smiled in return. “We certainly should.”

“Well, I must be going,” Long Boyuan said, patting Ning Yi’s shoulder. He then leaned in slightly. “If I don’t leave now, that young lady across the way will surely come over, haha.”

With that, he walked away, chuckling without looking back. Ning Yi turned his head, a little puzzled. Across half a courtyard, beneath the large red lanterns of a distant corridor, a woman had slightly tilted her head, looking over with a hint of confusion. It was Lou Shuwan, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.