Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The discussion about Wanyan Zongbi was put on hold.

In the still somewhat chilly spring, the return of the emperor, who had been campaigning in the south for a long time, brought new life to the northern lands.

Fast horses carrying government orders galloped through the imperial city. Many court officials were extremely busy this spring, and even lower-ranking officials were kept on call around the clock. Subsequently, government orders at all levels were carried by fast horses to be delivered to all directions.

In early spring, a refreshing breeze dispersed the dust floating in the sky, and the sound of marching soldiers and horses left all other sounds on the plains behind.

On horseback, a figure in black military uniform looked up at the white clouds in the sky, and a copper bell rang behind him: "Brother Du, after we take Xixia this time, we should call you Marquis."

Du Xue turned his head, smiled at Feng Tai's fierce face, then turned his face away, his body swaying with the rise and fall of the warhorse: "I was quite excited at first, but when I turned my head and saw your face, I was scared back."

“Brother Du…” Feng Tai’s ugly face stiffened, then he looked helplessly at Du Xue: “Don’t be like that fat bastard Wei He, why make fun of me for no reason.”

Du Xue laughed loudly, looking up at the sky, and steered his warhorse: "Marching is boring, we always need to find something to make us happy."

"...You're making fun of my face." Feng Tai rubbed his forehead, looking aggrieved. "The old Brother Du was much better. He would never make fun of his brothers' appearance, and he was loyal and cared about his brothers."

"Stop making weird faces." Du Xue glanced back at him from his horse, his tone disdainful: "Your face isn't suited for that expression."

Feng Tai: "..."

Du Xue, who was in front, chuckled and said, "Alright, I'm not going to tease you anymore." He pointed at the other man with his riding whip and said, "This time, our army has conquered Western Xia and accomplished what the Song Dynasty has been unable to do for a hundred years. This is a great achievement. Based on your military merits, I reckon you can be granted the title of Marquis."

Feng Tai wasn't really angry: "Last time, when the messenger sent a message, that scoundrel Han Shizhong was first granted the title of Marquis of Ningguo County in the south. That fellow is really lucky."

"That can't be explained away by just being lucky."

Du Xue's body swayed slightly on his warhorse. Amid the thunderous footsteps all around, he turned to look at his old brother: "Leading a large army across the Yangtze River to the enemy's rear, we will travel through military prefectures and enter Lin'an to bring out the emperor of Zhao Song. If we make any mistakes, we may face the consequences of being surrounded and annihilated by hundreds of thousands of troops."

Feng Tai curled his lip: "If we brothers went, it would work too."

"Perhaps." Du Xue didn't refute him, but just looked at the leisurely drifting white clouds in the sky: "But in that case, we would also lose the merit of destroying Western Xia. We can't have both." He turned his head to look at the ugly man who had followed him: "If it were you, which one would you want more?"

Feng Tai was slightly speechless for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, "Then let's fight Xia the thief. At least we can fight with real weapons, instead of being like Han the rascal who hides during the day and goes out at night. Even traveling is not pleasant."

"You've really picked a target."

Du Xue laughed loudly, and the two of them didn't say anything more, just chatted casually as they strolled forward.

The spring breeze dispersed the dust kicked up by the army. The banners of "Sun", "Shi", and "Wanyan" fluttered from time to time in the winding procession. Red and black flags fluttered in the wind. Riders rode swiftly through the ranks. As dusk fell, the order to set up camp was given.

In mid-spring, the western expeditionary army entered the territory of Yanjing. The imperial guards, who came on the emperor's orders, brought the imperial decree that the army was entering the capital in triumph. After the emperor's triumphant return some time ago, the people of the capital once again witnessed the splendor of the western expeditionary army.

Warhorses, familiar and unfamiliar banners, and knights in mottled armor entered amidst murmurs of discussion. Generals in cloaks walked into the palace amidst shouts of "General Kexixia, you have worked hard!" and "Congratulations on your triumphant return, General!"

On that day, the emperor held a grand banquet for his meritorious officials, which was attended by all the civil and military officials in the court. The noise continued until the moon was high in the sky before the banquet ended.

One carriage after another carried the drunken, unconscious generals of the Western Expeditionary Army away from the capital.

Outside the palace banquet hall, Yang Bangyi and Zeng Nong, two elderly ministers with gray hair, watched the carriage drive away with arrogant laughter.

……

As the sun rose high in the sky, golden rays pierced through the clouds, and the city of Yanjing was bathed in the warm spring sunshine, its bustling activity continuing unabated.

The sleeping figure on the bed struggled to open his eyes. "Ah...uh...water..." he groaned twice. The woman in the room quickly put down the book she was holding and came over. She placed a bowl of cold water in front of the man who was half-sitting up. The man quickly took it with one hand and gulped it down.

"Slow down, no one's going to take it from you," the woman said, watching the man finish his drink, then taking the empty bowl and turning to pour cold water. "Wuzhu, it's rare to see you so drunk. Is something making you happy?"

"...What's there to be happy about?" Wanyan Zongbi's face was rather unpleasant. He put one hand to his forehead and had a sour expression. "Yesterday, I was dragged around by two old drunkards and made to drink who knows how much. I was completely drunk."

The woman turned around, holding the bowl, and looked at him with some surprise: "How could someone with such a huge capacity for alcohol drink you under the table?"

Wanyan Zongbi first puffed out his chest: "That was me...", then his mind flashed back to the old Jurchen woman who had been holding the wine jar yesterday, and he suddenly felt nauseous. "Ugh..." he covered his mouth, his nostrils flared, and he breathed heavily.

"Alright, alright, drink some more water to calm down." The woman handed over the bowl of water, sat down on the edge of the bed, and stroked Wanyan Zongbi's back with her calloused hands: "If you can't drink, then drink less."

"Hmm..." Wanyan Zongbi swallowed a large gulp of water, wiped the water stains from his lips, and frowned: "No, don't you know me? If those two old geezers weren't really good drinkers, who could possibly drink me..."

"Alright, alright, it's not a bad thing if you can't drink. After all, you've been promoted to Siche Shuzhang now. If you work hard and get a marquis title, Bodie can benefit from it." The woman interrupted him and stood up: "There's some food I've heated up on the stove. I'll go get it for you."

"Hey, who can outdrink those two..." Wanyan Zongbi began, but seeing the woman open the door and disappear, his voice dropped eight octaves: "Old drunkards." He sat on the bed in silence for a few moments, then suddenly clenched his fist in frustration and slammed it against the bed frame.

boom--

"Damn Song people, they're all useless."

He muttered something through gritted teeth, when a loud shout came from outside: "What's the rush? I'm already making you breakfast!"

Wanyan Zongbi was stunned: "I didn't urge you!" He rolled his eyes, sighed, looked up at the roof beam for a long time, and said blankly: "...I don't care about any title."

……

Under the same sky, in the spacious palace, two warhorses stopped in front of the palace gate. Du Xue and Wanyan Loushi handed the reins to the guards who came forward, and then entered the palace under the guidance of the eunuchs.

He greeted Su Yi, who was guarding outside the Imperial Study, opened the door and went in: "Your subject Du Xue (Wanyan Loushi) pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Get up."

In the brightly lit room, Lü Bu smiled as he watched the two burly men enter one after the other, waving for them to sit in the front.

Two palace maids brought in drinks and washed fresh fruit, placed them on the table, and bowed before leaving.

"Try it." Lü Bu reached out and picked up a fruit, putting it in his mouth. "They were all sent from the south, and they taste pretty good." Du Xue and Wanyan Loushi smiled, then each took a fruit and put it in their mouths. "Indeed, the fruit from the south is the best."

"Hahaha, I think so too."

Lu Bu stood up with a smile. Two people beside him held up a map. Du Xue and Wanyan Loushi's eyes lit up. This was a map of the entire territory of Qi. Compared with the previous maps, it had expanded considerably. It stretched from Goryeo in the east to Xia in the west, and across the Yangtze River in the south. It was winding and looked somewhat strange.

“I should have let you all rest properly, but I thought I’d tell you about this first so you can be mentally prepared.” As he spoke, Lü Bu walked to the map and slapped it with his hand: “I’ve already said enough praise at yesterday’s banquet, so I won’t repeat it here.”

His thick fingers moved down, pointing below Jingxi Road: "A few days ago, some people in the court advised me to send troops to seize the lands of Jing and Shu, but I did not agree. After thinking about it for the past two days, I believe that we should still relentlessly pursue the remnants of the Southern Dynasty."

He moved his finger horizontally towards the Jiangnan region: "Xi Sheng and Mi Sheng have sent word that the Zhao Song court is putting up a fierce resistance. I intend to send the two of you on another arduous trip to the south next month to completely crush them."

Du Xue and Wanyan Loushi remained expressionless, but their hands were clenched into fists, and their four eyes shone with an alarming intensity.

"I have already issued an edict to all prefectures and counties to recruit 70,000 available soldiers. After the western expeditionary army returns and rests, together with the 80,000 elite troops I brought back, a total of 150,000 will march south."

He patted Fujian Road with his palm: "Take this place for me, and then take Zhao Gou..." He gestured to the other side: "Conquer the rest of Zhao Song." Lü Bu turned to look at his two generals: "When the Southern Dynasty no longer has an emperor, don't say you can't take over the entire territory of Zhao Song."

"Your Majesty, rest assured." Du Xue stood up and patted his broad chest: "This humble general is willing to lead the army to pacify the south and conquer more territory for the nation."

Wanyan Loushi bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty's wish is our duty as soldiers."

“There’s no need to be so serious. In reality, the Southern Dynasty’s small court won’t last long.” Lü Bu turned around, walked to the table, and picked up a wine cup. “The most difficult thing is how to appease the officials of the Southern Dynasty in other places. We can’t just kill our way through.”

“There are some scholars in the Southern Dynasties who have backbone, but there are many more who are soft-hearted.” Wanyan Loushi calmly raised his head: “As long as we suppress them, not many people will jump out to oppose our dynasty.”

Du Xue thought for a moment: "I'm afraid that those who surrender will be two-faced, since most of the officials in the Song Dynasty are not easy to deal with."

Wanyan Loushi thought for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general is willing to be Your Majesty's blade, to eliminate all those two-faced traitors."

Du Xue also clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "This humble general is also willing."

"There's no need for that." Lü Bu smiled as he glanced at the two men. "One of you is my Marquis of Liangxiang, and the other is my Marquis of Guiyi. Wouldn't you be telling the world that I have no one to rely on?"

Du Xue and Wanyan Loushi exchanged a glance and lowered their arms.

"Besides..." The emperor paused, his gaze becoming solemn, and his eyes fixed on the two men. "We can't treat them all like this. The most important thing is to find the right balance. If these Southern Dynasty officials surrender, I won't feel comfortable keeping them in the South any longer. Scholars are unpredictable, and they might have some wicked ideas."

"Then Your Majesty..."

"When you head south, go to Bianliang first. There are many surrendered people from the Southern Dynasty there. Select the ones you can use and bring them with you. In addition, I have selected many useful talents in Yanjing, who will accompany you."

"Your Majesty's considerations are quite sound." Du Xue stroked his short beard. "However, I have another question: who in Bianliang can be considered capable?"

Lu Bu nodded at him, turned around and went to sit behind the table. He then gestured for the two newly appointed marquises to sit down, and his gaze swept over Bianliang on the geomantic map: "I will have Li Zhu and Li Huai accompany the army as military advisors. The selection of personnel will be left to their discretion."

The two generals breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the emperor had said this, and that only Li Zhu was in charge. Li Huai was probably on military training, and he would likely be given another appointment after his trip.

They all immediately responded with a "Yes!"

"Alright!" Lu Bu slapped his thigh: "You two should go back and rest first, lest your wives complain that I don't care about my subjects and insist on making them run around like crazy."

The two burly men smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"Your Majesty is serious."

"How could that be..."

Seeing their shifty eyes and distracted expressions, Lü Bu smiled and said, "I was also a general by birth, how could I not know what my family and you are thinking?" He waved his hand and said, "Get lost—"

"Alright!" "Your subject takes his leave!"

Without further ado, the two bowed to Lü Bu, took a few steps back, and walked out.

Lu Bu simply sat down and drank his wine with a smile. After a short while, the door opened again, and Li Zhu stepped in: "Your Majesty."

"It's all settled." Lu Bu put down the wine cup in his hand, looked up at Li Zhu who was walking in, and said, "You will accompany the army when we set out for the expedition next month."

"Yes." Li Zhu nodded, squinting at Lü Bu: "Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

Lu Bu leaned forward slightly, picked up a fruit, chewed it a few times, and spat out the pit: "Have Wanyan Zongbi kill a few more famous people, and then transfer him to Goryeo."

Li Zhu thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty is too merciful. Perhaps I should..." He raised his hand and made a downward slicing motion.

“No need…” Lu Bu waved his hand, retreated to his seat, and squinted at the geomantic map beside him: “Let’s see how his fate unfolds.”

He glanced sideways at Li Zhu and repeated, "Everything... depends on his fate."

Li Zhu stood silently for a few moments, then bowed and said, "Your subject understands."

"Hmm." Lu Bu nodded and waved his hand at him: "Go down."

"My lord, please retire."

Li Zhu bowed with both hands, then turned and left.

In the eleventh year of Jianwu, at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, when the grass was growing and the orioles were flying, the Qi army dispatched 150,000 troops to march south. Unlike the previous time, many of the accompanying soldiers were officials who had come from civil service backgrounds, and they marched south.

Among the assembled generals, Wanyan Zongbi, his face cold and unperturbed, rode his warhorse southward toward the lands of the Song Dynasty, the sound of hooves echoing in the distance. (End of Chapter)