Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Chapter 231: Sharing a Drink

Gan Ning took the seal, weighed it in his hand, and then tossed it directly to Jiang Zhi behind him.

Jiang Zhi had one of the Brocade Sail bandits hold a torch closer, then held up the seal and carefully examined it in the firelight.

After a moment, Jiang Zhi carefully put the seal away and said.

“The seal is genuine.”

Although Jiang Zhi was only a county clerk before, he was naturally no stranger to the county governor's seal and had the ability to distinguish it.

Moreover, seals have various details that can distinguish authenticity, and it is impossible to imitate them with just any stone.

After Gan Ning waited for Jiang Zhi to confirm the authenticity, he released his foot from Guo Yi's body, squatted down, and grinned as he said.

“Lord Guo, I am Gan Xingba, the Brocade Sail bandit from Shu. I just fled from Shu and need a place to settle down. I wonder if Lord Guo can provide one?”

Brocade Sail bandit?

Guo Yi had obviously never heard of such a bandit name, and he found it even more absurd.

Even the large ships that Qin Shi Huang sent the Taoist Xu Fu to use to seek immortals overseas were probably no more than half the size of the ship in front of him. How could it belong to a bandit?

Even if Guo Yi was foolish, he knew that this so-called Brocade Sail bandit group must have a deep connection with Wu County.

But now that Guo Yi was the fish and Gan Ning the cleaver, he had to agree repeatedly.

“Yes, yes, this official can provide a base for you heroes in Kuaiji County. It is Kuaiji County's honor.”

“Sensible!”

Gan Ning gently patted Guo Yi's obviously swollen face and said. “Come, invite Lord Guo to the cabin for tea and biscuits.”

Immediately, two Brocade Sail bandits, under Gan Ning's orders, stepped forward, cleanly tied up Guo Yi, and dragged him into the cabin.

Only after Guo Yi was taken down did Jiang Qin, who had been standing in the shadows on one side of the deck, come out and say.

“Xingba, now that things here are settled, I will leave everything else to you to handle. I have other important matters to attend to and need to transport soldiers along the river to encircle Mount Fuchun.”

Facing Jiang Qin, Gan Ning changed his previous bandit-like arrogant appearance and quickly cupped his fist in return.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Gongyi this time. I will definitely have a hearty drink with Gongyi another day.”

After a pause, Gan Ning continued.

“It's just that I'm afraid I won't be able to return to Wu County in a short time. Please, Gongyi, when you return to Wu County, say a few good words for me in front of the lord and the master.”

“Xingba is too polite. Among the navy, the most valued is none other than Xingba. Although we are closer to the lord, it is obvious that Xingba is more valued by the lord and the master, so he can be stationed independently. Unlike us, I am afraid that after returning to Wu County, we will still need to be stationed along the Yangtze River.”

At the end, Jiang Qin's tone inevitably revealed a bit of envy, which made Gan Ning very pleased.

On the surface, Gan Ning still remembered Jiang Zhi's repeated reminders to get along well with his colleagues and remain humble, but Gan Ning still unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth, and even lifted his chin quite a bit.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhi immediately understood that Gan Ning's old problem had resurfaced, and fearing that he would say something arrogant again, he quickly took over the topic.

“Who doesn't know that Gongyi, like Xingba, has been able to achieve today because the master is generous and does not hold past grudges? Therefore, I hope that Gongyi can communicate more with Xingba in the future to work together for the lord.”

Jiang Qin nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

On this point, Jiang Qin and Gan Ning can be regarded as having a natural affinity. Both were river pirates, and both were taken into Liu Bei's command after offending Li Ji without being held accountable.

Therefore, compared to the steady and unsmiling Xu Sheng, Jiang Qin was naturally closer to Gan Ning, who was usually forthright and seemingly had no scheming mind.

Afterwards, Jiang Qin exchanged a few polite words with Gan Ning and Jiang Zhi before hurriedly leaving the deck and returning to another large ship, which soon disappeared from Gan Ning's sight.

“Once Gongyi transports the troops around Qiantang County along the river to the direction of Mount Fuchun, the Yue bandits who occupy Mount Fuchun will wake up tomorrow morning and find countless Han soldiers descending from the sky, completely surrounding them.”

“It's a pity that I don't have the chance to witness that scene…”

At the end, Gan Ning couldn't help but sigh with regret. “It would be great if I could switch with Gongyi.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhi sternly reminded him. “Xingba, do not speak nonsense. The task that the master has entrusted to us is more important and must not be missed.”

“That's true.”

Gan Ning immediately perked up, then waved his hand and said.

“Someone, carry out the goods.”

Soon, thirty jars of fine wine were carried out of the cabin by the Brocade Sail bandits and placed on the deck.

Gan Ning then leaped onto the bow of the ship and said with excitement and passion.

“Thanks to the grace of our lord, who, considering that today is the master's happy day and that all the brothers still need to fight outside, has specially allowed one bowl of fine wine to be drunk after this great victory.”

“This wine is both to congratulate the master and to celebrate this great victory!!”

Immediately, the Brocade Sail bandits, who were originally performing their duties, shouted excitedly.

It seemed that wine was not uncommon, but in this era of food shortage, it was a rare item for ordinary people or ordinary soldiers.

Especially after winning a great victory with overwhelming force, it was a pleasure to have a bowl of fine wine to drink.

Immediately, in the cheers of the Brocade Sail bandits, bowls of fine wine exuding a rich aroma were sent to each of the Brocade Sail bandits' hands.

“Brothers, drink up!”

“Drink up!!!”

In the unanimous response of the Brocade Sail bandits, a large amount of fine wine entered their throats, stirring up a burst of fiery heat in their chests, and the damp and cold river wind seemed unable to extinguish the flames in their hearts.

Moreover, a large ship, a great victory, a meal of fine wine…

Also allowed these Brocade Sail bandits, who were originally just following Gan Ning and worshiping under Wu County, to have a bit more sense of identity and belonging to Wu County.

Gan Ning also felt heroic and laughed loudly as he said.

“Hahahaha, brothers, now that the fine wine has been drunk, let's work neatly and quickly fish out those landlubbers who fell into the water. Then we will go to Kuaiji County, and then I, Gan Xingba, will raise the name of the Brocade Sail bandits and roam the sea!”

… …

While Guo Yi was being fished out after drinking a bellyful of river water, Li Ji was currently being frantically poured wine by many guests.

Especially that kid Gu Yong, leading a few senior brothers, besieged Li Ji.

Fortunately, there was also Zhang Fei, the wine vat, who stayed by Li Ji's side at all times to help block the wine, opening his big mouth and accepting all the fine wine.

Walking from the east side of the banquet to the west side, Zhang Fei had drunk down a whole group of people, and the alcohol content in Li Ji's body probably hadn't even reached the standard for drunk driving.

It wasn't that Li Ji wasn't giving face to the many guests, but Li Ji knew very well that he still had to drive tonight and couldn't drive drunk. Otherwise, if he drove in the wrong direction or took the wrong road, it would be extremely bad.

And the guests this time were even more numerous than Li Ji had imagined. In addition to the many famous scholars and great Confucians who gave Cai Yong face, even He Miao sent his confidants to deliver gifts.

As for the various aristocratic families, there were countless, and Li Ji didn't even know the names of some of the families.

Even with Liu Bei, who consciously assumed the identity of an elder, helping to greet them, Li Ji's face still became a little stiff after turning around once.

Even though Li Ji had the ability to remember everything he saw, he still felt dizzy and lightheaded after walking around like this.

Only after Li Ji was finally able to find an excuse to escape back to his room did he truly breathe a sigh of relief.

And when Li Ji saw Cai Zhaoji sitting on the couch, the one or two points of irritability and drunkenness in his heart suddenly turned into a burst of heat.

The light of the red candle was dim, and it reflected Cai Zhaoji's graceful figure in her well-fitting wedding dress. From a distance, it seemed that she was sitting quietly on the couch, but as Li Ji got a little closer, he found that Cai Zhaoji's fair fingers were nervously grasping the corners of her clothes.

At this moment, Li Ji's eyes showed a bit of confusion for some reason.

Although what Li Ji truly wanted to pursue in his heart was not wealth and beauty, how could such a scene not make people's hearts sway?

Cai Zhaoji, still covered by the veil, had not felt Li Ji's next move after entering the room for a long time. In addition to the greater tension in her heart, she tried to ask in a soft voice, enduring her shyness.

“Husband, are you already drunk? Do you need this concubine to…”

Before Cai Zhaoji could finish speaking, Li Ji's hand rested on Cai Zhaoji's shoulder, causing Cai Zhaoji's originally nervous voice to stop abruptly, and her body trembled even more subconsciously.

Li Ji then said softly. “The thousand pounds of fine wine do not intoxicate people, but Zhaoji intoxicates me more.”

“Husband, don't joke.” Cai Zhaoji replied shyly.

“I'm not joking.”

Li Ji gently lifted Cai Zhaoji's red veil, looked at Cai Zhaoji, who was wearing a wedding dress and had a shy face, and couldn't help but put his palm on Cai Zhaoji's face.

It felt like mutton fat white jade, and it also had a warmness born from shyness.

Cai Zhaoji's five fingers, which were pinching the corners of her wedding dress, couldn't help but rub back and forth, with an expression of wanting to refuse but also welcoming, biting her lip slightly, and said.

“Is husband planning to be so frivolous with this concubine? We haven't performed the same prison ceremony, or shared the nuptial cup…”

This immediately awakened Li Ji, realizing that he was indeed a little rash.

Immediately, Li Ji helped Cai Zhaoji up, and then they shared the nuptial wine.

Another cup of fine wine warmed Li Ji, further igniting his spirits. Gazing at the delicate and refined face before him, now flushed with bashfulness, he couldn't resist engaging Cai Zhaoji in conversation.

It was only then that Li Ji realized the extent of Cai Zhaoji's inner brilliance, a vast and boundless landscape.

This Han Dynasty literary talent seemed to be fully embodying the saying: 'Within books, one finds beauty like jade.'

Even Li Ji, with his own considerable erudition, spent a long time in discussion before finally and thoroughly winning Cai Zhaoji over, ultimately marking their achievement with a touch of crimson ink.