Under One Person: My Inner Realm Connects to All Worlds!

Chapter 47 Zhili Fast Wrestling
Donkey Bridge.

While it's not entirely wrong to call it a bridge, it primarily served as a large agricultural trading market, where large livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and donkeys were traded. This market has been around for quite some time.

It has existed since the 18th century, when cattle were precious and rarely traded.

Back in the previous dynasty, because the sheep from Sunite were neither gamey nor greasy, they were all driven to the capital, and few went south anymore, because if the sheep went too far, they wouldn't fetch a good price and would lose weight.

Therefore, there was a county under Zhili Prefecture that specialized in raising sheep. In winter, when the sheep on the grasslands couldn't be herded in time, they were supplied to the capital.

However, the mutton from these mass-produced farms doesn't taste nearly as good as that from free-range mutton from the grasslands; the cooked mutton has a gamey smell and turns black.

Later, Dashengkui invented a method for freezing rolled meat, which allowed mutton from the grasslands to be transported to the capital even in winter. As a result, the livelihood of sheep farmers in a county was almost cut off, and they had to sell their meat within Zhili Prefecture.

Even self-sales need a market!
Coincidentally, horse traders from the northern grasslands used Donkey Colt Bridge as a transit point on their way south, and over time, this place gradually came into being.

In addition, the donkey meat in Zhili Prefecture was famous, so restaurants of all sizes opened up nearby, known for their freshly slaughtered donkey meat, and some even offered whole donkey banquets.

Dingxianglou is one of them.

After leaving the Sun family, Han Yun was not in a hurry. He traveled around and eventually arrived at Donkey Colt Bridge.

After glancing at the signboard of Dingxianglou, Han Yun went inside. As soon as the customer entered, a middle-aged man hurriedly bowed and greeted him with a smile: "Please come in! How many are in your party?"

Han Yun looked around. Dingxiang Restaurant was bustling with activity, diners clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of meat. He smiled slightly: "Just me."

"Alright! This way please!"

The man led Han Yun to an empty table by the window and handed him a menu: "What would you like to eat? Our Dingxianglou donkey meat sandwich is the best, it's made with donkey oil, and we also have braised donkey meat, stir-fried donkey liver, and donkey intestines, all freshly made!"

Han Yun nodded and looked at the menu: "Then let's have two donkey meat sandwiches, a pound of donkey meat, a serving of stir-fried donkey liver, and a donkey intestine stew with tofu."

"Okay! Just a moment!"

The man loudly announced the names of the dishes to the kitchen, poured Han Yun a bowl of hot tea, and then turned to greet the other guests.

Han Yun picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

The tea was ordinary jasmine tea, but its advantage lay in being steaming hot, which dispelled some of the chill of early spring.

He looked out the window and saw people coming and going on the Donkey Colt Bridge, with vendors shouting and livestock neighing all around, creating a lively scene.

Then, he looked into the shop and saw the man from before greeting many people. From those few words, Han Yun learned that the man was actually the owner of Dingxiang Restaurant.

The family's surname is Sun, and Dingxianglou is a family business that has been passed down for several generations. It is said that serving guests is an old tradition of the Sun family, partly to maintain regular customers.

Before long, Boss Sun came over with a tray and placed the dishes and two golden and crispy donkey meat sandwiches in front of Han Yun.

"Your dishes are all ready, please enjoy!"

Han Yun picked up a donkey meat sandwich and took a bite. The outer crust was crispy, and the donkey meat inside was tender and juicy, mixed with a rich sauce flavor. It truly lived up to its reputation.

It is much better and much bigger than the one in Zhili Prefecture.

He picked up a piece of the intestines with his chopsticks, then scooped up a mouthful of soup, and savored it carefully. He found the aroma enticing, the taste fresh, mellow, and unforgettable.

Just as Han Yun was enjoying his meal, several men at the next table started talking loudly. "Have you heard? This afternoon, Yang Baoquan, the master of Zhili wrestling, is coming to our Lujuqiao to set up a challenge!" A bearded man slammed his fist on the table, his voice booming.

The skinny guy across from him picked up a piece of donkey liver, grinned, and said, "Yang Baoquan? The wrestling king who swept three prefectures with one kick? I heard he also became the honorary coach of the provincial team."

A middle-aged man next to him lowered his voice and said, "Yes, that's him. But it seems that this arena was set up by the family to recruit their last disciple."

"Taking on disciples?!"

"That's strange, how did it end up in our area?"

The skinny man replied, "That's what happens when someone's hometown is here. I heard that a wrestler named Batel from the north has also come. He's known as the Iron-Armed Eagle, and I guess he wants to have a go at this wrestling king."

Han Yun paused slightly as he listened.

Just then, Boss Sun came over to refill the tea and chimed in with a smile, "You gentlemen are very well-informed! The arena is set up in the open space at the east end of the bridge, and the competition will start at two o'clock this afternoon. Our Dingxiang Restaurant has even reserved a private seat for Master Yang!"

The bearded man's eyes lit up: "Manager Sun, are you acquainted with Yang Baoquan?"

Mr. Sun wiped his hands, quite proudly saying, "It's all family ties. Back in the day, Yang Baoquan's grandfather, Yang Baolu, was the head chef of our Dingxiang Restaurant!"

"Every time Master Yang comes to Donkey Bridge, he always stops by our house for donkey tendon. He says it's chewy and makes you strong!"

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Han Yun suddenly looked up: "Boss Sun, can outsiders go up and have some fun in this arena?"

The table fell silent. Boss Sun sized up Han Yun. The young man was dressed in ordinary clothes, with a handsome face and fair skin. He didn't look like a martial arts expert at all.

"You know wrestling too?" Boss Sun asked tentatively.

Han Yun smiled and said, "I know a little."

Han Yun's claim of having some knowledge was actually a form of self-deprecation. Don't forget that his wrestling techniques came from Na Kui, the authentic Buku style. The reason he wanted to try it out was because he was curious about Zhili fast wrestling and wanted to see what the differences were.

There's a saying: "Beijingers are slick, Tianjiners are glib, and Zhili wrestlers are slick." Slick wrestlers are a term used to describe wrestling in Zhili.

Zhili fast wrestling, also known as Sanshou wrestling, emphasizes rapid techniques and features a large stance.

Zhili wrestling excels in upper body techniques such as tearing, striking, thrusting, and seizing the initiative, while simultaneously using the lower body to shift the weight, coordinating seamlessly between the upper and lower body, striking with lightning speed, and employing a series of ingenious tactics to overcome speed.

It combines strength with gentleness, ferocity with wisdom, and subtlety with hidden strength. It excels at using the small to defeat the large, employing unorthodox methods and combining loose and firm techniques to subtly and gradually bring the opponent to their doom.

It is more agile and distinctive than traditional, fiercely competitive wrestling.

Upon hearing Han Yun's words, Boss Sun's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he smiled and said, "Since you are interested, you can certainly give it a try. Master Yang has set up an open arena, and anyone who thinks they have some skills can go up and spar."

The bearded man laughed and patted Han Yun on the shoulder: "Young man, you look so frail, don't let those brutes hurt you!"

Han Yun smiled slightly, said nothing more, and continued to enjoy his food.

The skinny guy at the next table leaned over and said, "Young man, do you know who that Batel is?"

(End of this chapter)