Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Late mid-spring, early morning.

"My dear, you can't see the birth of your child. I wonder what you are going to name the child?"

The sun had not yet shone into the world. The room was lit with candles for lighting. The voices were filled with regret. Wu Qing, who was pregnant, stood in the room. Lu Wen squatted on the ground and stuffed her father's feet into his boots. She looked up at him and asked, "When will Dad be back?"

Lu Bu stretched out his arms and let Su Jinniang and Hu Sanniang put on his coat. He looked at Wu Qing's belly, then at his squatting daughter and Yelu Daribo who was accompanying two younger children. The two little guys, Lu Qun and Lu Lan, were obviously not well slept and were rubbing their eyes and yawning.

Lu Bu slowly reached out and adjusted the jade belt around his waist: "It is indeed a pity, but the time to send out the troops has already been decided and cannot be changed."

After a pause, he said: "If it is a boy, he should be named Tuo, which fits the saying of 'the territory is expanding, and the military equipment is growing day by day'.

The girl's name is Yi, and I hope this time the flags will be beautiful and good news will come frequently. "

Wu Qing nodded and took note. Lu Bu looked down at Lu Wen and said, "I won't be back this time." His eyes dimmed slightly when he looked at his daughter, and he smiled and said, "When we take over Nanjing, you can go to Xijin Prefecture to meet me."

"That's great!"

Lu Wen cheered, and Wu Qing, Su Jinniang and Hu Sanniang smiled. The two younger children were startled and opened their eyes, not knowing what had happened, and then closed their eyes again to continue in confusion. Only Yelu Daribo had a complicated expression on his face, not knowing what expression to use.

Hu Sanniang brought the cloak over, and Lu Bu reached out to take it. He glanced at Dalibo's expression and stared at her: "Don't think too much. If you don't want to think about it, you can come a few days later."

Yelu Dalibo took a breath and smiled gratefully: "Don't worry, my dear, I don't need to worry about what to do."

Lu Bu looked at her for a few breaths before nodding. He glanced at the figure in front of him and said in a deep voice, "In that case, I will go to the battle."

Su Jinniang and Hu Sanniang hurriedly pulled Lü Qun and Lü Lan from behind. The two little ones suddenly woke up and instantly remembered what they were doing today. They rubbed their faces and saluted with their mother, daughter, and sister beside them, saying loudly: "May heaven and earth bless you, and you will be invulnerable to swords and guns. Return victorious soon, and don't forget your return date."

Lu Bu laughed loudly, stretched out his hand and shook the cloak open and covered himself with it. He turned around and the blood-red cloak fluttered in the air: "I will take Xijin Mansion as easily as taking something out of a bag. Wait for my good news at home."

The tall and strong figure pushed open the door and walked out.

Outside the courtyard, Yu Cheng and Wei He were standing in the middle of the palace road wearing helmets and armor. Behind them were eighteen military guards wearing full body armor, with swords and crossbows hanging from their waists, spears in their hands, and holding the reins of their war horses.

In the dark blue color, the sound of burning torches was extremely loud. The war horses moved their hooves and snorted from time to time. In the silence, the fiery red horses looked up anxiously at the gate with copper nails from time to time.

squeak-

boom--

The tightly closed door of the harem in front of them opened, and the guards outside all stopped their weapons. Yu Cheng and Wei He knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

The reins were loosened and the fiery red warhorse stepped forward.

Lu Bu kept walking, passing the two men, and walked to the red spot. He flew up and grabbed the reins: "Mount the horse, and head south with me to defeat the enemy!"

"Here!"

The guards and generals present shouted in unison. Yu and Wei stood up first and got on their horses. The guards behind them followed their movements and stepped on the stirrups.

The war horses gradually galloped up, and their hooves shattered the morning tranquility of the palace.

……

At the end of Mao Shi.

The sun pierced through the curtain of darkness, and the light shone through every street and house in Dading Prefecture. Some early risers walked out of their homes with their hands in their pockets, ran to the roadside vendors to order some hot soup and steamed buns to eat, and prepared to start the morning.

Several mansions opened their doors, and the first few figures who came out took a look around. The carriage stopped near the door, exchanged glances with the driver, and then nodded to the back. The wooden-wheeled vehicle was lifted out and gently placed on the ground.

"Sima Shi." Deng Fei looked at the young man in the lead with red eyes and smiled gently: "I'll trouble you to protect us for the next period of time."

"It's my duty. Thank you for being polite, Minister Deng." Shi Xiu lowered his head and smiled. His fair face looked like that of a gentle and handsome man, not like a spy from the Youshi Mansion whose hands were stained with the blood of countless people.

Shi Xiu turned around and waved his hand. Immediately, one of his men came forward, helped Deng Fei out of the wooden cart and put him into the carriage.

"Get on the horses." Shi Xiu shouted, and some of his spies got on the carriage and sat next to the coachman, some sat on the shaft, and some rode on war horses, guarding the carriage up and down all the way towards the military camp outside the city.

Along the way, court officials rode into the street from time to time. Shi Xiu recognized many famous ministers at a glance, including Zhang Lin, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Wang Zheng, the Chief Academician of the Imperial College, Li Zu, the Minister of the Imperial Household, Lu Sili, the Minister of the Imperial Guards, and Lu Yan, the General of Agriculture. He gently pinched the reins, looking thoughtful.

They are all important figures in the court. It seems that the battle to the south will be a life-and-death battle.

As the wheels rolled over the dirt road, Shi Xiu was stunned when he saw a figure near the city gate. It was his immediate superior, Minister of Personnel Qiao Lie. Seeing that he had been looking at him, he immediately reacted and quickly pulled the reins to move closer to the carriage: "Central Minister Deng, Minister Qiao is waiting for you in front."

The carriage curtain was lifted, Deng Fei stretched his head to look over here, and Qiao Lie really raised his arm and waved it twice. The Fire Eyed Suanni smiled on his somewhat thin face and patted the window: "Quick, go forward."

The coachman quickly whipped his whip, the carriage stopped at the city gate, and the spy sitting on the shaft quickly jumped down to make way.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you, brother." Qiao Lie said as he swiftly got into the car, opened the door and got in: "You're not in Beijing all day now, so it's hard for me to see you."

"Don't come on, I can't see you even in Beijing, you are much busier than me."

Shi Xiu'er listened to the two people talking for a few words, then gestured and the carriage moved forward again.

However, this made life difficult for the spies from the Youshi Mansion who followed them. Their boss was sitting in the car, and if they made a mistake, they would lose their lives. Even Shi Xiu, who was extremely daring, had to be alert and keep a close eye on every place where people might be hiding.

The carriages and horses were moving fast, and in the distance, a military camp was in sight.

……

It’s the exact time of Chen.

The sunlight shines on everyone who walks outside.

The dark clothes absorbed enough heat, making him feel warm. Han Tao looked up at the sky, where a few birds were flapping their wings and flying in the distance. He took a breath and said, "Let's go—"

Snapped--

There was a crackling sound when the horse whip was cracked, and some herdsmen shouted. Large numbers of cattle and sheep were driven forward, and the team with the "Han" flag followed on the side, forming a guard.

The three armies have not moved, and the food and grass go first.

Peng Qi, who was in charge of transporting the grain and fodder, had already set off the day before. It was just the right time for him to set off now, driving these cattle and sheep for meat.

Looking back, he saw people crowded in the military camp, figures moving back and forth between each other. General Baisheng turned around and breathed a sigh of relief.

When the day of the southern attack comes, we must find a way to gain some military merit. Otherwise, if we miss this great battle, we will regret it in the future.

In the military camp, Yang Zaixing, wearing armor and holding a golden tiger-head iron spear, led a team of dozens of cavalrymen to patrol the camp.

The entire military camp was already in motion. It would be unlucky if there was any disorder on the eve of the army's march. Therefore, after his master entered the camp, he asked him to lead the troops to maintain military discipline. The young general had no objection to this. After turning around a few times, seeing that many troops had packed their bags, Yang Zaixing stopped his horse, took out his water bag and drank a few sips. The cavalrymen behind him also took this opportunity to replenish their water and occasionally talked in low voices. Not long after, they heard the sound of horse hooves approaching behind them.

Yang Zaixing turned around holding the water bag and saw Sun Yue, Niu Tong, and Hu Yanyu riding horses and stopping. He stuffed the cork back into the water bag with his other hand and said, "Why are you here when you are not in the army helping to pack your bags?"

"We have done it ourselves. My father doesn't like me and wants me to find a place to stay by myself." Niu Tong said carelessly. Sun Yue and Huyan Yu behind him looked a little embarrassed. It seemed that they were kicked out for the same reason.

Niu Tong looked at Yang Zaixing's bright armor heartlessly and envied him: "Tsk, I wonder when I can wear yours, it looks quite impressive."

Yang Zaixing curled his lips and said, "Does your black face look good in silver armor?"

Niu Tong rolled his eyes.

Sun Yue stepped forward and patted Niu Tong: "Zai Xing is right. You only look good in black armor. Wearing white, tsk tsk..."

"That's enough." Yang Zaixing interrupted the two of them and said, "I still have to patrol the camp. What do you three have to say?"

"Nothing." Hu Yanyu said from behind: "Brothers, we have nowhere to go, so it's good to follow you on the inspection."

"Then follow me first." Yang Zaixing did not refuse and directly led his team of cavalry forward.

Niu Tong and the other two looked at each other and hurriedly followed. Niu Tong rode his horse beside Yang Zaixing and blinked his eyes: "I heard that the Liao army's Xijing Road troops were transferred to Nanjing Road. I wonder if Your Majesty will send people to seize Datong Prefecture?"

Yang Zaixing looked at him, then at Sun Yue and Hu Yanyu, and suddenly smiled: "It seems that the three of you are asking this."

Sun Yue shrugged: "My father didn't tell me anything when he went back. When I asked him, he got angry and told me to figure it out myself, so I had no choice but to come to you."

Niu Tong and Huyan Yu also nodded gloomily.

Yang Zaixing was not in a position to comment on the parenting methods of his uncles and uncles, so he just shook his head and said, "I don't know, Master didn't tell me."

After thinking for a while, he said, "But since the army is going to Bei'an Prefecture, I don't think they will go west to attack Datong. Wouldn't it be better to chase after Yelu Yanxi?"

The three people at the back looked at each other and frowned. Niu Tong said in a rough voice: "Send a team of soldiers to occupy Datong. It would be good to cut off the Khitans' retreat."

"Not good." Yang Zaixing thought about it and waved his hand: "We don't have enough troops to fight on two fronts. If we send too many people, Nanjing will be difficult to attack. If we send too few people, I don't know if we can capture it. Why bother..."

dong dong dong-

The sound of the war drums drowned out Yang Zaixing's words. The few people who were waiting for the drums to stop looked at each other and said, "The time is almost up. Let's go to the big tent first."

"Yeah." Niu Tong stroked the beard growing on his chin and knocked his feet against the warhorse: "Let's go quickly. If I go back too late, my father will probably beat me up."

At that moment, Yang Zaixing ordered his men, and the four men and four horses turned in another direction. The movements of the soldiers in the barracks accelerated a lot in the sound of drums, and soon the same sound was struck again, and the soldiers began to gallop out.

In the central army tent, Lu Bu sat on a chair with his eyes closed and listened to the rumbling sound. The cattle and sheep accompanying the army had already set out, the soldiers and horses in the barracks were ready, and the civil officials who came from the city and the military generals who led the troops in the barracks had all gathered.

thump—

When the last drum sounded, Lu Bu suddenly opened his eyes and stood up. On both sides of the tent were civil officials such as Wang Zheng, Li Zhu, Qiao Lie, and Deng Fei, and military commanders such as Du Fu, Xiao Haili, Wanyan Loushi, and Hua Rong. They watched their monarch stand up, and except for Deng Fei who sat firmly in the wooden wheelchair, everyone else stood up.

The blood-red cloak fluttered in the air for a moment, and then he walked out of the tent with his steps. Both the civil and military officials hurriedly followed, mounted their horses, and headed quickly towards the parade ground.

The voices in the military camp had fallen silent, with only the flags erected in the air making fluttering sounds in the wind.

In the parade ground, soldiers wearing black military uniforms and holding weapons stood silently, and looked up when they saw the figure rushing towards them.

Lu Bu rode his horse without stopping and went straight to the high platform of the parade ground. He kicked off his stirrup and dismounted, climbed straight to the top, took incense and lit it to worship the gods. Zhang Lin read out the prayer, and Lu Bu led the generals to pay tribute to the gods of heaven and earth.

When Yu Cheng, Xu Wen and others were about to present the three sacrificial animals on the table, Lu Bu drew out the long sword from his waist and said, "Send out the troops to destroy Liao..."

"Wan Sheng——"

"Wan Sheng——"

"Wan Sheng——"

The wind blew through the large banner of the central army, making it rustle. Under the bright sky, the soldiers and their horses marched facing south, and the army stretched for several miles.

This was a war that everyone expected and had been looking forward to for a long time.

……

Song, Baozhou.

The dim light shone from the west onto the city wall, and a bonfire was lit on the top of the city, burning vigorously.

The military camp outside the city could see the fire on the city wall in the distance. Lu Junyi stood on the watchtower of the military camp for a long time without saying a word.

He had already made the worst plan in his mind. Following the order of the court, he followed Song Jiang to the west to fight the Xixia people. Unexpectedly, things were even more serious than he thought. They actually went north to attack the Liao Kingdom and take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, Taizu has gone through several emperors. They have suffered so much and lost so many people in the Yanyun incident. Now the current emperor has also set his sights on the north. Even his self-confidence makes him feel uneasy.

"Deputy Vanguard, Deputy Vanguard."

A familiar voice came from below the watchtower. Lu Junyi leaned on the wooden railing and looked down. It was indeed Yan Qing.

"Please come down, Vanguard Officer. I have the latest military orders."

"Oh?" Lu Junyi calmed down, came down the wooden ladder, strode towards the central army, and asked, "Do you know what the military order is?"

"Unknown." Yan Qing followed behind him and said softly, "It was a eunuch who came to deliver the decree. Xiao Yi guessed that it was a new order from the Grand Tutor."

Lu Junyi said nothing, and walked quickly into the big tent with Yan Qing. With a glance, they saw that all the leaders with different expressions were already waiting there, so they quickly went to their seats and sat down.

Song Jiang watched the two men come in and stood up: "Now that all the brothers are here, Song Jiang can speak now."

He glanced at the people on both sides and said: "The court has an agreement with the Qi Kingdom in the north to attack the Liao Kingdom on the Gengyin day of the last month of spring. As the vanguard camp, we will naturally be the first to go."

"Qi... Qi?"

Many leaders below were stunned for a moment. Liu Tang and Bai Sheng looked at each other. Li Jun and his brothers looked at each other without saying a word. Sun Li closed his eyes, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Song Jiang took a breath and said, "The Grand Tutor said that we will send out troops on the seventh day. Brothers, please prepare yourselves."

Sun Li suddenly opened his eyes and frowned. (End of this chapter)