Chapter 484

Liangshanpo, Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

White banners hung high, the atmosphere solemn and mournful.

In the center of the main hall, a spirit tablet stood upright, inscribed: "Spirit Tablet of the Heavenly King Chao Gai, Chief of Liangshanpo."

Incense smoke swirled, candlelight flickered, illuminating the faces of the leaders below—some truly grief-stricken, some feigning sorrow.

Wu Yong, Lin Chong, the Three Ruan Heroes, Shi Dun, and other core leaders wore mourning white, standing before the tablet, their faces heavy.

Du Qian, Song Wan, and many newly appointed leaders also bowed their heads and wept, yet beneath that sorrow lay how many hidden thoughts, unknown.

Song Jiang, dressed in plain white, knelt before the tablet, weeping so hard he nearly fainted, beating his chest and stamping his feet, his lament moving:

"Chao Gai brother! It breaks my heart, little brother! We swore to live and die together, to uphold great righteousness! Now you have gone first, leaving this mortal world—what meaning is there for me left behind? Better to follow you."

Having spoken, he made to strike his head against the pillar, but those beside him hurriedly restrained him.

This display was sincere and heartfelt; many leaders nodded secretly, feeling that Song Jiang truly valued righteousness deeply.

Wu Yong stepped forward to help Song Jiang up, eyes also wet, comforting him:

"Brother Gongming, mourn in peace. The Heavenly King elder brother has fallen; the stronghold cannot go a day without a chief. The urgent task is to discuss succession, stabilize morale, and inherit the Heavenly King's will—only then can his spirit be at ease."

His words seemed consolation, but actually placed the matter of succession on the table.

Liu San immediately stood up, voicing his agreement loudly:

"The Advisor is absolutely right! Song Officer… no, Brother Gongming, your righteousness reaches the heavens, your fame fills Shandong, and you were the Heavenly King's cherished friend in life! Having Brother Gongming succeed as chief to lead Liangshan is most fitting."

Du Qian also hesitated before speaking:

"Brother Gongming's prestige and ability—we all trust him…"

Some who originally harbored thoughts of amnesty, or were secretly influenced or guided by the Iron Crow Army, spoke out in support.

Yet Lin Chong stepped forward abruptly, his voice hoarse but carrying undeniable resolve:

"Wait!"

His eyes flashed like lightning as he swept over the crowd, finally resting on Song Jiang and Wu Yong.

"The Heavenly King elder brother has just passed; his bones are not yet cold. To discuss a new chief now—is it too hasty?"

"Moreover, did the Heavenly King leave any last words before his death?"

His question made Song Jiang and Wu Yong's expressions tighten slightly.

Wu Yong lightly shook his feather fan and sighed:

"What the Instructor says is also reasonable. But at the time the situation was chaotic; after the Heavenly King elder brother was struck by an arrow, he… left no words at all."

Ruan Xiaoqi, eyes red, shouted:

Even without a last will! I also feel that the position of chieftain should go to Instructor Lin! Instructor Lin is highly skilled in martial arts, adept at leading troops, the first to follow Elder Brother Tianwang, and has earned great merit! On what basis……

Xiao Qi! Stop talking nonsense! Ruan Xiaoer hurriedly grabbed him.

The situation reached a temporary stalemate.

Those who supported Song Jiang cited righteousness, reputation, and ability; while those who supported Lin Chong placed greater weight on his seniority, battle achievements, and prestige in the army.

Each side had its own followers, and they implicitly faced off.

Shi Dun stood slightly behind Lin Chong's side, silent and speechless, his gaze calm as he observed everyone.

He could feel an invisible force pushing the situation toward Song Jiang.

The voices supporting Song Jiang appeared scattered, but in fact there was some kind of tacit understanding behind them.

On Lin Chong's side, although he had staunch supporters like the Ruan brothers, overall he had fallen into a disadvantaged position.

Just then, a clamor suddenly came from outside the hall.

Several minor leaders brought in a man tightly bound.

Report! Military advisor, all chieftains! We've captured a spy from Zengtou Market! A secret letter was found on him!

That spy, frightened until his face turned ashen, kept kowtowing:

Heroes, spare my life! I'm just a messenger! It's that Shi Wen Gong… Shi Wen Gong raved, saying… saying that without Chao Gai, Liangshan is a loose sand, not to be feared… and also said that the next to be killed is Lin Chong, the instructor, to cut off Liangshan's right arm……

Upon hearing this, the hall erupted in an uproar!

Lin Chong's hair stood on end with rage:

How dare you, dog thief!

And many more, due to this 'external pressure,' underwent a subtle shift in attitude.

With powerful enemies surrounding us, the stronghold indeed needed to quickly establish a new leader capable of stabilizing morale and reconciling all factions.

Compared to the upright Lin Chong, whose prestige lies mainly in the military, Song Jiang, who is more adept at socializing and capable of uniting all sorts of people, seems better suited for this role.

Wu Yong spoke up at the right moment, his tone heavy:

All brothers have heard! The Zengtou Market traitors are not dead, and the Imperial Court's great army may also make a comeback! At this critical juncture, our Liangshan needs unity more than ever, needs a chieftain who can unite the people's hearts!

He looked at Song Jiang, then at Lin Chong:

Brother Gongming's benevolence and righteousness spread across the four seas, Instructor Lin's valor surpasses the three armies; both are pillars of our Liangshan. However, the chieftain's position concerns survival; we must prioritize the greater good.

He paused a moment, as if after a difficult decision, then turned toward Song Jiang and gave a deep bow.

For the sake of the stronghold, Wu Yong… earnestly begs Brother Gongming to, despite the difficulty, assume the chieftain's position, lead us, overcome the crisis together, and carry on the Tianwang's… unfinished cause!

He deliberately left vague the specific meaning of the 'unfinished cause.'

With this strategist Wu Yong's declaration, the balance completely tipped.

Du Qian, Wan Song, and others bowed in unison:

Please, Brother Gongming, assume the chieftain's position!

Liu San and the other minor leaders all shouted in unison.

Lin Chong clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened; he gazed at Chao Gai's spirit tablet, then at the surging crowd before him, and finally let out a helpless long sigh, slowly dropping to one knee.

Lin Chong… I will faithfully follow the military advisor's arrangement. I am willing to serve Brother Gongming as chieftain.

He knew that if he persisted now, Beam Mountain would immediately face the danger of division.

For the sake of Chao Gai's cherished Beam Mountain foundation, he could only yield.

Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaowu, seeing this, also had to pull the still-unconvinced Ruan Xiaoqi, and together they bowed down.

Shi Dun followed the crowd in performing the salute, his eyes downcast, concealing the turmoil within.

He knew that the Iron Crow Army's plot had largely succeeded; Song Jiang, finally with its covert support, rightly took the chief seat of Beam Mountain.

Song Jiang, tears streaming down his face, after repeatedly refusing, finally agreed reluctantly.

He walked to the spirit tablet, lit incense and swore, his voice sorrowful yet resolute:

"Chao Gai's spirit above! Song Jiang today succeeds as chieftain, must faithfully fulfill his duties, unite the brothers, glorify Beam Mountain! If I violate this oath, heaven and man shall jointly punish!"

Once the ceremony was completed, Song Jiang became the new lord of Beam Mountain.

His first order after taking office was to give Chao Gai a lavish burial and have the stronghold mourn.

The second order was to reassert Beam Mountain's discipline and stabilize morale.

The third order, however, was to adjust some personnel, placing some of his close confidants in more important posts, while also not slighting Lin Chong, the Ruan brothers, and other former Chao Gai troops, still letting them command the infantry and cavalry to show impartiality.

However, an undercurrent had already begun to surge.

In public, Song Jiang never mentioned the two words "Northward Aspiration", using only "Acting on Heaven's Behalf" and "Loyalty and Righteousness Both Complete" as his banner.

Although the Lecture Hall was not abolished, its contents began to change subtly, placing greater emphasis on "Loyalty to the Sovereign and Love for the Country" and the possibility of awaiting amnesty.

Although Shi Dun's authority over finances had not been stripped, Song Jiang had already placed his trusted men into the financial system, nominally to assist but actually to supervise and check.

Beam Mountain had entered a new stage of superficial unity but actual internal division.

The "Amnesty" faction, centered on Song Jiang, Wu Yong (on the surface), and some original leaders and new adherents, had seized the initiative.

Meanwhile, the "Northward Aspiration" faction, represented by Lin Chong, the Ruan Three Heroes, Shi Dun, and others, had shifted to the defensive, accumulating strength while awaiting unknown variables.

……

A secret water bay apart from Beam Mountain's main base.

Several seemingly ordinary fishing boats were moored here.

Inside the cabin, candlelight was dim.

The ostensibly deceased Chao Gai, though his face was still somewhat pale, had already recovered most of his spirit.

He listened to Shi Dun's secret report of Beam Mountain's dramatic changes, remained silent for a long while, then slammed a fist against the ship's rail, his tiger eyes brimming with tears, yet he forced them back.

"Song Jiang…… indeed…… alas!"

He let out a long sigh, feeling anger, disappointment, and moreover a helplessness he had long anticipated.

"It's just that Lin Chong brothers and the Ruan brothers have to endure and make the best of a bad situation."

Chen Wen sat opposite him and calmly said:

"Brother Chao Gai, the Beam Mountain in the open has become the stage of the Iron Crow Army's script, but the hidden Northward Aspiration is where it truly begins."

"From today onward, you and I are no longer Chao Gai of Beam Mountain and the mysterious Mr. Chen, but the founders of the Northward Aspiration Army."

"Shi Dun will remain in the open as our eyes and ears; Lin Chong, the Ruan brothers, are all sparks."

"What we must do is establish a more covert channel to recruit true aspirants of Northward Aspiration, accumulate strength, and await the opportunity."

Chao Gai nodded heavily, his eyes rekindling with fighting spirit:

"Good! Chen… uh, Brother Wen Zhong, you're right! If Beam Mountain in the open ultimately leans toward amnesty compromise, then this hidden Northward Aspiration Army is where true hope lies."

Two large hands clasped tightly in the dim cabin.

Song Jiang accepted the crowd's homage in the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, feeling elated, unaware that beneath Beam Mountain's waters, a current truly loyal to the original aspiration of Northward Aspiration had already begun to gather and surge.