Three days later, we shall meet at the Chao Family Manor!

East Creek Village, at Chao Gai’s estate.

"Pazheng, are all preparations complete?"

Wu Yong shook his feather fan, wearing an expression of absolute confidence.

"Mr. Wu, are you certain the people from Liangshan will come when the time arrives?"

Chao Gai sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed tightly.

The pressure on him lately was immense.

After Liangshan eliminated the Pazheng of West Creek, they had successively wiped out several other local landlords and wealthy gentry in the surrounding area.

Although it was said they only destroyed those who had committed countless evils, Chao Gai was a landlord himself—he felt the grief that foxes feel when the rabbits die!

Moreover, he knew that many commoners in the vicinity had secretly gone over to Liangshan, and Liangshan’s influence was growing larger by the day!

Therefore, he had no choice but to hurriedly ask Wu Yong what they should do.

How could one tolerate another snoring soundly beside their bed? As long as Liangshan existed, Chao Gai could not sleep in peace!

As for Wu Yong, he actually didn't have that many practical strategies. Although he was hailed as the "Resourceful Star," some of the suggestions he gave often failed to consider the consequences. Whenever a plan did not go smoothly, Wu Yong's ability to remedy the situation was rather lacking.

Take earlier, for instance: Wu Yong had also claimed he would recruit the three Ruan brothers for Chao Gai, but he arrived too late, and practically the entire Stone Tablet Village had already joined Liangshan. When Wu Yong stood facing the empty village, he felt a chill run deep into his heart.

Then, to prove he was capable of recruiting people, he brought over "White-Day Rat" Bai Sheng to take the place of the three Ruan brothers...

"Ren Yuan of Liangshan—I have heard his reputation in the martial arts world. Although his public image is quite good, I believe that those who achieve fame at such a young age are exceptionally proud deep down. Since we have already sent him a challenge arrow, he will definitely come! Otherwise, how is he supposed to make a living in the pugilistic world in the future?"

Wu Yong lightly shook his feather fan, looking entirely like a strategist surveying the realm.

"But this time, are you confident we can take him down?"

Was Chao Gai worried about whether Ren Yuan would come or not? No, what troubled him was whether they could win if Ren Yuan did show up!

Although they had never crossed paths, ever since news spread of Ren Yuan subduing Liangshan with three arrows, Chao Gai knew deep down that he was no match for him.

"Older Brother, do not panic! With me here, I shall certainly assist you with all my might!"

Another burly man strode in from outside, cupping his fists toward Chao Gai.

Seeing this fellow, Wu Yong straightened his back with a hint of pride.

The man’s chest was bared, revealing a body of black flesh, with two thick, hairy black legs bulging below. He went barefoot, possessed a purplish-black broad face, and beside his temple was a cinnabar birthmark topped with a patch of coarse black and yellow hair.

Indeed, this was none other than the "Red-Haired Ghost" Liu Tang. Blessed with considerable martial prowess, he was originally a native of Dongluozhou. Admiring Chao Gai’s renown, he had intended to seek him out, and by chance, he met Wu Yong on the road as the latter was returning with Bai Sheng.

Wu Yong made some inquiries and thought to himself: *Well, would you look at that? Someone sends a pillow just as you feel sleepy!* Right then and there, he unleashed his glib tongue and brought Liu Tang along to Chao Gai’s estate as well.

Without the three Ruan brothers, having Liu Tang was just as good!

"I know Brother Liu Tang's abilities, but Liangshan has many men, and I fear they won't play fair."

"Brother, rest easy. Over in Yuncheng, because of the incident at West Creek Village, everyone is burning with anger. That day, Chief Clerk Song sought me out and told me that Yuncheng will dispatch two constables to assist us. Furthermore, they are both acquaintances of yours."

"My virtuous brother Gongming said that? That's wonderful!" Chao Gai finally felt somewhat relieved. After all, with the government backing them up, he felt much more confident.

"Could it be Constables Zhu Tong and Lei Heng?"

"Precisely. Moreover, as for Jizhou—although I hold no high opinion of Wang Lun, this time, that 'White-Clad Scholar,' in order to avenge the loss of his foundation, is also willing to bring men to assist us."

Wu Yong's thorough analysis made Chao Gai feel as though their chances of winning were quite high!

"That Wang Lun suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of Ren Yuan, yet he actually dares to return. I must look upon him with newfound respect."

Liu Tang expressed his view, for after all, the White-Clad Scholar's previous reputation for pettiness was whispered widely with vivid detail throughout the rivers and lakes.

Who could have expected that after such a crushing defeat, he would suddenly be able to regroup?

"Since Wang Lun took the initiative to defect and spent a great deal of wealth, how could Jizhou possibly refuse him? Besides, Wang Lun is the most familiar with Liangshan. If we are to launch a punitive campaign against Liangshan, he is the best guide. Jizhou must have taken this into consideration when they accepted him."

Heh, strange to say, Wu Yong's analysis made a lot of sense!

That fellow Wang Lun really had established ties with officials in Jizhou and was preparing to come back for revenge.

"Hearing the strategist put it this way, I am indeed much more at ease."

With strong government reinforcements, Chao Gai's confidence surged instantly.

Besides, he himself was skilled in martial arts; with men and generals under his command now, what did he have to fear?

"Furthermore, I have also invited someone from Yishui to come and assist the Pazheng."

Wu Yong felt his luck had been simply off the charts lately. Aside from failing to secure the three Ruan brothers, practically everyone else he tried to recruit had agreed!

"Really? Where is he?"

Chao Gai was overjoyed! The look he gave Wu Yong was as if he were gazing upon a priceless treasure!

"There is no rush; he should arrive tomorrow. When the time comes, I will personally bring him to meet the Pazheng."

"The strategist truly possesses the stratagems of Zhuge Liang and Chen Ping. This younger brother admires you greatly!"

Liu Tang also wore an expression of admiration. He had originally thought Wu Yong was just blowing hot air, but to his surprise, the man had really brought him straight to Chao Gai!

The night passed quietly. The following day, Wu Yong led yet another dark, fierce-looking giant before Chao Gai.

This fellow looked even more menacing:

His upper body was stripped bare, displaying a coarse, bear-like physique of black muscle, with a skin as tough and mottled as an iron ox. His brows formed an intersecting, reddish-yellow line, his eyes were tangled with a web of red veins, his bristling hair stood on end like iron bristles, and stuck in his belt were two broad battle-axes!

"Pazheng, this is Brother Li Kui, known in the pugilistic world as the 'Black Whirlwind.' He works as a jailer for a friend of mine in Jiangzhou. This time I have invited him here, and he will certainly be able to lend the Pazheng another helping hand!"

Wu Yong now felt immensely proud of himself.

"Good, good, good! Brother Li Kui is truly a fine hero. Name whatever requests you have."

Chao Gai was likewise overjoyed. Putting aside the man's martial arts for a moment, judging purely by this fierce appearance, he surely wouldn't be lacking in skill!

"Hehe, so you are Older Brother Chao Gai? The Scholar told me that if I come here to help you beat people up, I'll get good food and fine wine, and can gamble to my heart's content. Is that true?"

Li Kui split his mouth in a wide grin and asked.

"What's difficult about that? Eat all the chicken, duck, fish, and meat you want! If you wish to gamble, East Creek Village has gambling dens aplenty!"

Hearing this, Chao Gai was delighted. This fellow's demands were truly simple.

Although he was not as fabulously wealthy as Chai Jin, in East Creek Village he was a man who could cover the sky with one hand—wine, meat, and silver were all available to play with as he pleased!

"Hehe, very well then, it's a deal! You mustn't trick me!"

Li Kui became instantly happy upon hearing this.

"Brother, take these twenty liang of silver as a token of greeting first. If it's not enough, we can talk later. Shortly, I'll have the strategist take you to get something good to eat, with wine and meat served freely."

Chao Gai stood on ceremony; he directly ordered someone to bring twenty liang of silver for Li Kui.

When Li Kui saw the money, and heard again that he could drink wine and eat meat, his impression of Chao Gai improved even further.

"Rest assured, Heavenly King! With me here, if that so-called 'Heaven-Supporting Pillar' dares to come, I'll split him in two with a single axe! Then I'll chop off his head and use it as a chamber pot for the Heavenly King!"

"Good, good, good! Brother Li Kui is mighty!"

Although Chao Gai didn't entirely believe it, having such a fiendish, imposing person standing on his side was ultimately a good thing.

"Report! Heavenly King, Liangshan has sent a reply!"

At that moment, a retainer rushed in from outside, holding a letter in his hand.

"Quickly, bring it here!"

Chao Gai eagerly took the letter and opened it. Wu Yong also leaned in to look. There were only a few large characters written upon it:

Three days later, see you at the Chao family estate!