Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Brother, these three are so loyal."

Zhang Qing and the other two are truly loyal and righteous.

Especially with Dong Ping as a foil, the three of them seemed even more loyal and righteous.

Xu Ning, Hua Rong, and the others wholeheartedly approved of Zhang Qing and his group's actions.

"Brother, how about we invite Supervisor Zhang up the mountain?"

Wu Song walked over and asked Ren Yuan.

"We Liangshan people value loyalty and brotherhood, and we absolutely cannot force people to join us."

Ren Yuan said to Wu Song, "So if they don't have the intention to go up the mountain, I won't let them go up the mountain."

"My brother has thought things through very well."

Wu Song thought about it and realized that it made sense. He had been the same way before. Even though Ren Yuan had given him the Snowflake Knife, a divine weapon, before he left Chai Da Guanren's manor, Ren Yuan hadn't said a word to recruit him.

"General, are you stupid? There's nothing between me and Lao Ding, but if you stay, you'll never be able to stay in the government army again!"

“That’s right, General. You’re in the prime of your life, you can’t stay here with the two of us. You should leave quickly. I asked around, and Liangshan doesn’t kill prisoners. Old Gong and I are safe here. General, don’t jeopardize your future!”

Although Gong Wang and Ding Desun were moved, they really didn't want to see Zhang Qing's bright future go to waste.

"Hey, hey, what are you saying? Does that mean there's no future in Liangshan?"

Xu Ning couldn't stand it anymore, so he stepped forward and walked up to Zhang Qing and the others.

"Do you know me?"

Zhang Qing looked at the person he had just knocked over with a stone and shook his head.

"My name is Xu Ning, have you heard of me?"

"Xu Ning? You mean Instructor Xu from the Imperial Golden Spear Class? What are you doing here?"

Zhang Qing was too young to have heard of Xu Ning, but Gong Wang and Ding Desun certainly did.

Back when they were stationed in the capital for military training, Xu Ning always accompanied the government troops to inspect the troops from various places, and the two of them had seen Xu Ning from afar several times.

"It's me! As for how I came to Liangshan, I'll tell you now!"

Xu Ning was somewhat excited; today was a rare day of emotional ups and downs for him.

After all, having been on the mountain for so long, Xu Ning has always given people the impression of being neither hot nor cold, neither competitive nor eager to compete.

But today, he first captured two generals in succession, and then was defeated. If it weren't for Hua Rong, he probably would have been captured as well.

So Xu Ning's mentality is a bit unstable right now.

Now that he was talking about how Gao Qiu had harmed him, he became even more agitated, his face turning completely red!

"Teacher, teacher, calm down."

"Brother Xu Ning, take a deep breath."

Ren Yuan and Hua Rong quickly went up to comfort Xu Ning, but Xu Ning still told Zhang Qing and the others his whole story.

"Gao Qiu... it's a disgrace to the Song Dynasty's army that such a person could become a Grand Commandant!"

After hearing this, Zhang Qing and the others were furious with Gao Qiu. What was he doing? Just for someone else's precious armor, he did this?

"Do you think there are no military officers on Liangshan? This Brother Hua Rong was originally the magistrate of Qingfeng Village, but he was killed by another civil official magistrate sent by the imperial court! His whole family almost lost their lives!"

Xu Ning was really getting emotional, and there was no way to stop him.

"Lin Chong, the Instructor Lin! You all know him, right? He almost lost his family and his life just because Gao Yanei took a fancy to his wife!"

"Wang Jin, the Instructor! He's been hunted down ever since, just because his father once defeated Gao Qiu!"

"Commander Qin Ming! He was almost convicted because he was betrayed on the battlefield!"

"And there are the Tang brothers, former officers of Pudong! Commander Yang! Commander Lu, and others—weren't they all heroes of the army?"

"Do we all want to go up the mountain and become bandits? Don't we want to die on the battlefield, making a name for ourselves?"

"But look at this broken court! Do you think they'll give people like us a chance?"

"It was only because Brother Ren Yuan couldn't bear to see us suffer such an unexpected calamity that he took over Liangshan and sheltered us, who were not tolerated by the imperial court! I also have a battalion of 500 brothers in Liangshan, and I live a more comfortable life than in the government army! What makes you think that there is no future in Liangshan?!"

Xu Ning's outburst left Zhang Qing and the other two completely bewildered.

They opened their mouths, wanting to say something, but found they couldn't utter a word.

At this moment, Ren Yuan also spoke up.

“Commander Zhang, I truly admire the brotherhood between you. I never expected there to be such loyal and righteous people among the government troops. Liangshan acts on behalf of Heaven. Since the three of you have such a good relationship, I will not betray your bond of brotherhood.”

"How about this? We, Liangshan, will take all the spoils and prisoners of war from this battalion. As for the three of you, I can let you go back. What do you think?"

"You...you're willing to let us go?"

The three people stared wide-eyed, completely incredulous.

"I released someone like Dong Ping, so why shouldn't I release you three good men, Commander Zhang?"

Ren Yuan shrugged. "But the others can't leave."

"General..."

Gong Wang and Ding Desun looked at Zhang Qing, having made up their minds to stand with him through thick and thin.

What Xu Ning said earlier really resonated with them. Military men in the Song Dynasty didn't have a high status to begin with, and they often had to suffer humiliation.

Moreover, they suffered a major defeat this time, having launched an attack without orders. Now all their men are gone, and the three of them will surely be punished if they return.

After comparing them, the two of them actually felt that staying in Liangshan was a good option.

After all, there are already so many former government officers on Liangshan Mountain, so it's no different from a military camp!

"Brother Gong, Brother Ding, you have always taken care of me since the Western Army. I, Zhang Qing, will never abandon you!"

Zhang Qing gestured for the two of them to be silent, then he asked Ren Yuan:

"May I ask, Chieftain, do you intend to accept amnesty in the future?"

"Hey, Zhang Dujian, don't be disgusting."

Ren Yuan waved his hand, saying that was simply impossible.

"Alright! So, chieftain, do you wish to become king from now on?"

Zhang Qing continued to ask.

"Build high walls, store up plenty of grain, and delay declaring yourself king."

Ren Yuan remained calm. Declaring himself king too early would be utterly useless and would only make him a target. Only Xiao Tian next door would do something so stupid, so don't drag him into it.

"Good! Chief Ren is truly insightful. So, Chief Ren, what are your thoughts on the Liao Kingdom, the Western Xia Kingdom, and other such countries?"

Zhang Qing then asked a third question.

“Those who are not of our kind are sure to have different hearts. They bully my brothers and humiliate my sisters. There’s no need to say more about them. Kill them one by one.”

"Alright! In that case, Chief Ren, the three of us brothers will follow you!"

After asking his three questions, Zhang Qing didn't hesitate and immediately bowed to Ren Yuan. Gong Wang and Ding Desun were taken aback at first, but then immediately followed suit.

"Hmm? Is Zhang, the prison warden, really planning to go up the mountain? Is he sincere?"

Ren Yuan was somewhat surprised. So Zhang Qing, you don't mind going up the mountain?

"The court is incompetent, to the point that the lives of us warriors are as worthless as grass. I hope that by following the chieftain from now on, we will no longer have to live in fear!"

"And I have another request."

Zhang Qing actually understood things very well. He had become a high-ranking official at a young age, and there were countless people who envied him.

Once news of this defeat spreads, many people will likely be waiting to take advantage of him, and imprisonment is inevitable, not to mention the risk to his life!

Since that's the case, we might as well stay at Liangshan!

"Brother Zhang Qing, please speak freely."

Ren Yuan nodded, indicating that there was no problem.

"Next time I see Dong Ping, I'm going to teach him a lesson myself!"

……