The Desperate 3rd Brother Displays His Power: White Stripe in the Waves Meets Yang Lin

Qufu is the hometown of Confucius and Mencius. Although Confucianism has experienced ups and downs in history, it has left an indelible mark on the hearts of the Chinese people. Even today, the Confucian doctrine of putting people first and treating friendly countries with benevolence still prevails in China!

The Confucius Mansion in Qufu has always been the most revered place in the hearts of scholars. Unlike when Confucius traveled around the states, his descendants were not as destitute as they were when he was traveling around the states, sometimes even unable to afford food!

Since Emperor Wu of Han dismissed all other schools of thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, the status of Confucianism has risen accordingly and it has been respected by the world!

Even as dynasties changed and Buddhism and Taoism sometimes replaced Confucianism as the mainstream, it had no impact on the Confucius family.

Zhu Fu took Shi Xiu and his nephew to the Kong family mansion, but they found no one there. Kong Hou was not there. It was not that Kong Hou had a bad relationship with the Kong family, but that Kong Hou practiced medicine all year round and it was not convenient for him to live in the Kong family mansion. So he found a place to live to do his work of saving lives.

Zhu Fu found out where Kong Hou was and led Shi Xiu and his nephew to him!

Uncle Shi Xiu was already on the verge of death. If Chai Jin hadn't found a doctor and used various precious medicinal herbs to keep him alive, he would probably be dead by now!

Song Jiang knew the situation was urgent, so once he arrived at Liangshan, he sent them directly to Kong Hou's place!

"Dr. Kong, help me!" Zhu Fu shouted as he arrived at Kong Hou's place!

The door slowly opened, and a child-like figure opened it!

"My master has gone out to see patients; please come in and wait!"

Shi Xiu carried his uncle through the door, and the boy settled him on a bed. Then he had the two of them sit down, while he began to concoct medicine on the side!

The clinic was surprisingly quiet. With a gentle breath, one could smell the faint aroma of traditional Chinese medicine emanating from within, which calmed the mind.

On a large table were various common medicinal herbs, and on a wooden cabinet were rows of drawers, each labeled with the name of a precious medicinal herb!

Shi Xiu was somewhat anxious, out of place with his surroundings. Zhu Fu whispered, "Brother, now that we're here, Uncle Shi's life should be safe. Why don't we calm down and wait for Doctor Kong to return?"

A moment later, the boy came over, lit a stick of sandalwood incense, and brewed a pot of tea!

The boiling water sends up wisps of steam, and the aroma of tea mixed with the scent of sandalwood gently enters the nose, making one feel very comfortable!

Zhu Fu was somewhat surprised, not understanding why the boy was lighting incense and brewing tea, but he quickly understood! It was Kong Hou who had returned.

Kong Hou pushed open the door and entered. Shi Xiu rushed forward and knelt on the ground, pleading, "Please, divine physician, save my life!"

Kong Hou said calmly, "As long as I'm here, I won't die!"

Shi Xiu hurriedly led Kong Hou to his uncle's bedside!

Kong Hou looked at Uncle Shi Xiu, frowned, and said, "Tuberculosis is curable, but it will take a long time and require a considerable amount of money!"

Tuberculosis was indeed an incurable disease in ancient times, but that doesn't mean that these top doctors couldn't save you. However, others can't treat you for free, so for ordinary people who got this disease, many just had to wait to die!

Zhu Fu hurriedly took out two hundred taels of silver notes and said, "Please, divine physician, treat me immediately. The consultation fee is negotiable!"

Kong Hou didn't even glance at the silver note. He turned to the boy and said, "Go and fill a bowl with water, add half a qian each of licorice root, notoginseng, apricot kernel, platycodon root, and chuanxiong rhizome. Simmer over low heat for an hour until it becomes a bowl. Feed it to him!"

After saying this, he picked up his medicine box and said, "You two go out; I need to administer acupuncture to him!"

The two went to the lobby and found a place to sit down. Shi Xiu felt a little more relaxed!

Just then, a loud shout came from outside the door: "Is Doctor Kong at home? My master is offering a large sum of money to invite him to come and save a life!"

The young boy hurried out of the medicine hut to greet the group, saying, "My master is currently treating an illness; please wait a moment!"

After waiting for a while, one of them said impatiently, "This is taking so long! It's really getting to us. Who is it anyway? Just kick them out and stop wasting time!"

After saying that, he prepared to enter the inner hall and forcibly drive Shi Xiu's uncle out!

Enraged, Shi Xiu stepped forward and knocked the man down with a single punch. When the others saw that Shi Xiu dared to make a move, they all rushed forward to grab him, but Shi Xiu knocked them all to the ground with three punches and two kicks!

The boy stepped forward and said, "No noise allowed in the clinic!"

Two more people entered from outside the door. One of them was about to speak when the other stepped forward and started arguing with Shi Xiu!

That man was quite skilled. He fought Shi Xiu for more than ten rounds, exchanging blows, but he was no match for Shi Xiu. Gradually, he couldn't hold on any longer and was forced to a standstill by Shi Xiu. He was about to be defeated!

The other man spoke up, "Hold on, sir, I have something to say!"

Shi Xiu and the man both stepped back half a step, to see what the man had to say!

The man said, "This hero is truly skilled in martial arts. I am Zhu Long, the eldest son of Zhu Chaofeng, the head of the Zhu Family Manor in Dulonggang. This man sparring with you is my second brother, Zhu Hu. He is always impulsive and offended you, hero. It was our fault, and we hope you will forgive us!"

Zhu Long, always proud and arrogant, was unusually polite to Shi Xiu. It was only because Luan Tingyu was seriously injured, and the Zhu Family Manor lacked a skilled fighter. Now, with a ready-made expert present, he wanted to recruit him. If Shi Xiu had lost to Zhu Hu, would Zhu Long still have been so polite? At most, he would have tried to recruit Shi Xiu, but he wouldn't have forced him if Shi Xiu refused!

Shi Xiu was the kind of person who responded better to gentleness than force. Seeing that Zhu Long was being polite, he stopped being so aggressive.

When Zhu Fu heard that these people were from Zhu Family Village, a strange look flashed in his eyes, but he remained calm on the surface!

Zhu Long then spoke up, "Hero, may I ask where you currently hold a position?"

Although a divine physician had come to his rescue, Shi Xiu was still somewhat worried about his uncle and absentmindedly said, "He makes a living by driving horses and selling sheep!" Shi Xiu was no fool; he concealed the fact that he was already a member of Liangshan.

Zhu Long was overjoyed and invited him, saying, "Hero, your martial arts are extraordinary. It's a waste of your talents to wander the martial world. Why not come to my Zhu Family Manor? My Zhu Family Manor will certainly treat you as an honored guest!"

Shi Xiu was about to refuse instinctively, but Zhu Fu preemptively said, "I thank the young master on behalf of my brother!"

Shi Xiu was taken aback, wondering what Zhu Fu was up to. Just as he was about to speak, Zhu Long exclaimed with delight, "It would be wonderful if you two came to my Zhu Family Manor together! It would be wonderful!"

Seeing Zhu Fu's honest smile, Shi Xiu knew he was not an ungrateful person. Moreover, his older brother Zhu Gui was also in Liangshan, so he figured Zhu Fu wouldn't betray him. Shi Xiu bowed to him but remained silent.

Zhu Long was even more delighted. Although the Zhu Family Manor was renowned, it didn't have many experts willing to join it. If Shi Xiu had readily agreed, he might have been suspicious or looked down on him. However, Shi Xiu's reluctant demeanor suggested he didn't really want to go to the Zhu Family Manor, and it was only because Zhu Fu had agreed first that he seemed reluctant to offend Zhu Fu. Zhu Long, without suspicion, laughed and said, "I still don't know your esteemed name, hero!"

Shi Xiu simply said, "Shi Xiu!"

Zhu Fu then laughed and said, "Fu Zhu!" Zhu Fu didn't use his real name, but instead said his name backwards!

Zhu Long said to Shi Xiu, "Brother Shi Xiu, which family member is ill? How about the Zhu Family Village cover the medical expenses?"

Before Shi Xiu could answer, the inner door opened, and Kong Hou came out, saying to Shi Xiu, "Your uncle's life is no longer in danger, but curing his tuberculosis will likely take more than a few days!"

Zhu Fu said to Shi Xiu, "Brother, tuberculosis requires a lot of medicine. Why don't you listen to my advice and go to Zhu Family Village first?"

Zhu Long stepped forward and said to Kong Hou, "Dr. Kong, please go to Zhu Family Village to treat our village's teacher. I will repay you handsomely!"

Kong Hou said expressionlessly, "Let's go!"

Zhu Fu stepped forward and bowed to Zhu Long, saying, "I have an elder brother at home, and I would like to bring him along to Zhu Family Manor. I wonder what the young master thinks?"

Zhu Long could tell that Zhu Fu's martial arts skills were not very good, but he was very clever and capable. He nodded and said, "Go and come back quickly!" After saying that, he took out five taels of silver and gave it to Zhu Fu.

Zhu Fu sneered inwardly. This guy is far more stingy than Song Jiang. And he still wants to recruit heroes with this kind of attitude!

Shi Xiu said to Zhu Long, "He has been kind to me, so I'll see him off. Please take good care of my uncle. I'll be there shortly!"

Zhu Long readily agreed, but he was afraid that Shi Xiu would not make any requests and would be indifferent. As for Shi Xiu's somewhat cold attitude, Zhu Long did not care. It was perfectly normal for a master to be arrogant!

Shi Xiu and Zhu Fu talked quietly as they walked.

Zhu Fu explained Shi Xiu's doubts: "I once heard my elder brother say that when he and Tie Niu returned to their hometown, Brother Gongming had a feud with Zhu Biao, the third son of the Zhu Family Village. The Zhu Family Village has a notorious reputation for being vengeful and not to be trifled with. They are also not too far from Liangshan, so they will become Liangshan's enemies sooner or later. Why don't we infiltrate the Zhu Family Village first, and when Brother Gongming attacks the Zhu Family Village, we can coordinate an attack from within and without? Wouldn't that be twice as effective with half the effort?"

When Zhu Gui returned to his hometown, he told Zhu Fu the truth about how much Song Jiang valued him, including his encounter with Hu Sanniang and Zhu Biao on the way. Zhu Fu also longed for Liangshan, and now that he had the opportunity to make a name for himself, he couldn't let Zhu Gui down!

Shi Xiu pondered for a moment and then said, "In that case, I'll go first. You go back to Liangshan and tell your brother about this!"

Zhu Fu nodded and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. If I find another brother to go with me, the three of us will surely accomplish great things!"

After discussing their plan, Zhu Fu immediately headed back to Liangshan, while Shi Xiu went towards the Zhu Family Village!

After many days of travel, Yang Lin finally arrived in Jiankang Prefecture. He first found out An Daoquan's address and went directly to find him.

After meeting An Daoquan, Yang Lin used the excuse that Song Jiang had fallen seriously ill and wanted An Daoquan to go directly to Liangshan for treatment. However, An Daoquan was unwilling to travel all the way to Shandong for treatment. No matter how many benefits Yang Lin offered, An Daoquan just smiled but refused to budge. Over time, the two became acquainted. Yang Lin was generous and knew how to get along with people. Before long, the two became good brothers who shared big meals and drinks. However, no matter what, as soon as Yang Lin mentioned going to Liangshan, An Daoquan would immediately refuse.

That day, An Daoquan was drinking with Yang Lin at home. After a few rounds of drinks, Yang Lin thought that he had been down the mountain for some time, but An Daoquan still refused to come up. When he came down the mountain, he boasted that he would definitely be able to invite An Daoquan up the mountain, but An Daoquan was so stubborn that he refused to go with him no matter what.

Yang Lin had considered forcibly taking An Daoquan away, but An Daoquan was not an unknown person in Jiankang Prefecture, so it would not be easy to take him away by force!

Thinking of this, Yang Lin, feeling somewhat annoyed, downed three bowls of wine in quick succession. An Daoquan, knowing the answer already, asked with a smile, "Brother Yang Lin, why are you so troubled?"

Yang Lin said with a wry smile, "Even Doctor An refuses to go up the mountain with me, so my brother's health will probably be very difficult to recover."

An Daoquan took a sip of wine and said, "As the saying goes, it is unwise to abandon what is near and seek what is far. Kong Hou from Shandong is no less skilled than me in medicine. Moreover, he is only a hundred miles away from your Yuncheng County. Why did Brother Yang Lin have to come all this way to find me?"

Yang Lin thought to himself, "It's precisely because you're so far away that I came to find you first. Kong Hou can be invited up the mountain at any time. Besides, if I can't even handle this matter, wouldn't it make me look utterly incompetent?" But he said aloud, "My brother said that Doctor An's medical skills are unparalleled in the world, and no one can compare to him."

Flattery will get you everywhere; everyone likes to hear nice things, and even a miracle doctor is no exception.

An Daoquan was pleased that Song Jiang said this, regardless of whether it was true or not, but he still did not want to go. The reason was that he had recently treated a courtesan named Li Qiaonu.

Li Qiaonu was only sixteen years old and had exceptional beauty. She had only been in the business for a short time, but she was like a clear pool of water that stirred An Daoquan's burning heart. How could a few kind words from Song Jiang make him abandon Li Qiaonu and go to Liangshan to treat Song Jiang's illness?

Li Qiaonu was extremely grateful to An Daoquan for saving her. In particular, An Daoquan's otherworldly and otherworldly demeanor deeply moved her heart, which was just beginning to open to love. Although she was a courtesan, the two were like dry wood meeting a raging fire, or leeches meeting blood, drawn together and unwilling to be separated. An Daoquan had not been close to women for a long time since his wife's death, but Li Qiaonu brought him back that long-lost joy, and his long-closed heart slowly opened up.

An Daoquan was a highly skilled physician with a renowned reputation in Jiankang Prefecture. His consultation fees were exorbitant, so many high-ranking officials and nobles sought his treatment. He was never short of money, and he was exceptionally generous to Li Qiaonu.

If he went to Liangshan, his wife wouldn't be there, and the journey would delay his income; how could he be willing to accept that?

So no matter what Yang Lin said, An Daoquan just wouldn't agree.

At this moment, a prostitute came looking for An Daoquan. Seeing that Yang Lin was also there, she paused for a moment, then walked up to An Daoquan and whispered in his ear, "My young lady invites you in."

After the old woman left, An Daoquan said to Yang Lin, "I have some things to attend to today. If you have nothing else to do, Brother Yang, please stay here and wait for me to return so we can continue drinking!"

Yang Lin knew that An Daoquan had gone to Li Qiaonu again to enjoy his lovemaking and reach the pinnacle of life together, but he couldn't stop him and could only watch him leave.

After drinking a bowl of wine, Yang Lin planned to go and see what was going on. Just then, a voice came from the doorway: "May I ask if Doctor An is here? Please, Doctor An, save my mother."

Yang Lin said, "Doctor An just went out. If you want to receive treatment, please come in first."

A voice outside answered, and then a young man entered through the door.

The young man stepped forward, bowed, and said, "My name is Zhang Shun. May I ask your name, brother? Where has Doctor An gone?"

Yang Lin recalled that back in Liangshan, Song Jiang had sent someone to look for Zhang Shun, a man who had come down the mountain with him. He hadn't expected to encounter Zhang Shun here, and wondered if it was the same person. So he asked, "Brother, are you perhaps Zhang Shun, the White Streak in the Waves?"

Zhang Shun said in surprise, "That's right, I didn't expect this brother to have heard of my name."

Yang Lin sized up Zhang Shun. He saw that Zhang Shun was six feet five inches tall, in his twenties, wearing a white cloth shirt, with skin as white as snow, and a clean-shaven face. He was truly a handsome man. Fortunately, Yang Lin was not into men, otherwise he might have been attracted to him.

A poem praises it:

Unrivaled underwater like a fierce dragon, a white streak in the waves, none can rival it.

Remembering heroes by the Xunyang River, sighing for heroes before the Yongjin Gate.

Feeling uncomfortable with Yang Lin staring at him, Zhang Shun asked again, "May I ask your honorable name, brother?"

Knowing he had lost his composure, Yang Lin bowed and replied, "I am Yang Lin, the Leopard of Brocade. I am truly delighted to see you today, brother."