Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 251 Let's go, let's go, hurry, hurry, head north, to Yanjing!

The knight galloped over, only to be stopped by the people at the city gate. He could hear the Privy Councilor on the city tower, and he quickly went up.

As he went up, he shouted into the city: "Great victory! Commander Su's frontline has achieved a great victory! Great victory in Yanjing!"

But Tong Guan had already reached the steps, and with wide eyes, he asked, "Where did you say the great victory was?"

The knight was climbing the steps when he looked up and saw the Grand Chancellor above him. He quickly bowed and said, "Reporting to the Grand Chancellor, a great victory has been achieved in Yanjing!"

"Where?" Tan Zhen peeked over and asked.

"Yanjing City! Great victory in Yanjing City!" The knight was also very excited. After bowing, he rushed forward in three steps.

Tong Guan felt a surge of heat rush to his head, making him dizzy and lightheaded. He raised his hand to support himself on the battlement and muttered, "Where have we arrived at Yanjing City?"

Tan Zhen quickly came to help Tong Guan up: "Prime Minister, it really does look like Yanjing City!"

The knight had already taken the bamboo tube tied to his chest, opened the lid, and taken out the report of victory: "Prime Minister, take a look!"

Tan Zhen subconsciously reached out to take it, but halfway through, Tong Guan's hand reached out, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

Tong Guan took the document, glanced at the sealing wax seal, removed the wax, opened the envelope, and took out the letter. The whole process was smooth and fluid, yet his hands trembled slightly...

Look, look! What bowing and paying respects, what "the prime minister is well"...

No, no, keep reading...

The army entered Yanjing...

"Ouch..." Tong Guan let out a sigh of relief, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again and looked...

"They've really entered Yanjing... Oh, they've achieved a great victory over the Liao cavalry outside Yanjing, trapping the Liao army... Ah, very good, very good! Su Ziqing is truly a good general, exceptionally good. With him leading the troops, one can really feel at ease, truly at ease. A great victory, a great victory! Yanyun has been restored..."

Tong Guan leaned against the battlement with one hand and held the letter in the other. He would pick it up and look at it every now and then, as if afraid that the words on the paper would change. He would also look up at the sky and then look down at it again.

Then, excitedly, he said, "Ziqing taught me to go to Yanjing, haha... Ziqing taught me to go to Yanjing, let's go, let's get the car ready..."

Then they saw Tong Guan begin to descend the steps. Tan Zhen supported him on the left, while the knight quickly moved to the right to support him, as if carrying Tong Guan down the steps.

Tong Guan wanted to say, "Hurry, hurry, hurry..."

How could the knight not hurry? He really did try to help Tong Guan down the steps. Tong Guan couldn't help but say, "History will record our names! Over 180 years of Yan and Yun, history will be written for generations, descendants will be recorded for generations, history will record it! Oh, hurry, hurry, the carriage is coming, the carriage is coming..."

The carriage was right next to the city gate, but the preparations for this long journey were quite extensive, including guards, scouts and patrols, and even provisions and supplies...

These are not the most important things. The most important thing is that if Tong Guan sets off, he must write to all parties to clearly explain his whereabouts and schedule so that all parties can find him as the command center in a timely manner.

If the command center were to "disappear," that would be a serious matter; the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, at this moment, Tong Guan didn't care about anything else and just climbed into his carriage: "Let's go, let's go, head north, to Yanjing!"

Who was standing to the side? It was none other than Su Wu's brother-in-law, Cheng Hao. Cheng Hao was anxious: "Prime Minister, we must wait..."

"What are you waiting for? Let's go, let's go! Just let them catch up quickly. We'll write the official documents in the car. Let's go, let's go!" Tong Guan waved his hand repeatedly.

Cheng Hao hesitated for a moment, then gave the order, shouting, "Go, go, go! Hurry, hurry, head north to Yanjing!"

The wagon started moving immediately, and Cheng Hao shouted to the back, "Quickly inform General Suo Chao and General Zhang Qing to bring their cavalry to escort them, and have their infantry follow behind, with auxiliary troops and supplies coming together. Don't delay!"

His personal guards rushed to his aid.

At this moment, something rather comical happened. The carriage actually started moving, and someone called out from behind. It was Tan Zhen. He had hesitated for a moment before getting on the carriage, and now he couldn't help but shout, "Prime Minister, I haven't gotten on the carriage yet..."

Cheng Hao immediately said, "Wait a moment, let Master Tan get in the carriage."

Once Tan Zhen got into the car, Tong Guan was still laughing inside, saying, "You can just sit in your own car..."

Tan Zhen also laughed: "At a time like this, what fun is there in riding alone in a carriage? The Grand Councilor has truly done a great service this time!"

Tan Zhen's mindset has changed drastically. Back in Jiangnan, he was full of vigor and thought he was about to rise to the top.

Now, things are completely different. Looking at Tong Guan now, one can only look up to him in awe. It's no exaggeration to say that I envy him; I envy Tong Guan so much...

I envy Tong Guan for having such a group of valiant generals willing to die for him; I envy Tong Guan for being able to sit firmly in Xiongzhou City at this moment, with Yanjing already fallen ahead, and the merit recorded in history already in his hands...

I envy Tong Guan for promoting and giving important positions to Su Wu so early on. Su Wu was truly so dedicated and fought so desperately...

Jealousy and envy are separated by a fine line, yet they are worlds apart. Tan Zhenxu knew that he no longer had the right to be jealous; all he could do was envy...

Cheng Hao then climbed into the carriage to attend to Tong Guan's official documents. First, he needed to report the victory to Tokyo, and then he needed to obtain information from the various military commanders before and after him, including the date and time he departed from Xiongzhou, the route he took, his destination, and where the incoming letters were sent...

This era is just so troublesome...

Cheng Hao then took the pen to write it, and as he wrote, he was filled with excitement: "Prime Minister, such an unparalleled achievement, this time..."

Cheng Hao only spoke halfway through his sentence. Even now, he had some composure and couldn't just blurt things out like a young man. So he took back what he had said...

Tong Guan laughed heartily: "It's alright. Such an unparalleled achievement deserves no reward whatsoever. Your Cheng family is now a prominent family in Tokyo, enjoying unparalleled glory!"

Cheng Hao chuckled: "Perhaps it was all just luck..."

Tong Guan waved his hand: "How can it be a fluke? Between people, there is a natural connection of feelings and righteousness. If you treat others well, they will treat you well in return. No matter when or what kind of world it is, this principle applies. This is not a fluke; this is what your Cheng family deserves..."

Cheng Hao nodded, feeling quite agreeable. He glanced at Tong Guan, then thought about his brother-in-law again. After thinking about it several times, he felt a strange sweet and comfortable feeling in his heart. Even though the carriage was slightly bumpy, he picked up his pen and wrote as if guided by divine inspiration.

Tong Guan then said, "You little rascal, this time when you go back—no, before you even go back—you'll be promoted to a high-ranking position in the Privy Council, just like that!"

Cheng Hao, still seated, quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your kind recommendation, Prime Minister!"

"This is all thanks to you. You have been busy with everything from beginning to end without making a single mistake. You have also been involved in the logistics and supplies, reporting back every day with utmost dedication. You are truly a capable person. From now on, with Su Wu on the outside and you, Cheng Hao, on the inside, the military affairs of our Great Song Dynasty will be worry-free!"

Tong Guan spoke seriously. Every organization has a cadre echelon. In the Privy Council, there is no need for selection of cadres.
But Tong Guan wasn't saying this to Cheng Hao, but to Tan Zhen. Tong Guan actually had a premonition. After all, Tong Guan was old, and in the future, Tan Zhen would most likely take over the Privy Council. This matter wasn't entirely based on merit.

In terms of merit, Tan Zhen, as the deputy envoy, certainly deserves considerable credit on paper.

Actually, it's still about the current system of the Song Dynasty. Eunuchs supervise the army. Whenever there is a battle, there must be a supervisor. Tong Guan used to run around in this position, and Tan Zhen is doing the same thing now. It's not hard to guess the emperor's intentions.

Tan Zhen never really made any mistakes. Although he fought in many battles, his achievements were not the main focus. As long as he didn't make any mistakes, things would be fine.

As for Su Wu, given his immense merit, he certainly wouldn't be promoted directly to the Privy Council. At most, he would be appointed as a Privy Council official, which would likely make him a deputy envoy.

Tong Guan couldn't predict what would happen in the future, and he felt he didn't have much time to see the future, so he couldn't see what kind of future Su Wu would have.

But having taken this step, Su Wu and the Cheng family have established themselves in the imperial court. From now on, they will have a place to stand without needing anyone's help.

In Tong Guan's eyes, everything was perfect: a perfect beginning, a perfect process, and a perfect ending.

Tan Zhen understood the meaning behind Tong Guan's words, and he had to express his opinion: "Yes, what the Grand Councilor said makes sense. From now on, with Cheng Cheng in the Privy Council and Su Xueshi in the outside, there will be no worries about military affairs!"

This was also Tan Zhen's pledge of allegiance, his promise to Tong Guan. Thus, what seemed like a casual gesture was actually a transaction.

Tong Guan meant, "If you do as I say, I won't make things difficult for you in the future, and I might even help you. If you don't do as I say, at least while I, Tong Guan, am alive, your life will certainly not be easy, Tan Zhen. As for the matter of the Privy Council, it still needs to be discussed with the Emperor."

When Tan Zhen spoke like this, Tong Guan nodded and smiled, saying, "Lord Tan, there are many things to discuss in the Privy Council. Let me tell you about them slowly on the way..."

Why did Tong Guan suddenly reveal these things?
Perhaps it was at this moment that the spirit of a man in his late sixties suddenly vanished, and his last bit of ambition was gone. It was also because of this achievement that Tong Guan's glory after returning home was unparalleled, and even the title of Prince was not out of reach.

Once your spirits are broken, what else do you think about? You think about retiring with honor, not having to work anymore, not having to worry about these things anymore, reaching the pinnacle of your life, and having no other desires.

Since he was about to start making arrangements for his "afterlife," and Tan Zhen was right in front of him, how could he not make arrangements for Tan Zhen first?
Tan Zhen simply nodded: "If I, a junior scholar, could receive some guidance from the Grand Councilor, that would be the best thing ever. I will remember your great kindness and virtue!"

Tan Zhen now understood that no matter who this or that minister was, if he wanted to make a name for himself in the Privy Council, no one else mattered; their words were just empty promises. Only Minister Tong was the real deal.

Once you've properly worshipped and served the main deity, things will be easier to discuss later.

Tong Guan nodded with a smile, but then suddenly said, "I wonder how happy His Majesty will be to receive the good news!"

Tan Zhen continued, "That is naturally due to the Emperor's achievements in both civil and military affairs, which also earns him the title of a great emperor for all time! The Emperor's joy is far greater than ours..."

"Haha..." Tong Guan laughed, feeling an indescribable sense of joy. He turned to look at Cheng Hao, who was writing furiously, and said, "How about this... a mere Imperial Censor is too low. Let's make everyone a Deputy Imperial Censor, a fifth-rank official, and give them red robes!"

"Hmm?" Cheng Hao looked up, his face beaming with delight.

In officialdom, the red robe is a watershed moment, a turning point for many officials throughout their lives. In other words, once one reaches the fifth rank, one can be considered a high-ranking official. Going out to serve as a prefect or governor, or returning to the capital, one becomes a backbone of an office, thus opening up channels for further advancement.

Moving up the ranks, from the fourth rank, one becomes a deputy transport commissioner or transport commissioner, and upon entering the capital, one becomes a powerful figure in a department, meeting the emperor is commonplace. Further promotion leads to the third rank, making one a local bigwig.

Tong Guan thought that since the emperor was in a good mood, it would not be difficult to be promoted. Rather than waiting, he might as well take this opportunity and achieve it in one go.

Tong Guan was also afraid that his days were numbered and that such opportunities would not come again.

Cheng Hao was about to come and pay his respects again, but Tong Guan raised his hand and said, "No need. Just do your job and get it done quickly!"

"Yes!" Cheng Hao suppressed his overwhelming joy and focused on getting the work done; doing the work well was more important than anything else.

Tan Zhen, standing to the side, laughed and said, "Great thing, great thing! Such an extraordinary achievement, surpassing even the highest rank is not difficult!"

They all knew what kind of personality the emperor had.

Tan Zhen then asked, "What does the Chancellor think about the rewards for the military officers?"

This was something they needed to consider immediately, and it was a very complicated matter.

Tong Guan simply waved his hand and said, "Just wait and see how Ziqing reports. As long as Ziqing reports, everything will be approved. Lord Tan, this is also the way of the people in the Privy Council. If you do this in the future, your generals will be loyal to you!"

Tan Zhen nodded repeatedly: "I've got it. I'll keep it in mind."

Suddenly, Tan Zhen's expression turned slightly embarrassed, and he realized what he meant, saying, "Prime Minister, that's not what I meant..."

Tong Guanlai laughed: "It's alright. I've achieved great success this time. After returning to the capital, I probably won't be involved in many affairs anymore. I might still retain this official title, but the affairs of the Privy Council should be yours..."

These words were truly spoken aloud. Just looking at Tan Zhen's face, his excitement was palpable. He was still sitting, but immediately crawled up, knelt down, and bowed deeply: "Prime Minister, Prime Minister... this junior... this junior thanks the Prime Minister for his great kindness and virtue!"

Excitement and elation were only one aspect; there was another matter to consider: he hoped that Prime Minister Tong would not change his mind.

Tong Guan simply waved his hand: "No need for that. If the Privy Council really falls into your hands, you must not make any mistakes!"

"I would never dare to act recklessly, Prime Minister, please rest assured. This junior will pay my respects to Your Excellency again!" Tan Zhen changed his words, mentioning Your Excellency again.

Scholars might not be able to perform such acts of kneeling and expressing gratitude, but it was perfectly normal for eunuchs to do so.

"Alright, alright, don't hold grudges against Ziqing for those little misunderstandings from the past. You should treat him well. He's the most grateful person. If you treat him well, he'll treat you well in return. Everyone in the army says he's incredibly loyal and righteous. The little prank he played on you back then was out of loyalty and righteousness. He was standing up for me. You knew all that back then..."

Tong Guan spoke earnestly and sincerely.

Tan Zhen simply nodded in response: "How could I not know? Everyone says that Marshal Su is a man of great righteousness. I was impolite in the past, how could I blame him? Now that we have become his disciples, we are like brothers, we are too close to each other!"

"Good, that's true!" Tong Guan was very satisfied.

But then he heard the roar of horses approaching from behind. Cheng Hao stopped writing, leaned out the window to look, and said, "It's General Suo and General Zhang riding up here. They're quick, a total of seven or eight hundred riders..."

Suo Chao and Zhang Qing were originally recommended by Su Wu to serve under Li Gang, the prefect of Daming Prefecture. They were escorting grain to Xiongzhou. Because of their relationship with Su Wu, they also paid their respects to Cheng Hao and were introduced to Tong Guan.

Now, it's just the right time to use them. Even if we really can't trust others, there might be some trouble with soldiers and civilians along the way. We should trust our own people.

As for the army of over 100,000 from Xiongzhou that is about to set off, it is unknown how many more days it will take. Just send the military order and let them drag their feet. Even Cheng Hao knows that many things cannot be forced.

Suo Chao and Zhang Qing came to the carriage to pay their respects. Through the carriage window, Tong Guan looked at them with a smile and nodded, saying, "I'll ask you two to come quickly on the way. Get up an hour earlier in the morning and don't camp until nightfall. Don't go into any cities along the way. Get to Yanjing City as soon as possible!"

"Yes, sir!" The two men bowed and stepped aside.

The two men exchanged a glance and smiled. They had heard the good news on the way here, and now they were serving the Grand Councilor.

I was overjoyed, overjoyed by Su Wu's great achievement, and overjoyed that the future seemed to be bright...

On the city wall of Xiongzhou, an old man was climbing the steps. When he reached the top, he straightened his official hat, looked north, and after a few glances, tears streamed down his face.

He kept muttering, "Great, great..." The old man was Zong Ze, the logistics supervisor in charge of transporting grain and goods from Jingdong to Xiongzhou. Many people's excitement and joy at this moment were mostly about things like future glory...

But old Zong Ze was different. He didn't say much, just stood on the city wall gazing northward. He wasn't particularly excited, but his heart was filled with countless emotions. After 180 years away in Yan and Yun, he had returned. He had seen it all, he had truly seen it alive...

His tears flowed freely, a testament to the loyalty and integrity of a scholar, a solace from the countless tragic moments he had witnessed throughout his life of reading history books, and a source of comfort for this nation after thousands of years of arduous struggle…

He turned around and climbed the city wall again. The city wall was really high. He wanted to climb to the highest point. Even though the steps were getting steeper and steeper, and finally there was only a simple wooden ladder, he used both his hands and feet to climb, panting heavily.

Looking north through the arrow slit, I was mesmerized, as if I could see all of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun at a glance. I stood there for a long time, and it was still dark when I came down.

The good news spread like wildfire throughout Xiongzhou City and beyond, reaching east, west, north, and south, dancing like a wild wind.

They followed the fast horses sent by the army, passing through one post station after another, changing horses and galloping on their way to Hejian Prefecture, Zhending Prefecture, Daming Prefecture, and Qizhou.

There is a poem by Du Fu: "Suddenly I hear of the recapture of Jibei beyond the sword's edge; at first hearing, tears fill my clothes. Looking back, where is my wife's sorrow? I wildly roll up my books and poems, overjoyed. In broad daylight, I must sing and drink freely; youth accompanies me on my return home..."

Where is Jibei? Isn't it the land of Yan and Yun? It was also the place where An Lushan's rebellion began during the An Lushan Rebellion, which Du Fu experienced in the past.

Upon hearing the news in Daming Prefecture, Li Gang recited this poem in the prefectural office, tears streaming down his face, and kept shouting, "Bring me wine!"

No food is needed when the wine is served; we drink it as soon as it's ready.

In the past, Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi also wanted to go to Yanyun when he launched a northern expedition. At that time, he had a strong army and had been preparing for several years. Wasn't he also going with hundreds of thousands of troops?

In the end, they suffered a crushing defeat and fled in panic. It was even said that Emperor Taizong fled in a donkey cart...

Li Gang found his job in the government office of Daming Prefecture very difficult, with challenges at every turn. But no matter how difficult it was, he did everything he could to procure provisions and send them north...

When the good news arrived, Li Gang, even in his drunken stupor, still wanted to drink. However, he had no close friends to keep him company. He kept muttering, "Scholar Su, Scholar Su! I raise a cup to you from afar, to drink with you!"

In Qizhou City, Zhang Shuye heard a sudden commotion in the government office and was cursing, "What's all this noise? What kind of behavior is this in the government office?"

The person who rushed to the door of the jail cell said a few words.

Zhang Shuye, still holding his pen, rushed out and asked, "Where is the good news? Is it true?"

"It's true! My lord, the messenger reporting the victory is drinking water right in front of us. He's a fast cavalryman from Elder Zong's command!"

Uncle Zhang dashed off, but tripped over a threshold, stumbled a few steps, regained his footing, and continued running, his shoe still lying on the threshold.

When the fast riders from the outer office found him, they went back and forth asking a few questions. Zhang Shuye laughed heartily, waving his pen back and forth in his hand, ink dripping onto his face. How could he not be dancing with joy: "Scholar Su, well done! Well won! Excellently won!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the city. When the common people heard it, they came out to offer their congratulations, and when the officials heard it, they went to fetch wine.

But there was another grand mansion right next to Baotu Spring. The mansions stretched out in a row, and a servant entered through the gate, shouting as he went: "Great victory in Yanjing! Great victory for Marshal Su!"

He waited until he entered the courtyard and called out repeatedly. After calling for a long time, his voice finally reached Li Hang's ears, and then Li Qingzhao's ears as well.

The siblings rushed out of the room at the same time, asking the servant what was going on. He only knew that General Su had won a great victory and entered Yanjing, but he knew nothing else.

Li Hang was furious: "You..."

But he couldn't get angry, and just said, "Go and collect a reward of ten strings of cash!"

The reward was truly generous, and the servant happily knelt down to thank the master profusely.

Li Hang then said, "Sister, I'm going to the government office to ask for details and tell you..."

"Okay, go quickly!" Sister Li waved her hand, but then covered her chest with another hand, her heart pounding rapidly. She had been waiting for this news.

I was also afraid, afraid of bad news, defeat, or even... things I dared not think about.

It's finally here!

Wait!
Li Hang rushed out the door. There, people were drinking in the government office. Normally, drinking was absolutely forbidden in the government office, especially since Zhang Shuye was such an upright man.

But Uncle Zhang led the way in drinking!

As soon as Li Hang arrived, Zhang Shuye stood up and beckoned, "You know about this too, come, come, have a few drinks."

How could Li Hang resist the officials around him pulling him along? He simply stepped forward, picked up his cup, and drank. There were dishes there, but with chopsticks in hand, he hadn't even taken a bite of the food before downing five or six cups. Li Hang himself was quite excited, asking around and having his attendants tell him all sorts of details. He would drink after they told him, and then listen to them again...

Perhaps Zhang Shuye had drunk a few too many cups, for his words lacked their usual seriousness and uprightness: "I knew it. When I first met Scholar Su in Jizhou, I knew he was an extraordinary person. He was extremely strict in managing his troops and fierce in battle. Such a person should be promoted and given important responsibilities. Now he has led a large army to the north to conquer Yan and Yun, and won a battle. It is a great blessing for the country!"

Li Hang then chimed in, "That's right, that's right. I knew all along that we would win a great victory this time. You know I spent a lot of money and sacrificed a lot of face. I knew that all that money and face would be worth it, haha... How great is this achievement? Gentlemen, what do you think of Scholar Su's contribution?"

Slightly intoxicated, Zhang Shuye pointed to the sky and exclaimed, "A monumental achievement, an unparalleled feat! No amount of praise is too much! What His Majesty Emperor Taizong could not accomplish, we have achieved right before our eyes!"

"Haha... Eat, drink!" Li Hang filled a cup with overflowing wine and poured it down his throat, his stomach was drinking, and his neck and shoulders were drinking too.

"Eat some more, eat some more!" Uncle Zhang kept refilling his cup.

But Li Hang suddenly realized: "No, no, gentlemen, I must go!"

"What? You can't leave!" People on both sides came to block his way, each with a flushed face and a smile.

"My elder sister is still waiting for news. Gentlemen, please forgive me!" Li Hang bowed repeatedly and retreated, hurrying away.

How could anyone in Shandong not know Li Qingzhao? The crowd laughed and didn't stop them...

How could my elder sister not be anxiously waiting? She couldn't stay in the backyard, so she went to the middle yard; she couldn't stay in the middle yard either, so she went to the front yard…

They couldn't stay in the front yard any longer, so they sat at the gatehouse!

"Sister, I'm back!" Li Hang, her face flushed with wine, had finally returned.

The older sister got up in anger, turned her back on him, and started to walk inside!

Li Hang said, "Sister, I know everything, down to the smallest detail."

Sister Li stopped in her tracks, turned around, and stopped walking. Her face was ashen. She said, "I thought you were the only one left in the Li family. I'm afraid I'm already dead and buried by you!"

"what?"

"After you were buried, you didn't even remember to burn incense..."

"Sister, it's like this, listen to me, when Scholar Su arrived in Xiongzhou, he immediately led 80,000 troops across the river. The first place they went was Guiyi City. That city is huge, it's a key town on the front line of the Liao Kingdom, and the city towers into the clouds..."

As Li Hang was talking, Sister Li sat down in the gatehouse.

When Li Hang told the story, it was a tale of beginnings, developments, twists, and turns; a tale of ups and downs; a tale of perilous situations; and a tale of heroic grandeur, resourceful wit, and unwavering composure even in the face of imminent collapse…

Back then, I was full of vigor, strategizing and commanding, my power soaring to the heavens...

Li Hang was speaking with great enthusiasm...

Sister Li was so shocked by what she heard that she clutched her chest and gasped for breath, then her heart pounded with joy, then she felt a surge of relief and exhaled freely, and then her brows furrowed with worry and fear...

After Li Hang finished speaking, his throat dry, he reached out to help her up, saying, "Sister, let's go back inside..."

As Sister Li got up to leave, she asked, "Is there any more?"

"And...and there's also the story of the Liao emperor, who bowed and surrendered, saying that Commander Su's military might was invincible and that the mandate of heaven had fallen to the Song..." Li Hang made up the story himself, imagining that such a thing should have happened.

"Hmm... is there anything else?" Sister Li asked.

"And... it is said that in the bloody battle outside the city, there were hundreds of thousands of Liao soldiers. It is said that Commander Su charged into the fray first, killing hundreds and thousands of people by himself. The number of officers who recorded his merits is too many to count..."

Li Hang continued to fabricate stories. It wasn't just Li Hang who was fabricating them; wherever good news arrived, people were fabricating stories, and the less they knew the details, the more elaborate and colorful their fabrications became.

The more elaborate and colorful the storytellers in the teahouses' tales are, the more money they make. This has been true of folk tales since ancient times!

"Alas...why did he have to lead the charge like this..."

"Sister, you don't know, it's common for soldiers to be apprehensive and anxious during a decisive battle. If the commander-in-chief were to lead the charge himself, wouldn't the soldiers be willing to die for him? This battle is crucial to the outcome of the war, and Scholar Su must have been afraid of any unforeseen circumstances, which is why he bravely went to the front!"

Sister Li understood, and nodded: "Xiang Yu in the past must have been the same!"

“Yes, that’s exactly what happened when the Overlord entered the battle, which is why he was invincible! Scholar Su is even more intelligent and righteous than the Overlord, and the Overlord lacked these qualities.” Li Hang said slowly.

Li Qingzhao herself couldn't help but mutter: "To live, be a hero; to die, be a ghost of valor. Even now, I think of Xiang Yu, who refused to cross the Yangtze River."

"Sister..." Li Hang called softly.

"Yes, have someone prepare some wine and dishes!" Li Qingzhao said.

"it is good!"

"Today is a joyous occasion, a joy for our nation and for our friends. Let us drink to our hearts' content!"

"Let's drink to our hearts' content, I'll keep you company!" Li Hangzhen hadn't had enough and wanted to drink some more.

The brother and sister sat facing each other in the courtyard, drinking together. How could there be no music? Since they kept concubines, they were essentially a troupe of musicians, sitting in rows to accompany their wine…

This is what is meant by a wealthy and powerful family.

After a song and a drink, servants would invite three or five friends, or even childhood friends and besties. Once Li Qingzhao's invitation arrived, who wouldn't come?
Even if the husband brings his wife, or the husband accompanies his wife, they all come to be guests, and Prefect Zhang Shuye is also a guest of honor.

He only cared about happy occasions, banquets, and composing poems and lyrics. If inspired, he could even write a great essay on the spot. All the people who came to him were from prominent families and were famous scholars.

Even women, when they pick up their pens to write, display a remarkable spirit today.

Li Yi'an drinks until she's completely unconscious, then she loses all sense of time, focusing only on drinking, enjoying the music, and reveling in her own happiness...

Joy is joy, but too much food can also bring sorrow...

Li Qingzhao looked up and saw the eastern sky beginning to lighten, with stars still twinkling in the heavens. She picked up her brush and wrote: "The sky meets the clouds and waves, merging with the morning mist; the Milky Way seems to turn, a thousand sails dance. It's as if my soul has returned to the Emperor's abode. I hear the voice of Heaven, earnestly asking me where I am going. I reply that the road is long and the day is late, and my poetry, though startling, is in vain. The roc soars ninety thousand miles on the wind. May the wind not cease, but blow my humble boat to the three immortal mountains!"

Her delicate strokes, now tinged with a touch of wildness, were followed by a final, unrestrained expression: "Go sing!"

Everyone was waiting to hear it!

The concubine began to play the zither...

Upon hearing the line "The roc soars ninety thousand miles on the wind," Zhang Shuye looked up and exclaimed, "Excellent! Li Qingzhao's lines are superb! They are undoubtedly the best in the world!"

Li Qingzhao smiled slightly, the title of the best in the world, and in this era, she has been in that position for many years.

There was only one person, and he was sly and unsavory, unable to utter a single kind word...

But then Li Qingzhao asked, "If this song were played in person by Scholar Su, what would he say?"

"Sister, even Scholar Su must be astonished!" How could Li Hang not applaud?

"How does it compare to his 'unrepaired punctuation'?" Li Qingzhao asked again.

"Huh?" Li Hang felt a little uncomfortable and looked around.

Uncle Zhang laughed late at night: "If he can do it, so can you. Even if he doesn't come, you still can!"

Uncle Zhang is truly insightful; those words really resonated with Sister Li. Sister Li smiled and said, "Master Zhang, drink this cup to the brim!"

Zhang Shuye raised his cup and said, "Li Yi'an Jushi is truly a man..."

These aren't all compliments; they're referring to a competitive spirit.

Li Qingzhao didn't care and just kept drinking. She was so drunk that she forgot the way home. Since she was already at home, there was no need to go to the ferry.

It is also said that Tong Guan had already entered Yanjing by this time, and that the good news would soon reach Bianjing.

There are still many things to do, so many prefectures and counties in Yan and Yun, and the Jurchen envoys are on their way...

(Brothers, the average subscription is about to reach 8,000, love you guys!)
(End of this chapter)