Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

In the hall, the faint sound of heavy breathing could be heard. In the brightly lit room, Zhao Gou was leaning on the table with one hand and clutching his chest with the other, breathing heavily.

Wang Boyan and Huang Qianshan stood there, looking rather embarrassed.

Wang Yuan, the Deputy Privy Councilor, stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, now is not the time to pursue right and wrong. There are not many troops in Lin'an City now. Perhaps we should head south to avoid them."

“Vice Privy Councilor Wang is overthinking it.” Huang Qianshan listened to him and disagreed: “Lin’an is located in Hangzhou. To its north are the two prefectures of Suzhou and Changzhou, and to its west are even more military prefectures in the Jiangnan and Donglu regions. Even if the Qi army crosses the Yangtze River, they cannot reach this area.” He cupped his hands and said: “Why not send an envoy to the Qi Emperor? At this time, he has been besieging Hefei for a long time without success. He must be impatient and there may be an opportunity to persuade him.”

Zhao Gou couldn't help but glare at him when he heard him speak, but his heart was calmed down a lot because of his words.

"No!" Wang Yuan exclaimed in alarm upon hearing this, turning to Zhao Gou: "The Qi army is pressing down, which is tantamount to destroying the Song Dynasty. Your Majesty, we should support the troops at the front to resist the Qi army."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Lu Yihao, Zhu Shengfei, Zhai Ruwen, and others stepped forward in the hall.
Wang Boyan glanced at the group, thought for a moment, and then winked at Zhang Tao, Qin Hui, Hu Shijiang, and others. They immediately understood and stepped forward: "We support the peace talks. Your Majesty, we are currently penniless and should conserve our strength rather than squander our current resources against Northern Qi."

Zhao Gou hesitated for a moment.

The people in the court were already familiar with his temperament. Lü Yihao stepped forward and said loudly, "The Qi Kingdom has repeatedly violated our borders. When have we ever stopped because of words? If they use words to keep our envoys by their side, while instructing their army to attack cities and seize territories, does Your Majesty intend to just watch the northern bandit army cross the river? If so, where can you retreat to?"

“That’s right.” Zhao Gou gritted his teeth and said, “At this time, we must respond to the Qi army’s southward advance. Immediately issue an edict to all parts of Jiangnan to gather troops and go to the coast to respond to the Qi army’s attack.”

Facing Wang Yuan, he said, "Jidao, you are in charge of this matter."

Wang Yuan accepted the decree with clasped hands and left without delay. Zhao Gou waved behind him, signaling his trusted eunuch Feng Yi to go to the Privy Council to keep an eye on things.

Seeing that the matter was settled, the officials in the hall lost their will to argue. They exchanged glances and returned to their seats. Zhao Gou then remembered something else: "Also, issue an edict to Liu Menglong, instructing him to find a way to rescue Liu Qi and Yue Fei in Hefei. In addition, summon Liu Guangshi back to explain to me why he abandoned Chuzhou. Go immediately!"

Someone ran out quickly.

Soon after, a dozen or so fast horses left Lin'an and scattered in all directions.

……

Cicadas—

The sound of cicadas filled the air. On a hill somewhere in Jiangnan East Road, a group of soldiers sat in the desolate mountains. Some leaned against tree trunks, gazing at the road in the distance, occasionally taking out a bite of their dry rations.

Han Shizhong, with his robe open, looked at Han Chang, who was dressed formally, and said, "Unbutton your clothes a little."

Han Chang turned his head and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“We’ve been fighting the Song army for years, don’t we know what kind of people they are? Except for the Imperial Guards who need to be presentable and pay attention to their appearance, the rest of them are just idlers.” Han Shizhong pointed to the Song army uniform he was wearing: “Especially in the summer, your chest is exposed, so loosen your belt and your leg wraps. Make them loose, and when you tighten them, make them look more fancy.”

Han Chang listened with a blank expression as he undressed one by one: "So you're saying the Song army generals don't care about these things?"

"Mind your own business!" Han Shizhong scoffed, then added after a moment's thought, "If you run into a stubborn person, they might care, but whether the people below listen is another matter entirely."

“Serving as a soldier in Song must be quite easy.” Han Chang chuckled. “But these people in Song are really stupid. Even at this point, they don’t even bother to thoroughly check us.”

"It's better to avoid trouble than to cause trouble; this is the way of survival in the Song Dynasty officialdom. Besides, we have nearly ten thousand people."

Guan Sheng walked over and sat down, his big beard sticking to his open chest. The big swordsman reached out and brushed it aside, tugging at his crimson military uniform: "It's been a long time since I've worn this red uniform. I'm not used to wearing it now."

Han Shizhong chuckled: "It's only because we're in Jiangnan. If we met so many people in Jiangbei, they'd probably ask you what kind of underwear you're wearing."

He paused, then reached out and picked up a twig to poke the ground: "I just didn't expect that after being in Jiangnan for so long, the Song court still hasn't reacted to the war in Luzhou."

Guan Sheng hesitated for a moment: "...Could it be that you're still deceiving your superiors and subordinates?"

"Really?" Han Chang sat up straight, then suddenly relaxed. "It's hard to say. The Liao Kingdom was in the same situation back then, and was only just wiped out by our army."

Han Shizhong looked up and peered at the sky through the gaps in the leaves. He could see that the sky was covered by leisurely white clouds, and the cicadas were still chirping noisily. "Whatever," he said, "since the Song court has its own problems, it can't blame us."

He looked straight at Guan Sheng and Han Chang, his eyes burning with rage: "I was hoping to earn a marquisate through my own abilities. If I succeed this time, we'll have a great achievement in the bag."

Guan Sheng and Han Chang both nodded seriously, one stroking his beard in silence, the other squinting his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

In the distance, Yan Qing was handing the water bag to Lu Junyi, and then whispering something to Han Qinghe and Xu Ning.

Soon, scouts returned to report that everything was normal. The Qi troops, who had changed into Song army uniforms since Shucheng, rested until nightfall and then continued their advance eastward under cover of darkness.

……

The cicadas' chirping in summer travels far away through the mountains, forests, and waterways, crossing the Yangtze River, and once again resounds incessantly in places with lush forests.

Outside Hefei city.

The cavalrymen in black armor galloped across the plains, raising clouds of dust that made the Song soldiers who were observing them anxious.

In front of the military camp southwest of Hefei, where antlers and barricades were densely packed, Lu Bu, dressed in a thin shirt, sat with Fang Xuedu and several others in the camp, where a sunshade blocked the scorching sunlight.

A cavalryman galloped in, and the knight who ran to the center of the army quickly dismounted and handed the official document he brought to Yu Cheng. The burly general glanced at it and then went over to present it to Lü Bu.

"Heh, it's good news." He casually flipped through the document and handed it to the Minister of War, who was sitting next to him: "Du Xue and Shi Gugong are making good progress. We should be able to take over Xixia before the end of this year. We have already taken over nearly half of Liaodong Goryeo. That Tuo Junjing has a lot of prestige in the army. If it weren't for that guy surnamed Li taking him along, he might have caused some trouble for our army's advance."

Fang Xuedu stroked his long, willow-like beard and handed the official document aside: "In this campaign against Western Xia, the steppe people contributed a great deal, and many died in battle." He pondered for a moment: "If this is not handled properly, they may resent our dynasty. If they rebel, it will have a significant impact on our Great Qi's southern campaign."

"What's there to be afraid of? Kill them one by one, kill a thousand if they come!" Yao Gang stood up abruptly, patting his chest: "Your Majesty has given me three thousand armored cavalry, and this humble general will fight for Your Majesty to the ends of the earth!"

Lu Bu looked at him with a complicated expression, wondering if this scoundrel was trying to take advantage of the situation to get money and supplies to expand his army.

Yang Zaixing chuckled to himself, "Three thousand armored cavalry, which one of you here can't kill your way to the ends of the earth? Uncle Yao, are you trying to take advantage of His Majesty? The money to support three thousand armored cavalry would be more than enough to conquer the Song Dynasty."

Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, glanced at his apprentice, and looked at him with satisfaction in his eyes.

Yao Gang roared, "Yang kid, I think you're asking for a beating!" He pointed his thumb outwards and said, "If you've got the guts, come and train with me at the drill ground!"

"Who's afraid of who!" Yang Zaixing suddenly stood up. The two stepped out of the shade and stopped abruptly. They stared at each other for a long time before taking a few steps back and sitting down again.

"Fine, I'll let it go since you're young and naive!"

"Old age doesn't mean physical strength. I'm not saying you're too old, Uncle Yao. I'm going to show you how good my marksmanship is."

Lu Bu ignored the two men and turned to look at Fang Xuedu.

"I have actually been thinking about this matter as well..."

He tapped his knee with his finger, his gaze fixed on the distance, seemingly unfocused. After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "The threat from the grasslands has always been there, and no dynasty has been able to completely eliminate it. Therefore, I can only hope that future generations will have exceptional abilities to accomplish what our predecessors could not. For now, I can only rely on the wisdom of my predecessors to deal with it, first winning over the weaker tribes to suppress the stronger ones, and secretly supporting the remaining tribes to wage war against them, keeping them at odds and unable to unite. But before that..."

His gaze shifted to his own Minister of War: "I will give the grassland people who went on this expedition the rewards they deserve. Those who like money will be given money, and those who like fame will be given official positions. The herdsmen who died in battle will be given compensation. Furthermore, following Shi Gugong's advice, I will give them some benefits. I think this will also win over some people's hearts."

Yang Zaixing and Yao Gang stopped arguing and listened with several trusted generals around them, nodding slowly. Lü Bu clapped his hands: "But these are all things for later. Someone, issue an imperial edict ordering Wang Zheng to come to the military camp for discussions. Also, issue an edict to Yanjing to prepare gifts for the troops and send them to Western Xia and Goryeo."

"Here!"

Someone wrote down the recorded orders, which Lü Bu reviewed and stamped. Then, the command flag flew out. The emperor, who had just been about to sit down, turned around and suddenly stopped. A scout was running behind him, shouting, "Report!" The drawn-out voice echoed in the sweltering air.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is unusual activity in the Song army camp outside Hefei. They may be trying to withdraw after seeing our army encircling them."

Yang Zaixing, his expression excited, suddenly stood up: "Your Majesty..."

Yao Gang, Wang Yin, Xu Wen, Niu Gao, and others stood up and looked at him.

"Leave?" Lü Bu raised an eyebrow, glancing in the direction of Hefei with a sinister smile. "Trying to leave now? Have you even asked me?" He waved his hand: "Order the entire army to prepare for attack!"

"Here!"

A group of burly men first clasped their hands in response, then turned and ran away in unison.

Woohoo——

In the military camp, the horn sounded, and a clamor arose from the sky. Officers and soldiers kept shouting, "Hurry up!" "Move faster!" As figures clad in armor rode their warhorses at breakneck speed beneath the banners.

With their view expanding, under the summer sun, men and warhorses regrouped amidst shouts, launching an offensive against the Song army to the east.

As they approached the midday sun, the battle suddenly erupted.

On the plains near Hefei, axes flew through the air, and arrows rained down on both sides' battle formations like locusts. Layer upon layer of people surged like rolling waves, forming ranks and rushing eastward under the command of generals and the raised banners bearing the character "Song".

The hysterical shouts drowned out everything. Zhai Xing led his troops in pursuit, with Shangguan Yi and Suo Chao following behind, totaling 15,000 troops chasing after the Song army's formation ahead and launching an attack.

The massive battle formation, stretching for miles, fought and retreated. At least three thousand of Liu Qi's troops, who volunteered to cover the rear, were wounded. Han Zhi, a fierce general with a blood-stained white cloth tied around his neck, commanded his troops to hold off the northern infantry and cavalry, who outnumbered him several times over.

The sounds of fighting were deafening at first, with the clanging of metal often followed by a scream at most. Wounded soldiers, already determined to die, only attacked and did not defend. When they were slashed, they would desperately grab the blade, giving their comrades beside and behind them a chance to kill the enemy.

"Cong'er, come here to your father." Zhai Xing first called out to his son, then shouted loudly in the formation: "Order the whole army to tighten their formation and form ranks to deal with the Song army in front. These soldiers are suicide soldiers, we cannot take them lightly!"

"Yes!" the guard shouted, raising his horn and blowing it.

Zhai Cong drew his bow and shot two of the vanguard officers who were charging ahead. He then pointed to one side and shouted, "That's General Suo's cavalry! Shall we move over there?"

Zhai Xing turned his head and glanced at it, then nodded immediately: "Order the army to shift to the southeast!"

"I'll go provide support." The young general pulled on the reins and galloped off in that direction.

“Go back…” Zhai Xinggang uttered a sound, then sighed, “Hurry up and catch up!”

The banner bearing the character "索" (suo) that Zhai Cong pointed at charged forward a moment later, making a loud bang that sounded like giant waves crashing against a reef. This was followed by countless desperate shouts of battle, occasionally punctuated by the pitiful neighing of warhorses.

Ahead of them, a forest of spears advanced, while Song archers behind them continuously drew their bows and hurled arrows in their direction. At the very front were men with wooden shields braced against their shoulders and their feet firmly planted on the ground, roaring furiously with their mouths agape and veins bulging.

Blood and limbs were flying everywhere.

The shouts of battle were like thunder that shook the sky, and spears came like a forest, blocking the way and drinking blood, scattering strings of blood droplets.

The arrows shot horizontally, drawing blood from the figure on horseback, while Han Zhi, still somewhat pale, shouted and charged towards Suo Chao under his command with his sword.

Countless spearheads and iron spears pierced the human body, their sharp tips pressing against the breastplate. With a slight turn of the body, the ear-piercing sound of metal scraping against metal reached his ears, and sparks almost flew into Suo Chao's eyes.

The next instant, a Song general wielding a knife came into view, and the broadsword was brought down on his head.

when--

The axe blocked the blade.

Suo Chao forcefully pushed him away and swung his axe back: "You sickly weakling dare to provoke me!"

The blade cleaved again.

Suo Chao raised the axe upwards, and with a thud, it blocked the broadsword. At the same time, he twisted and lifted his wrist, and with a "click," the lower part of the axe locked firmly into the opponent's blade.

"come over……"

Seeing that he had succeeded, Suo Chao suddenly pulled out the knife with a whoosh. The vanguard, who encountered no resistance, used too much force and his body suddenly swayed to the side.

not good!

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he heard Han Zhi roar "Kill—" as he spurred his horse forward, drew his hand blade from his waist, and lashed it at Han Zhi's head.

The man who was leaning to one side quickly dropped the axe and raised his hand to protect himself.

click-

"what!!"

The iron-like weapon struck his arm, and a burning pain and the sound of bones breaking rang out together. Suo Chao fell off his horse, clutching his arm.

Han Zhi pulled on the reins, and the warhorse neighed, rearing up. As the reins were pulled, the horse's hooves spun in an arc and came down.

"You traitorous general, prepare to die!"

Zhai Cong rushed over from afar and saw Suo Chao fall from his horse. Without thinking, he drew his bow to its fullest extent and then released his grip.

puff--

"Uh……"

A triangular arrow pierced Han Zhi's throat.

The horse's hoof landed.

It stomped heavily on people's leg bones.

click -

"Ah!"

The vanguard on the ground, in pain, half-sat up.

pity……

Han Zhi glanced at the person screaming in pain.

They failed to kill him...

Vision went black.

Consciousness dissipated. (End of Chapter)