Chapter 23

On one side were the three brothers of the Ruan family, who were eager to change their current living conditions and longed to live a carefree life of drinking large bowls of wine, eating big chunks of meat, and dividing gold and silver with a large scale. On the other side was the master of Liangshan, who was in dire need of talented people to improve the shortage of talent in the stronghold and was desperately seeking capable naval warriors to join. After finally meeting in this humble cottage, how could they not spark a mutual admiration?

As the saying goes: When you have feelings and I have righteousness, there is a play!

However, when Song Wan heard Ruan Er and Ruan Wu make a solemn oath, his expression suddenly became somewhat strange. When they finally said, "If we have a second heart, may we be struck by lightning," his eyes involuntarily glanced at Wang Lun, knowing that his brother was a living example who, even after being struck by lightning, remained as vigorous as a dragon and a tiger!

After the formalities were completed, the atmosphere in the room changed.

At this point, the Ruan brothers no longer maintained the polite but cautious attitude they had earlier. Now, all three opened their hearts and eagerly toasted Wang Lun and Du Qian.

Wang Lun, of course, felt more at ease. How could these three heroes be compared to the fickle Han Bo Long? He was well aware of the character of the three Ruans! However, thinking of their original fate, Wang Lun could not help but sigh inwardly.

The tragedy began when the three brothers, trusting their old friend Wu Yong, joined the conspiracy. Thereafter, they loyally followed the King of Heaven, Chao Gai. Unfortunately, their leader was no match for the master of cunning and deceit, Song Sanlang, and was eventually forced to leave the mountain in a hurry, dying from a poisoned arrow. This left the three brothers, marked by their faction, as unfortunate people. Meanwhile, Professor Wu, who had persuaded them to join the mountain, was now thriving in front of Brother Song Jiang, and it was unknown whether this wise star felt any remorse when he saw his old friends in such a difficult situation.

In the end, the eldest brother, Ruan Er, committed suicide after a partial defeat in the southern campaign against Fang La, rather than be captured. The second brother, Ruan Wu, also died in battle in the south, fulfilling the old saying that generals die in a hundred battles, and their bodies are wrapped in horsehide. The third brother, Ruan Qi, survived until the end, but after achieving success, he was betrayed by a villain. Despite this, he maintained a positive and optimistic attitude, and with his mother, he lived out his days in peace, at least achieving a good end.

Looking at these three distinct and spirited men, who were now lively and drinking, completely unaware of the tragic fate that had been predetermined for them, Wang Lun felt a lump in his throat. He quickly raised a bowl of wine to cover his discomfort and silently made a promise in his heart: There must be a way to have both, to not betray the country or the people!

...

As the cups and bowls were passed around, and the wine had been drunk halfway, the group gradually slowed down and began to chat.

"Brother, I heard that a few days ago, our stronghold broke into Xixi Village?" Ruan Qi burped and asked.

Wang Lun nodded and replied, "That's right. It was because a brother on the mountain was ruined by the village head of Xixi Village. When the leaders heard about it, they couldn't sit still, and the stronghold immediately sent a large force down the mountain to avenge him!"

"Brother, you are a man of righteousness! It is a blessing for us three brothers to join under your command. Come, let us brothers toast you again!" Ruan Qi proposed, and seeing this, Ruan Er and Ruan Wu stood up and toasted Wang Lun together.

Wang Lun and Song Wan both stood up with their wine cups. Wang Lun said, "No need for formalities! Since the three of you have joined our stronghold, you are all brothers. From now on, don't be so formal. Come, let's drink this bowl full!"

The five of them drank the wine with great enthusiasm and then sat down to eat.

"Brother Song, were you there that night? I heard that three of our leaders went down the mountain. Who was left to guard the stronghold? Don't let anyone raid us!" Ruan Wu, who was meticulous, asked.

"Wu Lang, you don't know. Our stronghold now has more than three leaders! A few days ago, Brother Wang Lun proposed that Brother Zhu Gui should take the fourth seat in our stronghold. Soon, his brother, the Smiling Tiger Zhu Fu, will also join us. Now, with you three water dragons added, it's truly a gathering of dragons and tigers! Our stronghold is becoming even more prosperous!" Song Wan laughed.

"I know this brother. Isn't he the one who runs a tavern at Li's Crossroads?" Ruan Qi added.

"Isn't he exactly that? That night, Brother Zhu Gui stayed to guard the stronghold while Brother Du Qian and I went down the mountain with Brother Wang Lun. With Brother Wang Lun's strategic planning, who could raid us? Even the well-known Tower-Bearing Heavenly King Chao Gai was manipulated by Brother Wang Lun!" Song Wan laughed.

Seeing Song Wan mention Chao Gai, Ruan Wu asked, "I heard that night, our stronghold also dealt with the Tower-Bearing Heavenly King?"

Wang Lun smiled and said, "Who told you that? You should ask Brother Song Wan about it!"

Ruan Wu's face turned red, not sure if it was from the wine or embarrassment. He said, "I heard it from the villagers. Brother, you don't know, the news of the stronghold going down the mountain spread throughout the area! They say the Liangshan army did no harm and even distributed money and grain to the villagers. The Heavenly King Chao Gai from the neighboring village wanted to get a share but was thoroughly dealt with by our brothers!"

Song Wan laughed heartily and then recounted the events of that night in detail, which left the Ruan brothers spellbound.

Later, Ruan Qi cursed, "This Heavenly King Chao Gai, if he wanted the village head's wealth, he could just take it. No one would stop him! But to use such underhanded tactics, isn't he afraid of being laughed at by the heroes of the world? I thought he was a great man, but I was truly blind!"

Ruan Er, who had not spoken, said, "It's to make it easier to report to the authorities!"

Ruan Qi took a sip of wine and sneered, "What a good calculation!"

Wang Lun smiled but did not respond. Instead, he urged the three to drink again. Then, Ruan Qi threw down his bowl and said to Wang Lun, "Brother, while the sun hasn't set, let's go up the mountain today!"

Wang Lun laughed and said, "Seven, you're quick! I nodded to Song Wan, who understood and quickly went outside to call the bandits who were eating on the ground. They brought in a chest. Wang Lun opened the chest in front of everyone, and inside were piles of silver, which left the three Ruan brothers, who had never seen so much money in their lives, stunned.

Wang Lun smiled and said, "According to the new rules of the stronghold, each new leader receives one thousand strings of coins as a settlement fund. Here are three thousand taels of silver. Please take it, brothers!"

The three Ruan brothers looked at each other, their enthusiasm evident. Ruan Qi said, "Brother, you value us so much. We will not let you down in this life!"

Wang Lun stood up and bowed deeply to the three, who hurriedly returned the bow. After a moment of confusion, everyone sat down again. Wang Lun said, "Brothers, I have another plan in mind. Please listen to me!"

The three quickly said, "Brother, please speak!"

Wang Lun smiled and said, "To be honest, our stronghold's navy is weak and difficult to expand quickly. I heard that the three of you come from a fishing village and must have some close friends. If they are willing, it would be best for them to join us on the mountain. Then, we can drink fine wine, wear silk, and share gold and silver together. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The Ruan brothers nodded. Ruan Qi laughed and said, "I thought it was something difficult. Brother, this is on us. We will definitely bring a hundred or eighty people to join the mountain!"

The most steady of the three, Ruan Er, also said, "This is not difficult! We just need some time. Brother, please allow us a few days to move around the village. We will not let you down!"

"No rush, no rush. Brothers, take your time. I will wait for good news on the mountain!" Wang Lun laughed.

Song Wan looked at Wang Lun, his eyes full of admiration. He never thought that with a few words, the stronghold would gain three capable naval warriors and, it seemed, a naval force not inferior to the current size of the stronghold!

Well... This... It seems that today, we were originally just supposed to buy fish, but we ended up bringing the fishermen up the mountain. This way, we even save the money for buying fish in the future. Ah! I really admire Brother, look at this calculation!

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