Chapter Fifty-Eight: Too Insignificant to Fill the Gap

The wine was authentic Mongolian milk wine; according to Aguda, he had brewed it himself, and he never sold it to ordinary guests. The variety of meats was plentiful, and Aguda paid no mind to whether Ding Li and his companions could finish it all: a whole suckling lamb, half a young deer, and countless seafood delicacies.

The unpleasantness that had just occurred quickly faded away amidst the cheerful atmosphere of the surrounding guests, as if nothing had happened at all. Naturally, all of this was thanks to the deep pockets of Zhang Mingzhi.

“Brother Li! Thank you for earlier!” After setting up the meat, Aguda casually picked up the wine jar beside him, cradled it in both hands, and gave Ding Li a hearty smile. Then he turned to greet Zhang Mingzhi and the others in turn: “Second Brother, Brother Wu, Sister Rou! I’m not good with words, but tonight is a joyous occasion! Here’s to you all! I’ll drink first as a sign of respect!”

Without waiting for a response, Aguda tilted his head back and began to gulp down the wine straight from the jar, leaving everyone with nothing but the sound of glugging and the sight of his adam’s apple bobbing fiercely.

His drinking capacity was impressive, and his straightforward, honest nature only added to the spectacle. In a blink, the entire jar was emptied, and Aguda merely straightened his back, showing no sign of discomfort, gently placing the jar behind him and grinning sheepishly at Ding Li and his companions once more.

“Come, drink!” Zhang Mingzhi cast a surprised glance at Ding Li, then raised his own wine jar in a show of camaraderie, refusing to be outdone as he tilted it back to drink. Zhang Wu was not slow to follow, leaving only Ding Li himself. He glanced at Aguda, who was still grinning, then at Zhang Mingzhi and Zhang Wu, both diligently drinking, and finally his gaze settled on Zhang Yurou, whose face was also filled with surprise.

“What’s this? Is Brother Li actually afraid?” Zhang Yurou seized the moment, arching her beautiful brows, a faint smile curling at her lips, full of challenge.

“It’s fine, just fine…” Ding Li replied calmly, nodding lightly. This expression made Zhang Yurou uncomfortable, but soon she widened her eyes and stared at him, convinced from his earlier demeanor that Ding Li was hesitant.

But the next moment left her utterly speechless. Ding Li grasped the wine jar, examined it, shook his head slightly, and cast a complicated look at Zhang Yurou. Then, without hesitation, he lifted the jar high, opened his mouth, and poured the wine in, gulping it down without pausing for breath.

When Ding Li set down the now-empty jar, even Aguda across from him looked astonished. The contrast in Ding Li’s behavior was striking; no one had expected him to finish even before Zhang Mingzhi and Zhang Wu.

“Brother Li! What a drinker!” Aguda’s enthusiasm was ignited. He raised his thumb toward Ding Li and pointed to another jar beside him, asking with a smile, “How’s the wine? Want another jar? I’ve seen your skills, I’m convinced, no doubt about it! But when it comes to drinking, I’m not ready to concede!”

“Not at all, not at all!” Ding Li hurriedly waved his hand and smiled modestly. Yet, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Zhang Yurou’s provocative gaze, tinged with disdain. As if the alcohol was stirring something inside him, Ding Li’s hand moved almost unconsciously to lift another jar. He acted naturally, and under the shocked eyes of Zhang Mingzhi and Zhang Wu, who had just set down their jars, he raised his own toward Aguda in a silent gesture, then tilted it back and drank.

Now Aguda was unwilling to admit defeat. In his mind, even the old wine enthusiast Zhang Mingzhi was only his equal, and Aguda knew well that drinking required courage; any hesitation spelled certain defeat. So he decisively grabbed another jar, unsealed it, took a deep breath, and continued.

Though it seemed Ding Li was competing against Aguda, his attention was actually on Zhang Yurou’s gaze. Only after he finished the fourth jar and saw the challenge in Zhang Yurou’s eyes disappear, replaced by a hint of concern, did Ding Li finally set down the empty jar, pat his swollen belly, let out a long wine burp, and with a faint smile at his lips, took an amused look at Aguda, who had just put down his jar, his face flushed.

“Enough, enough! I concede, Brother Li!” Aguda shook his head, a little dejected but still clear-headed, his speech unimpeded. He once again raised his thumb toward Ding Li and held it up for a long moment. “Impressive! No need to compete any further, I admit defeat!”

He turned to Zhang Mingzhi, nodding in praise. “Second Brother! Brother Li’s drinking is every bit as good as yours!”

“Indeed, I’ve tested it myself, so I won’t try again!” Zhang Mingzhi smiled, his face full of pride, as if delighted that he had once saved such a talent as Ding Li.

“Brother Li, how about you and I share a jar?” Zhang Wu, not hiding his mischievous intent, winked at Ding Li and made the suggestion with a sly grin.

“One jar is too little, not even enough to fill the gap between my teeth!” Ding Li, undaunted, waved his hand and retorted with a serious face, “A real man drinks more than a single jar! If we’re to drink, let’s start with three! Come!”

He reached for another jar with determined seriousness, but Zhang Wu, thinking back to Ding Li’s earlier drinking and seeing his calm demeanor, quickly backed down. He hurriedly waved his hand to stop him, smiling awkwardly and pointing to the delicious meat roasting over the fire. “Just kidding, just kidding! Don’t take it seriously, Brother Li! If we drink too much, we won’t be able to eat the meat!”

“Not drinking anymore?” Ding Li’s hand paused in midair, a wave of relief washing over him, for the four jars he had just consumed were no small amount. Still, he kept a serious face as he looked at Zhang Wu, confirming, “Brother Wu, you said it yourself. If you eat too much meat later, you can’t use it as an excuse to challenge me to a drinking contest again!”

“No more! Definitely no more! Eating is more important!” Zhang Wu, who had never intended to actually compete, seized the opportunity to extricate himself, smiling as he explained, “I was just joking! Don’t take it seriously, Brother Li! Aguda’s cooking is authentic; if you don’t eat enough, it’s a real loss!”

“Yes, yes! Brother Li, try my cooking!” Whether out of worry that Ding Li might turn to challenge him again or out of genuine enthusiasm to recommend his roast, Aguda eagerly picked up his short dagger and sliced a few pieces off the golden, oil-dripping roast deer. He handed the thin slices to Ding Li and the others, his eyes full of anticipation, clearly hoping for immediate praise.

“This taste—it’s just as it used to be, unchanged!” Zhang Mingzhi tore off a chunk, chewed thoughtfully, and nodded repeatedly as he looked at Aguda. “Always the same flavor! So familiar!”

“Yes, yes! Still the same, not changed at all!” Zhang Wu had already stuffed half the meat into his mouth, yet spoke clearly. After nodding, he hurriedly wolfed down the rest, afraid someone might snatch it from him.

“Aguda, your skills are superb!” Ding Li savored the fragrant meat and gave Aguda a look of genuine appreciation. Zhang Yurou, not wanting to be left behind, smiled warmly at Aguda and nodded, though she refrained from speaking to maintain her image.

Even so, Aguda was overjoyed with their approval, his enthusiasm rising once more. He pushed his wooden stool forward, picked up his short dagger, and began dissecting the roast deer, his mouth stretched in an irrepressible smile. His exuberance was almost overwhelming, prompting Zhang Mingzhi to shake his head helplessly before focusing once again on the fragrant venison.

“Second Brother! When did you return to Fuxu Town? How come you had time to drop by today?” Aguda, who knew Zhang Mingzhi’s identity, asked after a while, his mood settling as he shifted his attention to business matters. He carefully handled the roast deer, glanced at Zhang Mingzhi, and inquired with a smile.

“I’ve been here for a while, but there’s so much to do at the docks, I haven’t had a moment free. Today, since Li and Wu came by, I brought them along.” Zhang Mingzhi replied with a smile, swallowing his mouthful of venison before waving his short dagger and pausing, hesitating before continuing, “Actually, there’s another matter I need your help with.”

“Second Brother, just say what you need; don’t mention help!” Aguda, busy with his hands, hadn’t noticed the change in Zhang Mingzhi’s expression. He responded without turning his head, then saw that Zhang Yurou’s plate was empty, quickly cutting off a piece of well-cooked venison and handing it to her. “Sister Rou, eat more! You won’t get this at your house!”

“Thank you!” Zhang Yurou smiled as she accepted the venison, but her gaze unconsciously drifted to Zhang Mingzhi, then to Ding Li and Zhang Wu. She quickly imitated their alertness, ears perked, afraid to miss anything.

“The matter is this…” Zhang Mingzhi hesitated, pondering for a while. He surveyed his surroundings before leaning forward, frowning slightly as he spoke in a low voice to Aguda. “Yesterday, while dining at a city tavern, I was attacked by men from the Cao Merchant Guild…”

“What?!” Aguda, oblivious to Zhang Mingzhi’s change in demeanor, shuddered, turning sharply to him with concern, his voice urgent. “Second Brother, were you hurt? How could they be so bold? Isn’t there anyone in the authorities to intervene?”

He regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, knowing full well the enmity between Zhang Mingzhi’s family and the Cao Merchant Guild. He shook his head and collected his thoughts before speaking again. “Second Brother, just tell me what you need. If it’s within my power, I, Aguda, will never refuse!”

“I understand…” Zhang Mingzhi nodded, but his head dropped again in hesitation. Just as Aguda was growing impatient, Zhang Mingzhi finally looked up, his eyes sharp as he stared at Aguda and slowly spoke. “Aguda, let me ask you: is selling roast meat and running your business here truly what you want for your life?”

“Huh?” The sudden shift in conversation caught Aguda off guard. His dagger paused in midair, his fingers twitching slightly. A fleeting trace of melancholy crossed his face, and he gave a faint, bitter smile as he shook his head and sighed. “Second Brother! You know my background: I have no parents and grew up thanks to the care of my uncle and aunt in the north. Selling roast meat here is only possible because of their support—they treat me well, and since they have no children, if I don’t earn some money while I’m young, how will I provide for them in their old age?”

“You’re not wrong!” Zhang Mingzhi nodded understandingly, yet the resignation in Aguda’s tone was unmistakable. Then, his brows suddenly arched, and he remarked meaningfully, “But! From what I know, the taxes you pay here each season are no small sum! Year after year, you’re left with little savings, aren’t you?”

“Alas!” Aguda sighed deeply, his face clouded with helplessness. He nodded and spoke in a low voice, “Second Brother, you’re right! There’s not much left, but what can I do? After all, this is Ludachi’s territory. If I don’t pay those taxes, I won’t even earn a single copper coin!”