Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Zhuan Jiu led Ren Yuan and others straight to Hangzhou.

Are you sure he's in Hangzhou?

"Yes, before we parted ways, he said that once he made a name for himself in Hangzhou, he would write to me and ask me to come and work as a cook there!"

Zhuan Jiu looked proud and self-satisfied.

Hmm... Your brother's doing well and coming to help you out, shouldn't your brother be proud? What are you proud of?

If others become rich and powerful, let us not forget each other.

What about you?

"Why are you looking at me like that? If I ever become rich and powerful, I won't forget you!"

"Chief, you said it yourself, inviting Da Bao up the mountain means he must be a military leader. Going from a tavern attendant to a military leader, isn't that a great fortune?"

Zhuan Jiu spoke with conviction, leaving everyone speechless for a moment.

This statement sounds problematic, but upon closer examination, it's surprisingly irrefutable!

"Alright, stop joking around, getting to Hangzhou is the priority."

Ren Yuan gestured to Zhuan Jiu to lead the way properly, as it was still a few days' journey to Hangzhou.

Hangzhou, Huibinlou Restaurant.

This is one of the most luxurious restaurants in Hangzhou. It is said that the plaque of Huibinlou was once the work of Su Shi.

"With Su Shi's calligraphy on the signboard, this restaurant really has a lot of prestige."

Upon hearing this, Shi Qian's eyes lit up.

"Shi Qian, don't tell me you want to take down their signboard?"

Ren Yuan asked Shi Qian, and he felt that Shi Qian was capable of doing it.

"Brother, well, how should I put it, it's not impossible."

Shi Qian spread his hands to indicate his innocence.

"Who wouldn't want Scholar Su's calligraphy? But don't worry, brother, I won't make a move without your permission."

Ren Yuan nodded, thinking that Shi Qian was quite reliable this time, but what he didn't know was that Shi Qian's subtext was...

"Everyone remember this: I can't act without my brother's orders. So if I do act, it means it's my brother's order."

Hmm...that logic is perfect!

"Manager, manager, come out and greet us! We have distinguished guests!"

Zhuan Jiu led everyone into the Huibinlou restaurant, and as soon as he entered, he began to shout and yell.

"Hehe, who do we have here? Isn't this the chef Zhuan Jiu who steals food? What's wrong, coming back today to act like a VIP? You think you deserve it! I'll give you some leftovers later, don't say your brother doesn't take care of you."

The waiter on duty knew Zhuan Jiu; he was an accomplice when Zhuan Jiu was kicked out.

"Hmph, are you blind? Did you see my master's banner? The Chai family of Cangzhou! Tell me, aren't we honored guests?"

Zhuan Jiu wasn't angry this time; he was here to slap him in the face.

The waiter was also a little dumbfounded when he heard this.

The Chai family of Cangzhou.

This family is truly famous in the martial arts world. This Zhuan Jiu is so lucky to have become a servant of the Chai family.

"I'm so sorry, my dear brothers of the Chai family. It was my rudeness just now. Please forgive me and don't hold it against me. I'll arrange a private room for you right away, and the best wine and food will be here soon."

At this moment, the restaurant manager quickly stepped in to smooth things over, as he didn't want to offend the Chai family for no reason.

"Shopkeeper, let it go this time, but if there's a next time, you know the Chai family is not to be trifled with."

Ren Yuan was essentially using Chai Da Guan's power to his advantage, and also to create some momentum for him, so that no Tom, Dick, or Harry would think they could step on the Chai family in the future.

"Yes, yes, you're right. Please come upstairs. The private room will be ready soon."

Being the manager of a famous restaurant is no easy task; one must be exceptionally skilled at reading people and situations.

"By the way, have your waiter apologize to my little brother. Remember, no matter who he was before, now he's one of my men. Understand?"

"I understand, I understand, it's my duty. I've failed to manage my subordinates properly. I'll punish myself with three cups later."

The hotel manager was truly meticulous, which greatly impressed Ren Yuan.

The Liangshan leaders entered the private room upstairs. The innkeeper was true to his word; he not only served the dishes quickly but also personally punished himself by drinking three cups of wine.

"Shopkeeper, may I ask you about someone?"

Ren Yuan held a wine bowl in one hand and rhythmically tapped the table with the other.

"You're too kind. Please tell me. As long as I know the person, I will tell you everything I know." The shopkeeper was very polite.

“My younger brother has told me more than once that he has a childhood friend named Shi Dabao who also works here. I’m the kind of person who takes good care of his brothers, so could you please call Shi Dabao over so they can meet him?”

"This, this..."

The shopkeeper hesitated slightly; clearly, he knew of Shi Dabao.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Ren Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Not really. Anyway, our guest, Shi Dabao recently offended a guest, so... our restaurant punished him a bit. It doesn't look very good."

"What?! You actually punished Da Bao!"

Zhuan Jiu immediately became anxious. He knew his brother's temper; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it, and once punished, he would definitely not admit his mistake.

“Zhuan Jiu, you used to work as a waiter at our Huibinlou restaurant. You know that the rules at Huibinlou are very important.”

The shopkeeper didn't have much of an impression of Zhuan Jiu. He was a cook with mediocre skills who liked to steal. If it weren't for the fact that he was now backed by the Chai family, he wouldn't have bothered to even glance at him.

“Interesting. No problem, bring him up here and let me see what’s so special about this Shi Dabao.”

Ren Yuan waved his hand. He wasn't interested in anything else; as long as it was confirmed that Shi Dabao was indeed Shi Bao, that was enough.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper nodded slightly and then withdrew. A short while later, a tall, disheveled, and silent man was brought in.

"Dabao!"

Although Shi Bao was covered in dust and his beard and hair were tangled from not washing them for a long time, Zhuan Jiu still recognized his good brother immediately.

"How could I know what this guy did wrong?"

Ren Yuan asked the shopkeeper.

"Sigh, this guy, a month ago, disturbed a customer's enjoyment. That customer took a fancy to one of our male prostitutes. I don't know what got into him, but he went up and beat her up. Now he's been locked up for a month, only getting thin porridge every day."

“As you all know, Yunniang is my childhood sweetheart. She came here only to keep me company. She’s an entertainer, not a prostitute. You forced her to accompany that disgusting bastard. Was I wrong to hit her? Tell me, how is Yunniang now?”

Upon hearing this, Shi Dabao's eyes, which had been closed, suddenly opened! Ren Yuan could feel a soaring fighting spirit erupting from this man.

"Don't worry, she's fine. Do you think it was someone who pleaded for you when you were locked up? Who said they would perform more to make up for it? But Shi Dabao, Yunniang originally had the chance to be taken away by Master Zhao and change her fate, but you forced her to suffer with you. Do you think you love her?"

The manager was well aware that Shi Dabao was having an affair with Yunniang, and that their restaurant wasn't exactly aboveboard, which is why they didn't hold it against Shi Dabao.

"Shopkeeper, you're mistaken. How about this, bring that Miss Yunniang along too, and let the two of them meet."

Ren Yuan was very straightforward. True love will prevail in the end. Since Shi Dabao was most likely Shi Bao, it was only natural for him to help him out.

My brother wants to be with his childhood sweetheart. I'm in favor. Who's against it?

"Well, sir, what do you think..."

The shopkeeper hesitated. Would this damage his authority in front of Shi Dabao?

"50 taels."

"Actually, this matter can be discussed..."

"100 taels."

"It hasn't been easy for our restaurant to operate all these years..."

"200 taels."

"Someone, bring Yunniang here. This ill-fated couple, I said back then that they should be together. It was all that Master Zhao's fault for messing things up."

The shopkeeper turned to Shi Dabao and said:

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and wash your face, otherwise, who will recognize you later?"