Zhao Yun cautiously asked, "Senior, how about we call this a draw?"
Old Zhao, panting, said, "No...no, we can't let it end like this...if you have another 20 moves, you will definitely lose."
Although Zhao Yun was kind, he was not hypocritical either. He scratched his head and said, "Forgive me for speaking frankly, but if the old general continues to fight at this speed and strength, it will be difficult for us to determine a winner within 20 moves."
Old Zhao pressed his hand to his chest and said, "That's because I didn't use my best skills. Little brat, take this!" With that, he spurred his horse forward again, his spear thrusting horizontally towards Zhao Yun's chest. Zhao Yun pulled "Zhao Tongfu" aside gracefully, commenting, "If Senior Zhao could have thrust upwards from the bottom, this 'Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate' move would have been much more effective."
Old Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, that seems to make sense. Then watch this move." He then swept his spear horizontally. Zhao Yun deflected the spear and said, "This move of sweeping across a thousand troops has existed since ancient times, but according to my understanding, adding a rotation of the wrist when striking the spear greatly increases the power."
Old Zhao asked in confusion, "Huh? That's what my dad told me too, but I never understood how to turn it—"
"Like this..." Zhao Yun held the gun in front of Old Zhao and personally demonstrated for him, "When you draw the gun, your hand is like this, and when you get close to the enemy, it's like this..."
Because it was in slow motion, Old Zhao was able to easily dodge. Zhao Yun said, "Why don't you try it and see how it goes?" Old Zhao imitated him and turned the spear around. Zhao Yun patiently accompanied him in the experiment. Old Zhao said happily, "It's indeed much smoother."
Zhao Yun was also pleased: "The old senior is quick to understand. We who wield spears rely on wrist strength."
Old Zhao said eagerly, "Then you should think about how to modify this move."
...
On the command platform, Wu Sangui and his generals were all dead, and more than 20,000 soldiers in the entire military field watched as Zhao Yun instructed the old man on spear techniques. The atmosphere was quite eerie.
Nearly half an hour later, Zhao Yun, seeing that it was getting late, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Senior, how about we spar another day?"
Old Zhao then realized they were still in the middle of a martial arts competition, and blushed as he said, "I had completely forgotten about the time. Young man, your marksmanship is truly impressive. As the saying goes, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' From this perspective, I have learned a lot." Is that just a saying?
Zhao Yun said, "I have also benefited greatly." Indeed, he had essentially reviewed the basics.
By this time, Old Zhao was completely convinced of Zhao Yun's abilities. He looked at Zhao Yun again and said regretfully, "What a fine young man, it's a pity he has such a foul mouth. I was originally planning to take him as my last disciple." With that, he snorted and left.
I sighed, "I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone this shameless."
When Zhao returned to the reviewing stand, he tried to save face by clasping his hands in a fist salute to Wu Sangui and saying, "Your Majesty, I have successfully completed my mission and have found that the young general does have some ability."
Wu Sangui sighed, "General, you've worked hard." Everyone knew he had completely lost face. The first two battles were inexplicably lost, and the third was a humiliating defeat. He hadn't even tested the enemy's strength. Sending more troops would likely not end well, and he'd only earn a bad reputation for ganging up on them. Wu Sangui rested his hand on the corner of the table, leaning over to look at us, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Zhao Yun spurred his horse back and asked, "Brother Xiao Qiang, how is it?"
I gave him a thumbs up and said, "Well done." I looked up at the command platform and saw Wu Sangui staring intently at us. I exclaimed, "Oh no, is that old traitor trying to kill us to silence us because he can't accept defeat?" I reached out to Zhao Yun and said anxiously, "Zilong, hurry, shouldn't you give me the strategist's secret pouch?" Zhao Yun reached into his robes and said, "I'll get it for you."
Suddenly, Wu Sangui shouted, "We've all witnessed that young general's spear skills, so what extraordinary abilities does Warrior Xiao possess?"
I cursed, "Damn it, it's my turn again—Zilong, hurry up!"
"Found it." Zhao Yun placed the sealed brocade pouch in my hand. I eagerly opened it and saw four large characters written on it: "Let's have a drinking contest!"
...What does this mean? What does it mean to challenge him to a drinking contest? This is much harder to understand than his first secret plan!
Zhao Yun also leaned over to look, and I spread the brocade pouch in front of him, saying, "What does this mean?" Zhao Yun asked in confusion, "Does the strategist want you to have a drinking contest with him?"
Clutching this brocade pouch that no one could decipher, I had no choice but to shout, "Your Majesty, Xiao Qiang may not have any other skills, but his drinking capacity is unparalleled."
Unexpectedly, the old traitor paused for a moment after hearing this, then threw his head back and laughed loudly, saying, "Xiao Qiang, do you know my nickname?"
I was taken aback: "I don't know."
Wu Sangui slammed his fist on the table and laughed loudly, "I used to be known as the undisputed champion of drinking, and I've never been defeated. I never thought I'd meet my match today—men, bring the wine!" His generals, seeing their leader finally in high spirits, seized the opportunity to flatter him, each saying, "Your Majesty, let us drink instead." This alone shows what a good-for-nothing is. Honestly, even if Zhao Yun and I were to drink, we might not be able to beat that General Wang or General Li; just look at their bellies!
Wu Sangui waved his hand and laughed, "You all step aside, I want to personally compete with Xiaoqiang." All the generals laughed, "Yes, quickly bring the wine, quickly bring the wine." The atmosphere immediately became very good and loving, just like attending a wedding banquet.
Only now do I truly admire Zhuge Liang. Our Mr. Lu Xun said this guy was so wise he was almost supernatural, and that's certainly true. He could deduce Wu Sangui's entire personality from just a few words I said—Wu Sangui was suspicious, yet also forthright and fiercely proud; he figured it all out. To dispel his suspicions, he first let Zhao Yun win three consecutive rounds. Such a capable man could still achieve great things on the battlefield; of course, he wouldn't become someone else's inside man. After the three rounds, Wu Sangui, though eager to see talent, had lost face. At this point, he needed a way to smooth things over, so he had me claim to be a good drinker. Alcohol, whether in large or small quantities, is harmless, but it can quickly liven up the atmosphere. Wu Sangui, riding a lame donkey, had no reason not to get off such a steep slope. I'm impressed!
Seeing me still standing there in a daze, Wu Sangui shouted, "Xiao Qiang, come quick! Are you scared?" His generals burst into laughter again. Before we even drank the wine, we were already all getting along famously.
To be honest, Wu Sangui might not have been that wary of us from the start. Did he really need a mere 500 men to personally welcome us? It's a matter of public relations; after all, someone defecting in an unfavorable situation is a huge publicity stunt. Zhao Yun had won three consecutive battles, so the old traitor was naturally even more eager to accept us. Now, all that was missing was this toast to ease the tension. As for who won or lost this time, that was no longer on the old man's mind.
Of course, that was not in my consideration either—I walked up to the reviewing stand with a smile on my face, but my smile immediately faded: I saw hundreds of soldiers, each with a jar of wine in hand, placed in front of the stand, and huge bowls that could pour a pound of wine at a time were lined up for more than a mile long, with the wine being poured in like a long dragon. It seemed that this round was definitely not going to be a mere slap on the wrist...
The old traitor stayed with me for a year, so I know his capacity. He can drink three bottles of 60-proof liquor in one go and still be able to pick up sesame seeds with chopsticks. I can drink half a jin of 38-proof liquor, and if I'm in a good mood, I can drink eight liang, but I'll have to throw up twice...
If this drinking goes on and on—and it won't really go on forever—I'll have to stop after the second bowl, and the old man might start to suspect me again.
Holding a blue pill in my hand, I walked to the two rows of bowls in front of the stage, covered it with my sleeve, and dropped it into the bowl in front of me. Then, quite naturally, I presented it to Wu Sangui with both hands: "Your Majesty, please." It's true that our poisoning skills are now unparalleled in the world.
Wu Sangui took it casually and said with a smile, "There are no rules at a drinking party, so please make yourself at home."
I picked up another bowl, held it high above my head, and said, "Then I'll have to offend Xiaoqiang—cheers!"
We clinked our glasses briefly and simultaneously downed our drinks, to the cheers of Wu Sangui's soldiers and Zhao Yun's troops. Of course, I was just pretending, feigning drinking while stealing glances at the old man. Wu Sangui downed his bowl of wine in one gulp, while I was still pretending to sip. Wu Sangui held up his empty bowl to the crowd and laughed, "Xiao Qiang, you still drink so slowly." I was momentarily stunned when I heard the old traitor whisper to me amidst the cheers, "Why did you come? Didn't we tell you not to come?"...
Chapter 203 Natural Childbirth
This time, nothing unexpected happened; the old man recognized me immediately. Because we had a gentleman's agreement that I wouldn't come looking for him, the old traitor's first question was what I was doing here. I held the bowl of wine I had only drunk half of and said softly, "Putting everything else aside, I can't drink this bowl of wine."
Wu Sangui glanced around and pulled me aside, saying, "You have to finish this as a formality, don't you?"
I said, "I don't care. If you want to see the 'thousand-drink-unbeatable' version, you'll have to wait until Baozi gives birth. Anyway, I can't drink."
The old man sighed and muttered, "I've already dealt with Li Zicheng, how come you're still so useless?" He then grabbed my hand and said in a friendly tone, "Come on, let's have a match inside."
I looked at the pile of liquor and said to the soldiers below, "You all drink it all."
Zhao Yun looked at me, and I gave him a gesture indicating that I had succeeded...
Wu Sangui asked in a low voice, "Who is that young man?"
I laughed and said, "Your ancestor General Zhao's elder brother."