Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 294: First Hearing of the Pig Dragon (two in one, 800 monthly tickets)

Not to mention that Wu Yong sent people everywhere to collect the wishes of the heroes, but only said that Zhao Zhen returned to Baishishan Valley and told Cheng Wan'er about this.

Cheng Wan'er was very happy to hear this: "My husband, when I was in Tokyo, I heard that the Tai'an Temple Fair was very lively. I must go and see it this time. I think Baizhi's three sisters must want to go too. Since they have to leave early tomorrow morning, I will send someone to call them back and pack up early today."

After saying that, without waiting for Zhao Zhen's reaction, he turned to Qingzhu and Danju and ordered: "You two go to Xixi Village and ask Baizhi, Cuilian, and Sanniang to come back quickly."

The two of them responded and went down the mountain to look for someone.

Zhao Zhen opened the log and checked Hua Rong's attributes.

Name: Hua Rong (Hero, the star of Heavenly Heroes.)
Nicknames: Little Li Guang (excellent archery, able to shoot an arrow through a target from a hundred paces away), Silver Spearman (a silver helmet and silver armor, holding a silver spear, intimidating Qingzhou)

Race: Terran

Reputation: 200 (Qingfeng Village Chief, famous in Qingzhou)
Occupation: Military attaché

Secondary occupation: Sharpshooter

Level: Level 5 and Level 5 (Strength 65, Commander 60)

Attributes: Strength 52, Constitution 55, Agility 62, Spirit 30
Skills: Archery level 6 (drawing the bow and arrow, strength +6), Commanding troops level 2 (commanding soldiers, spirit +2), Galloping Archery level 4 (horse combat, constitution +4).

Commander Skill: Fighting General Level 4 (Fighting Generals before the battle, if you win, your morale will increase by 5, if you lose, your morale will decrease by 5)

Martial arts: bow and arrow (transcendence, using bow and arrow weapon force +7, Li Guang shooting tiger archery), spear and stick (great achievement, using spear and stick weapon force +6, Eighteen Huachang spear.)
Equipment: Brilliant silver spear, thin bow with golden magpie pattern

Monthly salary: 20 dollars

After seeing Hua Rong's attributes, Zhao Zhen exclaimed that he had found a treasure. Liangshan County lacked crossbowmen the most. Crossbows were difficult to make, but bows were not in short supply. It was a pity that no one was good at this. Hua Rong was good at archery, and the soldiers he brought were also archers who were good at archery. In the future, he would select suitable personnel and train them. In addition to the bird guns and artillery, the army would also have archers.

In the evening, Wu Yong arrived at Baishi Manor with sweat all over his forehead: "Sir, the list of brothers who are willing to go to Tai'an Prefecture has been counted here. Please take a look at it." As he said this, he handed over the list.

When Zhao Zhen looked at it, he saw only about ten people on the list. Zhao Zhen asked, "Brothers, don't you want to join in the fun?"

Wu Yong said: "That's not the case. Right now the army is busy training soldiers and preparing equipment, so I declined. I want to go quickly, so I'll ask the third, fourth, and fifth cavalry to escort us. The rest of the army will not be mobilized."

"Jiao Ting, Hei Sijie and her sumo disciples, Lin Chong's family, Hu Cheng and his family who returned from the second salt transport, Bao Xu and his wife, Guanghui, Lu Zhishen, Tao Zongwang, Ruan Xiaoer and his family, Dong Laodao, Bai Zhang's family, and Jin Lao. Li Ying and Hua Rong from Jingyang Town and their families, and Luan Tingyu and his wife from Dulonggang."

Zhao Zhen said, "That's good. At this time next year, I will go and see the brothers who didn't go this year."

Not to mention that Zhao Zhen was busy preparing carriages and luggage at the farm, but just say that on the second day, Zhao Zhen and others set out from Baishi Valley, picked up Hua Rong's family on the way, and then passed through Dulonggang, where they picked up Hu Taigong and Hu Cheng.

The accompanying soldiers and farmhands all rode horses. There were about seven or eight hundred men and women in the group. They flew the flag of Liangshan County and headed towards Tai'an Prefecture.

On the way, Hua Rong approached Zhao Zhen and asked, "Sir, these five horses pulling the cart are so majestic. With horse armor on, they would be invincible on the battlefield. Isn't it a waste of talent to use them to pull the cart?"

Zhao Zhen sighed, "Brother, you don't know. Although these horses look strong, they are timid and easily frightened. They can only be used as pack horses. These five are already very well tamed. In addition to a pony, there are five mares and two stallions on the farm. The mares are all pregnant so we didn't bring them here. As for the two stallions, they will be frightened when surrounded by a large group of people and horses, so they can only be used in the mountains to haul wood and rocks."

Hua Rong said bluntly, "What a pity."

The group stayed overnight on the road. The next day, they lit a fire, had a meal, and packed up the camp. Zhao Zhen was about to mount his horse when he heard a commotion nearby. Zhao Zhen said to Zhao Ji, who was accompanying him, "Go and see what the commotion is about."

After a while, Zhao Ji stepped forward and replied, "Sir, Hua Zhizhai is scolding his sister. It seems that he doesn't allow her to ride a horse with him."

Zhao Zhen heard this and went to see Hua Rong scolding a tearful young lady. This young lady was Hua Rong's sister, Hua Baoyan. He had seen her the day before. She was from a military family and had a heroic look. Now she looked aggrieved and was still trying to figure out something. Hua Rong's wife Cui was also trying to persuade her.

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother, why are you angry?"

When Hua Rong saw Zhao Zhen coming, he said, "My little sister refused to ride in the carriage today, but insisted on riding a horse. I am scolding her for this."

Hua Baoyan said, "Brother, you are biased. The carriage is so cramped, and it makes people feel uncomfortable. Don't I ride a horse every day in Qingfeng Village? Why can't I ride a horse here? Look at the wife of the senior official. Not only can she ride a horse, she can also lead troops. I am just riding a horse to travel now, what's the big deal?"

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "I thought it was nothing, brother. If she wants to ride a horse, just let her go. My wife has learned martial arts since she was a child, and her horse skills are very good. That's why I have gathered many girls who are good at horse fighting to practice with her."

"Brother, you are new here, and you happened to meet us going to Tai'an Prefecture to burn incense, so you haven't recognized all the heroes in the county. As a result, you don't know that Luan Tingyu's wife [Flying Sword Fairy] Wu Sanniang is also the deputy commander of the cavalry, and Jiao Ting's wife [Black Fourth Sister] Zhang Fang is also a sumo coach in the village. My little sister comes from a military family. If you are really interested in the army, you can go to Hu Sanniang's cavalry to be a manager."

Before Hua Rong could speak, Hua Baoyan rushed to say, "Master, don't regret it. I'm just worried about embroidering at home, so I'll go to my wife..."

Hua Rong interrupted, "You have been fooling around at home, and you are not proficient in martial arts. Wouldn't it be asking for trouble if you join the army?"

Hua Baoyan said: "Although I am not as good as others in many aspects of martial arts, when it comes to archery, no one in my brother's army can match me."

Hua Rong saw that Hua Baoyan was in a bad mood today and could not persuade her. He also saw that the cavalry was ready and worried about delaying the trip, so he said helplessly, "You ride ahead and follow the cavalry of the master and his wife. Don't regret it later."

As soon as she finished speaking, Hua Baoyan cheered, mounted her horse, and ran to the front to find Hu Sanniang to explain the situation.

Hua Rong turned to Zhao Zhen and said, "Please forgive me, sir. I spoiled her. I will discipline her strictly in the future." Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Brother, my sister is of a genuine nature. You are a military commander. If you choose a husband for her in the future, he will probably be a general in the army. Her nature is good."

Zhao Zhen said something to persuade him, then mounted his horse and set off.

There was no conversation on the way, and when the time came for the sign to be issued, they arrived outside the city of Tai'an. Someone in the city had already known about such a large group of people.

Seven or eight knights rode up to hear the news, Wu Yong stepped forward to respond, and these people rode away after hearing it. After a while, another official from the prefecture came over and met Zhao Zhen, saying: "Sir, the prefecture heard that you are coming and has prepared a camp. I have sent a small official to come and ask you to move forward and set up camp. I will invite you to a banquet tonight."

Zhao Zhen said, "I heard that Tai'an Prefecture was bustling, so I came with my family to see it. I didn't expect to alarm the prefect. I will definitely visit at night."

Zhao Zhen and others were settled down with the official. After all, it was not easy to settle such a large group of people, and now Tai'an Prefecture was crowded with people, and there was no room for them in the inns and restaurants.

At night, Zhao Zhen took Jiao Ting, Bao Xu, Yu Baosi, Yan Shude, and ten rolls of cotton cloth to the prefect's banquet. During the banquet, He Taishou also found out Zhao Zhen's background. He was the magistrate of Liangshan County in Jimi County, and the son-in-law of Cheng Wanli in Dongping Prefecture. He was a descendant of Tong Taiwei, and his family was a descendant of Cai Taishi, so there was some affinity between them.

This made the atmosphere even more lively. Hearing that Zhao Zhen and others were also here to watch sumo wrestling, He Taishou said, "Since County Magistrate Zhao wants to watch sumo, come with me to the high platform to watch it the day after tomorrow. This year I have offered a fully saddled horse as a prize, and many wealthy families in this state have also offered many gold and silver utensils, brocade and satin. Why don't you offer some prizes to add to the excitement, County Magistrate Zhao?"

Zhao Zhen said, "We came in a hurry and didn't make any special preparations. I will follow your example and get a good horse with a complete saddle." Then he asked Jiao Ting, Bao Xu and the other three to come forward and present ten pieces of water cotton cloth: "He Taishou, this is the water cotton cloth I found from somewhere else. It is very cool to wear. I give it to you to cool off in the summer. I want to thank you for your hospitality and accommodation of your soldiers. On your birthday the day after tomorrow, I hope you can let us stay in one place and watch the fight on the stage."

Pointing at Jiao Ting, he said to Governor He, "My brother has inherited the sumo skills from his family and has never lost. I heard that Ren Yuan, who was unbeaten in sumo last year, has announced that he will challenge all the heroes in the world this year. We are here to watch the heroes in the world wrestle, and my brother also wants to try his skills. I am a poor man and I am in need of heroes with martial arts. I will take this opportunity at the temple fair to see if I can recruit one or two."

He Taishou looked at the water cotton cloth in front of him, touched it with his hand, and then looked at the four people below and said, "It is indeed cool. County Magistrate Zhao took great care. The men under County Magistrate Zhao have good figures. If they are like this, there is still a chance of fighting." As he said that, he pointed to Yu Baosi who was standing at the edge. "This Ren Yuan also has this figure."

"Although this warrior is strong, I'm afraid he is no match for Optimus Prime. County Magistrate Zhao wants to recruit warriors to join the army, but I'm afraid Ren Yuan will not agree. He has earned a lot of money now, and he has at least 200 to 300 apprentices. There are also many men who learn boxing from him and respect him as their master."

Zhao Zhen said, "That's fine. If we can recruit a few brave warriors, it will be worth our trip. Besides, it's just a matter of convenience. As the saying goes, 'Sumo wrestlers use their strength, not their wits.' If we don't try, how can we know? Besides, I heard that Ren Yuan boasted, 'There is no rival in the world of sumo wrestling, and I am the best in the world of wrestling.' We must destroy his prestige, and don't say that Shandong has no one."

That night, Zhao Zhen drank with Prefect He until midnight, and then returned to the camp to rest.

On the second day, Zhao Zhen and his companions dispersed into groups of seven or eight and wandered around the city together.

The city was now very lively, with people coming and going to burn incense. Zhao Zhen took Cheng Wan'er and the other three, escorted by Bao Xu and Zhao Ji, to look around. After walking around for half a day, Cheng Wan'er suggested that they go to the Daiyue Temple to burn incense together.

Several people went up the mountain path, and it was indeed magnificent. On the top of the mountain, you can see the Weak Water and Penglai; on the top of the mountain, you can see the dense clouds and mist. The towering buildings are like a golden crow flying over; the pavilions are like a jade rabbit flying over. Carved beams and painted buildings, green tiles and red eaves.

After a while of sightseeing, everyone left the temple and went to wander around elsewhere. When they met Liangshan soldiers along the way, they just nodded and continued to wander around.

Tired of walking, Zhao Zhen and his companions went to a restaurant to rest. As there were so many people, the private rooms upstairs had already been occupied, so Zhao Zhen and his companions could only take a seat in the lobby.

The hall was mostly filled with strong men who came there to burn incense and use sticks. When Zhao Zhen and his group barged in, everyone thought they were young masters from some noble family. They were followed by three small dogs, and two young ladies were holding an unusual fat cat and a white fox in their arms. Although the female relatives were all pretty, no one made a fuss and just drank and boasted.

Two pots of tea and a few plates of snacks were served, and Zhao Zhen and his companions took a short break.

While drinking tea, Zhao Ji came forward and whispered something to Zhao Zhen. Zhao Zhen listened and looked back, and saw seven or eight men dressed as fishermen. All of them were burly and big, with sad looks on their faces, drinking there in a depressed mood.

I saw a man who drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp and sighed, "Liu Dalang, now we have been commissioned to capture this water pig dragon. Dalang, do you have any ideas?"

The man at the head of the table slammed his wine bowl on the table and said, "This pig dragon has been stirring up trouble for a long time, attacking merchant ships, and eating many people and animals on the shore. Now it has breached the embankment, and the county can't deal with it, so we report it to the prefecture. We fishermen have ten days to capture it and hand it over to the officials. This beast is cunning, and I'm afraid it will take some effort. We are no match for it in the water, so we must think of a way to fish it out of the water before we can succeed."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen motioned to Zhao Ji to come forward and talk.

After hearing this, Zhao Ji went to the counter and asked for a jar of wine, and asked the waiter to deliver it to the fishermen's tables.

Liu Dalang said, "Little Second Brother, we only wanted a jar of wine, but this one is not for us."

The waiter pointed at Zhao Zhen's table and said, "Sir, this is what the master asked you to wait for. He has already paid for it."

After hearing this, Liu Dalang poured a bowl of wine, and several people came forward and said, "Sir, we are a few fishermen. I wonder why you are inviting us to drink?"

Zhao Zhen said, "I didn't know you were going to fish for the pig dragon, so I wanted to ask you where the pig dragon is. I have never seen one before, so I want to go see it for myself."

Liu Dalang said, "I thought it was something. This pig dragon has been in Mengxiong River in the southern part of Zhangqiu County for two or three years. The news has spread all over the county. It will only take three to five days. Prepare the bait, iron rope, and iron hook, and go to the river to try it out."

After finding out everything, Zhao Zhen and the others exchanged money and left the restaurant.

Liu Dalang and the others wondered which noble young man was bored and asked around, but when they saw Zhao Zhen had left, they stopped worrying and sat back at the table, drinking and thinking about how to catch the pig dragon.

On the way, Bao Xu asked, "Sir, are we going to Zhangqiu County?"

Zhao Zhen said, "According to what these fishermen said, it will take three to five days to prepare. It's just in time to go there after watching the sumo wrestling at the temple fair tomorrow. According to what these people said, this pig dragon should be the first one to enter the ranks. If we can get its skin and flesh, we can make a good feast."

Bao Xu heard this and said, "I have never seen one before. Only Brother Ruan Xiaoer knows the water well here. I don't know if he can catch it."

Zhao Zhen said, "I see that Liu Dalang is worried, but he speaks confidently, so he must have some plans. We will go and take a look. If we can get rid of him, we will help him and pay some money to buy this thing. If this beast is cunning and does not take the bait, we will turn around and return home, and will not stay there for long."

(End of this chapter)