Chapter 12: The Initial Seating Arrangement at Liangshan Marsh

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“Brother!”

Not long after Song Wan went down, the brothers Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu returned as well.

“Well? How much money did you find?” Ren Yuan asked.

“Brother, Liangshan’s treasury was so empty that mice could have run through it. We searched every corner several times and managed to find only a little over five thousand strings of cash. If the Honorable Chai had not lent us those twenty thousand strings, this time we would truly have been left looking rather pathetic.”

Zhu Fu twisted his mouth, never having imagined that Liangshan’s accounts could be in such dire straits.

“That makes twenty-five thousand strings in all. It isn’t a great deal, but it will suffice for now.”

Ren Yuan considered the matter briefly, then decided to spend freely.

Money had no value if it was never put to use.

“Zhu Fu, withdraw ten thousand strings. Gather the craftsmen and prepare to rebuild the stronghold’s defenses. Ask Yuan Lang about the details later and work them out together. Take another five thousand strings and give them to Song Wan. Have him purchase provisions. No matter the circumstances, Liangshan must always keep enough food on hand to feed the stronghold for at least half a year. Zhu Gui, you take out two thousand strings as well. Choose suitable locations around the stronghold and open taverns there. We need places to gather intelligence.”

“Brother, after spending that much, there won’t be much left.”

Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu exchanged helpless smiles. Their elder brother was excellent in every way, but he was somewhat extravagant when it came to money.

Twenty-five thousand strings was not a small sum. Yet with only a few words, their brother had reduced it to just over seven thousand. He certainly knew how to spend.

“These are all urgent expenses. Don’t begrudge the money. If we run short, we’ll find more. Remember: when you have money, spend it where it matters most. Save where you should, but never scrimp where you must not.”

Ren Yuan waved his hand, making it clear that his decision would not be changed.

“Well said, Brother!”

Yuan Lang entered from outside. He had arrived a little earlier and had been listening from beyond the door.

“Brother, leave the construction of the stronghold’s defenses to Zhu Fu and me. I took a look just now. If we intend to fortify the entire mountain, it will take far more than a year or two. We should begin with the most essential works and complete the rest gradually.”

As a thoughtful military man, Yuan Lang had his own understanding of defensive fortifications, and Ren Yuan agreed with him.

“Very well. Go ahead without hesitation.”

Ren Yuan gave Yuan Lang permission to act boldly. He trusted him.

Thus, the first arrangements for the stronghold were settled.

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To be frank, the overall situation remained rather tense. The Liangshan Wang Lun had left behind was like a fishing net riddled with holes—there were gaps everywhere that needed mending.

At that moment, Song Wan came in with Du Qian. Du Qian had refused to lie in bed no matter what anyone said and insisted on coming out to watch the excitement.

“Good. Everyone is here. I am truly delighted today, because at last we have a place to stand and a foundation of our own. This is not something I could have accomplished alone. I raise this cup to all of you. Drink!”

Ren Yuan lifted the bowl before him, poured himself a cup of weak rice wine, and drained it first as a toast.

“It is all thanks to Brother’s careful planning,” Yuan Lang said, taking the lead in raising his cup. “You borrowed the Honorable Chai’s support, and with the might of those three arrows shot in succession, you captured Liangshan without much effort. The rest of us merely waved the flags and shouted. So we drink to Brother!”

Yuan Lang deliberately said nothing of his own contribution. For one thing, he had only recently joined them and did not wish to claim credit. For another, Ren Yuan’s moves had indeed been brilliant, and Yuan Lang was thoroughly convinced.

“What are you saying? You charged into battle and slew two men. How could that not be the chief achievement? And every other brother performed his own duty. That is how we took Liangshan. The credit does not belong to me alone.”

Ren Yuan was not the sort to seize all the credit for himself. He toasted each leader in turn, including Du Qian, who substituted tea for wine because of his injuries and drained a bowl all the same.

“But, brothers, we intend to accomplish great things. Taking Liangshan is only the first step. From here on, I hope we will work together with one heart and one mind. Our ambitions are not limited to petty brawling. Still, great undertakings must begin with small matters. My strength alone is limited, and I will need all of you to assist me!”

Ren Yuan made no attempt to conceal his grand ambitions. He did not say precisely what he intended to do, but the others had already formed their own conjectures, and everyone was visibly stirred.

“We will do whatever Brother commands!”

“Indeed, Brother. This life of mine was given back to me by you. Whatever you say, I will do!”

“Same here!”

“Please take the chief seat, Brother. From now on, we will need you to lead and look after us.”

Yuan Lang once again took the lead in asking Ren Yuan to sit at the head.

Ren Yuan did not pretend to refuse. He was neither Wang Lun nor Chao Gai. He intended to accomplish great things, and he would yield the position of chief leader to no one.

Besides, the brothers gathered here were all honorable men. None would scramble for the seat as Song the Black-Faced had done.

“Very well. Since you brothers hold me in such esteem, I shall take the position of chief leader.”

Once Ren Yuan had taken the head seat, the others pushed Yuan Lang into the second seat. Everyone could see that his martial skill was currently second only to Ren Yuan’s. The second seat belonged to him by right.

Yuan Lang tried to decline, but there was no resisting them. He had intended to ask Ren Yuan to say a few words, only to discover Ren Yuan smiling and gesturing for him to sit down at once. With no other choice, he accepted the seat for the time being. He did, however, declare that should a truly gifted man come to join them in the future, he would gladly yield it.

After more laughter and banter, they agreed that Zhu Gui would take the third seat, since he had followed Ren Yuan for the longest time. Song Wan took the fourth.

When they came to the fifth seat, Zhu Fu suddenly stepped forward.

“Brother, Du Qian is unmatched in loyalty and honor. I am ashamed to compare myself with him. The fifth seat should go to Brother Du Qian. I am content to take the last.”

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As soon as Zhu Fu said this, his elder brother cast him an approving glance.

Good man. Well done!

Du Qian was stunned. He hurriedly tried to refuse, but Zhu Fu gave him no opportunity. He pressed Du Qian firmly into the fifth seat and went to take the very last one himself, leaving Du Qian at a loss for words.

In terms of seniority, Zhu Fu had joined Ren Yuan’s company before him. In terms of merit, Du Qian had even less to claim—and besides, Zhu Fu had saved Wang Lun. Du Qian had never imagined that he might one day sit in one of the seats of honor.

What surprised him even more was that Ren Yuan and the others raised no objection. On the contrary, they praised Zhu Fu highly.

“Chief, perhaps Brother Zhu Fu should take the seat after all. What virtue or ability do I possess to occupy it?”

Du Qian still felt uneasy.

“Brother Du Qian, do not belittle yourself. Those of us who roam the martial world rely on loyalty. Only when we share that loyalty and stand together can we accomplish great things.”

“You are a good man of feeling and honor. You have every right to sit in that seat.”

Ren Yuan had a favorable impression of Du Qian. Though he had never enjoyed any particularly dazzling moments in the original tale, he was steady in his work and conscientious in all he did. Men like that were precisely what Ren Yuan needed.

Since the chief leader himself had spoken, Du Qian no longer declined. He did, however, make it clear that he regarded the fifth seat as temporary. If a truly gifted man came to join them in the future, he too would be willing to yield it.

Thus ended the first ranking of seats after Liangshan’s reorganization. The Liangshan of Wang Lun had become a thing of the past. A new era had begun, with Ren Yuan at its head.

“Brother, does that mean we should begin the banquet?”

After the seating had been settled, Song Wan asked Ren Yuan with a grin.

“Begin! Song Wan, do not be stingy with the banquet. Make certain everyone eats until he is full—and then eats some more!”

Ren Yuan was delighted and teased Song Wan as well.

“Haha, rest assured, Brother. There will be more than enough food and drink today. We were only waiting for you to give the word.”

“What are we waiting for, then? Begin the feast! Let us all celebrate together!”

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