Chapter 480: Liangshan Divided

Liangshanpo, Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

Morning light streamed through the open hall doors, falling on the blue‑stone floor and revealing a slightly tense atmosphere inside.

Chao Gai sat firmly in the tiger‑skin chair, brows slightly furrowed, gazing at the leaders standing in two rows below.

On the left, led by Wu Yong, Lin Chong, the Ruan Brothers Three Heroes, and Shi Dun, everyone bore a solemn expression, stood upright, and their eyes held a sharp, resolute air.

On the right were mainly those who had recently joined the mountain and some active thinkers from Wang Lun's former followers, such as Du Qian, Song Wan, and a few newly promoted petty leaders; their gazes wandered, sometimes looking down at the ground, sometimes secretly observing Chao Gai's expression.

In the center of the hall stood several opened chests and baskets, containing silk, gold and silver vessels, and a few documents.

This was the spoil seized yesterday by Ruan Xiaoqi and his men from a passing merchant convoy—not ordinary traders, but a cargo ship tied by countless threads to an official of Jizhou Prefecture.

"Brothers,"

Chao Gai spoke, his voice steady.

"This batch of goods, according to our newly established rules on Liangshan, shall be surrendered to the public, registered, and then distributed as needed, first securing funds for the Hall of Heroes and the Military Lecture Hall, as well as provisions and arms for the brothers. Any objections?"

"Heavenly King Brother's handling is just; we have no objections!"

Lin Chong stepped forward, clasped his fists, and spoke in a loud voice.

Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, and the others echoed his sentiment.

However, among the crowd on the right, a newly appointed leader named Liu San licked his lips, stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Heavenly King, Military Advisor, Instructor Lin… I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should speak."

Wu Yong lightly waved his feather fan, his gaze calm:

"Head Liu, feel free to speak."

Liu San rubbed his hands, smiling as he spoke:

"We Liangshan brothers live a life of licking blood from the blade's edge, our heads always at our waists. In the past, any loot was divided on the spot for everyone's immediate pleasure. Now this… this surrender of spoils and later distribution, though the rules are strict, we brothers privately feel we've lost some immediate benefit—our purses feel a little tight."

A few behind him also nodded; Du Qian and Song Wan, though silent, showed some agreement in their eyes.

Lin Chong's face darkened.

"Liu San! What nonsense is this? Establishing rules is for Liangshan's long‑term plan! If we only seek immediate gratification, how are we different from common bandits? How can we live up to the words 'Northward Aspiration'?"

Liu San shrank back under Lin Chong's aura, but still muttered softly:

"Instructor Lin speaks great truths… but we brothers also need to make a living. Besides, we now hold Liangshanpo, strong in troops and horses, and the imperial court can't touch us for now. If we could… find a safe path to obtain an amnesty from the court, we could all gain official posts, bring honor to our ancestors—surely better than spending our days here bearing the name of 'outlaws'."

The moment the words 'amnesty' were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

Chao Gai slammed the armrest of his chair, leapt to his feet, and glared with tiger‑wide eyes.

"Silence! Liu San, how dare you speak of amnesty here! Liangshan's very foundation is 'Northward Aspiration'—to drive out the barbarians and restore China! How could we fawn over that dim‑witted imperial court and become its lackeys?"

His voice thundered like a bolt, shaking dust from the beams.

Liu San fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Heavenly King, please calm your anger! I have spoken nonsense; I deserve death!"

But everyone knew deep down that Liu San's words were not his alone.

The stronghold has grown, its populace mixed, and not everyone truly grasps or accepts the weight and hardship of 'Northward Aspiration'.

Many more have come up the mountain merely to survive, to eat a full meal, and some still harbor the old dream of 'kill, burn, and receive amnesty'.

And this old dream is being quietly magnified and spread by an unseen force.

Wu Yong's gaze swept over the varied faces on the right, and he understood clearly.

He cleared his throat and spoke:

"Heavenly King, please calm your anger. Head Liu is merely muddled for the moment."

He turned to the crowd, his voice growing deep:

"Brothers, have you ever wondered why our Chinese homeland suffers repeated trampling by barbarian cavalry? Why we, the people of Zhongyuan, are driven to wander, enduring endless humiliation?"

"It is not that China lacks capable people; it is that the imperial court is cowardly, its order collapsed, content only with self‑preservation and lacking ambition."

"Amnesty? Ha, even if the court temporarily agrees, we would merely be pawns in others' hands—used then discarded. When the birds are gone and the bows stored away, regret will come too late."

"Only by gripping our weapons firmly, setting our hearts on 'Northward Aspiration', and forging here in Liangshanpo a true iron army capable of defending home and country can we find a foothold, build our lives, and achieve merit."

Wu Yong's words, citing classics and analyzing pros and cons, made the left‑side listeners nod repeatedly, while some on the right showed thoughtful expressions.

But the seeds of discord have already been sown.

After the meeting, the leaders dispersed.

Chao Gai retained Wu Yong, Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoer, and Shi Dun, his face grave.

"Military Advisor, Instructor Lin, Brother Shi Dun, you've seen it too. The stronghold has grown, and people's hearts have become mixed. This crooked wind of amnesty—who knows where it blew from? If not checked in time, it could become a great disaster."

Shi Dun spoke in a low voice.

"Heavenly King, this trend certainly didn't come from nowhere. From what I've observed, the two leaders Du Qian and Song Wan have been frequently seen recently with some newcomers of unknown origin. Those people seem ordinary, but in conversation they constantly hint at the benefits of amnesty, or spread exaggerated claims about the hardships of the 'Northward Aspiration' path."

Lin Chong shouted angrily.

"It must be spies of the Iron Crow Army sneaking in! Let me muster the troops, investigate thoroughly, and root out these troublemakers!"

"Instructor Lin, please stay calm."

Wu Yong waved his hand, his eyes wise.

"Capturing a few foot soldiers is easy, but eradicating the root of the trouble is hard. The Iron Crow Army works covertly, aiming to undermine us from within. We must counter their covert schemes with open strategies."

He looked toward Chao Gai.

"Heavenly King, the urgent task is to further strengthen our 'Northward Aspiration' foundation."

"First, the Military Lecture Hall must increase its outreach, teaching not only righteousness but also making the brothers understand that only by becoming strong themselves can they find a way out—amnesty is merely drinking poison to quench thirst."

"Second, the three major regulations must be strictly enforced, especially the surrender of spoils and the distribution system, ensuring fairness and transparency so that all brothers see that following 'Northward Aspiration' offers not only a future but real, tangible security."

"Third, we must firmly hold military and financial authority. Instructor Lin will continue drilling the infantry and cavalry, while the Ruan brothers keep firm control of the navy. As for grain and finance……"

Wu Yong turned his gaze to Shi Dun.

Shi Dun brothers are skilled at calculation and handle affairs fairly; why not just ask them to temporarily act as the Finance and Grain Superintendent, establish clear accounts, have all expenses approved by him, and regularly report to the Heavenly King and all chieftains? This would extinguish the notion of some people profiteering and winning over hearts.

Chao Gai heard this and greatly agreed.

The military advisor's plan is excellent! Brother Shi Dun, this thousand-jin burden is now entrusted to you!

Shi Dun did not decline, clasped his fists and accepted.

Shi Dun will surely not disappoint the trust of the Heavenly King and the military advisor.

From then on, within Liangshan, though no open rupture had occurred, the 'Northward Aspiration' faction centered on Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Lin Chong, the three Ruan brothers, and Shi Dun, and the 'Amnesty' faction composed mainly of some old troops and new chieftains with wavering thoughts, began to take shape.

The Northward Aspiration faction continually reinforced its ideology through the lecture hall, tightened the troops with strict military discipline, and, more importantly, Shi Dun firmly grasped the lifeline of the stronghold's provisions.

Meanwhile, the Amnesty faction, under the tacit indulgence of Du Qian, Song Wan, and others, and under the covert guidance of certain mysterious 'pundits', continued to spread doubts about the future of Northward Aspiration and yearnings for the benefits of amnesty.

Both sides began to show subtle friction and dispute over personnel arrangements, material distribution, and even the focus of daily drills.

That day, at the water stronghold's dock.

Ruan Xiaoqi was leading the naval brothers in drilling a new formation when a petty chief under Du Qian named Zhao Bangzi, drunk with a few followers, staggered by, watched the busy navy, and sneered:

"Drill! All you know is drill! No matter how well you drill, can you really fight your way north? Better think of a way to get more gold and silver, so that when amnesty comes you can grease the palms above and below!"

Ruan Xiaoqi, hot-tempered, flew into a rage at the words, seized a boat pole and charged forward:

"You bastard! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Fortunately, Ruan Xiaoer held him back tightly.

Ruan Xiaoer coldly stared at Zhao Bangzi:

"Chief Zhao, keep your men in line and watch your mouth! If you dare disturb our army's morale again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Zhao Bangzi spat resentfully, then staggered away with his men.

On a distant hillside, Chen Wen and Qian Gui took in the whole scene at the dock.

"The split is already evident."

Qian Gui said softly.

"The Iron Crow Army's infiltrative power is omnipresent. Though Du Qian, Song Wan, and the like may not truly defect to the Iron Crow Army, their short-sightedness and wavering have already become an internal hidden danger."

Chen Wen's gaze was calm, not overly surprised.

"Ideological struggle is never easy; the Northward Aspiration path is destined to be full of thorns."

"What we can do is aid Chao Gai, to plant the roots of Northward Aspiration deeper and firmer."

He paused, then said:

"Shi Dun controlling provisions is a good move. Next, we must let all Liangshan brothers see that following the Northward Aspiration faction means not only having enough to eat, but also seeing hope and possessing dignity."

"Our contacts can begin sending a batch of urgently needed supplies to Liangshan, especially medicines and iron, to be distributed through Shi Dun's hands."

"Also, have the lecture hall speak more often of the Khitan and Tangut border raids, killings, and plunder, to arouse a hatred of the common enemy."

"Yes."

Qian Gui assented, then added:

"On Song Jiang's side, Yan Poxi has been silenced, but copies of the letters found in her home seem to have fallen into some hands. He is now in Yuncheng, already a frightened bird."

Chen Wen's eyes turned slightly cold:

"The Iron Crow Army is pressing him to come up the mountain. We must prepare; once Song Jiang ascends the mountain, Liangshan's internal strife will become even fiercer."

"The wind fills the tower as the mountain rain approaches."

The waters of Liangshanpo, where the spark of Northward Aspiration has just been kindled, have not yet felt the heavy pressure of external government troops, but the undercurrents within have already begun to surge and churn.