Chapter Eleven One Hundred and Eighty-Six Years of Wine

  Lu Tong also has his own ideas!

  Lu Tong got along well in Chang'an, which was because Li Shimin remembered the old friendship and often took care of them. However, Lu Shixin had been dead for a long time and died young, and his merits were naturally far from sufficient compared to Wei Rang, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin and others, let alone Du Ruhui, who was Li Shimin's left arm.

  Du He was immediately given a suitable position by the imperial court after his coming-of-age ceremony, allowing him to serve the country. Luo Tong did not receive such treatment; he wanted to join the army but could only report to the Fubing or ask old generals like Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin who remembered the past to arrange a position for him.

  With Luo Tong's abilities, it is not difficult to gain the general's recognition and be entrusted with important tasks.

  But Luo Tong is somewhat arrogant and difficult to get along with. Only a few people with ability and talent will interact with him. If the superior officers in his assigned team are not as capable as him, he will be extremely uncomfortable and even unwilling to serve under them.

  But Du He was different, the two of them had been interacting for nearly half a year. In this half year, in terms of martial arts, Luo Tong hadn't won against Du He even once; in terms of commanding ability, it was clearly his team that Du He had established, but as a latecomer, he had already gained the trust of the entire team, and his prestige was higher than Luo's. In terms of strategy, Du He also surpassed him.

  Du He's ability in the past six months far surpasses Luo Tong, who is deeply convinced and admires him. Therefore, he would rather be a low-ranking soldier under Du He, whom he looks up to, than become an officer under someone less capable than himself.

  Luo Tong didn't seem like he was lying, so Du He smiled and said: "Alright! If I really had the power, the first thing I'd do is pull you in."

  The two of them smiled and bid each other farewell.

  Du He made some preparations that day and went to Du Ruhui's fief, accompanied by the old steward of the Cai State Duke's mansion, Du Ziyin, as well as a dozen or so servants as guards.

  Du He and Du Ziyin rode ahead together, Du He asked on the idle road: "Master Du! Where is Father's fief in Cai Guo?"

  Du Ziying can be considered the oldest generation in the Du family. He was eight years old when he became a servant in the Du family, and during Du Ruhui's youth, Du Ziying was promoted to the manager of the Du mansion, a position he still holds today. He has served the Du family for fifty years, so even Du Ruhui and Zhang Shi respectfully address him as "Old Master Du". Therefore, Du He and Du Gong have always regarded him as their grandfather.

  Du Ziying smiled and said: "In the territory of Yu State, it's just that piece of land in Ruyang!"

  Du He's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed: "That is a place of great feng shui! In my impression, that was the ancient Yingchuan, not only fertile and beautiful, but also a gathering place for talented people. As the saying goes, 'since ancient times, Yingchuan has been home to many talents'."

  Du Ziying nodded and said: "The emperor has always held your lordship in high esteem, so this fiefdom is naturally not inferior!"

  Du He wanted to hear about Du Ru Hui's past deeds.

  Du Ziyu also knew that Du Ruhui was bored on the journey and began to talk about things after joining Li Shimin's account.

  Historically, the introduction to Du Ruhui was quite detailed, but after all, as a strategist, there were many secret plans and plots that could not be written in history books. From Du Ziyin's mouth, some unknown things were revealed, which also made Du He listen with relish.

  Unconsciously arrived at Tongguan Pass outside, just at noon, the scorching sun was high in the sky.

  Du He saw that Du Ziying was already showing signs of exhaustion, and seeing a tea shed not far away, he smiled and said: "Master Du, I'm a bit tired. Why don't we go to the tea shed ahead and take a break?"

  Du Ziying smiled and said: "The second young master has a kind heart and sympathizes with the old man, how can the old man not follow?"

  Du He let his attendants lead the horses to drink water, while he and Du Ziyu walked towards the tea shed.

  It was just past noon, and more than a dozen large tables were almost full of people, including passing merchants and traveling travelers, among whom some were heroic and armed, obviously wandering knights.

  The Great Tang Dynasty valued martial arts and made it a fashion; people like this were not uncommon.

  The guard behind him shouted: "Clear a table for our young master, he wants to take a rest!"

  Du He raised his hand to stop them, shook his head and said: "When going out, it's convenient for others and ourselves not to make a fuss. You go rest under the tree opposite... Shopkeeper, just find us two random seats!"

  Du He's personality is casual and doesn't care about etiquette, instead he dislikes others making a fuss over him.

  Du Ziying's eyes showed a hint of comfort. A person who thinks they are superior and looks down on others will never achieve great things. But if someone is indeed exceptional, yet doesn't consider themselves extraordinary and can face everything with equanimity, then such a person is the first choice for achieving great things.

  The old man at the head of the table turned around, two cold gleams of light flashed across his face, and then smiled: "What a convenient arrangement for both others and yourself! If you don't mind, I have two empty seats here, why not come over and chat?"

  Du He was shocked by the other's appearance, and the other was clearly an elderly man with white hair and beard, but he spoke with a full breath. What was even more frightening was his robust physique, which was actually three points more majestic than Cheng Yaojin. His arm was almost as big as two of Du He's, half-exposed on his upper body, with chest muscles like steel and iron. Next to him were placed a nine-ring giant knife and an enormous wine gourd, the weight of the knife not less than fifty kilograms, and the gourd could hold at least ten kilograms of wine.

  If it weren't for that head of pale white hair and that face with a hint of age, Du He wouldn't have believed that the person in front of him was an old man.

  Du Ziying also showed a look of horror, he had lived for sixty years and it was still the first time he had encountered such a person.

  At this moment, the old man was smiling at Du He with a kind face.

  Across from the old man was a middle-aged person, who was also a remarkable figure. He was about forty years old, wearing a worn-out gray robe made of coarse cloth, with slight tears and tatters, and had a robust build, extremely majestic. By his side, he casually leaned a long spear with a dark green shaft, the spearhead exuding an aura of profound chilliness that inspired fear in those who saw it.

  The two of them made a strange combination, but they seemed quite harmonious together.

  These two men are intimidating just by their aura, and their martial arts skills are far beyond what I can match now. Especially that old man with a full beard, if I don't use my agility, and confront him head-on, I'm afraid I won't be able to withstand his three moves.

  Du He smiled and sat up, perhaps they were very strong, several times stronger than the Red Lotus Girl, but Du Changtian was even stronger.

  Du He believed that as long as he practiced for another ten years, he would be able to reach his own level in the next life, and they would definitely be his opponents.

  So Du He didn't think they were much better than himself and didn't take it seriously at all.

  "Little brother, this rich young master, I've seen many, and taught many a lesson! But you're the first to make me want to invite you for a drink. Here's to you!" The white-haired old man took out a large bowl and poured himself a cup of wine from his flask.

  In an instant, the fragrance of wine filled the entire teahouse.

  The fragrance enters the human lungs, and can be called a ten-mile drift of fragrance.

  "Du Kang!" Du He took a deep breath and said: "This wine is probably treasured for no less than a hundred years now!"

  "Exactly one hundred and eighty-six years!"

  Duhe listened and was even more excited, the wine brewed more fragrant. This Du Kang, which had been stored for 186 years, could be called the best in the world without exaggeration!

  Du He picked up his wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.