Chapter 473: The Sprouting of Righteous Unity

The next day, Chen Wen and Shi Dun came to Dongxi Village again.

This time, they went straight to Chao Gai Manor.

After the manor attendant reported in, not long later, Chao Gai and Wu Yong came out together to greet them.

Chao Gai was indeed stalwart and broad-shouldered, with a wide face and square mouth, eyes like bright stars, and a full beard that added to his heroic bearing; his stride was dragon-like and tiger-like, his demeanor extraordinary.

Seeing Chen Wen, he laughed loudly and stepped forward, clasping his fists.

"This must be Mr. Chen! Scholar Wu has spoken of you many times, saying your insight is extraordinary; seeing you today, your reputation is indeed deserved! Please come inside to talk."

His attitude was warm and sincere, without any pretense.

Wu Yong stood at Chao Gai's side, lightly swaying his feather fan, giving Chen Wen a slight nod, his eyes hinting at a shared, unspoken meaning.

Everyone entered the manor's hall, host and guest took their seats, and the attendant served tea and fruit.

After a few pleasantries, Chao Gai, being a straightforward man who disliked beating around the bush, asked directly:

"Mr. Chen, you surely didn't come just to chat over tea with me, did you? I heard you and Scholar Wu had a pleasant discussion the other day—what are your lofty views on today's state of affairs?"

Chen Wen set down his teacup, glanced at Chao Gai and Wu Yong, and spoke frankly:

"Village Chief Chao speaks plainly, so I will be frank as well."

"These days, officials bully the people, driving them to rebel; the populace can't make a living. A hero like Village Chief Chao, who upholds righteousness, gives generously, rescues the endangered, and eases the distressed, is a blessing to the common folk."

"But relying solely on one's own strength, giving porridge and medicine—how many can be saved? For how long can it help?"

Hearing this, Chao Gai furrowed his thick brows and spoke in a low voice:

"What you say is quite right! I, too, often feel powerless. Seeing corrupt officials run rampant and the people suffer, this pent-up anger in my heart is hard to quell! I hate… I hate that a lone tree cannot support the roof!"

Wu Yong interjected at the right moment, lightly tapping his feather fan:

"Village Chief, there's no need to be anxious. Mr. Chen once said that a flood dragon is not a pond creature; it should have the ambition to swallow heaven and earth. Perhaps we should seek a way to break the impasse, rather than cling to a single corner."

Chen Wen nodded.

"What Scholar Wu said is exactly my view."

"Breaking the impasse requires both strength and wealth."

He shifted the tone of his speech and asked casually:

"Lately, I've heard a piece of news in the martial world; I wonder if you two have heard of it?"

"The Secretary Liang of Beijing Daming Prefecture, celebrating his father-in-law Cai Jing's birthday, has extorted one hundred thousand strings of gold, jewels, and precious goods, preparing to send them to the capital next month. Such ill‑gotten wealth—what harm is there in taking it?"

Though he spoke softly, his words thundered like a clap of lightning in the hall.

Chao Gai jumped to his feet, his tiger eyes wide open.

"How can this be?! One hundred thousand strings! All of it is the people's fat and ointment!"

He looked at Wu Yong.

"Scholar, this matter…"

Wu Yong's eyes flashed with sharp light; his feather fan paused for a moment, then he spoke slowly:

"I, too, have heard whispers of it. But… this is no trivial matter; to seize the birthday tribute is tantamount to rebellion. We must plan carefully and make thorough arrangements."

Chen Wen gave a slight smile.

"I am merely passing along the rumor; how to decide is up to Village Chief Chao and Scholar Wu."

"However, having traveled south and north, I do know a few martial‑world friends who might be able to lend some aid."

"For example, I could perhaps find out the exact route of the escort convoy and the true or false strength of its guards."

Upon hearing this, both Chao Gai and Wu Yong were moved.

With accurate intelligence, the chances of success would undoubtedly increase greatly!

Chao Gai took a deep breath, sat down again, and fixed his piercing gaze on Chen Wen.

"Mr. Chen, why do you help us so?"

Chen Wen met his gaze and answered frankly:

"First, I respect Village Chief Chao and Scholar Wu as people;"

"Second, if that hundred‑thousand‑string ill‑gotten wealth could be taken, it might benefit many more poor folk instead of filling the pockets of corrupt officials;"

"Third…"

He paused, his tone growing deep.

"I also want to see whether the hero who obtains this money will choose to split the loot and live idly, or… use it as a foundation to undertake a great endeavor that truly benefits the nation and the people!"

He again mentioned the "great endeavor," echoing his earlier hint to Wu Yong.

Chao Gai and Wu Yong exchanged a glance, each seeing resolve and fire in the other's eyes.

"Good!"

Chao Gai slapped his thigh.

"Mr. Chen is a straightforward man! I, too, will not hide anything!"

"We'll seize that ill‑gotten wealth!"

"As for how to use it after we've taken it…"

He looked at Wu Yong.

Wu Yong swayed his feather fan and pondered:

"If we succeed, how the money is used must be carefully planned. We could buy grain, fodder, and arms to build up strength, or secretly aid the four directions to win people's hearts… In short, we must never squander it all, lest we become a laughingstock."

Although he did not state it outright, his words already revealed an affinity with Chen Wen's notion of "Northward Aspiration."

Chao Gai gave a heavy nod.

"Exactly so! Then I ask Mr. Chen to help me gather accurate news of the birthday tribute!"

"On my side, I will at once gather trustworthy brothers to discuss the great undertaking!"

The plan having been settled, the atmosphere instantly became heated and tense.

Chao Gai immediately sent someone to summon the three Ruan brothers, as well as a local idler called Bai Ri Shu Bai Sheng, who is well-informed and could also lend a hand.

Chen Wen then gestured to Shi Dun, and through a secret channel made contact with Qian Gui, urging him for detailed information about the birthday tribute.

That afternoon, the three Ruan brothers—Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, and Ruan Xiaoqi—hurried to Dongxi Village.

Upon hearing they were to seize the birthday tribute, the three brothers rolled up their sleeves, excited beyond measure.

Ruan Xiaoqi then shouted:

"It's about time! Our brothers' water skills have been itching for a chance to be used!"

Bai Sheng also arrived; hearing they were to undertake this tremendous task, he was first startled, but then, assured by Chao Gai's promise and the offer of silver, he gritted his teeth and agreed, promising to gather intelligence on the movements of the Yuncheng County authorities and to provide cover if needed.

By now, the embryonic form of the 'Seven Stars Gathering in Righteousness' from the original trajectory had already taken shape.

But this time, there was an extra uninvited 'observer' and 'guide'—Chen Wen.

Everyone gathered in the secret room behind Chao Gai's manor, facing a crude map, and began preliminary planning.

Wu Yong, as the strategist, carefully analyzed the possible locations.

"Huangni Gang is remote, lies on the necessary route northward, and its dense woods make it easy to set an ambush—indeed a fine place to strike."

"We just need to ensure the information is accurate and the timing right."

Chao Gai said:

"This matter entirely relies on Master Chen's information. Once confirmed, we will act according to the plan."

He looked at the Ruan brothers.

"At that time, we will also need the three younger brothers to provide waterborne support, just in case."

"Don't worry, big brother! We've got it covered!" the three Ruan brothers replied in unison.

Chen Wen watched everyone eagerly plotting, while his mind kept simulating.

He quietly whispered to Wu Yong:

"Scholar, after the seizure, concealing our tracks is crucial. The authorities will surely make a big show but little actual rain, yet we must also guard against those who would dig deep. We need to devise a foolproof plan for hiding the loot and laying low; we must not rush up the mountain, lest we give others a handle."

Wu Yong's eyes flashed; he gave Chen Wen a deep look and nodded.

"Thanks for the reminder, Master. I'll take care of it."

Just as the secret plotting in Dongxi Village was in full swing,

in the duty room of the Yuncheng County office, Song Jiang

a trusted clerk rushed in and reported in a low voice:

"Sir, today many unfamiliar faces have appeared at Chao Gai's manor in Dongxi Village; the three Ruan brothers and Bai Sheng went there, and they have been behind closed doors discussing for a long time—perhaps… something big is afoot."

Song Jiang was holding his brush, about to write something; hearing this, his brush paused, a drop of ink fell on the paper, spreading into a dark blot.

He lifted his head; his dark face revealed no expression, but a fleeting, complex, inscrutable light flickered in the depths of his eyes.

He fell silent for a moment, then waved his hand.

"Understood, you may go. This matter… must not be made public."

"Yes." The clerk bowed and withdrew.

Song Jiang set down his brush, walked to the window, gazed toward Dongxi Village, and unconsciously twiddled his fingers.

He seemed to feel an invisible great net slowly tightening.

And he himself was also within that net.

At the same time, deep in the reeds of a desolate river branch outside Yuncheng County,

a vague, shadow‑like 'Ying' lurked silently, its icy perception locked firmly on the direction of Dongxi Village.

It 'saw' the Ruan brothers enter, sensing the gradually gathering 'killer qi' and 'star power'.

A soundless message, through some mysterious link, was transmitted outward.

【Target gathered.】

【Star power linked.】

【Plot node 'Seven Stars Gathering in Righteousness' activating.】

【Interference factor 'Variable' present, threat level assessed: medium.】

【Recommendation: strengthen surveillance, prepare to intervene and guide.】

The undercurrents have already turned into a whirlpool.

The sprout of righteous uprising, under the watch of many sides, has broken through the soil.

All that remains is to wait for the showdown on Huangni Gang in the sixth month.