Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 50: Luring the man into the house

The words are divided into two parts.

Meanwhile, Wu Song killed the tiger with piercing eyes and a white forehead on Jingyang Ridge. The magistrate of Yanggu County, seeing that Wu Song had killed the tiger with his bare hands, was truly a hero. So he personally bestowed three cups of imperial wine upon Wu Song in the county government hall, and also gave him all the fifty taels of silver that the local villagers had collected as a reward.

Wu Song, however, was a man who valued righteousness over wealth. Seeing that the hunters had been punished by the magistrate for failing to catch the tiger, he couldn't bear it. So he distributed all fifty taels of silver in the hall to everyone, without taking a single coin for himself.

Seeing his benevolence, honesty, and skill in fighting tigers, the magistrate cherished him even more and said, "I will promote you to be a patrol captain, responsible for apprehending thieves and bandits on both sides of the river. Are you willing?"

Wu Song bowed and thanked him, saying, "I am honored by your kindness, sir. I would never dare to fail to serve you!" That very day, he was appointed as a constable and given a position in the county government.

In no time, all the village elders and wealthy families in Yanggu County came to offer their congratulations, hosting banquets and feasts, and the festivities lasted for several days.

Wu Song originally intended to return to Qinghe County to find his brother, but unexpectedly became a constable here, which made him happy.

The name "Wu Song, the Tiger Slayer" had long been known throughout Dongping Prefecture and its two counties, and everyone knew it.

After a brief respite from his social engagements, Wu Song finally had some free time. Thinking of his elder brother Wu Dalang and his newly sworn brother Zheng Tu, he felt restless and asked the county magistrate for half a day's leave, then hurriedly set off for Qinghe County.

Upon arriving in Qinghe County, he searched for his old home based on his memory, only to find it had been occupied by someone else. He then inquired and learned that his elder brother, Wu Dalang, had already moved away.

It turns out that Wu Dalang used to carry a load of steamed buns to sell every day, returning home only in the evening.

The place was originally rented, a small, cramped house in a terrible environment, surrounded by idle vagrants.

Wu Dalang and Pan Jinlian discussed it and pawned Pan Jinlian's hairpins and jewelry, raising a dozen taels of silver to buy a two-story building with four rooms on Zishi Street. The second floor was a small building with two small courtyards, which were very clean.

However, Wu Song had been away from home for a long time and was unaware of these changes.

He wandered the streets three or five times and asked several neighbors, but no one knew where Wu Dalang's new house was. Just as he was getting annoyed, he suddenly felt someone pat him hard on the back!

Wu Song suddenly turned around, his tiger eyes wide open, about to lash out, when he saw a familiar face and a burly figure. Who else could it be but Zheng Tu?

He couldn't help but smile broadly, grabbing Zheng Tu's arm: "Brother! What are you doing here?"

Seeing him in his new official uniform, Zheng Tu laughed and said, "Well done, Wu Erlang! Only a few days and you've already become a captain! How impressive!" He then asked, "Aren't you on duty in Yanggu County? What are you doing wandering around here?"

Wu Song smiled wryly, "I originally came to find my brother and my elder brother Wu Da, but one of them had moved and the other's address is unknown, which made me search for quite a while! Fortunately, I found my brother here!"

"What a coincidence! I'm currently renting a place near your brother Wu Da. Come, follow me."

After Zheng Tu finished speaking, he led Wu Song through the streets and alleys, and soon they arrived at the small building.

Zheng Tu pointed to the small building and said, "This is your brother's new residence. Since you brothers are reunited, I shouldn't disturb you. My brother and I will have a proper get-together next time." After saying this, he cupped his hands and was about to leave.

Wu Song was unwilling to let him go.

He grabbed Zheng Tu's sleeve: "Brother, what are you saying! We are sworn brothers, family! Now that we're here, we must drink together!"

After a few tugs and pulls, Wu Song, despite his superhuman strength, was no match for Zheng Tu's stubborn refusal. Helpless, Wu Song finally said, "In that case, Wu Er will take Brother Zheng back first. I'll come back to find you later."

Zheng Tu couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he had Wu Song deliver the goods to Wang Po's teahouse.

Before parting, Wu Song repeatedly urged, "Brother Zheng, please wait a moment. After I've seen my brother, I'll definitely come to find you for a drink!"

Zheng Tu laughed and said, "Alright, I'll be waiting."

Wu Song was relieved and turned to go back. But he thought to himself, "Brother Zheng seems to be having a hard time in Qinghe County; his lodgings are far too small. Now that I'm the head constable, I must take good care of him."

Just as I was thinking, I suddenly felt someone pat me on the back again!

Wu Song turned his head, but there was no one there.

Just as I was wondering, I heard a familiar voice coming from below:

"Brother! The magistrate has promoted you to head constable, why don't you come to see your elder brother?"

Wu Song looked down and saw a man less than five feet tall carrying an empty load, looking up at him.

If he wasn't his own elder brother Wu Dalang, then who was he?

Wu Song's joy was truly evident: happiness radiated from his forehead and eyebrows, and a smile spread across his face.

He rushed forward and hugged Wu Dalang tightly: "Brother! I've missed Wu Er so much!"

It turned out that Wu Dalang's pancakes had sold well that day, so he packed up early and went home, only to bump into his brother at the door.

The two held hands and looked at each other, both with tears in their eyes. Wu Dalang hurriedly led Wu Song into the courtyard, straight up to the second floor, pushed open the door, and called out, "Wife! Come out quickly! Look who's here!"

With a rustling of the curtain, Pan Jinlian gracefully emerged.

Wu Dalang pointed at Wu Song and said, "This is the hero who fought the tiger on Jingyang Ridge the other day, your own uncle! He's now the newly appointed head constable of Yanggu County, and he's my brother from the same mother!"

Upon seeing this, the woman quickly stepped forward with her hands clasped, offering a greeting in a voice as melodious as a nightingale's song: "Uncle, may you enjoy boundless blessings!"

Wu Song quickly bowed down in return, saying, "Sister-in-law, you are too kind."

The woman reached out to help Wu Song up, saying, "Uncle, please get up. You're too kind."

After yielding to each other, the two kowtowed and stood up.

Wu Song stood up and glanced at Pan Jinlian. He saw that his sister-in-law was beautiful and had a very alluring appearance and figure, which made him feel that he should not look at her inappropriately.

Wu Song dared not look any longer and simply lowered his head.

Seeing Wu Song lower his head, Pan Jinlian assumed he was shy and said with a smile, "Uncle, please sit down. I'll go make some tea."

After Pan Jinlian went to the kitchen, Wu Dalang pulled Wu Song to sit down in the hall and asked about what had happened since they parted.

Wu Song recounted his experiences of fighting the tiger and becoming a constable, which surprised and delighted Wu Dalang, who repeatedly praised him.

Before long, Pan Jinlian brought over the tea.

Wu Song accepted it, thanked him, and then suddenly remembered something and said to Wu Dalang:

"Brother, I met a sworn brother on the street named Zheng Tu, a hero from Guanzhong. Since we are reunited today, why not invite him to have a drink with us? Firstly, it would be a chance for the brothers to get together, and secondly, it would be a good opportunity for him to meet his brother and sister-in-law."

Wu Dalang laughed and said, "Since he's Erlang's sworn brother, he's family. Go and invite him in!"

Wu Song hesitated and said, "But... Brother Zheng just escorted me here, saying that it would be a reunion for brothers, and he insisted on not coming because he didn't want to bother him."

Pan Jinlian, who was listening nearby, had a sudden thought.

She remained calm and said softly, "Uncle's sworn brother is like family. How could I possibly bother you? Uncle, please go and invite him again and tell him that I have prepared wine and food and that I would be honored to come."

Wu Song nodded: "Sister-in-law is right. But..."

He glanced at Pan Jinlian and thought to himself: If my brother goes downstairs to buy wine and food later, leaving only my sister-in-law and me, wouldn't that be awkward? If Brother Zheng is there, the three of us can sit together, which would be much more appropriate.

Thinking of this, Wu Song stood up and said, "Brother, sister-in-law, please wait a moment. I will go and invite Brother Zheng right away."