Magical Water Margin: They all call me brother

Page 87

Looking at Chao Gai, who was almost out of control, Liu Hong calmly nodded. The enormous influence brought by Song Jiang and the sudden expansion of Liangshan's power had led to more serious friction between various forces than he had anticipated.

Chapter 222: The Great Sage Who Conquers Heaven Rebuilds Liangshan (Bonus Chapter for 3000 Monthly Tickets)

“Don’t worry, sister. These days I’ve been planning a big project and have indeed overlooked this part of the problem, but I have noticed it and have a concrete plan.”

Liu Hong patiently tried to win over and persuade Chao Gai, and as always, he gave him a detailed plan.

"Here's what I think. First, we need a war, a victory, to divert internal conflicts, so that everyone's anger is directed not at their own brothers and sisters, but at external enemies, thus resolving the increasingly serious internal antagonism within the stronghold."

"Secondly, war is also a huge furnace. An ordinary furnace can remove impurities from minerals and melt and solidify large quantities of iron ore of various shapes. Nothing can unite us brothers and sisters more quickly than the life, death, and glory brought by war."

"Finally, my brother and I must also win a great victory in the war, in front of these new Jiangzhou people, to demonstrate our strength and authority. Otherwise, we will not be able to show our authority in front of these new Jiangzhou people. Therefore, we need a very formidable enemy and a very impressive victory."

Chao Gai listened carefully to Liu Hong's plan and finally nodded, agreeing that the plan was feasible.

“Sister, please restrain yourself these days. Even if these people are bandits and bullies, they are indeed powerful and brave. In the pre-Qin period, Lord Mengchang kept petty thieves and scoundrels. So what if we have a few bandits and bullies in Liangshan? Don’t you usually compare yourself to Lord Mengchang of Shandong?”

Liu Hong tried to comfort Chao Gai again, using the ancient story of Lord Mengchang to try and ease his unease, grievances, doubts, and anger. The brother and sister drank heavily and talked late into the night before leaving satisfied.

However, Chao Gai was seething with resentment. In her mind, Liangshan should be a gathering place for all chivalrous, righteous, and thieving people—a place where chaos and goodness converged. Those who were morally corrupt did not deserve to join Liangshan at all. She completely lacked the ideas of Liu Hong and Song Jiang, who valued talent over virtue and promoted people based solely on ability.

At this moment, another mountain stronghold, admiring Liangshan's reputation and Song Jiang's loyalty, joined Liangshan with the introduction of Dai Zong.

The chieftain, Deng Fei, nicknamed "Fiery-Eyed Lion," is said to have developed bloodshot, burning eyes from eating too many people. His friend, Yang Lin, nicknamed "Golden Leopard," along with his exceptional martial arts skills, were both assigned as junior cavalry officers, serving as deputies to Yang Zhi, Suo Chao, and their group.

Pei Xuan, the third most important figure in the stronghold, was known for his iron-faced and ruthless nature. He was appointed as the Liangshan Military and Political Affairs Officer, responsible for legal oversight and military record keeping. Meng Kang, the Jade Banner Pole Officer, became Liangshan's chief shipwright, leading the repair of large ships and adding a shipyard to the Liangshan stronghold.

Although these people each possessed unique skills, their character was rather poor, which made Chao Gai increasingly displeased.

At that moment, the arrival of Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu completely ignited Chao Gai's anger.

At this moment, Liangshan has grown to an absurdly large size. The only bandits more powerful than Liangshan are Fang La from Jiangnan, Tian Hu from Hebei, and Wang Qing from Huaixi. Many people come to join them daily, drawn by their reputation. Today, two more level 10 heroes have arrived. The recruitment of heroes of this level now requires everyone's review.

The dim candlelight flickered and struggled deep within the majestic and solemn Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, as if being squeezed and swallowed by an invisible force.

In the interplay of light and shadow, the three colossal silhouettes seated at the main positions in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness twisted and elongated in the firelight, like three intertwined iron peaks rising from the darkness, forming a massive, towering "mountain" seal that pressed heavily upon the entire hall. The invisible pressure made every candle shadow falling on the central brick floor appear like congealed scabs.

Liu Hong, the leader of Liangshan, sat in the center like a bottomless abyss. His pair of gilded wings, which blotted out the sky, spread out and almost covered the entire high wall of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, completely enveloping Song Jiang and Chao Gai, who were on the left and right, in the shadow of his wings.

The two—Song Jiang, the dark-skinned loli, and Chao Gai, the white-skinned king—were the most precipitous cliffs on the two wings of this "mountain." Song Jiang had a sweet face but sinister eyes. Chao Gai, righteous and imposing, with eyes filled with anger, needed no words to firmly lock all the commotion and restlessness below into the net of his cold will.

Below the three, thirty or forty leaders sat on either side of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. All eyes were on the two women who had arrived, putting immense pressure on them.

This time, two female warriors came to join them. The one known as "Sick Guan Suo Yang Xiong" was tall and slender, like a proud bamboo stalk, with well-defined features yet possessing a woman's graceful and supple physique. Her skin was a cool, pale white, untouched by sunlight, which made her long, flowing, raven-black hair appear even darker and deeper. Her face was extremely aloof and handsome, with clean, sharp lines like those carved by a knife. Her eyebrows were sharp and slanted upwards towards her temples, and her eyes were calm like a cold star in a deep pool, exuding a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

He was dressed in a deep crimson-black outfit, the fabric subtly shimmering with ripples under the light. The collar and cuffs were edged with fine silver thread, exuding an understated elegance mixed with a hint of bloodthirsty ruthlessness. His entire demeanor was like a renowned blade sheathed, radiating a terrifying killing intent when silent, which made the Liangshan members somewhat uneasy.

Beside her stood Shi Xiu, a tireless daredevil. She was lithe and agile, radiating the explosive power and boundless energy of a leopard. Her long, dark hair was tied into a neat single ponytail, strands damp with sweat clinging casually to her smooth forehead and sharply defined cheeks. Her eyes were a brilliant amber, like a pair of burning, inextinguishable flames, sharp and alert, constantly scanning her surroundings like a vigilant falcon, seemingly able to capture every minute detail. Her brows exuded a spirited air, carrying a shrewdness honed by the hardships of life and an indomitable stubbornness.

She wore a short, narrow-sleeved brown outfit that allowed for easy movement, with tightly cinched cuffs and a sturdy, durable leather belt around her waist, from which she often hung small tool bags. Her trousers were tucked into fast boots, and her movements were crisp and efficient. Her exposed arms were toned and her knuckles were clearly defined with thin calluses. She exuded a vibrant energy and a keen, worldly-wise aura, and greeted everyone with a smile from the moment she arrived.

They are two good men.

"Younger sisters Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu pay their respects to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven! Pay their respects to the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King! Pay their respects to the Timely Rain!"

The two women bowed to the three men in the main seats, and also clasped their hands in greeting to the heroes on either side.

Why have you come to join Liangshan?

Liu Hong asked the two men about their purpose without changing his expression.

“I was originally a prison guard and executioner in Jizhou, but my wife had an affair with a bald monk. My sister and I killed her, but we were also charged with murder. We had no choice but to flee to your esteemed place and beg the Great Sage to accept us.”

Yang Xiong reluctantly recounted his experience of becoming an outlaw, which was quite detailed. Moreover, the two men were also quite skilled in martial arts. Liu Hong nodded and prepared to take them in.

"However, there were originally three of us, but when we passed through Zhujiazhuang, those people were so domineering! They wouldn't give us any food. Helpless, Shiqian's sister stole a chicken from Zhujiazhuang, and those people surrounded us and captured Shiqian alive."

Yang Xiong said indignantly, trying to provoke the Liangshan bandits into avenging him and rescuing Shi Qian's sister.

"When I told them we came to join Liangshan, they wouldn't listen to a word and started attacking us! My sister Shixiu and I fought our way out and escaped, but my sister Shiqian was unlucky and was captured alive by the Zhu Family Village. Those people were extremely arrogant and insulted us, saying that even if we brought the entire Liangshan army, we would be wiped out in the Zhu Family Village! They said they would capture the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King alive and send them to Tokyo to be executed by slow slicing!"

Chao Gai was furious upon hearing this. "I thought two heroes had arrived, but it turns out to be two chicken thieves again! Damn it! Liangshan, which we've painstakingly built, is a paradise, not a bandit's den!" he roared. "Brothers and sisters! Capture these two alive and chop off their heads!!!"

Song Jiang was taken aback. Although she was also furious, she was angry at the Zhu Family Village for being so arrogant, and she didn't understand why Chao Gai was angry with these two people.

While Song Jiang was pondering, Liu Hong already understood why Chao Gai was angry. It seemed that Chao Gai had not fully controlled himself after what the two had said a few days ago. Therefore, Liu Hong spoke up in front of Song Jiang, giving Chao Gai a way out so that she could vent her dissatisfaction in front of everyone.

"Sister, please calm down! Two brave men have come from afar to help us. How can you kill them?"

Chao Gai then took the opportunity to speak directly.

“Brother, as you know, we Liangshan heroes, starting with you, have always upheld loyalty and righteousness, and have always treated the people with benevolence! We fight against local tyrants, distribute land, rob the rich to help the poor, punish the strong and support the weak. We are all like the chivalrous heroes in the books of the Spring and Autumn and pre-Qin periods! Each brother who goes down the mountain has never lost his spirit. The brothers who come up the mountain, both new and old, also have the brilliance of heroes.”

When Chao Gai said this, he deliberately glanced at Yan Shun, Li Jun, Mu Hong, Zhang Heng, and Li Kui, making them both ashamed and angry. They were ashamed because these people had indeed not been very honorable before, and angry because Chao Gai was saying this in front of all his brothers and sisters in public? Are you targeting us?!

Seeing that he had vented his anger, Chao Gai's mood improved a little. He continued to curse.

"These three, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, and Shi Qian, used the name of the Liangshan heroes to steal chickens, thus causing us to suffer a great humiliation! Today, we'll first behead these two and use their heads as a sacrifice for our banner. Then, we'll raise our troops and raze the Zhu Family Village to the ground. We mustn't lose our fighting spirit! I've heard of the Zhu Family Village before; they're one of the wealthiest families in the area, and they've a history of oppressing the people. Raze the Zhu Family Village to the ground; it's exactly what Liangshan's purpose is to uphold justice. Brother, what do you think?!"

Chapter 223: The Soaring Eagle Sheds Its Shell (Bonus Chapter for 3050 Monthly Tickets!)

Song Jiang now understood the source of Chao Gai's anger, so he cleverly joined the discussion.

"Sister, don't be angry! Brother didn't listen to what these two virtuous brothers just said. That Shi Qian, the Flea on the Drum, is a thief by nature, and his nature is hard to change, which is why he angered those scoundrels from the Zhu family. Besides, it's not that Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu want to tarnish our stronghold. I've often heard people say that those scoundrels from the Zhu family want to be our enemy. We Liangshan haven't even provoked those people with the surname Zhu, yet they're provoking us! How ridiculous! We're going to find them, and they're nitpicking. So we should take this opportunity to raze the Zhu family to the ground!!!"

"Brother, please calm your anger. I am but a humble servant, and I will personally lead a small army to invite my virtuous sisters to descend the mountain and attack the Zhu Family Village. We swear we will not return until that village is utterly destroyed. Our reasons are threefold: first, to avenge the mountain stronghold and prevent their morale from being broken; second, to spare this young wretch from their humiliation; and third, to obtain ample grain to supply the mountain stronghold."

Song Jiang volunteered to go down the mountain, while glancing at Yan Shun, Li Jun, Zhang Heng, Li Kui, and others. These newcomers from Jiangzhou and Qingzhou were indignant, ashamed, and angry because of Chao Gai's words. "Fine, fine, Chao Gai, you're so high and mighty, so generous and charitable, but isn't it all because you were born a wealthy man? We could burn, kill, rob, and commit all sorts of evil deeds our whole lives and still not reach your starting point, Chao Gai!"

As for wealthy landowners like Mu Hong and Kong Ming, they were even more displeased—"Chao Gai, do you know you've betrayed your own class? I've never seen a wealthy landowner speak up for a poor wretch. Fertile land falling into the hands of the poor is such a waste!"

Regardless of their thoughts, the new recruits Song Jiang brought all wanted to show off their skills in front of the Liangshan veterans, to let them know that they were also formidable fighters! They wanted to prove that they were not to be trifled with, and that just because they had joined the Liangshan bandits earlier, they had no right to look down on them.

Wu Xuejiu also noticed the discord within the stronghold and was trying to persuade Chao Gai.

"Sister Song's words are best. How can the Heavenly King kill his own brothers before he has even raised an army?"

At this moment, Li Jun, the "Mixed-River Dragon," also stood up and, with exceptional emotional intelligence, asked Chao Gai for instructions.

“Your Majesty! I, Li Jun, am no good man. Some of the things I have done are even worse than what they did. But Your Majesty would rather kill my own brother than kill these two! If people come to join us but are killed by us, then who will be willing to join Liangshan in the future? Your Majesty’s actions have cut off Liangshan’s path to recruiting talents!”

Seeing that the two had become the scapegoats, the other leaders also stood up and strongly urged them to stop, and Chao Gai finally pardoned them. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu also apologized, admitting that they had committed crimes under the name of Liangshan before even joining the Liangshan organization, which was a disgrace to Liangshan.

Seeing that the argument was nearly over, Liu Hong personally stepped down from his chair and announced the final decision.

"Our Liangshan has recently been expanding its army at an alarming rate. We have a battalion of infantry that is short of a commander and deputy commander. These positions are perfect for you two sisters. Do not harbor any disloyal thoughts! This is the law of our stronghold, and we have no choice but to do so. Even if Liu Hong broke the law, he would be beheaded without exception. We have also recently appointed the iron-faced clerk Pei Xuan as the military and political officer. There are already established rules for rewarding merits and punishing crimes. My dear sisters, please forgive us."

Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu were deeply moved to hear that they would be appointed as the commander and deputy commander of a battalion of soldiers immediately upon their arrival. However, they were also filled with awe and fear of the strict laws of Liangshan, and both respected and feared the Great Sage of Chaos. Liu Hong personally took their hands and sat them down beside him. He then ordered the soldiers of the stronghold to come and offer their final congratulations to their new leader, slaughtering cattle and horses for a celebratory feast. He also arranged two houses for Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu to rest, thus resolving the matter.

Then came the matter of the expedition to Zhu Family Village. Song Jiang volunteered again, arguing that he was new to Liangshan and had not yet made any contributions, and wanted to lead his heroes and soldiers from Qingzhou and Jiangzhou to wipe out Zhu Family Village, but Liu Hong rejected the idea.

I'm going crazy! It's already terrifying enough that Song Jiang brought in an army almost as large as Liangshan's own. If she were to achieve another great feat, I'd be doomed. Almost half of Liangshan's leaders are there because of Song Jiang's name. His prestige is ridiculously higher than mine.

"My sister has just been released from death row and is resting at Liangshan. I, her brother, will personally go and wipe out the Zhu Family Village!"

Liu Hong held Song Jiang down.

"No! Brother is the leader of the stronghold, how can you act rashly? What if something unexpected happens? Let your sister do it. Your sister can serve you, and you can just stay comfortably in the stronghold."

Song Jiang enthusiastically stopped Liu Hong, pleadingly expressing his loyalty.

The two argued for a while. One said that Song Jiang needed to rest after being released from prison, while the other said that Liu Hong was the leader of the stronghold and should not be touched. In the end, neither could win the argument, so the second leader, Chao Gai, stayed behind to guard the stronghold, while Liu Hong, the Great Sage of Chaos, and Song Jiang, the Timely Rain, went to fight against the Zhu Family Village together!

But before that, the group needed to send out some troops to scout ahead. Liu Hong knew that Yang Lin was too hot-tempered and it would be difficult for her to go out and scout, so he didn't send her as originally written. Instead, he sent Wu Song, the most daring, meticulous, and skilled warrior in the stronghold, and Shi Xiu, the daredevil, to Zhu Family Village to find out the truth.

Yang Xiong volunteered, saying that there were three super landlords in this area, each far superior to Chao Gai, Mu Hong, and Kong Ming. They were Zhu Family Village, Hu Family Village, and Li Family Village. The three villages had been allied and intermarried for generations. He said that if they attacked Zhu Family Village, the other two families would also join the battle!

But it doesn't matter. I have some connections with the Li family village. I'll go and act as an intermediary to persuade the Li family lord, Li Ying, the Sky-Soaring Eagle, to withdraw from the Three Villages Alliance. Maybe I can even get her to join us!

After listening, Liu Hong nodded and let her go. Yang Xiong left immediately. It turned out that she was a good friend and old acquaintance of Du Xing, the manager of Li Family Village, and thus she was able to meet Li Ying, the Sky-Piercing Eagle.

When Yang Xiong paid his respects to the manor lord, he was struck by her overall demeanor, which was like gold and cold iron forged by the blazing sun, a perfect blend of grace and sharpness.

She wore a magnificent robe embroidered with auspicious clouds and cranes, woven with threads of gold, its luster as subdued as a deep, cold pool. The close-fitting garment accentuated her lithe and powerful lines, suggesting a figure poised for action. Over this robe was a dark blue cloak, thin as a cicada's wing yet subtly resilient, its lining covered with flowing gold sparrow feather patterns. With each step, glints of gold appeared, like the sun piercing through dark clouds.

Her black hair was tied high into a cloud-piercing bun, adorned with a gilded phoenix hairpin holding a pearl. The phoenix's eyes were inlaid with crimson pearls, and its sharp gaze was revealed as it moved. On each side of her temples, a carefully braided tuft of hair hung down, with a small silver feather hidden at the end. It seemed like a beautiful embellishment, but in fact, it concealed a deadly intent.

His facial features were not delicate and frail, but rather like finely carved ivory, with resolute angles. His phoenix eyes were long and narrow, with deep amber pupils. When he looked down over the manor, he exuded a calm and dignified air. The sword at his waist and the several throwing knives spread out like eagle wings on his back further demonstrated his terrifying sharpness! He possessed an innate nobility like carved railings and painted beams, and a heroic spirit like a dragon emerging from the abyss. What a heroic and wealthy man he was!

Upon hearing Yang Xiong's request, Li Ying's phoenix eyes furrowed slightly. His first reaction was not to betray the Zhu Family Village, nor to join Liangshan, but rather to try to downplay the matter. He drafted a letter, filled in his name, affixed a seal, and sent a deputy manager to deliver it. He also prepared a fast horse and rode to the Zhu Family Village under the cover of night to release Shi Qian, thus depriving Liangshan of a direct reason to take action.

Afterwards, as long as the few of us get together, have a few drinks, and know that Liangshan and Zhujiazhuang are both major landowners in this area, wouldn't it be better for us to live our own lives? Why fight to the death? Yang Xiong thought about it and decided that getting Shi Qian out first would be a good idea, so he didn't object. They decided to wait and see.

Several hours later, the deputy supervisor returned. Li Ying summoned him to the back room and asked, "Where is the person you went to fetch?"

The supervisor replied, "I personally met with the Master of the Zhu Family Manor and presented him with the letter. He was willing to release him. However, the three members of the Zhu family came out and loudly rebuked the Master and me, refusing to return the letter or release me, and drove me out."

Li Ying was shocked. For the first time, disbelief appeared on his dignified face. He immediately realized that something terrible had happened. That was Liangshan! Before Song Jiang joined, their size was already comparable to that of the Zhu Family Village. After Song Jiang joined, the three of them combined could probably only fight Liangshan to a draw. Who would win was still unknown!

Have Zhu's three youngest sons gone mad? Are they really going to cause trouble with Liangshan and start a fight? If this isn't handled properly, they could end up like the other wealthy families in Jizhou, wiped out by the Great Sage Evil! The family's legacy cannot be destroyed in my hands!

Li Ying thought carefully for a moment, then immediately came up with a plan. His face, initially showing shock and dismay, instantly transformed into one of furious rage. He shouted to the servants, "How dare those brats of the Zhu family be so disrespectful! I am an elder, how dare those three insult me ​​like this? Prepare my horses! muster the troops! Muster the troops! Those brats of the Zhu family dare to insult me! This is outrageous!!!"

Yang Xiong was a little confused, not knowing why Li Ying was suddenly so angry. He quickly advised, "My lord, please calm down. Don't let these petty people ruin your righteousness."

Li Ying wouldn't listen. He went into his room, donned a golden chainmail with beast-face shields on the front and back, wore a crimson robe, and tucked five throwing knives into his back and hips. He also grabbed a steel spear, donned a phoenix-winged helmet, and went out to the front of the manor, gathering three hundred valiant guards. Du Xing also donned armor, mounted his horse, spear in hand, and led more than twenty cavalrymen. Yang Xiong, wielding a broadsword, followed Li Ying's horse, heading straight for the Zhu Family Manor.

At this moment, Yang Xiong was still quite confused, not knowing what Li Ying was going to do, and was still advising, "If the manor lord really wants to attack the Zhu Family Manor, then he should join forces with my Liangshan troops instead of acting alone like this."

But Li Ying wouldn't listen. He led his troops forward, and upon reaching Dulong Ridge, he arrayed his men. He saw that the Zhu Family Manor was well-built, occupying the Dulong Ridge and surrounded by wide open spaces. The manor was perched atop a cliff-like ridge, with three layers of walls, all constructed of solid stone, each layer about six meters high. There were two gates, one at the front and one at the back, and two drawbridges. Inside the walls, fortified camps were built on all four sides. Spears, swords, and other weapons were planted everywhere. War drums and gongs were displayed on the gate towers. Even the largest fortress on the Song-Xia border could not be more magnificent and terrifying than the Zhu Family Manor.

Li Ying reined in his horse and shouted in front of the manor, "How dare the third son of the Zhu family slander our master!" Just then, the manor gate opened, and fifty or sixty horsemen emerged. Leading the way was a horse as red as burning charcoal, carrying Zhu Chaofeng's third son, Zhu Biao. He wore a helmet embroidered with gold phoenix wings and lotus leaves, and a chainmail armor with plum blossom patterns. A bow and arrows hung at his waist, and he carried two swords and a spear. The red tassel under his horse's brow was as red as blood, and the flames around the stirrups shone like rosy clouds.

Upon seeing Zhu Biao, Li Ying pointed at him and cursed, "You snot-nosed brat, still with baby hair on your head and no beard! Your father and I swore a life-or-death bond! We vowed to protect the village together. If your family ever needed anyone, come and release them; if you needed anything, we'd give you whatever you wanted. I've written to ask for someone, and you've torn up my letter, disgracing my name. What kind of logic is this?"

Zhu Biao was also bewildered, not knowing what was wrong with Aunt Li, but driven by his sense of justice, he immediately explained, "My family has sworn brotherhood with you, vowing to work together to capture the Liangshan rebels and wipe out the stronghold. How could you associate with rebels? Are you plotting a rebellion? Aunt Li, I'm saving you!!!"

Li Ying shouted, "Who do you think he is from Liangshan? You've wronged someone and made him a thief! What crime do you deserve?"

Zhu Biao was also furious: "The thief Shi Qian has already confessed. Don't talk nonsense here. You can't cover it up! If you keep doing this, I'll arrest you too and send you to the capital as a thief!"

Enraged, Li Ying spurred his horse, brandished his spear, and charged at Zhu Biao. Drums sounded from both sides. Zhu Biao spurred his horse to fight Li Ying. The two fought back and forth, up and down, for seventeen or eighteen rounds before Dulong Ridge. Unable to defeat Li Ying, Zhu Biao turned his horse and fled. Li Ying gave chase. Zhu Biao placed his spear across his horse, drew his bow in his left hand, took an arrow in his right, nocked it, pulled the bowstring taut, aimed closely, and with a backflip, fired the arrow!

Li Ying saw the arrow clearly, but she didn't dodge, deliberately letting Zhu Biao's arrow hit her in the left chest, only three centimeters from her heart. Her control was perfect. Then she screamed, turned her horse around, and rode away. Zhu Biao was completely baffled—what was she doing? Was she deliberately coming to let the Liangshan bandits get shot by her arrow?

Meanwhile, Du Xing helped Li Ying back to the manor, removed the arrow, and applied medicine to the wound. He then sent Yang Xiong with the gold and silver back to Liangshan Marsh to report to Liu Bei, Chao Gai, and the three officials that his younger sister was incompetent and had failed to rescue Shi Qian. Yang Xiong left with a face full of apology.

At this moment, Li Yingcai breathed a long sigh of relief.

Damn it. The war between the Zhu Family Manor and Liangshan Marsh almost dragged my mother and the family business of three generations into it. Luckily, my mother was more capable. After some maneuvering, the head of the Zhu Family Manor knew that his son had shot me with an arrow and was seriously injured. He was too ashamed to ask me to join the war. Even if he did ask, I could use my serious injury as an excuse not to go.

Liangshan Marsh also knew that I was shot by an arrow from the Zhu Family Village and seriously injured while trying to retrieve Shi Qian, and they felt guilty towards me.

So, no matter what happens next, whether Liangshanbo or Zhujiazhuang beats out human brains or dog brains, it has nothing to do with my Lijiazhuang. No matter who wins in the end, I will stand on the side of the victor.

Chapter 224: Liangshan Marsh Launches Northern Expedition

After Li Ying led all the members of Li Family Village out of the battle, Wu Song and Shi Xiu also successfully completed their mission at Zhu Family Village.

The two men easily infiltrated the area surrounding Zhu Family Village and quickly obtained information from the villagers. They learned that when heading out of the village, one should simply turn at the sight of a poplar tree. Regardless of the width of the path, a turn near a poplar tree meant survival; without those trees, it was a dead end. Turns near other trees were also not safe routes.

If you go the wrong way, you'll wander left and right, unable to find your way out. Moreover, dead ends are often fraught with traps like bamboo spikes and barbed wire, ensuring either death or capture!

After gathering intelligence and breaking the alliance between the Zhu, Li, and Hu families, Liangshan mobilized its troops, splitting them into two groups and marching towards the Zhu Family Village simultaneously.

Liu Hong personally led six battalions of three thousand infantrymen and one detachment of one hundred cavalrymen into battle. These six battalions were all veterans of Liangshan, and in recent days they had been equipped in large numbers with more advanced matchlock muskets. He was accompanied by a strategist named Gongsun Sheng.

The battalion commander was Lu Zhisheng, the Flower Monk, and the deputy commander was Cao Zheng, the Knife-wielding Ghost.

The Second Battalion Commander was Wu Song, the Pilgrim, and the Deputy Commander was Shi En, the Golden-Eyed Leopard.

The three battalions are commanded by Yang Zhi, the Blue-Faced Beast, and Lü Fang, the Little Marquis of Wen.

The Fourth Battalion Commander was Suo Chao, the Vanguard Commander, and the Deputy Commander was Guo Sheng, the Sergeant Commander.

The commander of the five battalions is Liu Tang, the Red-Haired Devil, and the deputy commander is Bai Sheng, the White-Day Rat.

The Sixth Battalion Commander was Yang Xiong, nicknamed "Sickly Guan Suo." The Deputy Commander was Shi Xiu, nicknamed "Desperate Saburo."

Liangshan currently has very few horses and is lacking in cavalry. Therefore, although the cavalry force is only one hundred, the size of a "du" (a unit of cavalry), the leader is still the commander of a battalion, which is held by Leopard Head Lin Chong.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Song Jiang led six battalions of three thousand infantrymen and one captain of one hundred cavalrymen, setting off in a grand procession. He was accompanied by the strategist Wu Yong. Two thousand of these men were bandits from Qingzhou and Jiangzhou, armed with a motley crew of weapons. The remaining one thousand were Liangshan troops transferred by Liu Hong. The commanders of the six battalions were:

The Ninth Battalion Commander was Xiao Li Guang Hua Rong, and the Deputy Commander was Ai Jiao Hu Wang Ying.

The commander of the 10th Battalion is Jinmaohu Yan Shun, and the deputy commander is Baimianlangjun Zheng Tianshou.

The 11th Battalion Commander was Mu Hong, and the Deputy Commander was Mu Chun, who was nicknamed "Little Block".

The commander of the 12th Battalion is Li Kui, nicknamed "Black Whirlwind," and the deputy commander is General Shi Yong.

The commander of the 13th Battalion is Deng Fei, nicknamed "Fiery-Eyed Lion," and the deputy commander is Yang Lin, nicknamed "Golden Leopard."