When Li Long arrived at Hu Lao'san's house with Han Benzhong and the others, Hu Lao'san was bragging to his wife about his heroic exploits.
Seeing Li Long arrive at the courtyard gate with a group of men, Hu Lao'san still didn't think it was anything serious. He stood up and said with a smile:
"Xiao Long, you're here? Have you come to say this afternoon was a misunderstanding? It's nothing, really. It's all over now. We're not unreasonable men, and those people you brought knew which way the wind was blowing. They handled themselves pretty well.
"But there's something I still need to tell you. Look, you and my brother are both doing this reed bundle business. We're all in the same village, so why make things so complicated? Let me put it this way: you raised your price so high that everyone's taking their bundles to you, and now my brother's getting a lot more substandard ones. Haven't you gone a bit too far...?"
Li Long caught the reek of alcohol on Hu Lao'san's breath. Only then did he realize the fellow had been drinking. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared talk so big.
"You're not drunk, are you?" Li Long asked darkly. "Need some water to sober you up?"
"That little bit of booze? It's nothing!" Hu Lao'san waved a careless hand. "I'm talking business here. Don't change the subject..."
Hu Lao'san was nearly ten years older than Li Long. That was probably why he thought he could lecture him.
Li Long looked around. Frightened by the arrival of so many men, Hu Lao'san's wife had taken the children inside. Li Long picked up the dipper on the stove, scooped up some water, and poured it over Hu Lao'san's head.
"Can we talk properly now?"
"Li Long, what