Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Zheng Zhichang was still alive. When he walked into Yanjing unharmed, he felt a sense of relief, as if he had survived a catastrophe. At the same time, he gritted his teeth and swore that he would never pass through Pingzhou on his way back, so as not to suffer again.

He presented his credentials and met with the Ministry of Rites official, Wanyan Xiyi. Wanyan Xiyi's knowledge of etiquette and mathematics was impeccable, but the fact that this man was of Jurchen origin made him somewhat uncomfortable.

After all, the two families had fought a major battle a few years ago, resulting in many deaths on both sides. Even members of his family had perished in that war, so the lingering resentment in his heart couldn't be completely eliminated.

He stayed in the guesthouse for nearly five days before being summoned to the palace. He was somewhat surprised to see the Emperor Qi's much more robust physique than that of an ordinary person, but he quickly suppressed his emotions, knelt down, presented gifts, and requested an official seal. He then accepted the seal bestowed upon Li Ziqian and respectfully withdrew.

"Your Majesty, is that all? I thought you were going to invite that envoy to stay for a meal and drinks."

The returning figure moved very quickly. Lu Bu heard the question behind him, turned around and glanced at Xu Wen who had spoken, and smiled disdainfully: "A small foreign country, the Ministry of Rites can handle the reception."

He paused for a moment, but didn't stop walking: "But you've finished what you said... that's not enough. Go and call Qiao Lie over."

"Here!"

Guards rushed out behind him.

Before long, Qiao Lie, who had been summoned, rushed into the palace. "Your Majesty, you summoned me?"

"sit."

A eunuch came in, placed drinks and pastries on the table, and then withdrew.

Qiao Lie thanked him and sat down, quietly waiting for the person opposite him to speak.

"You witnessed Goryeo's request for investiture today." Lü Bu put down his pen, reached for the honey-infused juice, and took a sip. "What do you think?"

“…Your Majesty.” Qiao Lie smiled somewhat awkwardly and lowered his head. “I don’t usually pay much attention to matters concerning Goryeo, so I can’t offer any advice. I’m ashamed.” He then looked up and said, “Goryeo is a small country with a small population and is located in a mountainous area. It’s not a place worth considering. This is just my humble opinion. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

"It's alright." Lü Bu smiled. "I just had a sudden whim to ask you to come and chat. I don't have any particular thoughts about it..." He hesitated for a moment, "No, that's not right either. I should say that I want to verify some of my thoughts."

Qiao Lie reached out, picked up a piece of pastry, and put it in his mouth: "Your Majesty, please speak."

"Now that a powerful minister has usurped the throne in Goryeo, based on some past events, I can roughly guess his fate, and I'm also thinking about certain things..."

Qiao Lie didn't speak, but tilted his head slightly, thinking about the past...

Those recorded in history books... or...

Lu Bu got up, opened the window, and looked at the scenery outside: "I recently read the records of the Liao Kingdom on the surrounding countries. Goryeo has always had the ambition to expand outwards, but due to the problem of national strength, it has retreated after occupying land several times."

Qiao Lie paused thoughtfully, stopping the act of feeding himself a pastry and wiping the crumbs from his lips with his finger: "Your Majesty means..."

“After the war of unification, the population of the North is too small.” Lu Bu paused, picked up his drink and took a sip. “It would be good if it could develop quietly, but unfortunately I always have a feeling of unease.”

"Why?" Qiao Lie frowned, somewhat puzzled. "If it were those bird-like imperial guards of the Zhao Song Dynasty, Your Majesty would not need to worry. We previously thought the Western Army was elite, but this time they suffered a crushing defeat in the North. Although it was a problem with their generals, it is clear that they are inferior to our army. After this battle, I'm afraid they will not dare to provoke our dynasty again."

"...Just take it as a martial artist's intuition. Never mind, let's ignore it."

After scratching his head for a long time, unable to figure out where his worries came from, Lü Bu shrugged, walked back behind the table and sat down: "You keep a close eye on that side for me. The royal family there is still around, and they can't just swallow their anger like this. There should be a result within a few years."

If the man surnamed Li wins, that's fine; the other side can't be planned for in a short time. If he loses, bring him back, and then help him restore the throne in his name. Then…”

He reached for the cup and brought it to his lips: "Bring back all the people and money!"

"Here!"

Qiao Lie nodded, his mind racing, and asked curiously, "If Li Ziqian and the royal family don't settle their score within a few years, should we intervene?"

Lu Bu thought for a moment, then lightly tapped the table: "If that's the case, then we'll wait for him to beg us. We can send troops to intervene there."

"got it."

Qiao Lie spoke softly, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect: "Your Majesty, I will arrange for men to infiltrate the area immediately."

In the following days, the imperial court released information about Goryeo's request for additional titles. Most people treated this as a topic of conversation after drinking, and no one cared when the delegation left. Before long, the topic shifted to a new courtesan in the city, attracting scholars and wealthy people with a taste for such things to flock to see her.

In early autumn, a fast horse galloped into Yanjing, bringing with it the agreement reached with the Song people. This immediately relieved Lü Bu, who was racking his brains over finances. He was even more delighted to hear that the Song Dynasty had sent 10,000 skilled craftsmen and their families. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Personnel to prepare for their reception.

During the sweltering mid-autumn season, Yang Pu, Wang Yin, and others who had traveled south returned. Lü Bu waved his hand and held a banquet to welcome them back. Li Ying and Jiang Jing, two officials who spent their days hiding in the warehouse, took wine jars and approached the arrogant Yang Pu and Li Shanqing. After a night of drinking, the four of them vomited together, their arms around each other's shoulders. They were carried back to their respective residences in a drunken stupor.

Of course, these four were not the only ones who got drunk. Yang Bangyi and Zeng Nong once again achieved the feat of drowning their colleagues in alcohol, and each of them lay down on the table and fell fast asleep, leaving only the young Yang Zaixing somewhat embarrassed to send his father home.

In the past two years, he has also learned that he cannot immediately go to the front line to eat and drink with his colleagues at banquets. He must first go to the inner palace with his wife Qiongying to pay his respects, chat with a few of his teachers' wives, eat something, and linger for a while before going to the front line. Otherwise, it would be absurd for the father and son to get drunk at the banquet, hug each other, talk nonsense, and become sworn brothers.

On the second day after the banquet, Shi Xiu entered Qiao Lie's residence with a list of bandits from the Taihang Mountains who were willing to accept aid from the Qi Kingdom. Not long after, a fast horse galloped south.

In late autumn, the annual tribute from the Song Dynasty arrived. Hua Rong, Ma Ling, and others, who were far away on the border between the two countries, dared not delay. They quickly mustered their troops, with Ma Ling personally escorting the boxes of valuables to Yanjing.

Li Ying and Jiang Jing went to greet them personally. Their eyes lit up when they saw the convoy, and they wished they could jump onto the carriage and hold onto the boxes containing money and cloth tightly.

In early winter, Xiao Haili caught a cold and was bedridden again. However, his stomach swelled up again after only a few days. Lü Bu sent imperial physicians to treat him and also gave the court officials warm clothing. The court and the country were in harmony. When news spread in the palace that Yelü Dalibo was pregnant, the Khitan officials were overjoyed and many sent congratulatory gifts to the palace.

In the same month, Wanyan Zonghan took office as the new Prefect of Shuibin Prefecture, accompanied by Wanyan Xiyi, who was ordered to go to Goryeo.

Shi Xiu and dozens of elite spies began traveling between Goryeo and Liaodong under the guise of merchants, and along with them, various intelligence reports from Gaegyeong were also sent out.

Outside of Jizhou, Du Xue was ordered to train a force capable of fighting in mountainous terrain in Bingzhou. Aliqi, as the commander of this force, led these men back and forth between Bingzhou and Xixia.

Niu Gaonan was transferred back to Dading Prefecture as prefect, while Wang Jun was sent to Wuqing. The Western Regions Protectorate was entrusted to Liu Yun and Du Lisan, one as prefect and the other as deputy prefect. Sima Tuozhao was transferred to Huanglong Prefecture.

In the same year, there were also personnel adjustments in the Zhao Song dynasty in the south. Li Ye, Yuwen Xuzhong, and others were kicked out of the central government by the court due to unsuccessful negotiations. Li Ye, however, had people backing him up and went to Zhen Ding Prefecture to become the prefect.

Meanwhile, the vanguard officer named Song Jiang led his army into Hejian Prefecture and became its commander-in-chief. The latter was sent to Xiting to partner with Wang Bing, and they stayed in Taiyuan Prefecture to oversee their neighbor.

Winter goes and spring comes again, green leaves wither and new buds sprout.

Time flew by as the states of Qi and Song ceased hostilities. With no wars raging in the court, generals and soldiers could not acquire merit or land, but for ordinary people, it was a rare period of peace and tranquility.

The seventh year of Jianwu.

The cicadas' chirping vibrated the air, their monotonous and irritating sounds echoing from the tree branches. Birds flew by, and soon the sounds subsided.

The summer breeze swept through the woods and fields, rustling the green hills. The farmers, their shirts open, showed expressions of comfort, then drank some cool spring water and bent down to swing their hoes again.

The official road was bustling with caravans and merchants. People with various purposes came to Yanjing with smiles on their faces as they entered the imperial city, which had been in existence for two and a half years. They looked curiously at the lively streets and began another attempt in their lives.

The heat permeated the air, and the strong smell of medicine was equally unbearable. In the courtyard, which had been converted into the residence of the General of the Western Expedition, the servants and attendants dared not breathe loudly, not bothering to wipe the sweat dripping from their foreheads, and kept carrying water and medicine back and forth.

Even when there was nothing to do, she would pick up a broom and scissors and pretend to be busy working around the house, while occasionally glancing at the slender figure waiting outside the door.

creak-

A figure with a goatee walked out of the house, and the woman waiting outside hurriedly went to greet him: "Imperial Physician, how is my husband?"

An Daoquan, who had been a royal physician for some time, looked back, gestured forward, and walked towards the old tree. Xiao Gaoshi felt a chill in her heart and quickly followed.

“…General Xiao is not in good condition.” An Daoquan and others spoke softly only after they were far away from the house: “He was injured too many times on the battlefield when he was young and did not rest, which caused him to have chronic illnesses. A few years ago, he injured one of his eyes, which made his already poor health even worse. His body is seriously weakened.”

"Is it too late to start recuperating now?"

“If it were just a deficiency of qi and blood, and a weak foundation, it could still be treated with medicine. However, he has been seriously ill several times in recent years, and now his abdomen is swollen, which is probably due to edema. Now…” An Daoquan did not finish his sentence, but just shook his head.

"This……"

Xiao Gao's legs went weak, and she couldn't help but take a step back. She quickly grabbed a tree trunk next to her to steady herself.

“I have already told General Xiao that there is nothing wrong. I suggest he eat more fruit and go out for walks more often to comfort him.” An Daoquan turned to look behind him, then looked at the woman and said, “Please do not grieve in front of him. Let him do whatever he wants during this time.”

"...Understood, thank you, Physician An."

Xiao Gao's eyes reddened, and she gave An Daoquan a deep bow as a token of her gratitude.

"I wouldn't dare, it's my duty." An Daoquan quickly stopped him, bowed back, straightened up, took out a prescription from the medicine box at his waist and handed it over: "This prescription... is just doing my best, at least it won't hurt when you sleep."

The woman quickly took it, saying, "...Thank you."

“…Farewell.” An Daoquan wanted to say something more, but in the end he sighed, clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around and walked out.

Xiao Gao stood there with her head down, looking at the prescription for a while. Then she sniffed, wiped her eyes, and waited outside to calm down. She called a maid to check that she was unharmed before stepping into the room.

The strong smell of Chinese medicine wafted over, but the woman walked in as if she didn't smell it. She turned around the screen and went to the bedside. Xiao Hai, who was lying on the bed, was no longer the robust man he once was. Although he hadn't lost a lot of weight, he had shrunk considerably.

The one-eyed Khitan man on the bed smiled as his wife entered, then asked weakly, "What? How many more days do I have left to live?"

"Pah, pah, pah—you're just spouting discouraging words, are you looking for a beating?" Madam Xiao Gao said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and smiling. "Doctor An said that taking the medicine according to this prescription and moving around more will make me better."

He reached out and handed the prescription to Xiao Haili, who took it with a rustling sound: "Damn it, your hands are shaking even more..."

With a wry smile, Xiao Haili read the prescription from top to bottom and pursed his lips.

Xiao Gao was startled, but kept a calm expression and asked, "Is there a problem with the prescription?"

"I don't understand." Xiao Haili put his hand down, pressing the prescription onto the mattress with his large hand, and took a breath: "For the past two years, I've been like a medicine pot. I haven't done anything else but drink that medicine into my stomach."

He turned his head and sniffed his shoulder, giving it a disgusted look: "It's almost marinated."

“It’s only natural to take medicine when you’re sick.” Madam Xiao forced a smile, then took the prescription and said, “I’ll have the servants get the medicine and some food while they’re at it. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Xiao Haili frowned: "I have a really poor appetite, and I don't have anything in particular I'm looking for."

"Then I'll have the cook prepare something to cool you down."

After Xiao Gaoshi finished speaking, she got up and walked out. As soon as she stepped out of the room, her nose stung with tears. She quickly covered her mouth and nose with her hands to prevent herself from crying out loud. Then she instructed the servants to go to the pharmacy to get the medicine according to the prescription. She also went to the kitchen to cook some side dishes before she composed herself and went back.

……

squeak-

The annoying chirping of cicadas continued to ring in his ears. Lu Bu sat under the pavilion in the palace, occasionally grabbing a wine jar and taking a sip.

The eunuchs and palace maids kept their distance. Although the emperor made no other move, the oppressive atmosphere made these people, who were good at reading people, know that it was best not to enter his line of sight at this time. After all, serving the emperor was like serving a tiger, and no one wanted to become food in the tiger's mouth.

rustle--

Footsteps sounded from behind. The group turned around and immediately knelt down. Before they could even shout, the figure made a stop gesture. They all shut their mouths, not daring to make a sound, and bowed their heads, waiting for the person to pass.

"Why is Your Majesty drinking alone here?"

A gentle voice interrupted Lü Bu's actions. His tiger-like eyes flickered, and Wu Qing's figure entered his pupils: "The Empress has arrived. Sit down and have a drink with me."

Wu Qing smiled, obediently went to sit down on the other side, reached out and grasped the mouth of the wine jar, then raised it and took a sip. The icy liquid entered her stomach, and she exhaled.

The two drank, taking turns sipping, until after a while, Lü Bu lowered his head and said, "Xiao Haili is dying..." (End of Chapter)