Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 79 The Situation is Excellent

"What my brother has, you will naturally have too! From now on, in Qinghe County, with our two brothers working together, what great things can't we accomplish?"

Ximen Qing's words were spoken with a rather heroic and audacious air.

Zheng Tu glanced at the contract in his hand for a 30% share of the herbal medicine shop, and when he looked up again, he met Ximen Qing's eager gaze.

After a moment's thought, he no longer hesitated, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I am deeply honored by your high regard, brother. How could I possibly refuse? I will leave everything to your arrangements!"

Ximen Qing was overjoyed upon hearing this, slapping the table and laughing, "Excellent! Great! It's settled then!"

He immediately summoned Dai'an'er and instructed him in detail: "Go and visit Second Uncle Ying, Uncle Xie, Uncle Sun, Uncle Zhu... and tell them that your Uncle Ximen will be at the temple on the third day of the month to form a sworn brotherhood with you all and the newly sworn brother Zheng, a total of ten people. Please make sure you arrive early."

He added, "Especially tell Second Uncle Ying to come to my residence tomorrow to discuss something."

Dai'an accepted the order and left.

The remaining eight people reacted in different ways upon hearing the news:

Lord Ying was overjoyed to have facilitated such a wonderful event, secretly thinking that he now had another way to freeload. Xie Xida, Sun Tianhua, and the others felt honored to be praised by Ximen Qing.

As for those from smaller factions like Wu Dian'en and Chang Zhijie, they were naturally flattered and need not be mentioned.

Such digressions will not be discussed for now.

……

Time flies, and seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the second day of the following month. Ximen Qing got up early and asked the accountant to weigh out four taels of silver with snowflake patterns. He also instructed his servant, Lai Xing'er, to go to the market to buy more.

A black-haired pig weighing over 100 jin, a fat sheep, five or six jars of top-quality Jinhua wine, along with incense, candles, paper money, sacrificial offerings of three kinds of animals, chicken, duck, fruit, and wine.

He then gave another five qian of silver as incense money and summoned Dai'an'er: "Take this to the Jade Emperor Temple outside the city and tell your Master Wu: 'My father is becoming sworn brothers tomorrow, and he needs your help to prepare the paper documents and inscriptions. He will be distributing blessings at the temple tonight. Please have Master Wu and my father prepare the necessary items. My father will come tomorrow morning.'"

Dai'an took the things and ran off. After a short while, he returned and reported, "I've delivered them. Master Wu said he knows, and everything will be ready by tomorrow. Please don't worry, Father."

Now let's look at Zheng Tu's situation.

Since agreeing to become sworn brothers that day, he has spent the last seven days drinking tea, listening to music, and strolling around the city.

In Qinghe County, there is neither the worry of being surrounded by foreign enemies nor the concern of a shortage of money.

Although the 30% share given by Ximen Qing has not yet yielded any dividends, the ten taels of silver in hand have allowed him to spend his money without the constraints and financial straits he used to face.

Such a leisurely and carefree life made him feel somewhat dazed, as if all the battles and life-or-death struggles of his previous lives had turned into a fleeting dream.

Since the last time Ximen Qing dealt with Zhang Laizi, things have been peaceful in Qinghe County, as if nothing had happened. No one knows what will happen next.

Was the force behind it lying dormant, or was it secretly dealt with by Ximen Qing?

Zheng Tu didn't care much about the outcome, since Ximen Qing would handle such open and covert struggles.

All he wants now is to enjoy this comfortable and carefree life, slowly accumulating strength for the long term.

Now, with each rebirth, his headaches flare up more and more severely, each time more intense than the last.

When I was first reborn, I felt nothing at all.

Midway through, the sensation was merely a negligible pricking sensation.

During her last rebirth, her head ached so badly it felt like it was about to split open.

I suspect my ability to be reborn isn't limitless. I wonder how many more times I can be reborn?

He had a vague feeling that if this headache continued to worsen, he might not live much longer.

Therefore, in this life, he made up his mind to live as long as possible, preferably to live a peaceful and stable life until he dies of old age.

After being reborn, I will find some nourishing medicines and pour all my available points into them. Then I will have no more worries and can act freely and settle scores.

Zheng Tu also kept Wu Dalang's illness in mind.

That day, when he had tea with Ximen Qing, he only mentioned it briefly. The next day, a servant from Ximen's mansion brought a full three days' worth of top-quality medicinal herbs, neatly wrapped in oiled paper, and delivered them directly to Wu Da's residence. It was extremely thoughtful and considerate.

As for Jiang Zhushan, he has become much more obedient since he was subdued by Zheng Tu last time.

He came to examine Wu Da again, with Zheng Tu personally watching over him. Seeing that Wu Da's complexion was gradually improving and his pulse was stable, and that his condition seemed to be steadily improving, Jiang Zhushan only made slight adjustments to the original prescription and instructed him to take it for another three days.

The medicinal herbs were still supplied by the Ximen family.

And then there's Pan Jinlian. Ever since her heart-to-heart talk with Zheng Tu, she seems to have found hope and has become much more well-behaved. She's no longer as frivolous as before and is now content to take care of Wu Da's illness.

Occasionally, Zheng Tu would lean against the door to brew medicine, or carry a basin of water up and down. Although her snow-white, foxy face was still alluring and charming, she also had a certain virtuous appearance.

Everything seemed to be stabilizing and slowly moving in a positive direction.

"Isn't this kind of peaceful and happy life exactly what I've always wanted?"

Zheng Tu leaned against a window seat in the Lion Tower, listening to the storyteller in the center tell folk tales and legends of the martial arts world.

This Lion Tower is an elegant place in Qinghe County. It is a two-story building with five bays and three courtyards, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and carved beams and painted rafters.

If we were to ask which place in Qinghe County, aside from the brothels and theaters, is the most expensive, it would be the Lion Tower. Although the food and drinks are delicious, they are not so tempting compared to the price.

However, Ximen Qing was a regular visitor here. Thanks to Ximen Qing, even though Zheng Tu and Ximen Qing had not officially become sworn brothers, the news had already spread. So whenever Zheng Tu came here to drink tea and listen to storytelling, the best seats were always reserved for him.

The autumn sun shines brightly outside the window, filling the room with light.

Zheng Tu's spot offered a clear view of the storyteller's facial expressions and movements, while also providing a refreshing breeze—a truly pleasant seat.

He would occasionally pick up a piece of dried apricot and pop it into his mouth, and sometimes sip hot tea, truly enjoying himself immensely.

The storyteller below was speaking at a crucial point in the "Biographies of Virtuous Women" about "the chaste widow killing the adulterer":

"...The adulterous woman was entangled with her lover in the room when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching outside the door. The virtuous woman drew a pair of scissors from her bosom, her eyes wide open, and shouted: 'Adulterer and adulterous woman, today is your death day!' In the blink of an eye..."

"Snapped!"

The storyteller slammed his gavel down, and the entire hall fell silent!

The audience listened intently, holding their breath and waiting for the next installment.

Just then—

"Bang!!!"

The two large doors of the Lion Tower were suddenly kicked open, and the two heavy doors cracked in response!

The guests at the tables near the entrance jumped up in surprise.

All the guests were startled and turned to look at the entrance.

But who is the person who has come?