These herders are indeed a family, grandparents, three sons and their wives and children.
Battan Duluhai was the eldest. The last one to be pulled into the bushes was his wife. The crying Xixia boy was his eldest son, and the baby in his arms was his second son.
They are the traditional Dangxiang people, who live by following water and grass, and exchange sheep and horses for daily necessities with the outside world.
With Ye Liwangrong as the translator, the communication between the two sides was relatively smooth.
The Battanduluhai family took out the best food to entertain their benefactor.
Mei Tang sat in the felt tent, staring at the wine and food in front of him in a daze.
Battan Duluhai's wife was very grateful to Meitang for helping her. She picked out the fattest sheep from the flock and slaughtered it together with several sisters-in-law.
After peeling off the fur, the mutton is cut into slices, placed on a wooden tray and served to the guests.
In addition, Batan Duluhai’s mother took out a handful of precious rice, rinsed it simply, and steamed it in a pot.
The few steamed rice were naturally for the guests.
The foal went to the grassland to look for radix scutellariae and salsa ash. In spring, these wild vegetables are the most common food for herders.
However, because he was going to entertain distinguished guests, Ma Juzi picked the tenderest wild vegetables and washed them with river water.
Batan Duluhai's mother also added oil and green salt when making cold wild vegetables.
Mei Tang looked at the table full of special foods and knew that this was the best food that the Battan Duluhai family could offer.
Zhao San felt bitter. Yunzhou Weekly once said that beef and mutton must be cooked before eating, especially mutton, which is prone to parasites. If it is not cooked, the worms will lay eggs in the stomach.
Yeli Wangrong was surprised and asked in a low voice: "Zhao San, why do you look so bad? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No." Zhao San tried to hold back, but couldn't help asking Yeli Wangrong, "Does this mutton have to be eaten raw?"
Yeli Wangrong was stunned: "We like to eat fresh fruits. Does this violate your taboo?"
"No." Zhao San repeated the popular science in Yunzhou Weekly.
Yeli Wangrong suddenly realized: "In the tribe, people often have fevers. The fever goes down after a few days, then rises again, over and over again. The whole body is sweating profusely, the joints are in unbearable pain, and even deformed. Is this the brucellosis you mentioned?"
"Yes!" Zhao San thought about it, but couldn't remember the full name, so he turned to Mei Tang for help.
Mei Tang: "This is called brucellosis. It is a very small bug that is invisible to the naked eye. It hides in the mutton and can only be killed by high temperatures."
Omg it was horrible!
The faces of Battan Duluhai's family changed dramatically. There were such terrible bugs hidden in the mutton!
Mei Tang continued to explain: "There is another kind of worm that parasitizes pigs, cattle and sheep. If you eat it, it may flow through your blood and enter your muscles, brain, eyes and heart."
"what!"
Battanduluhai's wife almost dropped the tray.
This is too terrible!
There are actually bugs in the eyes and brain.
Mei Tang said earnestly: "If conditions permit, try to cook the meat before eating. In our Yunzhou, all herdsmen no longer eat raw meat or drink raw water."
Without saying a word, Batan Duluhai quickly brought out the raw meat and asked his wife to roast it.
"Thank you." Battanduluhai was sincerely grateful.
Who would spread such important news? Only these Han people were kind-hearted and willing to tell me.
In Battantuluhai's heart, Meitang's image has been greatly elevated, and as for Yunzhou, it has even been elevated to an existence like a fairy palace.
Battanduluhai drank a bowl of wine to show his respect.
The wine was turbid and smelled sour. They brewed it themselves, the alcohol content was low, and the taste was not very good.
Mei Tang remained calm and drank it in one gulp.
"readily!"
No matter they were rich or poor, the Xixia people loved to drink. They would drink whenever they got together, made an oath, celebrated a birthday, went to war, or settled a feud.
After drinking, Battan Duluhai completely regarded Meitang as his own and began to complain: "Originally this area was very peaceful and stable. But since the Tartars came, they started to collect protection fees."
They say they are collecting protection money, but in fact they are robbing. When they are in a good mood, they will rob the sheep and leave. When they are in a bad mood, they will kill people for fun, just like today.
Mei Tang clinked glasses with Batan Duluhai and said, "You Xixia Lord, don't you care about it?"
Battan Duluhai's eyebrows were drooping, full of sorrow: "This area is under the jurisdiction of Jiang Tangwen. The Tartars and him are as close as brothers. How could Jiang Tangwen be unhappy with the Tartars because of us?"
Ginger soup text?
Yeli Wangrong introduced: "His ancestors were Han people who lived in Longyoudao. Later, they surrendered to the Xixia ruler and were entrusted with important tasks. The year before last, the Xixia ruler married his daughter to Jiang Tangwen."
To put it bluntly, Jiang Tangwen was the consort of Xixia. Long Youdao, that was a matter of the previous dynasty.
After so many years, Jiang Tangwen, except for his surname, has nothing in common with the Han people.
"Alas." Mei Tang sighed, "If it were in our Yunzhou, this would never happen. Our Yun State Duke loves the people like his own children. Have you heard of the Xie family in Yongzhou? Just because they bully the people, our Yun State Duke will deal with them."
Xie family of Yongzhou?
Yeli Wangrong and Batandu Luhai were at a loss. If he could know about his own country's affairs, he would be considered a capable person. How could he know about Yunzhou's affairs?
Battan Duluhai asked vaguely, "Is the Xie family of Yongzhou very powerful?"
"Amazing! Almost the entire state belongs to them."
Wow!
If such a powerful person were in Xixia, the Xixia leader would not have enough time to win him over, so how could he offend him?
Battan Duluhai let out a long breath: "Duke Yun is really a good man."
Ma Juzi interrupted: "As good as Sister Fairy."
"Fairy sister?"
Ma Juzi's eyes sparkled and he grinned, "Yes, she gave me lots of delicious food and taught me how to read. She's pretty too. It's a pity that she has to go to Xingqing Mansion."
Battan Duluhai patted the foal's head and told him to go to sleep quickly and not disturb the adults' conversation.
Everyone was drunk and in a daze.
To be precise, it was Battan Duluhai and Yeli Wangrong who were drunk.
When Battan Duluhai learned that Meitang wanted to go to Xiazhou, he insisted on taking Meitang and others to see his Huntuo.
There is a raft floating on the river.
It is a bag made of sheepskin and connected together.
Battanduluhai patted his chest and burped. "Hunto is the best for traveling on this river. Brother, I'll give it to you. I made it myself. I can guarantee that no one around here has better craftsmanship than me! Going by water will be at least three days faster."
The Hun Tuo is light but strong, floats but does not sink, and is very popular among people living near rivers.
However, Huntuo is a test of one's craftsmanship, and those who make it well can use it forever.
If you don't do it well, it's easy to sink halfway.
Most of them are made at home and no one sells them on the market!
Mei Tang smiled like a fox. It really is true that good people are rewarded!