Liver in Water Margin, outlaw madman

Along the official road, the poplar leaves rustled in the autumn wind, and the yellow earth on the ground swirled in the breeze.

Zhang Shan, Jiao Ting, and Du Qian rode along slowly on their old horses.

Several large trucks followed behind, piled high with liquor.

This time, they were disguised as traveling merchants, heading towards Cangzhou.

Zhang Shan originally wanted to bring Han Bolong along, but after thinking it over, he decided against it.

That guy is good at martial arts, but he's a bit arrogant and doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut. He's likely to get into trouble on the street.

When you're traveling, it's better to have one less person than one less thing to do.

Throughout the journey, Zhang Shan, riding his horse, never stopped thinking.

He has several key objectives for this trip.

The first and most important thing is to find Meng Kang.

This person is invaluable to Liangshan.

Meng Kang was skilled at building boats of all sizes, was a good swimmer, and knew how to build ships.

Liangshan Marsh stretches for eight hundred li; how can it function without large ships?

Right now, the mountain stronghold is full of small fishing boats, which are passable for fishing, but if a real battle breaks out, there isn't even a decent warship.

Putting aside other matters, just patrolling the lake, transporting grain, and naval warfare—without large ships, it's like being without legs.

With Meng Kang, there was a barrier.

Having a large boat allows one to move freely on the lake, which is truly like adding wings to a tiger.

The second objective is to find Shi Xiu.

Shi Xiu was a man of courage, resourcefulness, and a willingness to risk his life.

Most importantly, he was familiar with the Liao Kingdom, having traded sheep and horses, and should know the local customs, checkpoints, and taxes along the way.

The liquor business needs to expand northwards, and we're just missing someone like that to lead it.

The hardships of living at the bottom of society for a long time made Shi Xiu very mature and experienced, but also very sensitive. In his interactions with Yang Xiong, he always maintained the self-defense dignity of a commoner.

This filled Zhang Shan with immense respect.

Because he was pretty much the same kind of person in his past life.

Although I am poor, we are equal, and I have my dignity.

It may sound ridiculous, but this is indeed the belief that sustained Shi Xiu.

The final goal is to see if we can find Wu Song and Shi Qian.

Wu Song is most likely still spending his days at Chai Jin's manor.

But Zhang Shan knew his personality well; he wouldn't become an outlaw unless absolutely necessary.

Besides, he has an older brother in Yanggu County. The two brothers depend on each other for survival. How could he just go up the mountain whenever he wants?

If Zhang Shan had an official position, even something as simple as a county constable or clerk, Wu Song would most likely have bowed down and paid homage as soon as he said he appreciated Wu Song.

It's not that Wu Song was a snob; on the contrary, this is the most basic thought of the vast majority of people.

Who doesn't want a peaceful life?

To have a decent job, a family, and to live a peaceful and stable life.

Who would willingly risk their life unless driven to desperation, never knowing what tomorrow will bring?

As for Shi Qian, he was also a master, capable of scaling walls and leaping across rooftops, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

But this person is too hard to find; he appears and disappears like a ghost, and you never know where he'll end up next.

As Zhang Shan walked, he pondered, the horse's reins loosely draped in his hand, and the horse followed the carriage ahead slowly and leisurely.

"Brother, we're almost there." Du Qian pointed forward from his horse, his voice much more relaxed as he spoke.

Zhang Shan had him accompany him this time for two reasons: first, to give directions, and second, because Du Qian was a man of few words but reliable in his work.

Zhang Shan raised his head and looked in the direction Du Qian was pointing.

Suddenly, everything became clear.

A wide official road leads directly to a large manor, with thick trees on both sides, their branches and leaves providing a great deal of shade.

People came and went on the road, and there were several restaurants along the roadside. The cloth banners fluttered in the wind, and smoke rose from the kitchen, carrying the aroma of food.

Looking at this scene, Zhang Shan sighed inwardly.

Damn, this is what a human life should be like!

His greatest wish in life was to live a life like Chai Jin's.

But it's just a thought.

He knew better than anyone else that Chai Jin's life wouldn't be so easy to live.

Even if they manage to make a living, their future is uncertain.

If even the emperor could be overthrown from the throne, what is a mere Chai Jin?

Later, Gao Lian easily tricked him and locked him up in jail to be treated like a slave.

Without the power to protect oneself, a fortune is nothing more than what one accumulates for others.

Just then, the horse arrived at the stone bridge in front of the manor.

"Halt! Who are you?"

A man dressed as a farmhand at the bridgehead reached out and blocked the way.

The man was dressed in a blue cloth robe with a belt around his waist. He held a whistle stick in his hand, his chin slightly raised, and he looked Zhang Shan and his group up and down.

Du Qian quickly dismounted, took two quick steps, cupped his hands to the farmhand, and said with a smile, "My name is Du Qian. Please inform Master Chai that an old friend has come to visit."

The farmhand noticed that the group's attire didn't resemble that of prisoners or fugitives; rather, they looked like merchants on a business trip.

His eyes darted around, and the politeness on his face faded. His master's favorite people were heroes, those with golden seals tattooed on their faces who had nowhere else to turn.

Merchants who want to do business? They're just here to freeload.

"The master is not here; he's out hunting." The servant waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly. "You wait here."

Du Qian's expression changed slightly, and he turned to look at Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan, riding on his horse, saw the servant's true colors clearly, but he wasn't angry at all.

It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings; this has been true throughout history.

Zhang Shan smiled; this Chai Jin was quite a remarkable person.

What a wonderful person.

He couldn't be bothered to argue with a mere farmhand, so he waved his hand behind him and said, "Brothers, dismount and rest. Come sit in the inn and have a cup of tea."

Jiao Ting, Du Qian, and several henchmen who were accompanying the carriage responded and dismounted.

Jiao Ting approached Zhang Shan and whispered, "Brother, are we practicing again today?"

"Practice? Of course we'll practice!" Zhang Shan said excitedly.

Ever since he came down the mountain with Jiao Ting, Zhang Shan had been pestering Jiao Ting to teach him wrestling and sumo wrestling whenever he had a spare moment.

Jiao Ting's skill is a family tradition. His wrestling style is unique, emphasizing using the opponent's force against them and using skill to overcome clumsiness.

Zhang Shan used to only know some basic martial arts, but after learning wrestling, he realized how useful it was.

During the days he was away from home, he practiced for one or two hours every day.

He was covered in bruises, and even turning over in bed at night made him grimace, but as soon as it was light the next day, he got up again to look for Jiao Ting.

Taizu Changquan (Long Fist of the Great Ancestor), Proficient (40/100)

Marksmanship, Proficient (87/100)

Archery, Proficient (55/100)

Equestrian, Proficient (88/100)

Wrestling, skilled (99/100)

This is the last wrestling move that will take you to the next level.

He couldn't possibly hold back.

The two arrived at a flat open space outside the hotel.

Jiao Ting stood there like an iron tower.

Zhang Shan tucked his shirt into his belt, stretched his wrists and ankles, and stared intently at Jiao Ting.

"Be careful."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Shan pounced on him.

He didn't rush in recklessly; instead, his foot slipped, and he slid over like an eel.

Jiao Ting tried to wrap his arms around Zhang Shan's waist, but Zhang Shan suddenly ducked down, slipped under Jiao Ting's ribs, and moved behind him. He grabbed Jiao Ting's shirt from behind and, using the momentum of his forward thrust, yanked him sharply.

Bang!

Jiao Ting's large body was pulled so hard that he lost his balance, stumbled, and fell heavily to the ground.

A small cloud of dust was kicked up from the yellow soil on the ground.

Zhang Shan paused for a moment, then looked up and burst into laughter, the sound carrying far across the open field.

"Brother Jiao Ting!" He pulled Jiao Ting up from the ground, his face beaming. "You've thrown me down so many times, now it's finally my turn to throw you down!"

Jiao Ting stood up, patted the dirt off his clothes, scratched the back of his head, and grinned, a smile that carried a hint of sincerity: "Brother, you've improved again. I was careless."

He wanted to practice a couple more times when his ears suddenly twitched.

The sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

Zhang Shan turned his head and saw a plume of yellow dust rising from the end of the official road, getting closer and thicker.