Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 89 Victory Drink!

At this point, Zhu Biao had gained the upper hand, and everyone thought he would quit while he was ahead.

"Dad!"

Unexpectedly, he suddenly turned around and said, word by word, "You, sir, are the one who decides matters of state and family. Today, I want you to judge right and wrong!"

"Uh~"

Zhu Chaofeng's expression froze.

To be honest, he was indeed planning to smooth things over, since the youngest son had already gained the upper hand, while the eldest son was backed into a corner.

Both morally and logically, he should have helped.

After all, no matter how useless the eldest son is, he is still his son, and the eldest son at that.

However, upon further reflection, Zhu Chaofeng felt relieved. His youngest son was no fool; his relentless pursuit must have some other purpose.

"Alright, then tell me."

Zhu Biao didn't waste any words and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Father, my elder brother first let the dog bite me, and then let the servant bully me. Such perverse behavior, I will not mention it for the sake of brotherhood."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, except for Zhu Hu, who, never one to miss a good spectacle, turned pale.

"But! Right now, there are six wounded men surnamed Zhu lying in the clinic. They were wounded for me; they are all my brothers who risked their lives for me!"

Zhu Biao abruptly changed the subject, his voice booming like thunder.

"My elder brother sent Doctor Tan away for the sake of a mad dog, disregarding the lives of my brothers. I ask you, was this right or wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's men were naturally enraged.

Even Zhu Long and Zhu Hu's attendants were somewhat moved.

Even knowing that he was trying to win people's hearts, it was hard not to feel a surge of emotion, after all, he was a master who was willing to turn against his own brother for the sake of a mere servant.

There really aren't many.

As expected, the youngest son's intention was to win over the troops. Indeed, this was the right course of action, as he was about to lead the army alone.

Zhu Chaofeng pondered for a moment, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice, "Boss, you did handle this matter somewhat unfairly. I'll fine you a month's wages and distribute it to a few wounded soldiers as compensation."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Long was overjoyed.

The three brothers' private property mainly came from the year-end distribution of their land and shops, amounting to a mere few dozen strings of cash per month. This punishment was practically nonexistent.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little smug; at the crucial moment, his father still sided with him.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Chaofeng smacked his lips and continued, "You and your second brother have been holed up in the manor every day, and you've become increasingly impetuous and arrogant. It's time for you to go out and gain some experience."

"Therefore, the task of escorting grain to the Chai family in Cangzhou after the New Year will be handled and managed by you two brothers."

The sky is falling!

Zhu Long felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and Zhu Hu, who was just watching the show, was also dumbfounded.

Putting aside how arduous, difficult, and dangerous the task of delivering grain was, once the two brothers were sent to Zhujiazhuang, they would be away from home for years.

With the father's favoritism and the third son's methods, given time, what will this huge Zhu family have to do with them?

The room fell silent. Just then, Zhu Biao suddenly spoke up again: "Father, I have something else to say. Since everyone is here today, I'll say it all at once."

hiss~

Zhu Chaofeng gasped, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart for no apparent reason.

Zhu Biao, however, disregarded all else and said, "After the New Year, I will assume my post as the military commander of Dulonggang and set up camp at Huchoujian. From then on, I will no longer concern myself with matters at home."

O

Thunder!

These words were like a magic pill, instantly lifting Zhu Long and Zhu Hu's spirits from the depths of hell to the heights of heaven.

I felt as if all 36,000 pores on my body were clear.

Zhu Biao's words were clear: he would establish his own household, no longer concern himself with the affairs of the Zhu family, and naturally would no longer divide the Zhu family's property.

The strongest contender for the inheritance right actually gave it up!

Of course, given my father's style, he would still secretly provide soldiers, money, and food, but not land, shops, or fortified villages.

It wouldn't be a big deal.

"My youngest child, you...you're leaving the Zhu family?"

Unlike his eldest and second eldest brothers, who were overjoyed, Zhu Chaofeng was devastated, his back slumped, and he looked as if he had aged several years in an instant.

"Dad, what are you saying?"

Zhu Biao smiled.

"Tiger Sorrow Gorge is also in Dulonggang, only a dozen or so miles from our home. We can get there in no time. How can you say we're leaving home?"

Seeing that Zhu Chaofeng still looked sorrowful and his eyes were red, Zhu Biao couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"Father, you must know that Chong'er was born abroad, while Shen Sheng died at home. You don't want me to become a nouveau riche who squeezes food from the mouths of farmers, do you?"

According to his original plan, Zhu Biao intended to play it safe for now and make further plans when spring arrived.

But after only a little over an hour at home, he changed his mind. He couldn't stay in Zhujiawubao for even a day longer.

His two older brothers weren't really bad people, they were just too short-sighted.

Zhu Biao was unafraid of power struggles within the family and even had countless ways to subdue them, but he was unwilling to do so.

Zhu Chaofeng's expression changed several times, clearly indicating that he understood, but he still couldn't accept it for the time being.

"My dear son, I know you have lofty ambitions, but you are only seventeen and not yet married. Isn't it too hasty?"

"ha!"

Zhu Biao chuckled and joked, "Don't worry, Dad. For happy occasions like getting married and the wedding night, I'll definitely be going back to the old house. You'd better save the courtyard for me!"

"Sigh~"

Upon hearing the word "old house," Zhu Chaofeng shuddered, stared at Zhu Biao for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh.

Evening, at the clinic.

A makeshift shed was set up outside the ward, and several round tables were placed inside, with several large ceramic pots on the tables, bubbling away.

Besides the dog meat stew made from the pieces of Saihu, there was also mutton, chicken, pork, as well as piles of steamed buns and stacks of wine jars.

This was Zhu Biao's welcome banquet, and also his victory celebration banquet.

It's devoid of any frills; it's rugged, straightforward, practical, enthusiastic, and exudes a strong sense of untamed spirit.

Those present were all his own people; even the female relatives like Pang Qiutang, Ruyi, Lin Niangzi, and Pan Jinlian had a separate table in the inner room.

As the host of the Zhu family, Zhu Chaofeng toasted everyone with three bowls of wine, said a few polite words, and then tactfully left the table.

"Uncle Tang (Instructor Zhang), Master Luan, Senior Brother (Lin Chong), Second Brother, brothers!"

After he left, Zhu Biao raised his wine bowl without hesitation, his voice booming like a bell.

"exist!"

Everyone responded in unison.

"Qiutang, Ruyi, Lady Tang, Lady Pan!"

Zhu Biao raised his voice again and shouted into the inner room.

"I'm here!"

A woman's voice echoed from the inner room, tinged with a sob.

"We're home! We're safe! Celebrate!"

Zhu Biao shouted loudly and then drank it all in one gulp.

"A resounding victory!"

Everyone was shouting and yelling, their faces and necks already red and swollen even before they had drunk any alcohol.

Zhu Biao doesn't like drinking and isn't good at it, but tonight he let loose and drank every glass that was offered a toast.

"Sanlang, I entrust my life to you from now on."

However, the first one to get drunk and the first one to cry was Lin Chong.

"Instructor Lin, you flatter me."

Zhu Biao lowered his voice, but was interrupted as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Sanlang, from now on you will call me senior brother. Tomorrow, I will teach you the family's spear technique on behalf of my father."

"Sanlang! Your second brother is offering you a bowl of wine. I'm impulsive and slow-witted, but you don't mind and even defend me to the death!"

Wu Song didn't need anyone to force him to drink. In a good mood, he picked up the wine jar and drank more than half of it without saying a word.

Without waiting for Zhu Biao's reply, he downed the remaining half jar, thus becoming the second person to get tongue-tied.

"Third Brother!"

With a flushed face, Pang Qiutang ran out of the inner room carrying a wine bowl and shoved aside the drunken Wu Song with one arm.

"I'll also toast you with a bowl of wine. I, Pang Qiutang, am committed to you for life; even in death, we'll die together!"

As she spoke, her eyes were brimming with tears, but her tone was resolute.

"Young Master, Young Master of the Manor~"

Zhu San, Zhu Wu, Su Fang, and Zhu Jiu, who struggled to get up, all gathered around, each of them crying with snot and tears streaming down their faces.

"Get out! Get out! Get out!"

Zhu Biao waved his hand irritably and kicked Zhu Wu in the butt.

Hey~

Zhu Wu wasn't annoyed at all; instead, he grinned and revealed two rows of bright, white teeth.

"Tsk, it's not hard to find the right time and place, but since ancient times, the most precious thing is human harmony. Master Luan has taught a good disciple."

Hey~

At one corner of the table, Instructor Zhang and Luan Tingyu clinked their glasses and took a big gulp of wine.

Both of them were elders, so naturally they wouldn't toast Zhu Biao or fool around with the younger generation.

However, Instructor Zhang came from the border army, while Luan Tingyu came from the imperial guards. They got along quite well and were compatible.

Luan Tingyu put down his wine bowl, rubbed his short beard, and sighed.

"Sanlang has changed so much that I almost don't recognize him anymore."

"Zhu Laosan! You get the hell out here!"

Just then, a woman's angry roar suddenly rang out from the direction of the passage.

Immediately, a slender and tall figure flew over like a blazing cloud.

"How dare you flirt with other women? You've got some nerve!"

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