Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Not far from Liangshan, a group of people were winding their way along a forest path.

"Brother, Liangshan is just ahead."

Sun Xin and Sun Li walked side by side at the head of the Dengzhou army. Sun Xin looked at the map in his hand and talked to Sun Li.

"Alright, pass down the order: all troops, be on high alert! We're about to enter Liangshan territory, so be careful!"

After hearing this, Sun Li nodded and then signaled the entire army to be cautious.

"Brother, should we go and join up with the Qingzhou army first?"

Sun Xin felt that his Dengzhou only had a little over 1,200 troops, which was far too few!

This number would be more than enough to deal with ordinary bandits and outlaws. A typical stronghold might only have two or three leaders and four or five hundred men; a force of over a thousand men would be a piece of cake.

But the problem is, now they want to attack Liangshan!

Are Liangshan any kind of force to be trifled with? They are one of the four major powers of the Song Dynasty's outlaws! With numerous leaders, their strength is already arguably the number one outlaw stronghold in the Song Dynasty!

Facing an opponent of this caliber, these 1,200-plus men, plus myself and my brother, two generals, were, frankly speaking, just there to be delivered to our deaths.

Fortunately, I knew Yang Lin before. When we exchanged letters, I mentioned a few times that I longed for Liangshan. I thought that someone on Liangshan would remember me.

"No, speed is of the essence in war. Besides, the Qingzhou army is an armored cavalry force. They set off earlier and outnumber us. I estimate they've already engaged in battle. It's better for us not to go and provide support now."

Sun Li is indeed quite capable. Whether it's commanding troops or his personal martial prowess, he is outstanding. Sure enough, he quickly found a reason to prove it.

"Why?"

Sun Xin asked.

"If we go there and see them lose, should we help them or not? If we don't, we'll be accused of failing to help someone in distress, and we'll die."

"Help! If the two thousand iron cavalry of Qingzhou all lose, aren't we, with just over a thousand men, just going to our deaths? Are we going to add fuel to the fire?"

"What if Chief Steward Huyan wins?"

Sun Xin asked again.

“If they win, then we definitely can’t go. Qingzhou is a big state. If they win, they will definitely take credit for it. If we go, they might just see us as people trying to steal the credit.”

"Moreover, he is the commander-in-chief of the army of a major state, while your brother is just a military commander of an ordinary state. The difference is huge. Maybe in the end, we will all be his scapegoats."

Sun Li sighed. He had lived in Dengzhou for many years and had even joined forces with other prefectures to suppress bandits. That was the situation back then; if he hadn't been so capable, he wouldn't have been able to return to the capital.

"Brother, I always thought you were reluctant to give up this official position, but I never imagined you also had many grievances!"

Sun Xin teased his older brother.

"Brother, since being an official is so frustrating, why don't we quit? With all your skills, you're not without options. Why stay in Dengzhou City all day and put up with that awful attitude!"

"If I don't take this position as military commander, what will my family eat and drink?"

Sun Li rolled his eyes at Sun Xin. "Have you forgotten that if I hadn't become this military officer back then, your sister-in-law would have almost had to pawn her dowry to support our family? If I hadn't become this military officer, where would we have gotten the money to get you a wife?"

"Now that you mention it, that makes sense."

Sun Xin nodded after hearing this.

Indeed, when my brother was still studying, his family was quite poor. It was only after he became a military officer that their life improved.

“Brother, things are different now. We have a tavern now. Even if you don’t become a military officer, our family can still live a good life.”

"I won't become a military commander? Then where will I go? How come your tavern is still operating in Dengzhou?"

Sun Li countered with a question.

"Hehe, don't worry about this brother. I have connections. I just need to know that you're not reluctant to give up your official position."

Sun Xin smiled broadly.

"You should know fewer people in the underworld. How many good people are there in the underworld? You might get implicated later."

"Besides, this official position originally belonged to my senior brother. If he hadn't given it to me back then, I really wouldn't have been so confident of victory."

Sun Li also felt guilty towards his senior brother.

"Brother, if you had the chance to compete with your senior brother, would you go all out?"

Sun Xin was somewhat curious.

"When fellow disciples spar, they should of course use their full strength; that's the best way to show respect to each other."

Sun Li was quite composed.

Sun Xin shrugged. He was a little confused about whether his older brother loved or hated his senior brother.

He spoke of hatred, yet he also spoke of his senior brother's good qualities.

He wants to express his love, yet he also wants to engage in a full-fledged competition.

Oh, brother, no wonder you've never been able to become the commander-in-chief. Your personality just isn't suited for it!

"boom!"

Just as the two brothers were talking, suddenly, a sound came from the forest, followed by the clanging of clappers. From the forest on both sides, many well-dressed soldiers, both cavalry and infantry, emerged and stood in neat rows blocking the road ahead!

"Don't panic, be on guard!"

Sun Li and Sun Xin immediately became serious!

Four generals rode out from among the lowly henchmen.

One of them wore a bronze mask, another was a young general, another had a scar on his face, and the last one had an embroidered tiger head on his neck.

"Who goes there, and why have you come to my Liangshan territory?"

Zhang Qing came out to speak, but Luan Tingyu had specially brought a mask, so it was inconvenient for him to speak for the time being.

"Liangshan Marsh claims to act on behalf of Heaven, but the Heaven of our Great Song Dynasty still exists. Whom do you act on behalf of? Heaven cherishes life. Today, the Heavenly Army has arrived. If you are willing to surrender, then we can live in peace today. Otherwise, we will inevitably face each other with swords and spears!"

Sun Li also stepped forward to respond to Zhang Qing.

"Hahaha! Commander Sun, you're just a lowly military commander, yet you dare to spout such grandiose words? You want Liangshan to surrender? Then show us some skill!"

Zhang Qing laughed. This Sun Li is really interesting!

"Keep an eye on the whole army, I'll be right back!"

Sun Li smiled, gave Sun Xin some instructions, then spurred his black horse and rode out of the formation, heading straight for Zhang Qing!

He wanted to show Zhang Qing whether he had the ability!

But suddenly, the man wearing the bronze mask on the side rode out on horseback, brandishing a long spear, and rushed towards him to block his way!

"Good timing! Take this!"

Sun Li remained completely calm and immediately engaged the newcomer in combat with his spear!

After four or five rounds, taking advantage of a mismatch, the two separated.

Sun Li looked at the man, his expression shifting slightly before he slowly spoke:

"Senior brother, how have you been?"

Sun Xin was shocked. Good heavens, this masked man is his brother's senior brother?

"You recognized me so quickly?"

Zhang Qing was even prepared to watch the show, and specially prepared a mask for Luan Tingyu, but he didn't expect to be exposed so quickly.

"Ugh……"

Luan Tingyu reached out and removed the mask from his face, looking at Sun Li with a complex tone:

"Junior brother, it's been a long time..."