A thousand mountains shared one moon, and tonight it was perfectly round. Some rested after a busy day, bracing themselves for tomorrow's labors. Some pored over the books of sages, collated ancient texts, and composed poems praising mirrors or mourning the past. Some climbed mountains and crossed ridges on the road to rank and riches, walking the Night Road. Some lived secluded in the mountains, cultivating Longevity Arts and playing at being immortals. At wine tables, some traded cups and called one another brothers, their eyes alight as they deceived each other with words. Some reveled in triumph or regretted the day's gains and losses; others looked forward to—or dreaded—tomorrow's uninvited arrival. Still others lingered over yesterday's joys and regrets. And Calamus River, shimmering with color, bore lotus lanterns upon its gentle waters like a length of silk embroidered with the loveliest flowers.
Fed and watered, Hong Ji felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He had brought no attendant, so naturally he had to settle the bill himself. Finding an excuse to leave the room, he secretly paid it. Whether Shopkeeper Wei Bi had been lying in wait or merely happened by, they ran into each other. Hong Ji paid up; he was not about to eat without paying and lose face. Fatty Wei was not foolish enough to think he had any right to treat the head of the Northern Yamen.
Hong Ji discreetly tugged at his collar. Fatty Wei had been a bit of a swindler, but at least nothing untoward had happened. The meal had been pleasant enough, and he felt he had gotten along splendidly with National Teacher Chen... In short, Hong Ji had spent much of it earnestly eating and drinking.
How many banquets in the world let a man truly care whether the