Chapter 8: Soul of Life, Gang Leader

Since he was reborn into this devilish world of Water Margin by chance, Cao Jie had spent half a year becoming brothers with the three Ruan brothers and winning over the two Liangshan leaders, Song Wan and Zhu Gui.

I also gained three talents: [Water Skills], [Medicine Box], and [Gourmet Hunter].

Although his realm is only at the half-step level of refining essence and he is not very good at fighting and killing, he is qualified as a professional.

Song Jiang's strength wasn't that strong either, but he still became the leader based on his reputation and abilities.

We have both a God's perspective and a golden finger, so we are naturally full of confidence.

All things are difficult at the beginning. Now that the strategy for the Novice Village is completed, Liangshan has dropped two chess pieces, and the three Ruans are willing to be bodyguards. It is time to leave the village and become famous.

Song Jiang's reputation as "Timely Rain" and "Hu Baoyi" has spread throughout Shandong, Lianghuai, and parts of Hebei.

As for myself, my fame had just begun to shine around Liangshanpo, and I didn't even have a specific nickname.

If you slow down one step, you will slow down every step. Time is running out!

According to the plan, the first thing to do is to go to Qinghe County to find Wu Song and try to capture this "Demon Lord in Heaven, Tai Sui on Earth", or at least make him familiar to the public.

But when the time came, Cao Jie found that he had thought things were too simple.

In feudal society, it was not easy for ordinary people to travel far away.

Although Qinghe County and Yuncheng County are adjacent to each other, they are outside the county after all, and formal procedures are required to leave.

The road permit has existed since ancient times and was called public verification in the Song Dynasty.

It should be clearly written where you came from, where you are going, what your purpose is, and who and what things you are bringing with you.

One public certificate is issued for each matter, not one for each person. For example, if you bring a servant with you to take the exam, the servant's name should also be written on the public certificate, and there is no need to give the servant a separate public certificate.

For example, if you are doing business, you must specify in detail how many people and cars you will be using and what kind of business you are going to do.

If something went wrong, the local petty officials would have an excuse to make money.

Of course, you can also choose not to have a public inspection and travel anywhere you want, hiding during the day and going out at night.

The consequence of doing this is that if you are not careful you may be caught by the government. At the very least, you may be sentenced to being a refugee, have a gold seal branded on your face, and be thrown into the army.

In serious cases, when robbers and thieves were beheaded, the crime was reported to the imperial court and the credit was claimed.

For example, Liu Tang, who was drunk and fell asleep in the Lingguan Temple, was arrested as a thief by the patrol captain Lei Heng because there was no official verification.

After Lei Heng finished his night patrol, he stopped by Chao Gai's manor to rest for a while and hung Liu Tang in the gatehouse.

Chao Gai arranged wine and food to entertain the guests. When he heard that a thief had been caught, he secretly went to the gatehouse to see, only to find out that Liu Tang had come to seek refuge with him.

He asked Liu Tang to call him uncle in front of Lei Heng, pretending that Liu Tang was his nephew whom he had not seen for many years.

Lei Heng had no doubts and released Liu Tang.

And Chao Gai also gave him ten taels of silver.

If you don't want to get into trouble, you must have this road permit verified.

Fortunately, the economy of Dasong is prosperous and commercial circulation is well developed. It is not difficult to get a public certificate in the name of doing business. It just takes time and money.

"Erlang, tomorrow we will ask Bao Zheng to come forward as a guarantor and go for the official verification."

"Then let's prepare carts, mules and horses, and buy some dried dates."

"Erlang, we don't lack silver now, why don't we use fine iron to make a few machetes for self-defense."

"If you want to do your work well, you must first sharpen your tools. Thank you for your help, brothers."

The silver was exchanged by Cao Jie for medicine. There was a shortage of doctors and medicine on Liangshan Mountain, and Wang Lun was not short of silver. He also had Song Wan and Zhu Gui acting as the sixth man. If Wang Lun didn't take the blame, who would?

As for the Pudao mentioned by San Ruan, it is extremely simple. With a short handle, it is the "Shedao" used for "slash-and-burn farming", which is a farm tool.

Only when it is equipped with a long handle can it become a combat weapon called "Pudao".

You can use both soldiers and farmers, and you can carry these marginal weapons with you with confidence.

I am not afraid of being found out by soldiers. It is not illegal to bring a farm tool and a whistle stick for self-defense.

During these days of delay, Cao Jie not only practiced and gained experience, but also reviewed his business plan again.

As the saying goes, where there is oppression, there is resistance.

The government imposed too many exorbitant taxes and levies, and ordinary people could no longer survive, which would lead to civil unrest.

Where there is civil unrest there must be organization.

The rebels without organization and program are nothing more than bandits who occupy the mountains and act like scattered sand.

Only with a core program and common goals can we achieve success.

For example, the Yellow Turbans at the end of the Han Dynasty and the Wagangs at the end of the Sui Dynasty, although they both failed, they stirred up the world and competed for the Central Plains, and they have a prominent place in history books.

And who were the successful entrepreneurs in ancient times?

Zhu Yuanzhang was definitely the most successful, but his path to success could not be copied. Cao Jie thought for three days and decided to start a religion in Dasong.

The four great bandits in history are Song Jiang from Shandong, Wang Qing from Huaixi, Tian Hu from Hebei, and Fang La from Jiangnan.

Song Jiang of Shandong did not occupy any prefectures or counties, but only ruled Liangshan Lake. Tian Hu of Hebei occupied five prefectures and fifty-six counties of the Song Dynasty, Wang Qing of Huaixi occupied eight prefectures and eighty-six counties of the Song Dynasty, and Fang La of Jiangnan occupied eight prefectures and twenty-five counties of the Song Dynasty.

Among the four major bandits, Fang La, who used the Ming Cult as his base and attacked Hangzhou, was the most harmful.

You can copy this homework.

But Cao Jie’s religion is Hongism.

Literal meaning: Hongjiao is Hanjiao, and disciples of the religion should defend the Central Plains, so the "Zhongtu" is taken out of the word "Han" to become the word "Hong".

This is also to warn the disciples of the religion that not an inch of the Central Plains territory can be lost.

Early teachings: Brothers, brothers, and brothers.

On the second day after the official verification was obtained, the sun rose over Liangshan Lake, and the shadows of the mountains and clouds were floating in the mist. A black-sailed boat stopped in the mist, with an altar at the bow, on which three animals were placed.

In front of the altar, Cao Jie, the three Ruans, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui knelt on the ground, holding up sandalwood.

"The sword is the Hong Sect sword, the staff is the Dragon and Phoenix Staff, and we are sworn brothers, so we are members of the Hong family."

"Today, there are six people, Cao Jie, Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, Ruan Xiaoqi, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui, who are here to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and gather together for prosperity!"

"The sun and the moon can testify, the mountains and rivers can bear witness..."

The sense of ritual is very important. Without these rituals, how can we show the solemnity and importance of the gathering?

How to gather people's hearts.

How to demonstrate your dominant position in the team.

The three Ruans and the others looked solemn. After Cao Jie finished speaking rhythmically, he stood up and lit incense in front of the three animals. He then took the machete that was shining with cold light, turned around and asked:
"Love your brothers and sisters, love gold?"

"Love brothers and sisters!"

"Seeking high office, generous salary and loyalty!"

"Seek loyalty and righteousness!"

Cao Jie had a red scarf tied on his forehead and held a machete in his hand. He raised the sharp blade above his head and hit the backs of the five people, including San Ruan, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui, with the back of the knife in turn.

After some operations, everyone worked together to throw the three animals into the water, and the ceremony was considered over.

From today on, the Hongmen is established and everyone is united, but the detailed organizational program still needs to be gradually improved.

"Look, there are a lot of big fish in the water."

As Zhu Gui cried out in surprise, everyone, who were in high spirits, set their eyes on the water where the three animals had just been thrown in.

"Today we establish the Hongmen, and the heavens, the earth, and the mountains are congratulating us!"

"A good omen! A good omen!"

At this moment, Cao Jie saw the big fish fighting for the three animals twisting and forming familiar characters on the water surface.

["Ruan Xiaoer" joins Hongmen]

[Gang Leader Experience +23]

["Ruan Xiaowu" joins Hongmen]

[Gang Leader Experience +22]

["Ruan Xiaoqi" joins Hongmen]

[Gang Leader Experience +22]

[“Song Wan” joins Hongmen]

[Gang Leader Experience +12]

[“Zhu Gui” joins Hongmen]

[Gang Leader Experience +15]

…………

[Soul aspect: gang leader (aggressive, arrogant, loyalty first)]

[Experience: Level 1 (94/200)]

[Talent: Red Stick LV1 (Enhanced Combat Instinct)]

'Gang leader?'

"Why isn't he the Hongmen Xiangzhu?"

The corner of Cao Jie's mouth twitched slightly. He racked his brains and performed hard, but he didn't expect that these five people were only thinking about "drinking big bowls of wine, eating big chunks of meat, and dividing gold with big scales."

"Can't your ideals be higher? Think about the people of the world and the sufferings of the people!"

"If things continue like this, I'm afraid my soul will turn into a demon..."

"Come on, let's train him slowly!"

Fortunately, this [Gang Leader] has good talents and finally got a combat talent.

Red Sticks are the security captains and thug leaders of each gang.

The most basic requirement for being a red stick is to be able to fight, to be able to cause trouble, not be afraid of trouble, and not be afraid of death, to be ruthless in a fight, and to have certain leadership skills, to be able to gather a group of brothers who can fight together to jointly provide military support for the gang.

'Fighting instinct?'

Although it has no effect on improving one's realm, it has a huge impact on improving combat power.

A warrior must not only know how to practice, but also how to fight.

The higher your combat talent, the more likely you are to defeat monsters above your level and defeat the strong with the weak.

Now, Cao Jie has acquired four talents.

[Water Level 4 (Maximum Level)]

【Food Hunter LV3】

【Medicine Box LV2】

【Red Stick LV1】

The next day, it was dawn.

Cao Jie, the three Ruans and the other two drove two mule-drawn carts, which were piled high with dried dates. Under the dates were machetes, and each of them held a whistle stick. They strode towards Qinghe County at a fast pace.

(End of this chapter)