Chapter 81

When Wang Lun first saw the thin, muscular man with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, his first reaction was to recall a poem from the Water Margin, which goes: "Soft bones, strong body, thick eyebrows, bright eyes. Looks like a strange disease, walks like a celestial being. Moves silently through walls at night, hangs around houses in the deep of night. A master thief, the Flea on the Drum, Shi Qian."

Could this man be the Flea on the Drum?

"Sir, what is your name?" Seeing Wang Lun frown and remain silent, Chai Jin, who was seated at the head of the table, asked.

The thin, muscular man glanced at Chai Jin, then looked at the young man in white sitting beside him, and then glanced around at the others. He did not answer Chai Jin's question but instead asked, "Could you be the famous 'Little Whirlwind' Chai Jin, known for your generosity and righteousness in the martial world?"

Chai Jin laughed heartily and said, "Since you've come to my manor, it's natural that you recognize me; it's no great skill! But I wonder if you recognize this fine gentleman beside me!"

The man looked at Wang Lun for a long time, then at Lin Chong, Jiao Ting, Deng Fei, and the others, and finally said, "I am blind and foolish, but to have stolen from the great leader Wang Lun, the Scholar in White, I deserve a beating, I deserve a beating!"

Chai Jin laughed again and said to Wang Lun, "This man has some discernment!" Wang Lun also smiled and nodded, then asked the man, "How did you recognize me?"

"In the martial world, it is said that Chai Jin has done a great favor for the leader of Liangshan, so the leader once declared that anyone who disrespects Chai Jin, whether from the black or white path, will be considered an enemy of Liangshan! Moreover, the leader is now dressed in white, with a scholarly air, and his subordinates are all valiant men with a martial spirit. The gentleman beside him must be the famous Lin Chong, the Leopard Head, the commander of the 800,000 imperial troops! Who else in the martial world could be a scholar who sits on equal terms with Chai Jin and commands such heroes? It can only be the leader of Liangshan!" The man said, looking very pleased with himself, but his current state of being held by the shoulders made him look quite ridiculous.

Chai Jin was somewhat surprised to hear this, as he had never heard of Wang Lun making such a declaration. He turned to Wang Lun and said, "I didn't know such a thing had happened, I am deeply grateful to the leader!"

Wang Lun smiled and replied, "The kindness of Chai Jin to our stronghold, I will never forget! Although you are renowned in the martial world and don't need my words, Liangshan still has some influence and can deter some scoundrels and ignorant rich men. So I asked Brother Zhu Gui to spread the word, hoping you won't laugh at me!"

Chai Jin shook his head and said, "Not at all, not at all!" but he was secretly moved. Although he was not afraid of trouble and had been causing trouble for the Zhao family for years, protecting those they wanted to harm out of a sense of injustice, he had never expected any return from them.

But now, the person he had once helped had grown into a towering tree and was actively coming to his aid. How could he not be surprised and delighted? Among the thousands of people who had left his manor, how many had the same heart as this Scholar in White? Although he did not expect to rely on him in the future, just the thought of his kindness was enough to comfort him. With this in mind, he slowly lifted his teacup and savored the tea of gratitude.

Wang Lun, seeing Chai Jin lost in thought, was also moved. After this encounter with Chai Jin, he felt that this man did not seem to be secretly plotting to overthrow the Song Dynasty. With his insight, he could see that the Cai family had long been integrated with the Zhao family, and if the Zhao family fell, his iron voucher would be useless. His vast wealth and privileges would disappear with the fall of the Song Dynasty. The new emperor would not care whether he was a descendant of Emperor Shizong of the Cai or Zhao dynasty; they would all be treated like ants. As for Chai Jin becoming emperor himself, the difficulties involved were far beyond a single word like "difficult."

After much thought, only one reason, both laughable and tearful, could explain it.

Chai Jin's actions seemed more like a child pouting! He wanted to cause trouble for the Zhao family without harming the foundation of the Song Dynasty! Otherwise, why would Chai Jin not try to befriend a great general like Wu Song, but instead listen to the words of scoundrels and treat him coldly? Chai Jin could not have failed to see Wu Song's abilities; just the fact that Wu Song had intimidated all the guests in his manor should have been enough to recognize his worth!

On the other hand, Chai Jin's hospitality, while extensive, was not always thoughtful. Perhaps this was influenced by his fundamental purpose?

Wang Lun thought about this for a while, then, seeing Chai Jin still savoring his tea, he looked at the man who was secretly pleased with himself and suddenly shouted, "Shi Qian!"

The man with the shifty eyes, having fooled both Wang Lun and Chai Jin, the famous figures in the martial world, was secretly pleased with himself. But when his identity was revealed, he was shocked and stammered, "L... Leader Wang, how do you know my name!?"

Deng Fei sneered from the side, "You dare to come and steal from the master, pretending to be a dog! Look at your pitiful state!"

Shi Qian was embarrassed, and his stammering had made him sound like a dog. He lowered his head in shame, and everyone burst out laughing.

Wang Lun also laughed, then waved his hand to stop the laughter. "Shi Qian, I hear you are from Gaotang. How did you end up in Cangzhou?"

Shi Qian, seeing that the great leader of Liangshan knew his background, dared not be clever and said honestly, "As the saying goes, even rabbits don't eat the grass around their burrows. I couldn't do this kind of business in my hometown. We are all neighbors and friends, and if I stole from them, I would feel guilty, and if I were caught, I would have no face!"

Wang Lun smiled and said, "Even the great thief Shi Qian can make mistakes?"

Shi Qian glanced back at the man still holding him and said, "I fell into this big man's hands."

Wang Lun laughed heartily and said, "Don't cry injustice. The man who caught you will achieve great things in the future! He is not yet famous in the martial world, but no one will look down on you for being caught by him!" Wu Song, hearing this, felt a warm feeling in his heart, thinking that Wang Lun was just saying nice things to comfort him.

After much talk, Wang Lun decided to get to the point. He knew that Shi Qian was a man who would willingly join Liangshan, so he said, "We need a leader to gather intelligence on the mountain. Are you willing to join us?"

Shi Qian was overjoyed, his eyes darting around. "Willing, willing! Who wants to wander around aimlessly, with no place to settle? As long as Leader Wang... ah! As long as Brother doesn't mind my background, I'll do anything!"

Wang Lun nodded at Wu Song, who then released the man. Shi Qian, now free, jumped up and grinned at Wang Lun. Wang Lun, seeing the hope in his eyes, smiled and said, "What's the rush! This is Chai Jin's manor, not our gathering hall. Do you want to embarrass us in front of Chai Jin?"

Chai Jin laughed and said, "No problem, no problem. I can't block the path of a hero, making him anxious!"

Wang Lun nodded at Jiao Ting, who took out a hundred taels of gold and gave it to Shi Qian. Shi Qian happily accepted it and said to Wang Lun, "I have an urgent need. Leader Wang, why don't you send this big man to escort me back to Gaotang? I'll use the money and then return to the mountain to serve!"

"This man is my brother, not a leader of the mountain! Take the money and go. We are all one family now, why should I doubt you? After you finish your business, go directly to Daming to wait for me!" Wang Lun waved his hand, saying, "Trust is the key; if you can't trust someone, don't use them. Besides, I know you are not the type to keep the money and not return."

Shi Qian was surprised and then sighed, "I've been in the martial world for many years. Some say Leader Wang is stingy and narrow-minded, while others say he is generous and righteous. I didn't know which to believe. Now I see what kind of person you are, and I am truly impressed!" He bowed deeply to Wang Lun.

Jiao Ting, who rarely spoke, was angry and said, "You dare to test my brother!"

Shi Qian quickly stood up and bowed, "I really have an urgent need, Brother Jiao Ting, please don't be angry!"

Jiao Ting calmed down but did not ask how the man knew his name. He did not know that as Wang Lun's personal attendant, his name had already spread throughout the martial world.

Wang Lun waved his hand and instructed, "Go quickly and return quickly. I will need you soon!" He then escorted Shi Qian out of the hall, and everyone followed. Wang Lun personally led out a fine horse given by Chai Jin and handed the reins to Shi Qian. Shi Qian bowed and said, "Brother, you are so kind to me, I will not let you down!" He then bowed to everyone, mounted the horse, and rode away.

After sending off Shi Qian, Wang Lun and the others stayed at Chai Jin's manor for a few more days before taking their leave. Chai Jin tried to persuade them to stay, but Wang Lun politely declined. Wu Song also decided to return with them. Chai Jin personally escorted them for thirty miles before parting with tears.

Wang Lun and the others rode south for many days, finally reaching the outskirts of Enzhou. Wu Song approached Wang Lun and said, "Whether Er Lang joins the mountain or not, we are still brothers! I don't know when we will meet again. If you have free time, come to the mountain to see me, and if I have free time, I will come to Enzhou to see you! Just be careful in the dangerous martial world!"

Wu Song, hearing this, was too moved to speak, his eyes filled with tears. He insisted on accompanying Wang Lun for another twenty miles before parting with great reluctance. Watching Wang Lun's figure gradually disappear, he felt a mix of emotions. After calming himself, he mounted the white horse given by Wang Lun and rode back, feeling dejected.

Wu Song arrived at the gates of Enzhou, dismounted, and looked around. Seeing no wanted posters for him, he entered the city.

Although he was back in his hometown, Wu Song felt no joy, only a sense of loss. He walked listlessly through the familiar streets when he was suddenly hit on the head by a pole. Angered, he looked up to see a beautiful woman on the balcony, crying and screaming, "Help me... don't..."

A fat, lecherous old man then appeared, roughly grabbing the woman and dragging her into the house with a lecherous smile.

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Wu Song, feeling a mix of emotions, continued his journey.