Chancellor Yuan Zai said, "I enjoyed a close personal friendship with the former head of Zhongyi Hall, Wu Tong. The two of us frequently exchanged views on official affairs. Lord Li, you are a man of exceptional talent, a great roc destined to soar to the highest heavens. I believe you will have ample opportunity to realize your ambitions in the imperial court. Since you and I will often cross paths in the course of our official duties, we can look out for one another. I sincerely hope that Lord Li will lend me your full support."
Li Jian replied, "Your humble servant shall faithfully perform his duties and obey His Majesty's commands!"
Wu Tong had once warned Li Jian about the treachery and political intrigues within the imperial court. He had specifically cautioned him to be wary of the powerful eunuch Yu Chao'en and Chancellor Yuan Zai. Both men manipulated court affairs for their own purposes and were locked in an ongoing struggle for power. Wu Tong had particularly impressed upon Li Jian that he must not become entangled in their rivalry, but should obey the emperor alone.
Chancellor Yuan Zai could not help smiling.
"Of course, Lord Li will obey His Majesty's commands. In the days ahead, there will be many matters of state in which we shall need your assistance."
He paused briefly, then suddenly called out, "Yu Ai, bring the gift!"
A man behind him responded immediately and approached, carrying a box in both hands. Such precious gifts were naturally kept in specially crafted containers.
Yuan Zai said, "Since this is our first meeting, I have prepared a modest gift for you, Lord Li. It is merely a small token of my goodwill, like a goose feather sent from a thousand miles away. I hope you will accept it."
Li Jian was greatly taken aback. Why would the chancellor offer him a gift at their very first meeting?
He quickly replied, "Lord Yuan, I dare not accept a reward without having rendered any service. I must admit that I find your gift most appealing, but I have only just assumed the position of head of Zhongyi Hall. I truly cannot accept such a present at this time. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me."
Yuan Zai seemed to have anticipated this response and did not openly take offense. Instead, he burst into laughter, concealing his displeasure.
"Very well, then. It is getting late. Surely you can at least join me for a meal?"
He thought to himself, How dare this young man refuse me? He must believe he can rely on the emperor to protect him!
Li Jian replied with a polite smile, "Since Your Excellency is occupied with official duties, surely sharing a meal is a harmless matter."
Thus, Li Jian accompanied the officials of the Zhengshitang to the dining hall. There were so many officials working in the administrative hall that three large tables had been laid out for the banquet.
Once everyone was seated, Chancellor Yuan Zai raised his cup.
"Gentlemen, let us first raise our cups and offer a toast to the newly appointed head of Zhongyi Hall!"
Li Jian lifted his cup and drank alongside the officials of every rank. The banquet then began in earnest, and everyone settled down to enjoy the meal.
After several courses had been served, Yuan Zai suddenly spoke again.
"Lord Li, we have a custom here in the Zhengshitang whenever a newly appointed official joins us for a meal. Each person must drink at least three cups of wine. Allow me to begin by sharing three cups with Lord Li!"
Yuan Zai had deliberately arranged the banquet to get Li Jian drunk, hoping to make him embarrass himself and perhaps reveal confidential information while under the influence of alcohol. Drinking together also offered an opportunity to observe a person's true character, which would help Yuan Zai understand Li Jian and eventually bring Zhongyi Hall under his influence.
Li Jian readily raised his cup and drank three cups with Chancellor Yuan Zai.
No sooner had he put down his cup than Yuan Zai addressed the assembled officials again.
"Gentlemen, let us take turns offering toasts to Lord Li. At least three cups each—that is the only way to show our sincerity! Yu Ai, you may begin."
At a signal from the chancellor, Yu Ai immediately lifted his cup.
"Lord Li, I am Yu Ai, a humble subordinate. I offer you these three cups as a mark of respect!"
With that, he raised his cup in salute. The two men drained three cups apiece in a display of hearty camaraderie.
One after another, the officials at all three tables rose to offer Li Jian their toasts. Yet even after every official had taken his turn, Li Jian's expression and complexion remained unchanged.
Chancellor Yuan Zai was astonished.
Li Jian lifted his cup and turned toward Yuan Zai, speaking in a bold, hearty voice.
"Wine is a wonderful thing! The ancients called it jade nectar and heavenly ambrosia. Fine food deserves fine wine. Since I am new here, allow me to borrow this occasion to honor Your Excellency. Three cups for you, Lord Yuan!"
Yuan Zai had already become slightly tipsy after his earlier drinking. Nevertheless, he had little choice but to raise his cup.
The cups clinked, and the two men drank three more cups together. Before long, Yuan Zai was struggling to hold his liquor. His eyes grew bleary, yet he still managed to call out:
"Gentlemen, have a few more cups with Lord Li!"
At his words, the officials of the Zhengshitang eagerly began offering Li Jian more wine.
Seeing this, Li Jian did not attempt to evade them. Instead, he raised his cup and declared, "My esteemed colleagues, such heavenly nectar is not to be wasted! Today, let us drink to our hearts' content!"
Li Jian continued to exchange toasts with the officials, smiling and laughing as he drank cup after cup. No matter who offered him wine, he accepted without hesitation and emptied his cup.
Gradually, the officials began to succumb to the alcohol. One after another, they slumped over the tables, repeatedly exclaiming:
"Lord Li, you truly have an extraordinary capacity for wine! We are thoroughly impressed! We really cannot drink another drop!"
When Li Jian turned his head to look, he discovered that Chancellor Yuan Zai himself had already collapsed over the table, completely overcome by drink.
Li Jian could not help laughing.
"Gentlemen, if you can no longer hold your liquor, you should stop. A little wine may lift the spirits, but excessive drinking only harms the body."
Yuan Zai had intended to use the banquet to get Li Jian drunk, but he had never imagined that Li Jian could drink a thousand cups without becoming intoxicated. His capacity for alcohol was truly astonishing. One man had managed to drink the entire gathering of Zhengshitang officials under the table!
Speaking of Li Jian's remarkable drinking ability, one could not help recalling the day he had eaten a golden-colored soft-shelled turtle and nearly lost his life. Through a strange twist of fate, however, he had subsequently managed to open the Ren and Du meridians, transforming his internal energy. From that time onward, Li Jian had become virtually impossible to intoxicate, possessing a drinking capacity that seemed limitless. Even the Beggar known as the Wine Immortal had been astonished by Li Jian's ability to drink.
After single-handedly drinking the officials of the Zhengshitang into submission, Li Jian left the administrative hall and returned to the official residence of Zhongyi Hall.
Another day passed. Early the following morning, a young eunuch arrived at the residence and announced that Duke of Han Yu Chao'en wished to summon the head of Zhongyi Hall.
Li Jian immediately followed the young eunuch to Yu Chao'en's official residence.
Upon arriving, he saw a middle-aged man in official robes seated in the main hall. When the eunuch ushered Li Jian inside, the man rose to his feet and greeted him with a smile.
Li Jian clasped his fists and bowed.
"Li Jian, head of Zhongyi Hall, pays his respects to Duke of Han."
Yu Chao'en wielded immense power throughout the imperial court. Although he held an official position in the government, he habitually judged court affairs according to his own personal interests and opinions. Arrogant, domineering, and accustomed to exercising power without restraint, he rarely allowed anyone to challenge his authority.
Yu Chao'en nodded with a smile and gestured toward a seat.
"Lord Li, please sit."
Li Jian replied respectfully, "Thank you, Your Excellency."
He then took his seat. Yu Chao'en ordered his attendants to serve tea, and after the two men had taken a few sips, the duke began to speak.
"Lord Li, I hear that you were invited to the Zhengshitang yesterday. Is that true?"
Li Jian answered, "Indeed, Your Excellency. I was invited there yesterday."
Yu Chao'en nodded.
"I wonder what Chancellor Yuan Zai discussed with you?"
Li Jian replied, "Lord Yuan did not discuss matters of state with your humble servant. He merely said that, in the future, since we would have frequent dealings in the course of our official duties, we should look out for one another. That was all."
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