Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 103 Hehe, I am a Liao person!
In Yanggu County, Su Wu first met Meng Yi, and then went to find Wu Song to leave the city.

He also asked Wu Song: "How are things on the waterway and the dock?"

Wu Song simply replied: "Brother, what's the difficulty in doing such a small thing? Now, who among those who come from the south or the north doesn't pay the money obediently?"

Su Wu laughed. He believed this and had expected it. This was the significance of keeping Wu Song in Yanggu.

Su Wu also said: "Erlang, then... do you want to go to Dongping Prefecture with me?"

Wu Song's opinion must be seriously sought on this matter, because in Wu Song's heart, his brother Wu Da is extremely important, and being filial to him in person has always been his wish.

Wu Song was really thinking about it.

Su Wu then said: "If you want to stay in Yanggu, that's fine..."

"Then... brother, let me go back and ask you." This is what Wu Song said.

"Okay, I'll take my men to Jingyang Ridge to camp first. I have some business to attend to. Maybe I'll stay for a day, or maybe two or three days. If you've made up your mind, just come to Jingyang Ridge to look for me."

Su Wu did not have the final say in this matter.

Yanggu County is also very important. If Wu Song only wants to stay in Yanggu, Su Wu will accept it.

On the contrary, if Wu Song wants to go to Dongping Prefecture, there will be some trouble. The waterway and the dock still need a more powerful person to control them.

After thinking about it, maybe Yang Zhi can come here, but Yang Zhi also has problems. He is a criminal and his appearance is too conspicuous...

Then I thought, I wonder if Li Ying is willing to come. If Li Ying is not willing, then... brothers Zhu Hu and Zhu Biao...

These people all have to be used and have a mission. They are also the face and glory of the Three Villages of Dulonggang, and even a step closer to the relationship between Su Wu and the Three Villages.

Just treat everyone as your own people, and gradually you will become a community of shared interests.

As for the position of Lieutenant General Wu Song, Li Ying or the Zhu brothers can also be appointed, or even the Lieutenant Generals from the other four counties should be replaced, as we are still short of people.

Wu Song was appointed as the battalion commander.

"Brother, I will go back and ask you..." Wu Song was also conflicted. This time Su Wu went to the battle and returned with honor, but he did not take him with him. He missed it and felt sad. But if he really left Yanggu, he would feel reluctant, so he turned back home immediately.

Su Wu left the city with three or four hundred riders and headed for Jingyang Ridge, which was the border of Yanggu County and the gateway to the Shandong Peninsula.

As soon as Wu Song returned home, he told Wu Da what Su Wu had said.

Wu Da is no longer the same as before. Although he is still honest and kind, he has gradually become more knowledgeable. He said to his brother Wu Song, "Erlang, you are different from me. I can't do anything big. I can only do a job as a clerk, guarding the money for the governor and preventing people from cheating me. But you are different. You are a man of great ability. A man should have ambitions to go far and wide. Now that you have found the right path, how can you not pursue a bright future?"

Wu Song's nose was sore when he heard this: "Brother, I just don't want to be far away from you. I was ignorant when I was young, but now..."

"Erlang, how can you be so childish? What's the point of you staying by my side? I would only be happy if you had a bright future..."

Although Wu Da said this, he also felt a lump in his throat.

But the sister-in-law came out of the kitchen, looked at the two brothers, and asked, "What happened?"

Wu Da spoke up.

The sister-in-law went to see her uncle Wu Song, feeling a sense of loss in her heart. She turned back and shouted, "Bring some wine and food..."

The house is different now. There is a carriage, servants and maids.

These days, Pan Jinlian has also gained face. Wherever she goes, she can see flattery and smiling faces, an uncle who joined the army, a husband who now makes tens of thousands of dollars a day at the dock...

Even if they met the former wealthy couple Zhang again, the two of them would take a detour. If they had no choice but to meet them on the street, the wealthy Zhang would try to apologize with a smile, and the mistress of the Zhang family would even lower her head when speaking.

In Yanggu County, Pan Jinlian could go anywhere and enter any store, and it was no big deal for her to spend a few or even dozens of strings of cash.

The county head, Dong Jian, also drank and chatted with her husband's uncle every day...

There were even many women from the neighborhood who came to her to give her money and gifts, hoping to get a connection with Pan Jinlian.

My uncle was smart enough to buy the teahouse next door that used to belong to Wang Po, and asked my sister-in-law to go there when she had nothing to do. No matter if they were women or any other respectable people on the street, who wouldn't come and sit down with them, no matter if they had anything to do or not?
However, Pan Jinlian had not often been to the teahouse to show up, and had hired someone to guard it.

At first, Pan Jinlian was willing to serve more guests in the teahouse, but later, there were too many people asking for favors, and everyone wanted to serve something. Pan Jinlian also knew what trouble was, so she went to the next door less often, and only went to check in the evening when she settled the bills...

Pan Jinlian occasionally heard a story that Wang Po had died on the way to Daming Mansion. It was said that she was killed by bandits who robbed her on the way.

I don’t know whether it is true or not.

Uncle was leaving, Pan Jinlian felt sad, and when the wine and food came, Pan Jinlian looked at her uncle again and again...

She also knew that because of what she had done and said to her uncle in the past, she was scolded by him, which led to her uncle moving out.

After all, love is unrequited, and I understand even more what kind of feelings my uncle has for my husband.

"Uncle, please have some wine..." Pan Jinlian came to toast.

Wu Song nodded: "Thank you, sister-in-law..."

After drinking a glass of wine, Pan Jinlian looked at Wu Song again. She had something to say but was reluctant to say it because she was afraid that if she said it out loud, it would offend others.

I also know that it is my uncle who is capable and the good life is earned by my uncle.

Wu Da said, "In the past, I only hoped that you would be more sensible, drink less, and not cause trouble. In the blink of an eye, you have grown up, and you have become the pillar of the family. That's great, it's great to have a promising future. Living in Yanggu County all your life is not a promising future."

Seeing these words, Wu Song had already left his seat, knelt on both knees in front of him, and bowed his head: "Brother, since I have grown up, your good days have come... I will do my best and make your life better and better."

Wu Da wiped his tears, stood up and helped his brother, while his sister-in-law beside him couldn't help crying as well.

Wu Song stood up and poured wine: "Brother, sister-in-law, you must live a good life at home."

In fact, Pan Jinlian and Wu Da were still newlyweds.

In Qinghe County before, Wu Song was only concerned with drinking and causing trouble. He would knock people unconscious and run away. Wu Da had to pay compensation and give gifts to people, and he didn't know how many nice words he said and how many times he bowed his head.

Leaving my hometown and moving to Yanggu was a helpless act. It was like starting over. I rented a house, bought a shoulder pole, and sold pancakes. I made three-inch nails out of tree bark, which made others laugh, so I just laughed along.

After some time, someone arranged for me to have a wife as a gift.

This went on for about a year, and soon his brother Wu Song came looking for him.

Everything has changed dramatically.

"Don't worry, Erlang. We are all honest people. We don't commit crimes, nor do we go whoring, gambling, or waste our money. Our lives will get better and better..."

What Wu Da said was to reassure Wu Song.

"Well, I know..." Wu Song nodded and glanced at his sister-in-law intentionally or unintentionally.

My sister-in-law might have felt guilty, but she didn't look at him. She just said, "Life is good. The days that we couldn't even imagine in the past will definitely get better and better..."

My sister-in-law knew that there was something wrong with what he said just now. Now she really knew what kind of person her uncle was and how powerful he was. She was happy but also afraid...

"Pour more wine for uncle..." Pan Jinlian stood up to pour the wine, which was a way of easing the mood and showing her attitude.

In Yanggu County, who among the prominent figures nowadays does not treat Wu Song as a guest of honor? Whether they are street people or government officials, who does not respect Wu Song?

Wu Song was actually relieved, so he didn't tell his brother to close the door or wait for him to come back if anything happened...

Wu Song drank a lot of wine during this period, and perhaps this was part of his cleverness.

Wu Song knew that his sister-in-law had been in a state of confusion before, but now he had done what he should do. If his sister-in-law was still in a state of confusion, Wu Song would not worry too much.

I just want to ask, who in Yanggu County dares to set his sights on this?
I just hope my brother and sister-in-law can have a boy or girl soon. Then, I don’t have to worry about anything anymore…

Wu Song took the wine Pan Jinlian had filled and drank it all in one gulp: "Thank you, sister-in-law!"

Wu Da said: "Just ask your sister-in-law to go to your place later to help you pack up, and then you can go find the eunuch..."

"Uncle, please come home more often in the future..." Pan Jinlian couldn't help but say this.

"Well, it's not far. I'll come back and visit when I have time..." Wu Song nodded.

In Jingyang Ridge, the road construction is still in full swing. On the north mountain, the wall of the village has taken shape, but the interior is still being built slowly.

There was a checkpoint at the intersection, but no one came. There were just some men guarding there. They only collected a little bit of funding for road construction, and it only lasted for two or three years.

Lin Mao was collecting money at the intersection. When Su Wu arrived, he asked the soldiers to set up camp nearby.

Seeing Lin Mao, he also asked, "How many days have you been harvesting?"

"Thirteen days..." Lin Mao replied.

"What's the matter?" Su Wu asked again.

"It wasn't a big deal. Some people didn't want to pay it back, so there were some conflicts and fights. Then they paid it back. Then someone went to the county government to file a complaint twice, and was reprimanded by the county magistrate. Then nothing happened."

Lin Mao answered. Su Wu nodded and asked again: "How much money do you make in a day?"

"When it's more, it's about a hundred strings of cash, and when it's less, it's fifty or sixty strings of cash. I was just about to report this to my brother, and I thought he'd send an accountant. None of us have ever been to school, and most of the people under Envoy Yang are laymen. I'm afraid it'll take too long for us to figure it out..."

Lin Mao spoke sincerely.

This amount, in a year, is about 30,000 strings of cash, which is not a small amount. If I share some of it with the magistrate Meng Yi, it can still be considered a large income.

If there really is war and chaos, as long as this road is kept open, the cost will probably increase several times, which is a huge sum of money.

Su Wu thought about it slowly and said, "Well, send someone to Dongping Prefecture to find Madam Meng and ask her to send two people. Every month, send the accounts to Wu Song's brother for summary. The money will be kept in the mountain stronghold. If there is more money, transport it to Dongping Prefecture and give it to Madam Meng."

Now, it is natural for Madam Meng to be in charge of Su Wu's purse. There must be someone responsible for money matters. Su Wu can't just have to keep an eye on it and count it all by himself every day.

"I understand!" Lin Mao nodded.

"In normal times, you just need to spend some of the money and keep good accounts. People who contribute should also be paid. It's up to you." Su Wu was also generous.

"Thank you, brother!" Lin Mao bowed.

Just look at the direction of Yanggu County, a horse is galloping over. The man has nothing on him, except for a small bag on his back, which is a huge broadsword. It was originally a good weapon for Yu Baosi, a man over two meters tall, but now it is used by Wu Song.

"Brother, I'm here!" Wu Song is here.

Su Wu raised his hand and said, "Come this way."

Wu Song came over with a smile, jumped off his horse, and walked quickly forward: "Brother, what is your mission this time?"

Su Wu shook his head and smiled: "I don't know, just follow my instructions and wait for someone here."

"So secret?" Wu Song asked.

"It's an important matter for the court, so there's no need to ask."

“That’s enough…” Wu Song nodded repeatedly, but raised his hand and pointed: “There are a lot of carriages and horses coming over there, are they them?”

"It shouldn't be..." Su Wu answered before he even turned around, because it wouldn't be that fast. As soon as he turned around to look again, he also frowned: "Could it really be that fast?"

There were not many people coming, only five carriages, a hundred or so fast horses, and only about thirty or forty people.

But it was obvious at first glance that it was not a caravan, nor were they visiting relatives, because those thirty or forty people were all strong men and very skilled in riding horses.

He doesn't have the temperament of a gangster, a public figure.

"How come we're here?" Wu Song asked.

Su Wu nodded and said, "I'm afraid he has really arrived. Let's go, mount our horses and go to greet him."

As they spoke, the two mounted their horses and galloped forward with seven or eight riders. The thirty or forty men over there immediately stopped and waited there. Many of the men looked around, alert and vigilant.

Su Wu came forward and shouted, "I am Su Wu, the commander-in-chief of the Dongping army. May I ask who is here?"

Su Wu only knew one name, but he didn't say it first.

A man came down from the carriage, looked at Su Wu first, and nodded: "I am Li Liangsi! Meet General Manager Su. The person you are waiting for is mine, right?"

"It's you!" Su Wu nodded. Yes, that was the name, but he still asked, "Please see the official document."

Li Liangsi turned around and went back to the carriage, took out the official document, and sent someone to deliver it to Su Wu.

Su Wu took a look and found that he now recognized the seal of the Privy Council, that was correct.

"The Privy Council has ordered me to escort you. Please go ahead." Su Wu nodded, seriously and solemnly, and ignored all questions.

"General Manager Su, just follow the cavalry." Li Liangsi bowed and got back on the carriage without saying much.

Su Wu had just taken a look at the man, who looked to be in his thirties. He was neither tall nor majestic, but his complexion was quite serious and he seemed to be a careful person.

It's just that this person's accent is a little strange. Although it is a northern accent, after listening to a few words, you can hear the strangeness, but you can't really tell where the accent is.

Then there is no need to think too much about it, and there is no need to set up camp. Three or four hundred cavalrymen will follow on horseback. Su Wu also brought twenty or thirty vehicles and prepared his own supplies. He knew that he would rarely go into the city to buy things along the way.

Wu Song also followed suit and left.

Li Liangsi, Su Wu muttered this name, wondering what he was thinking about, but he couldn't think of anything for a moment.

It was a boring journey, but we were walking on the official road.

I walked all day long. Although I didn't run, I never stopped walking and didn't even eat.

Until nightfall, they did not go to the post station or enter the city, but just camped in the wild and cooked.

Su Wu's side had three or four hundred people, so there was no need for thirty or forty people to cook.

Beside the campfire, Su Wu and Li Liangsi finally sat together.

Su Wu did not ask any questions, but just invited Li Liangsi to eat.

However, apart from a few pleasantries, the two of them didn't say much.

They walked like this for another day, set up camp, and invited Li Liangsi to have dinner by the campfire.

They exchanged a few pleasantries and went to eat without saying much.

After a long time, Li Liangsi suddenly spoke to Su Wu: "General Manager Su is really a man who does his job well. He is a member of the Tong Privy Council, not bad."

Tong Shumi's disciples? Who? Me?
Su Wu was stunned. How could he be considered Tong Guan's disciple?

Su Wu smiled and replied: "Things are accomplished by keeping secrets, just do your own thing well."

"Yes, if this is accomplished, the world will change." Li Liangsi nodded.

The more I listen to this accent, the more I feel that Li Liangsi is from Hebei, but he is not from Hebei. I don’t know how to describe it.

Su Wu just nodded and said nothing more.

Li Liangsi also said: "Why don't you ask what the matter is?"

"Brother Li, don't joke..." Su Wu waved his hand.

"I only heard from Secretary Tong that you have a strong army under your command. We are on the way and he knows the road and terrain. He also said that you are the most courageous in suppressing bandits and you bravely fought on the front line after being shot by two arrows. I thought it was just boasting in the victory report. But when I saw it in person, I found that the strong army is really good. I believe your courage a little. And I also saw that you are doing your job strictly and don't talk much... You must be a trustworthy person."

Li Liangsi had always looked serious, but now he also smiled.

"There are many untrue parts in that victory report. For example, there are not tens of thousands of bandits." Su Wu said this deliberately.

"Haha..." Li Liangsi laughed and said, "Since you have led the troops all the way here, you will eventually know about this matter..."

"Should I ask? Or should I not ask?" Su Wu asked.

"I will go to Dengzhou and Laizhou, and find a place to board a boat and head north..." Li Liangsi suddenly said this, and then only he and Su Wu sat together, and no one else came near.

"Hmm?" Su Wu was stunned. What? Why did he blurt it out like that? Isn't it a big mystery? Even Cheng Wanli is not qualified to know it.

"You will know it eventually, because you have to send me on board." Li Liangsi said this, but immediately stared at Su Wu.

Su Wu was shocked. Get on a ship? Go to where? Cross the Bohai Bay to the Liao Kingdom?
Where else can you go after crossing the Bohai Bay?
Go further north? To the Jurchens? To the Jin?

Su Wu remembered that in history, the Song Dynasty had an alliance with Wanyan Aguda, the founding emperor of the Jin Dynasty, to attack the Liao Dynasty from the north and the south.

Sea Alliance.

Is the person in front of me the envoy of the Sea Alliance?
How did I suddenly get involved in this matter?
"What? What did Manager Su guess?" Li Liangsi asked.

Su Wu nodded without pretending, "It is really surprising that a group of people from Tokyo went out to sea with a secret matter! Going north by sea, it is either the Liao Kingdom or the land of white mountains and black waters."

"General Manager Su is truly extraordinary!" Li Liangsi nodded, and added: "I originally wanted to test you to see if you can do a great job. Now it seems that you are indeed capable. People under Tong Shumi are truly trustworthy."

"I wonder what you mean, Brother Li?" Su Wu's heart tightened.

"People in Tokyo and things in Tokyo are not to be trusted. There are many Liao people in Tokyo. Song and Liao have not fought for a hundred years. I don't know how many court officials have had exchanges with Liao people. There are even many Liao spies in Tokyo..."

Li Liangsi spoke slowly and looked at Su Wu again.

Su Wu waved his hands: "I don't understand this matter..."

"Hehe, I am a Liao person!" Li Liangsi suddenly said this.

Su Wu opened his eyes, and seemed to stand up and draw his sword subconsciously.

"Master, please be patient, Master... A great opportunity has come to you, would you like to sit down and listen?" Li Liangsi's face was full of smiles.

(End of this chapter)