The war had been raging for a month. The Izanagi clan had managed to stabilize their initial decline, fending off the attacks from the Xiren clan and pushing the front lines back to the border.
Even though the fighting was still on their own territory, they had at least prevented the Xiren clan from penetrating too deeply and had preserved most of their foundation.
However, the Xiren Yuanjun and Izanagi Qingwu, who had been commanding and supervising the front lines, had disappeared.
Three days prior, the Xiren clan attacked Gulang County, a major border territory, and its county seat, Gulang City. The defenders were no match for them and could not hold on. The Xiren clan immediately increased their troop deployment and launched a fierce assault on Gulang City.
As the battle raged, the gates of Gulang City were thrown open, and fifty thousand field cavalry charged out, shattering the Xiren clan's siege army.
The Xiren clan retreated, and the general of Gulang City, eager for glory and overconfident, led most of the defending forces in pursuit of the retreating Xiren army.
Twenty li outside the city, Xiren ambushes appeared. Ten thousand field cavalry attacked from both flanks, causing countless casualties to the Gulang City defenders, with most being killed or captured.
"If you can't be dealt with in the city, we'll lure you out and then kill you."
It was a classic military tactic: lure the snake out of its hole.
With its forces depleted, Gulang City could no longer withstand the Xiren clan's army. Following the loss of its elite troops, the entire Gulang County fell to the Xiren clan.
In the first round of the great war between the two clans, the Izanagi clan lost.
In Min'an County, a territory of the Izanagi clan, outside the city of Gudao, stood a post station.
It was night.
Outside the post station was a main road, and beside the road, a river.
It was springtime, a time of blooming flowers. Even though this place was closer to the north, near the territory of the Cao clan, spring had arrived as expected, and it was not particularly cold.
The war to the west was far from here, not affecting the local residents.
On the river, dozens of pleasure boats drifted, with people composing poetry, raising their cups, and drinking together, creating a scene of peace and liveliness, as if their lord was not experiencing war.
This post station, named Xianglou Post Station, was a renowned inn in the northern regions of the Izanagi clan. Merchants traveling for business, as well as local dignitaries, scholars, and young ladies and gentlemen, all enjoyed coming here for a drink.
Wan Lei and the other two, traveling by day and by night, finally arrived at Xianglou this evening, enjoying a leisurely journey.
The Xianglou before them was built by the water. The official road surrounding Xianglou was lined with blooming flowers. It was springtime, the season of the most beautiful blossoms. Merely walking on the official road, the fragrant scent of flowers wafted towards them, dispelling the gloom brought by the war.
This was also the reason for Xianglou's name, and it was currently its most beautiful season.
The old man, leading a donkey, looked at Xianglou not far away, stroked his beard, and smiled as he introduced them to Wan Lei and the other.
"Young friends, you might not know this, but a hundred years ago, a great scholar of the Izanagi clan stayed here. He savored fine wine, breathed in the fragrance of flowers, and admired the river scenery, composing a poem on the spot.
This poem has no title, but I still remember its verses.
'Flowers pour wine, wine intoxicates flowers,
Night accompanies floral scent, passing the inn.
Drunk, I ask the inn: where are the flowers?
Xianglou's garden is full of blooming flowers.'
"You call this poetry?"
Young Master Lei rolled his eyes. Judging by this doggerel, he already knew the caliber of that great scholar.
Hmph, not as good as me, Lei Shaoye, who hasn't read a single book.
"Oh, young friend, you speak with such confidence. It seems you are also a great scholar. Why not compose a poem on the spot? Let the innkeeper hang your calligraphy in the center of the hall."
The old man was quite provocative.
"Hmph, isn't that as easy as picking something up? Listen carefully.
'One flake, two flakes, three or four flakes,
Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten flakes.
A thousand flakes, ten thousand flakes, countless flakes,
Flying into the plum blossoms, they are never seen.'
A good poem, a good poem."
Young Master Lei couldn't help but applaud himself. He even used the association method, forcibly turning a poem about snow into one about flowers, and mistaking the retching sounds of the two people beside him for praise of his work, which made him even happier.
Xianglou had five floors. The higher the floor, the better the view and the more beautiful the scenery, hence the varying prices for each level.
Ordinary people, wanting to appear refined, but lacking the funds, could only bring their meager savings and sit on the first floor to savor a drink. If you didn't order food, you could only stand at the bar and drink.
Those who usually stood drinking were laborers and farmers in simple shirts. Occasionally, a poor scholar in a long gown would stand and drink, saying a few words about the four ways to write the character 'huí,' which would elicit uproarious laughter from the crowd.
The second and third floors were generally frequented by scholars and literati from well-off families. They would stand by the window, raising their cups to invite the moon, and express their feelings about the beautiful scenery. Typically, after a cup of wine, they could compose three or four poems to accompany their meal.
The fourth floor had fewer private seating areas and was usually frequented by the wealthy and noble. This floor only accepted Fire Crystals, not silver.
The fifth floor offered the best view and the most beautiful scenery. It had only one table, and only those with high status and power in the Izanagi clan could ascend to this place, which was specifically arranged for high officials and dignitaries.
On the fifth floor at this moment, two rows of guards in different attire stood on either side, their eyes fixed forward.
By the window overlooking the river, two middle-aged men, one fat and one thin, held wine glasses, gazing at the beautiful scenery outside.
"Your visit to my Izanagi clan this time, Brother Cao, is rather surprising. I didn't expect you, the distinguished third leader, to easily venture into another's territory."
The fat man raised his wine glass with a chuckle and toasted the thin man beside him.
"Venture? What danger is there in your Izanagi clan? Our two families have been on good terms for generations. When I, Cao Hongwen, come to your place, it's like coming home. Must I be wary of danger even in my own home?"
"Hahaha, Brother Cao is so magnanimous, I am impressed."
The fat man took two steps back, bowed to Cao Hongwen with his hands clasped,
"I am truly sorry, Brother Cao. Our Izanagi clan's patriarch is commanding the war on the front lines, and the second leader is recuperating from serious injuries. The third leader has to hold the fort at home to stabilize the situation.
Therefore, I had no choice but to receive you. I hope Brother Cao will forgive me for any lack of hospitality."
"Come now, Jing Tian. We've known each other for decades and are old friends. Among everyone in the Izanagi clan, I am most familiar with you, the Grand Steward. If anyone else were to receive me, I fear I wouldn't bother to say so much.
Only you, Izanagi Jing Tian, can make me, Cao Hongwen, willing to sit down, savor fine wine, and chat about wind, flowers, snow, and the moon."
"Hahaha, indeed, indeed. For you to say that, Brother Cao, I must drink a toast."
The fat man burst into laughter and sat down on a chair, draining his cup again.
He was fat and got tired standing for too long.
"Brother Cao, you are not here specifically to drink with your brother and admire the moon, are you? If you have any important matters, please state them clearly."
Cao Hongwen smiled and also sat down.
"What? Can't I, when I have nothing to do, find my old friend to drink and reminisce?"