Zhuang Rui shook his head and propped himself up with his hands. He just couldn't connect the burly Batel with the lively little girl in front of him. Their genes were completely different.
"Where's Brother Batel? We were evenly matched yesterday; he didn't lose, and I didn't win either..."
After sobering up, Zhuang Rui returned to his usual humility. He knew he had drunk too much the night before, but after being completely drunk, Zhuang Rui felt inexplicably clear-headed.
For some time now, Zhuang Rui has been working at a high intensity. Although physical fatigue can be recovered with spiritual energy, mental fatigue is something that cannot be adjusted. Yesterday's unusual drunkenness, however, has made him relax a lot.
"I knew it! You couldn't beat Big Brother. He's still sleeping..."
After hearing Zhuang Rui's words, Wu Yunqiqige finally smiled. However, when answering Zhuang Rui's question, her voice became softer. At least Zhuang Rui was awake now while her older brother was not, so she had already lost the drinking contest.
Zhuang Rui stood up and said, "Let's go see your older brother..."
"Brother Zhuang, are you awake?"
Just as Zhuang Rui lifted the curtain of the yurt, two or three people walked towards him.
"Brother Timur, I'm up..."
Zhuang Rui saw that the leader was Timur, the second strongest man in this settlement, but also his defeated opponent from yesterday. Peng Fei, who was following behind him, suddenly winked at him.
"You brat, what are you up to?"
Zhuang Rui, unsure of Peng Fei's meaning, looked at Timur and said, "Brother Timur, please come inside and sit down..."
Making guests stand at the door is not proper hospitality. Although this yurt is not his own territory, Zhuang Rui should still give way.
"No need, let's just sit outside. I brought milk tea and snacks..."
Timur shook his head and waved what he was holding. Zhuang Rui noticed that he was carrying a pot of milk tea and food in his left hand, but in his right hand he was holding a long object wrapped in cloth.
"Brother Timur, please have a seat. I'll wash up a bit..."
When Zhuang Rui saw Wuyun Qiqige spread an oilcloth on the grass in front of the yurt, he quickly washed his face with a towel in a basin inside the yurt. As for brushing his teeth, he could skip that, since his toothbrush and other utensils were in the car.
After sitting down, Timur poured Zhuang Rui a bowl of milk tea, presented it to him with both hands, and said, "Brother Zhuang, you are a good man. I, Timur, admire heroes the most. From now on, you are my good brother..."
"Hehe, Brother Timur, I do have some strength, but if we're comparing other things, I'm no match for you..."
Zhuang Rui smiled and accepted the milk tea. It was fresh goat milk that had just been squeezed that morning, and it still had a slightly fishy smell. However, Zhuang Rui still pinched his nose and drank it down. He guess he was just doing as the locals do.
“A win is a win. In terms of strength, I, Timur, am no match for you…”
Timur, this straightforward man, shook his head. He was initially confused by his loss, but after seeing Zhuang Rui defeat Batel with an overwhelming advantage, he realized the gap between himself and Zhuang Rui.
After eating a simple meal, Timur suddenly picked up the cloth-wrapped object and placed it in front of Zhuang Rui, saying solemnly, "Brother Zhuang, this is the prize I lost to you yesterday. Please accept it..."
"Hmm? Did we make a bet yesterday?"
Zhuang Rui was taken aback by Timur's actions. He had been so drunk yesterday that he had no idea he had made a bet with Timur.
"Yes, Brother Zhuang, you won, this is yours..."
Timur nodded heavily and pushed the package toward Zhuang Rui, but his eyes were full of reluctance.
Seeing the reluctance in Timur's eyes, Zhuang Rui laughed and pushed the package back to Timur, saying, "Hehe, Brother Timur, yesterday was just a joke, don't take it seriously. You should take this back..."
Although the outer cloth covering the object was not opened, Zhuang Rui could tell from its shape that it was likely a sword or similar object.
And judging from Timur's solemn demeanor, it was probably a family heirloom. Regardless of the sword's intrinsic value, Zhuang Rui did not want to take what belonged to someone else.
"What? Take it back, Brother Zhuang? What kind of person do you take me for? A treacherous man who doesn't keep his word?"
Zhuang Rui hadn't expected that as soon as he said those words, Timur, who was sitting cross-legged opposite him, would suddenly fly into a rage and stand up with a burst of strength.
"A loss is a loss. We Mongolian men don't renege on our debts. If you don't want it, just throw it away..."
Timur seemed to feel humiliated. After saying these words, he turned and left. Zhuang Rui quickly got up and grabbed him, saying with a wry smile, "Brother Timur, I'll accept it, okay?"
Zhuang Rui had heard of people being forced into prostitution, but this was the first time he had ever seen someone being forced to accept gambling debts. However, once he had said it, he didn't take it back and reached out to pick up the package on the grass.
"A Damascus steel knife?"
Zhuang Rui gasped in surprise as he looked behind the layers of cloth.
Because of Huangfu Yun's connection, Zhuang Rui also had some knowledge of swords around the world. The Damascus steel sword he just mentioned originated in India and was made from Wootz steel ingots. It was a sword with a cast pattern on its surface and was one of the three most famous swords in the world.
The knife in Zhuang Rui's hand is the most common curved shape of a Damascus steel knife, made of Wootz steel, with various patterns covering the blade, like flowing clouds and water, exceptionally beautiful.
Zhuang Rui knew that this pattern was formed during the casting process. The pattern could create serrations on the blade that were indistinguishable to the naked eye, making the swords even sharper.
The handle is inlaid with more than a dozen turquoise and ruby stones the size of rice grains and soybeans, and the blade is also decorated with enamel, gold and silver inlay and other techniques.
Holding this deadly weapon in his hand, it resembled more of a fine work of art. Raising the knife up to the sunlight overhead, Zhuang Rui immediately noticed that its veins resembled the texture of silk, with an unusual luster.
"Brother Zhuang, what's this knife called? My family has had it for generations, and we really don't know what it's called..."
Timur, standing to the side, wore a simple, honest smile.
"Brother Timur, are you crazy? This has been passed down through your family for generations! How can you just give it away like that?"
As Zhuang Rui marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship of the knife, Wu Yunqiqige, standing to the side, looked utterly shocked. Timur usually kept this knife well hidden, making it difficult for most people to even catch a glimpse of it.
Timur shook his head and said, "A good knife is for a hero. Qiqige, this knife is most worthy of Brother Zhuang..."
"You idiot Timur, I'm not going to care about you anymore. You've given away all the family heirlooms..."
When Uyunqiqige saw Timur's expression, she knew he had made up his mind. She stomped her foot, turned around, and ran away. She wanted to find Batel to reprimand Timur, as she knew that the big man always listened to his older brother the most.
"A fine knife..."
Zhuang Rui flicked the blade with his index finger, and the crescent-shaped scimitar immediately emitted a crisp sound.
However, Zhuang Rui frowned and looked at Timur, saying, "Brother Timur, you said this knife was passed down from our ancestors?"
Timur scratched his head and said, "Yes, I heard from my ancestors that this knife was bestowed upon my ancestor by the emperor when he followed the Mongol ancestors in their campaigns. I don't know if that's true or not..."
"Hmm? Could this be a Mongolian Yuan Dynasty Uzi steel knife?"
Zhuang Rui suddenly recalled a piece of history: in 1219, the Mongols launched three westward expeditions that shook the world, destroying countless countries along the way.
In 1260, Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, captured Damascus in Syria. In addition to the massacre, Hulagu Khan also captured a large number of artisans. The Yuan Dynasty government's Ministry of Works had a "Bin Tie Bureau" under its General Administration Office, which was dedicated to smelting Bin Tie. Therefore, the Yuan Dynasty's production capacity of Wootz steel swords should have been the highest.
However, due to their exquisite craftsmanship, most of these swords were used as gifts and collections by Mongolian nobles. Unfortunately, very few of these domestically produced Wootz steel swords have survived to this day.
"If Huangfu Yun saw this, he'd probably go to great lengths to snatch it, wouldn't he?"
Holding this heavy, precious sword, Zhuang Rui felt somewhat conflicted. Should he accept it or not?
Zhuang Rui could tell that this thing was definitely Timur's family heirloom, and that its market value today should be at least 500,000 RMB.
"Brother Timur, do you know how much this knife is worth?"
Zhuang Rui estimated that Timur was unaware of the actual value of the precious sword, but he would never do something as unethical as accepting it.
Chapter 1132 Mutual Gifts
"Brother Zhuang, this is a family heirloom. I don't know how much it's worth, but I wouldn't sell it for any price..."
Timur looked at the crescent-shaped scimitar in Zhuang Rui's hand, his face showing reluctance. However, a good man keeps his word, and Timur truly felt that only Zhuang Rui was worthy of this precious sword, so he did not regret his decision.
"Brother Timur, this precious sword is very likely a fine iron sword forged by the Ministry of Works during the Yuan Dynasty. Very few of them exist. If it were put on the market, it could probably fetch at least 500,000 RMB..."
After stating his judgment, Zhuang Rui sheathed the knife and handed it to Timur, saying, "Brother Timur, it's not that I don't want to accept it, but this item is too valuable, and I would feel uneasy accepting it..."
Zhuang Rui knew that if Huangfu Yun found out he had let such a precious sword go, he would definitely be scolded severely. However, he simply couldn't bring himself to take advantage of these honest Mongolians.
"Five hundred thousand yuan?"
Timur was clearly stunned when he heard the price.
Because it was a family heirloom, Timur valued the sword more as a keepsake than as a practical item. He never intended to sell it, nor did he inquire about its price. Only now, after hearing Zhuang Rui's words, did he realize that his family had a hidden treasure.
Just as Timur was somewhat at a loss, Batel walked over from a distance. Upon seeing the crescent-shaped scimitar in Zhuang Rui's hand, his expression changed, and he said, "Timur, what's wrong? You actually took out that sword? This won't do. It's a family heirloom. How about this, I'll have Brother Zhuang choose more horses and leave your precious sword here..."
In this settlement, only Batel had ventured out and even traveled abroad while serving in the army, so he had a broader perspective and was certain that Timur's knife was no ordinary item.
Uyunqiqige peeked her face out from behind Batel's broad shoulders, pouted and said to Timur, "Timur, you big ox, you're offering your own family's treasured sword as a prize, but you still need my brother's help, right?"
Wu Yunqiqi is young and pretty, and has always been pampered by these older brothers, so she is used to speaking like this.
"Qiqige, you're not allowed to talk like that..."
Upon hearing the girl's words, Batel immediately realized something was wrong, but it was too late for him to stop her. The slight smile that had remained on Timur's face vanished instantly after hearing what Uyunqiqige said.
The Mongols value promises above all else, often considering a promise more important than their own lives. The little girl's casual remark made Timur make up his mind.
“Brother Zhuang, the Eternal Heaven can bear witness that although this knife is a family heirloom, it is now yours. Its value is none of my concern…”
Timur's words were resolute, and his determined expression showed that there was no possibility of changing his decision.
"This...this isn't right..."
Now it was Zhuang Rui's turn to be frustrated. Although these grassland men lived relatively well, they didn't have much money before they sold their cattle and sheep.
If this knife were taken to an auction house, it would probably only have a starting price of 500,000 yuan, and it would be normal for it to fetch over a million yuan. For these herders, this would be a huge fortune.
“Brother Zhuang, if you don’t accept it, you’re disrespecting Timur, disrespecting a Mongolian man like me…”
Timur saw that Zhuang Rui still seemed reluctant to refuse, so he immediately stopped Zhuang Rui from speaking. In fact, he was also very reluctant to part with it. How wonderful it would be if such a treasure could be passed on to his son and grandson! Even if the family fell on hard times, he could still make some money.
Zhuang Rui scratched his head with a bitter face. This was indeed a difficult situation for him. When he wanted to ask Peng Fei for advice, the kid kept his distance, obviously not wanting to get involved in this mess.
Looking down at the precious sword inlaid with gold and silver, Zhuang Rui suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Why not just find an equivalent item to give to Timur?
Thinking of this, Zhuang Rui couldn't help but reach out to his body. He couldn't give away the imperial green pendant around his neck, so all he had left was a Pixiu toy at his waist.
Zhuang Rui found this item a couple of years ago in Panjiayuan, Beijing. It was a genuine antique jade with six different colors of patina. At the time, the jade had lost its luster and was covered in dirt. Zhuang Rui bought it for two hundred yuan.
After being handled by Zhuang Rui for two years, the jade skin has revealed a restrained color, and the six colors of patina are as vivid as if they were alive. In the hands of an expert, one can tell at a glance that it is no ordinary piece.
Ancient jade with a single patina is more common, and double patinas are also occasionally seen. However, ancient jade with four or more patinas is extremely rare. A six-colored patina like Zhuang Rui's would fetch a million at auction, making it the perfect item to exchange for this precious sword.
"Brother Timur, I'll accept your precious sword, but I want to give you a gift in return, which you must also accept..."
Zhuang Rui untied the cord from the pendant at his waist, held it in his hand, and looked at Timur, saying, "This jade is one I wear myself; it has the power to ward off evil, so I'm giving it to Brother Timur..."
Timur scratched his head, looked at the Pixiu pendant in Zhuang Rui's palm, and said, "This... Brother Zhuang, that knife was the prize I lost to you. It's not appropriate for me to accept it as a gift from you..."
"Hehe, Brother Timur, what's a piece of jade worth? If you don't accept it, it means you don't consider me a brother and look down on Zhuang Rui. Then... please take this knife back as well..."
Karma comes quickly. Before long, Zhuang Rui had already returned Timur's words to him, his expression resolute: "If you won't accept my jade, I won't take your precious sword either."
"Alright, I'll accept it then, thank you Brother Zhuang..."