Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Jiangnan.

"Old Fang, recently, Zhang Shuye's offensive seems to have slowed down a lot. Do you know why?"

Yang Batong and Fang Qifo, as the left and right envoys of the Ming Cult, were also in charge of the battle between the Ming Cult and the imperial court.

"Zhang Shuye is a cunning man. Don't forget that he was the one who inflicted heavy losses on us in naval battles many times before. He might be plotting something in secret right now."

Fang Qifo said that Zhang Shuye is a formidable opponent, and the current situation is likely just the surface.

"That's because we didn't have a decent navy before. You see, since Chief Wenren arrived, we're no longer at such a disadvantage in naval battles."

Yang Batong stated that since Wenren Shichong took over the positions of the Ming Cult's naval commander and the leader of the Flood Flag, the gap between them and Zhang Shuye has narrowed.

“You’re right. Chief Wenren is indeed formidable, but our navy is still too small compared to the imperial court. Naval warfare is not our forte.”

The Ming Cult's true trump card is its infantry. The other four of the Five Elements Banners are all elite Ming Cult infantry. Moreover, the Ming Cult has a large number of followers, so as long as they are armed, they are infantry!

But Zhang Shuye was particularly cunning. After suffering a loss at the beginning, he rarely engaged in foot combat with the Ming Cult members.

Why not just shoot arrows at people from the big ship? Why do we have to rush over and fight them head-on?

"In a little while, it would be best to have Chief Wenren lead some men to probe again. Zhang Shuye is trying to hide and plot something; we can't let him get away with it so easily!"

"That makes sense. I'll go and inform him right away!"

……

The Ming Cult members were unaware that Zhang Shuye had genuinely been too busy to deal with them lately.

Because he had already received news that Tong Guan had suffered a major defeat at Liangshan, with his army of over 100,000 men suffering heavy losses!

There has been no news of the two sons he sent to support Tong Guan.

In this situation, there are generally two possibilities.

Either his two sons died in battle.

Either his two sons were arrested.

As a father, how could Zhang Shuye not worry about his son?

Although he has three sons, his youngest son, Zhang Jiwen, is too young and still lives in his hometown. Only Zhang Bofen and Zhang Zhongxiong are adults.

If something were to happen to both of his sons, it would be a huge blow to Zhang Shuye. It's already tragic enough for a parent to outlive their child, but to lose two would be even more tragic!

Therefore, Zhang Shuye has no intention of dealing with Fang La recently. He has withdrawn all the soldiers from the front line to guard the main camp and the water fortress, while he has sent many people to gather information, but unfortunately he has not received a reply.

On this day, Zhang Shuye was pacing back and forth in his mansion, anxiously awaiting news, when suddenly a soldier came to report that a merchant caravan returning from the north had brought him a letter.

Zhang Shuye was shocked and quickly sent someone to investigate the caravan's background. Finding nothing wrong, he then received the caravan's leader.

"Where did this letter come from?"

"My lord, when my caravan returned from the north, it passed by Liangshan Marsh. Chief Ren of Liangshan asked me to deliver this letter to you."

When the caravan leader mentioned Ren Yuan, his tone was very kind, even admiring.

Zhang Shuye didn't dwell on the matter, because he already knew that the Liangshan Corridor, currently under Liangshan's control, was the safest and most prosperous trade route between the north and south of the Song Dynasty. The merchants' praise and support for this trade route couldn't be changed by him cursing the Liangshan bandits a few times.

As merchants from Jiangnan, they only admire those who can bring them benefits. Forcing them to believe in Ren Yuan's bad qualities will only have the opposite effect.

"A letter from Ren Yuan?"

Zhang Shuye took the letter but did not open it immediately. Instead, he politely saw the caravan captain off before returning to his residence to read it.

The letter was very simple, and could be summarized in one sentence:

Your son is in my hands. Come to Yuncheng and let's talk.

This made Zhang Shuye very upset.

Firstly, he wasn't sure if his son was alive or dead, or in what state he was in on Liangshan. Although Ren Yuan had said in his letter that his son was in his hands, a healthy son and a half-dead son were still sons, right?

Secondly, Ren Yuan asked him to go to Yuncheng to talk, which left Zhang Shuye unsure whether to agree.

Yuncheng is very close to Liangshan. Although it was not occupied by Liangshan, it could be considered Liangshan's territory.

I'm still in a standoff with Fang La. If I go to Yuncheng now, what will happen to the army? What if Ren Yuan and Fang La cooperate, luring me there while Fang La launches a sneak attack? I'll be in big trouble!

Therefore, Zhang Shuye was undecided for a moment.

Left with no other option, he could only summon his trusted confidants to ask if there was a solution.

Zhang Shuye had four trusted and fierce generals under his command, collectively known as the Four Generals of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. (Not based on the characters in "The Tale of the Suppression of Bandits," but on the Four Generals of Huanghua Mountain in the Investiture of the Gods)

These four fierce generals were once outlaws in the martial arts world, having taken refuge in Phoenix Mountain. Later, when Zhang Shuye was demoted to Haizhou, he passed by Phoenix Mountain and saw the four men's imposing demeanor. Unable to bear seeing them become outlaws, he persuaded them to surrender.

Strangely enough, it seemed to be fate. These four heroes and Zhang Shuye hit it off immediately and agreed to his request. The four of them, along with their followers, joined Zhang Shuye and became his trusted and beloved generals.

The eldest brother, Deng Chun, was eight feet tall and his weapon was a pear blossom splitting axe.

The second brother, Xin Xia, was nine feet tall and wielded an octagonal bright silver hammer.

The third brother, Zhang Qiu, was eight feet five or six inches tall, and his weapon was the Green-sinking Spear that moved with the current.

The fourth brother, Tao Dong, was over eight feet tall and his weapon was a nine-toothed gold-inlaid rake.

This four-person group, consisting of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each possesses the skill level of a first-rate martial artist and has made numerous contributions under Zhang Shuye!

If it weren't for the fact that Zhang Shuye had been constantly suppressed, the four of them would have been promoted long ago!

However, these four men were very loyal. Even though Zhang Shuye never got promoted, they remained devoted to him without any complaints.

Therefore, they were Zhang Shuye's most trusted confidants!

"Brothers, what do we do now?"

Zhang Shuye told the four men about his troubles. After they exchanged glances, the eldest, Deng Chun, stepped forward and said:

“My lord, we four have heard about Ren Yuan’s reputation. Relatively speaking, he is still trustworthy. The two young masters should be fine.”

“Since he has taken the initiative to request a meeting in Yuncheng this time, I think you should go, just in case. You can have the magistrate of Yuncheng make preparations.”

"My fourth brother and I will accompany you to protect your safety. You don't need to worry about the army being left unattended after you leave. With my second and third brothers here, the army will be safe for a short time!"

Deng Chun's words reassured Zhang Shuye considerably. After calming down and thinking about it, he realized that Deng Chun's words made sense.

If Ren Yuan dared to take the initiative to meet with him, how could he back down?

"Okay! Let's go!"

Zhang Shuye acted swiftly and decisively, making his decision directly.

"Deng Chun, send an urgent message to the magistrate of Yuncheng County! All troops in Yuncheng, prepare for battle!"

PS: I'm not using "The Tale of the Bandits" because I don't like that book. The four generals Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao in this book are based on the Four Heavenly Kings of Grand Tutor Wen in "Investiture of the Gods".