Moma Liangshan

Chapter 186 The troops split into three groups, each going its own way.

Chao Gai looked troubled upon hearing this and said, "Young Master Wang is the former master of the Ruan brothers and also a good friend of mine. Although we rob the rich to help the poor, we have still broken the law. Now Young Master Wang is an official, and we are outlaws; it's best if we keep to ourselves!" Wu Yong disagreed with Chao Gai's view, saying, "Brother, you helped me a lot when Wang Hao was requisitioning the land of Dongxi Village, and you also helped a lot when the winery was recruiting workers. Moreover, the Wang family father and son have long since left Liangshan Marsh, and even most of the elite troops in the stronghold have left. Now, only Du Qian and..." "Song and Wan, what's wrong with us brothers going up the mountain to lay low for a few days?" Chao Gai disliked Wu Yong's words and said, "Since the winery opened in Dongxi Village, the villagers' lives have improved considerably. Even my own estate has seen a significant increase in good wine. Therefore, I sincerely admire Young Master Wang." The first part was addressed to Wu Yong, clearly stating his position. He continued, "We brothers have finally accomplished something great, so we can't just sit and wait to die. We must go to Liangshan!" These last words declared his resolve. He then looked at the three Ruan brothers.

Ruan Xiao'er pondered for a moment and said, "Young Master is not a heartless man. In my opinion, as long as you send a letter to Jiaozhou explaining the situation, Young Master will allow us to stay!" Chao Gai hesitated and said, "Liangshan Marsh was built by Young Master Wang's father, the White-Robed Scholar. I'm afraid Young Master Wang can't make the decision!" Ruan Xiaoqi suddenly spoke up and said, "As long as Young Master Wang agrees, the Chieftain will certainly not refuse." Seeing that Chao Gai was somewhat moved, Gongsun Sheng, who had been silent for a long time, said, "Brother and Zhu Gui are also sworn brothers?" Chao Gai nodded and said, "Zhu Gui and I are not only sworn brothers, but he used to manage the winery for Young Master Wang in Dongxi Village. We often drank together, and sometimes the Ruan brothers and three brothers from Yuncheng County were also there." Gongsun Sheng seemed to understand something and said, "Brother, why don't you write a letter to Zhu Gui first and sound out Young Master Wang's opinion from him!" Chao Gai knew that Wu Yong was quite resourceful and unconsciously looked at Wu Yong. Wu Yong pondered for a long time and said, "If you go to Liangshan, how many men can you take with you from the village?" Chao Gai shook his head and said, "Most of the villagers work at Young Master Wang's tavern, and their lives are much better than before. If we engage in some legal activities, I can still command a large following, but if we become outlaws, everyone will probably avoid us!" Ruan Xiaoer said, "Brother, you don't need to worry about not being able to raise a force. The three of us brothers still have some prestige in Shijie Village!" Chao Gai looked at Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng and said, "You two brothers are wise and resourceful. What do you think we should do?" Wu Yong looked at everyone and said, "In my opinion, Brother Chao Gai, Brother Ruan, and Brother Liu Tang should return to Shijie Village to recruit men as a backup plan. Brother Gongsun should go to Jiaozhou to explain the situation to Young Master Wang. I will go to Yuncheng County to find Brother Song Jiang for external support."

After a moment's thought, Gongsun Sheng said, "I agree!" Chao Gai then looked at the three Ruan brothers and Liu Tang. The four of them exchanged glances and said in unison, "We agree too!" Having made up their minds, Chao Gai no longer had so many concerns and said, "Then let's split into three groups and work together on this important matter!" After saying that, everyone raised their cups and drank them down in one gulp.

The next day, in a secluded private room at Xiaofanlou in Yuncheng County, with the doors and windows tightly closed, Wu Yong and Song Jiang met again. Song Jiang sized up Wu Yong and slowly said, "I have long admired Mr. Jia Liang's name, and seeing you today, it is indeed well-deserved!" Wu Yong was quite pleased and said, "Who in the world does not know the name of Song Gongming, the Timely Rain! Wu Yong greets you, brother!" Song Jiang already knew about Wu Yong and the others' sworn brotherhood with Chao Gai, and said, "Mr. Jia Liang, please sit!" Wu Yong also said, "Brother, please go first!" Song Jiang smiled helplessly and said, "Let's sit together!" The two sat down together, and Song Jiang whispered, "Daming Prefecture and Dongjing are pressing hard; Bai Sheng in prison probably won't last long before he confesses!" Wu Yong smiled mysteriously and said, "What are your plans, brother?" Song Jiang was somewhat surprised and angry, and said, "This matter has nothing to do with me!"

Wu Yong said, "You and Brother Chao Gai are sworn brothers. When the truth comes out, how can you escape responsibility?" Song Jiang sneered and said, "Robbing Liang Zhongshu's birthday gifts doesn't constitute a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. Besides, even if it were, it wouldn't be my turn!" Wu Yong nodded and said, "That's true, but you'll lose your official position, brother!" Song Jiang, eager to become an official, felt a chill upon hearing this and said, "Don't exaggerate!" Wu Yong's smile was full of cunning as he said, "These past years, the people have suffered greatly, and countless people have left their homes. I imagine it won't be long before heroes rise up to uphold justice!" Song Jiang was somewhat frightened and said, "If you continue to speak recklessly, don't blame me for disregarding our brotherhood and imprisoning you!" Wu Yong showed no sign of backing down and continued, "In the less than two hundred years of the Song Dynasty's rule, there have been more than three hundred uprisings, large and small. Do you know why, brother?" Song Jiang's expression softened slightly, but he remained silent. Wu Yong, showing no embarrassment whatsoever, continued, "As long as the leaders of those uprisings do not declare themselves emperors or kings, the imperial court has always prioritized granting them amnesty and only secondarily resorted to military campaigns. In other words, today you may be a powerful and influential rebel leader, and tomorrow you may be a high-ranking official in charge of a region!"

Song Jiang stared at Wu Yong and said, "Such hurtful words, and you can utter them so openly, it's truly admirable!" Wu Yong easily discerned the sarcasm in Song Jiang's words and said, "As a scholar, to be reduced to a mere tutor teaching children to read in Dongxi Village, I am even more resentful than you, brother!" Song Jiang shook his head again and said, "I am different from you; I hold an official position!" Wu Yong sneered and said, "Brother, you are the righteous and chivalrous Song Jiang, yet you can only be a lowly official in a third-rate county. This in itself is a great insult to you!"

At this moment, for some reason, Song Jiang suddenly thought of Wang Hao, that young man who had risen rapidly like a comet. Seeing Song Jiang hesitate, Wu Yong pressed his advantage, saying, "How does the scholar in white, Wang Lun, compare to you, brother?" Seeing Song Jiang remain silent, he answered himself, "A world of difference! Yet his son became a high-ranking official in the court in just over a year!" Song Jiang glanced at Wu Yong, still silent, but Wu Yong, certain of his success, continued, "Wang Hao's success today wasn't due to diligent official conduct, but rather to risky and unorthodox tactics!" Song Jiang's expression grew increasingly complex. Wu Yong added, "He made a name for himself through brewing wine, rose to power through women at Fanlou, and flattered the emperor by salvaging the 'Flower Stone Tribute.' Every single one of his actions, when examined closely, was despicable! And what was the result? He rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming a regional governor!"

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