Chapter 141: An Unexpected Turn

Early the next morning, Tang Tong suddenly received an invitation from Xia Guoxiang, saying that Wu Sangui, the Earl of Pingxi, had completed his new residence inside the pass and invited him over for a gathering.

The invitation also said that since Tang Tong had arrived at Shanhai Pass, Wu Sangui had not yet fulfilled his duties as host to welcome him and wash away the dust of travel — this was also a way of borrowing flowers to offer to the Buddha.

Tang Tong immediately sneered repeatedly, thinking to himself that this Wu Sangui really was treating himself as the master after arriving later — shouldn't the duty of playing host belong to Gao Di, the Regional Commander of Shanhai Pass? What business was it of his, a mere Ningyuan militia Regional Commander?

Besides, he had only been at Shanhai Pass for such a short time, and Wu Sangui was already impatient to show off his skills with a Hongmen banquet.

Wu Sangui's words were spoken with such proper seriousness that Tang Tong could not refute them, and moreover, as a marquis he naturally could not show weakness before a mere earl like Wu Sangui in front of everyone, so there was no choice but to go.

But Tang Tong was no greenhorn fresh to military life, and naturally would not go without preparation.

After sending away Xia Guoxiang's people, Tang Tong called over several of his trusted confidants and gave them a few instructions, and only then did he ride leisurely with a dozen or so household retainers toward Wu Sangui's new residence.

When he arrived and saw it, Tang Tong truly drew in a sharp breath.

Wu Sangui's new residence was even larger than his father's old Wu mansion in the capital; many people were hanging lanterns and festooning it with colored silk, presenting a scene of revelry and peace, with countless servants coming and going.

Wu Sangui, in plain clothes with a leather belt, stood at the gate with a broad smile on his face, leading a company of Wu troops — had Tang Tong not long since understood that Wu Sangui's intentions lay elsewhere than the wine, he might well have been fooled by him.

Speaking of which, having heard that the newly arrived Marquis of Dingxi and the Earl of Pingxi were on good terms, the common folk within Shanhai Pass did not think too deeply about it and believed it wholeheartedly.

His Majesty the Emperor placed such great importance on Shanhai Pass, issuing pay and increasing troops — truly incomparably wise and sagely.

Whenever the matter of the court paying out in one lump sum the military wages owed for years came up, everyone's faces broke into smiles, and many households even set off firecrackers, vying to celebrate.

Inside the Wu mansion, the two armies were tense to the extreme, as if the slightest misstep would spark a bloody brawl, yet outside the city it was the opposite — the common folk rushed about spreading the news to one another, as lively as if it were a festival or New Year.

The moment Wu Sangui saw Tang Tong, he greeted him with a bow, his manner as warm as a spring breeze:

"Your Lordship the Marquis honors my humble abode with your presence, causing it to shine with added luster. The day before yesterday, Your Lordship distributed the military wages to the soldiers down to the very last coin, and everyone was overjoyed — they have long wanted me to put on this banquet to welcome Your Lordship and wash away the dust of travel."

Wu Sangui was putting on an act, and Tang Tong had no desire to expose him, so he waved his hand and said: "What words are these from the Earl of Pingxi? Between you and me, we are like brothers — why make such distinctions? The distribution of military wages was all due to His Majesty's sagacity; what does it have to do with this marquis?"

Hearing this, Wu Sangui chuckled, bowed and stepped aside, gesturing him in as he said:

"According to the court's intentions, from now on Your Lordship will be staying at Shanhai Pass, and the reconstruction of Ningyuan will still take some time. Since you and I will see each other day and night, why not take this opportunity to become sworn brothers, to demonstrate our shared resolve against the barbarians — what say you?"

At this moment the group had just crossed the front gate and arrived at the central courtyard. Hearing these words, Tang Tong stopped in his tracks and looked at Wu Sangui with a half-smile, thinking to himself that this fellow had truly perfected the art of acting — he actually wanted to swear brotherhood?

After hesitating a moment, Tang Tong let out a laugh and said:

"That would be fine as well."

Entering the hall, Wu Sangui took Tang Tong's hand and called out loudly: "Come now, lay out a great feast! Today I shall drink with Your Lordship until we are both thoroughly drunk!"

The servants responded with delighted laughter and hurriedly set to work.

Before long, the servants set up an incense altar in the center of the main hall, with incense offerings to Liu, Guan, and Zhang placed beside it. Tang Tong and Wu Sangui, each harboring his own schemes, went through the motions of smearing blood and passing beneath the blade, then knelt before the altar and said:

"We two do not seek to be born on the same day, but only to die on the same day, jointly guarding this great pass of Shanhai, vowing to serve our country. Should either harbor treachery, may heaven strike him down and earth destroy him, may he be smitten by thunder from the five heavens, and die a most miserable death!"

The oath of brotherhood concluded, Wu Sangui insisted on recognizing Tang Tong as his elder brother since he was considerably older, and Tang Tong, being a man who valued face, thought it was merely going through the motions, so after only token refusals he gladly accepted.

Wu Sangui raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, then called out loudly: "Elder Brother!"

"Ah, Worthy Brother!" Tang Tong responded with a shout of his own, but as he picked up the cup from the altar, though his face was full of smiles, he dared not drink a drop, fearing it might be poisoned.

Wu Sangui had already drunk three cups in succession, and seeing that Tang Tong still had not moved, he understood in his heart that the man had misgivings. Suddenly he rose and strode several quick steps to stand before Tang Tong.

This sudden movement from Wu Sangui startled Tang Tong and the retainers behind him greatly — Tang Tong nearly leaped out of his seat, and the retainers all drew their blades halfway from their sheaths, glaring with ill intent, ready at any moment to sacrifice themselves to protect their master.

Following Wu Sangui's movement, the grand music within the mansion came to an abrupt halt, and many people's movements froze in that instant, all attention fixed on what was happening over there.

Just as everyone was tense with anxiety, all believing that Tang Tong and Wu Sangui were about to come to blows, Wu Sangui snatched the cup from Tang Tong's hand, tilted his head back, and gulped it down completely in one go.

Tang Tong's face showed shock, but this was not yet the end.

Wu Sangui lifted the wine jar from the table and poured three full cups, draining every one, then said: "If Elder Brother is worried that this wine is poisoned, this younger brother can keep drinking — right up until Elder Brother believes in me!"

"Worthy Brother—" Tang Tong snapped back to his senses at this point, snatched the cup from Wu Sangui's hand, and said hurriedly: "What words are these from Worthy Brother? Elder Brother was merely stunned for a moment by the lavish decoration of this mansion, and that was why I lost my composure."

Tang Tong poured himself a cup, raised it, and said: "I never imagined that I would unknowingly offend Worthy Brother — Elder Brother shall punish himself with three cups as an apology!"

So saying, Tang Tong poured three cups in succession and drank them all dry.

Wu Sangui roared with laughter, slapped Tang Tong on the shoulder, and sat down beside him, drinking cup after cup with him. This utterly unexpected scene left the retainers behind Tang Tong and the Wu army officers all around staring dumbfounded, having no idea what had actually happened.

Tang Tong and Wu Sangui were like old friends of many years, drinking and chatting about everything under heaven, paying no attention whatsoever to the reactions of those around them.

Servants continuously brought delicacies from land and sea and fine dishes to the tables, and after the initial shock wore off, the officers of both armies also began shouting toasts at one another, throwing their arms around each other's shoulders, calling each other brothers, swearing oaths of brotherhood, and digging into the food and drink with abandon.

Before long, the sun sank beyond the western mountains and night fell fully dark.

The Wu army officers in the hall all had enormous capacity for liquor — after drinking all day they were as composed as if nothing had happened — but Tang Tong's men were all dead drunk, and a few had even started slurring drunken nonsense like "Little missy, come with your lord."

At this moment, one Wu army officer, following the plan they had agreed upon, drew the saber from his waist, preparing to sever the head of the man he had been calling brother all day long.

But before he could make his move, Wu Sangui took a deep look at Tang Tong, who lay sprawled unconscious across the table, then waved his hand and said: "Enough. Have them each taken back to their own residences."

"My Lord Earl!?" The officer did not understand his lord's meaning and his face was full of disbelief; the others dared not defy Wu Sangui and all stopped what they were doing, looking at one another in confusion.

"What, did you not understand what I said?" Wu Sangui's expression darkened, clearly somewhat angered.

Seeing this, the others dared not act rashly. They fearfully sheathed their blades and ordered the servants to carry the dead-drunk Tang officers out of the mansion.

After everyone had left, Wu Sangui looked at the now-empty mansion and let out a sigh. Xia Guoxiang quietly walked in from the back room, looked at Tang Tong still sprawled across the table, and said:

"My Lord Earl, this man has some cunning — he actually planted his subordinates in the military camps to spread rumors and stir up trouble — but he is still a notch below you. Those men have all been captured by now. As for how to deal with this, you will need to decide tonight."

Wu Sangui showed not the slightest trace of drunkenness, and longing was plain to see in his eyes.

"Perhaps the Great Ming dynasty has not yet reached the time when it must fall. I wonder how Yuanyuan and Father are faring in the capital."