Chapter Sixty-Three: The Treatment One Deserves

Throughout history, heroes loyal to their monarch and country have never been in short supply, nor have cunning traitors who play both sides. Song Jiang undoubtedly belongs to the latter. According to Zhao Kai’s plan, once Fang La rises in rebellion, Song Jiang is to lead his men at once to suppress Fang La, clearing his own name while also providing Zhao Kai with a preserved armed force—for everyone understands that power comes from the barrel of a gun.

Yet Zhao Kai is clearly the type who wants to have his cake and eat it too; on the surface, he must maintain the radiant image of a prince, so he offers Song Jiang only verbal support, with no real assistance whatsoever.

Meanwhile, after clashing with Fang La, Song Jiang discovered that Fang La and his followers are by no means easy prey; the two sides are now evenly matched, and if Fang La does revolt, it will be even harder to crush him. In such circumstances, how could Song Jiang possibly fulfill Zhao Kai’s commission?

In ancient times, noble families, wishing to preserve themselves, commonly avoided putting all their eggs in one basket.

Song Jiang may not be from a distinguished lineage, but he understands this principle well. Seeing that Zhao Kai grows ever more unreliable, he turns his gaze instead to the rising star, Zhao Yu.

Judging from Zhao Yu’s past actions, this young prince clearly delights in befriending heroes; Lu Zhishen and Wu Song are proof enough.

Feeling pleased with himself, Song Jiang, after conferring with Wu Yong, took the initiative to seek an audience, but neither of them could have anticipated Zhao Yu’s attitude.

Song Jiang’s expression was dark and inscrutable, his emotions not easily discerned, yet Wu Yong could sense his displeasure.

“Since Your Highness knows we are men of the Third Prince, I’ll speak plainly. We come to seek your aid. Fang La is on the verge of uprising; unless we strike swiftly and decisively, the consequences will be dire.”

Song Jiang, now realizing the gravity, nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Your Highness, we humbly beseech you to deploy troops to suppress the rebels of the Ming Cult.”

“You’ve come at just the right time. Soon, Lord Lu Zhongyu, the training commissioner of Yangzhou, will arrive. Tell him everything you know once more.”

“I won’t hide it from you two commanders—your loyalty and righteousness deeply impress me. But you must know, I am merely Heaven’s inspector, and have no authority to deploy troops or meddle in local affairs. Nonetheless, rest assured: if what you say is true, I will urge the Yangzhou authorities to cooperate fully in quelling the rebels.”

Zhao Yu’s words were watertight, yet Song Jiang and Wu Yong both had the same thought: “Can you be any more shameless? Aren’t you embarrassed to speak like this? After all you’ve done to the Yangzhou bureaucracy, now you claim you can’t interfere in local affairs? What about everything you did before?”

But Zhao Yu was not finished; suddenly, he slapped his forehead as though struck by inspiration, and continued: “Leaders, the righteous path is always arduous. You two should bring your brothers over to the side of light as soon as possible, join the imperial army, and thus create blessings for your descendants!”

Song Jiang and Wu Yong could only smile bitterly to themselves. What nonsense is this? The conversation was becoming more and more absurd. Clearly, their visit had been in vain.

Before the two could find an excuse to leave, a guard reported the arrival of Lord Du.

“Speak of the devil, and he appears. Please, invite Lord Du in!”

Zhao Yu found it timely, but Song Jiang and Wu Yong did not. They had come to see Zhao Yu behind Zhao Kai’s back; if Zhao Yu now urged them to join the imperial army, how would they explain themselves later?

“Oh? You’re unwilling?” Zhao Yu seemed to see right through them, feigning surprise.

Wu Song, seeing this, quickly stepped forward and whispered, “Your Highness, why not retain the two brothers under your command?”

Before Zhao Yu could reply, Du Zhongyu strode in.

“There are guests? I’ll take my leave for now.”

“You’ve come at just the right moment, Lord Du. There’s something I need you to handle.”

Zhao Yu interrupted Du Zhongyu, and took out a list of names and addresses.

“The local authorities pay lip service, and the people’s resentment grows stronger. We must act. Those listed here—have their assets confiscated and imprison them; close and dismantle all quarries.”

“And let me introduce two heroes: this is Song Jiang, ‘Timely Rain’, and this is Wu Yong, ‘The Wise Star’. Both are men of great principle, eager to serve the nation. My third brother holds them in the highest regard. For this operation, Lord Lu, take them with you, give them ample opportunity to distinguish themselves, and I shall jointly report their merits to the court with my brother.”

Du Zhongyu had initially resisted Zhao Yu’s orders, but after hearing his introduction of Song Jiang and Wu Yong, he immediately understood: these two were the true protagonists of the affair! The distinction between principal and secondary roles must not be confused, or he would risk offending two princes at once.

Thinking thus, he bowed deeply to Zhao Yu. “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will work closely with these two heroes to accomplish the task.”

Song Jiang and Wu Yong nearly snorted in anger. Zhao Yu, you sly fox, this is putting us on the spot! Never mind how to explain things to the Prince of Yun; you have us do all the dirty work while you claim the credit—what do you take us for?

Frustrated as they were, at that moment, neither could reject the proposal. After all, their wish was to serve the court, albeit by different means.

Wu Yong gave Song Jiang a light nudge, and Song Jiang, quick-witted, rose at once to salute Lu Zhongyu.

Du Zhongyu, unfamiliar with their background, hurriedly returned the gesture, protesting he dared not accept.

“It grows late. You all should proceed with the investigation promptly. When the matter is resolved, I shall host a banquet to celebrate your achievements.”

Zhao Yu smiled amiably, but was clearly ushering them out.

Looking at Zhao Yu’s harmless smile, Song Jiang felt an urge to rush forward and trample him, to vent his resentment.

Zhao Yu rose and escorted the three men to the entrance of the hall, then stopped, instructing Wu Song to see them off on his behalf.

He did not wish to make things difficult for Wu Song, but as the saying goes, “A loyal subject serves no two masters.” He believed that, after their earlier conversation, Wu Song would understand why he could not take Song Jiang and his men under his wing.

As Zhao Yu anticipated, Wu Song placed utmost importance on loyalty and righteousness. He had never known before that Song Jiang was in league with the Prince of Yun.

Wu Song was no fool; though serving either prince might seem in the service of the court, it likely involved royal intrigue. As a subject, he must hold firm to his position.

After escorting Song Jiang and his group outside, Wu Song politely bid them farewell and promptly turned back, giving them no chance to complain or sow discord.

Zhao Yu remained at the hall’s entrance. Seeing Wu Song return so quickly, he broke into a gratified smile.

Today was destined to be a restless day. Shortly after Song Jiang and his men departed, a guard reported that someone named Fugui was seeking an audience at the gate.

The surname Fu is rare, but not unheard of, and this Fugui was precisely the minor leader stationed in Yangzhou by Elder Jiang.

Since they both belonged to the Canal Gang, Fugui had always kept a low profile to avoid harm from the Southern Canal Gang. But now, having pledged allegiance to Zhao Yu, things were different. Outside Fugui’s Tongyuan Trading Company, the Falcon Banner had been officially raised...