The Second Volume of Water Margin

  "Shall we have a contest between Second Brother and Squire Wen Gong? Who will win or lose?" Ximen Qing asked casually, his heart suddenly itching.

  Wu Song thought for a moment before responding, "That scoundrel Shi Wen Gong uses a halberd, he's good at cavalry battles. I don't have a suitable weapon and I'm more familiar with infantry combat. We've never clashed before, so I really don't know."

  It seems to prove this point, Wu Song said: "In many cases, it's not that the martial arts are high, and the victory is won. The battlefield is changing rapidly, even if the martial arts are the best in the world, a cold arrow will come over and die."

  Wu Song said after a few sentences, suddenly changed the subject: "This, anyway, hasn't been compared to... Haha, probably no chance."

  Others may not think so, but Ximen Qing always felt that something was off. Logically speaking, Wu Song should be a killer on the streets at most, and had never been to battlefields, how could he suddenly come up with this example?

  Also, the shield technique that Wu Song taught to Xiaotianqing seems to be a battlefield tactic, and in the Jianghu world, using a shield, especially one as large as this iron shield, is unheard of. In Ximen Qing's impression, he has only seen similar shields used by heavy infantry in some movies.

  However, Wu Song seemed to be intentionally hiding something, and Ximen Qing didn't dare ask more questions. He just asked on purpose: "Second brother, what kind of weapon is most handy for you?"

  "Ah, a sword." Wu Song replied: "I've practiced my swordsmanship the most, but unfortunately I've never come across any divine or extraordinary weapons to fully unleash its power."

  Indeed, Wu Song got a pair of snowflake-patterned iron armlets from Sun Erniang at the Crossroads Slope and had been using them ever since, killing people and cutting down generals with their sharp edges. From this we can see how much Wu Song loves his precious sword.

  But Sun Erniang still runs a black shop on the tenth slope of Mengzhou Road, which is far from here. Ximen Qing can only smile and say: "Since my brother likes it, I'll keep an eye out for the treasure knife at all times. If there's a chance, even if it costs a lot of money, I'll buy it for my brother to use!"

  A good sword matches a hero, this principle Ximen Qing still understands. Anyway, going to Tokyo will probably have to pass through Mengzhou Road, who knows, maybe Sun Erniang's place has a good sword, no matter what, Ximen Qing first draws a pie for Wu Song and then says.

  "Is that really true, brother?" Wu Song's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he was indeed tempted by this promise: "If I had a precious sword in hand, I could chop off the horse's leg, and that Shi Wen Gong would be nothing to worry about!"

  "Achoo! Achoo!" Shi Wengong rubbed his itchy nose, wondering why he felt a bit like he had a cold on such a warm spring day.

  "The teacher's body is not well, it's better to postpone the rehearsal for another day." The person speaking was Zeng's elder, also the father of the Five Tigers of the Zeng family: "Even if we're worried about the Liangshan bandits coming to borrow grain, there's no need to rush for the time being."

  This was originally a Jurchen person, who had always been engaged in ginseng trade, selling from the northernmost part of Jurchen to the Song Dynasty, often with dozens of times profit, so he accumulated a huge family business. Originally, no one knew his name, but after arriving at Zengtou City, he called himself Zeng Changzhe and changed the surname of his five sons to Zeng as well.

  "You don't know this. The Liangshan bandits rely on the 800-mile water fortress, and the government doesn't dare to send troops easily. Recently, they have been thriving, with thirty or forty leaders, tens of thousands of people, and four places disturbing borrowing grain." Shi Wengong frowned: "Since you spent a lot of money to invite me and Su Ding as teachers, I will definitely do my best to protect Zengtou City completely."

  "Ever since you drove away the officials from Zengtou City, merchants from far and near have come to seek refuge. Now there are already six or seven thousand people in Zengtou City. And isn't it all because they don't have to pay taxes? In that case, even if it's the Lingzhou government office, it won't be able to accommodate us."

  "Nowadays, each household has drawn out its strong and capable men, with several thousand people gathered outside Zengtou City, building five camps. The five young masters have divided the troops among themselves, with hundreds of men guarding each camp. If an enemy were to attack from one side, the other camps could provide support at any time. With me and Su Ding providing mobile support, it can be said that our defenses are as strong as gold and jade. How can we not train diligently?"

  "The teacher is right, I've learned a lesson." Zeng nodded in agreement and also highly approved of Shi Wenguang's arrangement. The two began to discuss the rehearsal schedule.

  "Report! There is a troop of about three to four thousand people, camping five miles south, unknown intentions!" Just then, an exploring horseman came to report.

  "What! Three or four thousand people!" Zeng Chang's face suddenly changed color, and he was at a loss for a moment, staring blankly at Shi Wenguang.

  Shi Wengong sneered twice, heavily slapping the table and causing dust to jump wildly: "Good timing! Practice is not as good as real combat, this opportunity must not be missed! Can you see the team flag? How many generals are there?"

  "In the team there is a large flag with the words 'Tuo Ta Tian Wang Chao Gai'. The scout horse replied: 'There are about ten generals! I dare not get too close!'"

  "Hurray! That's great! He is the leader of Liangshan! Shi Wengong was excited: "My halberd can drink fresh blood again!"

  "Someone's coming! Call the fifth young master!"

  The war drums are beating! Earth-shaking and heaven-stirring!

  Chao Gai picked up the big knife, turned his head to look at the three armies behind him, and felt a thousand flavors in his heart. He had been on Mount Liang for a long time, he didn't know how long it had been since he last came down from the mountain. Now, leading more than ten leaders and three thousand horses to attack Zengtou City, Chao Gai felt that his whole body was filled with energy again!

  Taking a deep breath of the dusty air, Song Jiang closed his eyes and savored the feeling of being on the battlefield. After a moment, he opened his eyes and shouted loudly: "All brothers follow me to see that Zhenzhou city, what ability do they have to stop the Liangshan troops!"

  Other generals followed suit, one by one urging on their war horses, and the entire troop began to move forward.

  In front of them was a village on the south side of Zengtou City, guarded by Zeng Kui, the fourth son. He led a group of cavalry out of the village, numbering around three to four hundred men.

  "You are the bandits of Liangshanbo! Grass thieves! What reason do you have to come and offend my Zengtou city for no reason!" Zeng Kui scolded loudly, pointing his steel spear at Chai Gai and others.

  "Who are you? Summon Shi Wengong to come out and see me!" Tuo Tuo Tian Wang saw that the newcomer was a young man with a slightly yellow complexion, and he didn't know which one of the Wu Hu of the Zeng family he was. But judging from his age, it shouldn't be Shi Wengong. He shouted loudly: "Unreasonably taking my horse, is there any justice in this?"

  "What's with the horse?" Zeng Kui sneered, "If you want to see Shi Wenguang, first ask this rifle in my hand!"

  "This scoundrel is extremely rude!" Tuo Tuo Tian Wang Chuai Ge was enraged, just about to ride his horse over to Zeng Kui, when someone beside him shouted: "Brother, as the leader of the mountain stronghold, how can you be so rash? Let me go take that little thief's head instead!"

  Hong Gai turned his head to look, but it was Huo Yan's fierce and swift horse rushing out, with a chain hammer in hand to fight Zeng Kui.

  Zeng Kui saw a cavalryman flying out from the opposite formation, with a general on top, his eyes red and swollen, holding a chain hammer, another strange door soldier, who was somewhat flustered, hastily shaking his hand steel gun: "Come, General, announce your name!"

  "Fire-eyed Hu Yan is here!" Deng Fei's horse didn't stop, and he charged forward while speaking. Zeng Kui had no choice but to grit his teeth and meet him head-on, dodging the chain hammer and dancing with his pointed steel spear, stabbing at any opening!

  "Good shot!" Deng Fei shouted strangely, pulling back the chain hammer in his hand and shooting out a steel gun bullet, and the two men fought together.

  In less than three to five rounds, Deng Fei's eyes were quick and his hands were swift. The iron chain in his hand wrapped around the tip of the steel gun, and the hammer head suddenly flew up, heading straight for Zeng Kui's face!

  Zeng Kui was shocked, hastily withdrew his gun, and only then discovered that Deng Fei's iron chain had wrapped around the muzzle of his rifle so tightly that he couldn't pull it back. If he were to take a hit, he feared his face would be covered in blood and his front teeth would be knocked out.

  In a state of emergency, Zeng Kui had no choice but to use an iron plank bridge on horseback, barely letting the copper hammer head pass by, and even abandoned the steel spear, hastily turning his horse to return to his own camp.

  Huoyan Xunyuan Deng Fei took advantage of the situation, and with a flick of his wrist, he discarded the steel gun and sent the hammer flying again, shooting straight at Zeng Kui's back!

  Zeng Kui was only concerned with escaping with his life and didn't know what happened afterwards!

  At this time, Shi Wengong appeared in the array. It was that night-illuminating jade lion horse, with a bow and arrow, taking aim closely, and an arrow shot out suddenly, hitting the top of the helmet and shifting its direction, allowing Zeng Kui to escape back to his own camp.

  That Night Jade Lion Horse made its debut, and all the heroes of Liangshan noticed it. Especially Wu Yong, also known as Wisdom Star, shouted loudly: "It's that precious horse! That's Shi Wengong!"

  "Follow me!" Totah shouted loudly, swinging his large knife in hand, the entire army moved out and pressed forward.

  Shi Wengong sneered and retreated back into the formation, just as a loud clang was heard, arrows rained down like rain, Huo Yanxuan Deng Fei charged to the front, dodging too late, his arm had already been hit by an arrow, he let out a loud roar and turned his horse around to leave.

  Huang Gai saw the situation and hastily ordered Yan Shun to rescue Deng Fei with Ou Peng. Just as they were about to launch a fierce attack, Zeng's troops had already retreated back to their camp under the cover of this brief success, only shooting arrows down at them.

  Tota Tianwang Chao Gai saw the arrow rain was very urgent, and he hastily ordered the three armies to stop pursuing, and when he went to call for battle again, Zeng Tou Shi shrunk back and did not come out, but only shot arrows non-stop.

  Shi Wen Gong poked his head out of the camp and shouted: "It's already late today, let's fight again tomorrow morning!"

  Wu Yong hastily ordered the archers to shoot, but they all missed. He sighed and said: "If only Hua Rong brothers were here, how could Shi Wengong not die!"

  Although Hua Jigu was bitten to death by the steel teeth, Shi Wengong couldn't help it. Seeing that the sky was getting darker and darker, Deng Fei was hit by another arrow, so he had no choice but to sound the retreat drum and wait for tomorrow's battle.

  The troops came with great enthusiasm, but returned in low spirits. The Heaven King of the Pagoda was depressed and discussed the next day's battle plan with Wu Yong, but they couldn't come up with a solution. Wu Yong used some words to comfort him.

  At this time, the troops passed by the edge of a willow forest, where it was misty and foggy. Xu Guan pointed to the willow forest with his big knife: "This place is a bit strange, be careful."

  Just as they were speaking, a cold arrow suddenly shot out from the willow forest and hit Chao Gai's face, knocking him off his horse. Ruan Xiaoxing and others rushed to rescue him. Du Qian and Song Wan led over 100 soldiers into the willow forest to search for the shooter, but how could they find anyone?