The seating was divided into two rows, with ten people seated at each table. The front seats were for royal nobles and ministers, while the back seats were for family members and high-ranking warriors and retainers.
At this moment, the main hall was already filled with people.
These people were either royal relatives, high-ranking officials, nobles, military personnel, or wealthy merchants from Handan.
They were sitting in their seats, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
Without exception, the focus of their discussions was on Li Yao, the new leader of the Mohist Guild who had recently killed Yan Ping and taken his place.
After Li Yao killed Yan Ping, he also carried out a thorough purge of the Mohist guild in the Zhao state.
Anyone whose identity was questionable and who could not prove their innocence was expelled from the Mohist Guild by Li Yao.
These people were basically spies planted in the Mohist guild by various factions within the Zhao state.
Now that Li Yao has removed all these nails, it has naturally aroused the dissatisfaction of many people.
Meanwhile, the news had spread throughout the entire city of Handan, and even the entire state of Zhao.
As everyone knows, tonight's banquet is specially prepared for Li Yao, the newly appointed Grand Master of the Mohist Guild.
Previously, many powerful and influential people had extended invitations to Li Yao.
Unfortunately, Li Yao never kept his appointment.
Therefore, everyone wanted to see for themselves what kind of person this decisive and arrogant Li Yao really was.
However, with the banquet about to begin and the king about to take his seat, Li Yao was still nowhere to be seen.
Could it be that Li Yao is trying to put on airs in front of the King?
On the right, a man with a sword scar on his left cheek that ran diagonally from his ear to the corner of his mouth said angrily, "This big shot of the Mohist Guild has quite the airs."
This person was Zhao Mu, the Marquis of Julu.
Zhao Mu was tall and straight with broad shoulders. The scar on his face did not make him ugly; instead, it added to his masculine charm.
In fact, although he was over thirty, he was still very well-maintained, with a handsome appearance, particularly thick eyebrows, a slightly hooked nose, and long but sharp eyes, which made people feel that he was definitely not someone to be trifled with.
Zhao Mu extended two invitations to Li Yao, attempting to win him over.
However, this ungrateful Li Yao completely ignored his invitation, showing utter disrespect.
Sitting below Zhao Mu, Guo Zong smiled and said, "He has thousands of Mohists under his command, so it's not surprising that he acts arrogantly."
Guo Zong was of medium height and around forty years old. He had a fair complexion and no beard, but his face was shrewd and his expressions were rich when he spoke. At first glance, he seemed like a carefree person, but everyone who knew him knew how cunning he was, hiding a knife behind his smile.
Guo Zong paused for a moment, then a hint of regret appeared on his face. "It's just a pity that Yan Pingjuzi... sigh, what a pity!"
A flash of endless resentment crossed Zhao Mu's eyes.
Yan Ping was an important pawn in his game, and now that Li Yao had killed him, how could he not hate him?
Moreover, Li Yao even removed the spies he had planted in the Mohist Guild, which is simply outrageous!
At this moment, the guards at the entrance of the main hall announced, "Li Yao, the Grand Master of the Mohist Guild, has arrived!"
Immediately, the hall fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes turned to the entrance of the main hall.
Those sitting in the back all craned their necks, eager to see what this mysterious Li Yao looked like.
A beautiful noblewoman, seated among the royal relatives, stared curiously at the entrance of the main hall.
This noblewoman is none other than that harlot Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya had invited Li Yao twice, but Li Yao ignored her, which aroused her curiosity.
Just who is this Li Yao that he would refuse her invitation?
A stunningly beautiful woman in white, sitting next to Wu Shi, also looked curiously towards the entrance of the main hall.
The woman in white is Wu Tingfang, the granddaughter of the Wu family.
Amidst the eager anticipation of the crowd, a handsome young man of average height and build entered the Auspicious Hall with composure and elegance.
Behind the young man followed two Mohists.
Immediately, a number of boos erupted from the crowd.
In their minds, this new leader of the Mohist guild, who had caused such a stir in Handan, was at least a middle-aged man who had weathered many storms, if not a burly and brave giant.
Unexpectedly, this Li Yao was just a greenhorn.
This is quite different from the image of Li Yao in their minds.
Wu Tingfang immediately lost interest, thinking that Li Yao was not as good-looking as Lian Jin.
Since Xiang Shaolong did not appear, Wu Tingfang's heart had already been captured by Lian Jin.
Zhao Mu sneered, thinking to himself: I thought this new bigwig was a magnanimous and heroic figure, but he's just a brat.
Although he thought this way, he still wanted to win over Li Yao.
After all, Li Yao still had thousands of Mohists under his command.
This force should not be underestimated.
So he rose from his seat and went to greet Li Yao, saying with a beaming smile, "This must be the new leader of the Mohist Guild. I am..."
Unfortunately, Li Yao didn't even glance at him. Instead, he looked around and asked the attendant beside him, "Where is my seat?"
Zhao Mu stood there dumbfounded, his face dark. He hadn't expected Li Yao to not even glance at him, clearly showing him no respect. This was incredibly arrogant.
Everyone present was astonished to see that Li Yao completely ignored Marquis Julu.
Who was the Marquis of Julu?
He was a figure second only to the emperor in the state of Zhao.
Li Yao actually ignored the Marquis of Julu, and did so in front of so many people. This was practically a slap in the face to the Marquis of Julu.
That's so... impressive!
The waiter smiled awkwardly at Marquis Julu, then led Li Yao to his seat.
Li Yao arrived at his seat and sat down cross-legged.
Everyone was stunned again.
At that time, chairs and stools had not yet appeared, and everyone sat on the ground.
However, the "sitting" at this time was completely different from the sitting in later generations.
At that time, people knelt on the mat with their buttocks resting on their calves, a posture very similar to that of later Japanese people.
Of course, the sitting posture of later Japanese people was learned from ancient China.
Therefore, Li Yao's cross-legged sitting posture was somewhat unusual.
Chapter 43 A Calm and Serious Slap in the Face of Marquis Julu
Marquis of Julu was furious at Li Yao's disregard.
Just as he was about to lash out, suddenly a clear bell rang out with a "ding".
He glared at Li Yao fiercely, then stormed back to his seat.
Immediately afterwards, the sound of string and wind instruments came from the room.
A ceremonial band, moving lightly and playing instruments, led the way in, then dispersed to both sides to stand still and continue playing.
Then, surrounded by a group of concubines, King Xiaocheng of Zhao, who was about thirty years old, strode into the palace.
Following behind were over a hundred personal guards, half of whom went around to the space behind the banquet to stand guard, while the other half followed King Hyoseong to the main hall set up at the end of the palace.
King Xiaocheng was handsome, with bright eyes, a broad forehead, and a dignified appearance, but he was a little thin and his lips were not full enough.
However, Li Yao's first impression of King Xiaocheng was that he was indulging in excessive sexual activity.
Because King Xiaocheng's face was pale from excessive drinking and womanizing.
King Hyoseong walked alone to the head seat, while the concubines sat in the three seats behind them, and the guards stood guard on both sides and at the rear, displaying the imposing presence of a ruler of a country.
Upon seeing King Xiaocheng appear, Marquis Julu, Lady Wu, Guo Zong, and the others all knelt on the ground, respectfully awaiting King Xiaocheng's arrival.
There was only one exception: Li Yao.
At this moment, Li Yao was still sitting cross-legged. He saw that King Xiaocheng was looking at him with a look of astonishment, so he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to King Xiaocheng.
King Xiaocheng was taken aback. In a moment of carelessness, he missed a step and suddenly stumbled forward.
Fortunately, the guards behind King Xiaocheng reacted quickly and caught him in time; otherwise, King Xiaocheng would have fallen flat on his face.
At this moment, many people in the hall were surprised to find that Li Yao did not kneel down to greet King Xiaocheng.
Among them was Zhao Mu, the Marquis of Julu.
Zhao Mu was taken aback for a moment, then felt a surge of joy in his heart. He thought to himself: The chance for revenge has come. Li Yao, watch how I deal with you. Humph, you actually dared to oppose me.
Without waiting for King Xiaocheng to speak, he shouted angrily, "How dare this thief not kneel before the King! He has no respect for the King and the law! Guards, seize this thief and beat him with sticks..."
But before he could finish speaking, a sharp whistling sound was heard.
Immediately afterward, he heard a loud 'bang' and felt a wave of dizziness and excruciating pain on his face.
He screamed in agony, reached up and wiped his face, only to find his hand covered in blood and pear pulp.
It turned out that just as Zhao Mu ordered his men to arrest Li Yao, Li Yao casually picked up a pear from the low table in front of his seat and threw it at Zhao Mu's face.
Before anyone, including King Xiaocheng, could react, Marquis Zhao Mu of Julu was hit by a pear. The pear shattered, and pear fragments covered Zhao Mu's face.
Everyone was utterly shocked!
What... what's going on?
Am I seeing things?
Is it really possible to publicly humiliate someone like that?
This is such a blatant slap in the face!
Many powerful and influential people present were secretly delighted. This Marquis of Julu was used to being arrogant and domineering, and they had been bullied by him many times. Finally, someone dared to teach this guy a lesson.