Moma Liangshan

Chapter 43 From North to South, Clouds Move in All Directions

Gao Qiu pondered for a long time before finally making up his mind, saying, "Lin Chong is far away in Cangzhou, and Wang Hao is about to head south to Mingzhou. If we want to make a move, now is an opportunity." Cai Jing nodded and said, "Grand Commandant, please send men north to Cangzhou. As for Wang Hao, I will inform Liang Zhongshu and order him to send men to monitor him along the way." Gao Qiu asked, "Wang Hao is heading south to Mingzhou to recruit people familiar with port construction. Why is the Grand Tutor monitoring him at this time?" Cai Jing smiled smugly and said, "What is indispensable for recruiting people?" Gao Qiu pondered for a long time and shook his head, saying, "Please enlighten me, Grand Tutor!" Cai Jing said, "Money, and a lot of money." Gao Qiu thought Cai Jing had ulterior motives, but he didn't expect such an answer. He said, "Recruiting people requires money, a fact known to everyone, young and old. How could I not know that? To monitor Wang Hao simply because he needs money is a far-fetched reason!" Cai Jing cursed Gao Qiu's stupidity in his heart, but pretended to be patient and said, "Where will the money come from?" At this point, Gao Qiu finally realized and said, "Grand Tutor, do you suspect that Wang Hao would use birthday gifts to recruit people in Mingzhou?" Cai Jing said, "Wang Hao is neither from a noble family nor a wealthy merchant family; his family's wealth is meager. Otherwise, he would never have easily sold 10% of the shares of Baxian Wine to the Li family. The 150,000 strings of cash paid by the Li family should be close to all of Wang Hao's assets. The salvage operation of the Huashi Gang cost 70,000 to 80,000 strings of cash; even with the profits from Baxian Wine, Wang Hao's wealth could not possibly exceed 100,000 strings of cash." "Ten thousand strings of cash. It's impossible for all ten thousand strings to be taken to Mingzhou. If my birthday gift was indeed robbed, Wang Hao will surely use it. Besides, Mingzhou is a bustling hub with numerous overseas merchants, making it convenient for him to strike." Gao Qiu, convinced Cai Jing was sincere, said, "I will quickly arrange for men to go north to Cangzhou. I'll leave Wang Hao to the Grand Tutor." Cai Jing was very satisfied, saying, "With you in the north and me in the south, a two-pronged approach will surely ensure Wang Hao's demise!" Gao Qiu nodded, saying, "Farewell!"

Two days later, in the Grand Commandant's mansion, six soldiers stood in the main hall. The doors and windows of the hall were tightly closed, and no one was allowed to approach within thirty paces. Inside the hall, a wooden table was placed in the center, clearly intentionally. A red silk cloth covered the wooden table, its high arch concealing something unknown. Gao Qiu rose and walked slowly, calling out names one by one, saying: "Lu Qian, Commander-in-Chief, his fifty-three styles of single-handed sword are fierce and ruthless, and he has won twenty-three consecutive matches in the year-end competition. Liu Hui, Commander-in-Chief, his meteor hammer is as heavy as a thousand pounds, capable of splitting a half-foot millstone, and he has won twenty-one consecutive matches in the year-end competition. Xie Sheng, Commander-in-Chief, his Hundred Flowers Spear thrusts and parries are like snakes, swift as arrows, and he has won eighteen consecutive matches in the year-end competition. Sun Mo, Commander-in-Chief, is skilled in using the horse-slaying saber, and he drew with Xie Sheng in the year-end competition. Tian Heng, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, is adept at using the hook-and-sickle spear to cut off the opponent's lower body, and he won in the year-end competition..." "Fourteen consecutive victories. Wang Xiu, you can draw a two-stone bow; within seventy paces, your arrows never miss." Gao Qiu finished his assessment as he passed the last person, paused briefly, and said, "Is there any error in what I have said?" The crowd exclaimed, "Grand Commandant, you are wise!" Gao Qiu continued, "I now have a fortune to offer. After this is accomplished, I guarantee you will all achieve three consecutive victories within two years. In addition, each of you will receive five hundred taels of silver. I wonder if you would be willing to become my trusted confidants?" As he finished speaking, a red silk curtain was lifted, revealing sixty ingots of official silver worth fifty taels each. Lu Qian spoke first, "Serving you, sir, is our lifelong wish. Give us your orders, sir, and we will obey even unto death!" The other five quickly echoed, "We will obey even unto death!" Lu Qian asked, "What do you require of us, sir?" Gao Qiu gritted his teeth and said, "Kill one person." Lu Qian then asked, "Who is it that requires the six of us to join forces?" Gao Qiu glanced at everyone and said, "Lin Chong, the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, who has won 106 consecutive matches in the year-end martial arts competition!" The others looked at each other, speechless. Gao Qiu said, "Are you afraid?" Lu Qian replied, "Two fists can't beat four hands. If the six of us join forces, we will surely take Lin Chong's head." Gao Qiu was very satisfied. He turned around, took out a precious sword, and handed it to Lu Qian, saying, "This is the king of weapons in my manor, and a rare masterpiece from the Armory in ten years. I have named it 'Half-Foot Pine.'" Lu Qian looked at the precious sword in his hand and asked, "This subordinate is dull and does not understand the meaning of 'Half-Foot Pine.'" Gao Qiu replied, "This old man has personally witnessed someone use this sword to cut a half-foot-thick ancient pine tree in two with a single stroke." Everyone was surprised and looked at the precious sword in Lu Qian's hand. Gao Qiu looked at everyone and said, "You are heading north to Cangzhou. You must not fight individually. Lu Qian, carrying this sword, is your leader for this journey. I hope that the six of you will work together to kill Lin Chong. When we return in triumph, I will certainly give you important positions!" The six men all agreed.

Five days later, in Daming Prefecture, Liang Zhongshu summoned Wen Da and Li Cheng, saying, "The identity of the bandit leader of Erlong Mountain has been confirmed. He was once a monk tending the vegetable garden at Xiangguo Temple in Dongjing (Kaifeng). He fled Dongjing after offending Grand Commandant Gao. This man is on good terms with Wang Hao, who has a long-standing feud with the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor believes that the birthday tribute was most likely robbed by Wang Hao and is very likely to be transported to Mingzhou." Li Cheng said, "Does the Grand Tutor mean that we should deal with Wang Hao?" Liang Zhongshu said, "From Yuncheng County to Mingzhou, it's a thousand li..." During the journey, if we secretly send people disguised as bandits to rob Wang Hao. If the birthday plan is really robbed by Wang Hao, then everyone will get the stolen goods, and there is no fear that Wang Hao will not be obedient. If we can't find our birth date, Wang Hao won't be able to identify us either, so there's no need to worry. I wonder what you two think? "Wen Da said: "If we hire the right people, we can give it a try. Li Cheng also said: "The official also thinks that we can give it a try." Liang Zhongshu stood up unconsciously and said loudly: "In that case, we will decide on the candidate today." "Wen Da said: "This trip is not a march and a war, it must be a close confidant of your Excellency. Liang Zhongshu thought for a moment and said, "Zhou Jin was promoted by this official. Can he take up this position?" "Wen Da said: "If the bandit leader of Erlong Mountain is used by Wang Hao, then there may not be other strong men around Wang Hao. Zhou Jin is too loyal and lacking in martial arts, so he may not be able to take on this position! Liang Zhongshu hesitated, and Li Cheng said: "I thought there was someone who might be available!" Liang Zhongshu asked: " "Who is it?" Li Cheng replied, "The regular army general, Suo Chao." Liang Zhongshu pondered for a moment and said, "Suo Chao is indeed brave in battle and highly skilled in martial arts, but he is extremely impatient and is known in the army as the 'Eager Vanguard.' Sending him alone might not be appropriate." Li Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Recently, there has been no trouble in the army, and the border is peaceful. How about I go with Suo Chao?" Li Cheng and Wen Da were not only known for their wisdom but also for their unparalleled bravery. Liang Zhongshu was able to maintain his position in Daming Prefecture entirely thanks to the service of these two men. Liang Zhongshu said, "I truly don't know how to express my gratitude to Commander Li for personally leading the expedition!" Li Cheng replied, "Your Excellency is so kind, treating us like brothers, and we in turn regard you as our elder brother." Liang Zhongshu repeatedly said, "Good! Good! Good! You and Wen Da are truly my lucky generals." After a moment, he asked, "How many soldiers should we send on this southward expedition?" Li Cheng said, "This humble official and Suo Chao, plus ten elite soldiers, will suffice." Liang Zhongshu did not answer, but looked at Wen Da and said, "What does Commander Wen think?" Wen Da said, "This humble official also believes that ten or so elite soldiers are sufficient."

At Liangshan Marsh, Wang Hao packed the gold, silver, and valuables from the birthday tribute into boxes and bought six mule carts for transport. With everything settled, he headed to Cao County under the escort of the three Ruan brothers and ten personal guards. Three days prior, Wang Hao had ordered Yang Zhi to go to Dongjing (Kaifeng) with 20,000 taels of silver to meet him in Cao County. Two days later, Yang Zhi and Wang Hao met in Cao County. The two groups merged, totaling eight mule carts, sixteen personal guards, plus Wang Hao, Yang Zhi, and the three Ruan brothers. Liu Hong of the Palace Guard had secretly formed a faction with Wang Hao. Before leaving Dongjing, Wang Hao specifically sought out Liu Hong, using his position as Commander-in-Chief, to request thirty sets of Imperial Guard battle robes from the Palace Guard. Wang Hao's journey to Mingzhou was long, and although he had the Emperor's permission, dressing as an ordinary merchant would cause many problems. Therefore, Yang Zhi and the sixteen personal guards all wore Imperial Guard battle robes. As for the three Ruan brothers, they refused to wear them, citing the robes' weight. Seeing this, Wang Hao did not insist.

The day after Wang Hao and Yang Zhi reunited, Lu Qian, Liu Hui, Xie Sheng, Sun Mo, Tian Heng, and Wang Xiu headed north to Cangzhou. The following day, Li Cheng and Suo Chao personally selected ten elite soldiers and rode south.

Although the summer solstice had passed, autumn had not yet arrived, and the midday heat remained intense. After being exiled to Cangzhou, Lin Chong delivered a letter from Chai Jin to the steward and paid the clerk, thus avoiding the hundred lashes and securing a job at the Heavenly King Hall, further supported by the Li Xiao'er family. Although he missed his wife at home, life was relatively peaceful. One day, Lin Chong took his dirty clothes to Li Xiao'er's shop for washing. Upon seeing his benefactor, Li Xiao'er immediately welcomed him, saying, "It's hot; please try some of our newly brewed wine." Lin Chong filled a bowl, and looking at the slightly cloudy wine, he couldn't help but recall the times he had drunk with Wang Hao, Chai Jin, and Lu Zhishen at Fanlou, and a wave of sadness washed over him. Seeing Lin Chong lost in thought for a long time, Li Xiao'er cautiously asked, "My benefactor, are you missing your family?" Lin Chong composed himself and said, "Have you ever seen the Eight Immortals Wine in Dongjing (Kaifeng)?" Li Xiao'er replied, "I never heard of Eight Immortals Wine when I was in Dongjing." Lin Chong said, "This wine has been popular in Dongjing for less than a year. The brewer is a fifteen-year-old boy, and the name Eight Immortals Wine was bestowed by the Emperor." Li Xiao'er asked, "What's so wonderful about this wine that it received a name from the Emperor?" Lin Chong said, "Eight Immortals Wine is clearer than rain in an empty mountain, and more fragrant than a century-old imperial brew. It's smooth on the palate, sweet on the throat, and warms the body like fire. A jar of this wine costs six taels of silver in Fanlou, yet it's still hard to find." Li Xiao'er couldn't help but sigh and said, "If my wine were even a tenth as exquisite as Eight Immortals Wine, I could live a much more comfortable life."