Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

Chapter 968: The End of Jianwu Xuanhe Baoda

In the golden autumn of the first year of Jianwu, the air in the north had already turned cold.

The mountains, fields, sky and earth are full of working figures. The harvested fruits, grains and vegetables are being carted away to storage places. Most of the farmers driving the carts and walking on the roads are in their thirties or forties. They come out of the fields with their families and from time to time they greet loudly with acquaintances nearby and call friends to have a drink in the evening.

A strong horse pulled a vehicle coming from a distance and stopped on the side of the road a little further away. On both sides of the road, fat men holding swords were standing guard.

A hand with slender fingers lifted the curtain covering the window frame, twirled his beard and looked out, narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled and nodded.

"Your Majesty... Brother, you see, the people of Shangjing have also accepted the Fubing system. The soldiers have land, so they are not only more concerned about their own affairs, but also have no worries. After this year is over, they will definitely identify with our Great Qi even more."

"This method is indeed good." The majestic figure in the car looked out along the opened curtain: "I was thinking about which system is better when I read books in the past, but there were not enough people in the mountains for me to explore, so I could only use Cao Cao's method of farming. It was only after I thought about it for a long time and thoroughly that I finally pushed forward the Fubing system. Now it seems that I am not the kind of person who is keen on political affairs, otherwise I would have understood the advantages and disadvantages of this Fubing system long ago."

The curtain was lowered, and Li Zhu reached out and picked up a wild fruit. He wiped it on his sleeve and took a bite while eating. He said self-deprecatingly: "Don't mention my brother. At that time, only a few people like Yang Bangyi had enough knowledge. But at that time, we didn't dare to trust them. With the foundation in Liaodong, these smart people are of the same mind as us."

"Not bad, it's better than having nothing to use." Lu Bu laughed and took a bite of the wild fruit. The juice flowed out when he bit it, and the sour taste made him squint his eyes. "Now it seems that when we go south again, there will be more soldiers in the army who dare to fight, and they will be more eager to gain fame."

"I can't imagine what it was like when people fought in the Tang Dynasty." Li Zhu pinched his beard and thought about the past, and couldn't help but sighed: "It's a pity that I didn't see the prosperous era when all nations came to pay tribute."

Lu Bu glanced at him, spit out the beard in his mouth, threw it out of the car, and wiped his hands with a white towel: "If you haven't seen it, just beat one up."

Li Zhu was stunned for a moment, then chuckled and cupped his hands: "Brother, you are so generous."

"I've seen enough, let's go back!" Lu Bu patted his thigh, looked up and looked around the carriage, and stretched out his arms: "Next time I won't take a carriage, it's too cramped."

"Your Majesty is a man of great power rarely seen in this world."

"Stop flattering."

The sounds of laughter and scolding came from the carriage, and the warhorse pulling the carriage turned around and went back. The two men talked in the carriage for a while about the formation and transfer of the Right Guard, the food and grass traded from the south and the subsequent support for the southeast of Song Dynasty, as well as the preparations for the insect plague in the northern grassland and their own prevention.

From that day on, tax-collecting officials went to various places one after another, and the paid and purchased grain began to be transported to the government treasury. The carts of brand-new grain made everyone who saw them smile. Not long after, officials who came with transfer orders began to check the inventory.

The farmers who sold their grain were also smiling happily. The harvest was good this year and they made a lot of extra money. Looking at the mountains of copper coins, they discussed with their family members the idea of ​​buying new things.

A team with flags of "Xu" and "Su" appeared on the outskirts of Shangjing, where an army called Youwuwei gathered for training.

……

The first year of Bao Da, late autumn.

Nanjing Road, in an abandoned house.

At five o'clock in the morning, the cold wind was full of chill, whistling through the garden, squeezing in through the cracks in the door, and drilling into the window frames. The lit candles were shaking, and the slanted flames always made people think they were about to go out, and then they stood up again the next moment. The human figures on the wall also flickered and were badly distorted.

In the room, although the brazier was trying hard to emit heat, someone was still stamping his feet from time to time, making a thudding sound, and someone's voice could be heard: "Cheng Gunu, do we have to discuss things here? Can't we find a warmer place?"

"That's right, my feet are about to freeze, and it's so early. I've never gotten up so early when I was leading troops in battle."

"Tell me when you are going to take action against the tyrant. I can't wait any longer."

"The emperor has been getting close to the Han people these past two days. I'm afraid he's going against our ancestors' teachings."

"I think so too. The actions of a tyrant king are becoming less and less popular. It is better to do it sooner rather than later..."

More than 20 figures gathered together, each saying a few words, and suddenly the voices began to get noisy. Someone stood up and looked around: "Stop making noise, you are cold, I am cold too."

The man wearing a mink hat watched everyone's eyes focus on him. When everyone got a little quieter, the Khitan noble named Yelu Chenggunu snorted coldly, "The tyrant will spend the winter in Nanjing this year. At the end of the year, everyone should prepare their weapons and servants. I can get armor and crossbows from the army, and then..."

He stretched out his hand and said, "The revival of the Liao Dynasty will start with you and me."

"That's true."

Someone stood up excitedly and punched hard. Someone beside him also had a red face and stood up with a fist: "Revitalize the Liao Dynasty!"

"Revival of the Liao Dynasty——"

More figures stood up.

"Revival of the Liao Dynasty——"

More than twenty figures gathered together, shouting in unison, and their outstretched fists formed an irregular circle in the crowd.

bang——

The door was kicked open suddenly, and it hit the wall on both sides. Soldiers holding crossbows ran in, pointing the crossbows horizontally at the people who turned around in shock.

Soldiers holding torches followed in, holding knives in one hand and pointing the blades outward toward the crowd.

"The Liao Dynasty is great, why does it need a revival?"

Words were heard with a hint of anger, and a foot in combat boots first entered the eyes of everyone in the room from outside the door, and then a figure in iron armor entered their pupils.

"...Yelü Dezhong." Yelu Chenggunu said the figure's name word by word.

"I'm here too, for..."

Yelu Zongli, who was wearing armor behind him, took a step forward. Just as he uttered half a sentence, a hand reached out from behind and covered his mouth with a "snap".

Yelu Zonglei whispered in his brother's ear: "Stop talking."

"Woo... Woo..." His two arms kept waving, and the fool was pulled back a step by his third brother while struggling.

The torches illuminated the people in the room. The flickering light made Yelu Dezhong's face look much darker. The corners of his eyes twitched slightly. After being silent for a few breaths, the prince humphed, "You have chosen a good place. This place has been abandoned for many years. If you hadn't revealed your whereabouts, no one would have thought you were here."

The figures gathered over there looked at each other in shock and anger. Yelu Chenggunu took a breath and said, "We are just gathering together to discuss how to revive the Liao Dynasty. We are even shouting impulsively because of this. What's wrong with that?"

"So many excuses!" Yelu De sighed: "If I hadn't come earlier, I would have believed you just by hearing your words."

The left hand hanging at the side was raised.

wow——

The soldiers' eyes were close to the sights on their crossbows.

There was a commotion among the people who were surrounded. Yelu Chenggunu swallowed his saliva and asked: "When... did you come?"

Yelu Dezhong looked at the other side meaningfully and smiled: "You guys are just having fun scolding each other."

Yelu Chenggunu glared at the people around him fiercely. If the scene had not been so chaotic and difficult to control at that time, there might have been a noise when these people came.

Taking a deep breath, the noble who had summoned everyone stepped forward and said, "I want to see your Majesty."

"Your Majesty is so busy with affairs that he has no time to meet with those of you who intend to rebel."

The arm swung down.

Boom——

The crossbow arrow shot out from the arrow path, and in less than a breath it splashed blood among the crowd.

"Ah-ah-"

"Save me..." "They are few in number, fight them!"

"Go on!"

Different shouts came from the mouths of the people who were lying on the ground and those who were standing. The closed windows on both sides were broken open by axes with a "bang". Then crossbows were stretched out from the windows, and crossbow arrows shot over like rain. People kept falling to the ground amid screams.

Yelu Dezhong watched coldly, and waited until the arrows stopped before he turned and walked out. The figure behind him waved his hand and said, "Go and see if there are any alive, and give them another blow."

Soldiers holding torches immediately stepped forward. The sound of metal entering flesh and the muffled groans of people being stabbed could be heard occasionally in the room, and the smell of blood became heavier.

"Dad, why did you kill them all..."

Yelu Zonglin came over and stuck his head in to look. As a father, he glared at him, but couldn't help but slapped him on the helmet. "Hiss..." He took a breath, shook his hands, and glared at his youngest son again: "Sanlang, why did you kill them all?"

Yelu Zonglei thought for a moment and said, "Father, are you afraid that if His Majesty finds out, he will become even more alienated from our clan?"

He nodded, "You are indeed diligent. It is just as those rebels said before. The army has been defeated one after another, and many nobles who led the army have surrendered. The emperor has become alienated from us. Just look at how he has recently handed over government affairs to Wu Yong, Ma Renwang, Chai Yi and others."

"Wu Yong, Ma Renwang, Chai Yi and others are already old..." Yelu Zonglei looked at his father, then at his brother who was looking for stones to kick out of boredom, and his eye twitched: "Recently, they have made mistakes in their decisions one after another. I'm afraid that His Majesty will dismiss them soon."

"The old ones are gone, but there are still the young ones." Yelu Dezhong snorted and walked out: "There are more than one or two Han officials who are attached to Xiao Fengxian."

Yelu Zonglei nodded silently, watching his father walk away, and went over to pull his brother who was happily kicking stones: "Silang, stop kicking, go back, next time if you can't answer..."

"I didn't say that." The younger brother snorted, "Dad didn't leave anyone for me."

Yelu Zonglin kicked the stone away. The soldier on the other side screamed "Ah——" and knelt on the ground, holding his knees. The fool quickly looked up at the sky, turned around and put his hands behind his back: "When he came, he promised me that he would leave one for me to kill."

"You'd better save your energy to fight on the battlefield." Yelu Zonglei pulled him helplessly, turned his head to look at the soldier rolling on the ground with his hands covering his legs, and waved to the side: "Hey, send the injured to the doctor, and go back to get 200 coins as a reward for him."

At that moment, a soldier ran over and carried the man to the side. The two brothers walked out, but the younger one's mumbling words were occasionally muffled by the wind and could not be heard clearly.

……

The third year of Xuanhe, mid-winter.

The cold wind mixed with snowflakes blew into the city of Bianliang. Under the leaden sky, pedestrians who were dressed warmly did not restrain themselves because of the cold. There was a constant stream of customers coming and going in the taverns and teahouses. When the doors of the brothels were opened, many people naturally turned around and stepped inside. The sounds of singing and reciting poems rang out in the balconies.

No one paid attention to a carriage returning from outside that went straight along the road to the gate of the imperial city. The figure getting off the carriage was talking to someone in a hurry. Soon, a eunuch came out and led people in.

"Your subject Geng Nanzhong (Wu Min) pays homage to the Emperor."

"My dear ministers, you have worked hard." Zhao Ji smiled as he sat on a luxurious wooden chair and looked at the figures bowing. He motioned the eunuchs waiting on the side to come forward and said, "It's freezing cold. Drink some hot ginger soup to drive away the cold."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The two men looked a little tired. After bowing to express their gratitude, they took the steaming porcelain bowl and took a sip. The spicy feeling went down their tongue to their stomach, and then warmth spread to their limbs.

Zhao Ji did not rush to speak, and waited until the two of them were warmer before speaking: "What do the Liao people say?"

The two envoys who had just returned from their mission looked at each other, then bowed together and said, "We are incompetent and failed to make the Liao people apologize for this. Please punish us, Your Majesty."

Zhao Ji frowned, his tone slightly dissatisfied: "Given the current situation of the Liao Kingdom, is he still as arrogant as before?"

Wu Min moved his mouth awkwardly, and Geng Nanzhong lowered his head and replied: "I talked to the Liao emperor about the weapons and armor, but he questioned why Lu Bu had our armor and weapons, and then drove us out of the country without the slightest respect."

"How can this be possible." Zhao Ji's face fell, he slammed the table, stood up and walked back and forth: "So what if that Lu guy has weapons and armor? They were taken away by a bunch of mountain bandits and river robbers, why are you asking me about it?"

He stopped and turned to look at the two men: "This is a humiliation!", pointing to the north: "This guy named Yelu doesn't even look at what a mess he has made of his country, and he still has the heart to mock me!"

Wu Min looked at Geng Nanzhong, then looked up at Zhao Ji. His lips moved, opened, and then closed.

Zhao Ji's chest rose and fell sharply. Seeing him like this, he suppressed his anger and turned around to sit down: "Just say whatever you want to say. Why are you holding it in?"

"Your Majesty." Wu Min bowed his hands. "What I want to say is that based on what I have seen and heard in Liao, I am afraid that within a few years, Liao will be a completely different place. So Your Majesty, there is no need to be so angry. We will just look at him calmly..."

Zhao Ji was listening indifferently at first, but his eyes moved when he heard the words. He sat up straighter and interrupted him: "Wait, you mean that Liao can't hold on anymore?"

"Yes." Wu Min nodded quickly: "This time when I and the other ministers went to the north, we saw that the officials there were in a panic. After asking around, we found that many people rebelled against Qi. Their army was defeated by Jin several times first, and then by Qi. Their morale is not high, and they are not eager to fight.

Therefore, I dare to assert that if the Liao people do not change, the north will definitely be stolen by Lu Bu within ten years."

Zhao Ji turned his gaze to Geng Nanzhong.

The minister of the Eastern Palace also bowed and said, "I think so too."

"...Oh." Zhao Ji's expression inexplicably improved a lot. He moved his eyes and looked at the eunuch beside him: "Send the order to Tong Guan, and ask him to deal with the mess in the southeast as soon as possible."

He stood up refreshed and said, "Since the Liao Kingdom has become so weak, the obstacles for us to take back our ancestral land will be much smaller."

The two ministers who were listening over there looked at each other, then bowed together and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

……

New Year's Eve.

Heavy snow covered Linhuang Prefecture, the sky brightened, and a silver-white color reflected the sky, making the northern world even brighter.

In the imperial kitchen, a fat figure was walking past the stoves with his hands behind his back.

Palace maids and eunuchs carrying steaming dishes walked into the palace where music was heard. Dancers spun and danced, with long silks flying in the air, drawing cheers.

"Your Majesty, this year's harvest is good. Next year we will be able to go south and take Zhongjing first." Wang Zheng said as he kept glancing at the dancer over there with a smile on his lips.

The sound of stringed instruments and orchestras was loud in the hall, and all the people sitting in the row of generals seemed to have heard it. They all turned their heads to look at Lu Bu at the top, their eyes shining.

"If there are enough food and grass, I will naturally go south." Lu Bu held the wine glass and glanced at the generals with a smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, I will be the vanguard!"

"I am willing to be the vanguard!"

Those who reacted quickly stood up, clasped their hands together, and then glared at him.

The other generals were a little slow to react, but they also stood up and started arguing.

"Bullshit! A pioneer needs to be bold and careful. I should be the one to do this."

"Zaixing, you are young, so let Old Han come."

"It's my turn..."

"The role of a pioneer..."

The rough, heroic, and resonant voice suppressed the sound of the music. The dancer stood in the hall at a loss. Lu Bu held the wine cup above and laughed: "Don't fight."

The voices in the hall fell silent.

"Everyone wants to be the vanguard, so let's have a competition next year to determine the position!"

All the generals' eyes lit up.

(End of this chapter)