Chapter 052: Banquet
**
That evening, an invitation arrived.
Someone was hosting a banquet at the Cuihong Pavilion, one of the most famous establishments in Chang’an.
Naturally, this meant “drinking with flowers,” partying with courtesans, chatting, and drinking.
And if the mood struck, a man could simply lead a girl away to do the deed.
In this world, wine and women were the standard rhythm of high society.
Long Tian, however, looked down on the whole scene. He never went to brothels; even back in Tao County, he hadn’t considered it.
He might have looked around, but he’d never indulged.
Sexually transmitted diseases existed in ancient times too, though AIDS was unknown.
Things like gonorrhea and syphilis were rampant, collectively known as “Flower-Willow Diseases.”
The term “Flower-Willow” actually referred to the massive skin ulcers, pus, and disgusting boils caused by syphilis. It was stomach-turning.
Thus Long Tian avoided brothels entirely, refusing even the slightest risk of exposure.
He’d much rather mess around with respectable married women than prostitutes; it simply wasn’t safe.
Buying sex might feel good for a moment, but he disliked the persistent risks.
While problems weren’t guaranteed, they proved troublesome when they arose.
However, Cuihong Pavilion didn’t just house common prostitutes; it also housed courtesans.
These girls were highly trained, they could play the zither, recite poetry, and paint.
These virgins were known as Flower Queens.
They were meant to be sold for a high price, not just used as simple meat-vessels.
This gathering tonight was hosted by the Chang’an branch of the Yang clan.
In the Three Kingdoms era, two great clans stood at the very top of the power pyramid: the Yang Clan and the Yuan Clan.
The term “Four Generations, Three Excellencies” referred to families that had produced top-tier ministers for four consecutive generations.
Only these two clans held that distinction.
Their disciples and former subordinates were scattered across the empire. The talent they cultivated was immense, inevitably becoming part of their factions.
Even by the time of the Battle of Guandu, half of Cao Cao’s civil officials were actually former subordinates of the Yuan family, just waiting for Yuan Shao to unify the central plains.
The greatest power of these clans lay in their vast networks.
As long as they held their supreme positions, the people below wouldn’t dare disobey.
In fact, people worked themselves to death just for a chance to enter that inner circle.
Without patronage, aspiring to high office?
That was nothing but a fool’s fantasy.
Therefore, even a branch of the Yang clan held significant weight in Chang’an.
Compared to them, Dong Zhuo was just a barbarian from the frontier, someone who didn’t belong at a table of the high elite.
He was only invited as a courtesy to Zhang Wen.
Zhang Wen was about to be promoted to Grand Commander. He had previously held the position of Minister of Works, one of the Three Excellencies, representing the pinnacle of officialdom.
However, the circumstances were complicated. Zhang Wen had merely filled the role temporarily and was due to be relieved of his duties soon.
Grand General He Jin, who should have led the campaign to suppress the rebellion, was too cowardly to go himself and sent others instead.
Famous generals like Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun had tried and suffered crushing defeats.
The Emperor, in a fit of rage, stripped them of their ranks and sent Zhang Wen as a last resort.
No one expected Zhang Wen to actually succeed!
This outcome astonished everyone.
After all, two legendary generals who had subdued both frontier rebellions and the Yellow Turban uprising had failed, yet Zhang Wen succeeded, and he was hardly a celebrated military commander.
Thus, his promotion to Grand Commander, though influenced by monetary transactions, was primarily earned through his own achievements.
He had truly earned his place among the Three Excellencies and could now secure his position.
During Emperor Ling’s reign, two of the three top ministerial spots were often kept vacant specifically to be “sold” to the highest bidder; a trap for those with more money than sense.
Tonight’s banquet was primarily for Zhang Wen, with Dong Zhuo and Long Tian merely tagging along.
So, if it’s wine and flowers, then wine and flowers it is. As long as you don’t touch, it’s really no big deal.
Sexually transmitted diseases can only be spread through intercourse; simple kissing is unlikely to cause infection.
Still, Long Tian wouldn’t even kiss them. Who knew how many people had used those mouths?
**
Cuihong Pavilion, Third Floor Private Room.
A middle-aged man in fine robes stood outside, smiling to welcome them.
Upon seeing them, he cupped his hands and laughed. “Lord Minister, a pleasure! Thank you for gracing us with your presence. Please, come in.”
“Brother Yongren, you are too kind. After you!” Zhang Wen replied with a smile, gesturing for them to enter together.
“Oh? It seems the Lord Minister has brought two young talents with him.” Yang Cong bowed to Dong Zhuo and Long Tian, showing no trace of contempt.
True scions of great clans weren’t that shallow. They might look down on you in their hearts, but they knew how to maintain a polite facade to recruit talent.
The more they knew the rules of etiquette, the better they were at self-restraint.
“Would the Lord Minister care to introduce them?”
“Ha! I was just about to introduce them to Brother Yang. This is General Dong Zhuo. His contributions were paramount in quelling the rebellion in Xiliang. It was through his assistance that I successfully crushed the rebels, fulfilling the emperor’s profound grace!“
As Zhang Wen spoke, he bowed toward the direction of Luoyang, looking like a loyal subject saluting the Emperor.
”General Dong, Little Tian, this is the Governor of Chang’an City, Lord Yang Cong.”
“Ah, so it is General Dong. A pleasure, a pleasure.”
Yang Cong raised his hands, the smile on his face turning a fraction more fake.
A mere brutish warrior! Even military officers from distinguished families like Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun held little regard in his eyes.
In his mind, only scholars could govern a country; warriors were just there for the killing.
However, as the head of his branch, Yang Cong knew a family couldn’t survive on literature alone.
You couldn’t ignore warriors, especially those with independent command. If he could reel them in, it didn’t cost much to be polite.
“Greetings, Governor Yang.” Dong Zhuo cupped his fists. He instinctively felt the man’s hidden disdain, which made him prickle with irritation.
“Mhm.” Yang Cong nodded curtly, then turned to the steady-looking youth.
“And you must be the Divine Physician Long Tian I’ve heard so much about lately. A pleasure! I heard you cured Lady Zhang’s toothache? Truly remarkable! A prodigious talent! That is something most doctors couldn’t achieve in a lifetime. You are indeed a divine healer!”
”Your Excellency flatters me. These are merely some rudimentary medical skills. Every man has his specialty. There are things other doctors can do that I cannot.
It is you who truly inspire my admiration. Chang’an is a bastion of the world, attracting geniuses and heroes from every corner. Yet under your rule, the doors are never locked at night and lost items go unclaimed, that is true greatness.
As the ancient saying goes: ‘Worry before the world worries, and enjoy after the world enjoys.’ That is the mark of a true hero. I offer you a toast!”
Long Tian’s flattery was pitch-perfect. Good words cost nothing, so he laid them on thick.
He finished his cup in one go, not caring if the other man drank or not.
It was about projecting the right image; the rest was up to the host.
Generosity demanded performance, only by putting on the right show would one earn recognition.
The process of climbing upward inevitably demanded attention to these small details.
