Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

About twenty li west of Cangzhou prison camp, there is a fork in the road.

If you travel 160 li along the main road heading south, you will reach Qinghe County, Wu Song's hometown.

To the west of the fork in the road is a small mountain called White Fox Ridge, where, according to legend, there lives a very efficacious White Fox Goddess.

As dawn broke and the snow began to subside, two bulky figures, resembling snowmen, turned off the side road and trudged down to the foot of the mountain.

Da Da Da~

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves echoed through the woods.

"Young Master! You're finally back!"

Zhu San was the best horseman among all the guards of Zhu Family Village. He spurred his horse on at lightning speed and ran at the very front.

"Sanlang! Sanlang! You've kept Wu Er waiting all night!"

Wu Song is still struggling to keep up with the pace of the horse and can only sway at the back, but his loud voice keeps everyone in the dust.

Having traveled through most of the night in a blizzard, Zhu Biao was covered in frost and snow, almost frozen, and could only weakly raise his hand.

He didn't even have the energy to speak.

However, his eyes remained sharp, and through the icy shards at the edge of his hood, one could vaguely discern his gaze.

Zhu Jiu did not ride out to greet them, but walked at the back, carrying a knife in his hand, with the terrified innkeeper and his wife in front of him.

This guy is really reassuring.

A moment later, in the woods, on a gentle slope sheltered from the wind and snow, more firewood was added to the fire, which crackled and popped as it burned.

Zhu Biao had just changed into dry new clothes, eaten a few pieces of dried meat, and drunk a few mouthfuls of hot wine. Although his body was still trembling slightly, he had finally recovered somewhat.

"Don't be afraid, shopkeeper. I am not a strongman and would never harm you without reason."

At this moment, the innkeeper was trembling even more violently than he was, and his wife was even more miserable, with tears streaming down her face and her legs tightly clenched together.

"Thank you so much~~"

The innkeeper hesitated for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence. Zhu Biao, too lazy to explain further, turned and gave the order:

"Zhu Jiu, take two brothers and immediately escort the manager back to our estate. Settle him in the outer kitchen for now, and you will personally take care of him."

He paused, then added:

"Be extra careful on the way, and avoid Chaijiazhuang."

"Here you go!"

Zhu Jiu's eyes flickered, and she immediately agreed in a deep voice without saying another word.

He was extremely efficient, finishing everything in just over half an incense stick's time. He then left with two guards and the shopkeeper and his wife.

He only brought one horse, and had his oldest guard change into a fur robe and ride it, pretending to be the person in charge.

The shopkeeper carried a load of meat, pots, and pans on a shoulder pole, while his wife carried dry rations, oil, and salt.

Zhu Jiu and another guard played their roles naturally, following one after the other, at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

Before setting off, he repeatedly explained his words to everyone and assigned roles. The head of the household had a fondness for donkey meat and specially invited a cook from Hebei.

"Sanlang, your subordinate is remarkable. If he goes to Tokyo, he could join the Imperial City Guard."

Watching Zhu Jiu and his group gradually disappear into the distance, Lin Chong sighed in admiration.

"Ha! Instructor Lin, please don't curse. What can those scoundrels from the Imperial City Guard do besides putting on airs and extorting money?"

Zhu Biao laughed, but his eyes were full of genuine contempt.

In earlier years, the Imperial City Guard was indeed a divine weapon in the hands of the royal family, but now it is rotten beyond recognition.

Luan Tingyu possessed a family heirloom lance, which was said to be the weapon of a general of the Later Tang Dynasty. Somehow, a member of the Imperial Guard learned of this.

After several unsuccessful attempts to extort money, this fellow forced Luan Tingyu to have an affair with his superior, who then falsely accused him of being a spy and threw him into prison.

Left with no other choice, Luan Tingyu had to obediently hand over the lance and even emptied his pockets to scrape together two hundred strings of cash before he could escape imprisonment.

Even so, after his release from prison, he was still demoted to Caozhou as a military officer.

This small example reveals a larger truth: the Imperial City Guard, and indeed the entire Song Dynasty, was rotten to the core.

"Heh~"

Lin Chong gave an awkward laugh, took a sip of his drink, and didn't know how to respond.

"Instructor Lin, why don't you try on this outfit?"

Zhu Biao didn't dwell on the topic. He handed a heavy bundle to Lin Chong, who took it without understanding what was going on and opened it.

The first thing that catches the eye is a solid bronze headband, beneath which lies a complete set of grayish-blue monk's robes, a string of sandalwood prayer beads, and at the very bottom, a certificate of ordination.

"this?"

Lin Chong stared at these objects in astonishment, his mind blank, unable to process what they were.

"This, this?"

Wu Song also took a closer look, and his brows furrowed slightly, a strange feeling rising in his chest that was hard to describe.

Zhu Biao picked up the ordination certificate, opened it, and handed it to Lin Chong, explaining:

"Instructor, this ordination certificate comes from Xinghua Temple in Pengcheng. With this ascetic attire, you can travel freely in the north."

He forged this himself. Forging a seal is not difficult; the key is having the guts.

When he went to Qingzhou to sell official positions, he even dared to forge urgent documents from the Jingdong Road Pacification Commissioner's Office in order to make his journey easier.

As for those useless inspectors and gatekeepers guarding the checkpoints, all they do is take bribes and demand favors. The moment they see the commander's seal, their legs go weak, and they have no reason to doubt its authenticity.

"I see. Sanlang's plans are truly flawless."

Lin Chong was stunned for a long time before he understood Zhu Biao's intention. He solemnly put away the ordination certificate and said with emotion.

To be honest, after last night's experience, he was somewhat immune to Zhu Biao's preemptive approach, but he subconsciously touched the gold mark on his cheek.

"Brilliant! If Wu Er is ever caught in the act, we can use this method to evade the authorities."

At this moment, Wu Song suddenly clapped his hands, his eyes shining brightly.

"Hey, this outfit is practically your special skin, but you probably won't be able to use it in this lifetime."

Zhu Biao felt embarrassed inside, but showed no sign of it on his face, and changed the subject:

"Instructor Lin, you can wait at my estate first. I will definitely bring your wife back safely before New Year's Eve."

Ever since he found out Lin Chong's exact whereabouts, Zhu Biao had begun planning his escape route, and this outfit was prepared well in advance.

There were also considerations for not letting him return to the village with Zhu Jiu.

Having multiple monks in the group is too conspicuous and too conspicuous. If exposed, Zhu Biao, with his current small stature, cannot bear the consequences.

However, once Lin Chong entered the Zhu Family Village, he would have no more taboos. In that small area of ​​Dulonggang, the Zhu Family was the law!

"No!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chong's leopard eyes narrowed, and he resolutely rejected the idea.

"Sanlang, I cannot allow myself to implicate you any further. I will return to Tokyo and settle this matter!"

Zhu Biao didn't reply to him immediately. Instead, he picked up the rough earthenware wine pot that was warming by the fire, poured three bowls of hot wine, and handed one bowl to him and one to Wu Song.

He took a sip of wine and said slowly:

"Instructor Lin, you have a big reputation and many acquaintances in Tokyo. I'm afraid you can't hide this disguise."

Before Lin Chong could refute, he continued:

"Even if they manage to keep it a secret, how does Instructor Lin plan to protect his wife and get away? Kill Gao Yanei, then shoot over a thousand constables, thousands of patrolmen, and countless imperial guards?"

"Uh~"

Lin Chong's voice faltered, veins bulged on his forehead, and wine spilled out, soaking his clothes.

Zhu Biao pressed down on his wrist.

"Don't worry, Instructor. I have already made up my mind about this matter. You just need to go to the manor and wait to reunite with your wife."

Then, he changed the subject and laughed heartily:

"Since I have some free time now and my body has warmed up, why don't you let the instructor test my skills with spear and staff first?"

Lin Chong looked at him in surprise, and warmth gradually rose in his reddened eyes, dispelling the gloom.

"good!"

He stood up, and with a quick step, a whistle fell steadily into his hand.

"Sanlang, show me what you've got!"

He clasped his hands together, adopting a posture of searching for a snake in the grass, his eyes piercing and unwavering, showing no trace of dejection.

Coach Lin has finally returned to his post.

As noon approached, we had just rounded White Fox Ridge. The snow had stopped, and sunlight peeked through the clouds, so bright it was blinding.

"Sanlang, how about I... I dress up too?"

As he drew closer to home, Wu Song grew increasingly uneasy. He spurred his horse to Zhu Biao's side and, unusually, became coy.

"Second brother, don't panic. We're still far from Qinghe. Judging by our pace, we won't arrive until at least tomorrow."

Zhu Biao turned his head and glanced at him, barely managing to suppress a laugh.

At this moment, Wu Song was wearing a sheepskin coat, a gray felt hat with ears pulled down low, and a thick veil covering his face, revealing only his eyes.

Looking like this, even Wu Da probably wouldn't recognize him in person.

Wu Song was still not at ease:

"Then, then, shall I find an inn along the way and wait for your news?"

Zhu Biao waved his hand, offering words of comfort.

"Second Brother, just remember this: you are a guest of my Zhu Family Manor, and you are mute. That way, there will be no chance of anything going wrong."

After hesitating for a few moments, Wu Song nodded vigorously.

"Okay, I'll..."

"alert!"

Just then, Zhu Biao suddenly tugged at the reins, drew his bow and nocked an arrow, frowned, and looked ahead.

Upon hearing his command, Zhu San and Zhu Wu instinctively reined in their horses and drew their bows.

"What is it?"

Wu Song was bewildered. He looked around while holding the hilt of his sword, and asked blankly.

Zhu Biao squinted, staring intently at the foot of the mountain, where a sparse pine forest stood and a dozen crows were cawing as they took flight.

"There's an ambush in the woods!"