Chapter 13: I Want You All to Live Well

That night at Liangshan, the entire stronghold was brightly lit.

Within the main camp, whether newly joined villagers or the original Liangshan troops, everyone sat together. This was a deliberate arrangement by Ren Yuan; now that Liangshan was a completely new fortress, it was imperative to foster unity quickly.

From the assembly hall downward, there were fifty or sixty large tables laid out, each adorned with various beef, mutton, chicken, vegetables, and fine wine.

Song Wan, aware of the potency of the immortal’s brew, personally blended the wine, and surprisingly, even this concoction tasted better than the village’s homemade brew.

Previously, when Wang Lun was on the mountain, he had never hosted such lavish feasts. Thus, this banquet quickly won the hearts of many of the original Liangshan men.

Though the leader had changed, life seemed to have improved.

Moreover, with so many robust men gathered, the food and wine flowed freely. Everyone indulged heartily, boasting and joking, playing drinking games, and singing boisterously. The scene was lively beyond measure.

Naturally, Ren Yuan and his companions sat at the head table, watching the joyous scene with deep emotion.

“Three years—it’s finally beginning!” Ren Yuan’s thoughts overflowed. Since crossing over and apprenticing under Zhou Tong, he had worked tirelessly these three years, painstakingly building his initial advantages.

Compared to what he had witnessed before, his start could be considered above average.

At the same time, he understood that from this moment forward, his fate was irrevocably bound to these vibrant people. He would share victory, joy, and the future with them. He strove to instill hope for a new life and a yearning for what was to come.

Yet, he also knew the path ahead would be arduous. Many might fall away along the way, but since this journey had begun, he had no choice but to press forward steadfastly.

Though uncertain how far this road would take him, it was certain that, compared to the old Liangshan, this new path would stretch farther and endure longer.

“Brother, why aren’t you eating?” Yuan Lang’s voice interrupted Ren Yuan’s reverie.

“Just thinking about some things.” Ren Yuan raised his bowl and clinked it with Yuan Lang’s.

“Though we have such a fine fortress now, we must not become arrogant or complacent.”

“Brother’s ambitions are vast—just follow his lead. I may have no other skills, but charging into battle, slaying generals, and capturing flags for him—I can do that without fail!”

Ren Yuan was touched. Unlike Zhu Gui and the others, Yuan Lang was the first man he had won over by force. Such loyalty was rare indeed.

Just as they prepared to speak further, laughter erupted suddenly from a nearby table, drawing Ren Yuan’s attention.

“Haha, Liu Si, why are you just stuffing your food box and not eating yourself?”

“Yeah, are you planning to take all this food home for your wife and kids?”

At that table sat a simple, honest man, holding a food box into which he was placing various foods.

It was clear there were no delicacies inside—mostly steamed buns, flatbread, and some vegetables.

“My children at home are growing. This is a rare chance—I want them to eat more.”

The man said no more, took a steamed bun, broke it in half, and ate it.

But his words hushed the whole table.

“Liu Si, give me that food box.”

An older man stood, took the box from Liu Si, emptied the buns and bread onto the table, and without waiting for a protest, began filling it with roast chicken and mutton, saying as he worked:

“If you’re going to take food back, take some good stuff. What’s the use of buns and bread? Bring more meat for the kids to enjoy.”

“Exactly! This chicken leg is delicious—put that in for the children.”

“Forget the vegetables—put in some beef.”

The older man’s words struck a chord, and the others eagerly added food to Liu Si’s box until he was at a loss for words.

“That’s enough, enough! Brothers, you rarely get to enjoy such a feast—how could I take food from you?”

Realizing this, Liu Si tried to take back his food box, already stuffed to the brim.

“What nonsense is that? There’s plenty to eat here! If you’re going to take some home, you should! Your children need to eat well.”

The older man munched on a flatbread as he spoke.

“Song Wan, have you asked the cooks about this?”

Ren Yuan watched this unfold with a heavy heart.

“Brother, I did. The cooks said that when Wang Lun was in charge, there was rarely any meat at all. Usually, only registered brothers got two meals a day. Families weren’t really taken care of—rations came every three to five days, just enough to avoid starvation, but life was tough.”

“Bastard! What was Wang Lun thinking?”

Ren Yuan’s anger flared. The people had risked everything because they were starving, and yet he had treated them so cruelly!

Setting down his glass, Ren Yuan strode over to the table and gently stopped the man who was still adding food.

“Camp—Camp Leader?”

The tableful of men froze, surprised that the leader had come over.

Ren Yuan lifted the food box, emptied its contents back onto the table, and addressed the crowd:

“Everyone, eat your fill first. No need to rush to take food home.”

Liu Si panicked, ready to kneel, but Ren Yuan caught him firmly.

“Camp Leader, I—I was wrong. I won’t dare to take food home again. Please forgive me just this once…”

Liu Si’s voice was low, but the commotion had drawn silence from the surrounding seats. Many quietly returned the food they had intended to take home back to their plates.

The elder at the table sought to speak but was silenced by Ren Yuan’s raised hand. Ren Yuan then looked around and loudly proclaimed:

“Brothers! Today is the first day I, Ren Yuan, stand as your camp leader. I cannot speak for my predecessor, but here, I make you a promise:

“All who come to Liangshan, regardless of age or gender, are part of this family! As long as you do no harm to the camp, your food, clothing, and shelter will be cared for and arranged properly by Liangshan!

“Tonight’s feast is for everyone here—including your families! Meat and wine in abundance! You need not take food home; bring your loved ones here to eat with us!

“Listen well, my first order as camp leader is that everyone must eat heartily! Do not shame your own hunger!

“I swear, so long as Liangshan stands, none of you will ever go hungry!”

Ren Yuan’s voice carried across the entire banquet. The crowd fell silent, astonished.

The previous leader, Wang Lun, had been frugal to a fault. Suddenly replacing him with such a generous leader left everyone incredulous.

Is this a dream? If so, may it never end!

“What are you waiting for? The leader has spoken! Eat your fill! Those with families, bring them here at once!”

Song Wan and Du Qian arrived as well, Song Wan followed by men carrying tables and chairs, clearly ready to set more tables.

Du Qian, a respected elder among the original Liangshan men, held considerable prestige.

“Thank you, Camp Leader!”

The previously silent crowd erupted into thunderous cheers and applause, their joy unrestrained. They hailed the leader’s wisdom, while Liu Si was overcome with emotion, unable to find words.

“Sit down and eat well! Those with families, hurry and bring them! Today, I want everyone to feast and drink their fill!”

Ren Yuan gently pushed Liu Si back into his seat and gestured for the others to continue eating.

After speaking, dozens of figures rose hurriedly and headed toward the back mountain—those were the men with families.

Those without stayed seated, drinking and eating, the atmosphere growing even more lively than before.

Clearly, this happiness sprang from deep within—the relief and joy far surpassing the initial delight of simple indulgence.

“Thank you, Camp Leader. From now on, my life belongs to you. I’m willing to die for you at any time!”

“What nonsense! Why would I want you to die? I want you alive! I want every brother in this camp to live—live well!”

Ren Yuan patted Liu Si’s shoulder, comforting the honest man with a few words before turning away.

Behind him, the laughter and merriment from the banquet echoed through the valleys of Liangshan, carried by the evening breeze.