Chapter 18, Know the People and Make Friends

  A group of people and horses arrived at the small wine shop in the town, which was not very large. With over a dozen people entering at once, it suddenly became crowded inside.

  Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, the two brothers, sat at a separate table with two other wandering sons, seemingly not wanting to have any more dealings with Han Dang. Zu Zhao first invited Han Dang to take a seat, then ordered the store owner to prepare good wine and meat, and repeatedly apologized to Han Dang for today's events. When it came to this topic, he naturally couldn't help but invite Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu over to join their table, as the saying goes "no fight no acquaintance", at this moment if they didn't make friends, then in the future eight or nine out of ten times they would become enemies.

  Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, the two brothers, were somewhat reluctant in their hearts, but as Jianghu figures, they couldn't be shy at this time, so they accepted Zu Zhao's invitation and sat down.

  "Han Zhuang, my brother Wen Yi often travels through the countryside, and it's hard to avoid having a competitive spirit. This is also a common human emotion, I believe we can all understand each other. Today, I have indeed offended you greatly, so I hope Han Zhuang will be magnanimous. Let's drink a cup of water wine together, and I, Wen Yi, formally apologize to Han Zhuang. Let's just consider this matter settled."

  Zu Zhaowei sat in the middle, with a calm and composed demeanor, looking like a mature young man, said to Han Dang.

  Just then, the shopkeeper brought up a jug of wine and two plates of cooked beef. Zu Zhao personally filled several wine bowls, then took the lead in picking up a bowl of wine, and turned to Zhang Yuan, saying: "Brother Wen Yi, why don't you set an example first to show your sincerity, okay?"

  His words were a question, but his tone had a momentum that made it impossible for others to doubt him in the slightest.

  Zhang Yu's face suddenly changed, but after hesitating for a moment, he finally endured it.

  Zhang Yuan slowly let out a sigh, and without much hesitation, he stood up and picked up the wine bowl in front of him. He bowed his head to Han Dang and said: "Hero, it was I, Zhang Yuan, who was blind and offended you. My skills are not as good as yours, I admit it. Losing face, I also admit it. Today, I have troubled Grand Master's son to mediate, so I'll swallow my pride and offer a toast of apology to the hero. Let's drink first."

  He finished speaking and raised his head to drink all the wine in the bowl at once.

  Han did not stand up, slowly raised his wine bowl and drank it without saying a word.

  If it were in normal times, Zhang Yuan would have been unwilling to accept this already. Although his attitude was not very good, he had said what needed to be said and made the necessary gestures, and all the formalities had been observed, but the other party was still so arrogant that it was really hard to swallow this breath. However, on one hand, in front of Zu Zhao, on the other hand, considering Han Dang's indeed superior martial arts skills, he could only find ways to swallow this breath.

  Zhang Yujian saw that his elder brother was unmoved and had no choice but to suppress his fierce temper.

  Zu Zhao didn't dwell on these details too much. The current customs are very simple, as long as Han is willing to drink this cup of wine, it means that the grudge has been resolved. If anyone still holds a grudge in the future, once it gets out, they will only lose face. He invited Zhang Yuan to sit down together and said with a smile: "Brother Wen Yi is indeed daring and Han Zuo is also a gentleman. In fact, today's matter was just a misunderstanding. Fortunately, I got to know Han Zuo, which turned out to be a wonderful thing."

  Han Dang picked up a newly filled wine cup and drank another one by himself.

  After a pause, Zu Zhao continued: "May I ask if Mr. Han is a local?"

  Han calmly replied, "I was originally a resident of Lingzhou, but I saw the county's evil tyrants bullying people and took it upon myself to teach them a lesson several times. Later, these thieves framed me and the county government wanted to put me in jail, so I had no choice but to escape and leave my hometown. Considering that my elderly parents are still at home and I am their only child, I didn't dare go too far away. Although Xuwu borders Lingzhou, it is after all a different prefecture, and the constables of Lingzhou do not dare to cross the border casually, so I can usually entrust some villagers to bring me gifts back home."

  Zu Zhao listened, his expression solemn, and sighed: "The hero is indeed a man of heroic character, chivalrous and righteous, not afraid of the powerful. I admire him greatly. Unfortunately, the world is in decline, and this era allows some treacherous people to run amok, it's really detestable."

  Even Zhang Yu, who was still muttering to himself, became indignant after hearing Han Dang's account and cursed loudly: "Is there really no king's law? If it were in Anyang Pavilion, I would have taught that dull county official a lesson too."

  Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu are indeed city rascals, often resorting to some unscrupulous tactics, but as a chivalrous person, he values righteousness and naturally feels sympathetic.

  Zu Chao gradually fell into deep thought and did not speak immediately.

  Zhang Yuan let out a long sigh, picked up his wine cup and said to Han Dang: "I didn't expect that you are also a man of great justice. I'll toast you another cup." After finishing speaking, he downed the wine in one gulp.

  Facing Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu's performance, Han Dang finally put down some of his prejudices, picked up the wine jug to fill his own wine bowl, and similarly raised his wine bowl to toast Zhang Yuan before drinking the wine in the bowl in one gulp.

  At this time, Gong Sunlong, who was sitting together, couldn't help but ask: "Brother Han, what are your plans for the future?"

  Zu Zhao came back to his senses from deep thought, and introduced him to Han Dang: "I almost forgot, this is the noble guest Gongsun Long. Brother Gongsun, I was at fault just now for not introducing you, please forgive me. I'll punish myself with a cup."

  Gongsun Long didn't like to be bound by etiquette, so he didn't stop Zu Zhao and let him punish himself with a cup of wine. He laughed loudly and said: "I'm just a passing guest, whether I introduce myself or not doesn't matter, haha. But seeing how the young master respects Brother Han, I couldn't bear what Brother Han has gone through, so I spoke out of turn."

  Han Dang was moved by the enthusiasm of these people he had just met. Especially Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, who were originally looked down upon as ordinary rascals, but now seeing their righteous side, his prejudices naturally dissipated.

  "Gentlemen, I'm grateful," Han Dang said with emotion, "As for what to do in the future, I haven't thought much about it. Let's just take things one step at a time."

  "Just now I saw a straw tied to the rattan bow of Brother Han, could it be that he wants to sell this bow?" Zu Zhao suddenly asked. He realized that inserting a straw into an item was equivalent to putting up a sign, and a good archer selling his bow was undoubtedly like a kitchen without a pot or a doctor without medicine, which must have a story behind it."

  "Alas, let's not talk about it." Han's face suddenly changed color, he heavily sighed and stopped talking, grabbed the wine bowl on the table and gulped down the wine in big mouthfuls.

  Everyone at the table looked at each other in confusion, each with some guesses.

  "Then let's just call you Brother Han from now on, and I won't consider you an outsider. What can't be said openly between us, Brother Han?" Zu Zhao asked calmly, pressing for further questioning.

  "There's nothing much to it, I just want to give up this bow." Han said with an unchanged expression.

  "This...this seems to be just an ordinary bamboo bow? Nowadays, most of them are horn bows or bone bows, and bamboo bows are truly rare." Gong Sun Long said thoughtfully.

  "Yes, even if you take this bow out to sell it, it's not worth much money." Zhang Yu said unreservedly.

  "Earlier, when I met Brother Han in the town, he was carrying this bow and selling it everywhere. Maybe there's something urgent, but after all, there are few people who ask about it." Zhang Yuan casually mentioned a sentence.

  Zhang's brothers' words also made Zu Zhao, an outsider, more aware of Han Dang's current situation. It's not hard to imagine that during this time, Han Dang was in a tight spot and urgently needed some capital to turn things around; otherwise, why would a hunter sell his own bow?

  "In short, this bow will only be sold to someone who truly understands bows." Han responded loudly to the crowd's words.

  "Big brother, since Han big brother is in trouble, you see..." Zujun, who had not spoken much until now, asked Zu Zhao with great expectation. The Zu family was a wealthy and influential clan, with assets worth millions, so they wouldn't mind lending a small amount of money at all. If they could lend a hand at this time, it would be most timely.

  "If Brother Han speaks up, I will not decline." Zu Zhao said calmly. His reaction was not very strong, on the contrary, it seemed very calm, as if there was a hidden mystery.

  "Grandfather, no need to be polite. I'll take care of my own affairs. Thank you all for your kind intentions. Come on, since we're here to drink, let's not talk about anything else useless." Han said in one breath, then raised his wine bowl and invited everyone at the table to drink.

  Zu Ji wanted to say something more, but Zu Zhao gave him a look instead.

  So the crowd didn't mention Han Dang's private affairs again, and everyone drank freely. Later, Han Dang was not a reserved person either, and soon opened his heart to drink with new friends he met today, drinking big mouthfuls of wine and eating large chunks of meat, revealing his true nature. With three or five parts of intoxication, whether it was Zhang Yuan, Zhang Yu's two brothers, or Gong Sunlong who were unfamiliar with each other, everyone became harmonious in an instant.

  Zu Zha took the opportunity to mention to Han Dang that he, Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu were already practicing with the militiamen in preparation for this year's winter defense. Hearing these words, Han Dang further eliminated his prejudices against Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, thinking it was commendable that these wandering warriors could take care of some proper business.

  "Earlier, I saw Zǔ Gōngzǐ rush to rescue Zhang Wényì, and I was quite suspicious. It turns out that you were all busy preparing for the theft this year, no wonder." Hàn Dāng laughed loudly.

  Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, the two brothers, also burst out laughing.

  I've finally finished writing the script, and I'm currently in contact with a few beauties to act in it. Hopefully, the first shoot will go smoothly. Also, thank you to all new and old readers for your support. Once again, I'm shamelessly asking for red envelopes, collections, and rewards to prop up the show. Thank you very much!