Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Outside the east gate of Dengzhou, at the Shili Archway.

There's a tavern here, with all sorts of meats hanging high in front, and a group of people gambling under the eaves behind.

The stove inside was burning warmly, and a woman sat on the cabinet. Although she was just a woman, she had the presence to command respect.

What did this woman look like?

He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, a fat and wide face, broad shoulders and a thick waist, and his hair was piled on a slant, with a row of strange hairpins stuck in it. His sleeves were rolled up, and he wore two fashionable bracelets in a rather haphazard way.

This woman is like a thunderbolt; sometimes she gets angry for no reason and will lift the well curb to break her husband's head first; other times she gets impatient and will take a stone awl and knock down the legs of the farmhands.

She was born without the skill to sew, only wanting to be a female worker wielding sticks and guns!

This woman is none other than Sister Gu, who is famous far and wide in Dengzhou City. Just one woman sitting in charge of the tavern is enough to keep the ruffians and thieves in the area from running amok!

Moreover, this woman's husband was no slacker either; he was Sun Xin, the younger brother of the military commander of Dengzhou, who was skilled in several types of whip and spear techniques and was known as Little Yuchi!

Some people in the martial arts world are curious: Sun Xin is good-looking, skilled in martial arts, and has a good family background, so why did he choose to marry Gu Dasao, a tigress?

Sun Xin's answer was that he liked this kind of girl!

I love the feeling of being pinned down!

The weather was getting colder, but business was still booming. It has to be said that this couple had a knack for doing business!

"Auntie, is my brother home?" (For your information, in the original novel, Sun Li calls Gu Dasao "Auntie," while Gu Dasao calls Sun Li "Uncle." Each has its own interpretation, so please don't argue. If you do, it means you haven't read Chapter 48 of the original novel.)

A tall man wearing a straw hat walked into the house, took off the hat, and spoke to Sister-in-law Gu.

Upon hearing the sound, Sister-in-law Gu quickly jumped down from the counter to greet them personally.

"Uncle, why are you here? You didn't even tell me beforehand so I could prepare some food and wine."

"We're all family, there's no need to prepare anything, thank you for your thoughtfulness, Auntie."

Sun Li was initially worried that his younger brother would be bullied after marrying Gu Dasao, but judging from the couple's life afterward, it was quite good, so he naturally accepted his sister-in-law.

"Whatever Uncle says, we should take it to heart as family."

As Sister-in-law Gu took the straw hat and cloak from Sun Li, she said to him:

"Uncle, you've come at just the right time today. Not only is my wife here, but my two brothers are here too."

"Oh? The Xie brothers? I've heard my aunt talk about them many times, but I've never met them."

Sun Li's heart stirred. He had heard of the Xie brothers many times. Both of them were hunters from the mountains, using iron-tipped steel forks. Among the hunters in Dengzhou, these two brothers were the best.

"Then today is a good day to meet with Uncle."

Sister-in-law Gu led Sun Li into the house. Inside, the stove was even warmer. Sun Xin and two burly men were roasting a fat lamb on the grill. The lamb was roasting perfectly, sizzling with oil. On the table next to them were prepared minced garlic, large steamed buns, and side dishes.

"Brother? You've come at the perfect time! The roast lamb I made today is absolutely delicious, come and have a taste!"

Sun Xin sensed someone approaching, looked up, and was surprised to find it was his older brother.

The two young men beside him immediately bowed to Sun Li.

"Greetings, Brother Sun Li!"

"Uncle, these are my two brothers, the elder one is Xie Zhen, and the younger one is Xie Bao."

Sister-in-law Gu introduced Sun Li to her.

Sun Li looked up and saw that they were indeed two fine men.

The eldest brother, Jie Zhen, was over seven feet tall, with a purplish-brown complexion, a slender waist, broad shoulders, and exceptionally long and powerful arms covered in calluses.

The second brother, Jie Bao, was also over seven feet tall, with a round face, dark skin, broad shoulders, and a wolf-like waist. He wore shorts that revealed two exceptionally strong and powerful legs, which were tattooed with two flying yakshas.

"Auntie, I have something to discuss with them..."

After returning the greetings one by one, Sun Li slowly began to speak.

"I understand. You guys talk first, and call me if you need anything."

At this moment, Sister-in-law Gu was very sensible. She left the room without staying and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Sun Xin was a quick-witted person. Upon seeing this situation, he immediately realized that something had happened to his brother, and it was something serious.

"Tomorrow, I will set off on an expedition to attack Liangshan."

Sun Li found a seat, looked at the sizzling roasted lamb, and slowly began to speak.

"What? Brother, how come it's so fast? Isn't it after the New Year?"

Sun Xin was startled. He knew that his brother was going to war after the New Year, but it was still the New Year celebrations!

"The imperial court's orders cannot be refused."

Sun Li shook his head.

"As you know, although your brother is invincible in Dengzhou, that prefect has always been at odds with me. He made me do the work of the military commander, but only gave me the position of military officer."

"This expedition to Liangshan is clearly intended to make me take responsibility. We're setting off tomorrow, and we haven't prepared any provisions or weapons in advance. Before coming here, I knocked on the warehouse door three times and barely managed to get some. It's just been transported back to the camp and distributed to the soldiers."

"Brother, if you ask me, you shouldn't have been the military commander. With a major battle imminent, you're not giving us anything. What's the point of fighting? Here, brother, have a taste."

Upon hearing this, Sun Xin also felt indignant on behalf of his brother. He first cut off a piece of lamb leg, put it in a bowl, and handed it to Sun Li.

"If I hadn't taken the job, what would have happened to our family back then? Hmm, delicious. Your cooking is getting better and better."

Sun Li ate the lamb leg that his younger brother had grilled, and he was also very emotional.

"Little brother, can you come with me this time?"

"Brother, are you kidding me? Me? What could I possibly do?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Xin immediately laughed.

"You're my brother, how could I not know your abilities?"

Sun Li looked at Sun Xin and said, "Because your sister-in-law is so assertive, you've always acted like you're only average in martial arts."

"But I do know that if you fight with all your might, your combat power will at least double!"

"Brother, you flatter me, hahaha."

Sun Xin cut himself a piece of meat and put it in his mouth to chew.

"I don't have any grand ambitions. I just want to run a small shop, take care of my wife, and maybe have a few more kids in the future, that'll be enough."

"Brother, are you just going to waste all your skills? You've been smart since you were a child. I only taught you a few whip and spear techniques, and you figured out the double whip method on your own. If you were dedicated to martial arts, you would be no weaker than me!"

Sun Li didn't know why his younger brother was unwilling to do anything important and always had a carefree attitude.

“Brother, you have great ambitions, but I don’t, so this time, I can’t help you.”

Sun Xin shrugged.

"However, if you only want a deputy general, or rather, an assistant, then these two lads are fine."

Sun Xin pointed at Xie Zhen and Xie Bao and said to Sun Li:

"They've been number one on the Dengzhou hunters' list for the past three years. If you need more men this time, take them with you. After all, brothers fight tigers together."

Sun Li looked at Xie Zhen and Xie Bao:

Are you two willing?

Jie Zhen and Jie Bao certainly had dreams too; they didn't want to spend their lives hunting. But when they thought of their older sister, Gu Dasao, they both felt a little timid.

“Brother, it’s not that we’re unwilling, but this matter requires sister’s approval.”

Jie Zhen explained that the two brothers' parents had died early and they were raised by Sister-in-law Gu, so Sister-in-law Gu was both their sister and their mother to them.

It's really hard to say whether Sister-in-law Gu would agree to such a dangerous thing as going to the battlefield.

"Sigh... It's alright, no need to force it. Come on, eat some meat!"

Sun Li thought about it and ultimately didn't force them.

Everyone has their own destiny, and they are living well now, so there is no need for them to take risks for themselves.

"Brother, would you like a drink?"

Seeing Sun Li's somewhat disappointed expression, Sun Xin couldn't help but ask.

"I won't drink since we're going to war tomorrow."

Sun Li shook his head.

"Alright, Jie Zhen, Jie Bao, bring me a pot of good tea. Today, I'll offer tea in place of wine to wish you a resounding victory, brother!"

As Sun Xin gave the instructions, he said to Sun Li:

"Brother, sometimes, we might as well not be officials at all!"