Chapter 5

Today is definitely a good day for the nearly a thousand bandits of Liangshan. It can be said that good news has come one after another.

First, the chieftain Wang Lun has recovered, struggling back from the brink of death, thus avoiding turmoil in the stronghold. Second, the two leaders Du Qian and Song Wan have taken on more responsibilities, promoting harmony and stability within the stronghold. Finally, Zhu Gui has successfully been promoted, adding another leader to the stronghold, which gives many minor leaders hope for advancement, and they will naturally work harder to add glory to the stronghold.

With all these good things happening at once, not holding a grand banquet to celebrate would certainly be a disservice to the bandits who haven't had a taste of meat for a long time.

"Tell the kitchen to prepare a good meal at noon, with plenty of wine and meat, and let the children eat to their heart's content!"

Seeing the newly appointed leader in charge of the kitchen, Song Wan speak, the kitchen head, Zhou Zhi, hurriedly accepted the order. Before leaving, he asked, "Leader Song, should I inform the kitchen to slaughter two yellow oxen, five sheep, a hundred fat chickens, and a hundred tender geese, and provide plenty of wine?"

Song Wan laughed and said, "Zhou Zhi, don't be stingy! Since everyone is happy today, let's slaughter three yellow oxen and ten sheep, what's the problem with that!"

Zhou Zhi scratched his head awkwardly, stealing a glance at Wang Lun. The chief of the stronghold was smiling, winking slightly. Zhou Zhi felt reassured and said, "I'll go and take care of it right away, making sure the men eat well and are satisfied, to please Leader Song!"

Song Wan slapped the table and shouted, "Good!" Then he looked at Wang Lun and said with a smile, "Today, I must drink a few more bowls with my brother!"

Wang Lun smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I'm afraid I won't have the fortune to eat and drink today. It's enough that all the brothers enjoy themselves!"

Du Qian also said, "Brother Song Wan, you're being careless. Brother has been lying in bed for three days without eating a grain of rice. How can he immediately indulge in wine and meat? He might get diarrhea!"

Song Wan slapped his head and exclaimed, "That's right, Brother. Should we delay the banquet for a few days until you recover and we can all enjoy ourselves together?"

"No need for that. Brother Zhu Gui rarely returns to the stronghold. Let's not delay. Since everyone is happy today, let's drink until we're all drunk!" Wang Lun said with a smile.

"Since Brother is not feeling well, I think it's better to delay it!" Zhu Gui quickly stood up and said.

"Sit down, sit down, Brother Zhu Gui, let's talk while sitting!" Wang Lun waved his hand, got up, and invited Zhu Gui to sit down. Then he said, "Today, all of us leaders are here. Let's discuss something together!"

Du Qian, hearing this, said indifferently, "Brother is the chief of the stronghold. Just say what you want, and we'll do it. Why bother with discussion?"

Song Wan also said, "Brother Du is right. Just say what you want, and we'll do it. We are all rough people. Too much discussion might delay your important matters!"

Wang Lun thought to himself that these two were truly straightforward. In the world of scholars, reciprocity and courtesy were important, but these two didn't have the complicated formalities. If you valued them, they would wholeheartedly support you, straightforward and direct, which was refreshing.

Wang Lun smiled and continued, "This matter is related to Brother Zhu Gui, so it's better to discuss it."

Hearing that it was related to him, Zhu Gui quickly said, "Brother, please speak. I'll do whatever you say, even if it means cutting off my head and spilling my blood!"

Wang Lun saw that Zhu Gui had unconsciously stood up again, so he smiled, got up, and invited him to sit down, saying, "It's not as serious as you think. The matter is this: I think you are good at gathering information and are an expert in running taverns. Many in the stronghold can't match you. My idea is to use the stronghold's funds to open three more taverns around the lake, so that there will be one in each of the four directions. I ask you to manage them all. Additionally, in the city of Jizhou, I plan to set up a tavern to gather information about the court. What do you think?"

This was a great opportunity. Zhu Gui felt a surge of excitement. Without even considering the details, if this plan were implemented, his power in terms of money and personnel would undoubtedly increase significantly, and his influence in the stronghold would be different from before. He had been wondering whether Wang Lun would have him manage the taverns in the city or return to the mountain as a full-time leader. Now, seeing that the chieftain had already planned everything out, he felt a deep sense of gratitude. Today, Wang Lun had given him such a profound impression that he found it hard to equate the person before him with the former scholar in white.

Just as Zhu Gui was feeling a wave of emotions, he heard Wang Lun say, "Please ask Brother Du Qian to allocate one thousand guan for the taverns. Additionally, please ask Brother Song Wan to send people to build the taverns around the lake. As for the one in Jizhou, I ask you to personally select some clever and unfamiliar bandits to manage it. In the future, if you find a good location, you can open more branches without hesitation. Brother Du Qian and Brother Song Wan and I fully trust your judgment!"

The new four taverns, except for the one in Jizhou, would be built with the stronghold's manpower and resources, and would not require one thousand guan. Wang Lun had his own considerations for being so generous.

Du Qian and Song Wan had already known about this matter. After hearing Wang Lun's words, they both patted their chests, assuring Zhu Gui that there would be no problem, and they would send people to handle it after the banquet.

One thousand guan! Hearing this amount, Zhu Gui was quite surprised. It wasn't that he hadn't seen money before, but this expenditure was almost a quarter of the current treasury of the stronghold, indicating his status in Wang Lun's heart.

Wang Lun's repeated displays of sincerity deeply moved Zhu Gui. After a moment of contemplation, he finally set aside his doubts and said sincerely to Wang Lun, "I have a younger brother who runs a tavern outside the west gate of Yishui County. He also likes to practice martial arts and has learned from the county head. More importantly, he is a clean person with no legal troubles. How about I write a letter to invite him to manage the tavern in Jizhou? What do you think, Brother?"

Hearing Zhu Gui's words, Wang Lun was slightly surprised. According to the records, Zhu Gui had never proactively recommended his brother to the leaders of the stronghold before.

Wang Lun thought about it carefully and gradually understood. Before Lin Chong joined the stronghold, Zhu Gui was just a minor leader managing a tavern outside the stronghold. His starting point was low, and even if he brought his brother, the most he could hope for was to be on par with himself. Without external pressure, voluntarily giving up a legitimate business to join a band of outlaws and become a minor leader with a criminal record seemed like a step down.

After Lin Chong joined, Zhu Gui became the fifth leader, becoming part of the leadership of Liangshan. However, from Wang Lun's perspective, Zhu Gui's promotion had a bit of a "buy one, get one free" feel. If the previous chieftain wanted to promote Zhu Gui, why wait for Lin Chong to join? It was more a matter of adapting to the changing situation, suppressing suspicions and choosing Lin Chong as the preferred candidate. At the same time, promoting Zhu Gui, who was already well-respected, might have been a way to balance Lin Chong's influence. However, such a hasty decision would not escape the keen eyes of someone as meticulous as Zhu Gui, so he kept quiet about his brother.

During the Cao Gai era, Zhu Gui's position became somewhat awkward, like a remnant of the previous regime. While he wasn't completely ignored by Cao Gai, he didn't have much to offer that would make Cao Gai look at him favorably. As for the so-called merit of supporting Cao Gai, it was better not to mention it. In Cao Gai's heart, the loyalty that helped him seize power belonged only to Lin Chong. Zhu Gui's decision to join Cao Gai was seen as a survival tactic rather than true loyalty. The intelligent Zhu Gui knew his position and thus did not proactively suggest bringing his brother to the mountain.

It wasn't until Song Jiang brought a large group to join that Zhu Gui found an opportunity to help Song Jiang's top enforcer, Li Kui, succeed, indirectly earning Song Jiang's trust and loyalty. Only then did Zhu Gui's brother, Zhu Fu, join the mountain.

It seems Zhu Gui has noticed my trust in him, Wang Lun thought. Because of my trust, Zhu Gui now has the confidence to secure a good position for his brother on the mountain, indicating that he has already considered me part of his camp.

At least my efforts haven't been wasted, Wang Lun sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He then smiled at Zhu Gui and said, "Isn't your brother the one known as the 'Smiling Tiger' who learned martial arts from the county head Li Yun and runs a tavern in Yizhou? Is he your younger brother?"

"Ah? Has Brother also heard of my brother's name? To be honest, my brother is indeed the one who runs a tavern in Yizhou, known as the 'Smiling Tiger'!" Zhu Gui was greatly surprised, wondering how Wang Lun knew his brother's name. Yishui County was not a major city, and his brother had never ventured into the world, so how could the chieftain know about the 'Smiling Tiger'?

Zhu Gui looked at Wang Lun, who, sitting in the main seat of the assembly hall, seemed even more mysterious and profound.

Wang Lun didn't rush to answer, but smiled at Du Qian and Song Wan, saying, "I've also heard of the 'Smiling Tiger,' a true hero! I didn't expect him to be Brother Zhu Gui's younger brother. Isn't that a coincidence!"

Du Qian and Song Wan were both puzzled, wondering where this 'Smiling Tiger' had come from. They had never heard of such a person. However, seeing Wang Lun and Zhu Gui talking animatedly, they didn't want to embarrass the new fourth leader or show their lack of knowledge, so they both chimed in, "We've also heard of this hero, but unfortunately, we've never met him. Brother Zhu Gui, that's not right! Since he's your younger brother, why didn't you introduce him to us?"

Zhu Gui was truly surprised. He couldn't understand how his brother, who ran a tavern outside the county, had suddenly become a renowned hero in the eyes of everyone. He was at a loss for words, a rare moment of indecision for such a meticulous person.

Seeing Zhu Gui's hesitation, Wang Lun smiled and said, "Brother Zhu Gui, just bring your younger brother, the 'Smiling Tiger,' here. If he's willing to join the mountain, let him manage the tavern in Jizhou first. In the future, he will surely have a seat in this assembly hall! Brothers Du and Song, what do you think?"

"Exactly! When the stronghold adds another tiger, how can it not flourish?" Du Qian and Song Wan chimed in, praising Wang Lun's words and then scolding Zhu Gui for being tight-lipped.

The intelligent Zhu Gui, now reduced to a simple man, sat there, enduring the scolding and complaints of the two rough men.

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