Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 267 I will live and die with the city!

The military camp was bustling with activity, with new and old cavalrymen rushing to and fro. Su Wu was in a hurry, and he would often step down from the command platform, spur his horse, and gallop away. Once he arrived at a certain place, he would stop cursing and instead speak earnestly and attentively.

If things are too close together, they will break apart; once broken apart, they can't be brought back together. Those ahead are already trying to rein in their horses, but those behind are too slow to react...

There are always various problems, all of which can be solved, but Su Wu is in a hurry, so he often has to go and personally give instructions several times.

The new cavalrymen were also veterans of the battlefield, and they understood the principles, but as cavalrymen, they had to feel many things anew.

On the other side of the military camp, there were many real new recruits practicing infantry formations and marching, which were still basic subjects. However, Su Wu did not go to watch, because he was not taking any infantry with him on this trip to the Northwest, so the real new recruits could be trained slowly.

News arrived from the capital that the military supervisor Li Yan had already set off. His early departure was to go to the Northwest first, which could be considered as taking charge of the overall situation. After all, the military reports from that region had been coming in every day recently, and the situation seemed somewhat urgent. Someone needed to go ahead first, so that if there were any major events, there would be a place to issue orders.

The same principle applies here. In the Song Dynasty, there were regimental commanders and brigade commanders everywhere. When something happened, a commander was needed. Otherwise, the regimental commanders and brigade commanders could only take care of their own small territories and it would be difficult to form truly effective communication and cooperation.

Su Wu couldn't set off yet; he needed to train these cavalrymen to at least be of decent quality before heading out. Along the way, the new cavalrymen could get more familiar with and practice their horsemanship.

Then there's logistics. Su Wu is under increasing logistical pressure, not just for people, but more importantly for horses. There are too many horses. The Song Dynasty isn't a grassland; it's almost impossible to get enough to eat on the road by relying on wild grass. So we have to bring them.

The fodder needed to be prepared. Li Hang was busy with this, and so was Lu Junyi. They went everywhere to buy fodder, straw, and even grain, as well as feed for the horses.

We also need to buy vehicle frames, and even manufacture them; the number of auxiliary troops will also need to be increased...

Su Wu was still studying the maps, having done so for several days. He wasn't only looking at maps of the Northwest, but rather focusing on maps of the Central Plains, including Hebei, Henan, and eastern Hebei...

Two people were on their way to Dongping Prefecture. One was Zong Ze, who was still in charge of the logistics follow-up work of the war against Liao in Qizhou, and the other was Zhang Shuye, the prefect of Qizhou.

The two of them came from Qizhou together; they had a small meeting to attend, a meeting of four people.

Zhang Shuye, Zong Ze, Su Wu, Cheng Wanli.

Once the four of them gathered, they dismissed everyone else, not even leaving anyone to serve tea.

The map had already been hung up, and Su Wu spoke first: "I have summoned you two gentlemen here because I am going to the northwest, and there are some matters that I must discuss..."

Zong Ze then replied, "Don't worry, I'll handle both matters in Jingdong myself, and there certainly won't be any problems!"

Every time Su Wu went out, the affairs of Jingdong were handled by Zong Ze, the prefect of Dongping Prefecture, who was actually acting as Cheng Wanli's agent.

No matter what Su Wu instructed, Zong Ze always did his best to fulfill it properly. If we really talk about the current development of the two routes in Jingdong, Zong Ze deserves great credit.

Zong Ze naturally assumed that this time it would be the same old story of giving instructions and making arrangements.

Su Wu waved his hand, saying, "There's no need to explain these things further, Elder Zong. This is a separate matter."

"Hmm? What else is there?" Zong Ze asked, puzzled.

Su Wu looked at Cheng Wanli and said, "I don't know how long I will be gone this time. The Dangxiang are no longer the remnants of Yan, Yun and Liao. I may not be able to return in a few months. If the situation continues for a long time, it may take one or two years."

Su Wu's words were true; everything must be prepared, and even real mental preparation is necessary. Su Wu now has a habitual way of fighting this kind of war: to advance steadily, build strong fortifications, and fight a protracted battle.

In other words, it means using one's strengths to attack the weaknesses of the Tanguts.

What made Su Wu stand out? It was the availability of money and supplies. In essence, it was about enduring hardship. Taking risks was not out of the question, but only when the opportunity was absolutely the best one. Otherwise, he would never take any risks; he simply endured it.

Be prepared for this.

Zong Ze frowned as well: "If this prolonged battle continues, I'm afraid the imperial court..."

Zong Ze understood. In today's court, people are used to victory and have high aspirations. If Su Wu really fights for one or two years without making much progress, wouldn't all the officials in the court be talking at once?

The emperor was most susceptible to gossip and chatter, and at that point, Su Wu's situation was predictable.

This is similar to the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, where Emperor Li Longji and his court officials forced Geshu Han, who was firmly guarding Tongguan Pass, to lead his troops out to attack, resulting in a major defeat... The principle is mostly the same.

Su Wu nodded: "As long as I lead the troops in the field, I will follow the strategic methods consistently and will not let others go astray. As long as we win, everything will be fine, but if we lose, we will be utterly defeated!"

Su Wu's words were very straightforward. In the past, Tong Guan could stuff the emperor's edict to withdraw his troops into his boots and ignore it. Why couldn't Su Wu do the same?
In the Song Dynasty at that time, such matters were judged solely on the outcome, regardless of the process. If the outcome was good, there was no crime; if the outcome was bad, everything was a crime.

Zhang Shuye then asked, "What is it that the scholar wishes to discuss?"

Su Wu then said, "Regarding the Jurchens, just in case, if I leave, the troops in Yan and Yun will be unusable. If the Jurchens were to lead their troops into Yan and Yun, with tens of thousands of fast cavalry charging in, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

Cheng Wanli was immediately stunned. He looked at the two men and then at Su Wu, saying, "How could such a thing happen? It's absolutely impossible. Our Great Song and the Jurchen are allies. We are united in our efforts to win. How could the Jurchen suddenly turn their backs and betray our alliance?"

Su Wu said, “My lord, only by strengthening oneself can one protect oneself. If one entrusts one’s safety to the morality of others, then nothing will happen, but if something does happen, it will be utterly catastrophic! The Jurchens are originally barbarians from the mountains and forests. From ancient times to the present, from the Xiongnu to the Donghu, then to the Turks, and then to the Khitans, which of these northern barbarians did not covet the wealth of our Central Plains? There has never been an exception. Now, how can we expect the Jurchens to be an exception? In the current situation, the rise of the Jurchens is self-evident. In the future, the north of our Great Song will be bordered by the Jurchens, just like the Xiongnu of the Han Dynasty and the Turks of the Tang Dynasty…”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Wanli took a deep breath. It was just like Su Wu's words, which made perfect sense. He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and had read countless volumes of history books.
Zong Ze then said, "That makes sense. What you said, Scholar, is absolutely true. I've also thought about it. Animosity is bound to happen, but... perhaps not within the next two or three years..."

Zhang Shuye nodded in agreement. This was indeed true. How could there be any exceptions in the historical records written by our ancestors over thousands of years? There is nothing new in the world; our ancestors have already recorded everything that has happened in the world.

Su Wu shook his head again: "Whether it's one year, two years, or five or eight years, this matter is not up to me, but up to the Jurchens. For things that are uncertain, we must plan carefully and make preparations early."

"That's only right, that's only right!" Zong Ze nodded repeatedly, praising, "Scholar, you far surpass us. You've truly taken precautions. Thinking about it this way, we absolutely must take precautions!"

Zhang Shuye simply nodded and said, "Scholar, just give your orders!"

Cheng Wanli's heart tightened, and he felt extremely uncomfortable. He just wanted some peace and quiet, but one war after another was happening. He had just finished fighting the Yan-Yun, and now he had to fight the Dang-Xiang, and while fighting the Dang-Xiang, he also had to think about dealing with the Jurchen...

Why can't we find peace and stability? How could Cheng Wanli be at ease? He couldn't help but ask, "My dear son-in-law, how likely is this to happen?"

Su Wu succinctly remarked: "The Jurchens, though not highly educated, are home to many heroes, their intelligence no less than ours. How could they not know that becoming neighbors with the Song Dynasty would inevitably lead to friction and conflict? Since conflict is inevitable, striking first is an excellent choice—that's one reason. Secondly, the Jurchens lack manpower and resources, which are plentiful in the Yan and Yun regions of the Central Plains. They are neighbors with our Great Song, and our Great Song is not weak now. How could they not worry? How could they not try to strengthen themselves? Thirdly, the Jurchens have been at war for years, their army is fierce and powerful. If those young men want to rise above their station and achieve great deeds, how could they not try to wage war? If we don't fight when our forces are at their strongest, are we going to wait until those nobles become decadent and corrupt before we attack?"

Su Wu put forward a point: there were many, many reasons for the war between the Song and Jin dynasties in history, such as the Song people recruiting Jin traitors, or the Song people offending the Jin people in various ways...

These reasons are merely superficial, much like saying that the Japanese invasion of China in history was truly due to a few lost soldiers.

A country is never going to launch such a major war because of some trivial matter; it must be due to the needs and plans of a major strategy.

Those little things, even if one thing is missing, another will appear. Even if one thing is missing, another can be fabricated. Or, if no one is fabricated, and the fighting just starts, what can be done?
Therefore, Su Wu had to be on guard. It was certain that the Jurchens would move south. And now the Jurchens' situation was even worse than in history. They had not received the money, grain, people and artisans from Yan and Yun. The worse their situation was, the more they had to be on guard against the Jurchens taking action even faster.

This was bound to happen. Su Wu never thought that if he didn't offend you, you wouldn't have a reason to hit him.

What others do is always in accordance with their own political and economic development needs.

Moreover, Su Wu added, "Finally, if we fight the Tanguts for a long time without a clear victor, the Jurchens might strike first, thus gaining the upper hand. Once the Jurchens make their move, the Tanguts and Jurchens will naturally become allies. The heroes of the Jurchens will surely see this situation..."

This is the biggest crisis!

Su Wu racked his brains over these things; how could he not be wary of the Jurchens?

From another perspective, if Su Wu were a Jurchen, wouldn't he have done the same thing?

After a few words, the expressions of the three people present changed, and Cheng Wanli sighed in one breath: "Alas... why is the current situation so difficult?"

Zhang Shuye was even more anxious and said, "That scholar must already have a plan, tell us quickly..."

Zhang Shuye was anxious, and Zong Ze was anxious too. Their expectant gazes turned to Su Wu, whose analysis had been too insightful.

If we think about it further, the Jurchens didn't necessarily want to destroy the Song Dynasty. They also wanted a huge population and abundant resources. Perhaps they even wanted to defeat the Song Dynasty and make it submit to them, sending them money every year.

Once this strategic goal is achieved, looking ahead, with role models there, and then forming alliances, ensuring a century of peace, the Jurchen state can be considered truly established. Emerging from the mountains and forests, with vast territories, their entrepreneurial endeavor will have truly succeeded.

Zong Ze couldn't help but say, "We knew long ago that we could drive away a tiger to devour a wolf. How difficult it is to unify the world in this great celestial empire! The glory of the Han and Tang dynasties was achieved by our ancestors through their sacrifices, and we should strive to achieve it as well!"

Zong Ze's thinking was very pragmatic. In comparison, those people in Tokyo were naive. They really thought that the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties was something that could be easily obtained and readily acquired!

The three men placed their hopes on Su Wu.

Then Su Wu said, "Let's first consider the worst-case scenario: that is, I have been fighting and enduring for a long time in the Northwest, and the Jurchens suddenly march south. The troops in Yan and Yun cannot stop them, and the troops in Hebei are defeated!"

These words left all three of them looking distressed, yet they couldn't refute them, because if they really thought about it, such a situation was indeed possible.

Su Wu continued, "If this is indeed the case, Jingdong has a strong army, but not many. The cavalry is in the northwest, and it is even more difficult to fight in open battle. As for the two routes of Jingdong, the northern gateway is Qizhou, and the next is Dongping Prefecture. As long as these two places are not lost, the gateway of Jingdong will not be opened, and this corner can be safe!"

As soon as Su Wu said this, Zong Ze and Zhang Shuye frowned.

Su Wu continued, "Therefore, these two major cities must be held firmly and not breached. Only in this way can our situation be stabilized, and only then can we have a proper discussion after my return..."

Cheng Wanli immediately nodded: "That's the truth, that's exactly the truth!"

Zong Ze thought for a moment, then asked, "What if the Jurchens have crossed the river?"

Cross the river, cross the Yellow River! Crossing the river means crossing the land south of the Yellow River, which is Bianjing, the capital city where the emperor resides.

Su Wu knew that if this was the case, the Jurchens would definitely cross the river, but Su Wu said, "The Jurchens come from the mountains and forests and are not good at crossing rivers by boat. The imperial guards in the capital have two or three hundred thousand troops, and the capital itself has its own countermeasures. Deploying defenses along the river should not be difficult!"

That makes sense. Zong Ze was worried about the emperor, and Su Wu's words of comfort eased his worries considerably.

Zong Ze then said, “Although the Imperial Guards in the capital region are not very capable, they number two to three hundred thousand. If they rely on the Yellow River to defend the area, the Yellow River will be an insurmountable barrier for the Jurchen cavalry! However, the area north of Yanyun will likely suffer heavy casualties! Since you have this plan, why not submit a memorial to the capital and ask the court to take precautions as soon as possible? Ideally, we should hold Yanyun and keep the Jurchens out of Yanshan!”

Zong Ze was no fool; his thoughts were certainly very reasonable.

Su Wu then asked, "Elder Zong, you have seen much of the world's affairs. But let me ask you this: if the Jurchens truly come in this manner, which tribe will defend Yan and Yun? Which tribe can truly hold Yan and Yun?"

How could Zong Ze not frown? He looked around...

Zhang Shuye sighed, "Yes, to be honest, it's just the foot soldiers of Jingdong. Jingdong is currently training its troops, and even if they are trained..."

Zhang Shuye went to see Su Wu again...

Zong Ze cursed, "In the court, rotten wood holds official positions; on the throne, beasts feast on the rich!"

The first time Zong Ze cursed like this was because he was so angry, he was furious!

Why?

How could the officials of the court possibly allow the troops from Jingdong to go to Yan and Yun again? How could they allow Su Wu's sphere of influence to extend into Yan and Yun?

At this very moment, the officials of the court are busy with one thing: who should be appointed as the garrison commander of Yanjing? Who should be appointed as the prefect of Zhuozhou? Who should be appointed as the prefect of Datong? And whose protégé or old friend should be appointed as the prefect of Mizhou?
Who will ultimately lead the troops of Yan Yun?

Su Wu went?
Would Cai Jing agree? Would Wang Fu be willing?
Zhang Shuye immediately said, "I will submit a memorial to the throne, writing down in detail what the scholar said today, making it clear and understandable. I will also request the court to grant permission to send the troops from Jingdong to the north to garrison!"

Su Wu nodded earnestly: "Then you give it a try..."

Su Wu knew it was impossible. It wouldn't work out either, for public or private reasons. Publicly, how long could the Jingdong Army stay? Three to five months might be possible, maybe even seven or eight months, but in less than a year, the various tribes would surely want to return home, making a long-term stay unrealistic.

Secondly, the emperor's naiveté was beyond the comprehension of Zong Ze and Zhang Shuye. Yan Yun was doing well, and its troops were gradually being organized. There were already troops stationed in Yan Yun, so why spend money and supplies to send troops to Jingdong to garrison there?

Besides, can the Emperor truly believe what's being said today? Does he really believe the Jurchens might turn around and attack? It's precisely because of the alliance, our relationship couldn't be better, and our Great Song Dynasty is now incredibly powerful! Our army is strong and well-equipped! Have the Jurchens gone mad? Are they despairing of life?
As for personal matters, there's no need to elaborate.

Inevitably, in those selfish comments, Su Wu was portrayed as someone who would stop at nothing to gain power, someone who spread rumors, alarmist rhetoric, intimidate and threaten, and thrive on chaos...

If such remarks, which are self-serving and harmful to their neighbors, were to reach the Jurchens, wouldn't they needlessly create discord between the two nations?
How could this not be Su Wu's fault?
Therefore, it was quite appropriate for Zhang Shuye to write the memorial instead of Su Wu. Of course, Su Wu even hoped that Zhang Shuye's memorial would have some effect.

If it really works, at least for seven or eight months, it can really prevent the Jurchens from suddenly moving south. This will also buy Su Wu time to calmly fight the Tanguts.

However, Su Wu did not have high hopes. He thought that the Jurchens might not be able to advance south too quickly. After all, the Liao people's final resistance was still very strong. Even if the city of Datong fell, the Liao people could still gather troops from the grasslands to fight the Jurchens in the final battle. Although the Liao people would still lose, the Jurchens would not be able to take it lightly.

This is the true thought process in Su Wu's mind.

When Zhang Shuye was about to submit a memorial, Zong Ze, who was standing nearby, also said, "Then I will also submit a memorial. If both of us speak out, the Emperor will be wise and perhaps he will understand the advantages and disadvantages involved!"

Zhang Shuye and Zong Ze exchanged a glance and nodded, but Cheng Wanli suddenly chimed in, "Then I'll submit a memorial too?"

Zhang Shuye immediately said, "Master Cheng, you absolutely mustn't! If the two of us submit a memorial, some people will inevitably say that we are acting on your orders to help you spread rumors and seize power. If Master Cheng joins us in submitting another memorial, then this matter will truly be confirmed!"

Actually, we all understand!
Su Wu also laughed: "My lord, you don't need to get involved in this matter!"

Cheng Wanli understood, but still felt a little aggrieved: "I just wanted to lend a hand... I don't mind not submitting a memorial!"

Su Wu's expression turned serious: "Father-in-law, on my journey here, the military affairs of the two routes in the east of the capital will be led by Elder Zong and assisted by Minister Zhang. In all military matters, Father-in-law must consult the two of them before issuing any military orders!"

Cheng Wanli simply nodded: "Yes, I understand. I will not act recklessly in military matters! The arrangements made by my son-in-law will certainly not be wrong!"

Su Wu actually liked his father-in-law very much; he was good to him in every way.

Su Wu added, "If it really is that worst-case scenario, the Jurchen cavalry will indeed roam freely in Hebei. Minister Zhang should guard Qizhou, and Minister Zong should guard Dongping Prefecture. These two gateways must not be lost!"

Zong Ze nodded: "Most of the soldiers are from Dongping Prefecture. They are duty-bound to defend the land, even if it means dying a hundred times. Even if there are tens of thousands of Jurchen cavalry, this city will not fall!"

Zhang Shuye then said, "If that day ever comes, I will live and die with the city!"

"If that is truly the worst-case scenario, do not act rashly. Wait for me to return from the Northwest!" Su Wu repeatedly instructed.

"Rest assured, my son-in-law, I am still the Pacification Commissioner of the two routes in Jingdong. Everyone must listen to me. If I, your son-in-law, do not return, the armies of the two routes in Jingdong must not act rashly!" Cheng Wanli's words were firm and resolute.

This was exactly the effect Su Wu wanted: Zong Ze and Zhang Shuye were there to do the work, and his father-in-law was there to stabilize the situation. However, he couldn't help but worry about one thing: he feared that Zong Ze and Zhang Shuye, seeing that the Jurchen army couldn't conquer Qizhou and Dongping Prefecture, would turn their attention elsewhere, and that the two of them, with their hearts set on the country and the world, would actually lead their troops to their aid.

If these Jingdong infantrymen were released into the open field, tens of thousands of Jurchen cavalry would likely come running at the first sign of trouble. Su Wu had no doubt about the Jurchen generals' keen battlefield instincts at this moment.

Seeing that Zhang Shuye and Zong Ze also nodded in agreement, Su Wu felt relieved. He might not trust others, but he trusted these two completely. With these two guarding the north and south gates, the city would not be able to fall even if the Jurchen cavalry came.

Thus, Su Wu's meeting was over, and he was now secure in his future, only needing to wait for his journey to the Tanguts.

In fact, Su Wu was also worried about one person: Li Gang from Daming Prefecture.

If the Jurchens truly march south, Beijing and Daming Prefecture will be crucial strongholds, places that must be conquered. Li Gang... Li Gang has the courage and isn't afraid of death...

Sigh... The Jurchens probably won't advance south too quickly. The Liao can still hold them off for a while. As long as Su Wu can defeat the Tanguts and return first, the Jurchens will be able to make their move later, and then things will be different...

The meeting is adjourned...

The next day, he took a concubine!

The scene was quite grand. Inside and outside Dongping Prefecture, everyone knew long ago that their husbands were going to take a concubine today. The happiest people were the soldiers on Dulonggang...

Many soldiers were granted leave today, and many rushed back to see their wives off.

The wedding procession set off from the prefectural city to Dulonggang, going in the morning and returning in the afternoon, just in time for the wedding ceremony. In fact, time was very tight, and they had to rush!
The wedding procession consisted of a hundred or so horsemen, while the escorting procession numbered over a thousand, led by Hu Cheng. Old Master Hu also brought along many relatives from the Hu family's collateral branches. The Li Family Village and the Zhu Family Village also joined in the celebration.

The three villagers and Master Su were already bound together by a shared destiny, and this bond would only strengthen once this incident was over. Old Master Zhu, Zhu Chaofeng, sometimes wondered why he had only three fierce and ruthless sons. He thought how wonderful it would be to have a daughter, who could perhaps marry into Master Su's household...

They just kept playing music and making their way to the city.

The three villages have been busy lately. They have been providing full support to Prime Minister Su in procuring provisions and supplies. They have also recently asked Prime Minister Su for some manpower, which consists of many prisoners brought back from Jiangnan in the past. They have nothing else to do but work as tenant farmers, cultivating the land and even reclaiming wasteland. Reclaiming wasteland is a troublesome task, as they also have to dig ditches to bring in water...

Anyway, they're working with great enthusiasm!
Following Lord Su, our sons will have a bright future. Some of them will surely become generals someday. Perhaps the military commander of the surrounding prefectures will be one of our sons!
Concubines cannot enter through the main gate, but can only enter through the side or back gate. No one cares, and they simply carry the concubines in.

Su Wu was simply following orders, doing this and that, and then drinking with the guests.

There were actually quite a few guests. Needless to say, the bride's family was there, and Zong Ze and Zhang Shuye were also present, as was Old Master Cheng. Normally, when a son-in-law takes a concubine, the father-in-law doesn't need to come, but this family naturally had to come.

The Li siblings were naturally present at the table.

There were also a group of military officers. This concubine-taking was not just about taking a concubine; it also had political implications. How could Hu Cheng not sit in a high seat? There were also some mid-level officers from Hu Family Village who were among them.

The mistress, Cheng Xiaoniang, was busy running around, doing everything she could.

After Su Wu had been manipulated, he was also present. He chatted with the other officials and Li Hang about the proper way to treat guests.

Music, dance, and music were not lacking. Su Wu did not raise these, but Cheng Wanli did. However, the quality of Cheng Wanli's raising was not good, but the quality of Li Hang's raising was excellent!
Su Wu feigned anger and addressed the many soldiers and generals: "You men, you have followed me for so long, I have never shortchanged you in terms of money or provisions, yet now you don't even have a wife. You are truly incompetent! Utterly incompetent, not the behavior of a true man!"

Countless military officers bowed their heads in submission.

Su Wu added, “Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. We are all soldiers, and we do not know what tomorrow will bring. If we are careless in battle, what will our parents expect? If you have even one son or daughter left at home, then even if we are gone, there will still be someone to rely on and someone to hope for your family! If you are incompetent, you are not a man!”

Others said, "Brother, I'm already pregnant! I'm not included!"

The speaker was none other than Wu Song, who had just gulped down several mouthfuls of wine.

Then someone else came and said, "Sir, the family is making arrangements and searching, but my mother says that our family is not what it used to be, and we must find someone worthy of her..."

Su Wu ignored him and said, "At most, there's still a month left. Whether it's a beautiful woman or an ugly one, whether you find one at home or find one yourself, it's all fine. Be a good man, be a true hero!"

The many military officers nodded repeatedly!
Even without a wife, I still get scolded like this by my own husband. Sigh... what kind of world is this?
"Drink!" Su Wu waved his hand and sat down, then deliberately cursed, "A bunch of idiots, all talk and no action, what kind of men are you? You can't even find a wife, aren't you ashamed of yourselves!"

Su Wu knew that many people were actually making preparations. He needed to be scolded; there were indeed quite a few "Wu Song" types in the army. If he didn't get a scolding, he wouldn't be in a hurry, and he really wouldn't want to…

In fact, some things are hard to say... In the Song Dynasty, and even in the military, male homosexuality existed to some extent, and was quite common... Moreover, in ancient times, male homosexuality mostly involved both men and women...

That's inhuman! Su Wu has to do something about it! Actually, Su Wu was in a hurry; he had no choice but to act.

These words were indeed quite rude, and this was common among soldiers.

Many soldiers knew that their husbands' intentions were no different from those of their parents!
In this era, a good official can truly be like a parent; this is the meaning of the saying "parent official."

However, Su Wu's cursing was a bit too rude, truly the crude language of the army, which made Sister Li frown.

She grew up surrounded by refined scholars; she had never heard such words before.

The look in her eyes as she looked at Su Wu was one of resentment, resentment that Su Wu had used such vulgar language in front of her, and she even made a small gesture: "Pah!"

Su Wu heard this, turned around to look, and saw Sister Li roll her eyes at him.

Su Wu also smiled...

Su Wu laughed even harder, but Sister Li rolled her eyes even more...

Su Wu stopped laughing and became quiet. Suddenly, he said, "Hey... how can there be no new words today?"

This was meant to be answered by Sister Li, but she didn't, which was quite awkward.

Su Wu eased the awkwardness: "Then let's drink... Elder Zong, please!"

After the guests had been entertained, Su Wu, still slightly drunk, went to the bridal chamber.

As the guests left, Cheng Xiaoniang still had to keep busy. Although she didn't have to do anything herself, she still had to give orders.

Sister Li didn't leave. It wasn't late, so she sat with Madam Cheng for a while and warmed up some wine. Although Sister Li was present at the banquet earlier, others couldn't drink too much with her. Now, with Madam Cheng, it would be more pleasant to drink some more.

Cheng Xiaoniang suddenly became somewhat somber, perhaps due to the alcohol, or perhaps not...

Sister Li twirled her wine glass and said, "Men, perhaps they're not all that great..."

Unexpectedly, Cheng Xiaoniang nodded in agreement: "Yes, what Yi'an Jushi said makes sense."

"The brocade zither has fifty strings for no reason, and each string and bridge evokes thoughts of bygone years..." These are the words of Sister Li, a cultured young woman.

Another artistic young woman chimed in: "I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets, for I am wasting away for her..."

The cups clinked, and the drink was gone in a flash.

Actually, Cheng Xiaoniang wasn't so happy, nor did she want the two of them to break up their small feast. Fortunately, her house wasn't small, and she could sit far away in the pavilion, where the moon shone brightly on the pond and the charcoal fire glowed red...

Wearing an extra cloak, I warmed the wine by the charcoal fire...

There is also a saying: "It is hard to say whether men or women suffer. As human beings, we are born with suffering. This is a Buddhist Zen saying."

"The girl doesn't blame anyone, but she's just feeling down and can't shake off the feeling. Sigh... Drink up some water, she'll feel better tomorrow..."

"Um……"

Inside that room...

Her long, slender legs were truly powerful; they could wrap tightly around the soldier's thick waist, giving him a powerful grip.

How could these people of the martial world be so easily bullied?
Let the soldiers do their thing, it's as if I'm holding back my energy to compete with them...

It seems that iron horses and icy rivers have entered my dreams...

After the battle, still panting, he spoke in his dreams: "Today was like a dream..."

The soldier replied in a gruff voice, "It's not a dream. You just need to have as many children as you can..."

It's inevitable that they will be very good at giving birth.

"Mmm..." she murmured softly in her sleep.

Perhaps he had eaten too much, for the soldier blurted out, "I've had my fill today..."

"what?"

"Ah...it's nothing, it's nothing!" the soldier replied casually, then asked, "Is Third Sister tired?"

Third Sister blushed. "Are you tired?" she asked. He simply replied, "No!"

"That……"

Then... the soldiers rose again...

Early in the morning, the soldier got up and started calling out to each other in the courtyard. After only a few calls, he saw that Third Sister had also gotten up in the side room, dressed neatly, with two swords in her hands, and was also calling out to each other.

Su Wu remarked, "Third Sister truly has a wonderful physique!"

Third Sister was taken aback. These words praising a man, used to describe a woman, were truly strange...

Third Sister acted as if she hadn't heard, and continued to wield her long sword with a whooshing sound.

Su Wu seemed to have regained his senses and quickly started wielding his spear again.

When Cheng Xiaoniang arrived, she ordered a large breakfast to be prepared and placed on the table in the main hall, waiting for the celebration to end so the family could eat together.

Then Madam Meng came out, picked up Xiao Xuan Niang upright and carried her on her shoulder, and then slowly patted Xiao Xuan Niang's back. She had obviously just fed the child inside the house. When a child is full, you need to pat them to help them burp so they won't spit up.

With a few more maids, there was no one else in the inner courtyard.

Once the shouts and cries ceased, a cloth and clean water would be brought out for them to wipe and wash.

Everyone entered the hall and took their seats. Madam Meng was instructing her maid to watch over Xiao Xuan Niang, while Madam Cheng was serving soup to Su Wu. Hu San Niang sat to one side. They were all people who knew each other very well, but with their new identities, they still seemed a bit awkward and reserved...

"Eat! I'm going to my shift now!" Su Wu wolfed down his food.

He had only taken a few bites when he suddenly heard someone vomiting beside him.

Su Wu looked up and saw that Cheng Xiaoniang was retching repeatedly and had already gotten up and left...

Su Wu immediately looked at Meng Yulou, and Meng Yulou quickly got up and followed.

Su Wu shouted, "Come quickly, go and fetch a doctor!"

The little maidservant ran off...

Third Sister also got up and chased after Cheng Xiaoniang.

Before long, they were all back. Cheng Xiaoniang shook her head: "Husband, I'm afraid I can't eat anymore. Perhaps I drank too much last night, and that's why I'm like this today..."

Su Wu waved his hand: "I'm afraid that's not the case!"

Looking at Meng Yulou again, Meng Yulou nodded and smiled, "Madam is probably pregnant..."

"Huh?" Cheng Xiaoniang was immediately stunned, then delighted: "Is what Sister Meng said true?"

Meng Yulou nodded with a smile: "It's probably true. Just now, the young master sent someone to fetch a doctor. Once the doctor arrives, we can be pretty sure!"

Su Wu had already stood up and was walking outside: "I'll go and have Li Cheng ride off to invite him."

Su Wu was really anxious, so he urged Li Cheng to hurry. Li Cheng took two horses and soon returned with the doctor.

The doctor simply took the patient's pulse in the front yard, asked a few questions, and once he was certain of the diagnosis, everyone was overjoyed and gave him a reward.

We had to hurry and send someone to the government office to report the good news, so that Cheng Wanli would know as soon as possible. Needless to say, Cheng Wanli arrived in a moment, beaming with excitement: "My dear daughter, my dear daughter..."

Needless to say, the scene was quite lively. Cheng Wanli repeatedly instructed his daughter not to go out, not to wander around, and to eat as much as possible even if she couldn't...

Su Wu frowned slightly. They arrived so quickly. He had certainly used all his strength, but this was too fast...

They're setting off again, and this trip will likely take quite a while; they might miss it again.

Look at Cheng Xiaoniang again...

Still in a state of surprise, Cheng Xiaoniang touched her belly, as if trying to sense something different, but she couldn't feel anything. All told, it had only been a little over a month...

Su Wu was momentarily speechless...

Cheng Xiaoniang said, "Husband, don't worry, I have no worries..."

"Hmm, okay..." Su Wu didn't sit down, but stood to the side, looking rather dazed.

"Husband, hurry up and go to your duty, it's already past the appointed time..." Cheng Xiaoniang said again.

"Hmm, okay..." Su Wu nodded, but didn't move. Suddenly he said, "Um... please come and sit at my home whenever you have time!"

This was to keep Cheng Xiaoniang in a good mood. To be honest, Meng Yulou and Hu Sanniang, as well as Cheng Jiyue, didn't really have a common spiritual language. But when Yi'an Jushi came, Cheng Xiaoniang would immediately beam with joy. The two of them could chat happily and sincerely...

"Yes, my husband, don't worry. Yi'an Jushi doesn't have many friends in Dongping Prefecture, so she'll come more often..." Cheng Xiaoniang nodded.

"Then...then I'll go to my shift!" Su Wu started walking.

"Husband, go quickly!" Cheng Xiaoniang was about to get up to see him off.

Su Wu went out, thinking to himself, "This is really good..."

We must win this war! We absolutely must win! In the past, I had no worries, my life was my only concern, it was all about fighting. But now, I've suddenly started to worry a lot. I can't afford to go anywhere, I have to come back safely!
Cheng Wanli held his daughter's hand, looking at her again and again, talking incessantly.

In the army camp, amidst the hustle and bustle, Su Wu stood in the midst of the noise, as if his mind had suddenly become very clear and his emotions very stable.

Looking around, he noticed something amiss, but he didn't take it seriously and continued riding.

He sat there, and for a moment, many things seemed to appear truly vague, and after the vagueness, they seemed even more real.

Xu Guanzhong walked very fast, coming from a distance from the general's platform, and stepped forward to report: "My lord, Commander Yan has sent a letter from Yanyun."

The letter was handed to Su Wu, who took it and read: "General Li Liangfu of the Tangut people led 5,000 troops west of Datong and was defeated by Wanyan Wuzhu!"

Xu Guanzhong remarked, "I never imagined that the Liao people, already on the verge of collapse, would actually send troops to their rescue..."

Su Wu said, "Perhaps it's not necessarily about how to rescue them, but the Jurchens are on high alert. Knowing that the Tangut army is coming from the east, they sent people to meet them in battle."

"My lord, after the Tanguts are defeated, will they go back again?" Xu Guanzhong asked.

“I’ll probably go again!” Su Wu said with certainty.

"Why?" Xu Guanzhong couldn't understand. Was there no need to save these Liao people?
“Firstly, it’s about loyalty and friendship; secondly, it’s about mutual dependence; and thirdly, the Liao people still wield considerable power among the various tribes of the grasslands, while the Jurchens are still far from the Tanguts, and the Liao people are still on the Tanguts’ side,” Su Wu replied.

“If Liao really falls, then the Tanguts will soon submit to Jin!” Xu Guanzhong also pondered this, and his opinion was not far off.

"We need to hurry!" Su Wu stood up, frowning deeply.

Xu Guanzhong nodded: "How about we first send a letter to the Northwest armies and ask them to launch a probing attack?"

"That's feasible. Let Elder Zhong and Elder Liu lead the charge, and first harass them a bit. The Dangxiang have just suffered a defeat and will have to send troops east again. Once the Dangxiang send troops east again, the two elders can make their move. Let's try to take a city first. If we can take it, it will be easier for our main army to cross those ravines and mountains when we come back in the future!"

Su Wu really needs to hurry.

"Then I will draft the letter immediately, and once it is completed, I will send it to you for your perusal!"

Su Wu nodded, pacing back and forth on the platform, his brows furrowed deeply...

(Brothers, we stayed up past 1 a.m. to write this down... and even wrote about these trivial things...)
(End of this chapter)