Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Ji Kongming said, "Brother Jin, let's join forces to create the Jinhe Gang. With your power and my prestige within the Dahe Gang, we'll surely be able to replace it in time. At that time, we'll jointly manage the rivers and lakes, share the wealth equally, and I will never mistreat you or the brothers of the Jinhu Gang."

Jin Hu clapped his hands and laughed: "Good, Brother Ji is indeed a wise man. Since Brother Ji thinks so highly of me by calling me Brother Jin, why don't we become sworn brothers? If Brother Ji doesn't mind, I'll be the fourth leader of the Jin Hu Gang."

The Golden Tiger Gang and Ji Kongming swore a blood oath on Yanshan Mountain, becoming sworn brothers. Ji Kongming became the fourth leader of the Golden Tiger Gang, and Golden Tiger became the deputy leader of the Great River Gang. From then on, they would share both good times and bad.

Ji Kongming, holding a large bowl of strong liquor, said, "Today I swear brotherhood with Boss Jin. From now on, the brothers of the Jin Hu Gang are my brothers, and the brothers of the Jin He Gang are my brothers. Ji Kongming will live and die with the brothers of Jin Hu, the Jin He Gang, and Yanshan. Brothers, I'll drink first as a sign of respect."

Jin Hu led a thousand men down the mountain in a grand procession. They first seized control of all the traders and goods at the Xiangcheng County dock, and then boarded the Pangu ship to return to Yuezhou East.

The brothers on the tower saw the tiger-head flag waving in the distance. Ji Kongming and Jin Hu stood at the forefront and immediately sounded the call.

Li Beishan came out of the east courtyard and watched the Pangu ship on the river approach little by little, his face turning pale.

The fishing ban had just ended, and all the brothers on the island had gone fishing and trading, leaving the East Yard empty. Even if everyone were there, there would only be about five hundred men, certainly not enough to fight against this group of seemingly well-trained mountain bandits.

The Pangu docked, and Ji Kongming walked up to Li Beishan: "Beishan, don't be afraid. We're brothers, I won't kill you. But from today onwards, Yuezhou is under my control. We're going to Yuezhou West to see Master Shi now; you'll come with us."

The brothers from Yuezhou West were all there, clad in armor, carrying bows and weapons, guarding the West Courtyard. Archers were also on high alert atop the tower.

Shi Bingjun stood atop the tower and shouted, "Trespassers will be killed!"

The success or failure of the start directly determines the life or death of the Jinhe Gang, and also whether the Jinhu Gang can establish itself in Jianghe. Ji Kongming and Jinhu both knew that this battle was inevitable, and only victory was allowed; defeat was not an option.

Ji Kongming held the brand-new Golden River Flag, and the fierce golden tiger seemed to leap between the waves.

Ji Kongming gazed at the tower and declared in a resounding voice, "The current leader of the Great River Gang, Xue Nianyao, is a weak woman, and her son-in-law is a useless, incompetent doctor. The Great River Gang is in grave danger. A good minister chooses his lord, and a wise bird chooses its tree. Ji Kongming, the first leader of the Golden River Gang, sincerely invites all brothers to join me in building the Great River Gang's great cause and seeking a glorious future. Those who wish to follow Ji Kongming, lay down your weapons and come forward now. I will forgive your past transgressions. But those who remain obstinate..."

Before Ji Kongming could finish speaking, an arrow whistled through the air, but Jin Hu deflected it with a single strike of his sword. The arrow was powerful, but Jin Hu remained motionless.

Kim Ho is a true partner.

Ji Kongming felt much more at ease: "Beishan, try to persuade Captain Shi. If you can convince him, you'll still be the captain of Yuezhou East."

Li Beishan was led forward three steps. He turned back and said, "Kongming, Yuezhou is yours. Release them. They've all been through thick and thin..."

Ji Kongming interrupted him: "Compassion doesn't govern an army, and righteousness doesn't manage wealth. I, Ji Kongming, am a man destined for great things, and I will never be swayed by womanly sentimentality... Today is the first day the Golden Tiger Gang establishes its authority; how can we let this opportunity pass? If you're unwilling to persuade me, don't blame me for being impolite. Second Brother..."

Xia Likun's knife immediately drew closer, gleaming with a chilling aura. Li Beishan's legs began to tremble. He looked up at Shi Bingjun on the tower and said in a trembling voice, "Chief Shi, come down first. We can talk this out. The old gang leader was indeed wrong. It's natural for Ji Kongming to feel aggrieved. Let's discuss this slowly and not make unnecessary sacrifices..."

Shi Bingjun declared loudly, "A horse cannot be saddled twice, a loyal minister cannot serve two masters, a true man dies when he dies, why waste so much nonsense. Any brothers in the West Courtyard who dare to surrender, execute them first. Fire the arrows."

The drums on the tower sounded, and arrows rained down, igniting a chaotic battle.

Shi Bingjun hastily recalled all the fishermen on the river. Although they were all young men and had monthly drills against the enemy, the Dahe Gang had not had any conflicts for many years, so their drills were not taken seriously, and they lacked combat experience. On the other hand, the Jinhu Gang's mountain bandits were very experienced and fought fearlessly to the death.

To catch the thief, first catch the king. Ji Kongming and Jin Hu exchanged a glance and simultaneously stormed the tower. Shi Bingjun was besieged by Ji Kongming and Jin Hu and died after being stabbed multiple times.

Li Beishan trembled, and Xia Likun sneered. With a flash of light, Li Beishan's head rolled off the blade.

Jin Hu carried Shi Bingjun's head, Xia Likun carried Li Beishan's head, and Ji Kongming stood on the tower holding the Jinhe Flag, shouting in unison: "Those who surrender live, those who fight die."

The brothers of the Great River Gang, seeing the blood dripping from the boatman's head, consciously laid down their weapons.

Two large ships were destroyed, and three hundred brothers died in battle. Their blood stained the beaches of Yuezhou and the surging Xiang River.

Ji Kongming occupied Yuezhou and appointed Yun Song and Hong Song as the new ship captains of Yuezhou. He immediately wrote a very brief letter to all ship captains: "The Jinhe Gang will hold a grand banquet for all under heaven on the fifteenth of July. We sincerely invite all ship captains to come to Yuezhou to enjoy wine and dance. Respectfully submitted by Gang Leader Ji Kongming and Deputy Gang Leader Jin Hu."

This incident shocked the entire Grand River Gang. The boat owners were all on edge and began to weigh their options.

Sun Chi, the captain of the Jingjiang No. 1 ship, arrived at Chongming Island immediately and presented the letter.

This was the first time Nianyao had received news about Ji Kongming since he left.

Nianyao had hoped that Ji Kongming would return after his angry trip. He was her Kongming-ge, and he wouldn't really leave so soon after their father's death. At the same time, she had a vague feeling that these things were bound to happen eventually, but she didn't expect them to come so quickly.

The Yuezhou incident and the letter in her hand shattered her expectations and confidence.

The people in the council chamber sighed inwardly as they looked at Nianyao's dazed expression.

Sun Chi said, "Chief, there are many things to do on the ship, so I'll take my leave now."

Liu Lin saw him out, and Sun Chi deliberately took a few steps toward the teahouse.

Luo An leisurely sipped his tea and peeled melon seeds, placing the peeled kernels into a small silver dish. Nan Fei, who usually sat in all sorts of strange postures while reading, unusually sat upright opposite him and read aloud. After reading for a while, he stuffed all the melon seeds into his mouth and waited for Luo An to continue peeling.

Sensing that someone was watching them, Nanfei looked up from his book, but Luo An didn't even lift his head.

Jingjiang No. 1 and No. 2 are closest to Chongming Island, and they are assigned to the experienced and steady ship manager, who is also the most trusted person of the old gang leader, and also in charge of the outpost and defense of Chongming Island.

The old gang leader raised Nianyao as a boy since she was a child, and she proved herself capable, able to sail, swim, and was quite skilled in martial arts. However, the old gang leader was never truly willing to let her experience the wickedness of human nature.

This mute new son-in-law has been on Chongming Island for several years. He looks like a member of the Dahe Gang, but he doesn't care about gang affairs at all. He's not even as good as an outsider.

The old gang leader, wise throughout his life, made a foolish mistake regarding Nianyao's marriage.

The Great River Gang is in grave danger.