Chapter 77

After a few rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, Deng Fei asked, "Brother, how did you, General Lin, and Brother Jiao Ting come down the mountain this time? Where are you heading?"

"We owe a lot to Mr. Chai from Cangzhou, who once helped me. Without his support, there wouldn't be our Liangshan stronghold. Lin Instructor was also recommended to me by him. Recently, we have some free time, so we decided to go to Cangzhou to thank Mr. Chai in person!" Wang Lun replied.

Hearing this, Deng Fei slapped his thigh and said, "I have long heard of Mr. Chai's reputation. When I was wandering in the江湖 (jianghu, meaning the world of martial arts and chivalry), everyone spoke highly of him. My ears were filled with his praises. Since Brother is going to Mr. Chai's place, why don't I go with you?"

"Why not?" Wang Lun smiled and said.

Deng Fei was delighted and raised his cup to toast Wang Lun. At this moment, Meng Kang said, "If Brother Deng Fei goes to Cangzhou, what should we do?"

"Brother, why don't you pack up and take the children to the stronghold first? Brother and I will return soon!" Deng Fei said.

Meng Kang thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright!"

Deng Fei continued, "Brother, our Liangshan stronghold doesn't lack money or food, but we still have a few carts of silk and cloth. Why don't we exchange them for horses? Brother Meng Kang can take the children and pretend to be horse traders heading south. It will be more convenient for the journey!"

Wang Lun nodded in agreement, "Brother, you are indeed experienced in the world. This plan is feasible! Brother Meng Kang, it will be a bit of trouble for you!"

Meng Kang quickly replied, "We are all one family now, Brother, don't be so formal!"

Everyone continued to toast each other. Then Wang Lun looked at Pei Xuan and asked, "I wonder if Pei Kongmu has any family in Jingzhao Prefecture?" Pei Xuan looked to be around forty, and it was never mentioned that he had a family. He came to the mountain alone. However, considering his position, which was equivalent to a deputy provincial city prosecutor in modern times, it seemed odd that he was still single at his age, so Wang Lun asked this question.

Pei Xuan sighed, "I do have an old wife and a daughter at home. When I was exiled, I wrote a divorce letter to her. Her family has some wealth, so they won't struggle. But I have wronged her. Alas!" Shamen Island, located off the coast of Dengzhou, was considered a place of no return. Historically, during the Xining period of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, the prison warden Li Qing on Shamen Island enjoyed torturing and killing prisoners. In two years, he killed seven hundred prisoners, averaging one per day. This was not only due to his cruelty but also because the island lacked food, and even the guards were often hungry, leading to many prisoners starving to death.

Wang Lun looked at Pei Xuan and sincerely advised, "Kongmu, if you can't bear to leave them, why not bring your wife and daughter to the mountain? You have offended many people in Jingzhao Prefecture with your impartiality. Now that you are gone, some villains might take advantage of the situation. How can your wife and daughter handle it? What do you think?"

These heroes had their strengths, but they often neglected their families. Some might have joined the mountain just to get by, and others might have thought it unnecessary to bring their families into the chaos.

Pei Xuan was surprised and thought, "My wife and children are of no use to the stronghold. Why does he want me to go back for them? Is he not afraid I might run away?"

Wang Lun saw him deep in thought and said, "I have no other intentions. I just want your family to be together. If you are separated by a thousand miles, both sides will suffer. I don't want you to have any regrets. Whether you bring your family or not is up to you. Even if you don't want to come to the mountain, I won't force you. Just remember, 'Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster comes, they should face it together.'"

Hearing Wang Lun's words, Lin Chong felt the same way and stood up, "I, Lin Chong, have never been false. I can vouch for this brother. He is a man of great integrity and loyalty! I admire him because every word he speaks is for the benefit of his brothers. I hope Pei Kongmu will think carefully!"

Seeing this, Deng Fei, Meng Kang, and others also stood up to persuade him, "Brother has thought so much for us. If we had families, we would have moved them to the mountain long ago. Does Pei Kongmu want his wife to remarry or to live as a widow?"

Pei Xuan could no longer bear to listen and stood up, tears streaming down his face, "If not for Brother's advice, I would have made a grave mistake. I... I... will go back and bring them!"

Wang Lun helped him up, "I'm afraid you won't be able to enter the city. I will send my subordinate Li Si with a few brothers to assist you. They are familiar with the city and will not fail you!"

Pei Xuan bowed deeply, and Wang Lun quickly helped him up, "We are all brothers in the stronghold, no need for such formalities!"

Pei Xuan's eyes were filled with tears, and he couldn't speak. Everyone was delighted, and Deng Fei called the children to pack their things, asking if anyone was unwilling to go. Since Deng Fei was known for his righteousness, all the followers were willing to go. After they packed, the group split into three: Wang Lun, Lin Chong, Jiao Ting, and Deng Fei headed north; Pei Xuan went west with Li Si and a few others; Meng Kang led the brothers to buy horses and then headed south to Liangshan.

Deng Fei changed into a military uniform and set off with Wang Lun and the others towards Cangzhou. On the way, they talked about various stories from the world of martial arts, enjoying themselves. Since they were all on horseback, they traveled north for several days and gradually reached the Cangzhou area. At this point, Wang Lun had no memory of the route and bowed to Lin Chong, "I haven't been to Cangzhou for years and don't remember the way. Do you remember, Brother?"

Lin Chong smiled, "Just follow me, Brother!"

Under Lin Chong's guidance, they traveled for half a day, crossed a large stone bridge, and arrived at a wide, flat road. In the distance, they saw a large manor surrounded by green willows. A wide river encircled the manor, and the banks were lined with willow trees. The trees shaded a white wall. They approached the manor, and on the wide wooden bridge, four or five servants were cooling off. Seeing the unknown group of soldiers, they rolled their eyes, "Here they come again, just to beg. If it were up to me, I wouldn't even look at them!"

Wang Lun ignored them and called everyone to dismount and walk to the front of the manor. Inside, a servant heard the commotion and came out, "Wait a moment!" He then went inside and soon returned with a tray holding two ten-tael silver ingots. He handed them to Wang Lun, "You have no luck. Our master is not at home. Since you are soldiers, here are twenty taels as a gift. Please leave!"

Wang Lun found the servant's emotionless tone amusing and glanced at Lin Chong, who also smiled helplessly. They had been there before, but the servant either forgot or didn't care, treating them like any other beggars. At this moment, Zhang San, seeing the leaders' expressions, rummaged through his pockets and threw a fifty-tael silver ingot onto the tray, "This is for you. Get lost, we are waiting for our master to see your master!"

The servant's mouth dropped open. He had never seen such generosity from visitors, thinking they might be important figures. He quickly stepped aside and let them in. As they walked a few steps, Deng Fei muttered, "It's easy to see the king, but hard to deal with the little devils. How can a famous man like Mr. Chai have such servants?" Wang Lun patted his shoulder and looked back at Zhang San, smiling, "Little San, we could have just walked in. Why did you argue with a servant? Aren't you saving that money for your wife?"

Zhang San laughed, "To earn some face for Brother, this money is nothing, it's all from Brother's rewards!"

"Good! Good!" Wang Lun said, then turned and walked into the manor with Lin Chong. Zhang San hurried up, "Brother, this money really counts as mine? If I had known, I would have only given twenty taels!" Everyone laughed, and Lin Chong also smiled, "Even if Brother doesn't pay you back, I will. Alright?"

Zhang San laughed heartily, "Just fifty taels, what's the big deal!" But Lin Chong turned away, ignoring him. Zhang San was embarrassed and lowered his head, not daring to speak again.

As they walked further into the manor, they saw a group of men surrounding a large man, shouting, "Wu Song, fight! Come on, come on, best to kill us, and Mr. Chai will take care of you for three to five years!"

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The story continues.