Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The imperial palace in Bianliang was in an uproar as soldiers in black armor replaced the imperial guards and began to stand guard and explore the various halls within the palace.

Several lowly eunuchs, heads bowed, led the way into the Zichen Palace under the watchful eyes of the guards. As they walked, Lü Bu felt something was off about everything. After looking around, he frowned and said, "Why is there so much green? When I have some free time, I'll change the colors here. It's making me uncomfortable."

Instead of visiting the women in the inner palace, Lü Bu led Yu Cheng, Wei He, Cao Ning, and others to the Funing Palace. Outside, they could hear some noise coming from inside the inner palace.

Yu Cheng put down his phoenix-headed axe, sat down on a chair, closed his eyes to rest, and waited for the eunuchs to clean the room before sending them away to help Lü Bu remove his armor and relax in looser robes.

"Have someone send over the everyday clothes in a bit." Lü Bu casually picked up a book, flipped through it a couple of times, and put it down. "Send a message to the rear, telling the Empress and the others to come. Don't rush, just take your time."

"Here."

Those inside the room were unaware of certain people's schemes. Lü Bu went to the bed and sat down: "Send an order to the army to eliminate the hidden dangers and then take turns on duty. I hereby order Xi Sheng to temporarily take over as the garrison commander of Kaifeng, and the other generals to cooperate with him to guard the city well."

Cao Ning quickly wrote down what was said.

Lu Bu thought for a moment and said, "Order the navy to transport some of the grain stored in the city to Liaodong by ship."

He then stretched and said, "I hereby order E Quanzhong to keep a close watch on Yanjing. After arranging the southern expedition against the remnants of the Zhao Song dynasty, I will lead the army back."

"Here!"

Then Lü Bu lay down on the bed: "Wake me up in half an hour. Oh, and issue an order to the whole army to hold a banquet tonight to celebrate."

Cao Ning noted these things down and walked outside, preparing to deliver the imperial decree.

Wei He watched him lie down, leaving Yu Cheng inside to guard him, and went outside himself. Dozens of guards had already been deployed to guard the resting place. He found a spot, hugged his large sword, and sat down, quietly waiting for time to pass.

……

Outside the palace.

Bai Shizhong, Zhang Bangchang, and others came out and pointed at the court officials below, many of whom were jumping up and down cursing them for selling out the country for personal gain.

Naturally, some people who were inclined to side with the State of Qi stood up and joined these prime ministers in arguing with their former colleagues.

Xu Wen coldly watched the chaotic scene without saying a word, instructing his Left Guard soldiers and other troops to guard the area, while he simply watched the spectacle with his arms crossed.

However, these ministers of the State of Song, quoting classical texts and arguing back and forth until their faces were red and their necks were thick, did not actually lay a hand on each other.

"Tsk, these big headscarves, let's fight them..." Xu Wen was getting a little annoyed, and stroked his chin: "How long can we keep just cursing?"

"General, should we tie up all those loyal ministers of the Southern Dynasty?"

"No need." Xu Wen waved his hand: "Write down everyone's names. Once everyone has lined up, arrest them all at once."

A sinister smile appeared on his shrewd face: "Then we'll go to Huanglong Prefecture with their officials."

The captains of the Left Guard looked at each other and burst out laughing. Just as things were getting chaotic, Su Yi walked over.

Xu Wen sensed something was amiss and turned to look. He saw the man walking ahead with a suppressed laugh on his face, followed by a man whose face was obscured by his drooping head.

"What's making you so happy?" Xu Wen asked, somewhat puzzled.

Su Yi grunted twice, stepped aside, and patted the person behind him on the shoulder: "Hey, grunt... sorry, I couldn't help it, pfft... ugh..." He turned his head, his shoulders shaking incessantly.

Xu Wen frowned at him and asked, "What's wrong with you?" Then he looked at the man next to him and saw the man who had been hiding his face slowly raise his head.

His face was swollen like a pig's, with blood flowing down from the corners of his mouth and both noses. His eyes were narrowed to slits as he strained to open them and stared at the person in front of him. His face was a kaleidoscope of colors, making him look utterly miserable.

"Whoa—" Xu Wen immediately took a step back, looking the pig demon up and down: "Where did this pig demon come from?"

Su Yi could no longer hold back and clutched his stomach, yelling, "Hahahaha—!"

The man said helplessly, "General, please don't joke, ouch—", then, when the words touched a sore spot, he grimaced and said, "This humble general is Zhang Zhongxiong."

She then gave Su Yi, who was bursting into laughter, a resentful look.

"Huh? Zhang Zhongxiong? You...who hit you?! Where are the patrolmen in the city?"

After firing off a barrage of questions, Xu Wen stared wide-eyed at Su Yi. The Left Guard General, having finally finished laughing, wiped his eyes and said, "His father, Uncle Zhang, beat him."

He reached out and patted Zhang Erlang: "Today I took Li Ruoshui and his father to see the two from the Zhao family. I saw the four of them, the emperor and his ministers, hugging and crying together, and this guy received His Majesty's notice and ran over there."

He chuckled at Xu Wen and said, "When his father saw that he hadn't died in battle and had reappeared in our army, he gave him a good scolding. Not satisfied with the scolding, he started hitting him. The guy didn't dare to dodge. Tsk tsk... You didn't see it. The old man was so ruthless. He's not even human anymore."

Xu Wen raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhang Zhongxiong with some sympathy in his eyes. He patted him and said, "You...hehe—", a smile appeared on his lips. He quickly cleared his throat with a cough and said, "Go and apply some medicine to your wounds. Try to persuade your father these next few days that there's no future in following Zhao Song."

Zhang Zhongxiong helplessly spread his hands: "General, you don't know, my father is very stubborn. I can only do my best, but I dare not say that I can persuade him."

Xu Wen nodded: "Just do your best, there's still some time."

The "pig-headed" man sighed, and then, after being comforted by the two generals, took his leave.

Xu Wen and Su Yi watched his retreating figure, then exchanged a glance. Knowing they shouldn't laugh, they couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly a few times. Afterward, they turned around, looked at the Southern Dynasty officials who were arguing back at them, and asked the person next to them, "Is it almost done? Have you identified them all?"

"General, rest assured, we'll keep a close watch and clearly distinguish between human and ghost."

"Alright." Xu Wen nodded and waved his hand forward: "Take down the officials of the Southern Song Dynasty."

The soldiers of the Left Guard stepped forward.

Panic ensued.

……

"what--"

Screams came from a courtyard. Three soldiers with white stripes on their arms stopped and looked at the several Trapped Camp soldiers guarding the door.

"Excuse me, officers of the Military and Political Affairs Department." One of the soldiers stepped forward, his steps light and powerful as he removed his infantry armor: "Inside is General Lin Chong, who has been ordered to handle some personal matters."

The three soldiers from the military and political offices looked at each other, pondered for a moment, and then gave each other a word of advice: "Do not violate the rules."

"No, no." The man shook his head repeatedly: "The person inside is just an official from the Southern Dynasty, who is General Lin's mortal enemy."

The three officers from the Military and Political Affairs Department then nodded and left.

The soldier watched the three walk away and then heard another scream from inside. He shook his head and said, "It's been so long, and they can still scream."

"Judging from his voice, he's almost out of breath; he's probably nearing his end."

"Tsk tsk, wouldn't you call this torture?"

"What are you saying? This is called forced confession. What if he is harboring rebels?"

A few soldiers from the Trapped Camp gathered together, chatting and laughing, until the sounds inside gradually quieted down.

"General Lin's methods are too rudimentary. He only uses salt water to whip people. When will this ever end?"

"Oh, so you have a good idea?"

"If you ask me, it would be better to strip the person naked, smear them with honey and sugar water, let ants bite them, and the person will be finished in a few days."

"Why not give someone a little something sweet before they die? Couldn't you just pour cold water down their back and make them burst?"

The group looked at each other and slapped him on the head: "You bastard... you're disgusting."

"It would be better to just shave him."

"Do you have that skill?"

"No."

"Then what's the point of talking?"

“In that case,” a gentler voice added, “honey water is the most likely solution?”

"Didn't we say it's not good to let people have a taste of sweetness?" someone retorted impatiently.

"If it were me, I'd get the dogs to bite... General Lin?!" A soldier exclaimed, standing up. The others looked over in surprise and called out, "General Lin!" as they stood up.

Lin Chong raised his smiling face, his face stained with blood yet still smiling gently, his eyes bloodshot, yet carrying a satisfied expression.

Several soldiers from the elite Trapped Camp, who were ruthless killers on the battlefield, felt a chill run down their spines and stood at attention.

"Go find some honey water." Lin Chong stood up, took out a few pieces of silver and threw them over. After watching his soldiers catch them, he turned to walk inside, then stopped and tilted his head slightly: "Oh, and while you're at it, find some more stray dogs too."

"Oh..." "Here you go!" "Okay... fine."

The first time that a chorus of unison had been heard from the soldiers of the Trapped Camp, Lin Chong paid no attention to it, turned around and went into the courtyard, slamming the door shut with a "bang."

The group exchanged glances, slightly surprised.

"General Lin, this..."

"Stop talking, let's go, let's go."

"Wait, what will I do if you leave?"

"You stay here and keep watch."

The footsteps quickly faded away, leaving a dumbfounded man standing there, looking in front of him and then at the courtyard behind him. He shivered, muttered something under his breath, and took a few steps forward, seemingly reluctant to approach the tightly closed gate behind him.

……

As dusk approached, looking down over Bianliang City, surrendered officials from the Song Dynasty took to the streets, shouting words of reassurance to the people. At the request of Xu Bingzhe, the prefect of Kaifeng, yamen runners and officials also took to the streets, and the tense atmosphere in the city seemed to have lessened considerably.

A black torrent occupied the main streets, and fighting was rare. Cavalrymen on horseback rode from east to west and from south to north, bringing messages of safety to others.

Generals who were not on duty mounted their warhorses and galloped to the gates of the imperial city, surrounded by their personal guards. Many of them were accompanied by one or two unfamiliar faces, which aroused the curiosity of those who saw them for the first time.

"General Wang, isn't that Zhang Conglong from your army?" He Zhongbao, who had just arrived at the palace gate, called out to the figure who had dismounted and was walking inside.

Wang Bolong turned around quickly when he heard someone calling him: "General He".

They were all Han Chinese originally from the Liao Kingdom, so there was naturally some connection between them. Wang Bolong was delighted to see him: "It's this kid." He reached out and patted the shyly smiling boy: "Isn't it because His Majesty decreed that all those who have made great contributions since last year, regardless of rank or title, should enter the palace for a banquet? So I brought this kid with me."

"It would be a waste to follow you." He Zhongbao laughed and looked at Zhang Conglong with admiration: "How about it, kid? Why don't you come and follow me?"

"Go away, go away, don't even think about it." Wang Bolong shoved him in disgust. A eunuch came over and cautiously led the group inside.

Wang Bolong looked around and leaned closer to He Zhongbao: "Have you heard? His Majesty and his men have captured quite a few palace maids and imperial concubines in this palace. Anyone who has made a contribution can take a woman back with them, depending on the size of their contribution and whether they are married or not."

"I've heard about it." He Chongbao's already tall stature seemed to shrink as he bent down and whispered to him, "I heard that apart from the Empress and a few imperial concubines, everyone can be chosen."

The two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly at each other.

"The women of the Southern Dynasties are so much better than the rough and careless women of the North."

"You little rascal... well, it's good, but I'm afraid that the tigress at home will turn on you if you suddenly bring one back."

"Just raise them outside, that's all."

A voice broke in from the side, and the two men, startled, turned around to see Dong Xian, who had walked over at some point. They both breathed a sigh of relief: "General Dong, next time at least give us a heads-up."

Dong Xian rolled his eyes, looking disgusted: "I didn't deliberately slow down my pace, it's just that you two perverts were chatting too intently."

"Hey, you're exposing my weakness a bit."

"Yes, there is some... but speaking of which, you wouldn't happen to be eyeing the princess too, would you?"

"Who doesn't love a beautiful woman? If we have the chance, whether it's a concubine or a princess, we should bring one back to see what makes the women of the royal family so different."

Zhang Conglong walked silently behind, listening to the blatant words of the three generals in front of him. His face burned, and his heart pounded.

Having never married and having achieved numerous military merits, he should…

perhaps……

Am I one of them?!
The people who were lost in thought were gradually awakened by the clamor that rushed into their ears. Looking up, they saw the main hall, Daqing Hall, and many generals in armor had already started drinking from wine jars. A big man with white skin and a peony embroidered on his chest was drinking with a dark but very strong figure.

The three generals who were walking forward all stopped in their tracks, looked at each other, and Dong smacked his lips: "Damn it, we're too early."

"Lu Zhishen and Niu Gao have already started pliing wine to the table."

"Needless to say, Yao Gang, Yelü Mawu, and Wanyan Huonv should also be here."

Peeking inside on tiptoe, sure enough, all the figures known for their drinking prowess were there.

Zhang Conglong, standing behind, was somewhat bewildered. After a while, he couldn't help but ask, "General, they started drinking before His Majesty even arrived, didn't they...?"

He Zhongbao glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Wang Bolong still felt sorry for his beloved general, and patted him on the shoulder: "This is normal in the court. The generals who came are all heavy drinkers, people who can drink from before the banquet starts until the banquet ends."

Zhang Conglong paused for a moment: "...No, what I meant was..."

Dong Xian turned around and patted him on the shoulder: "His Majesty never minds this. As long as you don't miss the battle opportunity and do your job well, you can drink before and after the banquet if you want, and he doesn't care how long you drink. Oh no, General Niu is looking over here..."

"...What should we do?"

"I'm not a big drinker..."

The three generals looked tense, but Dong Xian's gaze fell on the shoulder he was draped over, and a wicked smile slowly crept onto his lips: "Kid, you'll be a high-ranking official in the future, so there are some things you should know."

Seeing his expression, Wang Bolong instinctively sensed something was wrong and quickly said, "Wait, General Dong..."

Dong Xian chuckled and dragged Zhang Conglong off balance, shouting, "General Niu, this young brother Zhang Conglong says he greatly admires you all and would like to offer you a toast."

"Huh? I didn't..."

Zhang Conglong exclaimed in surprise, but Lu Zhishen, who was drinking happily, interrupted him with a loud laugh and came over to grab him: "Good lad, you have a bright future. Come over and have a drink with me first."

"altar?"

Zhang Conglong was stunned, thinking he had misheard. In that instant, he was involuntarily pulled over, and a wine jar with its mud seal opened was shoved into his hand.

boom--

Lu Zhishen clinked his wine jar against his and said, "Drink!"

When Zhang Conglong first picked up his wine jar, he was stunned. But after watching the generals and ministers in the army drink, he couldn't help but lift his wine jar as well.

Tons tons tons——

Wang Bolong covered his face: "General Dong, you've really done something terrible..."

Dong Xian glanced at him and said quietly, "Why don't you, General Wang, step forward and take his place?"

Wang Bolong was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "...Never mind, I still want to see the concubines."

A voice from ahead exclaimed, "What a great drinker!"

Just as Zhang Conglong put down the wine jar and was about to speak, Niu Gao handed him another wine jar.

boom--

"drink!"

"Hiccup—" Zhang Conglong looked at his general and, seeing that he was unmoved, adjusted his belt with some discomfort and raised his hand.

Tons tons tons——

That day, Zhang Conglong was forced to drink three jars of wine and lost consciousness. When he awoke, he was stunned to find two strange women in his room. For a moment, the three of them, with their six eyes, were at a loss for words. But that's another story. (End of Chapter)