Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 103 Dragon Coiling and Tiger Crouching

"Beating him to death!"

Zhu Biao's voice wasn't loud, but it penetrated everyone's ears with crystal clarity.

"Young Master, spare my life!"

The isolated individuals were so frightened that they immediately knelt down on the ground.

"Young Master, I was wrong, but not enough to warrant death!"

"Third Master, it's the First Master~"

Zhu Biao interrupted sharply, "Shut up!"

"You instigated conflict among our soldiers, led the fighting, and nearly caused a major riot. Which of our family rules or military law can tolerate this?"

He knew, of course, that the mastermind behind it all was the eldest and second eldest, but he couldn't let the truth come out.

Damn it! I can't just kill my brother, can I?

As soon as he finished speaking, Luan Tingyu, who knew his intentions, personally picked up an iron rod and led several trusted men, rushing towards the group.

In the face of life and death, some people instinctively gripped the hilt of their knives, still wanting to fight to the death.

Bang!

Unexpectedly, Luan Tingyu swung a stick and smashed his skull, sending red and white splattering everywhere.

Immediately, he slammed the stick into the ground and gave a low shout.

"Still dare to resist? Don't you care about your family?"

Upon hearing this, the others immediately stiffened, their eyes turning ashen, and they slowly withdrew their hands that had been reaching for their weapons.

They accepted their fate!

Luan Tingyu's threat was not a bluff; the Zhu family was the law of Zhu Family Village!

The soldiers were either born into the household or had signed indentures, making them mere fish to be killed at the mercy of others; even their lives belonged to them.

They all have families, and if they anger the Zhu family, not only will they themselves be doomed, but their families will also be forced out of Zhu Family Village.

"Third brother! What are you doing?"

"Coach Luan, stop right now!"

Just then, the brothers Zhu Long and Zhu Hu rushed over like a gust of wind.

However, Luan Tingyu and his cronies turned a deaf ear, wielding their sticks with abandon and aiming straight for the vital points of the group.

As a result, by the time Zhu Long and Zhu Hu arrived, several of their trusted confidants had already fallen dead on the ground.

"You, you~"

Zhu Long was so angry that his eyes were bloodshot, and his chest heaved like a bellows. He pointed at Zhu Biao, trembling, but couldn't utter a single coherent sentence.

Zhu Hu was quick-witted. He rushed to Luan Tingyu in a few strides and angrily shouted, "Luan Tingyu, how dare you! You outsider, how dare you kill a member of the Zhu family?"

Luan Tingyu remained silent with a cold expression, certain that Zhu Biao would not shirk responsibility and make him take the blame.

His decisive killing of the family soldiers was also his pledge of allegiance. From now on, he would no longer be the head instructor of the Zhu family, but the deputy commander of the militia under Zhu Biao.

Sure enough, Zhu Biao, clutching his lower back, stepped forward and blocked his way: "Second Brother, this isn't violence, it's military law!"

"Bullshit military law, Third Brother, what gives you the right to make such a crucial decision on a whim?"

At this moment, Zhu Long finally came to his senses and said through gritted teeth.

Zhu Biao curled his lip: "On what grounds? Just because family soldiers are also local soldiers, and I, as the military commander of Dulonggang, am acting in accordance with military law, what's wrong with that?"

"You, you~"

Zhu Long was speechless again after being criticized.

Zhu Hu's eyes lit up, and he seized the opportunity to attack, saying, "Third brother, are you using external duties and regulations to suppress the rules of our Zhu family?"

This was a fatal trap. The Song Dynasty's imperial power did not extend to the countryside, and in many places, clan rules actually far outweighed the laws of the government.

For example, Zhujiazhuang.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Biao replied decisively, "Exactly!"

Before Zhu Hu could reply, he interrupted, "What? Does Second Brother think our Zhu Family Village is some kind of country within a country, a lawless place?"

"Uh~"

Zhu Hu was speechless, his face flushed red, but he had no reply.

Some things can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words. Even if it were true, Zhu Hu would not dare to publicly agree to such a treasonous and rebellious statement.

"Heh~"

Seeing that his two older brothers were speechless, Zhu Biao took two more steps forward and lowered his voice, saying, "After the New Year, I will leave the Zhu family. During this time, you two better keep yourselves quiet. The dragon coils up, and the tiger lies low!"

He paused, then said, word by word, "Otherwise, I won't leave. Sooner or later, I'll make sure you two are dragged out of the Zhu family naked."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Long and Zhu Hu almost simultaneously stiffened, and a chill ran down their spines.

Since Zhu Biao returned home, they have tried every means, both overt and covert, but have not gained the slightest advantage.

They've lost everything, both in terms of substance and reputation; they've lost all their cards. If they continue fighting, they'll truly be left with nothing.

Zhu Biao completely ignored their reactions, turned around, and waved his hand forcefully at the group of selected soldiers whose backsides were burning and eyes were red.

"Go back and pack your things, you're coming with me!"

"Young Master, where are we going?"

The bronze bull was the most seriously injured and had the reddest eyes, but this simpleton was full of energy and his loyalty to Zhu Biao was unwavering.

Zhu Biao was beaten along with them, and that alone was enough to win over the hearts of the troops.

Unexpectedly, he turned around and beat the troublemakers to death with a stick, which not only won everyone's heartfelt submission but also made them respect the rules.

At this moment, Wu Song, who had been holding back from fighting, finally couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You fool, what nonsense are you spouting? Sanlang has already booked that inn in the market. Everyone is going there to recuperate and celebrate the New Year."

Pang Qiutang added a sentence.

"Third Brother just said that he'll have meat with every meal during his recovery!"

Pfft!

The bronze bull was stunned for a moment, and then it knelt down.

"Since the young master treats me like a human being, I, Tongniu, will serve him to the death!"

"We must fight to the death!"

Immediately afterwards, everyone knelt down, their shouts deafening.

A moment later, all the guests in the four courtyards began packing their bags, while Zhu Biao lay on the bed to rest, as Zhu Jiu had just applied medicine to him.

Why specifically request that Luan Tingyu do it himself?

It's simply because he's insightful and has excellent skills.

Don't be scared by the sound of the stick; it was just a minor injury, nothing painful or itchy, not even as bad as the abrasions from riding a horse all day.

"My little one!"

As soon as the door opened, Zhu Chaofeng rushed in.

"Father, what brings you here?"

Just as Zhu Biao was about to get up, he quickly took two steps and pressed him back down.

"You are injured, do not get up."

Zhu Chaofeng glanced at Zhu Jiu, who was helping him pack his things.

"My little one, are you... are you leaving?"

"yes!"

Zhu Biao bluntly said, "Father, this house can't accommodate me for even a day longer. I'll take some people and move to the market temporarily. I'll come back to pay respects to our ancestors on the third day of the Lunar New Year."

Zhu Chaofeng's heart skipped a beat, but he still pressed on, "And then?"

"Then, we set up camp at Tiger's Sorrow Gorge!"

"No, not going home?"

Zhu Chaofeng's eyes suddenly reddened, and his voice trembled.

"Okay, I won't reply."

""

Zhu Biao hardened his heart.

"Father, please don't be offended. I really don't want to be bothered by these dirty and trivial matters at home all day long."

"My little one~"

He wanted to persuade him further, but Zhu Biao interrupted him, saying, "Dad, although I'm away from home, I still need your support for provisions in the short term. If it's really difficult, I can ask you for help."

"Stop talking!"

At this moment, Zhu Chaofeng was already in tears. He pounded his fist on the bedside and choked out, "My son, it's my fault for being useless. I didn't manage the family well, and now you can't even go home."

9

Wiping away his tears, he continued, "But you don't need to worry about provisions and pay. Your father has already prepared enough for your militia camp for three years."

"hiss!"

Zhu Biao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he sat up abruptly, ignoring the pain.

"Father, is this really true? Three years' worth of supplies—that's no small sum. If my older brothers find out, they'll tear the roof off the house!"

He was indeed both surprised and delighted. Three years' worth of provisions, and judging from Zhu Chaofeng's words, it would cover the expenses of the entire militia camp, eight hundred soldiers.

This is an astronomical figure, which will consume at least five or six years of the Zhu family's savings.

"snort!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chaofeng's face flushed red, but he quickly straightened up and feigned anger, saying, "They dare! I am still the one in charge of the Zhu family."

He sniffed and then pursed his lips: "Besides, after the New Year, I'll send these two wretches to Cangzhou to sell grain. Out of sight, out of mind."

Zhu Biao nodded first, then frowned and shook his head.

"Father, we need to be cautious about this matter. That Chai Jin is not someone to be trifled with; he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. If we're not careful, we'll be devoured."

"Oh?"

Zhu Chaofeng also frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "He is a member of the former royal family with a special status, yet he has always been on good terms with and recruiting people from the martial arts world, and he has also provided financial assistance to bandits in mountain strongholds."

""

Suddenly, the image of Amber disappearing into the desolate snow flashed into Zhu Biao's mind, and he blurted out, "By the way, he's also good at using his beauty to seduce people. Big brother and second brother are both easily fooled, so it's best if they don't run into him."