Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 87 The First Big Show Upon Returning Home

"alright!"

Seeing that the brothers were about to come to blows, Zhu Chaofeng, the head of the family, finally spoke up.

"It's the Lunar New Year, we're all family, what kind of behavior is this, making such a scene?"

Everyone thought he was going to smooth things over, even Zhu Biao thought so, but unexpectedly he changed the subject.

"The horse was bought by the third brother himself through connections outside, using his own money. How dare you two older brothers steal it?"

"father!"

Zhu Long, his face flushed, called out to him, but couldn't get the rest out.

"Father, these horses will allow our Zhu Family Village to rise to a new level and firmly suppress the Li and Hu families."

Zhu Hu was smarter than him, and his reasons were more plausible, but his mistake was that he was too hasty and added another sentence.

"Dad, this is a major matter concerning the whole family. You can't let him act recklessly just because you favor the third son!"

"You're saying I'm biased?"

Zhu Chaofeng smiled enigmatically.

"Alright, the third brother spent five thousand strings of cash to buy an official position, and then received another ten thousand strings."

He suddenly raised his voice and roared, "I'm going all out! I'll sell everything I own to scrape together 15,000 strings of cash for each of you brothers, and treat you equally!"

"However, from now on, you won't be dividing up the family property, okay?"

Upon hearing this, the scene fell into a deathly silence, as if it were a tomb; everyone was stunned.

How much property does the Zhu family own? Putting aside everything else, their farmland alone is worth 100,000 strings of cash, not to mention this fortified village that symbolizes the power of the Zhu family.

It is priceless.

Zhu Hu was slightly tempted, his eyes darting around. To be honest, if his father were gone and his older brother inherited the family business, he wouldn't get this much at all.

Zhu Long panicked and blurted out.

"No!"

As he spoke, he suddenly knelt down with a thud.

"Father, I would rather die than separate from the family. I don't want the third son's horse anymore. I just want to serve you for the rest of your life."

"snort!"

Zhu Chaofeng let out a noncommittal snort and glanced at Zhu Hu again.

"Second brother, what do you say?"

"Father, I... I will not separate from the family. All matters in the family are decided by your word."

Zhu Hu also gave in obediently, because he had just figured something out.

With the money Zhu Biao had exchanged for a militia officer position and horses, given his father's favoritism, even if he didn't divide the family property, he would definitely find another excuse to give him soldiers and provisions.

But after getting the money, he had to leave the Zhu family penniless.

Where to go?

With so much money, yet no official position, no soldiers, and no family protection, he'll be devoured by those wolves and tigers outside sooner or later.

But what could he do if he stayed with the Zhu family? Once the money was divided, the eldest brother would definitely make him a nobody, leaving him only to sit around and squander his inheritance.

Even after the father dies and the eldest son becomes the clan leader and head of the family, he can still swallow his money and then kick him out.

To put it bluntly, he, the second son sandwiched in the middle, had no choice at all!

Seeing that he had given in, a look of relief finally flashed in Zhu Chaofeng's eyes.

Recently, after the youngest son's fall from a horse and subsequent change in temperament, the second son has become increasingly restless, constantly jumping around and causing trouble.

Taking advantage of today's opportunity to give them a little warning should calm things down for a while.

Zhu Chaofeng was soft-hearted and lazy, but he was not stupid and had incredibly sharp eyes.

It makes sense. He has been in charge of Zhu Family Village for more than 20 years. He can make decisions on big and small matters with a single word and manage things very well. How could he be an ordinary person?

He had indeed favored Zhu Biao before, but recently he discovered that his youngest son had lofty ambitions and astonishing methods.

First, Zhu Biao went to Qingzhou to visit Murong Yanda, asking to regain the post of supervising the local militia. It was not a high-ranking official position, but it gave him real military power.

Secondly, with just a few letters, he contacted the former royal family member, Chai Da Guanren, and even sold the old grain at the price of new grain.

Finally, Lu Junyi, one of the three great talents of Hebei, became sworn brothers with him and even sent him dozens of top-notch warhorses at a reasonable price.

All three are important figures, encompassing the top circles of officials, nobles, and the wealthy.

Damn it! Our ancestors have shown us their divine intervention! This youngest son of his is clearly a prodigy, a unicorn of the Zhu family.

Of course, he would wholeheartedly support him.

"There are still more than a dozen horses at home. They will be assigned to the third son to manage. We will also select some family soldiers who can ride horses to form a cavalry squad."

With this in mind, he seized the opportunity to build the railway.

"Third brother, now that you have the position of militia officer, you should set an example. The family has provided the food and fodder, so don't tarnish the prestige of our Zhu family."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Long and Zhu Hu both looked up, their eyes almost bulging out, but they dared not utter a sound.

"Understood! I will not fail in my mission."

Zhu Biao bowed and clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, but he couldn't suppress the urge to smile.

Having someone back you up and being favored feels so damn good.

"Saburo!"

Just then, a trembling, hoarse, and anxious voice came from the gate.

Zhu Biao quickly looked up and saw Lin Chong, dressed as a Buddhist monk, standing inside the door, his eyes red, looking at him hesitantly.

In fact, Lin Chong had already rushed over when he heard the news that Zhu Biao had returned to Zhu Family Village.

However, he knew his limits and that Zhu Biao needed to meet with his family first to resolve the ownership of the horses, so he kept waiting and enduring.

Only now did he reach his breaking point.

"Hahaha! Senior brother, come quick!"

Zhu Biao smiled; he was also somewhat excited and for a moment didn't know how to address him.

Then, he turned to Pang Qiutang and said.

"Quickly, invite Uncle Tang and Mrs. Tang over."

"good!"

Pang Qiutang responded excitedly and rode off.

The forest path was narrow and riddled with traps, so Madam Lin and Instructor Zhang's carriage was moving extremely slowly and had not yet arrived.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Chong had pounced on Zhu Biao like a cheetah, grabbed his hand, and held it tightly.

"Third, Third Brother, my...my wife?"

The tough man's eyes were bloodshot, and he could no longer speak a coherent sentence.

Zhu Biao's hands were covered in chilblains, and it hurt terribly when he pinched them, but he still forced a smile and whispered.

"I have successfully completed my mission."

Just then, a rapid sound of horses' hooves came from behind, followed by a mournful cry like the lament of a cuckoo.

"My lord!"

Lin Chong suddenly looked up and saw Lin Niangzi standing in front of Pang Qiutang, her face covered in tears. His tiger-like eyes narrowed sharply, and his mouth opened wide, but he couldn't utter a sound.

The next instant, he suddenly lunged forward to the front of the horse, grabbed Lin Niangzi and pulled her down, then remained silent, holding the woman in his arms tightly.

Pang Qiutang is a sentimental person with shallow eye sockets, and she burst into tears almost instantly. Even Zhu Biao felt his eyes burning.

It's finally a perfect ending!

"Tsk, can a monk even get married? And such a stunning beauty at that. Where did you meet her, Third Brother?"

Upon seeing this somewhat abrupt scene, Zhu Hu almost instinctively made sarcastic remarks to sow discord between Zhu Biao and Zhu Biao.

Zhu Long, still kneeling on the ground, stared intently at Lin Niangzi's curvaceous figure, his mouth practically watering.

"Shut your beak!"

Zhu Chaofeng glared at him angrily, then cursed at Zhu Long, "And you, get up right now and go back to prepare a welcome banquet for the third brother."

The Zhu Family Fortress has four courtyards.

Upon entering, there is a front courtyard, flanked by barracks, granaries, gatehouses, and a dozen or so male servants.

The second courtyard contains large and small reception halls, large and small banquet halls, as well as seven or eight guest rooms, where maids and servants also live.

The third courtyard is the master's courtyard. The five main rooms in the north wing were the residence of Zhu Chaofeng, the five rooms in the east wing belonged to Zhu Long, and the five rooms in the west wing belonged to Zhu Hu.

The fourth courtyard is also connected to the barracks, as well as the drill ground and stables in the backyard.

Originally a women's quarters, it had five rooms in the north wing and three rooms each in the east and west wings.

The entire courtyard was given to Zhu Biao by Zhu Chaofeng, which shows that this middle-aged man was indeed biased.

"Finally home! Wife, come out and help!"

Zhu Wutou rushed into the yard and shouted at the top of his lungs.

This simpleton was originally a family soldier, but a few years ago he was transferred to Zhu Biao's service along with Zhu San and Zhu Jiu, and lived with him in the backyard.

He is the oldest, and he is already married with children.

"Zhu Laowu, what are you yelling about? You finally decided to come back from the brink of death?"

Hearing the shout, his hot-tempered wife, who was once Hu Sanniang's personal female soldier and whose fists were as big as sand pots, hurriedly pushed open the door and came out.

Just as he was getting into a tirade, he suddenly saw Zhu Biao turn around and walk in, followed by a large group of people. He immediately shrank back.

"Young Master."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement: "Yes, Yunniang, go to the front and call a few old women and maids over to help tidy up the room."

"Yes."

She responded and quickly ran towards the front yard.

However, when she passed by Ruyi and Pan Jinlian, two stunning beauties, she couldn't help but pause, a look of suspicion flashing in her eyes.