Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The aroma of wine and meat wafted through the warm pavilion.

After Wang Zheng stopped speaking, Fang Xuedu said, "We also need to keep an eye on the Western Xia, lest they hold us back when we march south."

"That's true. The Western Xia people have always wanted to expand outwards, but they have never succeeded."

"It would be better to send a general to keep an eye on things. The Western Xia was ravaged by the steppe people a few years ago, and has had frequent conflicts with the Song Dynasty in the past two years. They probably haven't recovered yet."

Amid the discussion, Yang Pu put down his wine bowl and said, "It would be better if I went instead. Western Xia is weak now, and it's better to resolve things with words rather than resorting to force."

He paused for a moment and then said, "The Zhao Song territory is vast. It is not worthwhile to send a great general to fight for the Western Xia without actually going to war. Even if we were to fight, we should wait until we take Datong Prefecture. At that time, the border between their territory and our country will be longer, and we can attack them from multiple directions."

Yang Zaixing put down his wine bowl and said, "Tongguan, in particular, must be in our hands before we can be at ease about the affairs in the west."

Mi Sheng nodded repeatedly with his dark head: "Young Yang is right. Your Majesty, isn't it a bit too few to only have Generals Du Xue and Sun An in the western route?"

“Tongguan is not easy to attack.” Han Shizhong shook his head and said thoughtfully, “If it is blocked there, we might as well give up and go straight to Pujindu. Anyway, he can’t move from one pass. Once the rest of the land is pacified, it’s no use for him to stand there all alone.”

The generals present, such as Mi Sheng, Han Shizhong, and Yang Zaixing, are the backbone of today's military's middle-aged and young generation.

The former followed Lü Bu from the time when they were only a few hundred men, and although he was not a veteran of countless battles, he had almost never missed a battle, large or small, and had long since developed his own strategic vision. The latter two also had their own insights into military operations.

During the gathering, everyone chimed in with their own opinions: the routes of the two armies, the construction of passes near the Juma River, how to intimidate the Western Xia, how the navy could coordinate with the cavalry and infantry, and how to let bandits from the Taihang Mountains cause trouble within the Song Dynasty. The more they talked, the more unresolved issues seemed, and everyone couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Lü Bu, who was sitting there. Compared to the emperor, who was usually more composed, Lü Bu possessed a more imposing presence, like a fierce tiger that had sheathed its claws and lay there. His original ferocity had settled into his very bones. As the discussion below gradually subsided, he placed the wine bowl in his hand on the table.

"It's true that those who plan ahead win, but you're overthinking things. What's wrong? As your territory grows, you've become more timid? Where has that 'fight first, think later' spirit gone from when you conquered Liaodong?"

Lu Bu smiled and stood up, supporting himself on the table: "Leaving Tongguan aside, when has the Juma River ever needed a pass? Once we cross the border between the two countries, take the city on the other side and form our own defense line, we can simply head south and attack Bianliang."

Turning to Li Zhu, he said with a smile, "Send a message to the navy, asking Wei Zhaode, Li Bao, and Huyan Qing to come to the capital. The navy is also a force heading south, and not even one person has come. How can I possibly mobilize them?"

"Here."

Li Zhu bowed slightly during the meal.

Lu Bu looked at everyone and said, “I am aware of your concerns. While it is important to prepare for battle, the morale of both armies is also important. I do not see any Song army that can match our forces.”

"Your Majesty, should all the Jurchen troops be transferred over?" Fang Xuedu stroked his beard and looked up at him.

Lu Bu paced back and forth for a moment, then stopped: "Just transfer Wanyan Loushi's troops from Huanglong Prefecture. Let Wanyan Zonghan continue to keep an eye on Goryeo. Although things are calm there, I still believe it's only temporary."

Seeing the hesitation on the faces of those below, he clenched his fists and suddenly smiled: "It was the same before Dong Zhuo was executed. The killing intent was only for a moment. If you miss it, it will be much more troublesome to find an excuse. We cannot let go of such good laborers so easily."

"Here!"

……

The year-end passed as Qi's troops and provisions were mobilized throughout the country. Three naval generals rode swiftly to the capital and then returned. Subsequently, the navy's operations became more frequent during the winter, keeping Li Jun and others busy from start to finish. The easy and carefree days that Zhang Heng had mentioned earlier seemed to have no future.

After the beginning of spring, Yuan Lang, who had received military orders, led four thousand cavalry and two thousand infantrymen on the road to the west, preparing to join Du Xue and Sun An there as generals of the western route army to march south.

As the snow melted, soldiers stepped out of their tents, and the government troops marched into the drill ground for training. Another round of recruit recruitment was in full swing, with a large number of young men who were looking forward to military achievements heading to the recruitment sites.

This was probably the last recruitment before the war. The selection process was very strict for both cavalry and infantry. Being tall and strong was a basic requirement, and those who could ride and shoot were given priority. If they could ride and shoot, they would be selected immediately.

The reserved expansion quotas were not many, and most of the new recruits were filled by a few recently promoted generals, such as Dong Xiaochou, Shi Bao, and Li Tianrun.

The issue of expanding the army was not a big deal for the civil and military officials in the court, but for some people who had already fallen from grace, it was their last chance.

Liaodong, Huanglong Prefecture, outskirts.

The weather after the arrival of spring was still dry and cold. An old, hunched figure stood beside the weapon rack, staring at a long spear in a daze.

This is the residence of Wanyan Shitumen. After Wanyan Chanchun rebelled, Lü Bu, thanks to the pleas of Jurchen generals such as Wanyan Loushi, did not send the whole family to the execution ground. However, the titles and military positions that had been promised were taken back, and everything in the house was confiscated. The entire family, from top to bottom, became commoners.

Although I've kept in touch with some old friends in the past two years, I'm a criminal record after all, so I haven't dared to get too close to people. Even so, I'm not doing too badly now; at least my family can make ends meet.

His two sons stood behind him, their eyes occasionally meeting, not wanting to disturb their father's thoughts. Both wore expressions of melancholy, waiting silently for something.

A figure walked over from outside the wooden fence behind them, and seeing the father and his two sons standing in the courtyard, shouted: "Shitumen!"

He turned to face the figure at the weapon rack, his expression shifting as he saw the person. He strode over and opened the wooden door: "How is it?"

"This time it can be said that the gods have blessed us." The man bowed to the sky: "Now that new soldiers have been recruited, Huanglong Prefecture is short of seven hundred. We can let Xi Shi and Si Jing go to the army to try. However, they can forget about becoming generals. They will probably have to start as soldiers."

Wanyan Shitumen let out a breath, his face beaming with joy: "Don't even mention being a soldier, as long as I can go to the battlefield, I'm willing to be a able-bodied man."

He turned to his two sons and said, "Go with your uncle to the recruitment office in the city. Don't embarrass me."

"Here!" x2
The two young men, who had practiced Han etiquette for many years, clasped their hands in agreement, their expressions slightly relaxed, and they grinned, saying, "Dad, just you wait and see."

"As long as we can go to the battlefield and fight, we still have a chance to make a comeback."

He patted his two sons, a smile appearing on his somewhat aged face: "Go, and while you're at it, give some gifts to Lou Shi. He used his military merits to plead for our family's lives; that's an immense favor. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had this opportunity."

"This... Dad, what else can we send now?" The son looked around with a wry smile.

“…Sending some wild game would also be acceptable.” Wanyan Shitumen paused for a moment before speaking: “Didn’t those Han professors say that it’s the thought that counts, even if it’s a small gift? We don’t have much to give right now, except for the wild game we’ve hunted, which is quite rare. Go ahead.”

Wanyan Xishi and Sijing nodded in agreement, then took some game, hung it on their horses, and followed their uncle into the city.

In the courtyard, Wanyan Shitumen stared blankly at his two departing sons, and after a long while sighed, "You unfilial sons..."

However, he also knew that his two sons would have to risk their lives to get through this, and even if they made a contribution, it would be difficult for them to get promoted. But it would still be much better than it is now.

Enlisting and joining the army went smoothly thanks to the two brothers' martial prowess. After receiving their soldier's badges, the two young men, who had once been military officers, sighed and then carried their belongings to Wanyan Loushi.

Before the unchanged mansion of the General of Pingdong, two young men looked somewhat guilty. Everyone else had been promoted after the war to destroy Liao, except for Wanyan Loushi, who had only received a promotion in rank, while his military position remained stagnant. They exchanged a glance, and the older Wanyan Xishi stepped forward and knocked on the door.

squeak--

The gate opened, and the doorman, dressed in a fur coat, was taken aback. In all his years here, this was the first time he had ever seen such a poor visitor, bringing wild game to the door...

Are they here to sell goods?

Before he could even speak, the two brothers quickly stepped forward to explain the situation, which made him swallow his words about asking for a price. He then hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go inside and tell my husband."

He turned and hurriedly ran inside.

Before long, Wanyan Loushi's robust figure appeared in the eyes of the two brothers. Wanyan Xishi and Sijing hurriedly stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed to the ground: "Thank you, General Pingdong, for saving our lives."

"Get up, get up." Wanyan Loushi looked at the two of them with a strange glint in his eyes, stepped forward and pulled them up forcefully: "Your father helped me a lot in the past, this is just repaying a debt of gratitude."

The two brothers looked at each other and sighed, "You've done more than just repay a debt of gratitude; you've saved us from dire straits. We're only alive because of you."

Wanyan Loushi feigned displeasure: "Alright, I'm tired of hearing you and your son say this. If you keep saying it, please leave."

"I wouldn't dare, I won't say anything more."

"That's good."

Wanyan Loushi smiled, had his servants bring the game, and pulled the two men into the house. They sat down as host and guest, and he sighed as he looked at them: "In the past, you brothers were on good terms with Huo Nu. There are some things I don't know whether I should say or not."

"Yes, yes."

"Uncle Lou, please speak. We brothers are all ears."

"Both of you have served in the military before, but remember to keep quiet and listen and observe more. If anything seems unusual, don't act on your own. Go to your superiors first, or if that doesn't work, come to me."

"Understood, thank you, Uncle Lou!" The two men knew that Wanyan Lou was giving them a hint, so they exchanged a glance and, not daring to be negligent, quickly stood up and clasped their hands in a deep fist salute.

“That’s excellent.” Wanyan Loushi nodded and beckoned, “Since you’ve come all this way, please have your meal here first.”

A servant came in and served the three of them something to eat. Then someone saw the two young generals off. Wanyan Loushi stood in the room with his hands behind his back, lost in thought for a while. Then he turned around and went to the study at the back.

The aroma of roasted meat wafted over him, and Wanyan Loushi cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the figure struggling with the lamb chops, saying, "The person is gone."

"Mmmmmmm..."

The man holding the lamb chop forcefully tore the meat off the bone, raised his head to reveal Qiao Lie's face, chewed a few times, swallowed the meat in his mouth, and wiped his mouth with a wet wipe: "Thank you for your hard work, General Wanyan. Shall we have some?"

"I've already eaten." Wanyan Loushi shook his head, walked over and sat down next to him, hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Minister Qiao, is your visit to the Wanyan Shitu family... or is there something else going on?"

"Maybe there is, maybe there isn't."

Qiao Lie shook his head, picked up his wine glass and took a sip. He glanced at Wanyan Loushi's furrowed brows and thought for a moment: "General, have you ever fished before?"

“I’ve fished before.” Wanyan Loushi nodded, then seemed thoughtful: “You mean…”

"When fishing, you might not catch a single fish in a day at some spots, but you can catch fish one after another at other places."

Qiao Lie pondered for a moment, then put down the cup in his hand: "Of course, there are other situations as well. However, Li Guanglu and I both felt that keeping them might be worthwhile, which is why we asked the general to put on a show to keep them here back then."

Wanyan Loushi silently stroked his chin. Qiao Lie glanced at him, then smiled and said, "General Wanyan's willingness to help us eliminate traitors is something Qiao Lie will remember. After the southern expedition ends, His Majesty will surely reward you."

"I dare not. It is my duty to relieve Your Majesty's worries."

Wanyan Loushi gave a slight bow, and Qiao Lie smiled and raised his cup: "General Wanyan is very righteous."

……

The spring sunlight was gradually slanting, and the events that had occurred far away in Huanglongfu had not affected Yanjing. After the ice and snow melted, the earth warmed up, and some cold-resistant plants became greener. In the near future, the flowerbeds might no longer be a field of bare branches.

Wearing a fox fur coat, Wu Qing strolled in the sunset with her husband, who was holding their son. The toddler would occasionally point to something and ask, "What's this?" Lü Bu would usually tell him what it was, then exchange a glance with Wu Qing and chuckle.

"Tuo'er will definitely be very smart in the future."

"Hmm, he's a bit too naughty. You still spoil him, just like you spoiled Wen'er back then." Wu Qing rolled her eyes at the grinning man, annoyed.

“The child is still young.” Lu Bu looked at the distant red glow, exhaled, watched the white mist dissipate, and then watched the little one in his arms imitate his breathing. He was amused and laughed: “We can be stricter when he gets older. Look at how strict my son is now. It’s common for him to be hit on the hand if he can’t recite his lessons.”

After saying that, as if he had thought of something, he chuckled and said, "But Qun'er learns martial arts very quickly. I wonder who he took after."

“Who else could it be but my lord?” Wu Qing rolled her eyes at him.

"That's not necessarily true." Lü Bu puffed out his chest, quite proudly: "I'm quick at martial arts and not bad at literature either. It's just that I couldn't be patient enough to listen to my teacher's instruction when I was young."

Wu Qing blinked and chuckled: "Isn't it the same?"

Lu Bu opened his mouth but couldn't speak, so he just shrugged. The two walked a few more steps, and Wu Qing looked at the man whose face was flushed red in the setting sun: "My lord, are you about to go to war?"

"Hmm, soon." Lu Bu thought for a moment: "Once the army from the north arrives, we can march on Zhao and Song. Judging by the days, it should be in the next month or two."

Wu Qing nodded gently: "I won't say anything else, but please remember that there are always people at home who are concerned about your safety. Don't go out into danger alone."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu glanced at her, then turned to look at the distant scenery: "Did that scoundrel Deng Fei teach you to say that?"

Wu Qing raised an eyebrow: "The four of us share the same thought."

"Okay, I understand." The person next to him smiled and nodded.

Within a month, troops had assembled around Yanjing. (End of Chapter)