Chapter 100: Battle Robe

At the wine table, this group of bigwigs chatted and mentioned the small meeting on the third day of the new year.

Which is to say, the high-level meeting the day after tomorrow.

Wen Gu found that tone even stranger as he listened.

At first glance, it seemed they were discussing some important military operation, yet when substituting in his previous guesses, it felt as if there were another purpose entirely.

"Wen Gu will also be attending the small meeting on the third day of the new year, right?" someone asked.

The fact that Wen Gu could sit here today represented a certain inclination of the Head of the Family.

Pei Jun, at the same table, also looked over.

Wen Gu replied respectfully: "Yes, my uncle said he wants me to broaden my horizons and also learn from all you seniors."

Someone chuckled: "It is indeed time to broaden your horizons, as for learning... cough!"

It was as if there were still many words left unsaid.

This large banquet on the first day of the new year did not last very long.

Listening to Lao Zhao's speech on boosting confidence, looking toward the future, maintaining relationships, and strengthening cohesion, watching the professional troupe's song and dance performances, and observing the various postures of the guests.

In the latter part of the banquet, the activities were much freer, and Wen Gu also faced many probes. However, he had prepared for these in advance and could respond calmly.

While dealing with these probes, Wen Gu also saw Zhao Shaozhu go to chat with his uncle and cousin for a few moments.

Zhao Shaozhu had actually gone to have a drink with Old Master Hong first before going to find his uncle.

They discussed scholarship and also mentioned the upcoming Centai Academy.

By now, the news of the academy's opening was known to those who were even slightly well-informed, and with the recent visiting of relatives and friends and social engagements, even if one didn't pay attention, the news would be thrust upon them.

When the academy was mentioned, although this uncle was cautious, one could tell from his words that he was inclined toward a supportive attitude.

Zhao Shaozhu had a good idea of where things stood.

Recalling his aunt's active pursuit of a position at the gate of Zhao Fu before the new year, as well as the words Wen Gu had suggested, a certain decision in his heart was confirmed once again.

He did not say too much to his uncle and cousin He Wenyu, only staying for a short while. He did not arouse the vigilance of these two, and others who saw them just thought it was relatives greeting one another.

Wen Gu looked over there, and just at that moment, He Wenyu looked over; meeting his gaze, Wen Gu raised his wine cup.

He Wenyu was flattered.

After today's banquet, everyone knew that Wen Gu's status was special; he was a capable person who could sit at the same table as the most powerful group of people in Xinzhou!

In terms of age alone, they were indeed of the same generation, and both were cousins of Zhao Shaozhu, but their current status was already far inferior. Yet, this capable person did not have the slightest arrogance and appeared very humble and polite to others.

He Wenyu hurriedly held up his wine cup to return the gesture, then tilted his head and drank it dry.

After drinking, he even said to his father: "Wen Gu seems like a very amiable person; he even raised his cup to me just now."

Uncle He was just thinking about discussing poetry and literature with several famous scholars he rarely saw on ordinary days, and upon hearing this, he didn't take it to heart.

Not to mention them, even Aunt Zhao, upon knowing this, believed that Wen Gu's current status was mysterious and special, and that whatever he was doing must be important business, so he wouldn't be targeting their family of "salted fish." Maintaining superficial politeness was enough.

After the grand banquet ended, every family went back and chatted about everything, from charcoal copper stoves and fresh vegetables to glass utensils and seating arrangements, but the most discussed topic was certainly Wen Gu, which also raised the level of attention toward this new favorite of Xinzhou.

It remained that same question—

Why was Wen Gu able to sit at the very front table?

Because Wen Gu had miraculously appeared at that front table during the banquet and had also gained the recognition of several civil and military officials holding great power, he subsequently received a large number of New Year Butie.

It was just that Wen Gu was still living at Zhao Fu; if he were at Jingxing Fang, people would definitely have rushed over to block his door!

Wen Gu's attention, however, was not on this; he was thinking about how to handle the small meeting in the Council Hall on the third day of the new year.

Recalling the subtle reactions of those bigwigs when they learned Wen Gu would attend the small meeting in the Council Hall...

His uncle let Wen Gu attend this small meeting where only high-level figures were present, but at a time like this, letting a young person like Wen Gu with no experience attend certainly wasn't for discussing important situational decisions or strategic layouts.

It shouldn't be a particularly important meeting with a high level of confidentiality. It might just be routine deployment and mutual exchange.

However, the military and political officials stationed all over Xinzhou had returned to Xinzhou City at this time just to go home for the new year and attend a banquet at Zhao Fu?

Every meeting must surely have significant meaning!

Lady Shen knew Wen Gu was going to attend this meeting and had people prepare clothing in advance. A whole set of new clothes from the inside out, with a little less ostentation and a little more steadiness.

This was the "battle robe" Lady Shen gave to Wen Gu for participating in the council!

Wen Gu was promising, and she, as his aunt, also felt honored; he couldn't look shabby!

It was rare to have such a junior who had broken into the core circle of Xinzhou, and Lady Shen attached great importance to it. For this reason, she even turned away several important visitors and specifically asked Wen Gu to come over to talk for a while and give him a few pointers.

The first small meeting of the new year belonged to the real-power confidants of the Zhao Family; it must be of extraordinary significance and required cautious treatment!

On the third day of the new year, Wen Gu changed into his clothes and draped on the thick, windproof, and warm cloak newly made and sent over by Lady Shen.

The weather was still cold, so dressing more thickly was not ostentatious in a place where these powerful and wealthy people gathered.

Braving the cold wind, he arrived at his uncle's Council Hall.

His uncle and cousin had not yet arrived, so Wen Gu waited in the Warm Pavilion to the side.

Soon, the attendees arrived one after another, and quite a few were familiar faces from the same table two days ago.

However, compared to their attire at the grand banquet on the first day, the style these people wore today was completely different, carrying a sense of simple, undisguised poverty.

As if afraid others wouldn't know, they wore their thoughts and concerns right on their clothes!

One looked shabbier than the next!

Simply put, the attire of this group—

Grand banquet on the first day: Stylish!

Small meeting today: Begging!!

Even Pei Jun, from a family of generations of nobility, was wearing old clothes with frayed edges and a padded jacket with patches, far less luxurious and bright than at the grand banquet that day.

Although their aura and demeanor were set there, each one of them looked as if their family fortune had fallen into ruin.

Truly, they didn't mind the bad omen!

The few who came over looked at Wen Gu's expensive cloak covered in dark patterns and smiled kindly and cordially, as if looking at an innocent child.

Wen Gu looked surprised: "……What is this, seniors?"

The person who came only smiled, shook his head without answering, his gaze meaningful.

Only Pei Jun, as he passed by, whispered to Wen Gu: "Learn a little first."

Regardless of how these people reacted, it was not mockery.

Knowing that Wen Gu was only here today to broaden his horizons and learn, and would not be joining the battle, they were more tolerant toward Wen Gu.

Besides, they still wanted to discuss some matters with Wen Gu in private, so naturally, they would not put on airs in front of him. It was just that today's meeting was special, and it was not convenient to say too much to Wen Gu before the meeting ended.

Great Steward Fusheng, who was by the side of the Head of the Family, walked over quickly at this moment, opened the door to the Council Hall, and respectfully invited the several meeting participants to enter.

His gaze had just swept past quickly, noticing the attire of the several generals and scholars, and then looking at the cloak with dark embroidered patterns on Wen Gu.

Fusheng did not show anything on his face, thinking to himself: Cousin, you still have much to learn!

Entering the Council Hall, Wen Gu's seat was arranged at the very end.

In terms of status and merit, he truly could not compare to the others.

The brief peace in Xinzhou was all won by these people working together regardless of the cost; Wen Gu had only just begun to exert his strength, and being able to sit here was already a very good start.

There were only about ten people participating in the meeting today, and a single sweep of the eyes was enough to see the appearance of everyone.

The Head of the Family and Zhao Shaozhu, upon entering the room and seeing the dusty, shabby attire of this group, felt their temples throbbing and their eyelids twitching before the meeting had even begun.

Damn it!

Had this group agreed on the style for today's meeting?

A sharp gaze swept over, and upon seeing Wen Gu seated at the end, as well as the cloak on Wen Gu, their expressions softened slightly, and they felt greatly comforted in their hearts.

Thank goodness, thank goodness!

There was still one normal person!

As expected, more new faces must be added, otherwise this bunch of old slickers……

Just as they were thinking this, they saw Wen Gu take off his outer cloak, revealing a simple, dark, and worn garment underneath.

The Head of the Family: "……"

Wen Gu! I didn't expect that someone as handsome and delicate as you would actually collude with them!

A rare moment of blankness also appeared on Zhao Shaozhu's face.

And the several generals who had been brewing something were even more wide-eyed.

Who was it?!

Who tipped him off?

Who gave him hints and guidance?!

They looked at the Zhao father and son, then looked at Wen Gu, and then suspiciously turned toward the other colleagues, their gazes pressing.

There must be a traitor among us!

Wen Gu smiled humbly at everyone.

Contacting the upper power circle ×

Integrating into the upper power circle √

Look, how harmonious and consistent our style looks!

He had already made preparations for both scenarios; if everyone didn't have that intention, he would have kept his coat on. Anyway, he looked physically weak, and since it was cold in winter, even if there were heaters in the room, the seniors would understand if a weak scholar like him dressed more warmly.

But if this group was just as he thought, all eyeing Lao Zhao's account, and everyone was coming to cry poverty today, then he would also act in unison with everyone!

To tell you the truth, this junior actually also wants to come and get a share of the spoils!

It counts as showing off his "battle robe"!

(End of chapter)