Discussing the World in Shaohua Mountain
Chapter Quote: Leaving the dangerous place for a while and entering the mountain stronghold, we gathered together with our righteous men to discuss the pros and cons. Everyone expressed their own opinions and made good plans, and the spark gradually became a prairie fire.
---
When Yan Qing woke up again, he found himself lying in a clean and tidy wooden house. His wounds had been properly bandaged and he had changed into clean clothes. Outside the window came the whistling of the mountain wind and the faint sounds of drills.
The door creaked open, and Zhu Wu walked in with a medicine bowl in hand. Seeing that he had woken up, his face lit up with joy: "Brother Yanqing, you're awake? How do you feel?"
"Thank you, Brother Zhu Wu, for rescuing me. I'm fine now." Yan Qing struggled to sit up, but was held down by Zhu Wu.
"Brother, your injuries are serious and you need to rest." Zhu Wu handed over the medicine bowl. "This is Shaohua Mountain. Brother Shi Jin and I have settled here and it's relatively safe."
Yan Qing took the medicine bowl, his confusion growing. Shaohua Mountain was as famous as Liangshan Mountain, a major force in the Jianghu. Zhu Wu and Shi Jin were even more renowned. Why would they obey Gongsun Sheng's orders and rescue him?
Zhu Wu seemed to read his mind. He dismissed his attendants, sat down beside the couch, and said slowly, "Brother, you must have many questions in your mind. To be honest, I, Shao Huashan, have had contact with 'Yinyi' for a long time."
He paused, then continued, "Mr. Gongsun Sheng and I are old acquaintances. He has a broad mind and a desire to help the people, far surpassing the ambitions of Liangshan's Song Jiang and Wu Yong. When we gathered on Huashan, we were supposed to uphold justice and protect the people, a mission that aligns with the values of the 'Hidden Post.' Therefore, Mr. Gongsun sent a letter, saying that you, brother, are the key to containing Liangshan and uniting all factions. How can we sit idly by and watch you, besieged by treacherous forces?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Qing's mind suddenly became clear. It turned out that Gongsun Sheng's "power" had already secretly connected with powerful forces like Shaohua Mountain! No wonder he could sit firmly in the "Hidden Post" and plan strategies.
"So that's how it is. Mr. Gongsun is far-sighted, and Yan Qing admires him." He paused, his expression turning serious, "But the situation on the front line is probably taking a turn for the worse now." He then told Zhu Wu in detail about what he had witnessed with his own eyes: Peng Qi was captured, the reinforcements might be destroyed, and Hu Yanzhuo was unable to hold on alone.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Wu's expression grew extremely solemn. He twirled his beard and pondered for a long time before sighing, "With Peng Qi captured, if the Lingzhou reinforcements are defeated, Hu Yanzhuo will be trapped. Half of Shandong will likely fall into the hands of Liangshan! The situation has deteriorated to this point!"
"We must send the news back to 'Yinyi' as soon as possible, and ask Mr. Gongsun to make the decision!" Yan Qing said anxiously.
"Don't worry, brother. I'll immediately arrange for reliable personnel to deliver the message as quickly as possible." Zhu Wu nodded, then added, "However, even if Mr. Gongsun learns, distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. The most urgent task is how to deal with the current crisis."
At this moment, Shi Jin pushed the door open and shouted, "Brother Zhu Wu, Brother Yan Qing, what important matter are you discussing? Tell me about it!"
Zhu Wu then briefly recounted the news that Yan Qing had brought.
Upon hearing this, Shi Jin's thick eyebrows arched, and he slammed the table and stood up, "Damn it! Those killers from Liangshan are so arrogant! Brother, we have strong soldiers and horses on Shaohua Mountain. Why don't we mobilize our troops immediately and rush over to help Hu Yanzhuo and destroy Liangshan!"
Zhu Wu smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Brother, don't be impulsive. Although Shaohuashan has some strength, it is still far behind the powerful Liangshan. Moreover, we have come a long way, with insufficient food and fodder, and we are unfamiliar with the terrain. Our chances of victory are slim. Rashly getting involved is probably not a good idea."
"Are we just going to watch Liangshan grow stronger and cause trouble everywhere?" Shi Jin said with his neck stiff.
Yan Qing pondered for a moment and then spoke, "Brother Shi Jin is indignant, and I sympathize with him. However, Brother Zhu Wu is right. A relentless fight is definitely not the best strategy. I believe that although Liangshan is powerful, it is not a monolithic organization. Song Jiang and Wu Yong are ambitious, and there may be rifts between them and the other leaders. Moreover, their sudden rise to power means their foundation is not stable. If the external pressure is reduced, internal conflicts may become more prominent."
Zhu Wu's eyes flashed with admiration. "Brother Yanqing's view coincides with mine. Liangshan may appear prosperous now, but in reality, hidden dangers have already emerged. They rely solely on Song Jiang's reputation as 'Timely Rain' and Wu Yong's wisdom. If we can somehow weaken their reputation or contain Wu Yong, making it difficult for him to carry out his plans, perhaps Liangshan's decline can be alleviated."
"How to weaken it? How to contain it?" Shi Jin asked hurriedly.
Zhu Wu looked at Yan Qing: "This matter may still need to fall on Brother Yan Qing."
Yan Qing was startled: "Me?"
"Indeed." Zhu Wu's eyes were deep. "Brother, you've repeatedly foiled Wu Yong's schemes, saved Lu Junyi, aided Zhu Tong, protected Xu Ning, and stabilized the Three Villages... In the hearts of so many heroes, you've become an invisible banner. Furthermore, you have a history with imperial generals like Zhang Qing and Xu Ning, and you're indebted to the Three Villages for your alliance. If you can leverage these relationships, secretly form a force to counterbalance Liangshan, you might be able to succeed."
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the misty mountains below. "Liangshan can rally its people under the banner of 'doing justice for Heaven,' so why can't we, under the pretext of 'protecting the territory and the people' and 'upholding justice,' unite the heroes and patriots from all sides who are unwilling to treason? We may find it difficult to compete openly, but we can restrain them secretly, making it difficult for them to expand recklessly. Waiting for the right moment, we may be able to turn the tide."
Yan Qing's heart surged as he listened to Zhu Wu's words. This was different from his previous scattered rescue efforts, relying on personal preferences and abilities. This was a much larger network, a more strategic layout. He seemed to have truly become a key piece in this grand chess game.
"But..." Yan Qing still had concerns, "Doing this will cost a lot of effort and money, and it's extremely dangerous. If you're not careful, you'll be doomed."
"How can anyone who wants to accomplish great things be timid?" Shi Jin shouted. "Brother Yanqing, if you take the lead, I, Shi Jin, will be the first to support you! If you need people, I will give them; if you need money... well, even though my family in Shao Huashan is not wealthy, I will definitely do my best!"
Zhu Wu also turned and said solemnly to Yan Qing, "Brother Yan Qing, it's not that we want to force you. But the current situation can no longer allow us to remain in isolation. If Liangshan sweeps across the world, how can the eggs in the nest be left intact? Shaohua Mountain is willing to join hands with 'Hidden Post' to resist the Liangshan trend. And you are the best link connecting all parties."
Yan Qing looked at Zhu Wu's sincere eyes, then at Shi Jin's eager face. He thought of Lu Junyi's haggard face, the warmth of Zhu Tong holding the young yamen, Xu Ning's relief at having saved his ancestral armor, and the possible war that the three villages of Dulonggang might face...
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The loneliness of his previous life's seclusion and the exhaustion of running for redemption in this life intertwined together, eventually turning into a soft sigh. Then he opened his eyes, his gaze clear and determined.
"Brother Zhu Wu, Brother Shi Jin." He spoke slowly, his voice soft but full of undeniable strength, "Yan Qing...I am willing to give it my all."
Inside the wooden house, flickering candlelight illuminated three faces, each with a different yet equally resolute expression. The wind from Shaohua Mountain streamed through the window lattices, bringing with it the scent of the mountains and a new, quietly gathering strength amidst the turmoil.
Although the sparks are small, if they gather together, they can start a prairie fire.
---
Chapter 22 End
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com