Chapter 168 Refusing a drink, Pei Yuan tackles Shen Chu

Jiang Hongzhi's words sparked a heated discussion among the salt workers.

Is what Master Jiang said true?

“The people who went to the Zhang family to argue last time did not see Master Jiang.”

"Master Jiang is heartbroken that Madam and Miss Zhang were murdered. Look how thin he has become."

"It seems we misunderstood Master Jiang. It's understandable that he's too heartbroken to care about the saltworks."

As everyone chimed in with their own words, the anger in their eyes as they looked at Jiang Hongzhi gradually subsided.

Jiang Hongzhi continued, "Everyone has been exhausted these days, so I ordered more than a dozen tables of food from the best restaurant in the city."

Today, everyone can eat to their heart's content. Let's drink from big bowls and eat meat with gusto.

"After you've eaten your fill, go home and rest for two days, then come back to work."

As soon as he finished speaking, the salt workers erupted in excitement.

Not only can you enjoy a feast, but most importantly, you can also rest for two days and go home to reunite with your family.

Many of them haven't been home for two or three months.

Old Wang clutched the salt hidden in his pocket, murmuring excitedly:

"I can go home today to deliver the salt, and I can also bring some treats back for my grandson."

Jiang Zhihong waved his hand, and more than a dozen tables were set up.

He warmly invited the salt workers to sit down, and then punished himself by drinking three cups of wine to apologize to everyone.

The salt workers gradually relaxed, and the entire salt field became lively.

Shen Chu and Pei Yuan sat at a table with Old Man Wang.

Pei Yuan stood close to Shen Chu and asked in a low voice, "What do you think?"

Chen Chu whispered, "It's hard to say, let's wait and see."

First, the supervisor was whipped, then a sincere apology was offered, followed by compensation and an explanation of the reasons.

Jiang Hongzhi's actions not only dispelled the resentment in the salt workers' hearts, but also won their sympathy.

But she was skeptical of Jiang Hongzhi's words.

The saltworks manager has been mistreating the salt workers for half a year, and two weeks ago, a riot broke out among the saltworkers.

Even if Jiang Hongzhi were to handle his wife and daughter's wedding arrangements and stay indoors, it would be impossible for him to remain completely unaware of any rumors.

"Master Jiang is here to offer a toast, everyone fill your glasses!" someone shouted.

When Chen Chu came to his senses, he saw that Jiang Hongzhi had already stood in front of their table with a wine pot in his hand.

Jiang Hongzhi poured himself a glass of wine and raised it, adopting a very humble posture.

"I am deeply grateful that everyone is willing to put aside past grievances and continue to help the Zhang family's saltworks. I will drink this in advance as a sign of my appreciation."

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The salt workers at the same table cheered excitedly.

In the hearts of the salt workers, Jiang Hongzhi was the son-in-law of their employer, Madam Zhang. Now that Madam Zhang was gone, Jiang Hongzhi would be their employer.

They were flattered to receive such a humble toast from their employer, and they completely let go of their prejudices against Jiang Hongzhi.

Some even patted their chests and guaranteed, "Don't worry, Mr. Jiang, we will definitely work hard from now on."

Jiang Hongzhi smiled, "Good, that's great."

His gaze swept around and landed on Shen Chu and Pei Yuan.

"These two young men look unfamiliar. Are they new here?"

Pei Yuan said, "We fled from Hanyang Prefecture and were only recruited to the salt fields a few days ago."

"Oh, Hanyang Prefecture." Jiang Hongzhi stroked his beard and sighed. "Hanyang Prefecture suffered from floods, and I heard that many people have left their homes and fled."

"Yes, we came to the salt field to beg for food."

Jiang Hongzhi nodded, "Since you're here, do a good job. Here, let's toast."

After saying that, he gestured for his men to come forward and pour wine for Shen Chu and Pei Yuan.

Shen Chu smiled apologetically, "Please forgive me, Mr. Jiang, my stomach is not good and I cannot drink alcohol."

Jiang Hongzhi looked him up and down, then shook his head in disagreement.

"What man can't drink? You're so young, you should gain more experience and have a few more drinks. You'll get used to it after a while, don't you all agree?"

Many people around responded.

"Lu Qi, Master Jiang is personally toasting you. If you don't drink, you'll be disrespecting Master Jiang."

"If you ask me, it's better to drink. If you drink too much, your stomach will suffer."

Many people looked at the sunken area with amusement.

Jiang Hongzhi's men poured Shen Chu a full bowl of wine.

Shen Chu frowned slightly.

She was pregnant, so she dared not drink alcohol, especially such a large bowl.

Just as she was in a dilemma, a large hand reached out and took the wine bowl in front of her.

It is Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan held the bowl in his hand and twirled it around, a slight smile playing on his lips, before clinking his wine glass against Jiang Hongzhi's.

“My younger brother is young and gets a stomachache after drinking. Mr. Jiang, please don’t tease him. I’ll drink it for him.”

"Oh? Drink for him?" Jiang Hongzhi put down his wine glass. "Then we'll have to follow the rules of drinking for others in Changsha."

There are rules for drinking on behalf of others?

Jiang Hongzhi said with a smile, "In our Changsha Prefecture, if someone who cannot drink alcohol asks someone else to drink for them, the person drinking for them must first punish themselves by drinking three bowls of wine before they can drink for them."

Shen Chu frowned, punished herself by drinking three bowls, then drank one bowl for him, and also drank Pei Yuan's own bowl.

Pei Yuan was about to drink five bowls of wine in a row.

I wonder how strong this alcohol is. What if I get drunk?

She couldn't help but gently tug at Pei Yuan's clothes.

"Sixth Brother."

Pei Yuan glanced at him with a smile, then picked up the wine bowl on the table and gulped it down.

Five bowls of wine were finished in no time.

Looking at Pei Yuan again, he still had a smile on his lips, as if nothing had happened.

Shen Chu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"You've got a good capacity for alcohol, young man." Jiang Hongzhi was surprised for a moment, then patted Pei Yuan approvingly before going to the next table to offer a toast.

Shen Chu quickly asked, "Sixth Brother, are you alright?"

Pei Yuan turned his head and looked over, his peach blossom eyes exceptionally bright and sparkling, as if they had been washed with water.

He chuckled, "Of course I'm fine, really fine."

Shen Chu's eyes flickered slightly, and she held up two fingers. "Sixth Brother, how many is this?"

"This one?" Pei Yuan swayed and exclaimed, "Is that even a question? Of course it's five."

The people at the table burst into laughter.

Pei Yuan frowned, looking displeased. "What are you laughing at? Oh, no, this isn't five, it's six."

Old Man Wang said to Shen Chu, "Your brother is drunk and confused. You should help him to his room to rest."

"Drunk?" Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow, waving his arm and pointing at Old Man Wang. "I'm not drunk."

As soon as he finished speaking, he collapsed onto Shen Chu's shoulder, still murmuring:

"What's being drunk? Humph, I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."

Shen Chu helped him up, somewhat annoyed.

"Yes, Sixth Brother can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Come on, let's go back inside and continue drinking."

Pei Yuan frowned deeply, "I don't want to go into the room to drink. It's too lively here."

Chen Chu coaxed him, "It's not as good here as inside. There's good wine inside."

"Good wine?" Pei Yuan frowned and thought for a moment before reluctantly saying, "Alright."

She quickly helped Pei Yuan up and led him towards the wooden house where they were staying.

Pei Yuan draped one arm over her shoulder and leaned half his body over her.

If she hadn't been skilled in martial arts, she probably would have been overpowered by Pei Yuan.

Chen Chu put one arm around his waist and the other on his arm, barely managing to drag him back into the house.

Pei Yuan's eyes were slightly closed, as if he were asleep.

"And you call yourself a thousand cups of wine without getting drunk?" Shen Chu shook her head and chuckled, helping him walk to the bedside.

Just then, Pei Yuan suddenly stumbled and fell straight onto the bed.

He tackled Shen Chu to the ground.