Chapter 53: Kuaiji Part 5

Wu Yingzong said, “You overstate it. Last night, we suddenly received news that the Great Grandpa passed away. He’s returned to Kuaiji for mourning, and Lord Xiao escorted Lord Xiang home. Everything happened hastily; the leave petition was just submitted to the Ministry of Personnel, so the Prime Minister wasn’t aware yet.”

“Hmm.” Cai Jing was quite amiable. He glanced at Hulü Guang and Mu Qingshan, his gaze lingering on Chaosheng, and chuckled, “Little Immortal, we meet again.”

“We’re just about to go out for dinner,” Chaosheng said, having forgotten his name, with a smile.

“To be honest,” Cai Jing knew they weren’t on the government payroll and didn’t deal with them using official etiquette. He spoke politely, “My son Cai Tuo has received heavenly grace and been appointed Huiyou Pavilion Attendant.”

“That’s truly congratulations on entering the cabinet,” Wu Yingzong replied politely. “When Lord Xiao returns from Jiangdong, we’ll surely choose a time to visit and celebrate with you, Prime Minister.”

“It’s nothing, nothing.” Cai Jing handed over an invitation and said, “Tomorrow night, I’m hosting a Burning Tail Banquet at my residence. I wanted to invite Lord Xiao, Lord Xiang, and everyone in the Exorcism Division… all you immortals… to the feast. Little Immortal, would you grace this mundane old man with some face?”

Chaosheng said, “A banquet? What food?”

Though Chaosheng didn’t understand “Burning Tail,” he got “banquet.” Cai Jing laughed again, “I’ll have the menu sent over right away.”

Wu Yingzong thought they couldn’t refuse now and said, “Do you want to go?”

Chaosheng: “Can we? The Prime Minister’s family banquet! There must be lots of good food!”

Chaosheng didn’t avoid others and discussed going right in front of Cai Jing. Wu Yingzong wanted to find a polite excuse to decline, but then Cai Jing added, “There’s also a guest from the Liao Kingdom at the banquet, an old acquaintance of your division’s Lord Xiao, unfortunately. He’s not here, but there will be other chances.”

Hulü Guang suddenly said, “Wu Dage.”

Wu Yingzong’s mind raced, and with slight puzzlement, he asked, “You want to go too?”

Hulü Guang glanced at Cai Jing and gave Wu Yingzong a meaningful look.

Wu Yingzong thought for a moment, then accepted the invitation and said, “In that case, we’ll impose on you then.”

Cai Jing smiled. As Prime Minister, he had personally come to invite them, giving full face. He hadn’t expected Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian to both be absent from Kaifeng. But to invite Chaosheng the immortal to the banquet, Cai Jing was confident. Folklore spoke of the “upper nine streams”: first Buddha, second immortals, third emperors, fourth officials. As a first-rank grandee tied to the nation’s fortunes, he wasn’t far below immortals—both upper nine streams—so they wouldn’t look down on him. Thus, he came in person with the invitation.

“Little Immortal, see you then.” Cai Jing took his leave, resuming an immortal-like demeanor, and left the Exorcism Division.

“What food will there be tomorrow?” Chaosheng was already looking forward to it and asked, “What’s Burning Tail mean?”

Wu Yingzong waited a good while, guessing Cai Jing had gone far, before leading everyone out to avoid awkward encounters. They arrived at Hanyue Tower in Kaifeng’s Eight Great Buildings. Once seated, he explained, “When an official enters the cabinet and rises to third rank, it’s like a carp leaping the Dragon Gate. As the fish passes the Dragon Gate, heavenly tribulation burns its tail. Thus, officials host banquets for colleagues called ‘Burning Tail Banquets.'”

“Oh—” Chaosheng understood. “Yuzhou said that too! He turned into a dragon after leaping the Dragon Gate!”

“What did you want to say earlier?” Wu Yingzong asked Hulü Guang.

Hulü Guang leaned half on the table, flexing his sore arms and neck, and said, “Last time Lord Xiao mentioned his old friend from Liao—remember?”

“Who?” Mu Qingshan asked, puzzled.

Hulü Guang thought and said, “He said when the Liao Kingdom fell to the Jin, he escorted the Crown Prince out of Shangjing. What was his name…?”

“Sa Luan!” Chaosheng knew this.

Hulü Guang: “Right, Sa Luan! Could it be this old friend?”

“How do you know?” Wu Yingzong had heard the name but, having long accompanied Xiang Xian, knew what to say and what not to ask casually.

Especially seeing Xiao Kun’s expression, he knew it was a sore spot.

“I overheard them talking,” Hulü Guang said candidly.

“Your ears are sharp,” Mu Qingshan said. He never concerned himself with Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun’s affairs.

Wu Yingzong said seriously, “If you overhear something private by accident, pretend you didn’t. Don’t spread it outside.”

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian truly didn’t mind Hulü Guang being around. As a Western Regions man unfamiliar with Central Plains customs and with a pure heart, they never avoided him during discussions, so he’d heard many important matters. He was straightforward, not stupid—how could he not know the implications?

“I want to help him,” Hulü Guang said. “Isn’t it good to meet?”

“Maybe it’s another friend?” Chaosheng said. “Not necessarily Sa Luan.”

“You’ve met Sa Luan?” Wu Yingzong said.

Chaosheng replied, “No. Wow, food’s here!”

Hanyue Tower’s drunken duck was unparalleled. In late spring, with seasonal fresh river shrimp and various small fish whose names they didn’t know, it was as fresh as the spring night scenery. Paired with warm yellow wine, it was one of life’s great pleasures. Chaosheng felt that after three years in Kaifeng, even an immortal wouldn’t want to be one anymore.

“Lord Xiao said he has no friends in Liao,” Hulü Guang said while drinking. “This wine isn’t as good as Gaochang’s.”

“Don’t say that.” Wu Yingzong’s expression changed, fearing Hulü Guang might accidentally spill Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun’s private matters out of good intentions, which would be embarrassing.