Chapter 4: The End of Shao Hua Shan's Official Career

  Yang Chun's blade flashed down in an instant, a dazzling light flashing by. Chen Da suddenly jumped up, twisted his sore wrist, and shouted at Shi Jin: "You bird, look at me tying you up too." After that, he beckoned two men to come over and tie Shi Jin up like a rice dumpling.

  Yang Chun put away the Bixue Baishan knife and said: "Second brother, stop fooling around, bring a horse over to him!"

  "Then our brother died for nothing!"

  Shi Jin heard this and was also furious: "My villagers died for nothing! You're a heavenly butcher, a thieving scoundrel!"

  Chen Da was even more enraged upon hearing this, and he snatched the whip from the groom's hand, lashing out at Shi Sheng. Yang Chun quickly intervened, standing in front of Shi Sheng, a streak of blood clearly visible on his arm.

  Chen Da had not expected this, seeing his third brother injured, he felt a pang in his heart and bitterly said: "Third brother, why is it like this? I wouldn't have killed him, couldn't I just beat him twice?" Seeing Yang Chun still hadn't retreated, he snorted in anger and threw down the horse whip.

  Yang Chun also didn't care, came up and held onto the second brother's arm saying: "Brother, it's not that I don't want to help you vent your anger, but you've forgotten what big brother said."

  Chen Dahsin was shocked, oh no, almost made a big mistake. After speaking, the anger on his face dissipated, and he quickly sent someone to bring over a horse.

  Shi Jin took a look and didn't believe it, gazing into the distance, saying: "If you want to kill or rob me, blinking is not enough for a good man, why take me somewhere else?"

  Chen Dahsin thought this guy was a dead bone, so he didn't bother with him either. He grabbed him around the waist and threw him sideways onto the horse. Yang Chun ordered someone to stay behind and take care of the aftermath of the battle, while the rest gathered their troops and returned to the mountain.

  Shi Jin scolded all the way until he was thrown into the grand hall of Shao Huashan, still cursing non-stop.

  Chen Da Xin said, "You let me yield three points, yet you don't know how to show gratitude. You pulled off your headscarf and wanted to stuff it into his mouth." At this time, a person quickly walked out from the back hall, who was none other than Zhu Wu, the divine strategist of the Shen Ji Army.

  Zhu Wu hastily stopped Chen Da, took three steps forward in two strides, and said: "Second brother, you must not be rude!" After speaking, he turned to face Shi Jin, with a face full of shame, saying: "Good fellow, I've wronged you." He then quickly untied the ropes himself. Before Shi Jin could say anything, Zhu Wu bowed his head and apologized. Yang Chun also followed suit and bowed down in the hall, leaving only Chen Da standing awkwardly by himself.

  Shi Jin looked at him, his heart was confused and didn't know what to feel, his mouth softened, and he quickly supported Zhu Wu and Yang Chun, unable to speak for a while.

  Zhu Wu estimated that things were likely to succeed, so he became even more respectful and said: "Today I offended a good man, truly deserving of death. However, we are forced into this situation, now there is bitterness that cannot be spoken..." Zhu Wu's expression turned painful as he spoke, intentionally leaving the rest unspoken.

  "We three brothers were originally butchers in Huayin County, working from dawn till dusk every day. After several years, our business had grown quite large and we had accumulated a considerable amount of capital. However, this attracted the envy of the county magistrate. My second brother, Chen Dasheng, was hot-headed and had offended the magistrate's minor official. Later... Alas, it's better not to speak of it."

  "But he was outwitted by that bird!" Shi Jin was extremely indignant.

  "How could it be otherwise? Not only did he get my second brother imprisoned, but also wants to secretly seize our property. He's making things difficult for us in every way, forcing us to a dead end, and yet there's no one to appeal to. How can we brothers endure such humiliation?" Yang Chun finished speaking, then Zhu Wu took over: "That's why my two brothers sold our family property, gathered our servants and apprentices, and raided the prison."

  Chen Da also remembered the past and said, "So two brothers saved me and we came to Mount Shouhua together, with no other choice but to become outlaws..." As he spoke, his heart felt bitter and he couldn't help but lower his head.

  Zhu Wu patted He Da's shoulder and paused before saying to Shi Jin, "The county magistrate is afraid that we will accumulate strength and retaliate against him. The scouts reported the other day that Huayin County has invited government troops, and soon they will come to make things difficult for us brothers. And your respected father, Shi Taigong, is also a local official, so at that time, I'm afraid Shi Hero won't be able to..."

  Shi Jin's eyebrows furrowed, and he blurted out: "Isn't that aiding tyranny?! But with Father implicated, it's hard to extricate ourselves. Alas, how can one not be in a difficult situation!"

  "It's exactly what I said. So, my brothers and I would like to ask Shì Yīngxióng to go back this time and persuade Old Lady Gāo to take a few days off due to illness. If it can be done, lend us some money and grain, we will be eternally grateful." After finishing speaking, the three brothers knelt down on the ground with a thud.

  Shi Jin was uneasy and hastily helped him up. He was in a dilemma, with no good options on either side. Unconsciously, he let out a deep sigh and said: "Brothers, it's not that I, Shi Jin, don't want to help. If it were the past, my father would have probably been willing to make concessions. But after today, even if Father is willing, those villagers won't let us off."

  Zhu Wudao said, "I understand what the Shi brothers mean. Don't worry about this. We've long heard that Shi Jin is a hero and a good man. I wanted to explain everything clearly with you, but unfortunately, we never had the chance to meet. Sending letters would also risk leaving evidence that could frame you for collaborating with bandits. That's why we had to resort to this charade today."

  Shi Jin listened to his thoughts, which were quite thorough, and he was both believing and doubting in his heart. Since things had come to this point, he couldn't help but speak clearly, so he said coldly: "Is it just a performance of 'killing people and setting fires'? When I was three years old, you would deceive me with such words. Then how can I explain killing the villagers?"

  Chen Da endured it all the way, but now he couldn't help but vent his anger: "You and I have both been hurt by those villagers. The blood on our blades is just that of chickens and dogs. We scared them to lure you out. We only burned a few thatched huts and took some money and grain from each household, which we left in front of the opera stage. If we hadn't done so, the authorities would have become suspicious. I took one look and fled, leading you here. But I didn't expect you to be so ruthless, and now my brothers are...". At this point, his heart was filled with unbearable grief, and the tragic scenes flashed before his eyes, causing him to grit his teeth and choke back a sob.

  Shi Jin listened and thought carefully, only to suddenly realize that the three brothers had considered his family's situation thoroughly, while he... Thinking of this, he felt extremely regretful and ashamed, with no way to show his face.

  "Now that it's come to this, I'm truly guilty of a grave offense. If I return, I'll definitely convey the grievances of all my brothers to him. Given my father's straightforward character, he will surely make things right with you. However, today's misunderstanding is truly embarrassing. Shi Jin offers his apologies to all his elder brothers."

  The three good men on the hall hurried to hold him up. Another round of pouring out their hearts. Afterwards, they prepared a banquet and the four heroes took their seats, drinking wine and chatting freely, another round of heartfelt conversation.

  After a hearty and refreshing drink, it was already the time when the moon was slanting to the west. Shi Jin looked at the moonlight sprinkled all over the courtyard and only then remembered that he should report his safety back home. After finishing the last cup of wine, he had an intention to leave. The three masters of the house were not convenient to detain him, after a farewell with reluctance, Shi Jin mounted his horse and took a small path towards Shi Family Village.

  Qing's back merged into the vast night, and could no longer be seen. Yang Chun pulled at Zhu Wu's sleeve and whispered: "Brother, do you think he would really help us so easily? Giving us convenience is giving trouble to the government. How can the government let him off?"

  Chen Da looked at Yang Chun with a profound meaning and said: "He will not only give us convenience but also come to assist in the battle."

  Yang Chun turned to Second Brother and asked: "Brother, how can you be so sure?"

  Chen Da shouted in the direction Shi Jin was rushing towards: "Even if he doesn't want to, the government will make him willing!"

  Zhu Wu smiled and looked at Chen Da's shiny black eyes, saying: "It seems you understand... but there is still one move you didn't expect." Zhu Wu paused and said seriously: "Reorganize the troops, we will set out to Shi Jia Village tonight after midnight!"