Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 388 Summation
At night, the fleet of Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaowu returned to Shijie Village in a mighty manner.

Zhao Zhen arranged a banquet early, and that night, everyone celebrated the great victory.

Zhang Yong took a few cavalrymen and fled back to Jizhou City overnight without going to Wangtai Township. That night, he secretly met with the governor Miao Shanggao. He couldn't help but exaggerate the military strength of Liangshan County. Zhang Yong said, "Sir, we were deceived by these local residents. These people must have spies from Liangshan County. We just rushed into Shijie Village and were attacked by the cavalry. If it weren't for my quick perception of the opportunity, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to come back."

After hearing what Zhang Yong said, Miao Shanggao asked, "Zhang Dujian, how many troops are there in Liangshan?"

"According to my rough estimate, there are no less than 2,000 cavalry, and the infantry behind them is at least 3,000 to 5,000. The navy is led by He Tao, the envoy of Sandu. I was in a hurry to come back and report the news, so I don't know how to observe the situation there. But if it is true as these clerks and rich people say, there is a navy stationed in Shijie Lake, I am afraid it will be dangerous."

"Sir, given the current situation, I'm afraid Liangshan County will not give up."

After hearing this, Miao Shanggao asked hurriedly, "Grandmaster Cai asked me to come here not to oppose Liangshan County. What should we do now?"

"Sir, we are new here and inevitably deceived by our subordinates. I agreed to send troops at the beginning only to use it to train the troops. After all, Liangshan County is just a vassal county. Occasional fighting is normal and the court does not pursue it. Now, I am afraid that Liangshan County will attack us, and we can only defend the city. The tasks of collecting money and food and training troops will be delayed, and I am afraid we will be blamed by the Grand Tutor." Zhang Yong replied.

"Yes, the most important thing is the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor now hates Song Jiang of Qingzhou deeply, and the two of us came to Jeju for this matter. Now the first priority is to calm the anger of Liangshan County, nothing else matters."

After that, Miao Shanggao frowned and continued, "What should we do now?"

"Sir, tomorrow morning I will have someone find out what Zhao Zhen likes and we will discuss it later. I think He Tao will have some news tomorrow."

Although Zhang Yong was very tired, he did not dare to go down to rest because of this matter. The two of them sat here with Miao Shanggao until half the night.

At the welcoming banquet, Miao Shanggao heard that Liangshan County had occupied Shijie Lake and that fishery products were no longer sold in the city. He felt that his source of income was being taken away. He thought that a small Jimi County could not have much power. He could use it to establish his authority and regain Shijie Lake, which would give him another source of income. That’s why he insisted on sending troops to take back Shijie Lake. Unexpectedly, the military of Liangshan County was so strong.

On the second day, Zhang Yong went to the camp to find local soldiers and inquire about the news. After some inquiries, he learned that Zhao Zhen of Liangshan County had gathered many heroes, so there were many elite soldiers and generals in the county. He was still puzzled. Since hearing that they were going to conquer Shijie Lake, the captains and guards of the army had all asked for leave and stayed at home.

It turned out that the previous governor had also sent troops to fight against them, but the militia commander Huang An never returned. After seeing the Liangshan cavalry charging into battle, Zhang Yong naturally knew that Liangshan County was probably defeated and the entire army was wiped out. It was definitely not something that was lost in the fog.

As for Zhao Zhen's hobbies, we didn't find out much else. We only knew that he was fond of women and had several wives and concubines at a young age. Another thing was that he practiced martial arts every day, but no one knew anything else.

After finding out the truth, Zhang Yong resisted the urge to sleep and went to Miao Shanggao's house to report the news.

After hearing what Zhang Yong said, Miao Shanggao frowned and said, "I have found out that this man is the son-in-law of Cheng Wanli, the prefect of Dongping Prefecture. Cheng Wanli is a teacher of Tong Shumi's doorman, and he is a fellow of ours. Why not ask Cheng Taishou to intercede and avoid fighting in the two places, which will disturb the people of this prefecture."

Zhang Yong listened and repeatedly praised Miao Shanggao for his dedication to the people. As the two were talking, the doorman came over and reported: "Sir, there are seven or eight people outside, saying that they are the head of Wangtai Township and the three elders, and they want to see you for something."

Miao Shanggao asked them to bring the men into the hall, where they fell to the ground and told him that Liangshan County had occupied Wangtai and expelled the gentry from the village. Miao Shanggao was shocked. After asking in detail, he heard that the Liangshan County soldiers were stationed in Wangtai Township and that they had no intention of attacking the city. He was relieved.

After sending off the people from Wangtai Township who requested him to send troops, Miao Shanggao said to Zhang Yong, "Zhang Dujian, there is no time to lose. Take some people to Dongping Prefecture today and ask Governor Cheng to mediate on your behalf."

Zhang Yong said, "I'm afraid Zhao Zhen of Liangshan County will not withdraw his troops for no reason."

Miao Shanggao said: "Since he has taken over Wangtai Township, I will just acknowledge it."

Zhang Yong pointed in the direction where the head of Wangtai Township was walking outside the door. Miao Shanggao waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about them. If they have the ability, let them get it themselves."

"I'm afraid this won't satisfy this fellow. I don't have any magical weapons or fine horses, but I can give him some ordinary weapons. In addition, the 3000 strings of cash presented by these gentry some time ago should also be sent to Liangshan County as an apology. As for Governor Cheng, the Grand Tutor once rewarded me with a jade ruyi that came out of the palace as a benefit for Governor Cheng's intercession." As he said this, he went to the back hall and took out the jade ruyi.

Zhang Yong took the jade ruyi, regardless of fatigue, took more than ten confidants, and rode towards Dongping Prefecture.

However, Zhang Yong rushed all the way to Dongping Prefecture. He did not dare to rest and handed in his name card overnight, asking to see Cheng Wanli.

Seeing that it was an official document from Jizhou Prefecture and the person who came was the military commander, Cheng Wanli thought something big had happened and quickly summoned Zhang Yong.

After listening to Zhang Yong, Cheng Wanli looked at the jade ruyi on the table and said in embarrassment: "Zhang Dujian, we are all colleagues, so I can't help but ask. As for my son-in-law, I will send someone to Liangshan County to inquire about him tomorrow and tell him that Governor Miao wants peace, so that he won't get any further. But 3000 strings of cash may not be enough to appease him. Since we are all in the same party, we won't let him ask for too much. What do you think, Zhang Dujian?"

Zhang Yong thanked him repeatedly and repeated what Miao Shanggao said. Cheng Wanli listened and said, "That's good. Zhang Dujian is tired, so go and have a rest. There will be news in a few days."

After seeing Zhang Yong off, Cheng Wanli took the jade ruyi and returned to the back house.

Madam Cheng was waiting in the room. When she saw Cheng Wanli, she asked, "Master, what's going on outside?"

Cheng Wanli told Madam Cheng about the conflict between Jizhou and Zhao Zhen. Madam Cheng was a little worried at first, but when she heard Miao Shanggao was seeking peace, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "He is also useless. Master, the son-in-law has not suffered any loss, so why worry about it."

Cheng Wanli shook his head and said, "Now that the Grand Master is paying attention to the Qingzhou thieves, how can there be any chaos at this moment?"

"Besides, my son-in-law will be happy to get some weapons and armor from Jeju. It just so happens that my daughter wants you to go and miss you. Take this opportunity and take this jade ruyi with you. Go stay with my daughter for a while tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)