Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Fang Xuedu came very quickly. After receiving the summons, he rushed out of the Ministry of War, jumped on a war horse, and galloped over.

When the guards around saw him coming, they hurried forward and took the reins of his warhorse. Wei He was standing at the palace gate, watching him come and greeted him.

"His Majesty, do you know what the urgent summons is about?" Fang Xuedu saw the fat man respond, then stopped and asked him.

The fat man did not hide it: "The northern grasslands followed the Khitans to send troops. An urgent message of 800 miles was just delivered to the palace. That's why His Majesty asked you and Wang Jijiu to come here."

Fang Xuedu raised his eyebrows: "Is Wang Jijiu here?"

Wei He chuckled and shrugged: "He is the farthest away, it will take some time for him to arrive."

"……Too."

"Prince Fang, there is no need to be so anxious. Although His Majesty is a little angry, he does not look impatient. Besides, we also have cavalry stationed at the northern border, so there is no danger at the moment."

Fang Xuedu nodded and calmed down. He said to Wei He, "I'll go see His Majesty first. We'll have a drink together when you get off work." Then he went into the palace. Yu Lu was thinking about what suggestions he could make.

When he entered the door of the imperial study, he saw that Lü Bu did not look anxious at all. He finally relaxed and stepped forward to salute him: "Your Majesty."

"Come and sit down." Lu Bu sat upright on the wooden chair and patted the armrest. "I called you here because I need you to do something. Um... Wang Zheng hasn't come yet. I'll tell him again later."

The figure opposite raised an eyebrow: "I am all ears."

"Send a warning to the border, have Xi Sheng guard against the Khitans in the south, and don't let them cross the border to respond to the cavalry from Shangjing. Notify Bian Xiang to move to Xijing Road and build a defense line northwest of Xinguan. Similarly, as long as you guard against the Liao army over there, it will be a great achievement."

Fang Xuedu nodded, silently reciting what the emperor had told him to do, and then his eyes flickered: "Your Majesty is only on guard against the Liao army in Xijing Road and Nanjing Road, I wonder what arrangements you have for the cavalry in the north?"

"We have been fighting with Liao for many years. Even the elite troops in their army, such as the Pishi Army, were defeated. What can the north do even if there are more troops?" Lu Bu shook his head and smiled, with a look of certainty: "According to the intelligence from the army, there are 50,000 cavalrymen in the north attacking the Northern Frontier Protectorate. However, based on my understanding of them, if their pastures are really eaten up by locusts, they will definitely attack with the strength of their entire tribe. 50,000 is definitely not all they have."

creak-

"Your Majesty is right. Zheng also thinks so." The wide open door revealed Wang Zheng's thin figure. The chief academic officer of the Imperial College walked in with a tired look on his face.

Lu Bu looked at the bright sunny day outside the door and sneered, "You lazy fellow, you indulged yourself to such an extent last night that you look so weak today."

He turned around and waved to the eunuch standing beside him: "Go tell the imperial kitchen to send some ginseng chicken soup over."

The eunuch on the other side bowed in response and walked out backwards.

Wang Zheng smiled. He was used to this kind of teasing between the monarch and his subjects. He walked over and sat down, yawning, "I went to bed early last night, but Hua Niang beside me was a bit clingy."

Fang Xuedu glanced at him sideways and shook his head. There were some things that a person with his personality really couldn't do. He just admired the free and easy attitude of the chief priest.

Sometimes, he actually wanted to indulge himself.

Lü Bu smiled and leaned back: "I heard a lot of what you just said."

"As your majesty said, fifty thousand cavalrymen are not all of their forces."

"That's not much."

Lu Bu shook his head and looked at Fang Xuedu. The Minister of War on the side immediately understood what he meant and began to repeat what the emperor and his minister had just said.

"Your Majesty..." Wang Zheng touched his nose and changed the subject: "I heard that the Song people in the south sent envoys."

Lu Bu frowned and said, "Why are you talking about those people who spoil the fun?" He shook his head and said, "I have seen many people change their mind from day to day, and I don't like them." He patted the armrest and said, "It is better not to have any contact with them in the first place, rather than being affected by their stupidity in the future."

Wang Zheng did not refute, but nodded and rubbed his nose: "Your Majesty, the Liao people are also eyeing us covetously. Although we have taken the lead in the war with them, we should not underestimate the Khitans. After all, our foundation is too weak. Even if we get some money and food by destroying the Buddhists, it will only ease the financial situation for one or two years.

Your Majesty, this is not the time to act based on personal likes and dislikes."

After a pause, he looked at the emperor opposite him who was still frowning, his eyes moved, and he stretched out his hand to make a scooping gesture: "Besides, maybe we can extort a lot of money and grain from the Song Dynasty's court."

"Hmm? If you put it that way, I'm quite interested." Lü Bu's thoughts turned a little after hearing what his military advisor said. Seeing that he had raised a ladder, he naturally took the opportunity. He relaxed his brows and leaned forward: "How can I get money and food? Tell me."

Fang Xuedu slightly turned his body and looked at Wang Zheng's thoughtful expression. Feeling his gaze on him, he hesitated and said, "What Jijiu meant... is he talking about the annual tribute?"

"Ah~" Wang Zheng shook his hands repeatedly: "What are you thinking, Minister Fang? We haven't fought with the Song people yet, how can we ask for annual tribute?"

Looking at the two men, he said, "As expected, the Song Dynasty sent an envoy to attack Liao. I heard that the chief envoy was Zhao Liangsi, who often visited the homes of several Liao Dynasty officials who surrendered. I think Your Majesty should know about this."

"Yes." Lu Bu nodded, then looked at him curiously: "How did you know that?"

Fang Xuedu laughed beside him and said, "Your Majesty, you forgot that the chief priest often sleeps in the brothel, so there is no news for you."

Lu Bu smiled.

Wang Zheng, who didn't even blush, waved his hand and said, "Don't interrupt." He said eagerly, "Zhao Liangsi should also be from Liao, but I don't know what kind of person he was in the past. I guess that since he has surrendered to the Song people, he must be very concerned about attacking Liao. Our money and food will depend on him."

Lu Bu nodded: "Qiao Lie has already found out from those people that this man is called Ma Zhi, born in Jizhou, a descendant of the Ma family, a prominent family in Liao, and once served as Guanglu Dafu."

Fang Xuedu's face was full of excitement. "So, this man is from a rich family and holds a high position, so why would he think of joining the old official of the Zhao family?"

"Perhaps he has his own reasons, or maybe he is born to be rebellious, why bother with him." Wang Zheng supported his face with his hands, not caring at all: "The real purpose is to use him to gain some benefits from Zhao Song."

Fang Xuedu's eyes flickered: "Does the chief priest mean to form a false alliance and defraud them of money and food?"

Wang Zheng shook his head like a rattle: "How can we use the word 'deception' to describe something that we both agree on?"

Then he spoke seriously: "As for whether we attack Liao because of the agreement, or whether we retreat because the northern border cavalry has no time to look south, it is up to us to decide."

Lu Bu and Fang Xuedu laughed together. The former slapped his hand on the table and said, "That's right. In that case... I'll meet that jumping Zhao Liangsi."

After a pause, he raised his voice: "Yu Cheng."

A voice came from outside the door: "I am here." Then the door opened again, revealing a figure bowing and waiting for orders.

"Send the Song envoy over. Also, inform Jiang Jing and Li Ying to prepare food and fodder. Order the cavalry and wolf riders of the Left Guard and the five schools of the Northern Army to cancel their leave and follow me to the Northern Frontier in three days."

"Here!"

The generals who turned around outside took the order and left. A eunuch brought in a few porcelain bowls and gently placed them on the table. Lu Bu picked them up and opened them: "This is made by Zhou Darong using Korean ginseng. It has a certain effect on refreshing the mind. Try it." Fang and Wang hurriedly thanked them, took the porcelain bowls and drank a few sips. Not long after, they felt warm all over. Wang Zheng's eyes lit up and he looked at the slightly yellow soup: "Good stuff, this ginseng... was it sent half a year ago?"

"...almost." Lu Bu thought for a moment and nodded. "There was a change of power in Goryeo. The grandson of the powerful minister whom Yang Pu met last time took the throne and sent people to pay homage."

"I just want to take this opportunity to stabilize the internal affairs and ask Your Majesty not to focus on them." Wang Zheng chuckled: "I wonder what the situation will be like for them when the King of Goryeo grows up."

Lu Bu lowered his eyelids and said, "Since ancient times, few powerful ministers have escaped unscathed. Just wait and see."

The three of them were chatting and laughing, and discussing some future state affairs. Someone outside came to report that the envoys from the Song Dynasty had arrived and were waiting in the Xuanzheng Hall.

Lu Bu stood up and waved his hand: "Come on, follow me to see this minister who is against Liao."

The other two had no objection and followed him out. The guards of the Zuo Wuwei stood on the left and right, and walked towards the palace over there with the slight sound of weapons and armor.

Xuanzheng Hall.

There were several eunuchs standing in the empty hall, with their heads lowered and their vague gazes fixed on the figure waiting over there.

Zhao Liangsi tried his best to calm his excitement. He had been in Song for three or four years in order to encourage the Song people to seize Yanyun and destroy the Liao Kingdom. However, this matter was full of twists and turns. Several consecutive alliances died because the government changed its mind. Now he finally got support and came to the north, but he could not see the emperor of Qi all day long.

When he received the order to meet the emperor, the man from Yan named Zhao was ecstatic.

The light outside the hall gradually dimmed and there were footsteps coming from outside. Zhao Liangsi hurriedly straightened his clothes and touched his temples and forehead to find his hair was not messy. Then he stood aside and waited with his head down.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

A powerful voice rang in his ears, and the light dimmed the next moment. Zhao Liangsi only felt a breeze blowing in front of him, and vaguely felt a figure walking quickly. He forced himself not to look up, and with his lowered eyesight, he caught a glimpse of two pairs of official boots walking by.

Fortunately, I'm not that curious, otherwise it would be embarrassing if I was caught.

He muttered to himself, and a deep voice sounded in front of him: "Are you Zhao Liangsi, the envoy of Song Dynasty?"

"It's a foreign minister." Zhao Liangsi responded, and hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to the ground: "Greetings, Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live a long life."

Lu Bu looked down from his seat and waved his hand: "Stand up and talk."

Zhao Liangsi then stood up and looked over there. He was slightly startled. The emperor in his field of vision was tall and strong, with a tough face that looked no more than thirty years old, and a neatly trimmed beard on his chin. He muttered in his heart that he had heard that the emperor was young, but he never thought that he looked even younger than the rumors said.

"My time is limited." Lu Bu looked at the figure below with a hint of amusement on his face: "Tell me why you are here."

Zhao Liangsi took a breath and bowed slightly: "The reason why I am here is..."

The sound of talking continued in the Xuanzheng Hall.

……

North, Protectorate.

After the fire was put out, black smoke was rising from the city wall, and the troops on the west and north sides were retreating.

The red autumn sun was crumbling in the west, and the red light swept across the ancient city walls, leaving red and black blood stains and black marks left by fire arrows. Soldiers with minor injuries were throwing the naked corpses of the enemies under the city, while their own corpses and seriously wounded were carried down the city walls with the help of the young and strong.

Niu Gao held up the bloody iron mace, raised his foot to turn over the dead body of the Liao army in front of him, looked at the knife wound, stepped over and walked to the other side of the city wall.

Outside, the Liao army, which had sounded the retreat, was retreating in a mighty manner. In his sight, Wang Jun was wiping a sword with great pains, and from time to time he held the sword across his eyes, looking at the gap on it and sighing.

"What happened?"

The sound woke up Wang Jun who was immersed in his own world. He turned to look at the black man who was walking over and smiled bitterly: "Another broken knife."

He showed the blade to Niu Gao. The irregular jagged edge showed that the blade had to be reforged. "A few of them get broken in a battle. My salary can't stop me from making them like this."

"Just bear with it." Niu Gao couldn't help laughing, and walked to the parapet to look down: "At least the city is still in our hands, so the reinforcements won't have nowhere to go."

"According to the speed, the first wave of reinforcements should be arriving by now, right?"

"It must have happened in the past two days." Niu Gao turned his head and shook his body.

After several days of intense fighting, even the strongest body would have been exhausted. Wang Jun was not much better than him. The two men staggered and talked about reinforcements as they walked, which cheered up the soldiers who were listening around them.

After going down the stone steps of the city wall, my nose was filled with the smell of blood mixed with the scent of herbs. There were also seriously injured soldiers lying on the wooden boards wailing, and people wearing tribal costumes next to them were taking out the chewed herbs in their mouths and applying them to his wounds.

These were soldiers who had enlisted locally, including herdsmen from the Zhazhici and Wugudilie peoples. Even though Niu Gao and Wang Jun had trained them to be ruthless in the past, they would still lose their lives in such a brutal fight if they were not careful.

When the Liao army came, they all fought bravely, climbed up to the top of the city and fought with the attacking army. In more than ten days, nearly half of the two thousand cavalry and four thousand infantry were killed or wounded, and countless people suffered minor wounds.

The two men walked into the Protectorate Office, the expressions on their faces gradually became gloomy. The reinforcements they had been talking about were coming, but it was just a way for them to boost morale. However, in reality, neither of them had any idea when the reinforcements from the south would arrive.

The road to Shangjing is vast, and even if all the cavalrymen ran as fast as they could, the time would still be tight.

I just hope the soldiers in the city can hold on a little longer.

"…Fortunately, the intensity of the siege today is not as strong as the previous two days." Wang Jun was silent for a while and grinned.

Niu Gao sat down with his hands on his knees: "I'm afraid it will wear down our morale."

He looked up at the deputy general opposite him and said, "In the past few days, enemy cavalry came to Dongcheng and shot a few arrows and ran away. They said they didn't have any ideas, but I don't believe it."

The two of them fell silent one after another, looking outside in a daze.

Now, including the young and strong men and civilians in the city, the number is only equal to that of the cavalry outside. The soldiers who can move are fighting to the death. It is not enough to allocate them to the two sections of the northwest city wall. If there is one more section on the east side, they will be stretched in an instant.

The defenders were insufficient, but fortunately, there was a river to the south, making it impossible to deploy a battle formation. To the east, there were the armies of Jingbian City and Jumu Ancient City, forming a pincer attack with this side. Most of the Liao cavalry were also somewhat concerned, so they did not force an attack, which alleviated a lot of pressure.

"Reinforcements please come soon..."

Thousands of words are reduced to one sentence. (End of this chapter)