Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Mid-winter.

Fang La ordered Fang Jie to lead Wang Yin and Si Xingfang to continue attacking Shezhou in the west. He took Fang Tianding back to Qingxi and mobilized all the troops in Muchou. He also wrote to the brothers Fang Qifo and Li Tianrun, asking them to leave Fang Fei in the state to defend it while he sent his troops north. Within a few days, he successively conquered Xincheng and Fuyang.

Distance to Hangzhou city.

closer.

……

at the same time.

"It's time to go south."

In the field of vision, the carriage that brought them here was going back. Assistant Li blew on the back of his hand that was cracked by the sea breeze, turned around and looked at Zhang Shun: "It has been delayed for some time. We must go through Shandong to Jianghuai as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, Li Guanglu." Zhang Shun was able to speak freely when he returned to the boat, stamping his feet: "Let's not talk about anything else on this boat, but for traveling, one person is worth two."

"I hope so." Assistant Li smiled and walked into the cabin: "It's really cold on the sea. The wind is like a knife."

Zhang Shun signaled the sailors to start the boat, and he followed Li Zu into the cabin. Amid the shouts, the sound of sea water being broken by the hulls grew louder, and the three ships began to sail away from the harbor.

Footsteps were heard in the cabin, and the figure walking inside avoided the sailors going to the deck.

"Didn't Li Guanglu also leave some methods for preventing and controlling insect pests in the court?"

"Burn them, mobilize people to catch them, and the government pays for the eggs." Li Zhu walked in front, stretched out his hand to push open the hatch, and stepped in with a "creaking" sound: "That's all I can remember. There are many insect disasters in Jianghuai. Come here to take a look, maybe you can find a better way."

In the narrow warehouse, there was only a bed and a cabinet. There were two wooden chairs next to the wooden table nailed to the wall. Li Zhu sat down on one side and said, "I came to the south this time for other reasons. I just took this opportunity to go to the southeast to see how the money bag of Song is doing now."

Zhang Shun closed the door behind him, walked over and sat down with him, looking at him curiously: "Li Guanglu, why don't you tell me something?"

Li Zhu reached out and picked up the furry handcuffs from the side, and inserted his hand into them. "The Liao Kingdom is weak, and the emperor is also very bad. I personally think that Your Majesty will definitely see the Liao Dynasty destroyed in my lifetime. However, in terms of fertile land, rich places, and large population, the Song Dynasty is much better."

He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Zhang Shun: "General Zhang, if there is a chance to fight back to your hometown, what do you think?"

Zhang Shun's eyes widened and he was stunned for a moment: "...I haven't really thought about this." Then he tilted his head and thought about Li Zhu's words.

Li Zhu didn't say anything, but looked at the young man over there, thinking about something. Gradually, the young man straightened up and turned to look at him: "A few years ago, I heard a saying that if you have money, you should return home and wear better clothes. I think that's what Li Guanglu said!"

Li Zhu smiled slightly, and put his hands on his chest and leaned against it: "If you don't return to your hometown when you are rich and powerful, it's like walking in the night with a splendid robe."

"Yes, yes, that's it." Zhang Shun nodded.

"It seems that we have the same idea." Li Zhu opened his eyes: "Although your majesty did not say it, I have observed since I went up the mountain that your majesty is obsessed with the Central Plains. At least... he is definitely willing to fight back to Qi and Lu."

Zhang Shun slapped his thigh and said, "That's right. Our country is called Qi, so it's only right to take over Shandong. Otherwise, calling ourselves Great Qi but just hanging around in the north, wouldn't that make people laugh?"

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. He immediately stood up and walked a few steps, then sat back down again, with a look of regret on his face: "It's a pity that we only fought as far as Shangjing. If we were in Nanjing now, we would definitely write to the emperor to send troops south."

"Don't worry..." Li Zhu's eyes were somewhat deep: "There will be such a day."

Outside, the sound of waves crashing intensified, and the ship with sails hoisted sped up, gradually turning into three small black dots.

……

The view rises from the middle of Liao and Song and flies back to the north.

The north is even colder in late winter. The sky is covered with thick clouds and appears silver-gray. The fields, mountains, and plains are all covered with silver-white. Occasionally, snow falls from the tops of the pine trees, revealing a hint of deep green underneath.

In such a cold season, poor people would not step out of their homes either because they had no food to eat, while rich people had it much easier, but they also had the habit of staying indoors as long as possible when they had nothing to do.

Unfortunately, eight out of ten things in life are not as we wish. Both of them cannot get the warmth they want and have to struggle for their lives in this winter. The difference is that the former is for three meals a day, while the latter is paving the way for the coming year.

But even busier were the Jurchen soldiers and generals returning from the northern grasslands.

At the end of mid-winter, Niu Gao, Wang Jun, Du Lisan and others led 2,000 soldiers north to Hedong City to establish the Northern Frontier Protectorate. Wanyan Loushi and Zeng Tu took over from them and handed over prisoners to them to repair the city and government office before returning south.

The Zhazhishi tribe was very happy to be appointed as the Sima of the Protectorate because they escaped the recruitment. Not only because the Ugu and Dilie tribes in the area suffered heavy losses and they could move their pastures to this place with more abundant grass and water, but also because of the goodwill of the local authorities towards them.

The grassland tribes are simple and cheerful, but they are not without calculation. Wugu and Dilie occupied the best place on the grassland because of the Liao Kingdom. Now Qi Kingdom is giving them a piece of the fruits of victory because their tribe helped them win. The development of the two major tribes yesterday is a reflection of themselves tomorrow.

So, after gladly accepting it, the old chief of Zhajishi prepared thirty BMWs, three hundred ordinary war horses and the finest furs, and then headed south with the returning Jurchen team.

In mid-winter, when Fang La approached Hangzhou, the Jurchen cavalry, covered in frost and snow, returned to the vicinity of Linhuang Prefecture, leaving deep tracks on the snow.

Before the vanguard army reached the city gate, they saw a general riding out from the Gongchen Gate at high speed, splashing sparkling snowflakes along the way. He ran to the commander's flag and clasped his hands together, saying, "General Wanyan, General Zeng, please enter from the South Gate. You will boast all the way to the Imperial City from Hancheng. His Majesty has a banquet waiting for you in the palace."

Wanyan Loushi grabbed the reins and smiled: "Thank you for telling me. Please report to your majesty. Loushi obeys your command."

After a pause, he said, "There are still captives and spoils of war in the back. In addition, the leader of the Zhazhi people has also brought gifts to offer."

The captain did not hesitate: "Your Majesty also knows that you have obtained a lot. You can take some of them with you. I can bring the rest into the imperial city and present them together when the general arrives."

"In that case..." Wanyan Loushi nodded: "Thank you."

The captain at the city gate kept saying that he dared not, and then rode back.

A faint white mist floated out of his open mouth, and Wanyan Loushi shouted, "Order the entire army to go around the southern city and enter with great fanfare."

The cavalrymen hurriedly rode forward, and the shouts conveying military orders rang out in the cold weather.

In the south, clear the snow and open the city gates.

The musicians on both sides did not care about their red frozen hands and faces, and played the sheng and the xiao with all their might. Soldiers from the south city holding gongs walked in front, and from time to time they struck the street-cleaning gong to remind the people and officials to stay away from the army.

The cavalrymen in the vanguard ran ahead, and the soldiers wearing armor and cloaks walked in with their heads held high. The cold wind occasionally blew the snow from the roofs onto people's faces and raised spears. These Jurchen soldiers walked into the city with their heads held high in high spirits.
There was no other reason. The spoils this time were quite plentiful, enough to be presented as gifts to the emperor, and their military achievements were enough to guarantee a rich life in the future.

Later, carriages loaded with treasures also entered the city as the team moved forward. The grassland men wearing shepherd's clothes and driving horses looked at this city built by the Liao people excitedly. It was their first time to go south from the grassland to this prosperous capital, and they naturally had some different feelings in their hearts.

Although there were not many people crowding on the street to watch due to the cold weather, the windows and doors of restaurants and the shops on the street were still crowded with curious faces, and the buzz of discussions occasionally drifted into people's ears.

"I heard that Wugu and Dilie are dead, and the remaining tribesmen are not even half of the former ones."

"Really? I heard that these Jurchens killed the men and boiled and ate the women and children."

"I've heard about it, too. They say they ate until the bones were white."

"Those people are from the northern grasslands, right? How come they are here?" A number of torn flags passed through the street. Under the central army banner, Wanyan Loushi exhaled a breath of white air and turned to look at Zeng Tu: "Did the leader of the Zhajici tribe catch up?"

Zeng Tu looked back and saw soldiers sitting on war horses. He turned around and said, "It should be. How can we miss such a big event?"

"It's a pity that in order to quickly crush the enemy's will, we didn't leave more prisoners. Otherwise, letting those people perform the sheep-leading ceremony would have been a nice sight." Wanyan Zonghan, who had also come to the central army from the side and rear, spoke with some regret.

Zeng Tu looked back at him and shook his head: "Your Majesty may not like that kind of humiliation."

Wanyan Loushi said without turning his head, "Your Majesty seems to be from the military, so he probably respects warriors..." He thought for a moment and stroked his beard, "If I were a weak and incompetent person, I think Your Majesty would not blame me."

Zeng Tu looked at his back, thought for a moment and didn't say anything. After all, he had no experience in this matter.

The generals of the central army listened thoughtfully. For a moment, they did not speak, just listening to the music and the sound of horses' hooves rising and falling, and gradually walked into the imperial city.

The wind was whistling, and rows of guards in white cloaks stood on both sides. Flags whistled in the wind, extending into the distance with no end in sight.

click -

The two leading guards raised their iron spears high into the air.

"Wan Sheng——"

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boom--

Countless armored figures raised their weapons and roared at the top of their lungs.

"Wan Sheng——"

"Wan Sheng——"

"Wan Sheng——"

The Jurchen knight, who was still laughing, was stunned. He put away his smile and straightened his body. Wuyan Puhanu, who was leading the way in front, didn't know how to respond. He simply stretched out his hand and drew the sword at his waist, holding it high above his head: "Wansheng——"

The Jurchen knights following behind followed suit and raised their troops in response. For a moment, their shouts shook the imperial city.

Wei He, wearing winter clothes and leather armor, stood in front, smiling at Wanyan Loushi and others who came in. The general on horseback came over quickly, jumped off his horse and bowed, "General Wei, please wait here."

Wei He shook his head violently, his face full of fat trembling with the movement: "Generals, what are you talking about? You are out there in the ice and snow fighting hard to get on the road, and I, Old Wei, am just standing here, it doesn't matter."

Then he pointed to the officers of the Imperial Guards standing behind him and said, "Generals, please prepare to go to see His Majesty. These soldiers will be led to the barracks by them. Hot soup and delicious food have been prepared. We will not treat the soldiers who are going to the battle unfairly."

Several Jurchen generals clasped their fists to express their gratitude. Wei He looked behind him and said, "Where is the leader of the Zhazhi tribe? Let him go in with us."

Wanyan Loushi quickly turned around and asked his personal guard to call for help. Soon, the tribal chief with wrinkles on his face and a slightly fat body hurriedly ran over followed by the personal guard.

Wei He didn't wait for him to run closer. When he saw someone, he took a breath and said, "Your Majesty is waiting in the hall. Everyone, please go in with the clan leader first. Just hand over your weapons to me."

There was a panic, and everyone drew their swords and knives, then followed a few guards and hurried to the Xuan Zheng Hall.

The chief of the Zhajici tribe had never seen such a scene before. He just watched them walk with a stiff smile on his face. It was only after Wei He reminded him that he hurriedly followed them.

In the Golden Palace, the first ones on both sides were Yang Bangyi, Wang Zheng, and Qiao Lie, and the rest were Hua Rong, Xu Wen, Han Shizhong, Di Lei, Yang Zaixing and other young generals in the army. They all had smiles on their faces, but even though they were young, they had fought their way out of a pile of corpses, and there was a murderous aura when they gathered together.

Wanyan Loushi, Zeng Tu, Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Zongbing, Wulinda Taiyu and other generals came in one after another. They were already accustomed to the momentum of such veteran generals on the battlefield and did not feel anything. However, the clan leader behind them was a little trembling with fear. Without waiting for the Jurchens in front to pay their respects, he knelt down behind him with a plop. He did not even dare to look at Lu Bu, but knelt down with his head down to pay his respects to the Emperor of Qi on the imperial steps.

Wanyan Loushi and the others were stunned. They had never experienced such a thing before. Yang Pu spoke softly at the table, "Go and pay your respects to His Majesty."

These people suddenly woke up from their dreams and hurried forward, standing in order of rank in the army, and bowed in unison: "Your Majesty, may your Majesty be well."

"Get up."

Lu Bu's voice was faint and indifferent. Several people stood up immediately. However, the one who was kneeling on the ground at the back could not stand up. The figure on the dragon chair could not help but smile: "Chief of Zhajici, although the more courtesy, the less blame, yours is too grand. Stand up."

The old patriarch calmed his breath, stood up tremblingly, raised his head and looked up from several red-carpeted imperial steps. Only then could he see the figure sitting on the dragon throne clearly. He had a purple gold crown on his head, but no crown. He was wearing a black robe with gold edges, with dragon patterns and auspicious clouds on it. He looked majestic without being angry, and his eyes were bright and awe-inspiring.

On the side of the imperial steps was a tall man with broad shoulders and a thick waist, wearing iron armor.

"Thank you for your hard work in coming from afar, old man."

Lu Bu sat on the dragon throne, his legs naturally apart, his palms pressed on his legs, his eyes fixed on him.

The patriarch who was stabbed by the sword looked confused and obviously didn't understand.

Wanyan Loushi immediately clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, this man knows Khitan, but not Chinese."

Lu Bu nodded and glanced around. Yang Pu quickly stood up and said a few words to the old man.

The man suddenly realized what was going on and quickly imitated the gesture of bowing, bending down and saying, "Ulan Zhaci greets Your Majesty. I rode all the way here, so this is not hard for me.

This time, I came here because of the grace of Your Majesty, and my Zhazhishi tribe was able to bathe in the great grace of Your Majesty. All the tribe members are grateful to Your Majesty, and sent me here to express my gratitude and bring some tribal specialties to Your Majesty to show our gratitude. "

The old chieftain named Ulan Zhashi spoke more and more fluently, and the nervous expression on his face disappeared after a few words. His words also became calm. He took out the gift list, which he had asked the Jurchens to write for him when he was in the north.

Yang Pu then translated his words, and a eunuch came forward to take the gift list.

Lu Bu took a look at the gift list presented to him. There was basically nothing useful on it for him now. The thirty specially selected horses could perhaps be given as rewards to his generals. As for furs and livestock, there were all available in Liaodong and Shangjing. However, he still put the gift list on the dragon table.

Seeing the respectful attitude of the other party, Lu Bu understood that this was the result of recruiting people from his tribe to serve as Sima. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "The gift from the Zhazhishi tribe is more valuable than I thought."

Wulan Zhaci was overjoyed and said quickly: "Zhaci's loyalty to His Majesty is more important than this gift."

Yang Pu pursed his lips, glanced at the grassland man, and then spoke.

"I am not just talking." Lu Bu smiled and said, "I know the situation of your tribe. It is not rich. Giving out these things shows your sincerity. Since you have moved south to the Wuna River area, you should graze your livestock there and guard it together with the Protectorate. I will not treat you unfairly."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ulan Zhashi bowed deeply.

Lu Bu nodded and said to the side: "Bring a set of tables and chairs, and allow him to have his meal in the palace."

At that moment, a eunuch trotted out. Ulan Zhashi was even more excited when he learned that he was granted a seat. His face was so wrinkled with smiles that the wrinkles on his face became even deeper.

Lü Bu watched him thank him profusely and sit down in the corner, then turned to look at Wanyan Loushi and the others: "Well done, beyond my expectation."

The waiting figure bowed down. (End of this chapter)