Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 420 Surrender
After everyone left, Zhao Zhen got up and went to his residence in the backyard. All his wives and concubines gathered at the residence on the top of the mountain. Liu Huiniang, Hu Sanniang, and Chen Liqing also changed into the clothes of the imperial concubines, which matched Cheng Waner's pleasant clothes.

When everyone saw Zhao Zhen, they all stood up and greeted him.

Zhao Zhen sat opposite Cheng Wan'er and asked everyone to sit down.

Looking at the wives and concubines sitting on both sides below, they seemed to be naturally divided into two groups because of this imperial decree of reward.

Bai Zhi, Jin Cui Lian, Chu Yan, and Chu Yuan all had smiles on their faces, but they looked a little disappointed. However, Liu Hui Niang and the other two all looked very happy.

Zhao Zhen said: "Today's imperial decree is too stingy. Although I have never fought with Song Jiang, I have captured four cities and beheaded four Qingzhou bandit leaders. Rewarding these things is too stingy."

"Fortunately, this imperial edict gives a lot. Next year, when we fight against the Qingzhou bandits, you will get the imperial edict you've been waiting for, Madam Zhi."

Bai Zhi heard this and said, "Sir, we four can't go to the battlefield, how can we receive the imperial decree?"

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "My lady, you don't know that since the court is unwilling to reward me with a high position, it will naturally compensate me in other places. Otherwise, who would be willing to risk their lives?"

"This time, it was just Sanniang and the other two who went to the battlefield, and the court just took advantage of this excuse. Don't you see that Dong Ping and Qin Ming also made contributions in the war? You see, the court only let them pick out some money from the spoils as rewards."

After hearing this, Bai Zhi felt relieved.

Zhao Zhen turned to Cheng Wan'er and said, "My lady, take out one or two ounces of black wolfberries tomorrow and put them in a fine brocade box. I will present them to the emperor to show my loyalty. It can also be regarded as a tribute from Liangshan Prefecture."

Cheng Wan'er nodded after hearing this.

Chen Liqing curled her lips and said, "So that's how it is. No wonder my father has only practiced Taoism these years and has paid no attention to the affairs of the court."

Liu Hui Niang also said, "This time, the three of us have taken the lead, and the court doesn't even care about the order of priority. They don't have good intentions, so why don't we decline it?"

Zhao Zhen said: "Pei Xuan also said so. But the court has its reasons and we have to follow his lead. There is no need to refuse. If the court wants to use me and does not want to reward me, they will naturally transfer the reward to you. Although I am of no use in Liangshan, I am still a status."

"Besides, this is what the court should give. All I paid for is a set of clothes and a title. There are only three places, and I still think it is not enough. I will see the angel tomorrow. Madam, let Bai Shuang take Wu La and Wu Na to walk around the hall."

Wu La and Wu Na, who were lying behind the door in the hall, heard their names being called, and poked their heads out from behind the door. They tilted their heads and looked at Zhao Zhen, as if asking why they were called.

Seeing Zhao Zhen wave his hand, he shrank back. The white frost under Cheng Wan'er's feet cried out in dissatisfaction.

Cheng Wan'er asked, "Sir, what are you going to do?"

Zhao Zhen said, "Yesterday, I heard from Hou Meng that the emperor loves elephants. He built an elephant house in the palace and planted a bamboo forest. He also held elephant banquets and often showed off. I have never seen an elephant, but I have heard that this animal is very big, much bigger than the charr horse raised in the farm. It has a gentle temperament and can be trained to be a war elephant. When I plan to present the black wolfberry and four-bearded carp, I would like to mention that it would be best if I could get an elephant as a return gift."

Cheng Wan'er heard this and said, "This angel won't ask for this Wu La or Wu Na, right? Especially Wu Na, who has black fur, which is rare in the world."

Zhao Zhen said: "Don't worry, not only does he not dare to ask for it, but even if he wants it, I can't give it to him."

But Xiao Rang secretly went to the Hongye Tree barracks at night, where he met Lai Yong'er, the "Ghost-Seeing Sorrow", and Zhao Gui, the "Sea-Stirring General".

After greeting each other, Xiao Rang asked, "You are a thief, I am an official, and we just had a fight. What is your purpose in coming here, brother Yong'er? I am entertaining angels here, aren't you afraid of tying you up and asking for credit?"

Lai Yong'er was not in a hurry, and he cupped his hands and said, "President Xiao, who in Shandong and Hebei doesn't admire Mr. Zhao? In the battlefield, everyone fights based on their own abilities, and no one can blame anyone else. We are here to give you gifts, and Mr. Zhao will definitely not be willing to tie us up and present us to the court. If this gets out, it will damage Mr. Zhao's reputation."

Lai Yonger continued, "We are here for no other reason than Brother Song Gongming personally selected some treasures and sent them to us. We only ask the judge to introduce us to the great official and let us meet him."

Xiao Rang said, "If it were normal times, the master would have seen you. But now that the angel is here, there are so many people and eyes, how can the master be willing to see you? Now that I can come to see you, it is because the master is considerate of Song Gongming's benevolence and righteousness. If you have anything to say, please say it. I will tell the master what I want to say tomorrow after sending the angel away."

Lai Yonger saw that Xiao Rang was determined, so he did not insist. He invited Xiao Rang to a side room, where he saw more than 20 boxes piled on the floor.

Lai Yonger stepped forward and opened them one by one, saying to Xiao Rang, "Tongpan, here are five thousand taels of gold, five boxes of wild ginseng, Polygonum multiflorum, Ganoderma lucidum, deer antler, and Poria cocos, one hundred rolls of mirror flower silk and fairy pattern silk, and two night-shining pearls. Each of the five boxes of medicinal materials contains a precious medicine, and the night-shining pearl is also rare in the world."

"Also, I know that many of the heroes under your command love to drink, so here is the recipe of Yunmen aged wine to offer to you."

As he spoke, he invited Xiao Rang to walk out of the house, pointed to the back and said, "There are four more spiritual plants. These two are [Open Hawthorn], and these two are [Ox Heart Persimmon]. Brother Gongming found them when he was investigating in the state. He knew that the great official liked these plants, so he took great pains to dig them up and even brought the soil here."

"I don't ask for anything else, sir. I just ask you to delay for a while next spring. We are willing to withdraw from Yanzhou."

After hearing this, Xiao Rang nodded and said, "I will tell the military advisor what he said. Since your status is inconvenient, you can stay here. Food and drink will be delivered to you. The official will give you a reply tomorrow."

Lai Yonger said, "Don't worry, judge. We are here to seek peace. How dare we cause trouble?"

Xiao Rang did not say anything. He turned around and left the barracks. He gave instructions to the soldiers guarding there, then returned to Bai Shi Manor and explained Lai Yong'er's purpose of coming.

After Xiao Rang left, Zhao Gui said, "Military Advisor, Xiao Rang is so rude."

Lai Yonger said, "He is an official, and I am a thief. The situation is stronger than us. Now that we need help from others, we must be careful and cautious."

As he spoke, he looked around and said to Zhao Gui, "Tonight, tell the brothers hiding in the mountains that the angel will return tomorrow, and see if they can find a chance to kill the angel."

Zhao Gui hesitated and said, "Military Advisor, we have already found out when we came here that there are hundreds of imperial guards guarding the angels. Zhao Zhen will definitely send troops to escort them out of Liangshan, but I am afraid there is no chance."

Lai Yong'er said, "Huangfu Xiong outside will naturally act according to the situation. Regardless of success or failure, he will immediately take a detour back to Qingzhou afterwards and there is no need to meet up with us."

After hearing this, Zhao Gui secretly passed on the message.

On the second day, after breakfast, Zhao Zhen invited Hou Meng and others to go up to the platform to review the generals. According to the plan of the previous day, he asked the soldiers of each camp to conduct drills one by one.

Li Yuhou and Zhang Ganban were also surprised at the strength of the Liangshan soldiers. After the heavy front, the local soldiers wearing rattan armor and holding broadswords came up, and Li Yuhou laughed and said, "Sir, your group of people actually defeated the Qingzhou bandits. I'm afraid that the Qingzhou bandits are just in name only."

Yu Baosi, who was standing by, heard this and shouted, "Shut up, if it wasn't for the great master, I would have killed you with one punch." Xiao Rang tried to persuade him, and Hou Meng also scolded him, "Li Yuhou, Commander Hu Yan selected 3,000 elite cavalry and 5,000 infantry, with weapons from the armory and weapons warehouse, but he only had a slight advantage over the Qingzhou bandits. He was not as good as Zhao Guanshi in killing generals and capturing cities. How dare you mock a brave warrior?"

Zhao Zhen heard this and waved his hand, saying, "Announce the decree. What Li Yuhou said is not wrong. Liangshan Prefecture's armor and military equipment are not complete. Fortunately, we have a strong passion, so we managed to defeat Song Jiang. Now the Privy Councilor has made the decision and reported to the emperor to send these craftsmen. They are going to make equipment in winter in preparation for the war next year."

Hou Meng said: "The county lord is loyal, I will report it to the government."

Zhao Zhen clapped his hands after hearing this. Then Zhao Yuanli came up with several farmhands.

Zhao Zhen said, "Since the establishment of this prefecture, it has not yet paid tribute. I wanted to pay tribute, but unfortunately the prefecture is exhausted. I only found a magical black wolfberry and picked a dose. Eating ten grains can make people virile. There is also a magical four-bearded carp in the water, which can nourish the body. I asked people to catch four fish and put them in these large barrels. Please announce the order to offer them to the emperor on my behalf."

As he was talking, he saw a white fox in front and two tigers, one yellow and one black, following behind, walking slowly from the front. When they passed the generals' platform, they suddenly roared at the platform, like a thunderbolt in the sky, shocking the defenseless Li Yuhou and Zhang Ganban on the platform like wooden chickens.

The soldiers below the stage stood there, but were not panicked.

Hou Meng was surprised and asked Zhao Zhen: "What is this?"

Xiao Rang said, "Don't be alarmed. These two tigers and a white fox are all raised by the great master. They won't hurt anyone. The great master likes spiritual seeds and plants very much. He also raises birds of prey and parrots in the farm. All the farmers in the nearby villages know about it."

Hou Meng felt a little relieved after hearing this.

Zhao Zhen on the stage looked at the two tigers and the fox and shouted. The white fox heard it, glanced at the stage, and led the two big insects to run away to the hill.

Zhang Ganban said: "This white fox and black tiger are rare. It would be great if we could make a cloak out of them."

Seeing that no one was talking, Zhang Ganban shut up in boredom.

Hou Meng said: "So the lord likes this. The official also keeps a five-colored parrot, which he likes very much."

Zhao Zhen said: "I have also heard that the emperor also painted a "Five-Colored Parrot Picture" for this purpose."

"Yes, I have seen it in the palace. The apricot flowers are crystal clear. The parrot is painted in five colors: black, yellow, red, white and green. It has colorful wings, strong beaks and claws, and looks charming." Hou Meng said.

"I heard that the emperor built an elephant house in the palace. It's a pity that we don't have any elephants here, so we can't see their majesty."

"I only heard: 'What kind of elephant is it? Those who hold the feet say it is like a lacquer tube. Those who hold the tail say it is like a broom. Those who hold the tail base say it is like a stick. Those who hold the belly say it is like a drum. Those who hold the ribs say it is like a wall. Those who hold the back say it is like a high loom. Those who hold the ears say it is like a dustpan. Those who hold the head say it is like a unicorn. Those who hold the tusks say it is like a horn.' I don't know if I will be able to see one in this life."

"This elephant was presented by the Kingdom of Nanyue, and the emperor likes it very much." Hou Meng replied.

After inspecting the soldiers, Hou Meng said, "Sir, since the soldiers have inspected us, we have to return to the capital to report."

Zhao Zhen did not hold him back and said, "I dare not delay the announcement of the decree. Please announce it and report back to the emperor. As long as the military equipment is ready, we will naturally send troops to suppress the Qingzhou bandits after the spring plowing next year."

As he spoke, he had someone bring out a tray of gold and silver, and presented a gift to escort Hou Meng and his entourage out of the village. He still ordered Chao Gai to lead the soldiers of Fan county to escort them out of the country.

After seeing Hou Meng off, Zhao Zhen ordered the soldiers and militiamen to disperse.

Then he and Xiao Rang sat down in the hall. Zhao Zhen said, "Brother, last night I sent a pigeon to send a letter to the scholar. The scholar did not want to fight against Song Jiang. However, he did mention that we have occupied half of the county in Yizhou now, so why not bargain with Song Gongming and occupy all of Yizhou."

"The scholar has found out that Yizhou may not be able to be defended. When the time comes, we can occupy the city and give an explanation to the court. At the same time, Yizhou is mountainous and the farmers are mostly poor. There is not much profit for Song Gongming. Losing Yizhou is not a big deal."

After hearing this, Xiao Rang said, "In that case, I will go discuss it with Lai Yonger." With that, Xiao Rang stood up and went to the Red Leaf Tree Camp.

Hou Meng and his entourage, escorted by Chao Gai, passed through Shouzhang County along the official road. Li Yuhou and Zhang Ganban, two members of the team, complained about the situation even though they had received benefits. Chao Gai could not stand it and reported the imperial decree to Hou Meng, who led the troops to go ahead.

Hou Meng felt that with the protection of this team of imperial guards and since it was within the territory of Liangshan, he felt there was no danger, so he agreed.

The two teams gathered one mile away, away from Li Yuhou and Zhang Ganban, and Chao Gai then cursed a few words.

Passing Shouzhang and crossing the Yellow River, Chao Gai walked about two miles before looking back to find that Hou Meng and his party were actually staying by the Yellow River, watching the scenery.

Chao Gai cursed inwardly and had to turn the team around and rush back.

Just after they walked a mile, they saw a sudden chaos broke out among Hou Meng and his group in front of them. Thirty or forty men dressed as fishermen suddenly drew out their machetes and started hacking and killing Tianshi and his group.

When Chao Gai saw this, he quickly rode forward.

When Chao Gai arrived, the group of people scattered. Chao Gai was reluctant to let them go and sent his soldiers to chase them.

Chao Gai even went straight for the big man who had charged most fiercely just now. Seeing that he was caught up, the big man had to stop and fight back with a knife.

Chao Gai rushed forward, dismounted from his horse, drew out his broadsword, and started slashing at the big man without saying a word. They fought back and forth for no less than thirty rounds. The soldiers slowly surrounded him. The big man was in a hurry to get away and lost his steps. Chao Gai took the opportunity and chopped him to the ground with one blow of his sword.

He ordered the soldiers to go forward and tie up the man and clean up the battlefield. Chao Gai walked up to Hou Meng with a grim expression. He was relieved to see that Hou Meng had just fallen and was not injured.

Li Yuhou held his left arm, which was wounded by an arrow, and cursed Chao Gai: "You did a good job, but someone dared to kill the angel..."

Chao Gai shouted, "Shut up."

Then he said to Hou Meng: "The emperor is frightened, please wait a moment. We have captured several thieves. I will interrogate them to see where they came from and why they are so bold."

Including the man captured by Chao Gai, a total of four people were captured, eighteen were killed, and more than a dozen escaped.

Chao Gai led the four men forward and shouted, "Who is the leader?"

(End of this chapter)