Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 301 Song Gongming Drunk and Murdered

Seven or eight days had passed since Zheng Tianshou came to the county. On this day, Zhao Zhen was waiting in the stable. The chestnut horse that he had brought back earlier seemed to be about to give birth today. Huangfu Duan came over early in the morning to take care of it and informed Zhao Zhen.

Yesterday, the chestnut horse was restless, often raising its tail and looking back at its belly. This morning, it was leaking milk and its hind legs alternately stood on one leg, all of which indicated that the chestnut horse was about to give birth.

As the chestnut horse in the stable lay down, Huangfu Duan, who was sweating profusely, finally breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "Master, now is the time for it to give birth. I fed it a four-bearded carp at night. It seems to be doing well."

A quarter of an hour later, the first foal was born successfully. The chestnut stood up, the umbilical cord was cut, the chestnut turned around, lay down, and gently licked the foal, without any help. A quarter of an hour later, two more foals were born successfully, both of which were normal births with the front legs coming out first.

One male and two females, they stood up within a quarter of an hour after they were born and were able to feed themselves. They showed the first level right after they were born. Zhao Zhen smiled very happily.

As if he had anticipated that the mare's milk supply was insufficient, Huangfu Duan had three breastfeeding mares delivered yesterday. After the three foals had drunk their mother's milk, he tried to guide the three foals to drink the mare's milk from the three mares he brought.

Zhao Zhen watched with delight as the three foals ran back and forth between their wet nurse and their biological mother, battling wits and courage with Huangfu Duan's three apprentices. The two foals born earlier were red-haired, black-haired chestnut horses with long hair and black limbs, just like the mare.

The last stallion that came out was reddish-brown all over, except for its limbs which were bluish-purple. At first glance, it looked like iron. When Huangfu Duan saw it, he praised it highly. After Zhao Zhen asked about it, he learned that this horse was called the Iron-footed Red Spade Horse. In addition to running very fast, it was also much stronger than other horses.

As the two were talking, the red horse neighed and raised its tail. Zhao Zhen thought something had happened. Huangfu Duan consoled him, "Don't worry, sir. It's about to give birth to a placenta. You can give the placenta to the two tigers to share. After all, it's the flesh and blood of a third-level horse."

For the sake of this chestnut horse and the foal in its belly, the chestnut horse has eaten many spiritual foods recently. Now it gives birth to a third-level foal in one day.

After a while, the placenta was delivered smoothly, and Zhao Zhen asked Zhao Ji to take it away. Seeing that there was nothing to do in the stable, Zhao Zhen was planning to feed the yellow-haired tiger Wu La and the black-haired tiger Wu Na.

Wu Yong hurried into the stable with a bundle in his hand, and before Zhao Zhen could ask any questions, Wu Yong said, "Sir, the spies from Yuncheng County have reported back that Song Gongming has committed murder and is on the run."

Zhao Zhen was also surprised when he heard this. Fearing that he might disturb the red and chestnut horse, Zhao Zhen and Wu Yong walked out of the stable. Zhao Zhen said, "He is a bailiff in the county and has always been kind to others. How could he kill someone?"

Wu Yong sighed and said, "According to the spies, he was indeed drunk and killed because of a woman."

"what happened?"

"I heard that a while ago, Song Gongming helped a family who came from Tokyo to Yuncheng to seek refuge with their relatives. The husband of this family died of an epidemic, and although they were helped by Song Gongming, they had no means of making a living. So they asked someone to act as a matchmaker and gave their daughter to Song Gongming as a concubine."

"This girl is called Yan Poxi. She is young but not content. Song Gongming brought Zhang Wenyuan, a clerk from the rear office, to his house for a drink. Zhang Wenyuan has beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and red lips. He always likes to go to private houses and drift around. He has learned to be a romantic and handsome man. He also knows how to play bamboo and silk. Song Gongming is not very concerned about women, so he let the two of them have an affair. Everyone in the county knows about it, but he only keeps it secret from Song Jiang."

"But there is no such thing as a wall that is impenetrable. This matter was exposed by a hanger-on named Tang Niu'er. Song Gongming, who was such a hero, felt that he had lost face. He drank a lot of wine, argued and fought with alcohol, and accidentally killed Yan Poxi.

"Now he has escaped from Yuncheng County, and no one knows where he has gone. Sir, may we ask where Song Gongming is?"

After learning the reason, Zhao Zhen sighed and said, "It's a pity that such a good man has never been befriended. Brother, you are in charge of the county's intelligence, so give orders to see if we can find him. Invite him to hide here for three or two years, and when the court pardons him, he can return to Yuncheng County."

Wu Yong said: "What you said is right, sir. I will ask the spies to keep an eye on him. I wonder where he has gone now?"

"Isn't it said that he is the best with [Winged Tiger] Lei Heng and [Bearded Man] Zhu Tong? The scholar sent a letter and we can go and find out a little bit."

Wu Yong said, "I have the same idea. These two are the leaders of the thieves' arrest team, so they must have some information. But I'm afraid it's hard to explain in the letter, so why don't I go there?"

Zhao Zhen heard this and thought it made sense: "In that case, don't delay. Xuejiu, you and Shi Qian, take some skilled farmhands with you and go there tomorrow. If you can do it quickly, you can be back on the same day."

Wu Yong said, "Your Excellency is right. I will let Brother Shi Qian know right away. We will leave at 5 a.m. tomorrow and ride as fast as we can. We will be back the same day."

After that, Wu Yong took out three feather fans made of wild goose tail feathers from his bag and handed them to Zhao Zhen, saying, "My lord, these three feather fans are made of high-class wild goose tail feathers. They have always been kept in the workshop. Today, I am sending them to you together with thirty goose feather fans made of ordinary goose feathers."

"There are more than a hundred goose feather fans in the workshop. After making so many fans, the three craftsmen are now experts. I wonder if there is a market for these goose feather fans?"

Zhao Zhen picked it up and took a look at the World Log:

Goose Tail Feather Fan (One level, the first level is made of goose tail feathers as the surface, cool bamboo as the frame, split feather tubes like bamboo strips, tied into the shape of ancient coins, and covered with it.)
Effect 2: Cool, gentle air flow, coolness +.

Goose feather fan (white goose wing feathers as the surface, ordinary bamboo wood as the bone)

Goosetail feather fans are all in the shape of fairy peach, while ordinary goose feather fans come in the shapes of fairy peach, full moon, and golden melon.

Zhao Zhen picked it up and said, "Student, have some of these feather fans delivered to the grocery stores in each village, especially the stores along the Dulonggang official road. There are many customers coming and going there, and who knows if anyone will be interested in them. I will send these to the main world to sell and see how they go."

Wu Yong nodded: "I will arrange it later. Today I saw the red chestnut horse in the stable gave birth to three foals. Is the red chestnut horse okay now?"

Zhao Zhen said: "With Brother Huangfu Duan's care, this chestnut horse will always give birth to a foal without any danger."

After hearing this, Wu Yong nodded and said, "Sir, do you still remember the Shijie Village where the Ruan brothers lived?"

"Why does the scholar say that?"

Wu Yong said: "There is nothing going on in Liangshan County now, why not take this opportunity to occupy Shijie Village? I heard from Brother Ruan Xiaoer that there is also a magical fish named "Ni Li Zuan" in Shijie Lake. This lake is connected to Liangshan Lake, so it is convenient for travel."

"The Ruan brothers are familiar with the geography of the area, and the fishermen in the village also know them. They have suffered enough from corrupt officials, and no one will oppose their switching to Liangshan County."

Zhao Zhen nodded after hearing this. He said to Wu Yong, "Brother, go to Yuncheng County to inquire about Song Gongming first. I will inform the three Ruan brothers to go to Shijie Village by water this time. Use Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, and Ruan Xiaoqi to lead half of the boats of [Juzhoudu], [Haiqiudu], and [Huhudu], and bring [Zhongfengdu] to strengthen the momentum. It will take only three or two days."

"In this case, after we occupy Shijie Village, we need to have someone stationed there to guard it. What do you think, Scholar?"

Wu Yong said: "Brother Ruan Xiaowu is in the most suitable place, Haiqiudu, where there are the most water ghosts. If you go there, you can dive into the water to look for mud ghosts."

"In this case, all members of [Sea Eel Capital] will have to go. Unfortunately, although there are many heroes in the county, there are few who are good at fighting on the water. It would be better if we could have a deputy general."

It was decided that the expedition would begin three days later, and Wu Yong took his leave.

After sending Wu Yong away, Zhao Zhen had the placenta taken away, cut into two halves, and placed in a basin.

Zhao Zhen went to the mountain to call down two tigers and pushed two wooden basins towards them. Wula and Wuna were now more than four feet long, and in terms of weight alone, they were heavier than Wangcai and the other three Liangshan dogs. Except for the food given by Zhao Zhen, Cheng Wan'er and other wives and concubines, the two tigers, like the dogs, never ate the food handed to them by others.

After feeding the two tigers, Zhao Zhen sent someone to call Zheng Tianshou. After the two sat down, Zhao Zhen asked, "Brother, have you thought clearly about what to do?"

Zheng Tianshou heard this and said, "Sir, I have been to Liangshan these days and have looked around. I am not good at anything else but making jewelry. I am also good at spears and sticks. I want to learn from Brother Tang Long and become the manager of a jewelry shop. It would be best if I can find a position in the army."

Zhao Zhen said, "Since you have made up your mind, then do as you say. From now on, you will be in charge of the jewelry workshop. If you want to join the army, that's easy to do. There are two divisions of soldiers stationed in the village. The [Chongfeng Division] is led by [Sangmen Shen] Bao Xu and [Sai Mengben] Yan Shude."

"The Pu Dao soldiers are led by Brother [Shameless] Jiao Ting, who usually supervises the sumo team. Now that the sumo team has Brother Cao Tielin to help, the Pu Dao team also needs a brother to help. How about you become a deputy captain of the infantry? Xixi Village and Baishi Valley are not far apart, so it is convenient for you to take care of both places."

Zheng Tianshou was overjoyed when he heard Zhao Ji say that the great official Zhao Zhen was the most righteous and valued the heroes who came to surrender. He rarely refused requests. He was new here, but he was also valued. He thanked him repeatedly. He also promised to train a few more silversmith apprentices and to train the Pu Daobing carefully.

When it comes to making silverware, Zheng Tianshou is even more excited: "My Lord, I am not bragging, I have learned the craft of silvermaking since I was a child, and I am proficient in casting, forging, engraving, weaving, stacking, and inlaying. I can make bracelets, silver locks, necklaces and other jewelry, and I can also make plates, cups, basins, pots and other silverware of various styles."

Zhao Zhen suddenly asked, "Brother, nowadays jewelry workshops make more jewelry but less silverware. When you go, you can make more. They will be used for banquets in the future. Ask Zhao Yuanli to deliver the gold and silver you need."

After seeing Zheng Tianshou off, Zhao Zhen saw that it was already noon, so he turned around and went back to his residence on the mountain to have dinner with Cheng Wan'er and Hu Sanniang.

(End of this chapter)