Chapter 5, Ancient Martial Arts

Wang Mahuan's wife first used a mesh strainer to filter the wine, then warmed it over the fire. As it heated, a rich aroma of the wine wafted through the air. While she warmed the wine, three other women from nearby households came to help in the kitchen, preparing the dishes to accompany the wine.

Come, young master, I, Niu Er, offer you a bowl! To be honest, in the past, I thought you were merely for show, good-looking but useless. Today's events, I will remember in my heart

Indeed, this is also my first time seeing it today

All the bandits put down their wine bowls and stole glances at Wang Mahan, their earlier intentions of teasing him completely vanished. At this moment, Wang Mahan was also convinced. While everyone was enjoying their drinks, Wang Mahan's wife brought out a large platter of pig offal.

Wang Mahān first raised the bowl and said: "Young master, I am a straightforward person, and I speak my mind. I have often offended others in the past"

Li Chongjiu gradually came to accept his identity as a mountain bandit. He then said, "Brother Wang, you flatter me." After speaking, Li Chongjiu took the wine bowl and slowly drank it all.

When it comes to the martial arts of fists, feet, and sticks, Wang Junkuo is the foremost figure in the gang. Several years ago, during a robbery, Li Chongjiu's father engaged in a confrontation that resulted in a lung injury, which left him with a lasting ailment, thus he rarely took action thereafter. Following him, there are three other leaders, each possessing commendable martial skills.

Today, alas, I have nothing more to say, I raise a toast to you

As Li Chongjiu revealed the bottom of the bowl, the mountain bandits erupted in a thunderous cheer.

Now, in gratitude for Li Chongjiu's life-saving grace, Wang Mahuan hosted a gathering at his home with twelve mountain bandits. Wang Mahuan's residence is located at the eastern end of the mountain stronghold, consisting of three spacious rooms. It is important to note that among the seven thousand strongholds, life is not particularly affluent; however, they do not suffer from the exploitation of officials or have to perform corvée labor, which makes their situation somewhat better than that of ordinary commoners

Upon hearing this, Li Chongjiu gained a general understanding of ancient martial arts. Firstly, Wang Junkuo must have mastered a certain form of ancient martial arts; otherwise, Li Hu would not have allowed him to become a disciple. Secondly, this form of ancient martial arts has stringent requirements for one's aptitude, and it is not something that just anyone can practice; it requires specific conditions to be met.

Li Chongjiu downed two cups of wine, smiled faintly, having battled in the marketplace for many years; when it comes to drinking, he has yet to encounter anyone who can match him.

Otherwise, why not take action earlier or later, but insist on dealing with it several days later, only after healing from the injuries? Li Chongjiu secretly admired Wang Junkuo, the master of the art of thick black, for his cleverness. If he could not grasp the underlying meaning, it would simply indicate a lack of insight. Such foolishness would certainly disqualify him from being the young master.

Li Chongjiu was always astonished by the fact that he had traversed back to the Sui and Tang dynasties, pondering the extent of ancient Chinese martial arts. To what degree were the valor of Li Yuanba, Yu Wen Chengdu, and Luo Cheng a product of dramatization, and how much was based on historical fact? What was the true level of martial arts possessed by Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuchi Jingde? Was there really a possibility of one man contending against a hundred, or even a thousand fierce warriors? At that moment, Li Chongjiu subtly shifted the topic to Wang Junkuo's martial skills.

Note 1: "Song" refers to cabbage.

Therefore, it is essential to raise the board high and then gently lower it. This naturally requires one person to play the role of the "red face" and another to play the "black face." In this performance, the person playing the "black face" is undoubtedly Wang Junkuo, while who could be more suitable than myself, the less experienced leader, to take on the role of the "red face"

This person is accustomed to wielding two large axes with floral patterns. When encountering officials and soldiers, he would split anyone he meets in half, making him quite a ruthless character. In the context of "Water Margin," he could be considered a minor version of Li Kui. After Wang Mahuan finished speaking, several others chimed in, expressing their disbelief in Wang Mahuan's words, but they held a certain admiration for Wang Junkuo's martial skills.

Three cups of wine, and the Five Mountains are turned upside down. Though they are all bandits, they are also valiant men of Yan and Zhao. If others respect me by a foot, I will respect them by a yard. When the bandits saw Li Chongjiu, they raised their thumbs in approval as they drank heartily. If they had previously expressed gratitude for his life-saving act, now they felt that the young master had a certain air of boldness and grandeur. Everyone wondered in their hearts why this young master was so different from before. If they had previously expressed gratitude for his life-saving act, now they felt that the young master had a certain air of boldness and grandeur. Everyone wondered in their hearts why this young master was so different from before.

During their conversation, Li Chongji also inquired about Wang Junkuo's joining of the Qiqian Village. It was noted that Li Hu had once intended for Li Chongji to take Wang Junkuo as his master to learn valuable skills. Wang Junkuo was quite hesitant at the time; he first tested his own muscles and bones, then instructed himself to hold a horse stance. If he could maintain it for two hours, he would accept him as a disciple. Unfortunately, he could not endure even half an hour at that time, so he was not accepted.

The bandit beside him whispered, "I never knew that the young master was so bold and had such a good capacity for alcohol"

Li Chongjiu had a remarkable capacity for alcohol, and at that moment, all twelve mountain bandits stood up to toast him. Li Chongjiu, however, drank every cup dry without leaving a single drop. The bandits had transitioned from astonishment to admiration. A high tolerance for alcohol also enhances one's demeanor; throughout history, which hero has not possessed an extraordinary capacity for drink

The bandits of the mountains were also quite unreserved, taking garlic paste to dip and eat. To enjoy lamb, it is best paired with pepper, but the pepper must be imported from the Western Regions, which the common people cannot afford. However, there is no need for such fuss when eating pork; it is sufficient to simply dip it in garlic paste. Subsequently, bowls of hot dishes were served, including pork, lamb, fish, tender chicken stuffed with goose, and vegetarian dishes such as lotus root, leeks, and fragrant mushrooms.

However, Li Chongjiu clearly did not meet the requirements set by Wang Junkuo in terms of talent. This left Li Chongjiu somewhat disappointed, but he thought to himself that it was not a big deal; after all, ancient martial arts in the world should not be limited to just Wang Junkuo's school. Since he had arrived in this era, he felt it was necessary to experience it, so that his journey would not be in vain

Haha, Wang Mahan, do not be reluctant to part with your wine

Particularly this undistilled liquor, its flavor is very mild, drinking it feels akin to consuming plain water; however, he did not feign bravado, but simply swallowed the liquor slowly, sip by sip

Wang Mahan narrowed his eyes and said, "You little brat, standing up to toast, be careful your elders will hit you."

Li Chongjiu nodded slightly upon hearing Wang Mahuan's words. In his view, this was relatively close to the truth, but from the words of several bandits, he understood that in terms of strength, Wang Mahuan in the stronghold was second only to Wang Junkuo.

The pig offal has been briefly boiled in the soup, considered as poached. Three pig hearts are sliced into eight pieces each, garnished with some chopped green onions, while the intestines and stomach are arranged in a circle around the bowl. In the north, lamb is common, but pork is quite rare. Therefore, when people have pig offal, it is a great delight to indulge in meat.

Young master, excellent drinking capacity

At present, everyone has opened their mouths and is chatting about everything under the sun. A group of rough men has gathered together, and their conversations revolve around women and the use of sticks and fists. For Li Chongjiu, the last defeat to Li Sanniang is a source of shame for all the great scholars, so there is an unspoken agreement not to discuss it.

At this moment, sitting in Wang Mahang's home, Li Chongjiu was still unaware of Li Hu's feelings regarding their father-son relationship. However, he was also perceptive; upon hearing that the second-in-command intended to whip everyone, he understood the underlying significance. In management theory, the principle of combining both kindness and severity is emphasized, where there is both grace and authority. Among the seven thousand stronghold, there were about four hundred people. Excluding the elderly, women, children, and the injured, there were only about a hundred able-bodied men. If a dozen or so were killed in one go, it would not only cause chaos among the ranks but also demonstrate a disregard for loyalty, leading to the abandonment of comrades. Yet, one could not avoid enforcing strict punishment; otherwise, there would be no authority left in the future. Excluding the elderly, women, children, and the injured, there were only about a hundred able-bodied men. If a dozen or so were killed in one go, it would not only cause chaos among the ranks but also demonstrate a disregard for loyalty, leading to the abandonment of comrades. Yet, one could not avoid enforcing strict punishment; otherwise, there would be no authority left in the future.

Three cups of wine downed, the dishes may be coarse, yet they are hearty enough to fill the stomach. This is precisely the life of mountain bandits, who eat and drink heartily, and divide gold with a large scale. Before long, everyone was flushed and boisterous, their faces resembling that of Guan Yu, while Li Chongjiu also showed a hint of intoxication, yet his eyes grew even brighter.

However, when it comes to facing a hundred enemies, it is likely to be quite difficult

Just as Niu Er, with a flushed face, was about to argue with Wang Mahan, Li Chongjiu stood up, poured half a bowl of yellow wine, and said: "Come, let's drink."

Li Chongjiu saw the group of mountain bandits, and upon catching a whiff of the fragrant wine, they all appeared to be quite eager. However, Wang Mahan remained calm, engaging in casual conversation with the others. Before long, the wine had warmed up, and Wang Mahan's wife used a bamboo ladle to serve it. Wang Mahan first poured himself a small half bowl, then poured a small half bowl for Li Chongjiu. As for the others, they each received half a bowl first.

In Wang Mahang's home, a crowd gathered in a circle, with Hu sitting on the ground. Naturally, there was no joy in the banquet without wine. Wang Mahang's wife went to the large wine vat in the backyard and fetched a big bucket of wine. This bucket appeared to contain yellow wine brewed from corn.

Several bandits at present cursed out loud

Truly unable to speak

At this moment, Li Chongjiu looked at the twelve bandits he had just rescued. Although their perception of him may not have changed much, it is undeniable that they now owe him a life. The debt of human kindness is the hardest to repay, especially when it involves a life-saving grace

There may indeed be a hundred-man enemy in this world, but as for a thousand-man enemy, I have my doubts. As for a ten-thousand-man enemy, it is better not to mention it

After finishing his drink, Wang Mahan disregarded the fact that the wine was still warm and gulped it down in one go, revealing a naturally generous disposition. Li Chongjiu smiled slightly; although these mountain bandits were rough around the edges, they were straightforward and easy to deal with. In his previous life, he had grown accustomed to the well-dressed, cultured individuals in the business world, who often concealed their treachery behind a facade, but now, interacting with these people felt at least relaxed and comfortable.

Having said this, Li Chongjiu raised the wine bowl to his lips and drank it all.

Niu Er and Li Chongjiu are of similar age; he is also the youngest among the twelve bandits. When Wang Junkuo was whipping them, he was the only one among the bandits who cried.

However, in order to express gratitude for Li Chongjiu's life-saving grace, Wang Mahuan's wife, the same woman who had previously fainted from crying, had to be generous. She borrowed some ingredients from neighbors and gathered a few more to prepare this banquet. A feast where each person has their own table is not something that a poor family can afford. Therefore, it was quite common at that time for everyone to gather around a single table to share a meal.

My parents wouldn't hit me

On the surface, Wang Mahuan appears rough and boisterous, yet his thoughts are meticulous. When it comes to martial arts, he is particularly knowledgeable, stating: "The skills of the second-in-command are undoubtedly exceptional; with the strength of several hundred pounds in each arm, a mere ten or so individuals cannot approach him."