Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 289 Convergence
It is said that Shi Qian left Qingfeng Mountain with half of his men that day and rode at full speed straight to Liangshan County without saying a word along the way.

When Zhao Zhen saw him, he asked, "Brother, why did you come back alone?"

Shi Qian said, "Sir, I am here on the orders of the military advisor to firstly guard these peach trees and secondly to ask you to send troops to support us."

At that moment, Shi Qian recounted his trip to Qingzhou in detail.

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "I had only thought of asking the heroes in Qingzhou to strengthen their vigilance and be careful of Yun Tianbiao, but I didn't expect that two more heroes would join us. This is a cause for celebration. In this case, I will dispatch troops right away. Thank you for leading the way, brother."

Shi Qian nodded in agreement. Zhao Yuanli stepped forward and asked the farmhand to take the horse, unload the peach wood tied to the horse, and send it to the warehouse.

Here, Zhao Zhen wrote an order to mobilize the troops of Lin Chong and Wang Tianba. The troops of both cities took off their horse armor and only wore battle robes. They were to assemble early the next morning and march with light equipment.

Zhao Zhen called Xiao Rang and Zhu Wu and gave them some instructions. When Zhu Wu heard that Zhao Zhen was going to lead the troops himself, he said, "You are the head of a county, you should not move lightly. Coach Lin is a meticulous person, and it is enough for him to go on your behalf."

Xiao Rang echoed from the side.

Zhao Zhen said, "These two have come to me because of my reputation. If I don't go, I'm afraid their subordinates will be worried. Besides, we are flying the flag of the government army and only taking the official road. We are protected by Lin Chong, Wang Tianba and others, so we are safe."

Seeing that Zhao Zhen had made up his mind, Xiao Rang could not persuade him further, so he could only ask, "How many days will it take for the master to return? How much food and grass do you need to prepare?"

Zhao Zhen said, "The military advisor once told Brother Shi Qian that after he left, he would have to return in three to five days at most. Brother Shi Qian returned after five days of walking, so most of the soldiers must have already set out. He will lead a group of followers, so he must have come on foot. I expect to meet him in Laiwu County, and he will be back in seven or eight days."

"Besides, we have to pass through Tai'an Prefecture, which is a good opportunity to prepare for the temple fair. I will also bring brothers Jiao Ting and Duan Jingzhu with me, and leave them here to investigate and make some preparations for the sumo wrestling match on March 28th."

"After I leave, you brothers will handle the affairs of the county on your own. There are many minions and their families in Qingfeng Mountain. After I leave, Xiao Rang will choose a place to build a village or build houses in the vacant places in each village. When people come, they will be settled down as soon as possible. I will still trouble you, Zhu Wu, to worry about the military affairs."

After hearing this, the two of them bowed and said, "Don't worry, sir. I'll take care of it."

At night, after dinner, Cheng Wan'er first put the old lady to bed, and the couple chatted in the hall. Cheng Wan'er said, "My husband, I heard from the housekeeper that you are going out tomorrow?"

Zhao Zhen said: "Yes, there is a brave man from Qingzhou who has brought more than a thousand people to surrender. I will lead people to meet them."

Hu Sanniang asked, "Who will you take with you, sir?"

"Coach Lin and Wang Tianba are both cavalrymen. They only wear battle robes and travel lightly," Zhao Zhen replied.

"Since the cavalry is going, you can also take me and the female cavalry from the village with you, and I can take care of your daily life along the way."

Cheng Wan'er also said, "With my sister by my side, I feel more at ease at home."

Zhao Zhen thought there would be no war, so he agreed to take Hu Sanniang and others with him.

The next morning, the cavalry assembled, carrying enough gold and silver, and three to five days of dry food. They were divided into two groups, one hour apart, and led by Shi Qian, they headed towards Qingzhou Prefecture. They walked and stopped, and arrived at Tai'an Prefecture in the evening of the second day. Zhao Zhen and others did not enter the city, but set up camp five miles away from the city. After a night's rest, Jiao Ting and Duan Jingzhu were left behind, and Zhao Zhen and others rode non-stop to Laiwu County. Because they were flying the flag of Yanggu County, no one came to question them along the way. On the night of the third day, they arrived at Laiwu County, but unfortunately they did not meet Wu Yong and his party.

After setting up camp, Zhao Zhen called Lin Chong, Wang Tianba, Luan Tingfang, Mie Gong, and Shi Qian and said, "Brothers, we didn't meet the soldiers today. It seems that their progress is slow. We need to catch up. Tomorrow, select some people and go to the city to make some purchases. We will continue to head west."

Lin Chong said, "Sir, how about I lead a hundred men tomorrow and go ahead, each man riding two horses, and not stopping along the way to meet up with the military advisor first?"

Zhao Zhen said: "In this case, the team will be divided into three groups. I will follow the horses led by brother Wang Tianba and continue to follow at this speed. The hundred people without horses will be led by brother Luan Tingfang and stay here."

After some discussion, everyone dispersed, cooked, and arranged camping.

The next day, Lin Chong and Shi Qian led their team on the journey early. Zhao Zhen went into the city to buy food and fodder, leaving behind Luan Tingfang and a hundred men, and then chased after Lin Chong.

After walking for half a day, they came across a group of horses and carriages that stopped. The female riders led by Hu Sanniang acted as scouts and found out early that it was Wu Yong and his party who had come here to have some food.

After the greeting, Yan Shun knelt on the ground, his hands folded, and said, "I am honored to meet you today. If you don't mind me, I will go through fire and water if you can help me."

Zhao Zhen quickly helped him up: "I have heard of your name for a long time, and I am very happy to see you now. Don't worry, brother, I have a place to use you."

"Sir, I am the same as Brother Yanshun. If I can have a full meal, I will sell my whole heart to you."

Zhao Zhen raised his head and said, "I think they must be the four brothers Yu Bao, the Gods of Dangerous Roads. There really are such heroic men in the world."

Wu Yong stepped forward and said, "Sir, this is not the place to talk. How about taking some dry food and setting off as soon as possible when we get to Laiwu County and then we can talk?"

Zhao Zhen said, "What the military advisor said is true. Brother Luan Tingfang is waiting for us ahead. They have set up a camp there. We can rest there for a night and continue our journey tomorrow."

After that, Zhao Zhen and others ate some dry food, watered their horses, and then escorted the men and horses back.

On the way, Wu Yong told Zhao Zhen about the second half of his trip to Qingzhou. When Zhao Zhen heard that Wu Yong wanted to seek the position of Jingyang Town Magistrate for Hua Rong, he said, "I'm afraid Old Taishan can't mobilize troops across prefectures, right?"

Wu Yong waved his feather fan and said, "Sir, you might as well give it a try. Yun Tianbiao followed the footsteps of General Tong, and the old man is also a disciple of General Tong. Why not give it a try? If it doesn't work, there will be no loss. If it works, with Brother Hua Rong here, this Jingyang Town will also be under your rule in the future."

Zhao Zhen listened and nodded. He took the opportunity to rest on the way and wrote a letter with his seal. He called Shi Qian and Wang Dingliu and asked them to lead their men back to Liangshan County and ask the eldest lady Cheng Wan'er to persuade the old lady and Cheng Wanli of Mount Tai to transfer Hua Rong.

After hearing the order, Shi Qian and Wang Dingliu took the letter and rode away on horseback.

Zhao Zhen and his companions rested for another day in Laiwu County, and then they slowly returned with the carriages and horses. After another day's journey, they arrived at Tai'an Prefecture.

After setting up his troops, Zhao Zhen was about to send someone to the city to look for Jiao Ting and Duan Jingzhu, but the two men had already entered the camp to see Zhao Zhen, and behind them, followed a ragged big man.

(End of this chapter)