Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 1243 Mutiny?!
At night, a battalion of Song soldiers, led by their commander, rushed to Tianzhu Temple. After waiting all night, no one noticed anything unusual.

"Something's not right..." The commander suddenly stood up: "Men, break down the temple gate and search inside!"

Dozens of soldiers rushed out, banging on the door repeatedly throughout the night. The nearby villagers, who had been hiding in their houses since evening when they saw the soldiers coming, were now even more panicked by the commotion outside. They put heavy objects on the doors and windows to prevent any unforeseen events from happening.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the people inside heard a voice outside shout, "We've been tricked! Let's get out of here!" and only then did they feel relieved. Some of the more curious and daring ones peered out through the crack in the window.

Amidst the thunderous footsteps, the Song soldiers carrying torches ran past quickly until they disappeared from sight.

Only then did these people feel relieved, and they went to sleep with expressions of either trepidation or excitement.

Regardless, we've got something to talk about tomorrow.

……

The air was still somewhat hot and dry on the night of mid-autumn, and the chirping of insects in the suburbs of Lin'an seemed to have disappeared without a trace, as tall trees blocked out the sky.

Under the cold moonlight, groups of soldiers in scarlet uniforms huddled together, tying black and white strips of cloth around their arms before lying down in crooked positions, trying to recover their strength as quickly as possible.

In the woods, several campfires were burning. The generals leading the troops gathered together, looking at a geomantic map on a blue stone by the firelight.

Han Shizhong stroked his beard, which hadn't been trimmed for days, and rubbed it in circles: "We are now approaching the southwest of Lin'an, which is the southern capital of the Song Dynasty. I think that after the Bianliang Incident, the Song people here should have learned their lesson. It won't be easy for us to enter the city."

“A large force probably won’t be able to get in.” Guan Sheng squinted, squatted on the ground, and stroked his long beard that reached the ground with one hand. “Why not select a thousand or so elite troops and see if we can trick our way through the city gates and get in?”

"There are military camps outside the city..." Han Chang said, looking thoughtful. "Scouts reported that they saw unusual movements in many military camps, or that there might be some troop movements tomorrow."

Xu Ning frowned: "Could it be that the grain robbery a few days ago has been exposed?"

Lu Junyi gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist: "If anything happens, I will lead men to intercept them, while you generals go and seize the city."

The torch crackled as it burned, and Han Shizhong's face, illuminated by the flames, revealed a wry smile: "It's not that time yet. Let's figure out a way to get into the city first."

Han Qinghe nodded in agreement: "That's true. We've been traveling quickly, so even if someone starts a thorough investigation, they wouldn't expect us to be so audacious as to venture into this heartland."

"Let's do as General Guan said." Han Shizhong pondered for a moment and finally made the decision: "Select a unit of elite troops, and I, Generals Xu Ning and Han Chang, will lead them to see if they can enter the city. The rest of the troops will be outside to provide support at any time."

Guan Sheng's eyes flickered, and Han Shizhong's sharp gaze swept over: "General, your figure and appearance are too outstanding, making it difficult to hide. It's better for you to assist from the outside."

Guan Sheng thought about it and realized it made sense, then sighed regretfully, "That's the only way."

……

Meanwhile, in Lin'an.

“The Wangs will likely return empty-handed tonight.” Miao Fu stood in a house, looking out at the dark street. “If I’m not mistaken, they will assume that the letter was a deliberate attempt to sow discord.”

Liu Zhengyan walked slowly in the dark behind him and stood beside him, looking outside together: "That brat Zhao Gou will surely send someone to look for you, right? If he can't find the commander, won't he accuse you of treason?"

“Even so, it will be too late by then. Once they’ve been to my residence, they’ll know that you and I are not in the city.” Miao Fu tapped his fingers lightly to a rhythm, then turned his head with a cold smile. “They’ll probably think we’ve already left the city with our troops. Even if we send men to search for us, it will take some time. Besides, the city gates are closed tonight. Given the tyrannical nature of the emperor, he’ll probably consider that it’s already late today… and will send men out of the city first thing tomorrow morning.”

Liu Zhengyan remained silent. In his line of sight, a winding red line of firelight rapidly approached a certain location.

Liu Zhengyan was silent for a moment, then looked at Miao Fu: "Judging from that direction... it's going to your residence, isn't it?"

Miao Fu gave a mocking smile: "Who cares? As long as he can't find this place, it'll be too late to do anything. By the way..." He turned to look at Liu Zhengyan: "Have the arrangements for tomorrow been made?"

"It's settled." Liu Zhengyan nodded. "The guards at the North Gate are our men. Tomorrow, we'll start by taking down a few of the dead eunuchs. That way, we'll have something to say to the outside world."

"What about the military camp outside the city?"

"Generals Wang Junfu, Zhang Kui, and Ma Rouji of the Red Heart Army also disliked Wang Yuan. Upon hearing that the commander was going to take action against him, they all wished to comply. According to the plan, they would seize the southwest gate early tomorrow morning and then take the others."

"it is good!"

Miao Fu nodded, looking at the moon radiating a cool light on the horizon: "Wu Zhan, the commander of the Central Army, is on good terms with me. As long as we capture the traitor Wang tomorrow, he will guide us into the palace."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhengyan looked at the wall to one side: "That place can be called a palace?"

"We've only been in Lin'an for about a year." Miao Fu reached out and patted Liu Zhengyan: "Don't be too harsh on that incompetent emperor. Although the place is small, he is still the emperor."

"Hehehe—" The two looked at each other in the darkness for a moment and then chuckled softly.

……

"Nobody here? Not at the temple, not at home?"

Although it was late at night, Zhao Gou was still awake. Little did he expect that the news he had been waiting for would be the one he least wanted to hear. He quickly got up and came out from behind his desk: "Isn't there no news from the city gates that he has gone out?"

"Yes." The eunuch Lan Gui bowed respectfully with a livid face. "This servant was also puzzled, but now I think this fellow has probably left the city to join the army."

"Slippery thing..."

Zhao Gou paced slowly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "It's already late today. Tomorrow, I'll issue an edict to Wang Yuan, ordering him to lead his troops to his camp to arrest them... But never mind, tomorrow is the court assembly. We can announce the crimes they committed in court, arrest them, imprison them, and discuss other matters after the trial."

Lan Gui glanced at Zhao Gou, then lowered his head again: "If it is found that the two of them had no intention of rebelling..."

"Then let the two of them go south to retire, and send their troops to the front lines." Zhao Gou waved his hand somewhat irritably: "It's late, and I'm tired too. Let's rest."

"Yes."

Lan Gui responded and quickly gestured for the eunuch to bring a lantern. He then led the way, guiding Zhao Gou back to his palace.

……

As dawn broke in the east, the clear sky stretched for miles, without a single cloud in sight.

The sound of birdsong awakened the people sleeping in the forest. A figure stretched and got up, rinsed his mouth with water from his water bag, and then took out his dry food and jerky, tearing and chewing them with the cold water.

"Just as we discussed last night, I, General Xu, and General Han will lead the troops into the city first." Han Shizhong picked out a strip of meat and stood up. "General Guan and General Han will be behind me. Once I break through the gate, we will immediately lead the troops in."

Guan Sheng and Han Qing nodded with stern faces.

"General Lu is in charge of the rear guard to guard against the Song army. If they have no intention of attacking, do not start the battle first."

Lu Junyi nodded in agreement: "General, rest assured, I will not act rashly."

Han Shizhong then smiled and picked up the water bag: "Gentlemen, if we succeed, we will all be remembered for eternity. Let us drink to our hearts' content!"

"Drink Sheng!"

The other generals touched the water pouches to him, and then Han Shizhong, Han Chang, and Xu Ning mounted their horses, leading 2,300 carefully selected soldiers. After checking the black and white stripes on their arms, they took up their weapons and headed towards Lin'an.

……

"Are you all ready?"

A general named Zhang Kui stood in the central command tent, looked at the general in front of him, and took out a white cloth to tie around his arm: "Anyone who doesn't have a white cloth tied around their arm today is an enemy. Don't be polite when you meet them, kill them!"

"Kill!" A low response echoed in the military tent. One after another, figures of different builds tied strips of cloth around their arms, then saluted him, clasped their hands in a fist, and filed out.

Zhang Kui turned to Wang Junfu and Ma Rouji: "After today, my Red Heart Army will either be remembered for its glory for generations to come, or it will be infamous for its infamy for eternity."

The two men looked at him and suddenly smiled: "That's good, at least you didn't die in obscurity."

"go!"

Zhang Kui put on his iron helmet, picked up his iron knife and tucked it into his waistband, and strode out.

Outside the tent, the sounds of soldiers moving about were deafening, and the clanging of weapons and armor pierced the sky. Soon after, the army, with its banners held high, marched out of the camp gates and headed towards Lin'an City.

……

The sunlight moved across the sky, and the clouds gradually faded, drifting like wisps of cotton across the blue sky.

The court assembly proceeded smoothly in the still-unfinished palace. Soon after, as Zhao Gou walked out, the assembled officials, having finished their assembly, began to head outside.

Wang Yuan strode out, and a guard led him to his warhorse. Once on horseback, he nodded to the eight guards waiting for him and said, "Go to the military camp outside the city."

As they headed outside, a guard approached from behind: "Privy Councilor, shall we go directly to Miao and Liu's camp?"

"How could that be?" Wang Yuan shook his head on horseback: "Go to the Imperial Guard in the city first. The Emperor has granted me three squads each of the Gold and Silver Spear squads."

"Fortunately, the Emperor has expanded the Imperial Guards." One of the guards chuckled. "Otherwise, we would have had to send troops from other prefectures."

Wang Yuan nodded, smiled, and looked down at his personal guards: "His Majesty also wants to expand the number of men in the Golden Spear and Silver Spear squads to two thousand, but this will have to wait until the war with the Northern bandits is over."

The nine men chatted and laughed as they walked towards Silver Spear Alley, where six squads of more than three hundred Imperial Guards skilled in spears and lances were already waiting. Upon seeing Wang Yuan, they first verified his military credentials and then followed him outwards.

Upon seeing this, the people of Lin'an City quickly dispersed. In the past, the number of soldiers from the Golden Spear and Silver Spear squads coming and going was not large, and although the people were somewhat uneasy, they could still tolerate it. But now that hundreds of armored and armed soldiers had come out at once, no one dared to stay here.

Wang Yuan didn't react much when he saw this, but just urged the two squads of soldiers to move forward. Just as they reached the bridge north of the city, a soldier from the Golden Spear Squad ran back and said, "Reporting to the Privy Councilor, there are many soldiers ahead. I don't know where they are from."

"Oh?" Wang Yuan looked over curiously. On the other side of the bridge, a dark mass of men and horses dressed in scarlet armor had gathered. "Someone, go and ask which army is here and what their purpose is?"

The voices were not loud and did not reach the ears of the people and horses on the other side of the bridge. Someone rode forward.

"Is that Wang Yuan?" Wang Shixiu asked calmly, looking at the man on horseback.

hum-

With a spear gleaming coldly in his hand, the man tightened the white cloth on his arm and smirked: "Fortune favors the bold. Everyone, kill this bastard and let the nobles in the palace know who's in charge of Lin'an."

"I am willing to serve under the Commander!"

Several commanders leading the troops beside him shouted, tightened the white cloth strips on their right arms, and seeing Wang Shixiu rush out, they quickly drew their swords and spears and followed.

Wang Yuan had just finished speaking when he saw a huge horde of people charging towards him, yelling and shouting. He was immediately filled with shock and anger: "Men, go forward and block them!"

"Stop!"

"Stay put, who are you, soldiers or soldiers?"

"Stop... Damn it, are you rebelling?!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Golden Spear Squad and Silver Spear Squad rushed forward, but no matter how they called out, the soldiers charging from the other side did not hesitate for a moment.

Within moments, a shout of "Fire!" rang out from the ranks of those charging forward, and a hail of arrows rained down from the crowd. Those who witnessed it were horrified, and the small group of three hundred was instantly thrown into chaos.

Wang Shixiu took the lead, riding forward on horseback. With his spear, he deflected the spears of the two squads in front of him, killing and wounding several men in succession. His face was full of ferocity as he looked at the terrified soldiers: "Wang Yuan! Prepare to die!"

The spear thrust out, piercing the chest, and blood sprayed onto the face of the officer behind, causing everyone to involuntarily retreat.

"Someone is rebelling!"

"Damn it, who are you carrying?!"

The chaotic Imperial Guards soldiers burst into questions filled with shock and anger, but Wang Shixiu did not answer at all. He simply ordered his three thousand soldiers to advance.

Seeing that things weren't going well, Wang Yuan hurriedly turned his horse around and tried to escape towards the north gate. Wang Shixiu, riding a fast horse, caught up with him, grabbed his jade belt at his waist, pulled him off his horse, and said, "Wang Yuan is wicked, only knowing how to amass wealth and not how to resist Qi for the sake of the country. Today, I, Wang Shixiu, will act on behalf of Heaven and execute him!"

The spear plunged downwards, piercing his chest. Wang Yuan gripped the spear tightly with both hands, and died within moments. Wang Shixiu jumped off his warhorse, drew his sword, and severed Wang Yuan's head. Looking at his relaxed face, he sneered, "You've gotten old; you've even become cowardly on the battlefield!"

He leaped back onto his warhorse, pulled on the reins, and looked around. The dozen or so surviving Imperial Guards were fleeing frantically. He didn't order anyone to chase them, but simply held up their heads and said, "Let's go find Commander Miao."

……

"Hurry up, hurry up! Kill those without facial hair!"

Miao Fu stood in the courtyard, loudly ordering his soldiers to move inside. The huge mansion was filled with the screams of those about to die, and the stench of blood permeated the air. He sniffed, turned around, and walked out of the mansion gate. His gaze rose, and the two golden characters "Kang Mansion" shone brightly in the sunlight.

Shortly after, a man dressed in a general's uniform came out and said, "Commander, that spineless Kang Lu is not in the mansion."

"Then it must be in the palace."

Miao Fu said something, but before he could give any orders, the sound of a fast horse came from behind. A rider galloped close by: "Commander, Commander Wang has killed Wang Yuan and is on his way."

"it is good!"

Miao Fu clapped his hands: "Quickly come with me to see our Privy Councilor."

Several burly figures followed behind.

……

The gaze rises, shifting to the city gate.

"Halt! Who are you? Why have you brought troops here?"

The general guarding the city reached out to stop Zhang Kui. The man glanced to the side, and a guard raised his crossbow.

call out--

The dark shadow pierced the man's throat.

"Spare your life!"

A figure suddenly knelt down behind him. Some of the standing guards, seeing Zhang Kui turn his gaze towards them, hurriedly threw their spears to the ground and waved their hands haphazardly: "We are just standing here and have no intention of stopping the general. Please leave."

Zhang Kui snorted and waved his hand forward, sending a large number of soldiers inside.

　Wang Junfu, Zhang Kui, and Ma Rouji are historical figures.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)