"The Song court has betrayed Liangshan. From this day forward, I will be irreconcilably opposed to the Song Emperor!"
With a solemn expression, Song Jiang made a startling vow in a resolute voice.
"???" Hua Rong, Qin Ming, Hu Yanzhuo, and other surrendered generals of the imperial court were all stunned.
Didn't you initially advocate for appeasement? Why did you suddenly change your mind?
Song Jiang's gaze swept across the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, taking in all the leaders.
"Buzz." His divine sense spread out, and the soldiers and horses of Liangshan Marsh were all within his sight.
Thinking of the heavy casualties suffered by the Liangshan soldiers on another timeline, Song Jiang couldn't help but shed tears again.
"I don't know why, but my soul wandered beyond the heavens, transcending time, and I witnessed a certain historical development... Such a tragic ending could never happen in this world!"
Song Jiang was resolute in his resolve and had completely given up on the Song Dynasty, having no intention of accepting amnesty.
Just now, he vaguely seemed to see that despite his strong advocacy for amnesty and numerous defeats of the Song army, he had not received any generous reward and had foolishly humbled himself to become a lackey of the Song court.
The defeat of the Liao Kingdom by Hirata Tiger and Wang Qing was a testament to their illustrious military achievements.
But what rewards did the Song emperor offer? Even a few cups of wine were enough to make the Liangshan warriors suffer the scorn and contempt of the officials.
Finally, during the attack on Fang La, the Song emperor ordered the transfer of the divine physician An Daoquan and others, causing the brothers to be wounded without medical treatment and eventually die one after another.
Even after Song Jiang sent people to the imperial court to request reinforcements, there were delays and delays until Fang La was about to be defeated before the Song army arrived and directly reaped the fruits of victory.
Song Jiang himself was eventually killed by a cup of poisoned wine. Wu Yong, Li Kui, and Hua Rong also died in the same way.
Liangshan Marsh had completely collapsed by this point, becoming nothing more than a fleeting memory. The large number of soldiers who died or were wounded gained nothing, having served the Song Emperor for nothing.
Furthermore, they were also required to smear the Song court officials and make all sorts of accusations, so that they would not find peace even in death.
Now that he's come to his senses, Song Jiang can't understand why he was so determined back then to surrender to the Song court.
It's both pathetic and incredibly stupid!
"Before the gathering of heroes, I did have some thoughts about accepting amnesty, but they weren't strong. Based on my past experiences, do you think I can't see the corruption of the Song court?"
"Therefore, the thought of being granted amnesty may have a sliver, but it is by no means strong!"
"Why do they ignore everything and only focus on getting them to surrender? Even though the Song emperor and his officials openly and secretly look down on them, they pretend not to know and still stubbornly serve them to the death..."
“I can clearly sense that it is not a hoax!”
"It's quite possible that, on certain timelines, it really did happen—it was incredibly stupid!"
Song Jiang pondered to himself, unable to guess the reason behind his unexpected opportunity.
But he only needs to understand one thing—Song Ting must never be surrendered to!
"Perhaps, I was influenced by some figure there, which caused my weak idea of being recruited to be constantly strengthened, like a steel imprint on my mind, making it difficult to distinguish between advantages and disadvantages."
"Is she the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden?"
Previously, Song Jiang had accidentally obtained the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden's divine book and secret strategies.
The stone tablet engraved with the brothers' names, nicknames, and corresponding star positions was also made by the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.
Song Jiang had reason to suspect that this was all part of the schemes of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.
This also intensified his desire for amnesty to an unprecedented degree!
"Regardless of who this powerful being is who bestowed such a tremendous fortune upon me, I, Song Jiang, am extremely grateful!"
Song Jiang faced all four directions, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
This left the group of leaders completely bewildered.
Song Jiang did not explain, after all, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady was renowned throughout the celestial realm, a great deity of the Heavenly Court, and a direct descendant of the Jade Emperor.
It's hard to say whether the actions of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden were without the Jade Emperor's decree.
If he were to reveal this secret, he would only harm his brothers.
He knows perfectly well what's going on; he just needs to be on guard.
******
"This time, Song Jiang won't be so foolish as to fixate on Song Ting and refuse to let go, will he?"
Cao Ya thought to himself, Song Jiang's extraordinary encounter was, of course, a scene on a historical timeline, which he had created by using his great supernatural powers to reflect time.
It was exactly the same fate that the Liangshan gang originally suffered, without any difference.
While Cao Ya quietly erased the corruption of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, he also showed Song Jiang the turning of fate and the tragic end... If he still had any hope for the Song court or the Daoist Emperor...
That day, Song Jiang, the God of Literature, truly deserved to be poisoned!
No matter how close they were, Cao Ya would no longer care.
They reached the sky, alerted Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, and the others, and rescued them.
However, Wu Song, the Heavenly Wounded Star, and Lu Zhishen, the Heavenly Lone Star, did not agree with the offer of amnesty in the first place, so there was no need for them to do so.
Those who agreed were born with this background and have had many years of experience, which led them to have such thoughts. They were not corrupted by the gods or immortals, so Cao Ya would not change other people's ideas without permission.
Even when targeting Song Jiang, they exercised great restraint and did not act recklessly; otherwise, why would they need to reflect history?
There's absolutely no need for that!
But Song Jiang's current changes are not much different from Cao Ya's predictions.
Without the influence of immortals and gods, they also learned how despicable the methods of figures like the Daoist Emperor...
As expected, Song Jiang abandoned his desire to be granted amnesty and became hostile to the Daoist Emperor. His rebellious thoughts began to grow stronger!
This is only human nature. After all, given the strength of Liangshan Marsh, it's unbelievable that he, as the leader, would have no ambitions and only wanted to be a dog of the Song court until death.
"The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden secretly intervened, using the Heavenly Book to influence Song Jiang's mind... I have already expelled this kind of magic, and the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden is completely unaware of it."
"We'll see what happens next. How far can Song Jiang lead Liangshan Marsh?"
"If they really want to rebel and devour the world from a small corner of the land... they still have a long way to go!"
Just as many leaders of Liangshan worried, no matter how large a water stronghold was, it could never compare to the Song Dynasty.
Even if all 108 Demon Stars were extraordinary and unique in their talents, they still couldn't withstand the outstanding figures of the entire Song Dynasty!
Of course, when Liangshan was first established, Song Jiang did not betray the cause. Even if some leaders had objections, they would obey Song Jiang and would not rebel against Liangshan.
The competition between the various factions is a struggle without a complete breakdown, which has a benign aspect.
Unlike the Song court, where numerous factions have long been locked in a life-or-death struggle, whichever side gains power will ruthlessly exterminate the other, banishing them to the ends of the earth!
Furthermore, the existence of a neutral faction is absolutely unacceptable!
Choosing a stance is far more important than right or wrong!
It would be against all reason if such a dynasty did not perish.
Moreover, the Song court relied on civil officials to control the military. In terms of warfare, it was capable of defense, but when it came to offense, it faced numerous problems and was generally unable to win.
Even with its economic and trade development, the accumulation of over a million years has led to deeply entrenched and complex interest groups, coupled with the emperor's exploitation of the people's wealth... The common people could no longer bear it!
Otherwise, Tian Hu of Hebei, Wang Qing of Huaixi, and Fang La of Jiangnan would not have caused such a huge uproar.
In short, although the Song court was strong, it was difficult to control it effectively, and Emperor Daojun was not a capable ruler...
If Song Jiang plans properly, his attempt to achieve the feat of "a snake swallowing an elephant" is not entirely hopeless.
The world is in chaos, with internal and external troubles arising simultaneously. The Daoist Emperor is definitely not going to be able to take it down, but Song Jiang... at least in the original story, he led his team to resolve the situation.
However, this is the Earthly Immortal Realm, where powerful forces emerge one after another, and there are also Great Luo Immortals and Quasi-Saints running rampant. From time to time, there are also weak Saints and True Primordial beings plotting against us... Liangshan still has a long way to go if it wants to dominate the world.
"This process will depend on Song Jiang's abilities, as well as the military talents of many other leaders..."
Cao Ya will definitely not participate; whether he wins or loses is up to the 108 Demon Stars.
All he did was block the greed from beyond the heavens and let it develop on its own.
Even if some immortals or gods intervene, Cao Ya will not interfere too much.
He also believed that, if it remained untouched by erosion, Liangshan had the potential to sweep across the Southern Continent!
Cao Ya was able to stop the weak sage, but Sun Wukong stopped the true Hunyuan.
What they expect is for the beauties of the Dream of the Red Chamber and the demons of the Water Margin to rise independently and powerfully in the realm of immortals!
Instead of being like flowers in a greenhouse, needing both of them to consider everything, what's the point of fighting then? Just surrender!
"However, for Song Jiang, the most urgent task is to win over the hearts of the people of Liangshan, establish a banner, and point out the direction! Otherwise, if the rift is not eliminated, a major incident will inevitably occur sooner or later!"
Cao Ya thought to himself, observing the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.
******
"Brothers, I, Song Jiang, have decided that I will never share the same sky with the Daoist Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty!"
Thinking of the scenes in that historical timeline, Song Jiang gritted his teeth, hating Emperor Daojun to the extreme!
He's still quite intelligent now, and he's recognized the darkness within Song Ting.
Corrupt officials should certainly be killed, but the beastly emperor cannot be ignored either.
Fighting corrupt officials but not the emperor... how absurd!
Without the support of Emperor Daojun, how could people like Gao Qiu have risen to power in the Song court so quickly?
Now, they hold immense power and enjoy the highest levels of dignity and wealth!
Corrupt officials and emperors must all be killed to restore a bright and just world for the people!
As for the establishment of a new order after the old one was broken...
Song Jiang's gaze swept over Wu Yong, the strategist of the Heavenly Star of Wisdom, and Zhu Wu, the divine strategist of the Earthly Star of Brilliance, and his heart felt slightly at ease.
His men weren't all roughnecks who only knew how to fight.
Moreover, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, Shi Xiu, Yan Qing, and others—aren't they all shrewd beneath their rough exterior?
"Brother Lin Chong, I will definitely capture that scoundrel Gao Qiu and let you personally cut him into a thousand pieces to vent the deep hatred in my heart for the destruction of my family!" Song Jiang grasped Lin Chong's hand and shook it vigorously twice.
"Brother!" Lin Chong was extremely excited. From being tricked by Gao Yanei to the series of events that followed, the White Tiger Hall, the Wild Boar Forest, the Snow Mountain Temple... one thing after another gradually drove this master of spear and staff, the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards of the Great Song Dynasty, to the brink of despair, leaving him no choice but to become an outlaw!
He certainly harbored deep hatred for Lu Yuhou and others, but if we were to say who he hated the most, it would have to be Gao Qiu and Gao Yanei!
Lu Qianhou is dead, but Gao Qiu and his companion are still alive and well in the capital city of Dongjing, manipulating power, levying exorbitant taxes, bullying men and women, and living a very happy life.
His wife, and his father-in-law's family... their bodies are now cold to the bone.
He himself suffered endless ostracism at Liangshan Marsh until he killed Wang Lun, the White-Robed Scholar, and Chao Gai, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, and others joined his group, only then did things start to improve.
But whenever he thought of the past, Lin Chong would toss and turn in bed.
But he dared not mention it, for fear of offending his brothers, ruining the plan to be granted amnesty, and being ostracized again, so that he could no longer stay in this water stronghold.
At that time, he truly felt that there was nowhere to go but to heaven and nowhere to hide, and that although the world was vast, there was nowhere for Lin Chong to find refuge.
At this very moment, the chief, Song Jiang, personally brought up the matter, saying in front of all the brothers that he would avenge him... How could Lin Chong not be filled with surging emotions?
They were practically willing to die for Song Jiang!
"There are too many bad people in this world, which often crowd out the space for good people, making even basic survival extremely difficult."
Song Jiang sighed deeply and said:
"People like Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, and Yang Zhi did their jobs honestly and lawfully, without relying on their magical powers to seize or plunder. But what was the final result?"
"Whether because of beauty or treasure, they were targeted by others, leaving them with no place to seek justice or express their suffering. They could only resort to violence, but were then wanted by the government and forced to wander the world, eventually becoming outlaws."
"Those local bullies and tyrants who run rampant in the countryside, if it weren't for your brothers' extraordinary talent and powerful abilities, they might not only fail to avenge themselves or help the innocent people, but they would also lose their own lives, and in the end, be ridiculed by the bullies standing on the dry bank..."
Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, Yang Zhi, and many other leaders were deeply moved by Song Jiang's words.
For example, if it weren't for Ximen Qing's lustful desires, Wang Po's instigation, and Pan Jinlian's promiscuity... even if we take a step back and assume Wu Dalang was murdered, Wu Song's thought would still be to collect evidence through legitimate means, submit it to the authorities, and bring Ximen Qing, Wang Po, and Pan Jinlian to justice.
Who knew that Ximen Qing, with his immense wealth, could get away with anything, even with overwhelming evidence.
In the end, Wu Song had no choice but to take matters into his own hands to avenge his brother Wu Dalang!
As for the matter of Supervisor Zhang, that's another story.
With such a court and government, even tiger-fighting heroes were framed and forced to join the Liangshan bandits. One can imagine how difficult life must have been for ordinary people!
Even if there were extortionate and exploitative practices in the village, they could only swallow their anger and suffer in silence.
If you dare to resist, it will be considered collusion between officials and bureaucrats, and your family will be destroyed in an instant.
Not everyone has the reputation of a tiger-slaying hero, and not everyone has the skills of Wu Song, able to use a fist and a knife to seek justice!
However, those who were most deeply moved were mainly heroes from humble backgrounds, or those with exceptional skills who, simply because they lacked the money to bribe their way through, were suppressed by their superiors and unable to serve their country or fully utilize their talents.
People like Qin Ming and Hu Yanzhuo felt they were doing well in the officialdom, holding impressive positions such as commander, militia commander, and captain. They also had a great reputation in the local areas, and everyone gave them some face.
If he hadn't been defeated, or even tricked, how could he have ended up in Liangshan, going from an official to a bandit?
Therefore, when Song Jiang spoke from the bottom of his heart, all the surrendered generals of the imperial court watched with indifference, without the sighs and anger of Lin Chong, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, Yang Zhi, and others!
"Brother, are you really not going to surrender?" Huyan Zhuo couldn't help but ask.
Who is Song Jiang? How could he not know what these characters crave? He sees it all clearly.
He chuckled and said:
"With your abilities, Brother Qin Ming, Brother Hu Yanzhuo, and Brother Xu Ning, you might be more than capable of becoming generals or prime ministers, but you are absolutely qualified to command a region, protect the territory and its people!"
Those people frowned; Song Jiang had changed his mind and wanted to persuade them...
Did they really think that they could conquer the world with just Liangshan Marsh?
What a daydream!
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