Chapter 71 Stealing the Crystal

"According to the book, hanging a gourd at the head of the bed or on the beam of the house can ward off evil spirits."

"Yes."

Yang Chang deliberately explained to Xiao Rang, and the other party responded in time.

Li Kui murmured after hearing this: "I thought you wanted something precious. The gourd is easy to find, but is it useful?"

"Then I can't guarantee it, but the book says that gourds can cure diseases and ward off evil spirits. Chief Li, why not give it a try? In addition..."

Yang Chang suddenly changed the subject, looked around and said: "When I was a child, I saw a Taoist priest exorcising evil spirits, and it seemed that he used black dog blood."

"Black dog blood? It sounds familiar to me too." Li Kui suddenly became interested.

Xiao Rang stroked his beard and explained, "Brother Yang is right. Dogs are the most yang animals. Black dogs and boys have the purest innate yang energy. Therefore, Taoists use yang to control yin, and often use black dog blood to exorcise evil spirits and cure demons."

"How do you use black dog blood?"

After Xiao Rang gave some scientific explanation, he kept shaking his head when faced with further questions. Li Kui couldn't help but look at Yang Chang. He subconsciously felt that this thing was more useful than the gourd.

Yang Chang had an awkward expression on his face. He pinched his chin and said tentatively, "It should be poured on the evil spirit. Chief Li, why don't you try it in your residence, or apply it on your body? I'm just guessing."

"I think it makes sense, what do you think?"

"I guess so. We don't know how to exorcise evil spirits."

"That's all, thank you brothers!"

Li Kui got the secret of black dog blood, picked up a jar of wine and went to find Du Qian. His mood improved immediately.

Yang Chang and his table mates all smiled. He, Xiao Rang and the other two drank a few more bowls of wine, then went back to their room to rest on the pretext of being tired. However, after leaving the room, they slipped to the door of Song Taigong.

Chao Gai is holding a celebratory banquet tonight. His two sons are drinking in the Juyi Hall, while the family members' meals will be served later.

Duke Taigong of Song was drinking alone in his room. He felt bored after just a few seconds of drinking. Just as he was closing the door and preparing to go to bed, Yang Chang suddenly appeared at the door.

"uncle."

"How did you come?"

"I'm full, and I thought my uncle had no one to accompany him, so I stopped by to see him."

"You shouldn't leave the table even if you're full. You've just gained a place in Liangshan. You should drink a few more cups with the other leaders to deepen your friendship. There's no need to worry about me."

"King Chao will not announce it until tomorrow. It doesn't feel good to be too active right now. I'd better stay with my uncle and talk."

"What you said makes sense, so come and have a few drinks with me."

"I can't ask for it."

Duke Song welcomed Yang Chang inside, and the two of them sat down at the table, drinking and chatting, as harmonious as a pair of grandparents and grandchildren.

After a few drinks, Yang Chang saw that Mr. Song had a ruddy complexion, so he deliberately turned the topic to Hu Sanniang.

"Uncle, I was toasting in the Juyi Hall just now, and I vaguely saw the wife of the Hu family in the back hall. Li Kui destroyed the Hu Family Village today. Doesn't he need someone to watch her? It would be bad if she caused trouble."

"Don't worry, Sanniang has recognized me as her adoptive father. She is one of our own family now, so there won't be any trouble."

"She actually recognized you as her father."

"Although Silang is not as famous as Sanlang, this boy has his own way of persuading people, and Sanniang is also a sensible girl."

"Congratulations, uncle. I'll toast you again."

Yang Chang persuaded him to drink another glass of wine, and murmured as he poured the wine: "The wife of the Hu family is heroic and brave, what kind of husband will uncle choose for her? There are many single heroes on Liangshan, but there are only a few who are both talented and handsome."

"I get angry when I talk about this. Sanlang wants to marry her to Wang Aihu."

"Did your uncle agree? Wang Aihu is not as good as you in martial arts or appearance, that would be unfair to your daughter."

"He asked someone to tell him several times. I guess he has his own considerations. That's right."

Song Taigong was not drunk yet. He suddenly realized that Yang Chang had something else in mind, so he asked bluntly, "Are you interested in Sanniang?"

"Yes."

Yang Chang said it openly, and he didn't want to hide it at this time. Seeing that he was speaking seriously, Song Taigong frowned and stroked his beard and murmured, "Sanlang is also talented and handsome, and you and Sanniang are about the same age. You are a perfect match made in heaven. If you really want to marry my daughter, I will talk to Gongming later."

"That's what I want so much. Thank you for your help, father-in-law." After saying this, Yang Chang bowed his head.

Song Taigong smiled and helped Yang Chang up, saying, "We have known each other for quite some time, but I have never seen you so eager, and not as humble as before, as if you were afraid that I would disagree."

"Hehe." Yang Changhan responded with a smile: "Mr. Xiao taught me that. He said that good things must be fought for."

"Xiao Rang is right. Good things must be fought for. I will help you make the decision now. You can put your mind at ease."

"Of course I'm relieved. Brother Gongming is a very filial man. How could he not listen to you?"

"He dares not to listen? Drink some more with me."

"well."

Yang Chang felt relieved after receiving the promise from Song Taigong. If Song Jiang wanted to arrange a marriage for Wang Aihu again, he had to listen to his father's arrangement, otherwise the image of the filial and righteous Heisaburo would be ruined.

After drinking a few more cups with Song Taigong, Yang Changcai went back to rest contentedly. On the way, he planned to prepare the betrothal gifts and send them to him overnight because he was afraid that Song Taigong would change his mind.

When I returned to my residence, Xiao Rang was already there.

"Where have you been? Didn't you leave early?"

"Hey, I was drunk just now, so I sat at someone's door and took a nap."

After Yang Chang finished perfunctorily dealing with Xiao Rang, he climbed onto the bed and searched for the pair of swords, intending to give them away as a betrothal gift.

He doesn't have anything valuable now, and the only thing he can show off is the pair of swords. The key is that these weapons are too light and not suitable for wielding, so they are just decorations. Hu Sanniang uses the Sun and Moon Twin Swords, so maybe she can also use a pair of swords instead.

Xiao Rang mistakenly thought that he was packing his luggage, so he asked curiously, "What's the matter? Brother Yang, are you moving out tonight?"

"No." Yang Chang grabbed the swords with one hand and explained with a smile: "King Chao has not yet arranged the seats, nor has he allocated me a separate residence. At least I have to share a room with you tonight."

Xiao Rang was startled when he heard his roommate, then pointed at his two swords and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Let's find a place to sober up. Don't worry about me. Go to sleep first."

"Oh"

Yang Chang bid farewell to Xiao Rang and hurried to Song Taigong to propose marriage.

The old man had already gone to bed at that time. After opening the door, he asked Yang Chang the purpose of his visit, and then teased him for being impatient today. He said that he could not wait for Song Jiang to discuss it tonight, and would find his son to confirm the marriage tomorrow morning.

Yang Chang returned to his residence with great joy, propped up his pillow and had a good dream that night.

After breakfast the next day, Chao Gai summoned all the leaders to the Juyi Hall. Yang Chang was also notified. He guessed that it was to arrange seating.

When they arrived at the Juyi Hall, they saw Chao Gai sitting in the middle facing south, with Song Jiang and Wu Yong sitting on his left and right, with three rows of chairs on each side.

The leaders who arrived took their seats in the first two rows one after another. New leaders such as Sun Li and Li Ying stood in the middle of the hall listening to the arrangements, guessing that the third row on both sides would be their seats.

Chao Gai saw that everyone had arrived, and after a few polite words, he said to Song Jiang and Wu Yong, "Liangshan is growing stronger and stronger, and there are more and more leaders. The original seating arrangement is not entirely reasonable. I plan to take this opportunity today to make a reasonable adjustment. What do you think?"

"I listen to my brother."

Wu Yong expressed his opinion first, and Song Jiang followed suit, saying, "Brother, you can make the decision, but there are so many leaders, and it may be difficult to make arrangements in a hurry. I suggest that they sit down casually first, and then discuss it together. How about that?"

You let me make the decision, and you want us to discuss it together?
"Then sit down first."

Chao Gai waved his hand calmly, and Song Jiang clasped his fists and asked him for instructions: "Brother, please take your time to think about it. I want to announce a happy event."

Before Chao Gai could answer, Song Jiang had already stood up.

"Wang Ying, come to the front."

"I?"

"Come on, there's something good going on."

Yang Chang was on his way to find a seat when he suddenly stopped when he heard Song Jiang say that. He looked ahead in disbelief, wondering what was going on.

Didn't Mr. Song say anything? Did Hei Sanlang pretend to obey but secretly disobey?
Damn it, even if we have a quarrel in public later, I will never let my wife go!

(End of this chapter)