Chapter 396: Toasting Song

Fifty thousand Han Army troops are about to station themselves in Liangshan, bringing with them the descendants of the Alu Clan.

This news, in fact, spread across the entire Liangshan region in an instant.

Whether they were the Big Trouser-Legs, the Middle Trouser-Legs, or the Small Trouser-Legs clans, everyone was sitting on pins and needles.

Why?

Logically speaking, the previous Zimo—that is, the Alu Clan where the Grand Chief resided—was originally the absolute ruling authority in the Liangshan region.

Yet, these house generals of theirs had united to rebel.

Those who should have been killed were killed; those who should have been expelled were expelled.

Even the Small Trouser-Legs, the staunch supporters of the Alu Clan, had tasted the sweetness and received a slice of the cake in this affair.

Therefore.

Upon receiving the news that the Han Army had already arrived in Meigu, Huobu Quli quickly summoned all the people of his clan.

"Headman, how did a descendant of the Alu Clan suddenly pop out of nowhere?"

"Yes, what are we supposed to do about this?"

The group of people chattered incessantly.

Although the Huobu Clan of the Small Trouser-Legs was loyal to the Zimo, it was clear now that they could divide Liangshan into three... Human greed is always infinite. In the past, they believed that Liangshan with the Zimo's rule was the only Liangshan. But after such a long time, they discovered that without the Zimo, Liangshan was still Liangshan; there was no difference. Moreover, it was evident that their own side had gained more power.

Why couldn't this situation continue?

Many people still harbored this thought.

Huobu Quli, a robust old man in his fifties, heard this and decisively shouted: "What do you mean, what are we supposed to do? If we didn't know, that would be one thing. But now that we know a descendant of the Alu Clan has returned, we must continue to respect the Alu Clan! This is the will of the gods; we cannot go against it!"

"Slaughter sheep, slaughter cattle, and welcome the honored guests to our door!"

The others looked at each other in dismay.

One of them disagreed: "Headman, that is all well and good... but who, in the end, can convey the will of the gods? Respected Headman, we have just acknowledged the status of the great Bimo Chierhadu. You must know that our Meigu is the center of faith for all of Liangshan! We Inuo People do not have a large population, and our fighting strength is only fifty thousand. If we are criticized regarding the divine decree, this..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the others echoed them one after another.

Huobu Quli was enraged upon hearing this: "A Bimo is a Bimo, and a Zimo is a Zimo; what conflict is there? It has been this way since ancient times that the Bimo assists in governance!"

Others added: "Headman, the times have changed..."

"Yes, the Zimo was merely enfeoffed by the Longyan Dynasty; by what right are they high and mighty?"

"You, you, you, you all..."

Huobu Quli was so angry he nearly vomited blood.

A fission of power had caused many people's ambitions to sprout. He just hadn't expected that even within the Inuo tribe, there were people no longer loyal to the Alu Clan.

Just then.

A young man ran in: "Headman, Headman, they have already reached Meigu! We..."

Huobu Quli snorted coldly: "Welcome them first, then we shall see!"

Unexpectedly, the young man continued: "Headman, the Han Army leader who arrived said that this generation of the Alu Clan is the one who received the Mandate of Heaven for Daliang Mountain! Since childhood, he has been clairvoyant, possessing wisdom eyes; he can reach the ears of Heaven above and descend to the netherworld below! He, he, he is only eight years old this year, yet he possesses supernatural powers; he is the natural great Bimo of Liangshan! Therefore, he had no choice but to send him back to stabilize the situation in Liangshan. He said, he said, to have the Headman come and welcome the Holy Water of the great Bimo!"

"What?"

Everyone at the scene was stunned upon hearing this.

A great Bimo?

Huobu Quli couldn't help but blink; could one really brag like that?

What kind of person was this Han Army leader? Did he think the religious faith of Daliang Mountain wasn't chaotic enough? The eight current great Bimo were already fighting tooth and nail. And now you bring a ninth?

The others blinked even more.

Huobu Quli laughed heartily: "If this is true, then it is the protection of our ancestors! What else do you have to say?"

Although these people were resentful, in the face of such matters involving gods and ancestors, no one dared to be presumptuous.

"A great Bimo?"

"Eight years old?"

"Pure nonsense!"

"Follow along and see!"

"Quick, quick, quick, call the great Bimo!"

And so.

This group of Black Yi tribal leaders followed Huobu Quli to prepare the ceremony.

The Yi are a people with distinct cultural characteristics, warm and hospitable. Whenever guests visit, there must be fine wine to welcome them, let alone such important guests.

The Three Rounds of Wine is the etiquette for the Yi to receive honored guests.

Liu Zheng had not yet walked over and was waiting in place. Those who had arrived first were already the singing and dancing Yi people; the Liangshan People, dressed in unique Yi attire, blew long horns and suonas, plucked moon lutes, and joyfully sang the "Welcoming Tune." The scene was grand.

"Quite festive."

Liu Zheng and Qin Zhangfeng were seeing this for the first time and immediately felt a sense of novelty.

Pei Yanran was clearly very familiar with this Liangshan and smiled: "The Liangshan People are all natural singers."

Liu Zheng agreed deeply.

Listening to these happy folk songs with their unique rhythm, he couldn't help but think of the Yi singers of later generations. It had to be said that the people here truly possessed unique natural conditions.

"Uncle..."

Aluba in the carriage was a bit nervous.

Liu Zheng whispered a reprimand: "Remember, keep your mouth shut and speak less, understand?"

Aluba immediately shut his mouth, feeling aggrieved.

Soon, the welcoming party from Meigu had arrived before them.

The first to arrive before Liu Zheng was Huobu Quli, who was riding a horse, followed by a group of young Yi men and women singing the Bitter Remonstrance.

The scene was indeed very festive.

As soon as Liu Zheng dismounted, a beautifully dressed Yi beauty presented him with a cup of fine wine.

Liu Zheng could only follow the local customs; he picked up the wine and was about to drink when he saw a leaf he did not recognize inside the cup. He did not pay it much mind; the rice wine was very clear and smelled quite fragrant, so he lifted the cup and took a gulp, immediately feeling pleasantly surprised—the taste of this Yi fine wine was actually not bad at all.

However...

The scene that followed became a bit awkward.

Everyone over there had an enthusiastic look on their faces, watching Liu Zheng with expressions of anticipation.

Including Huobu Quli.

What the hell?

Liu Zheng was stunned for a moment.

At this time, Pei Yanran, who was following behind, could not help but cover her mouth and giggle: "Young Master, there is a leaf in the wine cup; since you have drunk it, you must sing a wine song in return."

"Ah?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zheng almost fell over.

There is such a custom?

No, why didn't you remind me! Looking at the mischievous glint in Pei Yanran's eyes, Liu Zheng did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Are you sure?

You want me to sing?