Water Margin: The Tale of Li Erlang of Guankou

While Liangshan Marsh was still figuring out how to counter Gao Lian's magic, the people of Jizhou City were celebrating their victory.

Because Zhang Shuye was shot down by Liangshan Marsh's cannons, he entrusted "Strategist" Wu Yong to host a banquet to thank the Liang family army and Gao Lian's troops who came to his aid.

"Prefect Gao's magical abilities are truly astounding, a real eye-opener! I've certainly been proven wrong this time. As expected of Grand Commandant Gao's brother, you are indeed extraordinary. I'd like to offer you a cup of wine as a token of my respect!"

Wu Yong, the "wise strategist," could easily come up with flattering words, after all, he had witnessed Gao Lian's abilities firsthand, and they were truly impressive.

We were originally trying to figure out how to defeat the enemy forces from Liangshan Marsh, but now a powerful ally has finally appeared. We should hurry up and cling to them!

"Haha, those bandits from the watery puddles are nothing to worry about! They can't withstand my magic! I'll rest for two days, then I'll regroup my forces and destroy their lair!"

Gao Lian was also someone who loved flattery and wasn't a humble person at all; he was very pleased with the compliments.

“Prefect Gao’s magic is indeed eye-opening, but the fighting strength of these Liangshan bandits is also quite impressive. Moreover, their lair is surrounded by water. The Jizhou Prefecture’s troops have not yet recovered, and the officers’ injuries vary and they will be difficult to heal in a short time. Relying solely on the troops of Gaotang Prefecture, I am afraid it will be difficult to defeat them in one blow. Should we reconsider?”

At this moment, Liang Ting spoke. As a veteran general from the Western Army, he had more experience in battle than anyone else present, and could be described as mature and prudent.

His suggestion was perfectly reasonable, but unfortunately, his position was too low, so he had very little say, and even if he was right, no one listened.

Wu Yong, the "wise strategist," could naturally tell that the idea was good, but Gao Lian, as a member of the Gao family, was usually arrogant and domineering, and he looked down on Liang Ting.

To put it bluntly, the reason he and his son Liang Tian were able to attend the victory celebration banquet was because he had made some contributions in the recent battle; otherwise, they wouldn't be qualified to sit here.

Then Gao Lian spoke up, "What rank do you have to dare to speak so rudely here? Get out of here immediately. These are matters of national importance; do you need to interfere?"

Gao Lian's words were extremely arrogant, with a haughty and disdainful attitude.

"Hey!"

When Liang Tian heard Gao Lian being so rude to his father, he slammed his hand on the table and tried to stand up. But his father, Liang Ting, seemed to have anticipated this and reached out a hand to grab Liang Tian's belt, preventing him from standing up.

"I was being presumptuous. I'll take my leave now!"

After saying that, the old general Liang Ting very tactfully pulled his son Liang Tian away from the stage.

"Hmph, what is that!"

Seeing the father and son leave, Gao Lian couldn't help but add another sentence.

Wu Yong, the "wise strategist," saw this and knew that Liang Ting and his son were also people he needed to rely on at the moment, but their priority was definitely not as high as Gao Lian's.

Therefore, it is still important to appease Gao Lian. Wu Yong stood up and poured wine for Gao Lian, saying, "Prefect Gao, there is no need to worry about such a small matter. Please drink more. This is a century-old vintage wine from Jizhou City. Please taste it!"

Wu Yong continued to preside over the banquet. Liang Ting and his son walked out of the government office. Liang Tian was furious and asked his father, "Father, why are you leaving! Didn't we contribute? How many brothers died to rescue Jizhou City? Why does he humiliate us like this?"

Liang Ting smiled calmly and replied to his son, "Just because he's surnamed Gao and is a relative of Grand Commandant Gao, that's enough. Do you think there are no noble families or aristocratic clans these days? If people like us stay here, we're just being rude."

Upon hearing this, Liang Tian remained unconvinced, "But Father, you are absolutely right. They didn't even listen to a word, showing a complete lack of military strategy..."

“My foolish son, ninety-nine percent of the people in this world are in positions of power but do not fulfill their duties. It is only natural that generals do not know military strategy and warriors do not know martial arts. Gao Lian is a relative of Gao Qiu, the Grand Commandant, so when one person attains power, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven. How much talent do you expect him to have?”

Liang Ting now feels that although he usually teaches his son martial arts and military strategy seriously, he seems to have neglected to teach his son about human relationships and the fickleness of human nature.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to ask those questions.

"If that's how you see it, Father, then why should I bother studying literature and martial arts? I was born into the wrong family. Even if I work my whole life, I still can't compare to people like them..."

Liang Tian muttered to himself.

"You unfilial son, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Ting slapped Liang Tian on the head and then scolded him, "What nonsense are you spouting? You must know that being born into poverty is not a disgrace. A true man is one who can bend and stretch. Lu Mengzheng once begged for food, but eventually rose to the highest official rank. Di Wuxiang was once just a lowly soldier on the battlefield, but eventually became the Privy Councilor. A real man should strive to improve himself. As the heavens move with strength, so should a gentleman constantly strive for self-improvement. As the earth is receptive, so should a gentleman cultivate virtue and bear all things with magnanimity. Do you understand?"

"Alright, alright, Dad, I understand, I understand!"

Liang Tian rubbed his head, not daring to say another word, afraid that his father would beat him again.

Meanwhile, on Liangshan Marsh, Li Hanxiao was just about to discuss in detail the issue of using firearms to encircle and annihilate Gao Lian when, before he could finish, someone started making a fuss.

"What's going on outside? Why is it so noisy!"

Li Hanxiao and Wen Huanzhang were looking at the battle map when a loud commotion erupted outside the Zhengda Guangming Hall, making it impossible for them to concentrate.

"Chief, it's 'General Shi' Shi Yong and his brothers from Zijin Mountain. They're demanding to see you, Chief, and asking you to avenge Brother Zhu Jing!"

Yang Lin, nicknamed "Jin Baozi," who had been standing guard nearby, ran over to report.

"We're currently figuring out how to blow up those bastards from Gaolian's side, what's the rush!"

Li Hanxiao couldn't help but scold him.

"Leopard" Yang Lin looked troubled and began to explain, "Chief, it's not like that. This is what they... um... they want..."

"Jin Baozi" Yang Lin seemed to realize something serious, and began to hesitate and stammer.

His hesitant stammering immediately angered Li Hanxiao, who grabbed a handful of sand from the makeshift sand table and threw it at "Jinbaozi" Yang Lin.

"Stop beating around the bush, just say what you have to say!"

"Yes! They want to kill Hua Rong, the sister they captured alive, to pay for the lives of Brother Zhu Jing!"

Yang Lin, nicknamed "The Leopard," finally revealed the truth.

Li Hanxiao frowned deeply. "Killing a weak woman to avenge a crime? Is that what a man does? How could they even think of such a thing!"

"They say that Zhu Jing and his brother were shot to death by 'Little Li Guang' Hua Rong, who was Hua Baoyan's brother. So it's perfectly reasonable for her to take revenge on her for the debt her brother owed!"

"Nonsense, I'll go check it out!"

Li Han strode out of the Zhengda Guangming Hall and saw at least thirty or fifty people arguing outside, led by none other than "General Shi" Shi Yong.

General Shi Yong was injured in a previous battle and his arm was still in a sling.

"What are you doing? Instead of sharpening your weapons and preparing your armor, what are you doing gathered here?"

Li Han laughed and shouted sternly.

"Chief, please avenge Brother Zhu Jing!"

"General Shi!" Shi Yong shouted first, and was immediately met with a unanimous response from Zhu Jing's former subordinates.

"Of course I want to avenge my brother, but every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor. If I'm going to seek revenge, it should be against 'Little Li Guang' Hua Rong. Killing a weak woman, what kind of revenge is that? Aren't you ashamed!"

Li Hanxiao's words made a small number of people lower their heads, but the die-hards, led by "General Shi" Shi Yong, have not yet given up their ideas.

Take this "General Shi" Shi Yong, for example. He had a good relationship with "Drilling Spear" Zhu Jing before his death. "Drilling Spear" Zhu Jing had saved "General Shi" Shi Yong's life on the battlefield before, so "General Shi" Shi Yong now wants to avenge "Drilling Spear" Zhu Jing.

"Chief, but she is the sister of 'Little Li Guang' Hua Rong. The saying goes that a son should pay for his father's debts, so she should be the one to pay for her brother's blood debt!"

"General Shi," Shi Yong said.

"Nonsense! Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor. Whoever killed them should seek revenge. It's true that Hua Baoyan is the sister of 'Little Li Guang' Hua Rong, but how could she have participated in the murder of the Zhu Jing brothers?"

"Is it because one of them is the enemy who killed our brother? Are they all going to be massacred by Liangshan Marsh? Then let's just exterminate their entire clan!"

Li Han smiled and said earnestly, "We Liangshan Marsh always say that we act on behalf of Heaven. What does it mean to act on behalf of Heaven? It means that we must act in accordance with reason and always be reasonable. If 'Little Li Guang' Hua Rong killed the Zhu Jing brothers and received a reward, it would be right for Hua Baoyan to be punished. But no, that didn't happen! Why are you asking him to take your life?"

At this moment, "General Shi" Shi Yong shouted loudly, "Chief, how can you not benefit from it? Doesn't this woman also eat from her brother's family's rice bowl?"

"Hey!"

Li Han laughed in exasperation; this kid's ability to argue and make trouble was truly impressive.

"Who taught you this logic when you were a child?!"

Li Hanxiao couldn't help but ask.

Shi Yong, the "General Shi," was about to retort when Lu Zhishen, the "Flowery Monk," stepped forward, grabbed Shi Yong by the collar, and lifted him up like a chick.

"You little brat, you've come here to force a rebellion? What do you want? If you want revenge, go back and sharpen your knife. Once it's sharpened, come with me to attack Jizhou City and rescue King Chao. Do you think you're so great by spouting nonsense here?!"

As he spoke, "Flowery Monk" Lu Zhishen swung his big fist and kept hitting "General Stone" Shi Yong on the head.

With Lu Zhishen's strength, "Flowery Monk" Shi Yong screamed in pain, fearing that his head would be smashed into a rotten watermelon.

"Mind your life, Officer Lu! Mind your life, Officer Lu!"

"General Shi" Shi Yong begged for mercy loudly, but "Flowery Monk" Lu Zhishen picked him up like a chick, tucked him under his arm, and carried him away. He then shouted loudly, scattering the rest of the men.

Li Hanxiao understood, because the current leader of the infantry was "Flowery Monk" Lu Zhishen, who was the superior of all the infantry leaders. His intervention to manage these people would be twice as effective with half the effort.

This hierarchical system of management and accountability made Li Hanxiao seem to see something different...

Li Han smiled and said to Wen Huanzhang, “Mr. Wen, you see, my brothers from Liangshan Marsh come from various mountain strongholds and each has their own command. Some come from different mountain strongholds, while others have integrated and influenced some of the imperial army. Today’s situation surprises me. I can’t even command these men of mine.”

"Or rather, isn't it utterly ridiculous that I actually need someone else to command my troops?"

Wen Huanzhang understood what Li Hanxiao meant, so he said, "Since ancient times, generals and ministers have had different roles and responsibilities in commanding troops."

"That means it's highly likely that I control these troops through various generals, but I myself don't have the ability to control them. If one day these generals abandon me, then these soldiers won't stand on my side either..."

Li Hanxiao made his point clear, and Wen Huanzhang sighed, "Such things have happened countless times throughout history, but there's really no good solution..."

Li Han smiled. Perhaps in this era, they had no experience from their predecessors to draw upon.

However, Li Hanxiao may now have the experience of his descendants, which he can apply in advance.

"In my opinion, the urgent problem to be solved now is to give everyone a framework to follow. This is something that military discipline cannot achieve. Every place needs to have officers specifically responsible for ideological guidance to carry out propaganda, answer questions, and resolve doubts. At the same time, they are responsible for boosting morale, encouraging and inspiring people. Through them, we can unite the soldiers. Otherwise, it will be difficult to directly control the soldiers."

"Or rather, if it's not like this, these troops will always be controlled by a certain general. Once the general leaves, others can't command this army. What I want is for this army to be loyal to Liangshan, loyal to me, and loyal to their inner beliefs, no matter how many military commanders come and go. Even if the general changes, they can still be commanded. If the general dies on the battlefield, the deputy can still lead them to continue fighting."

Li Hanxiao's words made Wen Huanzhang fall into deep thought, because what Li Hanxiao was referring to was almost a chronic problem of military forces since the late Tang and Five Dynasties period.

Moreover, this chronic problem has never been solved. Many armies, such as Zuo Liangyu and Zheng Chenggong in the late Ming Dynasty, the Xiang Army and Huai Army in the late Qing Dynasty, and the Fengtian Army and Guangxi Army in the Republic of China, have had this problem.

In ancient times, soldiers' loyalty came from their generals; soldiers were loyal to their generals but not to the emperor.

In order to maintain the loyalty of generals, ancient emperors would set up the position of military supervisor in the army. The military supervisor did not care about the soldiers, but only about the generals.

However, the drawback is that if the general rebels, the soldiers will only follow the general who led them.

However, Li Hanxiao, a former special forces soldier, knew that his former system contained a mechanism that could solve this problem...

He had no way to solve it, so he wanted to hear Li Hanxiao's opinion.