Water Margin: The Tale of Li Erlang of Guankou

For Wu Dalang personally, Pan Jinlian was indeed a wife he could hardly have. In the original story, the wealthy Zhang gave Pan Jinlian, such a beautiful wife, for free and even paid for her dowry. The key point is that Zhang was giving her away in a fit of anger because he couldn't have Pan Jinlian, which means that Pan Jinlian was still a virgin at that time.

At that time, Wu Dalang had nothing, but he got such a beautiful wife for free, plus a full dowry. Why wouldn't he take it? Even the shops along the street that Wu Dalang later bought were probably bought with her dowry. So Wu Song was also surprised to see that she was living such a good life. After all, when Wu Song and Wu Dalang were together, they caused trouble and beat people time and time again. It was good enough that Wu Dalang didn't have any debts. It was impossible for him to have any savings.

Marrying Pan Jinlian was Wu Dalang's biggest mistake; given his appearance and circumstances, he couldn't keep such a beautiful woman.

More importantly, this woman was not well-behaved.

Although Li Hanxiao did not want to advocate for Pan Jinlian, her restlessness was her freedom; she could have her own pursuits, fight against fate, and pursue the person she liked.

But the premise is that you must not harm others, especially your good husband Wu Dalang. You cheated on him and Wu Dalang didn't really care, but this vicious woman directly murdered her husband!

Once this has happened, it can never be washed away properly; it's an outrage against nature!

Li Hanxiao carefully calculated the days. In the original story, when Wu Dalang met Wu Song, who had just fought a tiger, in Yanggu County, it had only been two or three months since he moved from Qinghe County to Yanggu County.

Now, with Li Hanxiao's appearance altering the original timeline, it's possible we could even catch up to the time before Wu Dalang married Pan Jinlian...

Since there is hope, we must act quickly. Once Wu Dalang and Pan Jinlian are happily married, it will be difficult to separate them!

Therefore, Li Hanxiao instructed Cao Zheng, the "knife-wielding devil," that if Wu Dalang was still unmarried when they arrived at the destination, he should do everything in his power to bring Wu Dalang up the mountain.

In addition, if anyone tries to arrange a marriage for Wu Dalang, we must find a way to ruin it!

Although Cao Zheng, the "mastermind," really didn't understand what Li Hanxiao meant, as the saying goes, "It's better to tear down ten temples than to ruin one marriage," why was Li Hanxiao doing the opposite?

However, the chieftain's order was an order, and Cao Zheng didn't say much. After receiving the order, the "sword-wielding devil" Cao Zheng disguised himself as a merchant, carried a broadsword, and went down the mountain to Yanggu County to pick up Wu Dalang.

Li Hanxiao told him to hurry, so Cao Zheng rode at full speed to Qinghe County. Since he was traveling from south to north and hadn't passed Jingyanggang, where tigers were, for a long time, he quickly arrived in Qinghe County in about five days.

Following Wu Song's directions, Cao Zheng, nicknamed "The Knife-Wielding Ghost," searched for Wu Dalang. Wu Song said that his family lived in a small house south of Liuligou in Qinghe County. Cao Zheng asked around and arrived at the small house, only to find that the door was locked and no one was inside.

Cao Zheng, nicknamed "The Knife-Wielding Ghost," looked down at the street and saw an old man selling breasts across the street, so he went up to ask him.

"Old man, please. Bring me a bowl of milk. May I ask if the house across the street belongs to Wu Dalang?"

Cao Zheng took out a few copper coins as he asked.

Cao Zheng, nicknamed "The Knife-Wielding Ghost," truly rose from the bottom of society and was intimately familiar with the unspoken rules of the underworld and society. Don't underestimate these seemingly insignificant people; the fiercest battles often occur among them. If you ask them a question that seems like a simple favor, they certainly won't tell you readily.

You have to offer some benefits before they'll talk to you or do things your way; that's been the rule for thousands of years.

The old man took the copper coin, filled a bowl with milk, and handed it to Cao Zhengdao, saying, "That's right, this is Wu Dalang's house. Does the guest have business with him?"

"Indeed, but where is this person now?"

Cao Zheng took a sip of the breast and asked some casual questions.

"He must be carrying his load on a shoulder pole, selling steamed buns on the street right now. He's pitiful, though. He's only three pieces of tofu in height. He lost his parents at a young age and has to raise his brother, who happens to be a troublemaker who's always causing trouble. Sigh... If customers are looking for him, they'll have to walk two streets to find him!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zheng, having slept with Wu Dalang, began searching the streets and alleys, looking carefully, as if afraid he might miss him.

After walking through three streets and alleys, Cao Zheng arrived at the mule and horse market. There, he saw a commotion in the crowd ahead. A group of people, regardless of age or gender, had stopped to watch, and he didn't know what was going on.

"Beat him! Beat that short, ugly tree bark!"

"Haha! This shorty wants to eat swan meat? He's really dreaming!"

"Isn't this Wuhan University? How did we get involved with these hooligans?"

……

Upon hearing that it seemed to be Wuhan University inside, Cao Zheng, nicknamed "The Knife-Wielding Demon," immediately pushed his way forward, forcefully parting the crowd.

The place was a complete mess. The ground was littered with broken carrying poles, kicked-up baskets, and large steamed buns scattered all over the floor. It was heartbreaking to see food being wasted like this.

A short man was lying on the ground, his face covered in blood, like blooming peach blossoms, being trampled underfoot and wantonly humiliated.

"Meng Dalang, leave some room for maneuver, so you can meet again in the future... I, Wu Dalang, have no past grievances or recent feuds with you. Aren't you afraid that my brothers will come back to confront you... confront you... confront you to settle scores?"

These are the words of an honest person, someone who has been bullied to the point of exhaustion. They can't even muster the courage to say anything harsh, and they are hesitant and indecisive.

This man was none other than Wu Dalang.

The man who stepped on Wu Dalang was shirtless, with a small dragon tattooed on his left arm. He was Meng Dalang, nicknamed "Little Dragon Flower," a notorious rogue in Qinghe County.

This man originally made a living by breeding mules and horses at the mule and horse market. He was not a decent person; he was a dissolute young man and a rogue.

He beat Wu Dalang because a few days ago, a maid in the Zhang family of Qinghe County offended the Zhang family. The Zhang family wanted to seduce her, but the maid refused and instead complained to the Zhang family's wife.

The wealthy man harbored a grudge and wanted to marry her off to the most despised man in the world, even offering a dowry in return. So he went to find this Wu Dalang.

Although Wu Dalang did not agree, he was still somewhat tempted, because the girl's name was Pan Jinlian, and she was beautiful. She would even bring a dowry. For someone like him who had a hard time finding a wife, this was a bargain.

This explosive news spread like wildfire throughout Qinghe County. Meng Dalang, nicknamed "Hua Xiaolong," thought he was a hundred times better than Wu Dalang, but he watched as "a good piece of mutton was eaten by a dog." He was a bit like a sour grapes, so he picked a fight and beat Wu Dalang up today.

As for Wu Dalang, he was a cowardly and unruly man. When Wu Song was around, he had his brothers to back him up, so no one bothered him. But after Wu Song left, those who bullied the weak and feared the strong came to humiliate him. It was common for him to eat pancakes on credit and not pay, or pay less, or sometimes he simply didn't pay at all!

"Your brother? Your dead brother is nowhere to be found! You're trying to scare me with that? I'll beat you up!"

Meng Dalang, nicknamed "Little Dragon Flower," raised his foot to kick Wu Dalang on the back, but Cao Zheng, nicknamed "Knife-wielding Ghost," quickly stepped forward and pushed Meng Dalang, making him fall to the ground with a thud.

"Who are you! Here to beg for wildfire?"

When Meng Dalang saw that "Knife-wielding Ghost" Cao Zhengsheng had grown up and was carrying a broadsword, he was somewhat afraid of him, after all, he was also a bully who preyed on the weak.

"Why did you hit this man? I was just trying to help someone in need!"

Cao Zheng said.

Meng Dalang, nicknamed "Little Flower Dragon," jumped up, glared at Cao Zheng, and said fiercely, "How did you, a big shot, end up on a hundred or so acres of land? Get out of here!"

"get out!"

Cao Zheng didn't bother with such a rogue as him, and kicked him to the ground. Meng Dalang was kicked to the ground and started groaning.

"Brother, get up!"

Cao Zheng helped Wu Dalang up, and Wu Dalang repeatedly thanked him, "Thank you for saving me, sir. May I ask your name?"

"My surname is Cao, and I am from Tokyo. Are you the eldest brother of the Wu family?"

Cao Zheng asked.

"It was me, how did the guest know..."

"I am a messenger sent by your brother Wu Erlang."

Upon hearing Cao Zheng's words, Wu Dalang, who had been beaten black and blue and dared not even make a big expression, widened his eyes and asked incredulously, "Who did you say? Erlang? Did Erlang send you?"

“That’s right, brother. This isn’t the place to talk. How about I go home with you and we talk on the way?”

"Alright! Let's go, I'll buy some wine and food on the way and treat my brother to a good meal!"

Wu Dalang just wanted to hear about his brother's recent situation. Wu Song was raised by him by begging from many families. They were like father and son. Since Wu Song left, Wu Dalang had been forced to wear shackles and pay compensation to others. Although Wu Song hadn't actually killed anyone, he had still caused Wu Dalang a lot of trouble. All the money he had earned had gone to paying compensation, so he resented Wu Song in his heart.

However, after all, he was the brother he had raised. After being away for many days, as the saying goes, "When a son travels a thousand miles, his parents worry." As the eldest brother, he was like a father to his children, so how could he not miss them?

Wu Dalang picked up the broken basket; the steamed buns had all been trampled by the onlookers and were no longer acceptable, so he took Cao Zheng away.

"You've got guts! Don't run away!"

Meng Dalang, nicknamed "Little Dragon Flower," was still lying there, but he didn't forget to continue his provocations.

Wu Dalang bought some wine and meat on the way and took Cao Zheng back. When they opened the door, Cao Zheng went in and saw that the house was very small.

In terms of size, it was about the size of a public toilet in later times. On the left were a stove, a steamer, and a dough-making table. The whole room was blackened by smoke.

On the left are beds, one longer and one shorter; presumably, the longer one is Wu Song's.

"Come on, brother, have a couple of drinks first!"

Wu Dalang placed a wooden plank on top of bricks to make a table, then laid out wine and meat and invited Cao Zheng to eat some.

Cao Zheng drank two cups of wine and said, "I know Brother Wu Song, and he asked me to bring him a letter."

Cao Zheng handed the letter to Wu Dalang. Wu Dalang took it, unfolded it, and read it. Although he could read, he didn't know many characters, so he couldn't recognize them all. He put the letter on the table and asked, "To be honest, Brother Cao, I never went to school when I was young and only know a few characters. Could you please tell me where my brother is now?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zheng couldn't help but sigh. Having just witnessed the poverty of Wu Dalang's family, he had already guessed that the two brothers had endured many hardships over the years. Wu Dalang was so short, yet he had raised such a tall and strong younger brother, Wu Song. He must have suffered from hunger and thirst, giving Wu Song everything edible, no matter what it was.

As for literacy, Wu Dalang was not very literate, but Cao Zheng knew that Wu Song was literate and must have attended a proper school.

It's likely that Wu Dalang had to sell his pots and pans and dig tunnels to save money so that Wu Song could get some education, while he himself was almost illiterate and certainly couldn't bear to spend that money.

It wasn't easy, it was extremely difficult.

"It's like this. I used to run a tavern in Jizhou Prefecture. Wu Erlang came to our area three months ago, and I met him. He killed a tiger that was harassing the villagers, which impressed the county magistrate, who then appointed him as the head of the infantry in the yamen. Now that he's an official, he used his reward money to buy a house and land, and he's also fallen in love with a respectable young woman. They'll be getting married soon, and the woman's parents want to meet Wu Song's elders. That's why they sent me to find you, brother. Firstly, to preside over the wedding, and secondly, because Wu Song often misses you and wants you to come and live with them!"

Hearing Cao Zheng's words, Wu Dalang was overjoyed, his face beaming with delight, and his wrinkles spread wide with laughter.

"My brother became an official after killing a tiger? And he's getting married?"

Even Wu Dalang could hardly believe it.

"It is also!"

"Oh dear, that tiger is so fierce! I hope my brother isn't hurt! Even if he had been bitten, he would have been in for half a year!"

Wu Dalang was filled with worry. This was his own brother, born of the same mother. He was deeply concerned, fearing that something might happen to Wu Song.

"No, Brother Wu Song was like a god descending to earth, completely unharmed. The magistrate saw his martial arts skills and appointed him as an official. Brother Wu Song said he had a case against him, but the magistrate checked the case file and found that he had not killed anyone, only knocked them unconscious. Moreover, the case had been closed and did not violate the law, so he appointed him as a constable. The family he was hired from was a well-to-do and wealthy family in the area with a good family tradition!"

Some of these clichés were taught to him by Li Hanxiao, while others were made up on the spot by Cao Zheng. He had also run a tavern and entertained guests, so he was adept at making up stories.

Wu Dalang immediately knelt down and kowtowed before his parents, who were hostile towards him, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Father and Mother, may your spirits hear me clearly in heaven? This is good news, good news indeed! My brother has become an official and is about to start a family! Before you passed away, you told me that no matter how difficult it was, I must raise my brother to adulthood... Now that my second brother has grown up and is about to start a family, I have finally lived up to your expectations..."

As Wu Dalang spoke, tears streamed down his face, and he sobbed uncontrollably. Who knew what kind of life he had lived all these years, how much hardship he had endured, and how much heartache was contained in those tears!

Even Cao Zheng, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but shed tears!