However, compared to ordinary restaurants, each table in the Fan Building is separated by a screen, greatly ensuring dining privacy.

Xu Yun and his entourage entered.

A swift servant quickly threw a towel over his shoulder and stepped up respectfully, saying:

"Honored guests, your presence truly brightens our humble establishment, but the main hall is currently full. May I invite you to the upstairs?"

Wang Bing glanced at him and handed over a few rare pieces of silver to the servant:

"Is there a private room available?"

The servant accepted the silver and carefully examined it.

His gaze lingered on the Imperial Secretariat seal for a moment, and his smile became even more radiant:

"Yes, yes, yes, the Fenglin Crossing on the third floor is vacant; shall I show you up?"

Wang Bing nodded:

"Lead the way!"

"Alright, to the Fenglin Crossing for five!"

Fifteen minutes later.

Xu Yun, Wang Bing, and Zong Ze each took their seats.

Zhang San and Zhang Yuan were placed at the servant's table opposite the private room entrance.

"Jade Sunflower Treasure Fan... Proud to Be Number One... Dragon Soars and Phoenix Dances... Pomegranate Blossoms with Auspicious Colors... Spring Breeze on Horseback... Snow-Cleared Soup...轟綤頫牋䋕...."

Wang Bing grandly ordered a few dishes.

After exchanging the menu with the waiter, he took the initiative to pour a cup of wine for Zong Ze and Xu Yun.

Then, he raised his cup and said to Zong Ze and Xu Yun:

"Brother Zong, though today is our first meeting, it feels like reuniting with an old friend. Come, Mr. Wang toasts to you!"

Zong Ze picked up his cup and lightly clinked it with his, and the three of them drank their wine in one gulp.

"Ah..."

After setting down his cup, Zong Ze smacked his lips in reminiscence.

For a scholar, there's no love greater than that for wine; he couldn't help but praise:

"I've long heard that the cider of Fan Building is an exquisite wine, and today's tasting indeed lives up to its reputation.... Well, Brother Wang, why are you smiling?"

Wang Bing stifled a laugh, took a wineskin from his waist, and poured a bit into Zong Ze's cup:

"Brother Zong, give this a try."

Zong Ze, puzzled, picked up the cup, about to taste it, when his nostrils flared slightly:

"Hiss, such a strong wine aroma!"

Then he glanced at Wang Bing and Xu Yun, changing his initial intention to gulp into small, slow sips.

After a few seconds.

Zong Ze raised his eyebrows and, astonished, asked Wang Bing:

"Captain, what is the origin of this wine? While the taste is somewhat inferior to cider, the intensity is several times stronger!"

Wang Bing laughed heartily, pointing at Xu Yun:

"This is the distilled wine created by Xiaowang. Even the toughest drinkers in the army can handle no more than two jin (32 liang) before falling to the ground, unconscious."

Zong Ze gave Xu Yun a surprised look.

Initially, seeing Xu Yun as someone unfit for martial training or guard duties, he assumed the young man was a scholar or accountant.

But now it seems...

Things aren't as simple as he imagined?

He then picked up his cup again and sipped a small mouthful.

The spicy sensation immediately filled his esophagus, and he regretfully remarked:

"A pity Li Taibai has passed; otherwise, I would like to see whether the Qinglian Scholar still dares to utter the bold phrase 'I shall drink three hundred cups at once' in the face of such strong wine!"

Wang Bing also nodded in agreement, then shifted the topic to ask:

"Brother Zong, earlier I did not inquire in detail; may I know where Brother Zong is currently serving?"

Talking about his position, Zong Ze's face couldn't help but slightly darken.

Though not career-driven, his heart is filled with patriotism, and naturally, he holds some expectations for his official career.

Yet, things don't always go as he wishes; he let out a light breath, saying:

"I, Zong Mou, was originally serving in Quzhou Longyou, and a while ago, I was commanded to return to the capital to deliver a report.

Though the formal appointment hasn't been issued, it's expected I'll be the County Magistrate of Lai Province Jiaoshui."

Wang Bing furrowed his brow and asked:

"When Brother Zong was in Quzhou Longyou, were you serving as a County Magistrate or County Captain?"

"Not so; I was the County Magistrate then."

Wang Bing hesitated for a moment, refilled Zong Ze's cup with wine, and asked:

"Could it be that Brother Zong made some errors while in office....."

Zong Ze shook his head again:

"In the three years of my tenure, my performance evaluations have always been excellent, without a single slip."

"Then why.....?"

Zong Ze sighed softly, revealing what he hadn't told Xu Yun previously:

"In a past imperial exam, I critiqued the factional struggles with ten thousand words, offending Wu Chuhou, thus..."

Bam!

Before Zong Ze finished speaking, Wang Bing slammed his fist on the table:

"The treacherous officials ruin talented men loyal to the country!"

Zong Ze likewise sighed deeply.

He picked up his cup, sipped alone, and the strong wine eased a bit of his resentment.

After a pause, he said to Wang Bing:

"Brother Wang, stationed year-round at the western front, it mustn't be easy, right?"

...........

Note:

Previously, a reader mentioned that alcohol solutions have no taste, but I wrote about distilled wine... The kind that's fifty or sixty degrees, not distilled alcohol....

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