Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 91 The Golden Lotus's Attack

At midnight, in Zhujiazhuang.

Three months later, lying back in his own bed, Zhu Biao felt relieved, but also experienced a moment of utter exhaustion and disorientation.

My limbs felt numb, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy, but my thoughts were unusually active.

There was even a strange feeling that it was about to leave the body.

In his past life, he was just a slick old auditor focused on finding loopholes, and he had never killed a chicken. But in this life, he's almost achieved the feat of killing a hundred people.

This long journey brought about a tremendous increase in his combat power.

Gun skill level 4, proficiency 3786/4000.

Archery skill level 4, proficiency 3552/4000.

Level 4 equestrian skill, proficiency 3496/4000.

Boxing skill level 3, proficiency 1832/2000.

Knife skills level 3, proficiency 1438/2000.

Level 2 in duck-riding, proficiency 462/1000.

Among them, his spear skills and archery skills have improved by leaps and bounds, both approaching level five, which is the level of a first-class master.

To be honest, if it weren't for this somewhat disjointed proficiency panel, Zhu Biao would have almost forgotten that he came from the future.

With masters like Lin Chong, Wu Song, Luan Tingyu, and Pang Qiutang as sparring partners, I can smoothly advance to the first-class level in both bow and spear after the New Year, which can be considered as having the means to save my life.

Money is not a problem for the time being.

Horses, even in the short term, are enough.

The most urgent task is to establish the militia camp first, and then quickly form a cavalry unit, as well as strongmen, archers, and infantry. As he thought about it, Zhu Biao finally couldn't resist the waves of sleepiness that kept coming his way, and heavy snoring began to sound from his nose.

"Sister Ruyi, are you asleep?"

Just a wall away, Pang Qiutang was rolling around on the bed, like a pancake.

"Sister Ruyi".

Ruyi remained silent and motionless. After holding her breath for a few moments, she tried asking again, and even gently nudged her.

"what?"

Ruyi finally couldn't hold back any longer and could only reply.

"That young lady surnamed Hu, she, she's my third brother's childhood betrothed. If, if they get married..."

"Qiu Tang, you didn't listen to what I said completely. It's still the original arranged marriage!"

Ruyi, contrary to her usual behavior, interrupted him somewhat hastily.

"What's the difference? Explain it clearly!"

Pang Qiutang seemed to have grasped a bit of inspiration, but it was still vague, so she simply sat up abruptly.

"It was a marriage arranged for me by my family when I was a child."

Ruyi couldn't sleep either, so she sat up wrapped in a blanket and repeated Zhu Biao's words verbatim.

"My lord has decided to establish his own household, and he may not acknowledge the marriage arranged by his family. Furthermore, the original childhood betrothal may no longer be valid."

"In your opinion, Third Brother will not marry that Hu Xiaoniang."

Pang Qiutang's eyes suddenly lit up, and she asked urgently, her voice rising several octaves.

"Heh~"

Ruyi smiled bitterly. She really envied Pang Qiutang's simplicity, straightforwardness, and clear sense of right and wrong.

"Qiutang, do you think my husband is destined for mediocrity?"

Pang Qiutang blurted out, "Of course not! Third Brother has great ambitions and great talent; he'll soar to great heights sooner or later!"

"yes."

Ruyi nodded with a sense of loss and murmured softly, "My husband will surely have a bright future. He will not marry hastily, and his wife must be a lady from a prestigious family whose family can provide support."

Zhu Biao slept very soundly.

At dawn, he woke up once as usual, got up and urinated, then, remembering that he was already at home, went back to sleep.

Then, he was awakened by hunger when the sun was high in the sky.

"Third Brother! You're finally awake?"

Just as I rubbed my eyes and pushed open the door, I saw Pang Qiutang running over happily, holding a steaming hot pancake in each hand.

"Brother Wu just steamed some buns, they smell amazing, you should try some!"

"Oh? Brother Wu steamed it himself?"

Zhu Biao was slightly surprised and turned his head to glance at the steaming kitchen.

The courtyard he occupied alone had more than ten main rooms for living, as well as a kitchen, a well, a warehouse, and an outhouse.

It can be said that although it is small, it has all the vital organs.

Pang Qiutang handed him a steamed bun and said with a smile, "Brother Wu not only steamed buns, but also cooked meat soup. I just tasted a bite, and his cooking is excellent."

Zhu Biao smiled, opened his mouth and took a bite of the steamed bun. Sure enough, it was both firm and soft, with a strong wheat aroma.

"Great pancake! By the way, where's the others?"

He gave a heartfelt compliment, then looked around the empty courtyard and asked.

"Uncle Tang, Senior Brother Chonglin, Instructor Luan, and Wu Er went to the training ground early this morning."

Pang Qiutang, munching on a steamed bun, mumbled, "Zhu San, Zhu Wu, and Su Fang went to help out at the clinic. Sister Ruyi is drawing a map, and Madam Lin is helping her grind ink and study it. Oh, and Madam Pan is helping out in the kitchen."

Tsk!

Zhu Biao clicked his tongue in amazement.

Morale is pretty good! Everyone is working hard to find their place, except for him, the master, who slept in late.

"Heh, so everyone's looking for something to do, and you're the only one with nothing to do?"

He was in a great mood and teased Pang Qiutang.

"No, that's not true! I'm injured and need to rest!"

Pang Qiutang quickly raised her hands, which were wrapped in clean white cloth.

She wasn't lying; the cut on her finger from the bowstring hadn't fully healed yet, so she couldn't get it wet or exert any force.

"My lord is awake. I had my eldest son cook some meat soup with the leftovers from last night. Would you like to try some?"

Just then, Pan Jinlian lifted the curtain and peeked out from the kitchen, gracefully walking up to him and curtsying.

"Thank you for your hard work, Madam Pan. I will not eat now and will join everyone for lunch."

After all, she was Wu Song's sister-in-law. Out of respect for her, Zhu Biao didn't speak harshly to her as before.

"Yes, my lord."

Pan Jinlian responded meekly, but did not turn to leave.

"Is there anything else?"

Zhu Biao frowned almost imperceptibly.

She curtsied again and said softly, "My lord, I studied needlework for a few years before and have some skill in needlework."

She raised her eyelids, quickly glanced at Zhu Biao's face, and then continued, "Yesterday, I overheard you mention that you were going to make new clothes for everyone for the New Year. I would like to do my part in this matter."

"Oh?"

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback and subconsciously rubbed his chin.

"How many days will it take for Madam Pan to make a new dress?"

Upon hearing this question, Pan Jinlian suddenly raised her head, her eyes sparkling.

"There are still six days until New Year's Eve. I can make six new clothes. If someone can help with the tailoring, I can make one new garment for everyone."

"really?"

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback.

Nowadays, robes are all handmade, especially winter clothes, which involve a very complicated process. Even a skilled old tailor might not be able to sew one robe in a day.

"With you in person, my lord, I dare not speak falsely."

"Wouldn't that be too strenuous?"

Pan Jinlian gave him a third curtsy, her voice soft but her tone firm.

"My lord, I am not afraid of hard work, I only wish to do what I can."

"good!"

Zhu Biao made the final decision.

"In the afternoon, I will send someone to help you choose fabrics and assist you. We'll leave the new clothes for everyone to Mrs. Pan."

Pan Jinlian's eyes shone with an unprecedented brilliance, and she choked out, "Thank you, my lord! I will certainly not fail your trust!"

When she returned to the kitchen wiping away her tears, Pang Qiutang blinked and asked in confusion, "Third Brother, Madam Pan is so strange. She clearly got a hard and tiring job, but she still cried happily."

"A tough job?"

Zhu Biao smiled.

"Qiutang, if from now on I never let you do anything again, and only provide you with good food and drink, would you be willing?"

Without hesitation, Pang Qiutang replied, "I don't want to be a parasite! I'm your deputy!"

Zhu Biao's smile grew even more meaningful: "Perhaps even Madam Pan doesn't want to be a parasite?"

He could probably guess Pan Jinlian's intentions.

Firstly, she also wanted to be "seen" and demonstrate her self-worth.

Secondly, by making new clothes for everyone, and especially the first new clothes upon returning to Zhu Family Village, he quickly won everyone's favor.

Thirdly, if this new garment is made, wouldn't it be a natural progression to make clothes for all four seasons, bedding, and even uniforms for the militia camp?

Zhu Biao's current team only has ten members, but in the future there will be dozens, hundreds, or even thousands.

Pan Jinshi was not only a woman with a stunningly beautiful appearance, but also a brilliant mind and great ambition.

However, some things were done too hastily.

When she was working as a maid in the Wang family, perhaps the main wife discovered her schemes, which is why she could no longer be tolerated.

However, this was not a problem for Zhu Biao.

In Zhujiazhuang, under his watchful eye, Pan Jinshi would be utterly unable to cause any trouble. If she dared to cross the line, he would promptly kill her.

"Sanlang! Have you slept enough?"

At this moment, Instructor Zhang, Luan Tingyu, Lin Chong, Chunsong, and the others returned from the backyard performance area.

Everyone who was shaken was drenched in sweat, and a wave of heat rose up.

There was even a small mark on Wu Song's chest from where the foreskin had been inserted, and Lin Chong's leg was slightly lame.

It was clear that they had spared no effort in putting on a show, but everyone was laughing—a genuine, hearty laugh!