CCWAD – Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Changing the Banner and Shifting Allegiance

Prologue:

“When Lu Junyi handed the Liangshan Great Seal to me, my hands trembled. Not because of the power, but because I knew that from this moment on, the lives of tens of thousands of people rested on my shoulders. Li Shishi’s secret letter contained only three words: ‘Can replace him.'”

—

The upheaval at Golden Sand Port spread through Liangshan like wildfire, reaching every corner of the stronghold in an instant. The news of Song Jiang’s collusion with Tong Guan and the alteration of the grain supplies sent shockwaves through the entire mountain. When Yan Qing returned with a crestfallen Song Jiang, thousands of brothers had already gathered before the Hall of Righteous Gathering.

“Let Brother Gongming go!” Hua Rong drew his bow, aiming at Yan Qing. Behind him, Lü Fang, Guo Sheng, and other staunch loyalists of Song Jiang also drew their swords.

Yan Qing didn’t even look at them, her gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd: “All you brothers have seen it. Song Jiang, for his own selfish gain, intended to starve tens of thousands of Liangshan brothers. Does such behavior still befit the leader of Liangshan?”

“You are slandering him!” Hua Rong roared. “Brother Gongming has been as kind as a mountain to his brothers, how could he do such a thing?”

“Kind as a mountain?” Yan Qing sneered, taking out the secret letter from her bosom. “Then how do you explain this letter? Tong Guan promised him high office and great wealth, and he was going to sell Liangshan to the imperial court!”

The secret letter was passed around among the crowd. The handwriting and seal were clear. Furthermore, the Western Army’s armor and weapons seized at Golden Sand Port served as irrefutable proof.

Li Kui was the first to erupt in fury, his twin axes pointed at Song Jiang: “Damn you! I, Iron Ox, have followed you for so many years, and you were going to starve the brothers!”

Wu Song also said gravely, “Brother Gongming, what you did was truly dishonorable.”

Even the usually steady Lin Chong sighed, “If accepting the amnesty means sacrificing tens of thousands of brothers, then this amnesty is not worth it.”

Song Jiang’s face turned ashen. He slumped, muttering, “I… I did it all for Liangshan’s future…”

“A fine future indeed!” Yan Qing interrupted sharply. “To exchange the lives of tens of thousands of brothers for your own future, is that your Song Jiang’s benevolence and righteousness?”

These words struck like a heavy hammer, shattering Song Jiang’s last defense. He staggered back, caught by two subordinates.

Seeing this, Wu Yong knew the tide had turned. He stepped forward and said, “Since Brother Gongming’s virtue is compromised, the position of Liangshan’s leader should indeed be changed.”

His words were skillfully chosen, acknowledging Song Jiang’s faults while retaining control of the situation.

Lu Junyi spoke at the opportune moment: “Strategist, you speak the truth. Liangshan cannot be without a leader for a single day. In my opinion…”

“Wait a moment!” Zhang Qing suddenly interrupted. “Even if Brother Gongming has made mistakes, a new leader should be chosen by all the brothers, not handed over privately!”

These words were clearly aimed at Yan Qing. Everyone could see that Lu Junyi intended to put Yan Qing in charge.

Yan Qing, however, remained calm and said, “Brother Zhang Qing speaks wisely. The leader of Liangshan should indeed be chosen by all the brothers.”

She turned to the crowd: “However, I have a proposal. The new leader must not only be virtuous and talented but also capable of leading Liangshan out of its current predicament. We have less than half a month’s worth of provisions, and the imperial army will arrive any day now. Whoever can solve these two urgent problems is worthy of being Liangshan’s leader!”

At these words, everyone fell silent. Indeed, the most pressing issue was survival.

Wu Yong’s eyes gleamed: “Since Little Yi has raised this matter, you must have a solution?”

Yan Qing had been waiting for this. She clapped her hands, and Shi Xiu immediately brought out several large chests.

When the lids were opened, they revealed piles of gleaming silver!

“This is…” Everyone was stunned.

“This is ten thousand taels of silver from Brother Li Jun of the Grand Canal Transport Gang,” Yan Qing announced loudly. “It will alleviate our immediate crisis.”

She then produced a banner: “This is the banner of the Jiangnan salt smugglers. With this, we can procure grain and provisions from across Jiangnan, enough for our army for three months.”

Finally, she took out the bronze tiger tally: “Yang Bamei’s three hundred cavalry have secured the key routes outside the marsh. If the imperial army dares to attack, they must pass through them first.”

With these three items presented, everyone was awestruck. No one had expected that Yan Qing, without a word, had already orchestrated such a plan.

Wu Yong sighed and was the first to bow: “Little Yi’s plans are flawless. Wu Yong is impressed.”

Lu Junyi also said, “Little Yi is skilled in both civil and military matters and has the support of heroes from all sides. She is indeed the only suitable candidate for Liangshan’s leader.”

Even Hua Rong lowered his bow and arrow, remaining silent.

Yan Qing, however, said, “My brothers flatter me. But my experience is shallow, and I dare not shoulder such a heavy responsibility. In my opinion, it should still be Steward Lu…”

“No!” Lu Junyi flatly refused. “I am old and lack sufficient boldness. Liangshan needs a young and capable talent like you!”

He walked up to Yan Qing, took out the Liangshan Great Seal, and solemnly handed it over: “Little Yi, take the seal!”

Yan Qing looked at the heavy seal, her hands trembling slightly. She remembered the three words from Li Shishi’s secret letter: “Can replace him.” Now the opportunity was before her, yet she felt an unprecedented weight.

This was not power; it was responsibility. The lives of tens of thousands of brothers, the future of Liangshan, all rested on this.

She took a deep breath, about to speak, when suddenly—

“Report!” a subordinate rushed in. “An imperial envoy has arrived at the foot of the mountain, requesting to see leader Song!”

Everyone’s expression changed. An imperial envoy at this time could only mean trouble.

Yan Qing, however, smiled: “They’ve come at the right time.”

She took the Great Seal from Lu Junyi and raised it high: “Issue an order. Prepare the incense table, open the mountain gate. I will personally meet this imperial envoy!”

Half an hour later, the Hall of Righteous Gathering was ablaze with incense and candles. Yan Qing sat in the main seat, with Lu Junyi and Wu Yong to her left and right. The one hundred and eight heroes were lined up on either side, banners fluttering, swords and spears forming a forest.

The imperial envoy was an arrogant-looking middle-aged civil official. Seeing Yan Qing seated in the main seat, he paused: “You are…”

“Yan Qing, leader of Liangshan Marsh,” Yan Qing said calmly. “What is the envoy’s business?”

The envoy’s face changed: “I am here on the orders of Grand Marshal Tong Guan. The Grand Marshal commands you to immediately accept the amnesty, otherwise, when the army arrives, it will be utter destruction!”

“Amnesty?” Yan Qing smiled. “Possible. But I have conditions.”

She produced a scroll: “These are the ‘Liangshan Peace Terms’ I have drafted. First, Liangshan shall maintain its independence, and the imperial court shall not interfere in its internal affairs; Second, the imperial court must recognize Liangshan’s jurisdiction over the eight hundred li of the marsh; Third…”

“Absurd!” the envoy interrupted. “How can the imperial court’s majesty be subject to your haggling?”

Yan Qing did not get angry. She merely gave Shi Xiu a look. Shi Xiu understood and strode out of the hall.

A moment later, the sound of orderly footsteps could be heard from outside the hall. Through the hall doors, one could see teams of Liangshan troops mobilizing, their weapons forming a dense forest, their banners blotting out the sun.

Yan Qing then slowly stood up and walked to the envoy: “Please return and inform Grand Marshal Tong. Liangshan is not a pushover. If you want to fight, we will oblige; if you want peace, then do so according to my terms.”

Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority: “Show the envoy out!”

The envoy’s face turned ashen, but he dared not say another word and left dejectedly.

Watching the envoy’s retreating back, Yan Qing turned to face the assembled crowd and raised the Great Seal in her hand:

“From this day forward, Liangshan shall change its banner and shift its allegiance! We will let the world know that this Liangshan is no longer a mere bandit stronghold to be exploited at will!”

A moment of silence fell over the hall, then erupted into thunderous cheers:

“Yan Qing! Yan Qing! Yan Qing!”

The roar of voices was like thunder, making the roof tiles of the hall tremble.

Yan Qing stood in the center of the cheers, feeling the tidal wave of support, yet her heart was remarkably calm.

She knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead was long, and more difficulties and dangers awaited her.

But at least at this moment, the history of Liangshan had turned a new page.

—

(End of Chapter 30)