Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 63 Let's see the treasure

"My goodness! What brings Brother Zheng here?"

Hearing that familiar, slick tone, Zheng Tu turned around and saw Ying Bojue, Ying Huazi, walking towards him with a smile, waving a gold-flecked folding fan.

"Brother Ying?"

Zheng Tu calmly tucked the medicine gourd into his robes. "I'm here to take care of some miscellaneous matters. What are you doing here?"

Lord Ying approached, glanced around furtively, then lowered his voice and said smugly, "Of course, I'll go and search for any interesting finds in these brothels! I have to keep an eye out for Brother Ximen, otherwise how can I tell him the whole story when he asks? Hehe..."

Zheng Tu found it amusing.

This Earl Ying was truly adept at being a hanger-on. From scouting for beauties and acting as matchmaker to serving at banquets and cracking jokes, he was skilled in everything. No wonder he could win Ximen Qing's heart and make him his closest confidant.

Seeing that it was getting late and the sun was beginning to set, Zheng Tu politely asked, "Brother Ying, have you eaten yet?"

This was just a casual greeting, but Earl Ying was very astute and knew that whenever someone asked in this way, it meant they intended to invite him to dinner.

He was too embarrassed to admit he hadn't eaten, so his eyes lit up, and he said with a grin, "Second Brother Zheng, why don't you guess?"

Zheng Tu was taken aback, then casually replied, "You dare say you ate it?"

Earl Ying, however, covered his mouth and chuckled, adopting a mysterious air: "You'd never guess that!"

Zheng Tu was taken aback again, but then he realized what was happening and was amused by the Earl Ying's strange reaction, so he couldn't help but laugh and scold him.

"What a strange dog! He claims he didn't eat it if he didn't, what a boastful excuse!"

Earl Ying chuckled and said, "To be honest, since finishing Brother Ximen's feast, I've been so busy finding prostitutes that I haven't eaten yet."

Zheng Tu shook his head and laughed, "In that case, how about we just eat something to fill our stomachs?"

When Earl Ying had the opportunity to eat for free, how could he refuse? He smiled and nodded repeatedly.

"Brother Zheng's kindness is truly appreciated; I humbly accept your offer!"

Zheng Tu looked around and saw a tavern nearby. It wasn't big, but it looked clean, so he and Ying Bojue went inside one after the other.

There were five or six square tables set up inside the shop, but it wasn't mealtime yet, so there weren't many customers.

Zheng Tu picked a table in the corner, called over the waiter, and casually ordered a few dishes: a plate of braised beef, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, a bowl of tofu soup, and two pots of hot wine.

The two sat facing each other at a square table.

What a shrewd man Ying Bojue was! Just by observing Ximen Qing's warm attitude towards Zheng Tu during the luncheon, he knew perfectly well that the matter of becoming sworn brothers was probably settled. Therefore, he was now even more affectionate towards Zheng Tu.

Not long after the two were seated, the waiter brought out all the wine and dishes.

This Earl Ying was adept at reading people's expressions and knew how to flatter and amuse. During the banquet, he would only say things that Zheng Tu wanted to hear.

Some of the folk tales were recounted vividly, as if they had witnessed them firsthand. He also spoke of how highly Ximen Qing regarded Zheng Tu, and how after they swore brotherhood on the third day of the month, they were practically brothers.

Although Zheng Tu knew that much of what he said was exaggerated, he still found it agreeable. Although the two had only met a few times, the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

As they were talking, Earl Ying, with his sharp eyes, suddenly noticed that Zheng Tu's arms were bulging, clearly indicating that he was carrying something.

His curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but tease, "Brother Zheng, what treasure are you carrying in your arms? You can't bear to put them down even when you're drinking and eating. Let me see for myself, and broaden my horizons."

Seeing his curiosity, Zheng Tu had an idea.

Earl Ying, who mingles with all sorts of people and is quite knowledgeable, might recognize the origin of this medicine gourd.

Without bothering to hide it, he took the medicine gourd out of his pocket and shook it, saying, "It's just a gourd of tonics, nothing special."

When Earl Ying saw that it was a gourd and not some gold or silver treasure, the light in his eyes immediately went out. But when he heard that it was a tonic, the light in his eyes lit up again!

He looked Zheng Tu up and down, thinking to himself, "This second brother Zheng is so strong and robust. Although it is because of his martial arts training, he must be inseparable from the nourishment of medicine!"

As the saying goes, "Three parts training, seven parts diet," he keeps this medicine gourd close to his heart, so it must be a precious and nourishing medicine! I, Ying Er, have taken many tonics over the years, such as deer antler, tiger penis, seahorse... but such a treasure is rare.

Asking him for a whole gourdful... that's impossible. I should at least ask him for one to try! If it's truly a treasure, I can tell Brother Ximen about it later.”

After thinking it over, he rolled his eyes, looked bitter, and sighed, "Oh dear! Brother Zheng, you don't know! Over the years, I have often been in brothels to find some pretty courtesans for Brother Ximen. Although some of them are not to be touched, I have to test the waters and see how they are."

"After a while, my body really can't take it anymore! I feel sore back and weak legs, and my... well, I'm not doing so well anymore. I went to see a doctor the other day, and he said I have kidney deficiency and need to be properly nourished. But those common tonics aren't very effective..."

At this point, he glanced at Zheng Tu's expression and, seeing that Zheng Tu showed no displeasure, tentatively asked:

"Brother Zheng has such a fine treasure, I dare to ask—I wonder... I wonder if I could see it? Even just a glimpse, a sniff, would be wonderful."

Seeing his behavior, Zheng Tu found it amusing.

The gourd of pills given by the Hu monk had unknown effects, so he dared not put them in his mouth. If Earl Ying was willing to test the medicine on himself, he would let him do as he pleased.

He then readily agreed, saying, "If Brother Ying wants to see it, there's no problem with that."

Having said that, he uncorked the red cloth stopper, tilted the medicine gourd, and poured out a bright red pill into his palm.

The pill, the size of a longan and as red as blood, rolled in my palm.

A strange fragrance immediately filled the air, neither orchid nor musk, and its aroma invigorated the senses.

Earl Ying craned his neck to get a closer look, then took a deep breath, his eyes immediately showing surprise: "Wow! This medicine... is truly extraordinary! The aroma, the color, I would believe it if you told me it was for official use."

"Brother Zheng, is this medicine... a treasure passed down from your ancestors? What are its nourishing and beneficial uses?"

Zheng Tu said calmly, "This medicine was given to me by a wandering Hu monk, who said it was tonic and strengthen the body. I haven't taken it yet, so I don't know its specific effects."

Despite Zheng Tu's claim, Lord Ying refused to believe it.

Why would a wandering monk suddenly give you medicine? Why is it that when you're out all day loitering around and visiting brothels, no one gives me medicine?

He assumed Zheng Tu was just making excuses to discourage him, so he rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Since it was given by a Hu monk, it must be extraordinary. Brother Zheng, I have a favor to ask... I wonder if... could you give me one? So I can try the taste of this elixir?"