Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

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That is to collect famous armor from all over the world and wear one of them every day in rotation.

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) had a fondness for rare and exotic flowers and stones, which led to the creation of the "Flower and Stone Tribute," a system that caused widespread suffering among the people.

Now that they've started collecting precious armor and clothing, it's naturally causing chaos in Tokyo.

In the home of Xu Ning, the Golden Spear Master, there was a precious armor called the Golden Armor with Feathers, known as the "Sai Tang Ni".

Legend has it that this armor, when worn, is both light and stable, and impenetrable to swords and arrows.

This precious armor was an heirloom passed down through Xu Ning's family, and he had no intention of currying favor with superiors.

Naturally, they were unwilling to offer it to Zhao Ji.

He was unwilling, but others, eager to curry favor with Zhao Ji, also coveted this precious armor.

This man was Gao Kan, Gao Qiu's adopted son.

Although he succeeded his adoptive father as Grand Commandant,

However, in terms of imperial favor, he was far inferior to Gao Qiu.

In order to please Emperor Huizong, Gao Kan first sent someone to inform Xu Ning.

They said they could buy the armor for a thousand pieces of gold.

Xu Ning was naturally unwilling, and casually made an excuse, saying that the armor had been damaged many years ago.

He is no longer alive.

Because the precious armor had been carefully preserved by Xu Ning, no one had seen it for many years.

At first, Gao Kan actually believed Xu Ning's excuses.

This matter should have ended there.

Unexpectedly, Xu Ning had a cousin named Tang Long, nicknamed "Golden Leopard".

Tang Long was also the son of the prefectural magistrate of Yan'an.

Unfortunately, his family fell into poverty, and he could only make a living by blacksmithing.

He, however, was a restless man and a gambler by nature.

After losing all his family's wealth in a gambling game, Tang Long needed to pay off his debts.

He then went to Xu Ning's home in Bianliang, hoping to borrow some money.

However, upon arriving in Tokyo, they discovered that Emperor Huizong of Song was collecting the finest armor in the land.

Tang Long immediately had an idea, thinking that if Xu Ning could offer up that family heirloom armor,

Not only did Xu Ning rise to prominence, but he also benefited from some of the glory.

Tang Long then told Xu Ning what he had said, and was naturally rebuked by the Golden Spearman.

The two brothers had a big fight, and (the Zhao brothers) parted on bad terms.

Feeling resentful, Tang Long went to the hotel and drank two more bowls of wine.

After getting drunk, he inadvertently revealed that the precious armor in Xu Ning's house was still there.

Gao Kan soon learned of this.

The newly appointed Grand Commandant Gao worried that forcing Xu Ning to hand over the armor might actually cause him to destroy it.

They first sent someone to find Tang Long and tempted him, saying,

If Tang Long can steal the armor, and then Grand Commandant Gao presents it to Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji),

When Emperor Huizong is pleased, he will not only promote Xu Ning, but also reward Tang Long with an official position.

Tang Long was immediately bewitched, thinking that this matter would benefit both Xu Ning and himself, so he agreed.

But what happened next showed Tang Long what it meant for corrupt officials to be ruthless.

After stealing the Xu family's precious armor and handing it over to Gao Kan.

Grand Commandant Gao's expression immediately changed.

First, they sent men to beat Tang Long half to death.

Then, just like when he framed Lin Chong, he did the same thing again.

They also found an excuse to imprison Xu Ning and exile him to Cangzhou... VII.

Chapter 104 The Naive Xu Ning

"The two guards escorting me seemed to know Cangzhou very well,"

Xu Ning said helplessly, "They said that once we arrived in Cangzhou, we should visit Master Chai. However, when we came this morning, Master Chai was not at his residence. After the two constables removed my shackles, they went off to drink by themselves, leaving me to wander around this manor. There I saw that strong man who was drunk and about to fight with someone, so I helped him and led him here."

"Fortunately, that strong man seemed to have something to do, otherwise I would have made a fool of myself just now," Xu Ning said with a wry smile.

"Teacher Xu's marksmanship is either suited for mounted combat or for dealing with cavalry, while that Wu Erlang is naturally strong and has mastered martial arts. It's normal that Teacher Xu is no match for him in foot combat."

Zhao Yuan, standing to the side, laughed and said, "If it were a horse battle, it would be Teacher Xu's turn to show his skills!"

"Who is this......"

Xu Ning asked in surprise, "You are also familiar with the Xu family's spear techniques?"

"Haha, Teacher Xu, this is my brother, and also our current leader of Liangshan, Zhao Dalang from Dongjing!"

Lin Chong introduced, "My brother here is a martial arts prodigy. Last year he knew absolutely nothing about martial arts, but after practicing diligently for most of the year, he has already surpassed me by a large margin!"

"Zhao Dalang of Tokyo? Could it be the one who killed the tiger with one punch?"

Xu Ning exclaimed in surprise and quickly bowed.

"Xu Ning, escorting the military prisoner, greets Chief Zhao!"

"Teacher Xu, please don't be so polite!"

Zhao Yuan hurriedly said, "I have often heard my brother mention that Teacher Xu's marksmanship is unparalleled, especially his hook-and-sickle spear technique, which is the nemesis of cavalry. I have long hoped to meet Teacher Xu, but I never thought that my wish would come true today."

"Chief Zhao is too kind. When it comes to marksmanship, who in Tokyo can compare to Instructor Lin?"

Xu Ning laughed and said, "My skills are nothing to brag about."

"Teacher Xu, don't be modest. With your talent, if you could serve the country, you would surely achieve great things. It's a pity that those treacherous officials ruined it all!"

Lin Chong's face showed resentment. The matter of Xu Ning reminded him of his own experiences.

Although the family is now reunited on Liangshan Mountain, and can be considered happy and fulfilled,

But if he hadn't been framed, how could he have suffered such injustices and endured so much hardship for no reason?

“Brother, as the saying goes, if the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too. If it weren’t for Zhao Ji’s own lack of self-discipline, only knowing how to appoint sycophants and cunning scoundrels, and relying on only one or two ministers, how could the world have ended up in this state?”

Zhao Yuan shook his head and said, "Take the position of Grand Commandant for example. Gao Qiu is clearly dead, but Gao Kan has been brought in. If it weren't for the father and son, the elder brother and Teacher Xu, they would not have ended up being exiled."

Lin Chong remained silent after hearing this.

Xu Ning also wore a wry smile.

The two of them weren't fools; they naturally knew the root of the problem.

But people at that time were taught from a young age to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, and that the emperor was wise and benevolent.

Even though the court is now rife with corruption, we can only say that there are treacherous officials in the court, and we must never implicate the emperor.

At this moment, Wu Song also came over to thank Zhao Yuan.

It turned out that the Wu brothers had been crying their hearts out for a while,

After recounting his experience of fleeing to Cangzhou, believing the secret lord to be dead, Wu Song hurriedly asked...

"Brother, what brings you to Cangzhou?"

Although Wu Song respected his elder brother, he also knew that...

Given Wu Da's personality, he would never dare to come to Cangzhou from Qinghe alone.

"Ah, brother, it's a long story!"

Wu Da sighed, then recounted how, after Wu Song left, that secret had led to thugs and ruffians constantly bullying and humiliating him.

And she recounted everything that happened on the night of the Lantern Festival.

"Thanks to the kind-hearted Master Zhao, who was willing to take me with him, I was able to reach Cangzhou and meet my brother!"

Wu Song was a grateful person.

Upon hearing this, he hurriedly came over to thank Zhao Yuan.

“Master Zhao, thank you for protecting my brother on the Lantern Festival and for bringing him all the way here to find me!”

"Brother Wu, please don't be so polite. It is only right for us to help those in need."

Zhao Yuan quickly helped him up.

"I just watched Brother Wu spar with Teacher Xu, and his skills are truly impressive!"

"You flatter me, sir,"

Wu Song smiled slightly; though it was a humble remark, his expression was full of pride.

Wu Da, standing to the side, puffed out his chest and said smugly to Qiong Ying and Jiao Ting,

"See? I told you before that my brother here is a master of martial arts, but you didn't believe me. Now you know I wasn't lying, right?"

"Tch, no matter how capable he is, he's still your brother, not you!"

Qiong Ying pouted.

Upon hearing this, Wu Da simply chuckled and did not refute it.

Chai Jin had not yet returned, and the old steward had already witnessed the prowess of Zhao Yuan and his men.

I also heard that although Xu Ning was a convict, he was just like Lin Chong.

Having both been instructors in the Imperial Guards of Tokyo, they immediately held him in higher regard.

They quickly set up a banquet in the hall.

No one stood on ceremony, and after taking their seats,

They ate meat and drank alcohol while chatting casually.

This was the first time Wu Da had ever traveled such a long distance since birth.

He then pestered his brother to tell him about all the strange and wonderful things he had encountered along the way.

These things seemed ordinary to everyone else, but Wu Song showed no impatience whatsoever.

He listened attentively to whatever Wu Da said.

On Xu Ning's side, Lin Chong and Zhao Yuan were trying to persuade him to join Liangshan.

“Teacher Xu, don’t think that just because Gao Kan exiled you to Cangzhou, this matter is over.”

Lin Chong recounted his entire past experience.

"Even if Gao Kan doesn't harm the teacher on the way to the prison, he'll probably still do something to harm the teacher once they arrive at the prison camp!"

"Instructor Lin, it's not that I don't appreciate your good intentions,"

Xu Ning said helplessly, "But my family is still in Tokyo. What will happen to them if I become an outlaw?"

"That's easy. The teacher just needs to write a letter, and I'll go and help Teacher Xu bring his family to Liangshan, right?" Jiao Ting said honestly.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning still shook his head.

Zhao Yuan knew that Xu Ning was probably like Lin Chong back then.

Despite being exiled, he still harbored illusions about Song Ting.

They were just waiting for the day when Emperor Huizong would suddenly have a change of heart, punish the wicked, and reinstate them.

So he gave up trying to persuade him, but reminded Xu Ning to be careful in everything he did, even after arriving at the prison camp.

"Don't worry, Chief Zhao, I know what I'm doing!"

Xu Ning smiled slightly, but clearly didn't take their words to heart.

In his view, his exile was largely retaliation for deceiving Gao Kan.

Now that the armor is in Gao Kan's hands, he has been exiled to Cangzhou.