Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The State of Qi had been recuperating since the end of the war last year. Only after the war was over did many of the strategies that had been planned or prepared before begin to be implemented.

Before winter, Liaoyang Prefecture and Huanglong Prefecture took the lead in establishing Zhechong Prefecture, with the local garrison commander appointed as Zhechong Duwei. Later, attempts were made to establish them in Zhenhai Prefecture on the south coast and Kaizhou on the east coast close to Goryeo. Each of the four prefectures had a thousand soldiers and was regarded as the upper prefecture. Li Yu, the deputy director of the Ministry of Personnel, wrote a letter to the emperor, dividing the ranks of Zhechong Duwei into the following: the upper prefecture was the fourth rank, the middle prefecture was the fourth rank, and the lower prefecture was the fifth rank.

These Zhechoufu appointed chief clerks to inspect household registration and encourage agricultural and sericulture activities, which were separate from the responsibilities of the Zhechou Duwei. For a time, this made people in the court and the public look forward to it, and everyone was waiting to see the results.

In the spring, the commanders of the four prefectures reported that the winter military training went smoothly. Although there were some people who were frostbitten, it was not a serious matter. Then the military states began to set up Zhechoufu according to the population and household registration. Most of the western areas close to the Liao Kingdom were Shangfu, with ten in total, and each registered a thousand soldiers. There were fourteen Zhongfu in the north and central areas, each with 800 soldiers. The remaining Jurchen tribes in the east still needed to be counted. Only the Pulumaoduo tribe and the Changbai Mountain tribe had surrendered long ago, and three prefectures were established, each with 600 soldiers.

The original source of troops was still under the control of the colonels and generals, with only a limit of 2,000 soldiers per unit.

In mid-spring, General Zhenwei Yao Gang wrote a letter requesting to increase the number of armored cavalry to 1,000. After discussing with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, Lu Bu rejected the request and only agreed to increase the number to 500.

In addition, people who were doing spring plowing and grazing often fought over water sources, which made it impossible for Lu Bu to have peace.

On the Yi Si day of the first lunar month, the sky was dark and imperial guards in straw raincoats stood around the palace, with heavy rain falling on their faces.

Small streams of water kept flowing down on both sides of the eaves. Several maids, carrying trays filled with breakfast, walked quickly into the study. The tall figure of Lu Bu was sitting behind the table, and opposite him were Fang Xuedu, Wu Jiao, Wang Zheng, and Gao Zhen, four of his subordinates who were called in to discuss matters.

The maid walked forward, put down the vessel and opened the porcelain lid. Steam rose up, revealing a small pot of freshly cooked rice porridge.

Lü Bu stirred it with a spoon, and watched the maid go out, saying, "Lin Chong and Tang Bin wrote to the emperor, saying that the Xianzhen Camp and the Xianzhen Camp are not able to recruit enough people." He wiped his mouth and said, "One can only recruit more than 1,300 people, and the other one is short of 100 people for me."

Fang Xuedu smiled and said, "The selection of the Xianzhen Camp has always been strict. Generals Lin and Tang have done their best."

Wu Jiao had been busy with affairs for the past two years, and his hair and beard had turned gray. Hearing this, he said, "I heard that the Jurchens in the north and east are very strong. Why don't you let the two generals include them in the selection?"

The spoon touched the bottom of the bowl, making a crisp sound. The figure opposite shook his head and said, "The Xianzhen Camp has always been formed by Han people. I don't want to change it."

Wang Zheng and Gao Zhen looked a little unnatural.

Lu Bu glanced at his two Bohai subordinates and smiled, "It's not that I have a problem with the other tribes, but it was set up like this when it was established, and I don't want to change it at will." Seeing that the two men's faces eased, he continued thoughtfully, "Now that we have established the Zhechou Mansion, we should set up titles for each army to show its power and make it easier for the soldiers below to focus their efforts."

The four people on the opposite side paused for a moment and said, "This is also as it should be. We have long wished for this."

"Then bring me a charter. I want to select a cavalry unit to take with me. They will be my personal troops when I go out to fight." Lu Bu drank his porridge nonchalantly. "The unit is tentatively 3,000 strong, and those with outstanding courage will be selected." "Yes."

Fang Xuedu and his companions all agreed with this. Their great king was extremely brave and often went to the battlefield in person. They, as his subjects, were always worried about this, especially Yu Cheng, the General of the Wuwei Army. The young boy now looked mature. If they said that this had nothing to do with it, no one would believe it.

"Your Majesty, I also have something to report." Wang Zheng finished his porridge, straightened up, and slumped in his chair: "Now we are no longer in the same situation as last year, why not re-plan the scattered troops and horses."

"Oh?"

Lu Bu looked at the other person with interest, and saw the young man open his mouth and then sighed: "It's too much to say, it's so troublesome. Doctor Fang and Doctor Wu first brought up this matter yesterday, why not let them talk about it."

"You lazy fellow."

Several people were at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Gao Zhen slapped Wang Zheng on the shoulder and covered his face with his hands, as if he was ashamed to see people. This guy was probably not lazy. He probably spent too much energy in the brothel yesterday and was weak today.

Lu Bu glanced at Wang Zheng, thought about his daily performance, and just shook his head: "From today on, you will stay at home for ten days." After that, he ignored Wang Zheng who had a sad face, and looked at Fang Xuedu and Wu Jiao.

Across from him, Fang Xuedu gestured to Wu Jiao. The former Taoist priest, now the Right Doctor of the Ministry of War, spoke up, "Your Majesty, I see that there are no enemies within the Great Qi State, and the Zhechong Prefecture also has the responsibility to defend the border. For example, the troops in Yinzhou, Shenzhou and other places can be relocated to the border to defend against future invasions from the Liao State."

"Or we can send troops to Liao Kingdom more quickly." Fang Xuedu added.

"Yes." Lu Bu nodded and waved to the side. Yu Cheng stepped forward and pushed the wooden board with the geomancy map from the side. Lu Bu pointed and said, "I have thought about this before, but I was busy with winter and building a military headquarters some time ago and had no time to take care of it. It's a good opportunity that you mentioned it today, so I'll tell you about it."

Fang Xuedu put down the bowl, stood up with Wu Jiao and stood on both sides of the geomancy map, pointed at Liaoxi Prefecture and said, "Your Majesty, we are now bordering Liaozhongjing Road, and Shangxianzhou is on the other side, which is adjacent to the Liao Kingdom." He gestured to Shangjing and said, "So I think we can station troops in Liaoxi Prefecture and Xianzhou."

He pointed to Weizhou again and said, "Half a year has passed in places like Weizhou, and most of the people have adapted to the laws of Qi. I think it would be better to let General Yuan stationed here instead of letting him station around Huanglongfu." He pointed upwards and said, "I think there are two advantages to this place. First, it is the most convenient way to get to Shangjing from here. Both land and water routes are convenient, so it is suitable to concentrate troops here. Second, Huanglongfu was originally a place for border trade, and all the tribes in the north have exchanges. Most of these people are afraid of power and do not respect virtue. If they see my army here and its imposing appearance, it will also have a deterrent effect."

"Besides, Liaoyang Prefecture is now the temporary capital of our Great Qi, and it also needs a large army to guard it." Fang Xuedu pointed with his hand and said no more.

Lü Bu narrowed his eyes and listened to Wu Jiao: "Besides that, our army only needs to set up a garrison on the border of Goryeo. As for the Eastern Jurchens, you only need to issue an edict. If they obey, that's fine. If they don't want to obey, you only need to send a few generals to lead the troops of Zhechongfu to attack them." (End of this chapter)