The Jinling Prefect was a fourth-rank post, and the Shuntian Vice-Prefect was likewise fourth-rank. He had even gone from being the principal official to a deputy, so his actual authority appeared to have shrunk considerably—but officials in the capital were held in high esteem these days. Even if the Shuntian Vice-Prefect could barely be considered half a capital official, people still regarded it as a promotion.
Yet in the eyes of Jia Manor's overbearing servants, such a post—the envy of officials throughout the realm—was met with seven parts contempt and three parts jealousy. They kept calling a fourth-rank hall official some fallen nobody, as though without the patronage of Rongguo Mansion's friends and old connections, Jia Yucun would be less than dog shit!
Tsk~
Sun Shaozong finally understood what it meant to look down on people with dog eyes. Thinking that these servants had probably not spared the Sun family from gossip either, he naturally felt even less inclined to be friendly with them.
Still, out of consideration for Jia Lian, he could not exactly pull a long face at Xing'er.
So he responded indifferently, then headed straight for the reception hall.
Since Jia Lian had mentioned him before Jia Yucun, he presumably intended to bring the two together. Besides, since they were to travel together, it was better to meet early than late.
As he reached the reception hall doors, he heard someone inside speaking vividly. "The abbot of Jiming Temple disliked the filth of the latrine, so he went to relieve himself in the rear garden under cover of darkness. Who knew that, with his failing eyes, he would end up getting a bamboo shoot tip stuck in his asshole? The pain made him shriek without end—when a young novice monk heard the cries and arrived, he could not help pressing his palms together and saying: Amitabha, karma truly never fails!"
Before the words had even faded, Sun Shaozong reached the doorway. There, he saw a middle-aged scholar in the hall with his palms pressed together, his face half startled and half delighted, though tinged with apprehension—just like that novice monk who had finally avenged his rear end, yet feared the Buddha might blame him for it.
Such a superbly acted performance naturally made Jia Lian slap the table and burst into laughter. "Karma truly never fails! It truly never fails!"
Sun Shaozong paused only slightly before stepping over the threshold with a smile. He teased, "I do not think it was karma at all. That old monk simply lacked sufficient pomp. If he could relieve himself with three or five lanterns lighting the way, like you, Second Master Lian, how could he have suffered such a disaster?"
Seeing Sun Shaozong come in and join the banter, Jia Lian laughed even more heartily. Rising to his feet, he pointed at him in mock rebuke. "I have no taste for such pleasures of the rear passage. Do not think you can pin that shit bucket on me, Second Master!"
As he spoke, he warmly pulled Sun Shaozong to the table and introduced him to Jia Yucun. "Elder Brother, this is the Sun family Second Master. His family and Rongguo Mansion have been old friends for generations."
Then he pointed at Jia Yucun. "This old brother is also of the same clan as our Jia family. His full name is Jia Yucun. Second Master, hurry and greet him."
Though Jia Lian called him "Elder Brother" and "old brother," his words and manner clearly showed that he did not think much of Jia Yucun. Comparing this with what the servant had said earlier, Sun Shaozong could only sigh inwardly: like master, like servant.
Though he was inwardly reflective, his face wore a smile as gentle as a spring breeze. He clasped his hands toward Jia Yucun and introduced himself. "I am Sun Shaozong. Greetings, Prefect Jia."
Jia Yucun had long heard of Sun Shaozong from Jia Lian. Judging solely by status and background, he did not think much of a "fallen household" like the Sun family. But seeing that Sun Shaozong was extraordinarily imposing, with a naturally intimidating heroic air, he did not dare underestimate him.
He hurriedly rose and returned the salute, smiling warmly. "This is a family banquet. We are all our own people, so why stand on ceremony? Come, come, worthy younger brother Sun, take your seat. Tell me about the customs and local conditions of Qian Xiang Country, so that I may broaden my horizons and gain more material for conversation."
Sun Shaozong modestly said that he dared not, then sat with the other two in a triangular arrangement and exchanged several cups of wine.
Before long, Sun Shaozong saw that Jia Yucun was indeed a remarkable man. In the course of casual conversation, he effortlessly took control of the exchange.
More than half the table talk was started by him. At times his clever remarks came in an unbroken stream; at times his jokes were bawdy without being vulgar. Yet everywhere, he left Jia Lian room to show off, smoothly placing one flattering cap after another atop Jia Lian's head. Still, his words showed little obvious fawning or servility. His command of such delicate balance was truly admirable.
Moreover, Jia Yucun had some unique insights into officialdom, the people's livelihoods, and the flaws of the age. Clearly, he was not merely skilled at socializing; he had substance in his heart as well.
Thinking back over the officials he had met these past days, Sun Shaozong felt that only Qian Xiang Country's prime minister, Ruan Fuzhong, could compare with him. How laughable that the Jia family's servants regarded such a man as some "fallen nobody"!
"Brother Sun."
Just as he was inwardly despising those servants, Jia Yucun spoke, half joking and half serious. "With your breadth of knowledge, it is truly a waste of talent for you to serve merely as a brawny warrior. If the opportunity arises, you might consider transferring to a civil post. I am sure you would accomplish great things in the future!"
As it turned out, while Sun Shaozong was assessing Jia Yucun, Jia Yucun had also been weighing Sun Shaozong.
Of the three men at the banquet, Jia Yucun had certainly seized the initiative, amusing Jia Lian until he danced to Jia Yucun's words like a puppet on strings.
But Sun Shaozong still maintained his own ground without arrogance or servility. When the discussion turned to the people's welfare and government affairs, his observations had real substance, nothing like the empty boasting so common among young men these days.
At such an age, to be such a man—there could be no more fitting description than "boundless prospects"!
Thus Jia Yucun could not help feeling three parts envy and seven parts appreciation for talent, which was why he said what he did.
Sun Shaozong smiled at this and was about to explain himself when Jia Lian beside him was already shaking his head vigorously. "Brother Yucun, this is where you are wrong. With Second Master's martial skills, would it not be a pity if he did not display them in the army? Do you think everyone is like you, willing to waste their days over official documents?"
"Ha ha..."
Jia Yucun lightly slapped his own forehead and laughed. "My fault, my fault. I was so focused on Shaozong's uncommon knowledge that I forgot he was also a fierce general. Very well, I shall first punish myself with a cup to apologize!"
They drank straight through until the third watch of the night.
Jia Lian naturally became dead drunk once more. Sun Shaozong and Jia Yucun summoned servants to carry him back to his quarters like a dead pig, then staggered out of the reception hall themselves.
The two walked shoulder to shoulder along the way, supporting one another as they muttered drunken nonsense. Neither knew what they were saying.
When they reached the guest quarters northwest of the government offices, they found that they were not staying in the same courtyard. Only then did they bid each other good night and, supported by their attendants, stumble toward their respective lodgings.
After Sun Shaozong had gone more than a dozen steps with Feng Xin supporting him, he instinctively glanced back. To his surprise, his gaze met Jia Yucun's. Sharp glints shone in all four eyes, filled with probing intent—where was any trace of drunkenness?
Both men froze for a moment, then began laughing at the same time.
Only after laughing for a long while did they again clasp their hands in salute from afar, then head once more toward their respective guest rooms—though this time, there was not the slightest unsteadiness in their steps.
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