Chapter 27

"Absolutely not, Lin Chong is just a rough man, only skilled with spears and cudgels, without learning or talent, without wisdom or strategy! I am ashamed to be accepted by the chief, and I dare not ask for any high position! I am deeply grateful for the high regard of leaders Du Qian and Song Wan, but I still humbly request that the four of you remain in your seats. I, Lin, would be content to be a small soldier under your command!"

"Brother Lin, you are mistaken! Your name is renowned throughout Tokyo, known across the land! It's just that your luck has been bad, and you were framed by the scoundrel Gao Qiu, which led to your wandering in the wilderness. If we were to place ourselves above you today, wouldn't it make the heroes of the world laugh at us?"

"That's right, Brother Zhu Gui is speaking the truth! Brother Lin should take the second seat, lest others mock us as narrow-minded and ignorant of the world!"

"Brother Du Qian is right, Instructor Lin, don't joke. If you say you only know how to use spears and cudgels, then I, Old Song, would be like a child playing with paper weapons!"

Wang Lun watched as Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui, in unison, insisted that Lin Chong take a higher seat, feeling a deep sense of emotion.

Last night, after settling Lin Chong, both Du Qian and Song Wan had come to visit him, each expressing their thoughts. These two, who seemed rough and bold, had the same concern, fearing that it would be difficult for him as the chief, and they both spontaneously proposed that Lin Chong take their positions.

Zhu Gui was not in the stronghold at the time, returning early this morning. However, he was shrewd and knew the depth of the situation. Seeing Du Qian and Song Wan jointly propose that Lin Chong take the second seat, he immediately joined in, supporting their suggestion.

Despite the earnest persuasion of the three, Lin Chong remained steadfast in his refusal. He was a man of a calm disposition, not overly concerned with rank and position, and deeply understood the principle that a strong guest should not overshadow the host. Therefore, no matter how much everyone tried to persuade him, he did not budge.

At this moment, a man in the hall stood up and said, "Brother Lin Chong, for us to gather here at Liangshan today must be the result of many years of good karma. Now that we are all brothers, I will not lie. Given your reputation, why shouldn't you take the second seat?"

It was the straightforward and quick-talking Ruan Xiaoqi, who could no longer bear to sit quietly and began to persuade Lin Chong. According to the original plan of the Ruan brothers, as newcomers, they did not want to speak up on such a sensitive matter as seating arrangements. However, when the younger brother stood up to speak, the two older brothers exchanged glances and also joined in, earnestly persuading Lin Chong.

After the Ruan brothers finished speaking, Zhu Fu, who had just joined the stronghold with Zhu Gui, also said, "Instructor, don't be too modest. Even when I was running a small inn in the countryside, I had heard guests speak of your great name as the commander of the 800,000 imperial guards in Tokyo! My teacher, who was a constable, always spoke of you with admiration! Given your abilities, you should accept the good intentions of the leaders and take the second seat!"

Seeing everyone speak so earnestly, Lin Chong was in a difficult position. He was a humble and courteous gentleman, believing in the principle of repaying a drop of kindness with a flood of gratitude. Last night, when he first arrived, he and Wang Lun had hit it off and become close friends. He did not want to cause him any trouble. The more he thought about it, the more he refused, and the more he refused, the more everyone tried to persuade him, eventually leaving him in a dilemma.

If he accepted, Du Qian and Song Wan, the old members of the stronghold, might feel resentful if he took their positions. If he caused such a rift over a position he did not care about, it would be a loss. If he refused, everyone would continue to persuade him, which would only create a tense atmosphere and damage their brotherhood.

Just as Lin Chong was in a difficult position, Wang Lun, sitting in the chief's seat, was lost in thought. The complex mix of emotions before him, only a leader could truly understand, made him feel a deep warmth in his heart despite the cold winter.

Sighing inwardly, Wang Lun gathered his thoughts and said sincerely to Lin Chong, "Brother, if we were just playing around here, it wouldn't matter who sat where. But the future of the stronghold is great, and we need to be clear about some practical matters to avoid idle talk and block the path for the virtuous. If you continue to refuse, I, Wang Lun, will step down, and we will all sit according to age!"

After Wang Lun spoke, everyone said in unison, "Please, Brother Lin Chong, take your seat!"

Seeing Wang Lun speak so earnestly, and everyone so sincere, especially Du Qian and Song Wan, Lin Chong had no choice but to accept. Everyone laughed, and it was decided that Lin Chong would take the second seat, Du Qian the third, and Song Wan the fourth. When it came to the fifth seat, Zhu Gui stood up and said, "The Ruan brothers are heroic and valiant. Please, take your seats after Brother Song Wan!"

The Ruan brothers hurriedly stood up, all saying it was not right. The eldest, Ruan Xia'er, spoke, "Brother Zhu Gui, when you were wandering the world, my brothers were still fishing in the village. In this region of Jizhou, which hero has not heard of the innkeeper at Li Family Crossing? If it weren't for Brother Zhu Gui inviting us, we would still be dreaming. A man has a face, a tree has bark. If we were to sit in front of you, we might as well go back to fishing! It would be better to avoid being laughed at by others!"

After Ruan Xia'er spoke, Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaqi also chimed in. Zhu Gui, seeing this, explained, "Not to mention that I am a man with a criminal record, but the navy is the shield of Liangshan. If you three were to sit behind me, it would block the path for the virtuous, making it seem that Liangshan does not value its leaders. A mere innkeeper would be more respected than the navy commander!" Without waiting for the Ruan brothers to respond, Zhu Gui turned to Wang Lun and said, "Brother, please decide. Is what I said reasonable?"

"Reciprocate kindness with kindness."

This phrase suddenly came to Wang Lun's mind.

Previously, Du Qian and Song Wan had given way to Lin Chong, and now Zhu Gui was giving way to the Ruan brothers. Wasn't this the best interpretation of that phrase?

Looking at Zhu Gui, who was gazing at him with determination, Wang Lun nodded slightly. Zhu Gui, noticing this subtle gesture, smiled and sat back down.

Finally, Wang Lun cleared his throat and said firmly, "All of you have made very reasonable points. I think we should stop giving way. Ruan Xia'er will take the fifth seat, Zhu Gui the sixth, Ruan Xiaowu the seventh, Zhu Fu the eighth, and Ruan Xiaqi the ninth!"

As soon as Wang Lun finished speaking, Du Qian shouted in approval. Lin Chong and Song Wan also nodded in agreement. With the matter settled, Ruan Xia'er and Zhu Gui, recalling the earlier competition and yielding, looked at each other and burst out laughing.

From then on, there were nine heroes gathered at Liangshan.

After a moment of laughter, they discussed their duties, which was much simpler than the seating arrangements and was quickly resolved.

Chief Wang Lun would oversee all affairs of the stronghold. Lin Chong would be the chief military instructor, responsible for training and leading troops. Du Qian and Song Wan would continue to manage their respective finances and logistics. The Ruan brothers would be the navy commanders, overseeing the navy. Zhu Gui would be responsible for the inn, reconnaissance, and reception, with Zhu Fu assisting him and temporarily residing in Jizhou.

Finally, Wang Lun instructed Du Qian to have Zheng Qian present the two prepared settlement funds to Lin Chong and Zhu Fu. Seeing this, Lin Chong and Zhu Fu tried to refuse again. Lin Chong said, "This time, I have received so much care from Brother and the other brothers, not only entrusting me with important tasks but also planning to travel a thousand miles for me. I feel deeply indebted! Now, to receive so much gold and silver, how can I accept it?"

Wang Lun, seeing this, said lightly, "This is a rule of the stronghold. If you want to thank someone, thank the one who made the rule! I need to use the restroom!" He then left, and at the door, he waved to a small gang member, instructing him to summon all the minor leaders to the assembly hall to pay respects to the leaders.

Lin Chong, hearing this, turned to ask the old members of the stronghold who had set the rule. Du Qian and Song Wan, their faces red, stifled their laughter and said, "Isn't it the chief who set the rule?"

Lin Chong hurriedly went to look for Wang Lun, but he was nowhere to be found. Everyone laughed, and Ruan Xiaqi said, "Brother Lin Chong, my settlement fee has already been taken by my mother as a dowry. If you don't accept it, I'll have to take the money back from my wife's pocket!"

Ruan Xiaowu laughed and scolded, "What wife? I don't know about it!"

Ruan Xiaqi, with a sincere expression, said, "My wife is still in my mother-in-law's womb!"

Everyone could not hold back their laughter, and Lin Chong, feeling helpless, accepted the gold bars with a deep sense of gratitude. Zhu Fu also laughed and accepted his share, looking at his brother Zhu Gui and smiling foolishly.

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