Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The winding fire dragon crossed the plains and circled and stopped in front of the military camp.

Infantrymen in black armor surged out, pushing groups of prisoners into the camp. Exhausted cavalrymen dismounted, fed their mounts water, bean cakes, and hay, and then went into their tents to sleep.

Lu Bu dismounted in front of the main tent of the army. Wang Zheng, Bian Xiang, Mi Sheng, Xi Sheng and others who had received the news were already waiting there. They bowed and paid their respects when they saw him.

"Go in and talk."

The bright red cloak swayed gently, and the smell of rust filled their nostrils. The group exchanged glances before entering the main tent.

The lamps were lit, and the flames, tinged with black smoke, illuminated everyone's faces.

Lu Bu sat down with an air of authority, and a soldier brought him hot soup. Lu Bu picked it up and took a sip: "How was the battle of Bianliang today?"

“Not very smoothly.” Wang Zheng frowned and sat down: “Bianliang is a high and sturdy city, surrounded by a moat. The city walls are heavily guarded. Although the whirlwind cannons do not have the range of artillery, they are just as effective when mounted on high ground. They are also supported by ballistae. Firearms and rockets are constantly being fired, and the surrendered soldiers who attacked the city have suffered considerable losses.”

“The three of us were each responsible for a section of the city wall. Generals such as Han Shizhong, Di Lei, Han Chang, and Lin Chong all led their troops in fierce attacks, but the Song army deployed many archers on the city wall, and at that distance, they could not break through.”

"Today, Li Shixiong, Ma Jin, and He Zhongbao were seriously injured, while Shangguan Yi and Lu Zhishen were slightly injured. Each unit suffered about 10% casualties."

In the lamplight, Mi Sheng and Bian Xiang finished speaking one after another and then fell silent with their heads down.

Lu Bu remained calm: "It is, after all, the capital of a country. It won't be so easy to take it." He reached out and lightly wiped the bloodstains from his kneecap: "Today we captured more than 50,000 Song soldiers. Tomorrow we will send them to attack the city together. Let me see how strong Tokyo is."

The four men looked at each other, clasped their hands in agreement, and Wang Zheng slowly released his hands, pondering for a moment: "Your Majesty, although I agree to fight for another day, there is something I am not sure if I should say."

"Stop being so fussy, just say it."

"I believe that Bianliang cannot be captured in a short time. If it drags on for too long, troops from other places will gather. Even if our army is not afraid, it will put too much pressure on the rear. Moreover, it is not good for Your Majesty to be away from the country for a long time."

Wang Zheng slowly stood up, stroking his chin, and said, "We can spread the news of the defeat of their army outside the city into the city. The Song court is full of cowards who are afraid of death, and they might come to beg us to withdraw our troops."

Lu Bu pondered for a moment, then slowly picked up the hot soup and took a sip.

All eyes turned to Wang Zheng, who continued, "At that time, we can first propose some harsh conditions to test their reaction. If Zhao Song refuses, we can lower the conditions and ask for several military prefectures, money, women, and even craftsmen. Our army can also take this opportunity to swallow up the Hebei region in the rear and support Generals Du Xue and Sun An who are far away in Hedong."

Your Majesty can then return to Hebei to handle state affairs and simultaneously mobilize troops to march south.

With just a few generals watching over Bianliang, the Song people, eager for peace, will certainly not provoke trouble. Instead, under pressure, they will demand that our army retreat. At that time, we can take the opportunity to replace their pro-war officials in the court. When the time is right, our attack on Bianliang will be completely different from today's situation.

Mi Sheng stroked his chin and suddenly interjected, "What if they accept it and ask us to withdraw our troops?"

Bian Xiang rolled his eyes: "Why didn't you just ask for more, and then he wouldn't give it to you? All these years have passed, how come you've become so kind-hearted?"

Mi Sheng scratched his cheek: "I hadn't thought of that..."

Wang Zheng shrugged: "In short, there are plenty of ways. Regardless of whether the Southern Dynasty accepts it or not, its national strength will decline. As the tide turns, our strength will rise, and we will surely destroy its country within ten years."

Lu Bu waved his hand, put down the soup bowl, and stood up: "Very well, let's settle on this for now."

The voices stopped, and the once noisy military camp slowly returned to silence, the entire camp falling into quiet.

……

The cool night breeze swept across the city walls of Bianliang, causing the banners on the walls to flutter loudly, and Bianliang, the city that never sleeps, fell into a deep sleep for the first time ever.

Li Gang tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep. The city had been successfully defended; the Qi army had failed to breach the walls. The emperor was overjoyed and generously rewarded the entire army. However…

What about the troops outside the city?

The 150,000-strong army, which served as a strategic stronghold, has disappeared without a trace. They haven't been seen appearing at the city gates for a whole day. Zhang Shuye shouldn't be such a reckless person.

Something must have happened...

Then this city is truly fighting alone. How should it continue?
With her head resting on her arms, her wide-open eyes stared straight at the dark roof beams, listening to the sound of the night wind rustling the branches. Her vision slowly began to blur, and she drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

……

at the same time.

The military camp south of the Bian River was filled with cries of anguish. The army's organization had been disrupted, and the uninjured soldiers had gathered together. The general on night patrol outside gripped his unsheathed sword warily, his gaze sweeping over the quiet tents, his expression tense.

"what--"

A scream rang out from somewhere, and the patrolling general quickly led his soldiers to the sound. He entered the tent and, before the soldiers inside could fall into chaos, stabbed the soldier who had been startled to death with a single sword. The men behind him quickly dragged the corpse out.

"go to bed!"

With a stern rebuke, he took a cloth and wiped the blood off his sword, his face grim as he walked out of the tent. He glanced at the brightly lit central command tent and sighed, "I won't be getting any sleep tonight."

He shook his head and continued leading the patrolling soldiers through the military camp.

Like him, many other night patrol officers will also be unable to sleep tonight.

……

In the surrendered soldiers' camp, many people hung their heads dejectedly, while others lay on their backs on the ground, seemingly indifferent, and soon began to snore soundly as they slept.

To be alive today is a blessing; what about tomorrow?
Who cares about tomorrow?

Many Song soldiers shared this sentiment, whispering among themselves. Some knew how the Qi army treated prisoners of war, while others, still alive, talked about how they could gain freedom by achieving merit on the battlefield and be granted titles and land in the future. When they got excited, they would burst into hearty laughter.

...by your own means.

Zhang Zhongxiong lay on the ground, the arrow wound in his back preventing him from lying down or sleeping. Hearing the sounds of conversation and laughter outside, he inwardly curled his lip in disdain.

Now he knows that his brother died in battle, and that Yan Shude and Tie Fangliang, two men he regarded as brave generals, also lost their lives.

Without the soldiers surrounding him and the warriors by his side, the second son of the Zhang family immediately felt genuinely insecure. Even though he knew in his heart that the Qi army would not do anything to him for the time being, he still felt uneasy and often doubted his own judgment. He could only force himself to listen to the sounds outside so that no one would approach him in his sleep and he would lose his life without knowing why.

However, as dawn broke, the thing he feared still hadn't happened. After enduring the night and suffering from injuries, Zhang Zhongxiong couldn't hold on any longer and slowly closed his eyes.

Da da da--

"Get up, get up!"

The sound of footsteps and shouts startled Zhang Erlang, who had just fallen asleep. He saw a general walk in, followed by dozens of black-armored guards carrying bows and crossbows.

"I, Li Cheng, was formerly the Military Commander of Daming Prefecture, and am now the Fourth-Rank Shunyi General of our Great Qi!"

The tall general surveyed the crowd, his gaze settling on Zhang Zhongxiong, who was struggling to his feet. He then looked away and said, “Today, in our attack on Bianliang, His Majesty has shown mercy by issuing a decree that all who survive will regain their freedom and be registered in the household register of our Great Qi, just like the soldiers in the army. Promotion and wealth will be just around the corner.”

"General, is what you say true?!" Many prisoners' eyes lit up, and they hurriedly stepped forward to ask. "Of course it's true." Li Cheng nodded vigorously, glanced at the others with a dismissive expression, and said calmly, "Our Great Qi is different from the Zhao Song. Soldiers' rations and salaries are paid in full. As long as you make merit, your family will receive land and houses. If you can make some great contributions and become a person of middle or lower rank, even officials will have to show you respect, and your family's descendants can even benefit from it."

He slapped his chest hard, and his loud voice boomed in everyone's ears: "I am currently a ninth-rank fifth-grade official, with more than ten acres of fertile land and several mansions. My family members are exempt from labor service and can travel by carriage without violating any taboos."

"And you, once your rank rises to the seventh-rank duke, you may bow but not kneel before the county magistrate and county assistant."

The prisoners around him had solemn expressions, their eyes filled with longing.

"That sounds nice," Zhang Zhongxiong snorted. "How many people can actually be promoted to the seventh rank of nobility?"

The glimmer of light in their eyes vanished in an instant.

Li Cheng smiled without saying a word, and dozens of guards behind him stepped forward and patted their chests: "We are all soldiers from the former Daming Prefecture, and now we are all fourth-rank unchanging nobles."

The eyes of the surrendered soldiers lit up again, and Li Cheng took the opportunity to say, "A fourth-rank noble can obtain eight acres of farmland, three to five servants, and three houses that can be used to build houses in the city. If it is outside the city, one more house can be obtained."

"Such a good thing?"

"Wouldn't this make us a moderately wealthy family?"

"Let's do it! Even if we work our butts off for ten years in the Song army, we'll never make a name for ourselves. How can we miss out on such a good opportunity!"

"It's just one life. Let's take a gamble. Who knows, we might even be granted titles!"

The buzzing voices reached everyone's ears, and Li Cheng and his guards behind him smiled.

Zhang Zhongxiong sighed, "These fools are doomed to die under the city walls today."

Seeing the atmosphere heating up, Li Cheng waved his hand and said, "Good! Follow my orders! Don't embarrass me during today's siege. Let His Majesty see that we are also capable of securing titles and honors for our wives and children!"

"Oh--"

Cheers resounded through the sky. Zhang Zhongxiong looked helplessly at the people raising their hands in cheers. Then, Li Cheng led the surrendered soldiers out of the camp.

Zhang Erlang was escorted by another group of soldiers towards the central command tent.

"Go in."

Someone pushed him from behind, and Zhang Zhongxiong staggered a few steps into the main tent. When he regained his footing, he looked up and saw an extremely powerful figure that captivated him. The figure was sitting in the main seat of the command tent with an air of authority. Who else could it be but Lü Bu, whom he had seen yesterday?
Recalling Yan Shude's death in battle yesterday, and remembering how he had run a long way before being shot in the back by an arrow, he felt a burning pain in his wound. His courage vanished, his legs went weak, and he knelt down before anyone could speak: "Song minister Zhang Zhongxiong greets His Majesty the Emperor of Qi."

The generals sitting around him smiled at his appearance, but no one chuckled out loud.

“Zhang Zhongxiong…” Lü Bu remained seated, his tiger-like eyes slightly raised: “I’ve heard you are the second son of Zhang Shuye, the commander of the Song army outside the city?”

“…That’s right.” Zhang Zhongxiong smiled wryly, knowing that a prisoner must have told him about the situation, but he had nothing to hide. Whether the other party knew his identity or not was no longer important.

"Hmm..." Lu Bu nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the other party without wavering: "I have never liked beating around the bush. If you and your father surrender to me, I will grant you and your father high-ranking positions and generous salaries. What do you say?"

"This……"

Zhang Zhongxiong's lips moved. He had already heard that his brother had been killed in battle. Although there were no eyes for swords and spears on the battlefield and life and death were preordained, he felt that his feelings for his family were real, so he was somewhat resistant.

Furthermore, this person didn't even try to persuade him to surrender; he just demanded that he surrender immediately, treating him like dirt. I felt somewhat humiliated.

However, the word "no" was on the tip of his tongue but could not be uttered from his lips, causing Zhang Erlang to lower his head involuntarily.

The people in the tent looked at him with a hint of amusement. Wang Zheng stood up and said, "You had an army of 150,000 before, but you were defeated in one battle. It is clear that the will of Heaven is not with you. Why force yourself to continue?"

He glanced at Lü Bu, and seeing that he did not speak, he continued, "His Majesty values ​​talent. He has heard that your father is a man of great talent and prestige, who has made many achievements in governing the local people. He is a rare and good official. He cannot bear to let him serve the Zhao Song dynasty, which only knows how to exploit the people. He wishes to find a person who is good for the people on behalf of the world. He hopes that you, young master, will grant his request."

As he spoke, he raised his hands in a gesture of respect and bowed deeply to Zhang Zhongxiong.

"No, no, no... I wouldn't dare." Zhang Zhongxiong's face turned bright red, and he waved his hands repeatedly. After a long while, he calmed down and said with a slightly complicated feeling, "My father is a rigid man and very loyal to the Emperor. I... I... uh..." He lowered his head and sighed, "I'm not confident I can persuade him."

Wang Zheng frowned, straightened up, and was about to speak again when he heard a muffled voice from below: "Moreover, my elder brother was also sent by His Majesty, it's truly...difficult." He sighed, "It really is difficult..."

Wang Zheng tilted his head, turned around and shrugged helplessly at Lü Bu.

“…Very well.” With a soft remark, Lü Bu relaxed his furrowed brows, stood up, and glanced at the dejected figure below: “Go back and recover from your injuries. We’ll discuss this further another day.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Zhongxiong quickly bowed and stood up to follow the guards out.

Several generals in the central army stood up, and Mi Sheng chuckled: "It seems that this Zhang Erlang has already made his decision, but unfortunately, he is unwilling to persuade his father."

"I'm afraid not." Wang Zheng yawned, his expression becoming lazy again: "If it were possible, this person might have already agreed."

Outside the tent, the sound of horns rang out, and the generals' faces turned serious. Lü Bu waved his hand and said, "Forget about the Zhang family. Order Shi Wengong and Wanyan Loushi to keep an eye on Zhang Shuye's troops and be wary of their attack. The rest of you, attack Bianliang."

"Here!"

……

dong dong dong-

The war drums sounded from the city tower of Bianliang, and the constables of the government office hurriedly struck the gongs they were carrying. The people walking in the streets immediately ran in panic.

In an instant, the entire capital city came alive with activity that morning. Soldiers and able-bodied men ran back and forth shouting, carrying weapons and defensive supplies as they rushed up the city walls.

Zhao Huan sat blankly in the imperial study in the palace. Although he was mentally prepared for the Qi army's next move outside the city, his heart was still pounding with anxiety when the battle actually began.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Li Bangyan's shrill voice came from outside. The eunuchs guarding the door dared not stop him and quickly let him in. The man rushed to the dragon desk, bowed, and was unable to speak, panting heavily.

"What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?" Zhao Huan's heart tightened when he saw him panting. "Has the Qi army entered the city?"

"No... not."

Li Bangyan waved his hand, and seeing Zhao Huan's face relax, he put his hands on his hips, took a few deep breaths, and felt slightly better. He quickly said, "It's about the Emperor Emeritus. He talked to Gao Qiu, Tong Guan, and others about something. Someone saw Tong Guan's men being carried out of the city from the south in baskets."

"Send someone out of the city?!" Zhao Huan's voice rose eight octaves. He immediately stood up, took a step out from behind the imperial desk, and tightly gripped the eunuch's clothes: "Where did they go? What are they doing? Is there a secret decree?"

"I was just about to tell His Majesty," Li Bangyan said, panting, wiping the sweat from his neck. "Although the people I placed around him don't know where they went or what they were planning to do, I overheard a conversation between the three of them a couple of days ago..."

Zhao Huan's expression tightened: "What are you saying?"

Li Bangyan looked back, and several eunuchs who were serving him quickly moved back to the doorway and turned to face outside. Then he leaned close to Zhao Huan's ear and said, "They were talking about the Ninth Prince, Zhao Gou."

"he?!"

Zhao Huan released the clothes he was clutching, a thoughtful expression on his face, and slowly walked back behind the desk. (End of Chapter)