Zheng Shangming finally seized the opportunity to call upon Jiang Wang, specially inviting him for a meal with wine.
Jiang Wang, in turn, played the mediator, introducing Zheng Shangming to Lian Que.
Once the wine party ended, all the guests dispersed in high spirits.
Zheng Shangming was keen to make friends with Jiang Wang and was very enthusiastic towards his friends from humbler times. Lian Que, too, needed to build his influence in various circles as swiftly as possible to secure his position as the young master of Lian's family.
Of course, the nature of their relationship would depend on their future collaborations.
...
On the 20th of May, the list of candidates for the Yellow River Gathering drafted by the Political Affairs Hall had been presented for the Emperor's review.
This was not a matter requiring secrecy; therefore, the list that was distributed in the morning was already common knowledge in Linzi by the afternoon.