Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Mid-autumn.

The war horses entered the city gate, and the originally bustling city became a little chaotic, with the noisy sounds drowning out the sound of galloping horses.

There were fewer merchants from various ethnic groups. Occasionally, one could even see common people and nobles with their families carrying packages and driving donkey carts quickly out of the city gate. Soldiers at the city gate squatted on both sides of the gate with their spears loosely resting on their shoulders.

Many shops on both sides of the road are closed, and the bamboo poles that should have supported signs in the past are standing there alone.

The crowd rushing out was avoiding the incoming cavalry, the moving heads of people swayed before his eyes, and Yelu Dashi, who was sitting on the warhorse, frowned.

The Qi army did not come near Xijin Prefecture, so why did the city become like this?

Yelu Dashi couldn't help but exert force with his arms and slowly tightened the reins.

Xiao Wulila's mount approached from behind, and he was a little confused: "Lin Ya, why did you stop?"

The sound of horse hooves stopped all around. The common people and wealthy families whose roads were blocked looked at the stopped cavalry in front of them with some uneasiness, and tried to lean back as much as possible to avoid provoking the Khitan nobles in front of them.

The people behind did not look up for a moment and were trying to squeeze forward. When the two sides collided, there was some chaos. When they saw clearly that there were Khitans on horseback in front of them, they all retreated.

"…something is not right."

Yelu Dashi glanced at the people in front of him, then looked at the deserted streets and shops in the city. His expression changed from time to time, and finally he raised the whip in his hand and said, "No, hurry up and check the palace, I'm afraid something has happened.

Xiao Bodie, quickly get the troops in the rear to enter the city and head to the palace together."

From afar, the voice of the Prince Consort's agreement came.

Generals such as Xiao Telie and Yelu Fuding also looked gloomy. This chaotic scene must have meant that someone in the court was committing a heinous crime.

The sound of war horses trampling on the streets and the yellow sand that was raised made the surrounding people unable to help but cover their mouths and noses and retreat.

The troops entering the city ignored them and galloped wildly behind the anxious Yelu Dashi. The rumbling sound continued all the way to the palace in Nanjing.

Several noble generals guarding the palace gate were waiting in full battle array. Seeing the approaching cavalry, they could not help but panic. Someone turned around and shouted, "Close the gate! Close the gate quickly!"

"Don't close the door--"

The voice of shouting came over, and Yelu Dashi took a breath and shouted: "I am Yelu Dashi, the commander-in-chief of the Western Route, and I want to see Your Majesty!"

The figure who was about to retreat into the palace stopped and waved his hand: "Wait..."

He hesitated and stood there, watching the galloping warhorse stop about ten feet in front of the palace gate. The figure on the horse jumped off and walked over quickly: "I am Yelu Dashi, where is your majesty, I want to see you."

The figures wearing the general's armor had strange expressions on their faces. They looked at each other and someone muttered, "Where is His Majesty... We want to know, too."

"What?" Yelu Dashi didn't hear clearly and looked over in confusion.

The noble in front bowed, looking a little nervous: "Da Shilin Ya, it's fine if you want to go in, but the palace can't accommodate so many people behind you."

Yelu Dashi looked back and raised his eyebrows: "What nonsense are you talking about..." Then he reacted and didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "I'm the only one who went in, what do you think?"

Some people in front looked disappointed, but they all made way: "Lin Ya, please go in. The court officials should be in the palace now."

Yelu Dashi nodded and walked inside.

The people behind looked at each other and couldn't help but say, "I don't know whether it is a blessing or a curse for Dashilinya to come back at this time."

"At worst we can just run away. How bad can it get?"

"…I still have a family business, I don't want to run away."

"Who says it's not?"

The figure walking quickly in front did not hear the whispering discussions behind, but Yelu Dashi had been frowning all the way in.

The palace in Nanjing Road is not the most important place among the five capitals, but it is the richest place because it is close to the border of Song State. It is built magnificently and has the most palace maids and eunuchs. But I didn't see many people along the way. Could it be...

With a frown on his face, Yelu Dashi walked all the way to the main hall. He heard some noisy sounds from afar, but it was too chaotic and he couldn't hear clearly what was being said.

As they walked along the road, a guard who was guarding the place saw a figure in military uniform approaching and quickly stood up straight. But when the figure passed by, he relaxed again with a look of daydreaming.

"We should send out scouts to find His Majesty."

"There are not enough soldiers in the city now, where can we get so many people?"

"It's been too long, and I have long lost sight of your majesty."

The noisy noises came into people's ears the moment they stepped into the hall, causing the people who came in to twitch their eyes involuntarily.

Perhaps sensing the presence of a living person, the court officials who were dancing and talking in front stopped, turned their heads and looked, their eyes suddenly widened: "Da Shi Lin Ya? Why are you…"

Afterwards, many people shut up. The military report had already been reported to the court, and all the court officials had already known about his defeat. They were just a little surprised when they saw it suddenly, but they had reacted by now.

Yelu Dashi frowned, took a step forward, and looked at the seat where Yelu Yanxi should have been sitting: "Where is your majesty?"

The figures in front looked at each other, and someone stepped out: "Your Majesty disappeared five days ago, and we are looking for him." Gone...

The muscles at the corners of his eyes twitched violently twice. Yelu Dashi was a little confused as to whether he had heard it wrong. He took a breath and bowed to the figure who had come out: "I don't know what you mean? What do you mean that His Majesty is missing?"

It was Yelu Dezhong who walked out. He smiled bitterly and said, "It was your Majesty who took Xiao Fengxian and others five days ago, saying that he was going to hunt in the wild, and then he took the soldiers outside the city and ran away to who knows where."

"He actually ran away when the country was in such a crisis?" Yelu Dashi's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but take a step forward: "How many soldiers were there outside the city? Did they all follow him?"

"Three thousand cavalry." A low voice came from the side. Yelu Dashi turned around and saw that it was the Prime Minister of the Southern Palace, Li Chuwen.

"Many soldiers were sent out in the city to deal with the invasion by Qi and Song. Now there are even fewer soldiers left. There are less than ten thousand people left."

"But it's good that Dashilinya can come back." Yelu Dezhong smiled bitterly: "One more person will mean more strength at this time. By the way..."

He glanced outside and asked, "Where is Commander Xiao?"

Yelu Dashi's cheek muscles twitched. "Xiao Gan was defeated and led the Xi troops to leave the camp at night. Now I think they should be in the southern border."

Yelu Dezhong looked at him with a complicated expression. The civil and military officials in the back were in a state of commotion. Li Chuwen stepped forward and said, "We are short of soldiers and generals now. Why don't we contact General Xiao? I think he has other ideas and doesn't want the court to fall so quickly."

He looked at Yelu Dezhong, then looked down at Yelu Dashi: "Now that the imperial court is weak, we can put aside the minor branches. If Xiao Gan is still willing to defend the capital..."

"If he comes, I will never pursue the matter." Yelu Dashi interrupted Li Chuwen's words: "I just don't know if he is still willing to follow orders, after all, Your Majesty is not here."

The figures in the hall opened their mouths, and then fell silent.

"Wei..." Someone whispered softly. The voice was too soft, but every word was still audible.

Yelu Dezhong, Yelu Dashi and Li Chuwen looked over and saw that it was Li Chuwen's cousin Li Chuneng.

"What can you say?"

Li Chuneng raised his head and looked at the three people in front of him, swallowing his saliva: "I said, His Royal Highness the King of Wei is still in the city."

Yelu Dezhong and the other two's eyes lit up, and they exchanged glances. Then Li Chuwen clapped his hands and said, "Yes, the King of Wei has both virtue and reputation. If we invite him out now, it will surely calm the people in the city."

Yelu Dezhong's eyes flashed: "The country cannot be without a king for a day. Since Your Majesty has abandoned the foundation of his ancestors and left, why not let the King of Wei ascend the throne directly? Perhaps he can save the country from danger."

Yelu Dashi looked at the emperor's brother with a surprised look in his eyes, then nodded vigorously: "I have the same idea. Since His Majesty has fled and does not want the court anymore, why should we cling to him?"

"You two have this idea..." Li Chuwen's mouth moved and he smiled bitterly: "It really surprised me, but it's okay, since you two think so, why don't we advise the King of Wei."

After a pause, he turned around and said loudly: "Are there any opponents?"

The ministers in the court looked at him and all bowed their hands in agreement: "No objection."

Yelu Dezhong nodded and looked at Li Chuwen: "There is no time to lose. Prime Minister Li, go to the Prince of Wei's mansion to persuade him to ascend the throne, and contact Xiao Gan."

Then he looked at Yelu Dashi and asked, "How many soldiers did Lin Ya bring back this time?"

Yelu Dashi bowed his head and said, "I am ashamed that I only have 5,000 elite cavalry."

"It's already very good..." Yelu Dezhong smiled bitterly: "Then I'll trouble you, Lin Ya, to lead the troops to guard the city. Don't let any chaos occur in the city."

"Leave it to me." Yelu Dashi nodded heavily: "But there are not many soldiers and horses, and they need to be recruited."

"I'll take care of it." Yelu Dezhong said straightforwardly, "We all have our own duties to perform. I also ask all my colleagues to work together to restore order in the court before the Qi bandits attack."

Figures bowed one after another: "Dare you disobey my order?"

At that moment, all the figures in the hall began to move, and many people ran out.

Yelu Dashi ran to the army and asked Xiao Bodie and Xiao Worila to lead troops to guard the four gates and persuade the people to go home. At the same time, he took Yelu Fuding and the remaining cavalry to the military camp outside the city and took the military power into his own hands.

On the other hand, Li Chuwen took Li Chuneng and his son Li Shi (fourth tone) to the Prince of Wei's mansion. Prince of Wei Yelu Chun did not expect him to come, and when he heard the purpose of his coming, he said he dared not.

The three members of the Li family did not force them and immediately said goodbye and left.

Just three days later, the three members of the Li family, together with Yelu Dezhong and his son, Yelu Dashi, and more than 10,000 people including government officials, soldiers, monks, elders and villagers, gathered in front of the Prince of Wei's palace and shouted: "The country cannot be without a king for a day. Please ask the Prince of Wei to succeed the throne."

The news shook the whole city, and Yelu Chun had no choice but to agree. Then Yelu Dashi and others surrounded him and his wife Xiao Puxian's daughter and entered the palace to succeed to the throne.

Yelu Chun issued an imperial decree to demote Yelu Yanxi to the King of Xiangyin, and named himself "Emperor Tianxi". He changed the reign title from Baoda to Jianfu, and at the same time sent envoys to Jizhou.

Late mid-autumn.

After receiving the order from the new emperor, Xiao Gan thought about it for a while, and then agreed to accept the order. He led his army north and set up camp 50 miles south of Xijin Prefecture.

When Guo Yaoshi heard that the new emperor had ascended the throne, he immediately ordered people to send several gifts to congratulate Yelu Chun on his becoming emperor. At that time, the Liao Dynasty was short of soldiers and generals, so Yelu Dashi had to hold his nose and swallow his anger. He persuaded Yelu Chun to accept the gift and just let the resentful army be stationed in Shunzhou, so as to avoid being bothered by it.

The envoy carrying the new imperial letter crossed the river and gradually approached the area controlled by Qi. (End of this chapter)