Liver in Water Margin, outlaw madman

It has been several years since Wang Lun founded Liangshan.

Liangshan's reputation had already spread throughout the surrounding areas, and people in villages far and wide had heard of it.

However, this vast body of water was never truly under their control.

At most, it can only prevent outsiders from approaching Liangshan stronghold at will.

Now that Zhang Shan's plan is finalized, the three Ruan brothers have begun preparations.

However, the three brothers had a conflict over how to make the preparations.

Ruan Xiaoer squatted on the ground, pointing his fingertips at the grass clippings, and first explained what he had found out.

"Of the remaining major players, only two remain."

"One village, Lijia Village, is under the jurisdiction of Shouzhang County, which is under the jurisdiction of Dongping Prefecture; the other village, Zhangjia Village, is under the jurisdiction of Dongchang Prefecture."

Ruan Xiaoqi squatted to the side, staring with strange eyes, then suddenly slapped her thigh and spoke excitedly.

"Second brother, who cares about Dongping Prefecture or Dongchang Prefecture? Our family of two or three hundred brothers will charge in; who can stop us?"

He was full of confidence at that moment, his face radiating arrogance.

After capturing Wangjia Village, the mountain stronghold raised the purchase price of fish, attracting fishermen from the surrounding areas. Countless people wanted to go up the mountain.

They carefully selected two hundred fishermen, all of whom were excellent swimmers, to serve as the Liangshan navy.

In addition, there are several hundred people left as backups. These are people who can be mobilized at any time and are easily supported.

Ruan Xiaowu knew his brother's temperament best, and with a smile, he reached out and patted Ruan Xiaoqi on the shoulder.

"Xiao Qi, why don't you change your impatient nature?"

"If we really go on a killing spree, swords and spears have no eyes. What if our brothers are killed or wounded?"

"How could they get injured? There are so many of us, and their small force is no match for us..."

Ruan Xiaoqi's voice grew softer and softer, and the arrogance on her face faded.

He suddenly remembered that when they attacked Wangjia Village, more than a dozen of his brothers were injured. Fortunately, no one died, but he still remembered the scene.

"So what do you suggest we do?"

Ruan Xiaoqi stiffened her neck, her tone carrying a hint of resentment, yet also revealing anxiety.

"The chieftain entrusted this matter to us. If we fail again, I'll be too ashamed to remain the leader!"

Ruan Xiaoer couldn't help but scratch his head, his face full of embarrassment.

Xiaoqi is right; with more people, a direct confrontation would indeed be a winning strategy.

But Xiao Wu was right; the lives of our brothers cannot be taken lightly.

For a moment, the three brothers were at a loss, scratching their heads and squatting on the ground, looking at each other.

Just then, footsteps could be heard in the distance.

Wang Lun slowly walked over, fanning himself with a feather fan. Du Qian followed behind him with his head down, saying nothing.

Upon seeing this, Ruan Xiaoer quickly stood up, a smile plastered on his face, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Chief Wang, what brings you here?"

At first, they felt a little awkward with Wang Lun, after all, Wang Lun used to be the leader of Liangshan.

After drinking and chatting together a few times, we gradually became familiar with each other and the previous awkwardness disappeared.

Wang Lun stopped, deliberately made a bitter face, waved his feather fan, and sighed, "I need to ask my three brothers for a favor."

"Ah? Brother Wang, please speak."

Ruan Xiaoer was somewhat surprised and subconsciously scratched his head, not quite understanding Wang Lun's plan.

"We brothers are all rough men with little education. We're afraid we'll be powerless to help Brother Wang."

Wang Lun quickly wiped the pain from his face and waved his hand with a smile: "Haha, you're too kind, brothers."

"The chieftain has put Xiao Ke in charge of reclaiming wasteland and cultivating land. I plan to start with Shijie Village. I hope the three brothers can return to the village and set an example, helping me persuade the villagers. What do you say?"

"What's so difficult about that!"

Ruan Xiaoqi waved her hand dismissively and said.

"Most of the brothers from Shijie Village have now joined Liangshan. I'll go back and give them a heads-up, and I guarantee there won't be any problems."

Ruan Xiaoer nodded in agreement, his tone sincere: "Yes, Brother Wang."

"My brothers and I are also heading back to the village. First, we'll discuss how to attack those two fishing tyrants, and second, we'll gather more information about what's happening over there."

Wang Lun had already anticipated this, knowing that they would most likely not refuse.

But to his surprise, the three of them agreed so readily, without the slightest hesitation.

In the past, he always thought things through carefully, was stingy, and was afraid of being taken advantage of.

Over time, he also got used to judging others by his own standards, always thinking that others would be just as petty and calculating as he was.

"Ah, my three brothers are indeed very generous. I am extremely grateful!"

Wang Lun quickly clasped his hands in thanks, his tone full of sincerity.

"I overheard the three brothers talking about attacking the fishing tyrant, and I have an idea. I wonder if it's feasible?"

"Brother Wang, please speak!"

Ruan Xiaoer quickly replied, a hint of anticipation on his face.

In his view, Wang Lun was a scholar who had read many books and was full of clever ideas; he might actually come up with a good solution.

Upon hearing this, Wang Lun's face showed a hint of smugness. He waved his feather fan and slowly swayed his head.

As the saying goes, "Winning hearts and minds is the best strategy; subduing the enemy without fighting is the ultimate aim!"

Upon hearing this, the three Nguyen brothers were instantly stunned.

Ruan Xiaoer scratched his head, Ruan Xiaowu frowned, and Ruan Xiaoqi stared with strange eyes. The three of them looked at each other, their heads full of doubt.

They were all rough men, uneducated, and they didn't understand a word of Wang Lun's flowery language.

"Chief Wang, we are all rough men, we don't understand these fancy words, please speak frankly!"

Ruan Xiaoqi, being the most impatient, couldn't help but urge him on, her tone tinged with impatience.

Wang Lun was stunned. The smug look on his face froze instantly, and a surge of anger rose in his heart. He wanted to reprimand Ruan Xiaoqi for not knowing the rules.

Just then, Du Qian gently tugged at his sleeve and gave him a wink.

Wang Lun then realized that Liangshan was no longer under his control.

His face instantly turned somewhat embarrassed. He coughed awkwardly, put away his feather fan, and softened his tone.

"Actually, it's not that complicated."

"Wait a while, until all the fishermen from the vicinity of the marsh come to Liangshan to sell their fish. Then those big fish farmers will naturally have less to do."

Ruan Xiaoer was still a little confused after hearing this, and his brows furrowed even more.

He didn't quite understand what Wang Lun meant, but he was too embarrassed to ask further.

Wang Lun has never been straightforward in his actions and likes to beat around the bush when he speaks, which his brothers have never liked.

"Well, thank you for your guidance, Chief Wang. We brothers will think it over again."

Ruan Xiaoer cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said politely, his face still showing a hint of bewilderment.

Although Wang Lun wasn't very emotionally intelligent, he wasn't stupid either. He could tell at a glance that they hadn't understood and knew that he had just been showing off.

Even after joining the Liangshan outlaws, he still considered himself a scholar at heart and habitually tried to put on the airs of a scholar.

Since the other party didn't appreciate it, he didn't bother to say anything more, lest he make a fool of himself.

Wang Lun cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Then the three brothers go ahead with their business. I'll take my leave." He then turned and left with Du Qian.

After seeing Wang Lun off, the three Ruan brothers squatted back down on the ground, staring at each other with even greater confusion on their faces.

"Little Seven, did you understand what Chief Wang just said?"

Ruan Xiaoer spoke first, his tone full of doubt, and he scratched his head.

"I didn't understand!"

Ruan Xiaoqi shook her head, looking blankly at Ruan Xiaowu: "Fifth Brother, do you understand?"

"I didn't understand either!"

Ruan Xiaowu shook his head, his brows furrowed. "He said that once the fishermen come to sell their fish, those big fish farmers will have nowhere to go. What does that mean?"

The three brothers, each offering their own opinion, became increasingly confused the more they pondered the matter.

It would have been better if Wang Lun hadn't come. His arrival not only failed to help, but also confused them even more.

The group squatted on the ground, remaining silent for a long time. No one spoke; only the rustling of the wind through the reeds could be heard.

Just then, Ruan Xiaoqi suddenly slapped her thigh, stood up abruptly, her eyes lit up, and said excitedly.

"Second Brother, Fifth Brother, we know some scholars!"

"We don't understand what Chief Wang is saying, let's go ask him!"

Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaowu were both taken aback when they heard this, and then their eyes lit up.