Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

"Most Han officials in Xijin Prefecture are looking forward to your Majesty like a thirsty man looking forward to sweet dew. Now that the army has arrived, we are overjoyed and are willing to help your Majesty. This is the current city defense map, which was drawn by the Han officials in the city with all their efforts."

Zuo Yuan took out a piece of plain silk from his bosom and held it above his head with both hands, saying in a steady voice: "Although the army's warriors are as numerous as a flood, it is not difficult to break the city, but this map will definitely reduce casualties and contribute to the unification of the north by the Great Qi."

Lu Bu sat back and Wei He walked up to him, took the blueprint, checked it, and put it on the table.

Outside, there were chaotic footsteps, and then the curtain was lifted, and Zhang Lin and Lu Sili walked in. They bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Lu Bu nodded, stretched out his hand to open the white silk, and looked carefully in the candlelight. Zhang Lin and Lu Sili saw a figure kneeling on the ground. Zuo Yuan did not dare to look up without instructions. The two looked at each other, walked around to take a look, and Lu Sili immediately smiled: "It turned out to be Zuo Sanlang."

Zuo Yuan heard this and quickly turned his head to look at him: "Uncle Lu, Zhang Nanfu."

Lu Bu, who was leaning over to look at the city defense map, looked up at Zuo Yuan, then returned his gaze to the map. After a while, he looked up and exclaimed, "Yes, the one in charge of the city's defense is a veteran." He then looked at the kneeling man and said, "Don't kneel anymore. Stand up."

Zuo Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and clasped his hands together in a salute: "Thank you, Your Majesty." Then he stood up and nodded to Zhang Lin and Lu Sili, looking at the city defense map in front of Lu Bu, and said softly: "The city defense was arranged by Yelu Dashi and Yelu Dezhong, with the assistance of Li Chuwen and Li Xiang. This map was obtained from Li Chu."

"Just knowing how to deploy defenses is not very useful." Lu Bu shook his head, looking a little regretful.

Zhang Lin squinted his eyes and asked, "Does Li Chuwen have great influence in the city now?"

"He is in charge of logistics. He is in charge of all the equipment and supplies on the city walls."

Zhang Lin's eyes lit up: "Maybe we can ask Prime Minister Li to do something with the supplies."

Zuo Yuan pondered for a moment and nodded: "It's feasible."

Lu Bu smiled. He had a better impression of this man because he accepted the task without hesitation. "Is there anyone else in the city who can be of use?"

"...... Young man." Zuo Yuan was silent for a moment before saying, "The Khitans reject officials like us who are of Han descent. Especially since there are people like Zhang Nanfu and Lu Shishu in your majesty's army, they don't trust us even more."

After thinking for a while, he said: "Perhaps we can encourage the new soldiers in the city. After all, they were all forced to sign the military inscriptions and join the army. Of course, no one would really want to risk their lives to fight for the country."

The words made the people in the tent silent for a moment. Lu Bu looked at Lu Sili and Zhang Lin, and got nods of agreement. Then he said, "This is the only way. How are you going to go back to the city and tell the people there?"

Zuo Yuan took a breath and said, "Before sunrise, someone will be on the top of the city to protect me as I return to the city. Your Majesty, don't worry."

Lu Bu nodded and said: "If Xijin Prefecture is destroyed because of your actions, I will not be stingy with rewards. If you have nothing else, go down first."

Zuo Yuan was overjoyed and thanked him. He bowed, said goodbye to Zhang Lin and Lu Sili, and then walked out with Wei He.

Lu Bu looked at Zhang Lin and Lu Sili and asked, "What do you two think?"

"Mr. Zuo should be trustworthy." Lu Sili thought for a moment and then said, "When I contacted someone I know in the court last time, he wrote back, expressing his yearning for the throne and complaining that because of the Lu family incident, many people in the court were slandering Han officials."

Zhang Lin also nodded: "Zuo Juncai has always had a good reputation in the court, and he is not a fickle person."

Lu Bu nodded: "Since you two said so, let's wait for the news." Then he stood up and said: "That's it for tonight, go and rest."

"I'll take my leave."

What happened at night was not spread out, and only a few civil and military officials in the army knew about it. After dawn, Lu Bu did not launch an offensive immediately, but just let the cavalry harass the city first, and ordered the digging of a tunnel under the city wall, while sending out troops to cover it.

For several days, Yelu Dashi and Yelu Dezhong saw the fierce offensive of the Qi army and hurriedly deployed soldiers to defend the city. At the same time, they were afraid that the Qi army would dig tunnels to launch a surprise attack, so they set up listening points on the four walls. By chance, they heard a sound from below, so they dug a hole and injected poisonous smoke into it, which fumigated Me Gong, who was leading the team to dig the tunnel.

The Qi army ordered their people to write more letters of persuasion to surrender. The cavalry, who were harassing from time to time, came galloping from the Qi army camp again. Arrows with the arrowheads removed and letters tied to them flew out from the cavalry formation, landed on the top of the city and flew into the city.

"No one is allowed to keep any of the letters privately. Hand them over. Anyone who takes them without permission will be executed!"

Yelu Dezhong, who was guarding the city wall, was shocked when he saw the arrow letter. He quickly ordered his soldiers to hand it over. At the same time, he looked at his personal soldiers and said, "Quickly inform Concubine De in the city and ask her to pay attention to whether anyone is instigating surrender. If anyone is found, they will be executed without mercy without asking the reason."

The guard quickly responded and turned to leave the city. The emperor's uncle turned to look at his four sons and said, "Don't just guard me, go and help the commander on the city wall to collect the letters."

"I know dad."

Yelu Zongyun responded and ran towards the top of the city with his three brothers.

"Hand in the letter."

"How dare you take such a deadly thing?"

"Why are you holding on so tightly? Don't you know that your life is in your hands?"

Yelu Zonglin led his soldiers to the top of the city wall, and when he saw the soldier who picked up the letter, he slapped him on the head, snatched the letter of surrender, and passed it to the people behind him after collecting them.

Many soldiers who picked up the letters had them taken away before they could even open them and read them carefully, and they showed helpless looks on their faces.

Yelu Zonglin grunted as he stuffed a handful of letters of persuasion into the hands of the soldiers behind him, then crossed his arms and nodded forward: "There are so many letters, I'm too lazy to collect them one by one, you guys go forward and collect them."

"Yes."

The soldier responded and walked forward. Yelu Zongli looked left and right, then walked down the city humming a song.

……

In the Nanjing Palace, soldiers came from time to time to report information from the top of the city.

Yelu Chun's face was pale and he kept coughing. His breathing was like a bellows. As he listened to the intelligence sent to him, the light in his eyes became dimmer.

"Your Majesty, you should go back to the palace and rest." Xiao Puxian, who was wearing silver armor, looked at her man with some concern: "With the emperor's uncle and Dashi Lin Ya on the top of the city, nothing will go wrong. Instead, your health is more important."

“No, cough cough cough…tight, cough——” Yelu Chun covered his mouth with one hand and shook his other hand at her: “I can still move, cough, as long as, cough cough cough——”

His frail body curled up due to coughing, and the eunuchs on both sides hurried forward to support him.

Dangdangdang——

The warning bell rang, and the emperor, concubines and even eunuchs and guards in the palace all looked into the distance. This was the signal for the Qi army to attack the city.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough--" A violent cough came out of Yelu Chun's mouth, and his hunched body trembled violently in the eunuch's hands.

"His Majesty!"

The woman frowned, her face anxious. She looked at the eunuch beside her and ordered directly, "What are you doing standing there? Hurry up and help His Majesty back to the warm room to rest."

Then he looked at Yelu Chun and said, "Your Majesty, you should take a good rest. The affairs in the city are under my control, Li Xiang and I. The guards on the top of the city are Lin Ya and the emperor's uncle. Don't worry."

The man who was being supported just bent over and coughed, then waved at her. Then the imperial concubine in armor looked at him worriedly and walked outside.

“Ahem – I am so sick, and no medicine can cure me. I hate the heavens for betraying me!” Yelu Chun watched his concubine walk away. He straightened up with some discomfort. His face was flushed, whether from coughing or emotional excitement. “The golden bells are ringing on the city walls, women and children are holding spears on the battlements, and the blood of my ministers is staining their robes. But I am lying alone on my brocade quilt, listening to the mournful cry of the iron eaves, which is like a knife cutting my heart. I hate… cough cough cough – I hate it!”

"Your Majesty." Seeing that he was excited, the eunuch hurriedly advised: "Please don't get excited, or let Your Majesty..." "Cough cough cough... cough cough, puff--" Blood spurted out from the mouth of the man who was supporting him, drawing an arc under the skylight and falling to the ground.

"Imperial...Imperial Physician!" A shrill voice suddenly came out from the mouth of a white-faced, beardless man. The guards who were still guarding the palace outside heard the screams from inside, turned their heads and took a look. Their eyes suddenly widened. A shout of "Your Majesty!" was heard, and several figures quickly ran in.

"Quick, take it back to the warm room."

"Doctor, go find the doctor!"

"Don't panic, quickly inform Prime Minister Li and Concubine De!"

The figure in the imperial robe closed his eyes, and chaos spread in the hall.

Some of the figures running back and forth ran to other halls, and some ran to the stables, pulled out a fast horse, whipped the horse and ran away.

The streets exploded with the sound of footsteps, and many women ran home in panic. The city being attacked was always heartbreaking no matter how many times it had happened.

The horses' hooves kicked up the frozen mud, and the guards who rushed out of the palace shouted, "Get out of the way!" They knocked down several figures who were unable to dodge, and rushed to the government office that coordinated the entire city. The guards on the horses jumped off without waiting for the horses to stop, and rang out in a loud voice: "Prime Minister Li, Prime Minister Li, something bad has happened, Prime Minister Li."

Li Chuwen was staring at the feng shui map of the city. Hearing the shouting, he hurried out with a frown on his face. "Asshole! What are you yelling about? I'm right here!"

"No, I just said something wrong." The guard had beads of sweat on his forehead and a panicked look in his eyes: "Prime Minister Li, His Majesty is vomiting blood and unconscious. Please come to the palace as soon as possible to take a look."

Li Chuwen's eyes widened, and then he reacted and covered the guard's mouth with his hand: "How can such a thing be said in public?"

The guard's eyes were stunned for a moment, then widened and he nodded repeatedly, "Woo woo!"

Li Chuwen let go of his hand and looked at the figures in the government office who were all stunned when they heard the voice: "Forget what you just heard, otherwise don't blame me for being cruel and ruthless."

"Yes."

Several voices responded, and Li Chuwen looked at the person in front of him: "Are you telling the truth? When did it happen? Who else knows?"

"Just now." The guard's voice was much lower. "As soon as your Majesty fainted, I left the palace. Apart from the people in the palace, Li Xiang was the first one to leave. Then I had to inform Concubine De."

"I will go and inform Concubine De." Li Chuwen interrupted him directly, narrowed his eyes slightly, walked quickly into the government office, and wrote a document: "You will return to the palace immediately and have someone block the news. At the same time, no one is allowed to enter or leave."

"Yes." The guard bowed, took the document, turned around and ran away.

Seeing him walk away, Li Chuwen hurried to the door and said to a confidant, "Let my second brother come over."

Not long after, Li Chu Neng appeared in the government office and bowed to Li Chu Wen: "Brother, are you looking for me?"

"Come in and talk." Li Chuwen turned and went into the house. He watched him close the door and spoke impatiently, "The opportunity has come."

"Ok?"

"Your Majesty is vomiting blood and unconscious in the palace." Li Chuwen looked at his brother's puzzled expression and said quickly: "Next, you will do three things."

Li Chu Neng hurried forward and listened to his brother speak in a low voice: "First, don't let Concubine De know the news yet. Second, go find Shi'er and ask him to inform Zuo Gong about this. Third, ask someone to go to the top of the city wall to inform Yelu Dezhong and Yelu Dashi, and ask them to speak louder."

The younger brother nodded quickly, turned around and ran out. Li Chuwen stroked his beard in the house, rolled his eyes, and then shouted loudly: "Someone come!"

An official came running in from outside and said, "I need to go to the palace for a while. If you need any help, please do not make any decision on your own. Wait until I come back."

These people had all heard what the guard had said just now, so they naturally knew why he entered the palace, and they agreed without hesitation.

Li Chuwen nodded, hurriedly lifted his robe and ran out. After turning a corner and seeing that no one was following him, he slowly walked towards the palace in square steps.

Not long after he left, a general with half of his body covered in blood walked into the government office and said, "The situation on the city wall is urgent. Please ask Prime Minister Li to send rolling stones, battering rams, and tung oil to the city wall."

Those who heard it looked at each other in bewilderment.

……

Whoosh whoosh—

Arrows flew to the top of the city wall and shouts echoed on the city wall. Yelu Dezhong was protected by a shield behind him and heard the sharp sound of arrows breaking through the air. A personal guard beside him was pierced by an arrow in his helmet and staggered backwards in a daze. He was supported and replaced by someone.

Han Shizhong's cape fluttered as he looked at the embarrassed appearance of the shield formation on the tower. He laughed loudly, put away his bow and arrows, and drew his sword: "Suppress the Liao soldiers on the tower for me!" He turned around and shouted: "I have lived up to the name of Xiandengying since I fought in the northern border. Everyone, follow me to the city!"

"Climb the city!"

The shouting shook the heaven and earth. Soldiers in black armor held their shields and bit their swords as they began to climb up.

"...Damn it!" Yelu Dezhong's face was solemn. He looked at the black figure climbing below and took a breath: "Add boiling oil."

With the order, the hot oil was carried to the front. A guard came to him and said, "General, we don't have much rolling stones and hot oil left."

"I have sent people to the rear." Yelu De looked at him again and said, "They may be there soon. You guys hold on at the front first."

The general clasped his fists and ran forward with a knife in hand.

The whirlwind cannon raised its arm in the distance, and the black dot rose into the air, flying over the head with a whistling sound, and made a loud bang in the city.

On the stone steps leading to the top of the city, the figure who was running instinctively shrank his neck, and then continued to run up: "Where is the Emperor's uncle?"

The shout made several figures behind turn their heads, and Yelu Zonglin walked over and asked: "What do you want from my father?"

The man looked at him, then clasped his fists and said in a loud voice: "Sir, His Majesty has vomited blood and fainted. Please let the Emperor make the decision."

Several eyes turned to him.

Yelu Zonglin was also stunned for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "I understand. I'll go talk to my father."

He turned around and walked towards the figure protected by the shield formation in front of him.

On the top of the city wall, the sound of weapons and shouting people filled the air. Yelu Dezhong kept giving orders to his side, sending as many elite troops as possible forward.

"Dad, Dad, His Majesty vomited blood and fainted. His Majesty vomited blood and fainted."

An even louder voice sounded, and the Khitan language in the shouting suddenly weakened. A roar of "Kill!" came from the mouth of the figure in black armor.

“…Rebellious son!”

A father turned his head tremblingly, his eyes red. (End of this chapter)