Chapter 86: The Tavern Is Like a Battlefield

Niu Ju had just finished speaking,

Shi Yong interjected, "None of you are true Lanling people; I am the only true Lanling person. My hometown is Shigouying Village in Lanling County."

When I see Director Kang, that's as close as it gets.

Look at my eyes; they're all blood‑shot.

After Shi Yong finished speaking,

I continued with a laugh, "Shi Yong, that's caused by eating sea cucumber and getting heated. Director Kang, don't try to get friendly with them. Especially Shi Yong—people like him have green light flashing from their eyes."

Ya Li laughed heartily after hearing me.

Soon the waiter began pouring drinks and serving dishes.

Hou Laoban first brought over a case of white wine, and specially got a bottle of Changcheng Dry Red for Ya Li.

Niu Ju then said, "Director Kang, when you come to our place, you can't drink red wine; you must drink white wine. Try our Lanling Aged Aroma Wine."

Ya Li replied to Niu Ju, "Thank you, Niu Ju, but I really don't drink white wine."

Niu Ju stood up from his seat,

"Waiter, give me the wine bottle; I'll pour a glass of white wine for Director Kang."

The waiter had no choice but to hand the white wine to Niu Ju,

Niu Ju actually took the bottle and poured wine for Ya Li.

Ya Li quickly stood up,

"Niu Ju, how can you pour me wine? I said I don't drink white wine."

I sat beside Ya Li,

"Niu Ju, why are you the one pouring? Shi Yong, you pour. Ya Li, since you're here, make the best of it. One glass of white wine, don't worry."

Ya Li looked at me,

That meaning, why didn't I help her block the white wine?

In fact, here in Zaocheng, the pressure to drink at the table is extremely severe.

If Ya Li truly refuses white wine, Niu Ju will nag her endlessly. The likely outcome is that she'll end up drinking both red wine and white wine, and she'll overdrink.

It's better to just drink white wine outright. Once you're at a drinking table in Zaocheng, no one dares to refuse white wine.

Unless you skip the banquet altogether.

It's a bad habit that hasn't changed for many years. It may be linked to Zaocheng's many coal mines, since coal miners are accustomed to this kind of drinking pressure.

Shi Yong hurriedly stood up, took the bottle from Niu Ju's hand, and poured wine for Ya Li.

Niu Ju glanced at Li Kezhang and Captain Guo,

Those two guys also immediately stood up,

and fought with Shi Yong for the bottle to pour wine for Ya Li.

Shi Yong naturally wouldn't let them get the bottle,

Seeing this, I said,

"You three pour together. That will show the respect due to Director Kang."

The three men each held a bottle and poured wine for Ya Li together.

Ya Li stood excitedly aside, not knowing what to do,

Hou Laoban laughed, "Three heroes pouring fine wine—this is the first time at Zaocheng Grand Hotel."

Niu Ju said, "Old Hou, you can't be insincere today, or I won't spare you."

When Niu Ju spoke, Hou Laoban immediately fell silent.

The wine was all poured,

There were seven people at the table, and everyone took their seats as host or guest.

Niu Ju glanced sideways at Ya Li, while Li Kezhang and Captain Guo stared at Shi Yong.

I looked at everyone at the table.

Hou Laoban lowered his head, holding a skewer, turning it continuously, muttering something under his breath.

This tavern, like a battlefield, has men who love to argue about superiority at any time. The tavern is no different.

Today, Niu Ju came with his men, definitely targeting Shi Yong and me.

I'm confident about Shi Yong's drinking capacity. However, I have an injury, and I fear I won't be able to match Niu Ju's drinking.

I can only let Ya Li step forward. I'll deal with Hou Laoban.

I was calculating in my mind.

Because I'm the host, I have to speak first; only then can the banquet begin.

I lifted my cup,

and said, "Today we are all gathered together, primarily to welcome Director Kang who has come from afar, as well as our old friends Niu Ju, Hou Laoban, Li Kezhang, and Captain Guo.

I, Zhao Jianqiang, on behalf of Da Heng Group, welcome the distinguished guests' arrival,

Here I extend my hospitality as the host, hoping everyone eats and drinks well today,

For the first glass, I will express my feelings. I hope everyone is united in purpose."

After I finished speaking, I downed the cup in one gulp.

After everyone shouted "Cheers",

Niu Ju also downed his cup.

Shi Yong, Li Kezhang, and Captain Guo all downed theirs.

Ya Li touched the cup with her lips and then set it down,

Hou Laoban, seeing Ya Li drink that way, also took a sip and then set his cup down.

Niu Ju looked at Hou Laoban,

He said directly, "Old Hou, you keep the wine to raise fish, you're so single‑minded, how do you drink it?"

Hou Laoban's face showed a troubled expression,

"Niu Ju, my drinking capacity is poor. Even General Kang hasn't drunk it dry."

Ya Li said, "I really can't finish a sip. If I have to drink it dry in one gulp, I'll stop drinking."

Niu Ju said to Hou Laoban, "Old Hou, what are you competing with General Kang about? I'll drink General Kang's wine for you."

After speaking, Niu Ju stood up, intending to take Ya Li's wine cup.

Ya Li, frightened, quickly used her hand to protect the wine cup.

I smiled at Ya Li and said, "General Kang, Niu Ju has this good intention, you should accept it. Niu Ju, don't stand up; I'm in the middle, just pour the wine from Ya Li's cup directly to you."

Niu Ju's concern for General Kang is truly meticulous.

I took the wine cup from Ya Li's hand and poured it into Niu Ju's empty cup.

Niu Ju lifted the wine cup toward Ya Li, and then in an instant drank it dry.

After Niu Ju set the wine cup down,

he looked at Hou Laoban,

"Old Hou, General Kang's is already drunk dry, what about yours?"

Hou Laoban looked left and right, found no one to drink for him, and had to lift his own wine cup,

"I will drink it dry too. May everyone be single‑minded and unite around Niu Ju."

After Hou Laoban finished drinking, the waiter hurried to pour wine.

I picked up my chopsticks and said, "Everyone, don't just drink; let's order some dishes and taste Zaocheng's specialties. General Kang, this is Zaocheng's famous spicy chicken; have a bite."

Ya Li was just about to pick up chopsticks to take food when Niu Ju, using his own chopsticks, grabbed a pork trotter and stood up,

"General Kang, try our local black pork trotter."

After speaking, he placed the pork trotter onto the plate in front of Ya Li.

Ya Li looked at me again.

I laughed heartily, "General Kang, Niu Ju really knows how to pamper people. Have a taste."

Ya Li could only pick it up with chopsticks, pretended to taste it,

and then said, "Thank you, Niu Ju, it's delicious."

The drinking session continued,

I, fulfilling my host duties, suggested that after three cups of wine, the right to drink would be handed over to Niu Ju.

After Niu Ju received the authority,

he directly told the waiter, "Remove all these small cups; everyone should use the Wine Dispenser directly."

The waiter quickly removed the small drinking cups in front of each of us,

and then replaced them with the Wine Dispenser.

This Wine Dispenser serves three taels per cup.

The small cup earlier was only one tael; three cups of wine are just a warm‑up.

The real wine‑matching began.

Niu Ju had the waiter fill the Wine Dispenser to the brim,

then raised the Wine Dispenser and said, "I, on my own behalf, welcome General Kang's arrival; between me and General Kang, I have only heard his name, never met him."

Now that I've seen the real person, I admire him even more; he is good‑looking and also wealthy.

To express my feelings, I will drink two rounds in a row,

meaning that good things will come in pairs between me and General Kang.

After speaking, Niu Ju drank the two cups of wine.

Damn, Niu Ju's drinking capacity today is really something. I've never seen him drink so much.

【103】 Is it because I saw a woman today that men get so excited? I thought to myself.