Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 705 Become the King
"Goryeo..."

Nodding hesitantly, Lu Bu looked at the four people in front of him and said, "It would be nice to try to make contact with them. Who can serve as an envoy?"

Wang Zheng bowed and said, "Yang Pu knows etiquette, speaks and behaves appropriately, and is proficient in the languages ​​of Goryeo and Jurchen. He is indeed the best candidate for the envoy."

"In that case, it's best to finish the throne ceremony before going." Li Zhu said, "I and others are looking for an auspicious date, and eight days later would be best. By then, we can go to Goryeo on the day when the general is crowned king, and it will be smoother."

Lu Bu nodded, "Let's do it." After thinking for a while, he finally felt angry and said, "Send a message to the garrisons in various places, and ask them to strengthen the training of young and strong men so that they know how to avoid pirates and even fight against them when facing pirates. Send Mi Xian, Ma Ling, Han Shizhong, Wang De, and Niu Wenzhong to go south and patrol along the coast."

He looked up at Wang Zheng and the other three and said, "You should go and make the necessary preparations, and then submit the regulations for the mission."

Wang Zheng and others stood up tactfully, bowed and said goodbye, then turned around and left.

Lu Bu sat in his seat for a while, frowning and thinking for a long time without any idea, so he simply called Yu Cheng: "Go and tell Tang Erhu and Du Lisan to send some elite scouts to the seaside to have a look, maybe they can help."

"Yes."

There was no sound for a long time in the hall with only one person left. After a while, a cold snort was heard.

Soon, messengers came running out from the city gate, carrying the latest military orders to their respective destinations. The mobilized food and fodder were transported out of the warehouse and began to enter the military camp.

At the same time, in Liaoyang City, news gradually spread that the general was about to become king.

There was an uproar among the people for a while, but most of the people had already felt at ease after several wars. The army had always won foreign wars, which gave the people basic confidence in the rulers of Liaoyang Prefecture. Their governance was not as tyrannical as that of the Liao people and Gao Yongchang. Therefore, although they were not supported by all the people, there were no voices of doubt or opposition. Everyone looked interested and waited to watch the fun.

Time passes by in the hustle and bustle.

……

In the middle of autumn, the sky was clear, the temperature dropped sharply, and frost hung on the treetops.

Red silk was hung everywhere in Liaoyang Prefecture, and young men and soldiers got up early and went into the city to sweep the loess ground clean and make it smooth.

In the mansion of the General of Cavalry, maids and servants were coming in and out. The sturdy guards were not wearing armor that had been used in many battles. Figures in brand new clothes and armor were gathering in the courtyard and outside the gate. Their swords and spears were polished to a sharp shine. The raised flags fluttered in the wind, and the square character "Lu" swayed along the flags.

Lu Bu, who had gotten up early, was unable to continue his daily exercise. After washing, he stood in the room wearing a white undershirt with his arms open, allowing the three enthusiastic women, Wu Qing, Hu Sanniang and Su Jinniang, to help him dress. He wore a black sacrificial robe embroidered with cloud patterns, a Wantian crown on his head, a brocade belt around his waist, and dark white shoes with cloud patterns on his feet.

"Get dressed!"

A joyful voice came out of Wu Qing's mouth. She walked over to the side and picked up little Lu Wen, who was watching quietly with her eyes wide open. She walked to Lu Bu's side and said, "Wen'er, look at Daddy and see if he looks good in this outfit."

Lu Bu smiled, turned around and faced the mother and daughter, and waved his arms: "If you want to see it, just look at it from the front. I think it's still very beautiful."

The three women burst out laughing. Little Lu Wen looked around and also started laughing. Lu Bu happily touched her little face.

"My dear, please go out quickly. It would be bad if you miss the auspicious time."

"Yes, we must not be careless today. We will call you king later."

"You're teasing me..." Lu Bu shook his head and laughed, waving his hand: "I'll be back soon."

After a moment, he pushed the door open and walked out.

At the gate, Yu Cheng, wearing a shiny black armor, thrust out his chest fiercely and said, "General, it's almost time. We should set off now."

Lu Bu walked over and patted his shoulder armor with a bang, then stepped past him. As Yu Cheng shouted "Let's go", the leading guards in front of him took their steps forward with spears in hand.

All the generals of Liaoyang Prefecture were waiting outside.

Du Fu, Feng Tai, Niu Gao, E Quanzhong, An Renmei, Yao Gang, Zheng Huai, Han Qinghe, Han Chang and other generals rode their war horses and wore armor and official uniforms and waited in a line in front of the 500 cavalry. When they saw the guards lined up, their horses seemed to know that they were about to leave. They excitedly lifted their legs, then shook their heads and snorted, watching Lu Bu walk out. Immediately, all the generals clasped their fists and said, "Welcome, General!" Someone led Red Hare over, and Lu Bu walked over with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, and jumped on the horse.

The team stood still and began to move forward. In the silence, only the soft collision sounds of horse hooves and armor could be heard.

……

A chilly wind blew, and the leaves that had turned yellow overnight loosened and floated down with the thrust of the air flow. Figures braving the cold wind were busy on the hills outside the city. The originally desolate hills had been rebuilt. Seven groups of shrines were made into a temporary tent made of sky blue satin, which looked solemn and dignified.

Deer, stag and muntjac, the three animals of the Yushu were placed on the altar according to the instructions of Wu Jiao and Qiao Lie. The thick sacrificial incense was held by someone, waiting to be sent to the new king to worship the heaven during the ceremony. The jars of strong liquor were piled beside the hill.

Below the altar on the hill, there stood a stone tablet. The first name on it was Song Wan, followed by Cui Hao, Yao Shun... and even Yang Zhi, Bai Sen and other names, looking at the road from Liaoyang Prefecture.

Dense black figures appeared in the busy field of vision.

A middle-aged man named Yang Pu was doing the final inspection when a golden bell hanging on a wooden beam next to him was struck.

……

Liaoxi Prefecture.

In the endless fields, thinly clad prisoners of war were cutting down trees. The logs with branches cut off were transported back to the city and sent to the workshops. Some people pulled out bundles of arrows and transported them to the warehouse.

The team holding the flags of Wei and Han walked out of the city gate. The short team set out on their journey home with a different momentum from when they came.

Xiao Haili and Bian Xiang stood on the top of the city wall, holding their swords and watching the troops marching out from below. The personal guards brought them wine, and the two of them raised their bowls to toast those below, and then to the southeast before drinking.

……

The north wind was like a knife, hitting the soldiers in single clothes, making them shiver. Xi Sheng and Yuan Lang, who were wearing helmets and armor, frowned as they walked in the military camp, and then went to the baggage camp at the rear to urge them to take out their winter clothes.

The personal guard looked at the time and came over to tell the two the time, then hurried to the central army tent, where the generals who had arrived had already laid out cooked meat and wine.

The two seated generals picked up their wine bowls, poured one bowl on the ground, and then toasted from afar towards the south.

The big tent became lively.

……

Yaozhou is above the Liaohai Sea.

The fleet coming from the north was flying towards the south along the coastline. Ruan Xiaoer, wearing a water jacket and a leather coat, stood on the deck, observing the situation on the sea with a serious expression.

Outside Jian'an City, which is close to the sea, Ma Ling wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked in the camp where young and strong men were training, holding the hilt of his knife. The deafening shouts of killing stimulated people's eardrums.

According to military orders, each coastal military state will form an anti-bandit militia. He will stay here for half a month to train young and strong people. Today is the first day. After half a month, when Wei He comes back, he will continue to move south.

The pirate invasion made everyone angry, but the land generals didn't have any good solutions and could only hope that the navy would bring good news.

……

Liaoyang Mansion.

The tall and strong Lu Bu stood in front of the brazier and put the offerings into the fire and burned them one by one. The wind blew the sparks high into the sky. The people watching smiled excitedly, and the sound of drums and music rang out when the fire was extinguished.

Soon, a piece of news spread throughout Liaodong, and was then spread to the Liao Kingdom through word of mouth - Lu Bu was appointed King of Jin Qi, and a general amnesty was granted!

(End of this chapter)