Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

After the Southern Song Dynasty's territory was incorporated into the Qi Kingdom, Lü Bu rebuked the Dali Duan family for not respecting the king's rule. In the fifteenth year of Jianwu, he ordered Han Shizhong and Wanyan Loushi to lead the southern expedition against Dali, which lasted three years and eventually destroyed the kingdom.

In the eighteenth year of Jianwu, Du Xue and Sun An attacked the Uyghurs and fought fiercely with the Uyghur and Tibetan armies at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, winning a minor victory. Subsequently, the Qi Kingdom sent reinforcements. In the twentieth year of Jianwu, the Uyghurs were destroyed in Kucha. The Qi Kingdom established the Protectorate of the Western Regions, and Li Zhu's nephew, Li Rang, was ordered to guard the Western Regions.

At that time, the Yue Dynasty was disloyal. Wang Bolong, Li Qiong, and Yang Yizhong were ordered to lead 50,000 troops to attack from land, while Wei Zhaode, Li Bao, and Huyan Qing attacked from land and water.

In the same year, Japanese pirates invaded Lelang Prefecture of the former Goryeo (now Qi State), killing the patrolling naval forces along the coast of Zhenfan County and looting before leaving. Lü Bu was furious and ordered Li Jun, Zhang Rong, and the three Ruan brothers to lead the navy to attack. They assembled more than 580 warships to attack Japan. Hua Rong was in charge, and Wanyan Jindanzi, Aliqi, and Cao Ning were ordered to lead 30,000 troops to land from the northeast. Originally, they only intended to teach the island nation a lesson, but unexpectedly, someone in the army knew exploration techniques and accidentally discovered a silver mine there.

When the news reached the court, Lü Bu raised an army of 100,000 and assembled it in Zhenfan County. He ordered the navy to transport supplies back and forth, and at the same time sent people skilled in finding minerals to land on the island.

In the twenty-first year of Jianwu, the Qi army invaded Honshu Island of Japan and discovered two silver mines along the way. The court unanimously agreed to hastily end the war against Yue Dynasty. At the same time, it ordered Mi Shengqi, who was guarding the southeast, to lead an army of 100,000, with generals Han Shizhong and Shi Wengong each leading an army. Wei Zhaode, Li Bao, and Huyan Qing were ordered to transport goods from Mingzhou to Kyushu for landing.

In the spring of the twenty-third year of Jianwu, the Japanese capital Heian-kyo was besieged. Li Jun, Zhang Rong, and Li Baoyun brought cannons and bombarded the city gates for three days in a row. Wanyan Jindanzi led the Jurchen troops into the capital first, and the young general Shan Shituo broke through the palace gates and slaughtered all the living creatures in the palace in half a day.

Enraged, Hua Rong, the commander, tied up Wanyan Jindanzi and berated him before ordering the Jurchen troops to return to the capital.

In the summer of the twenty-third year, Wanyan Jindanzi was fined half a year's salary and ordered to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion. In the autumn, the court recalled the past and, because of his meritorious service in the campaign against Goguryeo, he was granted the title of Marquis.

In the same year, Xiao Jiang Shan Shituo was promoted from Lieutenant General to Fourth-Rank General in Charge of Pacifying Bandits.

In the twenty-fourth year of Jianwu, the mine known as the Omori Silver Mine by the Japanese natives was discovered, and the entire Qi court was overjoyed.

In the middle of spring of the twenty-fifth year of Jianwu, in Yanjing.

Winter goes and spring comes again. The snow-covered branches sprout new buds, and the green on the branches makes people feel excited.

The clamor of voices filled the air. Deng Fei, whose hair was neatly combed and whose body was already somewhat plump, sat on a wooden chair and was pushed by a strong servant through the market. He watched as a tall figure walked briskly ahead to a fruit stall, picking and choosing fruits, a smile appearing on his face.

The street was crowded with pedestrians. Several small figures weaved through the crowd, drawing curses from passersby. Suddenly, they saw the wooden wheelchair and stopped in their tracks. Several children, not quite grown up, stood to the side, looking at him with curiosity.

"This car is fun."

"Red eyes look so strange..."

"He seems to be an important person..."

Deng Fei suddenly felt playful and turned to glare at the children. Although the little ones weren't afraid, they still ran away with smiles.

"It seems you still really like children, I remember."

The deep voice made Deng Fei, who was smiling, freeze. When he turned around, his smile had vanished: "I already have seven wives at home. If there were one more, I could organize a women's polo match."

The Fire-Eyed Suanni curled its lips: "Besides, I already have three or four offspring. I can't just keep having sex with them all day long like they're breeding. They're fine, but I'm past the age of knowing my destiny. If the leader wants my life, just say so. It's not good to wear someone down like this."

"Ha ha ha ha--"

Lu Bu laughed loudly a few times, then slowly walked over and threw what he was carrying into Lu Bu's arms: "You have wheels, so you can carry these things."

Deng Fei rolled his eyes: "I'd rather you carry it yourself, Chief."

Lu Bu ignored it, put his hands behind his back, turned around and walked ahead.

Deng Fei gestured to the servant behind him, and the strong servant pushed him forward. In the wheelchair, Deng Fei looked down and examined the things in his hands. They were wrapped in three or four lotus leaves. He squeezed them with his hands, feeling that some were soft and some were hard. He then brought them closer to smell them: "Is it all food? Why did the leader buy these? Is the palace... the family doesn't have enough?"

“It’s not enough. We’re tired of eating it every day.” Lu Bu showed a helpless expression: “Wu Qing and Jin Niang are now thinking about how to make pastries all day long, and San Niang, Dali Bo and Huan Huan, whom they brought, have also started making them.”

A tall, imposing man pushed aside a passerby who was walking straight towards him. The man, enraged, had just shouted "Hey!" and was about to start cursing when more than ten pairs of eyes turned to him. Seeing that he wasn't the one in charge, the passerby's arm went limp, and he walked away silently with his head down.

Lu Bu glanced over, then looked away, spreading his hands at Deng Fei: "It turns out those three were sent by heaven to torment me. They either mistook sugar for salt or wine for water..." He looked helpless: "I just find it strange. It's one thing to mix up sugar and salt, since you can't smell them, so I'll just pretend they look the same. But how did they mistake wine and water? You can tell the difference just by smelling them."

"Ha ha ha ha--"

This time it was Deng Fei's turn to laugh. He laughed for several breaths, and only stopped when he saw that Lu Bu's face had turned black. He wiped away the tears that came out of his laughter and asked, "Then why did you buy all this, Chief?"

Lu Bu walked slowly, saying, "These past two years, I've increasingly missed the people from the past."

Deng Fei looked thoughtful, then thought for a moment and asked, "So, the leader is going to Hunyuan Palace?"

“That’s the one.” Lu Bu nodded. “Since we have nothing to do today, accompany me to go outside the city to see them.”

Amid the rumbling of the wheels, Deng Fei nodded silently, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

As they walked out of the neighborhood, the noise gradually subsided. A dozen or so guards dressed in casual clothes with soft armor underneath gathered together from their scattered movements. Yu Cheng pressed down on his sword, protecting the two of them.

After turning left and right, the group arrived at Hunyuan Palace in the east of the city.

The Taoist priest, who was welcoming guests, led the worshippers into the temple with a smile. When he saw a large group of people coming over and recognized the tall figure, his expression suddenly changed. He quickly lifted his Taoist robe and ran forward.

He was clever; seeing that the group were all dressed casually, he cautiously asked, "...Layman, have you come here today to see the abbot?"

"Oh? Wu Jiao has returned from his travels?"

"Yes, the host returned three days ago."

Lu Bu smiled and looked back at Deng Fei: "That Wu Jiao guy, three years ago he told me that he was in poor health and wanted to retire to his hometown. I built him a Taoist temple so that he could cultivate his mind and body here, and we could get together from time to time. But he's always running around outside, and he's gone for at least half a year at a time. With this physique, he told me he was in poor health."

Deng Fei laughed and said, "Then the leader should give him a beating. If his leg is crippled, he won't be able to run away."

Lu Bu chuckled twice and pointed at Deng Fei: "You're so vicious."

The fiery-eyed Suanni, sitting in its wooden wheelchair, chuckled, seemingly unconcerned.

The Taoist priest who was welcoming guests did not dare to interrupt the two men's conversation, but just smiled politely. When the two men finished speaking and Lü Bu was about to go inside, the priest quickly stepped forward to lead him in.

Hunyuan Palace is not large, with only three main halls and thirty-seven Taoist priests. However, in Yanjing, where land is extremely valuable, it is already a considerable size.

Lü Bu was led to the Sanqing Hall. As he stepped inside, Wu Jiao, dressed in a purple Taoist robe, greeted him: "I had a sudden urge to visit today, knowing that a distinguished guest had arrived." His long, white beard swayed slightly as he spoke. Wu Jiao bowed respectfully: "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity and blessings. How have you been?"

Lu Bu pointed at him, then turned to Deng Fei, who was being carried into the hall by the guards, and said, "See? After leaving the court, this old Taoist priest has become even more polite, completely unlike his former self."

Deng Fei nodded: "So, Chief, you should have someone beat him up, then he'll behave."

Lu Bu nodded vigorously: "That's a good idea." He then looked at Wu Jiao: "Old Taoist, do you have any thicker sticks here?"

"Your Majesty, please do not speak such frightening things. My frail body cannot withstand a mere slap from you."

Wu Jiao gave a wry smile, gestured inside, and led the group to the statue of the Three Pure Ones: "Since Your Majesty has come, why not offer some incense?"

Lu Bu looked up at the faces of the Three Pure Ones, and felt a sense of oppression in his heart even though they were just three clay statues. His gaze swept over the three smiling faces, and his expression gradually became solemn. After a long while, he spoke: "Will offering incense... truly bless me?"

No one spoke in the main hall; in the silence, everyone turned their gaze to the old Taoist priest standing there.

"No." Wu Jiao shook his head: "Offering incense only makes the main hall look more prosperous; whether it brings blessings or not, I don't know."

Lu Bu and Deng Fei looked at him in astonishment, and the latter said with a "Hey—" "You old Taoist priest... you're quite honest."

Wu Jiao shrugged: "I've come to understand now. Everything is predestined. Believe if you want, or don't if you don't. Just leave some money for incense."

"...I forgot that you used to be a bandit who established strongholds in the mountains. You can't change your bandit nature."

With his full head of silver hair swaying, Wu Jiao smiled and said, "If you don't have that kind of personality, you're not destined to be with His Majesty."

Lu Bu chuckled and shook his head. He stepped forward, took the incense, lit it, and inserted it into the incense burner. Deng Fei and Yu then came forward, lit the incense, bowed three times, and then inserted it into the incense burner. The other guards did the same.

After Lu Bu and the others had placed the incense sticks, they turned to Wu Jiao and said, “Take me to Huaiying Hall…” with a somewhat sentimental expression, “They are the ones who truly deserve to enjoy the incense offerings.”

Wu Jiao picked up his whisk and held it on his arm: "Your Majesty, please come with me."

Lu Bu turned and followed. The wooden cart behind him was lifted again and placed outside the main hall. The wheels made a soft "gurgling" sound as they turned. After passing the main hall, he looked back at Deng Fei in the cart and asked, "Have the compensation payments been going smoothly all along?"

"Don't worry, Chief, I'm keeping an eye on things." Deng Fei sneered, his red eyes narrowing slightly: "Anyone who dares to touch the compensation money, I'll tie them up and whip them."

Wu Jiao chuckled and turned to Deng Fei: "What's the use of just whipping? Why not find a few ruthless officials to serve you? Then anyone who tries to take advantage of you will have to think twice."

He paused, looking at Lü Bu, and said, "However, I have recently heard that some descendants of meritorious officials do not enjoy learning. Your Majesty has gone to great lengths to find many famous scholars, which is a bit of a pity."

"What's the pity?" Lu Bu waved his hand indifferently: "If you can't be a scholar, you can still be a warrior; if you can't be a warrior, you can still have titles and rewards. That can ensure that one or two generations will be worry-free. If your descendants are unwilling to decline, then there's nothing I can do."

They walked to a side hall, and Wu Jiao went forward to open the main gate.

Yu Cheng spoke up from the side: "I heard that Zhang Heng's son only loves to gamble, and the family business has already been ruined. His mother is in tears all day long, and they can only get by with General Zhang Shun's occasional financial assistance. However..." Seeing the gazes of the people in front of him, he thought for a moment and continued: "General Zhang Shun's wife has quite a few complaints, and I don't know how long he can continue to provide financial assistance."

creak-

"That's it..."

Lu Bu gazed at the ever-burning candles inside, the memorial tablets arranged on the long table, and stepped inside: "Send an edict to the Zhang family, send that brat to the Military and Political Affairs Department, first put him under Pei Xuan's command, let him discipline him properly, and once he's disciplined, send him to the Western Regions to train under Li Rang."

The crowd behind him was stunned. After a long while, Deng Fei gave a thumbs up: "Leader, you're really good at this. You have a great idea."

Lu Bu laughed heartily, his tiger-like eyes gleaming in the candlelight. He walked over with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping down from Song Wan's memorial tablet. He paused at the tablets of Jing Chao and Shan Shiqi, his lips twitching but he remained silent. He then looked down at the tablet of the deceased Lin Chong and finally sighed, "It's as if these people are still standing beside me."

He raised his hand to smooth his temples streaked with white hair: "Issue an imperial decree that each family will receive an extra thousand taels of silver this year. Just say..." He pursed his lips: "Just say that the court has recently acquired Japan, and all the soldiers from the past have been rewarded."

Yu Cheng stepped forward gently: "Your Majesty, we used that excuse last year."

Lu Bu turned to look at him: "...You've already used it?"

Yu Cheng nodded: "I've used it."

“Then…” Lu Bu turned his head slightly, glancing at the memorial tablet out of the corner of his eye: “A certain dream god…”

I used it the year before last.

"..."

Lu Bu fell silent for a moment, then waved his hand angrily after a few breaths: "Let Li Ying and Jiang Jing come up with a reason for me. In any case, the court is not short of money right now."

Yu Cheng suppressed a laugh and bowed with his hands clasped: "Yes, sir!"

Lu Bu looked up at the memorial tablets for a while, then lit incense, placed it in the incense burner, and turned around: "Let's go, we've been out long enough, let's go back to the palace."

The group came in a grand procession and left in the same grand procession. The side hall door closed, and only the candlelight crackled a few times, illuminating the gilded characters.

……

Ding-dong, ding-dong—

"Wake up... wake up..."

A soft voice whispered in his ear, and his body was gently shaken. His eyelids were heavy and he couldn't open them no matter what he did. In his sleep, Lü Bu frowned deeply, a sense of anxiety rising from the bottom of his heart.

Unless it's something important, the people in the palace wouldn't come to wake me up rashly, much less push me around like this.

Could it be that the Yue Dynasty or the Tibetan Empire is invading again?
"What's wrong? Wake up..."

The pleasant female voice continued to pour into his ears, and Lü Bu felt an increasing tightness in his chest, a nameless fire rising from the depths of his heart. After holding his breath for a few moments, he suddenly let out a tiger-like roar: "Ah—"

"Ah ah!"

"what!"

A few screams from women startled Lü Bu. He opened his eyes and was immediately stunned. Before him stood a group of dancers and musicians, their faces pale with shock. In the large room, more than a dozen pairs of eyes were staring at him. Some of the decorations and layout looked familiar.

here……

"General... has this servant done something wrong to make you so angry?"

A soft, sweet voice came from behind him. Lu Bu looked in the direction of the voice and saw a face that could topple kingdoms. The face was now pale as she looked at him, and the fragility in her eyes made one want to hug her and cherish her.

This is……

Cicadas?!

Lu Bu's pupils contracted, and he abruptly turned his head, only to see a handsome middle-aged man standing up from the main seat: "Why is Marquis Wen acting this way? Has my daughter done something impolite?"

Wang Yun!

A name suddenly overlapped with the face in front of him. Lu Bu quickly looked down and saw that he was wearing a bright yellow brocade robe. He raised his hand and saw that the age spots on the back of his hand were gone. He quickly touched his face and found it smooth, warm, and elastic.

Dream?!

Is it a dream?
Such a realistic dream?!
"Hehehe...heheha—" Laughter couldn't be contained and he covered his eyes with one hand: "Hahaha, hahahaha—"

"This……"

Wang Yun was taken aback. He glanced at the wine on the table, then at Diao Chan who was still standing, and then at the wine cup, as if to ask if she had drunk too much.

Diao Chan, being a clever and quick-witted person, slowly shook her head at Wang Yun.

In Wang Yun's ears, Lü Bu's laughter grew louder and louder, and he stood up, his tall and burly figure blocking the candlelight behind him and casting a shadow in front of him.

Has she gone mad...?

Wang Yun swallowed hard, inwardly cursing. He had been trying to sow discord between Wang Yun and Dong Zhuo, but if this man went mad now, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?
After a moment's hesitation, Wang Yun took two steps forward: "Lord Wen, is everything alright? Should I call the imperial physician?"

"Hahaha...hehehe...hehe...haa—"

As his laughter subsided, Lu Bu let out a long breath, abruptly lowered the hand covering his eyes, tilted his head back, and cast a cold glance downwards at Wang Yun.

"Uh!"

Wang Yun felt a chill run down his spine and immediately stopped, taking a step back. He glanced at the woman on the ground, somewhat at a loss.

Seeing this, Diao Chan knew things were going badly. Forgetting her pretense, she quickly stood up: "General, have I done anything to offend you? If..."

Lu Bu raised his hand, his gaze falling on the girl. His aura, born from countless battles and years of holding a high position, immediately silenced her: "I'll settle accounts with you later."

He said coldly, looked at Wang Yun, stepped forward, and punched him in the face.

"what--"

"I hit someone!"

"Someone is coming!"

Despite his height and long legs, Wang Yun was no match for his punch. Without even uttering a sound, he closed his eyes and fainted. His face, which had been hit, swelled up and soon turned from red to purple, with blood flowing from his nostrils.

"You old thief—" Lu Bu wiped the blood from his fist, not even glancing at the screaming dancers and musicians, turned around and grabbed Diao Chan. The girl tried to struggle, but a cold voice reached her ears: "Come with me, and I'll let bygones be bygones regarding your scheme with Prince Shi, otherwise…"

Diao Chan narrowed her eyes slightly and froze, lowering her head timidly.

Without even glancing at the guards rushing in, Lü Bu grabbed his sword from the table, held it in his hand, and, with Diao Chan in his arms, walked out with his head held high. The guards of the surrounding palace exchanged glances, not even daring to follow, and all lowered their heads. Only after Lü Bu had gone far away did they go forward to check on Wang Yun's injuries.

Lu Bu dragged Diao Chan along as they walked, hearing shouts of "Find a doctor!" and "Quickly find the imperial physician!" from behind. He strode through the courtyard and headed for the main gate.

boom--

The gates of the Prince's mansion were kicked open, and a figure in armor rushed in with dozens of guards, looking back and asking, "General, are you alright?"

"What is it!" Lu Bu grinned maliciously, turned to look at the chaotic scene in the Prince's mansion, then at the figure in front of him, and couldn't help but slap him: "Cheng Lian... you brat!"

"Huh?" Cheng Lian was taken aback, not understanding what he meant. He just saw Lü Bu dragging a beautiful young woman out and waved his hand, "Protect Marquis Wen."

Then he quickly walked to Lu Bu's side and behind, glanced at Diao Chan whose face was ashen, and couldn't help but say, "Lord Wen, next time you rob someone, call on us and the others. What if you suffer a loss by yourself?"

"Robbery?" Lu Bu looked at him strangely, then at Diao Chan whom he was holding, and laughed: "Even if it is robbery!"

He walked up to Red Hare, and the two looked at each other. The beast lowered its head, nudged Lu Bu's belly, and then raised its head and cried out, "Xilulu—".

"Hehehe, good..." Lu Bu smiled as he looked at Red Hare, then suddenly reached out and lifted Diao Chan up, placing her on the horse's back with a startled scream of "Ah—". He then leaped onto the horse himself, grabbed Diao Chan, and pulled on the reins.

Cheng Lian waved his hand from behind, and his personal guards immediately mounted their horses one by one.

Lu Bu kicked Red Hare with both feet, and as the beast moved forward, it suddenly remembered something and looked sharply at Cheng Lian: "By the way, there is a man named Jia Xu under Niu Fu's command. Go and ask him for it. If he refuses, take it!"

"Yes, sir!" (End of Chapter)