Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Two days later, the Qi army set up camp twenty miles southeast of Binzhou. The huge military camp was erected amid the hammering of craftsmen and young men. Xi Sheng, Han Shizhong and others set up a camp with five thousand soldiers for every camp. The six camps were close together and stretched for several miles. Flags fluttered in the wind. Patrolling cavalry and sentries were set up on the side, causing headaches for the Wanyan scouts who wanted to spy.

Night fell, and dark clouds covered the starry sky.

The night wind blew across the city of Pennsylvania, blowing the lanterns on Wanyan Chang's mansion. Several armored soldiers stood quietly outside the door holding torches. Dozens of riders galloped over. The young Wanyan Huonu jumped off her horse with a tired look on her face. A cavalryman got off and waited at the door with his horse.

The young Jurchen warrior stepped forward and said a few words to the soldiers at the door. Someone rushed in. Not long after, Wanyan Chang, dressed in luxurious clothes, walked out quickly. He was surprised to see him: "Why are you here? Did you receive a military order?"

"Uncle Dalai."

Wanyan Huo Nu walked into the door and said to Wanyan Chang: "The situation is a little strange now. My father asked me to come to the city to discuss it with you."

Wanyan Chang looked outside, then pointed to the inside of the mansion and said, "Let's go inside and talk."

The two men hurried to the back room. Wanyan Chang heard his stomach rumbling, so he called for someone to get him some food and drink. After the people left, he spoke: "Why is it so urgent? You came to the city without even eating. Is it because of the urgent military situation?"

Then he said to himself, "No, the Qi army hasn't attacked the city yet. Could it be that they are fighting with Loushi?"

Wanyan Huonu was eating, and upon hearing this, she chewed her food a few times and swallowed it down quickly: "No, the Qi army is very cautious. Besides, my father doesn't want to change the strategy we have decided on immediately."

Wanyan Chang was puzzled: "Then why did you rush into the city in the dark this time?"

"My father thinks something is wrong. Although Qi is pressing forward, they are camping 20 miles away. They are a bit too cautious. Besides..." Wanyan Huonu rolled her eyes, looking a bit confused. "He said that he always felt that the King of Qi was not the kind of person who liked to attack cities and strongholds honestly. When asked, he couldn't explain it. He just told you to be more cautious and be prepared for any unexpected situations."

Wanyan Chang stroked his beard and raised the corner of his mouth: "Heh... maybe it's because your father is cautious." He tilted his head and thought for a while, then looked at the young man who was eating and drinking over there: "You were out with the scouts, did you see anything strange?"

"Woo woo..." Wanyan Huonu's mouth was full of meat. She shook her head after hearing this. After swallowing for a long time, she said, "As usual, the Qi people are well prepared. They have won and lost against us in the scout battle. I don't see anything wrong."

Wanyan Chang hesitated for a while: "What about the King of Qi?"

Wanyan Huo Nu chuckled and said, "Uncle Dalai, you think it's too easy. A general is naturally in the center of the military camp. It's not easy to see him. There are sentries outside, but his flag is upright."

Wanyan Chang wanted to ask again if he had seen the figure of the King of Qi with his own eyes, but then he thought that what Wanyan Huo Nu said made sense, so he didn't say anything else. He watched him finish his meal, said a few more words, and asked him to be careful when he went back. Then he opened the door and let a soldier on horseback holding his token to open the door and let Wanyan Huo Nu out.

……

Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In the fourth year of Tianqing, Wanyan Aguda started a rebellion against Liao, which marked the beginning of the war between Jin and Liao. At that time, Ningjiang Prefecture had few soldiers, but they underestimated the enemy in the field and were lured deep into the territory by the Jin soldiers. Wanyan Aguda shot and killed the commander Yelu Xieshi in the battle, and took advantage of the victory to capture the city. Since then, this important border town has belonged to the Jin Dynasty.

After the war between Jin and Qi, this city, which symbolized the Jin people's resistance against Liao, was returned to Wanyan Gao and became an important town in the fight against Wanyan Sheng of the Jin Dynasty. It is an ironic scene that countless Jin soldiers lost their lives here.

woohoo-

The night wind gradually grew stronger, and the night deepened. Twenty miles east of Huntong City, there was a lush forest. The sound of rustling came from the forest, and from time to time, the sound of stepping on leaves and dead branches came from the forest. The cavalry of the Qi army went all the way north and found this forest to live in under the leadership of Wanyan Zongbi. Now it was dark, and no one dared to light a bonfire. In the evening, they just ate some dried meat and preserved fruits and other dry food with cold water. The long march also made people tired. Except for the soldiers who were on night watch, most of them had already fallen asleep, and only some generals were left in a circle in the middle, talking softly.

"It's getting late tonight, Huntong City has been closed, and we can only rest here for one night." In the dark night, Lu Bu's tall and burly figure looked strange: "Captain Wanyan, when will Huntong City be opened?"

"Open at 11:00 a.m." Wanyan Zongbing's voice came: "I came early and found out that due to the fight with Wanyan Sheng, the time for the city gate to be opened has been pushed back to after sunrise."

"Then at sunrise, someone..."

"Your Majesty." Du Fu's voice interrupted what Lu Bu was about to say: "I request that you lead the army to launch a surprise attack at sunrise."

Lu Bu opened his mouth, and Yu Cheng behind him followed Du Fu's voice and whispered, "Your Majesty, you promised me when we went north."

In the darkness, Lu Bu's "tsk——" sound was heard, and then a slightly helpless voice sounded: "Then tomorrow morning, Du Fu and Yuan Lang will lead the cavalry to seize the city."

From the darkness came the voices of Du Fu and Yuan Lang responding to orders.

Lu Bu thought for a moment and then turned to Wanyan Zongbing and said, "Captain Wanyan, has anyone in the city received any news about our army?"

"When the end comes, I will slaughter all the villages on the road, and eliminate all the pedestrians near this forest. Don't worry, my king, within three to five days, no news will be received in the city."

Yuan Lang suddenly asked, "Will the city send out scouts to investigate?"

"Yes." Wanyan Zongbing's voice was affirmative: "But the scouts' exploration will be after sunrise. Our army will be safe if we hide here for one night."

"Very good." Lu Bu stood up in the dark night: "Regardless of the success or failure of this battle, Captain Wanyan should be credited with the first merit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

……

Ningjiang Prefecture.

The pitch-black night enveloped the entire city, with only a faint fire lit in the county government office. Occasionally, people holding torches would walk in, accompanied by the sound of whispered conversations.

The news of Xiangzhou's capture has reached the city. As the defender of the rear, Wanyan Ang felt a sense of urgency and sent people to ask Wanyan Gao in the rear for reinforcements. Unfortunately, more than a year of war has left the rear quite empty. Now the defenders of Wanyan Loushi and Binzhou in the front have been squeezed out by Wanyan Gao by tightening his belt. The remaining soldiers have to guard Jingyuan and the Wanyan headquarters, so there is no spare troops.

"Life is difficult..." A long sigh came from the mouth of the city guard Meng'an. He stood up from behind the lights, looked at the half-moon, and turned to look at the messenger sent two days ago: "Is there any news from Wulinda Taiyu?"

The exhausted messenger looked embarrassed. (End of this chapter)