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

Chapter 298 Wen Huanzhang: Perhaps this is fate [2 updates]

How to break?
Wen Huanzhang is in a great hurry.

Although he teaches in the village, he appears indifferent to fame and fortune.

But that wasn't actually the case; Grand Commandant Gao simply sent one of his men to invite him over.

After all, he was just a scholar, and it was too difficult for him to pursue a proper official career, so he wanted to learn from Zhuge Liang and wait for Liu Bei.

Who knew that instead of Liu Bei, he was greeted by "Sai Xuande"!
What's frustrating is that when "Sai Xuande" arrived, he was tricked by the students.

With him as the strategist, annihilating the four bandit groups would be a piece of cake; he treated the Liao and Jin dynasties like dirt; and he even made Song Jiang seem foolish and Cai Fu seem unwise…

It's one thing to pontificate with the old men in the village, but I never expected to be doing this in front of the person in question...

Moreover, the person in question was so eager to recruit him as a strategist that he didn't know how to refuse.

The main problem is that line, "It's laughable that Song Jiang is so reckless and Cai Fu so lacking in wisdom; if I were in charge of Liangshan Marsh, that would be such a trap!"

Wen Huanzhang had no idea how to fill such a huge hole.

"I heard the master say that Song Jiang was foolish and Cai Fu was short-sighted. If I were in charge of Liangshan..."

Seeing Wen Huanzhang's bewildered expression, Cai Fu chuckled.
"Now you can sit on Liangshan Marsh!"

Wen Huanzhang was speechless.

Although Cai Fu was polite throughout, Wen Huanzhang always felt that saying the wrong thing could cost him his head.

I heard that Cai Fu was also known as the "King of the Northern Swords," wielding a ghost-head sword, and beheading anyone he got into a fight with a single blow!

I wonder where Cai Fu's ghost-head dagger is hidden...

At this moment, Wen Huanzhang's mind was in turmoil, and his heart was in turmoil, but he could not come up with a perfect solution.

I don't even know how to refuse.

He even said, "It's laughable that Song Jiang is so reckless and Cai Fu so lacking in wisdom. If I were in charge of Liangshan Marsh..."

Now that someone is giving him the opportunity to lead Liangshan Marsh, how can he refuse?

"Sir, there's no need for you to force yourself."

Seeing that Wen Huanzhang looked troubled and remained silent for a long time, Cai Fu felt it was pointless.

He didn't want to force Wen Huanzhang into a corner, so he stood up and laughed:
“Cai Fu has always won people over with virtue. If you do not wish to join Liangshan, that is fine. Consider it a good deed.”

"Sir, until we meet again!"

Will we really meet again someday?

Wen Huanzhang's eyes flickered, and out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of the window:
A window was crowded with little heads; they were all his students.

The other window was crowded with big heads; it was Niu Gao, He Yuanqing, Yang Zaixing, Luo Yanqing, and a few others.

Yang Zaixing was one thing, but the other three were all fierce-looking and each had their own unique characteristics.

However, the four big heads, just like the small heads, only peeked around and showed no intention of making a move.

……

Actually, becoming a strategist at Liangshan Marsh wouldn't be a bad idea; this "Sai Xuande" (a reference to Liu Bei) seems like someone who treats scholars with respect...

However, I also have connections in the imperial court. If I have the opportunity to be introduced by a powerful person, I may be able to rise rapidly in rank!

While Wen Huanzhang was still hesitating, Cai Fu had already strode to the door.

But then his students, who seemed to thrive on chaos, started jeering together:
"Let's go to Liangshan! Let's go to Liangshan! Let's go to Liangshan!"

I don’t care about you!

The students' ideas were simple and unpretentious:

Wherever you go, we won't have to attend class!
Wen Huanzhang was speechless: You bunch of brats, I always teach you to walk the right path, but you won't!

Now you're going to teach me to go astray?

It's one thing for you to teach me, but couldn't you at least keep your voice down?
You guys are shouting so loudly, the whole village heard it. I have no choice but to go to Liangshanbo now!

"Shh-"

Cai Fu quickly raised a finger to his lips, pointing it at the group of students who were making a fuss.
Stop yelling!

Not only did you cheat Mr., you cheated me too! Soon the whole of Tokyo will know I'm here!

Niu Gao, He Yuanqing, and the others rushed over and covered the mouths of the six- or seven-year-old children.

Unfortunately, there were too many children, and they were all just beginning their education, so they didn't understand the importance of the matter.

Niu Gao, He Yuanqing, and the others didn't hurt anyone; they just covered the children's mouths, and the children immediately scattered!

When Niu Gao and He Yuanqing went to chase after them, the children ran all over the village clapping and shouting.

"Let's go to Liangshan! Let's go to Liangshan! Let's go to Liangshan!"

Cai Fu was also speechless, so he could only clasp his hands in a fist and bow to Wen Huanzhang and say:

"excuse me……"

"do not bother!"

Wen Huanzhang made a resolute decision that went against his ancestors' wishes, his gaze as firm as if he were about to join the Young Pioneers:
"Since Brother Cai has extended such a kind invitation, it would be impolite of me to refuse!"

"I am willing to follow Brother Cai to conquer the world and expand our territory!"

Cai Fu was speechless. This whole mess was ridiculous. He really didn't mean to push Wen Huanzhang to the brink; they were already at the doorstep...

Unexpectedly, Wen Huanzhang's students provided assistance, forcing Wen Huanzhang into a corner!
Wen Huanzhang was also helpless, and could only blame himself for his habit of being sharp-tongued and liking to give unsolicited advice.

This is what led to the students ganging up on him today, allowing Cai Fu to discover this hidden dragon in the village.

The problem is, if he didn't usually offer advice to others, how could he have earned the reputation of being "deeply knowledgeable in strategy, skilled in military tactics, possessing the talent of Sun Tzu and the wisdom of Zhuge Liang" within a radius of a hundred miles outside of Tokyo?

That’s all!

Wen Huanzhang sighed inwardly:
Perhaps this is fate; I am indeed destined to meet "Sai Xuande"...

So Wen Huanzhang quickly packed a bundle, carried it onto the carriage, and went to keep Wu Song company.

Cai Fu hadn't originally planned to leave immediately, but with the children making such a fuss throughout the village, he had no choice but to go.

While Wen Huanzhang wasn't paying attention inside the carriage, Cai Fu pulled out a handful of copper coins and tossed them into the air with a "whoosh"!
The kids' assist today was absolutely brilliant, they deserve a reward!

However, if the reward was silver, the children would certainly not be able to keep it, so they were given copper coins instead.

The child immediately cheered and rushed over to pick up the copper coins:

"We're rich! We're rich!" The gentleman left, and they even got money—double happiness!

In fact, no one dared to report it to the authorities, and all the adults quickly took their children back and gave them a good beating.

It's important to know that most of the children in the village had been taught by Wen Huanzhang, since he was the only teacher in the village.

In order to gain fame, Wen Huanzhang opened a private school, but many children didn't pay tuition and came to audit his classes, so he didn't turn them away.

If word gets out that Wen Huanzhang went to Liangshan, their whole village will be wiped out!

In this small village, everyone is related by blood or marriage, and they are united like never before when something like this happens.

They managed to cover up the fact that Wen Huanzhang had joined Liangshan...

Wen Huanzhang had certainly thought of this as well, but he dared not gamble. What if word got out?
The more you think, the less courageous you become.

……

After changing to a different village inn, Cai Fu told Wen Huanzhang about Han Shizhong's situation.

Wen Huanzhang shook his goose feather fan, closed his eyes, and fell into deep thought.

The brothers looked at each other in bewilderment, and Niu Gao whispered to He Yuanqing:

"Junior brother, could this gentleman be asleep?"

Cai Fu glanced over coldly, and Niu Gao pulled He Yuanqing's ear:

"Junior brother, your ears are blocked. Let me help you dig them out!"

He Yuanqing: o(>﹏<)o
A moment later, Wen Huanzhang opened his eyes wide and said inscrutably:

"Brother Cai, I'm afraid there's more to this than meets the eye!"

Cai Fu was taken aback: "Please teach me, sir!"

Wen Huanzhang, fanning himself with a goose feather fan, pondered and said:
"Chief Shi went to Tokyo City today to investigate and brought back news that the government troops surrounded Tongfu Inn last night and only managed to break in and arrest people after a full half hour."

"But Brother Cai said that Han Shizhong was arrested and taken to Kaifeng Prefecture yesterday afternoon."

"Why did Han Shizhong delay reporting such important military intelligence until night?"

"Why are the government troops still delaying for another half an hour, even though it's already night?"

Niu Gao couldn't help but chime in, "Yes, why is that?"

"First of all, if it were Kaifeng Prefecture making arrests, they should have mobilized several hundred public officials."

"The only force capable of mobilizing government troops must be the military."

"Kaifeng Prefecture arrested Han Shizhong, but it was the military that went to Tongfu Inn to arrest people."

"This shows that Han Shizhong did not confess to the Kaifeng Prefecture, and that the military took Han Shizhong away."

"The Prefect of Kaifeng is a high-ranking official of the third rank and a civil official. Who in the military could take Han Shizhong out of his hands?"

"I dare to guess that it is either Grand Commandant Gao or Privy Councilor Tong!"

Wen Huanzhang spoke with great certainty, as if he had witnessed it firsthand.

Cai Fu nodded, agreeing with his guess.

Niu Gao couldn't help but chime in again: "Then why did the government troops, after surrounding Tongfu Inn, take half an hour to arrest people?"

Wen Huanzhang calmly replied, "The delays are all for the sake of waiting."

"Whenever a war breaks out, all you have to wait for is the right time, the right place, and the right people."

"The opportune moment has already passed, and the location has not changed. What they must be waiting for is the right people."

"But they did not receive reinforcements. The thousands of government troops captured a few rebels and did not need reinforcements at all."

"So in my opinion, they might just be waiting for someone."

"A powerful person."

Luo Yanqing blurted out: "Gao Qiu?"

"No!"

Wen Huanzhang shook his goose feather fan:
"Gao Qiu is the chief official, so whether he is present or not is the greatest achievement."

"In my opinion, although this person has power, he desperately needs the merit of capturing rebels."

"The government troops delayed arresting people for half an hour, probably to wait for him to come and claim credit for capturing the rebels."

"But he arrived half an hour late, which means that this achievement was only considered important to him by others."

He himself did not think it was that important.

"So he's probably a spoiled brat from some powerful family."

"The only ones who could take Han Shizhong away from Kaifeng Prefecture were Tong Guan and Gao Qiu."

"But Tong Guan was a eunuch, while Gao Qiu had a good-for-nothing son in his household."

"What the government troops are waiting for is probably this Gao Yanei."

"So it was Grand Commandant Gao who sent Han Shizhong to Liangshan Marsh."

"In short, Brother Cai managed to get the people of Kaifeng Prefecture to arrest Han Shizhong."

"Han Shizhong did not confess, and Grand Commandant Gao took Han Shizhong away that night."

"Han Shizhong informed Grand Commandant Gao of the intelligence, and Grand Commandant Gao sent men to arrest Brother Cai."

"Grand Commandant Gao wanted Gao Yanei to take credit for Han Shizhong's achievements, but since he couldn't catch the man, he would definitely take his anger out on Han Shizhong."

"Brother Cai, Han Shizhong is in grave danger. If we don't save him now, it may be too late!"

Good guy!
Not to mention Niu Gao and He Yuanqing, even Cai Fu was dumbfounded:
"Strategist, protect him!"

Wen Huanzhang smiled slightly and gently waved his feather fan:

"It's just a little calculation, not worth mentioning."

No wonder you were captured by Liangshan Marsh and then disappeared after being released; there must be a reason for it...

Cai Fu's mouth twitched twice secretly:

"In that case, brothers, prepare to head to Tokyo to rescue them!"

[Don't rush, there's more to come! Let's have some monthly votes and recommendation tickets to cheer us on!]

(End of this chapter)