Liangshan Water Marsh
After settling down in Liangshan, life seemed to have entered a new track.
Gongsun Sheng still maintained his habits at Zixu Monastery, spending most of his time in seclusion in his quiet courtyard, only occasionally appearing in the Juyi Hall to participate in key decision-making. Chao Gai and Wu Yong also knew his temperament and would not easily disturb him unless it was a matter of great importance.
I was treated as a "distinguished guest," well-fed and well-clothed, and no one dared to openly neglect me. But I also knew that in this mountain stronghold, where strength and merit reign supreme, the titles of "descendant of an old friend" and "benefactor" didn't bring true respect. Many leaders and minions still looked at me with curiosity, scrutiny, and even a subtle hint of contempt.
I can't live under Gongsun Sheng's wings forever. I must find my own way to gain a foothold in Liangshan.
My opportunity comes from the daily operation of the cottage.
Liangshan Marsh, stretching 800 miles across, was easy to defend but difficult to attack, but its sheer size also brought immense logistical pressure. Food, supplies, weapons, armor, and medical care were all a complex undertaking. While Wu Yong was resourceful and adept at planning the overall situation, he wasn't necessarily proficient in every aspect of these tedious tasks.
As a soul born in the age of information explosion, I may not have the courage of a thousand men nor the wisdom of a genius, but in terms of organization, management and some "strange skills", I have a vision that is difficult for people of this era to achieve.
I didn't rush into core matters, but started with some small details.
For example, I discovered that the level of medical care in the mountain village was uneven, relying mostly on a few doctors with a basic understanding of herbal medicine and some crude wound remedies. Drawing on my basic first aid and hygiene knowledge from my time traveling, I proposed to the leader in charge that we establish a dedicated "medical camp" to centrally manage the wounded, implement boiling water disinfection and clean bandages, and bring Qingsong and some willing women with us to identify and collect more herbs with hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, so that we could try to formulate more effective wound remedies.
At first, those rough-hewn men dismissed my proposal, even mocking me for being nosy. It wasn't until a patrol from the water stronghold encountered government troops, and several of the men were severely injured. After following my method to treat the wounds, the infection and suppuration rates were significantly reduced, and recovery was much faster. Only then did they begin to take my proposal seriously. The logistics leader, Song Qing, known as "Iron Fan" (Song Jiang's younger brother, now already at Liangshan), personally came to me for advice, his attitude much more respectful.
For example, the stronghold's warehouse management was disorganized, with supplies flowing in and out relying solely on memory and crude ledgers, leading to frequent errors and shortages. Drawing on modern warehouse management concepts, I suggested to Song Qing that a system of "classification and numbering, entry and exit registration, and regular inventory checks" be implemented. I also designed a clearer ledger format. Although this approach initially encountered considerable resistance, as the men, accustomed to large bowls of wine and large chunks of meat, found it cumbersome, Wu Yong, upon learning of it, keenly recognized its importance to the long-term management of the stronghold. He overcame all objections and supported Song Qing's gradual implementation.
These little efforts, like the gentle spring rain that moistens everything, quietly changed the impression people had of me. No longer just a "mysterious woman" attached to Gongsun Sheng, I gradually revealed a pragmatic and capable side.
Of course, I haven't given up on my spiritual practice. The Heart Purification Mantra and breathing exercises have become daily rituals. My inner Qi is increasingly abundant, and my spiritual perception is sharpening. While I still hesitate to use my Soul Sound, it's no longer as completely out of control as it was at the beginning.
One day, I was picking herbs in the back mountain with Qingsong and a few women, when I suddenly heard a noise and commotion coming from the direction of the water village in the front mountain, mixed with the faint sound of weapons clashing!
"Something happened!" Qingsong's face changed.
I knew something was amiss, so I told them to stay put while I hurried up the mountain. By now, I was quite familiar with the paths through Liangshan, and soon we were near the water stronghold.
The Golden Beach Pier was in chaos! Several patrol boats lay crookedly against the shore, bloodstained and many of the minions wounded. Above the water, two Liangshan ships were engaged in a fierce battle with three warships flying government flags! Arrows flew, shouts shook the air!
"What's going on?" I grabbed a thug who was bandaging his arm and asked urgently.
The thug bared his teeth and said, "It's the government troops from Jeju Prefecture! They somehow managed to sneak into one of our outposts, launched a surprise attack, and are trying to take advantage of the situation to attack Jinshatan! Leader Ruan Xiaoer is leading his brothers to resist!"
Jeju Prefecture's government troops? They actually dared to attack Liangshan? It seems the imperial government's encirclement and suppression has already begun!
I looked up and saw Ruan Xiaoer standing on the bow of a barracuda boat, harpoon in hand. He was unstoppable, and he successively overturned several officers and soldiers who tried to board him. But the officers' ships were larger, better equipped, and had crossbows to suppress them. The Liangshan side gradually fell behind, and some ships were already on fire.
Something must be done!
I was anxious. My "Soul Sound" had a limited range and was much less effective in such open waters. Furthermore, if I used it, I would be exposed, with endless consequences.
At this moment, I noticed that on the warship led by the government troops, a man wearing officer armor and holding a command flag was shouting orders. He was obviously the commander of this operation. As long as he was disrupted...
A thought flashed through my mind. I quickly untied the cloth-wrapped pipa from my back and sat cross-legged behind a huge rock by the water, out of sight.
I closed my eyes and stopped pursuing large-scale attacks. Instead, I concentrated all my mental strength, like twisting it into a thin rope, and locked onto the officer from a distance!
Then, I plucked the strings!
“Zheng——!”
An extremely sharp, concentrated, drill-like mental shock pierced the officer's mind accurately across the water surface dozens of feet away!
The officer was waving the flag when he suddenly froze, his face a look of extreme pain and confusion, as if his brain had been pierced by a red-hot iron spear! The flag in his hand fell with a "crack", and he clutched his head with both hands. He let out a shrill scream, staggered a few steps on the deck like a drunk, and plunged headfirst into the water!
"The commander fell into the water!"
"grown ups!"
Chaos ensued on the ship! The commander suddenly went mad and fell overboard, instantly paralyzing the command system and bringing the offensive to a standstill.
Ruan Xiaoer was a man of great character. He immediately seized this golden opportunity and shouted, "Brothers! The leader of the government army is finished! Follow me and kill him!"
Seeing this, the Liangshan bandits were greatly encouraged and they fought back! However, the government troops were leaderless and seeing their commander fall into the water and his life or death unknown, they immediately lost their courage and began to retreat in panic.
The battle situation was reversed in an instant!
Seeing that my goal had been achieved, I immediately stopped playing, endured the severe headache and nausea caused by the high concentration of my mental strength, wrapped the pipa again, and quickly left the scene without attracting anyone's attention.
Back at the back mountain, Qingsong and the women were still waiting anxiously.
"Sister Bu, what's going on ahead?" Qingsong asked hurriedly.
"The government troops... seem to have retreated." I leaned against the tree, gasping for breath with a pale face.
Soon, cheers of victory could be heard from the front mountain. Ruan Xiaoer returned with his victorious ships. Although he had suffered some losses, he had successfully repelled the government attack and captured a considerable amount of weapons and supplies.
In the Juyi Hall, Chao Gai held a banquet to celebrate the success of Ruan Xiaoer and others.
"Brother Xiaoer, you fought brilliantly this time! I heard that the commander of the government army went crazy in the battle and drowned himself in the water? God really helped me!" Chao Gai laughed and toasted.
Ruan Xiaoer scratched his head and said in a muffled voice, "Heavenly King, it's strange to say, but that bird officer was commanding us just fine, and just when we were about to collapse, he suddenly grabbed his head and screamed, then jumped into the water. It's really weird!"
Wu Yong waved his feather fan, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes: "Oh? Is this true? Have you found out the reason?"
"What are you investigating?" Liu Tang interrupted nonchalantly. "That bastard official must have done so many evil things that he's been punished by heaven! He deserves to be fed to turtles!"
All the leaders agreed and felt that it was God's help.
Only Wu Yong's eyes, seemingly intentional or unintentional, swept over me as I sat quietly eating behind Gongsun Sheng. I felt his gaze, and a slight chill ran through my heart, but my face remained calm, and I simply focused on the food in front of me.
Gongsun Sheng sat at the table, drinking by himself, seemingly uninterested in the debate. But in a corner, where no one was paying attention, his fingertips gently stroked the rim of his teacup, and out of the corner of his eye, a very brief glance swept across my slightly pale cheek.
After the celebration, I returned to my room, my headache still pounding. Today, I'd forced myself to use "Soul Sound." While the range was minimal, the precision required was incredibly high, and the energy consumption was far greater than before.
I had just sat down to regulate my breathing when there was a knock on the door.
"who?"
"It's me." It was Gongsun Sheng's cold voice.
My heart tightened and I quickly got up and opened the door.
He stood outside the door, the moonlight shining on his green Taoist robe, making him look even more elegant and refined. In his hand was a small white jade porcelain bottle.
"Was it you who did what happened in the water stronghold today?" He went straight to the point, his tone calm but with unquestionable certainty.
I knew I couldn't hide it from him, so I nodded: "Yes. The situation is critical, I..."
"This pill is called the 'Nourishment Pill,' and it's beneficial for restoring the spirit." He handed me the white jade bottle, interrupting my explanation. "In the future, unless it's a life-or-death situation, don't resort to this method lightly. Liangshan is full of talented people, and there's no doubt that no one can decipher the secret."
He is reminding me, but also... caring about me?
I took the jade bottle, still warm from his palm, with mixed feelings in my heart: "Thank you, Taoist Priest. I'll make a note of it."
He looked at me deeply, and that look seemed to be able to penetrate my disguise and see the fear and persistence in my heart.
"Take care of yourself." He left these three words, then turned and left, his figure blending into the moonlight.
I held the bottle of nourishing pills, leaned against the door frame, looked in the direction where he disappeared, and remained silent for a long time.
Life in Liangshan is far more complicated than one might imagine. Not only are there open enemies, but there are also undercurrents of internal relations.
But I know that the risk I took today was worth it. Not only did I help the Shanzhai resolve a crisis, but I also proved that I have the ability to influence the war situation without anyone knowing.
This ability will be an important bargaining chip for me to gain a foothold in Liangshan and... continue my "strategy" cause.
And does the bottle of elixir sent by Gongsun Sheng and his words "take care of yourself" mean that his heart of Taoism has been weakened a little because of me?
The road ahead is still full of troubles, but my heart...is becoming more determined.
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