Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 36 Power!

The man who pushed open the door was none other than a towering hero.

The newcomer was over eight feet tall, wearing a felt hat from Fanyang, a black cloth robe, a short, multicolored sash around his waist, leggings, and a pair of hemp shoes with multiple loops.

Standing there, one exudes an aura of towering height and unmatched might.

As soon as the man entered, he took off his felt hat from Fanyang, revealing a handsome face.

Upon seeing this man, Zheng Tu's muscles tensed instantly, his heart skipped a beat, and he nearly jumped off the stool!

Who else could it be but Wu Song, the Second Brother Wu?

Zheng Tu still felt lingering fear and his heart trembled when he recalled Wu Song's immense strength and swift, clean decapitation at the Lion Tower in his previous life.

Fortunately, I quickly regained my composure.

Zheng Tu took a deep breath and thought to himself, "At this moment, Wu Song has not yet seen me, and his elder brother Wu Dalang is still alive. As long as his brother is safe, Wu Song is still a chained tiger and cannot harm anyone."

As Wu Song entered the shop, he casually leaned his cudgel against the wall and shouted, "Waiter, bring me some wine!"

Upon seeing this, Zheng Tu suddenly had an idea. Feigning surprise and delight, he stood up, cupped his hands, and called out loudly, "You valiant hero, are you Wu Song, the Second Brother Wu?!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Song's eyes, sharp as a hawk's, swept over Zheng Tu. Seeing that he was tall and robust, resembling a chivalrous hero, Wu Song's expression softened slightly. He asked with suspicion, "Who are you? How do you know Wu Er?"

Zheng Tu laughed and said, "I've heard so much about Wu Erlang in the martial world, his name is legendary. I never expected to meet him here today, it's truly an honor! My name is Zheng Tu, from Guanzhong, and I have always respected heroes and valiant men. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

He paused, and seeing that Wu Song's expression had softened, he pressed his advantage, saying, "It's truly rare to encounter a hero like you. If you don't mind, how about we sit down and have a bowl of wine together?"

Zheng Tu spoke cautiously. He didn't actually know whether Wu Song had already killed a tiger at this time, so he didn't dare to call him "Tiger-Slaying Hero" or "Captain Wu" casually. He just used a general term and called him Wu Erlang.

After a moment's thought, Wu Song saw that Zheng Tu's words were sincere and that he did not look like a wicked person. He also heard the words "most respectful of heroes and good men," and he felt pleased.

Thinking to himself that he was skilled in martial arts and had no fear of being harmed, he nodded and said, "Since Brother Zheng is so kind, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Having said that, he picked up his staff and felt hat and sat down at Zheng Tu's table.

Zheng Tu was overjoyed and called over the innkeeper, saying, "Master, bring a few more catties of good beef and plenty of wine! Put the wine bill on my tab!"

The restaurant owner responded and soon brought out four catties of cooked beef, filling two large platters.

They then poured two large bowls into a sieve and placed them in front of Wu Song and Zheng Tu, respectively.

Wu Song picked up the bowl, clinked it against Zheng Tu's, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. He wiped his mouth and exclaimed, "This wine is really potent! It's definitely not some cheap village liquor!"

Zheng Tu also finished a bowl, but found that although the wine was smooth on the palate, it had a strong aftereffect.

Wu Song got so into drinking that he finished two bowls in one go.

After a few bowls of soup, the distance between the two lessened considerably, and they gradually began to talk.

Taking the opportunity, Zheng Tu inquired, "Why is Erlang here? Is he visiting his hometown?"

Wu Song put down his wine bowl, sighed, and replied, "To be honest, Brother Zheng, I am from Qinghe County. Last year, I got drunk in my hometown and got into an argument with a minor official. In a fit of anger, I threw a punch. With just one punch, the fellow fell to the ground unconscious, bleeding from his mouth and nose."

My brother thought he was dead, and in his panic, he fled the county and hid away for over a year. Later, he heard through various channels that the man was alive and had been rescued. Now that the trouble has passed, he is on his way back to find his brother.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Tu understood, thinking to himself, "So Wu Song hasn't yet gone to Jingyang Ridge to fight the tiger, nor is he serving as a constable in Yanggu County. His elder brother is still alive, and that terrible disaster hasn't happened yet."

He then followed up with a few phrases like "good fortune favors the virtuous" and "it's a joyous reunion of brothers."

The two chatted for a while about their experiences in the martial arts world. Zheng Tu deliberately flattered Wu Song, saying only what he wanted to hear, and they had a very pleasant conversation.

As they were talking, the shopkeeper stopped coming to pour the wine.

Wu Song, who was enjoying his drink, banged on the table impatiently and shouted, "Master, why aren't you pouring the wine?"

The shop owner came over with a smile, cupped his hands and said, "Please don't be offended, sir. You must have seen the banner in front of my door, which clearly says 'Three bowls and you can't cross the hill.' My wine, though it's village wine, is even more potent than aged wine."

Whenever a customer comes to my shop and eats three bowls, they get drunk and can't cross the hill in front. Hence the saying, "Three bowls and you can't cross the hill." If a passing customer comes here, they should only eat three bowls and then ask no more questions. Sir, you've already eaten three bowls; you really can't eat any more.

Wu Song wouldn't listen, slamming his fist on the table and shouting, "Stop talking nonsense! Bring three more bowls!"

Zheng Tu was trying to use the wine to get closer to Wu Song, so how could he let the wine be stopped?

He immediately took out a pure silver ingot and placed it on the table: "Master, please pour the wine yourself. My brother here has a huge capacity for alcohol; even if he gets really drunk, I'll take care of him. Consider this silver as payment for the wine; if there's any left over, it's a reward for you."

The tavern owner, at a loss with the two men's antics, glanced at Wu Song's burly physique and the pile of silver on the table, and could only reply, "Alright, alright, alright! If you insist on drinking, sir, and hurt your health, you won't be able to cross the hill tomorrow. Don't blame us!"

He shook his head, then turned and went to get the wine.

Before long, the tavern owner brought out an unopened jar, broke the mud seal, and poured it out bowl after bowl.

Wu Song picked up the bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and exclaimed, "Good wine! This is strong enough!" After saying that, he poured himself another bowl.

Zheng Tu also picked up his bowl, and just as he was about to drink, he suddenly felt a surge of heat in his stomach and a slight dizziness.

He thought to himself, "This wine is indeed potent." But seeing how boldly Wu Song drank, how could he show weakness? He gritted his teeth and downed a bowl as well.

The two drank bowl after bowl. Wu Song had a high alcohol tolerance and remained unfazed, his eyes growing brighter with each drink.

Zheng Tu gradually felt something was wrong. The wine felt like a knife in his throat and like fire in his stomach. After five or six bowls, he felt dizzy and lightheaded, and the scenery in his eyes swayed slightly.

He forced himself to remain calm and drank two more bowls with Wu Song. When he finished the eighth bowl, he felt dizzy and his ears were ringing. Wu Song's face appeared as three different faces in front of him.

"Brother Zheng? Brother Zheng?" Wu Song's voice seemed to come from a great distance.

Zheng Tu wanted to reply, but his tongue felt stiff, and he mumbled, "Second...Second Brother...good capacity for alcohol...I...I..."

Before he could finish speaking, everything went black, and with a "thud," he slid off the stool and collapsed to the ground.

Upon seeing this, Wu Song laughed heartily: "Brother Zheng's drinking capacity is indeed lacking!" After saying this, he poured himself another bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Zheng Tu's face gradually turned ashen.