Poor Family

  Chapter 69 Mediation of conflicts

Under the light, Song Jiang took a closer look at the stone brought by Dai Zong, and saw that it was polished with granite, round and smooth, and its shape was like a popular chess piece nowadays. Quite tempted, this young man has extraordinary talents, if he can be recruited up the mountain, even if Hu Cheng cannot be found, it will not be in vain for them to travel thousands of miles.

  At this time, Dai Zong said with lingering fear: "The opponent hit the stone very accurately. I was hit by him twice. Li Heitan probably was also hit and fell off the wall."

  Ruan Xiaoer next to him said coldly: "He has shown mercy, if you use a bow and arrow, will you survive?"

  Song Jiang thought for a while and remained silent. He also knew that Li Yanqing had shown mercy. Not to mention bows and arrows, even with flying knives, Dai Zong would either die or be injured. He pondered for a long time and asked, "What time is it now?"

   "It's already four changes!"

  Song Jiang nodded. This matter cannot be delayed until dawn. After dawn, the villagers will report to the officials and take Li Kui away, and the matter will be troublesome.

  He immediately said: "Let's go to Li Wen Village!"

  The Ruan brothers looked at each other, feeling helpless, so they had to follow Song Jiang.

This time Song Jiang mainly came to persuade Hu Cheng to join the gang, so he only brought four brothers. Unexpectedly, Hu Cheng didn't see him, and killed a young man Li Yanqing on the way, beating them into a mess. Come out in person and negotiate with Li Yanqing again.

   Soon, they rushed to the backyard of Li Yanqing's house. Song Jiang was afraid of plotting on the ground, so he didn't dare to get too close. At this moment, Dai Zong suddenly pointed to the roof, "Brother, he is there!"

  Song Jiang also saw it. Sitting alone on the roof, although he was tall, he was not tall enough. It should be Li Yanqing.

  He urged the horse to step forward and shouted: "Li Shaolang, can we talk?"

   "What's there to talk about!"

Li Yanqing stood on the roof and said coldly: "You broke into the houses without permission, trying to kill people and sell goods, but I even looked at you high, thinking that you are really doing justice for the heavens, now it seems, what is the difference between you and the scoundrels? "

Ruan Xiaoer was ashamed all over his face, wishing he could turn around and leave, but Song Jiang was unmoved at all, he was a little surprised that this young man was also well versed in the art of negotiation, he first overwhelmed the other party in terms of righteousness, gained a psychological advantage, and then bargained .

  Song Jiang continued: "We don't have any malicious intentions, and we don't want to cause trouble, so Li Shaolang just say it straight! Why are you willing to let my brother go?"

   "Yes, your brother is in my hands now. If you are sincere, we can talk. If you are not sincere, then I have to wait until dawn to report."

   "I don't know what kind of sincerity Li Shaolang wants?"

  Li Yanqing said loudly: "I want you to swear with an arrow that you will leave Xiangzhou immediately after Li Kui is released, and you will not come to harass me again, let alone hurt my family. This is the sincerity I want!"

  Song Jiang was in a dilemma immediately, making an oath with a broken arrow was not something that he did so casually. If the world knew that Song Jiang had fallen into the hands of a young man, who would want to follow him again, he would not be able to make an oath with a broken arrow.

   "Li Shaolang, I can promise you that if you let my people go, I will leave immediately, and I will never embarrass you and your family again. With the testimony of the Ruan brothers, can you still not trust my promise?"

  Li Yanqing sneered and said: "I believe you can do it now, but what about in a year and a half? You Song Jiang suffered today's loss, and you will swallow this breath? I don't believe you, unless you make an oath!"

Song Jiang didn't expect that the other party was so shrewd that he could see through his own thoughts. He wanted to admit his failure first, and then send someone to deal with Li Yanqing later, but the other party didn't give him any loopholes. Song Jiang gradually became murderous in his heart. Swear, but if the world doesn't know about it, he can only slaughter this village.

  At this moment, I only heard a loud voice not far from the side, "How about the old man come to be an intermediary?"

  Song Jiang was taken aback. He didn't expect that there was an outsider hiding beside him. He rode his horse back a few steps, stared at the dark place and asked, "Who is it?"

  Li Yanqing was overjoyed, he recognized that the voice was Zhou Tong whom he had met once in the Spring Club in the afternoon, he thought Zhou Tong had gone back, but he didn't expect him to appear at this time.

  I saw a tall and burly figure jumping down from a big tree, just like a giant bird landing, silently, he cupped his hands and said loudly: "I'm in Zhoutong, Shaanxi, and I've admired the name of Songjiang in Shandong for a long time. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

  Zhou Tong saw Li Yanqing wielding a sword that day on the road, and he couldn't forget it all the time. Later, he heard that Li Yanqing had won the head of the Boys' Association five years ago, and he became more interested in Li Yanqing.

  At the time of Spring Club, he traveled around Tangyin and came to Lushan town on foot. Unexpectedly, he happened to meet Li Yanqing and the Ruan brothers who were betting on arrows. Of course Zhou Tong knew the heroes of Liangshan, and his apprentice Lin Chong was among them.

   Zhou Tong was really worried, so he hid near Li Yanqing's house and observed secretly. He witnessed Li Yanqing defeating Dai Zong with flying stones and captured Li Kui alive. He finally showed up when Song Jiang arrived.

  Song Jiang was stunned, and asked for a while, "But the Iron Armed Hero Zhou?"

   "Don't dare to be a hero, this old man is Zhou Tong!"

Zhou Tong has lived for a long time. He knows that Li Yanqing can't solve today's problems. In the name of Song Jiang, how could he admit defeat to a country boy? Get rid of this problem.

  Zhou Tong laughed and said, "The old man is willing to mediate today's dispute. Will Song Gongming accept it?"

  Of course Song Jiang is willing. With Zhou Tong coming forward, he can keep his reputation, and he doesn’t need to swear an oath.

  Zhou Tong turned back to Li Yanqing with a smile and said, "Li Shaolang, I am the new head of the county school, can you give me this face?"

  Li Yanqing nodded, "Master Zhou stepped forward, how could Yanqing not follow?"

   "Okay! Since both sides accept it, I'm reluctant."

  Zhou Tong smiled and said, "You two, please tell me first, what is the dispute about?"

  Song Jiang briefly talked about their search for Hu Cheng, and finally said: "Song Jiang and Hu Cheng have no grievances or enmity. They just admire his name and want to invite him to join the group. There is no other meaning."

  Li Yanqing also said: "Uncle Hu fled this place after being harassed by Fang La. He just wants to live a peaceful life, and he doesn't want to get involved in the disputes between Jianghu and Jianghu."

  Zhou Tong was secretly surprised. It turned out that the world-renowned iron hand Hu Cheng was hiding here, no wonder! Zhou Tong glanced at Li Yanqing, and then he understood why Li Yanqing was so skilled at such a young age, it turned out that he was taught by Hu Cheng.

  Zhou Tong laughed again: "It turned out to be because of Hu Cheng. I met him once, and he is indeed a bold man with extremely high martial arts skills. He is not inferior to me. Li Shaolang must know his whereabouts!"

  Li Yanqing was silent for a moment, then nodded and said: "I do know!"

"Since that's the case, I've come up with two compromises. First, Brother Song's subordinates broke into the house at night. It's rude first. Li Shaolang countered and hurt people. It's justifiable. Li Shaolang releases him. Brother Song promises not to pursue it. The matter is over. Can both parties agree?"

  Song Jiang said happily, "I have to give the face of Hero Zhou, I agree!"

  Li Yanqing didn't believe Song Jiang at first, but with Zhou Tong here, Song Jiang didn't dare to offend easily, so he also agreed: "I can let him go!"

Seeing that both of them agreed, Zhou Tong said again, "Brother Song wants to see Hu Cheng, but Li Shaolang doesn't want outsiders to bother him. To write a letter, the old man has to go all the way to hand over the letter to Hu Cheng. Li Shaolang has not violated morality, and Brother Song also has the opportunity to recruit talents. As for whether Hu Cheng wants to join the group, that is his personal decision. , what do you think?"

This plan is very ingenious. After tonight's accident, Song Jiang didn't expect to continue to recruit Hu Cheng, but Zhou Tong gave him another chance. Of course he is willing. As long as he is sincere in his letter, Hu Cheng may not be unwilling Will be tempted, he immediately agreed.

  Zhou Tong asked Li Yanqing again, "Is Shao Lang willing?"

  Li Yanqing shook his head resolutely, "I'm sorry, but I won't tell anyone about Uncle Hu's whereabouts."

  Zhou Tong was startled, looked at Li Yanqing for a moment, and could only smile wryly: "Okay! I'll find another way to find out!"

  Zhou Tong said to Song Jiang again: "I promise to send the letter to Hu Cheng. Song Gongming can go back to the inn to write the letter first, and I will send the hostage back later."

   Song Jiang saw that Li Yanqing was determined not to betray Hu Cheng, but admired his character, so he nodded and shouted to Dai Zong and the Ruan brothers: "Let's go!"

  The four of them rode away, and after a while they disappeared into the depths of the woods. Zhou Tong smiled and said, "Li Shaolang, let's have a talk!"

  (end of this chapter)