Lin Jue set up the banquet for today's meeting with Yan Zhengsu in a spotless box at the east corner of Yude Building. Originally, as Lin Jue, he was not qualified to hold a banquet in a place like Yude Building, but fortunately, he had the backer of Liang Wangfu. With the recommendation of the little prince Guo Kun, Lin Jue successfully became one of the members of Yude Building. And this box plus today's table of banquets, Lin Jue paid a deposit of five hundred taels of silver. If this spreads, I am afraid that it will scare a bunch of flat-headed people to death on the street.

In the box, Lin Jue stood in front of the long window with his hands in his hands and looked at the streets and alleys below. A few pedestrians in ordinary clothes were walking slowly in the alley, but they were the people hired by Yu Tak House. Within 100 steps of entering Yu Tak Building, you will definitely be closely watched by these people. Feel free to deliver messages in. And if someone tries to rush in, he will definitely pounce, because the news will be delivered here one step earlier, and the guests will disappear in a short time.

Lin Jue chose to meet Yan Zhengsu in such a place today because he wanted to discuss an important deal with Yan Zhengsu openly and honestly. He wanted to propose a plan that would impress Yan Zhengsu in exchange for Lin Bonian's pardon. Therefore, he neither went to visit Yan Zhengsu's home, nor did he go to the yamen of the political affairs hall to meet him. He only verbally made an invitation through Yan Kuan. This is, of course, to ensure the safety and privacy of the meeting. Because Lin Jue didn't know how many pairs of eyes were staring at him, he was alive, and he was a person like Yan Zhengsu. And the content of this meeting and conversation must not be known to outsiders. Lin Jue didn't even tell Fang Dunru, because he knew that Fang Dunru couldn't break through by himself. It's not because Fang Dunru is more stubborn than Yan Zhengsu, but because Fang Dunru cherishes his feathers too much, and even overkills. No matter how reasonable what he says, he will still refuse, because he is afraid that some people will say that he is biased and uses power for personal gain. And Yan Zhengsu would not have this kind of problem, not to mention that Yan Zhengsu was the only person who could make Fang Dunru obey him.

Lin Jue actually came here from noon and waited. He had been paying attention to the movement in the streets and alleys below, waiting for Yan Zhengsu to arrive. But he wasn't really sure if Yan Zhengsu would come. Lin Jue actually didn't have any confidence in his heart. But one thing is clear to him: if Yan Zhengsu refuses to even see him, then from now on, the little friendship between himself and Yan Zhengsu will also disappear. Maybe outsiders who know what Lin Jue thinks in his heart will laugh at him for actually having a relationship with Yan Zhengsu. But Lin Jue knew that he was qualified. He is qualified to have a relationship with Yan Zhengsu, and if Yan Zhengsu is not stupid, he should also understand this. If he didn't come, Lin Jue would be completely disappointed in him.

It was nearly noon and the sun was fierce. The bluestone paths below the alleys reflect the harsh sunlight, and there are significantly fewer pedestrians on the streets. The box where Lin Jue was located was on the second floor, but it was sheltered by the dense canopy of several tall plane trees overhead, and there was also an ice basin in the room to cool down, and the temperature was not high. But even so, fine sweat oozed from Lin Jue's forehead. It wasn't because of the heat, but because of the anxiety in the heart. At this time, Yan Zhengsu did not appear, which can only mean that he will not come. That is to say, Yan Zhengsu has completely ignored his invitation and his own existence.

Lin Jue sighed and smiled helplessly. He didn't want to use the backup plan, in order to save Lin Bonian, Lin Jue was indeed prepared with both hands. The so-called east is not bright and the west is bright, if there is no way to go here, then Lin Jue will have to take another road. But if it gets to that point, the price to pay will be very large. Maybe you have to turn against many people, or you may have to be scolded by many people. However, that can only be walked. Now, rescuing Lin Bonian has become a standard for Lin Jue's self-measurement. Whether he can rescue Lin Bonian is not only about Lin Bonian's life and death, but also a test of Lin Jue's ability.

While Lin Jue was groaning, there was movement in the alley below. Several plainclothes guys from the restaurant suddenly looked at the alley to the west, and then dispersed as if nothing had happened. With just this one action, Lin Jue knew that someone was coming.

Sure enough, in the gap between the dense shade of the trees, Lin Jue condescendingly saw three or four people coming from the alley. They were all dressed in ordinary clothes, wearing hats to cover their heads and faces. From Lin Jue's point of view, they could not be identified. But soon, the capable second shopkeeper of Yude Building appeared at the door of the box and said with a smile: "Lord Lin, the guest you invited has arrived." Drinks and food are served. ”

……

Yan Zhengsu walked into the box with a hot wind, with a slight flush on his dark and thin face, I don't know if it was because of his mood or because the weather outside was too hot.

Lin Jue stood in front of the door and bowed to the ground, and said with a smile: "Lord Yan, Lin Jue is polite." Thank you, Lord Yan, for coming with a face. I didn't think you were coming. ”

Yan Zhengsu returned the salute, stretched out his hand to take off the hat on his head and handed it to Yan Kuan, who was standing behind him, and said with a smile: "The old man really almost couldn't come, and the public is too busy." But you Lin Jue invited, it seems inappropriate for the old man not to come. After all, when you got married, the old man didn't go to congratulate him, and this time he came, and he also made up for the congratulatory gift by the way. Yan Kuan, take it. ”

Yan Kuan responded, took out a black inkstone with a dark green color from the package he was carrying and handed it to Yan Zhengsu. Yan Zhengsu stretched out his hand to take it and handed it to Lin Jue.

"Is this ......," Lin Jue asked.

"The old man doesn't have much savings, and it's not like other people who can casually come up with hundreds or thousands of taels of congratulatory gifts. Thinking about it, there is only this inkstone around, with me for more than 20 years, when I went to the northwest to meet friends, friends sent a inkstone stone. When he returned, he asked someone to make an inkstone. Later I learned that the stone was expensive. The old man once went to Taozhou again to pay money to his friend, but my friend had already passed away and had no chance to thank him. I have used this inkstone for more than 20 years, and it is something I cherish. It should be okay to give it to you as a congratulatory gift. "Solemnly stroking the beard.

Lin Jue naturally knew the preciousness of Tao Yan. Tao Yan is one of the four famous inkstones in the world, its color is green, its quality is fine, crystal like jade, knock it like a bell, store ink for a long time and do not dry. It is a treasure of the scholar's room that is very cherished by literati and ink writers, and it is very valuable. This inkstone is worth a thousand taels of silver. What's more, this inkstone has followed Yan Zhengsu for many years and contains a friendship between him, which is even more priceless. Lin Jue was willing to accept such a treasure.

"No, no, no, you can't take it down. A gentleman does not take away the love of others, this is a thing that is loved by adults, how can I accept it? When the adult's heart arrived, I was very grateful. Lin Jue waved his hand again and again.

Yan Zhengsu smiled: "Don't think too much, this is just a scholar's thing." In fact, there is not much difference from ordinary inkstones, they are just used for grinding ink and writing. In the eyes of the world, it is naturally valuable, but in my eyes, it is just an ordinary thing. I gave you not because of its value, but because the old man hopes that you can use this inkstone to write more splendid articles and incisive insights like "The Theory of the Six Kingdoms". If you don't accept it, you will dislike the old man. ”

Lin Jue waved his hand and said, "I will remember the words of the adults, but I can't accept this inkstone." If you can come and congratulate you, it will be a big face. I will not take it. ”

Lin Jue resolutely refused to accept it, but Yan Zhengsu insisted on giving, the two of you pushed me to make trouble, and finally solemnly and solemnly, and said angrily: "Lin Jue, I give a gift, do you refuse to accept it?" Isn't that a loss of face for me? You must take it, and if you don't, I'll throw it downstairs. Fall to the ground. ”

Lin Jue scratched his head with a wry smile, knowing that he couldn't resist Yan Zhengsu, so he sighed: "That's it, then I'll take it, thank you, adult." I'll keep this inkstone well. ”

"It's not for you to collect and preserve, I want you to write articles in it, it's for use, not for offering. In the past 20 years, when will I not use it? Got it? Yan Zhengsu glared.

Lin Jue looked at the inkstone with a wry smile, no wonder it looked dark green at a glance, and it turned out to be full of ink dirt. You must know that the color of Tao Yan is a new green color, and it is as clear as washing, which can be seen that in Yan Zhengsu's eyes, this is indeed just an inkstone.

"Okay, okay, I know, I know. Sit down and quench your thirst with a cup of tea. The food and drinks soon followed. Lin Jue said with a smile. Stretched out his hand and picked up the inkstone, and put it on the small table beside him.

"Don't say it, the old man is really thirsty." Only then did Yan Zhengsu regain a smile on his face, and walked to the carved chair and sat down. Lin Jue personally started and poured him a cup of tea.

"Did you come alone? I think I saw someone coming with an adult. Out of the strict housekeeper, there seems to be someone else, do you want to come and sit together? Lin Jue asked with a smile.

Yan Zhengsu picked up the teacup and was stunned, then waved his hand and said with a smile: "No, no, there is no one else, those are my two entourages, Yan Kuan will arrange them in a while, and I will come alone today." ”

Lin Jue sighed, turned around and sat down beside Yan Zhengsu. After a while, the wine and dishes were put on the table, and more than a dozen dishes were placed on the table, but it was not a delicacy, just some ordinary dishes, and the meat dishes were just steamed fish and roast chicken.

Yan Zhengsu's face was full of approval. Lin Jue felt a little in his heart, but he had put a lot of thought into it. He knew that Yan Zhengsu didn't like extravagance and waste, and his favorite food was home-cooked food, so he didn't serve the delicacies of the mountains and seas. At this moment, it seems that Yan Zhengsu is really satisfied. But in fact, the price of this table of home-cooked food is the same as the price of a table of delicacies from the mountains and seas. Yude Lou doesn't care what you order, the total price is there, whether you eat it or not, they don't care.

The wine is very good wine, Yan Zhengsu likes good wine, and Lin Jue naturally takes it into account. Today's drink is Bianliang's local jujube collection ancient liquor, according to legend, this wine has been since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and it is the favorite wine of the sage Laozi. Expensive is naturally expensive and scary, but Lin Jue doesn't care about this.