A secret alliance was formed, and the spark began to ignite

"Jade Unicorn" Lu Junyi!

The name resonated like thunder in Qiongying's heart. The deputy leader of Liangshanpo, a martial arts master with immense wealth, was originally a wealthy gentry from Daming Prefecture, Hebei Province. He was lured to Liangshan by Song Jiang and his men, becoming the second-in-command. In the original novel, while he might not have fully embraced the offer of amnesty, he ultimately followed the crowd. His secret appearance here at this moment suggested that the undercurrents within Liangshan were far more turbulent than she had imagined!

Qiongying forced herself to suppress her turbulent emotions, stood up and returned the greeting, her voice still maintaining the hoarseness and calmness of "Qingshizi": "It turns out that it is Mr. Lu who has come to visit. I am so sorry for the inconvenience. I just wonder why you, Mr. Lu, are not serving in the army, and why you came here so late at night to look for a country dweller like me?"

Lu Junyi's eyes were sharp as he spoke frankly, "Don't lie in front of a true master. I came here because of a secret letter from a brother." He paused, observing Qiongying's reaction. "The letter mentioned that there's a Taoist priest named 'Qingshizi' in Yuncheng. He has extraordinary insights and may be able to resolve Liangshan's current predicament. After hearing the Taoist priest's profound words today, I know that what he said was true."

A secret letter from a brother recommends!

Qiongying's heart skipped a beat. It was Zhang Qing! It had to be him! Who else besides him knew of the existence of the "blue stone" and would lead Lu Junyi to her at this critical moment?

Zhang Qing, on the front lines, not only remembered their agreement but, even in such a dangerous environment, managed to lure a heavyweight like Lu Junyi over! An indescribable warmth, mixed with bitterness, quietly surged through Qiongying's heart. He was paving the way for her, and finding a way out for Liangshan, in his own way.

"So that's how it is." Qiongying remained calm, motioning for Lu Junyi to sit down and discuss the matter in detail. "Since Mr. Lu has been so frank, I won't lie any more. Liangshan's current situation may seem like it has been recruited and is on the right path, but in reality, it's treading on thin ice. One wrong step could lead to eternal damnation. Mr. Lu's insight into this danger is truly a blessing for Liangshan."

Lu Junyi sighed, a trace of worry etched across his brow. "To be honest, Taoist Priest, I've always had my doubts about the offer of amnesty. But Brother Song Gongming is so dedicated to helping us all find a better future, and the other brothers agree, so I'm reluctant to say more. However, the imperial court has been repeatedly delaying the delivery of food and fodder, while the military supervisors are urging troops to advance without regard for the soldiers' fatigue. Furthermore..." He lowered his voice, "...rumors of unknown origin have been circulating among the army, suggesting that even if we achieve meritorious service, we won't have a good ending. Brother Zhang Qing has been in danger several times, and the reasons behind these incidents have left me restless."

Qiongying listened quietly, knowing that Lu Junyi was revealing his true intentions. She pondered, "Your concerns are perfectly valid. The imperial court is not monolithic. The likes of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing see Liangshan as a thorn in their side, and they're determined to eliminate it as soon as possible. The so-called amnesty is merely a temporary solution. Suppressing Wang Qing and Fang La is simply a borrowed knife. Once the birds are gone and the bows are shelved, it will be time for reckoning."

"Brother Zhang Qing said in the letter, 'Find another river or sea to preserve strength', Taoist priest, do you think it is feasible?" Lu Junyi asked with a burning gaze. This was the core purpose of his trip.

"Not only is it feasible, it's the only way out!" Qiong Ying said firmly, "But it's extremely difficult and dangerous. Three conditions must be met."

"What three conditions?"

"First, the core of Liangshan must reach a consensus. At least some of the leaders who hold military power must work together. Otherwise, with inconsistent orders, it will be difficult to accomplish anything significant. Second, we need a reliable base that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and can avoid the main offensives of the imperial court and various separatist forces. Third, we need sufficient financial resources and stable supplies to sustain a long-term plan."

Lu Junyi nodded repeatedly after hearing this, with the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter: "Every word the Taoist said makes sense! Regarding the consensus, I can secretly contact a few like-minded brothers. As for the place of foundation... Liangshan's old stronghold is good, but the target is too big, and it has been known by the court, so it may not be a good choice. As for the source of funds..." He frowned slightly. Although Liangshan had some savings, it was afraid that it would not be able to support the long-term development of an independent force.

Seeing this, Qiongying knew the time had come and said slowly, "I may have some clues about the base. There are islands overseas, vast and sparsely populated, with fertile soil; or in the southwest border, with high mountains and dense forests, beyond the reach of the imperial court. This matter requires long-term planning and careful exploration. As for the source of wealth..."

She paused briefly, her eyes sweeping across the humble room, her tone filled with unquestionable confidence: "Sir, do you know that there's a 'Tongxin Society' that's been established in Yuncheng County recently?"

Lu Junyi was startled. "I've heard a little bit about it. It seems to be a loose organization for people in the market to exchange information. The Taoist mentioned this association..."

"This association may be small, but it's a 'spark,'" Qiongying said meaningfully. "Information can sometimes be more powerful than a sword; money isn't just about robbery. If we can use trading companies and warehouses as a foundation, and organizations like the Tongxin Society as a network, connecting businesses north and south and gathering intelligence from all directions, there's no need to worry about a lack of financial resources or information."

Lu Junyi, a man of great character, instantly understood Qiongying's intentions! This meant shifting some of Liangshan's power from a purely military group to a complex force encompassing military, political, and commercial interests! What a staggering concept! But upon closer inspection, it perfectly aligned with the need to "preserve strength while establishing a new foundation"!

He looked at the Taoist priest in front of him, whose gray hair couldn't hide the wisdom and courage in his eyes. This man was no ordinary quack. His insights, vision, and methods were truly extraordinary! Brother Zhang Qing, you've truly found an incredible "military advisor" for Liangshan!

Lu Junyi took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply to Qiongying: "Master, your talent is extraordinary! Junyi is in awe! If you don't mind, I am willing to work with you and Brother Zhang Qing to conspire on this great cause of 'finding another Jianghai'! If you have any mission, I will not refuse even if it means death!"

This obeisance was of great significance. It marked the beginning of an undercurrent of reform among the core leadership of Liangshan, which had formally formed an alliance with Qiongying, the time traveler.

Qiongying also stood up and returned the greeting: "You are too kind, sir. I am also concerned about the lives of the people of the world and cannot bear to see such loyal and righteous people die in vain. Since we share the same goal, we should work together."

The two men sat down again and began to discuss the details. Lu Junyi stated that he would quickly and secretly contact leaders who might support this initiative, such as Yan Qing, Zhu Wu, and Hu Sanniang. He would also leverage his existing connections in Hebei to begin scouting for suitable overseas islands or border areas. At the same time, he would secretly transfer some funds from the Liangshan public treasury for initial funding.

Qiongying was responsible for further standardizing and expanding the Tongxin Society, using it as a framework to gradually build a broader intelligence network and business model. Lu Junyi left his contact information and a token on the spot, promising to send a reliable person (he hinted that it might be the prodigal Yanqing) to maintain a direct line of communication with Qiongying.

Outside the window, the rain had stopped at some point, and a glimmer of light appeared in the eastern sky.

Lu Junyi put on his hood, hiding his face once again. "Master, the road ahead is difficult. Take care of yourselves. I will return to the army and act accordingly."

"Take care, sir."

After sending Lu Junyi out the door and watching his tall figure silently merge into the pre-dawn darkness, Qiongying leaned against the door and breathed a long sigh of relief. Her palms were already covered in cold sweat.

This meeting with Lu Junyi was incredibly risky, but the rewards were also beyond imagination. She was finally no longer fighting alone; she had successfully connected with a powerful force within Liangshan and implanted the concept of a "third way" into the mind of a core leader.

The spark has been ignited.

She returned to the house, and the mute servant Shi Xiu came out from the inner room with a questioning look on his face.

Qiongying nodded to him and said softly, "Shi Xiu, maybe our path will be clear."

She walked to the window and opened it. The cool morning breeze, carrying the fragrance of earth after rain, rushed in, blowing her gray wig. In the distant sky, a trace of morning glow was slowly spreading.

Although the road ahead is still full of thorns, at this moment, Qiongying's heart is filled with unprecedented hope and strength.

She, Qiu Qiongying, a soul from another world, is truly beginning to change the trajectory of history on this ancient land.