Chapter 36 of 100

Chapter 36

16 min read3,989 words

Listening to the sound of the money leopard soup, Wang Lun only remembered that this person was an only child. Could it be that his cousin, the Golden Lance Xu Ning, had been thrown into a major prison?

Thinking of this, Wang Lun was startled. He didn't remember Xu Ning having such a misfortune! Could it be that because of his arrival, this Water Margin world had already changed? If so, wouldn't it disrupt his future plans? His mind was in turmoil, and he didn't even realize that when he first arrived in Tokyo, at the vegetable garden of Daxiangguo Temple, the Liu Er he had knocked down was the same Liu Er who later caused Yang Zhi to be involved in a murder case, known as the hairless tiger Niu Er.

But now, thinking about it wouldn't help. He had to save Xu Ning first!

Wang Lun quickly pulled Tang Long to a secluded spot and asked, "Are you Tang Long, the Money Leopard from Yan'an Prefecture?"

Tang Long was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly asked, "Why do you know my nickname?"

Wang Lun inwardly smiled bitterly, thinking to himself: I not only know your nickname, but I also know the mischief you've done!

To explain, this Money Leopard Tang Long, besides being a skilled blacksmith, was also a gambling addict. He had gambled away all the family property left by his father, and later wandered alone in the world. One day, while performing in a place called Wugang Town in Hebei, he met Li Kui, who was returning from Jizhou to find Gong Sunsheng. Li Kui, seeing this pockmarked man skilled with an iron mace and also a blacksmith, which the mountain stronghold needed, brought him to Liangshan.

However, Li Kui, being a rough man, couldn't secure a good position for Tang Long on the mountain. Tang Long, with some ambition, was unwilling to be just a minor leader on the mountain. When Liangshan was besieged by Huyan Zhuo's heavy cavalry (the linked armor horses), he couldn't resist the temptation and mentioned his cousin's name in front of Song Jiang, saying he knew how to forge weapons to break the linked armor horses, but only his cousin, the Golden Lance Xu Ning, knew how to use them. Upon hearing this, Song Jiang and the others couldn't wait and immediately used the tried and true tactic of destroying a family to recruit people. Shi Qian stole the precious armor, and step by step, Xu Ning was lured to Liangshan.

However, there was a key question: Was the hook-sickle spear the only way to break the linked armor horses? No, historically, there were many methods to break such heavy cavalry.

But Tang Long, this incompetent doctor, had a hidden agenda when prescribing the medicine. He only promoted the expensive and morally bankrupt remedy in his hands.

Perhaps Tang Long wasn't a military expert, and the only method he knew to break the linked armor horses was the hook-sickle spear in his brother's hands. But why didn't Tang Long think about whether his brother Xu Ning, a mid-level imperial guard officer, could bear the transition to a bandit in the mountains, a change that would make him uncomfortable, unable to eat, sleep, or laugh?

But Tang Long, blinded by greed, thought only of himself and the mountain stronghold, not of his brother. The only explanation was that this troublesome cousin, fearing he wouldn't make a name for himself on the mountain, pulled his powerful brother into the mess to show off, treating his brother as a pawn and betting heavily on Xu Ning, forcing the mischief to happen.

Unfortunately, human plans often fall short of heaven's will. In the future, when the seats were arranged, this Money Leopard was still ranked 88th out of 108, basically at the bottom of the leaders. It's unknown what Tang Long thought about doing such a harmful and self-destructive deed. In the end, this unfortunate cousin pair both died in the campaign against Fang La.

"Brother, you've also harmed me greatly!"

This was what Xu Ning said to Tang Long with a bitter smile after joining Liangshan. In the netherworld, it's unknown if Tang Long had the face to meet his cousin.

Wang Lun shook his head inwardly. Tang Long's desire for fame and profit was still too strong!

Looking at the pockmarked man in front of him, Wang Lun couldn't help but feel a bit cold. He said, "I am an old friend of your brother, the Golden Lance Xu Ning, so I know you. I wonder why your brother was thrown into prison?"

Hearing that this person was his cousin's old friend, Tang Long felt a glimmer of hope and hurriedly knelt down, begging, "Since you know me and are my brother's old friend, please help me save my brother!"

Wang Lun glanced back at Zhang San, who quickly helped Tang Long up. Wang Lun then said, "Since Teacher Xu is in trouble, I will not stand idly by. This place is too crowded to talk. Let's find a quiet tavern and discuss it in detail."

Tang Long hurriedly thanked him and bowed again, not even asking who Wang Lun was, just hoping to find a lifeline in his desperation.

Zhang San led the way, guiding Wang Lun and the others to a nearby tavern. Wang Lun chose a quiet spot and had the three of them sit down. He then said, "Tell me what happened in detail."

Tang Long nodded and began, "A few days ago, I came to Tokyo to visit my cousin and stayed at his house. A few days ago, while we were eating at home, suddenly a dozen or so bailiffs from Kaifeng Prefecture, led by two men, burst into my brother's house and demanded that he go to Kaifeng Prefecture!"

"When my brother asked why, the two leaders, who seemed to know him, told the truth. It turned out that someone had reported my brother, accusing him of disobeying his superiors. My brother was shocked. He had always been kind to others and had never offended anyone. Even in his duties, he had always been diligent. He tried to explain to the two men, but they wouldn't listen and insisted on taking my brother to Kaifeng Prefecture."

"My brother then shouted that even if he had committed a crime, as a military officer, he didn't fall under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture and refused to go with them. The two leaders then revealed the reason: it was ordered by the Three Yards Commander, Gao Qiu. They said that while the case should be handled by the Three Yards, Gao Qiu wanted to avoid suspicion, so he sent it to Kaifeng Prefecture for review. Hearing that Gao Qiu was out to get him, my brother didn't argue further. He just smiled bitterly and asked me to take good care of his wife and children, then went with them."

"My sister-in-law was in a panic. We spent the night taking out our savings and selling our belongings to seek help from my brother's former colleagues and superiors. After spending all our money, we got no news. That's why I came to this blacksmith shop today to borrow money from acquaintances to try again."

After listening, Wang Lun thought for a moment. He couldn't figure out why Gao Qiu wanted to harm Xu Ning. Seeing Tang Long's anxious expression, which didn't seem fake, he sighed and said, "Is your brother currently detained in Kaifeng Prefecture?"

Tang Long nodded repeatedly. Wang Lun glanced back at Zhang San and asked, "How much would it cost to bribe a clerk in Kaifeng Prefecture?"

Zhang San quickly replied, "It depends on the crime. For ordinary fraud, it could be a few dozen to a hundred strings of cash. But for a case like Teacher Xu's, where Gao Qiu is personally involved, the clerks might be afraid to take the case."

Wang Lun tapped the table thoughtfully. The three people in the room looked at him anxiously. Suddenly, Wang Lun said, "When Lin Chong was framed by Gao Qiu, Kaifeng Prefecture didn't sentence him to death. Moreover, disobeying a superior is a crime that can be big or small. Since Gao Qiu is personally involved, Tang Long, I have a question. If your brother is only sentenced to exile, would you have the courage to rescue him on the way?"

Tang Long was taken aback but quickly replied, "Why not! I'm just afraid my brother wouldn't want to cause more trouble."

Wang Lun nodded, thinking that Tang Long wasn't lying. Xu Ning was a man who went with the flow. He then said, "Let's do our best to make sure Teacher Xu is comfortable in prison. Once we know his intentions, we'll make further plans. I've spent all the money I brought with me, but I still have a hundred taels of gold. Take it and go to Kaifeng Prefecture to find connections and bribe the officials. If the money isn't enough, come to my place, where I have more. Remember, only find the clerk named Sun Ding, known as Sun Fuer in Tokyo. He has influence with Prefect Teng. You may not know, but it was thanks to his righteousness that Lin Chong was only sentenced to carrying a sword into the White Tiger Hall by mistake."

After saying this, Wang Lun had Jiao Ting take out the remaining gold and gave it to Tang Long. Tang Long burst into tears and knelt down, unable to get up. Wang Lun then told Tang Long his current address and instructed him to come with any news.

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