Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 371 Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world!

Let's go, to Tokyo!

The army marched like a dragon, and the soldiers all looked anxious, knowing why they were going there – to seek fairness and justice!
The men themselves did not understand why they had risked their lives for their country and fought so hard, only to be treated this way in the end.

The soldiers also wanted to ask the emperor why.
There was a man named Wang sitting on a carriage frame, which was a cage made of a dozen or so thick wooden logs. The weather was not bad, so he was not cold. A canopy was also added to protect him from the rain.

There was also a group of people surrounding and protecting him. Although he was like a prisoner, he was made to eat well and sleep well, and no accidents could happen to him.

Wang Fu's humiliation of Su Wu and many generals on the city wall was excessive. If the city wall is not properly fortified, another general might come and beat him up. Even if Wang Fu is in good health, he can't withstand such a beating...

Wang Fu finally calmed down and thought back on many things. The Prince of Yan was actually not far away, just within his line of sight, on the high horse in front of him. He looked at him again and again...

He couldn't quite explain what he was looking at, but Wang Fu seemed to suddenly realize something: at this moment, everything seemed to be in perfect harmony...

There is a story, not too far back in history, about the Chenqiao Mutiny where someone was forced to wear the yellow robe.

Is it really going to happen?

Is the world really about to change drastically?
Thinking of this, Wang Fu was suddenly startled and inexplicably panicked. He stood up in the cage, thinking of only one thing: could he really be going to die this time?
Upon having this thought, Wang Fu felt even more terrified.

As fear slowly crept in, the army marched south, the soldiers' footsteps quickening inexplicably, a hurried, clattering sound like a death knell…

"I want to see... I want to see your king!" Wang Fu shouted to the soldiers surrounding him.

The soldier said impatiently, "What's the rush? Let's talk about it overnight!"

"It's urgent! It's extremely urgent!" Wang Fu shouted repeatedly, sounding very anxious.

"Wait, I'll go report this!" The soldier was quite conscientious and responsible.

"Thank you, thank you!" Wang Fu bowed repeatedly in the cage, looking expectantly at the soldier who went forward to report, and also at Su Wu on horseback.

The soldier naturally stepped forward to report.

Su Wu smiled slightly and said to Wu Yong, "As expected, he wants to see me..."

Wu Yong laughed, "This kind of person is extremely afraid of death. When the Jurchens besieged the city, he was the first to flee outside the city. I heard that even the emperor couldn't run as fast as him!"

"You know about this too?" Su Wu asked.

"Your humble servant... has been paying close attention!" Wu Yong replied.

"Hmm... alright then, I won't go see him, you go see him! Let him be terrified a few more times!"

Su Wu and Wu Yong were clearly talking about Wang Fu earlier, and they had calculated that Wang Fu would try to survive.

Wu Yong bowed and left, arriving at Wang Fu's prison cart in no time. He also waved the soldiers on either side back a few steps.

"Alright, what do you want to say?" Wu Yong asked casually, his horse still moving beside him.

Wang Fu sized Wu Yong up and down, then bowed respectfully, saying, "Forgive my poor eyesight, I did not know who you are..."

Wu Yong sighed, "You, having already come here to lead troops to quell the bandits, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers at your command, yet you don't even know who I am. Logically speaking, you are a man of great learning, and knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle, yet you don't even know who I am..."

"No, no, I would be honored if you could... enlighten me!" Wang Fu bowed repeatedly.

Wu Yong stroked his beard, how could he not feel exhilarated? What was so exhilarating? He had failed the imperial examinations countless times, while the man before him was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), the emperor's most trusted advisor, and the current prime minister.

With the prime minister in prison and Wu Yong on horseback, how could a scholar not feel exhilarated?

Wu Yong glanced at the Prince of Yan's back, and a thought secretly crossed his mind: This prime minister...

Who isn't qualified?

"I am Wu Yong! The First Commander of the Yan King!" Wu Yong declared with a resounding voice, feeling extremely proud.

"My apologies! I will remember your great name, Lord Yu, from this day forward!" Wang Fu quickly apologized.

To be honest, Wang Fu knew absolutely nothing about the organizational structure of Su Wu's army.

This included the emperor and most people in the court, just like Wang Fu.

To be honest, what kind of official was Wu Yong? In terms of position and rank, compared with the officials in the imperial court, he was worlds apart. It was perfectly normal that people didn't know Wu Yong.

The Jurchens, on the other hand, knew Wu Yong very well, and were also very familiar with many of the people under Su Wu's command.

"Let's get down to business!" Wu Yong said, feeling even more at ease.

It gives off a sense of underdog triumph.

"Since His Majesty has sent Commander Yu, he must be one of His Majesty's most trusted and close confidants. That's how it is... In fact..."

As Wang Fu spoke, he paused. Why? Some things were truly difficult to say. After all, he was a scholar; how could he lack any integrity?

"If you have nothing to say, then I'm leaving!" Wu Yong said shrewdly.

“I have something to say, I just want Your Majesty to know that I am willing to serve Your Majesty!” Wang Fu said quickly.

"Oh? Is that all?" Wu Yong asked, glancing sideways.

"Yes, yes, many things are indeed ordered by the Emperor, and we have no choice but to do them. And now...and now..."

Wang Fu paused again; perhaps some of his scholarly spirit had returned.

Wu Yong said in one sentence: "Speak properly!"

"Now I realize that it was the emperor's stubbornness, his narrow-mindedness, his jealousy of the virtuous and capable, that made him..."

Wang Fu paused again.

"What's wrong with the Emperor?" Wu Yong asked again, his tone unfriendly, as if he were forcing him, and it was indeed psychological coercion.

“He is the Son of Heaven…” Wang Fu’s expression seemed genuinely troubled, but he still added, “It is difficult for the Son of Heaven to rule the world!”

"Hmm?" Wu Yong was actually about to laugh, but he kept a straight face.

"In the past, the Prime Minister Zhang Dun once said that Prince Duan was frivolous and unfit to rule the world. In the past twenty years, the emperor's actions have been witnessed by all, and the people have suffered even more. He has even allowed barbarians to wreak havoc in the Central Plains, making life unbearable for the people. Prime Minister Zhang was truly prescient!"

Wang Fu spoke these words without pausing, and the more he spoke, the more fluent he became.

Wu Yong was also somewhat surprised, never expecting Wang Fu to say such a thing...

This……

Wu Yong looked Wang Fu up and down again, his heart filled with contempt. He picked up his bowl to eat, then put it down and cursed him!
This turn of events is too drastic!
Is this something a human can do?
Wu Yong had seen many people who changed their tune depending on the wind, but this was the first time he had ever seen someone so opportunistic.

It's not that Wu Yong doesn't understand, it's just that the world changes so fast!
Wu Yong asked, "Could it be that you are the real traitor?"

Wang Fu was taken aback upon hearing this, and quickly put on a smiling face: "Lord Yu is joking... There is justice in the world, and it is for the country, the family, and the nation. The foundation of our ancestors is to be maintained by their descendants. If one descendant is unworthy, there will naturally be another descendant who will excel!"

Wu Yong laughed too: "Haha... Hmm... In that case, I'm off. Wait a moment, and I'll change your carriage!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Fu was overjoyed and felt a great sense of relief. He took several deep breaths and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Lord Yu... Minister Wu!"

Wu Yong was about to leave when he suddenly stopped, turned around, looked around, and then spurred his horse to go.

"If you, Lord Wu, would speak so kindly, you would surely be my second parents!" Wang Fu added.

Wu Yong had already ridden away, but on horseback, he muttered softly, "Lord Wu..."

Wu Xiangong then went to the Prince of Yan in person and gave his report.

As the Prince of Yan listened to the report, he kept turning back to look at Wang Fu's prison cart.

"That was unexpected..." the Prince of Yan commented.

Minister Wu nodded in agreement: "Yes, I was also extremely surprised at the time."

There's a saying that the most ruthless person isn't an enemy, but a traitor. A traitor becomes even more ruthless in order to prove himself!

Su Wu suddenly remembered these words.

Once you've made the choice to become a traitor, aside from being hesitant the first time, you'll become increasingly proactive and ruthless afterward.

“Your Majesty is wise and makes sense. It seems that Wang Fu is trustworthy!” Wu Yong replied.

"Whether it's believable or not is unimportant. It seems he has truly found a way to survive. That's good, that's good..." Su Wu was pondering something, clearly thinking about many things.

Wu Yong replied, "That would be perfect. If Your Majesty forces us too much into doing certain things, it would be unseemly and undignified. Allowing these people to do it would be more respectable!"

"Hmm, get him a new carriage! Make him do something, write something down..." Su Wu said. "Yes!" Wu Yong nodded and went off again.

As soon as Wu Yong returned to Wang Fu's side, he spoke up: "Quickly open the carriage and let Prime Minister Wang out. How can a dignified prime minister be humiliated like this? Quickly! Bring that carriage over and let Prime Minister Wang ride in a soft carriage!"

The soldiers on both sides immediately rushed to help.

As soon as Wang Fu stepped out of the prison cart, he followed Wu Yong and bowed deeply, saying, "I am deeply grateful to Lord Wu for saving my life. I will remember this kindness forever!"

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that. You, in the carriage, with pen and ink at your disposal, write a magnificent essay. It must be detailed and thorough, it must be... deeply moving, it must incite indignation. In short, just write it as you see fit. It shouldn't be difficult for Minister Wang to pass the imperial examination!"

Needless to say, what Wu Yong said—whether it was a proclamation or a detailed list of seventy-two crimes—was up to Wang Fu to decide.

Wang Fu nodded repeatedly: "I will stay up all night and present this document to Your Majesty!"

"There's no rush. Just think it over carefully and do your best to write it well!" Wu Yong waved his hand and rode off again.

The carriage arrived, and Wang Fu hurriedly went inside, anxiously telling his attendants, "Quickly fetch water so I can grind ink!"

"Okay, here's the water pouch for you!" The soldier didn't like him, but he still did the job, just perfunctorily.

Wang Fu took the water pouch from the carriage window. There were writing brushes and ink inside the carriage, so he quickly began to write.

As the army marched, Wang Fu was extremely serious. Since there was no rush, he would carefully consider every word and phrase. He knew almost everything about the emperor, especially the emperor's affairs in recent years, and was aware of every detail.

The choice of words and phrases must be carefully considered...

Even the style of the essay had to be carefully considered, ensuring it pleased the King of Yan greatly, and also because the King of Yan was a scholar, and many of his poems and verses had been passed down through the ages…

I just hadn't paid attention to it before...

Now we need to pay attention. This writing really can't be rushed. We need to ask Minister Wu to find all of the Prince of Yan's poems and see what kind of style the Prince of Yan is...

Then, we can cater to their preferences and first determine the style.

Then take a look at all the proclamations and articles of condemnation from various dynasties, and see how the pen is used as a sharpest knife.

What proclamation against Cao Cao, what proclamation against Wu Zetian...

So you think Wang Fu was incompetent? If he was incompetent, how could he have pleased the emperor? How could he have been promoted eight ranks?
His abilities are immense; this is a small example of his superior skills. Wang Fu's skills are indeed superb; he's just changed his target. Let's study him again.

Wu Yong also instructed that this matter should be kept secret and not revealed to anyone else. How could Wang Fu not understand this?

The army moved slowly, taking several days to travel. They had not yet left the territory of Hedong. The terrain of Hedong was long and narrow from north to south. Once they left Hedong, the capital region would be very, very close.

But the news was already spreading and had reached the capital.

Inside the imperial city, in front of the Chui Gong Hall, the emperor had just received news that Wang Fu had led an army of 100,000 to Datong City to question Su Wu and bring him to the capital to atone for his crimes.

Su Wu had already reached the city walls and was about to climb up from the basket and be tied to the top of the wall, but he was dragged back by countless soldiers...

The next day, the army attacked the city, but the entire force of 100,000 soldiers scattered like birds and beasts, with not a single one bravely fighting for the emperor.

When the news reached the palace, Emperor Huizong felt as if the sky had fallen. He asked only one question: "Where is Su Wu? Where is he?"

There were many sources of information: news came from the Privy Council, news came from the Secretariat and the Chancellery, and even from the common people, it seemed that news was flying everywhere.

Qin Hui anxiously replied, "Your Majesty, it is said that the Prince of Yan is heading south with Prime Minister Wang and a large army. He says he wants to bring Prime Minister Wang to the capital, claiming that Prime Minister Wang is a traitor who has misled Your Majesty, and that he wants to plead with Your Majesty to clarify the situation!"

The Emperor had already stood up: "How dare you! How dare you! Without an imperial edict, how could he dare to bring troops into the capital? Is this not treason?"

No one spoke. Today was an impromptu court assembly, and all the officials were present, so there was a buzzing sound all around.

Cheng Wanli also looked anxious and said, "His Majesty has decreed that he... should not bring his troops like this..."

Even now, Cheng Wanli had never considered that Su Wu was truly plotting a rebellion; his concern was that Su Wu might be accused of more crimes.

Liu Yanqing remained silent, standing still with his ceremonial tablet in his hand, as if he were an outsider.

"Issue an edict, issue an edict immediately, ordering the entire army to cease advancing, disperse on the spot, lay down their armor and return home, all of them lay down their armor and return home!" The emperor waved his hand rapidly, his words extremely urgent.

He understands, he truly understands!
Therefore, panic, my heart is filled with panic!
Qin Hui, already somewhat confused, asked, "Your Majesty, what should we do if the Prince of Yan disobeys the imperial edict? After all... after all, this isn't the first time the Prince of Yan has defied an imperial decree!"

Qin Hui was also anxious. He knew what he had done. So-called betrayal was nothing more than this. The Prince of Yan had returned. What good could come of this?

Qin Hui never expected such a strange thing to happen: the 100,000 troops from Hebei, Henan, and Hedong truly did not fire a single arrow...

It's truly incomprehensible; such a thing is completely beyond Qin Hui's comprehension.

He had always thought that the Prince of Yan was helpless in this matter, and the best outcome would be for the Prince of Yan to return to the capital to atone for his crimes. After his crimes were investigated, he would probably not be sentenced to death, but would only lose power, while still retaining wealth and status.

Who could have imagined things would turn out this way? It's as if it were a joke; the fortified city with its 100,000-strong army was rendered useless.

As soon as Qin Hui finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. Did this mean that the Prince of Yan was definitely going to lead a large army into Tokyo?

He actually did that in the past...

The emperor was slightly taken aback, then immediately said, "Quickly, mobilize troops! A million armored soldiers from across the land, quickly send them to come and rescue the emperor!"

The room remained silent; whether in a hurry or not, no one spoke…

It was Liu Yanqing who came to say: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's too late to mobilize troops this time..."

Is it too late?

The emperor immediately asked, "Which one is the most recent?"

Liu Yanqing really did think about it; to be honest, JD.com is very close...

Hmm... Jinghu...

Liu Yanqing began, "Jinghu is quite close, and the south of Zhejiang is not far either!"

The emperor opened his mouth... but then stopped, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

Then he spoke again: "The Jinghu army has tens of thousands of troops, the Liangzhe army has tens of thousands of troops, the Jiangnan East and West Roads army has tens of thousands of troops, the Fujian Road and the Guangnan East and West Roads each have tens of thousands of troops, and there is also a Northwest army of over 100,000, which is from Shu... The affairs of the world are in my hands, and all the armies in the world are in my hands. I hereby issue an imperial edict to all the generals of the world, instructing them to raise their armies and come quickly to the aid of the king!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Liu Yanqing nodded, Cheng Wanli nodded, Qin Hui followed suit, and everyone nodded.

The emperor suddenly spoke again: “It will take time for the troops of the whole country to gather. I should go to…Jinghu, I will go to Jinghu to take temporary refuge!”

Everyone looked up, and then they ran away?
Some people may feel that things shouldn't have come to this, while others know that the Great Song Dynasty may have truly reached this point...

"An imperial edict should be issued to inform the world that Su Wu has rebelled! Su Wu has rebelled! All virtuous and righteous people of the world should join together to punish him!"

The emperor himself said it several times, which made him feel much more at ease. And it was true, as he said, that there were still plenty of soldiers!
Seeing that no one spoke, the Emperor continued, "This time, we must not remain in the capital, otherwise we will be trapped like turtles in a jar, easily captured by Su Wu. We must retreat for a while, and only when all the troops in the country arrive can we capture this traitor!"

Qin Hui thought about it and realized it made sense, so he replied, "Your Majesty is wise! The affairs within Bianjing should also be addressed..."

The emperor had to come up with a plan again, as the previous method was absolutely unworkable. He had learned his lesson and could no longer abdicate in favor of a more worthy successor, otherwise he would be arrested by his son and imprisoned in the Longde Palace again...

The Emperor declared: "Prince Zhao Kai of Yun is hereby appointed Crown Prince, to remain in the capital and oversee the state!"

As he spoke, the emperor felt more and more at ease, and even felt a surge of ambition. Since that's the case, then let's fight!
With millions of armored warriors across the land, let's see how many Su Wu can defeat!

There are also old and young Zhong from the Northwest as commanders, with countless elite troops. They are just waiting to defeat Su Wu this time, and then their heads will be known throughout the world!
Only in this way can the hatred in my heart be relieved.

Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, sage rulers throughout history, which one was not full of martial virtue? It is precisely by restoring the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties that the greatest emperor of all time has been made!

After expressing his ambitions, the emperor waved his hand and said, "Who will stay and who will leave? Quickly come up with a plan. I will also make preparations. We will go to Jinghu today!"

Why go to Jinghu? Because Jinghu is in the west and Liangzhe is in the east. Going to the west is so that the many armies in the northwest can meet, and also to bring the Zhong family's prime minister to sit in front of the emperor, which would ensure victory!
Just looking at the scene, another buzzing sound erupted...

The Emperor was already on the high platform below: "Palace Attendants, quickly prepare the temporary palace! Take the rest of the princes with you."

As he spoke, the emperor had already departed, and a sense of panic indeed arose once more...

Many gentlemen are still here; who will leave and who will stay?
Actually, I'm not that afraid. This time is different from the last time. Last time, it was barbarians who came into the city to burn, kill, and loot. They didn't care about who was married or not...

This time it was Su Wu who came, so there was no real danger involved, since no one had ever truly offended him...

In fact, quite a few people present, directly or indirectly, benefited from Su Wu's kindness!

Even Cheng Wanli wasn't bothered by it, but suddenly a eunuch rushed up from behind and said, "Master Cheng, His Majesty has decreed that you should travel with him!"

Cheng Wanli nodded: "As you command!"

(Goodnight, guys.)
(End of this chapter)