People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 107, Banquet Showdown, Emerald Tiger on the Stone

The magnificent carriage traveled through the streets and alleys of Xinzheng and finally stopped outside the General's Mansion.

Xu Qing got off the carriage and followed Mo Ya into the General's Mansion. After passing through layers of courtyards, they finally arrived at the hall where Ji Wuye was holding a banquet.

The palace was resplendent with gold and green, with blue bricks and red pillars, the pillars carved with various patterns, and a huge bronze dragon painting placed on the central wall.

Ji Wuye sat in the lower seats, next to a fleshy ball dressed in emerald green robes, who was smiling at Xu Qing.

Looking around at the layout of the palace, Xu Qing was secretly surprised.

The layout of this palace is exactly the same as the palace where King Han received his court officials, especially the emblem behind Ji Wuye, which is a design reserved for the King of Han.

The fact that Ji Wuye, as a great general, dared to use such regulations is enough to demonstrate his ambition.

"The Imperial Physician has arrived! The General has been waiting for you for a long time," Emerald Tiger said to Xu Qing with a smile as he stood up.

Xu Qing glanced at the Emerald Tiger; its unique clothing and physique made it easy to identify its identity.

Xu Qing simply nodded slightly to him before looking at Ji Wuye.

"This humble official, Imperial Physician Xu Qing, greets the Great General," Xu Qing said, bowing to Ji Wuye.

Emerald Tiger looked at Xu Qing's dismissive attitude and felt a little embarrassed, but he still maintained a smile.

He is one of the Four Deadly Generals of the Night and the richest man in South Korea.

Although the status of merchants has improved due to constant wars between various countries, they are still not as good as proper officials and scholars like Xu Qing.

Although Xu Qing gained the power to stir up the court by relying on the Tide Demoness, he first became a high-ranking official in the inner court, such as the Imperial Physician, through his own abilities, so it is normal for him to look down on him.

However, the hint of resentment and anger that flashed in Emerald Tiger's eyes still indicated that he was dissatisfied with Xu Qing's contempt.

Ji Wuye saw through Xu Qing's attitude toward the Emerald Tiger, but he didn't say anything.

Although he regarded Jade Tiger as a confidant and helped him control the wealth of South Korea, he was ultimately a businessman and not an irreplaceable candidate like Bai Yifei or Chao Nuyao.

He can replace the other person's position at any time if he wants.

Naturally, he wouldn't offend the main character of this banquet because of a jade tiger; he still didn't want to provoke the behemoth that was the Mo family.

"The presence of the Imperial Physician is an honor to my humble abode," Ji Wuye said, rising to his feet.

"General, you flatter me. I am of meager talent and virtue. It is my great honor to be able to visit your residence," Xu Qing replied politely.

"Hahaha, Imperial Physician, you jest. Who in the world doesn't know your name as a divine physician? After the Crown Prince recovered from his illness last time, he asked me to thank you properly."

"It's just that Qin has been invading our borders recently, which has kept me busy and made me forget. Now that the Right Sima is leading troops on an expedition, I finally have time to host a banquet for you."

Ji Wuye smiled and gestured for Xu Qing to sit down and talk. Xu Qing cupped his hands in greeting to Ji Wuye and then sat down.

"Please don't blame our General, Imperial Physician. He has indeed been very busy lately. I only learned that you will be seeing patients for the people of Xinzheng tomorrow, so you specially asked me to prepare three cartloads of the finest medicinal herbs as a token of your appreciation," Emerald Tiger said with a smile.

Ji Wuye summoned him to serve the situation and to say things that Ji Wuye himself was too ashamed to say.

"Who is this?" Xu Qing asked, feigning confusion as he looked at the Emerald Tiger.

“This is my friend, the richest man in South Korea, the owner of Emerald Manor, Emerald Tiger,” Ji Wuye said.

"The Imperial Physician is busy day and night, so it's normal that he hasn't heard of someone as insignificant as me."

Jade Tiger and Ji Wuye's back-and-forth banter subtly elevated Xu Qing's status and demeanor.

"So you are the owner of the jade caravan. I was mistaken." Xu Qing cupped his hands in greeting to the jade tiger.

"Haha, Imperial Physician, you flatter me. I have long admired you. Today, the General has hosted a banquet, and I am honored to have come. Please do not take offense."

"How could that be? How could that be?"

As Xu Qing and Ji Wuye were talking, pairs of maids filed in, placing delicacies and fine wines on the table in front of the three of them.

"Come, the Imperial Physician has come to my residence today, which is an honor for me. Let's have a drink."

"Drink together."

After another round of flattery and drinking, Ji Wuye slowly revealed the purpose of his banquet for Xu Qing.

"I heard from my subordinates that the Imperial Physician was attacked by thugs on his way back from treating the Prime Minister, is that right?" Ji Wuye asked tentatively.

"Yes, it was quite dangerous. If it weren't for the rescue by my friends, I probably wouldn't be able to attend the General's banquet tonight," Xu Qing said.

"Such a thing has happened? Imperial Physician, do not be afraid. The General is in charge of the defense of Xinzheng City. Tell him what these villains look like, and the General will surely be able to capture them in the shortest possible time."

Emerald Tiger walked up to Xu Qing and poured him a glass of wine with a smile.

Ji Wuye raised his wine cup and said to Xu Qing...
"Rest assured, Imperial Physician, Your Majesty has entrusted Xinzheng to my care. I will certainly not allow anything that could harm court officials to happen."

“As long as these people don’t escape from South Korea, I will be able to capture them all within three days.”

Although Ji Wuye didn't say it explicitly, his words implied that the Scorpion Sect's affairs had nothing to do with him, and that he would thoroughly investigate the person behind it and give Xu Qing an explanation.

Xu Qing naturally understood Ji Wuye's meaning and also raised his wine cup to speak.

"I naturally believe what the General says. However, on my way here, I saw that there seemed to be a fire in the south of the city. Could something have happened?"

Hearing Xu Qing's words, Ji Wuye felt relieved, realizing that the other party also knew he had been framed. "It's nothing, just a fight between a group of wandering knights and others, which resulted in an accidental fire. The Sikou Mansion will handle this kind of thing; we don't need to worry about it."

"Come on, let's continue drinking."

With his worries gone, Ji Wuye's mood improved significantly, and he smiled more broadly.

Xu Qing finished his drink and prepared to see what other trouble Ji Wuye would cause.

The other party's purpose in hosting such a banquet and inviting Jade Tiger to accompany them must have been more than just to dispel his suspicions.

Ji Wuye glanced at the Emerald Tiger, and the Emerald Tiger nodded slightly.

"I heard that Prime Minister Zhang has caught a cold and is bedridden. Today, his grandson invited the Imperial Physician to treat him. I wonder how Prime Minister Zhang's condition is?" Ji Wuye asked.

"Prime Minister Zhang is getting old, and his body is no longer as strong as it used to be. His cold is indeed quite serious."

"I have already prescribed medicine for him. As for whether the Prime Minister can turn the tide, that depends on his fate."

Xu Qing shook his head slightly, looking somewhat disappointed, and put on a look that suggested he was in grave danger.

Seeing Xu Qing's appearance, a glint of light flashed in Ji Wuye's eyes, and his smile deepened.

Although he did not send anyone to stop Xu Qing from treating Zhang Kaidi, he was worried that Xu Qing might actually cure Zhang Kaidi.

Hearing Xu Qing say that, he felt a little relieved.

But Xu Qing's next words made Ji Wuye's smile disappear.

"However, Prime Minister Zhang also invited a renowned doctor to treat the illness, and the Prime Minister and the young master of the Zhang family are very confident in his medical skills, believing that Prime Minister Zhang should be able to recover safely," Xu Qing continued.

He said he didn't mean anything by it; he just wanted to shift the blame and show that Zhang Kai's recovery would have nothing to do with him.

He was openly invited by Zhang Liang to the Zhang residence to treat his illness, but in the end, Zhang Kaidi was cured by Nian Duan. He didn't want to be resented by Ji Wuye if Ji Wuye thought that he had cured him.

Ji Wuye glanced at the jade tiger.

The jade tiger immediately understood and asked with a smile.
"A renowned doctor? Is there anyone in Xinzheng whose medical skills are superior to those of the Imperial Physician?"

"It's hard to say. I haven't seen this person either. I only heard Zhang Shaojun mention him a couple of times while I was inquiring about his condition."

Xu Qing deliberately spoke very vaguely, his purpose being to confuse the public and stir up the waters even more, so that he could find out who was behind it all.

He didn't want to cause trouble for Nian Duan, in case Ji Wuye leaked the news that Nian Duan had treated Zhang Kaidi.

Among the three rules of Nian Duan, the rule of not going down the mountain to make house calls is easily criticized and can cause him trouble.

Upon hearing this, Emerald Tiger hesitated and looked at Ji Wuye. Ji Wuye's expression was gloomy, and he shook his head at Emerald Tiger.

"Haha, I see. Let's not talk about these things anymore, let's have a drink." Emerald Tiger laughed and changed the subject.

The three drank a few more cups of wine, and Ji Wuye ended the banquet by saying that Xu Qing had to see patients the next day.

Xu Qing, his face flushed with drunkenness, was helped into the carriage by Mo Ya, who also placed a small box inside.

"Imperial Physician, the General said you've worked hard treating the people, so he specially asked me to prepare a gift for you on behalf of the people of Korea to thank you," Mo Ya said to Xu Qing.

"Since it is the general's kindness, I will not refuse. Please take me back."

Xu Qing leaned drunkenly against the carriage, letting out a burp as he spoke.

Mo Ya nodded slightly, turned around and gave the coachman a few instructions before the coachman drove the carriage away.

Watching the carriage disappear around the street corner, Mo Ya turned around and returned to the General's Mansion.

Inside the hall, Ji Wuye and Emerald Tiger were waiting for news from Mo Ya.

Upon seeing Mo Ya return, Ji Wuye asked...

"How about it?"

"Reporting to the General, he accepted it; he seems genuinely drunk," Mo Ya said.

"Hmm, mobilize all the Hundred Birds. We must find out who sent the Poison Scorpion Sect to intercept and kill Xu Qing. I want to see who dares to provoke the tiger," Ji Wuye said coldly.

"promise."

After Mo Ya nodded in agreement, he turned and left.

After seeing Mo Ya leave, Emerald Tiger looked worried and said to Ji Wuye.
"General, with the help of Bai Niao, we will eventually catch the person behind this, but right now the most important thing is Zhang Kaidi. If he recovers, all our previous plans will have been in vain."

Ji Wuye's expression darkened as he recalled Xu Qing's words.

"I didn't expect Zhang Kai to be so lucky, he even has a famous doctor by his side. If he really cures his illness, wouldn't I have worked for nothing and have to take the blame for him?" Ji Wuye said with dissatisfaction.

Upon seeing this, a cold glint appeared in the Jade Tiger's eyes, and a cunning smile appeared on its face.

“General, Zhang Kaidi has a famous doctor, but don’t we have a miracle doctor here?” said Emerald Tiger.

"You mean Xu Qing?"

(End of this chapter)