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

Chapter 87 Lin Chong Ventures Deep into the Tiger's Den

Wang Lun looked at the Hu siblings and laughed, "Third Sister, didn't you see me?"

Hu Sanniang then turned her gaze away from Wu Song and stepped forward to bow: "Greetings, Chief Wang."

Hu Cheng also stepped forward and bowed: "My father asked me to convey his greetings to the chieftain. Upon learning that the chieftain had sent troops to Zhujiazhuang, my father specifically ordered my sister and me to come and mediate between us."

Wang Lun smiled faintly, changed the subject, and asked, "How is Grandfather Hu in health?"

Hu Cheng said, "Thank you for your concern, Chief. My father is doing well."

He scanned the crowd, not seeing Yang Zhi, and asked with some disappointment, "May I ask, Chieftain, is our master not here?"

Wang Lun smiled and said, "Your master is currently stationed in Jizhou. If you want to see him, you can go to Jizhou to find him."

Hu Cheng had no choice but to nod first. Then, seeing the elite troops behind Wang Lun, he said, "My Hu Family Village has also formed an alliance with the Zhu Family Village and the Li Family Village, and we have also formed an alliance with your village. Now that your village and the Zhu Family Village have a misunderstanding, could you please ask Chief Wang to consider the reputation of my Hu Family Village and let my brother and I go to Chief Zhu to discuss and ask him to release Shi Qian down the mountain?"

Wang Lun smiled slightly, looking at Hu Taigong's foolish son in front of him. How could attacking Zhu Family Village be due to a mere Shi Qian?

But he still smiled and nodded: "Okay. Not only you will go, but our Liangshan Instructor Lin and Shi Xiu will also go with you, as envoys of the Liangshan Flying Tiger Army."

Hu Cheng was taken aback. Lin Chong was going too?

Lin Chong stepped forward and said, "Yes, I will follow the chief's orders."

Wang Lun pulled Lin Chong aside and whispered some instructions before returning, saying, "The Zhu Family Village might cause trouble for our Instructor Lin. If anything happens, you two siblings must do your best to protect Instructor Lin."

Hu Cheng and Hu Sanniang nodded quickly. They had long heard of Lin Chong's great reputation and were eager to get to know him.

At that moment, Lin Chong and Shi Xiu led twenty soldiers and went up Dulonggang with the people of Hujiazhuang.

The roads in Zhujiazhuang are intricate and complex, with seventy-two alleys, each similar in appearance and riddled with traps.

If one is not a local, it is indeed difficult for outsiders to recognize this winding path.

But finding his way around was no problem for Wang Lun, after all, he was a time traveler. His goal was to conquer the three villages in one fell swoop and subdue the masters among them.

Sending the highly skilled Lin Chong as an envoy was a way of demonstrating strength. After Lin Chong left, Wang Lun didn't rest either. He began to discuss the improvement and production of firearms with Ling Zhen, while also sending someone to order Qin Ming and Hua Rong's Third Route Army to come and assist.

By attacking the three villages and eliminating Liangshan's hostile forces in Jizhou, we can ensure internal stability and accelerate external development.

At this time, the Jin state is also expanding rapidly, and Wang Lun is truly worried.

Meanwhile, Lin Chong, along with Hu Cheng and Hu Sanniang, went up Dulonggang. They were already being met by servants from the Zhu Family Manor, and the group arrived outside the manor gate.

The city wall was tall and imposing, constructed entirely of solid stone, making it indeed difficult to attack. The wall had crenellations, and at this moment, arrows protruded from each crenellation, all aimed at Lin Chong and his men.

Lin Chong glanced around, showing no fear, but secretly memorized the Zhu Family Village's plan.

The city gate has a moat and a drawbridge.

At this moment, everyone was waiting outside the suspension bridge when the people from Zhujiazhuang who had come to greet them stepped forward and called out to them.

Before long, a person poked their head out from the city wall.

Hu Chengxi said, "Brother Long, it's me."

Lin Chong looked at the man and knew that he was Zhu Long, the eldest son of Zhu Chaofeng, who was said to be quite skilled in martial arts.

Zhu Long glanced at everyone, his gaze settling on Lin Chong, and asked, "Who is he?"

Lin Chong said, "I am Lin Chong, the vanguard officer of the second route army of Liangshan. I have come to see Master Zhu on the orders of my chieftain."

Zhu Long had naturally heard of Lin Chong's great reputation. He frowned slightly and said, "Father is the head of a manor. How can you just see him whenever you want?"

Lin Chong sneered and said, "My Liangshan troops are right outside the mountain. If they don't come, the chieftain will immediately trample Dulonggang. You'd better think it over."

Zhu Long angrily retorted, "You dare threaten me? Do you think my Zhu Family Village is afraid of your Liangshan?"

Lin Chong snorted and said, "How does your Zhu Family Village compare to the imperial army? The imperial army twice attacked Liangshan, and both times it ended in failure. Don't you know that?"

Hu Cheng advised, "Brother Long, Instructor Lin has come to discuss important matters. Please inform the Master of the Manor and let us in. Now that there is a misunderstanding between the two sides, it can be resolved by talking it out. Why resort to violence?"

Hu Sanniang also advised, "Yes, why resort to violence over such a trivial matter? Let us go in and discuss it properly with the master of the manor."

Zhu Long pondered for a moment before waving his hand and saying, "Let them in."

A servant lowered the drawbridge, and Hu Cheng led the way, bringing Lin Chong and the others inside.

The village had many roads, which quickly confused everyone. Lin Chong had tried to memorize the roads, but his mind soon became muddled and he couldn't remember them at all.

He was secretly alarmed. If he rashly attacked, he would surely get lost in the manor, and the Liangshan army might be wiped out.

After walking for a long time, they finally stopped in front of the Zhu family's residence. The residence was divided into inner and outer sections. The inner section was where Zhu Chaofeng and his son lived, while the outer section was where Zhu Chaofeng handled official business.

Zhu Hu and Zhu Biao were already waiting outside the gate.

Lin Chong looked arrogant and didn't greet the two juniors. He waited until the Hu siblings and the three Zhu sons had finished greeting them before following them inside.

Once inside, there is a large martial arts hall, with all kinds of weapons on the walls.

Behind the martial arts hall was a large hall, where a man stood at the entrance, tall and imposing, exuding the air of a grandmaster.

Lin Chong knew that this person was Luan Tingyu, the number one expert of Zhu Family Village and the master of the three Zhu brothers.

Wang Lun had mentioned this man before, saying that he was highly skilled in martial arts. Now, seeing his demeanor, Lin Chong knew that this man's martial arts were indeed not weak, and he secretly became wary.

Luan Tingyu clasped his hands and said, "I did not know that Instructor Lin would grace us with his presence. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

Lin Chong returned the greeting, saying, "I have long heard of Brother Luan of Zhu Family Village's superb martial arts skills and have long wished to make his acquaintance with him. I never expected to finally meet him today."

After exchanging a few polite words, the group entered the lobby.

Zhu Chaofeng, the head of the Zhu Family Manor, had been waiting for some time. After all, Liangshan was currently in a strong position, and he dared not be negligent in the face of the envoy sent by Liangshan.

After the host and guest were seated, Lin Chong said, "I have come to pay my respects to Master Zhu on the orders of the chieftain, and I would also like to discuss a few matters."

Seeing that he had only sat down and immediately got down to business, Zhu Chaofeng also sat up straight and said, "I wonder what Chief Wang has to say?"

"A few days ago, a brother named Shi Qian passed through Zhu Family Village and stole a chicken to eat. He was caught by you. This was a minor matter, but the chieftain ordered me to come and demand his return. Whatever the chicken was worth, Liangshan will compensate you tenfold."

Lin Chong's words made the Zhu family members uneasy.

How much is a chicken worth? Is Zhujiazhuang short of money?

Although Shi Qian's theft was wrong, and Zhujiazhuang has strict rules against theft, Shi Qian is not from Zhujiazhuang, so it's enough to capture him and give him a minor punishment.

The reason they kept him captured was because Shi Qian was using the name of a Liangshan hero. If he were an ordinary person, they would have let him go. But he was a Liangshan member, so they couldn't let him go. If they did, what would become of the prestige of the Zhu Family Village?

Furthermore, Liangshan has been gaining momentum lately, overshadowing the prestige of the Zhu Family Village, and they also want to take this opportunity to challenge Liangshan.