Chapter 614: Geng Biao's Arrogance

But as they thought, Su Yang was also making his calculations; after all, it's losing a bout, not losing a person.

If he were knocked down in a move or two, the drinking session would naturally end; if he knocked others down, it should also end.

Although county‑level officials aren't as uncivilized in drinking as those in towns, in fact the drinking culture has long been etched into their bones.

Ye Xianggao said, "Alright, alright, young Su is indeed a youngster; the younger generation is to be feared. Today is a welcome banquet for you. The few of us standing committee members here, if we drink too much we'll accuse you of bullying, if we drink too little it won't be a sign of respect. Each of us present will toast you with six cups; that's not much in total—only 48 cups of wine. Since I'm probably a bit older than the others, I'll go ahead and speak as the elder first."

Speaking that, he first lifted a full set of six cups of wine. The so‑called six‑cup toast means Su Yang drinks six cups while he drinks six cups alongside.

Moreover, this toast is reciprocal, meaning Su Yang will later have to toast each of them with six cups in turn, making it a back‑and‑forth of 96 cups of wine. Ninety‑six cups inevitably amount to at least two jin, since the glasses in the hotel are at least two liang each. Two jin of wine is normally a person's extreme limit; most people who drink that much end up collapsing on the spot and sleeping.

The reason Su Yang did not refuse, besides the earlier rationale, is that he was indeed a newcomer and could not, as he did in the towns, wear everything on his face. Even if he could not blend into the group or unite his comrades, at least the superficial duties had to be performed, and drinking is no different.

"Thank you, Secretary Ye; I hope to receive Secretary Ye's strong support in future work," Su Yang said, cupping the wine tray with both hands.

Ye Xianggao smiled faintly, "We all work under the Party's leadership and the Organization's guidance; I'm not leading you, I'm just a member of the Organization, only with a different role. Come, drink."

Saying that, he was the first to raise his cup and downed six cups in a row. Though he is already in his fifties, he is still a master drinker.

Su Yang did not continue the pleasantries; he lifted his cup and drank six cups consecutively.

Next came County Magistrate Wen Qiren, who laughed, "Young Su has a good drinking capacity; drinking capacity reflects work capacity, drinking character reflects personal character, drinking style reflects conduct. Comrade Su's work capacity is already showing signs. Come, let's proceed."

His way of drinking differed from the others; he took a soup bowl from the hotel, poured all six cups of wine into it, tipped his head back, and gulped it all down in one breath.

It seemed hearty, but in fact at least two cups spilled from his mouth, apparently to bully the newly arrived Su Yang. If one were drinking with superiors, one would never dare drink like that; besides disrespecting others, he also shirked, so his drinking character is indeed poor.

Next was Deputy Secretary Zhou Yinru, who bore a scholarly air: "County Magistrate Su, welcome to work in our county. From now on we'll all share the same pot, no one will crowd another, no one will trouble anyone. Lieshan Xian's present state was hard‑won; as the county's leadership team, it may not be crucial to push the economy to a higher level, but it is crucial to keep steady development—stability is the way."

After speaking, she gave Su Yang a meaning‑filled glance, then lifted her cup and drank slowly cup by cup, as if savoring each sip; even while drinking baijiu she gave the impression of tasting red wine.

The others had long become accustomed, and even the good‑looking, curvaceous Publicity Department Head Ji Minjia giggled, "Our Secretary Zhou truly lives up to being a red‑wine expert; even when drinking baijiu she exudes a red‑wine aura. You should have prepared red wine today; after we finish this round of toasts, you can go straight to the red wine."

The others also laughed heartily; it seems this red‑wine secretary's reputation isn't a secret in the circle.

Next came Organization Department Head Zhang Guodong. His expression was not good; he didn't even speak to Su Yang, lifted his cup, drank six cups with a sullen face, then turned and returned to his seat.

Su Yang glanced, had no intention of speaking, lifted the remaining six cups, and downed them all in one go.

Among the eight present, the last was Publicity Department Head Ji Minjia. She looked at Su Yang with his cup before her, giggling, "I really can't tell; County Magistrate Su has drunk so much and shows no pallor—truly a hero of wine. With so many people drinking in one round, even the strongest can't hold out. How about this: you drink three cups, and I'll drink the rest."

Su Yang couldn't immediately discern this woman's motive, but he certainly would not think that this unrelated woman truly wanted him to drink fewer cups to avoid intoxication. Still, he said, "Thank you, thank you, I'm fine, I can still hold on. I appreciate the sentiment; I'll drink the wine myself."

After that, he lifted his cup again and drank six cups.

Indeed, there was not a single cold dish, not a sip of water; he forced himself to drink 48 cups. Anyone with a slightly lower tolerance would have been broadcast live on the spot. This surprised the people present a bit; for example, being able to drink a jin doesn't mean you can down a jin in one gulp—it may take two or three hours, even an entire afternoon to finish a jin of wine. Su Yang's speed and method, even for these seasoned officials, might not be sustainable.

Ji Minjia, after drinking six cups, already had a faint pink hue on her face. She was already quite attractive, and the rosy glow added a few more touches of allure and charm: "County Magistrate Su, shall we slow down? If you really can't, have a cup of tea first; doing another round like this isn't easy for me either. Though drinking gatherings have their rules, the rules are made by people, after all."

Su Yang still couldn't gauge this woman's purpose—whether she wanted him to drink fewer cups, to spare him embarrassment, to give him unsolicited help, or to align their future political interests? That seemed unlikely; he was merely an outsider, a misfit rejected by everyone.

He was pondering how to respond when, suddenly, the private room door was pushed open and a man covered in tattoos walked in: "Hey, you're all drinking here? Why didn't anyone tell me about today's drinking? You really don't take me, the hotel's owner, seriously."

"Secretary Ye, this really isn't very courteous. In the past, arrivals were always greeted; I handled the arrangements. Why is today different, as if you're strangers? Is this official reception or what? Everyone here is a familiar face, no strangers."

Speaking, his gaze fell on Su Yang, and he added, "Hey, there's a fresh face here. Comrade, are you coming up from below or sent down from above? Don't even introduce yourself to me."

"Oh, right, what Maotai do we drink in Lieshan Xian? If you want to drink, have our Shuanggou Daqu. Waiter, bring up two cases of Shuanggou Daqu; I'll set aside this Maotai for the leaders and let them drink it later."