Water Margin: The Tale of Li Erlang of Guankou

"I want to use my experience to tell the world that human will can overcome nature. As long as people are united, they can save their own destiny even without divine help."

Li Hanxiao knew and understood that gods and immortals did indeed exist in this world.

However, in his original world, there were no gods; everything required people to work hard and strive.

All their achievements are the result of the arduous pioneering efforts, the trials and tribulations, and the relentless sacrifices of generations of ancestors over thousands and thousands of years. They fought against the heavens, the earth, humanity, and all things in the world, using their ability to transform the mundane into the miraculous to stand proudly in that world.

What is the biggest difference between humans and other animals?

Rather than saying that humans know how to use fire and tools, it's more accurate to say that they possess the ability to turn the mundane into the extraordinary.

It is for this reason that, starting with the invention of fire by friction, the ancient Chinese people created a civilization as brilliant as the stars in the sky.

Since the people of that world could do it, he wanted to try to make it possible for the people of this world as well.

"Well said, wonderfully said! Man can conquer nature! It is true that man can conquer nature. The will of heaven is the will of heaven, but man must also have the courage and ability to defy fate!"

Gongsun Sheng laughed heartily, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Hanxiao, and looked at him as if he were seeing an old friend he had not seen for many years...

"Mr. Gongsun, I, Li Erlang, am not talented. I have now joined the Liangshan outlaws, preparing to accumulate strength and wait for the right opportunity. Why don't you also come to Liangshan and plan something big together?"

Li Hanxiao sincerely invited Gongsun Sheng to join the Liangshan Mountain, because currently no one in Liangshan is proficient in magic, and a talent like Gongsun Sheng is much needed.

"No, I must continue my travels to find the other members of the 100 or 200 Demon Stars. If any are willing, I will recommend them to your Liangshan Mountain. I hope you will not let down the people of the world and the words you have spoken. Farewell!"

After Gongsun Sheng finished speaking, he disappeared from the spot, his whereabouts unknown.

Gongsun Sheng is gone, but Li Hanxiao feels unprecedented pressure. The fate of China and the lives of countless people are now on his shoulders. This is a heavy responsibility that is rare in history!

Meanwhile, Li Hanxiao returned to the mountain and met with Liu Tang. Liu Tang had vented his anger and was now completely devoted to Liangshan. Li Hanxiao introduced Liu Tang to everyone, and after meeting with the other leaders, Liu Tang became the leader of the infantry.

Li Hanxiao, on the other hand, was preparing to set off with Lin Chong to Chai Daguanren's manor in Cangzhou, Heng Hai County, to first explain to him the matter of taking over Liangshan. After that, Li Hanxiao was going to make a move on the birthday gifts that Yang Zhi was escorting.

The reason for befriending Chai Jin was to prevent the people of the martial arts world from becoming irreconcilable enemies of Liangshan. After all, Chai Jin's status in the martial arts world was undeniable, and countless people had benefited from his kindness. If the relationship with him was not good, the people of the martial arts world might rise up against him.

As for the birthday tribute, it was a piece of easy money. Li Hanxiao knew almost everything about the escort and the route of the birthday tribute. With a little thought, he could obtain the 100,000 strings of cash.

For Liangshan, everything is lacking right now: warhorses, provisions, copper and iron, weapons, and armor. To grow and expand, they need to spend a huge amount of money.

Taking the birthday gifts would be enough to cover Liangshan's expenses for at least a year, and Li Hanxiao could also try to persuade "Blue-Faced Beast" Yang Zhi to surrender; he was quite a talent.

Li Hanxiao went to Lin Chong to discuss his ideas, and then found Wen Huanzhang to explain the situation. After arranging everything, he first asked Wen Huanzhang to take charge of the stronghold, while Li Hanxiao and Lin Chong set off for Cangzhou.

With preparations complete, the leaders held a farewell banquet for the two at Zhu Gui's tavern before heading to Cangzhou. Li Hanxiao, accompanied by his hounds, traveled swiftly with Lin Chong, and after about seven days, they arrived in Cangzhou, Henghai County.

"Chief, I've heard Brother Song Wan say before that this Master Chai's financial support for Liangshan Marsh was originally just to give himself more options. He's a descendant of the Later Zhou dynasty and is quite resentful of how the Song dynasty treated the Chai family. So, he recruited heroes from all over the world to his manor, which suggests he has some intention of starting a rebellion..."

Lin Chong understood that Li Hanxiao had completely destroyed the rebellion base that Chai Jin had built with money, and Chai Jin would not let it go so easily. He wanted to warn Li Hanxiao to be careful.

Li Hanxiao understood Chai Jin's thoughts perfectly. He invested in Liangshan to find a way out. If one day the court could no longer tolerate him, a descendant of the Great Zhou, he would go to Liangshan to rebel.

If Li Hanxiao can still establish a "strategic partnership" with Chai Jin, he can still come to Liangshan if he can't make a living in the future. Li Hanxiao will still treat him as an honored guest. Compared with Wang Lun, Li Hanxiao is a more reliable backup plan and backer. Perhaps Chai Jin will not care.

Just then, Li Hanxiao and his companion arrived at Chai Jin's manor. Lin Chong dismounted and announced, "Lin Chong and Li Hanxiao, the new leader of Liangshan, have come to pay their respects to you, sir. Please inform them."

Upon hearing the words "Li Hanxiao, the new master of Liangshan," the doorman's expression changed, and he hurriedly sent someone inside to inform him.

Before long, someone ran up and whispered something in the doorman's ear. The doorman turned around and said, "Please come in, you two!"

Lin Chong and Li Hanxiao then stepped into Chai Jin's manor. Chai Jin's manor was very large, no smaller than a European or American plantation in later times. In addition to the fields, there were many open spaces filled with various sword and spear racks and stone locks and other training equipment, which were obviously specially set up for the manor's servants to practice martial arts.

On these open spaces, there were at this moment dozens of villagers of different heights, builds and builds practicing martial arts, throwing punches and kicks, and brandishing knives and spears.

As a result, the people who were practicing enthusiastically stopped what they were doing and quickly gathered around when they saw Li Hanxiao and Lin Chong walk in.

"Instructor!"

Li Hanxiao reminded Lin Chong that the situation was probably not good. Lin Chong nodded in understanding and gripped his spear tightly.

As if they had received someone's orders, the servants blocked Li Hanxiao and his companion's path, while the gatekeeper who had led them into the manor stepped aside, seemingly ignoring everything that was happening before him.

"Brother, these servants outside have come to seek refuge with Master Chai because of his reputation. According to the hierarchy, they belong to the lowest class. If they are incited now, a fierce battle is inevitable!"

Lin Chong had stayed at Chai Jin's manor for a few days and had some understanding of it.

"I never expected that the manor of Master Chai of Cangzhou in Henghai Prefecture would be so welcoming to guests. Well then, guests should follow the host's lead, come on!"

Li Hanxiao ripped off the cloth covering the three-pointed double-edged sword, revealing it, and at the same time, the servants also made their move.

"ah!"

Seeing seven or eight poles simultaneously strike Lin Chong and Li Hanxiao, Li Hanxiao raised his three-pointed sword and with two swift strokes, chopped the poles in two!

After Li Hanxiao cut down the pole, several more broadswords rushed forward. Li Hanxiao and Lin Chong knew that being surrounded and attacked in the center would be too disadvantageous, so the two of them broke through the enemy lines and fought their way out.

Lin Chong's spear moved with a "golden rooster nodding wildly," the spear swirling and striking with a swift, powerful thrust. The shaft of the spear, like a nimble snake, forced back the villagers on both sides. The spearhead seemed to multiply into countless fragments, its destination unknown. The villagers, fearing being struck by this elusive spear, scattered and dodged, allowing Lin Chong to break free from the battle.

Li Hanxiao faced several broadswords. The three tips of his three-pointed double-edged sword blocked the blades with a "ping-pong" sound. Then, he hoisted the hilt onto his shoulder, turned his body, and with the force of the rotation, swept the three-pointed double-edged sword around his body. This was the move of "Erlang Carrying the Mountain".

The villagers had seen how powerful his sword was, how easily he could chop through seven or eight clubs as if they were tofu. They knew that if that sword were used on a person, it would be fatal. So they all dodged and gave Li Hanxiao a chance to break out of the fray.

After the two broke through the encirclement, Li Hanxiao blocked two broadswords while shouting, "Instructor Lin, it seems that you won't be able to face Master Chai until you defeat these scoundrels! Just don't take any lives!"

Li Hanxiao originally came with a sincere intention to make peace. If he kills Chai Jin's servants, there will probably be nothing left to discuss.

"Know!"

Lin Chong's main focus was on his hands, and his response was swift and decisive. He deflected the enemy's weapon with his spear, then swept it several times towards the enemy's waist and hips, using the spear like a club to knock the enemy to the ground, where he cried out in pain.

These farmhands all knew a little martial arts, but it was all just a few punches and kicks, a few moves and a few stances—a bunch of amateurish tricks. Although there were many of them, they couldn't be considered true heroes. Hearing that Chai Jin was recruiting talented people, most of them came to the farm to freeload.

Chai Jin understood this point, so he treated his servants in different grades. It wasn't that he was stingy, but he couldn't be too generous to these freeloaders, otherwise it wouldn't show how much he valued those with real skills.

The dozens of men ganging up on Li Hanxiao and Lin Chong were quickly defeated, with seven or eight of them falling to the ground. Lin Chong's spear was formidable, and Li Hanxiao's sword was unparalleled. Lin Chong beat them until they were groaning on the ground, while Li Hanxiao's sword cut their weapons in two. In less than a quarter of an hour, all the dozens of men were lying on the ground, unable to get up.

However, without exception, although these people were beaten to the point of being unable to resist, they were still alive. Li Hanxiao and Lin Chong had a very good grasp of the situation.

"Young man, Master Chai's way of treating guests is quite unique!"

After dealing with the group, Li Hanxiao turned to look at the doorman.

Looking at the wounded on the ground, some of whom were injured to varying degrees, the doorman was also a little afraid. Li Han smiled and said, "Master, there are many martial artists in your manor. They are all good at sparring. This is sparring, sparring..."

"A friendly spar, what a friendly spar! This is the first time I've ever seen dozens of people spar together. Are there more to come?"

Although Li Hanxiao understood that this was probably a show of force arranged by Chai Jin, he saw through it but didn't say anything. Since Chai Jin sent people to fight, he would fight back. Firstly, he wanted to show Chai Jin his skills and make him not underestimate him. Secondly, if he didn't do this, Chai Jin probably wouldn't be able to calm down.

Thirdly, it was also to tell Chai Jin that he had many servants, but Li Hanxiao was not afraid. If he really didn't want things to end peacefully, then it wasn't impossible for the two of them to take over one of his estates.

The doorman then led Li Hanxiao into the second courtyard, which was much smaller than the first. Inside, there was a sunshade, wooden dummy, tea barrels, soup barrels, tables, chairs, and benches. As for various training equipment, it was all readily available.

"This is where the second-class retainers are located. These people all have a skill, unlike those cowards from before."

Lin Chong gave a silent reminder.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw a dozen or so people standing there, holding various weapons and looking serious, as if they had been waiting for battle for a long time.

Li Hanxiao understood that this was a higher-level opponent, and he still had to fight!

Among the dozen or so people there, three of them strode forward. These three were broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with big heads and thick necks. They were all about eight feet tall and extremely robust. The only difference was that their clothes and weapons were different.

The one on the left is holding a solid iron spear, weighing about forty or fifty pounds; the one on the right is holding an octagonal iron rod; and the one in the middle is holding a large wooden knife. None of them are carrying light weapons.

Li Hanxiao immediately realized that these three people were probably not the same kind of experts as the previous ones. Putting aside everything else, their strength was definitely not small!

"May I offer my guidance?"

The three burly men took a step forward, and the sense of oppression instantly increased to a whole new level.

"The three of you, come at me together, what do I, Li Erlang, have to fear?"

Li Han smiled without changing his expression, raised his three-pointed sword, and his aura was in no way inferior to that of the three burly men.

"You son of a bitch! How dare you look down on us?!"

Upon hearing Li Hanxiao's words, the three men flew into a rage and immediately raised their weapons, attacking together.

"To use the majority to bully the minority!"

Seeing the three of them ganging up on Li Hanxiao, Lin Chong was about to raise his spear to help when a man suddenly appeared beside him, holding an iron spear, and blocked Lin Chong's way.

"I've long heard of Instructor Lin's renowned reputation! Today I'll finally get to know him!"

"Go away!"

Lin Chong wanted to get rid of this guy quickly to help Li Hanxiao, but after exchanging a few blows, he found that this guy's spear skills were not like those of the bandits. He realized that he really couldn't take him down in a short time!

Li Hanxiao dodged several attacks in quick succession. The three of them were launching a series of powerful attacks. After dodging, Li Hanxiao's attacks hit the wall directly with enough force to knock it down. If he had taken the blows head-on, he would have been at a great disadvantage.

So Li Hanxiao dodged and weaved, avoiding their attacks, preparing to strike when the opportunity arose to attack their lower body.

"trick!"

The man wielding the iron spear used the move "Qin King's Whip Stone" to smash the spear down from above like an iron rod. Li Hanxiao dodged to the side, and the spear struck the paving stones, shattering several bluestone bricks into pieces!

Taking advantage of the moment before he could pick up his gun, Li Hanxiao slid the three-pointed knife up the shaft of his iron gun, quickly and ruthlessly slicing off his fingers.

Seeing the flash of the blade, and realizing that all ten fingers on his hands were about to be lost, the man quickly dropped his iron spear and dodged.

Li Hanxiao didn't make things difficult for him. Even if he lost his weapon and admitted defeat, he turned around and fought the two of them again.