Chapter 28

Arranging the seating and assigning duties is of utmost importance for the mountain stronghold, so it was natural that a grand feast would follow to celebrate. After all the minor leaders of the mountain had paid their respects, Song Wan waved over Zhou Zhi, whispered a few words to him, and Zhou Zhi nodded, then left the assembly hall. Soon, the cooks brought in tables and chairs. The newly arrived leaders noticed that many women were among them, and they were greatly surprised, busily asking the older leaders for details. Song Wan laughed heartily and loudly explained the reason, and everyone couldn't help but marvel at the chieftain's benevolence and the people's support.

Lin Chong sighed, feeling restless, and got up to help. Song Wan saw this and scolded the minor leaders who were chatting in groups, waiting for the feast to start: "They are all your sisters-in-law, and you can still sit here calmly? Lin Chong has to do it himself! From now on, if you want to eat, you'll have to cook it yourselves. Who will have the face to come to my kitchen?" As he finished speaking, he pretended to pick up a teacup to throw at them.

The minor leaders, seeing this, all scattered, shaking their heads and helping to set up the tables and chairs. Soon, the prepared wine and dishes were brought in, and Wang Lun invited everyone to sit down. Nine leaders sat at each table, like broad beans stir-fried with peas, warmly and affectionately toasting each other.

During the feast, Du Qian said to Wang Lun, "Since today is such a joyous occasion, the snow has stopped, and the children are all well-fed and drunk, I think we should go down the mountain tonight to avenge a brother on the mountain!"

Wang Lun put down his wine bowl and asked what had happened. Du Qian said angrily, "There is a county magistrate in Shouzhang County, originally from Xiangzhou in the Guangnan Road, near Dali, a very remote place. This magistrate, seeing that he is old, retired but did not return to his hometown. He wanted to settle in our Dongjing Road. Before retiring, he found an excuse to imprison the victim. Secretly, he demanded money from the victim's family to release him. The victim was the only son in his family, and they had about four hundred acres of good land. His old father secretly took gold and silver to the magistrate's house that night, but the dog magistrate, though he took the money, was still not satisfied..."

At this point, Du Qian took a sip of wine and continued, "He found a way to forcibly buy all the land from the family. Though he said he bought it, he paid very little! The old father was weak and dared not argue. When all the land was in the magistrate's hands, the victim was released. Hearing of the great changes at home, he went to the county office to appeal, but the county magistrate, who was in cahoots with other officials, showed him a black-and-white contract and accused him of false charges, driving him away with a beating. The brother, unable to bear it, fled to Brother Zhu Gui's inn at night! Later, he heard that Brother had avenged Li Si, and he found me several times to cry and plead. I remembered it and thought we should take advantage of tonight to capture that scoundrel and avenge him!"

Everyone was filled with righteous indignation after hearing Du Qian's story. Lin Chong, indignant, said, "The world is full of such scoundrels, how can the people live in peace?"

Wang Lun thought for a moment and said to everyone, "The children have rested for many days since the last expedition to Xixi Village. Very well, we will set out tonight to seek justice for our brothers!" He then asked Du Qian, "Is the magistrate now living in Shouzhang County or elsewhere?"

Du Qian replied, "This scoundrel has already retired and is living in the victim's old village!"

Wang Lun's face darkened as he confirmed, "Even his home has been occupied?!"

Du Qian nodded and said, "Yes, only the ancestral graves remain!"

As soon as Du Qian finished speaking, Wang Lun slammed his wine bowl on the table and said angrily, "This scoundrel is despicable. Not only did he seize the land, but he also occupied the village. Killing someone is one thing, but this magistrate leaves no room for mercy. It seems he is eager to die! Very well! Tonight, we will fulfill his wish. Brother Du Qian, gather three or four hundred men, and I will go with you!"

Du Qian hurriedly declined, "This is a trivial matter, how can I trouble Brother to go in person? The Li family village is a small village with fewer than a hundred households, and there are no powerful landlords like Chao Gai nearby. I think Brother should stay on the mountain and drink with the new brothers like Lin Instructor. I will take three hundred men, which is enough!"

Wang Lun pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said, "The magistrate may have some skilled guards. We must be cautious and not underestimate him. Take four hundred men, and I will go with you for support!"

Lin Chong, hearing this, spoke up, "I have just joined the mountain and have not yet earned any merit. I am grateful for the chieftain's favor and the brothers' support. I wish to go on this mission tonight!"

Du Qian laughed and said, "A mere county magistrate, how can he withstand the presence of Instructor Lin? I think we should follow Brother's advice, and I will take four hundred men down the mountain!"

Seeing the three of them discussing enthusiastically, Ruan Xiaqi suddenly said, "I have heard that outlaws often require a 'name-pledge' when joining. Why don't I join in the fun tonight? I will go with Brother Du Qian, and it will count as my name-pledge!"

Wang Lun laughed and said, "Xiaqi, you are joking again. The seating has already been arranged, and there is no need for a name-pledge. You can treat it like going to a hotel, pay after you eat!"

Everyone laughed at Wang Lun's words. Xiao'er and Xiaowu, seeing their brother, both shook their heads and smiled bitterly, but Xiaqi insisted on going, and Lin Chong also stood up to request to join. Wang Lun thought for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, Instructor and Brother Du Qian will go together. If Xiaqi insists on going, I won't stop him, but be extremely careful. The magistrate is not an ordinary person. He has been in the bureaucracy for decades and has been in charge of the county's security for many years. He may have gathered some desperate men. Everyone must pay attention to safety!"

The three of them were delighted and thanked Wang Lun, who then asked everyone to sit down and continue drinking. After an hour of revelry, everyone went to rest to prepare for the night's expedition.

Time flies. It was already the first watch of the night, and it was dark. Wang Lun saw the group off at Jinsha Beach, saying, "I wish all the brothers a successful return and avenge the children's grievances! I will wait for the good news from the three brothers at Li Family Ferry Inn, but everyone must be careful!"

Everyone thanked him loudly and boarded the boats in turn. After the noon feast, Xiao'er had returned to the village to contact the villagers, and Xiaowu was now in charge of the navy. Wang Lun instructed Song Wan to take care of the stronghold and then boarded a boat to Li Family Ferry Inn, accompanied by Zhu Gui and his brother Zhu Fu.

The minor leader on duty at Li Family Ferry Inn greeted the three of them in the waterside pavilion, not daring to be negligent.

The first of the three was the chieftain of the mountain, the second was his direct superior and benefactor, and the third was the benefactor's younger brother, who would also be a future superior. The minor leader was fully attentive and respectfully invited the three leaders to sit in the waterside pavilion. After a sumptuous feast was served, he stood by, ready to attend to their needs at any time.

The three sat down and enjoyed the night scenery by the lake while drinking. During the feast, Wang Lun asked Zhu Fu, "I have heard that your master is a skilled martial artist, and it is said that no one can get close to him in a fight. How is he doing now?"

Zhu Fu put down his wine bowl and respectfully replied, "Brother, my master has green eyes because his grandmother was from a foreign country. He is known as Green-Eyed Tiger Li Yun. His family has served in the military in Qinfeng Road for generations, but his father returned to the Dongjing region. My master is now a bailiff in the county and is quite respected in the village. When I received Brother's letter, I invited him to join us, but..." Here, Zhu Fu hesitated, looking troubled.

Wang Lun, understanding his concerns, laughed and said, "Didn't I also go to the capital to take the exams? I only joined the outlaws after failing. Moreover, your master is a bailiff, a respected figure in the county. How could he abandon his career and join us? Brother Zhu Fu, don't worry. Just don't sever the ties of gratitude and forget to care for him!"

Zhu Fu felt relieved and raised his wine bowl to toast Wang Lun, "I have often heard Brother speak of your kindness and generosity. Today, I am truly convinced! I am willing to serve you, even at the cost of my life!" He then added, "As Brother said, the ties of gratitude are deep. When I left, I had nothing to offer, so I gave the inn to my master as a token of my gratitude."

Wang Lun nodded, thinking that Zhu Gui's brother was quite articulate, befitting someone who ran an inn. However, he also knew that when Zhu Fu joined Liangshan, he had betrayed his master. But the situation was special at the time, as he had to save Li Kui, which put him in a difficult position.

At that time, he had to choose between his master, a soldier, and his brother, an outlaw. Soldiers and outlaws do not mix, which made it a difficult decision. In the end, blood ties overcame the sense of duty, and he drugged his master to save Li Kui. However, when Li Kui wanted to kill his master, Zhu Fu stopped him and convinced his reluctant master to join Liangshan, showing that he still considered the ties of gratitude.

No wonder they say, "There are only wrong names, not wrong nicknames!" The Laughing Tiger could indeed be ruthless when necessary. However, Wang Lun also thought that Zhu Fu, knowing that saving Li Yun could lead to revenge from his skilled master, still did not stand by when Li Kui fought the drugged Li Yun, showing that he was not a heartless person.

Regardless of what kind of person Zhu Fu was, just because he was Zhu Gui's brother, Wang Lun would not hastily judge him. It would take time to see if Zhu Fu would sink like a rock or float like a straw.

With this thought, Wang Lun chuckled, raised his wine bowl, and drank with Zhu Fu. Zhu Gui smiled and poured wine for the two of them. The three of them talked and laughed, and time passed quickly. It was already the fourth watch, and they wondered if Lin Chong, Du Qian, and Xiaqi had any news.

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