If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Zhou Wu set off again, this time with the fireworks he had worked so hard to make, along with some accompanying personnel, heading straight for the capital.

The Empress's birthday is still a few days away, but among those who came to offer their congratulations, Zhou Wu is the last to arrive in the capital. The others arrived months ago, and the latest arrived a month in advance.

For others, the Empress's birthday banquet is certainly important, but it is also necessary to take this opportunity to maintain relationships with each other. After all, the capital is a huge network of relationships, and it is essential for those below to connect with each other before celebrating the Empress's birthday.

. . . . . .

Prince's Mansion.

"Zhou Wu, you're finally back! I thought you weren't even going to attend Mother's birthday banquet."

Li Junren had indeed been looking forward to Zhou Wu for a long time. Other officials from other places had already arrived in the capital, but Zhou Wu was nowhere to be seen.

"Your Highness is too kind. How could I dare not attend Her Majesty the Empress's birthday banquet? It was just that preparing gifts took up a little time."

"Oh, it seems you really put your heart into it."

Hearing Zhou Wu say this, it was understandable, and it even showed that Zhou Wu had put in a lot of effort, which comforted Li Junren.

"Oh, what treasures has Zhou Wu prepared this time? May I take a look?"

The Crown Princess was quite interested in the gifts Zhou Wu had prepared, because Zhou Wu always managed to surprise people.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness and Your Highness the Crown Princess, but I really can't look at this gift right now."

"You're keeping it a secret from me too? Haha."

"No, it's because the number of these gifts is limited. If you see them now, Her Majesty the Empress won't be able to see them later."

"Oh."

Zhou Wu's words left the Crown Prince and Crown Princess completely bewildered, and they couldn't understand what he meant for a long time.

"Anyway, there are only a few days left. The whole capital will be able to see it then. Your Highness and Her Majesty, please wait a little longer."

Zhou Wu's unexpected gesture was already exciting, and this gift, which could be seen by all of Chang'an, made the Crown Prince and Crown Princess even more eager. However, since Zhou Wu had already said so, it was not appropriate to force them.

. . . .

Zhou Wu did not bring Li Baiwei and other family members with him this time, because even if the family members came, they would not be allowed to enter the palace. Moreover, Zhou Wu planned to return after celebrating the Empress's birthday, which would not take more than a few days, so he did not want them to make such a trip.

There are houses in the capital, and there are servants and maids, so there is no problem with finding a place to stay.

The Zhou Mansion in the capital.

"The master is back."

When the maids saw their master, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, they immediately became enthusiastic and began to massage his shoulders and pour him tea.

"Master, when did you arrive in the capital? You didn't even give us any advance notice so we could have sent someone to pick you up."

"Let's settle these craftsmen in first."

After Zhou Wu spoke, his maids noticed that there was a group of people standing outside the gate of the mansion. They all looked like ordinary people, standing there somewhat awkwardly and at a loss.

Upon hearing Zhou Wu's call, the people outside rushed in, numbering about twenty, both men and women.

These people had never seen such a luxurious mansion before, and once they entered the courtyard, they dared not utter a sound.

"It's Master."

"You all have to take good care of these masters for me. They are of great use to me. Make sure they eat and drink well."

"Don't worry, sir."

The maids, who had initially looked down on him, began to take Zhou Wu's words seriously.

After leading everyone to a side room, the maid instructed them to rest for a while, and that someone would bring food shortly.

"Then everyone should rest for now."

"Oh, thank you, young lady."

The leader, Song Zhong, was probably in his forties or fifties. Apart from him, everyone else was young and strong. This was a performance that Zhou Wu had specially brought from Niujia Town to the capital to celebrate the Empress's birthday.

When Zhou Wu first approached them, he claimed to be there to celebrate the Empress's birthday. Song Zhong thought he had been tricked. If someone hadn't recognized Zhou Wu, he probably would have gotten a beating.

Even now that he was in the capital, Song Zhong still felt a sense of unreality. He was just the leader of a rural acrobatic troupe. In this era, people couldn't even get enough to eat, so they had no spare money to tip after watching the acrobatics. Things only improved slightly when Song Zhong and his group arrived in Niujia Town.

They originally planned to stay in Niujia Town for a few more days to earn more money, but unexpectedly, Zhou Wu came to their door, saying that he had taken a liking to their acrobatic troupe and wanted to teach them a new trick so that they could perform for nobles in the capital. As for the remuneration, it would naturally be a lot.

Song Zhong, considering the other party's identity, naturally had no doubts and readily agreed. After all, the circus troupe was now facing a life-or-death situation, and the entire troupe of more than twenty people needed to eat.

When the ship docked at the capital's pier, Zhou Wu told Song Zhong that they were to perform for the Empress. Song Zhong was so frightened that his legs went weak. However, since they had already arrived in the capital, it was too late to back out.

Song Zhong was leaning against the door, looking sad. The little ones behind him were inside, finding everything fascinating. Before long, someone brought them food.

"Everyone must be hungry. Please make yourselves at home if we haven't been very hospitable."

After he finished speaking, several servants from the Zhou family came out carrying several large plates, which contained fried dough sticks and the Zhou family's unique smoked and braised pig's head meat. Just the smell alone was enough to make one's mouth water.

These dishes were specially arranged and prepared by Zhou Wu. It wasn't that he was stingy with the money, but fried dough sticks and pig's head meat were more suitable for them. They were plentiful and filling. If he had really prepared several tables of delicacies, these people might have been too shy to sit down.

Although everyone was swallowing hard, they refrained from making a move because of the presence of people from the Zhou family.

The maid understood, smiled slightly, and turned to leave.

Now only the circus troupe members remained, and everyone's eyes turned to their leader, Song Zhong.

"Eat up, everyone. Why are you looking at me?"

Song Zhong smiled helplessly. They were all young and strong, and they only ate thin gruel twice a day with him. They hadn't eaten fried dough in a long time, let alone meat.

Although everyone rushed forward, they still remembered to roll a meat pie for Song Zhong as well, stuffing it full of meat.

"Uncle Zhong, eat."

"Eh~"

Several large basins of fried dough sticks and smoked pig's head meat were so filling that the young men and women were stuffed.

"I haven't felt so full in a long time."

"This pig's head meat smells delicious."

"This life has been worth it."

"You're so spineless. You think a meal of meat is all it takes?"

Zhou Wu arrived right after they finished eating, as if he had deliberately chosen to appear after they had finished their meal.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

After everyone bowed, the others, knowing that Lord Zhou had come to see Uncle Zhong, returned to their rooms.

"Uncle Zhong, Her Majesty the Empress's birthday is still a few days away. In the meantime, you should lead everyone to practice more at the mansion. We must not make any mistakes on the day."

"Rest assured, sir, I will do my utmost."

Song Zhong is already on the wrong path, so he has no choice but to go along with it. Fortunately, the act Zhou Wu prepared is not complicated for their circus troupe.