Heroes of Mount Liang ( Part. 2 )

With excitement written all over his face, Wu Xing hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you Mu Linfeng?" Mu Linfeng nodded and asked, "Yes, how do you know me?"

Wu Xing laughed and said, "Brother Feng, it's me, Xiao Wu. Don't you remember me?" Mu Linfeng took another look at Wu Xing, who was at least thirty-nine years old, and found it amusing that he was still calling himself Xiao Wu.

Wu Xing didn't recognize himself when he saw Mu Linfeng, and hurriedly asked, "Are you from the border city?"

Mu Linfeng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and he whispered, "Who are you?"

Knowing that Mu Linfeng didn't recognize him at first, Wu Xing quickly said, "Do you remember the arms deal in the spring of '09? I'm Wu Xing, who was thrown from the roof that time."

Mu Linfeng searched his mind and suddenly remembered the arms deal he had with a group of Vietnamese people in '09. He had brought an arms expert named Wu Xing on his side, but the deal had failed, and the two sides had even fought. Although he had escaped, all his men had been killed on the spot, and Wu Xing had disappeared. At the time, he thought Wu Xing had betrayed him and fled to Vietnam, but he had also come to the Ming Dynasty. However, he was only about twenty-five years old at the time, so why did he look around forty now? Mu Linfeng couldn't understand and tentatively asked, "Are you the little Wu, the arms expert?"

Wu Xing immediately nodded repeatedly and said, "Feng ge, you finally recognize me?" But seeing Mu Linfeng's surprised expression, Wu Xing also knew that Mu Linfeng was suspicious of something, so he quickly explained, "I've been here for fifteen years already."

Mu Linfeng's heart skipped a beat again. It was then that he realized why Wu Xing looked so much older than before. He quickly asked, "How did you become the second-in-command of Liangshan?"

Wu Xing replied with a touch of sadness, "The day I fell, I happened to land on a cliff in Shui Po Liangshan. All my bones were broken, but fortunately the leader of Shui Po Liangshan saved me, which allowed me to survive until now. I also wanted to leave the mountain and not become a bandit, but the injury had caused me to become disabled for life. Although I can still walk now, my joints hurt everywhere whenever it's windy or raining. Remember, I can only have a bowl of rice by being the second-in-command on the mountain. I heard that the world is not peaceful now, and the leader of Liangshan really treats me like his own brother, not to mention that he's also my savior. As someone who can't do what he wants, I can only repair some mechanical things, but these things do bring some success to Shui Po Liangshan." He ended with some pride.

Mu Linfeng nodded repeatedly. Although he wasn't very familiar with Wu Xing before, he was still very excited to meet an old acquaintance in a different time and space. Wu Xing asked Mu Linfeng again, "Brother Feng, what are you doing now?"

Mu Linfeng smiled bitterly and said, "I just arrived here, what can I do?"

Wu Xing thought about it seriously and said to Mu Linfeng, "Why don't you join me? The big boss appreciates talents like you the most."

Mu Linfeng was speechless at this suggestion, but it might be the best option since he was essentially part of the underworld in the future, and now he was a bandit here, with a different name but the same essence.

During the past ten days, he had thought it over and decided to go to Jiangnan to pursue his ideal through Mr. Feng, but things changed when he met his brother here, leaving him speechless. Mu Linfeng thought that the world was in chaos, with rebellions breaking out everywhere, and Li Zicheng in Shaanxi was probably already making significant progress, while Zhang Xianzhong in Sichuan might have raised his banner to recruit troops and horses. But now he had survived a disaster and didn't need to take any more risks. He shook his head and said, "I can't do this."

Wu Xing laughed and said, "Brother Feng, don't forget that you used to do this kind of work. Now isn't it like a fish in water? You can show your skills again."

Mu Linfeng thought for a moment and said, "Why don't we go to Jiangnan together? The northern war is chaotic, and Huang Taiji has already passed away. The current Qing army should be under the control of Dorgon, and they will soon send a large army. If we become bandit leaders, not only is there no business to be done during the war, but our power is not strong enough and we are threatened with death at any time. But Jiangnan is different. Although it is a turbulent period between the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, Jiangnan is still relatively prosperous. If we follow historical development, there should be at least four stable years in Jiangnan, during which we can do a lot of things. With our future knowledge, I believe we can't be politicians or military strategists, but being a great merchant should be no problem. Why bother being a bandit?" By the end of his speech, Mu Linfeng was full of emotion, and even he had to admire his own eloquence.

Wu Xing didn't want to be a bandit in the first place, but he owed his life to Liangshan's big boss. Hearing Mu Linfeng's expression change, he couldn't help but be tempted.

Mu Linfeng continued, "You have a minor disability and are physically challenged. Even though you may have a chance to be protected by firearms in case of war, you should know that war is cruel. However, things are different in Jiangnan. You have modern knowledge and don't have to worry about starving to death. Besides, judging from the current situation, foreign countries should already have firearms more advanced than the arquebus. If worse comes to worst, we can always rely on our old skills. Then you and I, brothers, can go and create something together."

Wu Xing's face showed some emotions, but after thinking for a while, he shook his head and said, "No, the leader of our gang has been kind to me, and I cannot leave."

Mu Linfeng laughed and patted his shoulder, "If you hadn't said that, I would have thought you were that kind of person." Then, he became serious and said, "Actually, I was just speaking casually. I don't know what to do if I go to Jiangnan. However, I would like to see your leader."

Mu Linfeng thought to himself, "Wu Xing is already interested, but I should stay here for now, as he has a debt to the leader of Liangshan bandits. Later, I'll persuade him to come with me."

Wu Xing was happy and showed it on his face. "If Brother Feng goes, our leader will definitely entrust him with important tasks." Mu Linfeng found it funny but didn't contradict him and just nodded.

At that moment, they heard Zheng Xiyu shouting from the formation, "Are you done chatting?"

Wu Xing looked towards Zheng Xiyu, and he seemed to be in a particularly good mood. He said, "Brother Feng is really his usual self. He only took half a month to let you fall for him…"

Mu Linfeng quickly covered Wu Xing's mouth and whispered, "Are you trying to get killed? Can you keep your voice down?" Then he let go of him, and Wu Xing had a mysterious and weird expression on his face.

Mu Linfeng looked at Zheng Xiyu approaching and quickly said, "Kong Wu from the Feng family's caravan is my newly sworn brother. Can you let them pass?"