Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 1132 Fate
"His Majesty is aware of my situation..."

Xiao Haili coughed twice, covering his mouth, and was a little out of breath: "Back then, I rebelled in a fit of anger, and my wife, children and elderly parents were all implicated. Everyone in my family died. At that time, I lost all my spirit. I always wondered if it was the punishment from the Eternal Heaven. In recent years, apart from going to brothels to vent my anger, I have no intention of remarrying, so as not to harm anyone else."

"..." Lu Bu tilted his head, somewhat puzzled, but considering it was their business, he didn't say anything more.

Taking a deep breath and suppressing the urge to cough, Xiao Haili looked outside: "But she's different..."

He paused, then smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "She has taken care of me since Liaodong, asking for neither fame nor fortune. She keeps the house clean inside and out, and now that she is pregnant, I took her as my wife... This one is enough."

The room was quiet, with only the sound of the wind blowing outside. Lu Bu stared at Xiao Haili for a long time: "You old codger, are you no longer able to perform?"

"Cough cough cough—" Xiao Haili's face suddenly turned red. He coughed violently for a while, and then, with a sudden burst of strength, he stood up. He glared and shouted, "Your Majesty, do not underestimate me. I only have a cold. Usually, three or four ordinary people are no match for me."

Then he stretched out both hands, glanced at them, lowered one arm, and spread his fingers on the other hand: "Five! I could still manage five at once last year!"

Lu Bu returned a disdainful look, causing Xiao Haili's one eye to widen even more: "Your Majesty, you don't believe me!?"

The loud voice carried out, and the woman waiting outside looked anxious. She glanced at Yu Cheng and Wei He, who were also waiting outside, hesitated for a moment, and then stepped forward: "Generals, is there still a battle to be fought? My husband is not yet fully recovered. Could His Majesty ask someone else to take his place?"

Yu Cheng and Wei He exchanged a puzzled look: "A campaign? I've never heard of that..."

A voice came from inside the room: "If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, let's go out now, and I'll show you what I'm capable of."

Xiao Gaoshi quickly put the child in her arms on the ground and looked at the two men sincerely: "Generals, I am grateful for His Majesty's favor in appreciating my husband and entrusting him with important responsibilities. However, he is still ill and unable to go to the battlefield. May I go in and beg His Majesty to select another good general to lead the army?"

"Uh……"

"This……"

The two generals who were guarding the emperor exchanged a glance, their expressions growing increasingly bewildered, but they were beginning to feel a bit of affection for the woman.

She's a woman who can handle anything.

"Don't worry, Madam." Wei He's chubby face broke into a smile: "The imperial court will not rashly resort to force in the near future."

“That’s right.” Yu Cheng nodded as well: “His Majesty came here only to see General Xiao, and has no other plans. Madam, please rest assured.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Xiao Gao finally felt relieved.

Not long after, the door opened and Lü Bu strode out, followed by several eunuchs who brought things in. They kept their heads down, but their eyebrows and eyes were curved, as if they wanted to laugh but dared not.

"His Majesty……"

Lady Xiao stepped forward to pay her respects, but before she could speak, Lü Bu waved his hand and smiled, "Seeing that Minister Xiao is in good spirits, I am relieved. You can rest at home and recuperate. When we return, I will have the imperial physician come every two days."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The woman's face finally showed a relieved expression. She quickly pulled her son and bowed to the departing figure, saying, "This humble woman respectfully sees Your Majesty off."

Lu Bu walked out with his hands behind his back and a group of guards behind him.

The sky was already setting in the west, and the bright sunlight was fading. Lü Bu wasn't in a hurry to go back; he strolled leisurely through the streets.

Pedestrians came and went on the streets, many carrying tools for building houses. Many houses were under repair or had their signs replaced, indicating that new shops were opening. This capital city, which had experienced war, was recovering its vitality.

Meanwhile, business at restaurants and hotels is improving. Even though it's not yet dinner time, customers are still going in, sitting down, ordering food and drinks, and engaging in lively conversation.

As Lü Bu walked through the market, he saw seven or eight figures sitting by the window facing the street drinking. Someone glanced at them casually, then suddenly stood up and flung open the half-open wooden window.

"Second brother, what's wrong?"

"Look down there, who's that!"

The man who spoke drew everyone's attention. A skinny man sitting next to a plump woman suddenly stood up and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Lu Bu..."

The fair-skinned, plump woman's expression suddenly changed. She grabbed his shirt from behind and yanked it sharply, saying, "Uh..."

The tall, thin man's tongue was sticking out when the woman pulled him back to his seat. Just as he coughed, a naan bread was shoved at him from the opposite side.

"Waaaaah... Mmm..."

The man stared at him, muttering incomprehensible words.

Snapped--

The woman who was pulling him slapped him hard on the back of the head, making him fall forward abruptly. The bread in his mouth slammed onto the table, and he quickly covered his mouth, tearing the bread out and throwing it on the ground: "Pah—Third sister, do you want to kill your brother?" He then looked at his hand: "Damn it, I'm bleeding..."

"You idiot! If you weren't my second brother, I'd be lucky if I didn't smash your brains out today."

Duan San Niang glared at him irritably, then glanced around and saw several people looking in their direction. She immediately glared back at them, and those people, not wanting to cause trouble, quickly looked away and started talking to their companions.

Across from them, Li Jun reached out and pulled the Tong brothers back to their seats: "Sit down quickly, you're attracting too much attention."

"But Jun-ge'er..."

Before Tong Meng could speak, Li Jun immediately cut him off: "Shut up!"

He stood up, walked over, reached out and pulled the wooden window shut. Seeing that someone was staring up at him, he calmly lowered the window, blocking out the cold air and keeping the person's view out.

"What's going on?" Qiu Xiang, sitting on the outermost seat, looked at the group with a bewildered expression. He stood up slightly, then realized the window was closed and sat back down. Then, realizing what Duan Er had just said, he leaned forward and asked, "Is it Lü...that one?"

"Hmm..." Tong Meng nodded.

Li Jun turned around and sat down: "Shut up, everyone. Someone was watching down there. Don't talk if you don't want to die later."

The group exchanged glances, then silently finished their meal. Li Jun and Duan Sanniang occasionally glanced down the stairs, and soon saw people coming up and sitting at the table next to them. Their hearts tightened, but they kept talking about rural matters and praising the government's tax reduction policy.

The others also realized what was happening and casually echoed each other. The meal was quite an ordeal. When it was finally over, they stood up, paid their bills, and slowly went downstairs, rubbing their bellies.

The group didn't stay in the city. Taking advantage of the remaining light, they went out through the city gate and walked for about two miles outside the city before finally catching their breath when they were sure no one was behind them. "Jun-ge, why are you being so cautious? We have some connections with that person," Tong Wei said, glancing at the figures walking beside him. "If we go up and have a chat, maybe we can..."

“He’s not far from death.” Duan San Niang interrupted him irritably, looking at the people beside her with a sneer: “What, do you still think you’re in the martial arts world?” She paused, narrowed her eyes: “Whether we’re still in the martial arts world or not, he’s sitting high on the dragon throne. Do you know if his thoughts have changed from before?”

“Third Sister’s words make sense.” Li Jun turned his head to look behind him, his hair falling from his head, and gave everyone a cold look: “Let’s not even talk about whether he is still the same Jade-Faced Flying General. We can’t even get close to the guards around him. If someone attacks and kills him, are you going to let go of this grudge or carry it on your shoulders?”

Duan Er, the Tong brothers, and Qiu Xiang were speechless.

"Let's not make trouble for ourselves. We're not close to that person; we've only exchanged a few words. How much will he think of you because of this?" Duan Sanniang turned and walked forward. "It's better to honestly find someone we know and avoid unnecessary complications."

"Ugh--"

Tong Wei sighed, "What a pity..." and walked forward with his head down.

Li Jun looked back at Yanjing City: "Don't regret it, it's just that our time hasn't come yet."

"So what should we do today?"

"Find a village to rest for the night, and then head to Yanjing in a couple of days."

"It's so frustrating..."

Outside the cold city, birds flew to the treetops amidst their chatter, and under the setting sun, the figures of a group of people gradually disappeared into the distance.

……

From the northwest, the thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed, and the raised banners fluttered in the cold wind, soon illuminating the reddening western sky on the galloping cavalry.

"Thank God, we can finally go back. Are we the last army to return?"

Under the banner bearing the name Wanyan, Wanyan Zonghan, with a long steel beard, exhaled and said, "Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've seen my two boys. I've been missing them a bit."

"You've only been gone two days and you're already fighting again." Wanyan Loushi, listening to his words from the side, said with a smile. Capturing Yelü Yanxi had truly fulfilled his vision, and the tribe's grudge had been avenged, so he was in a very good mood.

"Who said that? How could I fight in just two days? What's wrong..." Wanyan Zonghan opened his mouth, scratching his cheek with his hand: "It will be four days before we make a move. Lou Shi, I wonder how your son is doing? Don't you miss him?"

"There's nothing we can do about it." Wanyan Loushi stretched his neck and tightened the reins: "The eagle has grown up and will one day spread its wings and soar. We can only watch."

"You certainly live a carefree life." Wanyan Zonghan sighed, then turned to look at the flag of the same color and characters fluttering in the wind behind him. He hesitated for a moment, then approached Wanyan Loushi: "Tell me, what is Wuzhu thinking? Could it be that...?" He paused, "He has already given up?"

"I don't know." Wanyan Loushi turned his head and glanced at him slightly: "As long as Wuzhu obeys military orders, I will not concern myself with other matters. As for other matters, Your Majesty and the court officials will take care of them."

Then, spurring his horse, he waved his hand and ordered the army to advance quickly, lest they camp in the wilderness again tonight.

The riders relayed his orders on horseback, and as dusk fell, the name "Changping" appeared in the torchlight.

Not long after, as the sky turned blue, the cavalry set off for Yanjing once again.

……

Yanjing City.

After a good night's sleep, Lü Bu got up from his bed. He didn't wake Hu Sanniang, who was still fast asleep. He let the maid dress him in his robes, had a simple breakfast, and went straight to the Council Hall.

Although it was early morning, several figures were already waiting outside the door. Zhang Lin and Lü Sili brought several figures. Lü Bu glanced over and remembered that Zhang Lin had reported that they were four former Liao Dynasty officials named Zuo Qigong, Yu Zhongwen, Cao Yongyi, and Kang Gongbi. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he walked over.

He considered these four to be among the most distinguished scholars. After taking control of Yanjing, he originally intended to appoint them immediately. However, due to various events, the appointment was delayed until now. He must have been impatient with them waiting, so he rushed over to pay his respects the very next day.

The morning was mostly spent exchanging pleasantries and making peace with the Han officials who had served the former Liao dynasty. For the rest of the time, Lü Bu summoned Li Zhu and Qiao Lie and asked them to keep an eye on the surrendered officials to prevent another Zhang Jue from emerging, as the current funds and supplies could not support a war like the last one.

He then led Yu Cheng, Wei He, and others out of the palace to meet Li Ying, Jiang Jing, and others. The two officials in charge of money and grain were busy calculating last year's taxes, tallying the amount of grain and money spent in this battle, and how many prisoners they could recruit.

Sometimes, recruiting too many prisoners can be a burden on the consumption of food and fodder. For the current finances of the State of Qi, careful budgeting is still necessary.

Lu Bu felt extremely uncomfortable sitting there for a while. The fortune teller and the soaring eagle, who were both tall and strong, looked at him with resentment, as if they wished he would spit out his money and grain.

He knew in his heart that this didn't even include the resettlement of disabled wounded soldiers and the compensation for fallen soldiers, and there was still...

"Vice Minister Jiang, Physician Li, these are the war merits of the generals sent by the Ministry of War. Please calculate how much money and property should be awarded to them."

The clerk who entered respectfully held the official document above his head: "The merits of the soldiers in the ranks are still being calculated. Vice Minister Shi Gu Gongshi said that they are still being collected. Please wait a while."

"...Just put it here." Jiang Jing stared blankly at the thick stack of official documents as he put them down, his shoulders slumping.

Lü Bu stood up abruptly: "Since you two ministers are busy with official duties, I will not keep you any longer."

Li Ying stood up and extended a hand: "Your Majesty, may I...?"

"Yu Cheng, Wei He, let's go!" Lü Bu turned and strode out, leaving behind the words, "Send some top-quality wild ginseng to Vice Minister Jiang and Physician Li."

Li Ying rubbed his face and twitched a few times, muttering, "What would I do with that thing? Money..." He suddenly woke up, rushed to the door, and shouted, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, remember to collect the annual tribute!"

Lu Bu didn't even turn his head, but simply raised his hand and waved it in the air to indicate that he had heard. He walked out of the office where the two of them worked and exhaled, "It's better to stay away from this place."

Yu Cheng and Wei He suppressed their laughter as they listened to their emperor's voice: "I would rather lead my troops into battle time and time again than watch those two scheming against me."

He strode forward and said, "Have Yang Pu come to the palace in an hour."

"Here!"

The group continued their journey. Fast horses from the army galloped into Yanjing, returning from their campaign to pursue the Liao emperor's forces.

(End of this chapter)