The alcohol was weak, and Shao Xun had already downed several cups, yet he remained clear-headed, sitting leisurely and enjoying the music and dance.
In the households of dukes and princes, the maidservants were usually trained by the lady of the house.
Women from prominent families were well-versed in music and dance, and when in the mood, they would personally train the maidservants to ensure perfection.
High society required grandeur.
The female musicians and dancers who entertained guests were an essential part of this grandeur.
If the guest was of high status, the host might even offer their own beloved concubine to accompany the guest as a sign of respect.
This might be one of the reasons why children born to concubines were often looked down upon, as it was sometimes uncertain whether the child was truly the master's.
The dancers before him were likely procured by Sima Yue in Luoyang—yes, procured, just like furniture.
The process of procuring them was simple.
During the Wei and Jin dynasties, there was a widespread practice of keeping slaves.
The court had official slaves, and private individuals had their own slaves, sourced from captives, criminals, and even those who sold themselves into slavery.
The supply was abundant, allowing for pickiness and haggling over prices.
Self-sale had become the mainstream during this period.
Frequent wars and natural disasters had led to an increase in the number of self-sufficient farmers going bankrupt over the past decade.
To escape taxes and military service, some families sold themselves into slavery, while others, in slightly better circumstances, attached themselves to powerful families, becoming tenant farmers or serfs, effectively turning into agricultural slaves.
Of course, private slave-catching activities could not be ignored.
As an "organic supplement" to the slave market, this area was highly active.
Officials even secretly hired people to capture and sell slaves for profit.
Shi Le, for instance, had once been shackled and sold as a slave in Shandong, working as a farmhand in a large estate.
Under the manorial economy, wasn't it just a land full of slaves and tenant farmers?
The current Jin dynasty was already a semi-slave society.
Shao Xun had once been a military household, strictly speaking, a serf who farmed and fought in wars.
In the eyes of scholars, wasn't he just like an ant?
Thus, his ability to be recommended as a filial and incorrupt official, transitioning from a "slave" to a "slave owner," was a qualitative leap across social classes.
It was as if his ancestors' graves were emitting thick smoke, making all the military households weep with envy.
The music gradually became more lively, capturing Shao Xun's attention.
The dancers moved with unrestrained grace, as if flying.
They then scattered like cheerful little birds, fluttering their sleeves before each guest, bending and stretching with graceful postures.
The guests, having drunk more, pointed and laughed.
Judging by the lecherous looks on their faces, they were likely commenting on the dancers, wanting to have a taste—this wasn't impossible, as dancers were often used to entertain guests, depending on one's status.
At that moment, a dancer approached Shao Xun's table.
At times, she was gentle and submissive, like a little bird, her sleeves almost brushing his face, her full figure slowly passing before his eyes in a deliberate, seductive motion.
The movements were carefully choreographed, with precise angles and speeds, combined with her expressions, offering an excellent visual experience.
At other times, she drifted away like an eagle soaring freely in the sky, her posture noble, like a saint.
If one were attending such a banquet for the first time, inexperienced and slightly drunk, they might fidget and instinctively reach out to stop her, making a fool of themselves.
Shao Xun remained seated calmly, his expression barely changing.
Real women were indeed different from those on a screen, far more tempting, but his threshold was quite high.
Ordinary women could no longer tempt or excite him.
He still remembered the scene when he captured Sima Yi, crouching behind Yang Xianrong.
That had been the ultimate pleasure, even if it was just a fantasy in his mind.
If he could truly possess the empress, the most revered woman in the land, and even have her bear his child, that would be a pleasure from the depths of his soul.
In short, he had become perverted.
Small temptations had no effect on him.
"What dance is this?" Shao Xun turned to ask Pei Kuo.
"The Qu Yu dance," Pei Kuo replied.
"Both men and women can perform it. However, today's performance has been specially choreographed. I wonder who arranged it—it's quite interesting."
So it had been adapted? Shao Xun nodded.
Could it have been arranged by the princess? If so, she must be quite lonely...
A scholar sitting below Shao Xun overheard and chuckled, giving Shao Xun a scrutinizing look.
Shao Xun glanced at him, his expression unchanged.
You're sitting below me, almost at the door, with a lower status than mine.
What are you pretending for?
As the dance ended, the dancers each approached a guest to offer wine.
Having just finished dancing, their chests heaved with rapid breaths, and their soft voices added an alluring charm.
Using this to test a man's resolve was indeed effective!
"Gentlemen," Sima Yue stood up, raising his wine cup, and said with a smile, "Sima Yi has been captured, and external troops will soon enter the city. We must remain united and not let outsiders take advantage."
As the Minister of Works offered wine, everyone naturally had to show respect.
Thus, Gou Xi was the first to stand, loudly declaring, "We will follow the Minister's orders."
With that, he downed his cup in one go, a gesture known as "returning the wine."
Following Gou Xi's lead, the others also stood, drank their wine, and chorused, "We will follow the Minister's orders."
Sima Yue laughed heartily, appearing delighted.
He then had his cup refilled and drank it himself.
This was the "toasting wine," and after he drank, the guests were free to do as they pleased.
With the offering, returning, and toasting completed, Sima Yue temporarily left the banquet, and the guests were free to mingle.
Everyone sat down, flirting with the dancers beside them.
"General, why are you only eating meat?" the dancer who had poured wine for Shao Xun whispered.
"Rarely get to eat meat, so I'm focusing on that," Shao Xun replied with a smile.
"What's this? It tastes quite good."
The dancer covered her mouth and laughed.
"That's deer tail from Ye. There probably isn't much left in the city."
"And this?"
"Whole lamb."
Shao Xun looked at the lamb before him, feeling a sense of感慨.
Stuffing a goose inside a lamb, filled with glutinous rice and various seasonings, then roasting it whole—this had always been a "private dish" of the nobility.
He then thought of the current food shortages in the city and couldn't help but feel speechless.
While the common people lacked food and soldiers had their rations reduced, the nobility continued to feast on lavish dishes.
Sima Yi's order to forcibly requisition grain from the nobles wasn't without reason, as they even had surplus grain to feed livestock for their own consumption.
The disparity between people was immense!
Rising one social class was like entering a completely different world.
Deer tail, whole lamb, fine wine, dancers, and musicians—these were luxuries only the upper class could enjoy.
If an ordinary person were lucky enough to enter this class, they would likely be corrupted in no time.
Shao Xun also enjoyed fine wine, good food, and beautiful women, but he felt that the current social conditions couldn't support him and his descendants living such a luxurious life indefinitely.
The Western Jin dynasty's large landowner and manor-based economy had already been proven a failure by history, eventually replaced by the new forces of small landowners and manors.
Compared to the relatively stable Southern Dynasties, the Northern Dynasties had been undergoing intense reforms.
Ultimately, the Northern Zhou, which implemented relatively thorough slave system reforms and a military merit system for small landowners, defeated the Northern Qi, which had incomplete reforms, and unified the north.
Reform was necessary!
Shao Xun once again affirmed his belief.
He would do everything he could until his dying day.
If there were unfinished tasks, they would be passed on to the next generation.
This was the direction of historical development, independent of anyone's will.
Even if the new ruler preferred the ways of the Wei and Jin dynasties, there was no turning back.
One could not stand against the tide of history, or they would be crushed to pieces.
"Where are you from?" Shao Xun asked.
The dancer laughed again.
Her sisters were already being groped breathlessly, but this official seemed quite proper, actually taking the time to chat with her.
Shao Xun guessed her thoughts and smiled without saying more.
Groping while drinking—wasn't that just like a business KTV in later times?
"Room manager" Pei Sixteen had just passed by outside, and Shao Xun didn't want to lose his composure and leave a bad impression.
"I'm from Bingzhou," the dancer replied.
"How are things with the Xiongnu in Bingzhou?" Shao Xun asked.
The dancer was stunned.
Pei Kuo burst out laughing beside them.
"If you ask her about music and dance, she might answer. But asking about the Xiongnu? That's like asking a fish to climb a tree."
Shao Xun smiled and said nothing.
After a while, Pei Sixteen passed by again and gave Shao Xun a meaningful look.
Shao Xun sat quietly for a moment, then stood up, excusing himself to use the restroom, and left the main hall.
"Prince Chengdu is coming to Luoyang," Pei Sixteen quickly said.
"Why would he come?" Shao Xun was surprised.
"He's just making a trip and will return to Ye soon," Pei Sixteen explained.
"The information is reliable."
"Thank the princess for the tip," Shao Xun said, bowing slightly.
Pei Sixteen nodded and quickly disappeared into the night.
"Persistent as a ghost," Shao Xun muttered under his breath, shaking his head helplessly.
If Sima Ying came personally, the eunuch Meng Jiu would surely accompany him.
Some matters were about to become more complicated.
But—so what? A living person wouldn't be held back by such trivialities.
Given Sima Yue's current attitude toward him, the issue wasn't significant, just something to be cautious about, as indicated by the princess's demeanor.
(End of Chapter)