Water Margin: The Tale of Li Erlang of Guankou

Chapter 116 Li Hanxiao recounts classical allusions, while the Bearded Gentleman undergoes a makeove

"Your words are specious!"

Zhu Tong wanted to refute, but he didn't know how to do so, and his words were weak and powerless.

"Alright, then take a look at what's written on the hilt of that precious sword."

Li Han smiled and waved his hand, signaling the "bearded gentleman" Zhu Tong to pick up the Yang family's treasured sword and take a look.

"Loyalty and righteousness reside in the people, not in the ruler..."

Zhu Tong, the "bearded gentleman," grabbed the Yang family's treasured sword and drew out its frost-white blade. This precious sword, with its bluish-green light like water, had cloud patterns faintly visible on its blade, and the words "Tianbo" were engraved at the hilt.

Looking further down, Zhu Tong saw that these few small characters were clearly engraved on the spine of the precious sword.

Zhu Tong was momentarily dazed, carefully examining the handle of the precious sword. The sandalwood handle had faded to a dark brown due to age, but the gold pattern of the character "Yang" was still discernible.

"Now that Chief Zhu recognizes this blade, doesn't he understand?"

Li Hanxiao flicked his finger and slashed his knife, the sound of a dragon's roar causing the snow on the beams to fall in a flurry.

Zhu Tong stared intently and saw that half a tiger tally was secretly embedded in the hilt of the sword. He suddenly recalled the rumors he had heard in the past. Back then, the old general Yang did indeed have half a tiger tally embedded in his treasured sword, but it was not from the Song Dynasty, but from the Northern Han Dynasty.

"Is this truly General Yang's treasured sword?"

Zhu Tong asked.

Li Han smiled and stepped forward, taking the Yang family's treasured sword from the "bearded gentleman" Zhu Tong. He said, "Of course. Commander Yang once told me that in the third year of the Yongxi era, the old Commander Yang wielded this sword to guard Chenjia Valley, fighting bravely despite being struck by more than ten arrows."

As Li Han smiled, he ran his finger along a small white mark on the blade, saying, "Look, this damage is from when I was protecting the people from the Liao army's linked cavalry, cutting through their armor. When General Yang was guarding Yanmen Pass, this sword broke through eighteen Liao army gates in one night. The Yang brothers said that this sword once cut through the nine-ringed golden sword bestowed upon them by the Khitan Wolf Lord, saving countless people, but the emperor rebuked it for 'recklessly provoking border conflicts.'"

At this moment, Zhu Tong's beautiful beard moved without wind. When he was young, he learned martial arts and studied under a master. He often heard his master tell stories about the Yang family generals. He never thought that he had misjudged himself and failed to see the true essence of the Yang family generals. He did not understand for whom they were loyal and for whom they were fighting...

Just then, a desolate voice suddenly came from outside the Hall of Righteousness and Brightness. The Thunder Mother was teaching several children from the mountains in the east wing to sing: "Seven sons and eight tigers marched out of Youzhou, their battle robes stained with blood, their will undiminished..."

"When General Yang died by crashing into the Li Ling Stele, he said before his death, 'I have never failed the emperor in this life, nor have I failed the common people in this lifetime.' This sword has drunk the blood of treacherous officials and slain the heads of enemies, but it has never been stained with a drop of goodness."

At this point, Li Hanxiao suddenly turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning. "But when his sons were buried on the battlefield, the Emperor had already escaped the danger of Youzhou and was enjoying the snow with the daughter of his favorite concubine, Pan Mei! Enjoying the snow! I think he should go and enjoy the blood, the blood of the Yang family!"

Li Hanxiao's sharp eyes made Zhu Tong almost unable to face her. Just then, "Blue-faced Beast" Yang Zhi suddenly walked into the Hall of Righteousness and Brightness carrying a bundle.

"Chieftain, you really retrieved my family heirloom sword?!"

Yang Zhi's voice trembled when he saw the familiar treasured sword in Li Hanxiao's hand.

"I mean what I say, you'll see!"

As Li Hanxiao spoke, he handed the knife to Yang Zhi.

"Yes, yes, my ancestor, the physician Ling Gong, used this knife to protect the common people of the Central Plains, yet I sold it..."

Yang Zhi muttered a complaint to himself, but he didn't forget Li Hanxiao's intention in calling him over. He placed the package on the table and opened it.

At this moment, warm yellow wine sat on the table, its aroma mingling with the scent of agarwood. "Blue-faced Beast" Yang Zhi spread out a yellowed military book on the table, its pages filled with dense annotations, the characters as sharp and forceful as if carved by a knife.

This is General Yang Yanzhao's handwritten "Strategy for Defending Against Liaodong".

Li Hanxiao pointed to a page with a red-inked annotation: "Here it says, 'Loyalty and righteousness lie in protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people, not in empty fame at court.'"

Zhu Tong examined the handwriting closely and realized it was indeed the handwriting of Yang Yanzhao, Yang Liulang. Li Hanxiao continued, "Back when General Yang Wenguang was stationed in Daizhou, he defied the Privy Council's order to withdraw troops to save five hundred refugees, but was stripped of his command for 'unauthorized provocation.' Do you still believe that the Yang family's motto is 'Loyalty to the people, not to the ruler'?"

At that moment, the mountain breeze blew across the half-read copy of the *Spring and Autumn Annals* that Li Hanxiao had placed beside his chair, the page stopped at the chapter "Duke Ling of Jin Was Not a Ruler"...

"Does Chief Zhu know the origin of this pot?"

Li Hanxiao poured tea into a cup and handed it to Zhu Tong. Zhu Tong looked at it and saw that the "Daguan" reign title was clearly engraved on the bottom of the celadon cup.

Zhu Tong noticed that the crack in the cup had been repaired with gold paint, and suddenly remembered that it was an imperial gift bestowed upon Cai Jing by Emperor Huizong. Later, Cai Jing gave it to Zhu Mian. It was taken by Li Hanxiao and others in the Zhu family manor by "Living Flashy Granny" Wang Dingliu.

Zhu Tong remained silent, while Li Han smiled and said, "When King Zhou of Shang built the Deer Terrace, Bi Gan gouged out his heart to remonstrate, saying, 'Loyalty lies in bringing peace to the people, not in flattering the ruler.' It's a pity that such a brilliant heart was ultimately abandoned in the wilderness to be fed to wolves; the cracks are just like a heart shape… How similar it is to this porcelain cup! If King Zhou hadn't been so tyrannical and incompetent, how could King Wu have overthrown him?"

Zhu Tong understood the meaning behind Li Hanxiao's words. At that moment, Lei's mother's nursery rhyme faintly drifted over: "...The Star-Picking Tower reaches the clouds, yet it cannot compare to half an acre of land belonging to the common people..."

Zhu Tong's hand tightened suddenly, almost crushing the cup. Yes, Long Feng, Bi Gan, a model of loyalty throughout the ages. This dynasty is not without loyal ministers. There is Grand Tutor Han Zhongyan, a veteran minister of three reigns. Wasn't he also reprimanded for "harboring resentment" when he advised against the Flower Stone Tribute?

He was just a lowly constable, loyal to the emperor several times, but could he really cleanse the entire court?

Li Hanxiao picked up another volume of the *Records of the Grand Historian*, unfolded it, and saw it was the biography of Qu Yuan. Li Hanxiao's fingertips traced the words "I sigh deeply and wipe my tears," and he couldn't help but say, "On the day he threw himself into the river, the King of Chu was playing with a dog with Zheng Xiu at Zhanghua Terrace."

As he spoke, Li Han smiled and opened the book. The illustration depicted Qu Yuan embracing a giant rock, with a hidden annotation in red ink: "When King Huai's head was presented to Qin, the jade pendant was still under Zheng Xiu's pillow."

At this moment, Li Hanxiao clapped his hands and sang: "The resentment of the sovereign is so vast, yet he never understands the hearts of the people..." As he sang "Looking ahead and behind, observing the people's plans to the utmost," the teacup in Zhu Tong's hand shattered with a crash—he was somewhat at a loss.

"I think you can tell that my use of historical allusions to satirize the present is simply to make you understand: where are the relics of King Nan of Zhou, who built a high platform to escape his debts? He didn't know that his creditors were all starving corpses! Xunzi said, 'The ruler is the boat, and the common people are the water.' When Emperor Yang of Sui sailed south, did he see that the banks of the canal were filled with people boiling their own children and eating their flesh? Zhao Gao pointed at a deer and called it a horse, yet Hu Hai asked, 'Why don't the common people eat meat porridge?' Emperor Ling of Han sold official positions and titles, and the four-hundred-year-old Han Dynasty was destined to perish!"

"Yu the Great wielded his plow, Chen Sheng raised his spear, and Huang Chao composed a poem about chrysanthemums. Chen Sheng cried out, 'Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny? The world, after a long period of division, will unite; after a long period of unity, will divide again.' But as long as one is wholeheartedly devoted to the people, one will not be ashamed before Heaven and Earth. Yu the Great passed by his home three times while controlling the floods; did he ever think of becoming emperor? Tang of Shang prayed for rain, and Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang; weren't they all acting in accordance with Heaven and the people, and upholding justice on behalf of Heaven? Don't think that imperial power is supreme; the hearts of the people determine the fate of the world!"

Zhu Tong clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, unsure of what to say. At that moment, following Li Hanxiao's instructions, "Iron Flute Immortal" Ma Lin and "Iron Whisperer" Yue He, one carrying a flute and the other a zither, arrived at the Hall of Righteousness and Brightness.

Would Chief Zhu be willing to hear the "Breaking the Enemy's Formation Song" performed by the Yang Family Heroines?

Li Han asked with a smile.

Zhu Tong nodded, and the sound of the zither suddenly rose like the clashing of swords. Li Han smiled and sang along with the strings: "The emperor sits high in the Mingtang Hall, who sees the lonely soul guarding the border wall..."

Zhu Tong suddenly felt a chill on his cheek. He raised his hand to wipe it, and found it was hot tears.

At this moment, how could he not understand the deeper meaning behind Li Hanxiao's smile?

They're right!

"Don't think the general is about to die; just look at the soup in the people's bowls..."

In the duet between "Iron Flute Immortal" Ma Lin and "Iron Whistle" Yue He,

Zhu Tong suddenly stood up, his official robe sweeping over the incense burner. Sparks flew onto the ground, reflecting a red glow, just like the color of unwavering loyalty.

"Chief Li, there's no need to say any more. Zhu Tong was originally dull-witted, but now he understands. After spending so many days at Liangshan, I know you are a righteous person who doesn't harm the common people, but you still couldn't see through this. Now that you've seen through it, Chief Li, are you willing to forgive Zhu Tong?"

The implication of "Beautiful Beard" Zhu Tong is that he has already changed his mind and is going to join Liangshan. It will be much easier for him to join Liangshan than for "Winged Tiger" Lei Heng, because he is an only brother with no relatives. One person can't feed the whole family.

"Has Chief Zhu truly made up his mind?"

Li Han asked with a smile.

"No further changes will be made!"

Zhu Tong's tone was resolute.

"Alright, bring the wine!"

As soon as Li Hanxiao finished speaking, a henchman brought over a large jar of wine. Li Hanxiao explained, "This wine is called 'Returning Together,' the first jar of wine we brewed after joining Liangshan. It symbolizes the common good of all heroes and unfortunate people. Today, each of us will add a drop of blood to this wine and then drink it. We hope that when we achieve great things in the future, this jar of wine will also be stained with the blood of heroes."

After saying that, Li Hanxiao cut his finger and dripped the blood into the wine jar, with Lei Heng following closely behind.

Zhu Tong also took the Yang family's treasured sword, cut his arm, dripped blood into it, and then drank the bowl of wine that had been given to him. Suddenly, he flicked his wrist and swung the Yang family's treasured sword. With a flash of cold light, his official robe was torn to shreds like flying snow.

Immediately, Zhu Tong, known as "The Bearded Gentleman," took off the token from his waist and slammed it heavily onto the bluestone steps.

With a cracking sound, he respectfully handed the Yang family's treasured sword to Li Hanxiao, saying, "I humbly request that the chieftain forge a weapon for me in the same style as this sword, so that one day I, Zhu, may die on the battlefield for the people of the world, and then drink with the spirits of the Yang family in the Yellow Springs!"

"nice!"

Li Hanxiao was very pleased to have gained two powerful celestial beings, "The Bearded Gentleman" Zhu Tong and "The Winged Tiger" Lei Heng.

Lei Heng's skills were somewhat inferior to "Red-Haired Devil" Liu Tang, needless to say, while Li Hanxiao truly valued "Beautiful-Bearded Gentleman" Zhu Tong.

Before joining Liangshan, Zhu Tong, nicknamed "The Bearded Gentleman," did not demonstrate any martial arts skills. His only achievement after joining Liangshan was during the night raid on Zengtou City. Zhu Tong, along with Lei Heng, Zou Yuan, and Zou Run, attacked the western stronghold and killed Zeng Mi with a broadsword, taking his head. However, Zeng Mi's strength was not well-defined, so it's hard to say how strong Zhu Tong was.

Later, he and Lei Heng attacked "Featherless Arrow" together, but were hit in the neck by a stone by "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing, which seemed to indicate that he was not very strong. However, Guan Sheng, "Big Saber", Hu Yanzhuo, "Double Whip" and Dong Ping, "Double Spear General", among the Five Tiger Generals, all suffered more or less setbacks at the hands of "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing. This can only prove that "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing's flying stones were really powerful during the "newbie protection period", but it cannot be said that "Beautiful Beard" Zhu Tongcai was weak.

However, when the seating arrangement was made at Liangshan Marsh, Zhu Tong was ranked twelfth among the Heavenly Stars, a very high position, above "Flowery Monk" Lu Zhishen and "Pilgrim" Wu Song, and ranked as one of the Eight Cavalry Vanguard Commanders.

Later, when Zhu Tong defeated Tong Guan twice, he guarded the central formation in the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation. He then fought against Feng Mei, the Flying Dragon General of the Imperial Guard. Although Feng Mei was defeated by "Jade Kirin" Lu Junyi in two moves, he was actually very powerful. Although "Beautiful Beard" Zhu Tong fought him for no number of rounds, Tong Guan cheered him on repeatedly, showing that they were evenly matched.

Feng Mei, the Flying Dragon General of the Imperial Guard, later fought his way out of the encirclement of the Five Tiger Generals of Liangshan, including Qin Ming ("Thunderbolt"), Guan Sheng ("Big Saber"), Lin Chong ("Leopard Head"), Hu Yanzhuo ("Double Whip"), Dong Ping ("Double Spear General"), Suo Chao ("Vanguard"), Yang Zhi ("Blue-Faced Beast"), Shi Jin ("Nine-Tattooed Dragon"), Lu Zhishen ("Flowery Monk"), Wu Song ("Pilgrim"), Xie Zhen ("Two-Headed Snake"), Xie Bao ("Double-Tailed Scorpion"), and the other five tiger generals, along with three Eight Cavalry Vanguard Commanders and four infantry leaders. He and Bi Shengsheng protected Tong Guan and fought their way out of the encirclement. They fought all the way to Lu Junyi ("Jade Kirin") before being captured alive. Zhu Tong fought him to a draw, so his strength was already considerable.

Later, during the campaign against Fang La, Zhu Tong displayed great prowess in the Battle of Suzhou, beheading General Gou Zheng and capturing General Xu Fang alive. He also killed Marshal Tan Gao with a spear in Muzhou. He was sent out as a high-level combatant. Most importantly, when Lu Junyi, the "Jade Kirin," joined Liangshan, Song Jiang sent him out as one of Liangshan's top infantrymen to fight Lu Junyi, which proved his ability.

Zhu Tong is basically a character without any obvious flaws in the original novel "Water Margin". Li Hanxiao thinks he is a promising talent with sufficient personal strength. He believes that "Beautiful Beard" Zhu Tong has the potential to be cultivated into a general capable of leading an army independently.

Because in the original novel, he had the best ending, and he became the highest-ranking official among the survivors of Liangshan Marsh. He rose to the position of military governor of the Taiping Army and even defeated the Jin Dynasty together with Liu Guangshi.

This also indirectly demonstrates his potential.

"For the sake of the common people!"

Li Hanxiao poured a bowl of wine for everyone present, and they drank together.

At that time, Li Hanxiao was drinking with everyone in the Zhengda Guangming Hall until dawn. "Iron Flute Immortal" Ma Lin played the flute, "Iron Whistle" Yue He played the zither, and "Blue-Faced Beast" Yang Zhi sang. However, his singing was not very good, but when the mood was right, how could he change it because of trivial matters? Therefore, they drank and talked freely, and everyone got drunk and did not know that the east had already turned white.