Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

On the day of Wushen in the last month of winter, the clouds were thick and the heavy snow dyed the sky and the earth into one color. Outside the city of Huangxian in Dengzhou, there were the sounds of horse hooves passing by. A man and a woman, wearing straw hats with the brims pulled down to cover their faces and wearing plain cloaks, entered the city and found a hotel to stay in.

The door closed with a groaning sound on its hinges, and someone took off the bamboo hat, revealing the faces of Chen Xizhen and Chen Liqing, father and daughter.

"Dad, will the delegation really come to Huang County? What if they travel overnight?"

The middle-aged man took off his cloak, revealing a thick fur coat, and took off the fur balls wrapped around his ears: "It's freezing cold, and the roads are covered with snow. If you say that the masters of the Imperial Guards are used to rushing on the road in such a weather, haha——" He hung the cloak on the wall: "I, your father, dare to jump into the sea and swim back to Bianliang in this cold winter."

The pretty girl chuckled: "Dad, you always like to joke around." She took off her cloak and walked aside: "Dad, have you thought about what to do? How about your daughter shoot the man to death with one arrow?"

"Keep your voice down." Chen Xizhen walked to the door, opened it abruptly, looked around, and closed it again: "Walls have ears. How can we make plans carelessly in an inn like this?"

He walked to the table and sat down, calling Chen Liqing over, leaning in close and whispering, "How can you do this kind of thing by yourself? You're still thinking of shooting with a bow, are you afraid that the government won't find out about you or something? There are nearly a thousand imperial guards and Qi troops over there, even if they're all good-for-nothings, it'll be troublesome if they rush over all at once."

Chen Liqing's pretty face flashed with a trace of unwillingness, and she pursed her lips: "I can't see blood again, so boring."

"Okay, Dad has a plan." Chen Xizhen was a little helpless and patted his daughter's head with his hand: "Just watch this time, if this thing succeeds, it's fine. If not, we can find another way out."

"Oh!"

The father and daughter talked for a few more words, called the waiter and ordered some food. The daughter then helped her old father to soak his feet in hot water, then went back to her room, washed herself with hot water, and lay down on the bed to rest.

In order to get ahead of the delegation, he and his daughter really pushed their physical strength to the limit and managed to get ahead of the delegation. Now there was still a day's journey to the other side, which was enough time for them to rest.

……

Bohai Sea.

Miaodao Islands, the original water fortress of Liangshan architecture.

The fishy smell of the sea water was blown away by the howling cold wind, and then rushed into the nose when the wind stopped. In the semi-abandoned water village, a flat-bottomed sand boat was docked alone. There were figures swaying in the wooden village, a lit brazier was placed in the clean house, and the sound of talking could be heard.

"Please forgive me, Professor. This water fort was built a few years ago. We originally wanted to use it as a bridgehead to attack Liaodong. But we didn't know that the Liao people were so weak that the king attacked them directly. As a result, this place has become useless. Only one or two hundred people are stationed here for a long time..."

Dong Kai, who was speaking, looked at Wen Huanzhang, who was shivering in front of the brazier wrapped in a woolen blanket, and scratched his head. "It's true that there are fewer things to keep warm here, but don't worry, professor. There will be a ship coming here every month to replenish supplies and soldiers take turns. You can go back to Liaodong with the ship then."

Dededede——

Wen Huanzhang's upper and lower teeth were not convinced by each other and kept making noises. After hearing Dong Kai's words, he couldn't help but look up at him and said, "Why don't you let Xiaoke go back?" He sniffed and said, "Then Xiaoke will definitely pretend nothing happened."

"Professor, there's no need to say more." Dong Kai raised his eyebrows: "You've been saying this all the way, but I haven't agreed. How can I let you go on this island?"

Wen Huanzhang opened his mouth, lowered his head and continued to shake his body, but he clenched his teeth tightly, not wanting this bastard to look down on him.

"Brother Dong, come out, I caught a big fish, come and take care of it."

Chi Fang's voice came from outside. Dong Kai replied, "I am here." He looked at Wen Huanzhang and hesitated for a moment, "I will go make some fish soup. Professor, you can have something hot later. This island is much colder than the inland."

Wen Huanzhang looked up at him, gritted his teeth and nodded repeatedly. His body couldn't stand the cold wind on the sea. Hearing that there was hot soup to drink, he wanted to stuff it into his stomach right away. He didn't have time to care about his face. Besides...

Why bother being forced to eat if you don't want to?

Seeing this, Dong Kai scratched his cheek, took a breath, and said, "Professor, wait a moment," and then went out.

Wen Huanzhang was left alone in the room, silently roasting the fire. Soon, the sound of "dededede" was heard again in the room.

...It wasn't dark yet.

At the gate of Huang County, the magistrate, the county lieutenant, the county magistrate, the runners, and the chief constable were standing in the gate waiting. The cold wind was blocked by the thick walls, but the biting chill still penetrated into the collars. The waiting people involuntarily took two steps towards the brazier on the wooden frame and gathered together to keep warm.

"Not here yet..."

"The heavy snow blocking the road means we have to go slower..."

"Just be patient and wait."

The complaining words were heard amid the burning sound of the flames. After an unknown amount of time, someone stamped his feet, looked up, and quickly took two steps forward. Without turning back, he stretched out his hand and shouted, "Here they come, the delegation is here."

The three county magistrates hurriedly looked up and walked towards the city gate. In the distance, the flags of Song and Qi were fluttering in the air. The black and red groups of people were walking towards them in a distinct manner. Everyone's faces couldn't help but become solemn.

"Stand still, don't let the barbarians from Liaodong look down on you and me." The magistrate said in the beginning.

A figure in the distance moved forward. The county magistrate moved his hands and feet and hurriedly trotted forward. A general from the Song army ran out, wearing a crimson battle robe over his armor. He immediately bowed and said, "I am Gao Chonghan, and I have been ordered to escort the envoys to Liaodong."

He put his hand down and pointed backwards: "The envoy's convoy is behind us. Please wait for a moment, sir."

"Thank you for your hard work, General Gao." The magistrate was polite and looked at the Qi army on the side. Seeing that no one came out to pay attention to him, he gave up. Not long after, two horse-drawn carriages at the back rolled up the snow on the ground and stopped in front of them with a creaking sound. The three men from Huang County hurried forward to take them, exchanged some greetings, and stretched out their hands to point the way to the city.

"I have prepared dinner at the inn. It is mostly food to ward off the cold. Please go and get rid of the cold first."

The envoys of Zhao Youkai and Li Shanqing were also suffering from the cold weather. They were delighted when they heard the news: "This is very good."

Li Shanqing stroked his beard and said, "I hope your county can prepare more ginger soup to distribute to the soldiers who are accompanying the army."

"Of course, of course."

The magistrate bowed, waved his hand to instruct the runners and clerks below, and followed the carriage into the city.

……

A restaurant on the street.

The sound of footsteps outside came in through the window, and the guests sitting by the window opened the windows and looked out.

"Is that the Imperial Guard? They are dressed very majestically."

"...The black armor next to it is Qi's armor, right? It's ugly enough."

"Of course I did. I told you long ago that my second uncle's son, his neighbor's cousin's son-in-law, is a hanger-on in the government office. He told me clearly that an envoy would come today. You still didn't believe me, but you're convinced now!"

"I obey, I obey. Come on, come on, let's have a drink."

Noisy sounds exploded in the restaurant. Some of the guests sitting inside walked to the window curiously and looked out. In the crowd, Chen's father and daughter looked at each other. Chen Xizhen gave a look and the two sat back at the table.

Chen Liqing leaned over and whispered, "Dad, someone is coming, what should we do?"

Chen Xizhen glanced at her and said, "You eat here, Dad will go and take a look. This is the only chance. Tomorrow they can go to Penglai."

Soon, the middle-aged man got up and went to the toilet at the back. Seeing that there was no one around, he sped up and jumped over the wall. (End of this chapter)