These people were fishermen who made their living on the water year-round, and with the Ruan brothers, a group of powerful figures in the water, leading them, if a real battle broke out, Liangshan's weak navy would most likely be no match for them.
Upon witnessing this scene, Zhu Gui secretly admired Wang Xuan's foresight.
When Wang Lun was the leader of Liangshan, he banned fishing in Liangshan Marsh and drove away the fishermen. This was practically suicidal. If the fishermen were pushed to the limit and united to attack, Wang Lun and his men would be in serious trouble.
Shijie Village is not far from Liangshan stronghold, and they made it back before dark.
After Wang Xuan had the newly arrived bandits settled in, he began to continue deceiving the three Ruan brothers.
He took Ruan Xiaoqi and the others to the training ground to show off their skills.
When the three Ruan brothers saw Wang Xuan casually tossing a boulder weighing over a thousand pounds and leaping four or five meters high, they were astonished and remained stunned for a long time.
Wang Xuan patted Ruan Xiaoqi on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xiaoqi, I see that you three brothers are all exceptionally talented. If you follow me to learn martial arts, it's not impossible for you to take on hundreds of people one-on-one in the future."
"A one-man fight against hundreds of people?!" Ruan Xiaoqi, Ruan Xiaoer, and Ruan Xiaowu all gaped open, their jaws dropping to the ground.
Chapter Seventeen: Heading to Yuncheng County
"One person taking on hundreds of people single-handedly, that's probably comparable to Guan Yu!" Ruan Xiaoqi felt her throat go dry and said, "Brother Chief, you're not lying to us, are you?"
"Why would I lie to you? If you learn my martial arts, you'll be a living Guan Yu!" Wang Xuan continued, tempting you.
For the three Ruan brothers and their ilk, Guan Yu was a symbol of unparalleled bravery and loyalty.
Ruan Xiaoqi suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He immediately knelt down and kowtowed nine times, shouting, "Master, please accept my bow!"
Upon seeing this, Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaowu also quickly knelt down and became his disciples.
"My good disciple!" Wang Xuan's face lit up with a smile, overjoyed.
The three Ruan brothers ranked very high among the 108 heroes of Liangshan, all being among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits, which represents extremely strong fortune.
At this moment, simply by establishing a master-disciple relationship with them, Wang Xuan gained nearly 300 points of luck value. This was the most luck value Wang Xuan had ever received at once since he transmigrated to the Water Margin world.
Having accepted the three Ruan brothers as his disciples, Wang Xuan naturally had to teach them. He passed on the first volume of "The True Explanation of Purple Yang" to the three Ruan brothers and used his fists to urge them to practice diligently.
In an instant, the bandit leaders of Liangshan Marsh, like the bandits of Shaohua Mountain, tasted the "iron fist of love" from their master.
While practicing martial arts, they did not slack off in training their ordinary mountain bandits. After a period of recruiting and building up their forces, Liangshan Marsh now had 800 infantrymen and 300 naval personnel, and they appeared to be quite well-trained.
But Wang Xuan also knew that these bandits were all show and no substance. The leaders all came from the lower rungs of society and had no ability or experience in training an army.
The navy was already formidable; under the leadership of the three Ruan brothers, they were more than capable of dominating the marshes. In a year or two, once Ruan Xiaoqi and his men had gained some experience in leading troops into battle, they would be able to contend with the Song Dynasty's official troops.
But the army is different. People like Du Qian and Song Wan are mediocre. It's impossible to expect them to train soldiers to the same level as the Song Dynasty's officers and soldiers.
"Lin Chong, when will you finally be forced to join the Liangshan bandits?" Wang Xuan sighed with emotion.
The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart.
Wang Lun, disguised as Wang Xuan's lackey, asked calmly, "Instructor Lin Chong? Could it be Lin Chong, the chief instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in Dongjing? Does the chieftain know him?"
Wang Xuan said shamelessly, "Of course I know him. Lin Chong, that's my apprentice."
If Lin Chong heard this, he would definitely spit in his face. This guy has never even met Lin Chong, doesn't even know his height or build, yet he has the nerve to call Lin Chong his disciple.
Since Lin Chong was not going to join Liangshan for the time being, Wang Xuan had no choice but to find other people to train his army.
Looking around Liangshan Marsh, there are many heroes of the Jianghu, such as Chao Gai, the Tower King; Wu Yong, the Wise Star; and Song Jiang, the Timely Rain.
However, Chao Gai was just a rural landlord, and he knew absolutely nothing about training troops, though perhaps he was a little better than Song Wan and Du Qian.
Wu Yong, on the other hand, was merely a failed scholar. He might be good at writing, but he knew nothing about leading troops into battle.
As for Song Jiang, he was just a lowly clerk who got his position through connections. His strengths lay in his thick skin, ruthlessness, and cunning.
"After careful consideration, Zhu Tong and Lei Heng from Yuncheng County are barely usable. Although their martial arts skills are a bit weak, they are still military commanders of the Song Dynasty, so they know how to train troops." Wang Xuan noted Zhu Tong and Lei Heng down in his notebook.
"Wang Lun, this chieftain wants to visit Yuncheng County. You will come with me," Wang Xuan said casually, glancing at Wang Lun.
Wang Lun naturally couldn't refuse, nor could he refuse.
Not long after, they disguised themselves and left Liangshan Marsh, arriving in Yuncheng County.
Yuncheng County was just a small county town with a population of tens of thousands; it wasn't very large. Wang Xuan didn't walk far before arriving at the county government office.
He took out a silver ingot and stuffed it into the hand of the gatekeeper, saying, "I am a friend of Captains Zhu Tong and Lei Heng. I have urgent business to attend to and wish to see you both. Please inform them for me."
Having received the reward, the gatekeeper scurried into the yamen. Not long after, two burly men emerged from the yamen.
They glanced at Wang Xuan and Wang Lun, then their expressions suddenly changed, and they shouted, "We don't know you at all! Who are you people, daring to impersonate our friends!"
Wang Xuan gave Wang Lun a subtle push, and Wang Lun had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward. He stuffed two silver ingots into Wang Lun's hand and said with a smile, "Two captains, my young master Wang has a business deal he'd like to do with you. Let's talk in private."
The two silver ingots that Wang Lun took out were each worth ten taels, which was equivalent to Zhu Tong and the others' monthly income.
Zhu Tong and Lei Heng exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with smiles.
"No problem, no problem. So you're Young Master Wang. Let's find a place to have a drink."
They arrived at a restaurant and found a quiet spot to sit down. Zhu Tong then asked, "May I ask where Young Master Wang is from, and what kind of business he is in?"
Wang Xuan remained silent. He had no business to do; it was all just an excuse Wang Lun made up.
Fortunately, he had Wang Lun by his side. Wang Lun was able to rise from a failed scholar to the position of the former leader of Liangshan. Although he wasn't very magnanimous or cunning, he was a very shrewd and resourceful person.
He said with a straight face, "My young master is from Daming Prefecture, and his family is in the medicinal herb business."
"Medicinal herbs business?" Wang Xuan's mind raced; this was indeed a good excuse. Ever since the leaders of Liangshan Marsh became his disciples and began cultivating the "Purple Yang True Explanation," they had been consuming a considerable amount of medicinal herbs every day, and the stock in the stronghold had long been depleted. This was a good opportunity to purchase some more.
Thinking of this, Wang Xuan said to Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, "Captains, I want to purchase a large quantity of medicinal herbs in Yuncheng County, but unfortunately I don't have any connections. I wonder if you two can lend me a hand?"
As the saying goes, "Don't release the hawk until you see the rabbit," so how could the two captains agree without seeing any benefit?
Wang Xuan then took out a packet of silver, about several dozen taels, and handed it to Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, promising, "I will reward you handsomely after the matter is settled!"
Having received bribes from Wang Xuan, they reluctantly agreed.
Wang Xuan sneered inwardly. Once I've acquired a batch of medicinal herbs, I'll reveal my identity. Then you'll all be accused of colluding with bandits and will have no choice but to obediently come up the mountain with me to become bandits!
Chapter Eighteen: First Meeting with Song Jiang
Wang Xuan entrusted Zhu Tong and Lei Heng to help him purchase Chinese medicinal herbs. The two men, unaware of Wang Xuan's scheme and blinded by the prospect of easy money, readily agreed.
Both parties agreed that Wang Xuan would come to collect the goods three days later, and would buy all the medicinal materials at a price 10% higher than the market price.
After reaching an agreement, Zhu Tong and his group took their leave. After all, they held official positions, and their visit to Wang Xuan was tantamount to dereliction of duty. Leaving for a short while was not a problem, but if they stayed too long, someone would seize on it.
Wang Xuan had achieved his goal, and he didn't plan to stay any longer. He was preparing to return to the mountain stronghold and wait for the roundup three days later.
Unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the restaurant, he bumped into a man. This man was about thirty years old, with a dark complexion and short stature, and was dressed in the robes of a court official.
More importantly, Wang Xuan heard someone call this person "Song Yashi"!
"You never expect to run into Song Jiang!" Wang Xuan's lips twitched as he looked at the dark-skinned Song Jiang with amusement.
"So you are Song Jiang, also known as the Timely Rain?" Wang Xuan blocked Song Jiang's path, openly scrutinizing him from head to toe.
While Wang Xuan was observing Song Jiang, Song Jiang was also observing him.
Although Song Jiang was only a minor clerk at this time, he had a wide circle of friends, had met all kinds of people, and his insight was far beyond that of ordinary people.
Upon seeing Wang Xuan's attire and demeanor, Song Jiang was secretly alarmed. Wang Xuan gave him an impression of unparalleled nobility, far more unfathomable than the magistrate of Yuncheng County.
"This must be the son of some high-ranking official, otherwise he couldn't possibly have such an air about him!" Song Jiang's eyes shone brightly, his heart filled with excitement: "I never thought it would be my turn to be lucky, that I would actually meet such a benefactor. If I make a point of befriending him, I might be able to get an official position, and I won't have to settle for being a lowly clerk!"
It must be said that Song Jiang's judgment of people was indeed very accurate. Wang Xuan was the son of Wang Yun, one of the Three Dukes of the Great Han Empire. The Great Han Empire was located in a mythical world, with a vast territory and a population of hundreds of billions. Wang Yun's status was even more noble than that of the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty.
As Wang Yun's son, Wang Xuan naturally developed an air of nobility over the years.
But that was a completely different identity in another world. Wang Xuan's current identity in the Water Margin world is that of the leader of Liangshan Marsh, with more than a thousand bandits under his command, making him a prime target for the Song Dynasty's wanted criminals.
Song Jiang, still unaware of what was happening, approached Wang Xuan with a broad smile and struck up a conversation.
Looking at Song Jiang's instantly dark face, Wang Xuan couldn't help but think of positive qualities like loyalty and righteousness. If he hadn't read the original novel and known that Song Jiang was actually a ruthless and thick-skinned fellow, he almost would have believed it!
"Good heavens, this is the influence of fate on my senses! Song Jiang truly deserves to be the leader of the 108 heroes of Liangshan and the Tiankui Star among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits. His fate is simply heaven-defying!" The Eternal Tower of Heaven and Earth in Wang Xuan's sea of consciousness trembled slightly, and he instantly woke up, his heart filled with surging waves of shock.
He had been in the world of Water Margin for several months and had met many of the Liangshan heroes, but he had easily subdued them all, and they obediently became his disciples.
As time went on, Wang Xuan began to think, "He's nothing special." Unexpectedly, upon meeting Song Jiang this time, in just a single glance, Wang Xuan was captivated by the man's aura. Fortunately, the Eternal Tower of Heaven and Earth suppressed his consciousness, preventing him from falling for the trap!
"I've been spreading my teachings in the Water Margin world for so long, and I've gained quite a bit. My current luck value is over a thousand points. Song Jiang can suppress me in every way, so his luck value must be at least ten thousand points!"
Unaware that Wang Xuan was terrified, Song Jiang cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "I am Song Jiang, Song Gongming. May I ask who you are, sir?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xuan felt that the other person was very approachable, which made him feel good about him involuntarily.
"Again?!" Wang Xuan thought to himself, annoyed. Was this the legendary aura of a king?
He silently channeled his inner strength and guarded his mind before saying to Song Jiang, "I have long heard of the name of Song Gongming, the hero of Shandong, but after meeting you today, I find you to be nothing special. My surname is Wang, and I come from Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital."
Wang Xuan possessed an air of nobility in his speech and manners, and he didn't even glance at Song Jiang.
Unexpectedly, Song Jiang became even more convinced of his suspicions. Anyone who could disregard him, Song Jiang, must be someone of great importance. Moreover, the other party came from Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty, a place teeming with high-ranking officials and nobles, which perfectly confirmed his guess.
"So it's Young Master Wang in person! My apologies! My reputation in the martial world is merely due to the flattery of my friends. How could it possibly be worthy of your attention?" Song Jiang's smile grew even brighter as he subtly flattered Wang Xuan.
Wang Xuan was astonished. Had Song Jiang lost his mind? He was deliberately belittling Song Jiang to get him to leave quickly. Otherwise, with Song Jiang constantly around, the oppressive aura was making him uncomfortable.
"Since you refuse to leave, then don't blame me. I originally only intended to trick Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, but you insisted on coming to me, so I'll drag you down with me!" Wang Xuan cursed inwardly, a smile appearing on his face.
“You, Song Jiang, are a local tyrant in Yuncheng County, aren’t you? I urgently need to purchase a batch of medicinal herbs, and I’ve already asked two constables, Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, to handle it for me. If you’re willing to lend me a hand, you’ll definitely get your share of the benefits afterward!” Wang Xuan patted Song Jiang on the shoulder and spoke in the tone of an elder brother looking after his younger brother.
Song Jiang couldn't help but feel a little wary. If the other party was really the son of a high-ranking official, why would he be buying up so many medicinal herbs? Could it be that I, Song Jiang, have misjudged him, and that the other party is just a merchant?
"I wonder what you're doing buying so many medicinal herbs, young master?" Song Jiang's smile faded slightly as he asked.
Wang Xuan began to deceive, saying, "My father is about to celebrate his birthday, and I plan to collect medicinal herbs from all over the country to refine a magic pill as a gift."
Upon hearing this, Song Jiang's lips twitched involuntarily. Could you be any more reliable? Refining elixirs of immortality? Are you trying to send your father to the Western Paradise?
"No, could it be..." Song Jiang was about to sneer when he suddenly remembered something.
The current emperor is a devout follower of Taoism and is known as the Taoist Emperor. He has taken quite a few elixirs made by Taoist priests.
What's even more coincidental is that the emperor's 40th birthday is just two months away...
"This young master's surname is Wang. Could he be a prince?!" Song Jiang's heart was pounding with excitement.