Chapter 872: Really a bunch of beasts

He wore a dark green woolen overcoat, with a gold lapel pin the size of a thumb fastened at the collar, looking splendid and solemn: "Everyone, please." He then turned and led everyone into the hall.

The crowd looked around.

Only saw a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling, twelve thick white wax candles lighting the whole hall as bright as day.

A huge long table was covered with a snow-white tablecloth, with gilt candlesticks placed at intervals, their flames flickering in the polished silver trays.

A whole roasted lamb, golden and glistening with oil, lay in the silver tray at the center of the long table, surrounded by various seafood, smoked meat, cheese, and piles of bread and fruit.

Countless wine bottles and glass cups stood on the table, the wine inside glowing deep gem-red in the candlelight, its fragrance filling the air.

Luo Zhenjiang held Tuan Tuan's little hand, while Xiao Tuanzi looked around in awe, his eyes barely able to take it all in.

"Boss Xiao!" Mei Er's eyes seemed to see only Xiao Ningyuan, his gaze fervent as he opened his arms and embraced him, "Welcome, welcome! All of this was specially prepared for you."

Xiao Ningyuan stiffened all over, just about to break free.

Cai Tong hurriedly explained: "This is their custom."

What a ridiculous custom!

Feng Zhou let out a soft "pfft", lowering his head as he nearly laughed out loud.

Everyone watched Xiao Ningyuan stiffly held in Mei Er's arms, unable to suppress their smiles as they pressed their lips together.

No one had expected to witness such an astonishing sight.

Xiao Ningyuan stood there honestly without moving, cursing inwardly while his smile didn't fade: "Mr. Mei, you look radiant today—surely good fortune is upon you!"

"You flatter me, Boss Xiao!" Mei Er released his grip, beaming, and pointed to the few men standing beside the table: "They came especially after hearing of your reputation, Boss Xiao, to meet you."

"You, come over!"

Those few, hearing this, walked over.

They all wore the same dark blue military uniforms, sharply tailored, with gold-thread embroidery on the cuffs and collar, and two rows of bronze buttons on the chest.

A colored sash draped diagonally across the chest from the shoulder, a slender sword hung at the waist, and a stiff white linen neckerchief circled the neck.

At a glance they were clearly officers of the Red-haired Barbarians, tall and sturdy, uniformly dressed, they stepped to Mei Er's side and stood in a row, quite imposing.

Luo Zhenjiang gripped Tuan Tuan's little hand tighter, while Xiao Er and Lu Qi silently shifted half a step to either side, shielding Tuan Tuan in the middle.

Mei Er raised his hand to introduce each in turn: "This is our Relanzhecheng City Defense Officer, Colonel Bolte."

"This is Captain Hayden, commander of the Governor's Guard. And this—"

As he named each, the corresponding officer immediately straightened and gave a slight nod.

Xiao Ningyuan returned the salute with clasped hands, his smile undiminished.

Finally, Mei Er pointed to him: "This is the wealthy merchant from Jingcheng I've mentioned to you all, Xiao Yuan, Boss Xiao."

Their gazes lingered on Xiao Ningyuan's face for a moment, then they replied together in stiff Zhongyuan speech: "Boss Xiao, good."

Xiao Ningyuan returned the gesture with clasped hands: "Everyone, good."

He looked at Mei Er: "These few are imposing; at a glance they're no ordinary folk. Your army's bearing—I've gotten to see it today, and indeed it's extraordinary."

Mei Er laughed heartily, lifted a cup from the table, and raised it toward him: "Please."

Xiao Ningyuan blinked: "We haven't even eaten yet—why are we drinking first?"

Cai Tong whispered: "They drink without needing a meal, and even without any side dishes; they can have a cup anytime."

No wonder!

Xiao Ningyuan picked up his cup and returned the toast: "Wishing Mr. Mei abundant wealth and a steady influx of gold!"

"Thank you, Boss Xiao!" Mei Er grinned so wide his mouth couldn't close, took a sip, and set the cup back on the table.

Xiao Ningyuan merely touched the cup to his lips before setting it down.

Mei Er stepped forward a few paces, came to his side, and lowered his voice: "Boss Xiao, the Governor is waiting for you upstairs on the third floor."

He pointed to the stairs at the end of the hall, specially carpeted in red: "There are many people here; let's go up and talk business properly."

Xiao Ningyuan's face lit up with a smile: "Mr. Mei, please."

Only then did Mei Er look at the crowd: "Gentlemen, please make yourselves at home. Cai Tong, attend!"

Cai Tong's expression turned serious: "Mr. Mei, please speak."

"You are to entertain the guests well here, without neglect; I will go up with Boss Xiao."

"Yes."

Everyone watched their two backs disappear up the stairs, then glanced at each other.

Feng Zhou muttered: "So much trouble!"

Xiao Ze gave a faint smile.

Xiao Ningchen whispered to his younger brother beside him: "The eldest sure can put on an act."

Xiao Ningxun curled the corner of his mouth: "No wonder he's a natural-born businessman!"

Tuan Tuan pulled Luo Zhenjiang to the table's edge, pointed at the crystal-clear glass, and asked: "Is this wine? Uncle Luo."

Luo Zhenjiang picked up a cup, took a sip: "Exactly, it's just too sweet."

He tilted his head back and drained it: "Not enough wine flavor."

"Sweet?" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up; he reached out, lifted a cup, and took a sip.

Xiao Er hastily snatched the cup from her hand: "Miss!"

Luo Zhenjiang glanced down: "Little ancestor! How can you drink alcohol?"

Tuan Tuan solemnly nodded: "It's sweet, good wine!"

Luo Zhenjiang laughed and cried: "You're just a kid—what do you know about good or bad wine?"

Tuan Tuan declared confidently: "Sweet means good wine!"

Luo Zhenjiang pointed to the food on the table: "Want to try some?"

Tuan Tuan nodded: "Yes!"

"All right!" Luo Zhenjiang glanced at the roasted lamb, picked up the dinner knife beside him, sliced a piece from the lamb leg, placed it on a plate and handed it to her, looking around: "Where are the chopsticks?"

Cai Tong picked up the fork on the table and handed it to Tuan Tuan: "They use this to eat."

Tuan Tuan took it, looked left and right: "Why don't they use chopsticks?"

Cai Tong bent down and whispered in her ear: "They don't have the brains for it; they can't use our chopsticks."

"Oh," Tuan Tuan understood, gripped the fork's handle, poked the slice of lamb, her little brows immediately furrowed: "Uncle Luo, this meat isn't cooked yet! How do we eat it?"

"Not cooked? When I cut it, the lamb skin was already charred—how could it be not cooked?" Luo Zhenjiang picked up the plate and held it before his eyes to examine closely.

"Good heavens! Is the chef crazy?" He blurted out, "They served it before it was even cooked."

Cai Tong shook his head: "That's how they eat meat—they think if it's fully roasted it becomes tough."

Tuan Tuan's little face scrunched up: "I don't want to eat raw meat!"

"That's only natural," Luo Zhenjiang agreed wholeheartedly, "How can you eat it uncooked! They're a bunch of beasts."

Cai Tong hastily nudged him, "Young master, don't say that to his face!" Fortunately, these few don't really understand Zhongyuan speech, otherwise it would cause trouble.

Xiao Er looked at the food on the table, picked up a piece of bread and handed it to Tuan Tuan: "Miss, try this."

Tuan Tuan took it and took a bite: "This is delicious!"

Xiao Er smiled satisfactorily.

Cai Tong said: "This is their staple food, called bread."

Xiao Ningxun walked over, squatted down, rubbed Tuan Tuan's little head, pulled her into his embrace, glanced toward the stairs: "Be good, just as your brother told you, go on, be careful."

"All right!" Tuan Tuan replied with a giggle, grabbed Xiao Er's big hand and hopped toward the stairs.