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

Chapter 94 Lord Zhu's Despair

Ruan Xiaoer led his navy, escorting the prisoners, singing the Liangshan heroes' song, and excitedly returned to the military camp.

Zhu Hu and his men were like clowns, being watched by the Liangshan leaders.

Lin Chong said, "Yes, this person is Zhu Hu, that's right."

Guan Sheng said, "They captured Zhu Hu so easily, could it be a trap?"

Wu Song said, "Then let me break his kneecap with one punch. What kind of trick could that be?"

Hua Rong said, "Why don't we tie him up a hundred paces away and use him as a target so the brothers can practice archery?"

Qin Ming said, "This plan is brilliant."

Shi Xiu said, "He kidnapped our brother Shi Qian, we can't let him die easily, we have to torture him."

Shi Qian said, "Let me catch a few mice and put them on him."

Zhu Hu, who had initially intended to remain defiant, immediately cried out in terror upon hearing this, "Spare me, sir, spare me!"

Wang Lun chuckled and said, "Why should I spare your life?"

Zhu Hu knew this was a plea for loyalty. Although he didn't want to betray his father and brothers, he was now captured and had no choice but to divulge some information. Feigning thought, he asked, "What do you want to know?"

Wang Lun laughed and said, "Tell me, how do you navigate the Pantuo Road?"

Wang Lun already knew about the route to Pantuo Road and had already told the other leaders.

Upon hearing this question, the leaders knew that it was to test whether Zhu Hu was truly willing to surrender.

Without hesitation, Zhu Hu said, "The way to navigate the winding path is actually related to the poplar trees. Just keep going straight when you see a poplar tree..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Lun gave him a signal, and Wu Song stepped forward. With a "crack," Zhu Hu's right kneecap shattered.

He immediately cried out in pain, "Ah—I told you the truth!"

Wang Lun laughed, "Do you think I don't know? If I didn't know how to navigate the winding path, would Shi Qian have been able to blow up your granary?"

Shi Qian also laughed and said, "If the chieftain hadn't already known how to navigate Pantuo Road, wouldn't he have been tricked by you?"

Zhu Hu then realized that Shi Qian could enter and leave Zhu Family Village as if it were his own backyard, so he must know the way. He had been too clever for his own good and had ended up getting himself into trouble.

He quickly begged for mercy, saying, "Please spare my life, everyone. I know I was wrong, and I will never lie again."

Wang Lun asked, "I'm asking you, what is the relationship between you and your father and Luan Tingyu?"

Zhu Hu immediately said, "My father trusts him a lot. Although my two brothers and I learn martial arts from him, we look down on him because he tries to control us in every way."

Wang Lun nodded secretly. He knew that Zhu Hu was telling the truth. Luan Tingyu was just an instructor, but he often disciplined the three young masters, which naturally aroused resentment.

"So what did your father use to win him over?"

"I don't know. Perhaps Luan Tingyu wanted to find a place to showcase his talents, and it just so happens that the Zhu Family Village needs someone like him."

Wang Lun agreed with Zhu Hu's answer and continued, "Anything else?"

Zhu Hu thought for a moment and said, "Father gave him a maid to serve him in his daily life. The two are inseparable and have a very good relationship. My brother is a womanizer. Once he made a suggestive remark to her and was severely reprimanded by Luan Tingyu."

Wang Lun's eyes lit up: "What's the maid's name?"

"Her name was Yulan. She came from an official family, but her parents and family members were killed by us when her whole family passed through Dulonggang. She was beautiful, so her father kept her and later gave her to Luan Tingyu."

Zhu Hu stopped hiding anything, since he was talking about things related to Luan Tingyu, not to him.

Wang Lun nodded and waved his hand, saying, "Put the guards from Zhu Family Village into the prisoner-of-war camp, and keep a close watch on Zhu Hu. He might still be useful."

After taking Zhu Hu and the others away, Wang Lun said, "Summon Zhu Gui to see me so we can discuss matters in the tent."

All the leaders gathered in the main tent. Wang Lun first praised Ruan Xiaoer and the others, saying that the navy had captured Zhu Hu in one fell swoop, which was a great achievement.

"Ruan Xiaoer has made the greatest contribution this time. After the battle of Zhu Family Village, when rewards are distributed according to merit, you will certainly receive a share."

Ruan Xiaoer was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

"We must not let our guard down on the waterways. We must mobilize the entire navy and keep the waterways firmly blocked. We cannot let anyone escape."

The three Ruan brothers, their spirits lifted, clasped their hands in unison and said, "Yes."

Wang Lun glanced around and spotted Zhu Gui, who had taken to wearing a black cloak ever since becoming the head of Liangshan's intelligence bureau. He asked, "Director Zhu, do you have any people planted in the Zhu Family Manor?"

Zhu Gui quickly replied, "Of course we do. Not only in Zhu Family Village, but also in the surrounding Hu Family Village and Li Family Village, we have people here. They are all very reliable brothers."

The leaders were all surprised, not expecting Zhu Gui's intelligence system to be so powerful.

"I placed five people in Zhu Family Village: three were village guards, and the other two were ordinary people."

Zhu Gui continued, "The leader is called Zhang Cheng. He is shrewd and capable. He has kept his identity well hidden for more than a year, so there won't be any problems."

Wang Lun asked, "Is it reliable?"

Zhu Gui laughed and said, "Don't worry, Chief. This man is very reliable. He is an old man from Liangshan and one of the first to follow us. Besides, his father, wife and children are still in the back of Liangshan."

All the leaders nodded in agreement. Given this situation, the reliability of this man named Zhang Cheng was naturally high.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Lun said, "Tell Zhang Cheng about Yulan and ask him to find a way to win over this maid named Yulan."

Zhu Gui clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

Wang Lun continued to assign tasks: "Please have Brother Hao Siwen temporarily lead the scout team to keep a close watch on Hujiazhuang and Lijiazhuang, in case they bring troops to attack."

Hao Siwen quickly agreed.

"The other brothers should hurry up and train the soldiers. In less than five days, I will be able to take over Zhu Family Village. Then I will send troops to Li Family Village and take over both Zhu and Li Villages in one fell swoop."

"Yes," the leaders answered in unison, their voices resounding with confidence.

Inside the Zhu Family Village, Zhu Chaofeng, Zhu Long, Zhu Biao, and Luan Tingyu were discussing matters.

Zhu Chaofeng's face was grim, and he said angrily, "Second Brother has gone and never returned; his fate is likely grim. What are everyone's thoughts?"

Zhu Long, as always, began to shirk responsibility: "Erlang is reckless by nature and never thinks before acting. It's all because Father spoiled him. Now that something has happened, if he dies, it will be the end of it. If he doesn't die, it will be a good opportunity for him to reflect."

Zhu Chaofeng was furious: "Damn it! That's my own son! If he were dead, I would fight Liangshan to the death! How can you say that his death is the end of it all?"

Zhu Long realized he had spoken out of turn, so he stopped talking.

Zhu Biao said, "I heard that Da Lang raped a woman during the day? And I heard that woman's husband is one of our farmhands?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chaofeng's expression darkened further: "Really?"

Zhu Long stammered, "I...I just chatted with her, I didn't do anything. Her husband, although a farmhand, died a long time ago."

"Bang!"

Zhu Chaofeng slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "You beast! We have a powerful enemy outside, and you still insist on causing trouble. Once you incite public resentment and the people rebel, they will kill you first!"

Zhu Long retorted, "What's there to be afraid of with just one woman? Haven't you raped countless women over the years?"

Zhu Chaofeng was so angry that he could only let out a sigh and slump down in his chair.

Seeing his father's state, Zhu Long said, "Since Father is worried that the people will rebel because of this, I will go and kill that woman and her father later, and then say that it was done by the Liangshan bandits."

Zhu Chaofeng roared, "Get out!"

The two sons looked at each other and walked out of the house.

Luan Tingyu glanced at Zhu Chaofeng, then at the departing Long Biao and his two sons, sighed softly, and slowly left.