Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Ji Kongming traveled west along the Jingjiang River, then north along the Xiangshui River in Yingzhou, stopping at Xiangcheng County. There, he led more than twenty brothers, including Yunsong and Hongsong, up Yanshan Mountain.

Bandits have been stationed on Yanshan Mountain year-round, flying tiger-head flags and known as the Golden Tiger Gang. Ji Kongming has become famous throughout the land in recent years, and as soon as he announced his name, he was directly welcomed in by the gang leader, Golden Tiger.

Jin Hu's eyes gleamed: "The rules of the Great River Gang are: no private dealings with government officials, no contact with bandits. The old gang leader's body is barely cold, and Young Master Ji is already ignoring the rules and cooperating with mountain bandits. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed?"

Ji Kongming said, “There is a scale between heaven and earth. The world regards the Great River Gang as river bandits and thieves, but the Great River Gang has always been a legitimate business. The Golden Tiger Gang robs local tyrants, corrupt officials, and takes in poor people. Robbing the rich to help the poor has always been the work of heroes and valiant men. The leader is upright and has a clear conscience, so why does he call himself a mountain bandit?”

Jin Hu was very pleased to hear this and laughed heartily: "Since Young Master Ji thinks so highly of me, then I don't need to hide anything and speak frankly. I heard that Young Master Ji had a quarrel with the gang leader and left Chongming Island with his brothers. Is that true?"

Ji Kongming said, "The chief is very well-informed."

Jin Hu said, "There's nothing new under the sun, especially not the Great River Gang. People say that whoever controls the Great River Gang controls the world. Not only are we watching, but the courts of the four kingdoms are also keeping an eye on it. People also say that with the old gang leader's death, either the new son-in-law or the new gang leader, Young Master Ji, will be his. Young Master Ji and Miss Xue are childhood sweethearts and should be a perfect match. The old gang leader deliberately sent Young Master Ji away and forced your little sweetheart to marry a mute. This is not only not passing on the leadership but also breaking up a loving couple. The old gang leader's actions were indeed unkind, no wonder Young Master Ji is angry."

Ji Kongming forced a smile and said, "A real man has nothing to worry about when he can't have a wife. Since the old gang leader is unwilling, I can't force him. It's not that I'm bragging, but if I wanted to marry, I could definitely marry someone better than her."

Jin Hu said, "That's right. Young Master Ji is handsome and talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts. Why would he have trouble finding a wife? My gang has several heroines among them. If Young Master Ji takes a fancy to one, he can choose freely. I think the Third Leader, Jin Yu, is quite good. She is twenty years old and ready to get married..."

Ji Kongming didn't even look at Jin Yu, and waved his hand, saying, "Master Jin, I'm here today to talk about serious matters. Let's put personal feelings aside for now, there's no rush."

Jin Hu praised, "Young Master Ji is indeed a man of great things. How could I, Jin Hu, be out of touch with reality? Young Master Ji, whatever you need me to do, and how to do it, just say the word, and our Jin Hu Gang will go through fire and water without hesitation."

The two hit it off immediately, a smooth process that even Ji Kongming hadn't anticipated.

After seeing Ji Kongming off, Jin Hu looked towards Yuezhou and said, "The old gang leader regarded him as his adopted son, but he violated the gang rules by asking us to cooperate. Such an unrighteous person will not be good to us in the future."

Xia Likun said, "Brother, then why did you..."

Jin Hu said, "Ji Kongming has gained considerable prestige in the Great River Gang over the years, but the old leader has just died, and his influence still lingers. He's eager to find a backer. If we seize this opportunity to establish ourselves in the Great River Gang, we'll have a chance to control it in the future. He who controls the Great River Gang controls the world. If Xiling gets the Great River Gang, hehe..."

Xia Likun gave a thumbs-up and said, "Brother is wise."

Jin Hu said, "With the strength of the Jin Hu Gang, it's probably a bit too much to fight against the Dahe Gang, but taking down Yuezhou should be no problem. Ji Kongming will definitely go down the mountain to persuade the boat owner. Second brother, send someone to gather information and see how far Ji Kongming has gone with the Dahe Gang. Also, find out the attitudes of Dongyang and Nanyue, and we'll act accordingly..."

News of Ji Kongming leaving the Great River Gang with his brothers had already spread. When Ji Kongming went down Yanshan to Yuezhou East, Li Beishan looked somewhat nervous.

The Dahe Gang originally stayed on boats and had no fixed whereabouts. After the old gang leader settled on Chongming Island, the boat owners in the surrounding islands followed suit.

The ship captains stationed in Yuezhou were Li Beishan and Shi Bingjun, one in the east and one in the west, respectively in charge of trade between Dongyang and Xiling. The ship captains were supposed to be rotated every three years, but the old leader, knowing his days were numbered, replaced them last autumn.

Li Beishan came from Chongming Island and was quite familiar with Ji Kongming. After exchanging pleasantries, Li Beishan said, "Kongming, things can be discussed. Don't let things get out of hand. Yuezhou has beautiful scenery, no less than Chongming Island. Stay here for a while longer, and go back when you've calmed down."

Ji Kongming's eyes sharpened: "Beishan, I have no intention of listening to anyone's advice. The old gang leader is dead, Yaomei is married, and I have no attachment to the Great River Gang anymore. I want to prove to everyone that even without the Great River Gang, I, Ji Kongming, can still make a name for myself. We're all sensible people, so I'll be frank. Beishan, are you willing to follow me?"

The old gang leader was seriously ill, and all the ship owners tacitly agreed that Ji Kongming would be the future de facto leader of the Great River Gang. Who would have thought that the old gang leader, in his final moments, would go mad and marry Nianyao off to someone else? Not only was Ji Kongming unable to accept this, but many of the ship owners were also incredulous.

Li Beishan understood Ji Kongming, but the old gang leader's body was still warm, so it was inappropriate both emotionally and logically.

Seeing Li Beishan's hesitant gaze, Ji Kongming said, "Beishan, take your time to think it over. I'll come to visit again in three days."

After Ji Kongming left, Li Beishan sent a letter to Shi Bingjun in Yuezhou West. The ship owners, who were supposed to be in close proximity, must be of different ages and backgrounds – one older, one younger; one experienced, the other still developing. Li Beishan felt it necessary to report such a significant matter to Shi Bingjun.

The letter in Shi Bingjun's hand was still warm when Ji Kongming arrived. Shi Bingjun, being a senior figure, was very dissatisfied with the young man's impulsive decision. Ji Kongming showed no intention of joining him and instead openly and subtly criticized Shi Bingjun.

Ji Kongming realized he had oversimplified things. He assumed the younger crew would readily respond, while the older crew would hesitate. But Li Beishan's hesitation and Shi Bingjun's refusal were like a blow to the head. He wasn't as prestigious as he had thought.

The Great River Gang is ruthless, so don't blame me, Ji Kongming, for being heartless.

Ji Kongming docked the Pangu at Mengze Island, south of Yuezhou. Standing at the bow, he gazed at Yanshan Mountain. Even a ship captain managed three to five hundred men. If he wanted to gain a foothold on the river, relying solely on Mengze Island and the three hundred or so men on the Pangu would not be enough.

He needed a place, he needed someone to rely on, he needed power. To achieve great things from small beginnings, to grow from humble beginnings to great heights, the Golden Tiger Gang on Yanshan Mountain was his only option.

Even though he was anxious, Ji Kongming waited three days. Three days later, he climbed Yanshan Mountain again. And Jin Hu, just as he had on their first meeting, kept his promise: "Young Master Ji, whatever you need me to do, however you need me to do it, just say the word, and our Jin Hu Gang will go through fire and water for you."

Ji Kongming knew full well that there were no free lunches in the world. He needed Jin Hu's help, so he would definitely have to pay Jin Hu's gang an equal or even greater price. Dahe Gang were legitimate businessmen, not mountain bandits.

The Golden Tiger Gang has been entrenched in Yanshan for many years. Golden Tiger doesn't seem like an ordinary bandit or tyrant. He speaks nicely, but his actions are not necessarily easy.