Return to Liangshan with a new atmosphere
Chapter Quote:
Liangshan Marsh has a new look, a world of difference between the old and the new;
Although there are undercurrents, brothers are still here to build a paradise on water.
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The journey back to Liangshan was smoother than expected. Zong Shidao specially sent a team of personal soldiers to escort them, and every prefecture and county they passed through treated them with great courtesy. By the time they reached Liangshan Lake, it was already late autumn. The 800-li lake was shrouded in mist, and the reeds were as white as snow.
"Let's go home!" The bow of the boat split the waves, and Lu Zhishen opened his arms, letting the lake breeze blow on his face, the sound like a loud bell.
Yan Qing stood at the bow, gazing at the approaching golden sands, a flood of emotion washed over him. In past lives, past and present, two reincarnations, this stretch of water had witnessed countless rises and falls, honors and disgraces. But in this life, everything was quietly changing.
Before the boat even reached the shore, the sound of gongs and drums could be heard. Song Jiang and Wu Yong, along with their chieftains, were already waiting at the dock, their followers lined up in neat rows, their flags waving.
"Welcome Mr. Lu and Brother Yan Qing for their triumphant return!" Song Jiang smiled happily and walked quickly to greet them.
The gathering was naturally lively. Yan Qing watched coldly from the sidelines, noticing that although Wu Yong was smiling, there was a barely perceptible gloom in his eyes.
A banquet had already been set up in the Juyi Hall. After three rounds of drinks, Song Jiang raised his glass and said, "During this incident in the capital, Brother Yanqing avenged his parents and eliminated treacherous officials like Gao Qiu and Cai Jing. This is truly a cause for great joy! Come, drink this cup to the full!"
The leaders responded with a roar of agreement and raised their glasses. However, Yan Qing noticed that several familiar figures were missing from the banquet. Bai Sheng claimed to be ill and Dai Zong was out on the pretext of leaving.
After the banquet, Yan Qing strolled to the back mountain. He saw many newly opened terraced fields, rows of fruit trees on the hillside, and several old soldiers working in the fields.
"Chief Yan!" A familiar voice came, it was Zhang Qing from the vegetable garden.
Yan Qing smiled and said, "Brother Zhang Qing, these fields..."
"Everything has been cultivated according to the plan you left before you left." Zhang Qing pointed excitedly. "This side is planted with winter wheat, and that side is planted with rapeseed. The orchard behind the mountain is already bearing fruit this year, and next year will surely yield a good harvest!"
Yan Qing looked carefully and saw crisscrossing irrigation ditches and neatly arranged ridges of fields, which was completely different from the barren back mountain in his memory of his previous life.
"And over there," Zhang Qing pointed to the water's edge. "Sun Erniang and her female soldiers built a weaving workshop. They use the reeds from the lake to weave mats. The money they earn is enough to cover 30% of the village's expenses!"
Yan Qing was relieved. In this life, he had long ago implemented the military farming system in Liangshan, allowing his followers to serve as soldiers in wartime and farm in their spare time, and also encouraged the development of handicrafts. Now it seemed that the results were remarkable.
As they were talking, they suddenly saw Hu Sanniang walking towards them quickly, her face solemn: "Brother Xiaoyi, I have something to tell you."
She pulled Yan Qing aside and whispered, "During the time you were away, something was amiss in the village. Dai Zong often came and went late at night, and Bai Sheng was associating with some strangers. I suspect..."
Yan Qing nodded: "I understand. I will take care of this matter myself."
He had long anticipated that his overthrow of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing in the capital would inevitably affect the interests of certain people. These people did not dare to deal with him openly, so it was inevitable that they would try to trip him up secretly.
The next day, Yan Qing went to visit Gongsun Sheng. This Cloud Dragon was meditating on the observatory. Seeing Yan Qing coming, he stood up with a smile:
"Xiao Yi's trip can be said to have cleared the clouds and brought light to the world."
Yan Qing sat down opposite him and asked directly, "Master, can you see anything unusual about the village recently?"
Gongsun Sheng stroked his beard and pondered, "The celestial phenomena indicate that dark clouds are surrounding the general star. However..." He changed the subject, "As the main star shines brighter, the clouds will eventually dissipate."
This was a profound statement, but Yan Qing understood it. He thanked Gongsun Sheng and went to find Zhu Wu again.
Zhu Wu was studying a map in his study. Seeing Yan Qing come in, he smiled and said, "I knew you were coming." He pointed to a few marks on the map and said, "These places have been the target of unidentified people's activities recently."
Yan Qing looked at the map carefully and found that these locations formed a circle, encircling Liangshanpo in the middle.
"Officers and soldiers?" Yan Qing asked.
Zhu Wu shook his head: "No. More like... a gangster."
Yan Qing understood. These must be the powerful people implicated in the account books, who hired people from the underworld to seek revenge.
"How does the military advisor think we should deal with this?"
Zhu Wu smiled slightly. "It's better to take the initiative than to wait and see. I've already sent people to investigate these people, and I'll have news soon."
As they were talking, they heard a commotion outside. They went out to see Li Kui, grabbing Bai Sheng by the collar and approaching angrily.
"Brother! This guy was sneaking around in the back mountains meeting someone secretly, and I caught him red-handed!"
Bai Sheng's face turned pale and he begged for mercy: "Brother Tieniu, spare my life! I... I just..."
Yan Qing winked, and Zhu Wu understood and took the two to the side hall. After dismissing the attendants, Yan Qing looked at Bai Sheng coldly:
"Brother Bai Sheng, do you want to speak for yourself, or wait for me to ask Brother Dai Zong to confront you?"
Bai Sheng fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Brother Xiaoyi, spare me! Someone... someone forced me to do this!"
It turns out that Bai Sheng is addicted to gambling and owes a huge gambling debt at the foot of the mountain. The creditor uses this as a threat to force him to monitor Yan Qing's every move.
"Where do those people come from?" Yan Qing asked.
"I don't know... but they are very generous, like nobles from the capital..."
Yan Qing and Zhu Wu exchanged a glance, each with their own plan in mind. This was a long-term plan to catch a bigger fish.
"Brother Bai Sheng," Yan Qing suddenly said with a smile, "We are acquainted. How about this, I will help you pay off your gambling debt."
Bai Sheng couldn't believe his ears: "Really...really?"
"But..." Yan Qing changed the subject, "You have to help me do something."
Three days later, following Yan Qing's instructions, Bai Sheng led the newcomers to a designated location—a secluded bay. Three of them arrived, all dressed like gangsters, but their demeanor revealed an air of authority.
"Where are the things?" the leader asked anxiously.
Bai Sheng followed Yan Qing's instructions and said, "The account book isn't with Yan Qing. He's hidden it in a secret place. I can take you there, but you have to pay the other half of the money first."
The three of them exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Just as they were trading, countless torches suddenly lit up all around them! Yan Qing, Lu Junyi, and a group of brave men emerged from the reeds and surrounded the three men.
"You three have been waiting for a long time." Yan Qing smiled.
The three men's faces changed drastically and they wanted to resist, but were easily subdued by Wu Song, Lu Zhishen and others.
After interrogation, the identities of these three people surprised everyone - they were actually the guards in Yang Jian's mansion!
"It's him..." Yan Qing sneered. Yang Jian was Concubine Yang's elder brother, extremely powerful in the court. No wonder he would be desperate.
Lu Junyi frowned and said, "Xiao Yi, I'm afraid this matter isn't over yet. Since Yang Jian dared to send people to Liangshan, he must have a backup plan."
Yan Qing nodded: "Master, you are right. But..." He looked around at his brothers, "With all of you brothers here, what do I, Yan Qing, have to fear?"
All the heroes echoed:
"Exactly! Who cares about Yang Jian? If he dares to come to Liangshan and cause trouble, he will never come back!"
"Brother Xiaoyi's business is our Liangshan's business!"
Looking at these brothers who were so excited, Yan Qing felt a warm current in his heart. In this life, he was no longer fighting alone.
That night, Yan Qing climbed to the highest peak of Liangshan Mountain. Looking down, he saw twinkling lights and a mirror-like water below, a truly prosperous scene.
"The Liangshan in this life is finally no longer the Liangshan in the previous life that could only seek amnesty to survive." He murmured to himself.
There were footsteps behind me. It was Song Jiang and Wu Yong.
"Brother Xiaoyi has such a refined taste." Song Jiang said with a smile.
Wu Yong said meaningfully: "Xiao Yi, you know that because of you, the fate of Liangshan has completely changed."
Yan Qing turned around and said seriously, "Brother Gongming, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
"But it's okay."
"If Liangshan is to endure, we can't rely solely on raiding and looting. We must establish our own foundation—cultivating land and storing food, promoting trade and benefiting workers, and protecting the territory and the people. In this way, we can serve our country and our lords, and live and work in peace and contentment. What are your thoughts?"
Song Jiang pondered in silence, but Wu Yong's eyes flashed: "Xiao Yi's words are exactly what I want!"
At this moment, Yan Qing knew that the future of Liangshan would take a completely different path from its previous life.
And on this road, having him and these loyal brothers is enough.
As the night deepens, the lights of Liangshan are exceptionally bright in the darkness, like a beacon in this troubled world, illuminating the way forward.
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Chapter 66 End
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