Chao Gai and others sent the county magistrate and others out of the house. Zhu Tong, who was following the magistrate, kept staring at Shi Jin secretly, then looked at Chao Gai, and wanted to speak again and again, until he left the Chao family's house. I haven't found a suitable opportunity at all.
At this moment, Shi Jin also noticed the difference in Zhu Tong's expression. However, Shi Jin did not expect that Zhu Tong had been secretly watching that day and had begun to pay attention to Shi Jin's every move. He was now very suspicious of Shi Jin's background and origin. , At the same time, since Shi Jin appeared, the Chao family has been humiliated by the Zang family. Although there is no connection yet, it will definitely make Zhu Tong speculate and doubt.
Shi Jin saw that Zhu Tong seemed to have something to say to Chao Gai. However, due to the lack of suitable conditions, he was a little worried that Zhu Tong had brought some important information. After all, at this juncture, having good intelligence was obviously particularly important, so, Shi Jin deliberately took two quick steps forward and took the magistrate's words. The two of them chatted and walked out of Chao's house.
Just when Shi Jin was pestering the county magistrate to attract everyone's attention, Zhu Tong took the opportunity to quietly pull Chao Gai, quickly approached him, and reminded Chao Gai with a voice that Chao Gai could hear: "This kid is not coming from the right way, so be careful,"
Chao Gai was slightly stunned after hearing this, and did not react for a moment. When he looked at Zhu Xi, Zhu Xi glanced in front of him. Chao Gai followed the instructions in Zhu Xi's eyes and found out that the boy in Zhu Xi's mouth was none other than Shi Jin, then Chao Gai smiled and shook his head.
Seeing that Chao Gai disapproved, Zhu Tong felt very anxious and wanted to explain in more detail. However, he had no chance. At this time, the county magistrate chatted with Shi Jin with a smile and walked three steps outside the gate of Chao's house. , the county magistrate turned around, faced Chao Gai and said: "Second boss, please come back."
With a smile on his face, Chao Gai bowed in vain and said, "Sir, please go slowly."
The county magistrate got on the sedan chair, and everyone got on their horses to protect him before leaving. Zhu Tong walked a few steps, still feeling a little unwilling. He turned around and looked at Chao Gai. The meaning in his eyes was to say no. Chao Gai understood the urgency in his heart and waved his hand, hoping to reassure him, but Chao Gai's attitude made Zhu Ding increasingly uneasy.
After seeing off the "Fake Da Kong" gang, Chao Gai and others returned to the mourning hall to make arrangements for Chao Jidao's death. Late at night, Chao Gai, Shi Jin and Wu Yong sat in the side of the mourning hall. In the hall, an oil lamp was lit, and they gathered together to quietly plan the next development.
"Look at today's posture. Now Zang Hanzhong and Wu Gouguan are really like wolves and ghosts. They are mixed together and are difficult to deal with. If this continues, Zang Hanzhong's wily and scheming will use the power of Shangguan Mansion. The Chao family is really hollowed out bit by bit, and when there is only one skeleton left, there will be no hope of recovery," Chao Gai said and frowned.
Shi Jin saw that there was a hint of disappointment in Chao Gai's words, so he took over and said: "Although the Chao family has lost its troops and all the businesses in the city have fallen into the hands of others, as long as you, Chao Gai, are here, this The vitality may not be injured, but there are few capable helpers at the moment. As the saying goes, a single fist cannot defeat four legs. What we have to do now is to be careful about Zang Hanzhong's next move, and on the other hand, step up our gambling on Noble Thirdly, we should also spread the hero posters to recruit troops. When we have enough people, things will be much easier to handle."
Wu Yong listened and nodded, saying: "That makes sense, but at this time, where can I find many capable assistants?"
Speaking of this, Shi Jin smiled, approached the two of them, and said: "Not to mention the distance, but right here, there are three people who are brave and outstanding in martial arts. They dare to go through fire and water, and live and die together. Therefore, if one man is equal to ten men, if we can invite them to help, then it will be much easier to do things."
"You mean, 'Three Heroes of the Ruan Family'," Chao Gai accepted Shi Jin's reminder, and suddenly a bright light seemed to light up in his heart. He patted his forehead and said, "Ah, I have been beaten by that old fox Zang Hanzhong these days. I was so angry that I didn’t even think of these three brothers,"
"Yes, they are them. I have heard about them many times, but I have never met them."
Wu Yong waved his hand and said with a smile: "This is not difficult. I have made good friends with them. I lived by the lake in Liangshan, Jeju. I only made a living by fishing. I also did private business in the lake. These three are relatives. Brother, Xiao Ke lived there for several years in the past. When I got to know them, although they were all illiterate, I saw that they were really loyal and good men when they made friends, so I A corrupt Confucian scholar often interacts with them, but we haven't seen each other for two years. If we get these three people, great things will happen."
Chao Gai was delighted when he heard this and said: "Like Shi Jin, I have also heard the names of the three brothers of the Ruan family, but they have never met each other. Liangshanbo is only a hundred or so miles away from here, why not invite them to discuss it?" ,"
Wu Yong nodded and said: "Let my servants go and invite them. With their temper, no matter how willing they are to come, Xiao Ke must go there in person. With our sharp tongue, we will definitely persuade them to join the gang."
Chao Gai was overjoyed and said: "Sir, I have a great idea. I don't know when it will be possible."
Wu Yong replied to Chao Gai without thinking: "Under the current situation, it is not too late to go, so we have to go there at midnight tonight. We will be there at noon tomorrow. When they are persuaded to come, it will be about the same time tomorrow and later." ,"
Chao Gai nodded and looked at Shi Jin and said, "This is the best." Immediately, he told the banker to arrange wine and food immediately, and the three of them ate together.
When it was time for the third watch, Wu Yong got up, washed up, had some breakfast, begged for some silver and put it beside him, put on his straw sandals, and Chao Gai and Shi Jin sent him out of the village gate. The three of them stayed for the time being. After saying goodbye, Wu Yong strode towards Liangshanbo.
Wu Yong traveled all night, and at noon the next day, he arrived at the edge of Liangshan Lake. Although Wu Yong had not been there for two years, the changes here had not been much. Wu Yong could still follow the map and go straight to Ruan Xiaoer's home. Come.
Wu Yong went to the door and looked inside through the wooden door made of horizontal branches. There were several small fishing boats cabled on the dry piles, and a broken fishing net was hanging outside the fence, leaning against the mountains and rivers. There were about ten people among them. There are several thatched cottages, but the houses are slightly more dilapidated than before.
Although the chaimen was dilapidated, etiquette should not be broken easily. Therefore, Wu Yong did not break in. He stood outside the fence and shouted loudly, "Is Brother Ruan at home?"
I heard a deep voice inside answer, and not long after, I saw Ruan Xiaoer walking out, wearing a torn turban on his head, an old wash of white and yellowish clothes, a pair of bare feet, walking step by step. He walked out in a hurry, and when he saw it was Wu Yong, his joy was beyond words.
Ruan Xiaoer hurriedly came over, opened the door and said, "Why are you here, Professor? What kind of wind brings you here?"
Wu Yong met Ruan Xiaoer, and he was very happy to meet an old friend. He replied: "I have some small matters, so I came here to ask for help from Erlang."
Ruan Xiaoer took Wu Yong's hand and walked inside, saying: "Professor said something serious. What's the matter? But it's okay. There's no need to use 'begging'."
After Wu Yong heard what Ruan Xiaoer said, he began to say: "The young man has left here for some years. He has worked as a tavern in the Chao family over the years and has received favors from others. Now, the big boss of the Chao family Unfortunately, I just happened to need a dozen golden carps weighing 14 to 15 pounds, so I came here to lend a hand."
Ruan Xiaoer laughed and said: "I thought it was something that reached heaven, but it turned out to be just like this. I will have three glasses of wine with the professor and talk to him after eating."
Wu Yong knew that haste makes waste, so he was not in a hurry and said: "Xiao Ke's reason for coming is that he wants to have three cups of Erlang with him."
Ruan Xiaoer was overjoyed and said: "There are a few hotels across the lake. Let's sail there by boat."
Wu Yongdao: "This is best, but I also have to talk to Wu Lang. I don't know if I am at his home or not,"
Ruan Xiaoer said: "This is easy, we can just go find him together."
At that moment, the two people came to the shore where Ruan Xiaoer parked the boat. Ruan Xiaoer's steps were very quick. After a few ups and downs, he stepped firmly on the edge of the boat and untied the boat with the dead stakes on the moorings. Then he helped Wu Yong out of the boat. Ruan Xiaoer held it up until he was too long. He didn't know how to do it. With a slight tap on the left and right sides, the small boat was like an arrow off the string, heading straight towards the lake. Gone to the edge.
While he was wandering, Ruan Xiaoer spread his hands to his mouth like a trumpet and shouted: "Brother Qi, have you seen Wu Lang before?"
When Wu Yong heard the sound and looked over there, he saw a boat coming out of the reeds.
Ruan Xiaoqi wore a black sun-shielding hat on his head, a chess piece cloth vest on his body, and a raw cloth skirt tied around his waist. He swung his feet on the strings of the boat and asked Ruan Xiaoer: "Second brother, why are you looking for fifth brother?"
Wu Yong recognized the man and shouted loudly: "Qi Lang, Xiaosheng is here to help you all. If you need help,"
Ruan Xiaoqi was stunned for a moment when he heard the voice. He immediately stared at it carefully and then secretly felt happy in his heart and said: "Professor, I'm sorry, I haven't seen you for a long time. I almost didn't recognize you."
Wu Yong also stood up unsteadily, cupped his hands and said: "Let's go have a drink with the second brother."
Ruan Xiaoqi stepped deeper with his right foot, and when the bamboo pennies in his hand touched the bottom of the water, the boat turned around like a well-behaved horse on the road, and kept pace with Ruan Xiaoer's boat. Ruan Xiaoqi said: "Little man I have long wanted to have a drink with the professor, but I have been so busy that I never got around to meeting him."
The two boats sailed side by side in the lake, and it didn't take long before they reached a place where there was water. There were seven or eight thatched houses sitting on the high port.
Before Wu Yong could stand up carefully again, Ruan Xiaoer, who was on the same boat, shouted at the top of his lungs: "Mom, is fifth brother here?"