Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 126 Visible Growth

Luan Tingyu has actually been quite busy these past few days.

While watching the bandits work, he secretly examined their identities, screening out those with skills who could be used, as well as dangerous individuals who needed to be closely monitored.

Ren Wu, this "special talent" who had infiltrated three mountain strongholds, was the one he selected, which led to this nighttime raid on Lingyun Temple.

The destruction of White Tiger Stronghold could no longer be concealed. Zhu Biao, worried that Lingyun Temple would get wind of it, began to guard it closely.

Lingyun Temple is located at the eastern exit of Huchoujian. This malignant tumor must be removed, but a direct assault is not an option, as it would be too difficult and the casualties would be unbearable.

The Huchoujian Pass is nearly 20 miles long.

The path, which would normally take only an hour and a half to walk, has been abandoned for many years and is now overgrown with weeds.

Fortunately, it was not yet spring, and all the grasses were withered and snakes and insects were hibernating, so it was barely possible to pass through. If it were midsummer, the wild grass would be taller than a person, and it would be impossible to pass through.

Even so, it took Zhu Biao and his group three hours to reach the foot of Lingyun Mountain, just after midnight.

"My lord, follow this road and you will reach Lingyun Temple."

Ren Wu, panting heavily, pointed to a winding, narrow mountain road not far away.

How long is this road?

Zhu Biao asked in a deep voice.

"About seven or eight li."

He immediately pressed further, "Is there a road all the way to Lingyun Temple?"

"Yes."

Zhu Biao frowned as he looked at the mountain in front of him, which was neither too high nor too steep.

"Since there's a road to take, haven't the imperial army ever come up the mountain to encircle and suppress them before?"

"What do you mean, not at all? And it wasn't just once."

Ren Wu replied without hesitation.

"Rencheng County and Zizhou Prefecture have both sent troops to suppress them, and even the Qingzhou Patrol Camp where you are currently stationed has sent troops."

Zhu Biao's brows furrowed even more.

"They didn't even manage to take it down?"

Once his itch was touched, Ren Wu completely forgot his predicament and proudly raised his chin.

"Of course! A few government troops~~"

Snapped!

Without Zhu Biao giving any orders, Su Fangbian raised his hand and slapped him across the face, angrily shouting, "Damn it! You damned mountain bandit, you've done all sorts of despicable things, and you still have the nerve to boast? Tell me, why didn't you take it down?"

"Yes, yes."

Ren Wu immediately deflated, covering his face and muttering, "Half of the bandits at Lingyun Temple are surnamed Zhou. They are all hunters from Zhoujia Village at the foot of the mountain. They usually hunt and live at home, only occasionally gathering at the temple. Every time the army comes to suppress them..."

As he said this, he quickly glanced at Zhu Biao, and Su Fang immediately punched him again.

"Go on!"

Ren Wu, whose ribs were struck in a painful spot, couldn't help but grit his teeth and dared not act arrogantly anymore.

"The chief had planted spies in the government offices. Every time the imperial court launched a campaign, he could get wind of it in advance. The Zhou family would return to the village, while the others would take their belongings and hide in the woods, leaving only an empty temple."

Su Fang blurted out, "Why don't the government troops burn down your bandit den?"

Ren Wu subconsciously shrank his shoulders.

"The temple houses the Eastern Peak Emperor, who governs the underworld, and the Earth Goddess Houtu, who oversees reincarnation. The government troops dare not act rashly."

Su Fang spat angrily, "What! You dare to do evil in the eyes of the gods? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"

Ren Wu lowered his head and said weakly, "We're starving, what's there to be afraid of?"

Su Fang's eyes flashed sharply: "Bullshit! You can do it by starving yourself!"

Zhu Biao suddenly raised his hand, interrupting his argument.

Su Fang certainly had the right to question him. Before being taken in, he would rather beg than steal. But arguing about morality with a bandit, a 17-year-old veteran of the banditry, was unthinkable.

It's like casting pearls before swine.

"What's the name of the head of Lingyun Temple? Does he hold any official position in the village?"

"Zhou Rong is the head of Zhoujia Village."

"What about the second and third leaders?"

"The second-in-command is a Taoist priest with the Buddhist name Lingyunzi. There is no third-in-command."

Zhu Biao then asked, "Mission, why did you run away from the mountain in the first place?"

"Trade routes are cut off, there's no one to rob, and hunting alone won't feed us."

"Such a big mountain? How is that possible?!"

Pang Qiutang, a hunter by trade, couldn't stand it anymore and was about to retort when Zhu Biao grabbed her arm: "Let's go up the mountain!"

"Third Brother."

She felt a little wronged, and Zhu Biao leaned closer to her and said, "The prey is limited. If there were enough to hunt, why would Zhoujia Village resort to thievery?"

The mountain path was rugged and narrow, but relatively flat and free of weeds, indicating that it was frequently used. Zhu Biao and his group were all experts with strong stamina.

They reached the vicinity of Lingyun Temple in just half an hour.

Zhu Biao personally climbed up an old pine tree and looked down at the Taoist temple built against the mountain.

The entire Taoist temple covers an area of ​​more than ten acres, with five courtyards in total, three main halls, seven or eight side halls, and nearly a hundred buildings.

At this moment, there was not a single light in the temple, not even a wisp of smoke, making it look like a giant beast sleeping in the mountains and forests.

"Tsk!"

Zhu Biao clicked his tongue, feeling a sense of wonder, wondering how they managed to carry the bricks and tiles up to this desolate mountain wilderness.

"Sanlang, it looks like there are only twenty or thirty people left in this place at most."

Lin Chong suddenly came over, squatted down beside him, pointed to the few remaining woodpile in the backyard, and said in a low voice.

"How about we take down this thief's den tonight?"

Zhu Biao turned his head and looked at him with some surprise.

Judging the number of soldiers by looking at the firewood and observing the stoves is a method used by soldiers to determine the number of soldiers. Luan Tingyu had also taught him this, so it is not surprising.

To his surprise, Lin Chong actually made the suggestion, and it was even a suggestion to kill someone.

Since arriving at the Zhu Family Village, he has gotten along well with everyone, but he has always been a man of few words and rarely stands out, always intentionally or unintentionally minimizing his presence.

Zhu Biao probably understood his inner turmoil.

He cared about the golden mark on his face, about his status as a sinner, and even more about the opinions of others. After all, he was now a wandering ascetic, yet he had a wife by his side.

"Does Saburo think I'm acting strangely?"

Lin Chong clearly understood Zhu Biao's look.

"Exactly."

Zhu Biao didn't try to hide it.

Lin Chong said solemnly, "Now that I have joined the militia camp, I am no longer Lin Chong, nor the monk Chonglin, but the leader of the cavalry. Of course, I must serve the commander."

"Wherever Sanlang's gaze falls, that is where my spear will be aimed!"

At that moment, Zhu Biao felt a surge of heroic spirit rise in his chest, soaring straight to the top of his head, and all his words could be summed up in a single word.

"good!"

As dawn broke, in Rencheng County, at Xue Family Restaurant.

Good morning, esteemed guests. What would you like to eat?

Zhu Biao led Zhu San, Zhu Wu, and Su Fang into the shop, casually found a table to sit down, and the clever young shop assistant quickly came to greet them.

Despite being absolutely certain, Zhu Biao still didn't touch Lingyun Temple.

The main force of the bandits is not in the temple; they should have all returned to Zhoujia Village, turning from thieves into hunters. He doesn't want to alert them; he wants to eliminate them completely.

"Cook three bowls of mutton soup with flatbread, and bake a few more meat patties. If there are any side dishes, just bring them over, and we'll settle the bill later."

Su Fang casually tossed a piece of broken silver onto the table, raised his chin slightly, and deliberately adopted a Henan accent.

"Be quick on your feet, and if you serve well, you'll be rewarded."

"Alright, please have a seat, sir. I will make all the arrangements."

The young waiter collected the loose silver, bowed deeply, and dashed off to the back room.

"Young master, is this feasible?"

After the waiter left, Su Fang immediately changed his expression, turned to Zhu Biao, and asked somewhat guiltily.

Zhu Biao patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him with a smile: "Very good. The restaurant owner will probably come over to try and get information out of you. You can handle him and try to find out Zhou Rong's background."

"Yes."

Su Fang pursed her lips and nodded vigorously.

"These gentlemen look unfamiliar; you must not be from Rencheng, right?"

Zhu Biao's estimate was spot on. Before the soup dumplings were even served, the short, stout innkeeper came over, bowed to everyone, and said with a smile.

Su Fang instantly got into character, pursed his lips, and said jokingly.

"We're from Nanjing (Shangqiu), why? Shopkeeper, would you like to see our travel permit?"

"Young master, you jest. How could this old man dare to overstep his bounds?"

The shopkeeper quickly bowed and smiled apologetically: "I'm just curious what brings you distinguished guests to Rencheng? I have some connections here, perhaps I can lend a hand."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Su Fang did not reply immediately, but deliberately looked at Zhu Biao, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Shopkeeper, I won't lie to you. We were sent by a distinguished person to search for rare stones and fine animal hides in the Taishan area."

Before the shopkeeper could reply, he added somewhat hastily, "Especially pheasant feathers and fox tails, as many as you have, the price is negotiable. Does the shopkeeper know any hunters or hunting villages?"

"Good question! And great acting!"

Zhu Biao silently praised him in his heart.

Su Fang's growth is evident to the naked eye, and his talent is gradually emerging, increasingly leaning towards espionage and interrogation.

"Hey! What should I call my intelligence department from now on? The Imperial Guard? The Embroidered Uniform Guard? Or the Sticky Rod Office? The Flying Guillotine?"

With his thoughts wandering, Zhu Biao found himself unusually absent-minded.

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