Chapter 19: Lu Junyi—What Are You Looking At?

“Master, bring the wine quickly!”

After a long journey, weary and parched, Cai Fu and his companions spotted a village shop by the roadside and stepped in for a bite.

“What do you have to eat with the wine?” Cai Fu inquired.

The shopkeeper replied, “Only cooked beef.”

Cai Fu glanced at Lu Junyi and then at Cai Qing—both hearty men.

“Very well, slice five or six jin to go with the wine!” he ordered.

Having given his instructions, Cai Fu looked toward Yan Qing, who was already making himself at home, sizing up the shop. At times he wiped the tables, helped carry the wine jars, or fetched garlic from the kitchen.

Handsome and quick-witted, Yan Qing charmed the shopkeeper without annoyance, gaining a thorough understanding of the place.

Even the shopkeeper thought this youth was clever; if only he had such an assistant, life would be much easier.

After checking everything, Yan Qing returned and gave a subtle signal. Cai Fu knew it was safe to feast on wine and meat.

Having Yan Qing by his side was truly delightful, though Lu Junyi had already claimed his loyalty.

Soon, the wine and food arrived.

“Clang!”

Cai Fu, Cai Qing, Lu Junyi, and Yan Qing raised their bowls, clinking them together, shouting, “Long live!”

After a few bowls, Lu Junyi couldn’t help but curse Song Jiang.

“Brother, that little dark chubby fellow is truly a scoundrel!

“I don’t understand how he managed to rally so many heroes; everyone seems utterly loyal to him!”

Once, Cai Fu had casually nicknamed Song Jiang “little dark chubby fellow,” a description everyone found fitting.

Thus, the nickname stuck.

“It’s true he gathered many heroes, but whether they all obey him wholeheartedly is another matter.”

Cai Fu, well-versed in the Water Margin, analyzed the situation for Lu Junyi since no other customers were around.

“I often hear tales about the gathering at Liangshan.

“In truth, that great mountain is divided into several factions.

“You stayed at Liangshan over four months—from April until August, right?

“You must know that the original chief was ‘Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King’ Chao Gai, who died before Song Jiang took over?”

Lu Junyi: “Yes, I know.”

“The saying goes: ‘New emperor, new ministers.’ Once Song Jiang rose, he naturally suppressed and divided Chao Gai’s faction.”

Using a wine bowl to represent Liangshan, Cai Fu placed a teacup beside it to symbolize Chao Gai’s faction.

“Chao Gai’s group included ‘Resourceful Star’ Wu Yong, ‘Panther Head’ Lin Chong, and the three Ruan brothers.

“Brother, I’ve never been to Liangshan myself, so I only know the more famous heroes.

“You’ve been there—did you observe their circumstances?”

This question put Lu Junyi in an awkward position.

His face flushed. Despite living at Liangshan for over four months and sharing feasts with the heroes, he hadn’t really paid attention to these matters—his mind was mostly on muscle and strength.

Still, having stayed there, he knew a little.

“Wu Yong has indeed been won over by Song Jiang.

“As for my second junior brother, well...

“He acts as if he doesn’t even recognize me, so it’s better not to mention him!”

“How can you not mention him?” Cai Fu’s eyes brightened. “The more Lin Chong acts like he doesn’t know you, the more it shows there’s a problem!”

Lu Junyi was startled. “What problem?”

“He’s in a difficult position now,” Cai Fu smiled meaningfully.

“Lin Chong once fought to support Chao Gai, even eliminating the former chief Wang Lun.

“So he carries Chao Gai’s mark more deeply than those who staged the ‘Clever Seizure of the Birthday Gifts.’

“Moreover, Song Jiang’s inner circle includes strong fighters like Qin Ming and Hua Rong, plus fierce generals such as Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Yang Zhi, and Hu Yanzhuo.

“Lin Chong’s strategic importance has long diminished.

“His coldness toward you is actually a form of protection—for both of you.

“If Lin Chong were overly warm, you’d have reason to be wary.”

Lu Junyi was puzzled. “Wary of what?”

Cai Fu raised his bowl with a faint smile. “Wary that he might sell you out to the little dark chubby fellow for his own benefit!”

“Gasp!”

Lu Junyi involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.

“So that’s the truth.”

Cai Fu drained his bowl, then placed another teacup beside the wine bowl.

“Besides Chao Gai’s faction, there’s the Three Mountains faction.

“Earlier this year, the ‘Three Mountains Gathering to Attack Qingzhou’ made quite a stir.

“Er Long Mountain, Peach Blossom Mountain, and White Tiger Mountain joined Liangshan because of it.

“They were incorporated, but just recently, so Song Jiang hasn’t fully absorbed them.”

Lu Junyi nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, I know. There’s a ‘Flower Monk’ Lu Zhishen and a ‘Pilgrim’ Wu Song!

“Sometimes, even the little dark chubby fellow has to rely on them.”

“That’s right.”

Cai Fu knew everything but couldn’t let it be obvious, so he spoke with measured restraint.

He placed yet another teacup beside the wine bowl.

“Besides those, there’s one more faction...”

Before he could finish, a tall, broad, dark, and stout man pushed through the door.

Even before entering, his loud voice was heard:

“A fine horse! Truly a fine horse!”

Cai Fu frowned. The only fine horse tied to the tree outside was Lu Junyi’s Qilin steed.

What was this man up to?

The man entered and called to the shopkeeper, “Bring the wine and meat quickly; I’ve got a long journey ahead after eating.”

He then sat at the table next to Cai Fu, his gaze flickering between Cai Fu and Lu Junyi.

Lu Junyi frowned. “What’s that fellow staring at me for?”

The man had come in praising his horse and then stared at him, which Lu Junyi found offensive.

He wasn’t without pride—known as the invincible ‘Jade Qilin of Hebei’—before Song Jiang and Wu Yong’s schemes, he had even arrogantly claimed he could take on all of Liangshan alone!

The man sneered, “I wonder what you’ll do about it?”

“Smack!”

Lu Junyi’s anger flared; he slammed the table and stood up.

If he couldn’t handle Song Jiang, could he not handle this man?

“Wait, master!” Yan Qing quickly restrained Lu Junyi.

With Lu Junyi’s old wounds still healing, Yan Qing wouldn’t allow a fight.

He even found a reasonable excuse: “We’re all heroes of the jianghu; let me size him up first.”

Lu Junyi was reluctant, of course.

Had he listened, he wouldn’t have ended up locked in the Daming Prefecture prison.

But Cai Fu held him back.

“Brother, let this minor matter be handled by the young one. Let us continue our drinking.”

At this moment, Cai Fu had already guessed the newcomer’s identity and chose to play along.

He had long been curious to see whether Yan Qing or this man had the better wrestling skills.

Yan Qing cheerfully stepped forward and clasped the man’s hand.

“Hero, fate brings us together; no need to be strangers...”