Chapter 62

And so, the heroes revelled in Zhu Gui's newly opened tavern for the entire afternoon, urging him to have the innkeeper and the waiters slaughter cattle and sheep, bustling about tirelessly.

Seeing that it was getting late, everyone escorted Wang Lun back to the mountain. However, just as they stepped out of the tavern, they encountered Tang Long leading a group of over a dozen craftsmen rushing over. Wang Lun was delighted and introduced Tang Long to the heroes on the mountain. Everyone praised Tang Long for his heroic act of saving his brother by sacrificing his arm. After a round of greetings, they all set off for the mountain.

When they reached the lakeside, naval vessels were already waiting for them. The Ruan brothers called everyone to board the boats, and they were the last to get on, returning to Liangshan together.

By now, it was dusk, and the setting sun cast its glow over the vast lake, a breathtaking sight that left the newcomers in awe. Xiao Jin couldn't contain her joy and picked a withered lotus stem from the lake, her face beaming with excitement. Lin Niangzi couldn't help but smile at the sight. She patted her husband's hand and quietly pointed to their young maid, then to the other boat where a burly man sat next to Wang Lun.

Fortunately, the wind and water were favorable, and before long, Liangshan came into view. Zhang Jiaotou couldn't help but exclaim, "What a strategic island!" Lin Chong laughed and said, "It's all thanks to Brother's extraordinary vision in choosing this place. Without a large naval force, who could easily reach the island?"

As they spoke, the patrol boats from Liangshan approached. Recognizing their own fleet, two fast boats returned to the water camp to report, while the remaining boats dispersed around the fleet to provide escort.

When the main group reached Jinsha Beach, the head of the camp, Zhu Fu, came out to greet them with Zheng Qian and Zhou Zhi. After the formalities, Wang Lun called over Zheng Qian and Zhou Zhi, instructing them to take Lin Chong and Xu Ning's families to the back of the mountain to settle in. He then invited everyone to gather in the Hall of Righteous Assembly.

Once everyone was in the hall, Wang Lun proposed to arrange the seating order. Lin Chong said, "Brother Xu Ning is a renowned instructor of the Imperial Golden Lance Guard, both highly esteemed and skilled in martial arts. My brother Lu Zhishen is also a valiant hero, renowned for his bravery. Let these two sit next to Brother!"

Everyone agreed, but Xu Ning said, "Thank you all for your kindness! I am merely a disgraced soldier, neither capable of governing the state nor securing the nation. Lin Instructor and Lu Zhishen are both outstanding heroes. How can I sit above them? Before coming to the mountain, I told Brother that I am content to be a minor soldier, with no desire for fame or profit. I hope you understand!"

Wang Lun understood Xu Ning's thoughts and was not surprised by his words. Lu Zhishen then said, "Brother, does it matter who sits in front? If you came first, you sit in front; if I came first, I sit in front. Why argue over it? It only makes Brother difficult."

Everyone laughed, and Lin Chong, not wanting to argue further, bowed to Wang Lun and said, "Please, Brother, decide!"

Wang Lun nodded, pressed his hands down to quiet the crowd, and said, "All three of my brothers are extraordinary heroes, and it's hard to rank them. So, let's follow everyone's suggestion: Lin Instructor will sit in the second position, Lu Zhishen in the third, and Xu Instructor in the fourth!"

Xu Ning still wanted to decline, saying, "Brother, you saved me from my dire straits, and I am now reunited with my family. I am already content! Du Qian and Song Wan are the founding leaders of the stronghold. I dare not sit in front of them!"

Du Qian and Song Wan exchanged glances and said, "Brother Xu Ning is renowned in the imperial court. If you sit behind us, it would make us feel like we're flying through the clouds. We might even get drunk and go to Tokyo to call the Emperor our brother!"

This remark drew another round of laughter. Wang Lun, seeing Du Qian and Song Wan's attitude, nodded to them and said, "Instructor, don't be modest. Please take your seat!"

Seeing Wang Lun's determination and the stance of Du Qian and Song Wan, Xu Ning knew he had no choice but to comply. He bowed to Du Qian and Song Wan and took the fourth seat.

Du Qian smiled and said, "That's more like it, Instructor! If you keep declining, it will make us uncomfortable! We came to the mountain early, but we lack skills. Brother understands us and has us manage the treasury and the kitchen. We worry day and night about failing him. Now, with so many capable brothers joining us, it feels wrong for us to hold these positions. Mo Fei, we've heard you wield an excellent axe and have fought evenly with Lu Zhishen and Xu Instructor. Brother, to be honest, Song Wan and I together can't last a few rounds against Lu Zhishen. So, please, take the fifth seat! By the way, Brother Lu Zhishen mentioned a capable monk named Guanghui from Pingfeng Ridge. When he arrives, he can take the sixth seat."

Wang Lun had never heard Du Qian, his oldest brother, speak so sincerely. He felt a mix of emotions. Since he had come to this era, Du Qian and Song Wan had always supported him wholeheartedly, never slacking. Regardless of their skills, their loyalty and righteousness were enough to make him deeply moved. Thinking of how they had previously given way to Lin Chong and now to Xu Ning, Lu Zhishen, Mo Fei, and Guanghui, Wang Lun felt a warm sensation in his heart.

"My mother says that a strong guest should not overshadow the host. You two are the true founders of the stronghold. Without your help in building Liangshan, where would we go? I am a wild man from the mountains, and thanks to Brother, I can sit with so many good brothers. I am already content! Please, take your seats, don't be modest!" Mo Fei laughed.

Du Qian and Song Wan, hearing this, insisted on pulling Mo Fei to his seat, but he refused. Wang Lun, seeing them tussling, sighed and said, "Managing the treasury and the kitchen are crucial tasks. I trust you two old brothers with these responsibilities, not out of sympathy. If anything goes wrong, I will not show mercy!"

Du Qian and Song Wan laughed and said, "If anything goes wrong, Brother can punish us!"

Wang Lun looked at his two old brothers with deep meaning and said, "Master Guanghui won't be here for a while. When he arrives, he can sit behind Xu Instructor. So, Du Qian and Song Wan will take the fifth and sixth seats, and Mo Fei will take the seventh seat!"

Mo Fei laughed and said, "Brother has spoken. Please, take your seats!" The two, seeing this, had no choice but to sit with Mo Fei.

Wang Lun continued, "Let Ruan Xiaoer take the eighth seat, Zhu Gui the ninth, Ruan Xiaowu the tenth, and Zhu..."

"Brother, I have something to say!" Zhu Fu stood up.

Wang Lun said, "Brother Zhu Fu, please speak."

"Brother, since I came to the mountain, I have not achieved anything significant. It is already shameful for me to be a leader. Now, with Jiao Ting and Tang Long joining us, they are both highly skilled and extremely loyal. I cannot sit above them!" He saw Wang Lun pondering and looked at his brother Zhu Gui, who nodded in approval. Zhu Fu knew he had made the right decision. Jiao Ting was a trusted confidant of the chief, and Tang Long's cousin was Xu Ning. Moreover, Tang Long had even sacrificed his arm to save his brother. Putting himself in their shoes, how would he react in such a situation?

Ruan Xiaoqi, hearing Zhu Fu, also said, "Brother, I also do not wish to sit above these two heroes. Tang Long sacrificed his arm to save his brother, and Jiao Ting, as a trusted confidant, should not sit below me. It's not right!"

Seeing their insistence, Tang Long, being perceptive, quickly stood up to explain. Jiao Ting, however, stood still, not really caring about the seating order. He was not foolish; as long as he could be by Brother Wang Lun's side, he didn't need such superficial titles to prove himself.

Wang Lun pondered for a moment and said, "Let's follow everyone's wishes. The navy is crucial to our stronghold, so Ruan Xiaoqi will take the eleventh seat, Tang Long the twelfth, Jiao Ting the thirteenth, and Zhu Fu the fourteenth!"