Chapter 14: Future Prospects

Although the feast at Liangshan had reached an unprecedented level of merriment after Ren Yuan ordered everyone to eat freely, the situation for the leaders was far from clear.

“Zhu Gui, quickly open inns around the mountain stronghold—one each to the east, west, south, and north! Gather intelligence and receive travelers. Zhu Fu, you’re responsible for opening inns and collecting intelligence within Jizhou and Cangzhou cities. Get these inns up and running as soon as possible, and coordinate with Officer Chai on the ‘Immortal Drunkenness’ affair. This matter affects the stronghold’s income, so neither of you can afford to slack off!”

“Understood, Brother, your orders will be carried out.”

After returning to his seat, Ren Yuan’s first task was to have Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu open these inns. Since the stronghold declared responsibility to everyone, it had to follow through, or else who would believe Ren Yuan’s words in the future?

Relying solely on current savings wouldn’t suffice—they needed to increase income.

“Brother, even if we open inns around the stronghold, there won’t be much income in the short term. After all, there are fewer travelers now. Should we stick to the greenwood code...” Zhu Gui didn’t finish his sentence. He knew his brother wasn’t that kind of man, but these were extraordinary times. Since the stronghold couldn’t cut expenses, they might as well expand income sources as much as possible.

“No! Using stupefying drugs or human meat buns—such methods are strictly forbidden at Liangshan. If anyone dares to do so, I will personally execute them.” Ren Yuan’s fierce gaze flashed. He detested such disgraceful and deadly tactics and would never allow such things in his stronghold.

“Understood.” Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu nodded repeatedly.

“Brother, what about requesting grain from the outside?” Yuan Lang asked, curious since the greenwood tactics of the Song dynasty mainly involved such moves.

“We can request grain, but not from just anyone,” Ren Yuan replied thoughtfully. He had his own plan.

“Brother, please share your plan.” Yuan Lang was ready to follow whatever Ren Yuan decided.

“Brother Du Qian, you’ve been at Liangshan the longest and know the local terrain well. Cooperate with Zhu Gui to open inns, and assign some clever men as eyes and ears along the water’s edge to gather information. Wherever there are wealthy tyrants oppressing the people, stirring great resentment, investigate thoroughly and report back to me. We will then descend the mountain to uphold justice for the people and eliminate these scourges.” Ren Yuan contemplated before speaking to Du Qian, who was indeed the most familiar with the surroundings.

“Uphold justice! That’s excellent! Brother, we are truly upholding justice!” Yuan Lang and the others smiled broadly upon hearing this.

Their brother had thought it through perfectly. What grain borrowing? Liangshan wouldn’t harm ordinary folk; they’d specifically target these despised villains!

If Heaven won’t punish them, Liangshan will!

“I also think Brother’s idea is sound. Ordinary families have no surplus grain, but these greedy wealthy households certainly do. If we deal with them, the stronghold will naturally lack nothing.” Song Wan was pleased. Having roamed the rivers and lakes for years, he knew well how greedy the rich were. Given Ren Yuan’s previous standards for provisions, Song Wan felt the pressure most keenly.

“Brother, shall we have a large banner made bearing the words ‘Uphold Justice,’ to be placed before the assembly hall as the principle for our forces when they descend the mountain? What do you think?” Yuan Lang proposed respectfully.

“Excellent. Tomorrow, select a fine apricot-yellow banner and commission a skilled craftsman to embroider those four characters. From now on, whenever Liangshan’s troops march out, they will do so under this banner!” Ren Yuan agreed.

In ancient times, warfare required a clear and legitimate cause; only with a righteous name could one act decisively. Without legitimacy, words falter and efforts fail.

Thus, no matter the undertaking—even becoming a strongman on the mountain—one must seek the moral high ground and hold it firmly. Only then can one proceed with justified confidence and rally the people’s hearts.

Ren Yuan would not miss such an opportunity to boost morale.

“Your orders shall be faithfully obeyed, Brother.”

Everyone was delighted. From now on, Liangshan would be a force with a just cause.

“Since we’ve established the ‘Uphold Justice’ principle, when dealing with passing merchants, unless they are from oppressive wealthy clans or involved in unjust gains, no harm shall come to ordinary traders. The toll they pay must not exceed one percent of their goods’ value. As for those oppressing the people, take their money, drive them away; if they refuse or resist, then imprison them on the mountain as laborers.”

Ren Yuan knew many strongmen robbed travelers ruthlessly, taking both money and lives. Clearly, he did not want Liangshan to become like that.

“Brother, your noble principle has our full support.”

With the slogan freshly set, no one objected to the merchant policy.

Moreover, in recent years, Ren Yuan had been tinkering not only with “Immortal Drunkenness” but also with a couple of other money-making ventures nearly ready to emerge. Once successful, Liangshan would never be short of funds.

With enough money, there would be no need to engage in robbery and pillaging—it would be beneath them.

“Chief, Liu Si and his family wish to see you.”

Just as Ren Yuan and his companions finalized the stronghold’s future plans, the sturdy man from earlier appeared, accompanied by an elderly man, a young woman, and two children, waiting nearby.

“Let them come in. They’re all brothers of the stronghold; there’s nothing to fear.”

Ren Yuan beckoned them over. Before anyone could act, he poured a cup of wine and handed it to the elderly man.

“Sir, today we came up the mountain and disturbed you all. I, Ren Yuan, offer my apologies.”

The old man, unused to such scenes, quickly accepted the wine and thanked Ren Yuan earnestly.

“Chief, you speak humbly. You made new rules for the sake of us old and weak. I am the unworthy one; I should be the one kowtowing.”

“Don’t say that. An old person at home is like a treasure. Though I am chief, I am still your junior. No need for such formalities.”

Ren Yuan reassured the elder, then turned to Liu Si’s wife and children.

Though his wife was not a stunning beauty, she was pleasant enough. Their two children—a boy and a girl—were robust and especially adorable, each holding a chicken leg, their mouths dripping with grease.

Noticing Ren Yuan’s gaze, the little boy raised his chicken leg high as if to offer a bite. This gesture caused the other leaders present to smile quietly.

“Well done, Liu Si—two children, son and daughter. Here, you must drink a cup.”

Seeing Liu Si wanting to thank him but unsure how, Ren Yuan smiled and offered a cup himself to ease the man’s embarrassment.

“Chief, my whole family thanks you for saving our lives.”

Liu Si could say no more. He drank heartily and made his wife do the same.

“Ha ha ha, I’ve said it before: once on the mountain, we are one family. One family doesn’t speak as two. From now on, live well with your family!”

Ren Yuan smiled, pleased with their current situation.

There were many like Liu Si across the land. Although Liangshan’s strength was limited and couldn’t save everyone, whenever they encountered someone in need, they would save one family at a time!

Liu Si’s family was a very good start.

But soon, Ren Yuan noticed something amiss and directly asked:

“Wait a moment, Liu Si, where are you from? Why bring your whole family up to Liangshan?”