Moma Liangshan

Chapter 84 Mo Miao's Two Strikes: Foundation Initially Established

Although He Li failed to make a name for himself in Tokyo, he did recruit a group of fourteen men. These men were all refugees who had come to Tokyo, following He Li simply for a decent meal each day. Standing in the crowd, He Li shouted, "If this place won't keep me, there are plenty of other places that will! The magistrate of Laoshan County, Young Master Wang, sent Mr. Di with a message that I'm going to Jiaozhou to do some work. If you come with me, you'll have a full meal every day and a monthly salary. If you don't want to come, here are twenty strings of cash; take them and divide them among yourselves!" A burly man named Liu Gua said, "If it weren't for Brother He's care, we'd probably be begging at the city gates by now. But we're not all rogues. Zhao Jiu's parents, Wang Heng's sister, Wu the blacksmith's..." "These women can't travel far," Di Chuxiang said with a slight smile. "As long as you're all willing to go to Jiaozhou, Fanlou will prepare carriages for the elderly, weak, women, and children." He Li, not wanting his brothers to lose face, shouted, "The name of Young Master Wang Hao of Baxian Wine Shop is renowned throughout Dongjing City. Those willing to go to Jiaozhou will not be treated poorly; those unwilling, take your travel expenses and go your separate ways!" After this reprimand, no one dared to be picky anymore. Liu Gua cautiously said, "Young Master Wang is kind; we are willing to go to Jiaozhou with Brother He!"

After Di Chuxiang left, Liu Gua explained, "It's not that the brothers are ungrateful, it's just that this Young Master Wang is a man of high status, while we brothers are just scraping by in the mud. We dared not not ask questions!" He Li, outwardly cold but inwardly warm, was always kind to his subordinates. He said, "His reputation is mixed in official circles, but there are no rumors of his misdeeds circulating among the common people. In my opinion, he is still trustworthy!" Liu Gua said, "One should always be wary of others. Wasn't your vast fortune embezzled by corrupt officials in the capital?" He Li sighed and said, "It was my eagerness for officialdom that led me to consider buying a position in the Ministry of Works. Now I've ended up like this, and I deserve it!" Liu Gua comforted him, "Young Master Wang is known for his smooth official career. If we work under him and one day he becomes a high-ranking official, we can all rise to prominence with him!" He Li's face showed... Confused, He Li said, "Having experienced many setbacks, my desire for officialdom has faded considerably. When Young Master Wang was still unknown, he expressed his intention to recruit me, but I politely declined. Now that he's come to me, he's not interested in my character, but rather in my skills!" Liu Gua said, "I don't know the intricacies of officialdom, but it's a fact that Young Master Wang has taken a liking to you, and besides, you've never done anything to harm his interests. If we go to Jiaozhou, as long as we stay true to our duties and work diligently, I'm sure no one will make things difficult for us!" He Li laughed awkwardly and said, "I was too ambitious! I came to Tokyo uninvited, so I came up empty-handed; but they invited me to Jiaozhou with great enthusiasm, so surely I'll reap what I sow!" Liu Gua followed up, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river! You'll surely accumulate experience and eventually surpass others!"

At the Jiaozhou Grand Training Ground, Lin Chong is drilling his soldiers.