Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 109 Damn it, does he think the Sky-Piercing Eagle is a stupid bird?

A short while later.

When Zhu Biao pushed open the door and walked out of the teahouse, more than thirty carriages and horses from Lijiazhuang had already stopped in front of Zhujia Tavern.

During the Song Dynasty, a system of monopolizing wine was implemented, and only authorized wine shops were allowed to brew wine. The Zhu Family Wine Shop was the only authorized wine shop in Dulonggang and also the most important business of the Zhu Biao family.

In fact, by this time, the local wine monopoly system had long been defunct, and many inns, even roadside shops, were brewing wine privately.

For example, the famous "Three Bowls and You Can't Pass the Hill" dish at that roadside inn on Jingyang Ridge was brewed privately.

However, the brewing techniques of these small shops are mostly crude and the batches vary greatly, resulting in different flavors each time.

Therefore, most restaurants, inns, taverns, and taverns still buy wine from the main stores. The carts and horses from Lijiazhuang came to exchange grain for wine.

"Unexpectedly, Master Li came in person."

The tavern owner hurried out to greet them. Due to the angle, he didn't see Zhu Biao, but bowed and clasped his hands in greeting to Li Ying.

Li Ying nodded slightly as a greeting, then dismounted and turned to Zhu Biao, saying loudly, "Nephew Zhu Biao, it's been a long time! You've changed so much, I almost didn't recognize you!"

Li Ying had a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, broad shoulders, long arms, and a short, needle-like beard under his chin. He was not very old, only thirty-three or thirty-four years old.

However, he was of a higher generation, on the same level as Zhu Chaofeng, and they were practically related by marriage. His niece was none other than Zhu Biao's sister-in-law.

"Young Master!"

The tavern owner only then noticed Zhu Biao and hurriedly bowed.

Zhu Biao waved to him, indicating that he should go about his business first, then clasped his hands in greeting to Li Ying and quickly went to meet him.

"Uncle, you're even more charming than before!"

Upon hearing the title "Uncle," Li Ying raised an eyebrow and gave Zhu Biao a meaningful look.

This kid has never been close to him. In the past, he would either avoid seeing him or, even if they met, he would only call him "Master Li" in a stiff manner.

"Hahaha!"

After a slight pause, Li Ying stroked his beard and laughed.

"I'm old, what charm do I have left? My nephew is still vigorous and strong; I heard he even hunted down that tiger in the North Mountain the other day?"

"It's all because his subordinates are capable and willing to risk their lives; it's just luck."

Zhu Biao stopped half a zhang in front of him and laughed.

"Uncle, you're always so busy with farm affairs, how come you have time today to personally deliver the grain?"

Li Ying and Zhu Chaofeng were both heads of the same estate, but their styles of doing things were exactly the opposite of each other.

Zhu Chaofeng was "lazy in governance," delegating all household and estate affairs to lower levels. Unless it was a matter of utmost urgency, he basically ignored it.

Li Ying was "diligent in his duties," but how diligent was he?

Needless to say, major events like spring planting and autumn harvest can also occur, such as a dog biting someone, livestock falling ill, brothers fighting over family property, or even a couple getting a divorce.

He wants to manage everything!

Therefore, in addition to his nickname "Sky-Piercing Eagle," the people of Dulonggang also jokingly called him Li Qingtian (Li the Upright Official).

Li Ying also sought official positions multiple times, but his approach was completely different from Zhu Biao's.

He didn't want a military post, but rather a high-ranking official. He even considered making Dulonggang an independent village and personally serving as its magistrate.

"Ha, stockpiling grain is just a side effect."

Li Ying also laughed, then changed the subject.

"However, my visit to the Zhu Family Village is specifically for my nephew."

"Oh?"

Zhu Biao's heart tightened; he knew the main event was about to begin.

"Uncle, you came here for me? What brings you here?"

Li Ying didn't beat around the bush, and with a sharp glint in his eye, he went straight to the point: "First, it's about buying horses; second, it's about the joint training of the militia."

Even though he already had some plans in mind, Zhu Biao couldn't help but sigh inwardly, what was bound to happen would eventually happen! He just didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

The biggest obstacle to establishing the Dulonggang militia and unifying military power was Li Ying.

From a geographical perspective

Lijiazhuang is located at the easternmost end of Dulonggang, near Jizhou and far from Qingzhou, about twenty miles away from Zhujiazhuang, with Hujiazhuang in between.

Logically speaking, Li Ying was also closer to the people in Yuncheng.

He had previously sought an official position through the connections of the magistrate of Yuncheng County. Moreover, he was quite familiar with Song Heizi, and they addressed each other as brothers and often drank together.

The last one.

Li Ying was also an ambitious man who wanted to dominate Dulonggang and would never let Zhu Biao swallow up his private army.

Sooner or later, the two will inevitably clash!

"Uncle, these two matters can't be explained in just a few words. Why don't we go to a teahouse and sit down to discuss them in detail?"

Despite a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, and even murderous intent rising within him, Zhu Biao maintained a gentle smile on his face.

"Very good."

Li Ying's expression froze slightly, and the imposing aura he had just built up dissipated.

The tea in that private room had been replaced with a fresh pot, and Zhu Biao got up to pour Li Ying a bowl of tea.

"Uncle, there's nothing to discuss about the joint training of the militia. We just need to wait for the order from Lord Murong of Qingzhou, and then I will carry it out as instructed."

"Lord Murong's command?"

Li Ying frowned, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

Zhu Biao nodded and handed him the steaming hot teacup.

"Indeed, young man. This militia camp is under the direct command of Lord Murong, and everything is done according to the orders of the court. Why don't we talk about buying horses first?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ying paused in his action of taking the bowl, and the smile on his face suddenly froze.

For a moment, he was somewhat dazed. The young man he had watched grow up seemed to vaguely overlap with those old foxes in officialdom.

The most crucial matter of mobilizing his own troops for joint training was decided with a single, casual remark.

Although Li Ying was close to Jizhou, would he dare to disobey the orders of Lord Murong of Qingzhou?

dare not!

Not to mention him, even the magistrate of Dancheng County, or even the prefect of Jizhou, dared not stand up to him.

Murong Yanda was not only the prefect of Qingzhou, but also the deputy commander of the Eastern Route of Jingdong, wielding military power. He was also the brother of the imperial concubine, making him extremely powerful.

hiss~

Li Ying only snapped back to reality when the teacup in his hand felt scalding hot.

"Hehe, a scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation. My nephew has actually won the favor of Prime Minister Murong. He will surely soar to great heights in the future."

Zhu Biao also laughed.

"Uncle, you flatter me. I have no lofty ambitions. All I seek is to pacify this region and protect my hometown."

Upon hearing this, Li Ying's eyelids twitched involuntarily.

Appease one side? Damn it! Is Li Family Village the side that sent troops to appease, or the side that is about to be appeased by the army?

"Uncle, after all this talk, we still haven't gotten to the matter of buying horses?"

Zhu Biao took a leisurely sip of tea and glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Young man, you do have some connections. The militia camp happens to be short of cavalry. I wonder how many horses you'd like to buy, and what your offer is?"

"Uh~"

Li Ying's face flushed red from the provocation in his words.

"Regarding the purchase of horses, I was being somewhat presumptuous. With spring planting just around the corner and money and food supplies tight, let's discuss it again later."

At this moment, he was cursing in his heart. What was the point of buying anything now?

They've already made it very clear: even if he grits his teeth and buys the horse, he'll still be assigned to the militia camp and have to provide his own food and supplies.

Damn it, do you think his eagle is a stupid bird?

Li Ying came and went in a hurry. Before the grain at the tavern was even unloaded, he left with two personal attendants.

"The Li family will definitely disagree; I wonder what the Hu family will choose?"

Zhu Biao stood at the entrance of the teahouse, watching Li Ying gradually disappear into the distance. He rubbed his chin and muttered to himself.

"Is there even a question? The young master is his son-in-law, of course the Hu family will choose our family!"

Zhu Wu, who was nearby, heard his whisper and replied without hesitation.

"You idiot!"

Zhu Biao just rolled his eyes at him but didn't say anything more; this guy wouldn't understand.

Who would easily hand over their manhood to someone else?

But now, before he has fully consolidated his power, the Hu family's allegiance has become the decisive factor.

If the Hu family were to surrender, Li Ying would have no choice but to accept it, no matter how unwilling he was. Otherwise, Zhu Biao would be in a difficult position.

Zhu Biao deliberately angered Hu Sanniang this morning, hoping to test the Hu family's attitude.

Anyway, this step had to be taken sooner or later, and even if it meant fighting two opponents, Zhu Biao wouldn't back down.

However, when the day comes that all pretense of civility is broken, what he will want to seize will be more than just military power.

"Young Master!"

At this moment, the tavern owner came running over, his body hunched over.

"It's already noon. I've prepared a table of food and wine. Please come and take a look at the dishes, young master."

"Heh~ Zhu Shan, you old codger, what kind of nonsense are you spouting at me?"

Zhu Biao was amused by him.

"I've now separated from the family and started my own business. From now on, I'll drop the 'young master' part from the title."

"yes!"

The shopkeeper, Zhu Shan, immediately smiled and replied upon hearing this.

"Master, should we change the name of this shop back to 'Li Family'?"

This tavern is owned by the Zhu family, but the ownership belongs to Zhu Biao personally.

The shop, the wine shop, and even the shopkeeper Zhu Shan were all part of his mother Zhu Lishi's dowry, which she specifically left to him before her death.

Therefore, not only was Zhu Chaofeng biased in his family, but his mother was even more biased. How could his two older brothers not ostracize him?