Chapter 93

Seeing Chao Gai's dispirited appearance, Wu Yong, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but have some thoughts. Chao Gai, the leader known as the "Heavenly King with the Pagoda," was undoubtedly a man of righteousness and chivalry, a fact Wu Yong never denied. After the failed attempt to besiege Liangshan's Wang Lun in Xixi Village, although Chao Gai had become somewhat distant, he never said a harsh word or blamed Wu Yong for surviving alone. After all, this was a normal human reaction, and Wu Yong could understand it, so he didn't blame him.

Moreover, in May, after receiving news from Liu Tang from the north, Chao Gai invited Wu Yong back without any reservations and planned this major heist together with him as closely as before.

To be honest, Wu Yong thought that whether or not they robbed the birthday tribute would have little impact on Chao Gai. After all, to carry out such a big operation, at least five to seven people were needed, and with so many people, Chao Gai, being a man of righteousness, would not monopolize the loot. If the loot were divided equally, he would only get one or two ten thousand strings of cash. This amount, while astronomical for a poor man like Wu Yong, who could barely feed his family, was not a significant sum for Chao Gai, a wealthy landowner with generations of accumulated wealth. After the defeat at Xixi Village, Chao Gai had to pay seven ten thousand strings of cash to the Liangshan bandits, but according to Wu Yong's estimation, this only hurt his finances, not his foundation. Selling just a few thousand acres of land would yield several ten thousand strings of cash.

However, after receiving news from Liu Tang and Gong Sunsheng, Chao Gai still decided to lead everyone in the heist. Considering his vast wealth, he was risking a lot for a relatively small sum, and even risking offending the most powerful minister of the court. Moreover, he was willing to involve Wu Yong, Han Bulong, Xiao Rang, and Jin Dajian, who had suffered greatly with him. This was quite touching.

Sigh! If Chao Gai were just a friend and not a leader, it would be better. After all, righteousness is one thing, but now everyone was temporarily united to accomplish a great deed, and they needed a leader who could inspire hope and overcome difficulties.

But seeing this iron man sitting in the chair, speechless and dejected, Wu Yong was disappointed again. He sighed inwardly, thinking that Chao Gai was a good friend but not a suitable leader.

"Mr. Jialiang, you have been deep in thought. Do you have any good strategies to help us escape this danger?" Seeing Chao Gai's dispirited state and Wu Yong's absent-mindedness, Gong Sunsheng, unable to bear it, asked.

Wu Yong was startled awake and saw everyone looking at him with concern. He laughed dryly and said, "Mr. Gong Sun is right. The best strategy is to run. Let's go!"

Liu Tang suggested, "I heard there is a large stronghold called Liangshan in the nearby marshes. There is a man named Baiyi Wang Lun who has gathered over a thousand men, and even the county troops dare not challenge him. Why don't we go there?"

Chao Gai, coming to his senses, looked somewhat embarrassed and said to Gong Sunsheng and Liu Tang, "I have some grievances with the leader of the stronghold, Baiyi Wang Lun, so I can't go. But you two can go there!"

Liu Tang raised his head and said, "If Brother Chao Gai doesn't go, I won't go either!"

Gong Sunsheng nodded and said, "We eight have accomplished this great deed together. Now that three of us have fallen, the five of us should stick together for mutual support!"

Seeing Wu Yong still deep in thought, as if he were not part of the situation, Han Bulong couldn't help but say, "Mr. Wu, why are you always distracted at critical moments?"

Wu Yong glanced at Han Bulong meaningfully and sighed, "The world is vast, but safe places are few. However, I have a place in mind where we can go, and no matter how many troops come, they won't dare to challenge us!"

"Where is this place?" Everyone was surprised and asked.

Wu Yong chuckled and said slowly, "A thousand miles away in Cangzhou, there is a famous man named Chai Jin, known as Xiaoxuanfeng. He is the direct descendant of the Chai family from the previous dynasty and has an imperial decree that guarantees his safety. Do you think the troops would dare to touch him?"

Everyone cheered, thinking, "Why didn't we think of him? He is a great man!" They all felt this was a good place to go. However, Gong Sunsheng frowned and said, "The one who is after us is the most powerful minister, Cai Jing. Hebei is Liang Zhongshu's territory, and our names, ages, and appearances have all been detailed by Brother Baisheng. It's risky to travel a thousand miles to seek refuge."

"Spit! What kind of brother is he, selling us out? Even Xiao Rang and Jin Dajian are better than him. He is weak and loves to show off. He gambled away his share of the loot and didn't know how to keep a low profile. This is what got us into trouble!" Han Bulong cursed angrily.

No one responded. Chao Gai coughed and said, "I recruited him, so the responsibility is mine. If Brother Han wants to blame someone, blame me."

Seeing Chao Gai speak, Han Bulong couldn't say anything more and lowered his head. Wu Yong said, "This is not the time for internal strife. Who is without fault? Mr. Gong Sun is right. It's not appropriate to seek refuge a thousand miles away. There is only one place we can go."

Everyone asked, "Where?"

Wu Yong didn't answer but looked out the window at the strong man playing with a stone block and said, "Our safety now depends on this man."

Liu Tang and Gong Sunsheng asked, "What do you mean?"

"This man is an acquaintance of mine, a small jailer under the command of Shenxing Taibao Dai Zong. For some reason, Wang Lun of Liangshan has taken a liking to him and promised him a seat. Once he joins, he will be a leader. We should persuade him to lead us up the mountain for temporary refuge," Wu Yong replied.

"Are you crazy, Mr. Wu? Wang Lun has a deep grudge against us. You want us to walk into his trap?" Han Bulong shouted.

Wu Yong shook his head and looked at Han Bulong, somewhat dejected, "It's we who have a grudge against him, not the other way around. You were unconscious and didn't know the details. This man has high standards and didn't take us seriously. Otherwise, why would he have let us go?"

"Let's go to Chai Jin's place in Cangzhou. I won't go to Liangshan!" Han Bulong insisted.

"Are you afraid to see your old friend Zhu Gui? Listen to me. If he wanted to settle scores, he would have done so. He controls the spies and informants on Liangshan, and there are over twenty taverns around the marsh. He has hundreds of men under his command. If he wanted to find you, it would be easy. The fact that you are still standing here shows his attitude towards us," Wu Yong said, slightly irritated by Han Bulong's stubbornness.

"Whether he comes or not is one thing, but if I go to him now, I won't have a good outcome!" Han Bulong insisted.

Wu Yong was angry. He thought, "If it weren't for your instigation, Chao Gai and I wouldn't have a grudge against Wang Lun. Now we are in a difficult situation, all because of you!"

At this moment, the silent Chao Gai spoke, his voice low, "At this point, I can't risk putting Liu Tang and Gong Sunsheng in danger because of me. Let's do this: you and Li Kui go up the mountain, and I will go to Cangzhou with Mr. Wu and Brother Han."

Liu Tang and Gong Sunsheng said, "Don't say that, Baizheng. Let's all go to Cangzhou!"

Wu Yong smiled and said, "Don't worry, Baizheng. I don't think Wang Lun will harm you. Think about it, he let us go last time despite our deep grudge. Now that we are coming to him, he will be even more cautious. He values his reputation. If it gets out that he harmed the Heavenly King Chao Gai, who came to him, how will he recruit heroes in the future?"

Chao Gai nodded and said, "I still have some gold at home, passed down from my ancestors. I will use it to buy his protection for half a year. We can leave after that." He sighed and continued, "My biggest mistake was making an enemy of this man. In the past, I was successful in my smuggling business, but since that night, everything has gone wrong. I have made poor decisions, and my old comrades have suffered. I hope, for the sake of this gold, he will show mercy to the hundreds of my villagers still in his stronghold."

After the villagers were captured, their families cried and protested in front of Chao Gai's estate every day. Chao Gai reduced the rent to 20% and promised to bring the young men back if possible, which temporarily calmed the families.

Seeing everyone agree, Chao Gai sighed, "At this point, we have no choice but to drink poison to quench our thirst. Let's prepare and leave now!" Han Bulong, seeing Chao Gai's determination, was extremely unwilling but couldn't think of a better plan. He was torn between the lesser of two evils.

At this moment, Gong Sunsheng suddenly thought of something and said, "Even if Wang Lun doesn't harm us, what if he simply refuses to let us in? If he lets the officials deal with us, we will be trapped with no way out. What should we do then?"

Wu Yong nodded inwardly, thinking, "This Taoist is not simple." However, he already had a plan and said, "Li Kui alone may not be enough. He is a rough man and doesn't know how to speak. We need to find someone else whose face Wang Lun can't refuse."

(To be continued. Please search for Piaotianwenxue for faster updates and better quality!)

PS: I feel a bit dizzy today. I've been writing this chapter all day. I'll continue after eating. I won't let yesterday's burst affect today's update plan.