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

Chapter 2 Instructor Lin's Courage

The candle on the table popped and sparked.

Wang Lun trembled slightly. He was on edge, his life hanging in the balance as Lin Chong made his next choice.

Lin Chong's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Chieftain... what makes you say that?"

Knowing that Lin Chong was hesitating, Wang Lun immediately grasped Lin Chong's hands and said seriously, "Instructor Lin has been at Liangshan for over ten months. I ask you, how many people are there on Liangshan?"

Lin Chong paused for a moment, then said, "There are eight hundred capable fighters, and if you include the elderly, weak, women, and children, there are two thousand."

"The instructor should know that I, Wang, have never been particularly talented. I know nothing of martial arts or military strategy. What I rely on are the eight hundred brothers of Liangshan. It is they who support the entire Liangshan bandits by fishing, hunting, and robbing the rich to help the poor." Wang Lun's eyes were filled with tears. "Why was I so harsh on you before? And why are you refusing to let Chao Tianwang join us now?"

Lin Chong's mind raced with thoughts, but he didn't utter a word.

"The instructor has angered Grand Commandant Gao. How could a small group like us possibly afford to offend him? If we take you in, the lives of the two thousand people on Liangshan could be slaughtered by the imperial army at any moment." Wang Lun released Lin Chong's hand, wiped away his tears with his sleeve, "But I truly admire the instructor. The instructor has come to me for help, how could I refuse you? And how could I abandon the old and weak on Liangshan? After much hesitation, I have unintentionally offended you several times."

Lin Chong took a deep breath and nodded thoughtfully.

"Chao Tianwang is renowned and I have long wanted to get to know him, but now he has robbed the birthday tribute, which is an offense against the wrath of the emperor. Although the Song emperor is incompetent, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the court are not to be trifled with."

As Wang Lun spoke, he observed Lin Chong's expression. "Although they defeated He Tao and repelled the government troops, the imperial court will not let this go easily. They will soon send a large army. The lives of two thousand people in Liangshan are in our hands. Are we really willing to let the people die for the sake of King Chao?"

Lin Chong was finally moved and sat down at the table, frowning and remaining silent.

Wang Lun knew that Lin Chong's weakness lay in his soft heart and indecisiveness. By holding the lives of more than two thousand people in Liangshan hostage, he could control him. "I am unwilling to refuse Chao Tianwang's invitation to join us, nor can I bear to see the people of Liangshan die at the hands of the imperial court. After much thought, I have no choice but to die."

Lin Chong was shocked and looked up, saying, "Chief Wang, you mustn't speak of death so lightly."

"After I die, please ask Instructor Lin to make Chao Gai the leader of Liangshan. His skills far surpass mine. As the saying goes, 'Two tigers cannot share one mountain.' If he and I are together, the brothers will not be able to work together." Wang Lun played his trump card, took out two pieces of paper and placed them on the table. "After I die, please ask Instructor Lin to give these to King Chao."

Wang Lun bowed deeply again, "Please grant my request, Instructor Lin."

Lin Chong reached for the papers on the table. The first one was a map, which clearly recorded the marching route from Liangshan Marsh to attack the Qi-Lu region, first attacking Zengtou City, then breaking through Gaotang Prefecture...

Below the map, there was a line of text that foretold the imminent attack of the Jurchens from the north and the inevitable demise of the Liao and Song dynasties.

Lin Chong was no ordinary man; he instantly realized the importance of this map. With this plan, if Liangshan Marsh were to find a wise leader, their great cause could be accomplished.

Meanwhile, the Jurchens in the north rose to power and established the Jin Dynasty at the beginning of the year, a fact known to the world.

He looked at the second sheet of paper, which was a drawing of a bow, detailing the bow's manufacturing process.

His eyes narrowed. The Song Dynasty's weaponry was already unprecedentedly powerful, and the most formidable weapon was the Divine Arm Bow, which had a long range, great power, and was lightweight and durable.

He had used it when he was an instructor, but the imperial court strictly controlled the divine crossbow. The common people did not know how to make it, and the military also controlled it very strictly. Not every unit could be equipped with it.

He looked at Wang Lun and realized that this man was unfathomable. He had been planning to expand and strengthen Liangshan for a long time, and even had blueprints for the Divine Arm Bow. He... had deceived everyone and was not the weak and incompetent scholar he appeared to be.

"Cough cough—" Wang Lun coughed loudly, raising his sleeve to wipe the corner of his mouth.

When the pristine white sleeves were lowered, Lin Chong noticed that there were bright red bloodstains on them.

"You!" Lin Chong exclaimed anxiously, "Is Chief Wang unwell?"

Wang Lun hid the blood-stained sleeve behind his back and said with a wry smile, "I've been worrying and straining myself over this Divine Armbow lately, probably from excessive anxiety. It's nothing serious."

Looking at the two pieces of paper in his hand and then at Wang Lun, Lin Chong fell into deep thought.

"Chief!" A series of hurried footsteps sounded, and Zhu Gui rushed over, quickly bowing to Lin Chong and saying, "Chief, a letter came from the brothers down the mountain. He Tao, who was defeated by Chao Tianwang, has somehow gathered troops and is marching towards Liangshan in a grand procession. They are expected to arrive at noon tomorrow."

Lin Chong asked anxiously, "How many people are there?"

Zhu Gui said, "There are approximately a thousand people."

Wang Lun was shocked: "Oh dear, what should we do? The only solution now is to send people to speed up the production of the Divine Arm Bow, which might be able to hold out for a while."

Lin Chong was well aware that Liangshan Marsh was surrounded by water, and in water warfare, bows and arrows were naturally extremely important.

Now that Chao Gai has gotten into trouble, Wang Lun is going so far as to pull out the Divine Arm Bow, a treasure he possesses, just to rescue the two thousand men and women of the mountain stronghold. Furthermore, to avoid the tragedy of two tigers not being able to share one mountain, Wang Lun willingly seeks death.

Wang Lun was a kind and righteous man.

Lin Chong no longer hesitated and immediately bowed his head, saying, "Brother, Lin Chong was confused."

Wang Lun quickly helped Lin Chong up: "What are you saying, Instructor? I have always admired you and consider you my own brother. Now that foreign enemies are attacking, we should focus on fighting back, protecting the people behind us, and protecting our homeland."

With tears in his eyes, Lin Chong choked out, "Chief, as long as Lin Chong lives, the people can live well."

Wang Lun nodded with relief: "In that case, I can go in peace."

"elder brother--"

Zhu Gui knelt down and said, "Liangshan cannot be without you, brother. Although Chao Gai is a capable man, he cannot let you lose your life just because of the struggle for power and profit."

Lin Chong shouted, "Chief, you must not have any more thoughts of dying. Although King Chao is a hero, you are the provider of food and clothing for the people of Boli. You must not be harmed."

Wang Lun helped Zhu Gui up: "Quickly take the blueprints for the Divine Arm Bow and order the craftsmen to make it as soon as possible. The more they make, the safer everyone will be."

Zhu Gui took the blueprints from Lin Chong and hurried away.

Lin Chong looked at Wang Lun and noticed the bloodstains on his sleeve. He realized that Wang Lun must have spent countless nights painstakingly studying the Divine Arm Bow blueprints and the map.

Wang Lun was unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness, wholeheartedly devoted to the people of Liangshan. However, Chao Gai and his group not only brought disaster upon themselves but also plotted to seize power. Lin Chong now realizes that his desire to kill Wang Lun was partly due to Wu Yong's instigation.

A chill ran down his spine; he had almost made a grave mistake.

"Chief, you remain firmly in your position. As for Chao Tianwang, I, Lin Chong, will handle everything."

Wang Lun was overjoyed, thinking that the fresh chicken blood he had Zhu Gui prepare earlier was indeed useful, stirring up Lin Chong's compassion. However, he still looked worried: "Chao Tianwang is a great man, skilled in both literature and martial arts. I... am not as good as him."

Lin Chong shouted, "Chief, don't worry. You have knowledge, and I, Lin Chong, have martial skills. Are we two inferior to Chao Gai? If they dare to harbor any disloyalty tomorrow, I, Lin Chong, will not spare them with my spear."

Wang Lun gave a thumbs up: "Instructor Lin has great courage."