Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Masaomi, why can't we touch them?"

This middle-aged general known as "Zhengchen" is no ordinary man. His name is Wang Bing, and he is the 27th generation descendant of Wang Dao, the prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He has been fighting in the army since he was a child and has made numerous military achievements. He is one of the most prominent figures of the Langya Wang family in this generation!

According to normal history, this bigwig would not have become famous for several years, and then he would have died a heroic death in Taiyuan when the Jurchens marched south.

However, in this life, due to the butterfly effect brought about by Ren Yuan, Wang Bing was appointed by the court ahead of schedule as the military commander of Dongping Prefecture, and together with his sworn brother, he was stationed in Dongping Prefecture!

His elder brother was no ordinary man either; he was an outstanding administrator and had originally been a tutor under Tong Guan—Cheng Wanli!

In the original Water Margin, this prefect met a bad end. Because Dong Ping took a liking to his daughter but he did not agree, Dong Ping held a grudge and sentenced him to death by saying to Song Jiang, "How can he not harm the people?"

Then Dong Ping broke through the city, first seizing his incomparably beautiful daughter, and then slaughtering the entire Cheng family.

So, Cheng Wanli was indeed somewhat wronged in the original story.

“Brother, you don’t know this. Liangshan is an 800-li marshland with a strong army. When Grand Commandant Gao led 130,000 troops to attack it, he lost his own life.”

"Brother, now that you have just arrived in Dongping Prefecture, it is best to prioritize the well-being of the people and avoid any conflict with Liangshan."

Wang Bing had read Gao Qiu's battle report that time, and even though he was a veteran soldier, he was drenched in sweat after reading it.

That was an army of 130,000, not 130,000 pigs. It also had nine military commanders and the chief and deputy chief instructors of the Imperial Guards as leaders. The fact that they were defeated like that with such a lineup can only mean that Liangshan was too terrifying.

How many people does Dongping Prefecture have? Wang Bing felt it was better not to fight a losing battle.

“That makes sense. Then we should prioritize people’s livelihood. The banner that Liangshan raises is to act on behalf of Heaven and to stand up for the people. But if the people under the jurisdiction of local governments can live and work in peace and contentment, then the banner of Liangshan will be useless.”

Cheng Wanli stated that since this was the case, he would start with the common people and cut off their supply lines to suppress Liangshan's development.

“I trust my brother’s abilities, and I also think this strategy is correct. Let’s start by practicing in Dongping Prefecture and see if we can make the people of Dongping Prefecture lose their goodwill towards Liangshan!”

Wang Bing exclaimed that his sworn brother's move was brilliant! If this succeeded, Liangshan would be like a rootless duckweed, and there would be no more worries!

"In fact, as long as all the people live in peace and contentment, bandits like Liangshan will not be able to succeed. I don't know what the officials in charge of those prefectures are doing. They don't even understand such a simple principle."

Cheng Wanli was very dissatisfied with the officials in charge of other prefectures. In his view, the four great bandits of the world were actually forced into their positions.

Who forced them to do it? The government is certainly not at fault, so the only ones at fault are the local officials!

“Brother, not everyone is like you. The court is in chaos right now. Without someone to promote them, many talented people will not be able to display their talents.”

Wang Bing had a clear understanding of the current situation. He knew that his elder brother wouldn't have been able to succeed so easily if it weren't for Tong Guan's support.

"That's no excuse for them to sit idly by and do nothing. Look at what they've done! Four major bandits have emerged in the world, and they're all against the imperial court. It's all their doing!"

Cheng Wanli's trust and loyalty to the imperial court need no further explanation. He certainly knew that Cai Jing held immense power in the court, but he always believed that as long as local officials fulfilled their duties, it wouldn't matter if the emperor made a slight mistake in judging people.

"By the way, Zhengchen, Wang Qing has been granted amnesty, and Tian Hu and Fang La are still fighting against the imperial court. What about Liangshan? Why have we heard nothing from them since the battle with Gao Qiu?"

This is what Cheng Wanli finds somewhat puzzling.

“This matter is indeed very strange, so brother, we must not act rashly, but should consider it carefully.”

Wang Bing didn't know why Liangshan was so quiet now, but he felt that it was better to be cautious than to make a big mistake.

"Well, I listen to you."

Cheng Wanli still cared about what his good brother had said.

"By the way, brother, Wan'er is not young anymore. This time you come to Dongping Prefecture, you should also consider Wan'er's marriage. Your sister-in-law has been gone for so many years, but she must also want to see Wan'er find her ideal husband as soon as possible."

"Sigh... I know exactly what you're saying. It's just that I've spoiled this child. Now she demands that her future husband be both scholarly and martial. Tell me, where can you find such a person?"

When talking about his daughter, Cheng Wanli said some bad things about her, but his face was full of pride.

“Brother, Wan’er is intelligent and beautiful. What’s wrong with her making this request? It’s perfectly reasonable!”

Wang Bing smiled.

"Plus, with your family background, brother, if you ask me, Wan'er's future husband should not only be skilled in both literature and martial arts, but also have a good family background!"

"Look at what you're saying, where are you going to find this, hahaha."

Cheng Wanli smiled too. Indeed, his daughter deserved such a good home!

……

"Miss, Master and Master Wang are discussing your marriage."

Not far from Cheng Wanli's carriage, there was another carriage, inside which sat a beautiful young lady from a prominent family and her maid.

"Liu'er, you're talking nonsense again. Be careful or I'll take away your snacks."

Cheng Wan'er's mother died early, and she grew up with her maid Liu'er. The two were like sisters and didn't have much of a master-servant relationship.

“Miss, Liu’er thinks Master Wang is right. In Liu’er’s heart, Miss should marry a man who is both scholarly and martial, and who comes from a noble family!”

Liu'er declared that her young mistress deserved the best!

"However, among the imperial family members, I haven't heard of many who are proficient in both literature and martial arts. As for men from the common people, their social status is a bit lacking. Miss, why don't you hold off on getting married for now?"

Liu'er felt that if her young mistress rushed into marriage, she would definitely suffer in the future.

"I never said I was getting married now!"

Cheng Wan'er gently flicked Liu'er's nose.

"Stop talking nonsense. When the time is right, it will happen naturally. You can't rush it."

……

At this time, Liangshan.

"The chieftain is back! The army is back!"

Liangshan Marsh is especially lively today.

Because the village chief, Ren Yuan, who had been away for several months, had returned with the Eastern Expeditionary Army!

This eastern expedition was a great victory for Liangshan! They established even greater footholds overseas! This gave the people of the entire mountain more hope for the future!

"Brother, you've worked hard!"

Zhu Wu and other strategists, along with the leaders who remained in the mountain stronghold, came to welcome Ren Yuan. Of course, the stronghold chief's wife, Hua Yun, also came.

Ren Yuan hugged Hua Yun and whispered a few words of comfort. Hua Yun was amused and nodded before stepping aside.

Seeing his wife smile, Ren Yuan was no longer worried. He turned around and clasped his hands in greeting to the strategists.

"Thank you all for your hard work. I appreciate it if you could help me during my absence!"

"It's no trouble at all. Brother, you lead your men to conquer overseas, expanding our territory by thousands of miles! You've enhanced the prestige of China!"

"We congratulate our brother!"

Everyone looked at Ren Yuan with great respect and bowed slightly to him.

"Brothers, please rise!"

Ren Yuan quickly told everyone to drop the formalities, saying, "What are you all doing? There are so many people watching, this is inappropriate, inappropriate."

"Brother, I, Zhu Wu, dare to ask you to become king!"

But what Ren Yuan didn't expect was that after Zhu Wu got up, as the leader, he actually asked Ren Yuan to declare himself king!

"Huh? Declare yourself king? No, no, let's go! Back to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, everyone can talk about whatever it is there!"

Ren Yuan was taken aback, then quickly refused and gestured for everyone to return to the Hall of Righteousness.

Xiao Jiahui, standing beside her, smiled and held up two fingers:

"Brother, I'm declining your offer again..."