Chapter 17: That's fate!

  Ideals, even if obtained in the future, are still a very vague proposition. In this era where human life is as worthless as grass, it's just an empty phrase, far less substantial than a bowl of millet rice. Wang Er Niu, who was nearly forty years old, felt that the master in front of him was still somewhat naive.

  But considering his current age, it's normal to have such a naive idea. Young people, who doesn't have some idealism?

  Xu Bin, who was seen as a dreamy young man by others, looked at Wang Er Zhuang's calm face and continued: "Then have you ever thought that in the future, you'll marry a wife, have some kids, farm a few acres of land, and live a life with a warm family? Or are you really willing to spend your whole life hiding in these mountains, being a bandit hated by both the common people outside the mountain and the government soldiers?"

  You also said earlier that you've been a bandit for over 20 years since you came down from the mountain. Do you think at your age, how many more years can you still be a bandit? When you're old and can't fight or run anymore, where will you go then?

  One by one, the realistic and cruel problems were thrown out, and Wang Er finally showed some indignation: "Do you think I want to be a bandit? I also want to marry a wife and have a few children, but this world is fundamentally impossible for people to live in. Before I went up the mountain, my family had several acres of land, but they were all taken away by those ruthless landlords and officials. What can a small peasant like me do?"

  Being a bandit is shameful, but at least I can survive. As for what to do when I get old, that's something to worry about later. Who knows, maybe one day I'll end up like the other bandits and die in these mountains. Then everything will be over and done with, no more worries. Isn't that a possibility too?

  Besides, didn't the master himself grow up in a bandit's den? Don't you know this kind of thing? Why use these words to provoke old Wang?"

  The more Wang Er Niu spoke, the more agitated he became, unable to suppress the resentment in his heart. He also made a slight sarcastic remark about Xu Bin. Compared to himself, an old bandit who had been with him for many years, Xu Bin, the former young master of Hei Feng Gang, was not much better off. After all, Xu Bin grew up in the bandits' den since he was a child, and he really didn't have the qualifications to always speak ill of bandits in front of Wang Er Niu.

  Xu Bin finally became excited about the emotions, and Wang Sanke, who had sarcastically teased him, didn't get angry. On the contrary, he smiled and said: "Not bad, it seems that you, Wang Er Ke, still want to find a wife and have children! I thought you were really willing to be a bandit for a lifetime?"

  As long as you want to live a good life, following me won't make you worry about missing opportunities. Besides, what you said is also right, I did grow up in a bandit's den until now, so I understand even more that being a bandit isn't a good path.

  What right do those corrupt officials and evil gentry at the foot of the mountain have to indulge in meat and wine every day, while we have to hide in these mountains eating coarse rice and drinking thin porridge? Is it really that their lives are better than ours? I don't think so.

  The key is that we must dare to think, dare to fight, and dare to seize. Isn't this the principle we've always followed as bandits? But why after all the plundering, are we still living such a poor life till now?

  I think that's because our past thoughts were too simple, always thinking that being able to eat a full meal was living a good life. We never thought that if we worked hard, maybe we could move down the mountain and live in a big house in the city, and even find a wife to carry on the family line. Walking on the main street, no longer having to worry about others' scornful glances and pointing fingers.

  I brought you out tonight just to ask, are you willing to follow me in pursuit of this kind of life? Are you willing to overthrow the corrupt government that forced us to flee into the mountains and become bandits?

  Listening to Xu Bin's enthusiastic speech, Wang Sanpao acknowledged that it was indeed very attractive, but thinking of the powerful government troops outside the mountain, he lowered his head and shook his head very honestly: "I won't do rebellious things!"

  Rebellion!

  These two words are Wang Erzhuang's definition of what he just said. Xu Bin smiled and said, "Wang Erzhuang, tell me, who is the master of the mountain now? What qualifications do they have to think that he is superior to us? And what kind of rebellion are we making?"

  When Xu Bin asked this, Wang Er Zhuang also felt a bit confused. Now it's the democratic era, no longer the Dragon Flower Empire's ruling years, even the county magistrate at the foot of the mountain is changed every three days. The reason they can become county magistrates is not because they are officially appointed by the national government, many of them bought their positions with money and connections. To put it bluntly, these two words "rebellion" don't quite fit.

  Looking at Wang Erpao who was unable to respond, Xu Bin did not force him too much and said directly: "I can tell you that after my father is buried this time, Heifengzhai will also be under my command. In the future, Heifengzhai will no longer rob and plunder, and I will not let Heifengzhai bear the name of a bandit gang again.

  I will reorganize and train a truly Xujia army under my command, implementing military training that is even stricter and more ruthless than the official army below the mountain. As long as we have guns, people, and strength, why can't we drive away those corrupt officials from below the mountain? They are able to sit comfortably in their high-backed chairs and bully us at will, isn't it just because they have more and harder guns than us?

  If our strength can surpass theirs, why should we tolerate their oppression? At least I think that after we take over this city of Ju Xiang, the common people's lives will definitely be better than living under those who buy official positions with money.

  Because we at least know that the common people in our hometowns are not living easy lives. Even if it's not for one's own future, doing something practical for these elderly folks from our hometown isn't something a man should do?

  Your performance last night proved that you are still a man with some sense of justice and brains, and I don't want to give up on someone like you either. In my opinion, it's really a waste for you to be a bandit - you, Wang Er Niu, are not any worse than those fat-headed officials in the city.

  I now sincerely invite you to join the Xujia Army that I am about to form, and work together to make a name for ourselves. Isn't there an old saying that goes 'Kings, princes, generals, and ministers - are they born or made?' Are you, Wang Erniu, willing to be a bandit hated by all, rather than a good person or even a good official loved by all?

  Wang Er Chou listened to Xu Bin's tempting words, and smiled bitterly: "Thank you for the recognition of the master, I Wang Er Chou know my own weight. I admit that the future is beautiful as the master said, but I dare not imagine such a day."

  I can only tell the great master that no matter what great achievements you will make in the future, as long as you don't despise me, Wang Erniao, for being old and useless, I will follow you all my life, and I will not hesitate to go through fire and water for you. If I betray today's oath, let me, Wang Erniao, never be reborn in this life."

  Watching his own garrulous nonsense, Wang Er finally agreed to follow him and even made a vow. However, Xu Bin couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed, because the guy in front of him lacked revolutionary or rebellious passion.

  Fortunately, Xu Bin was also clear that with the current strength of Heifeng Village, it was barely enough to protect itself in the mountains, and as for taking over the city, it was indeed impossible to make a few people believe.

  Rice should be eaten mouthful by mouthful, at least this bold and meticulous Wang Erpao is still under his command. As long as he sees an opportunity to realize his ideals in the future, he believes that Wang Erpao will change his mind today. Xu Bin was full of confidence about this!

  Next, Xu Bin did not mention his plans for the future again, but instead discussed with Wang Erzhuang about recruiting the bandits from Xianglufeng. With Wang Erzhuang's introduction, Xu Bin could drive away or find a reason to deal with the bandits who were hostile to Heifengzhai. Those who could be recruited would at least not cause trouble for the management of the mountain stronghold, even if they did not sincerely follow him for the time being.

  Give himself a period of time, train a crack troops that can defeat the government army, Xu Bin believes his future is still infinitely bright.

  That night, Wang Erzhu left the prison cell amidst the envious, jealous and hateful eyes of other bandits from Xiangfeng Peak, and moved into a room specially arranged for him by Xu Bin. Because Wang Erzhu was about to become one of the backbone forces in the Xu family army, just like Li Chengbing, his treatment naturally had to be better than others.

  As for this arrangement, it will bring the jealousy of the old man of Heifeng Village. In Xu Bin's view, 'not being envied is a mediocre talent'. He thinks Wang Er Dou deserves to enjoy this treatment, so he gives the other party this single room treatment.

  Similarly, if others could be as trustworthy as Wang Sanpao or Li Chengbing, he wouldn't mind arranging a single room for them either. The key is that now he can't see who else in this mountain stronghold is worthy of his trust like the two of them.

  For Xu Bin's special treatment, Wang Er Zhuang didn't say much, anyway he also enjoyed single room treatment when he was at Xiang Lu Feng, and living alone here didn't seem like a big deal to him.

  Moreover, as a newcomer who has just joined the partnership, living with the old man will inevitably lead to disputes. With the mentality of having one less thing being better than one more thing, Wang Er Zhuo still moved into a house closer to Xu Bin in a low-key manner.

  The next day, when the mountain stronghold convened an early meeting, Xu Bin also brought Wang Er Dou along and publicly announced that Wang Er Dou had joined Hei Feng stronghold, becoming one of the big bosses in the stronghold. Of course, he would lead a group of bandits selected from the Xiang Lu Peak bandits who were incorporated into the stronghold. The old bosses of the mountain stronghold, who were already worried about Xu Bin settling accounts after autumn, did not dare to object.

  But these old guys all understand in their hearts, this Wang Erpao has gained the trust of this young master as soon as he defected, and his future status in the mountain stronghold is likely to be higher than theirs!

  That's fate! Who made them treat the newly appointed master like that two nights ago?

  Now people give you face, you see, not obedient also have to endure. In the mountain stronghold, Xu Bin has the power to decide their life and death, if they want to continue living, they must follow Xu Bin's orders. Apart from this, for these old bandits who are not young, there is really no other way out.