PFC Chapter 67 Juyi Manor Birthday Banquet
Chapter 67 Juyi Manor Birthday Banquet
At noon the following day, Juyizhuang was located in the west of Suzhou.
The estate, covering dozens of acres, was brightly decorated today, with a constant stream of carriages and horses in front of it.
Various martial arts factions, merchant families, local officials... all sorts of people gathered here to celebrate the birthday of Hong Tianba, the leader of the Canal Gang.
When Lin Chen's carriage stopped in front of the manor gate, it did not attract much attention.
There are too many dignitaries and important figures present today; an ordinary carriage is hardly noticeable.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Lin Chen got out first.
Today he was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a folding fan in his hand, looking every bit the elegant young gentleman.
Although he was handsome, he wasn't particularly eye-catching in this gathering of guests.
Xiao Yulou, who got off the bus next, caught the attention of many people around him.
She wasn't wearing a dress, but rather a moon-white outfit, her black hair tied up with a jade crown, and a sword hanging at her waist, exuding both heroic spirit and a touch of charm.
This outfit is both fitting for the identity of a woman of the martial arts world and dignified, quite different from those heavily made-up women of the martial arts world.
"Fourth Sister-in-law looks really good in this outfit," Lin Chen murmured with a smile.
Xiao Yulou blushed slightly: "Stop being so cheeky."
The two presented their invitations, which the doorman checked and respectfully allowed them to pass: "Young Master Lin, Madam Lin, please!"
Upon entering the manor, one sees a spacious courtyard with over a hundred tables set up for banquets.
In the center stands a high platform covered with a red carpet, presumably the spot for today's birthday celebrant.
"There are so many people." Xiao Yulou looked around.
"People from the Azure Dragon Gate, White Tiger Gate, Vermilion Bird Gate, and Black Tortoise Gate have all arrived, but it seems they have only sent some managers or young disciples; no important figures have shown up."
Lin Chen nodded.
The Four Sects and Five Schools are the top forces in Jiangnan. Although the Canal Gang is powerful, it is not worth their leader's personal visit.
Sending someone to deliver a gift is already a great honor.
The two were led to a table in the middle section and sat down.
At the same table were several merchants and two wandering cultivators. They all greeted Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou politely.
"This young master looks unfamiliar, may I ask who you are...?" a fat merchant asked tentatively.
"Lin Fan, from the Lin Family Trading Company of the Capital," Lin Chen said with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.
"I brought my wife to Jiangnan to do some business. It just so happens to be Chief Hong's birthday, so I came to offer my congratulations."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yulou's cheeks flushed slightly, but his eyes were filled with joy.
"So you're a distinguished guest from the capital!" the plump merchant exclaimed enthusiastically.
"My name is Qian Youcai of Suzhou Wantong Trading Company. I hope you will take good care of me in the future, Young Master Lin!"
"No problem, no problem."
After a few pleasantries, the birthday banquet began.
Surrounded by the crowd, Hong Tianba ascended the high platform.
This was a burly man in his fifties, with a purplish-red face and piercing eyes. Even his brocade robe couldn't conceal his rough and untamed air.
He was followed by four people, who should be the four elders of the Canal Gang.
"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence today!" Hong Tianba's voice boomed.
"On my humble sixtieth birthday, it is truly an honor to have fellow martial arts practitioners and friends from Jiangnan present! Let us raise a toast to you all!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.
Next is the gift-giving segment.
People from all walks of life presented congratulatory gifts, including gold and silver jewelry, antiques and calligraphy, and powerful weapons... a dazzling array.
Hong Tianba thanked them one by one, his face beaming with pride.
When it was Lin Chen's turn to present a jade Buddha statue, he gave it to him.
It wasn't particularly valuable, but it wasn't shabby either, which suited his identity as a "merchant".
Hong Tianba looked at the gift list, nodded to Lin Chen as a way of thanking him.
After the gifts were presented, the banquet officially began.
Fine wines and delicacies were served in a continuous stream, accompanied by singing and dancing, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Xiao Yulou whispered to Lin Chen:
"Eighth Brother, look at those four elders—Li Hun has a sinister look in his eyes, Sun Meng is rough and bold, Zhao Kuo is calm and collected, and Zhou Xun is capable. These four are not easy to deal with."
Lin Chen picked up a piece of fish for her: "Fourth Sister-in-law has a good eye, but we're here to eat today. Let's talk about fighting another day."
Xiao Yulou rolled her eyes at him, but then calmly started eating.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.
Many people started going around offering toasts, trying to build relationships, discuss business, and talk about friendships...
Banquets in the martial arts world are, by their very nature, social gatherings.
Lin Chen's table also became lively.
Qian Youcai was a chatterbox, talking incessantly about anecdotes from the Jiangnan business world, while the two rogue cultivators discussed their experiences in the martial arts world.
Lin Chen occasionally chimed in with a few witty and humorous remarks, quickly becoming one of the group.
As they were talking and laughing, a commotion suddenly broke out at the next table.
"What did you say? Say it again!" A young man in brocade robes slammed his hand on the table and stood up, glaring angrily at a man in black opposite him.
The man in black sneered, "Fine, then! The last shipment your Changfeng Escort Agency was protecting was robbed on the river. Did you steal it yourselves?"
"Bullshit!" the young man in brocade robes roared. "That shipment was robbed by river bandits. What does it have to do with my Changfeng Escort Agency?"
"Water bandits?" the man in black scoffed.
"What a coincidence! You encountered bandits right after passing through your Changfeng Escort Agency's territory? I think it's clearly you colluding with bandits, stealing the goods and trying to frame me!"
The two argued more and more fiercely, and the people at the same table tried to mediate, but to no avail.
The surrounding guests all looked over and started talking.
"That's Liu Changfeng, the young head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of Changfeng Escort Agency, and opposite him is Wang Biao, the manager of the Canal Transport Merchants Association," Qian Youcai whispered to Lin Chen.
"Changfeng Escort Agency and the Canal Transport Association have always been at odds, and this time they are probably using this as an excuse to make trouble."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What's the relationship between the Canal Transport Association and the Canal Gang?"
"The Canal Transport Chamber of Commerce was established by major merchants in Jiangnan and was responsible for coordinating canal transport affairs."
On the surface, they cooperate with the Grand Canal Gang, but in reality... hehe, there are deep-seated conflicts of interest.
The saying "money has a profound meaning" is quite apt.
As they were talking, a fight broke out over there.
Liu Changfeng struck Wang Biao with a palm strike, the force of which was fierce, revealing him to be a third-grade cultivator.
Not to be outdone, Wang Biao dodged to the side and threw a backhand punch.
The two men started fighting at the table, causing tables and chairs to overturn and dishes to shatter.
The surrounding guests all retreated, but no one stepped forward to stop them.
Matters of the martial world should be settled within the martial world itself; it's not appropriate for outsiders to interfere.
On the high platform, Hong Tianba frowned but remained silent.
Li Hun, one of the four elders, stood up and shouted:
"Today is the gang leader's birthday, how dare you be so insolent! Stop!"
But the two were so engrossed in their fight that they refused to stop.
Li Hun's face darkened, and he was about to make a move when a lazy voice rang out:
"Gentlemen, you'll have to pay for the broken items."
Everyone was taken aback and looked in the direction of the sound. They saw a young man in a royal blue brocade robe waving a folding fan and watching the two fighting with a smile.
It was Lin Chen.