Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

It takes more than a day to travel from Shangjing to Hebei, Song State, but worldly affairs will not stop because of other people's travels.

In early mid-autumn, Xiao Yixiu, who was far away in the ancient city of Jumu, finally couldn't stand the pressure from the Wugu and Dilie tribes, so he led his own troops, the troops of the two tribes, and the reinforcements from Jingbian City, a total of 17,000 troops, to seek a decisive battle with Wanyan Loushi.

Wanyan Loushi, who was slaughtering people far away in the west, received the news from the scouts in the rear and immediately led his troops to flee westward. It was not until night that he ordered Wanyan Zonghan and Wulin Datai to lead their own troops and the 6,000 captives from the Ugu and Dilie tribes who were driven as slaves to attract Xiao Yixiu's attention.

He himself led 4,000 elite soldiers and 900 Zhazhishi cavalrymen to cross the Lushen River at night, made a big circle from the south bank of the river, and ran eastward for nearly 30 miles before crossing the river again and returning to the north bank. Without resting, he led his troops to chase the Liao army all the way in a hurry.

At that time, Xiao Yixiu led his army in pursuit all night, and finally met the troops led by Wanyan Zonghan and Wulindatai in the early morning. Relying on their large numbers, they surrounded the 6,000 soldiers, and the slave surrendered soldiers were defeated first.

The two generals led the Jurchen cavalry to charge desperately. They were wounded several times but kept shouting that they would not stop fighting. They killed and defeated the enemies in front of them several times, which made Xiao Yixiu, who was commanding the army, look livid. He kept urging all the troops to move forward. The lord of Jingbian City saw that many Jurchen soldiers were killed and wounded, and thought that he could gain an advantage. He rushed to attack but Wanyan Poluhuo suddenly rushed in front of him and killed him on the spot.

The defenders of Jingbian City were defeated.

Chaos unfolded in the front. Seeing the bravery of the Jurchens in front, the leaders of various tribes retreated hastily and dispatched their own soldiers and herdsmen to stabilize the situation. However, this mobilization caused the army formation behind to become chaotic for a moment.

It was also at this time that Wanyan Loushi seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the rear army of the Ugundile tribe. Two thousand five hundred elite Jurchen cavalry and one thousand five hundred fierce soldiers under the command of the Jurchen Lieutenant General killed the cavalry in the rear and broke into the central army.

The latter's tactic was to fight with the wind with the cavalry of Zhazhici, driving the scattered cavalry everywhere and making them rush towards their front army like driving sheep.

On that day, the Ugundile tribes were defeated, with countless casualties. Nearly four thousand people surrendered to Wanyan Loushi, and the Qi army counted after the war that nearly one thousand people were buried there forever, and those who were still alive were all injured.

Xiao Yixue led his troops to flee towards Hedong City, but was chased and killed by the Jurchens. He retreated all the way to Zhenzhou, where the Northwest Road Recruiting Office was located in the west. By the time he arrived in the city, he was only left with a dozen personal guards.

At the same time, Tuo Zhao asked his people to spread the news of victory to the tribe far in the north.

Mid to late month.

The Ugundili tribe, which had lost Xiao Yixiu, fought several battles with Wanyan Loushi in the wild. All the cavalry they led were defeated. More than half of the chiefs of the eight Dilie tribes and the three Ugundili tribes died on the battlefield. Their wives and daughters were abducted into the army. The beautiful ones were left behind, while the ugly ones died on the spot.

At the end of mid-autumn, the Daridi and Dieled tribes took the initiative to migrate. The huge caravans and livestock formed a long belt near the Una River. The sobs of people leaving their homes echoed along the river bank, and sad songs were sung on the grassland.

Shi Xiu and his companions ran to the west side of Wugu Mountain, opened the iron cage, and watched quietly as the insect jumped away with its strong legs and disappeared into the green.

At the beginning of autumn, the weather turned cooler. The successive defeats and massacres frightened the Ugundile tribe. The chief of Zhajishi received the news of escape, and personally led the remaining 500 soldiers of the tribe and 2,500 herdsmen from surrounding tribes to the south. It was like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The Wugu and Dilie tribes surrendered.

Wanyan Loushi was overjoyed and immediately led his army to capture the two cities of Tasezhu and Hedong. He ordered Wanyan Huonu and Wanyan Poluhuo each to lead 500 Jurchen cavalry and prisoners to defend the city. He himself led his army back to the ancient city of Jumu and the city of Jingbian in the east. The Zhajisi people followed the Qi army eastward like a vassal army.

In early autumn, the two cities, which had been defeated in several battles, surrendered to Wanyan Loushi. Wanyan Loushi divided his troops and sent Wanyan Zonghan to guard Jingbian City, while he, Zeng Tu and Wanyan Zongbing stayed in Jumu Ancient City. At the same time, he sent a cavalryman back to Linhuang Prefecture to report the victory.

At this point, the war in the north finally ended before the arrival of the cold winter.

……

The cooler weather not only means wearing more clothes, but also allows people to pick fruits and vegetables in this weather. Ordinary people in the south city are happy to have more dishes on the table. They cherish their stable life more. After all, they heard that there is still war in the north.

From time to time, fresh fruits and vegetables were delivered to the palace from the vicinity of Linhuang Prefecture and even Liaodong. The busiest person in the entire palace at this time was Zhou Darong, who directed a group of eunuchs to move the delivered things to the harem. Those that were easy to store were placed in the cellar. His loud voice could be heard through the palace wall.

A cool breeze blew through the pavilion.

His sleeves fluttered, Lu Bu was still dressed in summer clothes, the thin silk clothes were blown by the wind, allowing the outline of his burly body to be seen.

The table in front of him was filled with newly-delivered fruits and vegetables. There were still crystal clear water droplets on the peels that had been washed with clean water, which made people look very appetizing under the daylight.

Opposite them, Qiao Lie and Fang Xuedu, both in official robes, were sitting. Lu Bu reached out and pushed the plate of fruit forward.

"I've been eating this every day for the past few days, and I'm a little tired of it, but it tastes really good. You two should try it too."

Qiao Lie and Fang Xuedu looked at each other and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward." Then they reached out and took it and put it in their mouths.

Lü Bu watched them eat and said thoughtfully, "Delivering things to the imperial city all day must cost a lot of manpower and resources. I wish I could make every penny count. It would be better to stop wasting manpower and resources."

"Your Majesty, what you said... is wrong." Fang Xuedu heard it and swallowed the fruit in his mouth like swallowing a whole date. He said, "The palace is a symbol of majesty for the emperor. The fruits and vegetables brought into the imperial city in all seasons are a sign of the sincere respect of the subjects for Your Majesty. The four directions offer sacrifices and the mountains and rivers pay tribute to Your Majesty because Your Majesty is benevolent and generous, which makes the world at peace and the people grateful. Although these fine fruits and vegetables are insignificant, they imply peace in the country, good harvests every year, and the people celebrating together. It is a sign of prosperity."

Lu Bu and Qiao Lie looked at him in astonishment. Fang Xuedu was stunned for a moment, and looked at his own emperor with some confusion: "Your Majesty, why do you look at me like this?"

"I just didn't expect that you have learned the skill of flattery now." Lu Bu shook his head and laughed, pointing his finger at the opposite side.

Fang Xuedu blushed.

Qiao Lie also laughed, but still turned to look at Lu Bu: "Your Majesty, although what Minister Fang said is a bit exaggerated, it does make sense. Besides, we don't occupy the entire Central Plains. If we send those lychees from the south for you to taste, it's only a few counties away, and it won't cost a penny."

"I understand. You mean I'm not happy enough." Lu Bu laughed and pointed at Qiao Lie: "Don't think that I've read all these years in vain. I also know the poem 'A Rider in the Red Dust Makes the Concubine Smile'."

"Your Majesty, you are joking." Qiao Lie looked at him with a smile and shrugged: "I just meant to say that it is not unusual for Your Majesty to enjoy these, but I did not mean to ridicule you."

"That's enough." Lu Bu waved his hand. "Speaking of which, Wanyan Loushi defeated the Liao people in the north some time ago. It should be a victory or a defeat today. Last time, I said that I would establish a northern land protectorate to govern the tribes and make them work for me. Now the time has come. What do you two think about this?"

Qiao Lie and Fang Xuedu pondered over there quietly. The former thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, you might as well open it as soon as possible. If Li Zhu's plan works, the grassland will become barren next year. Without the feeling of sharing weal and woe, the feeling of helping each other will easily be exhausted within a few years. By then, those hungry wolves will rebel again. It is better to coerce them with kindness and lure them with benefits. Although we can't say that it will last long, there should be no problem with stability for decades. As for the rest of the time..."

He clenched his fist and shook it: "Just fight again." "Your Majesty, the north has always been bitterly cold, and it is difficult for ordinary people to adapt..." Fang Xuedu stroked his beard and thought, then paused: "Besides, military life is boring to begin with. If soldiers stay in the grassland for a long time, they may miss home and have other thoughts. So it is better to change them every few years so that the soldiers have something to look forward to."

Lu Bu's fingers gently stroked the jade belt around his waist and nodded. Generally speaking, what the two said was not beyond his expectations. He patted his thigh and said, "In this case, the new Protector General of the North should be more kind... Does the Ministry of War have anyone to recommend?"

Fang Xuedu lowered his head in thought for a moment and then looked up: "General Xuanwei Niu Gao has a calm personality and can be the Protector General."

Lu Bu thought about it and nodded: "Niu Gao is brave in battle and kind-hearted, so he is the first choice for the Protector General. However, he is not smart enough and needs to be accompanied by a deputy general."

Fang Xuedu thought about it again and said, "Then I recommend General Guangwei Wang Jun as the deputy governor."

"Well... Wang Jun is flexible and can help Niu Gao fill in the gaps." Lu Bu nodded with satisfaction, then looked up at the sky: "It's getting late, and I still have to deal with some memorials. You two go back and write a memorial to discuss who will take the position of Chief Secretary, General of the Imperial Guards, etc., and then hand it to me for a look."

"Abiding by the order, the minister will leave!"

The two of them stood up and bowed before turning around and walking out.

Lu Bu had just stood up and walked towards the imperial study, but before he reached there, his daughter Lu Wen, who was already familiar with the palace, appeared in front of him.

"Daddy—"

With a clear cry, the girl trotted over and Lu Bu lifted her up and put her on his shoulder, smiling: "Why are you here, little one?"

He looked around and asked, "Where's your mother? Didn't she come with you?"

"The Queen is playing polo with the three young ladies. Young Lady Yelu plays really well."

"Oh……"

Lu Bu nodded, feeling relieved in his heart. He couldn't split himself, and now the women had their own things to do, which was better than being bored at home all day. He patted his daughter's calf and asked curiously, "Then why did you come to see Dad?"

Lv Wen moved her body, and her father knew that she was going to get down, so he quickly put her on the ground. She took out a wooden hairpin from her small cloth bag and said, "The Queen and the three young ladies always said that they would give Sister Qiongying some gifts. I heard the young ladies say that after she gets married, she will no longer be a member of the family and will have to live outside, so I prepared to give her something... This is my gift."

Lu Bu was stunned for a moment, then reached out to take the wooden hairpin. The material of the hairpin...

Well, he didn't quite understand, but it looked very cute, as if a hollow butterfly was perched on it, with a red rope woven into a knot under the butterfly's wings, which was passed through the square hole of a copper coin and tied under the copper coin. There was another rope tied under the copper coin, and the extended part was a tassel made of colorful rope, decorated with unknown broken jade.

The rope looks new, but the wooden hairpin has some patina, as if it has been played with often.

Looking down at the little man who was staring at the hairpin, Lu Bu smiled and said, "Are you willing to give it up?"

Lu Wen blinked and nodded vigorously.

"Okay." Lu Bu squatted down, shook the wooden hairpin with one hand, and touched her head with the other hand: "Then dad will take it to you."

"Oh." Lu Wen nodded, looked at Mu Zan again with some reluctance, and said, "The Queen said that Dad is busy, so she won't disturb him." Then she turned around and ran out in a hurry.

Lu Bu shouted, "Watch the road." Then he shook his head and said, "This personality... is nothing like Wu Qing. I don't know who he resembles."

Yu Cheng at the back didn't say anything, but he couldn't help but glance at Lu Bu.

The emperor in front of him didn't look at it. He weighed the hairpin in his hand and murmured, "...Is the wedding date coming soon?"

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Let's go to the palace's storehouse first."

He pulled Liuxing away and strode away into the distance, and Yu Cheng and other guards hurriedly followed behind him.

Not long after, guards carrying boxes came out behind the emperor.

The date of the royal family's first wedding is approaching, and this is very obvious in the imperial city. Eunuchs, palace maids and even guards are cleaning the ground on the main road.

Many silk shops took over the red silk business, and cartloads of red silk were pulled into the imperial palace. So people began to spread rumors that the emperor was going to take a concubine. As the rumor spread, it became that not only did the emperor want to take a concubine, but he also wanted to select 72 beauties to fill the palace. Only those with good figures, virgins, and girls from official families would be accepted.

For a time, this kind of talk was quite popular in the market. When the young and old men in the south city got drunk, they would pat their chests and say, "My neighbor's nephew's third uncle's fourth uncle's family has a young lady who has been favored by the current emperor and the emperor has issued an imperial decree to send her to the palace," and so on.

Naturally, there were people who knew the truth, but their news was not attractive in front of the former, as they were just spreading gossip about their own emperor.

This made people who heard it laugh and cry, but it was not easy to convict someone for such a thing. Instead, the people of Linhuang Prefecture were really happy for two days.

Only ordinary people are having fun, while civil and military officials are busy.

Yang Zaixing, the young master of the Yang family and the newly appointed General Zhaoyong, is going to marry the Princess of Pingnan County who was personally appointed by the current emperor. For those who came to Liaodong from Liangshan back then, it felt like watching their own children or nephews getting married, and they all presented the gifts they had prepared to show their wishes.

As for the civil officials, Yang Bangyi, as the Minister of the Chancellery, could almost be regarded as the head of all officials. How could they miss such an opportunity to curry favor with their superior? Therefore, they generously donated money and sent wedding gifts just to leave an impression in people's eyes.

As for those who had women or younger generations at home, they all asked people to get close to the Princess of Pingnan. After all, she was the first married person in the royal family of Qi. Even if she was not Lu Bu's biological daughter, she was raised by him. This opportunity could allow them to get in touch with the princess, which might be useful one day in the future.

Of course, some people can't think of something that far-reaching, but no matter what, the two of them got married.

Closer. (End of this chapter)