Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

"Very good, but now we don't have enough money and food..." Lu Bu tapped the table with his hand and looked at the geomancy map: "I will send a letter to Jiang Jing and Li Ying later, asking them to take out money and food to build the defense line over there. The place where the troops were originally stationed can be demolished and reclaimed into farmland."

Fang Xuedu and Wu Jiao looked at each other and laughed together: "Your Majesty is right. By then, all the soldiers will come from Zhechongfu. It will be a pity to leave the original garrison area in ruins."

He went back to his seat and sat down. Gao Zhen stood up and said, "Your Majesty, since the military affairs have been settled, I also have something to report."

Lu Bu looked at him curiously: "What's the matter?"

"I think there are some unclear points in the current laws, which should be corrected."

"Gao Qing, what do you think is unclear?" Lu Bu looked across: "Isn't everything written very straightforward?"

Gao Zhen shook his head: "No, our country's laws are influenced by Song and Liao, but there are several things that are not suitable for our national conditions. You should know that our Great Qi is not just a county town, a village, or a military prefecture in the distance..."

The voices on the other end gradually became faster and more excited, but Lu Bu was not a Legalist, and Wang Zheng was not as familiar with these people as his friend. Fang Xuedu and Wu Jiao had never been rule-abiding people, and the four of them could only watch the burly scholar's lips opening and closing but unable to utter a word.

"... Doctor Gao." After a while, Lu Bu took the opportunity when Gao Zhen paused and said, "You can supplement the law and show it to me later."

"That's good." Gao Zhen was very excited, and stood up with a figure that was no less impressive than that of a military general. "Then I will go back and think about it carefully, and write a memorial as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there are some points that I haven't thought through thoroughly."

Thinking about the upcoming memorials, Lu Bu's face twitched and he felt a little regretful. He didn't pay much attention to the laws of the Han Dynasty back then. He had been fighting on the battlefield. Later, he handled military affairs in the army. As for entering the court later, Wang Yun only treated him as a capable general. Not to mention that local government affairs were all controlled by local gentry. He didn't know how to curry favor with people at that time, so how could he get involved?

Blinking his eyes, Lu Bu suddenly had an idea: "I have heard that 'what is learned on paper is always shallow', Gao Qing may as well go find Deng Fei. He is now an inspector and travels around the military states. What he sees and hears must be different from others. I think he has also had a lot of experience in how local cases are solved. He should be able to provide you with some examples or unique perspectives."

Gao Zhen's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty is right. I will go find Censor Deng right away."

He bowed, turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute." Lu Bu stopped him and said, "Deng Fei is not in Liaoyang Prefecture right now. Go ask Qiao Lie. He may have news about him in Youshi Prefecture."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gao Zhen was even more excited and left the study room with big strides.

"Doctor Gao is truly a man of swift and decisive actions." Fang Xuedu said dryly.

Lü Bu nodded expressionlessly. Wang Zheng said quietly, "Brother Gao, don't underestimate him. He is a stubborn man." He glanced at Lü Bu and said, "Who knows, Censor Deng will suffer if he gets entangled with him."

Pursing his lips, Lu Bu stood up and walked to the side to open the window: "Although Deng Fei has not read much, he is a man with a clear mind. He has traveled all over Liaodong, so he should be able to give Gao Qing some help."

Wang Zheng smacked his lips and really wanted to ask if the king had deliberately sent Gao Zhen away, but he had a vague feeling that this was the case, so he didn't ask.

Soon, the three men were sent back to their respective yamen, and only Wang Zheng was accompanied by two guards appointed by Lu Bu. Lu Bu still remembered that he was not allowed to visit brothels for ten days.

……

The waves were broken by the bow of the ship, and white waves with the unique fishy and salty smell of sea water filled the air.

Pharmacist Gao stood at the bow, looking at the dark sea, feeling a wave of fear in his heart. The failure of the last envoy to the State of Song was not his fault, but the government still found excuses to punish him every now and then, and his family's assets were even greatly reduced because of it.

All of them were confiscated. "I should have known not to leave Liaodong..."

Muttering softly, the man put his hands in his hands in frustration. Although the sun was high in the sky, the sea breeze was still quite cool.

"Brother Gao, are you coming out for some fresh air too?"

The voice behind him made Pharmacist Gao turn around quickly. He looked at the person who came and bowed respectfully: "Ma Qinxia."

"Hey~" With a wave of his hand, a thin man came over and smiled: "You and I are on a diplomatic mission to Qi together. We are partners on the road. We should take care of each other. Why are there so many etiquettes? Why not call me Zhongfu?"

If I still believe what you Song people say, I’d be a fool!
After muttering inwardly, Pharmacist Gao's mouth twitched: "The governor is an official, and I am a commoner. Etiquette cannot be abolished."

"I'm going to be angry if you keep doing this."

The man's eyes looked a little cold, which made Pharmacist Gao shudder instantly. He lowered his head quickly and said, "Brother Zhongfu."

"That's right." The man named Ma Zheng laughed and patted the other man on the shoulder. "Brother Yao came from Liaodong. He was busy with mundane things before and I haven't had a good chat with you. Now that we are still drifting on the sea, why don't you tell me about Qi State?"

Pharmacist Gao squeezed his hands tightly together and said, "I don't know much about Qi." He forced a smile and said, "If I am wrong in any way, I hope Brother Zhongfu will not be offended."

"You said."

"This... it seems that the people of Qi suddenly appeared in Liaodong. They first conquered Zhenhai Prefecture, then went north to defeat the Bohai rebels at the time, conquered Liaoyang Prefecture, and then defeated the Liao army several times. It was at that time that I fled south and prepared to go to my Song Dynasty."

"Oh..." Ma Zheng nodded: "How do they treat the people they rule?"

"That's right." Pharmacist Gao hesitated for a moment and said, "I have passed by the city they captured and found no signs of massacre."

Ma Zheng frowned: "What's good about this?"

Pharmacist Gao smiled awkwardly.

The people around him sighed: "Forget it, even if he is not bad, do you think they have any urgent items?"

How would I know!

Pharmacist Gao thought of this, but he didn't dare to say it out loud. He said quietly, "I think it's just money, food, weapons and equipment. The people of Liaodong have always lacked these."

Ma Zheng nodded, looking thoughtful, and patted his shoulder after a while: "Okay, if you make any achievements this time, I will guarantee you a good career."

"Brother Zhongfu, are you serious?"

"Haha, of course it's true." Ma Zheng raised his head and smiled: "You help me, I help you, this is called fairness."

Pharmacist Gao bowed and said: "I will certainly help Brother Zhongfu to accomplish this. After the ship docks, I am willing to go to the city to inquire." (End of this chapter)