Chapter Fifty-Six: Aguda

“Second Brother! Wu!” Just as Zhang Wu had said, Aguda was indeed extremely warm and welcoming. He strode forward and gave both Zhang Mingzhi and Zhang Wu a mighty bear hug, startling Zhang Yurou. Seeing Aguda’s solid, wall-like muscles, she instinctively glanced down at herself, then timidly hid behind Ding Li, clutching the corner of his sleeve for fear that Aguda might try to embrace her too.

But her worry proved unnecessary. Aguda had no inkling that she and Ding Li were part of Zhang Mingzhi’s company. He merely whispered a few words to Zhang Mingzhi, then quickly approached Ding Li, a professionally courteous smile on his face. Placing a hand to his chest, he bent at the waist in a deep bow and inquired politely, “Welcome, friends! May I ask, what would you like to eat? Do you wish to try our steppe’s milk liquor, or perhaps something from the Central Plains? Or maybe wine from the Western Regions?”

“Haha!” Zhang Mingzhi strode up, laughing, and slapped Aguda’s sturdy arm, gesturing at Ding Li as he spoke. “We’re all together! Aguda, let me introduce a brother I just met—Ding Li! He’s got some real skills. I’d wager you’re no match for him!”

“Oh?” Aguda’s competitive spirit was piqued. He carefully sized up Ding Li, who on the surface didn’t look particularly robust. Aguda shook his head thoughtfully, clearly unconvinced by Zhang Mingzhi’s assertion.

“Alright! I can see you don’t believe me. I’m not exaggerating, even in Mongolian wrestling, you might not come out on top against him!” Zhang Mingzhi laughed broadly, unfazed by any potential awkwardness. Then, indicating Zhang Yurou standing behind Ding Li, he leaned in and whispered a few words in Aguda’s ear. Instantly, Aguda’s eyes grew wide.

Recovering himself, Aguda hurried forward and bowed deeply once more, this time speaking in a much lower voice, “Young Lady!”

Though she’d been addressed that way since childhood, hearing Aguda call her so now felt strangely awkward to Zhang Yurou. She nodded slightly in reply, offering a gentle smile.

“Aguda! Since it’s such a rare occasion for us to visit, what about your business?” Zhang Wu chimed in, winking slyly at the good-natured Aguda, the implication clear.

“Forget it! With Second Brother, Fifth Brother, and Brother Li all here, what business could be more important?” Aguda replied heartily, waving a large hand in decision. Glancing back, he smiled at Zhang Wu. “Wu, let’s head to the back. Could you lend a hand tidying up while I prepare food and drink for everyone?”

“No problem! Consider it done!” Zhang Wu agreed cheerfully, clearly no stranger to rolling up his sleeves here. But after a few steps, he turned back and solemnly reminded Aguda, “You’d better bring out your best! And the finest milk liquor from the steppe—nothing less. Tonight, we drink until we drop!”

“Of course! Don’t worry, Wu!” Aguda said with his usual honest smile, then turned to Zhang Mingzhi. “Second Brother, you and Brother Li go on ahead. I’ll greet the guests here, then join you right away!”

Without waiting for a response, Aguda spun away, excitement written all over his face as he went to tend to the guests at his stall. Ding Li and Zhang Mingzhi exchanged a smile and shook their heads at Aguda’s retreating figure before heading to the open space behind.

The stall was spacious, though its decorations were plain—open-fire grilling hardly lent itself to luxury, after all. Zhang Mingzhi may have been the young master of the Zhang Trading House, but he was well acquainted with such night markets, as was Ding Li. Only Zhang Yurou seemed uncomfortable at first, frowning at the crude wooden benches and small stools.

“Second Brother, Aguda really does seem warm and genuine,” Ding Li said after they sat down. He helped Zhang Wu light the bonfire, feeding in charcoal as he glanced sideways at Zhang Mingzhi with a smile. “I heard Wu say earlier that he even got into fights with other customers over you guys!”

“That’s right! The guy’s got real loyalty,” Zhang Mingzhi replied, nostalgia softening his features as he watched Aguda greet each guest in turn. A faint smile lingered on his lips as he spoke in a low voice, “Back then, Wu and I just dropped by often—we weren’t that close yet. One time, we got into a scuffle and were outnumbered. Unexpectedly, Aguda took our side without hesitation, grabbed a cleaver, and charged in! We were young then, barely ever had to use weapons. When Aguda showed up wielding that blade, the other side scattered at once.”

Zhang Mingzhi gave Aguda another long look, then sighed, “It’s been six or seven years since then. Time passes so quickly—it feels like only a blink, and yet so much has changed.”

“Yeah, it really does,” Zhang Wu echoed, clearly stirred by the memory. He pointed to a bonfire several meters away and chuckled at Ding Li, “Li, I remember it like yesterday—right over there, Aguda was fierce as could be! He didn’t hesitate even with a blade in hand. He looked ready to cut someone down for real!”

Suddenly, an unpleasant voice cut Zhang Wu off. The attention of everyone at the stall, including Ding Li and companions, was drawn to a group of burly, shirtless men, their bodies inked with chaotic animal tattoos, clustered around a bonfire. One stood up, jabbing a finger at Aguda’s chest as he barked, “What kind of business are you running here? Where were you? We were just enjoying ourselves, and now you say there’s no more meat? I’m telling you, if we don’t eat our fill tonight, your lousy stall won’t open tomorrow! Some outlander, acting like a Mongol tough—who do you think you are, some sort of Khan?”

Despite the insults, Aguda showed no anger, only the apologetic smile of a businessman seeking harmony. He bowed and explained himself in a low voice, occasionally glancing back at Ding Li’s table.

“Wu, let’s go take a look—don’t let this spoil things,” Zhang Mingzhi ordered. Zhang Wu was already about to rise, but Ding Li stopped him with an outstretched hand, smiling calmly as he stood up. “I’ll handle it.”

“Damn you!” Whether Aguda’s explanation was lacking or the brawny man just wanted trouble, he shoved Aguda harshly, kicking over a wine jar at his feet. He then sneered at Aguda, who staggered back, and shouted, “Get lost! Bring us another whole lamb! And three more deer pizzle! We’re staying right here tonight! If you don’t serve us well, we’ll skin you alive, you little foreign brat!”

Even Aguda’s good-natured patience was wearing thin. Since they’d started it, he set his jaw and spoke coldly, “Gentlemen, tonight is quite unusual. If it comes to it, the bill is on me. I hope you’ll give me this favor.”

“Oh? Aren’t you generous!” The brawny man raised a brow in surprise and looked Aguda up and down again. His companions, too, rose with interest. The leader grinned and, emboldened, pressed further, “Fine! Since you’re so accommodating, we’ll let it slide. But you’ll fetch two more lambs, a deer, six more deer pizzle, and several jars of milk liquor for us to take home!”

“This…” Aguda hesitated, troubled. His business was usually good, but expenses ran high, and these men had already eaten and drunk plenty—a sizable sum. Now, their demands were outrageous.

“What, even this is too much?” The man scowled, brows knitted as his bloodshot eyes glared. “Don’t pretend to be generous if you’re not! Stop acting big—move it! Prepare the food and drink, or you’ll regret it!”

Aguda didn’t leave right away. He bit his lip, resolved himself, and nodded, “As you said—two lambs, one deer, six deer pizzle, and three jars of wine. I hope you’ll keep your word.”

“Haha! Hahaha!” The men looked at each other in astonishment, then burst into raucous laughter as if hearing the world’s best joke. But to Aguda, that laughter was grating, especially with Zhang Mingzhi and the others watching. Even so, he forced down his anger.

Yet the group wasn’t finished. One man grabbed a wine jar and gulped deeply before waving it at Aguda, jeering, “Look at this idiot! I’ve never seen anyone do business like this! What a fool!”

“Yeah! We’ve seen everything tonight!” The others joined in, laughing uproariously and taunting Aguda in various tongues as his face turned a stony gray.

“You!” Aguda could hold back no longer. His fists clenched, veins bulging on his arms, and he glared, about to explode—when a hand barred his chest. He looked up to see Ding Li at his side.

“Don’t you think you’re taking things too far?” Ding Li stepped calmly in front of Aguda, his face expressionless as he swept a glance over the drunken brutes, pity in his eyes and a chilly note in his voice.

The leader, startled by Ding Li’s sudden appearance, choked on his drink and thumped his chest as he coughed violently. When he finally caught his breath and saw Ding Li—who looked even less imposing than Aguda—he spat disdainfully to one side, jabbed a finger at him, and barked, “Who the hell are you? Mind your own business! Back off, or you’ll regret crossing me tonight!”

Ding Li squinted slightly, a faint smile curling his lips. But in his eyes flashed a sharp, icy light. A frigid aura seemed to fall over his chiseled face, and even the air seemed to grow colder as he spoke in a voice as cold as steel, “Leave the money for your food and drink—and get out.”