Moma Liangshan

Chapter 35 Scorching Sun, Glaring Blades

Liang Chun's entourage paraded through the city and stopped at Cao Zheng's inn. Cao Zheng hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, saying, "Our humble inn has mutton, dog meat, flatbread, and fine wine. Is there anything you would like to eat, sir?" Liang Chun pointed to the oxcart outside the inn and said, "Do you see the yellow flag on the cart?" Cao Zheng looked out the window and said, "Yes, I see it!" Liang Chun then asked, "Can you read the words written on the flag?" Cao Zheng deliberately shook his head and lied, saying, "I can't read!" Liang Chun laughed and said, "It says 'Presenting the Grand Tutor's Birthday Gifts.' Have you ever heard of the Grand Tutor and my master?" "Your name?" Cao Zheng shook his head again and said, "I'm just a wine seller, how would I know anything about government affairs?" Liang Chun looked at him with disdain and said, "Today, I, your master, will teach you a lesson! My master is Liang Zhongshu, the son-in-law of Grand Tutor Cai of Dongjing City and the highest military and political official of Daming Prefecture. I am Liang Chun, the head steward of the Liang family. Boy, do you understand now?" Cao Zheng cursed inwardly, "You ignorant fool!" But he said aloud, "I understand." After saying that, he made a hesitant expression. Liang Chun said, "Why are you being so hesitant? Speak your mind!" Cao Zheng replied, "I heard from the hunters in the mountains that there's a band of robbers on this mountain recently. They speak with a strong Sichuan accent and frequently rob passing merchants. Please be careful, sir!" Liang Chun looked nervous and asked, "How many are there?" Cao Zheng replied, "Three or five strong men, all carrying boning knives. Anyone who tries to resist will be stabbed in the thigh—it's extremely bloody!" Liang Chun laughed and said, "Just three or five men, without even a steel knife, what kind of ability could they have?" Cao Zheng said, "A few days ago, a group of Shandong wine merchants passed through Erlong Mountain..." "But, it's said that the caravan outnumbered the bandits by one, and in the end, they still managed to steal a cartload of fine wine." Liang Chun laughed at Cao Zheng's foolishness, saying, "If it weren't for the fact that your dog meat is somewhat palatable, I wouldn't even bother to criticize you! A bunch of petty thieves who don't even have steel knives, numbering only three or five, and you're worried that my twenty-odd elite soldiers from Daming Prefecture will be harmed by them? Isn't that just needless worry?" Liang Chun took a bite of dog meat and continued, "If those petty thieves are truly blind enough to dare to target my caravan, then we can only do a good deed for our neighbors and chop off their heads!" After saying this, he brandished the military knife beside him. Cao Zheng quickly said, "Your Excellency is mighty! Seeing such a magnificent military might, those bandits would probably have already found a rat hole to crawl into." Liang Chun was very pleased and said, "Enough with the nonsense, bring out the good wine and meat, so that we brothers can eat and drink our fill and get on our way as soon as possible!" Cao Zheng prepared the food and wine while sending someone to report the news.

Ruan Xiaoer received the news and set up an ambush in a dense forest five miles away. Liang Chun believed that the names of Cai Jing and Liang Zhongshu alone would be enough to make the local bandits flee in terror. After a hearty meal, his subordinates asked, "Shall we set off immediately?" Liang Chun looked at the blazing sun and said, "No rush, we can wait until the weather cools down!" His subordinates asked, "Won't that delay us?" Liang Chun replied, "It's a journey of more than twenty days from Daming Prefecture to Dongjing City. If we set off two months in advance, even if we have to crawl all the way, we won't miss the Grand Tutor's birthday." His subordinates quickly said, "Your Excellency is wise!" The Liangshan men were ambushed in the dense forest. Although there was no direct sunlight, it was still very hot and humid. Ruan Xiaoqi said, "We have about eighty men. Let's go straight to Brother Cao Zheng's inn and take care of those bastards from Daming Prefecture." "Why suffer this in silence when we can just take it?" Ruan Xiao'er said. "We not only need to take the birthday gifts, but we also need to do it without leaving a trace. If someone dies, the charges won't be just theft of goods, but murder. You can imagine the pressure the young master will face in the capital then. But as long as we don't kill anyone, it'll be Liang Zhongshu's private matter, and the government will only pay lip service. If there are no clues left, it will just be forgotten in three to five months." Ruan Xiaoqi said, "When did you learn to think three steps ahead? With our brothers' abilities, even if the government finds out..." "What we'll do is simply disappear into the reeds. No matter how many troops they send, they'll only fatten the fish and turtles in the lake." Ruan Xiaowu added, "Seventh Brother is right. We're too cautious these days. Where's the carefree spirit we had back then?" Ruan Xiaoer, not wanting to argue, asked, "Has the chieftain and the young master treated us unfairly?" Ruan Xiaoqi replied, "No, they haven't!" Ruan Xiaoer said, "Whether you two are used to it or not, whether you like it or not, now that we're working for the young master, we can't cause him any trouble because of us brothers. If you really can't stand the rules, after it's done, we'll bid farewell to the young master and return to Dongping Lake to fish." "Going home to fish is quite nice," said Ruan Xiaowu. "Since following the young master, our family's wealth has filled more than half a cabinet. It's so stifling that the young master gives us so much money but no time to enjoy it!" Ruan Xiaoqi chimed in, "Fifth Brother is absolutely right. I also think we should enjoy ourselves for a year or two, until the family's wealth runs out, then we can go back to work!" Ruan Xiaoer said, "We can discuss our family matters another day. Today's matter cannot be overlooked. We brothers must remain vigilant and work together!" Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaoqi said simultaneously, "Second Brother, don't worry, we won't tarnish the reputation of the three Ruan brothers!"

A little over an hour after noon, Liang Chun called out, "Shopkeeper, the bill!" Cao Zheng came running over and said, "Five hundred coins in total." Liang Chun laughed loudly and said, "Your food and wine are excellent, I'm very pleased. Here's half a tael of silver, keep the change, consider the extra a tip!" He then took out a wine gourd and said, "Also, fill my gourd to the brim!" Cao Zheng took the gourd and said, "Please wait a moment, sir." After a short while, Liang Chun took the wine gourd and ordered, "Let's go!" The soldiers quickly packed up and drove off. The Liangshan men were growing impatient when a scout finally reported, "The caravan is about two miles away." Ruan Xiao'er shouted, "Brothers, stay alert! Once these bastards from Daming Prefecture enter our ambush, swarm them and tie them all up securely. The chieftain and the young master repeatedly emphasized that no one is allowed to kill; remember that!" Ruan Xiao'wu asked, "What if they draw their swords and resist?" Ruan Xiao'er sneered, "Then kill them all, leave no survivors!" Ruan Xiao'wu, surprised, said, "Isn't that a bit too harsh?" Ruan Xiao'er shook his head, saying, "That's also the young master's instruction!" Ruan Xiao'qi said, word by word, "Either kill none, or leave none alive?" Ruan Xiao'er nodded, saying, "Exactly!"

Liang Chun led the convoy at a leisurely pace, taking a sip of fine wine as he went. Upon entering the heart of Erlong Mountain, a guard said, "The mountain paths here are rugged and overgrown with vegetation. We should proceed with caution!" Liang Chun glanced at the towering trees and said, "Well said! Have your men display all the flags clearly. I refuse to believe anyone in the Great Song Dynasty would dare offend both Lord Liang and Grand Tutor Cai at the same time." The guard pondered for a moment and said, "Your Excellency is wise! Erlong Mountain is also under the jurisdiction of Daming Prefecture. If anyone dares to provoke us, we'll teach them a lesson they'd rather die." Liang Chun was quite arrogant, saying, "Even if we leave Daming Prefecture, we won't leave the Great Song Dynasty. Even if someone manages to escape Lord Liang's grasp, they won't escape Grand Tutor Cai's inescapable net." The more the soldier listened, the more confident he became, saying, "It's our great fortune to have Your Excellency leading us!" Liang Chun was very satisfied and said, "After the mission is accomplished, you will certainly receive credit before Your Excellency." The guard quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency!"

Half an hour later, Liang Chun's convoy came into view. Ruan Xiao'er sneered and ordered his men, "Fire the signal arrows! Prepare to attack!" Two signal arrows were fired simultaneously in the northeast and northwest directions. At the same time, Ruan Xiao'er drew his sword and shouted, "Brothers, follow me and charge!" As soon as the battle cry rang out, Liang Bo, unconcerned, shouted, "Brothers, don't panic! Draw your swords and meet the enemy!" However, three breaths later, the three Ruan brothers attacked from different directions. Liang Chun, facing an enemy several times his size, trembled and was completely at a loss. Although there were twenty-one men escorting the birthday tribute, they needed to transport ten carts, and most of them were scattered along a mountain path of about seventy paces. Liang Chun only had six guards by his side. Ruan Xiao'er led more than twenty men to block the way, while Ruan Xiao'wu and Ruan Xiao'qi flanked them. In less than half a quarter of an hour, everyone except Liang Chun and his seven men surrendered. Liang Chun stared at the densely packed, burly men, all wielding gleaming steel blades, his legs trembling uncontrollably. Ruan Xiaoqi roared, "Kneel down and you'll be killed!" Liang Chun quickly turned to his guards and said, "Put down your swords! Are you looking for death?" The guards exchanged glances, hastily dropping their weapons. Liang Chun then shoved the surrounding soldiers, saying, "Are you deaf? Kneel down!" He then led the way, kneeling. Ruan Xiaoqi was about to mock him when Ruan Xiao'er stopped him, saying, "Collect all the goods, tie everyone up! Don't waste time!" Ruan Xiaoqi, alert, said, "Move!" Almost simultaneously, Ruan Xiaoqi's men began binding people with ropes, while Ruan Xiaowu's men began unloading the goods. In less than half an hour, ten cartloads of goods were carried away on twenty carrying poles and quickly evacuated. Ruan Xiaoqi asked, "What should we do with these people?" Ruan Xiaoer looked around and said, "Keep them deep in the forest for three to five days!" Ruan Xiaoqi smiled sinisterly and said, "This king doesn't want your lives, but if you dare to court death, my steel blade will show no mercy." Ruan Xiaoer nodded and said, "If even one person resists, kill them all and feed them to the wolves!" Liang Chun fawned and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesties, I guarantee no one will dare to resist!" Ruan Xiaoer smiled contemptuously and said, "Get up and speak!" Liang Chun slowly rose, bowing and scraping, and said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"