Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 381: One after another (two in one, 200 monthly tickets)

I only heard Lu Zhuocheng say: "One is the thumb cucumber, and the other is the phoenix peony you mentioned before."

"There's no need to say much about this Fengdan peony. As an oil peony, it has a high yield. The one I found has mature plants that have been planted for many years. The owner offered 600 guan per acre, for a total of twelve acres."

Zhao Zhen asked, "After five years of hard work, the tree is ready for harvest. If it produces 500 kilograms of seeds and one stone of oil per year, it is worth 120 strings of cash. It can be earned back in five years. Why is the owner willing to sell it? Isn't there some hidden danger?"

Lu Zhuocheng said, "What are you thinking? It's just that the son doesn't feel bad about selling his father's land. This guy has never liked farming since he was a child. He only likes cockfighting and dog racing. He knows everything about gambling and hangs out in the county casino every day. You let him work as a gambler so that he doesn't care about the land and house in the countryside."

"I met this man a few days ago when I was doing business with someone. He heard that I was a broker and asked me if I could sell his peony field. I thought you had bought the peony seeds, so I asked a few questions. It turned out that his parents were ordinary people, old and weak, and had no energy, so he brought him to the city to live out his retirement, and he wanted to sell all the fields and houses in the countryside."

"Everything else has been sold out, except for these twelve acres of peony fields. Several big households that can afford the price are deliberately lowering the price, so it has not been sold yet."

"Wouldn't it be better to hire someone to run the business?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"This man has been hanging around for more than ten years. Although he wins more than he loses, he treats people to food and drinks and makes friends every day, but he hasn't saved much money. I heard that he intends to run a gambling house, so he sold all his money."

Zhao Zhen said, "In that case, I want this peony. Brother, you hire someone to dig up all the peonies and send them to Bailiu Village. I will plant them in the fantasy world in three days. As for the twelve acres of land, you can sell it. However, this Fengdan peony can't be considered a different species, right?"

Lu Zhuocheng said, "Of course not. I found these thumb cucumbers when I went to see the peony field. One is bright green and the other is white green. They are called [Golden Boy and Jade Girl]. These cucumbers have been around for a long time and have stable properties. A handful of seeds only costs 20 strings of cash. Compared with ordinary cucumbers, the texture and taste of these thumb cucumbers are only slightly better, but they are smaller in size, so they are not as popular as ordinary cucumbers. Few people grow them. This farmer also grows them as fruit, so he planted some in the vegetable garden."

Zhao Zhen said: "Since we have it and it's not expensive, just buy some seeds and I'll plant them in the fantasy world as a novelty." After saying that, he looked at Lu Zhuocheng.

Lu Zhuocheng scratched his head and said with embarrassment: "Zhao Erlang, do you remember the lion cat I sold to you?"

Seeing Zhao Zhen nod, Lu Zhuocheng continued, "I found another lion cat. It's a male cat, so we can make a perfect pair."

Zhao Zhen asked, "20 strings of cash, a pound of salt?"

Lu Zhuocheng covered his face and opened his left hand: "50 strings of cash."

"Why, the price has increased?"

"The seller said that other people might not be able to use this cat, but you can breed it, so you want 50 strings of cash."

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but laugh when he heard this: "He didn't have these two cats all along, did he? He sold them separately on purpose."

Lu Zhuocheng nodded.

Zhao Zhen cursed, and then said: "I don't mind these thirty or fifty strings of cash. It's always unpleasant to be cheated. But he is right. I bought it for a good purpose. Lu Sanlang, you are sure, there won't be anything else behind it."

Lu Zhuocheng said: "How could that be possible? If it weren't for the fact that this cat is so popular, I wouldn't even bother to care about him."

Three days later, Zhao Zhen received the Fengdan peony, thumb cucumber seeds and a lion cat sent by Lu Zhuocheng in Bailiu Village. After the transaction was completed, Zhao Zhen took these things back to the fantasy world.

After returning, Zhao Zhen immediately arranged for people to plant the Fengdan peony, and also had someone find a vacant vegetable plot at the bottom of Baishi Valley to plant the thumb cucumbers.

Zhao Zhen held the lion cat in his arms and went to the backyard. As soon as he entered the house, he heard the lion cat screaming and struggling to escape from Zhao Zhen's arms.

Zhao Zhen hurriedly tried to comfort them. It was indeed the white fox Baishuang, the yellow-haired tiger Wula, and the black-haired tiger Wuna in the house who stood up to greet him when they saw Zhao Zhen coming in.

Cheng Wan'er saw it and asked, "Husband, have you found another lion cat?"

"This is a male, and it will be a perfect match for Yunxi." After saying this, Zhao Zhen also spent some luck points to enlighten this new lion cat.

"My dear, please give it a name and keep it with you from now on."

After hearing this, the cat started screaming again. After hearing this, the white fox and the two tigers turned around and left Zhao Zhen, each finding a shady place and lying down.

Cheng Wan'er said, "The one that Sister Baizhi raised is called Yunxi, and this one is called Yunle. How about taking the name to mean happiness and well-being?"

As he was speaking, Zhao Yuanli knocked on the door and came in, saying, "Sir, the military advisor Wu Xuejiu heard that you have returned and is waiting for you in the hall."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen handed the lion cat in his arms to Cheng Wan'er and said, "Madam, I'll go see what's going on."

In the hall, Wu Yong and Shi Qian were talking to two big men. When they saw Zhao Zhen coming in, Wu Yong stood up and said, "Sir, Brother Shi Qian has invited Qin Tongzhi and Huang Dujian."

Zhao Zhen said, "I have heard a lot about the bravery of the two generals, and today I finally get to meet you."

Everyone was silent, and Qin Ming said, "How dare a defeated general talk about courage? I am very lucky to be taken in and cared for by the great official."

Huang Xin said: "The failure of the commander was only because of the villain, and he fell into the evil scheme."

At that moment, Huang Xin recounted in detail how he and Qin Ming were defeated in the battle, and how the Grand Tutor later resented him and dismissed him from his post.

Everyone sighed.

world log
Name: Qin Ming (Hero, the fierce star of the sky.)
Nickname: Thunderbolt (impatient, voice like thunder)
Race: Terran

Reputation: 200 (Famous in Qingzhou)
Occupation: Officer

Level: Level 5 and Level 6 (Strength 65, Commander 55)

Attributes: Strength 52, Constitution 66, Agility 40, Spirit 25
Skills: Cavalry level 5 (horse combat, physique +5), Command level 4 (commanding soldiers, spirit +4), Fighting level 3 (competition and comparison of skills, physique +3).

Commander Skills: Roaring Level 6 (a loud shout, force +6), Fighting General Level 5 (fighting in front of the battle, morale +5 if winning, -5 if losing), Charge Level 4 (leading the troops, morale +4), Fearless Level 3 (not afraid of life and death, morale +3) Martial Arts: Mace (Transcendence, using a mace weapon, force +7, thirty-six-style split mace method.)
Equipment: Copper beacon mace (fourth level), phoenix-wing helmet, beast-swallowing shoulder chain mail (third level), golden lion treasure belt, green cloud root boots.

Mount: Red Horse (Level 2)
Name: Huang Xin (Hero, Brave Star of the Upper Earth)

Nickname: Zhen Sanshan
Race: Terran

Reputation: 100 (Qingzhou Military Commander.)
Occupation: Military commander

Level: Level 4 and Level 8 (Strength 55, Commander 43)

Attributes: Strength 46, Constitution 52, Agility 30, Spirit 30
Skills: Military Management Level 2 (commanding soldiers, fighting on the battlefield, Spirit +2), Cavalry Combat Level 3 (horse combat, Constitution +3), Fighting Level 2 (competing in martial arts, Constitution +2), Deception Level 1 (deceiving with words, throwing cups for signals, Spirit +1).

Commander skills: Charge level 3 (leading the troops, morale +4), Fighting general level 3 (fighting generals in front of the battle, morale +3 if winning, morale -3 if losing).
Martial Arts: Sword (Minor Achievement, Martial Power +5 when using sword weapons, Twenty-Strength Black Cloud Long Sword)

Equipment: Death Sword (Level 2, made of refined iron, features: Sharpness +2, Sturdiness +)

After taking a quick look at the two's attributes, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but ask about the current situation in Qingzhou.

Qin Ming said, "When we left, three reinforcements had already arrived at Qingzhou Prefecture. Dong Ping from Dongping Prefecture and Zhen Mao from Yanzhou Prefecture traveled together and arrived safely. Gao Feng, the prefect of Yizhou, fought a battle with Song Jiang's ambushed troops on the way, and I heard that he lost a man called [Dwarf Tiger] Wang Ying."

Wu Yong said: "Does the commander know the details?"

Qin Ming said, "I heard from a lieutenant in the army that although Gao Feng encountered an ambush and lost some soldiers, Gao Feng was good at Taoism. Song Jiang was caught off guard and was used to perform magic. He struck the beast-gathering plaque, attracting countless Yaksha ghosts and Rakshasa beasts, which rushed into the battle array head-on with the strong wind and evil fog. Song Jiang's army was frightened and in chaos. Gao Feng also led his 300 magic soldiers to charge, and Song Jiang's troops were in chaos. Taking advantage of the situation, Gao Feng led the army to charge, and the vanguard of thousands of soldiers met Wang Ying in the battle array. Together with the strength of Zhao Long, Qian Feihu, Sun Lin, and Li Fengming, four lieutenants, they surrounded and killed Wang Ying. When I left, Qingzhou Governor Murong was congratulating him."

Wu Yong heard this and said, "So this method is so powerful. We must be more cautious in the future."

Zhao Zhen said, "Scholar, I heard Master Gongsun say that this magic cannot be used lightly, unless it is used to subdue demons. If Gao Feng uses this magic to kill people, he will also lose his own life. In the battle, we still need to rely on the brothers Qin Ming and Huang Xin, who are brave warriors on the battlefield."

Wu Yong listened and said, "Your Excellency is right. I have never heard of that Taoist priest fighting on the battlefield. I have heard of Qin Tongzhi as a hero before, and I have visited him many times. It is fate that we can meet here now."

Zhao Zhen said: "That's right. Besides, Qin Tongzhi's cousin Yan Shude also works here, so we will be a family from now on."

As he spoke, Zhao Zhen sent someone to call Zhu Fu over. After greeting him, Zhao Zhen said, "Today, Qin Zhizhi and Huang Dujian have come to surrender. Please give us a banquet to celebrate."

Zhu Fu was about to go downstairs when he saw Ding An rushing in and saying, "Sir, this is a pigeon letter from Heihu Temple Town."

Zhao Zhen took the pigeon letter, read the wax seal, and then took out the pigeon letter. He saw that it was written on it that Wang Dingliu and Yu Baosi led a group of soldiers disguised as government troops, led by [Moyun Jinchi] Ou Peng, [Shen Suanzi] Jiang Jing, [Iron Flute Fairy] Ma Lin, and [Golden Eyed Biao] Shi En.

Zhao Zhen said to everyone with a smile.

Wu Yong said: "Today is a double blessing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Ji came in and said to Zhao Zhen, "Sir, there are three heroes outside the village. The first one is a foreigner, and the two young warriors behind him claim to have heard of your name and come to meet you."

After hearing this, everyone left the village to see him.

This foreigner was of medium height, with a pink complexion, deep eyes, a high nose, green eyes and yellow hair. He wore a bucket-shaped shallow-brimmed hat and a bright red robe.

Behind him were two young warriors with sturdy looks and strong build, each holding a leopard-tail wrought iron and steel-tipped Fang Tian Hua Ji in their hands, looking very majestic.

When they saw each other, the three of them fell to their knees. The foreign man said, "Sir, my name is Bai Wahan. I heard that you are recruiting talents here, so I came here with these two brothers. I hope you will take us in."

Zhao Zhen quickly helped the three people up and asked, "You are a foreigner, how do you know my name?"

Bai Wahan said: "My ancestors were originally from Yuanqu. They went to Europe for trade and lived in the Atlantic Ocean. Recently, because the king and China have good relations and business exchanges, my parents also went to China and lived in Guangnan Administration. Later, I was born. My father's name is Li Yanili. He is a famous craftsman in Western countries. There is a book "Turbine Machinery Sutra" passed down in my family. I have learned all the skills of my father. Because of my dexterity, the government found me and presented me to Emperor Daojun."

"I was born in Song, and my manners, language, and customs were no different from those of the people of Song. But Master Cai wanted to get benefits, and I failed to provide them. He thought I was disrespectful to him, so he found a reason to kill me. Fortunately, the government pardoned my death sentence and sent me back to Guangnan for supervision. Along the way, I was treated badly by the officials. When I passed Dayuling, the two brothers Chihuo and Wang killed the officials and took me to the mountains to be a military advisor."

"Unexpectedly, the government troops were chasing us closely and we could not stay. When I was in Tokyo, I also heard of your reputation, so I discussed with my brothers Huo and Wang, abandoned our mountain strongholds, and came here together. Although I am a military advisor, I know nothing about military tactics. I can only make some offensive weapons and the method of sinking snail boats in naval warfare. I will be at your service in the future."

"These two brothers also have their own names in the martial arts world. One is called [Sweeping Dragon] Huo Wancheng, and the other is [Sky-supporting Copper Pillar] Wang Liang. They are equally skilled in martial arts and have similar values. Due to oppression from the government, they have taken refuge in Dayu Mountain."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Wancheng and Wang Liang also told their stories.

Zhao Zhen invited the three people to the hall, and each of them drank three cups of wine. Then he introduced everyone to each other in the hall.

Hearing that Qin Ming and Huang Xin were also dismissed because of Grand Tutor Cai, the three of them sighed for a while, but their minds calmed down.

At night, Zhao Zhen held a banquet to entertain the nine newly arrived heroes Qin Ming, Huang Xin, Bai Wahan, Huo Wancheng, Wang Liang, Ou Peng, Jiang Jing, Ma Lin, and Shi En. Heroes from Baishigu, Nandaying, and Baozhu Temple also came to accompany him.

At the banquet, Huo Wancheng and Wang Liang met Lü Fang and Guo Sheng, and the four of them felt that they had met too late. They were all young warriors, and they all used painted halberds.

After three rounds of wine and five kinds of dishes, the four agreed to compete. Zhao Zhen was afraid that after drinking, he might not know how to control his strength and hurt someone, so he suggested to compete again tomorrow morning.

The four of them each responded, and that night, there was a lot of singing and dancing, and the party lasted until midnight, when everyone dispersed.

On the second day, everyone was not in a hurry to go to other places in Liangshan to watch, but came to the training ground to watch the four people compete in martial arts. Lu Fang invited Huo Wancheng to stay, and Wang Liang found Guo Sheng. When everyone watched, it was indeed two pairs of people fighting. But they saw:
The war drums sounded, four painted halberds were raised, eight arms were stretched out in all directions, and each fought for more than fifty rounds, but there was no winner.

Lin Chong, who was standing next to Zhao Zhen, reminded him, "Sir, the four of you are equally skilled in martial arts, but Huo Wancheng and Wang Liang's horses are slightly inferior, and they are about to lose."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen immediately ordered someone to strike the gong. Upon hearing the sound, the four men reined in their horses.

(End of this chapter)