The Second Volume of Water Margin

  Chao Gai nodded and said: "It seems that Brother Diao will also return the day after tomorrow, let's discuss the enemy situation then."

  "No." Ximen Qing said with a serious expression: "The fact that Zeng Tou Shi dispatched troops to Fahua Temple this time actually has profound implications, didn't Wu Jun Shi think of it either?"

  Wu Yong's mind flashed like lightning as he mentally reviewed the layout of Zengtou City, Fahua Temple and Liangshan Stronghold. Suddenly enlightened, he exclaimed: "So that's it!"

  Tuo Tuo Tian Wang Chao Gai looked at Ximen Qing, then looked at Wu Yong, still couldn't figure out what Zeng Tou Shi's purpose was, and pretended to be angry: "Can you two not play dumb riddles, can't you just say it directly?"

  "Since Ximen Qing has spoken first, let him speak first then." Zhī Duō Xīng (Wu Yong) secretly observed Ximen Qing's expression and regretted that he had only thought of diverting the topic, thus missing the opportunity to show off his nickname "Zhī Duō Xīng".

  However, Wu Yong felt that no matter how good Ximen Qing was at fighting, he couldn't compare to his own intelligence. Although it was Ximen Qing who first mentioned the intention of occupying Fahua Temple in Zengtou City, he definitely wouldn't be able to explain all of Zengtou City's intentions. Later on, Wu Yong could just add one or two more points and save face.

  Ximen Qing saw Wu Yong yielding and looked at this clever star with a smile that was not quite a smile. He coughed: "I'm no match for Military Advisor Wu in this, it's originally his duty, but since he gave me the opportunity, I'll just make a fool of myself. If I say something wrong, don't be polite, Military Advisor, correct me."

  Although Ximen Qing thinks he is no match for Wu Yong, having watched many TV dramas and "Contend for Hegemony", he can still guess this small scheme of Zeng's.

  "We need to find a few objects to make it clearer for Brother Tianwang." Ximen Qing's eyes scanned the area and saw several cups on the nearby table. He picked up three of them and placed them in front of Zhuang: "Brother Tianwang, please take a look. These three cups represent Zengtou City, Fahua Temple, and our own village."

  Tuo Tuo Tian Wang Chuang Ge saw the three cups in a tripod formation and also had an epiphany, saying: "Younger brother's method is truly good, at a glance it can be clearly understood. I didn't think that Wu Jun Shi sometimes spoke vaguely for half a day without understanding what he meant."

  Wu Yong coughed softly beside him, unsure if it was a tickle in his throat or a pang of guilt that made the Heavenly King think he was being tedious.

  "It seems that Tiangong brother also understands the meaning of Zengtou city." Ximen Qing pointed to the cup representing Zengtou city and said: "Originally, our army and Zengtou city were at a stalemate, although we had a fierce battle, both sides suffered losses, and neither gained the upper hand."

  "If it weren't for Shi Wenguang shooting Tianwang Gege with a cold arrow, Zengtou City would have been flattened long ago!" Liu Tang, the red-haired ghost, also came over to take a look and said impatiently.

  "This matter is still somewhat suspicious, let's not discuss it for now." Ximen Qing's light sentence made Wu Yong, who was listening on the side, change color slightly, and he hastily fanned himself with a goose feather fan. However, in his heart, Wu Yong was shocked and confused, and he couldn't hear what Ximen Qing said next.

  "How did Ximen Qing know so many things! Even Chai Ge himself had nothing to say, where did he learn it from?" Wu Yong secretly took a deep breath, his hand gently waving the feather fan: "Calm down! Calm down! This Ximen Qing is just an outsider, coincidentally saved Chai Ge's life, even if this guy has the ability to predict the future, what does it matter? As long as Little Li Guanghua Rong doesn't speak out against him, who would believe it even if he spoke out?"

  Wu Yong was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn't notice what Ximen Qing had said at all. When he came to, he heard the leaders inside the tent burst out laughing one after another. The loudest voice among them belonged to Liu Tang, the Red-Haired Devil: "The little trick of Zeng Family Village has made Wise Hand Ximen see through it. I think we might as well add another military advisor."

  Not only that, Liu Tang gave Ximen Qing a thumbs up and asked Tuo Tuo Tian Wang Zhuo Ge with his head twisted: "Brother, do you still remember what I said back then? This wonderful hand Ximen is a god who has come down to the mortal world, specially to save your life. His medical skills are high, he's good at fighting, and he also understands strategy, where can such a talent be found?"

  "Brother, you have saved my life and in every way surpassed me. If you trust your elder brother, why not settle down at Liangshan, eat meat by the chunk and drink wine from a big bowl? Isn't that a good life?"

  "It's not that Brother is unwelcome, it's just that he has official duties to attend to and many trivial matters to deal with. A short stay is fine, but a long one won't do." Ximen Qing smiled and declined, saying: "If I get the chance, I'll go to Liangshan often to visit Brother and the other leaders."

  "Everyone has their own aspirations, since you have said so, I have nothing to say." Chao Gai sighed and said: "I only hope that one day you will be free to come to the mountain stronghold and drink a few cups with me."

  Ximen Qing nodded and looked at Wu Yong's stiff expression, asking: "Military strategist, just now I mentioned some guessed ideas about the Zengtou City plot, are there any deficiencies or omissions? Please correct and supplement them!"

  "Ah, this..." Zhī Duō Xīng Wú Yòng's heart skipped a beat. What did he just say? How to make up for it?

  The big account suddenly became quiet, and all eyes were focused on Wu Yong, making him somewhat unbearable. He could only lightly shake the goose feather fan and stiffen his scalp, saying: "This... if Zeng Tou Shi got Fahua Temple, the two places would be in a horn-like situation..."

  As soon as this was said, Liu Tang's face showed some surprise. Tuo Tuo Tian Wang coughed and said: "Military strategist, wasn't this just mentioned by Xi Men Xian in the first item?"

  While speaking, Chongtian Wang was also gesturing with his hand towards the three cups in front of him.

  "Hmm..." Wu Yong, the clever and resourceful one, suddenly realized he had misspoken. With these three cups laid out, even a dim-witted fighter like Liu Tang, who only knew how to shout and fight, would be able to figure it out.

  Wu Yong, the clever star, quickly found an excuse: "Of course I knew this one, which was just mentioned by Master Westgate. What I meant to say is that this one is correct, and the main purpose of Zeng's army marching out is right here."

  "This guy must have been daydreaming, didn't hear a thing!" Ximen Qing sneered to himself: "Just now deliberately threw out a trap, and sure enough this guy fell for it, got all tangled up in his own thoughts."

  "The military advisor is right! What about the other aspects I mentioned?" Ximen Qing smiled and listened with a flattering expression.

  "Damn it!" Wu Yong's small white face turned bright red with rage, feeling as if he had jumped into a pit dug by Ximen Qing.

  If what Wu Yong said does not match what Ximen Qing just said, then others will immediately know that they are being self-contradictory. Just now, they were still boldly giving Ximen Qing the first opinion with affirmation, but if this second opinion is wrong, should Wu Yong's nickname "Wisdom Star" be kept or discarded?

  The goose feather fan was grasped tightly again, and Wu Yong, the clever star, began to fan vigorously: "I don't know why, but I suddenly feel a bit hot. Do you guys feel hot?"

  Huang Ge and the other leaders looked at each other, this spring season although it's hot during the day, but now the sun has set, there are only some candles lit in the tent, how can it be hot?

  "General, you won't be... ill, will you?" Ximen Qing said with a smirk after watching the play for a while.

  "Are you ill?" Wu Yong's eyes lit up and he immediately took advantage of the situation: "Yes, I am ill!"

  Ximen Qing looked at Wu Yong's face and exclaimed: "I see that the Military Strategist not only has an illness, but it's also quite severe. Just look at how red his face is."

  "Yes, yes, I'm quite ill." Wu Yong, the clever star, wildly waved his feather fan: "You all chat, I'll take my leave first."

  "Shall we ask Dr. An to take your pulse?" Ximen Qing asked with a smile, adding another sentence.

  "It's nothing... I just caught a chill last night, going back to bed and sleeping under the quilt will be fine!"

  Wu Yong casually responded with a sentence, then cupped his hands and bid farewell to the leaders, before swiftly running out.

  "General, you're sick, slow down a bit." Ximen Qing anxiously lifted the curtain for Wu Yong: "Running so fast, what if you trip and fall, it's not worth it."

  Wu Yong, the clever and resourceful one, ran even faster, thinking to himself as he ran: "This Ximen Qing has won this round, but time is long, let's wait and see!"

  "This military advisor is also very strange, he was in good spirits during the day, how did he fall ill at night?" Red-haired ghost Liu Tang muttered to himself.

  Tuo Tuo Tian Wang Chuang Gai also noticed that something was not quite right, but he furrowed his brow and didn't say anything. He only said to Xi Men Qing: "If we encounter the enemy in a few days and Wu Jun Shi's body hasn't recovered, you'll have to take on the role of military advisor again and help me with strategy and command!"

  "Brother just made a few casual remarks, what actual skills does he have?" Ximen Qing pushed back: "Still need Wu Junshi to be good."

  "If you don't have the talent, then we're just illiterate bumpkins. Chong Gai shook his head, but his tone was very firm: "I say you can do it, and you can!"

  "Who can compare to the great Mo Shou Xi Men?!" Red-haired ghost Liu Tang exclaimed excitedly, gesturing with his hands and feet: "I think even adding up all the leaders in the mountain stronghold, they still can't match Mo Shou Xi Men!"

  Red-haired ghost Liu Tang's words came out, and he stared blankly at the side. Originally motionless, sick Yu Zai Sun Li changed his posture, intentionally or unintentionally turning his head away.

  This scene made Ximen Qing see clearly, and also understood that Sun Li was quite proud of himself. Originally in Dengzhou as a good soldier and horse commander, with high martial arts skills, if not for the face of his brother Sun Xin, together with Gu Dasao to rescue Xie Zhen and Xie Bao from prison, he would not have joined the outlaws at Mount Liangshan.

  Moreover, after Daibu Sun Li arrived at Mount Liang, he had no command of the troops and could only practice martial arts with his brothers when there was nothing to do, gradually becoming a role that did nothing.

  Ximen Qing remembered that when he first saw it, he felt a bit indignant for Sun Li. Obviously, among the leaders of the Ma Army, he could have ranked in the top few, but later he was arranged to be in the position of Di Sha by Song Jiang, that black fat three, just because he was not one of Song Jiang's direct subordinates.

  What's so special about Zhu Tonglei? He's just a small-time bandit leader, and yet he can be ranked among the Heavenly Guards. Even Xie Zhen and Xie Bao, those two hunters, can also be ranked at the end of the Heavenly Guards!

  "Fortunately, Brother was quick to act and got rid of those two useless goods, Cai Fu and Cai Qing. The heavenly calamity and earthly disaster won't be able to gather together." Ximen Qing thought: "I must think of a way to let Sun Li, this pragmatic faction, take power on Mount Liang!"