Chapter 130: Plotting to Rescue Song Jiang

At the riverside docks, boatmen who had just returned from a fishing trip watched with curiosity as a figure sprinted toward them. They wondered, even if someone were in a hurry to buy fish, there was no need to run with such frantic intensity.

However, as the figure drew closer, most of them wore expressions of sudden realization.

Li Kui, nicknamed the Black Whirlwind or Iron Ox—the names alone told you the man was dark-skinned, powerfully built, simple-minded, and impulsive. Not long ago, he had engaged in an underwater brawl with their local leader, the White Streak in the Waves, Zhang Shun. While Zhang Shun had ultimately won, the two had since reconciled and were on good terms. It seemed likely he had come to buy fish again; such behavior was typical of his temperament.

But why was he charging straight toward the edge of the dock?

"Stop! You legs of mine, you must obey me—!" Li Kui shouted.

Splash!

"Coming into dock! Make way, make way!" A rhythmic chant echoed as a robust man with pale, water-slicked skin rowed a bamboo raft rapidly toward the shore.

"Who is this? Why come here to play in the water? Not afraid of getting covered in fish scales?" Zhang Shun remarked, reaching his bamboo pole into the water, intending to give the intruder a warning.

The next moment, a tremendous force yanked the pole, and Zhang Shun, caught off guard, toppled directly into the water. He wasn't afraid; he was the best swimmer in the region, but he was irritated. Who didn't know he was the boss here? Such an act was a direct provocation. He dove into the water, determined to make the bastard swallow enough water to give him the runs for days.

Then, he saw Li Kui’s large eyes, wide with shock.

He grabbed Li Kui’s arm and pulled him to the surface. "Brother Iron Ox, what’s the matter? Even if you didn't see me, there was no need to dive in yourself to catch fish!" Zhang Shun said with a laugh, watching Li Kui cough up water. "Is it Brother Gongming who wants fish again? I heard he was ill; I happened to catch two plump ones to make soup for him to regain his strength." He reached for the bamboo raft to grab the fish.

"Brother Gongming has been arrested!" Li Kui gasped, spitting out another stream of water.

Zhang Shun’s hand froze. He turned to look at Li Kui. "Don't joke about such things, or I’ll make you drink a bellyful of water!"

"Why would I joke with you? Dean Dai told me to find you; do you think I would have jumped into the water otherwise?" Li Kui clung to the raft and hauled himself up. He showed Zhang Shun the copper coin pendant he carried. "This is here. Do you believe me now?"

"So it’s true!" Zhang Shun’s expression shifted. He grabbed Li Kui’s arm. "Follow me!" He led him ashore, barked an order to a helper to deliver the fish to the tavern, and sprinted away, reaching his home in no time.

"Brother Zhang Shun, Dean Dai told me to follow you and not run around. But how are we going to rescue Brother Gongming?" Li Kui asked anxiously. Having soaked in the water, his fiery temper had cooled slightly, but his urgency remained.

"Brother Dai Zong told you that?" Zhang Shun asked.

Li Kui nodded. "Exactly! Would I lie to you?"

"From now on, stay in my house. I’ll have someone bring you food and drink, but do not—I repeat, do not—leave the house! Remember, do not leave!" Zhang Shun grabbed a short blade from a water vat in the courtyard and snapped a drying pole in two, creating two long staves. "I will return within a day at most. Iron Ox, remember: do not leave!" He dashed out the door without looking back.

Li Kui sat on a chair, muttering, "Both of them tell me not to go out, repeating it so many times. Do they really think I’m stupid?" At that moment, his stomach growled. "There should be something to eat."

He walked into the kitchen, rummaged around, and found only a bowl of cold fish stew and a plate of unknown vegetables. He devoured them in a few bites and drank a bowl of water from the courtyard vat. "Not even enough to fill the gaps in my teeth. I wonder when Zhang Shun’s people will bring me food." He grumbled, sat on the bed, leaned against the wall, and drifted off into a hazy sleep.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shun quickly found his associates and informed them of Song Jiang’s situation.

"I’ve long heard that Huang Wenbing is a treacherous snake, but the Wuwei Army of Jiangzhou is not something we can handle alone. It seems we have no choice but to blend into the crowd and storm the execution grounds!" Mu Chun said after some thought.

Xue Yong added, "Speaking of the Wuwei Army, I know someone who is familiar with their situation. But Brother Mu Chun is right; we don’t need to clash head-on. We just need to storm the grounds and get out of the city gates. However, we must plan our retreat; after this, we won't be able to stay here anymore."

Zhang Heng looked at his brother. "Second brother, with Dean Dai gone, he must be contacting the people of Liangshan. Can they make it in time?"

"At the end of the day, the Liangshan men were already in contact with Brother Gongming. They will surely put in a great effort this time. When we arrive, perhaps as soon as we stir up trouble, their men will strike to support us! But as for how we leave, I think it’s best to follow Brother Gongming’s lead," Zhang Shun said.

The others nodded. "Exactly! Following Brother Gongming, we are sure to act on behalf of Heaven!"

***

On the other side, Dai Zong pushed his secret techniques to the limit and finally reached Liangshan, delivering the letter into the hands of Chao Gai.

During this period, internal strife on Liangshan had eased, and the number of outlaws under Chao Gai’s faction had increased. However, launching a massive mobilization of troops to Jiangzhou was not something his faction could decide on their own.

"Heavenly King Chao, that Huang Wenbing is a devious man. Brother Gongming cannot last long in his hands!" Dai Zong said anxiously.

Wu Yong narrowed his eyes and suddenly said, "Since they are suspicious, we might as well make it a reality; otherwise, Brother Gongming may never agree to come up the mountain." He looked at Chao Gai. "Brother, you must write a letter saying that we intend to rescue him in Jiangzhou soon, but give a false date. That way, they will not dare to act in haste."

Chao Gai looked at Dai Zong. "This matter is extremely critical. I hope Brother Dai will not refuse."

Dai Zong replied, "To save Brother Gongming, it is worth risking my life!"

Soon, Dai Zong left Liangshan, racing toward Jiangzhou.

"Military Advisor, if this letter falls into the hands of Huang Wenbing, Brother Dai Zong will suffer," Chao Gai sighed.

Wu Yong replied, "Only when Song Gongming comes up the mountain will we have the chance to seize control of Liangshan. Otherwise, as long as Lin Zhong sits in that position, our safety will be threatened."

Chao Gai sighed again, "If only he were like Instructor Lin." As he spoke, the two arrived outside Lin Zhong’s residence. After reporting their arrival, they met with him.

"Chief Lin, we believe this is a great opportunity to promote the prestige of our Liangshan. Recently, merchant caravans passing near the mountain have dwindled, as most are under the protection of those manors. If we take this chance to raid them, it will ease our financial woes," Chao Gai said.

"I have heard of the 'Rain of Mercy' in the world of chivalry. But I heard that you intended to invite Song Jiang up the mountain, and he refused. Will he agree this time? Furthermore, the Wuwei Army of Jiangzhou is no mere decoration. If we clash head-on, we will likely suffer. Wouldn't it be better if you took a small force to storm the execution grounds and left?" Lin Zhong looked at Chao Gai, as if trying to read the answer he wanted from his face.

Chao Gai laughed. "Chief, that’s not quite right. Those manors have been arrogant lately, and we haven't experienced a true battle. If we don't drill our men, we will surely suffer when we face them later!"

Lin Zhong sneered, "Very well. Then for this operation, why don't you, Brother Chao Gai, take command? You may mobilize the troops as you wish. I await your good news!" Even though his brother had trained them, these Liangshan outlaws were not an army. They could manage small formations, but large ones were a disaster. A rabble—that was exactly what they were!

Therefore, Lin Zhong did not care about Chao Gai seizing military power. He believed that as long as he broke through his current bottleneck, he could suppress the entire mountain alone. When that time came, if anyone dared to disobey, he would show no mercy!