Chapter 413: The Richest Man in Yanggu

Wu Song looked at the confident Master Wang before him and let out a scoff: "Master, Wu Song is a few years older, and my body is also a bit taller, with longer arms and legs. If we compare fists and kicks, I fear the Master would be at a disadvantage. Wu Song sees that there are long spears and ring-pommel sabers there; I invite the Master to use a long spear, while I shall use a ring-pommel saber."

Relying on one's own bravery and strength, with pride in one's heart—this is understandable. After all, in the twenty-plus years of Wu Song's life, he had never met an opponent in a fight. The saber is short and the spear is long; as the saying goes, "one inch longer is one inch stronger, one inch shorter is one inch more dangerous." This was Wu Song intentionally yielding.

Wang Yan shook his head and smiled: "Brother Wu Song, no need to yield. Swords and spears have no eyes; it's not good if either of us gets hurt. Let's just compare fists and feet; it's more satisfying to have fists hitting flesh."

Since he requested it, what else could Wu Song say? He immediately cupped his hands: "Master, I have offended you." After saying that, he took a step back, his arms hanging naturally, standing in place and staring fixedly at Wang Yan.

Really taking him, Master Wang, as a bean bag? Wang Yan didn't stand on ceremony, tapped the ground with his toes, burst forward, and approached. He swung a fist, aiming straight for his face.

Noticing Master's explosive power, Wu Song's eyes paused, knowing that Master indeed had martial arts, and didn't dare to underestimate him. He immediately lifted a leg to block the incoming fist, and instead threw a heavy punch.

Master didn't panic at all, brushed past the incoming leg sideways, and at the same time blocked horizontally with his left arm, avoiding the full-frontal strike. He felt Wu Song's strength, and then twisted his waist, crossed his horse, and arched his back, crashing into Wu Song's wide-open center with an Iron Mountain Lean.

If it were an ordinary martial artist, this would basically end the fight. Because Wu Song's harassing leg hadn't landed yet, the swung fist was blocked, and it was a gap where the move was exhausted. With only one leg supporting the body, the balance was already broken, and he couldn't exert force, let alone defend.

"Good fists and feet."

But only hearing Wu Song give a loud shout, his body leaned back directly, the leg supporting his body kicked the ground fiercely, his waist twisted, and his body, which was afraid of being two hundred forty or fifty jin, was forcibly suspended in mid-air. At the same time, he turned a circle, and by borrowing this force, the leg that hadn't been retracted yet was infused with divine power, rushing straight toward Master's head.

This response move was absolutely a perfect display of physical fitness and reaction ability. Although neither side used their full strength, the degree of confrontation in these first two moves was already very intense. Especially Wang Yan, who had been used to bullying ordinary people for so many years—they couldn't even take one move, and ordinary slaps could kill people—where was there such satisfaction as now?

Master felt a little joy in his heart. Facing the fierce incoming big foot, he didn't panic, again using the inertia of the Iron Mountain Lean having no target and the forward rush not yet finished to collect his horse. At the same time, he burst forward again, twisted his body, raised his right hand, turned his wrist into a palm, chased after him, and struck with a palm.

Wu Song had no ability to defend at this time and could only hurriedly parry, protecting his chest with both arms. Just as he protected it, the attack arrived. Upon contact, Wu Song's face changed greatly. Only seeing him under this force, his originally leaning-back body moved horizontally directly, flying some distance in the air. He supported the ground with both hands to borrow force, landed with a good somersault, and retreated three steps again, only then stabilizing his figure.

"Master has good martial arts. Wu Song hasn't met an opponent for a long time. Today, seeing Master's martial arts, my heart is itching. For any offense, I hope Master will be magnanimous."

"Just do your best."

"Good!" Wu Song laughed, and without a word, kicked the ground and burst forward, rushing straight over.

Wang Yan didn't dodge or evade, rushing to meet him. The following scene was like a thunderbolt, chickens flying and dogs jumping. The two entangled in one place, rolling and moving, you come and I go, fighting for a full quarter of an hour, only then ending the fight.

As the fourteenth chair of Liang Shan and the deputy commander of the infantry, Wu Song's combat power was naturally sufficient. Looking at it now, among the masters of fighting and combat in the East, he could also be ranked. Perhaps it wasn't his peak now, but it wasn't much worse.

Wang Yan thought that Wu Song's peak should be during the Liang Shan Grand Gathering, communicating martial arts with other leaders of Liang Shan, which brought about the growth of martial arts insight, the improvement of response to emergencies, and the spiritual perception of flaws. Plus, drinking some wine to help the fun—after all, this Wu Song knew drunken boxing.

But at this time, his original physical conditions weren't bad, and some of his own fighting methods were also very sufficient. Overall, speaking of foot combat, fists and feet, one-on-one, he was also top-notch, which could be considered a good hand that was hard to find.

In the final analysis, it was still natural talent, tall height, and great strength.

Of course, no matter how good the talent was, it was futile in the face of massive time accumulation. Therefore, the result of this spar was that Wu Song was beaten black and blue, and everywhere hurt, which was not surprising.

Speaking of physical strength alone, Wang Yan's system-supported strength wasn't much stronger than Wu Song's, and the advantage was relatively weak. But on the other hand, his body had been compressed and adjusted by the Living Father, and his physical functions were far from what Wu Song could compare to. Simply put, the power was better, the endurance was stronger, and it was hard and lasting. Moreover, he was knowledgeable in hundreds of schools, concentrated the essence of Chinese martial arts, and had rich practical experience. His moves were varied, could be complex or simple, could be bright moves for strong attacks, or dark moves for taking risks, which was by no means comparable to Wu Song.

Although the two fought for a full fifteen minutes, because of the consumption of body energy, the degree of confrontation was getting lower and lower—of course, for both of them. And Wang Yan, relying on his rich martial arts experience, fought the whole way, and except for Wang Yan's intentional defense, the rest, not a single strike landed on him. So these fifteen minutes were Wang Yan's unilateral beating of Wu Song. And Wu Song was still screaming, shouting "satisfying" one after another...

Wang Yan basically used his full strength, and Wu Song could hold on for fifteen minutes, which was not bad. Of course, it was also because the two had no intention to kill. If they were really fighting for their lives, even at Wu Song's peak strength, it would be difficult to pass three moves. After all, compared to one-on-one fighting, his, Wang Mou's, killing experience was even richer. Really speaking of those he killed with his own hands, all one hundred and eight people on Liang Shan tied together didn't kill as many as he did alone. Of course, he walked the path of justice and had no killing sins...

It was also this spar that gave Wang Yan a clear understanding of the combat power of generals in more ancient times. Not to mention Xiang Yu, Lu Bu, and others, most other generals were basically at the level of this bunch of people on Liang Shan, and even if they were higher, they wouldn't be much higher. Including this one in Water Margin who was known as the world's number one master, the ceiling of personal martial arts, the all-around master of horse and foot combat, Jade Qilin Lu Junyi. Although he hadn't fought him, it wouldn't be an easy task for Lu Junyi to defeat or kill Wu Song. His combat power, even without adding points, was almost the ceiling.

Thus, he could be considered at ease, and silently pulled out the panel, operating to add one point of physique... and there were five free attributes, so he just made it a whole number...

Looking at Wu Song lying on the ground, panting heavily, his face visibly swollen, Master Wang smiled: "Brother Wu Song, how is it?"

"Master's martial arts are superb, Wu Song is convinced, and from now on, I will be at Master's disposal, just hoping for enough wine and meat."

"Easy to say, easy to say." Wang Yan turned to the side, looking at Wu Dalang, who was distressed and grinning at his own brother's miserable state: "Brother Wu, do you have any requests? Just say it."

"I dare not be called brother. Master, just call this little person Wu Da, and call my brother Erlang. Doing anything is all up to Master's arrangement; this little person only asks for the safety of us two brothers."

"Brother Wu Song, just stay by my side as a long-term guard first. This move is not to insult Brother Wu Song's courage, but because I heard about Brother Wu Song's ability to cause trouble earlier, so just stay with me for a period of time to calm your heart, and there will be other appointments later. As for you... Uncle Fu."

Wang Fusheng, who followed to the side, responded and cupped his hands: "Young Master."

"Arrange for Brother Wu to work with the tenants who make soap. In addition, find a marriage for the two brothers. Brother Wu, don't rush to refuse. You have a defect, and it's hard to find a good family's young lady. However, look for one first, take a look. There is nothing absolute; if there is one, it's a good thing. If you really can't find one, Uncle Fu, then find a widow who can live a life, keeps her chastity, and doesn't have children."

Seeing Wu Dalang didn't speak, Wang Fusheng responded: "Yes, Young Master."

Wu Dalang cupped his hands and bowed: "Thank you, Master."

Wu Song, lying on the ground, groaned: "Master, find one for my brother first, Wu Song is not in a hurry."

"It's all easy to say." Wang Yan took the long gown from Yue Haichuan and put it on: "Uncle Fu, take the Wu brothers to settle down. Today is enough; they are tired from the journey, so let them rest well. Tomorrow I will invite you two brothers to drink."

After saying that, Master Wang left with his hands behind his back, wandering.

Seeing Wang Yan walk far away, Wu Dalang hurriedly moved his short legs to his younger brother to care: "Brother, is it okay?"

"Brother, don't worry, it's all external injuries, just need to recuperate for two or three days."

"Humph, usually seeing you rely on your courage to cause trouble, today you were taught a lesson by Master."

Wu Song simply couldn't be bothered to pay attention to his brother's nagging, let Yue Haichuan take a few people to carry him, and limped away following the housekeeper...

Master Wang was not Song Jiang, not Chao Gai, and even less Chai Jin. He didn't manage his own persona too much, and had never helped or rescued those who broke social order, killed people at every turn, or plotted people's money. Naturally, he didn't have the ability to make people bow down. But he had money, and iron fists, plus the common bad habits people have, so Wu Song could be considered conquered.

Wang Yan's strikes were still measured, and Wu Song was thick-skinned, so the next day he was full of life. Although he was still black and blue, there was no major problem. He could eat and drink, and he was fine.

After recuperating for another two days, Wu Song, who was acting as a long-term guard, was on duty. Every day he practiced martial arts with Master Wang in the morning and got beaten to get some martial arts pointers. Then he turned around and sparred with Yue Haichuan and other guards, beating them up to vent his anger. Then he happily ate breakfast with Master and wandered everywhere.

He witnessed such a hot construction site in Wang Family Village, including some novel tools, scented soap that could make money, and even a place for steelmaking, and even had a big machete customized for him. He also knew how kind Master Wang was and how good he was to those who worked for him.

In the evening, it was naturally delicious meat and wine, then a big dream, and another day. He liked days like this very much. Every day his martial arts improved, he could eat wine and meat at will, and there were people to accompany him in fighting. It was really good...

Unlike Wu Song defecting to Chai Jin, he was drunk and always fought with some ruffians who were avoiding disaster there, and was excluded, including Chai Jin having opinions about him. Wanting to be normal, when he went, Chai Jin greeted him warmly, providing food and shelter, but this kid Wu Song offended everyone else who was taking refuge there, becoming a bad guest, so how could he be tolerated? It wasn't good to drive people away, after all, Chai Jin's reputation was hard-earned. If he drove Wu Song away and it spread in the ruffian circle, how would he mix? He just hoped Wu Song would roll away quickly.

Here at Master Wang's, the first thing every morning was to get beaten, the evil spirit in his heart was suppressed, then he followed Master wandering around, not idle, following behind his butt all day, and there were many fresh things, attracting a lot of attention, plus he was forced to read books. It wasn't like in Qinghe County or when he ran to Chai Jin's place, drinking all day, finding trouble when drunk. He was peaceful...

Wu Dalang was arranged to make soap and scented soap. Although his body was short, it didn't affect his work, and his hands and feet were quite nimble. Wang Yan directly made him a team leader, managing an artificial production line, exercising, and seeing his talent. Because of Wu Song's relationship, Wu Dalang couldn't be treated badly.

And Wu Dalang's destined nemesis, Master Ximen, was not in a good situation, welcoming his destined end in advance. Without accident, he died.

Just as the housekeeper Wang Fusheng reported earlier, because Ximen Qing's family, as well as other maids and servants, collectively fell ill, the county magistrate sent people to seal Ximen Qing's big mansion. And because Ximen Qing was the largest raw medicine merchant in Yanggu County, occupying sixty percent of the Yanggu County market, he naturally had many doctors under him. So, facing this situation of the boss getting a plague, regardless of whether they were willing or not, there were always doctors going in to treat him, and at the same time passing the situation out.

Clearly, a small Yanggu County didn't have a miracle doctor. This doctor checked various symptoms in detail and didn't find other reasons, only finding that it was a plague that was not very contagious but very fatal and had never appeared before. Some people had mild conditions, some had heavy conditions, and some didn't get it. Finally, it was judged that except for Ximen Qing's family who were heavily ill, Ximen Qing himself would die sooner or later.

The county magistrate was relieved, and the group of ordinary people outside who were uneasy were also at ease. Yanggu County returned to its past bustle, only the street where Ximen Qing's big mansion was located was exceptionally quiet.

From the time Master Ximen threatened his Younger Brother Wang earlier to dying with eyes wide open, it was only twenty days. It was also understandable; after all, such a large family business, several wives, and decades of romantic life, just died like this—no one could get over it. Until he died, he didn't figure out how he got the disease and what disease he got.

After Ximen Qing died, two more women and Ximen Qing's only two sons died one after another. The condition was controlled, and the symptoms of other patients began to improve.

After the seal was lifted, because Ximen Qing had already died, the remaining two wives clearly couldn't hold onto the family business, and no one took the two women seriously. Naturally, a group of people directly broke up.

No one would remember the cook who specifically cooked for the Ximen family, and the disappearance of this cook's family of three was even less noticed.

Most people's lives were like this: crying earth-shakingly when they came, and always silently when they left.

Even Ximen Qing, the richest man in Yanggu County, didn't make much of a splash when he died, just an object of ridicule for people after tea and dinner...

Zui Dong Lou, which was the so-called Wang Tavern.

In the private room on the second floor, Master Wang smiled and looked at the Yanggu county magistrate sitting opposite, who was also full of meaning and had only taken office last year, Zhang Lihe: "Magistrate, are you satisfied with the gift I sent to your mansion yesterday?"

This county magistrate was the one who originally conspired with Ximen Qing. His character didn't need to be said—very greedy. The term of a county magistrate was generally three years, and he still had two years left. Although truth be told, Yanggu County had two big wealthy families, one was the Ximen family, and one was the Wang family. Before the New China, local officials governed by relying on the help of local gentry to suppress the local area. Whether this county magistrate, county assistant, and registrar could sit firmly in their positions depended on the faces of Wang Yan and Ximen Qing.

After all, the county magistrate was air-dropped, and the remaining petty officials, yamen runners, and soldiers were all locals, deeply connected with various local forces. So Wang Yan could completely ignore this county magistrate, and even if the county magistrate didn't understand things and his methods weren't tough, it wouldn't be difficult to sideline him.

It was just that there was no need to look for trouble. The county magistrate understood things, didn't exploit his landlord, just took some small wealth, and exploited the people of Yanggu. Everyone was a good friend. It was "colluding together and acting in collusion."

The most important thing was that Ximen Qing was gone now, with no successor, so he was the largest landlord in Yanggu. There was no need to go against a county magistrate who loved money.

Zhang Lihe laughed heartily and nodded repeatedly: "Younger Nephew is young, managing the family business in an orderly manner. Now that the Ximen family has fallen and there are no capable clansmen to take over, in the future, I'm afraid this Yanggu County will be surnamed Wang."

"Magistrate, these words are truly embarrassing for this junior. This Yanggu County is surnamed Zhao; it belongs to our Great Song, and it has nothing to do with this junior." Wang Yan smiled, raised his glass to toast, and after drinking, while adding wine for him, continued: "The prosperity and stability of this Yanggu County are all the Magistrate's credit. In the future, Magistrate, you must get closer to this junior."

He sent gifts and bribed yesterday, and posted a note to invite him to drink today. That Zhang Lihe could come meant he was satisfied with the price, and also agreed to cooperate with Wang Yan to swallow Ximen's property. It wasn't that Zhang Lihe didn't covet it, but he was only in office for three years and would leave eventually, so it was useless to have Ximen's property. Moreover, without Wang Yan's consent, even if he swallowed Ximen Qing's family business himself, he couldn't operate it, let alone take it away. It was a simple account that anyone could calculate.

"Younger Nephew is right, we should get closer, we should get closer." Zhang Lihe paused and said: "Now that Younger Nephew has merged Ximen Qing's family business and has that mountain of gold and silver soap and scented soap, I wonder what Younger Nephew's plans are for the next step?"

Wang Yan smiled on his face, but his eyes conveyed danger: "I wonder what advice the Magistrate has?"

Ignoring the glaring threat, Zhang Lihe smiled indifferently: "Recently there have been rumors in the court that Grand Preceptor Cai will be restored as Prime Minister soon. Why doesn't Younger Nephew establish a connection early? Why worry about an unclear path ahead? If operated well, it's not impossible for Younger Nephew to obtain an official position..."

"Magistrate is joking. I won't hide it from you, Magistrate, when the previous county magistrate drank with this junior, he also had such words. Last year, this junior also heard people say that the Grand Preceptor would be restored as Prime Minister. This junior is just a small landlord in the countryside, how dare I risk climbing up? If the Grand Preceptor is really restored as Prime Minister, it won't be too late to talk then. On the contrary, Magistrate, you should worry more about your own future."

"How do you say that, Younger Nephew?"

"Magistrate, you have been a county magistrate for seven years. Don't you want to go further?" Seeing him smile and signal, Wang Yan continued: "This junior thinks that Magistrate, you were born into a humble family, studied hard for more than twenty years to finally become an official, and rose by your own strength to become the current county magistrate. It's hard to rise further. Firstly, Magistrate, you are getting older, and secondly, you have no reliance behind you. This junior knows that Magistrate, you also constantly take silver from various yamen. If you rely solely on silver, I'm afraid your family wealth is not enough."

"How can that be?"

"Magistrate, silver is never enough, but it's not necessarily impossible to find compensation elsewhere. The examination lies in the four beauties of virtue, purity, fairness, and diligence. Magistrate, you have always been impartial in handling cases, kind to the people of the county, diligent in government affairs, and noble in virtue. These four beauties are all top-notch. In addition, Magistrate, you have done a good job in people's livelihood, but this junior has some ideas. If all of them are implemented, Magistrate, your promotion will be worry-free..."

---Author's Note---

Thanks to (Mo Xue Yi Yun) Big Brother for the 1000-coin tip to continue support.

Thanks to (Tianshan Heroic Eagle) Big Brother for the 500-coin tip to continue support.

Thanks to (Fuyan MD How to Act) (Y Ze Y) (Hero's Tears for Beautiful Fate) (fsy Night Star) (Star Lighting) five Big Brothers for continued support.

Daily thanks to the good brothers who voted for monthly tickets for their support.

Thanks to the brothers who voted for recommendations for their support.

Thanks to the Big Brothers who read silently for their support. ===== CHAPTER 414 =====