The party entered the city and took their seats at the Provincial Governor's Residence. As their host, Liu Zhang raised his cup first. "Xuande, you have come from afar. The long journey by boat and carriage must have been exhausting."
"Let me offer you this first cup."
Liu Bei held his wine cup without drinking. Instead, he said, "The wine can wait. Let us discuss business first... may I ask whether your promise in your letter to yield half the province was genuine, Governor of Yi Province?"
He went straight to the point.
After all, ownership of half of Yi Province was at stake. Until that matter was settled, he had no inclination to drink.
"Of course it was."
Liu Zhang nodded. "I was deceived by petty men into sending troops against you, Xuande. That was my fault, and naturally I must make amends."
"I have already drawn up the boundaries of the lands in Yi Province I will cede. I will have someone bring the topographical map for you to examine shortly. If anything displeases you, you may raise it."
"But there is no hurry. We can discuss it tomorrow. Let us not allow such mundane affairs to spoil the pleasure of our reunion."
Hearing this, Liu Bei could hardly keep insisting.
He could only drink with Liu Zhang first.
Once the banquet began, a group of dancers wearing colorful armor and white headbands, with war hammers in their hands, stepped among the tables. Drums began to sound within the hall.
The dancers began moving to the drums.
Their movements were broad, sweeping, and thoroughly rugged.
Liu Zhang smiled. "Xuande, this is the Bayu Dance, a specialty of our Sichuan and Chongqing region. Very few people still know how to perform it, and it is rarely seen. I arranged