Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 107 Things are too difficult right now; he doesn't even have a chance to be affectionate with his mother.

After chasing away Hu Sanniang, it was already broad daylight.

Zhu Biao stood by the table, sipping the hangover soup while looking through the patterns of the uniforms that Ruyi had drawn yesterday.

The uniforms worn by the militia training camp were not complicated.

A dark gray, cross-collar, narrow-sleeved, half-length jacket, worn alone in spring and autumn, and lined with linen in winter; one garment is sufficient for three seasons.

Besides the lined robe, there was also a half-length coarse linen vest (long vest) of the same color, as well as wide-legged trousers, leggings, wristbands, a belt, and a leather bag.

Zhu Biao's idea was that, when conditions allowed, the militia's protective gear would be gradually upgraded to studded leather armor, while the strongmen's battalion would wear double-layered heavy armor.

"what?"

He suddenly stopped looking and pointed to a different color dotted on the edge of the pattern.

"The idea of ​​using contrasting colored trim on this garment is quite ingenious, Ruyi, did you come up with that?"

"Yes."

Ruyi nodded.

"Tell me, what are your thoughts?"

"Although you currently command only a few dozen soldiers, you will surely be able to command thousands of troops in the future. The different colored trim can distinguish the ranks of superiors and subordinates without being conspicuous."

Ruyi spoke slowly and deliberately, her slender white fingers touching the pattern.

"One blue border for squad leader, two for platoon leader, three for company commander, four for captain, and red border for commanders and above."

She suddenly stopped speaking, because she realized that Zhu Biao wasn't listening to her, but was staring intently at her.

His gaze was burning hot, full of aggression and possessiveness, which surprised and delighted Ruyi.

"My love, my lord."

"As you wish, just as I desire, I have truly struck gold."

While praising her, Zhu Biao naturally put his arm around her slender waist, embracing her soft and fragrant body, and then wanted to kiss her again.

Ever since he had just tasted the sweetness, Zhu Biao's desires, which he had been desperately trying to suppress, were now like a caged beast released from its cage, growing wildly like weeds after the rain.

He had long understood Ruyi's feelings; it was a case of mutual affection, like a wildfire that could no longer be suppressed.

Da Da Da~

Just then, a series of light footsteps sounded outside the door, which was clearly Pang Qiutang.

The two separated abruptly, as if struck by a venomous snake.

After the initial panic, Ruyi felt embarrassed and annoyed, but when she looked up and saw Zhu Biao's dark face and clenched teeth, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

It's like a hundred flowers blooming together.

"My lord, there's still soup in the pot. Let me serve you another bowl."

She suddenly stood on tiptoe and quickly pecked Zhu Biao on the cheek, then happily turned and ran away.

"Third Brother! You're awake?"

Pang Qiutang pushed open the door and entered, a proud smile on her face, her chest puffed out high.

"I got you some revenge last night. Master Chonglin and I got that big oaf Wu Er completely drunk and he's still sleeping like a log."

"Oh?"

Zhu Biao, who was initially a bit angry, became somewhat interested upon hearing this.

"You actually managed to get Second Brother drunk? Qiu Tang, are you such a good drinker?"

"Hey!"

Pang Qiutang became even more smug.

"That's right. I've been drinking since I was a child. My older brother and second brother can't outdrink me. And that scoundrel Wu Song is so arrogant. He even dared to give me one of his three bowls as compensation."

"He first showed off, drinking twelve bowls of wine with me, then..."

As he listened, Zhu Biao's mind wandered, his eyes involuntarily drifting towards Ruyi, who was serving soup, and he felt the fire in his heart starting to surge again.

I just have to get this off my chest!

"Qiutang, did you hunt back in your hometown?"

He promptly changed the subject.

"Uh, yes, our Pangjiazhuang is located near the mountains, and my brother and I use our archery skills for hunting."

At this moment, Zhu Biao suddenly lost his patience and interrupted her before she could finish speaking: "Qiu Tang, there are elk in the North Mountain. I happen to be craving venison lately. There are also hunters in your cavalry."

He licked his dry lips: "How about you take some men up the mountain to shoot a deer and bring it back for Third Brother to satisfy his craving?"

"Hey! What's the big deal? It's nothing!"

Pang Qiutang, however, had no doubts and patted his chest to assure him, "Third Brother, don't worry! You'll have plenty of venison to eat today."

After luring the silly girl away, Zhu Biao hurriedly called to Ruyi, "Go! Lock the door."

Clang!

Ruyi spilled the soup bowl in her hand onto the table, and her pretty face, including the base of her ears, was visibly crimson, like blood.

She was experienced and intelligent, so of course she understood Zhu Biao's unspoken meaning.

If you bolt the door, it won't just be a kiss.

She was willing to do so, and even looked forward to it, but to do it in broad daylight was clearly a case of protesting too much, and it was really too embarrassing.

After struggling for about three breaths, Ruyi steeled her heart, suddenly put down the soup bowl, bit her lip, and walked towards the door.

Never mind! So what if it's embarrassing? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so Ruyi is going all in.

Clang!

Just as she was about to touch the latch, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Ruyi was startled and hurriedly covered her mouth, almost crying out.

At that moment, Wu Da's honest and simple voice rang out from outside the door.

"My lord, it's me, Wu Da. You didn't eat much last night, so my wife and I steamed some meat buns this morning. Would you like to try some?"

"Phew~"

Zhu Biao let out a long sigh, exchanged a glance with Ruyi, and then said helplessly, "Brother Wu, please come in."

At this moment, he deeply understood why Zhu Chaofeng was "lazy in governance"—being in charge was too difficult.

He was only in charge of a few dozen people, and he was forced to not even have time for intimacy.

The Zhu family is quite large, with nearly seven hundred people, plus more than twenty thousand people in the surrounding villages. If they were to truly concern themselves with everything...

Damn it! I'm afraid he'll go crazy.

The door was opened by Ruyi, and Wu Da walked in, rubbing his hands together. Behind him, Pan Jinlian followed, carrying a basket covered with a white cloth.

Upon seeing Ruyi, she frowned almost imperceptibly.

Upon noticing the lingering blush on Ruyi's cheeks, a subtle glint flashed in his eyes.

"My lady is here too. We can try these freshly steamed meat buns together."

"OK!"

Ruyi smiled.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the steaming basket in her hands, and the newly added bright red flower at her temple.

"Sister-in-law Wu is really restless. She finally finished her sewing work, but she won't rest. She's already steaming buns."

Yesterday, Zhu Biao found more than twenty embroiderers to sew new clothes for the village soldiers, and also took over the remaining work that Pan Jinlian was doing.

In the end, she only managed to sew four new garments.

Zhu Biao received one, Wu Da and Wu Er each received one, and Su Fang received one.

The reason Su Fang was able to get one was simply because he was small in stature, making it easier to sew clothes. In addition, he had beaten up Wang Po in front of Pan Jinlian, so the woman was somewhat afraid of him.

Pan Jinlian placed the basket on the table and then picked up the overturned soup bowl.

"What Lady Ruyi says is true. I am not as fortunate as you, who was able to recognize literature and painting from a young age."

As she spoke, she picked up the rag from the table and wiped the soup stains off the table.

"I come from a poor family and have been used to doing chores since I was a child. I am quite good at serving people and can never be idle."

Ruyi's smile turned cold: "How can Ruyi be as lucky as Sister-in-law Wu? Brother Wu has excellent skills and a good temperament. He looks like a man who dotes on his wife."

Tsk tsk, what a strange thing! Ruyi has always been gentle and proper, how come she suddenly started competing with Pan Jinlian?

Although this woman has been somewhat active lately, she is only trying to make a living and hasn't shown anything out of line or inappropriate.

Zhu Biao sensed an undercurrent in the room and quickly cleared his throat, speaking before Pan Jinlian could, "Brother Wu, what kind of filling is in your steamed buns?"

"Three kinds of meat filling!"

Wu Da wasn't stupid; he sensed the awkward atmosphere and immediately chimed in.

"Three kinds of meat, pork, chicken, and mutton, half lean and half fat, with coriander added to remove any gamey smell, paired perfectly with Ruyi Niangzi's hot and sour soup, my lord, please try it while it's hot."

"Delicious steamed buns! Not too fatty or greasy, they leave a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth!"

Zhu Biao finished one in a few bites and praised it highly.

"Brother Wu, you have excellent skills. After the New Year, open a shop in Zhujiaji and sell your specialty steamed buns and pancakes. I guarantee your business will be booming!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Da was overjoyed and immediately knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord!"

Wu Da was an honest and upright person at heart. Knowing that he would be joining the army after the New Year, he was still uneasy even though his brothers were with him.

His dream was to open a stable shop and live a quiet life in his hometown, and Zhu Biao's suggestion was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Upon hearing this, Ruyi smiled.

If Wu Da stayed in the market, then Pan Jinlian would naturally stay as well. Although it was only a dozen miles away from Huchoujian, it was as if they were worlds apart.

Only Pan Jinlian's expression changed.

At this moment, she had no other thoughts but to cling to Zhu Biao, this golden thigh that was about to take off. She didn't want to be the wife of a pancake seller; she wanted to be the wife of a quartermaster.

Or, if she could be a quartermaster, and Pang Qiutang could be a female leader, and Ruyi could be a female counselor, why couldn't she be one?