Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The sun gradually rose to the zenith, but the temperature was still uncomfortably low.

Even though the weather was unusual, the streets of Liaoyang Prefecture were still bustling today. Many officials of all ranks, dressed in luxurious attire, and foreign men wearing mink furs and with shaved heads were sitting in restaurants and food stalls on the streets. Many of them had come from nearby prefectures to join in the fun.

"The general is holding a ceremony to crown the king outside the city today. I really want to go out and take a look..."

"I saw this. The general led his troops out of the city. Wow, that scene..."

"How did you see it? Did you get up so early in the morning and run to the general's mansion to guard it? Didn't those soldiers arrest you as a suspect with bad intentions?"

"What? I'm from Ningzhou, and I've been waiting outside for the city gate to open. I didn't expect the general, oh, no, the King of Qi, to pass through our gate. That would be... exciting to watch."

"General... Your Majesty, this is nothing compared to the grand ceremony when Gao Yongchang ascended the throne half a year ago. But it can be seen that Your Majesty is not extravagant. I actually like this kind of simplicity. At least it makes me feel that those above are not the kind who plunder the people."

"Really? Tell me, tell me, what was the situation like with Gao?"

Someone mentioned it, which immediately attracted curious people to ask questions, and the noisy voices continued.

The Liaoyang Prefecture proclaimed itself emperor once and king once within a year, and the result was that the city became increasingly chaotic. People from all walks of life in the streets were warned one by one by the constables of the prefecture government not to cause trouble, otherwise they would be severely punished. Pei Xuan, who was in charge, sent out all the constables and servants, and mobilized the soldiers under the general to be on high alert for possible chaos in the city.

……

On the street, the servant of the general's mansion who was responsible for buying vegetables walked through the noisy market, feeling that he puffed out his chest differently from usual, but ultimately did not attract any admiration. He pouted and drove the cart back to the mansion, handing the purchased wine, food and meat to the kitchen.

Today, the general has been promoted, and there will definitely be a grand banquet for all the generals and officials at all levels, so everyone in the mansion attaches great importance to it. Zhou Darong has been in the kitchen since early morning, constantly directing the cooks to run in and out, while Ma Lin, Ye Qing, Sun Qi and others who are working in the kitchen are counting whether there are enough tables, chairs, bowls and chopsticks, and they get together from time to time to discuss how to arrange the seating.

In the backyard, many family members of officials and generals had already come and were talking around Wu Qing's three daughters. A bamboo charcoal brazier was placed at their feet, and bursts of giggles could be heard from time to time.

"I have finally waited for this day. When the general led people to Shijie Village to look for our head of the family, I knew that he would be famous in the future." Ruan Xiaoer's wife was smiling so much that her eyebrows were not visible. A dark shadow ran past her eyes. She suddenly turned her head and changed her expression: "Ruan Liang, try to climb a tree again! I can beat you to death!"

The boy over there, who was obviously taller, stuck out his tongue and shouted, "Run!", then ran with Niu Tong and Sun Yue. The women present took a closer look and saw that it was Qiongying who was leading the group, holding Lv Wen and running very fast, leaving behind the little guy's sharp laughter along the way.

"Sister-in-law is still so strict." Hu Sanniang covered her mouth and smiled: "They are just children, just let them play."

"Don't dare to let these kids have fun. You don't know how naughty these little monkeys are. They will climb up the roof and tear off the tiles if you don't pay attention." The second sister-in-law of the Ruan family said angrily, pointing at the child who ran away. "Just a few days ago, there was a funeral in the city. I don't know what this kid was thinking and brought back some paper money. He put a quilt on my bed and covered it. When I went to sleep at night, I was almost scared to death when I saw it. You said this kid... Oh, my heart is blocked when I mention this matter."

Patting her chest with her hand, the woman angrily watched her son run out of the backyard behind a group of children.

"He deserves a beating. A good beating will teach him a lesson."

Several women smiled and said something to comfort Mrs. Ruan, telling her not to be angry.

Several maids came into the courtyard carrying cakes and put them on the table. Su Jinniang smiled and said, "A new cake shop opened in the city a few days ago. I happened to try it and thought its craftsmanship was good. I bought some today and asked all the sisters-in-law to try it."

"That's to taste."

"Give me one of the crystal cakes." "I want one too..."

……

It was almost noon when a large number of soldiers and horses appeared outside the city. The ceremony of crowning the king was kept simple this time, which made Yang Pu feel a little regretful. However, he also knew that it would be best not to waste it now, and there was still a diplomatic mission waiting for him. The King of Qi and his men had already prepared everything and could set off for Goryeo tomorrow.

"I hope there will be bigger ceremonies to preside over in the future..."

Muttering something, Yang Pu turned his head to look at the place where sacrifices were made to the sky behind him, and then continued walking.

After a long journey, the group of civil and military officials returned to the general's residence under the watchful eyes of onlookers. Only then did those who got off their horses begin to smile, and they relaxed and looked at Lu Bu, laughing and saying nothing.

"Why are you all so silly?" Lu Bu looked back and couldn't help but smile: "Follow me in, I won't leave until I'm drunk today."

"Just waiting for the general, no, the king, to have this drink."

"We are happy today, so we should drink a few more cups to share the joy of King Qi."

Several rough and rude generals were overjoyed and clamored to follow Lu Bu inside. The latter did not care about their rudeness, but smiled and chatted with Du Fu, Wang Zheng and others as they walked. When they stepped into the courtyard, Ye Qing, Ma Lin, Sun Qi and others who were waiting hurriedly came over and bowed to them.

"I congratulate the King of Qi. May the King be blessed with great fortune and success."

"That's enough. It's not enough to say these nice things." Lü Bu smiled and asked the three of them to get up. He walked over and said, "Hurry up and ask Zhou Darong to prepare the wine and food. It's better than anything else."

The three of them happily stood up and followed behind him: "We are ready, just waiting for the king to come back."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Lu Bu spread out his sleeves of a black robe with cloud patterns, turned around and sat down, waving his hand: "Bring it up quickly! You guys should sit down too, don't just stand there."

Seeing that Lu Bu still behaved as he did in the past, the generals below burst into laughter and sat down one by one. Not long after, Zhou Darong came over to pay his respects, and then directed several soldiers to light a bonfire in the courtyard and put a deer on the bonfire.

Sparks rose up with crackling sounds, the aroma of barbecue filled the air at the table, and some people poured themselves some wine and drank it down roughly.

Yu Cheng came over wearing brand new black armor, with a rolled-up plain silk on a tray.

……

The noisy sounds in front drifted into the backyard. As the three Wu Qing girls watched, a maid ran over and whispered a few words. Then Wu Qing stood up and said, "My dear sisters-in-law, the king has returned. Let's start the feast."

Then he signaled the maid to serve the dishes. Soon, the dishes kept warm by candlelight were brought over one by one. Wu Qing picked up the wine glass and said, "Congratulations to the king!"

"Congratulations to the King!"

The sounds of Yingying and Yanyan were heard. (End of this chapter)