The Legend of Song Jiang in Water Margin

Chapter 112 The Wu Brothers Get Married, and the Golden Leopard Falls to the Street

Zhang, realizing what was happening, glanced at Pan Jinlian. He was still somewhat resentful, but quickly smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I'll do you a favor, so I don't end up being the villain and getting the short end of the stick!"

Upon hearing this, Pan Jinlian was overjoyed, her face beaming with joy!

However, she was also a little puzzled. Before, Zhang Dahu almost forced himself on her. If she hadn't been alert, she probably would have lost her virginity long ago!

Now, how come Zhang the wealthy man actually agreed to let her marry Wu Song! But Pan Jinlian didn't think too much about it. Anyway, she was content as long as she could be with Wu Song!

Madam Zhang naturally took in Pan Jinlian's expression and said with a smile, "Girl, come to me!"

Pan Jinlian obediently walked over, and Madam Zhang took her hand and said, "Girl, you've been in my Zhang family since you were a child, and it's been ten years now. Although we are mistress and servant, I've always treated you like my own daughter. Today, I'll simply recognize you as my goddaughter, so you can have a grand wedding and not bring shame to my Zhang family!"

Pan Jinlian was very clever. She immediately knelt down and kowtowed, then sweetly called out, "Mother!" She then kowtowed again to Zhang the landlord and sweetly called out, "Father!"

With a wry smile, Zhang the wealthy man said, "Since we've adopted you as our daughter, we can't be stingy. I've prepared one hundred taels of gold, along with gold and silver jewelry and various silks and satins, as your dowry!" Zhang the wealthy man knew that things had come to this point, and there was no use in harboring any more resentment. It was better to let go and be generous, so as not to be looked down upon by others!

Madam Zhang helped Pan Jinlian up and said, "Wu Erlang is exceptionally brave and will surely achieve great things in the future. Marrying him will secure your future and make our ten years of mother-daughter relationship worthwhile!"

Pan Jinlian, her eyes filled with tears, cried out, "Mother!"

Madam Zhang patted Pan Jinlian's back and said, "Alright, alright, we have guests! They're all about to get married!"

Zhang the landlord valued Song Jiang more and wanted to get to know him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths, such as recognizing a goddaughter and providing a dowry. He had a feeling that befriending Song Jiang would be a good thing and might even make him richer in the future!

It must be said that although these businessmen are fame- and profit-driven, their vision is indeed far superior to that of ordinary people!

Seeing their politeness, Song Jiang also bowed and said, "If you two go to Jizhou in the future, you can look for me. I believe we will definitely have the opportunity to meet again!"

Zhang, the wealthy man, nodded and said, "No problem!" But in his heart he was surprised. This man surnamed Song had really gone to great lengths for the Wu brothers. He wondered what he was after!

Seeing that the matter was almost settled, Song Jiang prepared to leave with his men. Pan Jinlian looked at Wu Song with deep affection, somewhat reluctant to part with him.

Wu Da felt a sense of loss that he couldn't quite explain.

He didn't know why, but the moment he saw Pan Jinlian, he felt a desire to spend his life with her. Part of this feeling was due to Pan Jinlian's appearance, but not entirely!

He knew he was not good enough for Pan Jinlian, and besides, Pan Jinlian had married his younger brother, so he should be happy. Why did he feel a little bitter?

Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts in his mind, Wu Da followed Song Jiang and left Zhang's residence!

Song Jiang was very efficient. At noon, he found the most famous matchmaker in Qinghe County, gave her one hundred taels of silver, and asked her and Wu Da to buy the betrothal gifts and other necessary items. Then he took out twenty gold bars and asked the matchmaker to take people to Zhang Da's house to present the betrothal gifts. Then he found another matchmaker, gave her fifty taels of silver, and asked her to help find a good woman to be Wu Da's matchmaker!

The matchmaker was very efficient and found a family the next day. The family was very poor and had a daughter who was twenty-eight years old. She had never married because her younger brother was disabled.

She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she was pleasing to the eye. She was virtuous, kind, and hardworking, which made her a perfect fit for Wuhan University!

Without wasting any words, Song Jiang offered ten ingots of silver as a betrothal gift. The matchmaker quickly arranged the marriage, and Wu Da was very satisfied!

Two days later, the Wu brothers got married on the same day. The magistrate of Qinghe County, upon hearing the news, also came to attend the happy occasion! The entire Wu family was bustling with excitement!

Looking at the bustling Wu family, Li Kui sighed, "Just a few days ago, Doctor An and Brother Ruan got married, and now Brother Wu Song is also getting married!"

Song Jiang joked, "How about I find you a wife? I think Qiu Xia would be quite good. She can keep an eye on you and stop you from just shouting for violence all day!"

Li Kui hurriedly refused, saying, "I don't want one, wives are too much trouble!" But a shy smile appeared on his face!

Song Jiang said with exasperation, "What do you know? Getting married and having children is a stage a man must go through in his life; only then is life complete! Once you have a wife, you'll experience many things you've never had before!"

Li Kui retorted, "If that's the case, why don't you get married, brother? I feel that the woman who came to Liangshan with you seems quite interested in you!"

Song Jiang scolded, "You black scoundrel, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Li Kui laughed heartily and said, "Looks like I've hit the nail on the head, brother. Sorry!"

Song Jiang was amazed. When did this guy become so intelligent? It seems that he really has a marriage proposal for him. Thinking of the tragedy of Li Kui and Pang Qiuxia, he thought it would be better to help them get together and give them a happy ending!

But when he thought of Liu Huiniang, Song Jiang didn't know what to say for a moment, so he could only continue watching the lively wedding hall!

The night was long. Wu Song and Wu Da had already entered their bridal chamber. Li Kui, having drunk too much, was fast asleep on a chair. Song Jiang smiled.

He hoped that everyone in Liangshan could get married, have children, and live a happy life.

In fact, during the Song Dynasty, because Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin became emperor by donning the yellow robe, he was always very wary of and suppressed military generals. This is why many people with extraordinary martial arts skills could not realize their ambitions and could only abandon martial arts and pursue civil service!

Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Huan, even wrote a poem encouraging learning:

The wealthy need not buy fertile land; they can find abundant wealth in books.

There's no need for grand halls to provide a comfortable home; a wealth of knowledge can be found within books.

Don't lament having no one to accompany you when you go out; for in books, horses are plentiful.

Don't lament the lack of a good matchmaker when looking for a wife; beauty can be found in books.

If a man wishes to fulfill his life's ambition, he should diligently study the Six Classics by the window.

This poem is incredibly catchy. Coupled with the fact that the Song Dynasty practiced high salaries to encourage honest officials, yet the number of corrupt officials only increased and they were not severely punished, countless students wanted to pursue an official career. They wouldn't even get married without passing the imperial examinations! After all, once they passed, wouldn't they have everything?

But official positions are not so easy to obtain, so many abnormal marriages between older men and younger women have emerged. Many of the older men are in their fifties, sixties, or even seventies, and their lives are coming to an end. What is the point of getting married again?

The most famous one was a scholar named Chen Xiu, who spent his whole life trying to pass the imperial examinations. Finally, at the age of seventy-two, he passed and was personally selected by Emperor Zhenzong of Song as the third-ranked scholar. When Emperor Zhenzong learned that Chen Xiu was unmarried, he bestowed his palace maid, Shi, upon him!

At the age of seventy-three, Chen Xiu finally accomplished the major events of his life: his wedding night and the day he passed the imperial examination with flying colors.

Looking at himself, nearing the end of his life, and then at his wife who had just turned thirty, he smiled bitterly and composed a poem:

Having read countless books, I finally find a simple blue robe in my old age.

A beautiful woman asked me how old I was. I was twenty-three, fifty years ago.

This is quite ironic, but by the same token, if you achieve great success, you can indeed control a lot of resources!

In stark contrast to Chen Xiu was Zhang Xian, who passed the imperial examination at the age of forty and became a high-ranking official at the age of seventy-four, making many friends along the way!

At the age of eighty, Zhang Xian married a beautiful young woman as a concubine. On their wedding day, many friends came to attend. In front of the guests, Zhang Xian was very pleased with himself and, inspired, immediately composed a poem:

I am eighty years old, you are eighteen; you are a beauty, while I am white-haired.

We are the same age, reversed, only separated by a sixty-year cycle.

Su Shi was also present at the time. Seeing his friend so pleased with himself, he also wrote a poem to tease him:

An eighteen-year-old bride and an eighty-year-old groom, their white hair contrasting with their red makeup.

The mandarin ducks were in double nights, and a pear blossom pressed the begonia.

This shows that social resources were extremely unequal at that time. Song Jiang also secretly vowed to bring about a complete change, so that everyone would be rich, live a happy life, and have their wives and children by their side. However, at present, the task is arduous and far-reaching!

At 9:00 AM the next day, Wu Song walked out of the bridal chamber, where Song Jiang had already gotten up and prepared the meal!

Seeing Wu Song emerge, Song Jiang teased, "Judging by Erlang's smug look, he probably didn't sleep a wink last night!"

Wu Song blushed slightly, a rare occurrence for him, and picked up the food, saying, "I'll go take some food to my wife!"

Watching Wu Song's happy departing figure, Song Jiang silently thought to himself, "I hope you have a harmonious family and deep brotherly love in your life, and that you will never again be that lonely, wounded wanderer!"

Seeing that Li Kui was still fast asleep, and with the Wu brothers both in the room, they felt a bit bored and decided to go for a stroll in the street!

The streets remained bustling and noisy, and although everyone was busy, their satisfied and contented smiles were still visible!

Walking into a small alley, quaint and quiet, it created a completely different scene from the hustle and bustle outside!

Looking at the deep alleys and lanes before him, the old brick and tile houses, and the gray walls, Song Jiang was drawn in by the heavy sense of history!

Just as he was enjoying the view, a man suddenly appeared beside him and said, "Sir, would you like to come in and play a couple of rounds?"

Song Jiang immediately lost interest, shook his head, and prepared to leave. He had no interest in gambling whatsoever, and even felt a bit disgusted by it!

At this moment, a man quickly emerged from the shadows, and a dozen or so gamblers rushed out from the shadows, ready to gang up on him!

That man seemed to have some skill; he overpowered the group with just a few punches and kicks!

But soon dozens more people emerged from the shadows, carrying wooden sticks, benches, and other weapons!

Seeing that things were not going well, the man prepared to turn around and run away, but his path was blocked!

Seeing that the man was about to suffer a loss, Song Jiang shook his head and prepared to leave!

The man shouted, "Sir, save me! Tang Long is willing to serve you!"

Song Jiang had already planned to leave. Although this man's martial arts skills were passable, Song Jiang didn't like gamblers. If this man truly had the ability to impress him, he would intervene; otherwise, he would stand by and watch.

Song Jiang, who had already planned to leave, was intrigued when the man introduced himself as Tang Long. He said, "Please wait a moment, everyone, allow me to say a few words!"

Seeing Song Jiang's extraordinary demeanor, the leader called for everyone to stop, wanting to see what Song Jiang had to say!

Without further ado, Song Jiang said, "This brother looks very familiar to me. I wonder how much silver he owes you. I'll pay it for him!"

The leader spoke up, "Including today, with interest, we have over eighty taels!"

Song Jiang immediately pulled out two large silver taels, totaling over a hundred taels, and held them in his hands, saying, "The extra is on my brother's side next time he comes to play!"

The man took the money and immediately put on a beaming smile. He waved his hand, and the crowd instantly receded like a tide, leaving only Song Jiang and Tang Long behind!

Tang Long stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Thank you for your kindness today, my lord!"

Song Jiang helped him up and asked, "Are you Tang Long, the Golden Leopard?"

Tang Long was somewhat surprised, but then beamed and said, "Since you've heard of my nickname, sir!"

Song Jiang shook his head and said, "I also know that your father is the prefect of Yan'an Prefecture, and your cousin Xu Ning is the instructor of the Imperial Guard's Golden Spear Team!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Long's surprise turned into astonishment!

Few people knew that their father was a magistrate, and even fewer knew about their relationship with Xu Ning!

This person knows his family history like the back of his hand; he is truly extraordinary!

"May I ask your honorable name, sir?" Tang Long asked politely.

"My name is Song Jiang!" Song Jiang said with a smile.

Song Jiang was deeply disgusted by gambling and strictly prohibited it from the Liangshan army as well!

Of course, Song Jiang wasn't the rigid, conservative type. If you were exceptionally capable, he could make an exception, including helping you pay off gambling debts! But if you followed Song Jiang, you definitely couldn't gamble anymore!

Tang Long was overjoyed, never expecting to meet such a benefactor today. He knelt down and said, "I am so fortunate to meet you here today, brother. I am overjoyed. I have long heard that you are having a great time in Yuncheng. May I ask why you are here?"

Was Tang Long a capable man? There is no doubt about it; anyone who has read Water Margin knows this.

He was the descendant of generations of weapons makers, and his blacksmithing skills were arguably the best in the Water Margin.

However, he had a vice: he was extremely fond of gambling.

It was precisely because of his gambling addiction that he left Yan'an Prefecture and wandered into the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world).

Otherwise, Tang Long would most likely have become a government arms manufacturer like his ancestors, at least living a life of comfort and peace until old age.

At the same time, Tang Long is also a heartless and ungrateful person, which is undeniable. After joining Liangshan, in order to make merit, he came up with crooked ideas to break Huyan Zhuo's chain horse formation. In the end, Shi Qian stole Xu Ning's precious armor, and then he personally came forward to forcibly trick Xu Ning into joining Liangshan!

Unfortunately, Xu Ning didn't seem to have much interaction with his cousin after joining Liangshan. One of them was ranked 18th and the other was ranked 88th. It seems that Xu Ning's joining Liangshan did not bring Tang Long much benefit or support. On the contrary, it made Tang Long more disliked, and the cousins ​​became even more distant!

The two died together on the way to conquer Fang La, making them brothers in misfortune. One was tragic, and the other was lamentable!

However, no matter what, even if Tang Long's character is not very good, Song Jiang will not let him go because of his blacksmithing and weapon-making skills. Especially now that Liangshan is developing, it needs a lot of craftsmen, and skilled craftsmen. Song Jiang believes that Tang Long must know such people. As long as they are craftsmen, Song Jiang will take them all!

Moreover, unlike the original Song Jiang, Song Jiang would never send craftsmen like Tang Long to the battlefield. Instead, he would let craftsmen like Tang Long shine in more suitable positions, including Tao Zongwang and Meng Kang, so as not to sacrifice them in vain without having a significant impact on the war!