Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Cangzhou.

There's a hotel by the official road. What does this hotel look like? A poem praises it:

An ancient road leads to a secluded village, with a village inn beside it. Willows line the bank, their banners fluttering at dawn; lotus blossoms sway in the breeze, their green curtains billowing. Liu Ling lies supine before his bed, Li Bai sleeps drunkenly against the wall. The village wine emboldens the villagers, the local liquor enhances the old man's appearance. A fairy's jade pendant once remained, and a high-ranking official's golden sable coat should also be found here.

The store was empty at the moment, with three or five bartenders sitting idly behind the counter.

Suddenly, three burly men walked in and sat down at one of the seats.

These three men were all over eight feet tall. One had a majestic face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, like a Vajra. Another had a burly appearance, a bony face with two fists and a three-pronged yellow beard. The leader was nine feet tall, with an imposing appearance and boundless heroic spirit!

“Brother, we are already within the territory of Cangzhou. It is likely that Master Chai is not far away. Let us eat here and then go to find him.”

The man with thick eyebrows and big eyes clasped his hands in a fist salute to the man in the lead.

"Brother Song Wan is right. I'm here to discuss business with Master Chai, so I can't go on an empty stomach. Shopkeeper, do you have any wine or dishes? Please bring some quickly!"

The man with the three-pronged yellow beard spoke very respectfully to the man in charge.

"Zhu Gui, please don't drink the wine. It's inappropriate to drink when visiting such an important person."

The man leading the group took off his straw hat; it was Ren Yuan!

The two people who came with him were Song Wan, nicknamed "Cloud-Piercing Vajra," and Zhu Gui, nicknamed "Dryland Crocodile."

Zhu Gui and Ren Yuan had known each other for a long time. Last year, when Ren Yuan was traveling around, he encountered Zhu Gui being chased by a group of hooligans in Yishui County. Ren Yuan stepped in to help and saved him.

From then on, Zhu Gui followed Ren Yuan. Ren Yuan knew that Zhu Gui had a talent for running a hotel, so after Shenxianzui was brewed, Ren Yuan put Zhu Gui in charge of all matters related to Shenxianzui.

Of course, what Zhu Gui is currently selling is not the real "Immortal's Drunkenness," but the original version, which is still more delicious than most of the fine wines on the market in the Song Dynasty.

As for Song Wan, Ren Yuan had met him on his journey not long ago.

At that time, Song Wan was preparing to join Liangshan, but after meeting Ren Yuan, the two hit it off immediately. After learning that Ren Yuan was the pillar of heaven, Song Wan immediately knelt down and recognized Ren Yuan as his elder brother.

"Are you three heroes looking for someone?"

The hotel manager himself came up and asked Ren Yuan and the other two questions.

"Shopkeeper, I've heard that Master Chai lives here. Is that true?"

Ren Yuan spoke with a smile.

"You're not from around here, are you? Do you know Master Chai?"

The shopkeeper was somewhat surprised.

"Who in the martial arts world doesn't know the name of Master Chai, the Little Whirlwind?"

Ren Yuan naturally knew Chai Jin.

"The descendants of Emperor Shizong of the Great Zhou Dynasty, after the Chenqiao Mutiny, were granted an imperial edict by the founding emperor, which allowed them to recruit heroes from all over the land. Am I right?"

Yes, yes!

The shopkeeper could tell that this person was also related to the Chai family, and upon hearing this person speak so highly of his master's family, he was naturally in a good mood.

"Good sir, if you're looking for a high-ranking official, it's better to go there without eating. The food there is far better than what we have at this humble shop."

"Where is Master Chai's estate?"

"Just ahead, about two or three miles away, around the big stone bridge, that large manor is there."

The shopkeeper was very helpful in giving directions.

"Brother, then we..."

Song Wan asked Ren Yuan for his opinion, since this man had already entrusted his life to Ren Yuan.

"Then let's go see the master first. Thank you, shopkeeper."

Ren Yuan took out five taels of silver from his pocket, placed it on the table, and went out first, with Song Wan and Zhu Gui following closely behind him.

After the three left, they walked along the dirt road, and sure enough, after two or three miles, they suddenly came upon a large stone bridge. Crossing the bridge, they found themselves on a flat stone-paved road, and soon they could see the manor house emerging from the shade of green willows. A stream flowed all around, its banks lined with large weeping willows, and within their shade stood a pink wall. Turning a corner, they arrived at the manor house—wow, what a magnificent manor house!

Even its appearance is praised in a poem:

The gate faces the equator, the mountain connects to the Azure Dragon. Ten thousand flowers bloom in Peach Blossom Creek, a thousand trees blossom in Golden Valley Garden. In the Hall of Gathering Sages, rare flowers bloom in all four seasons; in front of the Hall of Ten Thousand Flowers, the scenery rivals eternal spring in its beauty.

A golden plaque of amnesty hangs in the hall, a certificate of imperial decree hangs in the family. Vermilion eaves and green tiles conceal a nine-tiered hall; painted beams and carved pillars, truly a refined and elegant residence. If not the residence of a current nobleman, it must have been the home of an emperor of a previous dynasty.

When Ren Yuan and his two companions arrived at the manor, they saw four or five servants sitting on the wide plank bridge. Ren Yuan stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting to the servants.

"Ren Yuan from Taiyuan, along with his friends Song Wan and Zhu Gui, are passing through this place and wish to pay their respects to Master Chai."

"Ren Yuan, is he the Ren Yuan known in the martial arts world as the Optimus Prime?"

Those who could work as gatekeepers and servants in Chai Jin's household were all clever people. As soon as the name Ren Yuan was mentioned, they naturally thought of a hero who had become very popular in the martial arts world in recent years.

"It is indeed me, Ren. I wonder if Master Chai is here today? I have a business deal I would like to discuss with him."

"Hero, please rest a moment, I will go and report right away."

One of the farmhands immediately ran into the courtyard, while the other farmhands brought a chair for Ren Yuan to rest on.

Ren Yuan, the pillar of heaven, was no ordinary guy who came to the manor to freeload. He was a man of real skill, and he wanted to discuss business, so he couldn't be neglected!

"Even Master Chai takes my brother's name seriously."

Song Wan had complete respect for Ren Yuan. The two had only become acquainted because of their similar appearance and nicknames, but now, if Ren Yuan told Song Wan to go east, he wouldn't go west.

"Everyone carries a sedan chair, but this little bit of empty fame is nothing. Everyone, cheer up and don't lose face."

Ren Yuan did not sit in the chair, but instead gave his two brothers a few serious instructions.

After all, Chai Jin was an important part of his future plans.

Not long after, a commotion came from inside the manor, and a similarly young figure walked quickly in, surrounded by a crowd.

Ren Yuan was tall, so he saw him immediately.

What a Chai Jin! He truly is a descendant of the dragon!

He was born with dragon-like eyebrows and phoenix-like eyes, white teeth and red lips, and a three-pronged mustache covering his mouth. He was twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old.

She wore a black gauze headscarf with embroidered corners, a purple embroidered robe with a rounded chest, a delicate jade sash with inlaid jewels around her waist, and a pair of black court boots with gold thread and green trim.

"Are you perhaps Ren Yuan, the Optimus Prime?"

From a distance, Chai Jin was the first to greet them.

"A mere name, not worth mentioning, sir, I pay my respects!"

Ren Yuan gave Chai Jin a traditional courtesy, and Song Wan and Zhu Gui behind him hurriedly followed suit.

"His fists can conquer three prefectures and six counties, and his sword can subdue both banks of the Yellow River. To receive such praise, Brother Ren must be truly capable."

Chai Jin gave Ren Yuan a look that said, "I have high hopes for you," leaving Ren Yuan speechless for a moment.

You might say Chai Jin has poor judgment, but his estate is indeed quite good at attracting people; Lin Chong and Wu Song both stayed here.

If you say he has good judgment... he can treat trash like Instructor Hong as the head instructor and neglect Wu Song. He seems to have the makings of a tyrant.

Ren Yuan was truly troubled by Chai Jin's praise.

Should I accept it or not?

"Brother Ren, what brings you here from afar?"

After a few pleasantries, Chai Jin got down to business.

"My lord, I have a business deal I'd like to discuss with you!"

Ren Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and said very solemnly.

"In that case, let's discuss this further in the hospital."

Chai Jin wasn't stupid; he knew Ren Yuan wouldn't use his name to make baseless accusations. So this deal was probably more than just a business transaction.

"My lord, please!"

"Brother Ren, please!"