Water Margin: From a White-Robed Scholar to Donning the Yellow Robe

Chapter 110 Lu Zhishen punches Tong Wei

At this time, the annual fiscal revenue of the Song Dynasty was approximately 50 million strings of cash.

From the perspective of local prefectures, the annual tax revenue of an ordinary prefecture is between 100,000 and 300,000 guan.

In smaller states like Jeju, where bandits are rampant, annual tax revenue would not exceed 100,000 kan.

This mere salt guild, with its small business, essentially monopolizing only Luzhou, was able to generate a profit of 200,000 strings of cash.

This deal is a success.

"If you want to do the smuggled salt business, just give me a sum of money, and my brother and I will give you the smuggled salt business in Luzhou, and we will also introduce you to the local government and other gangs. How about it?" Tong Meng could see that Wang Lun and the others were interested in the smuggled salt business.

Wang Lun asked with a smile, "How much?"

"Three hundred thousand strings of cash," Tong Meng quoted a price. "Give me three hundred thousand strings of cash, and we'll hand over the business in Luzhou to you. If you manage it well, you'll break even in a year or two. It won't be a loss."

Wang Lun nodded secretly. No wonder in the original story, Li Jun pretended to have a stroke and specifically asked Tong Wei and Tong Meng to stay and take care of him. After a discussion, the three of them were able to come up with a plan to go to Siam from the south.

The two Tong brothers may not be highly skilled in martial arts, but they do have their own special talents.

"What if I want to do this business without spending any money?" Wang Lun asked with a smile.

Tong Meng shook his head and said, "No way. Do you really think we brothers are easy to bully? There's no one in the world as arrogant as you. If you were Wang Lun, the leader of Liangshan Marsh, that would be one thing, but you're a Taoist priest. What gives you the right to take over our business without paying a single penny?"

Wang Lun laughed heartily: "Wang Lun of Liangshan, is this man so formidable?"

Tong Meng said, "Of course he's very powerful. He occupied Liangshan, gathered a group of heroes, acted chivalrously, robbed the rich to help the poor, and conquered Jizhou. The imperial court couldn't do anything about him. In one night, he took Zhu, Hu, and Li villages in succession, and his power shook Shandong."

Wang Lun nodded and said, "It's not enough to just be famous in Shandong; he needs to be famous throughout the country."

Tong Meng laughed and said, "It seems you admire him very much. To be honest, my brothers and I are thinking of going to join him."

Wang Lun exclaimed with delight, "Is that so?"

Tong Meng was about to speak again when Zhao Si outside announced, "Brother, Tong Wei is here."

Wang Lun asked, "How many men did he bring?"

Zhao Si replied, "Only one person and one knife."

Wang Lun praised, "Good men, which of you will go out and meet them?"

Lu Zhishen immediately said, "I'll go and test his skills."

To subdue the Tong brothers, Wang Lun cannot rely solely on his past reputation; he must also subdue them by force.

After all, they are all people of the martial arts world, living a life of constant danger. Without a fight, how can they win someone's heart with just a few words?

Lu Zhishen strode out the door, only to find that there was indeed only one person outside. This person was slightly larger than Tong Meng and looked more composed. He also bore a five or six-point resemblance to Tong Meng.

"You really came alone, what a fine man!" Lu Zhishen praised before even making a move.

Tong Wei said, "Monk, I don't know how my brother offended you, that you would capture him here. If there is any misunderstanding, let's talk it out. If you want money, name your price."

Lu Zhishen said, "There is no misunderstanding, and I am not seeking wealth."

"Then why did you capture my brother?"

"Only for the sake of righteousness."

"What meaning?"

"Moral principles".

Tong Wei frowned and said, "Morality? What wrong did my brother do? Although we are the Salt Gang and do shady business, we have never killed innocent people or harmed others."

Lu Zhishen said, "You talk too much. Come on, let's have a fight, and then you can talk to my brother."

Tong Wei raised his eyebrows and said, "Alright, Great Monk, let's have a fight and see whose fist is stronger."

Seeing that Lu Zhishen was not carrying a weapon, he put his knife aside, rolled up his sleeves, and stood still in the middle of the field.

Wang Lun and Wu Song were watching inside the house.

Wang Lun asked, "How many punches do you think it would take for Zhishen to win?"

Wu Song said, "Tong Wei's kung fu is superior to Tong Meng's, in my opinion..."

Tong Meng said smugly, "This big monk looks tall, but he can't possibly beat my brother. My brother has no rivals in Luzhou City."

Wang Lun laughed and said, "You're like a frog in a well. Do you think Luzhou is the only place in the world?"

He shouted outside, "Five punches, can you win?"

Lu Zhishen turned around and laughed, "Three punches are enough."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly threw a punch, the force of which was like Mount Tai pressing down, causing Tong Wei to retreat in fear.

But simply retreating wouldn't do. Tong Wei took several steps back, gathered his strength, and threw a punch to meet the attack.

As their fists collided, Tong Wei's arm trembled violently. His right hand was in excruciating pain, and he could only let it hang limply at his sides, unable to throw another punch.

Lu Zhishen cursed, "You scoundrel, you beat me to a pulp!"

He threw another punch.

Tong Wei had no choice but to extend his left fist to block. With a "bang," he stumbled back several steps, his left hand hanging limply in pain.

With just two punches, he was no longer able to fight.

This is the power of brute force. No matter how many moves you have, in Lu Zhishen's eyes they are just flashy and useless. He only needs to throw one punch, and you can't dodge it or avoid it; you can only take it head-on.

To accept Lu Zhishen's punch is to use one's weakness against Lu Zhishen's strength.

It should be noted that Lu Zhishen's fists were extremely powerful. He once killed Zhen Guanxi with just three punches. Zhen Guanxi was a strong butcher with the nickname "Zhen Guanxi," so his martial arts skills were not weak.

But Lu Zhishen killed him with just three punches, which shows how strong Lu Zhishen was.

With just two punches, Tong Wei was already incapacitated.

Wang Lun stepped in at the right moment and said, "Zhishen, stop."

He walked out with his hands behind his back, and said calmly, "You're Tong Wei?"

Upon seeing Wang Lun, Tong Wei knew that he must be the leader, given his imposing presence. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Master, I am Tong Wei. I don't know what my brother did to deserve being captured and brought here."

Tong Meng staggered out of the house, exclaiming in surprise, "Oh no, brother, you lost?"

As soon as Tong Wei heard him speak, he smelled the alcohol, frowned at the stench, and said, "Are you drunk again?"

Tong Meng chuckled and said, "I had a few drinks, but... hiccup... I'm not drunk."

Tong Wei glared at him and said to Wang Lun, "Daoist Master, I wonder if you're after money or something else?"

If it were for money, the Tong brothers would have plenty of it.

Wang Lun beckoned, and Zhao Si called the old man out of the next room.

The old man then recounted the story again.

Tong Wei was furious and jumped forward to kick Tong Meng. His hands were still not fully recovered, demonstrating Lu Zhishen's immense strength.

After fighting for a while, Tong Wei said to Wang Lun, "My brother Tong has always been a playboy, but fortunately he didn't commit a serious crime this time. Since you, Daoist, have acted righteously, you must be one of us. I hope you will forgive him. I will leave some money for this old man and his grandson as an apology."

Wang Lun nodded and said, "Keep five hundred strings of cash, and buy back the old man's land and return it to him. I will not pursue this matter further."

Tong Meng quickly replied, "That's easy, I'll give him a few more acres of land."

The matter was thus concluded. Wang Lun was also satisfied with Tong Wei's attitude. Judging from the two brothers, their superior, Li Jun, must also be a good man.