Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

As he spoke, he reached out and gently stroked the horse's neck and cheeks, and the horse snorted contentedly.

Liu Jianguo followed his example, carefully placing his hand on the horse's neck, feeling its warm body temperature and strong pulse. The horse merely turned its head to look at him, without resisting.

This initial contact eased his tension considerably.

With Qin Sande's help and protection, Liu Jianguo awkwardly flipped himself onto the horse's back.

The firmness of the saddle and the sudden feeling of being suspended in mid-air made his muscles tense instantly.

Qin Sande held the reins, guiding the horse to slowly stroll on the flat grass around the tent.

At first, Liu Jianguo gripped the saddle tightly, his body stiff, but as the horse moved steadily and rhythmically, he gradually adapted to the swaying, and his back and waist gradually relaxed.

The setting sun, the grassland, the horses, and the wisps of smoke rising from the yurts in the distance create a scene full of rustic charm.

Riding on horseback, with a wide view and a gentle breeze on his face, Liu Jianguo felt a rare sense of pride and exhilaration that belonged to the grasslands.

All of this paved the way for his deeper transactions later on. The chestnut horse trotted along with light steps, carrying Liu Jianguo for a long stroll across the grassland bathed in the golden afterglow.

The initial tension had long been replaced by a mixture of novelty and comfort.

As the last vestiges of crimson on the horizon were swallowed by the indigo blue, and a chill began to rise, Liu Jianguo reluctantly turned his horse around and slowly rode back towards the yurts.

As they approached the campsite, the bonfire party area was beginning to take shape, with Li Cheng leading several security personnel to pile up large, dry firewood.

Liu Jianguo deftly dismounted, handed the reins to Qin Sande who came to greet him, patted his trousers which were covered in grass clippings, and strolled toward Li Cheng.

When Li Cheng saw him coming, he stopped what he was doing and reported in a low voice, "Chief, the firewood is all ready. We'll start the fire when you get back."

Liu Jianguo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the well-organized preparations, expressing satisfaction with Li Cheng's execution.

Instead of immediately entering the yurt used as a guest room, he was drawn to a unique earthen stove not far away, which was emitting wisps of steam and built of mud and bricks.

Upon closer inspection, the charcoal fire in the stove glowed a dark red, and a rich aroma of earth, spices, and meat wafted through the air.

Qin Sande followed and explained, "Director Liu, this is a naan pit. Tonight's whole roasted lamb is being roasted inside. It's covered with yellow mud, so it'll be roasting for quite a while. When we break open the mud shell, it'll be incredibly fragrant."

Liu Jianguo observed the primitive cooking method with great interest, and his anticipation for the dinner grew even stronger.

Night fell completely over the grassland, the Milky Way stretched like a ribbon, and countless stars hung low.

With a command from Qin's father, the huge pile of firewood was ignited, and the towering flames instantly dispelled the darkness and cold, with crackling sparks shooting straight into the night sky.

The men, women, and children of the Qin family, dressed in their bright Mongolian robes worn only during festivals, gathered around a roaring bonfire and sang high-pitched and melodious long songs, and danced the lively Andai dance, full of enthusiasm and vitality.

Soon, Li Cheng and other security personnel were also drawn into the dance. At first, they were stiff and clumsy, but under the influence of the host's enthusiasm and the influence of alcohol, they gradually let go of their inhibitions and made random gestures to the rhythm, which drew good-natured laughter from everyone.

Laughter, singing, and the sound of the harp mingled together, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere. At this moment, the barriers of social status seemed to melt away in the firelight, leaving only the most primal joy.

The revelry lasted for nearly an hour. When people's excitement subsided and their appetites were fully aroused, Qin Sande and two young men used a thick wooden bar to carry a large, hardened, and steaming lump of mud and carefully placed it on the open ground next to the campfire.

Under the expectant gaze of everyone, Qin's father picked up a small hammer and gently tapped the mud shell. With a few "crack" sounds, the hardened mud crumbled and fell away, and an indescribable, rich aroma, a mixture of meat, spices, and the scorching scent of earth, burst forth and filled the entire camp.

After peeling off the mud crust, a whole roasted lamb, golden brown, glistening with oil, and plump in shape, is presented to everyone. The tempting fat is still sizzling, making people's mouths water.

Qin's father did not immediately distribute the meat. With a solemn expression, he picked up a bowl of mare's milk wine, faced the campfire and the starry sky, and chanted a long prayer in the desolate and ancient Mongolian language.

The song carried far across the silent grassland. Although the lyrics were incomprehensible, the solemn tone and devout expression quieted everyone down.

Liu Jianguo could sense that the song was an expression of gratitude to the Eternal Heaven and the grasslands for their blessings, a tribute to the spirits of their ancestors, and a blessing to the distinguished guests who had traveled from afar. It was a sense of ritual originating from the depths of the nomadic people's soul, filled with reverence for nature and life.

After the prayers were finished, Qin's father sprinkled three bowls of mare's milk wine into the sky, the earth, and the fire in turn, thus completing the offering.

Then, he personally poured a bowl of clear, strong grassland liquor, raised it high with both hands, walked up to Liu Jianguo, and said in broken Chinese:

"Honored guest, this bowl of wine is for you. It's the custom of the grasslands; if you drink this bowl of wine, you are a true friend." His gaze was sincere and ardent.

Without hesitation, Liu Jianguo took the bowl of wine, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. A fiery sensation burned from his throat to his stomach. He showed the bottom of the bowl, winning a round of applause.

A satisfied smile appeared on Qin's father's face. He picked up an exquisite Mongolian knife, gestured at the sheep's head, and then skillfully cut off the tenderest and most delicious piece of meat from the tenderloin, placed it on an elegant wooden platter, and presented it to Liu Jianguo.

This is the most solemn ceremony at a whole roasted lamb banquet, signifying that guests enjoy the highest honor.

Liu Jianguo took the wooden plate and, imitating his host, picked up the steaming, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside piece of mutton with his fingers. He first dipped it in salt water, then spread some of the herdsman's homemade wild leek flower sauce, which had a pungent yet extremely appetizing flavor, before putting it in his mouth.

The tender and juicy mutton, the salty and savory flavor of the mutton, and the unique spiciness of the chive blossom sauce blended perfectly in his mouth, creating a rustic yet pure deliciousness that instantly conquered his taste buds.

"tasty!"

He couldn't help but praise that this original way of eating and the taste are something you absolutely can't experience in restaurants in Beijing.

Father Qin began distributing meat to everyone, and the party reached its climax.

People ate large chunks of meat and drank from large bowls, their songs and dances never ceasing. Children chased and played on the outskirts of the crowd, while Batel and his friends showed off the honey they had received. The firelight illuminated every happy and content face.