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

Chapter 79 This body guards the country, not the sovereign.

"Beat the drums!"

At Wang Lun's command, Lu Zhishen rolled up his sleeves, stood on the drum platform, and personally beat the drum for Lin Chong, instantly creating a deafening sound.

Lin Chong turned around and saw that it was Lu Zhishen. He smiled knowingly, brandished his eighteen-foot spear, and went to meet Guan Sheng.

Guan Sheng rode up and slashed down with his Green Dragon Crescent Blade. The weapons clashed, sparks flew, and both men's arms were incredibly strong, leaving them feeling numb.

Knowing they had met their match, neither of them backed down; their eyes flashed with cold light as they clashed.

Guan Sheng's swordsmanship truly resembled that of the legendary Guan Yu, with sweeping and powerful strokes, each strike simple yet forceful.

Lin Chong's spearmanship was exquisite, and his eighteen-foot spear was a perfect weapon for him. His spear flashed, and he moved with lightning speed, his moves were cunning.

The two men had opposite martial arts styles, making their fight a spectacular sight, leaving both generals stunned.

Yang Zhi thought to himself, "I didn't expect Lin Chong's spear skills to be so high. Even if I use my full strength, I might not be able to defeat him."

After thirty rounds, the two fought with increasing vigor, their strength showing no signs of waning.

In mounted combat, besides the rapid depletion of a person's physical strength, the mount is also crucial. In the midst of their all-out battle, Lin Chong's mount, an ordinary horse, was gradually becoming exhausted.

Guan Sheng suddenly shouted and used a "dragging blade technique". His Green Dragon Crescent Blade slashed along the ground, drawing a circle in the air, the blade flashing, and slashed towards Lin Chong.

Seeing the power of this move, Lin Chong was not in a hurry. He quickly thrust his spear, making a series of "clanging" sounds as he stabbed Guan Sheng's knife. After several thrusts, he had already reduced the force of Guan Sheng's attack. Then, he held his spear horizontally to block the knife.

"hiss--"

Lin Chong's horse couldn't take the strain and retreated. Guan Sheng dragged his knife and slashed at the horse's head.

Lin Chong was in a great hurry. He touched the ground with his spear, leaped up, and used the momentum to push off the horse's back, causing the mount to stumble back several steps.

With a loud crash, Guan Sheng's blade struck the ground, creating a large crater and sending sand and gravel flying everywhere.

Lin Chong landed on the ground, holding his spear horizontally, showing no fear whatsoever.

"Impressive martial arts skills," Lin Chong praised first.

Guan Sheng praised him, reined in his horse, and said, "Go change your mount, and we'll fight again."

The two met their match and fought fiercely, neither willing to give up.

Huyan Zhuo shouted, "Instructor Lin, ride my mount!"

He changed horses, patted the rump, and the Snow-Treading Black Steed, bestowed upon him by the Daojun Emperor, galloped towards the battlefield with its long legs.

Lin Chong shouted "Thank you!" and leaped onto his horse, engaging Guan Sheng in another fierce battle.

The soldiers on both sides were dumbfounded, they really didn't know that ordinary people could cultivate martial arts to such a level, and Yang Zhi was itching to join in.

The swords and spears clashed, their sounds like a barrage of cannon fire, ringing out incessantly.

After dozens more rounds, both of them had lost some strength, but neither showed any sign of weakness.

Suddenly, a bugle call sounded from among the government troops. Guan Sheng feinted with his sword, spurred his horse back, and, after a moment of calm, said, "Instructor Lin's spear technique is divine; I admire it."

Lin Chong reined in his horse and laughed heartily, "General Guan's swordsmanship is also the best I've ever seen in my life. It was a truly exhilarating battle."

Guan Sheng glanced at Huyan Zhuo in the Liangshan army in the distance and said, "It's a pity we each serve our own masters, otherwise I would have sat down and had a drink and a chat with Instructor Lin, and made friends through martial arts."

Lin Chong smiled and said, "Not so. If it were before, I, Lin Chong, would also think that the saying 'each serves their own master' is correct, but since I joined Liangshan and followed Chief Wang Lun, I think that saying is completely wrong."

Guan Sheng frowned and said, "Oh? You're a Liangshan bandit, and I'm a government soldier. What's wrong with that?"

"I'm not good at grand principles; I've always been clumsy with words. But just now, the chieftain said something to General Huyan, which I can tell you."

Lin Chong took a deep breath and said solemnly, "We, the heroes of Liangshan, are loyal to the Song Dynasty and protect its people, not the Zhao Song emperor. If the ruler is tyrannical, we will act on behalf of Heaven; if the people are tyrannical, we will uphold justice."

After he finished speaking, he paused slightly and continued, "General Guan, you are loyal to the emperor, and we are loyal to the country. Naturally, we are on different paths, but we are not serving the same master. The emperor is your master, but the country is not our master. If we truly have a master, it is the people of the world."

Guan Sheng fell silent, his thoughts churning.

"After the chieftain conquered Jizhou, he did not harm a single civilian, nor did he take a single penny from them. He exempted the people of Jizhou from all taxes, and the people continue to live as they always have. He appointed Shi Wenbin, the magistrate of Yuncheng County, to manage the affairs of Jizhou, investigate wrongful cases, and punish the wicked. Now, doors are left unlocked at night, and lost items are not picked up on the road. The people live in peace. Tell me, is there any other city in the world like this?"

Guan Sheng was taken aback. Was Jeju really like that?

Logically speaking, shouldn't bandits burn, kill, and loot after capturing a city?

Lin Chong continued his verbal offensive: "Let me give you a piece of advice, which was also said by the chieftain. I think it should suit you."

He looked at Guan Sheng, who was somewhat dazed, and said, "This sword cuts down the wicked but not the righteous; this body guards the country but not the sovereign."

Guan Sheng was stunned for a moment, silently repeating the sentence.

He prided himself on his loyalty and righteousness, but after hearing Lin Chong's words, he couldn't help but fall into self-doubt. Was he wrong to be loyal to the Song emperor?

He naturally understood the importance of the people, the state, and the monarch. As Mencius said, "The people are the most important, the state is next, and the monarch is the least important."

But which monarch throughout history has been able to do this, and who has truly put the people of the world first?

"General Guan, just as you said, I hope that one day we can drink together and make friends through martial arts."

Lin Chong rode his Snow-Treading Black Steed back to the army formation in an instant, leaving Guan Sheng standing there dumbfounded.

Wang Lun waved his command flag, and Qin Ming and Hua Rong's troops surrounded them from a distance.

From Liangshan Marsh, hundreds of boats sailed in a grand procession, led by the three Ruan brothers, Du Qian, Song Wan, Tang Long, and other leaders, with at least three thousand men.

Ahead was Wang Lun's army again.

The Liangshan generals are numerous and skilled. Lin Chong alone fought Guan Sheng so fiercely. If Yang Zhi, Qin Ming and others were to take action, what would the situation be like?

Zhang Shuye felt a little flustered. After thinking for a moment, he spurred his horse forward and said, "Is Chief Wang here? May we talk?"

Wang Lun laughed heartily, picked up his spear, and stepped forward, saying, "Minister Zhang, I am Wang Lun."

Zhang Shuye sized up Wang Lun and saw that he was handsome, had an extraordinary appearance, and was full of energy. He thought to himself that he was indeed a hero. He said aloud, "Chief Wang, you devised such a simple plan, yet General Huyan and I still fell for it. We are truly convinced of our defeat."

Huyan Zhuo lowered his head, his face slightly flushed.

Wang Lun secretly admired him, never expecting that Zhang Shuye could so easily admit defeat; his mental fortitude was truly remarkable.

"I have heard that Vice Minister Zhang comes from a military family and is well-versed in military strategy. How could he not see through my little trick? He must have been deliberately letting me win. I thank you in advance."

Wang Lun was quite uneasy. Zhang Shuye was a very famous historical figure. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was a man of both literary and military talent and a pillar of the state. The reason why Wang Lun was able to defeat Zhang Shuye and Huyan Zhuo was mainly because he took advantage of Huyan Zhuo's underestimation of the enemy and his eagerness for revenge.

If Zhang Shuye had been in full command of the troops this time, the outcome would have been uncertain.