The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 491 One Person Drinks One Flag

Eating and drinking can bring people closer, but revolution is not a dinner party. If Wu Chengyu thinks that a big meal can win over all the followers of Houtuqi, then he is really delusional.

It's better to start by eating and drinking than to start by cursing. Wu Chengyu never thought that being a leader meant being arrogant.

In his past life, he was known for his amiable and approachable manner when dealing with subordinates in state-owned enterprises. He would smile to their faces, but it was inevitable that he would stab them in the back. However, when he smiled, he was genuinely laughing.

The current Hou Tu Banner is constantly worried about being purged by higher authorities. Amidst this anxiety, there is a certain degree of fear and caution towards the new deputy banner leader.

If this were any of the other four banners, and a deputy banner leader were suddenly parachuted in, not only would they have no foundation, but they would also block the path of their subordinates. They would probably have given Wu Chengyu a warning long ago.

Office politics is an inevitable phenomenon, whether in state-owned enterprises of the past or in factions of feudal society; it is an art of struggle.

One of the seemingly shrewd captains stepped forward and said, “In response to the deputy captain, there are indeed a few damp and shady peaks in the Kunlun Mountains, where there are many fat and venomous snakes. To be honest, I also have a taste for them. No wonder I felt a sense of kinship when I saw the deputy captain.”

What I didn't expect was that the young deputy flag leader, who had rendered meritorious service to my Ming Cult and was also the son of a loyal minister, was not only so elegant and charming upon meeting me today, but also so kind and approachable to his subordinates. He is truly a rare blessing for my Hou Tu Hall…”

This guy, when he opens his mouth, is a torrent of flattery, showering people with compliments as if they were free, his praise so loud it's almost deafening. It has to be said, Wu Chengyu finds it quite pleasant to listen to.

Wu Chengyu looked at the other party with a smile. This captain looked to be over forty years old, with a square face, big puffy eyes, and many wrinkles on his face. His current fawning smile made the wrinkles even more dense.

Although his facial features don't resemble Su Daqiang's, his aged appearance captures the essence of Su Daqiang, meaning that his real age is at least ten years younger than his appearance.

It's worth mentioning that this guy has blue eyes, slightly curly and blond hair, and looks somewhat mixed-race, so he's a mixed-race person.

"May I ask how I should address this gentleman?"

“I dare not accept such a title from the deputy banner lord. My surname is Pu and my name is Pu Zhishen. If the deputy banner lord finds me acceptable, just call me Old Pu.”

"I joined the Ming Cult at a young age, and have been a member for over twenty years. Now, as the Commander of the Hou Tu Banner, I am willing to serve the Deputy Commander with utmost loyalty."

Wu Chengyu's heart skipped a beat. The surname Pu was good. It ranked 269th in the Song Dynasty version of the Hundred Family Surnames and was said to have originated from Emperor Shun.

However, in the perception of later generations, or influenced by those short videos, the Pu surname is actually mostly descended from Jews. They are also one of the few ethnic groups in history that were ordered to be exterminated three times by emperors in different dynasties. Most of the Pu family members who survived to this day are now selling mutton soup.

Wu Chengyu knew that information obtained from short videos must be viewed critically and not completely believed. Not everyone with the surname Pu is Jewish, but Wu Chengyu instinctively associated this guy with obvious Western features with Jews.

Wu Chengyu had a very bad impression of Jews. Seeing his current appearance was like seeing himself as Zhou Dao when he first met Yang Xu. He certainly wouldn't be as shameless as this guy, but he couldn't help but feel a chill.

But he also immediately noticed that, apart from the four junior officers under Pu Zhishen, the other officers and junior officers did not look very good when they saw Pu Zhishen flattering them. Some of them had twitching lips and disdain in their eyes.

Too much flattery is nauseating, so Wu Chengyu had to make the guy shut up: "Alright, Pu Zhishen, I feel a connection to this name as soon as I hear it. To be honest, for someone who has been a beggar, the most important thing is food."

Since General Pu is also an expert, I'd like to ask him to help me today by bringing some snakes, the fattest kind, and also to prepare some seasonings and utensils for me.

Let me share with you the most famous dish in Xiangyang: Taishi Five-Snake Soup. It's an unparalleled tonic for men.

Wu Chengyu's half-spoiled brat and half-beggar gang member with no ambition put the heads and junior officers present at ease. Pu Zhishen was even more attentive and, without saying a word, led his two hundred followers out to catch snakes.

The remaining people also brought some earthenware pots, gathered firewood and fetched water, and set up rows of bonfires in the small square in front of the main hall.

At night, Pu Zhishen's men returned and caught several hundred snakes, each weighing an average of three or four pounds.

This guy's claim that he also enjoyed this dish wasn't just flattery of Wu Chengyu; he genuinely knew how to eat snakes. He instructed his followers to skin them, remove the venom sacs, clean them thoroughly, and then put them into those two hundred-plus ceramic jars.

Wu Chengyu then took out the seasonings he had prepared and put them into the earthenware pots. His skill in making snake soup was absolutely the best in the world. Before long, the entire Hou Tu Tang was filled with a rich aroma, and everyone couldn't help but drool.

Once the snake soup was ready, all the followers of the Hou Tu Banner, except those who needed to stand guard, came here. Wu Chengyu ordered the junior officers to make proper arrangements, and each person was given a large bowl of soup. He also prepared a lot of good wine.

Pu Zhishen, carrying a bowl, walked up to everyone and said, "Brothers of Houtu Banner, today our new Deputy Banner Chief, Lord Zhou, is treating you to snake soup."

"Lord Zhou is kind to his subordinates and treats talented people with respect. It would be our good fortune to serve under him in the future. Come, everyone, raise your bowls to thank him."

The nearly one thousand followers below were quite respectful, shouting "Thank you, flag leader!" but their shouts were not very unified, and most of them sounded weak and listless.

"Then how about we hear a few words from the Deputy Banner Chief?"

Wu Chengyu, holding a bowl of wine, said loudly, "Brothers, I know that you are all feeling down and stifled lately, but the rebellion of Nangong Luan is over, and the former banner leaders and deputy banner leaders who betrayed us have been punished."

But don't worry, everyone. The leader is benevolent, but he also keeps his promises. Since he said he would only punish the ringleaders and not punish the followers, then everything will be fine. Besides, there's me. Everyone knows my background, and I can barely call the leader "senior brother." As long as you all give me face, I'll take the blame if anything comes up from above. From now on, our Hou Tu Banner can live peacefully without so many complications.

Wu Chengyu's words hit the nail on the head for the Hou Tu Qi followers. In their hearts, a good leader is one who is willing to help the followers with their problems. This time, the reaction was much more enthusiastic.

"When I was in the Beggars' Sect, I hated the old beggars and big beggars lecturing me. Eating well and being full was the most important thing. I won't waste any more words today. Everyone, just eat and drink to your heart's content without any worries."

After finishing his speech in a few words, the people below had a better impression of Wu Chengyu. Wu Chengyu stopped wasting words and led all the captains and lieutenants into the council hall.

"With us here, the disciples below won't be able to eat properly. Why don't we move away and have a few of us drink in the inner hall?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Pu Zhishen immediately and tactfully poured wine for Wu Chengyu. Wu Chengyu didn't waste any words, opened his mouth and drank it all in one gulp. Then he savored the taste, smiled slightly, and turned to look at Pu Zhishen.

"Old Pu's wine is quite good, it's interesting. It's not only a medicinal wine, but also snake wine."

This wine is just what I like; I can hold my liquor quite well. Is there enough for you?

Pu Zhishen's smile was so wide that his wrinkles and eyes were indistinguishable. He quickly said, "I knew the deputy banner chief knew his stuff. This is snake wine made with my own secret recipe. These people wouldn't dare touch it normally. Only the deputy banner chief is a true hero."

"Rest assured, Deputy Banner Master, although this snake wine is not much, it's more than enough for you alone. Our Hou Tu Banner will rely entirely on your protection from now on, so please drink as much as you like. I, Pu Zhishen, will make sure there's enough for you."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, everyone. Back in the day, I was the best drinker in the Beggars' Sect. I wonder if any of our Ming Cult brothers can give me a good drink?"

Apart from Pu Zhishen and his four junior officers, the rest of the people here are all men of the army. Although they instinctively distrust Wu Chengyu, they all have a competitive spirit when it comes to drinking.

After Wu Chengyu underwent a complete transformation, he possessed an extraordinary physique and the ability to expel harmful substances from his body through respiration using the Turtle Sun Technique, including alcohol. Therefore, in essence, the amount of alcohol Wu Chengyu drank was no different from the amount of water he drank; it all depended on the size of his bladder.

He led all the captains and lieutenants, downing bowl after bowl of wine. Only Pu Zhishen didn't drink; instead, he diligently poured wine for Wu Chengyu. Wu Chengyu drank the snake wine that he had carefully prepared, while the others drank strong liquor.

After five rounds of drinks, none of the flag bearers present could withstand drinking bowl after bowl of wine so quickly, and they soon passed out. Wu Chengyu simply held up his bowl, and Pu Zhishen carried the wine jar, and they pulled the Hou Tu followers in the square to drink together.

Soldiers have always admired heroes who can drink, and martial artists take pride in their capacity for alcohol. These Hou Tu Qi followers, who originally didn't like Wu Chengyu, were now being pulled into a drinking contest, and they weren't going to tolerate him. They all rushed to be the first to drink.

"There are no fathers and sons at drinking parties. It's no wonder you're so ugly, and I don't want to be your father anyway. But why are you so reserved? Get up and drink."

"And you, you look quite robust, with a beard that grows all the way to your chest, but how come you drink like a little girl, taking seven or eight sips from a bowl of wine? I'll find you a man who can drink tomorrow to marry."

"You little rascal, you spilled half a bowl earlier, and now there's only half left. Men, drag him to the back and force-feed him. If he doesn't pass out, you'll all be digging holes in the ground tomorrow and won't see the sun for ten days."

"When you drink too much wine, you pee a lot. Come on, you guys come with me to pee on the cliff over there. Let's see who can pee the farthest. I, the deputy flag lord, will reward you."

Wu Chengyu was now behaving with unbridled swagger, downing bowls of wine in one gulp and spouting nonsensical witty remarks, thoroughly enlivening the entire scene. The followers gradually became intoxicated, disregarding seniority and hierarchy, and one by one, they all became dizzy and disoriented from drinking.

But gradually, the people in the room who were still conscious, especially Pu Zhishen who had been diligently pouring wine, began to look at Wu Chengyu with a different gaze.

This guy has already knocked out more than twenty people in the inner hall, drinking more than a dozen jars of wine in one go. Now that he's in the square, he grabs anyone and drinks them. When he's drunk, he runs to the edge of the cliff to see who can pee the farthest, then comes back to continue drinking. If there were any animals below that cliff, they would probably all be drunk to death.

By now, he had knocked down half of the believers in the square, and the rest were all swaying unsteadily. This Zhou Dao, though he spoke in a flirtatious manner, walked without swaying and his eyes remained clear. He was at most three-tenths drunk.

Pu Zhishen quickly calculated in his mind that Zhou Dao had actually drunk more than fifty jars of wine in one go, each jar weighing ten catties. That much wine was enough to drown a person.

Little did he know that all the alcohol in the drink was excreted from his body, so Wu Chengyu was essentially drinking water all the time, only he needed to urinate frequently. No matter how much he drank, he wouldn't get drunk.

"Deputy Banner Chief Zhou, Banner Chief Zhou, Old Pu, I admit defeat. You can't drink anymore, or something bad will happen."

When Wu Chengyu had drunk a large group of people under the table, Pu Zhishen couldn't help but try to persuade him, but Zhou Dao pulled him close and whispered in his ear.

"The wine that followed was really not good enough. The first jar of wine you poured for me was much more enjoyable. But you can add more snake venom next time."

　Chapter 1 is here, and I'll finish Chapter 2 as soon as possible. Some readers have commented that I'm updating later and later, but there's really nothing I can do about it.

　　On the one hand, the longer I write, the more inspiration I run out, and the slower I write. On the other hand, after I moved, I lived closer to my son's school. He stopped going to after-school care and came home for lunch. In addition to writing, I also had to cook two meals a day. My writing time was divided between grocery shopping, cooking, and washing dishes, so my writing became somewhat fragmented.

　　I will try to move up the update time in the future. Thank you again.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)