Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

After Zhu Biao left, Gao Ke leaned close to him and said, "See? I told you so, didn't I? That kid Hu Cheng has ulterior motives."

Zhu Biao frowned, nodded, and said, "Brother Gao, now that you remind me, I also think that Hu Cheng is indeed acting strangely today."

A sinister glint flashed in Gao Ke's eyes as he said, "Young Master Zhu, let's keep quiet and wait for him to make contact with the Liangshan people. Then we can catch them like turtles in a jar and wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Gao's plan is brilliant, but I wonder when Hu Cheng will make his move."

Gao Ke smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Zhu, don't be anxious. In my opinion, since Hu Cheng already has this idea, he will definitely contact Liangshan as soon as possible. We only need to secretly send people to closely monitor his every move, and we will definitely be able to find out the clues."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Then we'll do as Brother Gao says and leave this matter to you to arrange."

Gao Ke cupped his hands and said, "Young Master, rest assured, I will handle it properly."

On the other side, Hu Cheng and his men appeared to be diligently patrolling, but in reality, he was plotting a coordinated attack with Liangshan from within. Unbeknownst to him, his every move was being secretly monitored by Zhu Biao and Gao Ke.

Gao Ke selected several shrewd and capable confidants and had them secretly follow Hu Cheng without being detected. These confidants carefully concealed themselves and kept a close eye on Hu Cheng.

Hu Cheng was completely unaware that he was being watched, and was still plotting in his mind how to pass messages to Liangshan and agree on the time and method of the operation.

The night grew deeper, and the wind grew colder. Hu Cheng's anxiety intensified; he longed to rescue his sister, Hu Sanniang, as soon as possible.

Those monitoring him dared not relax for a moment, always ready to report the situation to Gao Ke and Zhu Biao.

Gao Ke waited quietly in his room for news, firmly believing that he would be able to take down Hu Cheng and the Liangshan people in one fell swoop this time.

Zhu Biao tossed and turned in his room, unable to sleep. He was worried that Hu Cheng's betrayal would bring disaster to the village, but he also hoped that he could take this opportunity to completely eliminate this hidden danger.

The entire village was shrouded in a tense atmosphere; a storm was brewing.

Hu Cheng paced nervously around the room. After a moment's thought, he decided to write to Song Jiang again. He hurried to his desk, picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and began writing furiously on the paper.

The letter read: "Leader Song Jiang, I am Hu Cheng. Tonight at midnight, I will hang a yellow lantern on the east wall of Hu Family Village. At that time, please lead the Liangshan heroes to attack from the east forest. Although there are traps in the east forest, I will clear them in advance to help you pass through smoothly. This time, we must work together from the inside and outside to capture Zhu Biao and his gang. I hope you will follow my plan."

After finishing writing, Hu Cheng carefully folded the letter and summoned his trusted confidant, Hu Xing. Hu Xing had been Hu Cheng's confidant for many years and was known for his loyalty and reliability.

Hu Cheng handed the letter to Hu Xing and solemnly said, "Hu Xing, this letter is of great importance. You must personally deliver it to Leader Song Jiang and ensure it is not lost."

Hu Xing took the letter and nodded firmly: "Rest assured, young master, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

Hu Xing changed into a set of night clothes and, under the cover of darkness, quietly left Hu Family Village. Along the way, he carefully avoided the patrolling villagers and chose to travel along secluded paths.

Dark clouds obscured the moon in the night sky, plunging the surroundings into complete darkness. Hu Xing, relying on his familiarity with the terrain, groped his way forward in the darkness.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, rustling the leaves. Hu Xing's heart tightened, and he stopped, cautiously observing his surroundings. Only after confirming that there was nothing amiss did he continue on his way.

Finally arriving near the Liangshan camp, Hu Xing cautiously approached. The Liangshan sentries noticed the movement and immediately became alert.

"Who goes there?" the sentry whispered.

Hu Xing quickly identified himself: "I am a messenger sent by Young Master Hu Cheng of Hu Family Village. I have important business to discuss with Chief Song."

The sentry did not dare to neglect his duty and brought Hu Xing inside.

Song Jiang was discussing military matters with Wu Yong in his tent when he heard that Hu Cheng had sent someone to deliver a message, so he quickly invited Hu Xing in.

When Hu Xing saw Song Jiang, he quickly presented the letter: "Chief Song, this is a letter from my young master."

Song Jiang opened the letter, read it, exchanged a glance with Wu Yong, and nodded.

Song Jiang said to Hu Xing, "Go back and tell your young master that we will definitely act according to the plan."

Hu Xing breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly left the Liangshan camp, returning to Hu Family Village.

Hu Cheng anxiously awaited Hu Xing's return. Upon seeing Hu Xing, he quickly asked, "Did the letter arrive?"

Hu Xing nodded and said, "Young master, rest assured, I have personally handed it over to Chief Song."

Hu Cheng felt somewhat relieved and began making final preparations for tonight's operation.

Time passed by, the night grew deeper, and the approaching midnight was fast approaching.

The night was as deep as ink. After learning of Hu Cheng's secret collusion with Liangshan, Gao Ke and Zhu Biao plotted urgently in a secret room, and a sinister scheme quietly unfolded.

Gao Ke's eyes were sinister as he tapped his fingers lightly on the table. He said, "Young Master Zhu, this is a perfect opportunity to wipe out Liangshan and Hucheng in one fell swoop. We need to make careful arrangements so that they will not return alive."

Zhu Biao frowned, his eyes revealing a ruthless glint: "Lord Gao, it's all up to you. We'll make sure they taste our power."

Gao Ke nodded slightly and began to plan in detail: "First, set up many traps and mechanisms in the woods east of Hu Family Village. Arrange archers to hide in the treetops, and when the Liangshan people enter, unleash a volley of arrows. Then have the villagers ambush them in the key paths of the woods, launching a surprise attack with spears and short knives. The village itself should also be filled with traps, just in case."

Zhu Biao listened and repeatedly agreed.

On the other side, Hu Cheng was full of anticipation for a coordinated attack with Liangshan from within, unaware that he had fallen into a huge crisis.

At midnight, Song Jiang led the Liangshan heroes as agreed, heading towards the woods east of Hu Family Village. In the darkness, the Liangshan group proceeded cautiously.

Suddenly, one of the henchmen walking in front screamed and fell into a hidden pit filled with sharp spikes.

Song Jiang's heart tightened, and he shouted, "Watch out! There's an ambush!"

But before he could finish speaking, arrows rained down from all sides. Many Liangshan generals were unable to dodge in time and were wounded by the arrows. For a moment, screams of agony filled the air.

"Brothers, don't panic!" Lin Chong brandished his spear, deflecting the incoming arrows.

Lu Zhishen brandished his monk's staff and roared, "Damn it, we've fallen for a trap!"

At this moment, Zhu Biao led his men in a frontal charge, shouting, "Bandits of Liangshan, today is your death day!"

The Liangshan heroes fought back fiercely, but the enemy's surprise attack put them on the defensive.

Hearing the shouts of battle outside, Hu Cheng was startled and sensed something was wrong. He rushed out of his room, intending to go and meet the Liangshan group, only to find that the manor was also in chaos.

Gao Ke's men, who had been arranged beforehand, launched an attack on Hu Cheng's family. Hu Cheng's wife and children were terrified in the chaos.

"Father, save me!" Hu Cheng's son was knocked to the ground by a farmhand.

Hu Cheng's eyes turned red, and he rushed forward to fight the servants. But with so many enemies, he gradually found himself unable to hold his own.

On Liangshan's side, seeing the situation becoming increasingly unfavorable, Song Jiang decisively ordered a retreat: "Retreat immediately and preserve our strength!"

The generals protected Song Jiang, fighting and retreating. But the enemy pursued them relentlessly, and the Liangshan heroes encountered several ambushes during their retreat.

During the fight with the enemy, Wu Song was slashed on the arm, and blood flowed freely.

Li Kui also suffered several minor injuries, but he still wielded his axe to clear a path for the others.

As Hu Cheng watched his family members fall one by one, his heart was filled with despair and regret. He knew that his momentary lapse of judgment had not only harmed his family but also implicated the entire Liangshan bandits.

In his panic, Hu Cheng didn't care about anything else and turned to flee Hu Family Village.

Meanwhile, Liangshan, after paying a heavy price, finally escaped the enemy's pursuit.

Looking at his wounded generals and exhausted brothers, Song Jiang was filled with anger and self-reproach: "This time it was my negligence that caused my brothers to suffer. I swear I will not rest until I avenge this!"

In the night wind, the Liangshan heroes, carrying their wounds and anger, slowly departed, leaving behind a devastated battlefield and the ruins of Hu Family Village.

Gao Ke bound Qin Ming, Wang Ying, and Hu Sanniang tightly and led them away to Zhu Biao, saying, "Brother Zhu, now that we've lost Hu Cheng as an inside man, and many of the Liangshan people have been injured, they certainly won't let this go easily and will definitely launch an even more frenzied revenge. This Zhu Family Village is probably no longer a place we can stay; we must leave."

Zhu Biao's face was gloomy. He nodded and said, "Lord Gao is absolutely right. But where can we go right now?"

Gao Ke laughed and said, "Brother Zhu, don't be in such a hurry. Let's go to my uncle's place in Gaotang Prefecture. My uncle is skilled in magic. What can those bandits from Liangshan do to him?"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes: "Brother Gao's uncle, Lord Gao? I've heard he wields immense power in the court. If we could get his protection, it might be a way out."

Gao Ke shook his head and said, "No, no, Brother Zhu is my uncle Gao Lian, who knows magic. With him around, the people of Liangshan won't be able to touch us in the slightest."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and said, "That's very good. Then let's set off as soon as possible."

Gao Ke replied, "I will arrange manpower and carriages immediately, and we will set off once everything is ready."

Before long, Gao Ke had everything ready. The group, carrying some valuables and weapons, escorted Qin Ming and the other two, and hurriedly headed towards Gaotang Prefecture.

Throughout the journey, Zhu Biao was filled with unease: "Lord Gao, I wonder if your uncle would be willing to take us in?"

Gao Ke said confidently, "Brother Zhu, rest assured, my uncle and I have a deep friendship, and he will definitely help us. Besides, the prisoners we are taking to Liangshan this time are also a gift for us."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, but still had worries in his heart.

Just then, a commotion arose from behind. It turned out that the pursuers from Liangshan had arrived.

Gao Ke shouted, "Speed ​​up! Don't get entangled with them!"

The group rode at full speed, kicking up clouds of dust.

Zhu Biao glanced back and gritted his teeth, saying, "You Liangshan bandits, we'll settle accounts with you when we get to Gaotang Prefecture!"

In a state of tension and unease, they rushed towards Gaotang Prefecture, hoping to find refuge there and escape the wrath of Liangshan.