MLMD -Chapter 60 Shocked Stiff

Night had fallen. Inside a massive tent, Zaisang sat at the head of the gathering, with Hailanzhu and Udamu on his lower left, and Yue Yang on his lower right. Shunbao still stood behind him. In front of each person was a low table, on which lay a large platter of beef and lamb, a small bowl of spices, and a large jug of mare’s milk wine.

“Come, come, Young Master Yue, let me toast you once more!”

“Young Master Yue, what a great tolerance for alcohol! Another cup for you!”

Zaisang repeatedly raised his bowl to toast Yue Yang. In this moment, the Mongols’ reputation for hospitality was on full display.

Yue Yang had already downed two bowls of the mare’s milk wine. The strong combination of the milk’s sweetness and sourness with the alcohol made his stomach churn. What surprised him even more was that Zaisang, a lean old man, could drink so much, but even Hailanzhu—the beautiful young lady—was drinking her cup dry. She didn’t seem to falter at all, matching even her father in spirit.

“Do Mongolian women all drink this well?” Yue Yang wondered silently.

The alcohol content of the mare’s milk wine wasn’t high—he guessed maybe a little over ten percent—but its sweet-and-sour taste was hard for him to get used to. Another bowl and he’d probably have to spit it out. Glancing at the milky bowl in his hand, Yue Yang suddenly remembered he had a few bottles of strong liquor in his own tent. He quietly spoke a few words to Shunbao behind him, who quickly understood and left.

After chatting briefly with Zaisang, Shunbao returned carrying a basket. Yue Yang smiled and addressed Zaisang:

“Chieftain Zaisang, please forgive my rudeness. Mongolian mare’s milk wine is indeed fine, but I simply cannot get used to it. Luckily, I’ve brought a few bottles of fine liquor from our lands. I, Yue Yang, though unworthy, would be honored to share a drink with you!”

People raised in harsh lands tended to love alcohol, and Zaisang was no exception. Upon hearing this, his face lit up with joy:

“Really? Young Master Yue, bring it over quickly!”

Yue Yang made a hand gesture: “Hehe, Chieftain Zaisang, please wait a moment. Shunbao, pour some for Chieftain Zaisang and Miss Hailanzhu!”

“Yes!”

Shunbao agreed, quickly producing a beautifully packaged glass bottle and opening it. Instantly, a rich, fragrant aroma spread throughout the tent.

The moment the scent hit him, Zaisang’s eyes widened in surprise. His nose twitched as he exclaimed: “Young Master Yue, what kind of liquor is this? It smells incredible!”

Udamu, sitting beside Hailanzhu, also marveled: “Indeed! I’ve never smelled such a delightful wine before.”

Yue Yang smiled faintly: “This is a type of baijiu from our lands, called Maotai. I spent a fortune to acquire it. Chieftain Zaisang and Miss Hailanzhu, you may try it.”

Meanwhile, Shunbao brought out a few delicate small cups and poured for Zaisang, Hailanzhu, and Udamu.

Seeing the tiny porcelain cups filled with crystal-clear liquor, Zaisang frowned at Yue Yang:

“I say, Young Master Yue, aren’t you a bit stingy? Inviting someone to drink and only giving such small cups! Out on the steppe, men drink from large bowls. Only you ‘Han’ folk use cups like these, right?”

“Exactly! These tiny cups only fill the gaps between my teeth!”

Udamu, sitting at the far end, also complained. Only Hailanzhu, in the middle, smiled gently at Yue Yang, as if awaiting his explanation.

“Damn! These two barbarians,” Yue Yang thought, wiping sweat from his brow. This is a 700-yuan-per-bottle Feitian Maotai, not your barrel of mare’s milk wine. If they drink it like mare’s milk wine, my money won’t even last a bowl per person. And this is 53% alcohol—people used to only mare’s milk would pass out after a single bowl! You really expect me to pour one after another?

Despite his thoughts, he had to explain:

“Chieftain Zaisang, Miss Hailanzhu, unlike normal mare’s milk wine, this is strong. If we used large bowls, just one bowl might make you drunk.”

“What? One bowl and drunk?”

Zaisang and Udamu immediately became angry. Mongol men prided themselves on two things: their horsemanship and their drinking ability. Now Yue Yang was challenging their greatest pride—what an outright insult!

Udamu glared at Yue Yang:

“Young Master Yue, I honor you as a guest from afar, but you cannot insult the men of our steppe!”

“Damn, this guy really can’t tell right from wrong!” Yue Yang thought, a mix of amusement and helplessness on his face. He signaled Shunbao, who immediately poured a large bowl of the liquor for Udamu. By Yue Yang’s estimate, it was at least half a catty (about 250g).

Seeing the aromatic, clear liquor in the big bowl, Udamu finally nodded in satisfaction. He lifted it to his lips and downed it in one gulp. A wave of warmth and fragrance flowed from his throat into his stomach.

Setting down the bowl, Udamu exclaimed:

“Excellent wine!”

He even gave Yue Yang a thumbs-up. But before he could lower his hand, a dizzy sensation overtook him. He wobbled, then collapsed onto the table, quickly snoring thunderously.

Yue Yang said nothing, merely glancing at Zaisang and Hailanzhu with a look that said: See? I wasn’t lying.

Having seen what happened to Udamu, old Zaisang didn’t dare use a large bowl anymore. He sipped carefully from the small cup. Yet, after the first sip, he was instantly conquered by this modern national liquor. Smacking his lips, savoring the lingering aroma, he urgently asked:

“Young Master Yue, what is this wine? It’s incredibly good! Could you sell me a few dozen jars?”

“Dozens of jars? Do you think this is homemade countryside rice wine?” Yue Yang’s face twitched. He shook his head.

“Chieftain Zaisang, this wine is very rare and produced in small quantities. I don’t have many bottles. If you like, I can gift you a few, but dozens of jars? I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

“Not many in stock, and rare production?” Zaisang murmured, then glanced at Hailanzhu and Udamu with a sly smile:

“Young Master Yue, you’re so young. How did your family let you come out to do business? Aren’t they worried?”

“Why would they be?” Yue Yang smiled. “A fledgling eagle cannot always stay in its parents’ embrace; only by weathering storms can it grow into a soaring eagle.”

“Good, well said!” Zaisang’s eyes shone with admiration. He rolled his eyes casually, as if asking in passing:

“But aren’t your family’s wives worried when you travel?”

Shaking his head, Yue Yang replied honestly:

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m not married yet.”

Hearing this, Zaisang could no longer contain himself. He slapped his thigh loudly:

“That’s perfect!”

“Hmm!” Yue Yang froze, frowning at Zaisang. Why is this old man so happy that I’m unmarried?

Seeing Yue Yang’s displeasure, Zaisang realized the misunderstanding. He quickly pointed at Hailanzhu beside him:

“Young Master Yue, what do you think of my precious daughter? Beautiful, isn’t she?”

Yue Yang looked at Hailanzhu, her fair face flushed from the wine. The candlelight made her even more radiant. He genuinely praised:

“Of course she’s beautiful. Hailanzhu is truly the most beautiful flower on the Khorchin steppe!”

Even Hailanzhu, accustomed to the boldness of steppe children, couldn’t help blushing a little.

Zaisang beamed with pride, hiccuping from his drink as he waved his hand:

“Then I’ll betroth her to you. Do you want her?”

“What?”

Zaisang’s words left Yue Yang completely shocked…