Water Margin: The Tale of Li Erlang of Guankou

"What's so difficult about a bride price? Besides, Instructor Lin wouldn't care about a little bride price."

Wu Song shook his head. "My brother doesn't think that way. He thinks that I went up the mountain to become an outlaw and made money through dishonest means. It's really ugly to use ill-gotten gains as a dowry. Although our Wu family is not a wealthy family, we are still honest and law-abiding citizens. He even asked me to get him a pancake stand so that I could go back to my old ways."

"what?"

Li Hanxiao hadn't expected Wu Dalang to be so resistant to these things. If he continued like this, it would be troublesome.

After all, he was Wu Song's own brother. If he had any objections, Wu Song's life on the mountain would probably be difficult.

"How about this? I'll go talk to your brother first. If he doesn't want to stay on the mountain and still wants to earn some clean money, how about we give him some capital so he can open a shop in Jeju City?"

Li Han smiled and said.

"Alright, please, Chieftain!"

So Wu Song led Li Hanxiao to see Wu Dalang.

"Brother, this is Chief Li Hanxiao!"

After hearing Wu Song recount how Li Hanxiao had saved his life, Wu Dalang immediately knelt down, expressing his deepest gratitude.

"My benefactor saved my second son, please accept my bow!"

"No, please rise quickly. Erlang and I hit it off immediately, and his brother is also my brother. What's wrong? Have you heard that you're not used to staying on Liangshan Mountain?"

Li Hanxiao intended to help Wu Dalang up, but unexpectedly, due to the large height difference, she simply pulled him up instead.

“This… my great benefactor, you have saved my brother’s life, such a great favor cannot be repaid even if I were to turn into a mule or a horse. However, I, Wu Da, am a coward. Firstly, you are a mountain bandit, and if the government comes to suppress us one day… I’m afraid…”

Wu Dalang was timid and fearful. He knew that if he stayed on the mountain, he could live a life of luxury, but he was also afraid that one day the government troops would besiege the mountain stronghold, and then all his brothers would be killed.

"Haha, Brother Wu, you can rest assured about that. A while ago, the government troops of Jizhou Prefecture sent two thousand soldiers to besiege us, but I wiped them out without leaving a single one alive. This Liangshan Marsh is eight hundred li in circumference, and the land in the middle is also more than one hundred li in circumference. It is extremely vast. As long as we defend it properly, even if there are thousands of troops, they will not be able to break in!"

Two thousand... Oh my god!

When Wu Dalang heard that Li Hanxiao and his men had just repelled more than two thousand government troops, he was so frightened that he gasped. Although he did not understand military affairs, he could tell that this group of people were notorious bandits!

"Then...then there's the second point. My brothers and I have been without parents since childhood and have been bullied everywhere. Therefore, I hate those who bully others and the weak the most. To put it bluntly...you benefactors who have taken over the mountains as kings, aren't you also robbing poor people and harming them?"

Wu Dalang felt that being a bandit was evil, harming and exploiting the people, and he didn't want Wu Song to do it.

"Hahaha! Brother Wu, do you know that Liangshan Marsh acts on behalf of Heaven and never takes a penny from the people? On the contrary, it is a place where we rob the rich to help the poor?"

"what?!"

Although Wu Dalang was not highly educated, he could still understand what Li Hanxiao was saying. However, he couldn't understand why bandits would not rob ordinary people. What would they eat and drink? They were so generous in giving money to the people. This didn't make sense!

“What the chieftain says is true. Brother, you don’t know, the chieftain has long ordered that any Liangshan brothers who dare to harm the people will be executed without mercy. Liangshan only targets corrupt officials, local tyrants and bullies. Just a few days ago, they seized the birthday gifts from Grand Tutor Cai.”

"Birthday tribute?!"

Wu Dalang's thought process was completely stuck, with one astonishing surprise after another.

"That's right, Brother Wu. Do you think we brothers are those ruthless bandits who burn, kill, rob, and commit all sorts of evil? You're sorely mistaken. I, Li Hanxiao, am also a commoner who rose from humble beginnings. I know all too well the hardships of life. In today's world, the poor are too poor, the rich are too rich, justice has vanished, and evildoers commit all sorts of crimes. Naturally, someone has to step up and do justice to wipe them all out. Take the birthday tribute, for example. It was originally 100,000 strings of cash that Liang Zhongshu plundered and extorted to give to his father-in-law, Grand Tutor Cai. Such ill-gotten gains are a righteous act for us to take. What's wrong with that?"

As soon as Li Han finished his joke, Wu Song continued, "Brother, yes, Chief Li left half of the 100,000 strings of gold and silver in the stronghold and used the other half to build houses and buy land in Jizhou Prefecture, intending to provide food and lodging for refugees from all directions, let them farm here to make a living, and provide them with food and lodging, as long as they hand over the harvest from the land."

Wu Dalang was deeply shocked. He was a kind-hearted man who would give two steamed buns to a beggar. How could he not know that Li Hanxiao's actions were out of kindness?

Fifty thousand strings of gold and silver jewelry—what a huge sum of money! Li Hanxiao was actually willing to use it to settle refugees.

Although he hired migrants to farm for him, he did provide them with food and lodging. Everyone knows that in this world, migrants are treated worse than dogs. They are not welcome anywhere they go, and not only are they displaced, they also have no way to support themselves. In the end, they can only turn into piles of white bones left in the thorn bushes...

Wu Dalang saw all this but was powerless to change it, while Li Hanxiao truly took a step and began to make changes.

Wu Dalang was truly impressed!

"Wu Da is a rough man, but I've heard people say that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. This Chief Li has saved millions of lives; he's truly a living bodhisattva!"

Wu Dalang said excitedly.

"In fact, eliminating evil people in this world and punishing evil and promoting good is also a way of saving people. Just imagine, if these evil people were alive, they would continue to do evil, and who knows how many more people would die at their hands."

Li Han smiled and earnestly offered his advice.

"That's really how it is... Now that you mention it, I feel a bit more at ease. But it'll still be awkward if my brother can't afford the bride price..."

Li Hanxiao's previous remarks had already resolved one of Wu Dalang's inner conflicts, but now there's a second one: the issue of the bride price.

“That’s easy. The white tiger that Brother Wu Song killed is still with me. It’s said that this tiger is full of treasures. Since Brother Wu Song killed it, it should belong to him. I’ll offer three thousand taels of silver to buy this white tiger. That’s enough for my dowry.”

Before Wu Dalang could speak, Li Hanxiao stopped him and continued, "Brother Wu is a diligent person. I imagine you wouldn't want to live such a lazy life if you were idle on the mountain. I have two ideas to share with you, Brother Wu."

Li Hanxiao's repeated persuasion had basically resolved Wu Dalang's inner conflicts. Now, these words resonated with Wu Dalang. He had spent half his life braving wind and rain, a man accustomed to hardship. If you were to suddenly give him some free time, he would find it very difficult to adjust.

"Firstly, I will fund Brother Wu to open a shop in Jeju City."

Upon hearing this, Wu Dalang shook his head repeatedly. He had already been to Liangshan, and Wu Song was still there. He was terrified if they were to go to Jizhou Prefecture now.

“Then let’s talk about the second one. I heard that you started out selling steamed buns, and our Liangshan cooks are still lacking a leader. Why don’t you lead the cooks to start the fire and cook, Brother Wu?”

Although making someone else work as a cook seems a bit like bullying or looking down on him, it was actually Wu Dalang's forte, and he quite enjoyed doing it.

"That's not bad. To be honest, Chief Li, I learned some cooking skills when I was young, but I couldn't find a restaurant to run, so I ended up selling steamed buns."

The fact that Wu Dalang said that shows he was quite satisfied with the job.

"Okay, then it's a deal!"

Wu Dalang was led to the Liangshan kitchen for a look, while Wu Song gave Li Hanxiao a thumbs up and praised him repeatedly, saying, "Second Brother, you're really good at planning!"

“It’s nothing, Brother Wu, he’s a very honest man! Go find Mr. Wen and ask him to calculate when is an auspicious day for your wedding. Pick one out and we’ll hold a wedding for you and Jin’er.”

"Alright! But, second brother, when are you and sister-in-law going to get married? It's a double celebration, why don't you join in the fun?"

Wu Song's implication was that he wanted Li Hanxiao to celebrate the wedding with him.

“That’s not appropriate. Shishi has no relatives, but she still has a few retainers. Have you seen the ‘Golden-Faced Buddha’ Qin Zhi, who just came up the mountain? He’s one of them. There are a few others who haven’t arrived at Liangshan yet. When they come, it will be a good way to give Shishi’s family a better reputation…”

Li Hanxiao considered that Li Shishi was, after all, a descendant of the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty. If he were to hold a wedding for her in front of these remaining officials, the scale of the wedding would naturally have to be different from that of Wu Song's wedding, otherwise they would definitely not agree.

With the matter between Wu Song and Wu Dalang settled, and seeing that everything on Li Hanxiao's side had come to an end, he approached Li Hanxiao and asked to see Li Shishi.

Li Hanxiao then led him over. Upon seeing Li Shishi, Qin Zhi immediately bowed and said, "Qin Zhi, a descendant of Duke Qin Qiong, greets the Princess!"

"We're all family, no need for formalities, Brother Qin, please rise!"

When Li Shishi was young, she met Qin Zhi, the "Golden-Faced Buddha," and they had a good relationship. However, after her father was murdered, she was taken to Tokyo and lost contact with him.

Although Li Shishi knew where these former officials lived, she dared not ask them to come and rescue her. After all, Cai Jing was a villain that no one could afford to offend, and if she dragged them into it, it would only harm them.

After Li Hanxiao broke through the four trials, Li Shishi fell in love with him at first sight. In the end, she was led by Li Hanxiao to escape from Tokyo. She married her husband and followed him to Liangshan. She had no more scruples.

"No, Princess and Brother Li, please take your seats!"

Qin Zhishan stood aside and asked very cautiously, "Qin Zhi and the princess have been separated for many years. I don't know where the princess is. I don't know how the prince is doing. Why is the princess with Brother Li again...?"

These former officials of the Southern Tang Dynasty were unaware of the dramatic changes in Li Shishi's family. Although they recognized Li Shishi's father as their master, he did not want to rebel and therefore did not meet with them again for many years.

Later, some people went to their original address to look for them, but the place was deserted and they had disappeared.

Upon hearing this, Li Shishi burst into tears, and said sadly, "It's a long story. My parents were both killed by treacherous villains, and I myself almost became a caged bird, but fortunately, you saved me..."

"What?! What on earth is going on?!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhi slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"This is a family tragedy that shouldn't be told to outsiders, but since I've known Brother Qin since childhood, it's alright to tell you..."

So Li Shishi recounted her family's experiences over the years.

"Oh my god! I'm so angry!"

After Qin Zhi heard the whole story, he got up, drew his double maces from his back, and smashed the coffee table in front of him to pieces!

"The princess is suffering, and we, her retainers, are unaware of it. It is truly a sin. If we do not kill the old traitor Cai Jing in the future, it will be an injustice to Heaven!"

Qin Zhi's chest heaved like a bellows, clearly showing he was genuinely enraged.

"With Brother Qin having such a heart, my parents would rest in peace!"

Li Shishi wiped away her tears and stepped forward. "Now that Shishi is with Young Master Li, who is proficient in both literature and martial arts and is a hero of our time, I beg Second Brother Qin to assist him wholeheartedly!"

"Leader!"

Qin Zhi immediately said.

"Brother Qin Zhi, you've just arrived at Liangshan and haven't yet seen the whole Liangshan Marsh. Why don't I take you on a tour?"

Li Han asked with a smile.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Chieftain. Princess, I'll take my leave now!"

"Please, Second Brother Qin!"

Li Hanxiao and Qin Zhi left the house and walked to the Zhengda Guangming Hall. Qin Zhi said, "Second Brother Li, it seems that you saved the princess, and the princess is also infatuated with you and devoted to you. You are really lucky. The princess has been a beauty since childhood. You are truly blessed to have such a wife!"

"Yes, with a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for!"

Li Hanxiao couldn't help but sigh.

"However, I heard the princess say that she also invited Luo Yanzhi, the descendant of Luo Fang, the Duke of Yue of Chaling Prefecture, is that right?"

Qin Zhi suddenly asked a question.

Yes, there is such a person.

"This man is my cousin... I have some connection with him... There are some things I think I should tell you, Brother Li, first..."

The Luo and Qin families have been related as cousins ​​since Luo Cheng and Qin Qiong, and this relationship has remained unchanged for so many generations!

"But it doesn't matter!"

"Hmm... My cousin has been in love with the princess since childhood... Later, when the princess's family disappeared, he searched all over the country. When he learned that the princess was getting married, he naturally came. But as for you, Brother Li, I'm afraid..."

Li Hanxiao was shocked. So Luo Yanzhi had this kind of relationship with Li Shishi. Of course, Li Shishi didn't actually have anything to do with it. Judging from this, it seemed that Luo Yanzhi had a one-sided love for her...

If he comes, he'll definitely see Li Hanxiao as a rival in love. Who knows what might happen then...

Whether this will lead to a major fight is hard to say, but Li Hanxiao understands that he will have to put in a lot of effort to completely subdue this kid. But no matter how difficult it is, he has to make sure he takes the risk. The Luo family's spear technique is famous throughout the world. Luo Yanqing, a descendant of the Luo family generals in the Southern Song Dynasty in "The Complete Story of Yue Fei", was a fierce general!