Chapter 229: Dare to Laugh at Huang Chao for Not Being a Man

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By the shores of Liang Shan, Shi Jie Village.

Today, the home of Ruan Xiaoer the Short-Lived Second Son, Ruan Xiaowu the Standing Earth Tyrant, and Ruan Xiaoqi the Living Hell-Lord was unusually lively. Heroes from all corners had gathered here.

They were: Liu Tang the Eighteen-Inch Leg, Yan Qing the Prodigal, Zhang Shun the White Stripe of the Waves, Zhang Heng the Boat Fireman, Lu Zhishen the Flowered Monk, Wu Song the Pilgrim, Li Jun the Churning Dragon, Shi Jin the Nine-Dragon, Li Kui the Black Whirlwind, Chai Jin the Little Whirlwind, Lei Heng the Winged Black Tiger, Dai Zong the Divine Traveler, Xie Zhen the Two-Headed Snake, Xie Bao the Double-Tailed Scorpion, Zhu Tong the Beautiful Beard, Mu Heng the Unrestrained, Shi Xiu the Desperate Third Son, Chao Gai the Iron Heavenly King, and Li Ying the Pouncing Falcon.

——All these heroes were Song Jiang's closest friends; upon receiving his handwritten letter, none delayed—they came at once with their own followers to meet Song Jiang.

Song Jiang's letter did not say why he summoned them, yet they all came with their men. Not for any other reason—only because the one calling them was Song Jiang.

When the heroes had mostly gathered, Song Jiang, Wu Yong, the man posing as "Gongsun Sheng"—Yuwen Xuzhong—Lin Chong, and Xu Ning arrived at Shi Jie Village with many clothed Jin Yi Wei.

When Song Jiang's party reached the Ruan brothers' home, the Ruan brothers' wives had already prepared wine and meat with the village women.

Song Jiang said to Yuwen Xuzhong: "Though my brothers' home is humble, it is the safest place nearby—perfect for our great discussion. Sir, do not mind the simplicity; please take the seat of honor."

Yuwen Xuzhong smiled: "Those who accomplish great things do not cling to small formalities. You, Yashi, and Xuejiu, take the top seats. This matter is yours to lead—I shall not steal the spotlight."

Song Jiang and Wu Yong hurriedly declined, insisting Yuwen Xuzhong take the chief seat, but Yuwen Xuzhong refused steadfastly.

Seeing Song Jiang and Wu Yong treat Yuwen Xuzhong with such deference, the heroes, though puzzled, knew this Cloud-Dragon Gongsun Sheng must be extraordinary.

Song Jiang knew that though Yuwen Xuzhong's status was incomparably noble, this matter must be led by him—so in the end, he sat first, Wu Yong second, Yuwen Xuzhong third, and the rest bowed and yielded seats in turn.

After all the heroes were seated, Song Jiang first introduced them to one another.

When introducing Yuwen Xuzhong, Song Jiang said only that his status was beyond measure and his abilities heavenly—he would reveal his identity later if opportunity arose.

Hearing this, the heroes dared not ask further.

Then the heroes drank and feasted with loud revelry.

After three rounds of wine and five courses, when Yuwen Xuzhong judged the heroes sufficiently drunk, he subtly glanced at Song Jiang.

Song Jiang understood, set down his wine bowl, and said: "Brothers, have you heard of the Court's Two New Policies—the salvation for the people?"

At this, all the heroes froze—they had never expected Song Jiang to suddenly mention such a political matter.

The heroes looked at each other, then Li Jun spoke up:

"Brother's words on the Two New Policies are known to all—how could we not know? True, the Court seeks to seize wealth from the gentry and give it to the poor, a noble intent. If implemented, this policy would indeed bring great relief to the people, easing their burdens and alleviating suffering. But will the gentry let the Court succeed so easily? Their wealth and power are entrenched; this good policy will likely never reach the people—enduring suffering will remain."

Song Jiang frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping each hero, then said slowly: "Li Jun's words are spot-on. Though the Court has good intentions, local gentry face heavy resistance—implementation is fraught with difficulty, rendering the Court's policy useless."

He paused, then raised his voice: "The rise and fall of the realm rests on every man's shoulders. Though we stand outside the court, we must still care for the realm and plead for the people. Today I have summoned you all to rise in rebellion—to help the Court exterminate the gentry and ensure this policy is truly implemented, benefiting the common folk."

At these words, the heroes were stunned—especially those who were themselves gentry: Chai Jin, Mu Heng, Li Ying.

Inside the hall, silence fell so deep even a pin dropping could be heard.

Chai Jin, Mu Heng, and Li Ying exchanged glances, each eyes flickering with complex, unreadable emotion. As gentry, they knew the people's suffering—but to stand against their own class? Their hearts churned with conflicting feelings.

More importantly, they had no reason to undertake such a thankless, perilous act.

After long hesitation, Chai Jin opened his mouth to speak.

But Song Jiang shook his head gently toward Chai Jin, Mu Heng, and Li Ying—signaling them to stay silent; he would explain later.

At this, Chai Jin and the other two immediately clamped their mouths shut.

In this pause, the brash men—the Ruan brothers, Li Kui, Liu Tang, Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, and Chao Gai—had recovered from their shock.

These men feared nothing—when their leader ordered killing, they picked up their blades without hesitation.

Li Kui shouted: "I don't care about taxes—Brother says kill, I kill!"

Ruan Xiaoqi added: "If Brother takes us along, I'll sell my life to you—what's the harm?"

Liu Tang would not be outdone: "One word from Brother, and I'll walk through fire and boiling water without flinching! These gentry have oppressed the people too long—it's time a hero gave them a lesson!"

As these bold words rang out, the atmosphere grew hot and fierce. The heroes all declared their loyalty to Song Jiang, vowing to follow him in this righteous cause for the people.

When the crowd had calmed, Song Jiang spoke solemnly: "This matter is no small thing. One misstep, and your entire family is executed. If any brother does not wish to join this peril, Song Jiang will not force you—leave now. The brotherhood remains in my heart, but this righteous act will not include you."

Song Jiang's gaze, gentle yet resolute, swept each hero—as if waiting for their choice.

Inside the hall, the air grew solemn—but not a single hero rose to leave. Even Chai Jin, Mu Heng, and Li Ying, though troubled, stayed seated.

Seeing Song Jiang's true influence, Yuwen Xuzhong nodded inwardly: 'Song Jiang has not chosen wrongly.' After the initial surge, the heroes turned to reality. Ruan Xiaoer said: "Our Liang Shan is an ancient marshland—its terrain is complex, its waterways tangled, its reeds thick. A natural fortress and hiding place, with easy access to all directions. Since ancient times, it has birthed heroes—like the bandit Zhi Zhi of the Spring and Autumn era, and Peng Yue in the late Qin, who rose here to aid Liu Bang and found the Han Dynasty. This is where we should gather."

Zhu Tong said: "To win the people's hearts, we must first turn them to us. We should spread word of the gentry's cruelty, then reveal how the Court's Two New Policies—though beneficial—are blocked by the gentry, stirring public anger and hope. Simultaneously, secretly contact oppressed folk everywhere, letting them know we fight for them—then the people's hearts will be ours. When we raise our banner, the whole realm will rise."

Li Jun said solemnly: "We must also ignite one more spark of public fury to rally them."

Wu Yong looked at Yuwen Xuzhong: "If, through gentry influence, the entire eight-hundred-li Liang Shan waters are declared state property, and every fisherman, lotus-picker, or reed-cutter must pay heavy taxes based on boat size—with violators branded as bandits—then the poor, unable to pay the heavy taxes, will explode with long-suppressed rage and rise with us."

Hearing Wu Yong's suggestion, many heroes thought: You act like the Court is your family business—do you think the gentry will obey you? That you can order the officials to enact such a policy?

Yuwen Xuzhong thought: 'If this happens, the people's long-suppressed fury against reality will erupt like a volcano—and under Song Jiang's leadership, they will risk everything, arm themselves, and gather in rebellion.'

With this thought, Yuwen Xuzhong nodded: "I'll send men to try."

The sharp minds among Song Jiang's group—Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Yan Qing, Li Jun, Li Ying, Shi Xiu—felt a jolt!

They all thought the same: Who is this Gongsun Sheng? How could he wield such power—to sway imperial decisions, even potentially force the government to enact policies harming Liang Shan's people, to ignite rebellion?

Their eyes flickered with silent speculation about Yuwen Xuzhong's true identity and purpose—but their faces showed nothing. They waited, still.

Seeing Yuwen Xuzhong agree, Song Jiang felt some relief—he knew this step was critical. If public fury could be ignited, rebellion would gain greater chance. He looked at the heroes, voice firm: "Brothers, if this succeeds, the people have hope. Even if we walk through fire and boiling water, we will not hesitate! Now we must coordinate closely, each fulfilling our role, and plan together…"

Days later, to the heroes' utter shock, Jizhou Prefecture officially declared the entire eight-hundred-li Liang Shan waters state property.

Seeing this, the clever heroes knew at once: this "Gongsun Sheng," whom even Song Jiang respected, was no ordinary man—and this rebellion, too, was deeply strange.

The government's sudden decree to seize all Liang Shan waters—rumored to be pushed by Jizhou's gentry—ignited a powder keg. The poor who depended on the lake burned with rage, gathering in crude fishing villages and lakeside huts, cursing the greedy gentry and cold officials. The old, weak, and women wept, despairing of the coming famine; the strong men clenched fists, eyes blazing with defiance, vowing to fight for survival.

The news spread like wildfire across the region.

Soon, impoverished folk from all directions gathered around Liang Shan, their hearts filled with fury against injustice and hope for Song Jiang's rebellion.

Seeing the moment ripe, Song Jiang and his men raised their banner.

That day, Song Jiang led the angry masses and stormed the largest village near Mount Shuipoliang—Zhu Family Manor.

Zhu Family Manor owned countless fertile fields, with over ten thousand shi of grain, vast herds of livestock—and was one of the gentry who resisted the Court's Two New Policies. They had openly declared: "If the Court dares raise our tax by one cash, we'll raise the people's by two."

After breaking the manor, Song Jiang's men slaughtered every Zhu family member, distributed all surplus grain to nearby villagers (keeping only what they needed), burned the land deeds, handed the looted gold and jewels to Yuwen Xuzhong to "dispose of," and moved on to the next village.

In just a few short days, Song Jiang's rebel army captured seven or eight villages, and its numbers surged from a few hundred to over a thousand. Under the leadership of Song Jiang and others, they used the easily defensible terrain of Mount Shuipoliang to ambush and kill imperial troops sent to suppress them.

Upon hearing this news, the Prefect of Jizhou was terrified. He first sent Yang Zhi, the Green-Faced Beast, recently transferred from the Western Army, to crush Song Jiang; then he dispatched Zhang Qing, the Featherless Arrow, and Dong Ping to do the same.

Unexpectedly, Yang Zhi, Zhang Qing, Dong Ping, and others were each defeated by Song Jiang, then defected with their troops.

Song Jiang's rebel army then swelled to five thousand soldiers.

This made Song Jiang's rebel army even more arrogant. They occupied Mount Shuipoliang, raising the banner of righteousness under the cause that gentry obstructed the Two New Policies and denied the poor a means to survive. They rallied widespread support, recruiting soldiers and purchasing horses, vowing to eradicate all injustice and plead for the people's fate.

At once, followers gathered like clouds. Wherever Song Jiang's rebel army went, the common people lined the roads to welcome them, denouncing the atrocities of the gentry and magnates, and praising the righteous deeds of Song Jiang and his men.

Song Jiang's rebel army became a symbol of fairness and hope.

In a very short time, Song Jiang's rebel army swept through Jizhou Prefecture. Regions that had obstructed the Two New Policies were all purged; the gentry either died or fled. Once the people understood the cause, they cheered with delight.

During this time, local governments sent generals Qin Ming, Hua Rong, Lu Junyi, Guan Sheng, Huyan Zhuo, Su Chao, and others to encircle and crush Song Jiang's rebel army.

But these imperial troops failed to destroy Song Jiang's rebels; instead, they were defeated and defected one after another, swelling Song Jiang's forces to over thirty thousand, strong and well-equipped.

At this point, Song Jiang's rebel army no longer wished to remain confined to Jizhou. They split up, with Lu Junyi, Guan Sheng, Lin Chong, Xu Ning, Qin Ming, Huyan Zhuo, Yang Zhi, Zhang Qing, Dong Ping, and Su Chao each leading detachments toward the surrounding regions: Qizhou, Dong Ping Prefecture, Eastern Depot Prefecture, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Yizhou, Qingzhou, Mizhou, Laizhou, and Dengzhou.

Wherever Song Jiang's rebel army marched, they targeted only regions obstructing the Two New Policies, and all gentry they encountered were executed without mercy.

On Mount Shuipoliang, Song Jiang took out a letter.

The letter was written in elegant script, yet its content brimmed with murderous intent.

Though in Shandong, my heart is in the court; drifting like reeds on rivers and seas, I sigh in vain. When I someday fulfill my lofty ambition, I'll laugh at Huang Chao for lacking true manhood.

This letter was given to Song Jiang by Yuwen Xuzhong, but Yuwen Xuzhong did not say who had given him the letter.

Song Jiang suspected the letter was from Zhao Yu.

This stirred Song Jiang, once downtrodden and disheartened, into a fever of emotion. His eyes glinted with malice as he thought: "Laugh at Huang Chao for lacking true manhood? Brilliant…"

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(End of Chapter)