Chapter 7 Section VII

Di Bin could see clearly under the light: that bearded man's eyes were water blue. It's the blood of a foreign race, Di Bin thought.He also saw it in Piaocheng, a few dancers from the west had the same color eyes.The bearded man filled up the jade wine cup in front of Rong Xiaoshan, gently put down the jug, and then sat back respectfully to the right of Rong Xiaoshan.I don't know if it was intentional or not, he moved his seat back slightly, as if waiting behind Rong Xiaoshan, and then slightly contracted his chest and abdomen, making himself look a little shorter than Rong Xiaoshan's sitting posture.

"Brother Yu," Rong Xiaoshan showed his teeth as white as jade to Yu Runsheng, and raised his wine glass. "It's been a hard journey. Brother, I'll toast you first!" He drank the amber-colored wine in one gulp. Yu Runsheng picked up his wine glass in return and only took a sip. "Although the injury is much better, the doctor still told me to drink less. Disrespectful." Di Bin saw: Rong Xiaoshan's clear brow showed a displeasure expression for a short time, but it disappeared in an instant. The atmosphere at the table froze for a while.Rong Xiaoshan broke the silence and said, "Father will be here soon...does brother like it here? There is no such good place in Piaocheng, right?"

Guided by Rong Xiaoshan just now, they first went to the "Fengying Temple" located in "Feng Yilong" in Jiuweifang, Dongcheng City, worshiped the spirit tablet of Pang Wenying, the "Second Sacrifice Wine" in the temple, and took off the funeral hemp and burned it After that, I did a little freshening up and changing clothes, and then went to this "Yueqilou" to have a meal and rest.Lian Shou stood up from the table and looked around: it was indeed much more luxurious than "Jianghu Building".Jianping alone is several times larger than any hotel in Piaocheng. There are as many as six banquet halls on the second floor——Li Lan, Ning Xiaoyu, and Agou are eating and resting in another hall at the moment. Yi led his subordinates to eat and drink in the hall downstairs.

On the contrary, in this main banquet, the food and wine on the table have not been touched much. —Because the host of the banquet has not come yet. Liantou leaned against the window, looking at the garden and pool in the setting sun outside, and then turned around and sat down, staring at Mao Gonglei on the left side of Rong Xiaoshan, Mao Gonglei glanced back at him, and looked away as if he didn't know him. ——Not at all like the heroic man in the brothel that day... Lian Shou was puzzled, and poured himself another three cups.Then he remembered that he promised Xiaoyu that he would eat and drink less in the future, so he put down the cup.

Di Bin never even mentioned the chopsticks.Only Hua Que Wu ate a little more easily - after all, he was the brother who watched Rong Xiaoshan grow up. "As Pang Jijiu's subordinate, this is the first time I've entered the capital. According to the rules, I should be the first to meet Boss Han." Yu Runsheng said. "In this way... is it due to etiquette?..." "It doesn't matter." Rong Xiaoshan replied easily, without explaining, just looking directly at Yu Runsheng with a smile. Di Bin on the side saw it and understood Rong Xiaoshan's hint: ——Seeing my dad is more important than meeting Boss Han.

The hall door opened from the outside at this time.Everyone at the banquet immediately stood up and greeted the people outside the door with their eyes. "Sit down, sit down." A deep and old voice said.A left hand that was wrinkled like an elephant's skin was raised, the ring finger and the last two fingers were missing, and the remaining three fingers were wearing gold spar rings as big as eyeballs - each piece was of a different color. Anyone who sees the face of "Great Sacrifice Wine" Rong Yushan for the first time will inevitably feel a sense of shock.Even Yu Runsheng is no exception—a man who can be as famous as Pang Wenying and is called the patron saint of "Feng Yilong" should have such a look.

Except for a head of hair that is still thick and black without any stray hairs, Rong Yushan looks much older than Pang Wenying, who is almost the same age.But no one ever doubted that the young Rong Xiaoshan was not his son, and those thick eyebrows were the proof.The long old scar on the right jaw, the crooked nose bridge caused by too many blows, the left ear twisted into a strange lump of flesh, the soft and drooping eyelids... All these winds, frosts and tortures made his face look pale. Fuzzy, but just take a few more glances, you can't help but imagine what a handsome young man Rong Yushan was fifty years ago...

"Let's sacrifice wine." Yu Runsheng led Di Bin and Lian Shou to bow their heads and salute.Rong Yushan smiled and hugged Yu Runsheng's shoulder. "That's enough. That's enough." At this moment, Di Bin saw that Rong Yushan's right hand was also missing his thumb and index finger, and the other three fingers were also wearing colorful rings. "Every finger of mine was lost for protecting 'Feng Yilong'." Rong Yushan suddenly looked down at his palm and said.Obviously he sensed where Di Bin was looking.Di Bin was amazed by the insight of this old man who seemed to be blind.

"I believe that those enemies who cut off Rong Jijiu's fingers paid a very painful price." Scythe interjected on the other side. For the first time, Rong Yushan's eyes showed light.He glanced up and down the scythe for a long moment. "Your...is your name Lian Shou? I've heard of it. When Pang Lao Er was in Kyoto, he often mentioned you in front of me..." Di Bin was slightly taken aback.He never thought that Fifth Brother would have such a special status in Pang Jijiu's eyes. "Not bad..." Rong Yushan's eyelids drooped again. "Seeing you, reminds me of Pang's second son..." He walked to the head of the banquet and sat down - he limped a little on his right leg when he moved.He motioned for the five guards who followed him to step down.

Everyone sat around the table again. "Pang Jijiu had an accident in Piaocheng, it was really my fault." Yu Runsheng said. "Please allow me to sacrifice wine to punish my sin." Rong Yushan picked up the wine glass on the table with three fingers of his left hand, and poured the wine on the ground silently. "This cup is for Pang Laoer." Then he put the empty cup back on the table.The bearded man wanted to drink more wine for him, but he stopped him with a wave of his hand. "I'm an old man." Rong Yushan scanned the faces of everyone at the table. "Old people always miss the old days and the past. But I don't. I think the older a person is, the shorter the future ahead of him, and he should not waste his life and time on the past. I just want to things in the future."

Di Bin was moved when he heard this.The old man's few words have already made him admire. ——The status of "Feng Yilong" today is not a fluke. "Runsheng, don't you think so too?" Rong Yushan patted Yu Runsheng on the shoulder lightly, regardless of address and gestures, he seemed to have regarded Yu Runsheng as his family. "I just thought: Pang Jijiu still had many unfulfilled plans during his lifetime, which would add a lot of benefits to 'Feng Yilong'..." Yu Runsheng replied. "It would be a pity if these plans were abandoned because he left. Someone must undertake Pang Jijiu's career." Of course, everyone present understood the meaning of Yu Runsheng's words: it was undoubtedly asking Rong Yushan to support him and formally inherit Pang Wenying's power. "I already have a plan in this regard." Rong Yushan seemed to have already prepared an answer: "I will propose to Boss Han that because of Runsheng, you are the 'Chief Barrier' of Nanmian and Southwest Road." Huaquewu's eyes widened. The position of "chief escort" is equivalent to the chief supervisor of private salt trafficking. In "Feng Yilong", it is even higher than "treasurer", and it is an important first-class vacancy. "But will there be any problems with this?..." Huaquewu interjected, "Brother Yu hasn't been 'registered' yet, I'm afraid other people will have opinions..." "Fifth Brother, don't worry about this." Rong Xiaoshan waved his hand and said. "Father has already decided to hold the 'Book Opening' next month. Of course Brother Yu will be on the list." Hua Que Wu smiled when he heard that, and raised his glass to toast Yu Runsheng: "Brother, congratulations!" But Di Bin and Lian Shou didn't understand why Hua Que Wu was so excited when he heard "Open Book". What the "open book" opened is "Feng Yilong"'s "undersea roster": Although the "Feng Yilong" gang claims to have tens of thousands of disciples, the lower class accounts for the majority and they are only peripheral members who join the gang by name; After the ceremony, register your name on the "seabed" and you will be regarded as a real member of "Feng Yilong".Those who have been "registered" are called "suspensions" in the code word of the gang. "Registration" and becoming a "resident" is a supreme honor for the people of "Toyo Yoshitaka".For the underworld figures in the lower class and the periphery, the "old people" are untouchable "nobles"; no matter how big your business is, if you don't have "registration", you will have to bear it when you encounter disputes with the "old people" . More importantly, after crossing the threshold of "registration", the duties of "Feng Yilong" often follow; with a stable and rich income, they can naturally form their own "corner head" team.In other words, "registration" is the first step to success in the underworld. Today's Yu Runsheng certainly doesn't need these.But Huaquewu understands that as long as Yu Runsheng is officially "registered", there will be less resistance on the road to greater power in the future.This step has always been the most troublesome for Hua Que Wu, but the Rong family and his son immediately took the initiative to offer this big gift. "Not only that." Rong Xiaoshan said again. "This time it's a 'big opening'! Dad has already officially handed in the post, and promoted Brother Yu to 'Principal Seal' in one go!" Huaquewu was surprised.This is unprecedented in the gang. "Zhiyin" is equivalent to the deputy of "jiujiu" in the gang, such as Rong Xiaoshan and Shen Bingchen are at this level.Huaquewu himself has been "registered" for more than 20 years, and he is the adopted son of Pang Jijiu, but he has only been promoted to the "standard ruler" level next to the "holding seal". "Anyone who can be the 'chief escort' will certainly not be an ordinary 'resident'." Rong Yushan said, motioning the bearded man to pass over a bowl of fresh fruit on the table.He picked a grape and put it in his mouth to chew—Rong Yushan has only been a vegetarian since the underworld war fifteen years ago. Yu Runsheng stood up with a serious face, bowed his head and bowed to Rong Yushan. "Thank you for the grace of Rong Jijiu's promotion. Those with the surname Yu will remember it in their hearts." Di Bin looked a bit uncomfortable, but he also stood up with Lian Shou, walked behind the boss, and bowed to Rong Yushan. ——The boss was never so humble to Pang Jijiu before... "I'm old." Rong Yushan turned to look at his son, and patted the back of his hand. "My unworthy son, I have many things to learn from you, Runsheng. I'm happy if you can help him." Rong Xiaoshan still smiled gracefully, but when he looked at Yu Runsheng, his expression was slightly superior and arrogant. Rong Yushan is like saying: not only me, but also my son, you have to listen. "I can arrange things for you in the guild..." Rong Yushan spat out the core and said, "But Pang Lao Er still has other relationships, so it's not easy to handle..." Yu Runsheng knew that Rong Jijiu was talking about the current Grand Master He Taiji.Taishi He and Pang Wenying were close friends at a young age, and Pang Jijiu was also his representative of interests in "Feng Yilong". It is absolutely impossible for him not to ask about the cause of Pang's death.And Yu Runsheng had already learned from Hua Que Wu that Rong Yushan belonged to the eunuch Lun Xiao's lineage politically—Rong Xiaoshan was Lun Xiao's best friend—and was indistinctly opposed to the Grand Master's Mansion. This aspect helped Yu Runsheng. "You don't have to worry about this wine." Yu Runsheng only said one sentence without explaining.Hearing his confident tone, Rong Yushan couldn't help looking at his expression several times. "Brother Yu, there is still a small question about the 'registration'..." Rong Xiaoshan drank another glass of wine and said casually: "I heard that in Piaocheng, what is the name of another name you set up... …" He scratched his ears, then turned to ask the bearded man behind him. "'Big Tree Hall'." The bearded man responded without expression. "Yes, yes... Brother Yu, don't mind me saying this, but this is a taboo thing..." "'Dashutang' is not a gang name." Di Bin, who was standing behind Yu Runsheng, answered on his behalf. "It's just a medicine store we opened in Piaocheng. It's just one of our many businesses. It's nothing special. Young master, you can ask Brother Jiang Wu, or the shopkeeper Wen Sixi in Piaocheng." Huaquewu was about to join in the defense, but was interrupted by Rong Yushan. "Don't mention these small problems, Xiaoshan. Runsheng will handle them. I don't trust him, so I won't recommend him." This answer and singing, Hua Que Wu could understand everything.Rong's father and son are telling Yu Runsheng: I can lift you up, and I can also kick you down... "One more thing..." Rong Xiaoshan pointed at Mao Gonglei as he spoke. "Have you met a few months ago? He went to Piaocheng to find someone under the order of his father... But he didn't find him. Piaocheng is where my brother belongs, maybe there will be some clues..." When Di Bin heard this, his face didn't move, but he couldn't help becoming nervous in his heart. "I don't know who it is?" Yu Runsheng's voice did not waver in the slightest. "Actually, there is no need for Brother Mao to go there. As long as Rong Jijiu informs, even if Yu Mou overturns the entire Piaocheng, he will definitely find out that person." "Forget about that for now." Rong Yushan spoke again.According to the announcement made by the imperial court, Lu Yingfeng, the former "Marshal of Suppression of Chaos" and "Marquis of Antong", is not missing, but just traveled away from Beijing; Students know too much.Anyway, even if he got Lu Yingfeng's head, it would be just a gift for Lun Xiao, and it would not be of any real benefit to Rong Yushan. Rong Yushan continued: "Okay. You have had a tough journey, you should go back and take a rest. Have you arranged where you will stay?" "I've already taken care of it." Huaquewu replied. "Just stay in the row of houses in Songye Fang..." "Then how?" Rong Xiaoshan said with a smile. "How can people live in that kind of place? According to me, it's better to live in Uncle Pang's mansion! Dad, do you think it's okay?" "Okay, that's the decision." "But..." Huaquewu became anxious. "...I'm afraid that the people in the gang will have something to say..." "It was my idea. Who dares to say anything?" Rong Yushan stood up. "Xiao Wu, you send them there now." "Rong Jijiu, I will visit the mansion another day." Yu Runsheng led his two righteous brothers to salute the Rong family and his son, and then left under the leadership of Huaque Wu. Rong Yushan sat down again and picked up an orange from the basin.The bearded man peeled off the peel for him.He ate quietly without saying a word, while Rong Xiaoshan drank three more cups beside him. "Father, let's go too." Rong Xiaoshan stood up, and his father pinched his wrist with three fingers of his left hand.He showed a pained expression. "Xiao Shan, how many times do you want me to teach you?" Rong Yushan's fingers did not relax at all, but he looked at his son full of love. "You shouldn't mention things like 'Big Tree Hall'." "Why...what?" Rong Xiaoshan wanted to struggle to break away from his father's grasp, but those three fingers were like cast iron. "Don't let your opponent understand you." Rong Yushan said, with light shining from under his lowered eyelids. "And don't let your opponent know how well you know him."