Do you have the strength to force me to join the Liangshan bandits?

Chapter 242 Who do you think you are, daring to compare yourself to Emperor Gaozu of Han? [1st Update]

Dongping Prefecture.

"Thank you all, heroes, for saving my daughter. I am deeply grateful!"

Cheng Wanli bowed deeply to Cai Fu and the others.

Cai Fu and the others dodged, but pushed Lu Junyi forward:

"No need to thank us, he saved your daughter!"

Lu Junyi blushed and said, "Yue, cough, sir, there's no need for such formalities!"

So you're already calling him father-in-law?
Cheng Wanli was very annoyed. He should have known better than to let his daughter go out to burn incense. So many things had happened since she went out!

However, to be fair, this lousy son-in-law is tall and strong, and looks more honest than Dong Ping!

If this mediocre son-in-law comes from a decent family, or rather, has a clean background, then it's not impossible...

The main problem was that Dong Ping ruined Cheng Wan'er's reputation; otherwise, Cheng Wanli would have had much higher standards.

Cheng Wanli looked Lu Junyi up and down, left and right:
"May I ask about your family background, hero?"

Anyone with half a brain could tell that Cheng Wanli wasn't asking about his benefactor, but rather choosing a son-in-law.

Lu Junyi fell silent.

He used to be a wealthy landowner in Daming Prefecture, but now he's a rebel from Liangshan...

What did this make him say?
When Cheng Wanli didn't ask, things were fine; everyone seemed to be able to have an equal dialogue.

When Cheng Wanli asked, Lu Junyi truly realized how embarrassing his profession was...

Cheng Wan'er peeked out from behind the screen, revealing half her face, and looked at her beloved with concern.

Cai Fugang wanted to cover for Lu Junyi, but unexpectedly, after Lu Junyi and Cheng Wan'er locked eyes, Lu Junyi chose to be honest and straightforward.

"To be honest, my lord, I am Lu Junyi, originally from Daming Prefecture, blah blah blah..."

Cheng Wanli's face turned green upon hearing this:
"Are you a rebel from Liangshan?"

That's why Lu Junyi saved Cheng Wan'er; otherwise, Cheng Wanli would have shouted to capture her.

How to speak?
Cai Fu was displeased upon hearing this:

"My lord, Liu Ji was a rebel before he entered Guanzhong!"

A toad yawning—what a boastful tone!

Cheng Wanli looked at Cai Fu with disdain:

Who do you think you are, daring to compare yourself to Emperor Gaozu of Han?
Previously, Cheng Wanli's attention was focused on Lu Junyi, but upon looking at Cai Fucai, he suddenly realized:

He is a man of extraordinary talent and domineering presence, no ordinary person!

Lu Junyi was nine feet tall and had an extraordinary bearing; he was originally a rare talent!

However, compared to Cai Fu, Cai Fu was like the bright moon in the sky, while Lu Junyi, Yang Zhi, and others were like stars surrounding the moon...

Cai Fu overshadowed everyone else!
Cheng Wanli hesitated for a moment, then looked back at Lu Junyi. No matter what, his own incompetent son-in-law was still the best...

With a sigh, Cheng Wanli spoke from the bottom of his heart:
"Excuse my bluntness, but I am an official and you are a thief. We should be irreconcilable enemies!"

"But you saved my daughter, and Cheng Wanli is by no means an ungrateful person!"
"I lost my wife in middle age and never remarried. I only have this one daughter, whom I love dearly!"

"If a hero is willing to abandon darkness and embrace the light, I can buy him a good life, and then..."

Cheng Wanli was speaking from the bottom of his heart, but Lu Junyi refused without hesitation:
"No! Please forgive my bluntness, my lord!"

"I have a group of sworn brothers who will live and die together, and never abandon me!"
"I'm sorry, but I obey!"

At this point, Lu Junyi turned to look at Cai Fu.

Cai Fu nodded, and Lu Junyi was immediately filled with boundless pride:

"My lord, nowadays, you are an official and I am a thief. In your eyes, I am not worthy of your daughter!"
"But one day, I, Lu, will certainly come to propose marriage in a dignified and proper manner, and take Wan'er away in a proper and respectful marriage!"

Cheng Wanli shook his head:
"Liangshan Marsh is nothing more than a small well; what you see is only a tiny patch of sky..."

"How can golden scales be just a thing in a pond? They turn into dragons when encountering wind and clouds!"

Cai Fu stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Cheng Wanli:

"When my second brother achieves great success and is appointed as a marquis and prime minister, you will know who is truly ignorant and narrow-minded!"
"Farewell!" Cheng Wanli was the prefect of Dongping Prefecture. How could such a high-ranking civil official possibly look down on these rebels?

In fact, Cheng Wanli was already very kind to help Lu Junyi clear his name and marry his daughter to him.

However, Cai Fu looked down on this condescending attitude, and his brother would never become a son-in-law.

As the saying goes, "If you don't see eye to eye, there's no point in talking further; it's better to wait until you've achieved success and fame before showing off."

After saying this, Cai Fu turned and left, and Lu Junyi immediately followed closely behind. The group of heroes left without looking back.

Cheng Wanli sat in his chair, his expression shifting. Just then, Cheng Wan'er ran out from behind the screen:

"Father, how could you do this!"

"I……"

Cheng Wanli was speechless:
What's wrong with me?

Your little cotton-padded jacket is letting in a lot of drafts!

"Humph!"

With tears in her eyes, Cheng Wan'er stamped her little foot:
"Father, I... I never want to talk to you again!"

After saying this, Cheng Wan'er ran away in tears. Cheng Wanli quickly stood up to chase after her, but then thought better of it and sat back down.

Don't I have any dignity?

……

After Cai Fu and his group left, they did not leave Dongping Prefecture immediately, because Shi Jin still had to visit an old friend.

"Brother, you can go see old friends, but to be on the safe side, bring a brother with you."

Cai Fu glanced around:

"Qian'er?"

Shi Qian raised his hand between Lu Junyi and Yang Zhi:
"Brother, your little brother is here!"

Everyone was startled: Good grief, you're here too?
Cai Fu's mouth twitched twice secretly:

"Alright, you will accompany Shi Dalang to Dongping Prefecture to see his old friend. It will be good to have someone to look after him."

Shi Qian: "Yes, sir!"

So Cai Fu and his group first went to a village shop outside the city to stay, while Shi Jin led Shi Qian to Li Ruilan's house in Xiwazi, a place he knew well.

Shi Jin grabbed Shi Qian from outside the door:
"Brother, don't go in!"

Shi Qian: "My brother asked me to take care of you!"

"Brother, don't worry. My old friend and I have a deep bond. Nothing unexpected will happen!"

"I'd like to spend some time alone with my old friend, so please wait for me at the teahouse over there!"

Shi Jin was too wary of people like Shi Qian; what if he did something inappropriate for children...?

And you also have to worry about whether Shi Qian is right next to you!
Shi Qian's little eyes darted around:
"Very well, I'll wait for you at the teahouse, brother, you may go now!"

Shi Jin watched as Shi Qian entered the teahouse next door before he felt relieved enough to walk into Li Ruilan's house.

Little did he know that Shi Qian would turn around and come out as soon as he entered the teahouse, and instead watched as he walked into Li Ruilan's house.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, Shi Qian took two running steps and leaped up to the second floor like a flea!

When Shi Jin entered Li Ruilan's house, an old man was surprised to see him and quickly ushered him inside.

Soon, Shi Jin's confidante, Li Ruilan, appeared.

She was indeed beautiful, only three points less alluring than Li Qiaonu.

No wonder Shi Jin traveled all over the country and frequented brothels, yet he was only ever in love with Li Ruilan.

Li Ruilan led Shi Jin upstairs to sit down, and asked with a worried expression:
Why haven't I seen you around for so long?

"I heard you became the king of Liangshan Marsh, and the authorities issued a warrant to arrest you... How did you end up here?"

(End of this chapter)