Chapter 46: Dan Tinggui: Brother, Please Be More Mindful!

“Blah, blah, blah…”
Dan Tinggui summarized the key points:
“We investigated the intelligence and originally planned to return to Lingzhou today…”
At this, Dan Tinggui sneaked a glance at Cai Fu.
Cai Fu gave a forced smile: “So, you find us a nuisance now?”
“No, no!”
Dan Tinggui hurriedly denied:
“Zengtou City monopolized the underground horse market in Hebei and Shandong and was suspected of smuggling gold!
“Heroes destroyed Zengtou City; we would be grateful to you, how could we find you a nuisance?”
“Oh?”
Cai Fu smiled, “How do you plan to show your gratitude?”
“Ah, well…”
Dan Tinggui was speechless:
I was just saying that casually—why do you take it seriously?
Wei Dingguo suddenly grew sharp:
“Brother, if you have any orders, we brothers will go through fire and water without hesitation!”
Dan Tinggui was dismayed:
You even called him brother—do you still remember we’re the official army and he’s the outlaw?
But on second thought, Dan Tinggui had to admit Wei Dingguo wasn’t wrong.
What official army or not? If we don’t bow now, Zengtou City will just get two more fresh graves…
Having convinced himself, Dan Tinggui said, “Through fire and water, brother!”
“Perfect!”
Cai Fu nodded: “We’ve already wiped out Zengtou City, but the underground horse market remains.
“Do you know what to do next?”
Dan Tinggui exchanged an instinctive glance with Wei Dingguo: So this underground horse market will bear the Cai family name from now on?
Who cares what name it bears? As long as it’s alive, it’s good.
Without hesitation, Dan Tinggui said, “Brother, rest assured, no one will ever investigate this underground horse market again!”
Wei Dingguo added, “We will surely protect this underground horse market thoroughly!”
Cai Fu smiled with satisfaction: “In that case, brothers, please take good care of this underground horse market.”
Actually, Cai Fu could have recruited Dan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo, but these two came to him willingly.
However, Cai Fu thought it more effective to keep Dan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo in their posts as Lingzhou militia commanders.
“Brother, what nonsense is this?”
Wei Dingguo said resolutely:
“As long as we brothers are here, no one shall touch this underground horse market!”
Good heavens!
Looking into Wei Dingguo’s eyes, Cai Fu thought he was as resolute as a Young Pioneer…
Unlike Dan Tinggui, whose gaze flickered like a flickering bathroom bulb.
“Good brothers, I trust you!”

Cai Fu stood up and patted Wei Dingguo’s shoulder, then looked at Dan Tinggui.
Dan Tinggui straightened his chest: “Through fire and water, brother!”
Cai Fu also patted Dan Tinggui’s shoulder with satisfaction:
“I’m glad you’re willing to work for me.
“But as your elder brother, I can’t let you work for nothing.
“How about this: the underground horse market will count as your share.
“From now on, monthly income will be split seventy-thirty.”
“Brother, absolutely not!”
Dan Tinggui’s face darkened:
“We protect the underground horse market out of brotherhood!
“If you share profits with us, wouldn’t we become greedy?”
“You’re mistaken!”
Cai Fu smiled warmly: “You protect the underground horse market for me, so you should take this share.
“As the saying goes, close brothers settle accounts clearly.
“If I fail to reward and punish fairly, who would follow me out of brotherhood?
“If you don’t take this share, do you not regard me as your brother?”
Dan Tinggui wanted to protest, but Wei Dingguo already spoke up:
“If that’s the case, we will follow brother’s orders!”
Dan Tinggui: (ಥ_ಥ)
…
“Cheers!”
In a hall of the Zeng family mansion that hadn’t been burned, Cai Fu gathered his brothers for a drink.
Besides Cai Fu’s servant Jiao Ting and Lu Junyi’s servant Yan Qing maintaining order in Zengtou City, Cai Fu, Cai Qing, Lu Junyi, Shi Wengong, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, Bao Xu, and Yu Baosi were all present.
Also Dan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo.
Originally, the toast should have been “Long live!” but the brothers, led by Cai Fu, changed it to “Cheers!”
Dan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo had no choice but to follow suit.
After a bowl of wine, Dan Tinggui looked at Wei Dingguo, who was drinking with great enthusiasm…
Brother, be a little cautious!
Dan Tinggui didn’t know what to say; he always thought calling Cai Fu “brother” was a temporary measure…
But seeing Wei Dingguo’s enthusiasm, he wondered if he had taken it seriously or just gotten too into the role…
However, from the moment Shi Wengong lifted his bronze mask, Dan Tinggui knew they were in deep trouble.
Shi Wengong was a teacher in Zengtou City, renowned for his unmatched bravery, yet he followed Cai Fu to destroy Zengtou City!
Moreover, from now on, Shi Wengong would wear the bronze mask, representing Cai Fu’s authority over Longtou City!
In other words, Zengtou City’s vast enterprise might be just the tip of the iceberg for Cai Fu!
How deep the waters were, Dan Tinggui dared not imagine!
As for him and Wei Dingguo, the militia commanders of Lingzhou, what use were they?
They couldn’t even take Zengtou City—how could they compete with Cai Fu?
Forget it, Lingzhou’s Prefect Zhang also had no intention of confronting Zengtou City; why be the first to stick out their necks?
Let Longtou City carry on as usual!
In today’s Song Dynasty, rebels were everywhere: Tian Hu in Hebei, Wang Qing in Huai West, Fang La in Jiangnan…
The court couldn’t manage them all—what could two militia commanders do?
Dan Tinggui sighed and raised a bowl to Cai Fu:
“Brother, a toast in respect!
“Bottoms up…”
Yang Xiong was also troubled.
He didn’t really think Cai Fu was capable of challenging Song Jiang yet.
But Cai Fu had told him plainly: after defeating Zengtou City, he would go to Liangshan to meet Song Jiang.
Shi Xiu had sworn loyalty to Cai Fu, clearly siding with him; as Shi Xiu’s sworn brother, how could Yang Xiong choose otherwise?
No, from the moment Cai Fu saved his life, he was already aboard Cai Fu’s sinking ship.
Unless he killed Cai Fu, he could never gain Song Jiang’s trust again.
Could he kill Cai Fu?
Yang Xiong dared not claim perfect loyalty but couldn’t bring himself to betray his benefactor.
Well then, he’d go all the way down this road!
Shaking his head hard to clear away his chaotic thoughts, Yang Xiong also raised his cup to Cai Fu:
“Brother, your humble servant toasts you!”
…
The next day.
At Sanchahe Port.
Dan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo respectfully kowtowed to Cai Fu:
“Brother, please wait!”
“Brothers, travel safely!”
Cai Fu helped Dan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo to their horses and watched as they rode away.
They galloped a short distance, then looked back; Cai Fu was still standing there.
“Brother Cai Fu is truly loyal!”
Wei Dingguo waved to Cai Fu and sighed with emotion to Dan Tinggui.
Dan Tinggui smiled wryly: “Brother, you don’t actually believe this, do you?”
Wei Dingguo’s eyes widened in surprise: “Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?
“Are you pretending?”
“No… of course I’m not pretending!”
Dan Tinggui sighed: “It’s just that we’re militia commanders of Lingzhou, and we’ve sworn brotherhood with Brother Cai Fu…
“How should we conduct ourselves in the future?”

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