Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Wu Song also planned to take his brother to live in another place.

But before that, the thought of the time I would be away...

That secret agent actually dared to send people to cause trouble for Wu Da.

Wu Song couldn't swallow this insult.

He only wanted to go back to his hometown first, teach that secret agent a lesson himself, and then leave.

Although Wu Da didn't approve of his brother's revenge, he himself couldn't bear to give up his pancake-selling business.

So I thought I'd go back, and even if I had to move to a different place, I'd take all the food with me.

The two brothers walked south along the official road for half an hour.

Wu Song suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Wu Da was puzzled, but when he looked up, he realized why Wu Song had stopped.

Not far in front of the two, Zhao Yuan and his group were waiting by the roadside.

Upon seeing the two brothers, the lively and energetic Qiongying immediately waved.

"Brother Zhao!"

"Master Zhao!"

The two brothers felt a surge of heat in their chests and quickly walked over.

"What merit or ability do I, Wu Song, have to trouble you to wait here, brother!" Wu Song quickly bowed.

"Master Zhao, you..."

Wu Da chuckled sheepishly, then simply raised his hand to wipe his reddened eyes.

"Brother, get up!"

Zhao Yuan helped Wu Song up, then looked at Wu Da and laughed.

"Since we have met, it is only natural that we should see each other off when we part. However, there are many inconveniences in Chaijiazhuang, so I waited for you here in advance."

The group chatted for a few minutes, then headed south together.

Zhao Yuan and the others escorted them for forty li before stopping at the urging of the Wu brothers.

"Brother, take these!"

Zhao Yuan handed over a package, which Wu Song opened and read.

Inside was fifty taels of garlic-shaped gold.

"Brother, how can this be!"

Wu Song quickly tried to decline, but Zhao Yuan glared at him.

"Since you two brothers are leaving Qinghe County to live elsewhere, how can you manage without some money?"

"Brother Wu Er, please listen to my elder brother,"

Qiongying joked, "With this money, we can buy a house and land, and find Brother Wu a capable wife!"

"I...I'm not in a hurry..."

Wu Da blushed, but his eyes secretly glanced at a female soldier next to Pan Jinlian.

Zhao Yuan was still somewhat puzzled, but Pan Jinlian suddenly leaned close to Qiong Ying's ear and whispered something.

Qiong Ying was initially surprised, but after realizing what was happening, she smiled and pushed the female soldier next to Wu Da.

"Sister Zhang, I just want to ask you one question,"

Qiongying looked at the female soldier who had followed her for many years and asked earnestly,

"Would you be willing to marry Brother Wu?"

The female soldier whom Qiongying called Sister-in-law Zhang was tall and strong, with a fierce air about her.

Zhao Yuan had heard Qiong Ying tell the story of this Sister Zhang before.

It is said that she was originally an ordinary farm girl in the countryside, but when she got married, she was tricked by the matchmaker and ended up with a "partner".

The so-called "sharing" refers to poor men who, lacking the funds to marry independently, pool their money to marry one woman together.

After the women married into the family, they would take turns living with these men.

This kind of thing is ultimately not honorable, so it usually happens between brothers.

After all, family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, and they're not easy to spread.

But Zhang's sister-in-law was unlucky; she was tricked into marriage and ended up marrying three poor men from the same village.

Because it involved several families, almost everyone in the village knew about it.

When Sister Zhang got married, she was still in the wedding ceremony when she heard the surrounding villagers talking about it.

Only then did she realize that she had two other men in her life.

This sister-in-law was naturally unwilling and wanted to break off the engagement!

The three men refused to let her go and even threatened to beat her with sticks.

This woman, however, was a fierce one. She grabbed a kitchen knife, killed two men, wounded one, and escaped.

Because she had caused a death, she dared not go home, and thus, in a daze, she joined the bandits.

Later, he eventually ended up with Qiong Ying.

Now, under Qiongying's scrutiny and questioning, this sister-in-law no longer possessed her former fierceness.

He just kept his head down, refusing to say a word.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Yuan knew he had a chance, and quickly gave Wu Da a push.

"Brother Wu, Sister Qiongying wants to marry Sister Zhang to you. Are you willing? Say something!"

Wu Song, who was standing nearby, only then realized that his elder brother had someone he liked, and hurriedly urged Wu Da to speak.

Pressed by the crowd, Wu Da hesitated for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice.

"I...I...of course I'd like to!"

After he finished speaking, Sister Zhang nodded slightly.

Upon seeing that both of them nodded in agreement, everyone was naturally overjoyed.

Besides Zhao Yuan giving fifty taels of garlic gold, the others also contributed some silver to give to the two as gifts.

"It's a pity that we have to part ways today, and we won't be able to drink your wedding wine," Zhao Yuan said regretfully.

“Brother, once we have a place to stay, we will send a letter to Liangshan,” Wu Song promised.

Wu Da chuckled and said, "Master Zhao, we will definitely inform you before we get married. If you are free at the time, you are welcome to come and have a wedding feast."

"Then it's a deal!"

Chapter 108 Jinlian's Yearning for Love, Shi Xiu's Performing Arts

After the Wu brothers left, the remaining people were not in high spirits.

Zhao Yuan recalled that on the way to see them off, they had passed through a small town.

So he decided to take everyone out for a couple of drinks.

He, Lin Chong, and Jiao Ting walked ahead, discussing martial arts and江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts and chivalry) matters.

Later, Qiongying asked Pan Jinlian how she knew that Zhang Dasao and Wu Da were having an affair.

After Pan Jinlian explained, Qiongying finally understood.

Wu Da and Zhang Dasao had been eyeing each other for quite some time.

"That Sister-in-law Zhang is also a woman with a hard life; all she wants is to live a peaceful life."

Pan Jinlian smiled and said, "Although Brother Wu is not good-looking and has a soft personality, he is kind and hardworking, which is exactly the kind of person Sister Zhang wants."

"So you acted as a matchmaker and brought them together?" Qiongying teased.

"I'm no matchmaker; I only relayed their messages a few times," Pan Jinlian said shyly, blushing.

"How many times have they relayed the message already?"

Qiongying looked surprised: "Then you kept it from me, sister? If you hadn't brought it up today, I wouldn't have known! What a pity if they missed out!"

"It was Sister Zhang who forbade me from saying it,"

Pan Jinlian said timidly, "Please don't blame me, young lady."

"What's wrong with that?"

Qiongying said with a smile, "I'm already thinking about when you and Xiaohuan will find someone you like? Then I'll marry you both off."

Xiao Huan is the name of the female soldier who is now by Qiong Ying's side.

Upon hearing Qiongying's words, Pan Jinlian and Xiaohuan immediately blushed with embarrassment.

The latter is just too young; she hasn't reached the age of puberty yet.

The former suddenly recalled the scene of the two fighting last night, and his originally fair face was instantly flushed red.

"Huh? Sister Jinlian, your reaction suggests you might actually have someone you like?"

Qiongying's eyes widened, and she asked curiously, "Could it be Wu Song? You should have said so earlier. I could have let you accompany them on your journey."

"Young lady, you've misunderstood."

Pan Jinlian quickly waved her hand: "I have only met Wu Erlang once, how could I possibly be interested in him!"

"If it's not Wu Erlang, then who could it be? It can't be Jiao Ting, can it?"

"What brings you here, young lady?"

Jiao Ting, who was ahead, heard Qiong Ying calling him and quickly turned around to ask.

"Brother Jiao, this has nothing to do with you. The young lady was just joking!"

Pan Jinlian dealt with Jiao Ting.

Then, with a wry smile, she said to Qiongying, "I am your maid, and even if you get married in the future, I will follow you and serve you for the rest of my life."

After saying this, Pan Jinlian subconsciously looked up at Zhao Yuan in front of her.

Qiong Ying, however, did not notice her unusual behavior.

Hearing that she was getting married, even though she was usually very outgoing, she couldn't help but feel a little shy.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm still a long way from that day! Besides, you're not my maid, you belong to Sister Shishi!"

......

Zhao Yuan led the group to the small town, and they were about to find a hotel to eat and drink when...

But in the middle of the road, a group of villagers were gathered together, cheering from time to time!

Qiongying, being lively and active, immediately pulled Zhao Yuan over there.

Lin Chong and the others had no choice but to hurry and follow.

The crowd pushed their way to the front and saw that among them...

On a freezing cold day, a young man with a muscular physique was shirtless, practicing his martial arts.

After performing his routine, the young man took out a cudgel and started brandishing it!

The sticks flew up and down, seemingly impervious to water; it was truly a sight to behold!

Qiong Ying couldn't help but cheer: "You danced wonderfully!"

Zhao Yuan, who was standing to the side, also nodded.

This young man's boxing and staff skills are truly excellent; he can be considered to have few rivals.

After finishing his display of staff techniques, the young man put away his staff and instead presented a tray.

"Fellow villagers, I accompanied my uncle to the north to trade sheep and horses, but upon arriving here, my uncle suddenly fell ill and is now seriously ill at the inn. Several days have passed and he still shows no signs of improvement."

The young man, his eyes red, gritted his teeth and said, "I'm almost out of money, so I have no choice but to show off my skills with weapons here. I beg you, fellow villagers, to give me some reward money! I would be eternally grateful!"

As he spoke, he handed the tray to the villagers who were watching.