Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The atmosphere in the room was heated. Gao Zhen's face was serious. He said, "My brother, what you said is very comprehensive. I have nothing more to add. I just have some of my own opinions. The Liao people fought three battles in Liaodong this year. Two of them were with the generals. They were defeated in both battles. One of the generals died and the other fled. One was at Hubu Dagang. The Liao lord personally led the expedition and was also defeated. The three battles resulted in the loss of more than 200,000 troops. It has been proved that their army is weak and powerless. It is just a facade."

After a pause, he looked at Lu Bu's eager eyes and said, "In my opinion, we have lost all three battles. No matter what the generals think, the emperor Yelu Yanxi must be discouraged. The Liao people have no ambition to make progress. Before the general wins the battle with the Jin Kingdom, he will not appear in Liaodong again."

Lu Bu laughed and said, "From what you two said, I am sure that the Jin Kingdom in the north will go to war with me."

"A beast that has tasted flesh and blood will become even more ferocious and dangerous." Gao Zhen looked at Lu Bu and said in a deep voice: "The most delicious part of Liaodong is in the hands of the General of the Cavalry. Given the greed of beasts for blood and food, why wouldn't they come to take it?"

"That makes sense." Lu Bu nodded.

Gao Zhen looked at the man in front of him and took a breath. "General, fighting against the Jin Kingdom has both advantages and disadvantages. The Jurchens have lived in Liaodong for many years. In terms of geographical advantages, the general is not as good as the Jin. In terms of weather, the general and the Jin are actually similar. Even though the Jurchens have lived here for many years and are accustomed to the climate of Liaodong, the general also has Liao army surrendered soldiers under his command, and most of them are people who have lived here. With the encouragement of military merit, I think they will be happy to hear about the war and will fight to the death in the war. The only thing left is the harmony of people."

Lu Bu looked interested and motioned for him to continue.

"The people of different ethnic groups live together in Liaodong, and their minds are in chaos. Even the Jurchens are not united internally. For example, the Jin Kingdom was just established at that time. It is more accurate to say that it is a Jurchen tribal alliance led by the Wanyan tribe. The general does not need to fight with them in one battle to decide the outcome. As long as they are evenly matched, problems will arise internally. If you can win, they will definitely be shaken, and it is possible that they will collapse."

Looking at the thoughtful figure, Gao Zhen licked his lips thirstily and took a sip of tea. "As for the general internal affairs, how to deal with the various ethnic groups under his rule is the most critical. Although Zhen is not talented, he has his own views on how to enforce the law impartially. I hope to win the hearts of the people under his rule with this."

"It is a blessing for Bu to have you two gentlemen."

Lu Bu sighed and bowed deeply to the two of them: "In the future, I hope you two gentlemen can help me with government affairs."

The two men quickly stood up and responded, "We dare not, we dare not, it is our duty to help the general relieve his worries."

"Gentlemen, please be polite and take a seat."

Lu Bu asked the two to sit down again, and took a sip of tea. "Hearing what you two said is like seeing the sun after the fog has cleared. However, I also know that time is running out. I wonder what you two gentlemen think I should do first?"

Wang Zheng picked up the tea and blew on it. A fragrance floated up. He lowered his eyes and stared at the shaking tea soup: "If it were a normal time, Zheng would suggest that the general rest and recuperate, and do his best to develop people's livelihood. However, this is an extraordinary time, and extraordinary measures should be taken. Therefore, we should focus on strengthening the military and appease people's livelihood as a supplement..."

He glanced at Gao Zhen and continued, "The fastest way to appease the people is to gain the support of the major clans here. The two of us still have some reputation in the Bohai clan, so we should be able to persuade a group of people to serve the general."

Lu Bu's expression changed, he hesitated for a moment and then relaxed: "Thank you for your hard work."

Wang Zheng shook his head: "For the future, I dare not say tired."

Several people looked at each other and smiled.

Gao Zhen at the side said immediately: "I heard that the general started the rebellion from the south. I wonder if the cities of Kaizhou and Baozhou in the southeast of Goryeo have been taken. If not, why not take them now? Then we can directly connect with Goryeo and look at the Jurchen tribes. If my guess is correct, the Wanyan tribe should be in contact with the tribes here to unify the Jurchen tribes." "That's right." Lu Bu nodded and said bluntly: "During the previous battle with Yelu De, some of my subordinates had contact with the Jurchens of Hesuguan, but it didn't go well. I guess it was because of the Jin Kingdom."

Then he sighed, "It's just that I don't want to move eastward, I just can't do anything. The previous battle consumed a lot of food and fodder. The money and food I have to raise next will be used to prepare for the war with the Jurchens. The troops below also have to defend the various states. It's really difficult to expand eastward."

Gao Zhen's eyes flashed, "If the general is trustworthy, why not let me go to Baozhou and other places? Although I can't say that I can persuade them to surrender with my three-inch tongue, at least this military state will not pose a threat to us."

"If that's the case, it's really wonderful..."

The three people's conversation involved various forces in Liaodong and possible reactions. The more they talked, the more interested they became. Before they knew it, time passed faster and faster. With a war imminent, Lu Bu was excited to have two talented and prestigious people come to join him. This showed that the changes and forbearance he had made were correct.

At least, that's what he thought.

"...Hahaha, it's really nice to talk with you two!"

As the sun went south, a cloaked figure raised his hand to call Yu Cheng: "Order a banquet. I want to have a long talk with the two gentlemen today."

Yu Cheng was also very happy to have someone to join him. Upon hearing this, he immediately clasped his fists and replied "Yes." Then he went to the back to urge Zhou Darong to prepare the banquet.

That evening, an official document was sent from the General of Cavalry's Mansion, in which Wang Zheng of Chenzhou was appointed as military advisor, and Gao Zhen of Liaoyang Prefecture was recruited as a staff member, both of whom served in the General's Mansion.

For a time, all the educated people in Bohai wanted to do something.

Compared with the bustle in Liaoyang Prefecture, the leaders of the Hesuguan tribe in central Liaodong were also summoned to rush to the Sumo tribe. A large number of fast horses were galloping on the plains. The sturdy men were wearing brightly colored clothes, and the two small braids behind their heads were tied with red or blue colored ropes. When they got off the horses, they hugged the people they knew, patted their arms, and talked and laughed loudly.

It was indeed as Lu Bu and others had guessed, Wanyan Aguda had already sent people to contact them, claiming that the Jurchens were one family and were conspiring to seize the fertile land of Liaodong. Many tribal leaders were tempted, but as Lu Bu defeated Yelu Dezhong and captured Dongjing Prefecture, he almost surrounded it, and different voices emerged one after another.

On the day of Renshen in the first month of summer, the seven major clans of the Hesuguan tribe gathered together. Those who supported the unification of the Jurchens and those who should wait and see each held their own opinions. The two sides quarreled for several days and then left in a bad mood.

It was at this time that Gao Zhen entered Laiyuan City in Kaizhou with a dozen guards, and went straight to the provincial government with the documents given by Lu Bu.

The governor and the garrison commander of Kaizhou talked with the man for half a day and said softly: "We can surrender to the general of cavalry, but we hope that the general will allow us to keep our current positions. Then we can submit the surrender letter tomorrow."

"No problem." Gao Zhen looked serious and bowed his hands towards the sky: "The general has given me the power to make decisions on the spot. I agree on behalf of the general of the cavalry." (End of this chapter)