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

Chapter 111 Wang Lun Meets the River Dragon

The old man received the money, returned the land, and left with his granddaughter, full of gratitude.

Before leaving, he called out to Wang Lun several times, "Immortal!"

After the two had walked a distance, Tong Wei said, "Now that we've become friends through this fight, I'm going to shamelessly prepare a banquet and invite you all to join me."

Lu Zhishen said in a gruff voice, "Are you trying to poison the wine?"

Tong Wei quickly replied, "No, no, my hands are still aching; I don't have the strength to administer poison."

The group burst into laughter, seemingly burying the hatchet with a laugh.

The group left the house and went with Tong Wei to a restaurant, where a large table was set with fine wine and meat.

"May I ask where you gentlemen come from and where you are going?"

After a few rounds of drinks, Tong Wei began to ask questions.

Wang Lun laughed and said, "Speaking of which, we are also destined to meet. We heard that Song Jiang, the Timely Rain of Shandong, was in trouble in Jiangzhou, so we came to his rescue. But we never expected to encounter that poor grandfather and grandson in Luzhou, which is why we caused trouble for Brother Tong Meng."

Tong Meng realized his mistake and corrected it. When he heard Wang Lun mention it, his face immediately turned red, and he waved his hand, saying, "It was all my fault for being confused."

"So you're also going to rescue Song Jiang? Oh, we've been ordered by Brother Li Jun to sell our property and head to Jiangzhou to rescue Song Jiang. After that, we plan to go to Shandong and join Liangshan Marsh."

Tong Wei was overjoyed, not expecting that they all had the same purpose. He continued to ask, "May I ask where you gentlemen come from, and what your names are? I don't know you yet."

Wang Lun stopped pretending to be mysterious and pointed at the group, saying, "This is Wu Song, the tiger-slaying hero; this is Lu Zhishen, the flowery monk; this is Gongsun Sheng, the cloud-piercing dragon; and this is Zhao Si, the guardian of Liangshan."

Apart from Zhao Si, who "suppresses Liangshan", the others are all very famous.

The Tong brothers were so shocked they didn't know what to do. It turned out that the people in front of them were the heroes of Liangshan.

Zhao Si was both surprised and delighted, and asked, "Chief, what's the story behind my nickname 'Suppressor of Liangshan'?"

Wang Lun laughed and said, "You're my follower. Who in Liangshan isn't afraid of you? Whatever you say, who would dare not respond? What else could you be but the guardian of Liangshan?"

Upon hearing this, the Tong brothers kicked aside their stools and bowed, saying, "So it's Chief Wang. We greet you, Chief."

Wang Lun smiled and helped the two up, saying, "No need for formalities. It is fate that I have come to Luzhou and met you two."

Lu Zhishen whispered, "I guess your next words, brother, will be, 'Why don't we become sworn brothers?'"

Wu Song's expression changed. He and Wang Lun had sworn brotherhood in Yanggu County, and he thought he was Wang Lun's only sworn brother, which made him happy for a long time.

When they returned to Liangshan, they learned that Wang Lun had not only sworn brotherhood with Wu Song, but also with Lin Chong, Yang Zhi, and Lu Zhishen, all of whom said, "I respect you as a hero, why don't we become brothers?"

Lu Zhishen guessed wrong. Wang Lun helped the two up and they continued drinking and laughing, but did not mention the matter of swearing brotherhood.

Wu Song was relieved and joined in the drinking.

"I wonder where that River Dragon Li Jun is. I admire heroes, and after learning that Li Jun is here, I can't wait to meet him."

Wang Lun asked with a smile.

Wu Song and Lu Zhishen immediately tensed up. If Wang Lun didn't want to become sworn brothers with the Tong brothers, could it be that he wanted to become sworn brothers with Li Jun instead?

Tong Wei said, "Brother Li Jun finds the city too troublesome and often stays at Jieyang Ridge. I just sent someone to invite him, and he will definitely come to see the chieftain as soon as he receives the news."

Wang Lun nodded secretly. These people were now thinking of rescuing Song Jiang and then joining Liangshan, which showed that Liangshan had done a good job of propaganda through the "Jianghu Daily".

Publicity work should never be neglected.

The group continued drinking. The Tong brothers, having suffered a loss at the hands of Wu Song and Lu Zhishen, now that the matter was over, kept offering toasts.

But Wu Song and Lu Zhishen were heavy drinkers, and before long, Tong Wei and Tong Meng were both seven-tenths drunk, while Wu Song and Lu Zhishen became more and more excited as they drank.

"Brother Tong, come, drink this cup to the brim."

Wu Song offered Tong Wei a toast, but seeing that there was still a sip of wine left in Tong Wei's cup, his face darkened: "Brother Tong, are you saving that wine in your cup to feed your fish?"

The term "raising fish" was taught to them by Wang Lun. Tong Wei had never heard it before, but as soon as Wu Song mentioned it, he immediately understood what it meant and quickly drank the wine in his cup.

Lu Zhishen, standing nearby, also shouted, "You scoundrel, how rude of you! You want to offer me a toast, but you haven't even filled the cup to the brim!"

Tong Meng was startled and quickly filled the cup.

Wang Lun smiled and drank with Wu Song and Lu Zhishen; few in the world could gain the upper hand.

Lu Zhishen was big-bellied and deep-seated; he could hold onto any amount of alcohol he drank.

Wu Song knew Drunken Fist; the more he drank, the more invigorated he became.

Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs, but there was more than one person.

Everyone looked towards the stairwell and saw a hero leading the way, followed by several men, all with fierce expressions.

Tong Wei and Tong Meng immediately stood up and said, "Greetings, brother."

Wang Lun knew that Li Jun had arrived, and the people next to him were probably several leaders of the Jieyang Ridge faction from the Water Margin, but he didn't know who was who.

The man in the lead was indeed "River Dragon" Li Jun. He looked around and his gaze landed on Wang Lun. He clasped his hands and said, "May I ask who you are, sir, for taking my two brothers?"

He didn't know that the visitor was a Liangshan hero. The messenger sent by Tong Wei simply said, "Tong Meng has been captured by several heroes, and now they've become friends after fighting."

Upon hearing this, Li Jun could no longer sit still. Who knew if the phrase "no fight, no friendship" was something he had been coerced into saying?

However, upon arriving, he saw several people drinking and laughing, which spurred him to refrain from taking action immediately and instead asked them questions first.

Tong Wei immediately explained, "Brother, it's all a misunderstanding. Let me introduce you. These are the heroes of Liangshan: Wang Lun, the White-Robed Scholar and leader of the stronghold; Wu Song, the Tiger-Slaying Hero; Lu Zhishen, the Flowery Monk; Gongsun Sheng, the Cloud-Piercing Dragon; and Zhao Si, the Guardian of Liangshan."

Li Jun was immediately shocked, never expecting that the chief of Liangshan would lead several renowned masters to arrive in person. He immediately bowed down: "So it's Chief Wang. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

He bowed once, and the people behind him followed suit.

Although Wang Lun didn't recognize the people present, he knew that the leader of the Jieyang Ridge faction in the original work was also a powerful force, so he didn't dare to be disrespectful and quickly got up to help Li Jun.

"I have long heard of the great name of Brother Li Jun, the River Dragon, and have even met him before. Seeing him today, I can see that he is indeed a hero. I wish I could come to Luzhou to meet him sooner." Wang Lun was very polite, smiling from ear to ear, and warmly grasped Li Jun's hand.

Li Jun felt Wang Lun's enthusiasm and was overjoyed.

Although he occupied Jieyang Ridge and was known as one of the three tyrants of Jieyang Ridge, in reality, apart from having some money from selling smuggled salt, his wealth was insignificant compared to that of Liangshan. At that time, Liangshan had dozens of leaders and tens of thousands of soldiers, and was able to escape unscathed after the imperial court sent troops to besiege them twice, which earned the admiration of heroes all over the world.

Not to mention that the news of Wu Song's wedding had already spread throughout the land through the "Jianghu Daily". Li Jun and others knew that this was Wang Lun's care and love for Wu Song, and it also showed that Wang Lun treated his brothers very well.

Who wouldn't yearn for such a powerful chieftain who commands troops and cherishes his subordinates?