Chapter 201: I Want the Most Timid Horse
The liquor was indeed potent. The name was fitting—Knockout Donkey. It knocked out a skeptic on the spot; Yu Qian passed out cold, but at least he didn't start singing "Fenhe Bay." That kind of skill was etched into his bones, instinctive by now.
The next day, Yu Qian eyed the crate of liquor in the trunk, beaming with delight. "Boss, give me another crate. This stuff is perfect for tricking people back home."
Zhou You was speechless but ordered a crate for himself too, planning to let Yin Na try it and see if it knocked her out.
The sky is vast, the plains boundless; when the wind blows, the grass bends low, revealing cattle and sheep. You can't grasp the meaning of that verse without seeing it in person. The sea and the grassland both stretch endlessly. A sea of grass—a grass sea—was breathtaking the first time I saw it. The sea is all water; the grassland is all grass.
This trip was headed straight for Sanhe, having contacted the horse seller in advance. By the time they arrived, it was nearly noon. The roads weren't as smooth as in the city; though highways connected major towns, many settlements still lacked paved roads. One reason was the sparse population—road construction costs were too high. Another was the same—maintenance costs were prohibitive. Ha, but the grassland had its own paths, and even without them, you could forge your own way. That was the freedom and ease of the prairie—refreshing the mind and letting go of all worries.
Along the way, they saw herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely, and herders galloping on horses across the plains. Before they could fully soak in the scenery, they reached the horse-buying grounds. As soon as Yu Qian got out of the car, he hugged a herder. "Daxi, long time no see!"
Daxi was a quintessential grassland dweller, dressed in a navy-blue robe and black riding boots, stocky but not clumsy, exuding a sense of strength. He hugged Yu Qian back and boomed, "Long time no see."
"I mentioned it last time—this trip is partly for fun and partly to help a friend buy some horses," Yu Qian said.
"Good, welcome. We're about to hold an Oboo festival, so I'll take you all to enjoy it," Daxi said with a warm smile, looking very approachable.
Then Yu Qian introduced everyone. When he got to Agula, the two immediately started chatting in Mongolian. Though they were from the same country, the grassland was so vast they might as well have been worlds apart.
The group followed Daxi into a yurt, but it was cramped with everyone inside. Seeing this, Daxi moved the table outside. "I slaughtered a sheep this morning. We'll have roast whole lamb for lunch."
Curious, Zhou You bustled about, helping Daxi move things. Together, they tied the four legs of the lamb with wire, secured the limbs, inserted an iron rod from the tail inward to brace the belly, hooked the legs with an iron chain, placed it back-down into the oven, laid charcoal at the bottom, and set an iron plate beneath to catch the dripping fat. Zhou You had no clue about the spices, but soon the aroma filled the air, making his mouth water.
Yu Qian then hauled out some Beijing specialties from the trunk—roast duck, pickled vegetables, and a crate of Erguotou liquor. He said to Daxi, "Yesterday I tried your Grassland White and got knocked out. Today, let you taste our local specialty—it's good stuff too."
Daxi chuckled. "I've had it—good liquor." He took it and added, "Normally, we'd drink today since friends are here, but we need to pick horses this afternoon, and drinking is dangerous. We'll drink tonight; for lunch, we'll have milk tea."
The grassland people were among the most tea-loving ethnic groups, originally because vegetables and fruit were scarce, and tea provided essential trace elements. Plus, with a meat-heavy diet, tea cut the grease and aided digestion. Grassland milk tea was mostly mare's milk tea, often salty, which newcomers might find odd. Zhou You was fine—he didn't care much for tea anyway, so any kind worked.
The roasted whole lamb gleamed with a crispy skin and tender meat, wafting a rich, savory scent—a true feast for the eyes, nose, and taste. They cut it into small pieces with a knife and dipped it in sauce. The fragrant lamb paired with mare's milk tea was a perfect, non-greasy combination.
After eating and drinking their fill, it was time to ride.
"Daxi, I want to start with a few gentle horses—easy to care for and ride casually," Zhou You stated his needs.
"Then you've come to the right place. Our grassland horses may not be tall, but they're hardy, easy to train, and highly adaptable," Daxi said proudly.
"True. If they weren't good horses, they couldn't have built an empire spanning Eurasia," Zhou You marveled. People often praised the grassland warriors' unmatched archery and riding, but the horses under them deserved credit too—their endurance and long-distance raids were key strengths. That's why Yu Qian brought Zhou You here. When he'd bought horses in Yili before, he'd focused on looks—tall and imposing. Zhou You was practical, choosing based on his needs.
They arrived at the horse farm. Daxi explained, "Horses usually live 20 to 30 years, some up to 40 or 50. These are all adults, 5 to 10 years old. With a little familiarization, they're ready to ride. First-timers should buy this kind."
Taking advice was wise. Zhou You saw Yu Qian's men nodding, and Agula showed no reaction, so he knew it was basic knowledge.
"Are the stallions gelded?" Zhou You asked curiously, having heard that non-stud horses usually were.
"Yes, all here are gelded. Otherwise, they're too temperamental, hard to control during mating season, and dangerous," Daxi replied.
Zhou You circled the farm and spotted a pure black horse hiding in a corner, grazing leisurely. He pointed at it and asked Daxi, "Can this one be ridden?"
Daxi followed his gaze. "This horse is good—very gentle. It's not popular here, but it's perfect for a beginner. You've got good taste."
Zhou You pursed his lips, feeling subtly mocked, but he didn't mind. That horse looked timid and easygoing, just what he wanted.
Daxi went into the farm, led the horse out, and fitted it with a saddle, stirrups, and reins. "When riding, keep your back straight, relax your body, grip the reins firmly, and only put the front third of your foot in the stirrup," he instructed.
The tips were similar to last time, except for the stirrup position. Zhou You couldn't help asking, "Why only a third? That feels unstable."
Daxi's face turned serious. "It's to prevent your foot from getting caught if you're thrown off—that can be very dangerous."
Zhou You's expression grew grave. Last time, he'd ridden a familiar horse; this was a new one. He couldn't afford to be careless.