Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

The official road between Linqing Prefecture and Daming Prefecture was the best road Zhu Biao had ever traveled in his life.

The area was wide and flat, with soldiers patrolling and clearing snow. There were no robbers or thieves on the road, and travelers came and went in droves.

However, because Ruyi could only travel by carriage and was hampered by the mule cart, Zhu Biao arrived half a day later than expected.

Daming Prefecture, also known as Beijing, was even more prosperous than Linqing. Merchants flocked there, and the city was bustling with activity. At first glance, it even had the feel of a peaceful and prosperous era.

Just as he entered the city gate, before he had gone far, Zhu Biao was stopped in the street by several constables.

"Halt! Where did you get these horses, and where are you going to sell them? Do you have their permits?"

These constables were dressed very similarly to the uniforms of the yamen officials, carrying waist knives and iron rulers, except that their vests were embroidered with a large red character for "cao" (漕).

The leader was a short, stout man with cunning eyes and an account book tucked into his waistband.

Zhu Biao's expression darkened slightly, and he raised an eyebrow to glance at them.

He could roughly guess the intentions of these guys—nothing more than demanding bribes and kickbacks—but he couldn't quite place who they were.

Zhu Biao is worldly-wise and doesn't mind spending money to buy peace of mind, but he doesn't want to spend money blindly, that would be a fool's errand!

"Sir, these are the subordinates of the tax supervisor of the grain transport office, and the one in charge is the head of the checkpoint."

Ruyi was very perceptive. Seeing him frown, she quickly jumped off the mule cart, leaned over, and whispered an explanation in his ear.

"Tax specialists directly under the tax bureau, with specific business subcontracted to contract workers."

Zhu Biao mentally translated it using his own language system, then gave Ruyi a sensible look. The latter was taken aback for a moment, then smiled slightly.

After leaving Linqing, she became even more radiant and lively.

That's how it should be. She's only nineteen this year, and in Zhu Biao's "hometown," she'd still be a student.

Suppressing his chaotic thoughts, Zhu Biao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the short, stout man:

"Brother, I am the commander of the local militia in Qingzhou. These horses are for my personal use."

As he spoke, he handed over his official document and travel permit.

The short, fat man dipped his tongue in water, flipped open the document, glanced at it, and instantly his eyes flashed with disdain. He curled his lip and said sarcastically:

"Ninth-rank official in charge of official duties".

He returned the official document.

"So that this sir knows that in our Daming Prefecture, even officials have to pay horse tax."

He emphasized the word "official," and Zhu Biao naturally understood.

Daming Prefecture was a secondary capital, with numerous government offices, including the Garrison Command, the four major offices of the Grain Transport Commission, the Military Commission, the Granary Commission, and the Censorate, as well as the prefectural government, the county government, and the Censorate.

In short, officials of the sixth or seventh rank are everywhere, while those of the eighth or ninth rank are worse off than dogs. A minor official like Zhu Biao is indeed nothing but a piece of trash and receives no preferential treatment whatsoever.

Zhu Biao took the official document, wiped it discreetly, and smiled:

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Lantou. I wonder how much tax should be levied on these horses?"

Hey~

The short, fat man laughed when he admitted defeat.

He pretended to unfold the account book and spread it out in his hand, then took out a calligraphy brush from his pocket, put it in his mouth and smacked his lips.

"Sir, are you sure you don't want to sell these horses, since you use them yourself?"

"Yes."

"What brings you to Daming Prefecture, sir?"

"A mere clerk, and he dares to cheat the system!" Zhu Biao suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice.

"Paying a visit to Master Lu Junyi."

"Master Lu?"

The short, fat man was suddenly taken aback.

"Indeed, I have a letter here."

Zhu Biao pulled out a letter.

The title page bears a line of elegant, flowing regular script: "To my esteemed younger brother Zhu Biao, from your elder brother Lu Junyi."

The letter was genuine. When he wrote to Chai Jin, he also sent a letter to Lu Junyi. He received a reply just before leaving the Zhu family.

Lu Junyi was known as one of the "Three Wonders of Hebei," a claim that may be an exaggeration, but his demeanor was truly extraordinary.

Zhu Biao was just an unknown figure, and the Zhu family's wealth was insignificant to Lu Junyi, yet he still replied to the letter.

It was handwritten.

"ah!"

The short, fat man didn't even answer the letter; he just glanced at it before his eyes narrowed and his expression changed instantly.

"I never imagined that Commander Zhu was such a distinguished guest of Master Lu. I apologize for my rudeness earlier."

He bowed deeply, looking just like a big toad.

"Tsk, Lu Junyi certainly has a lot of influence. But what exactly is his background?"

Amidst his感慨 (feelings of deep emotion), Zhu Biao's doubts deepened.

He didn't believe that Lu Junyi was just a rough and tumble thug. The richest man in Hebei, ha, if he didn't have a strong official backer, he would have been eaten to bits long ago.

Unrivaled with spears and clubs?

How could anyone be more powerful than Sun Wukong? Didn't that monkey also suffer for five hundred years before finally obediently joining the system?

After a moment, and after repeatedly declining the offer from the short, stout man to personally lead the way, Zhu Biao and his men led their horses toward the south of the city. The Lu residence was located in the south of the city, right next to the Wei River.

"My lord, you are far away in Qingzhou, yet you know Master Lu."

After crossing a stone bridge, Ruyi asked curiously.

"What? You know him too?"

Zhu Biao's performance was slightly higher than expected.

"Of course I know, Master Lu is the number one border merchant in the North."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's pupils dilated sharply, and in an instant, as if enlightened, he understood many things.

Border merchants were military merchants, and this status was incredibly prestigious, even more so than that of imperial merchants.

He could dabble in almost everything that the imperial court prohibited: grain, salt, iron, medicine, horses...

Therefore, when Lu Junyi was later falsely accused of rebellion, imprisoned, and even forced to join the Liangshan bandits, things were not so simple.

Has the powerful backer fallen? Or is the situation being settled?

While pondering, Zhu Wu suddenly called out.

"Young Master, we've arrived at the Lu residence!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao looked up and saw a magnificent mansion.

The gate, ten feet wide and painted in vermilion, was flanked by stone lions as tall as a person. Behind the gate was a screen wall displaying a hundred beasts, and above the gate hung an ebony plaque with the two large gilded characters "Lu Mansion".

It is not luxurious, but majestic and grand, exuding a sense of solemnity.

Zhu Biao nodded meaningfully.

"Seeing is believing. This is the true demeanor of the Jade Kirin of Hebei. He is completely unlike those chivalrous heroes of the martial world."

"Who are these guests looking for?"

The gatekeeper of the Lu residence was a clever and handsome young servant in blue. Seeing that Zhu Biao and his party had been lingering in front of the residence for a long time, he hurriedly came out to greet them.

"Young man, I am Zhu Biao from Qingzhou. I have come to pay my respects to Master Lu. This is my visiting card. Please inform him of my arrival."

Zhu Biao personally handed him the pre-prepared visiting card, and as usual, he tucked a tael of silver into his palm.

Unexpectedly, when the servant touched the silver, he shuddered as if stung by a scorpion and hurriedly stuffed it back into Zhu Biao's hand.

He then stepped back, bowed, and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, but my master has repeatedly warned me that anyone who dares to accept a door fee will have their hand cut off."

"Wow! The Lu family has some pretty strict rules."

Zhu Wu was speechless, and Ruyi was also shocked:

"Even the doorman is so respectable. Master Lu is truly an extraordinary person who knows how to conceal his extravagance."

Zhu Biao felt a chill run down his spine.

This small incident reveals a larger truth: Lu Junyi, a man of such strict discipline and meticulous household management, could actually allow Jia Shi to have an affair behind his back? And how could he be tricked into a life-or-death situation by a steward from another family?

"Brother Zhu!"

Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out, followed by a majestic figure emerging from the screen wall.

The newcomer was six feet tall, dressed in a dark green brocade robe, with sword-like eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and a thick beard. With his powerful stride, he exuded a fierce and intimidating aura.

Such charisma could only belong to Lu Junyi!

Zhu Wu and Ruyi felt their breath catch in their throats and almost instinctively lowered their heads. Lin Chong had also briefly displayed this kind of imposing aura when he lost his temper at the Mountain God Temple.

This is malevolent energy! Lu Junyi is definitely not some wealthy landowner.

Zhu Biao's heart pounded like a drum, but he didn't back down. He steeled himself and took a few steps forward, clasping his hands in a fist salute:

"My name is Zhu Biao. Is this Brother Lu in person?"

He didn't call him Master Lu or Lord Lu, but instead followed up by calling him Brother.

Lu Junyi paused slightly, a hint of surprise and admiration rising in his eyes.

"Ha ha!"

His smile instantly dissipated his murderous aura.

"It is indeed me, Lu. Seeing is believing, and I am pleased to announce it to you. Young man, you possess a rare and remarkable spirit. Indeed!"

"I don't deserve Brother Lu's high praise. Is this Brother Yan Xiaoyi?"

A man followed Lu Junyi closely, like a shadow.

He was around twenty years old, with a handsome face, a strong physique, and a pair of bright, captivating eyes.

He was wearing a gray-blue robe, with a bamboo flute tied around his waist. Who else could he be but Yan Qing?

Hearing Zhu Biao suddenly mention his name, Yan Qing raised an eyebrow and looked over curiously, but didn't say anything.

"Oh? Brother Zhu, how do you know Xiao Yi?"

Lu Junyi asked with a smile, and Zhu Biao replied with a smile:

"Brother Lu is famous throughout the land, and Brother Xiao Yi is also very well-known. In any case, I, a person from a remote and desolate countryside, often hear about him."

Flattery never fails, and upon hearing this, Lu Junyi's smile widened even further.

"Brother Zhu, your silver tongue is more like that of a scholar than a warrior."

Yan Qing's lips curled slightly, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, but he still didn't speak, only nodding kindly at him.