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

Chapter 24 The More the Merrier

When Wang Lun woke up, it was already broad daylight.

Looking out the window, she saw the sun shining brightly and was immediately startled, exclaiming, "Ke'er, why didn't you wake me up?"

Suddenly, he remembered that Zheng Ke'er had gone back to the village to find someone for him.

Without her, I overslept and couldn't even get up early to practice martial arts.

At his call, Zhao Si, who was standing at the door, pushed it open and came in, laughing, "Chief, are you missing Ke'er?"

Wang Lun was furious: "The world is not yet at peace, I, Wang Lun, will never think of women."

Zhao Si helped him wash up and change his clothes, and said, "Chao Tianwang has already led his men down the mountain. He ordered me to tell the chief that he will definitely rob all the Du family's gold and silver within three days and come back to report."

Wang Lun nodded and said, "Chao Gai is actually not a bad person."

What he disliked most was Wu Yong, who was cunning and resourceful, but whose intentions were not pure enough.

Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "I ordered you to send someone to Tokyo to bring back Instructor Lin's wife. Has there been any result?"

He knew that according to the original story, Lin Chong's wife was forced by Gao Yanei and later committed suicide. Therefore, if the people who were to fetch her arrived too late, they would only bring back a corpse, which would be a great blow to Lin Chong.

Among the characters in Water Margin, Lin Chong, Guan Sheng, and Lu Junyi are the most skilled in martial arts, especially in horsemanship, which is unparalleled among all the heroes.

If we were to wage war against the Liao and Jin dynasties in the future, cavalry would be the most crucial element.

He was determined to win over Lin Chong. Since he had transmigrated, he naturally had to do something big. Moreover, he had transmigrated to the world of Water Margin, not the official history, so whatever he did would not have any impact on future history.

This is like creating a copy of yourself, which you can play however you want.

"There's no result yet, but judging by the timeline, it should be within the next day or two."

Zhao Si attentively helped Wang Lun change his clothes and asked, "Are you going down the mountain to recruit soldiers again today?"

Just as Wang Lun was about to speak, he heard someone knocking on the door: "Brother."

It was Lin Chong's voice. Wang Lun hurriedly went out to greet him and saw Lu Zhishen and Yang Zhi there as well. He smiled bitterly and said, "I drank a bit too much with Zhishen last night and slept a little too soundly, which made me late for my training this morning. Alas, wine and women are harmful; one should not indulge in either."

Lu Zhishen laughed heartily: "Brother, why do you need to practice martial arts? With me, Lu Da, here, no one dares to get close to you."

"Zhishen, can you take care of me every day? I, Wang Lun, am also a man of seven feet tall. I must take up a sword to protect myself and those around me." Wang Lun spoke these grand words to win people over without batting an eye. "One day, I, Wang Lun, will also have the strength to protect Zhishen, protect Instructor Lin, and protect Brother Yang Zhi."

Lin Chong was deeply moved and said, "Brother is absolutely right. No matter how good others are, nothing beats having your own martial arts skills. However, you have been practicing diligently and have made great progress these days. I think you will soon be among the masters."

Wang Lun smiled and nodded, saying, "The three of you were looking for me?"

"When Zhishen and Yang Zhichu came to Liangshan, I wanted to show them around, so I thought I'd invite you to come along," Lin Chong said sincerely.

Wang Lun thought for a moment and said, "I still have to go down the mountain to recruit soldiers today, so I won't be able to wander around with you. But while you wander around, I'll catch a few fat fish while I'm recruiting. This afternoon, you guys come to my room, and I'll cook for you myself. How about that?"

Unless there is a specific reason for the leaders to gather, they usually eat separately and do not meet in the Hall of Righteousness.

Hearing that Wang Lun would cook for them personally, Lin Chong and the other two were overjoyed. Although cooking for them personally might not result in a delicious meal, it would prove that they were truly Wang Lun's confidants, so they nodded in agreement.

Wang Lun ordered Zhao Si to bring fishing gear to Jinshatan to meet Gongsun Sheng, who was already waiting there, and together they took a boat to the harbor to recruit soldiers.

Wang Lun pretended not to know about Gongsun Sheng's drinking at the Juyi Hall last night, and only chatted with him casually.

After chatting for a while, Gongsun Sheng finally said, "Brother, there is something I would like to ask you."

Wang Lun liked to call Gongsun Sheng "Gongsun," and after being called that so often, Gongsun Sheng himself started calling himself "Gongsun."

"Oh? Gongsun, please speak freely." Wang Lun was well aware of Gongsun Sheng's question.

"Chao Tianwang and Wu Yong led us to rob the birthday tribute. Although we stole the people's hard-earned money, it still harmed Yang Zhi." Gongsun Sheng looked remorseful. "Yang Zhi was originally a good man, but because of the loss of the birthday tribute, he had no choice but to become an outlaw at Erlong Mountain. I have always felt guilty about this, and I don't know how to get along with Yang Zhi now. We will all be on the mountain from now on, and it will be difficult to face him in the end."

Wang Lun smiled and said, "Gongsun is a Taoist practitioner, and should strive to be free from desires and have a pure heart in order to maintain his true nature. You and Yang Zhi were complete strangers. When you kidnapped him, did you know that he would later join you on Liangshan?"

Gongsun Sheng nodded thoughtfully.

"Since you don't know him, you were a bandit back then, and he was doing his job for Liang Zhongshu. You robbed him because you were acting on behalf of Heaven, and it was his duty to protect the birthday tribute. So why should you feel guilty?"

After Wang Lun finished speaking, he stretched and said, "But you're right. After all, because you robbed the birthday gifts, Yang Zhi ended up wandering the world. But perhaps this is the life he prefers. Did he have a better life when he was with Liang Zhongshu?"

Gongsun Sheng nodded repeatedly. In Liang Zhongshu's eyes, Yang Zhi was nothing more than a tool, used to exploit his martial arts skills.

"Gongsun, our guilt shows that our conscience is not completely dead. But if we are too fixated on this, we will lose sight of the bigger picture. What you need to do is treat Yang Zhi rationally and as a brother." Wang Lun patted Gongsun Sheng on the shoulder.

"We're all江湖人 (jianghu people), what can't be solved with a bowl of wine? If one bowl of wine can't solve it, then two or three bowls will do."

Wang Lun stood in the sunlight, dressed in a pure white robe, like a figure stepping out of a painting.

Gongsun Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded secretly. If everything else were disregarded, Wang Lun's greatest advantage was his handsome appearance. No wonder that princess favored him.

As the boat docked, a large group of people could be seen approaching in the distance.

Some were pulling carts, some were pulling oxen, some were carrying sacks, and some were carrying hoes.

This is?

Wang Lun stepped forward suspiciously, paused for a moment, and then saw the person in front of him raise his hand high and wave it vigorously.

As they drew closer, Wang Lun exclaimed with delight, "Zheng Ke'er, she... she did it!"

Gongsun Sheng stepped forward and stood beside him, saying with delight, "It seems this young lady really did bring her entire village here."

"Come on, come on! I, Wang Lun, am calling up troops, the more the better. And the people of Liangshan are being cared for, the more the better."

Wang Lun went over and excitedly grasped Zheng Ke'er's hand, making Zheng Ke'er blush. She tried to shake him off but didn't have the strength of Wang Lun.

"Good, good girl, starting this month, your salary will be increased by one level. Oh my, Ke'er, you are truly a heroine among women."

Partly because of Wang Lun's praise, and partly because Wang Lun shook her hand, Zheng Ke'er blushed instantly.

"Hey, let go of Ke'er."

A dark-skinned young man, holding a hoe, flew into a rage when he saw Wang Lun approach and grab the woman's hand. He then struck him with the hoe.

Wang Lun was so overjoyed that he didn't even realize he needed to dodge.

Gongsun Sheng and Zhao Si were too far away to receive timely treatment.

Just as Wang Lun was about to be hit by the hoe, a loud "boom" was heard. The young man suddenly stopped, fell straight to the ground, his whole body became even darker, his hair stood on end, and he smelled burnt.

Wang Lun's pupils widened as he turned to look at Gongsun Sheng, only to see Gongsun Sheng making a hand seal and smiling faintly: "I only used three-tenths of my strength."

The Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Righteous Dharma!

Truly divine intervention.