The Legend of Song Jiang in Water Margin

Chapter 111 Song Jiang breaks fate, Wu Song meets Jinlian for the first time

The bustling streets were teeming with people, and the warm sunshine shone on the earth. The crowds were lively, and various shops lined the street, creating a scene of prosperity!

At a street corner, a stall was already surrounded by people, with wisps of smoke rising slowly and a fragrant aroma wafting around, but the seller could not be seen. It was probably Wuhan University!

Wu Song shouted, "Brother!"

A voice came from the crowd: "Brother!" Judging from the voice, it was indeed Wu Da!

Wu Song was overjoyed and quickly ran towards Wu Da's stall. The crowd automatically parted to make way for Wu Da's honest and simple face!

Upon seeing Wu Song, Wu Da abandoned his business and shouted, "Brother, brother!" as he ran towards Wu Song.

Turning back, he added, "We're not doing business today! Just take the steamed buns!"

The two brothers embraced each other, with Wu Song holding his older brother tightly, his joy beyond words!

After not seeing each other for several months, Wu Dalang was also afraid that his younger brother would be gone again in the blink of an eye. Although he could only hold Wu Song around the waist, the brothers' affection still touched the people around them!

Li Kui remarked with emotion, "The bond between Brother Wu Song and Brother Wu Da truly moved Tie Niu!"

Song Jiang glanced at Li Kui and teased, "Your brother Li Da is doing just fine at Liangshan. You see each other every day, but I've never seen you two even hug!"

Li Kui chuckled, and Song Jiang sighed, "Brother Wu Song and Brother Wu Zhi's parents have long since passed away. The two brothers have relied on each other since childhood. Brother Wu Zhi had to rely on many families to raise Brother Wu Song. They have truly had a hard life! As the saying goes, 'The son wishes to care for his parents, but they are no longer there.' So, Tie Niu, remember to be filial to your mother and care for your brother!"

A few tears welled up in Li Kui's eyes, but he quietly wiped them away!

That evening, in the Wu family home, the four of them were sitting at a square table!

Wu Da looked at Song Jiang and said happily, "Master Song, thank you so much! Our Wu family is truly blessed to have such a great benefactor as you!"

Song Jiang laughed and said, "Brother, there's really no need for that. Erlang is bold yet meticulous, and his martial arts skills are extraordinary. He's a rare talent. It would be a real pity if his talent were wasted!"

Wu Da was so moved he didn't know what to say. He wiped his eyes and said to Song Jiang, "Master Song, I'm not good with words, I don't know how to say anything nice!"

Song Jiang smiled without saying a word, raised the bowl, which was full of wine!

Wu Song was deeply moved. Song Jiang's kindness and respect for Wu Da were genuine! He knew that Song Jiang actually valued his own martial arts skills, but Song Jiang truly had nothing to say about Wu Da. After returning to Qinghe, Wu Song learned that many ruffians had previously tried to provoke Wu Da, but each time, officials would come out to drive them away, saying, "Anyone who dares to mess with Wu Da again will spend a month in jail!"

Clearly, this was a precaution Song Jiang had taken!

Thinking of this, Wu Song picked up the bowl and drank it all in one gulp!

That night, all four of them drank a little too much! Especially Wu Da, who was very pleased to see that Wu Song had a good job and no longer fought or caused trouble every day, but instead worked peacefully in the yamen. Compared to before, Wu Song had grown so much, and all the hardships he had endured as the older brother had not been in vain!

Wu Da knew that besides selling pancakes, he didn't have any other skills to make a living, and that this might be how his life would be!

But Wu Song was different. He was still young, with the best years ahead of him, and unwilling to be mediocre. He was able to raise Wu Song and watch him grow up to be successful. This was the proudest thing in Wu Da's life!

The only pity is that Wu Song was already of marriageable age! But Wu Song seemed to care nothing about his life's important matters. Instead, he often asked Wu Da to find him a sister-in-law and give him a nephew!

Lost in thought, Wu Da drifted off to sleep! When he woke up the next day, it was already 1:15 AM, much later than he usually woke up. He cursed himself for being too drunk and making a mistake!

When they got up, Wu Song was exercising in the courtyard, Li Kui was exercising beside him, and Song Jiang was sitting on the ground panting!

Unfortunately, Song Jiang was in the worst physical condition and couldn't compare to these two brutes! But he was still working very hard to improve his health!

Seeing that Wu Da had woken up, Wu Song stopped his training and said, "Brother, we didn't make any pancakes today, why don't we rest for a day?"

Last night, someone helped carry Wu Da's stall back. Song Jiang also gave that person some money. Yesterday, because Wu Song returned, Wu Da didn't care about doing business at all. He directly dragged Wu Song to buy wine and dishes to properly entertain the group. He also asked a vendor next door to help carry his pancake stall back last night!

Wu Da hadn't planned to do business today because he had other things to do, so he replied, "I'm not going to the market today. Yesterday, Master Zhang sent someone to tell me to go to his house!"

Wu Song thought for a moment and said, "Is it that Zhang Decai, the wealthy Zhang? Although he's incredibly rich, he's always been stingy, miserly, and narrow-minded. People call him 'Zhang the Skinflint' behind his back. Brother, you mustn't associate with him too much!"

Wu Dadao: "Master Zhang has always been very kind to me, brother, please don't speak ill of him!"

Song Jiang's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this Zhang the first master of Pan Jinlian? He wanted Pan Jinlian to be with him, but she refused. He was afraid of his wife and couldn't force her to be with him, so he simply gave Pan Jinlian to Wu Da. In the end, this led to the tragic fate of both Wu brothers!

Before Wu Song could speak, Song Jiang stopped him, saying, "Since we have been kind to Brother Wu, we should go and express our gratitude! Why don't the four of us go together, and we can also buy some gifts as a token of our appreciation to Brother Wu!"

After hearing what Song Jiang had said, Wu Song didn't say anything more. The four of them quickly tidied up, locked the door, and went to the street to buy gifts!

The gifts were easy to buy, and they were quickly chosen. Song Jiang, Wu Song, Li Kui, and Wu Da then carried the gifts to Zhang Da Hu’s house!

Zhang the wealthy man was having tea with his wife. Originally, Zhang the wealthy man had always looked down on Wu Da. But because Wu Da's steamed buns were delicious and he was an honest man, Zhang the wealthy man often asked Wu Da to bring him some. He was also too lazy to throw away some unwanted junk, so he would give it to Wu Da. He never expected that Wu Da would be so grateful to him!

To be honest, he only treated Wu Da like a dog. But this time is different. There's a great opportunity this time. If we want to let him have it, let's let him into the hall!

A servant came up and announced, "Master, Wu Da is here!"

Master Zhang glanced at the maidservant beside Madam Zhang, sighed, feeling a pang of reluctance, but still said, "Let him in!"

Before long, four people came in carrying gifts. When Zhang Dahu saw that there were three other people with Wu Da, one of whom was Wu Song, and they were all carrying valuable gifts, he sighed inwardly, "I never thought that Wu Da, that stinking salted fish, could turn things around!"

Song Jiang, however, noticed the maidservant beside Madam Zhang; she was truly beautiful. He saw:

Bright eyes, white teeth, willow-leaf eyebrows; rain-soaked sorrow, clouds-shrouded grief, wild geese find it hard to fly!

In March, peach blossoms blush with spring, their charm and beauty intoxicating!

A slender figure exudes fragrance, attracting swarms of bees and butterflies!

Her jade-like beauty is enchanting, and even flowers seem to understand her words; her ideal husband sheds tears of longing!

However, Song Jiang quickly withdrew his gaze. Staring at a woman for too long was very impolite. In his heart, he wondered if this was Pan Jinlian.

Of course, it wasn't just Song Jiang; even the Wu brothers and Li Kui were attracted to this woman, especially Wu Da, who kept glancing at her!

Zhang Dahu glanced at Wu Da, then looked at Song Jiang.

Song Jiang was dark-skinned, but his attire and imposing presence were not to be underestimated. Ignoring Wu Da, Zhang the landlord asked, "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

Zhang, the wealthy man, was quite perceptive. He could tell at a glance that Song Jiang was no ordinary person, so he was rather polite in his words. Song Jiang replied, "My surname is Song, and I run a restaurant and collectibles business in Jizhou!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang the wealthy man knew that Song Jiang's business must be quite large, so he politely asked, "May I ask what brings you to my Zhang family, sir Song?"

Song Jiang bowed and said, "I've come especially to thank Master Zhang and Madam Zhang for taking care of my brother Wu Zhi!"

Zhang, the wealthy man, said politely, "Dalang is an honest man, and I like that kind of person the most. It's only right that I take care of him. Besides, I have some good news for him to share!"

"Good news?" Apart from Song Jiang, everyone present was completely bewildered, but Song Jiang sneered inwardly!

Zhang the landlord kept everyone in suspense, deliberately remaining silent while maintaining a smile.

Song Jiang glanced at the maid next to Madam Zhang and saw her face full of sorrow, like a pear blossom with tears in her eyes, filled with indescribable heartache!

He sighed inwardly, "Fine, if you really are Pan Jinlian, I'll help you out, so that your tragedy won't repeat itself!"

Seeing the bewildered looks on their faces, Zhang the wealthy man smiled smugly and said, "Take a look at this maidservant beside me. She is eighteen years old!"

She's another beauty, and most importantly, she's still unmarried!

Song Jiang laughed and said, "What a lovely young lady! I never imagined that the Zhang family would have such a beauty. It only makes me admire the Zhang family even more!"

Zhang, the wealthy man, asked in surprise, "What do you mean by that?"

Song Jiang laughed and said, "Such a beautiful woman, yet you, sir, have no improper thoughts about taking her as a concubine. You are truly a reincarnation of Liu Xiahui, displaying the virtues of a gentleman. I, Song Jiang, admire you greatly!"

Mr. Zhang was somewhat embarrassed, while Mrs. Zhang glared at him!

Zhang, the wealthy man, coughed and said, "Jinlian has been living in my house for a long time, and I have always treated her like my own daughter, so I would like to find her a suitable marriage!"

So it really was Pan Jinlian. Song Jiang chuckled inwardly, but still said aloud, "Having come here today and seen such a beauty, I, Song Jiang, originally dared to propose marriage to you, sir. Since you have such a suggestion..." Song Jiang deliberately left his sentence unfinished!

Zhang the wealthy man was overjoyed and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. I plan to bring Jinlian..."

"Thank you, sir! My brother Wu Song is handsome and has an extraordinary appearance. He is also skilled in martial arts. The two of you are a perfect match made in heaven. It is a wonderful story that this marriage has come to fruition!" Before Zhang could finish speaking, Song Jiang interrupted him.

After saying that, he turned to Wu Song and said, "Why don't you thank Master Zhang! Otherwise, where would you get such a beautiful wife!"

Wu Song was immediately attracted to Pan Jinlian upon entering, but for some reason, he felt a little uneasy, as if Pan Jinlian was somewhat sacred and inviolable, and he could only respect her, but not love her!

Unexpectedly, Song Jiang actually proposed marriage to her. Overjoyed, she quickly bowed deeply to Zhang the landlord and his wife!

Just as Zhang was about to speak, Madam Zhang said, "Judging from Wu Song's imposing presence, he is not an ordinary person. I wonder what kind of business he does now?"

Wu Song bowed to Madam Zhang and said, "I am currently serving as a captain of the infantry in Yuncheng County!"

Madam Zhang nodded and said, "That's not bad. Jinlian won't suffer if she follows you. Very well, in that case, I will betroth Jinlian to you!" After saying that, she gave Zhang the wealthy man a fierce look!

Zhang the landlord gave a bitter smile and remained silent. He had originally intended to marry Pan Jinlian to Wu Da, so that he could vent his anger at Pan Jinlian's initial resistance to him!

In particular, when Pan Jinlian told Madam Zhang about it, Madam Zhang almost castrated herself after learning about it; she was still terrified when she thought about it.

Zhang the landlord was a local tyrant in Qinghe County, but he was henpecked. The reason was simple: if it weren't for his father-in-law, he would probably still be a poor boy!

He always remembered his father-in-law's kindness to him, so no matter what Mrs. Zhang did, he would always give her some leeway, as a way of repaying his father-in-law's kindness in helping him back then!

From the moment Wu Song entered the room, Pan Jinlian could not take her eyes off him!

Wu Song was exactly the ideal husband she had always dreamed of. He was tall and strong, but not like a brute. Instead, he was handsome and had a manly spirit. Occasionally, she would steal a glance at Wu Song, and her heart would race and her face would turn as red as a ripe apple!

"Wait a minute!" Zhang the landlord finally spoke up. He was indeed somewhat unwilling! He had originally wanted to humiliate Pan Jinlian and force her to marry Wu Da. Moreover, he could easily imagine what Wu Da's life would be like after Pan Jinlian married him!

But then Song Jiang appeared out of nowhere, and with just a few words, he got Pan Jinlian to go with Wu Song. More importantly, his own wife agreed!

Actually, Madam Zhang originally disagreed with marrying Pan Jinlian to Wu Da. This maid had been with her for many years, was skillful and very intelligent, and she had developed some affection for her. She didn't approve of Zhang's actions to begin with, but seeing Song Jiang speak up and Wu Song being quite good, she decided to take the opportunity to agree to their marriage. Perhaps it would become a beautiful story in the future!

"Brother Wu Da hasn't even gotten married yet, how can Wu Er get married before him? Besides, Wu Er wants to marry Jinlian, but he has neither betrothal gifts nor a matchmaker. He's completely disregarding etiquette. Isn't this just child's play?" Zhang the landlord laughed! But there was a hint of malice in that laugh!

Song Jiang smiled slightly and said, "What you say is quite right, sir. It was my oversight!"

After saying this, he took out fifty taels of gold and placed it on the table, saying, "This is the betrothal gift! I offer two hundred taels of gold as a betrothal gift. The matchmaker will arrive this afternoon, and Brother Wu Zhi will also have a matchmaker go to find a good family this afternoon! Sir, do you think this sincerity is enough?"

Zhang, the wealthy man, thought to himself, "Where did these Wu brothers get to know such people? There's no need for a woman to antagonize them. Oh well, let's just consider it a good deed!"

Seeing that the wealthy Zhang remained silent for a long time, Madam Zhang assumed he disagreed and said, "This is excellent, it's decided then!"