Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Zong Ze eventually followed Shi Qian. Although he was a man in his fifties, he still had a temper. Shi Qian had provoked him so much, and if he didn't react at all, he would be letting himself down.

However, his old servant did not come along, since Ren Yuan had only invited Zong Ze, and given his status, the old servant was not really allowed to sit at the table with him.

"Senior Zong, you do have a very loyal servant."

Shi Qian said to Zong Ze on the way.

“He is not just my servant, but also my family.”

Zong Ze and the old servant had a very good relationship because they had traveled all over the years and were always together, never separated.

"Then you should restore his status as a commoner, instead of leaving him as a servant, shouldn't you?"

Shi Qian, when speaking to people who are not friendly, still doesn't speak very nicely.

"Humph……"

Zong Ze snorted coldly. He did not answer Shi Qian's question directly, but he had indeed made a decision in his heart, which was to restore his status as an old servant and a commoner.

If a group of strong people can realize a problem, he can't be less capable than them, can he?

After walking with Shi Qian for a while, Zong Ze arrived at a small courtyard in the back mountain. As soon as he entered, he saw the burly figure sitting at the table.

Even when sitting, he appears very tall.

"Senior Zong, I have long admired your name."

When Ren Yuan saw Zong Ze enter, he stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

Although Zong Ze in this life has not become as famous as he is in later historical records, Ren Yuan felt that it was perfectly acceptable to bow in respect for the elder’s three calls to “cross the river”.

"I am just a commoner, how could I have such a name? It is you, Chief Ren, who went from being one of the four heroes who were famous in the bandit world to a prince of a country. You are the one who is famous!"

Zong Ze did not accept Ren Yuan's greeting; he dodged to the side and at the same time made a sarcastic remark to Ren Yuan.

There was no other way; after all, in his eyes, Ren Yuan's actions constituted theft of a nation's property.

"What you're saying, Elder Zong, is quite true. What fame do I have? Compared to some who abandoned their troops halfway through the war and slunk back home from the front lines, I'm far inferior. After all, not everyone can achieve such a level of being both a laughingstock and leaving a lasting legacy."

Since Zong Ze had started mocking him, Ren Yuan certainly wouldn't tolerate it. Zong Ze may be famous, but that's not a reason for me to obediently listen to your mockery.

"That's right, that's right. Some people not only ran away, but when they came back, their homes were gone. My brother wouldn't dare compare himself to those people. That's true 'lasting fame'! I'm not well-educated, but could you tell me, Elder Zong, who else in history has received the same treatment?"

Shi Qian chimed in, finding it incredibly satisfying to argue with his brother, especially when they were teaching these so-called loyalists of the Song Dynasty a lesson.

"You! I didn't expect you to be so quick-witted. The Emperor is not a military general and doesn't understand military affairs, so it's normal for him to make mistakes..."

Zong Ze naturally recognized that Ren Yuan was referring to Zhao Ji. Although he knew that what Ren Yuan said was true, as a Song official, he had no choice but to stand up and defend Zhao Ji at this time.

Ren Yuan understood the principle. It's like talking about school in a past life. Family members can say whatever they want about their own school, but if outsiders want to say it, then sorry, no way.

However, Ren Yuan understands, but he won't indulge Zong Ze. If you don't appease this kind of old man, he'll get annoyed with you.

"Really? He made a mistake, and how many soldiers died? You call that normal? Old Master Zong, although I know you are the Great Wall of the Song Dynasty, don't you feel any remorse for distorting the facts like this?"

"Just tell me, what should be done according to the laws of the Song Dynasty if a general abandons his troops halfway through the campaign?"

"you!……"

Zong Ze's old face turned slightly red. He didn't continue the conversation because he knew that no matter what he said, he would be in the wrong. If he really cared about the law, then the commander who abandoned his army halfway could atone for his sins with his death.

"What's wrong, senior? Are you afraid to speak? Isn't there an old saying that 'the emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people'? Why can't this saying be applied to Zhao Ji? Wasn't he the emperor?"

Ren Yuan pressed his advantage, once again leaving Zong Ze speechless.

"Alright, third brother, they are seniors, and you invited them as guests. As the host, you should be more polite."

Seeing that the atmosphere was making Zong Ze increasingly embarrassed, Zhou Tong spoke up. His words were a way of giving Zong Ze some face, so that he wouldn't continue to be so embarrassed.

“Master is right. Please sit down, Senior Zong. You are from Yiwu, Wuzhou, so today’s dishes are also specialties from your area. This braised pork and the boiled mutton, please try them and see if they suit your taste.”

Ren Yuan readily agreed, saying that the first wave of discussion had already covered most of the points, and any further would be excessive.

"You actually have people here who know how to do these things?"

Zong Ze sat down with a straight face. When he saw the familiar dishes, he was also a little surprised. There were already people from his hometown in this Liangshan headquarters?

"Although there aren't many people from Wuzhou here, there aren't a particularly small number either. After all, we've taken back Yan and Yun. If they don't come here, are they going to choose to follow Fang La?"

Ren Yuan picked up a steamed bun, then added a large piece of meat and placed it in Zong Ze's bowl.

"Try it. These are all raised by the people of Dayi. We even paid real money to buy them from them. We have a clear conscience."

Zong Ze remained silent. From their verbal exchange just now, he already knew that he might not be able to win against the young man in front of him.

Moreover, he recognized one of the two old men beside this man; that was Wang Huan, one of the ten former military governors.

Although he didn't recognize the other person, judging from the respect people around him showed him, he must also be a person of high status. As for the person next to Ren Yuan who exuded an air of wealth, Zong Ze couldn't figure him out at all.

He knew this meal wouldn't be so delicious.

However, if Ren Yuan thought he could force him to stay by eating, he was seriously underestimating himself!

After taking a few bites, Zong Ze put down his chopsticks and was about to speak first when Ren Yuan took the initiative to pour him a glass of wine and hand it to him.

"Ren Yuan, what do you mean by this? I never said I wanted to surrender to your court."

Zong Ze looked at the wine Ren Yuan handed him, his tone very serious. Just as he expected, this meal wasn't so simple! Ren Yuan had made his move!

"Oh? You mean this wine?"

Ren Yuan smirked and stared at Zong Ze as he said:

"Senior, you underestimate me too much. I admire someone as talented as you. How could I possibly only have a glass of wine?"

"However, as the elders should know, our Dayi has taken back Yanyun. To thank us, the people of Yanyun sent us some of their brewed wine. They said that although they have been away from Han land for more than a hundred years, their hearts are still Han people, and this wine is also Han wine."

"I've heard that you've always wanted to reclaim Yan and Yun for the country. Would you like to taste the wine of the people of Yan and Yun?"

As Ren Yuan spoke, he began to drink.

To deal with a die-hard loyalist like Zong Ze who loves to preach grand principles, the only way is to crush him with even greater principles! This Han Chinese wine is just the first hurdle!

"Tsk tsk, this Han Chinese wine is not just about the wine itself, but also about the hardships, hopes, and joys of the people. It truly leaves a lasting impression!"

"Senior Zong, this wine is right in front of you. Do you dare to drink it?"