Chapter 17: Angie's Worries (1)
"Distant guest, welcome your arrival. Put down your backpack, you can have a good rest now. The fragrant kumis, is the treasure given by the gods, I dedicate it to you, expressing my heart's joy......"
A huge bonfire blazed up, with sparks flying out from time to time, and stars twinkling in the crackling of burning wood.
Several Mongolian girls held large bowls, singing toasting songs while presenting them to Liu Zhang and his men. Shy yet bold, they gazed at the Han men with eyes shining like stars.
The old man sat in the middle, laughing and looking at everyone with joy in his eyes. All around, the faces lit up by the firelight were filled with happiness and wine.
The sound of laughter and cheers, the sound of urging people to drink, all mixed together. The two-stringed instrument called Tobshur, and the six-stringed instrument called Yakut, played melodies full of exotic flavor...
Liu Zhang and the others finally arrived at Wumeng's tribe before it was completely dark, initially mistaken for an enemy raid, after the misunderstanding was resolved, Old Wumeng announced to hold a bonfire meeting to entertain Liu Zhang and others.
With a smile all over his face, he calmly took the wine from the girl and drank it in one gulp. In the sparkling eyes of the girl who had offered him the wine, Liu Zhang turned to Wumeng and said: "Wumeng Lao Die, thank you for your warm hospitality. My brother and I are very happy. If you have the chance to go to Zhongyuan in the future, I will also treat you with the most enthusiastic banquet."
The old man's face lit up with joy, and he nodded repeatedly. Smiling, he said: "Young master, last time in Jinyang, you generously helped us, allowing our entire clan to spend the winter at ease. Now that you've arrived here, you are our most honored guest. Whatever you desire, just say it, and I will do my best to satisfy any of your requests."
Liu Zhang smiled slightly and shook his head, "No, Wu Meng old man, I am not a guest. I am your brother, the Han family and the Xiongnu tribe should be like brothers. Between brothers, there is no need to be overly polite, I have no other requests, just want to form an alliance with you. I am willing to use everything you need in exchange for your war horses and cattle, I want a lot, a huge amount."
Wu Meng burst out laughing, patted him on the shoulder and nodded: "Oh, yes, indeed, we are brothers. So, Han people's brother, as you wish. On the grassland, cattle and sheep are the endless wealth bestowed upon us by the gods. I think no matter how much you need, I am more than happy to help and can also make it happen."
Liu Zhang and the others were overjoyed. Especially Gao Shun, who upon hearing Wu Meng's words, seemed to have already seen it before his eyes - a team of armored cavalrymen, fully equipped and ready to depart.
"E Ko To, my son." Wumeng replied to Liu Zhang and turned his head to call out to the man sitting beside him. This person was actually the middle-aged man who had led the horse with him in Jin Yang City that day.
"Tomorrow you take our Han brothers to pick some out yourself, I don't want them to worry about those things before the wine and song." Lao Wuyin was slightly drunk.
"Alright, father." E Kotō remained calm as usual, respectfully responding, and then smiled slightly at Liu Zhang, raising his cup to invite a drink.
Liu Zhang smiled and responded, knowing that bringing up the matter of horses at this time would be somewhat like burning a zither or cooking a crane. He raised his cup and drank, no longer asking questions.
At this time, whistling and applause came from the scene. Liu Zhang turned his head to look, but it was two robust young men, bare-chested and twisted together, precisely the wrestling game that various tribes outside Guan were good at.
Both of them were around twenty years old, with sturdy physiques and bulging muscles. At a glance, they exuded an air of ruggedness and ferocity that was hard to put into words.
Bang!
