Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 590 Conflict
Without mentioning how Liangshan used the words to request the title, there was trouble in Xingren Prefecture, which was adjacent to Liangshan.

Because Zhao Zhen had asked all the prefectures and military camps to recommend talented and capable generals some time ago, Xuan Zan came out on top and recommended Wen Huanzhang from Anren Village.

The deputy commander of the Liangshan army, Leopard Head Lin Chong, also recommended a man. His surname was Dai, and his given name was Quan, and he was from the neighboring Xingren Prefecture.

Because his hair and beard were all yellow, he was nicknamed "Golden Haired Lion" in the Jianghu. He had a great strength and was very good at martial arts. He loved to play with spears and clubs and make friends with good men. In the past, he had been a guest in Tokyo and met Lin Chong many times.

After Lin Chong sent someone to inquire, he learned that the man was still living in Xingren Mansion, so he reported it to Zhao Zhen. After hearing this, Zhao Zhen also wanted to recruit Dai Quan. Before Zhao Zhen could send someone to invite him, Dai Quan had already fled to Liangshan.

Lin Chong personally brought Dai Quan to Baishi Manor to pay a visit to Zhao Zhen.

After greeting, Zhao Zhen asked, "Master Lin recommended me a few days ago, but I didn't expect you to come here. Isn't this God's will?"

Dai Quan cried and said, "Sir, the prefect is greedy and has put my son and brother in jail in order to seize my family's wealth. They are in imminent danger of death. I beg you to save them."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen immediately sent for Wu Yong, Zhu Wu, and Liu Hui Niang, and then said to Dai Quan, "Tell me more about it."

Dai Quan then told the details of Gao Zhifu Cai Yong's sexual abuse.
Dai Quan's family was not from Xingren Prefecture, but from Huizhou. They became rich thanks to his father Dai Jufa. Dai Jufa was a pawnbroker, very stingy, unwilling to spend a penny, willing to sacrifice his life for even a penny, nicknamed "Iron Abacus".

Because his boss died of illness, Dai Jufa relied on running the shop to deceive orphans and widows, and got all their family property in a few years. The original boss was also a man who did things to the extreme. No relatives or friends wanted to help him, and no one wanted to embarrass him.

However, the family wealth was not obtained legitimately, and the Iron Abacus was afraid that others would find out, so he secretly took his two sons to Xingren Prefecture in Shandong, and used the stolen property to set up a business. He still opened a pawn shop, and in just a few years, he became extremely wealthy.

He had two sons. The elder one was Dai Quan, but the younger one was different. He was born a playboy and was famous in all kinds of gambling houses. He was familiar with all the hangers-on and people gave him the nickname "Overturned Cornucopia".

The two sons were not like their father at all, they spent money like dirt. After the death of [Iron Abacus], the two had no control over themselves and spent money like water.

Dai Quan wields guns and sticks and makes friends with good men, while Dai Chun is attached to brothels. Because of their incompatible personalities, the two rarely visit each other.

Recently, Niu Xin, the headless fly, and Fu Ji, the dwarf, heard about it and, relying on Gao Shide's power, they planned to seize Dai's wealth and put Dai Chun in jail.

Although Dai Chun was a rich man, he was an uneducated and weak person. He could not stand the pain of prison, so he spent a lot of money and, under the suggestion of someone with ulterior motives, implicated his brother Dai Quan in a murder case.

Fortunately, Dai Quan made friends with many people from all walks of life, and someone in the yamen secretly informed him of the news.

Although Dai Quan did not completely believe it, he did not dare to take it lightly and secretly hid in Zhang Kui's house outside the west gate.

Not long after, an official was ordered to go to his home to summon him. Since Dai Quan was not at home, he locked up his wife and children. Zhang Kui, who was outside the west gate, asked about the situation and said to Dai Quan, "Brother, everyone in the city is saying that you have killed someone and they are searching for you. Your house has been sealed and your nephew has been imprisoned."

Dai Quan was horrified when he heard this: "What should I do?"

Zhang Kui said, "We can only ask Mr. Zhao from Liangshang for help."

After hearing this, Dai Quan dared not hesitate. He sneaked out of Xingren Prefecture at night and surrendered at night.

After hearing this, although Zhao Zhen despised [Iron Abacus] as a person, he had no opinion on Dai Quan. He said to everyone: "It's rare that Dai Quan came to surrender with a sense of righteousness. How can we not save his family? What do you think we should do?"

Wu Yong pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, this Gao Shide is the favorite of General Gao. He just forced Gao Rang to flee Kouzhou, and now he is attacking Xingren Prefecture. I am afraid that the general will instigate the government to send troops. Although we are willing to kill these corrupt officials and get rid of harm to the people, we cannot ignore General Gao."

Zhu Wu also said, "That's right. Besides, the lord is now applying for the imperial edict. If we send troops to attack Xingren Prefecture now, it will be a bit embarrassing for Secretary Tong."

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother Dai Quan did nothing wrong. Like brother Lin Chong, it was Gao Shide who caused the trouble. He was too arrogant because he had the support of the Grand Commandant. Now that righteous men have come to his side, but we cannot rescue them, it will discourage the heroes of the world. Even if it is not appropriate to send troops to teach Gao Shide a lesson, we must rescue brother Dai Quan's family."

Wu Yong heard this and said, "Sir, if you want to save Brother Dai Quan's family, you don't need to start a war. You only need to deploy troops to the border of Xingren Prefecture and send a letter as a threat. At most, you can have a fight with Ji Anbang. This guy is arrogant and has been disrespectful to you and has often shouted at you. If it weren't for the fact that we are officials in the same dynasty, I would have sent troops to attack Liangshang and taught you a lesson long ago. Now, we must put down his arrogance and let him know that you have the final say in the Jingdong Road."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said, "Since this is the case, we should act without delay. The military advisor should allocate troops, horses, and food supplies, and head to the border of Xingren Prefecture early tomorrow morning."

At that moment, Dai Quan stood up and kowtowed profusely to express his gratitude.

After some discussion, they transferred Liangshan's deputy commander [Leopard Head] Lin Chong, military commander [Charge of the Head] Wang Jin, as well as training envoy [Tianmu General] Peng Qi and [Hundred Victory General] Han Tao, with 5,000 soldiers, to set out first together with Dai Quan.

Zhao Zhen followed with 3,000 brave cavalrymen, with Wu Yong as his military advisor, and the troops under the command of [Sai Cunxiao] Wang Tianba, [the strong man who pulls mountains] Tang Bin, [the strong man who splits mountains] Mie Gong, [the charred leopard] Yang Tengjiao, [the strong man who shakes mountains] Wen Zhongrong, [the strong man who moves mountains] Cui Ye, and the military commander [the green bamboo snake] Zhen Xianglin, [the bear powerful general] Yu Yulin, [the golden-haired tiger] Yan Shun, [the little overlord] Zhou Tong, a total of ten generals and deputy generals.

On the second day, the army set out, deployed its troops, assembled soldiers, and headed straight for the border of Xingren Prefecture.

Xingren Prefecture, last night, a letter was shot into Gao Shide's house by a crossbow. Early this morning, the steward presented the letter to Gao Shide.

Gao Shide was surprised after reading it.

The letter did threaten to send troops to wipe out corrupt officials and asked Gao Shide to hand over Fu Ji and Niu Xin to avoid the army attacking the city and regretting it. Because the signature was Zhao Ze of Liangshan, Gao Shide was horrified and quickly sent someone to invite Ji Anbang.

After reading the letter, Ji Anbang laughed and said, "Young Master, I was worried that I couldn't vent my anger for the Grand Commandant. Now this fellow wants to come to Xingren Mansion. Young Master, please sit down. I will go to the border to meet him and will never let him set foot in Xingren Mansion."

Gao Shide heard this and praised: "General, you are indeed a hero. My father has praised you for what you have done. If you can defeat Liangshan, my father will certainly remember your kindness."

At that moment, Ji Anbang gathered his troops and headed straight for the border.

After Ji Anbang left, Gao Shide thought about the contents of the letter and frowned. He sent someone to call Wang Bin and Li Yan, two Yu Hous, and greeted them. Gao Shide said, "Two Yu Hous, is there anything going on in the city recently?"

Wang Bin and Li Yan looked at each other after hearing this. Wang Bin said, "I wonder what the lord is asking?"

"Have you two heard about the Dai family's affairs?"

After hearing this, the two nodded. Li Yan said, "I have heard that the youngest son of the Dai family is now in prison, and he has implicated Dai Quan's family. Now Niu Xin and Fu Ji are targeting the Dai family, and they are waiting for Dai Quan to be arrested so that they can embezzle the Dai family's land and property."

Gao Shide cursed: "How dare these two idiots hide things from me."

Wang Bin pretended to be surprised and asked, "Isn't this the order from the Yanei?"

Gao Shide scolded, "Who issued an order? You two were assigned by your father to serve here, why didn't you report this?"

Li Yan said, "Yaney, the two of them have always represented you. How could we know that they were using their power for personal gain and hiding it from you?" Wang Bin said, "They now live in a huge house, wearing gold and jade, and have a group of servants at home. I was given to you by you as a reward."

Gao Shide became even angrier after hearing this. He smashed the teacup on the table and shouted, "You two take some people and tie them up and bring them to me."

After hearing this, Wang Bin and Li Yan hurried downstairs.

After leaving Gao Shide's mansion, the two looked at each other and were both happy.

It turned out that although the two were transferred to Gao Shide's service, they were not as good as Niu Xin and Fu Ji who had been with Gao Shide for a long time, and they had to be guarded and squeezed by Niu Xin and Fu Ji everywhere. Now that they finally got the chance, how could they not be happy.

At that moment, the two of them led people to break into the residences of Niu Xin and Fu Ji, tied them up, and sent them to Gao Shide's residence.

Why didn't Niu Xin and Fu Ji serve at Gao Shide's mansion? It was because they had tasted the sweetness of exploiting the rich in the city, and many people fawned on Gao Shide by relying on his power. Some sent women, and naturally some sent people to his mansion. During the day, in order to prevent Wang Bin and Li Yan from competing for favor, the two took turns to work at Gao Shide's mansion, and when they returned home at night, they acted like officials.

Today, Wang Bin and Li Yan were ordered to bring people into the mansion and tie them up. The two were still shouting, "We two are the inner circle of the lord, how dare you be so rude. You must not look good in front of the lord."

Wang Bin and Li Yan just sneered: "Two great officials, your crime has been exposed. We are here to confront you two on the orders of the lord."

[Shorty Ghost] Fu Ji was quite quick-witted after all. He smiled and said to Wang and Li, "My two brothers, I don't know why you have to make such a big fuss. Give me a word of advice, and I will definitely reward you handsomely later."

Wang and Li heard this but ignored it.

Fu Ji licked his face and kept smiling apologetically.

Li Yan was worried that Gao Shide had listened to the two's lies and, considering their old friendship, would give them a light punishment for a serious crime and fail to bring them down. So he said, "Please forgive me, brothers. It was the order of the yanei, and we had to obey. At night, a letter was shot into the yanei's house. After reading it, the yanei was furious and asked us to tie you two up and take you to his house."

When Fu Ji saw Li Yan talking to him, he quickly asked, "Brother, do you know what's written inside?"

"The young master is very angry, who dares to ask him? We really don't know what is written in it." Li Yan said.

Wang Bin said, "I'm afraid that the two brothers are living in a big house now, marrying beautiful concubines, and sending a lot of gold and silver into the mansion. I think someone must be angry and sent a letter from outside the mansion at night to inform the yanei. You two should also think carefully about who you have offended to make the yanei so angry that he even broke his usual teacup."

After hearing this, Fu Ji and Niu Xin frowned and recalled the past.

Soon, the crowd surrounded the two and rushed into Gao Shide's mansion.

When Fu Ji and Niu Xin saw Gao Shide sitting in the middle, the servants, farmhands, and yamen runners passing by all lowered their heads and hands, and even dared not make a sound when walking. They knew that Gao Shide was very angry.

At that moment, the two men rushed out and slapped their heads on the ground. Fu Ji shouted, "Yanei, what's the matter? Why are you punishing us like this?"

Niu Xin also cried, "I am loyal to the lord..."

Gao Shide shouted, "Shut up! I want to ask you two, I heard that you two are always surrounded by people, and your house is more spacious than mine? Where did all this gold and silver come from?"

After hearing this, Fu Ji quickly interrupted, "Yanei, these are all the wealthy merchants in the city, paying tribute to you. We two thought it would be bad to be so blatant, so we moved in first and took all the blame. Later, we can send the gold and pearls to you. Now the market is spreading the reputation of us two as "rich blood suckers" and "cow skinners". But you don't have any bad reputation at all."

Gao Shide sneered after hearing this and said, "Or did I misunderstand you two?"

Fu Ji said, "It was my brother's fault. I just thought that brother Niu Xin had mentioned it to the yanei."

Niu Xin also said: "I thought you talked about it with Yanei."

Fu Ji said: "So you never mentioned it to Yanei either."

Gao Shide frowned, threw the letter on the table to the ground, and said to the two of them: "Kill the talents, you two did a good thing."

When Wang Bin saw it, he walked forward, picked up the letter, unfolded it, and handed it to Niu Xin and Fu Ji.

After reading the letter, Fu Ji cried out, "Young Master, this Liangshan Zhao Ze is so rude. How dare he threaten Young Master like this?"

Wang Bin also took the opportunity to read the letter. After hearing what Fu Ji said, he said, "Young Master, Liangshan's Prime Minister Zhao is the most protective of his subordinates. He is also Prime Minister Tong Shu's son-in-law and has never been respectful to the Grand Marshal. Now that he has the chance, won't he come to attack Xingren Mansion?"

Gao Shide said: "Kill the talent! Ji Anbang has led his troops to the border. If he wins, it will be fine. If he loses, I'm afraid you two will not survive."

Niu Xin heard this and shouted, "Yanei, I heard that Lu Zhen from Jeju was able to defeat Liangshan. Now that General Ji Anbang is on the expedition, how can they not win? The Dai family is extremely wealthy, and the two of them are restless. We have a ready-made reason, so how can we not be tempted? If we squeeze these two brothers dry, we can get at least 50,000 strings of cash to send to Yanei's mansion to serve."

[Shorty Ghost] Fu Ji also said, "That's right, but that's not the most important thing. There's a new girl in the city, she's very pretty. As soon as Dai Chun saw her, he wanted to marry her home. Now we've ordered her not to marry. Just wait until the young master has time to go and see her. If she pleases the young master, she'll be a beautiful concubine."

Wang Bin interrupted and said, "Why didn't you two come and report earlier?"

Fu Ji said hurriedly: "As soon as we have dealt with the two brothers of the Dai family, we will report to the yanei. How can we let the yanei worry about such mundane matters?"

"It's your fault that Liangshan has come to spy on us. Even if Minister Ji withdraws from Liangshan, we must be on guard against his coming back next time. It's your fault that the young master is frightened every day." Wang Bin said.

Li Yan continued, "It is said that a thief can be a thief for a thousand days, but you cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days. If you make a mistake, your safety will be in jeopardy. I heard that the instructor of the 800,000 imperial troops, [Leopard Head] Lin Chong, is in Liangshan. It would be bad to ask your son to ask the Grand Marshal to be an official somewhere else, right?"

Gao Shide heard this and cursed: "You two ruined such a good situation."

After that, he said to Wang and Li, "Put them both in jail and wait for news from General Ji."

After hearing this, Wang Bin and Li Yan ignored Fu Ji and Niu Xin's crying and pleas for mercy and sent them to prison, where they were kept in solitary confinement.

Lin Chong, Wang Jin and others led 5,000 soldiers and horses through Puzhou and fought their way to the border. Puzhou's military commander, [Dragon Slayer] Sun An, heard about it and also brought [White Flower Snake] Yang Chun and [Blood Sword] Zhu Jing, and led an army to follow.

When the generals arrived at the border, Ji Anbang was already waiting there.

(End of this chapter)