Chapter 36: Welcoming Guests

  In the cold winter of December, the weather is chillingly cold, making people feel a chill in their hearts.

  Fortunately, when Cai Yong hosted a banquet to invite good friends, the weather was exceptionally clear. The sky was blue, with a bright red sun hanging in the air, emitting fiery rays. Wang Can had already learned that Cai Yong would invite his friends and set up a grand feast, so early in the morning, he tidied up his clothes and rushed to Cai Yong's mansion to wait for instructions.

  In the living room, there were only Cai Yong and Wang Can.

  Cai Yong sat in the main seat in the center of the living room, and Wang Can sat below him on his left side.

  Cai Yong's face was serious, and he said in a deep voice: "First of all, the people I invited today are all pillars of the imperial court and famous scholars from all over the country. You are responsible for receiving the guests who come to the banquet, so be careful not to make any mistakes."

  "Don't worry, Master," Wang Canshan replied with a solemn nod, "your disciple understands."

  Welcoming guests is not something that needs to be instructed by Cai Yong, and Wang Can will naturally be cautious. This matter is related to Wang Can's future development, so he will not be careless in the slightest. After a pause, Wang Can looked at Cai Yong and asked: "Teacher, today there are many famous scholars coming to the Cai residence, I don't know who they are specifically, what kind of personalities do they have? Please teach me about them, so that I can be prepared and not panic."

  Cai Yong saw Wang Can take the initiative to ask, and felt a sense of comfort in his heart. He said: "I will tell you in detail, so as not to make mistakes. Although I have had a life of hardships and wandering, I have never held an important position in the court, but fortunately, I still have some friends who are in important positions in the court, and they do not despise me because of my humble position. Listen carefully, don't forget."

  "Situ Wang Yun, courtesy name Zishi; this person is of upright character, loyal and dedicated to the country, he is a pillar of the great Han dynasty."

  "Taiwei Yang Bi, styled Wenxian; a great Confucian and son of Yang Zhen's descendant, Minister of Works Yang Ci. He was a man who hated evil like an enemy. When he served as the Governor of Jingzhao, he executed the powerful eunuch Wang Fu."

  "Guo Rong Dafu Ma Rijue, courtesy name Wengshu; a great Confucian and grandson of Ma Rong's clan, inherited Ma Rong's knowledge, his scholarship was the best in the world."

  "Former Minister Lu Zhi, courtesy name Zigang; studied under Ma Rong, was a man of strong will and determination, learned as the leader of Confucianism, model for the world, pillar of the state, one of the greatest Confucians of his time, but was dismissed from office by Dong Zhuo after offending him."

  …………

  Tsai Yong led the visiting scholars and officials one by one, instructing Wang Can on how to respond. After finishing, he waved his hand: "It's almost time, the guests are about to arrive. You take my place to welcome them at the door and show your face."

  "Yes, I understand now."

  Wang Cai bowed to Cai Yong and respectfully backed out of the living room.

  Wang Can was truly grateful to Cai Yong. Although the old man did it for Cai Yan's future, entrusting Cai Yan to Wang Can's care still benefited Wang Can. Even if Cai Yong made Wang Can swear not to interfere with Cai Yan's marriage, after a long time of getting along, who knows, maybe one day the teacher would become his father-in-law.

  In the end, Cai Yong helping Cai Yan was also helping Wang Can.

  Cai's mansion gate, Wang Can's face wore a smile, his expression calm and composed, he glanced at the steward of Cai's mansion standing beside him, and smiled slightly.

  At this time, Wang Can wore a white robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, calm and composed, showing the demeanor of a nobleman in every move, exactly like a handsome young master.

  Wang Can's eyes gazed straight ahead, and all he saw was a horse carriage slowly approaching.

  It's near!

  It's getting closer and closer!

  The carriage stopped a zhang away from the gate of the Cai Mansion, the curtain was lifted, and an old man in his fifties with a white face, long beard, and wearing a long crown slowly got out of the carriage.

  "Your Highness, this is Wang Situ." The housekeeper standing beside Wang Can reminded him in a low voice.

  Wang Can nodded slightly, and before Wang Yun got off the carriage, Wang Can had already walked quickly to the side of the carriage, standing respectfully beside it. After Wang Yun got off the carriage, Wang Can bowed again, saying in a respectful tone as a disciple: "Disciple Wang Can, pays respects to Master!"

  Sir, literally means referring to people who were born before oneself and are older than oneself.

  However, in ancient times, "Mr." was a term of respect for people with knowledge and prestige.

  Wang Yun was a great Confucian scholar in the country and also a good friend of Cai Yong. Wang Can worshipped Cai Yong as his master, and paid homage to Wang Yun with the courtesy of a junior, which can be said to be mutually beneficial and without any mistakes.

  Wang Can's eyes swept over Wang Can, and he said with a serious expression: "Not bad!"

  After finishing speaking, Wang Yun went straight into Cai's mansion.

  Wang Can stood beside the carriage, stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Wang Yun to speak so decisively, saying one sentence and then leaving with a flourish. Wang Can shook his head inwardly, still smiling on his face. Looking at Wang Yun's disappearing back, Wang Can returned to the gate and continued to wait for the next wave of guests to arrive.

  After Wang Yun entered the Cai residence with his attendants, the steward said: "Young master, Wang, the Minister of Works, is usually stingy in evaluating others. Most people are evaluated as 'good', 'bad', or 'mediocre'. You were able to get a 'not bad' evaluation from him, which is already quite good."

  Wang Can smiled and didn't say anything.

  He was not dissatisfied with Wang Yun's evaluation, but felt that Wang Yun was too decisive.

  One sentence, two words, indeed concise and to the point.

  Just as Wang Can was stunned, another horse carriage slowly came towards the Cai Mansion. The horse carriage also stopped at a distance of one zhang from the Cai Mansion, and the curtain opened to reveal an old man wearing a sky-blue Confucian robe, with white hair and beard, and a face full of wrinkles. Although this old man looked pale and weak, his eyes were bright and piercing, shining brightly.

  "This is Taifu Yang Biao!"

  Wang Can nodded, then before Yang Bi had even taken a step after getting off his horse, he quickly walked to Yang Bi's side and bowed as a disciple would: "Disciple Wang Can, greeting Master."

  Yang Biao helped Wang Can up with a smile and said: "Not bad, young and talented, extraordinary appearance, Boji has taken in a good apprentice."

  "Sir praises, Wang Can is ashamed and dare not accept." Wang Can said humbly with a calm expression.

  "Haha……" Yang Biao burst out laughing, swung his sleeves and strode into the Cai Mansion. After welcoming Yang Biao into the Cai Mansion, Wang Can stood at the gate of the Cai Mansion again to continue receiving guests.

  After a while, two horse-drawn carriages came side by side in front of the Cai Mansion.

  Like the previous carriage, both carriages stopped at a distance of one zhang from the Cai Mansion.

  However, it is unknown whether the drivers intentionally stopped the carriages at the same time and then the curtains of both carriages opened simultaneously, and the people inside walked out at the same time. The old man who came out of the carriage on the left had gray-white whiskers, a cold face, and a stern aura between his eyebrows; the old man who came out of the carriage on the right was about forty years old, with kind eyebrows and eyes, a beautiful beard under his chin, stroking his long beard, with a thick smile in his eyes.

  The housekeeper whispered beside Wang Can: "On the left is Lu Zhi, on the right is Ma Rong."

  Wang Canshen's mind was stunned for a moment as he watched two top-notch figures emerge from the carriage at the same time, his eyelids twitching involuntarily.

  Lu Zhi and Ma Rong were both good friends of Cai Yong. The two men got off their carriages at the same time, and Wang Can had to go forward to pay his respects to both of them. However, who to pay respects to first became a problem, as it involved the issue of face. No matter which side Wang Can was slow to, it would be a huge loss for him. Wang Can's mind kept thinking about how to respond, and when he saw Lu Zhi slowly getting off his carriage on the left side, a flash of inspiration struck him.

  Wang Can took big strides towards Lu Zhi and walked up to him, then respectfully bowed and said: "Disciple Wang Can, pays his respects to the master."

  After meeting Lu Zhi, Wang Can walked up to Ma Rong and bowed respectfully, saying: "Disciple Wang Can, paying respects to the master."

  Wang Can stood respectfully in front of Ma Rong, who glanced at Lu Zhi with a hint of mockery in his eyes and asked: "Wang Can, when my carriage and Zi Gan's arrived at the Cai residence at the same time, and we both got off our carriages at the same time, why did you go to pay your respects to Zi Gan first and then come to pay your respects to me? Are you looking down on me?"

  Wang Canshen secretly sighed in his heart, these two old guys indeed have ulterior motives.