Chapter 487 New Year for Two, Massive Gu Rubing

As it gets darker, some firecrackers begin to set off in big cities and military towns. They are called firecrackers, but they are actually burning bamboo with fire, making a crackling sound.

And because bamboo grows so fast, it can spread by itself without anyone planting it. Therefore, whether the family is rich or poor, they will collect some bamboo during the Chinese New Year and cut it into pieces. One section is used for children to play with and also to drive away evil spirits.

In traditional customs, people believe that with the popping sound of bamboo, the bad luck and bad luck of the year will be driven away, and the new year will bring good luck and happiness. Children laughed and ran through the streets, holding lit bamboo sticks in their hands, enjoying the brief but brilliant light. The adults were smiling on the sidelines, looking at the smiling faces of the children, and their hearts were full of good expectations for the future.

As night falls, the sound of firecrackers continues one after another, as if playing a prelude to the upcoming New Year. Warm light shines from the windows of every house, reflecting the laughter and laughter outside, and the whole land of the Han Dynasty is permeated with a strong festive atmosphere.

On the border between Yuzhou and Yanzhou, in a forest, a lonely figure sat on a tree. It was not yet midnight, and a city not far from here was still brightly lit.

Just when the figure found a larger branch and was about to lie down for a while, he suddenly sat upright. A slightly heavy footsteps sounded in his ears. His steps were steady and his breathing was heavy. You can tell by looking at him that he is an entry-level practitioner.

At this moment of family reunion, it was so abnormal that such a Lian family member suddenly appeared at the junction of Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and Jingzhou, and Sun Ce immediately became vigilant.

His figure was hidden in the woods in just a blink of an eye. After about ten breaths, an armored man appeared in his field of vision. After seeing the person clearly, Sun Ce also relaxed. He hid his figure again, holding his breath and concentrating.

"Why are General Dian here so early?"

Sun Ce jumped down from the tree, and his tall figure fell straight to the ground, but there was no movement at all, not even as good as a dead leaf falling. Dian Wei held a jar in one hand and walked slowly towards Sun Ce.

"The Prime Minister was worried that General Sun would be too lonely to spend the New Year alone, so he asked me to accompany General Sun."

Dian Wei said calmly. Although his intelligence attributes had improved, Dian Wei was still taciturn in front of unfamiliar people. Sun Ce smiled slightly when he heard this.

"Then please help me, General Dian, to express my gratitude to Prime Minister Cao next time."

Dian Wei didn't say anything, he just threw the jar in his left hand to Sun Ce. After Sun Ce took it, he shook it slightly and smiled.

"Won't you just bring the bar?"

When Dian Wei heard this, he sat on the ground and put the jar in his right hand on the ground. Then he took out something wrapped in oil paper from his arms. After slowly opening it, he found a jar inside. The big bag of beef in soy sauce looks like it weighs more than ten kilograms.

After putting down the soy beef, Dian Wei touched the cloth bag next to him and took out a much smaller package. After opening it, it contained peanuts that had been fried in lard.

The smile on Sun Ce's face became brighter. He walked to the opposite side of Dian Wei and sat on the ground. He picked up a peanut and threw it into his mouth. The burnt aroma of the peanut exploded in Sun Ce's mouth instantly, along with the peanuts. The distinct salt grains are evenly distributed on the peanuts, adding a bit more flavor to the originally burnt peanuts.

"What kind of peanut is this? I've never eaten it before."

Sun Ce's eyes lit up, he picked up two more and threw them into his mouth. His mouth was still full of fragrance.

"This was made by the prime minister himself, and later it was passed on to the royal chef in the palace, who made these."

Dian Wei picked up two pieces of beef with soy sauce and put it into his mouth, then raised his head and took a big gulp of wine. Sun Ce also picked up a piece of beef and tasted it. It was not much different from ordinary soy beef. If I insist on saying so, , then Sun Ce thinks that this soy sauce beef is not as delicious as peanuts.

After another sip of wine, Sun Ce couldn't help but growl. He had been squatting here for a few days, and a bird almost appeared in his mouth. Sun Ce didn't want to find a place to have a good meal, but he didn't dare to do it easily. Leaving here, if someone under Liu Bei leads troops across the border when he leaves, it will be troublesome.

So in the past few days, Sun Ce not only hasn't touched any wine, he hasn't even eaten much. Now Dian Wei has not only brought good wine, but also side dishes to go with the wine, especially the lard-fried peanuts. Appetite for Sun Ce.

"Your prime minister is really an all-rounder, knowledgeable in everything and good at everything."

Sun Ce was not stingy with his words of praise. The other party had just asked Dian Wei to accompany him during the New Year and brought him food and wine. If he didn't say a few nice words, it would seem that Sun Ce was a bit ungrateful.

After hearing Sun Ce's praise of Cao Cao, Dian Wei, who had been expressionless since arriving here, finally smiled and raised the wine jar to Sun Ce on the opposite side, treating it as a clink. Sun Ce did not Vaguely, he also lifted the wine jar, and then drank to his heart's content.

The two of them just chatted together, drank wine, and ate a large bag of soy sauce beef brought by Dian Wei and side dishes developed by Cao Cao. Although it was late at night in the cold, they were both legends. The generals, with the physique of a legendary general, are like a stove in this cold winter night. Not only will they not feel cold, but if anyone sees them, they will find that the temperature on their bodies is surprisingly high.

Wherever the two of them walked, even the snow on the ground would melt. Now, within a ten-foot radius of where they were sitting, there was no snow, not to mention the moisture after the snow melted.

What is completely different from the situation where the two of them drank together in the snow is Prince Lie's Mansion in Linzi, Qingzhou. At this moment, a banquet was held in Prince Lie's Mansion. Not only that, Gu Rubing also ordered that New Year's meat be sent to the poor farmers in Linzi City. and charcoal, so that they can live a good year comfortably.

But because of Gu Rubing, there are basically no poor farmers in Linzi City now. Even those who could not afford to eat before can more or less find a living and make ends meet. The things Gu Rubing gave them were just to make their new year better.

Not only in Linzi, Gu Rubing issued this order to all places where his men were stationed, and the people must have a good year. This kind of arrogant act can only be done by a rich man like Gu Rubing. It turns out that only Gu Rubing can think and do it.

In Prince Lie's Mansion, the people who are here today are all prominent figures under Gu Rubing's command. Even one or two newly promoted first-class generals could not get a seat at the banquet in Prince Lie's Mansion.

Because of this New Year's Eve dinner, if you want to get a seat in the mansion, the general must not only have personal strength, but more importantly, he must have military merit and qualifications to get a seat.

Or there are people like Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, Wei Yan, Pang De and Huang Zu. Although they have not been under Gu Rubing for a long time, their personal strength is extremely strong.

Both Huang Zhong and Ma Chao proved their strength by conquering Wuhuan Royal Court.

During this period of time, Wei Yan even got the title of the Wolf Head of the Military Camp, but none of the soldiers he trained dissatisfied.

Although Pang De has been in Liangzhou, while guarding the border, he also had to guard against Cao Cao's men stationed in Sili Prefecture. During this period, he also won several beautiful battles, allowing Cao Cao to go north to seize Liangzhou and occupy the pasture.

Not to mention Huang Zu, in the last battle of Jingzhou, the final battle started and ended in Jiangxia County. Before the arrival of the army, the old general led the army alone to block the opponent. Credit comes with hard work and skill.

It can be said that every single one of the generals who can sit in the mansion now is a general with great military exploits.

If a civil servant wants to have a seat inside, it will be even more difficult, because he must pass the double test of Gu Rubing and Zhuge Liang before he can enter, and the level is even more terrifying. Among the famous officials in Qing Yishui, there are only a few first-rate officials. counselor.

It's strange to say that although Gu Rubing has never advocated emphasizing military force and suppressing culture, the number of civil servants under his command is far less than the number of military generals. If Zhuge Liang hadn't helped him coordinate the overall situation and strategize, he would have been a bit I can't cope with this situation.

Especially those trivial daily matters, he was even more powerless. Some of the scholars and disciples he had recruited before were sent by Gu Rubing to serve as county magistrates in the counties under his jurisdiction. If they hadn't helped solve most of the problems in the county, If everything, everything is left to Zhuge Liang, I'm afraid Zhuge Liang will be unable to do anything at all.

At the banquet, everyone raised their wine glasses high, and no one knew who suggested it. Suddenly everyone began to toast Gu Rubing, and Zhuge Liang was the first to stand up.

"Lord, today is New Year's Eve, and all the generals and colleagues are here. Such a scene really touches Liang deeply. It is precisely because of my lord's profound righteousness that Linzi, even Qingzhou, and even the nine states under my lord's jurisdiction, the residents We are all living and working in peace and contentment, and have been spared the suffering of war. I am here today to offer you a glass of wine for the people of the world who have been blessed by your blessings."

Zhuge Liang picked up the wine glass and faced Gu Rubing. Gu Rubing was not hesitant. He immediately picked up his overflowing wine glass, clinked it with Zhuge Liang, and both of them drank it down in one gulp.

After drinking, Zhuge Liang did not sit down, but filled up his own wine glass, and also filled up Gu Rubing's wine glass.

"My lord, the cup just now was given to you by Wei Chen on behalf of the people of this world. This cup was given to you by Wei Chen himself. Since the time of Longzhong, I have often heard about Uncle Liu's benevolence and righteousness. At that time, my lord Don't think that I am despicable, and I am in vain. I look at the thatched cottage three times and express my gratitude to my lord for your appreciation."

Zhuge Liang raised his glass and drank a full glass of wine again. Gu Rubing, still smiling, picked up the glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhuge Liang usually drinks tea and rarely drinks alcohol. After two glasses of wine, a blush appeared on Zhuge Liang's cheeks and he stopped.

However, everyone present immediately understood what Zhuge Liang meant, and filled their glasses one after another, and then took turns walking towards Gu Rubing. After all, Gu Rubing was famous for his large amount of wine. They had tried to get Gu Rubing drunk several times before, but they couldn't. There were more people who could do it this time than before, and it was the New Year, so everyone came up with this idea again.

After Zhuge Liang sat down, the first person who came forward was Guan Yu. Guan Yu also had a rare smile on his serious face.

"Brother."

"Second brother."

Guan Yu and Gu Rubing looked at each other speechlessly, and then they both raised their heads and laughed. They were so straightforward that they drank three glasses of wine in a row.

Just after Guan Yu sat down after drinking three drinks, Zhang Fei stood up again and came to Gu Rubing's side. He didn't say anything, but just smiled. Gu Rubing laughed angrily.

"What's wrong, third brother?"

"Brother, I can't speak, so I'd like to toast you a few drinks."

After Zhang Fei finished speaking, he raised his head and drank one glass of wine, and then drank two more glasses in succession. Gu Rubing had no choice but to drink three glasses like Zhang Fei.

After Zhang Fei sat down, Zhao Yun stood up immediately, with a tall and straight posture.

"My lord, Yun has been following you for several years. Thanks to my lord's love, I am able to fulfill my ambition. It is truly a blessing in my lifetime. I dedicate this glass of wine to you."

Gu Rubing's heart moved slightly. Since Zhao Yun followed him, he has assumed the responsibility of Gu Rubing's personal guard. Zhao Yun's loyalty and bravery are all seen by Gu Rubing.

"Zilong, you and I are brothers, and I understand your feelings."

The two looked at each other, smiled, and drank.

"Since the second brother and the third brother have toasted the Lord three times, if I only toast one cup, it would seem that I am ignorant,"

Gu Rubing nodded slightly and drank three drinks with Zhao Yun in a row. Zhao Yun's loyalty and bravery were something Gu Rubing knew very well. Zhao Yun was indispensable for his achievements today.

Next, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, Wei Yan, Pang De, Huang Zu and other generals came forward one after another. They were either bold or reserved, but all expressed their respect and loyalty to Gu Rubing. Gu Rubing did not reject anyone who came and clinked glasses with them one by one, showing his generous nature.

Just walking around like this, some drank three drinks more, some drank two drinks less. The key is to really drink, the arrogance of those counselors is not inferior to that of the generals.

The atmosphere at the banquet gradually reached a climax, and Gu Rubing's face was flushed with drunkenness, but he still maintained a calm and unhurried posture, communicating with every general and counselor who came to toast, his eyes Full of gratitude and trust for these followers.

Gu Rubing suddenly stood up and motioned for everyone to be quiet. He cleared his throat, his voice loud and powerful.

"Everyone, today's banquet is not only to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, but also to thank each of you for your hard work. Without you, I, Liu Bei, would not be where I am today! Here, I would like to toast you all and thank you for your help. !”

As soon as Gu Rubing finished speaking, the audience burst into warm applause and cheers. Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.

After just one round, Gu Rubing couldn't stand it any longer. Although the alcohol content was low, he could drink it quite well, but he couldn't handle too much. Just like drinking beer, no matter how low the alcohol content was, he would still get drunk.