Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

After Qiongying's matter was settled, Liangshan's preparations for war continued.

This time, they will divide their forces in an unprecedented manner.

Ren Yuan was preparing to personally lead a large army to conquer Kyushu Island!

At this moment, he was talking to Zhu Wu, Gongsun Sheng, and Qiao Daoqing, who was carrying a large bundle on his back.

"Zhu Wu, Yi Qing, Dao Qing, the three of you stay behind at Liangshan and keep an eye on the stronghold."

Wen Huanzhang and Wang Yin are currently handling matters on Jeju Island, so Liangshan still has five strategists.

Xu Guanzhong and Xiao Jiasui were Ren Yuan's military advisors this time. In their absence, the affairs of the mountain stronghold were entrusted to Zhu Wu and the others.

"Brother, rest assured, we will do our utmost to protect Liangshan for you!"

Zhu Wu and the others also knew that this time they had a heavy burden on their shoulders.

"This time, I will take the three legions of the Imperial Guards led by Lin Chong, Mi Sheng, and Fan Rui with me."

"Ma Jun, Qin Ming, Yang Zhi, Lu Junyi, and Guan Sheng, the four legions, follow me."

"Infantry, Bian Xiang, Lu Zhishen, Pang Wanchun, Deng Yuanjue, Shan Shiqi, the Ma brothers, six legions, follow me."

"Add the navy, the five legions, the seven legions and the Fei Bao legion, and I'll take these sixteen combat legions with me."

"Brother, are sixteen warrior legions enough?"

Zhu Wu was somewhat uneasy.

"Don't worry, there are Shi Bao, Sun Li, and Ou Peng in Jeju Island, as well as branches of the Engineering, Rejuvenation, and Sky Curtain logistics legions on the island. I will draw their troops to supplement the force if necessary."

Ren Yuan patted Zhu Wu on the shoulder.

"Besides, the people I brought are enough."

Ren Yuan was not at all worried about the troops this time.

To be honest, he even wondered if he had brought too many people with him.

It's just Kyushu Island, why mobilize so many people?

However, there was no other way. After all, it was a major battle to expand territory, and everyone was very enthusiastic about participating. In the end, they could only draw lots.

Those brothers who were chosen to go on the expedition were naturally overjoyed, ready to expand their territory. Those who weren't chosen, however, were somewhat disappointed.

However, Ren Yuan comforted them, saying that although the army's expedition was very important, it was also extremely important to stay behind at Liangshan and guard the main camp to prevent it from being raided. This made the brothers straighten their minds and feel at ease guarding their headquarters.

Otherwise, in a moment of impulsiveness, this group might have gotten Ren Yuan to order the abandonment of Liangshan and mobilize the entire army.

"Alright, it's good that you understand, but remember, you're the commander-in-chief now. A commander-in-chief can't easily put himself in danger, otherwise..."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Besides, Guan Zhong and Lao Xiao are both by my side. Zhu Wu, are you worried that I'll do something outrageous?"

Ren Yuan comforted Zhu Wu, knowing full well that Zhu Wu was worried about his safety.

"While I am away, I will closely observe the movements of the imperial court and the other three families, and ensure the safety of the Liangshan headquarters."

Ren Yuan instructed Zhu Wu.

"Brother, rest assured, I will instruct everyone in the stronghold to strengthen their defenses and keep a low profile during this period. The Liangshan headquarters will not make any moves in the near future."

Zhu Wu's proposed strategy, commonly known as "playing it safe," was to let the imperial court and the other three factions make trouble while Liangshan remained silent.

"Yes, holding out is a very good idea. Let the naval brothers put in more effort. The Nanjing naval force is gone, and I don't think the imperial court can transfer any more naval forces for the time being."

Ren Yuan thought about it and realized that there really shouldn't be any other naval forces that could be mobilized near Liangshan.

"Also, you must be careful of Fang La. He's a bit of a madman, and he might cause trouble."

"Don't worry, brother, we've got our eyes on that little corner of Jiangnan perfectly well!"

"Brother, what about Wang Qing? That guy is like a snake in winter; you never know when he might jump out and bite someone."

Gongsun Sheng and Qiao Daoqing expressed that they were not entirely at ease with Wang Qing.

"Wang Qing... he's quite a surprise to me."

Ren Yuan thought about it and realized that Wang Qing in this life seemed to be more cautious.

He did not follow Tian Hu in becoming king, and even after Fang La sent him auspicious omens, he chose to remain inactive.

"Yi Qing, Dao Qing, do you know anything about that Assistant Li's background?"

Wang Qing's success today is inseparable from the assistance of his two right-hand men, Li Zhu and Du Xue.

Everyone knows Du Xue, the second most powerful man in the Green Forest, but Li Zhu is shrouded in mystery, except that he is a Taoist priest.

"Wang Qing has been very discreet about Li Zhu. All that's known to the outside world is that he's called Mr. Golden Sword and is dressed as a Taoist priest. I also only know that he's from Jingnan. I even asked Mi Sheng and Lao Xiao, but neither of them knew anything about Li Zhu. I was thinking that since you're both Taoists, you might know more?"

Ren Yuan was also particularly curious about Li Zhu, because he remembered reading in the book that Li Zhu had received swordsmanship and the secrets of Zi Ping from a mysterious person. But he really didn't know the specifics.

"Within our Taoist sect, there are a few schools that specialize in swordsmanship, but most of them have declined or deviated from the orthodox Taoist tradition."

Gongsun Sheng thought for a moment, "I heard my master say that the Shangqing School of Taoism used to specialize in swordsmanship and formations. This Li Zhu may have inherited the swordsmanship of the Shangqing School."

"As for the unorthodox Taoist schools, I'm not afraid to admit it, brother. I do know that there are a few small temples in western Hunan and southern Jiangxi that specialize in swordsmanship, but none of them have a reputation as great as Li Zhu's."

Qiao Daoqing added.

"Forget it, as long as Wang Qing doesn't cause trouble, we won't provoke him. As for Assistant Li, no matter how strong he is, he's still just one person."

Seeing that neither of the two senior Taoist practitioners knew who Li Zhu was, Ren Yuan gave up and thought, "Whatever, let him do whatever he wants."

"It's alright, brother. Li Zhu's Golden Sword Technique, besides the moves, also hinges on his golden sword! But I've already had Brother Tang Long forge something to counter it for me!"

Qiao Daoqing suddenly laughed. He pulled out a large, round shield that looked very familiar to Ren Yuan from the large bundle on his back!

"Brother, look! This is the new Yin-Yang Magnetic Shield that I had Brother Tang Long forge for me using all the materials I had!"

Ren Yuan was dumbfounded when he saw Qiao Daoqing holding the round shield in his hand, and the shield covering about a third of his body.

Daoqing, if you weren't wearing a Taoist robe, but instead a tight-fitting outfit and a helmet that covers half your face, then you'd look like the captain of Liangshan!

"Daoqing, what's wrong with you...?"

"Hehe, brother, with this shield, Li Zhu's golden sword is useless. What's there to be afraid of in a Golden Sword Master without his golden sword?"

Qiao Daoqing chuckled. "Indeed, one shouldn't underestimate the unorthodox methods of Taoism! Look at their solution! How brilliant it is!"

"I admire you!"

What else could Ren Yuan say but give Captain Qiao of Liangshan a thumbs up!

"Report! Report! Chieftain! Urgent report from Huaixi! Yesterday, Wang Qing of Huaixi proclaimed himself King of Chu in Fangzhou! He offered sacrifices to Heaven and raised his banner! He has officially launched an uprising against the Song Dynasty!"

"Meanwhile, Fang La of Jiangnan, who calls himself the Holy Duke, also captured the prefectural government offices of Hangzhou and Suzhou yesterday! He raised his flag and rebelled!"

Ren Yuan: ?(?'?'?)??????

Holy crap! Wang Qing, Fang La, what are you trying to do?