Chapter 347 Five Sparrows, Six Swallows
Gao Yiye, San Shier, Bai Yuan, Wang Er, and Bai Mao sat around a table.
The five of them exchanged glances, a sense of shared reflection in the air.
Wang Er said, "Years ago, I received much kindness from all of you. These past few years, while I wandered the lands, I always worried about your well-being. To see Gao Family Village transformed to this scale now... it's truly astonishing."
San Shier replied, "We often heard tales of your exploits, Wang Er. We heard that after you left Chengcheng County, you first breached Yijun County, then headed north, decisively defeating the Luochuan patrol. After passing through Luochuan, you went to the Yulin region, joining forces with Wang Jiayin, Chuǎng Wang, Zijing Liang, and others, and in the Shaanxi and Yansui regions, you 'attacked all objectives with success.'"
Wang Er shook his head with a bitter smile. "Causing trouble everywhere... that's hardly anything to boast about. When I first started this rebellion, it was only to help my fellow villagers vent their frustrations. Later, I left with grand ambitions, hoping to save more common people, but alas... these past few years, moving from place to place, I haven't saved anyone. Instead, it seems I've harmed many. I feel... sigh..."
The others exchanged quiet glances.
Li Daoxuan's lips curled into a slight smile. *You've realized it? Good, it's about time.*
Wang Er was a hero, a valiant man with ideals, or rather, dreams, yet his perspective and understanding were limited. Back then, he believed that with pure conviction, he could storm out, eliminate corrupt officials, shatter the imperial court, slaughter the avaricious rich, and redistribute wealth to the poor, thus saving the common people...
That's why Gao Family Village couldn't hold him then!
He was likely no longer so naive!
Li Daoxuan spoke aloud, "What have you felt? Tell us."
As he spoke, the words came from Gao Yiye. She gazed at Wang Er with her innocent, guileless eyes, repeating Li Daoxuan's message. Yet, through her repetition, the tone shifted entirely.
Li Daoxuan's words had carried an "enticing" undertone, but Gao Yiye, in relaying them, conveyed a "questioning" tone. Her own understanding hadn't yet broadened, having only traveled as far as the county town.
She genuinely wanted to know what Wang Er had witnessed out in the wider world.
Wang Er glanced at Gao Yiye's clear, untainted eyes and let out a long sigh. "Rebelling as I did, it seems to save no one, only to harm. And the so-called outlaw leaders I met... not all of them were truly righteous men."
"They kill no less ruthlessly than government soldiers! They rob more fiercely than officials collect taxes! The government levies taxes, but these men devour people...'"
As Wang Er spoke, his gaze was troubled.
Li Daoxuan gave a soft sigh. *You've finally realized it?*
Wang Er continued, "Lately, I've often doubted my actions from back then. It wasn't until I returned to Gao Family Village this time, seeing its prosperity, its vibrancy, and the way the common people live in peace and contentment, that I became even more certain I was wrong... If my fellow villagers from Wangjia Village hadn't followed me north, but had stayed here, they would surely be living much happier lives now."
By the end, a touch of melancholy clung to him.
Bai Mao quickly interjected from the side, "Big Brother, don't say that. No matter what decision you make, we will follow. Only by following you can we truly be happy—everyone believes that without question."
Wang Er responded, "But look at this place... The people from Zhongjia Village and Zhengjia Village, they're living much better now, well-fed and clothed. Just outside the village, I saw Zhong Gaoliang. Remember how destitute he was when he followed Zheng Guangdao and rebelled with us? Now he's neatly dressed, full of spirit—there's no trace of his former hardship. Have you seen anyone living like this under Wang Jiayin, Chuǎng Wang, or Zijing Liang?"
Bai Mao fell silent.
Li Daoxuan said, "It's not too late to turn back! Wang Er, since you've returned, don't leave. Stay here. Gao Family Village isn't the same place it once was. When you left back then, many villagers wanted you to go because they feared being implicated, feared the government coming to suppress bandits and dragging Gao Family Village into the mud. But now, no one is afraid anymore."
After Gao Yiye relayed the message, Bai Yuan chuckled. "Exactly! When you were deciding whether to stay or go back then, I myself didn't want to get involved, fearing I'd be tainted by association with rebels, losing my integrity. But now, that problem no longer exists. Our Gao Family Village has taken in quite a few rebels already, hehehe... What was it? The Guyuan rebels..."
Wang Er, hearing this, was slightly startled. "Oh?"
He surveyed the group seated around the table, his gaze finally settling on San Shier. "San Shier, your village now dares to take in even the Guyuan rebels? Tell me, who exactly is the rebel here—me, or all of you?"
San Shier spread his hands. "It is called 'Five Sparrows, Six Swallows.'"
Wang Er couldn't help but stare blankly. "What does that phrase mean?"
Gao Yiye also looked puzzled. "What does it mean?"
Li Daoxuan was equally bewildered. *Damn it, am I illiterate again?*
Bai Yuan dramatically fanned himself open, revealing the characters "Gentleman" on its surface. He snorted, "San Shier, you scoundrel, misusing idioms again. 'Five Sparrows, Six Swallows' is an idiom from *The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art: Equations*, used to describe two objects of roughly equal weight. It's a mathematical term, unsuitable for this context. It's a good thing I take the 'Mathematics' aspect of a gentleman's six arts very seriously, otherwise, you might have actually fooled me."
San Shier was also flustered. "It came from *The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art*? Oh dear, I had no idea."
Everyone fell silent once more.
San Shier chuckled, "Ah, that's not important! Let's focus on the main point. Wang Er and us—we're all rebels now, aren't we? So, we're all pretty much on par, 'equal in weight,' if you will."
At that, the whole table erupted in laughter.
Wang Er said, "No wonder you dared to take me in back then. It turns out, even then, you weren't concerned about the authorities."
San Shier continued, "Wang Er, our operations have expanded significantly. Not only is the Gao Family Village area our territory, but nearly all of Chengcheng County is under our control. We're currently planning to secure Heyang County, which is why you ran into Mr. Bai at Qichuan Ferry. Furthermore, we're also making plans for Huanglong Mountain, intending to build a base there. If you return, Huanglong Mountain would be the perfect place for you to be stationed."
Wang Er's heart stirred at these words.
Gao Family Village's situation was far superior to that of Wang Jiayin, Chuǎng Wang, and Zijing Liang's faction.
Bai Mao urged, "Big Brother, let's just stay."
Wang Er nodded. "Alright, I'll stay."
As soon as he spoke, everyone rejoiced.
However, Wang Er immediately shifted his tone. "But I can't simply stay just like this. That would be tantamount to betraying my sworn brothers, Wang Jiayin, Chuǎng Wang, and Zijing Liang. I need to go back and see them, persuade them to come with me. If they refuse, I must at least bid them a proper farewell and entrust them with any of my men who wish to continue following them."
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