Chapter 24

This drinking session was so intense that it seemed to darken the sky and thin the sun. Fortunately, Wang Lun had been through the alcohol-soaked years in a state-owned enterprise in his previous life, which had honed his drinking prowess. Even though he had now been reincarnated into the body of a scholar in white, he still felt his drinking ability was strong. He wasn't sure if his presence had brought a qualitative leap to this body, or if the previous owner was already a heavy drinker.

Seeing that it was getting late, Wang Lun toasted everyone one last time and then bid farewell to the three Ruan brothers. The three Ruan brothers, who were still in high spirits, were unwilling to let him go. They shouted that Wang Lun and Song Wan should stay the night and continue drinking in the evening.

Wang Lun smiled bitterly and explained for a long time, finally convincing them to let Song Wan return to Liangshan first. After all, Zhu Gui was often away from the mountain, and Du Qian was the only one on duty. He might not be able to handle it.

As they talked, the three Ruan brothers and Wang Lun saw Song Wan off. As they watched him board the boat, suddenly Ruan Xiaoqi said, "Fifth Brother, why don't you take Mother and Song Brother up the mountain first? This way, we can act more freely in the village in the future!"

Before Ruan Xiaowu could respond, Ruan Xiaoe also said, "Seventh Brother is right! Fifth Brother, I'll entrust my family to you. Take them up the mountain. This way, we can all be ready for the important tasks Wang Lun has given us!"

Seeing the Ruan brothers' intentions, Wang Lun was more than happy. He hadn't thought of this himself, fearing that suggesting it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings, as it could be seen as taking hostages. He knew the three brothers well and didn't want to overdo it. However, now that Ruan Xiaoqi and Ruan Xiaoe had brought it up, he had no objections. He said, "That's great! Fifth Brother, please apologize to Mother for me. I can't personally escort her up the mountain, but I'll make it up to her later!"

Ruan Xiaowu quickly replied, "How can you talk about making it up? You're being too formal... too formal!!"

Wang Lun waved his hand and shouted to Song Wan, who was already on the boat, "Brother, take good care of Mother, Sister-in-law, and the little nephew. Choose the best house and clean it thoroughly. Pick three rooms that are close together, and don't let them feel constrained!"

At this, Wang Lun remembered that the old lady didn't like living with Ruan Xiaoe's wife and might feel uncomfortable in a new environment. He added, "Find some talkative women among the family members to stay with Mother for a few nights. Don't let her feel lonely!"

Song Wan, hearing this, laughed on the boat and said, "Brother, you can rest assured. I'll take care of it! I think Li Si's daughter-in-law is a good choice. She's more clever than Li Si. I'll ask her to keep Mother company for a few days, along with two talkative old women. I'll make sure Mother doesn't feel lonely!"

Wang Lun, hearing this, waved goodbye, only reminding him to be careful as it was getting dark.

Seeing Wang Lun's meticulous arrangements, the Ruan brothers were deeply moved. Ruan Xiaowu said, "Brother, you've gone to so much trouble. I would die a thousand deaths..." Wang Lun quickly interrupted, "We're brothers. Your mother is not my mother? How can I not care? Why say such formal words now?" Ruan Xiaowu, seeing this, didn't say anything more, just nodded forcefully.

At this moment, Ruan Xiaoe said somewhat embarrassedly, "My wife is good in every way, but... sigh!" Wang Lun gave him an understanding smile.

The straightforward Ruan Xiaoqi, who was usually talkative, was now silent, standing with his arms crossed and smiling. Suddenly, he saw his sister-in-law and nephew watching from the door and shouted, "Sister-in-law, quickly pack your things and go up the mountain! We'll have better days ahead!"

The woman, hearing this, went inside to pack. After a while, she came out with an iron pot and a quilt. Ruan Xiaoe, seeing this, felt embarrassed. The alcohol was also taking effect, and he shouted, "Why are you bringing all this useless stuff? Just take the resettlement fee Brother gave you. There are so many people on this boat, do you expect them to wait for you to pack slowly?"

The woman, seeing so many guests, didn't dare to argue and went back inside. Ruan Xiaoqi whispered to Ruan Xiaowu, "Finally, Second Brother showed some manliness!"

Ruan Xiaowu laughed, but their sneaky actions drew an angry look from Ruan Xiaoe. Ruan Xiaowu quickly coughed and pulled Ruan Xiaoqi into the house to help.

After a while, everyone finally boarded the boat, and Wang Lun, Ruan Xiaoqi, and Ruan Xiaoe waved goodbye from the shore.

As the small boats moved away on the lake, Ruan Xiaoqi turned to Wang Lun and asked, "Brother, do you still want the fish?"

"Of course! And it's essential every day. I plan to ensure that everyone in the stronghold gets one pound of fish every day!" Wang Lun said firmly.

Ruan Xiaoqi, hearing this, looked distressed, not knowing how to respond.

Seeing his strange behavior, Wang Lun asked, "What's the matter, brother?"

Ruan Xiaoe, understanding his brother's thoughts, scolded him, "You're ungrateful. Many people who can't even afford a meal would love to taste some fish, but you're afraid of it!"

After scolding Ruan Xiaoqi, Ruan Xiaoe explained to Wang Lun, "Brother, you don't know! Fish are cheap. No matter how many you catch, the price doesn't go up, and there are still taxes. Look at my village, everyone is poor, not because they're lazy, but because there's no profit. In this life, we can only enjoy the taste of fish!"

Wang Lun, hearing this, understood. Seeing Ruan Xiaoqi looking at him expectantly, he smiled and said, "What Ruan Xiaoqi said is worth considering! Fine, in the future, we'll give the navy a special kitchen and provide them with other meats in equal quantities. We won't make you eat fish. How does that sound?"

Ruan Xiaoe quickly said, "We don't have that problem, but I'm sure the brothers will be grateful for your proposal!"

Wang Lun smiled and nodded. Seeing that the matter was settled, Ruan Xiaoqi was delighted and invited Wang Lun back to the table for more drinks. Ruan Xiaoe also urged him, and Wang Lun happily agreed. He called the remaining bandits to do as they pleased, and the three of them returned to the house to drink until the second watch.

That night, Wang Lun stayed at Ruan Xiaoe's house, and Ruan Xiaoqi also stayed with his brother. The next morning, they woke up to see snow falling outside. The world was now a vast white expanse. Seeing this, Wang Lun felt a surge of excitement.

They talked about some stories from the world of chivalry while enjoying the snow. At noon, the Ruan brothers set up another drinking session. Wang Lun chatted and drank with them for two hours. Seeing that it was getting late, Wang Lun bid farewell to Ruan Xiaoe and Ruan Xiaoqi. The Ruan brothers, unwilling to let him go, tried to persuade him to stay. Wang Lun, thinking about Lin Chong, explained again and again. Finally, Ruan Xiaoe said, "Since there's something happening at the stronghold, we won't keep you. We'll contact the villagers and come to you early!"

The two of them led the way in a boat, taking Wang Lun to the entrance of Shijie Lake. They said their goodbyes on the boat, and Ruan Xiaoe and Ruan Xiaoqi watched until Wang Lun was out of sight before turning back. On the boat, Wang Lun thought about the Ruan brothers and the time passed quickly. Soon, he could see Liangshan.

Wang Lun instructed the boatmen to head directly to Li Jia Dao Kou. Soon, the boat arrived at the water pavilion behind the inn. After the boatmen tied the boat, Wang Lun jumped off and walked toward the inn.

As he entered the back door, he ran into a bandit. The bandit, seeing Wang Lun, hurriedly saluted and reported, "Chief, Zhu Leader went to Jizhou yesterday to scout for a new inn location. I'm on duty here for the past two days!"

Wang Lun nodded and asked about the inn. The bandit said, "There was only one lone traveler in the evening. He just asked for pen and ink, and I was about to check on him!"

Wang Lun's heart raced. Could it be that the long-awaited Lin Chong had finally arrived? He suppressed his excitement, dismissed the bandit, and went to the inn's main hall.

As he pulled back the reed curtain, he saw a waiter leaning listlessly on the counter. The hall was empty. Wang Lun was shocked, thinking, "Oh no, has the small butterfly wing already changed reality? Lin Chong didn't come!"

Wang Lun pulled the waiter and asked, "Where is the guest?" The waiter, who was dozing, was startled by Wang Lun's presence and replied, "Ah! Chief, he went to the restroom!"

Wang Lun, realizing his mistake, calmed down and asked the waiter, "Did the guest ask about the path to the mountain?"

"No, no, he just sat there drinking alone. He asked for pen and ink and wrote something on the wall over there!" The waiter pointed to the side of the hall. Wang Lun followed his finger and saw eight lines of dense writing on the white wall. He dismissed the waiter and read the familiar eight lines of sorrowful poetry:

"Righteous and loyal is Lin Chong,

Most honest and true.

Famed in the world of chivalry,

Hero in the capital.

His life is like a floating weed,

His fame like a wandering thistle.

If he achieves his goal one day,

He will rule the east of Mount Tai!"

Truly, the first tragic hero of "Water Margin"! Even though Wang Lun had seen this scene many times on TV, seeing it in person still moved him deeply. He saw the pen and ink still on the table and picked them up, dipped them in ink, and wrote on the wall:

"Home with a beautiful wife, a man dies,

Without true friends, a man is destroyed.

A man's face is branded with a golden seal,

A smile lightens the White Tiger Hall.

High Taiwei's head haunts his dreams,

A wine gourd and a flower spear are tied together.

Where will he go in the cold and late year?

Blood turns to poetry, spilling on the wall!"

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**[End of Chapter]**

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