Water Margin: From a White-Robed Scholar to Donning the Yellow Robe

Chapter 22 Monk Zhishen, Long Time No See

This group of men numbered about two or three hundred, with nearly a hundred cavalrymen.

As they rushed in, dust billowed up, obscuring faces.

Gongsun Sheng led his henchmen to guard Wang Lun. Just as he was about to signal for reinforcements, he heard Wang Lun shout, "Oh dear, my dear brother is here!"

What!

Gongsun Sheng asked in confusion, "The chieftain has an elder brother?"

The first man was like a giant Buddha, riding his horse and making the mount look like a doll.

A large bald head, gleaming in the sun.

In his right hand, he held a Zen staff, which looked like a divine weapon.

He had no hair on his head, but he had a thick beard that covered the lower half of his face.

Who else could this be but Lu Zhishen?

Exactly the same as in the TV series.

Wang Lun was both surprised and delighted. He rushed over and laughed loudly, "Monk Zhishen, it's been a long time!"

Lu Zhishen pulled on the reins, and his mount came to a steady stop.

When Wang Lun looked, he saw that Lu Zhishen's horse was soaked through and drenched in sweat.

He felt sorry for the horse; its small body was bearing a burden it shouldn't have to.

Lu Zhishen looked curiously at the white-robed, fair-skinned scholar before him, then shook his head in confusion: "Do I recognize you?"

His voice was as loud as a bell.

Wang Lun was overjoyed; this was exactly the Lu Zhishen he had imagined.

Wang Lun stepped forward, took Lu Zhishen's horse reins, and helped Lu Zhishen dismount.

Lu Zhishen was bewildered by Wang Lun's enthusiasm and asked again, "Who are you?"

Wang Lun's eyes gleamed: "Zhishen, my name is Wang Lun. I am Lin Chong's sworn brother. You and he are as close as brothers, so aren't you my older brother?"

Lu Zhishen saw in Lin Chong's letter that Lin Chong had mentioned this person, and knew that he was the leader of Liangshan, nicknamed "White-Robed Scholar".

He also knew that Lin Chong greatly admired this person and thought that this person had three heads and six arms, but he didn't expect him to be such a refined scholar.

But since Lin Chong was his sworn brother, Lu Zhishen didn't stand on ceremony and immediately bowed down: "Oh, so it's the chieftain! I am Lu Zhishen. After receiving Lin Chong's letter, I brought all the elite troops from Erlong Mountain to join Liangshan Marsh."

Wang Lun hurriedly went to help Lu Zhishen up, but when he tried to lift him, he felt that Lu Zhishen was as heavy as a mountain and he couldn't lift him up at all.

He glanced at Lu Zhishen's mount with pity.

He said, "I have long admired Zhishen. Although we have never met, we have already been friends in spirit. Zhishen's arrival is a great fortune for Liangshan."

Lu Zhishen then stood up and pulled over a man beside him: "This is Yang Zhi, who joined me as an outlaw at Erlong Mountain."

Wang Lun had already spotted Yang Zhi and knew that he harbored great resentment towards Chao Gai and the others, so he was certain that Yang Zhi would side with him. He quickly greeted Yang Zhi.

Upon closer inspection, Yang Zhi was a burly man, carrying a broadsword, with half his face purplish-blue; he was indeed the "Blue-Faced Beast."

Yang Zhi is a tragic figure among the heroes of Water Margin, and Wang Lun felt great pity for him when he was a student.

Looking at the third person, he was of medium build and had an ordinary appearance. He was none other than Cao Zheng, the "Knife-wielding Ghost," the best cook in Liangshan. His "Butcher's Skill in Carving an Ox" was superb, and he was also Lin Chong's disciple.

Erlong Mountain could have been considered the strongest stronghold outside of Liangshan.

However, they joined Liangshan early; Wu Song, Zhang Qing, Shi En, and Sun Erniang had not yet arrived at Erlong Mountain.

Of the seven heroes of Erlong Mountain, three have now arrived.

Yang Zhi and Wang Lun exchanged greetings, their eyes immediately fixed on Gongsun Sheng behind them.

As the saying goes, enemies are especially hostile when they meet.

He ended up in this state because Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and others seized the birthday gifts.

He had long since memorized the appearances of Chao Gai and the others, and upon seeing Gongsun Sheng, he couldn't wait to rush forward and attack.

However, out of consideration for Wang Lun and Lu Zhishen, Yang Zhi could only suppress his anger.

His expression also caught Wang Lun's eye, and Wang Lun secretly groaned, pondering how to resolve the conflict between the two sides.

Just then, Lu Zhishen spotted a boat in the moor carrying Wang Cheng and about a dozen elderly people, women, and children. He asked, "Chief, who are those people?"

Wang Lun knew that although Lu Zhishen seemed reckless, he was actually very meticulous and had the wisdom to comprehend Buddhism and Taoism. His heart was truly compassionate and empathetic.

He then said in a low voice, "They are refugees from the north, who have been starving for many days and are on the verge of not surviving. So I ordered people to send them up the mountain, provide them with shelter and land, and give them a way to make a living."

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Lu Zhishen was greatly surprised and bowed to Wang Lun again: "Oh, brother, you really have the heart of a bodhisattva."

Wang Lun revealed a pained expression: "In today's world, there are constant conflicts between countries, and uprisings are frequently seen in various places. In the end, it is the common people who suffer. Our Liangshan is acting on behalf of Heaven to fight against the powerful and seize land for the poor, so that the people can live with dignity and dignity."

Lu Zhishen admired Wang Lun immensely and grasped Wang Lun's hand, saying, "Since you are Lin Chong's sworn brother, Chief, you are my elder brother. If you do not reject me, then acknowledge me as your brother. From now on, my life will be your life."

Wang Lun looked at Lu Zhishen with deep emotion: "Zhishen!"

Lu Zhishen looked at Wang Lun with deep emotion: "Brother!"

Feeling that the emotional appeal had gone a bit too far, Wang Lun released Lu Zhishen and said, "Everyone has come a long way and must be tired. Please go to Liangshan first. I have ordered my men to prepare wine and meat to welcome you."

Lu Zhishen brought all three hundred of the henchmen from Erlong Mountain with him.

With the addition of Lu Zhishen, Yang Zhi, and Cao Zheng, Liangshan's strength was greatly enhanced.

What's even more valuable is that Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong were as close as brothers, while Yang Zhi and Chao Gai were not on good terms, so all of these people were his own people.

The enemy of my enemy is my own people.

Wang Lun enthusiastically took Lu Zhishen and Yang Zhi's arms, and Cao Zheng nodded enthusiastically, not afraid of offending them: "Let's go, up the mountain."

Gongsun Sheng stood awkwardly to one side, watching Wang Lun, Lu Zhishen, and the others board the boat. He and Chao Gai had robbed the birthday gifts and harmed Yang Zhi, and he felt somewhat guilty. Unwilling to go up the mountain, he stayed where he was to recruit soldiers and civilians.

When the boat reached Golden Beach, Lin Chong had already arrived after hearing the news. Upon seeing Lu Zhishen, he burst into tears: "Zhishen, you've finally come!"

Lin Chong was aloof and didn't have many friends. Later, he was persecuted by Gao Yanei, which led to the destruction of his family. Lu Zhishen was his only friend.

How can one not be moved to tears when old friends meet?

Lu Zhishen, supporting Lin Chong, said happily, "Upon receiving your letter, I immediately mustered all the men of Erlong Mountain and burned down that damned stronghold. I rushed here to see you without stopping."

He pulled Wang Lun aside and said, "I just met the chieftain down the mountain, and we hit it off immediately. From now on, the three of us are brothers."

Moved, Wang Lun held Lin Chong's hand with one hand and Lu Zhishen's hand with the other, saying, "Brothers."

A grand banquet was held in the Hall of Righteousness. Lu Zhishen, a man of great capacity for alcohol, drank like a bull in a whale's mouth, much to the astonishment of the other leaders.

Only Yang Zhi maintained a cold gaze as he looked at Chao Gai and the others, his face revealing murderous intent.

Wang Lun observed everything and calmly raised his wine cup to Yang Zhi: "Brother Yang, let's drink a cup together."

Yang Zhi raised his wine glass with a cold expression.

Wang Lun smiled slightly and asked, "I wonder where Brother Yang used to work, and how did you end up becoming an outlaw at Erlong Mountain?"

The bustling assembly hall suddenly fell silent.

Wang Lun chuckled inwardly; this was politics.

Politics, in essence, is about accumulating as many supporters as possible and minimizing the number of opponents.