Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

In the eleventh year of Jianwu, winter passed and spring came, and tender green shoots sprouted from the branches of the old tree.

Yanjing became lively again. The emperor's army, which was on a southern expedition, had entered the outskirts of the city. The people of the capital, who had not seen the emperor for a long time, put on their new clothes for the festival and spontaneously went to the streets to welcome him.

Since the conquest of the Southern Dynasty and Western Xia, news of victories has been pouring in, greatly exciting the men and women living near the capital. Although one or two people have uttered discordant words such as "Friendly nations must not be invaded!" and "The country should be governed with benevolence and righteousness!", they cannot diminish the sense of honor that most people feel for their country's military victories. Moreover...

"I've heard that His Majesty the Emperor has marched to Jiangnan, where there must be even more spoils of war..."

"Even if you had it, you could only look but not touch it. The emperor himself would probably sell it."

"Are you crazy? Buy the soldiers' stuff, it's cheap..."

"Huh?! You can do that?"

"...Why would I tell you this!"

Amidst the sea of ​​people, the buzzing of voices mingled together, shaking the air of Yanjing City, until a yamen runner shouted, "The army is entering the city, silence—", and the chaotic noise subsided.

The musicians played beautiful melodies on string and wind instruments, and the melodies floated into the ears of everyone entering the city.

The armor he had specially put on before entering the city shone in the sunlight, and the armor, still bearing the marks of swords and spears, caused a stir among the onlookers, but no one dared to laugh at it.

The thunderous footsteps and hoofbeats moved forward as the emperor's golden dragon banner entered the city, swaying slowly in the spring breeze. The court officials who remained in Yanjing stepped forward in unison, and some figures went to greet him.

"Your Majesty has had a hard time on the southern campaign." Deng Fei, in his wooden wheelchair, looked up at the figure on Red Hare with a smile: "If you don't come back soon, the city of Yanjing will forget its master."

"Hahaha--"

Lü Bu laughed and pulled Red Hare back, looking down at the faces he hadn't seen in a long time: "If you've forgotten, let it remember again."

All the court officials burst into laughter.

Lu Bu glanced around, then turned to look at his family members being escorted by guards, before gesturing with his hand: "Let's not linger on the street, let's come back to the palace with me."

The courtiers who were there to greet him responded and turned around to mount their horses, while Deng Fei was pushed along behind Lü Bu's warhorse.

Red Hare shook its head impatiently, about to stride forward, when Lu Bu on horseback tugged at the reins, forcing it to stop. Lu Bu looked back and said, "I have been on campaign for a long time, and the fact that there has been no trouble in the north is all thanks to you who have maintained stability in the court."

Deng Fei smiled and said, "Without His Majesty's frequent victories at the front, the rear would have been in chaos long ago."

All around, the sounds of footsteps and whispers from the people filled the air. Deng Fei straightened the blanket covering his legs and said, "But His Majesty's return is also unfortunate."

"Huh?" Lu Bu was taken aback and looked at him with some confusion from his horse.

"Two hours ago, a messenger arrived with news that Du Xue had already captured Western Xia and was leading his army back. If Your Majesty had returned in half a month, you could have entered the city together. Now, in half a month, Your Majesty will have to welcome the return of the Western Expeditionary Army."

"So that's what it is." Lü Bu laughed loudly, looked around at the crowd on horseback, glanced at the soldiers guarding the high place, and then lowered his gaze. He shook his head and said, "If we can keep winning battles, I might as well live in the city gate tower."

Deng Fei replied with a smile, "I'm just afraid the Empress and the Imperial Concubines won't allow you to live in the city tower."

"..."

Lu Bu's smile faltered, and he glanced at Deng Fei speechlessly for a few moments: "I've noticed that you're much more eloquent than before."

Deng Fei said calmly, "It's Your Majesty's misperception." He paused, then couldn't help but add, "If Your Majesty were like me, spending every day at your desk dealing with court officials, you would probably be more enlightened."

"...Your mouth is getting more and more unforgiving." Lu Bu rolled his eyes on horseback, watching the scenery of houses and streets recede as he moved forward. Knowing the hardship of those guarding the rear, he sighed again: "Later, have Pei Xuan evaluate the performance of those in the rear. We can't let everyone feel disheartened."

Deng Fei nodded silently from behind.

With the thunderous sound of hooves, the advancing army quickly passed through the bustling crowds in the city and entered the imperial city. By then, the people on the streets had vanished.

The army guarding the imperial city stood on the street with long spears, watching the guards slowly enter.

After the court officials dispersed and the emperor returned to his throne, the men and women who had returned to the palace were also exhausted from their journeys. Lü Bu went to Wu Qing's room, and after washing up, they talked privately for a while before resting.

However, the time for rest was short for Lü Bu. After just one night, the emperor opened his eyes again and sat helplessly behind his desk, in front of him piled up to the height of his head with memorials and documents.

Ok……

Three piles...

Lu Bu's gaze swept blankly over the three neatly stacked piles of official documents. Although his subordinates could handle some matters, the results still ultimately had to be reported to him.

Although he handled a lot in Jiangnan and had people deliver documents to the army along the way, there are now more cities and more political affairs. The things that can be sent to the army are the more urgent matters. The rest, which can be delayed, are piled up here. Some of them are even documents that have accompanied him all the way back north from the south.

Looking at the overwhelming amount of government affairs, Lü Bu felt doubt about his position for the first time.

Is it really worth all the arguing and fighting just to end up with a headache and blurred vision from looking at all this stuff?
Basically...

worth?

Hesitantly, he opened the official document, his mind racing with thoughts. He forced his eyes to focus on the document, but as someone who had just come from the battlefield, it wasn't so easy to calm down. He forced himself to read it.

The Prefect of Youbeiping County petitioned to encourage border residents to cultivate silted land to replenish granaries.

Memorial from the Northern Frontier Protectorate Requesting Relief for Poor People in Border Areas and Encouraging Livestock Farming

Memorial from the Education Official of Youzhou Requesting the Establishment of More Rural Schools to Educate Children of Border Residents

Bingzhou...

"East of the River..."

"green……"

Snap, snap, snap...

The memorials to be reviewed were thrown on the table, and two eunuchs serving in the hall stood in the corner with their heads down, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings.

These disabled people who had been on duty in the palace for a long time were the most shrewd. They could tell whether a nobleman was in a good mood or not just from his words and actions. Moreover, Lu Bu behind the desk practically had the words "I'm in a bad mood" etched on his forehead.

Snapped--

"……Um?"

The reviewed official document fell to the side. Lü Bu paused, his hand holding the pen still. Below, on the cover of the memorial that had just been picked up, was written a line of small characters: "Zhang Yong, a general under Song who returned to the Ming Dynasty, submits a memorial in Dangtu accusing Wanyan Zongbi of plotting a rebellion." Setting his brush on the brush rest, Lü Bu narrowed his eyes, flipping open the memorial with one hand and scanning its contents, while rhythmically tapping the table with the other, "tap, tap, tap."

The two serving eunuchs secretly exchanged a glance, then both looked at their toes, their breathing involuntarily becoming lighter.

The monotonous sound continued for an unknown amount of time before the person sitting behind the table spoke up: "Someone, go and call Gao Zhen, Pei Xuan, and Deng Fei over."

A eunuch immediately bowed his head and ran out.

Lü Bu didn't even look up; he simply put the memorial aside and picked up the pile of other memorials to continue reviewing them.

Surprisingly, my restless heart calmed down.

The last remaining eunuch collected the reviewed memorials twice to make room for the emperor behind the table.

Not long after, the sound of a door opening reached Lü Bu's ears.

"Your Majesty, you were looking for us?"

Closing the folded document in his hand, Lü Bu gently put down his brush, looked up at the three figures—one sitting and two standing—and gestured: "Come here, all of you. I have something to show you."

He reached out and grabbed the accusation document from the side, then pushed it forward.

Pei Xuan pushed Deng Fei over and sat him down. Gao Zhen, whose robust physique was no less than that of a military general, also sat down. The three of them focused their attention on the memorial, and then glanced at each other.

Pei Xuan reached out and took the document, read it carefully, and then handed it to Deng Fei. After Gao Zhen had also read it, he put the document back on the table.

Deng Fei hesitated for a moment before speaking first: "His Majesty summoned us here to deal with Wanyan Zongbi?"

Pei Xuan reached out and touched his neatly trimmed goatee, his eyes flickering slightly, but he remained silent.

Lu Bu's eyes twitched, but before he could speak, Gao Zhen shook his head: "Your subject has a different opinion."

His slightly parted lips closed, and Lü Bu looked at Gao Zhen.

“Your Majesty, Wanyan Zongbi’s rebellion is based solely on the words of Zhang Yong, a general who has surrendered to the Ming.” Gao Zhen bowed and frowned as he spoke: “According to his testimony, it was said by the Song general Zhang Xian. There is no conclusive evidence. If we dismiss and imprison him on this basis, it will be difficult to convince the public. We cannot ruin a meritorious general because of rumors.”

Deng Fei and Pei Xuan looked at him. The latter hesitated for a moment, then finally took a breath and said, "I think so too. If a conviction is to be made, there should be a whistleblower, witnesses, and evidence. Now, a general who has returned to the Ming Dynasty has only said one sentence, and the suspect has been arrested. I am afraid that the practice of false accusations and slander will become commonplace from now on."

Lu Bu remained silent for a few moments, then suddenly smiled and said, "What you two said is correct. I was testing you here." He reached out and took the official document containing the accusations, placing it aside. "I am very pleased that you are as impartial as ever. I hope you will continue to do so."

"Here!"

Gao Zhen and Pei Xuan quickly stood up, cupped their hands, and accepted the order.

Lu Bu's smile remained unchanged as he addressed the eunuch beside him: "Guards, bestow upon Pei Xuan and Gao Zhen a bearskin cloak, a pair of deerskin boots, and a pair of jade pendants as a separate reward."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"

Gao and Pei quickly bowed in thanks, and Lü Bu waved for them to rise, offering a few words of encouragement before dismissing them.

The two hurriedly backed out, and as they stepped out of the room, Pei Xuan closed the door with a sigh. He turned around and saw Gao Zhen looking at him, and his expression changed slightly: "Brother Gao, is there anything else?"

"No," Gao Zhen shook his head. "I just didn't expect Brother Pei to agree with my opinion."

Pei Xuan paused for a moment, then stepped forward, looking at his burly colleague beside him: "I have always been like this, which is why I am not well-liked, and it is also because of this personality that I have offended my former superiors."

"...Aren't you afraid of offending His Majesty now?" Gao Zhen lowered his head and remained silent for a while, then looked at the person in front of him: "I heard that you were also one of His Majesty's old acquaintances when he was still a prince."

Pei Xuan paused for a moment, then continued walking without turning his head: "His Majesty values ​​me because of my temperament, how can I change my mind just because my status has changed?"

……

"This iron-faced man... is still the same as before."

Inside the room, Lü Bu sat down again and looked at Deng Fei in front of him, saying softly, "I thought that now that the territory has expanded and he has more people and things to manage, his temperament would change."

“If he were so easily changed, the leader wouldn’t have entrusted him with the military and political affairs in the first place.” Deng Fei looked at Lü Bu with a grin, stroking the blanket covering his legs with one hand: “The leader must be quite pleased, right?”

"Humph--"

Lu Bu snorted and glanced to the side. The eunuchs who were still in the room preparing to serve him quickly bowed to the two of them and withdrew.

“Yes…” With a sigh, Lü Bu leaned back and looked at the table: “However, in this case, I cannot use this matter to cause trouble.”

He raised his eyelids and looked at Deng Fei: "I have known about Wanyan Zongbi for a long time. This man is indeed dissatisfied with me and the court, and he often complains. It has been going on for more than just a day or two."

Deng Fei nodded without saying a word.

"But as Pei Xuan and Gao Zhen said, this person's actions were all superficial and left no evidence. Later, he even stopped complaining, so I couldn't arrest him."

Deng Fei thought for a moment: "Is Your Majesty worried that forcibly arresting this person will cause dissatisfaction among the Jurchen soldiers?"

"Not only that," Lu Bu said slowly, looking at him. "I have discussed with Wang Zheng, Li Zhu, and Qiao Lie that we plan to use him to lure out any Jurchens who have rebellious intentions, and then wipe them out in one fell swoop. That way, no one will say anything, just like the case of Wanyan Chanchun."

Deng Fei nodded: "But things changed later; he concealed the flaws he had revealed."

“Yes.” Lu Bu nodded: “If we forcefully take action against him, those who know the inside story will not say anything, but most people will think that I am going to kill the rabbit after it is caught and then cook the dog. In that case, my subordinates will become disloyal and it will be a loss.”

Deng Fei thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, for most people, Wanyan Zongbi has always obeyed orders, and occasional complaints cannot be used as a reason for execution."

Lu Bu remained silent. He believed Zhang Yong's words, and since he had now conquered most of the Central Plains, the remaining southern regions were also within his grasp. Therefore, he decided to resolve this troublesome matter simply. Thus, he summoned his old buddy Deng Fei, and also called Gao Zhen, who was completely unaware of the situation, and Pei Xuan, who was capable of upholding justice, to observe their reactions.

However, after a series of tests, he was somewhat disappointed. No one could resist the forceful taking and killing, but the consequences would shake the morale of his troops and make the generals feel insecure. If, as Pei Xuan said, a wave of slander and accusations were stirred up, the favorable situation might be ruined.

"Well, being in a high position has its downsides. I can't just do whatever I want." Lü Bu stood up, stretched, and let out a long sigh: "In the past, I would have chopped him in two with one halberd. There wouldn't be any of this now."

Deng Fei laughed heartily: "Back then, Your Majesty didn't have the same prestige as you do today." He patted his two numb legs and said, "I've come to understand this in the last two years. When a person gains something, they will inevitably lose something else."

Lu Bu glanced at him and said, "That's because when people gain something, they must also lose something else."

"Yes, that's what I wanted to say, hahaha—" (End of Chapter)