Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 567 Going to war
Xu Guanzhong heard this and sighed, "My lord, you are not the same kind of people as Cai Jing. I am afraid that if Mr. Lu goes to join us, his family business may not be saved."

After hearing this, Tu Long said, "Could it be that Liang Zhongshu and Huang Zhifu dare to rob the place? Aren't they afraid that my son-in-law will lead the troops to demand an explanation?"

Xu Guanzhong said: "There is no need to rob. Just let people spread the word and no one will dare to go to Mr. Lu's house to pawn the items. Without business, we can't support so many financial managers, and this family business will gradually collapse."

Tu Long said, "It is my ignorance. Unfortunately, I still have the arrest warrant on me, so I dare not enter the city, lest I alarm Huang Wen and cause trouble. I have no chance to visit Mr. Lu, but I want Xiao Yi to tell him that if Mr. Lu is interested in seeking an official position, he might as well pack up his money and come to Liangshan. My son-in-law has admired Mr. Lu for a long time."

Yan Qing heard this and said quickly, "I will definitely pass on what the old man said. The master has accepted an official mission and I am afraid he cannot refuse. If anything happens, we will have to find you to protect us."

After saying this, Yan Qing bid farewell to everyone and returned to the city alone.

Tu Long and his entourage also drove their carriages to Kouzhou.

After walking for a while, at night, they entered Kouzhou. Li San announced his name, and the Iron Spear General Wei Yangyin, who was stationed there, came to entertain them personally and sent a pigeon letter to pass on the news.

Two days later, the group rushed to Baishi Manor to report. Zhao Zhen met everyone and said to Tu Long: "Father-in-law, since you left for Daming Mansion, my beautiful lady has been missing you very much."

Xu Guanzhong heard this and said, "Sir, I hesitated because I was concerned that my mother was too old to bear the bumps on the road, which delayed us for so long."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said, "So that's how it is." Then, he turned to Liu Hui Niang and said, "The old lady has traveled a long way after all. Hui Niang, please ask the [Divine Doctor] An Daoquan to treat the old lady."

Liu Hui Niang responded.

After hearing this, Xu Guanzhong hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Zhao Zhen continued, "Brothers from the Daming Prefecture, I know that Mr. Changdao is a brave and courageous man. Today we finally meet. Today, all the brothers are here to accompany you and welcome you."

After hearing this, Xu Guanzhong said, "I took the military examination and gained a lot of experience in Bianjing. The evil people there all wore tall hats and wide belts. The loyal and upright people were all imprisoned and framed. I have lost the idea of ​​becoming an official. I am glad that you still have a piece of pure land here, and the people live and work in peace. I am willing to work for you and protect the peace."

world log
Name: Xu Guanzhong (Hero)
Nickname: Living Map
Race: Terran

Reputation: 50
Occupation: Scholar

Secondary occupations: Warrior, Hermit

Level: Level 4 and Level 4 (Strength 30, Commander 50)

Attributes: Strength 35, Constitution 40, Agility 50, Spirit 54
Skills: Six Arts of a Gentleman Level 4 (ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, mathematics, especially good at calligraphy. Strength +2, Spirit +4), Planning Level 3 (temple planning, Spirit +2), Language Level 3 (proficient in the languages ​​of Khitan, Jurchen, Dangxiang, Tubo, Mongolian countries, Spirit +3), All-rounder Level 2 (proficient in military tactics, martial arts, strategy, and knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Agility +2, Spirit +2).

Commander skills: Leadership level 1 (morale +1), Army formation level 1 (Arrange the troops, morale +1)

After reading it, Zhao Zhen said to Xu Guanzhong: "Sir, you are a man of both civil and military talents. How about you go to Guangji Army and become a military commander?"

Xu Guanzhong quickly declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. However, I have never been an official before, so how can I suddenly rise to such a high position? I am afraid that I am not competent for the job and I am not clear about how to handle things, which would be bad."

Liu Hui Niang then said, "Sir, what Xu Zhuangshi said is correct. Why don't we ask Xu Zhuangshi to go to Guangji Army and become the magistrate of Dingtao first? Once he has made contributions, he will be promoted and rewarded. How about that?"

Zhao Zhen nodded upon hearing this. A high official position in a state cannot be given lightly. Now that the territory is large, in addition to talent and merit, hard work cannot be ignored. Otherwise, the subordinates will lose their motivation and will inevitably become lazy.

He then said, "That's fine. If you can do a good job as Baili Hou, you can do other things well."

At night, Zhao Zhen hosted a banquet to entertain Xu Guanzhong, and Tu Long and others came to join him. During the meal, they inevitably talked about Yan Qing and Lu Junyi.

Zhao Zhen also sighed after hearing this: "We all thought that Mr. Lu only wanted to be a rich man, but we didn't expect that Mr. Lu also had the ambition to govern a place."

Let’s not talk about what people were talking about in Baishi Manor, but let’s just talk about Lu Junyi’s residence in Daming Prefecture. Early in the morning, Lu Junyi asked people to prepare a fine meal, waiting for Xu Guanzhong.

At the time of Chenpai, Yan Qing rode back to Lu's residence at full speed. When Lu Junyi saw him, he asked, "Is Mr. Xu following behind?"

Yan Qing lowered his head and said, "Master, Xiao Yi is late. Brother Guanzhong has asked Zhao Xianggong of Jingdong Road to recruit him. The whole family went to Liangshan early this morning."

After hearing this, Lu Junyi frowned and said, "It's a bad start."

Seeing that there was no one around, Yan Qing said, "Master, we are parting today, but I heard from a later military commander under Prime Minister Zhao that Jingdong Road is in need of someone to govern it, and Prime Minister Zhao wanted to invite you to guard the area. But he doesn't listen to orders, and I'm afraid that Master will lose his business and lose his wealth because of this, so he didn't come to invite you."

"There are all kinds of people there. Even if he becomes a supervisor, he won't be recognized by the court and can only live in Jingdong Road. It's not that there is no way out, so why go there?" Lu Junyi said.

Yan Qing listened and said softly, "Master, you are right. In this world, there are slanderers inside and thieves outside. Who can tell clearly? Although Jingdong Road is small, it is a safe place. I have never refused it. I just think of it as making friends and leaving a way out. Even if I go to Jingdong Road to do business in the future, I can still speak for myself."

"Xiao Yi has made progress. After all, Lord Zhao is a famous hero throughout the world. If we can make some friends with him, it might be useful in the future." Lu Junyi said.

"This military commander came later. Who was the person who came before? How could he know Xu Guanzhong?"

"You should have heard of the three leaders. One is Tu Long, the blacksmith from the East Market, and the other two are Cai Fu, the Iron Arm, and Cai Qing, the Flower. They drank together last night."

Lu Junyi nodded and said, "I have seen these three people before. Tu Long beat Huang Yanei and fled. Cai Fu and Cai Qing were also dismissed from their posts in the government office due to some incidents. Unexpectedly, they all went to Liangshan. Tu Long once made me a wrought iron sword, which is extremely sharp. He must have some skills. He also has martial arts skills. What job did he seek in Liangshan?"

Yan Qing said, "Tu Long's daughter married Zhao Xianggong as his concubine. Because he was too old, he was only asked to supervise the Military Equipment Bureau. Cai Fu and Cai Qing were appointed as supervisors, each in charge of 500 soldiers, and 2,000 to 3,000 miners and coolies."

After hearing this, Lu Junyi just nodded and said, "Don't worry about him. Right now, we have to count the food and supplies, and we have to set out early tomorrow morning. You and I have to go visit the Minister of the Central Secretariat today and listen to his instructions."

Yan Qing said, "Master, when we were parting today, I heard from the military commander who came later that Zengtou City is a spy of the Jin Kingdom, and that there are three thousand Jin warriors who are skilled in archery and horse riding. In addition, Zengtou City is in a dangerous position, so it is not a good place to go. If there is a choice, Master should choose the route to Lingzhou Prefecture."

Lu Junyi sneered: "What a Jin warrior, even with the spear and stick in my hand, I am not afraid of him."

"The master's martial arts are unmatched, but the soldiers and farmhands who are in charge of guarding the grain and fodder are no match for him. Losing the grain is a capital crime." Yan Qing said anxiously.

After hearing this, Lu Junyi sighed and said, "I thought it was simple. Does this person have anything else to say?"

"Nothing else was said, only that the warriors of the Jin Kingdom were brave and valiant, and that the Liao Kingdom, as powerful as it was, was defeated step by step. Therefore, he told us to be careful. The Minister of the Central Secretariat only wanted merit, but did not investigate the details, so I am afraid he will suffer. Although the master is rich, he cannot give advice, so I am afraid this battle will not be easy."

Lu Junyi said: "Don't say too much, just prepare carefully. Now this mission can no longer be shirked, and we have to go through mountains of swords and seas of fire."

In Liang Zhongshu's mansion, the two eunuchs who were going to the battle, [Vanguard] Suo Chao, deputy general Wang Ding, and [Jade Unicorn] Lu Junyi were waiting for Liang Zhongshu to summon them. Lu Junyi had something on his mind, so he said to Wen Da in front of him, "Emperor, I wonder which one I am following to transport the grain and grass?"

After hearing this, Wen Da turned to Lu Junyi and said, "Sir, I didn't expect you to be so loyal to the emperor and patriotic. Sir, you have already decided to split the troops into two groups, but you haven't decided which group to go to. I came here today just for this."

"You don't have to be nervous, sir. There are less than 10,000 people in Zengtou City, Lingzhou, and they are divided into two places. My lord, please let the governor of Lingzhou cooperate. We can march for three days, and we can wipe out Zengtou City in another three days."

Lu Junyi said: "After all, this is my first time enlisting, so I hope you, generals, will bear with me in terms of military affairs."

As he was speaking, two guards came out and said, "Mr. Zhongshu invites you all to the hall."

After paying respect, Liang Zhongshu asked, "Two eunuchs, are the troops, horses, and food supplies ready?"

Wen Da was the first to say, "Don't worry, sir. The troops are ready and we can leave at any time."

Liang Zhongshu listened and nodded repeatedly: "Have you two agreed on where to go?"

Li Cheng said: "I will follow your instructions, sir. We are both ready."

"In this case, let's draw lots to decide." Liang Zhongshu wrote two lots himself, threw them into a box, burned incense and prayed, and asked Wen Da and Li Cheng to come forward and draw one each.

They each opened their own, and Wen Da said, "Lingzhou."

Li Chengdao: "Zengtou City."

Liang Zhongshu heard this and said, "It is God's will. The two generals will set out early tomorrow morning."

"Yes." Wen Da and Li Cheng responded.

Suo Chao asked, "Sir, which way should I go?"

Liang Zhongshu said with a smile: "How can I let you sit idle? This time is different from the past. The righteous man Lu Junyi not only prepares his own food and grass, but also escorts the food and grass for the army. Please ask Mr. Lu to choose a route first."

After hearing this, Lu Junyi said quickly, "Sir, I have just joined the army, and I have heard a lot about Li Dujian and Wen Dujian's good command of troops, and Suo Tixia's bravery. Moreover, Sir, you are a master strategist, and you have previously sent troops to wipe out the bandits in Yanshan who have been doing evil for a long time. Now that we are going to conquer Zengtou City, we will surely succeed. I have just joined the army and am not used to the mountains and fields, so I will follow Wen Dujian's route."

Liang Zhongshu said, "Alright. This time we are going to conquer Zengtou City, and we have planned it carefully. I think there won't be any unexpected changes. Mr. Lu will serve under the command of Wen Dujian and escort the grain and grass. If you can make a contribution, I will promote you."

Lu Junyi quickly expressed his gratitude.

Liang Zhongshu continued, "In this case, Wang Ding, you will be in charge of transporting grain and grass for Li Dujian.

"Yes." Wang Ding responded quickly.

"Suo Chao, I intend to promote you to be a regimental commander. If you can perform meritorious deeds this time, the Lingzhou Military Commander can also recommend you."

Suo Chao said: "Don't worry, sir. I have been training day and night, just waiting for this day."

"This Zengtou City is the Zeng family's old nest that has been run for many years. There must be many obstacles. You should go under Li Dujian's command and serve as a vanguard."

Suo Chao was delighted and immediately agreed.

After giving the orders, Li Cheng, Wen Da and others took their leave together.

After leaving Liang Zhongshu's government office, Wen Da said to Lu Junyi, "Mr. Lu, you will stay in the military camp tonight, and set out from the east gate at dawn tomorrow."

Lu Junyi quickly agreed.

After returning to the Lu Mansion, Yan Qing hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Master, how is it?"

"I followed Wen Da to attack Lingzhou Prefecture."

Yan Qing heard this and said happily: "In this way, there will be no danger of overturning."

On the second day, the troops set out. Lu Junyi, with two hundred farmhands, urged a thousand soldiers, supervised the chariots and laborers, and followed Wen Da's army.

Despite this, Lu Junyi did not dare to be careless. He asked Yan Qing to urge the civilians and the garrison troops to march slowly behind, while he himself took two hundred farmhands on horseback and three hundred well-armored soldiers from the garrison troops to scout two miles away.

There was no further conversation along the way, and the army went straight to the city of Lingzhou.

Zeng Suo and Zeng Sheng, who were stationed in Lingzhou, had heard that the troops were heading to Lingzhou. They didn't care. Yesterday, the official document from Daming Prefecture said that the chief inspector Wen Da was leading an army of 10,000 through Lingzhou and going to Binzhou to garrison. Lingzhou was required to prepare food and grass to send Wen Da across the border.

At first, the people of Zengtou City did not think much of it and only sent out scouts to investigate. Today, the army entered Lingzhou, and the scouts reported that there were actually two groups of soldiers, one heading for Lingzhou City and the other heading straight for Zengtou City.

Zeng Sheng, who was stationed in Lingzhou City, realized that something was wrong. On the one hand, he sent someone to Zengtou City to report the news and asked his family to be careful and alert. On the other hand, he discussed with Zeng Suo and led 3,000 soldiers to meet the enemy outside the city to prevent them from entering.

Wen Da rushed over and saw the neat battle array under the city. He thought their purpose had been exposed, so he also deployed his troops.

Wen Da came to the battlefront and shouted, "Listen up, everyone in Lingzhou. I am Wen Da, the military commander of Daming Prefecture. Zeng Toushi is a spy from the Kingdom of Jin. If you want to save your lives, follow me and kill the enemy."

Zeng Suo heard this and shouted, "Where did these bandits come from? They are pretending to be government soldiers and trying to seize our city. Soldiers, listen up! Don't let them fool you. If they take over our city, your whole family will be in danger."

As he said this, Zeng Suo got off his horse, held the steel fork in his hand, and ran straight towards Wen Da.

When Wen Da saw this, he shouted, "You rebellious villain, you are spreading cholera in the Song Dynasty, and you still don't know how to die!"

Having said that, he also raised the sword in his hand to meet the enemy.

The two fought for more than thirty rounds, but there was no winner.

Later, Lu Junyi heard about it and left a large group of people behind to rush to the front. Seeing that Wen Da could not win for the time being, he shouted loudly: "General, take a break. Watch me capture him."

(End of this chapter)