Farewell to Heroes in Yuncheng County: The Young Master of Zhu Family Village is Enraged

At this moment, a farewell scene is unfolding at the tea stall.

Song Jiang picked up a bowl of tea and said, "The journey to Daming Prefecture is long and arduous, so Governor Yang must be extra careful on the road."

Yang Zhi also picked up a bowl of tea and said with emotion, "I am deeply grateful for the care I have received from you these past few days, Clerk. I will repay your kindness in the future."

Song Jiang put down his tea and said, "Commander Yang, that's a bit too polite. I have great respect for the Yang family's protection of our country. As a descendant of a prestigious family, I have long admired your reputation. It is my good fortune to be able to make a friend like you."

Yang Zhi sighed and said, "Yang Zhi is unworthy. The glory of my ancestors was too dazzling, and by my generation, we have declined. I have suffered countless scornful looks and have even earned the nickname 'Blue-Faced Beast.' I am grateful that you, Clerk, do not look down on me and are willing to befriend me when I am in trouble."

Song Jiang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Commander Yang, do you know why I wanted you to go to Liang Zhongshu's office?"

Yang Zhi shook his head and said, "I really don't know."

Song Jiang took a sip of tea and said, "After all, you did flee to avoid punishment. Even if someone in the court speaks up for you, you may not be given an important position again. To put it another way, even if you are given an important position, is it your lifelong wish to continue helping that Daojun Emperor by staking out granite and repairing Wansui Mountain?"

Yang Zhi was somewhat moved. Yes, his heroic ambitions would eventually be worn away by this long period of futile efforts. When would he be able to restore the glory of his ancestors?

Song Jiang continued, "Although Liang Zhongshu is Cai Jing's son-in-law, his overall reputation is not like Cai Jing's. More importantly, he is also eager to recruit talented people. If someone has ability, he will definitely give them an important position. I don't need to say more about Yang Zhishi's abilities. Daming Prefecture is close to the border and may be at war with foreign enemies. Yang Zhishi's skills will definitely have a place to be put to use." Moreover, in the original story, Yang Zhi was indeed given an important position in Daming Prefecture. If he hadn't lost the birthday gifts and hadn't run away, he probably would have made a name for himself in Daming Prefecture. Therefore, Song Jiang still planned to push the original plot forward so as not to completely deviate from his previous understanding. Otherwise, what would be the point of calling it Water Margin?

Yang Zhi truly hadn't expected Song Jiang to be so considerate of him. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke up: "Actually, I know of Clerk's intentions."

Song Jiang didn't immediately understand Yang Zhi's words. Yang Zhi said in a low voice, "I have followed you all the way, and from your speech, demeanor, and all your actions, it is clear that you are not someone who is content to be subordinate to others."

Song Jiang, his expression unchanged, took a sip of tea and asked, "What does Commander Yang mean? I don't quite understand." He thought to himself, "These people are indeed not simple."

Yang Zhi took a sip of tea before whispering, "It seems the clerk harbors ambitions to seize the throne?"

Song Jiang laughed and asked, "What does Commander Yang intend to do?"

Yang Zhi clasped his hands in a fist and said in a low voice, "Clerk, please don't test me. How could Yang Zhi be an ungrateful scoundrel?"

Song Jiang sighed and said, "If I follow the path you suggest, we will inevitably become enemies in the future. What will Commander Yang do then?"

Yang Zhi lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying, "I will never go against the clerk in this life."

Song Jiang hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Why don't you stay? Let's change this world together."

Yang Zhi was eager to accept Song Jiang's offer. The days he spent with Song Jiang were the happiest days of his life. Whether it was Wu Song, Bian Xiang, or Mi Sheng, they all treated him like a brother. During their time in Qinghe County, they would drink and chat every day, discussing martial arts. These were happy days he had never experienced before. Especially after learning that he was a descendant of the Yang family generals, they treated him with great respect. This was a feeling he had never had before. Many people ridiculed or feared him, but they showed him no respect whatsoever.

From a young age, his father wanted him to bring honor to the family and named him Yang Zhi. He also took this as his goal in life. However, he was really unlucky. No matter what he did, he was always just a little short. He got a job as a conscript by relying on his father's connections, but he never expected that his attempt to bet on granite would backfire.

Song Jiang's invitation truly moved him. He longed to give up the so-called glory of his ancestors, which was like a shackle that troubled and imprisoned him. He really wanted to follow Song Jiang to Liangshan and live the life he desired, especially after hearing Song Jiang describe Liangshan. Perhaps it really was a pure land.

But remembering his father's dying words, he steeled himself and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but..."

Knowing what Yang Zhi wanted to say, Song Jiang spoke first, saying, "I understand."

Then he took out ten ingots of gold and put them into Yang Zhi's bag, saying, "When you get to Daming Prefecture, you'll have many places to spend money. I don't really need money here. When you get to Daming Prefecture, send me a letter so I can rest assured. You can come and visit Yuncheng when you have time; it's your second hometown."

"Brother," Yang Zhi cried, tears streaming down his face. He knelt on the ground.

Song Jiang hurriedly went to help Yang Zhi up, but Yang Zhi refused to get up. Song Jiang was not as strong as Yang Zhi and could not lift him up at all.

Helpless, Song Jiang waited for a while before Yang Zhi stood up, wiped away his tears, and said, "I know what you mean, brother. But I am burdened by the honor of my family and cannot stay by your side. Before I go to Daming Prefecture, I will go back to my hometown. Do you remember that I once said that I have a nephew named Yang Zaixing? After I leave, my nephew wants you to take care of him at Liangshan. I hope you will grant my request."

Song Jiang was overjoyed. He understood Yang Zhi's meaning perfectly well. Taking care of him was just an excuse. Yang Zhi himself couldn't be by Song Jiang's side, but Yang Zaixing could take his place. Although Yang Zaixing was young now, he would become a super general in the future. Moreover, Yang Zhi hadn't said anything definitive, so it didn't mean there was no possibility of him joining Song Jiang in the future.

Song Jiang nodded and said, "I have something to say, brothers. If Liang Zhongshu asks you to escort the birthday gifts, try to refuse."

Although Yang Zhi did not understand what it meant, he still nodded in agreement.

Yang Zhi left, carrying with him the glory of his ancestors and the hopes of his father. With each step he took, he would look back down, his lonely figure growing longer and longer in the sunset.

Song Jiang felt sorry for Yang Zhi. If he could, he would like Yang Zhi to stay at Liangshan. He hoped that day would come. Song Jiang silently watched Yang Zhi's back until he disappeared at the end of the road.

On the way back, Wu Song whispered to Song Jiang, "Brother, is what Commander Yang said true?"

Song Jiang, unusually serious, said, "Now that things have come to this, I won't hide it from you anymore. What are your thoughts, Erlang?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Wu Song said resolutely, "I am willing to follow you by my brother's side."

The prefect of Jizhou stayed in Yuncheng County for three days, returning home with a full load of goods. Before leaving, he left Song Jiang a plaque with four powerful characters: "Drunken Life, Dreamlike Death." Song Jiang didn't know if it was a self-deprecating joke or a compliment, but since it was written by the prefect himself, the "GG effect" was sure to be strong. Coupled with the quality of his wine, he wouldn't have to worry about business.

Next comes site selection, but before that, I plan to go back to Liangshan. I haven't been back for several days, and it's time to go back and take a look.

Let's rewind a bit. At that time, Song Jiang was in Qinghe, while at Hu Family Village, Hu Rong was enjoying a cup of wine. The wine was really delicious, and she, who was not usually a big drinker, was somewhat intoxicated. As she was thinking, she picked up the cup and put it to her lips, only to find that the wine in the cup was already gone.

Hu Rong smiled, picked up the wine pot and poured herself another cup. She shook the pot, but unfortunately the wine was almost gone. It seemed she would have to go and buy some more.

At this moment, the maid Xiaomin opened the door and rushed in, saying, "Miss, I just heard some news."

Hu Rong laughed and said, "Why are you in such a hurry, girl? What's the matter that makes you so flustered?"

Xiaomin said anxiously, "I heard that Zhu Biao has put a bounty on the man who sold you the wine."

Hu Rong slammed the cup down on the table and cursed, "That damned Zhu Biao, I'm going to find him."

Xiao Min hurriedly grabbed Hu Rong and said, "Miss, don't go. I heard that person is incredibly skilled. More than a dozen people were killed in Zhu Family Village, and every single corpse had its heart and liver cut out. They all say that person eats hearts and livers with wine."

Hu Rong paused for a moment and asked, "Is there a mistake?" After all, although the man was short and dark-skinned, he couldn't possibly be associated with the man-eating demon lord.

Xiao Min shook her head and said, "There's no mistake. Zhu Biao is furious right now and has personally led a couple hundred men to capture him."

Hu Rong asked anxiously, "Why haven't I heard any news at all?"

Xiaomin whispered, "They just don't want you to know, because they're afraid you'll cause trouble."

Hu Rong clenched her fists and said, "This can't go on. Go and prepare the horses. I'm going to Li Family Village."

Inside Li Family Village, the village head looked at the beautiful woman before him and said helplessly, "Girl, I really didn't lie to you. That brat Li Ying and his wife went back to her parents' home."

"Uncle Li, when will Brother Li be back? I really need to see him urgently," Hu Rong asked anxiously.

Master Li shook his head and said, "I really don't know. It should be in the next couple of days. What urgent matter do you have that you can't tell me so I can relay the message?"

Hu Rong thought for a moment and then spoke up: "The Zhu Family Village is pursuing them."

"He killed one of my friends, and I'm asking Brother Li for help."

Master Li asked in confusion, "Your friend? Is it that Wang Ying?" Sure enough, he knew about this, but he was keeping it from Hu Rong.

Hu Rong nodded and said, "It's a person named Wang Ying."

Master Li asked in surprise, "This man's character is quite improper, how do you know him?"

Hu Rong stood up and said, "I met him by chance. He is definitely not like what you say. That person is my friend, and I plan to go and save him now." After saying that, she told Master Li the location where Wang Ying had been found recently in Zhu Family Village, and then hurriedly left.

"This girl is still as energetic as ever," Master Li said affectionately, looking at Hu Rong's retreating figure.

About an hour after Hu Rong left, Li Ying returned home with his wife.

Master Li sighed and told Li Ying about Hu Rong's matter. Li Ying said helplessly, "Why is this girl getting involved in the affairs of the Zhu Family Manor?"

Master Li sighed and said, "Why don't you go? I have a feeling this girl might be in danger this time."

Li Ying said, "Don't worry, Father, I'll pack up and leave."

Inside the Zhu Family Village, Zhu Biao was throwing a tantrum. He picked up a vase and smashed it on the ground. The shattered vase seemed to be angrily rebuking its owner's heartlessness, but it was to no avail. Zhu Biao then picked up a plate and smashed it on the ground as well. The plate, bearing the brunt of its owner's anger, shattered into pieces. The vase and plate, which had been companions day and night, stood "gazing at each other from afar," seemingly reminiscing about the beautiful times they once shared, but knowing that there was no future for them.

"That's enough, Third Brother," Zhu Long said, unable to bear it any longer.

"That beast Wang Ying, I'll make him wish he were dead!" Zhu Biao cursed through gritted teeth.

"Wang Ying is indeed cruel. He actually dared to dig out our hearts and livers and eat them. This behavior is no different from that of a beast," Zhu Hu also spoke up.

"Gather a hundred men, I want to personally kill Wang Ying, what do you think, Master?" Zhu Biao finally couldn't hold back anymore. At this moment, his heart was like a volcano, just about to erupt and burn everything about Wang Ying. But he cautiously asked Luan Tingyu to see what Luan Tingyu thought.

Luan Tingyu thought for a moment and said, "According to previous information, Wang Ying seems to be fleeing towards Qingzhou. If you want to go, I will go with you personally."

Zhu Long laughed and said, "If Master personally takes action, Wang Ying will have no chance of escaping, Third Brother. You can rest assured."

After discussing it for a while, the group decided that Luan Tingyu and Zhu Biao would lead fifty men to capture Wang Ying.

With Luan Tingyu around, capturing Wang Ying should be a piece of cake.

At this moment, Wang Ying was sitting in a dense forest eating meat, while a man with red hair and a yellow beard was roasting a branch over a fire next to him.

The man spoke up, "Second brother, why is the Zhu Family Manor chasing after you for no reason?" This was also what he was curious about. Ever since he met Wang Ying, the pursuit had never stopped. Although they were all just ragtag soldiers, they were still very annoying. As for experts, they wouldn't lower themselves to chase after Wang Ying for a little bit of silver from the Zhu Family Manor.

Although the attackers were mostly small fry, their numbers made them difficult to deal with. So they fought and retreated, killing many of their pursuers in the process. This was his greatest hobby, and he could never forget the wonderful taste, wishing he could eat it every day.

Wang Ying sneered, "Who knows? But these lackeys have come to their deaths, so don't blame me for being ruthless." Wang Ying was never a kind person to begin with; otherwise, he wouldn't have killed all his employers when he was a coachman. You could say he was a greedy, treacherous, and lustful villain. This time, being chased by the Zhu Family Village for no reason had only made his evil nature grow stronger, and he became more and more ruthless.

The man laughed and said, "You know my favorite hangover soup, but unfortunately I have the heart and liver, but no wine."

Wang Ying shook his head and said, "The wine is fine, but I never expected the heart and liver to taste so fragrant and delicious. If I hadn't met you, brother, I wouldn't have known that such delicacies existed in the world."

The two chatted and laughed for a while, completely disregarding the several corpses lying nearby. The large "Zhu" characters embroidered on their clothes, now stained red with blood, seemed to be telling a story of injustice.

(The words "heart" and "liver" were censored when written together, so I had to write them separately. Please don't mind!)