Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

After Song Jiang and his group returned to the restaurant, Zhao Tianming hurriedly came to greet them and led them into a quiet private room.

After everyone was seated, Zhao Tianming personally poured wine for everyone and then said, "Brother Song, although I am just a businessman, I also know the meaning of righteousness. The Zhu Family Village injured Brother Zhu Fu for no reason, and I really can't swallow this insult. Now that King Chao is going all out to deal with Zengtou City, we can't just sit idly by."

Song Jiang nodded slightly and said, "Manager Zhao is very kind. The Zhu Family Manor is indeed unreasonable and despicable. However, this matter needs to be considered carefully."

Wu Yong gently waved his feather fan and said, "Manager Zhao, in my opinion, we should send someone to Zhu Family Village to investigate their strength and find out about their troop deployment and defenses."

Lu Zhishen slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Why bother probing? I'll just lead my brothers and charge in, beat them until they're running for their lives!"

Wu Song hurriedly advised, "Brother Lu, don't be hasty. We need to proceed with caution in this matter."

Zhao Tianming continued, "I also have some business dealings in this area, so I know a bit about the Zhu Family Village. They have set up many traps and mechanisms inside the village, so if we attack rashly, we'll probably suffer losses."

Song Jiang pondered for a moment and said, "Manager Zhao is absolutely right. So, in your opinion, how should we respond?"

Zhao Tianming said, "I can send people to gather some information about the traps and mechanisms in Zhujiazhuang, and find a few guides familiar with the terrain. Perhaps they can lend us a hand."

At this moment, Shi Xiu said, "Brother Song, I am willing to go to Zhujiazhuang with Brother Shi Qian to find out information."

Song Jiang nodded in agreement.

Shi Xiu and Shi Qian disguised themselves as beggars and headed towards Zhu Family Village. When they arrived outside the village, Shi Qian's eyes lit up and he said to Shi Xiu, "Brother Shi Xiu, if we go in like this, we probably won't find out any important information. We should find something to eat first, so we can have the strength to work."

Shi Xiu said helplessly, "When will you ever change your gluttonous nature?"

Shi Qian chuckled and pulled Shi Xiu behind a restaurant in the village.

While the restaurant's kitchen was bustling with activity, Shi Qian, taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, swiped several roast chickens and ducks, and also grabbed a jar of wine. Shi Xiu watched from the side, shaking his head in disbelief.

The two found a secluded corner and began to feast. Shi Qian, his mouth greasy with food, said, "Brother Shi Xiu, you should eat more too. This tastes much better than what we have in our mountain village."

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Shi Qian had a new idea. "Brother, I heard that there's a family in this village that raises a lot of fat pigs. Let's go and get one to try."

Shi Xiu glared at him: "Don't go too far."

But Shi Qian didn't care about any of that. He sneaked up to that house, stole a pig, found a place to start a fire, and roasted the pork.

While they were roasting the pig, the owner discovered it was missing and led a search party. Hearing the commotion, Shi Qian and Shi Xiu quickly packed their things and prepared to flee.

In the chaos, Shi Qian tripped over a stone and fell flat on his face, dropping the roasted pig he was carrying. Shi Xiu grabbed him and ran, with the shouts and curses of the family coming from behind.

The two finally escaped from Zhu Family Village and returned to Liangshan.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh when they saw their disheveled appearance.

Shi Qian stubbornly insisted, "I did this to gather information; I had no other choice."

Song Jiang said with a smile, "Alright, alright, tell me what you've found out."

Shi Qian scratched his head and gave a general account of what he had seen in Zhujiazhuang.

Just then, the shop owner discovered their presence and activated a trap. Shi Xiu and Qin Ming were unable to dodge in time and were both caught by the trap.

Seeing that things were not going well, Shi Qian quickly used his lightness skill to escape.

Upon returning to Liangshan, Shi Qian told everyone about the incident. Song Jiang was furious: "The Zhu Family Village is truly despicable; how dare they treat my Liangshan brothers like this!"

Wu Yong pondered for a moment and said, "Brother, don't be anxious. Now that we know they have traps and mechanisms, we need to be even more careful in our planning."

Everyone offered their suggestions, and finally a comprehensive plan to break the village was devised.

One night, Song Jiang led his men secretly toward the Zhu Family Village. Along the way, they avoided the village's patrols and, following the guide's directions, successfully arrived outside the village.

Lu Zhishen, staff in hand, was eager to try. Song Jiang said in a low voice, "Brothers, don't be impulsive, listen to my command."

As planned, the group split into several teams and attacked Zhu Family Village from different directions. The air was filled with shouts of battle.

Song Jiang led his men into the Zhu Family Manor with great momentum, but they were ambushed as soon as they entered the manor.

A clapper sounded, and instantly, numerous retainers from the Zhu Family Manor surged forth from all sides. Zhu Biao led a group of men and charged in from the front, brandishing a long spear and shouting, "Liangshan bandits, today is your death day!"

Song Jiang's face darkened, and he shouted, "Brothers, don't panic, follow me to meet the enemy!"

Lu Zhishen roared and brandished his staff, charging towards Zhu Biao like a war god. Zhu Biao met him with his spear, the tip clashing against the staff, sparks flying. Lu Zhishen possessed immense strength, each strike of his staff accompanied by a whistling sound, but Zhu Biao was not to be outdone, his spear technique sharp and his moves cunning.

Seeing Zhu Biao's bravery and worried that Lu Zhishen would be at a disadvantage, Wu Song also joined the battle. He was agile, his twin swords flashing up and down, aiming straight for Zhu Biao's vitals. Zhu Biao was fighting two against one, and gradually he began to struggle to defend himself.

At this moment, Hu Sanniang and Hu Cheng, leading their troops, also arrived from the flanks. Hu Sanniang was valiant and spirited, her red ribbon fluttering in the wind, and wherever she went, the Liangshan soldiers scattered. Hu Cheng, meanwhile, brandished his broadsword and fought bravely against the enemy.

On Liangshan's side, Li Kui, like a madman, wielded two axes, hacking and slashing left and right, blood splattering wherever he went. Lin Chong, spear in hand, leaped onto his horse and engaged Hu Cheng in battle. Lin Chong's spear technique was exquisite, while Hu Cheng's swordsmanship was fierce and powerful; for a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

Song Jiang directed the battle from the rear, his expression grave. Wu Yong, on the other hand, calmly observed the battlefield situation and occasionally offered Song Jiang countermeasures.

Shi Xiu and Yang Xiong worked together, charging towards the retainers of the Zhu Family Manor. Shi Xiu was agile, and Yang Xiong was incredibly strong; the two were like tigers among sheep, unstoppable.

The battlefield was filled with the deafening cries of battle, a cacophony of flashing swords. Lu Zhishen struck Zhu Biao's horse with his staff, causing Zhu Biao to fall. Taking advantage of the moment, Wu Song swung his twin swords, aiming straight for Zhu Biao's head. Just then, a lieutenant of the Zhu Family Village sacrificed himself to shield Zhu Biao, and was killed by Wu Song with a single blow.

Seeing Zhu Biao in danger, Hu Sanniang cried out and lashed out at Wu Song with her red ribbon. Wu Song dodged to the side and swung his sword at Hu Sanniang. Hu Sanniang leaped lightly, avoiding the blow, and then attacked Wu Song with her red ribbon again.

Enraged by his killing intent, Li Kui charged alone towards Hu Sanniang's group. Seeing this, Hu Sanniang used a red silk ribbon to entangle Li Kui's double axes. Li Kui struggled to break free, but found it difficult to escape.

Seeing Li Kui in trouble, Song Jiang hurriedly ordered Hua Rong to fire an arrow to his aid. Hua Rong drew his bow and shot an arrow at Hu Sanniang. Hu Sanniang had no choice but to abandon Li Kui and use her red silk ribbon to deflect the arrow.

The battlefield situation became increasingly stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Just then, Wu Yong discovered a weakness in the ambush laid by the Zhu Family Village and immediately informed Song Jiang. Song Jiang decisively ordered a group of men to break through the weakness and disrupt the Zhu Family Village's formation.

Under Song Jiang's command, the Liangshan heroes fought bravely and gradually turned the tide. The retainers of the Zhu Family Manor began to crumble, and Zhu Biao and his men, seeing the situation was dire, had no choice but to order a retreat.

The Liangshan heroes pressed their advantage, routing the Zhu Family Manor's forces. Ultimately, Song Jiang successfully led his men through the Zhu Family Manor's ambush and continued their advance into the manor.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, Zhu Biao immediately ordered his men to use the Bewitching Lanterns. Strange lights suddenly appeared on several high platforms within the manor, the lights were colorful and flickering, appearing particularly eerie in the night.

"Everyone be careful! What kind of sorcery is this?" Song Jiang shouted a warning to the crowd.

As the light flashed, the Liangshan heroes felt dizzy and their vision began to blur. Lu Zhishen, who had been fiercely fighting with his staff, now staggered, and the staff in his hand felt heavy. "What's wrong with me?" Lu Zhishen shook his head vigorously, trying to stay awake.

Wu Song slowed down the speed at which he wielded his twin swords. He tried to open his eyes wide to see his surroundings clearly, but the light from the bewitching lamp seemed to have some kind of magic, making his vision increasingly blurry.

Li Kui was even worse off; he felt dizzy and vomited with a "whoosh," nearly dropping his double axes.

The Liangshan bandits were thrown into chaos, and the Zhu Family Manor forces seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack. Seeing this, Zhu Biao shouted, "Liangshan bandits, today is your end!" He rallied his spirits and led his men to attack the Liangshan bandits.

Lin Chong, suppressing his discomfort, thrust his spear at Zhu Biao, shouting, "Don't be so arrogant!" But his spear technique had lost its accuracy, and Zhu Biao easily dodged to the side, then thrust his spear at Lin Chong with a backhand. Lin Chong narrowly avoided the attack, but was also drenched in a cold sweat.

Shi Xiu and Yang Xiong supported each other, trying to resist the attack from the Zhu Family Village, but the influence of the bewitching lamp light made their reactions sluggish, and they soon suffered several more wounds.

Hua Rong wanted to shoot arrows to destroy the bewitching lamps, but he couldn't even draw the bowstring steadily, and the arrows he shot were crooked and could not hit the target at all.

Song Jiang was extremely anxious. He knew that if the effects of the bewitching lamp could not be broken quickly, the Liangshan bandits would likely be wiped out. "Brother Wu Yong, do you have a plan?" Song Jiang asked loudly.

Wu Yong was also pale-faced, but he was still racking his brains for a solution. "Brother, this bewitching lamp must bewitch people through its light and the emission of some kind of drug. We must find the source of the light and destroy it!"

Upon hearing this, Song Jiang immediately ordered, "Brothers, follow me to the high platform and destroy the bewitching lamps!"

Some of the Liangshan heroes mustered their strength and followed Song Jiang toward the high platform. However, they were constantly blocked by the villagers along the way, and the fighting power of the Liangshan heroes was greatly reduced under the influence of the bewitching lamps, so every step forward came at a great cost.

Just as everyone was struggling forward, Lu Zhishen suddenly roared. With his strong willpower, he temporarily broke free from the effects of the bewitching lamp, and with a swing of his staff, he swept down a group of villagers. "Brothers, charge with me!" Lu Zhishen's bravery inspired everyone, and they all mustered their courage and continued to charge forward.

Finally, they approached the platform. Wu Song leaped onto the platform and slashed at the bewitching lamps with his twin swords. With a clang, one of the bewitching lamps shattered, its light dimming momentarily.

The Liangshan heroes were invigorated and attacked the remaining bewitching lanterns with even greater ferocity. One by one, the lanterns were destroyed, their light gradually faded, and the Liangshan heroes slowly regained their senses.

"Kill!" The Liangshan heroes, now back to their senses, displayed their formidable fighting prowess once more and launched a counterattack against the forces of the Zhu Family Village.