GBP Chapter 393 How can we live without wine?
Chapter 393 How can we live without wine?
On the evening of the fifth day, the convoy finally arrived at its destination, Ulanqi.
In the biting cold wind, several trucks slowly drove into the courtyard of the banner government, causing a commotion.
"Finally here!" Wang Ergou jumped off the vehicle, rubbing his frostbitten face. "This ride has really shaken my butt numb."
Li Xiangyang also got off the car. The long journey had left him stiff all over, but his eyes were scanning his surroundings, trying to get a feel for his environment as soon as possible.
Before they could even warm up, a group of people dressed in ethnic costumes came to greet them.
The leader was a man in his forties with dark skin and the marks of time around his eyes, but he was still very energetic.
"Oh, welcome, welcome!" The man quickly stepped forward, a genuine smile on his face. "I'm Buhe from the banner. I heard you came from the east to provide support; you've worked so hard!"
As Bu He spoke, he extended his hand, which Li Xiangyang quickly grasped: "Hello, I'm Li Xiangyang, and this is Wang Ergou. We're from Xiaoliang Village."
Buhe's eyes lit up: "I've heard of you! Director Zhao from the Forestry Bureau mentioned you to me, saying you're excellent hunters!"
He beckoned the people behind him to come forward, and they were holding white hadas (ceremonial scarves).
“According to our custom, guests who have come from afar should be presented with a hada (a ceremonial scarf),” Buhe explained, then solemnly hung a white silk scarf embroidered with exquisite patterns around Li Xiangyang’s neck.
Li Xiangyang felt a surge of warmth flow into his heart; this was far more grand than he had imagined.
"Shall we unload the supplies first?" Li Xiangyang asked, thinking that he should get the important business done first.
Buhe waved his hand: "No rush, no rush. Let's settle you in first. Get some rest tonight, and we'll discuss the wolf plague in detail tomorrow."
Before Li Xiangyang could say anything, Buhe had already warmly put his arm around his shoulder and headed towards the main building of the banner government: "Come on, come on, we'll definitely treat you to a good time tonight!"
Wang Ergou followed behind, winking and muttering, "This treatment is much better than I expected."
Li Xiangyang just smiled; he knew in his heart that the real test was yet to come.
In the evening, a long table was set up in the hall of the banner government, and plates of steaming food were served one after another.
Fragrant roasted whole lamb, golden and glistening milk skin, and various other Mongolian specialties.
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou were seated in the seats of honor, surrounded by cadres and herdsmen representatives from the banner.
Buhe picked up a bowl of milk wine, stood up, and said, "Come, let's drink to our friends who have come from afar!"
Everyone echoed in agreement, and the bowls clinked together, making a crisp sound.
Li Xiangyang politely took a sip. The wine was fragrant and rich, yet had a stimulating spiciness that made his whole body feel warm as soon as it went down his throat.
Wang Ergou downed his drink in one gulp, then let out a long breath, his face flushed red: "Good wine!"
Buhe laughed heartily: "Young man, you're so generous! Another bowl, please!"
Seeing Wang Ergou's condition, Li Xiangyang knew he couldn't hold his liquor, and quickly said, "Drink slowly, this milk wine has a strong aftereffect."
But Wang Ergou was already surrounded by his enthusiastic Mongolian friends, who kept urging him to drink bowl after bowl.
During the meal, Li Xiangyang tried to inquire about the wolf plague, but every time the conversation turned to serious matters, Buhe would pick up his wine bowl and say, "Let's drink first, let's drink first, we can talk about everything tomorrow!"
After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Ergou was so drunk that he was staggering, his face as red as a ripe apple.
"No, no, no more!" Wang Ergou waved his hand. "If I drink any more, I'll collapse."
Buhe, accompanied by a young herdsman, laughed and said, "That's not enough? We grassland men can drink three jin (1.5 kg) without getting drunk!"
Wang Ergou, his eyes glaring with drunkenness, shouted, "Who says I can't! Let's go again!"
Li Xiangyang quickly stopped him: "Don't be a hero, we have important business to attend to tomorrow."
Buhe noticed that Li Xiangyang's alcohol tolerance was decent, so he filled his glass again: "Brother Li, you're not going to be a one-bowl wonder, are you?"
Li Xiangyang smiled slightly: "I consider myself to have a decent alcohol tolerance, but I can't withstand such heavy drinking by you all."
"Then let's have another bowl, we won't leave until we're drunk!" Buhe laughed heartily.
That night, songs, laughter, and the aroma of wine mingled in the hall, lingering until late into the night.
Li Xiangyang helped the unconscious Wang Ergou back to the room that had been arranged for him, put him on the bed, and then sat by the window, gazing at the vast snowfield outside.
In the distance, the sound of wolves howling seemed to come, reminding him of the true purpose of his trip.
The next morning, Li Xiangyang got up and found Wang Ergou still groaning in bed.
"My head is killing me," Wang Ergou said, rubbing his head. "This liquor is incredibly potent."
Li Xiangyang handed him a bowl of hot water: "I told you to take it easy, now you know it's uncomfortable?"
Wang Ergou took the water and drank it all in one gulp: "I guess I'm just unlucky. It's already the second day, when are we going to get down to business?"
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "Don't rush, this is their way of treating guests. Today I need to find out more about the wolf plague."
In the morning, they were invited to attend a grand welcoming ceremony.
Representatives of the herdsmen in the banner presented exquisite gifts, and several elderly people sang ancient long songs, the melodious voices echoing in the hall.
It wasn't until evening that Buhe called Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou to a small conference room.
"Can we talk about serious business now?" Li Xiangyang couldn't help but ask.
Buhe smiled and nodded: "Of course, no more drinking today. Let's talk about the wolf plague."
He took out a map and spread it on the table: "The most serious situation is in Qingshan Gacha to the east. The wolf packs there are particularly ferocious; they have already attacked several herding families and killed a lot of livestock. Along Qingshan Gacha, the surrounding gachas are experiencing varying degrees of wolf infestation."
Li Xiangyang looked at the map intently: "How many wolves are there?"
"It's hard to say. Different groups have different numbers; the larger groups have at least fifty or sixty," Buhe said gravely. "They started causing trouble last year, but this year they're really fierce. Whenever a herder goes out to graze their livestock, they follow them and attack when they're most vulnerable."
Wang Ergou gasped: "So many?"
Buhe sighed, "Last winter was particularly cold, and there was less food for wolves, such as hares and marmots. This year there's even less. Driven by hunger, they've set their sights on the herders' cattle and sheep."
Li Xiangyang pondered for a moment: "We need to go and see for ourselves."
Buhe nodded: "I'll arrange for someone to take you there tomorrow. The situation there is dangerous, so please be careful."
"Thank you." Li Xiangyang stood up, preparing to leave.
Buhe suddenly slapped his forehead: "Oh right, there's a small gathering tonight; some representatives from the villages want to meet you."
Wang Ergou's expression immediately changed: "It's not going to be drinking again, is it?"
Buhe laughed heartily: "What's life on the grasslands without wine!"
Li Xiangyang gently shook his head: "Director Bu, I'm really sorry, we have to politely decline today. We need to get up early tomorrow to prepare for the wolf hunt, so we need to be clear-headed."
Just as Buhe was about to say something, an elderly Mongolian man next to him patted him on the shoulder and said a few words in Mongolian.
Buhe laughed after hearing this, then turned to Li Xiangyang: "The old man said, what's the rush on the grasslands? The wolves have been roaming there for hundreds of years, one more day won't make a difference."