Chapter Seventy: The Betting Fight

  The next morning, Zhao Fei got up early and washed. Opening the door to greet the morning sun, Zhao Fei stretched his waist comfortably. Life was getting more fulfilling, and Zhao Fei's sleep was also getting better. Looking at the surroundings, Zhao Fei couldn't help but think to himself. "This can be considered a relatively comfortable life, sleeping until natural wake-up, counting money until hand cramps."

  Arriving at the courtyard, Zhao Fei continued to throw punches. Before he had even finished half of his routine, he saw Zhang Guang walking over. Zhang Guang stood on one side and nodded at Zhao Fei, without saying a word. Zhao Fei also nodded in response, not stopping his movements.

  Just as Zhao Fei finished his set of punches, Zhang Guang finally spoke up and said: "Your punching technique is slow and clumsy, it doesn't have any killing power at all. Look at mine..."

  Before the words had fallen, Zhang Guang took a step forward with a fierce tiger-like stance, his fists strong and powerful. The wind from his punches was like a dragon's roar, shocking others. Zhao Fei couldn't help but retreat, taking a step back. Watching Zhang Guang's fist technique, Zhao Fei couldn't help but compare him to Zhao Yun. Unlike Zhao Yun's style, Zhang Guang's fist technique was strong and powerful, and with his robust physique, it could be said that he was extraordinary. However, after following Tong Yuan for over a month, Zhao Fei still had some discerning eyes, and although Zhang Guang's fist technique was exceptionally fierce, it would still fall short in real combat.

  A set of boxing moves later, Zhang Guang's face was not red and he wasn't panting. Zhao Fei secretly felt a bit better.

  After finishing the form, taking a few deep breaths, Zhang Guang turned his head and asked: "What do you think?"

  "Awesome, the momentum is overwhelming!" Zhao Fei exclaimed sincerely. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret, wondering why he didn't have such a strong physique himself, even if it was just half as good, he would be much more at ease. Unfortunately, that's not the case now.

  Upon hearing Zhao Fei's sincere praise, Zhang Guang was also extremely delighted. "Since that's the case, from now on you'll follow me and learn from me, don't practice that strange and soft fist technique of yours anymore. As long as you follow me for a year or two, I guarantee you'll be just like me!" He even patted his own sturdy chest proudly.

  Zhao Fei shook his head and sighed, "I don't have a physique as strong as yours." He glanced at Zhang Guang, and Zhao Fei's expression turned melancholic. He continued, "This set of fist techniques was created by my late master, with the purpose of strengthening one's body and prolonging life. It doesn't have much killing power to begin with. But it just so happens to suit me. However, your set of fist techniques is indeed exceptionally fierce and can only be practiced by those with a robust physique. I wouldn't be able to practice it even if I tried." As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at his own slender build with self-deprecation.

  Zhang Guang thought it was right, when he first learned martial arts from his master, the master had already said that the most important thing in practicing martial arts is to find a suitable one for yourself. After thinking about it, Zhang Guang stopped insisting.

  "Come, I'll take you to see the biggest secret of Zhang's winery." After finishing speaking, he put his arm around Zhao Fei and headed towards the brewing workshop. Zhao Fei also started his first step in brewing with a nervous heart.

  Entering the small house, Zhang Guang stayed while Zhao Fei circled around a few times and finally exited through another door, arriving at a very independent courtyard. Looking at the busy figures in the yard, Zhao Fei suddenly realized. At first, he also found it strange that such a large winery could be supported by this small room, but it turned out that there was indeed a vast space inside. "The real mastermind is actually here." Zhao Fei couldn't help but nod secretly. "This wine-brewing secret is hidden so tightly."

  "What's wrong, follow me." He said and walked forward.

  Zhang Guang's words interrupted Zhao Fei's train of thought. Seeing that Zhang Guang had already left, Zhao Fei hastily quickened his pace to catch up.

  They walked a few steps forward, and Zhang Guang brought Zhao Fei to the side of several stove pits. On top of the stove pits were large pots. Several big men wearing short shirts kept adding firewood to the stove pits, making the flames burn vigorously. Even from a distance, Zhao Fei felt a wave of heat, and some sweat appeared on his forehead. "It's so hot, no wonder they're wearing short shirts," Zhao Fei thought to himself.

  Zhang Guangxian greeted a few big men, then explained to Zhao Fei: "This is the first step in brewing wine. Mix the grains with the yeast and steam them until they are half-cooked. This way, it's more beneficial for brewing good wine. After steaming the grains until they're half-cooked, they need to be dried. Let's go this way." As he spoke, Zhang Guang continued to lead Zhao Fei forward, arriving at a second location.

  All that can be seen is the ground covered with a full load of grain. Several strong men are constantly stirring this with wooden sticks, and sprinkling things inside. "This place is called a drying hall, as the name suggests, it's a place for drying grains." Zhang Guang said, pointing to the side. Zhao Fei looked over and saw that next to the drying hall were several large pits, just like giant wine jars sunk into the ground.

  "The cellar is where the fine wine finally comes out. The fine wine in the cellar was poured out and filled into jars for aging, and jar after jar of fine wine could be handed over to Zhang Bao to sell." As he spoke, Zhang Guang seemed to imagine that the jars of fine wine had already turned into strings of copper coins.

  After watching the whole process, Zhao Fei curled his lips and felt a little disappointed, "Is that all there is to brewing wine?"

  Zhang Guang saw Zhao Fei's expression without missing a single detail. He felt somewhat dissatisfied in his heart. "What? Do you think brewing is that simple?" Zhang Guang suddenly asked with displeasure.

  "Ah! Nothing." Zhao Fei felt the dissatisfaction between Zhang Guang's words and quickly replied.

  "Don't try to deceive me, do you think I'm just a martial artist who can't see through anything?" Zhang Guang said with growing discontent, shaking his head. "I thought this kid had some potential, but it seems he's nothing special after all. Doesn't know the meaning of humility. Needs a good beating." With that thought in mind, Zhang Guang continued to maintain his angry demeanor.

  "How dare you deceive our supervisor!" Zhao Fei said with a bow.

  Zhang Guang waved his hand and said to Zhao Fei, "I, Zhang Guang, am a rough man and don't understand this set. Since you think brewing wine is simple, dare you make a bet with me?" As he spoke, Zhang Guang was still playfully looking at Zhao Fei.

  Young people are full of energy and easily impulsive. Although Zhao Fei had received good education, teaching him to remain calm in the face of chaos, he was still young after all. He couldn't help but do something impulsive, seeing Zhang Guang's teasing gaze, Zhao Fei couldn't conceal his youthful impulsiveness, directly speaking out: "What are you not daring to do?"

  "Good kid, you've got guts." Zhang Guang continued to tease Zhao Fei with a nod. "Since that's the case, I'll tell you the rules." Zhang Guang clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head. "I'll give you half a month as the deadline, provide you with grain and yeast, if you can brew wine within half a month without seeking help from anyone, then I lose, but if you can't, then you lose, what do you say?"

  Zhao Fei originally wanted to agree, because in his opinion, brewing was simple. However, when he saw Zhang Guang's determined expression, Zhao Fei began to hesitate again.

  "What's wrong? You were so generous with your promises just now, why aren't you speaking up now?" Zhang Guang looked at Zhao Fei, a hint of mockery in his expression.

  Seeing Zhang Guang's sarcastic expression, Zhao Fei couldn't stay calm anymore. "People compete for a mouthful of air, Buddhas compete for a stick of incense. You actually look down on me like this." Having made up his mind, Zhao Fei raised his head and said to Zhang Guang, "Come on then, who's afraid of whom?"

  "What you said is exactly what I meant." After finishing speaking, Zhang Guang rushed towards a man and shouted: "Qingzi, come over here for a moment."

  Upon hearing Zhang Guang's summons, a man named Qingzi put down his work and ran towards Zhang Guang.

  "Boss, you called me for something?" Qingzi asked as he came over beside Zhang Guang.

  "Go to the back warehouse and fetch a small bag of grain, then go get some broken wine yeast and bring it to me." Zhang Guang said in a low voice to Qingzi.

  Qingzi looked puzzled after listening and asked: "Guangge, what are you going to use these for?"

  "I told you to go get it, just go get it. What's with all the nonsense?" Zhang Guang said impatiently, and glared at Qingzi fiercely.

  "Yes. I'll go get it." Seeing the unpleasant expression on Zhang Guang's face, Qingzi didn't dare say anything more and hastily ran to the warehouse at the back. While waiting for Qingzi, Zhang Guang did not speak to Zhao Fei, and Zhao Fei was happy to be idle, taking the opportunity to carefully observe the workers' operation process. Although Zhao Fei had agreed to Zhang Guang's bet in a fit of anger, it didn't mean he wanted to lose.

  Before long, Qingzi came back with a coarse cloth sack. Then handed it over to Zhang Guang's hands. "Boss, the things you want are all in here."

  Zhang Guang took over the pocket and nodded, then said to Qingzi: "Alright, it's none of your business, go down."

  Having obtained Zhang Guang's permission, Qingzi hurriedly went down. He didn't want to touch Zhang Guang's tiger when he was in a bad mood.

  After Qingzi left, Zhang Guang handed the pouch to Zhao Fei. "Everything is in here, what you can brew out of it in half a month is up to you." Zhang Guang still had a mocking smile on his face.

  Zhao Fei took the bag with a resentful expression and said, "Let's see about that!" After finishing speaking, he carried the bag and walked out with an unsteady gait. Zhao Fei's first attempt at learning winemaking ended in failure.

  "Don't see you off!" Zhang Guang watched Zhao Fei's receding back and shook his head with a smile.