Chapter 98

As the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived as scheduled, the city of Yingyang was filled with festive cheer. The sound of firecrackers never ceased, and children ran and played joyfully in the streets. Especially on the Grand Canal, where commercial boats were no longer allowed, the water was crowded with beautifully decorated flower boats. This place, which was usually only visited by refined scholars and elegant ladies, was now bustling with the celebration of the masses, with the flower boats densely packed.

Among these flower boats, several hundred people sent by Zhai Rang from the Wagon Fort were hidden. Their over a hundred flower boats of various sizes gradually moved together, occupying a large area.

However...

No one noticed the trick. They just assumed that some noble family had come, bringing many people to show off their wealth.

Wu Fan lazily lay on the edge of the flower boat, dipping his hand in the water, looking very content.

In fact, under the water, over a hundred skilled divers had already gathered. They continuously transported burlap bags from the bottom of the canal and tied them to the ropes trailing from the sterns of the flower boats.

Fortunately, Zhai Rang, who had once been a water bandit, knew that this operation involved underwater tricks. He had loaded enough sand and stones on the boats in advance to ensure their stability, preventing them from capsizing due to the heavy load.

"Shh—!"

He whistled sharply, and a hawk circled down from the sky, landing on Wu Fan's shoulder.

When Wu Fan went to the Heavenly King Fort for help a few days ago, the system had generated this hawk. Wu Fan, remembering this, released it to familiarize itself with the route. This time, it would serve as a communication link between this side and the downstream, where Zhai Lingling was stationed. Wu Fan had initially exchanged for the hawk to facilitate this... collaboration between officials and bandits!

"Bang!"

The boat was gently bumped, as Shan Xiongxin and Xiong Kuohai arrived from the shore with wine and meat on a small boat.

Soon, Zhai Rang, who was in charge of the entire operation, also arrived.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhai Rang took a drink of wine, and in a low voice said, "We've made two trips already! I estimate that with two more, we can transport everything back." He sighed, still feeling uneasy, "If the officials find out about this, we'll never have a moment's peace!"

At first, Zhai Rang did not know that the great fortune Wu Fan spoke of referred to the copper coins on the missing grain tax ship from Ji Prefecture. It was only after Shan Xiongxin relayed Wu Fan's words to him that he realized it. Although he was hesitant, the fortune was too tempting—over two million taels of silver! Zhai Rang was finally swayed and joined the operation.

"Don't worry!" Wu Fan said with a smirk, "Just have the brothers make one more trip, and leave the rest alone... It's getting dark, and going into the water now could be dangerous!"

Wu Fan's expression was meaningful, and Zhai Rang, who wanted to say more, ultimately held back.

Shan Xiongxin, regardless of the tension, brought up an old topic, "The timing wasn't right before, and I didn't dare to insist. Now... I wonder if the three of you are willing to swear brotherhood with me, to uphold righteousness?"

Xiong Kuohai laughed in a deep voice, clasping his hands, "If the second brother gives me the honor, how can I refuse?"

Zhai Rang said, "It is my wish, and I dare not ask for more!"

All three looked at Wu Fan.

Wu Fan was still lying on the boat, looking at them. After a long moment, he rolled his eyes and said weakly, "Help me up!"

The three of them slapped their heads and laughed awkwardly. As they laughed, they remembered that Wu Fan's brother and sister-in-law had recently died, and their smiles faded, making their expressions quite complex.

Wu Fan, who was very perceptive, could see the awkwardness of the three. After being helped up, he forced a smile and clasped his hands, "People often say, 'The dead are gone, but the living must carry on.' Brothers, there's no need to be so sad! We should eat, drink, and be merry, to let our loved ones in heaven know that we are... doing well!"

Shan Xiongxin was moved by Wu Fan's words, nodding repeatedly and sighing, "Brother, you are broad-minded! I... am not! I admire you!"

[Broad-minded? You're just talking without feeling the strain! Don't you know how exhausting it is to act?]

Although he thought this, Wu Fan did not dare to say it out loud. Otherwise, he might be despised, or even killed by them!

Clasping his hands, Shan Xiongxin said solemnly, "We gather here as brothers, though the setting is simple, but with sincerity, it is enough! Brothers..."

"Wait! Second Brother Shan! Allow me to speak frankly!" Wu Fan interrupted Shan Xiongxin, pursing his lips, "Before we swear brotherhood, we should clarify some matters to avoid any misunderstandings that might make us look foolish!" He paused and continued, "The three of you are deeply righteous, the best of the best in the江湖! I, on the other hand, am cautious and have many flaws. I will speak my mind, as I fear the worst. Let's talk about the fortune!"

Waving his hand to stop others from speaking, Wu Fan said, "Brothers, listen to me! This fortune is not easy to spend, and it could bring trouble. So, my suggestion is to either transport it to the south and sell it in batches, or to Qing Prefecture, where Second Brother Shan can handle it. The copper coins should be exchanged for gold, silver, or even silk and cloth. After that, Brother Zhai, who has done the most, can take 40%, and the remaining 60% can be split equally between Second Brother Shan and the Heavenly King, 30% each!"

"No! No! No!" Xiong Kuohai shook his head like a rattle, muttering, "I haven't done anything, and I don't understand what's going on. How can I take your things for free?"

Shan Xiongxin laughed, "Ha! I thought it was something serious!" He patted Wu Fan's shoulder and said to Xiong Kuohai and Zhai Rang, "Brother Wu is thinking of us, fearing that we might have conflicts and become enemies. He is willing to be the 'villain' to maintain our righteousness. Truly noble!"

Turning to Wu Fan, Shan Xiongxin said, "But, Brother, you're overthinking it. Who am I? Shan Xiongxin! Who is he? Xiong Kuohai! And who is he? Zhai Rang! Would we turn against each other over money? Ha! You underestimate us!"

Wu Fan repeatedly said he did not dare to.

Xiong Kuohai and Zhai Rang, hearing Shan Xiongxin's words, were greatly moved and even more respectful of Wu Fan.

Zhai Rang patted his chest and said, "Since we have decided to swear brotherhood, there should be no 'yours' or 'mine'! My suggestion is—regardless of the effort, we should split it equally! Is that fair?"

Xiong Kuohai still shook his head, "To receive so much gold and silver without doing anything makes me feel guilty. I can't take it!"

Wu Fan tilted his head and teased, "You're not being straightforward!"

"Ha ha ha ha...!"

This was the same phrase Xiong Kuohai had used to describe Wu Fan before, and it caused everyone to burst into laughter.

After the laughter subsided, Shan Xiongxin became serious, "Since there are no issues, let's continue!"

He took a jar of wine and placed four bowls.

Shan Xiongxin took a small dagger, cut his finger, and dripped blood into the wine jar, saying, "I, Shan Xiongxin, swear to become sworn brothers with Zhai Rang, Xiong Kuohai, and Wu Fan! From now on, we will share life and death, happiness and hardship!"

Xiong Kuohai followed, dripping blood into the wine jar, "I, Xiong Kuohai, swear to become sworn brothers with Shan Xiongxin, Zhai Rang, and Wu Fan! From now on, we will share life and death, happiness and hardship!"

Zhai Rang was the third, dripping blood into the wine jar, "I, Zhai Rang, swear to become sworn brothers with Shan Xiongxin, Xiong Kuohai, and Wu Fan! From now on, we will share life and death, happiness and hardship!"

When it was Wu Fan's turn, he cut his finger with a knife. Perhaps due to the recent blood loss, it took him a while to squeeze out two drops, which made him furious. He was about to chop off his hand, but Shan Xiongxin and the others were terrified and quickly stopped him.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Shan Xiongxin said, "Brother! That's enough! That's enough! Let's... not be so extreme!"

Wu Fan, still angry, took a deep breath and said, "I, Wu Fan, swear to become sworn brothers with Shan Xiongxin, Zhai Rang, and Xiong Kuohai! From now on, we will share life and death, happiness and hardship!"

The four of them raised their bowls together and said in unison, "Heaven and Earth be our witness, we do not seek to be born on the same day, but we seek to die on the same day!"

"Offer to Heaven!"

The four of them sprinkled some wine into the air.

"Offer to Earth!"

The four of them sprinkled some wine onto the ground.

"Offer to our Ancestors!"

The four of them smeared some wine on their foreheads.

"Ritual complete!"

With Shan Xiongxin's guidance, the four of them clinked their bowls and drank to the bottom.

"Ha ha ha...!"

They looked at each other and laughed, all of them very happy.

...

PS1: Request for favorites, recommendations, likes, and small red packets. Anything!

PS2: Thank you to the friends from Wudang Mountain and the friend "zhigyd" for the 100-point coin red packets. Thank you to the friend "ruyitong" for the 588-point coin red packet. Thanks!