The banquet concluded swiftly after the minor incident.
There was no choice but to treat the potent "Mendunlu" liquor as a low-alcohol drink, and within half an hour, the tent was filled with fallen figures.
The only one who hadn't touched alcohol was Xi Gua Butian, who had stood with Zhuzi the entire time. He had eaten his fill of meat, but hadn't managed to get a single drop of wine.
According to Zhuzi, drinking was a major taboo for a随从护卫 (suí cóng hù wèi - attendant and guard).
Seeing everyone else collapsed, Xi Gua Butian felt it was his chance to shine.
"County Duke Fang, the hour is late. Perhaps I could arrange your rest."
Fang Er tossed the gnawed lamb bone aside and took out a pack of wet wipes from his pocket to clean the oil from his hands.
"Indeed, that would be troublesome for you."
"It's no trouble, no trouble at all! It is Butian's honor to be of service to County Duke Fang!"
Xi Gua Butian no longer felt annoyed about being beaten by his father. Compared to Yelü Tianying, he felt he had struck gold!
He lifted the tent flap, letting Fang Er and Zhuzi go out first, and followed behind.
Then he pointed to another tent nearby and said, "County Duke Fang, the King specially had this tent rebuilt a few days ago, precisely for you. Please follow me."
With that, he walked over and lifted the flap of the new tent.
Fang Er walked in and surveyed the interior.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, this Gou Dan is truly thoughtful."
Inside the tent, there were two bed platforms, or rather, sleeping arrangements.
The one on the left had a thick layer of dry grass on the ground, covered with a whole bear hide as a mattress, and a wolf hide used as a blanket.
The one on the right was simpler, with sheepskin for both mattress and blanket, presumably for the guards.
Judging by the quality, the hides seemed new. He reached out to touch them, finding them soft, comfortable, and very smooth.
"Alright, Fang will rest now. You should go back and rest too."
"Yes, yes. Butian will take his leave. Tomorrow, I shall return to hear your esteemed teachings, County Duke!"
Xi Gua Butian bowed, retreated a few steps, then turned and lifted the tent flap before walking out.
He took off his shoes and lay down fully clothed on the bear hide mattress. He had to admit, it was quite comfortable.
He said to Zhuzi, who was nearby, "Alright, we've been busy for a few days. Get some rest early."
With that, he turned his head and closed his eyes.
He slept soundly; the bear and wolf hides were incredibly warm!
When he woke up in the morning, Fang Er found his clothes damp and sticky.
He looked over at Zhuzi's side and saw the man sitting on the sheepskin mat, his face showing the fatigue of having stayed up all night.
"You sat up all night?"
Fang Er asked Zhuzi while putting on his shoes.
"Heh heh, this is not our territory, sir. How could I dare to sleep? I'll sleep after Mengzi comes to relieve me."
"Then call Mengzi over. It's already dawn. Why force yourself? At your age, you shouldn't still think you're young enough to stay up late."
Hearing Fang Er's slightly chiding tone, Zhuzi felt a warmth in his heart and nodded with a smile.
"Yes, my Lord."
Then he took out his walkie-talkie and called for Liu Meng.
Only after seeing Fang Er and Liu Meng leave the tent did he lie down on the sheepskin mat to sleep.
As soon as he stepped out of the tent, Fang Er smelled a rich milky aroma, mixed with a hint of lamb.
The Khitans and Xi people had already started preparing meals. He led Liu Meng on a tour among the tribesmen.
Almost everything was flatbread, mare's milk, or meat broth. Not a single vegetable leaf was in sight.
Yesterday, he had heard the Khitan King, after getting drunk, inadvertently mention that the survival rate of newborns in their two tribes, as well as among the Turks, was extremely low. It was no wonder, then!
What were the consequences of vitamin deficiency in pregnant women?
Mild cases could lead to fetal maldevelopment, deformities, or rickets.
Severe cases could result in miscarriage or the birth of anencephalic infants.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, this seemed like an opportunity to consolidate!
He would get Old Sun to come over and open a branch in Shenyang!
It could both consolidate his influence and earn money – killing two birds with one stone!
With a hospital, and then a kindergarten, Sinicization would start from the children!
The more he thought about it, the more Fang Er felt this idea was excellent. He could set up branch hospitals among the Eight Tribes of Grass Wolves later, too. Bo Fei Te!
"Hahahaha, County Duke Fang is up so early!"
Just by the sound of the voice, Fang Er knew it had to be the Khitan King, Haha Ge.
He turned around and indeed, it was him.
Fang Er shared his current thoughts.
"Gou Dan, Fang intends to establish a hospital in Shenyang. How about you send your tribal pregnant women there later?"
"Fang guarantees that your tribal pregnant women will all be able to give birth to healthy babies from now on!"
The Khitan King doubted if he had heard correctly and asked for confirmation, "All will be able to give birth to healthy babies?"
Fang Er nodded, then shook his head. "Of course, there is one thing to exclude: close relatives cannot marry.
For example, cousins, etc."
Hiss~~!
The Khitan King finally confirmed that his ears were working perfectly!
"Hahahaha! County Duke Fang, just tell me what you need. As long as you can guarantee healthy babies are born, I, your King, guarantee that the Khitan and Xi tribes will offer their full assistance!"
Fang Er thought for a moment and then tentatively asked, "Regarding the construction of the hospital, you two tribes do not need to exert yourselves. Fang can manage it himself.
From conception to birth, pregnant women need to live near the hospital for the physicians to observe them, ensuring the fetus can be born smoothly.
Moreover, during this period, the hospital will prepare various fetal stabilization and protection medications for pregnant women.
Therefore, apart from accommodation that Gou Dan needs to arrange, all expenses for each pregnant woman, totaling five guan of coin, how about it?"
The Khitan King's eyes lit up!
Five guan of coin, was it much? If the market opened, and his subordinates' livestock could be sold in Shenyang, five guan of coin was really not much!
One sheep could fetch one guan of coin! Trading five sheep for a healthy baby, wouldn't that be good?
He could already imagine it: ten years later, his subordinates would have a massive increase in warriors. Even if the Great Tang couldn't raid them, they could raid to the north! They could even bypass the Eight Tribes of Grass Wolves, who had already submitted to the Great Tang, and head further west, all the way to plunder!
The more they plundered, the more money they would earn, and with more money, there would be more people, tsk, tsk, tsk!
What a majestic sight it would be, a million Khitan warriors!
Thinking of this, the Khitan King excitedly grabbed Fang Er's hands. Remembering that Fang Er had previously said he didn't like men grabbing him, he quickly let go and said sheepishly.
"County Duke Fang's great kindness, this kindness is like a rebirth for the Khitan and Xi tribes! Please accept this bow from your King!"
With that, he actually bowed deeply.
--
Author's notes: