Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

In the dark and damp underground, only a little light from above could barely make out the person huddled inside.

Chai Jin had been in this dry well for a day and a night.

After being tortured and beaten by Gao Lian, Gao Lian actually wanted to kill him directly.

However, perhaps wanting to enjoy the feeling of torment, Gao Lian later decided to hang Chai Jin up and personally whip him once a day with a leather whip soaked in salt water.

Gao Lian took the matter of whipping Chai Jin very seriously, and he would personally do it every time, hoping to hear Chai Jin beg for mercy.

But Chai Jin was truly tough. Although he was beaten to the point of near death several times, he still maintained the noble air of the former imperial family.

You want me to beg for mercy? Bah! Who do you think you are, Gao Lian!

You're nothing but a dog of the Zhao family!

The Zhao family was once nothing more than the Chai family's watchdogs!

The more Chai Jin refused to admit defeat, the more excited and energetic Gao Lian became.

This vicious cycle caused Chai Jin to be beaten unconscious by Gao Lian several times!

However, Gao Lian restrained his strength and did not kill Chai Jin directly.

He wanted to torture Chai Jin; seeing Chai Jin's miserable state excited him!

The only reason Gao Lian forgot to clock in these past two days was because the Liangshan army had arrived.

But in the prison of Gaotang Prefecture, there was a clerk named Lin Ren.

You can tell from his name that this guy is rather kind.

He did not disappoint his name. As the governor of Gaotang Prefecture, Lin Ren was in charge of those who had committed serious crimes. After Chai Jin was imprisoned, he was also placed under his jurisdiction.

Lin Ren had long been weary of the dark chaos of the Song Dynasty. As a magistrate, he had witnessed far too many injustices.

Many people should not be sentenced to death, but for various reasons, they have to endure those bad consequences.

Many people were wrongly accused, and many others were forced to take the blame for others.

These people spent the last dark period of their lives in this dark and hopeless prison.

Lin Ren couldn't bear it, so he secretly converted a dry well behind the prison into a simple refuge.

When someone is wronged or shouldn't die in prison, Lin Ren will find an opportunity to secretly save them and replace them with some heinous criminals who are about to die.

Over the years, although he has saved not many people, there have been a few lucky ones whose fates have been changed by Lin Ren.

Chai Jin was clearly someone who shouldn't have died in Gaotang Prefecture!

Two days ago, while Gao Lian was preparing to deal with Liangshan, Lin Ren secretly replaced Chai Jin with a death row inmate of similar build and carried Chai Jin to the dry well.

"This, sir, if Gao Lian finds out you've helped me so much, your life will be in danger..."

When Chai Jin was brought out by Lin Ren, he was already on the verge of death.

“My lord, you are of noble status. I do not believe you should die in my Gaotang Prefecture prison.”

"Noble? How am I noble? I am just a person who has lost his country."

Gao Lian's actions these past few days have made Chai Jin realize some things.

If I were truly of noble blood, how could Gao Lian dare to treat me like this?

"My lord, Gao Lian is a mad dog. How can you reason with a mad dog? You'll never get anywhere with him."

Lin Ren placed the firewood at the wellhead, then untied the rope beside it and connected it to the bucket.

He also felt great sympathy for Chai Jin's plight.

"Do you know that back then, the founding emperor left our Chai family a certificate of merit, stating that our descendants would not be punished for any crime except for treason and rebellion!"

"But even treason can only end in prison and be executed!"

"No executions shall be carried out in the marketplace, nor shall relatives be implicated!"

"How dare he, Gao Lian, treat me like this!"

Chai Jin leaned against the well and watched Lin Ren working. He couldn't help but tell Lin Ren what he wanted to say most.

The feeling was like that of an old wolf king, terminally ill and on the verge of death, struggling to display its final majesty.

"My lord, please don't blame me for speaking harshly."

After hearing this, Lin Ren sighed.

"After the Axe and Candle Shadow incident, the lineage of Emperor Taizu declined. Perhaps Emperor Taizu felt guilty towards the ancestors of the high official, but he had no relation to the lineage of Emperor Taizong at all."

“My lord, you take the imperial edict too seriously. If people recognize it, then it is an imperial edict; if they don’t, then it is just a piece of junk.”

"Yes... If only I had figured it out sooner."

After hearing this, Chai Jin smiled helplessly. Indeed, he had placed too much faith in the so-called ironclad guarantee, which led to his current predicament!

"It's alright, sir. I've prepared some water and food for you, enough for you down there for a day. I'll come again tomorrow to bring you more food."

Lin Ren had already tied the bucket together and placed two water bags and a large flatbread inside.

"What's the use? Am I, Chai Jin, supposed to spend the rest of my life hiding in this well, a frog at the bottom of a well?"

Chai Jin shook his head. If that were the case, he would rather die!

"Of course not, sir, because Liangshan is attacking."

Lin Ren shook his head. Chai Jin was being naive. If Liangshan hadn't come, Gao Lian would have whipped Chai Jin every day. How could he possibly have given him the chance to replace him?

"Liangshan? Liangshan is here? Could it be my sworn brother Ren Yuan?"

Upon hearing the words "Liangshan," Chai Jin seemed to gain new life. He struggled, trying to lean against the well opening and stand up.

"Yes, Liangshan Marsh Commander Yuan has personally led an army of over ten thousand and has already reached the city of Gaotang. Within the next day or two, Liangshan will definitely launch an attack on Gaotang."

Seeing that Chai Jin had tried to stand up several times but failed, Lin Ren quickly went over to help him up.

"You are well aware of the fighting strength of the Liangshan army, which is why Gao Lian is currently struggling with how to deal with them. You only need to hide at the bottom of this well for a few days, and you will surely be able to wait for the Liangshan forces to come to your rescue!"

As Lin Ren spoke, he helped Chai Jin into the bucket.

“My lord, please be careful. I will slowly lower you down. Once you reach the bottom, climb out, take out the water and bread, and then shake the rope, and I will pull the bucket up.”

"If Liangshan hasn't fallen by this time tomorrow, I'll come back to bring you food again."

"If Liangshan falls, then Chief Ren will personally come to pick you up!"

"May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

Just as he was about to be lowered down, Chai Jin looked down at the dark bottom of the well and suddenly grabbed Lin Ren's hand tightly and asked.

“My lord, my surname is Lin, the Lin of Lin Xiangru.”

Lin Ren patted Chai Jin's hand, smiled gently, and gestured for him not to be afraid.

"If there's a chance, let's have a drink and chat together when you come up again, sir!"

"Commander Lin, I will never forget your great kindness!"

Upon hearing this, Chai Jin burst into tears!