Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

The prison cart slowly drove towards the Liao Kingdom, kicking up dust along the way. The Liao general in charge of escorting the prisoners was humming a smug tune, fantasizing about the generous rewards he would receive upon his return.

Suddenly, a caravan of镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) appeared ahead, blocking the prison cart's path. The Liao general's heart tightened, and upon closer inspection, he realized that the approaching general was none other than Zhang Shuye.

Zhang Shuye rode a tall warhorse, holding a long sword, looking majestic and imposing. The bodyguards behind him were all dashing and valiant, with firm eyes that revealed an aura of fearlessness.

The Liao general, though blustering, shouted, "Who goes there? How dare you block the prison cart of my Great Liao!"

Zhang Shuye shouted back, "I am Zhang Shuye! I have come today to rescue the heroes of Liangshan! Release them at once!"

The Liao general sneered, "Hmph, you think you can rescue people from us? You're dreaming!"

Zhang Shuye roared, "The heroes of Liangshan are all heroes. They have been framed by you without cause. I, Zhang Shuye, will never sit idly by!"

Having said that, he brandished his long sword, and the bodyguards behind him charged towards the Liao army like tigers descending a mountain.

The Liao general hurriedly ordered his soldiers to engage in battle, and the two sides instantly fell into fierce fighting.

Zhang Shuye led the charge, wielding his long sword as if he were in an empty field, with Liao soldiers falling one after another at his feet.

The Liangshan heroes in the prison cart were overjoyed to see this.

Li Kui shouted at the top of his lungs, "General Zhang, well done! We're waiting here to go out and fight alongside you!"

Song Jiang also shouted, "General Zhang, be careful!"

Hearing the shouts, Zhang Shuye intensified his attack, charging straight towards the prison cart.

Seeing Zhang Shuye's unparalleled bravery, the Liao general was intimidated and personally charged forward with his sword. The two exchanged blows, their fight fierce and evenly matched.

Just then, a cunning Liao soldier secretly circled around behind Zhang Shuye, attempting to launch a sneak attack.

"General Zhang, watch out behind you!" Wu Song, with his sharp eyes, shouted a warning.

Zhang Shuye reacted quickly, dodging the sneak attack with a sidestep and slashing back to cut the Liao soldier off his horse.

After a fierce and bloody battle, the Liao army gradually lost its strength and began to collapse.

Zhang Shuye finally reached the prison cart, and with a swift stroke of his knife, severed the chains binding it.

"Heroes, come out quickly!" Zhang Shuye shouted loudly.

The Liangshan heroes jumped out of the prison cart and joined Zhang Shuye's bodyguards.

Song Jiang cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, General Zhang, for your righteous rescue."

Zhang Shuye said, "Chief Song, there's no need to be so polite. I will naturally help those in need when I see injustice on the road."

Just as everyone was about to leave, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar again...

The group of people hurried forward. When they saw who it was, everyone's hearts tightened. The person was none other than Tong Guan, and the person next to him was Daoist Lingxu.

Tong Guan rode a chestnut horse, his expression somber, his eyes filled with majesty. Master Lingxu sat astride a white steed, still clutching his Seven-Star whisk, his gaze cold.

Tong Guan said to Daoist Lingxu, "Daoist, just now you reported that someone was colluding with the Liangshan bandits, and I didn't believe it. Now I see it with my own eyes, and it's true!"

He glanced back at Zhang Shuye, who immediately understood Tong Guan's hostility upon seeing his gaze. Tong Guan said, "Tong Guan, you traitor, you framed a loyal and virtuous man! Today, I will join the heroes of Liangshan to seek justice!"

Tong Guan sneered, "Hmph! Zhang Shuye, how dare you collude with these rebels and attempt to oppose the imperial court! You're simply courting death!"

Song Jiang stepped forward and said, "Tong Guan, don't you dare to slander me! The heroes of Liangshan are all loyal and righteous men who have been harmed by treacherous people. If we don't get justice today, we will not rest until we get it!"

Tong Guan glared at him angrily: "Song Jiang, you bandits, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of evil deeds, yet you dare to call yourselves loyal and righteous? Today is your last day!"

Master Lingxu waved his whisk lightly and said, "Lord Tong, there's no need to waste words with them. I'll take care of them all at once."

Li Kui cursed, "You heretic, you didn't get the better of me before, and now you still dare to be arrogant!"

Master Lingxu's face darkened, and he said, "Ignorant madmen, watch how I make you submit to the law today!"

Having said that, Master Lingxu waved his whisk again, and a beam of light shot towards the crowd. Zhang Shuye was prepared and deflected the light with a swift stroke of his longsword.

Upon seeing this, Tong Guan shouted, "Charge!" His government troops surged forward like a tidal wave.

The Liangshan heroes and Zhang Shuye's bodyguards did not back down, and the two sides instantly fell into an even more intense melee.

Wielding a staff, Wu Song charged left and right, each strike powerful, causing the government troops to suffer greatly.

Lin Chong brandished his spear and leaped onto his horse, the tip of which flashed with a cold light. Wherever he went, government troops fell from their horses.

Lu Junyi drew his bow and nocked his arrows, and every arrow hit its mark, striking the enemy's vital points precisely.

Zhang Shuye was exceptionally brave; wherever his long sword passed, blood splattered, and no government soldier dared to approach him.

Seeing the situation was turning against him, Tong Guan personally brandished his broadsword and charged towards Zhang Shuye. The two men clashed, swords flashing, neither giving an inch.

Just then, Master Lingxu secretly cast a spell, and an invisible force attacked Song Jiang.

"Brother, watch out!" Lu Zhishen reacted quickly, raising his staff to block the attack.

When the sneak attack failed, Master Lingxu turned his attention to Li Kui.

Li Kui was engrossed in the killing and didn't notice the attack from Master Lingxu.

"Iron Bull!" Dai Zong exclaimed in surprise.

Fortunately, Yan Qing intervened in time and forced Lingxu Daoist to retreat with a crossbow bolt.

On the battlefield, the shouts of battle were deafening, and both sides were bloodthirsty.

Wu Yong observed the situation from among the crowd, secretly devising a countermeasure.

"Brothers, let's concentrate our forces to deal with Tong Guan and Master Lingxu!" Wu Yong shouted.

Upon hearing this, everyone moved closer to Tong Guan and Daoist Lingxu.

Seeing the situation was dire, a ruthless glint flashed in Master Lingxu's eyes. He took out a copper bell and shook it vigorously, while simultaneously brandishing his Seven Star Horsespin and chanting incantations. Instantly, a fierce wind arose, sand and stones flew, and the world was plunged into chaos.

The gust of wind was extremely powerful, catching Zhang Shuye and his Liangshan men completely off guard. They were all thrown from their horses and rolled on the ground, looking utterly disheveled.

Upon seeing this, Tong Guan burst into laughter: "Let's see how arrogant you can be now!"

Song Jiang got up from the ground and shouted, "Brothers, don't panic!"

Zhang Shuye wiped the dust from his face and glared angrily at Daoist Lingxu: "You evil Daoist, don't be so smug!"

However, the strong winds continued to rage, making it difficult for everyone to stand and greatly hindering their movement.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Master Lingxu once again used his magic, and beams of light shot out from his whisk, heading straight for the Liangshan group.

"Everyone be careful!" Wu Yong shouted a warning.

Lin Chong rolled away, dodging the attack of the light, but his arm was still grazed.

Wu Song roared and tried to rush towards Master Lingxu, but was blocked by the strong wind and could not move forward.

Lu Junyi had just stood up when he was blown down by a strong gust of wind.

At this critical moment, Gongsun Sheng stepped forward. Holding a magic staff, he chanted incantations, attempting to resist the magic of Master Lingxu.

Gradually, the wind subsided, and the pressure on everyone eased.

"Brothers, charge!" Song Jiang shouted again.

The Liangshan heroes rallied and, braving the fierce wind, charged towards Tong Guan and the Taoist priest Lingxu.

Seeing that the Liangshan people were still putting up a stubborn resistance, a sinister glint flashed in Master Lingxu's eyes. He used his magic again, and a powerful beam of light shot straight toward Zhang Shuye.

Zhang Shuye was unable to dodge in time and was struck by the light. He groaned and fell to the ground.

Upon seeing this, Tong Guan was overjoyed and said to Daoist Lingxu, "Capture this rebel who colluded with Liangshan, escort him back to the capital, and hand him over to His Majesty for punishment!"

Master Lingxu accepted the order, waved his whisk, and several soldiers rushed towards the wounded Zhang Shuye.

"Don't even think about it!" the Liangshan heroes roared in unison.

Li Kui brandished his double axes and fiercely hacked at the soldiers, shouting, "Who dares to touch General Zhang!"

Wu Song also rushed forward and used his fists and feet to repel the approaching soldiers.

However, with the increasing number of government troops, the Liangshan heroes, who had to resist the government army brought by Tong Guan and protect the wounded Zhang Shuye, gradually found themselves overwhelmed.

Master Lingxu continuously cast spells from the side, causing trouble for the Liangshan group.

Song Jiang was extremely anxious, knowing full well that things couldn't continue like this.

"Brothers, let's concentrate our efforts and rescue General Zhang first!" Song Jiang shouted.

The Liangshan heroes responded enthusiastically, desperately moving towards Zhang Shuye's direction.

Lu Junyi shot arrows at the soldiers, clearing a path for everyone.

Lin Chong then brandished his spear, knocking down the enemies in front of him one by one.

With everyone's efforts, they finally broke through the soldiers' encirclement and arrived at Zhang Shuye's side.

"General Zhang, how are you?" Song Jiang asked with concern.

Zhang Shuye, forcing himself to stay upright, said, "I'm fine, don't worry about me, killing the enemy is the priority!"

Just then, Tong Guan gave another order: "Attack with all your might! Don't let a single one escape!"

The government troops surged in like a tide, and the Liangshan heroes surrounded Zhang Shuye, fighting desperately.

The battlefield was filled with the sounds of battle, and blood stained the earth red.

While directing the battle, Wu Yong was also thinking about countermeasures.

"This can't go on. We must find a way to break that sorcerer's spell!" Wu Yong said.

Gongsun Sheng was also doing his best to deal with Lingxu Daoist's magic. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his staff shone brightly.

"I'll help you!" Lu Zhishen shouldered his monk's staff and rushed toward Master Lingxu.

While Master Lingxu was distracted by dealing with Lu Zhishen, Gongsun Sheng took the opportunity to strengthen his magic and finally found a flaw in Master Lingxu's spell.

"Now!" Gongsun Sheng shouted, and a beam of light shot out from his staff, striking Lingxu Daoist directly.

Caught off guard, Master Lingxu was struck by the light, and his spell was instantly broken.

Without the interference of magic, the Liangshan heroes were greatly encouraged and began to fight back against the government troops.

A while later, the Liao soldiers arrived, led by Gao Ke.

Gao Ke, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace, brandished his long sword and roared, "Charge!"

The Liao soldiers swarmed in, and the Liangshan heroes fought back fiercely, but the situation became increasingly difficult.

Zhang Shuye was still recovering from his injuries and moved slowly. Gao Ke seized the opportunity and led several elite soldiers to charge forward.

"Oh no! Protect General Zhang!" Song Jiang shouted urgently.

Unfortunately, the enemy outnumbered them, and the Liangshan heroes were unable to spare any attention. Taking advantage of the chaos, Gao Ke delivered a heavy blow, knocking Zhang Shuye down. Several Liao soldiers then swarmed in and captured Zhang Shuye.

"Haha, we finally caught him!" Gao Ke laughed triumphantly.

Upon seeing this, Tong Guan quickly said, "Take him away immediately and return to the capital to claim the reward!"

The Liangshan heroes glared angrily, wanting to rush over to rescue them, but were held back by a continuous stream of Liao soldiers and government troops.

"General Zhang!" The crowd was filled with grief and indignation.

Gao Ke, with Zhang Shuye under his control, prepared to withdraw from the battlefield.

"Stop!" Lu Junyi drew his bow and shot an arrow at Gao Ke, but it was blocked by the soldiers around Gao Ke with their shields.

At this moment, the battlefield was filled with deafening battle cries and splattered blood.

Song Jiang was extremely anxious, but he was at a loss for what to do.

Just as Gao Ke and the others were about to disappear from everyone's sight, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar.

A troop of cavalry came galloping towards them, led by Huyan Zhuo.

"Brothers, don't panic, I'm coming!" Huyan Zhuo shouted.

The cavalry brought by Huyan Zhuo pierced through the enemy ranks like a sharp sword, instantly disrupting their formation.

Seeing this, the heroes of Liangshan were greatly encouraged and rose up to fight back once again.

However, Gao Ke held on tightly to Zhang Shuye and refused to let go. Under the cover of the Liao soldiers, they gradually disappeared into the distance.

"Chase them!" Song Jiang ordered.

The Liangshan group gave chase, but Gao Ke and his men had already escaped far away.

Watching the departing figure, Song Jiang gritted his teeth: "If I don't avenge this, I swear I'm not a man!"