Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 413 Truly a Good Man of the Han

As dawn broke and the wind grew increasingly fierce, Su Wu emerged from the main tent, slightly raising his head in surprise. This year's snow had come early.

Is it really necessary for snow to start falling right now, in this land beyond the Great Wall?
A cold wind swept up the fresh snow and rushed towards the city walls. The city gate creaked open, and Wanyan Zongwang, accompanied by Fan Yun, rode in on horseback.

The city was deathly silent, with only occasional groans coming from between the rooftops, clearly the embers of last night's bloody battle finally dying down...

Su Wu gazed at the faint light of dawn in the east, pondering in his heart...

Wu Yong and Zhu Wu arrived shortly afterward, both with bloodshot eyes, clearly having stayed up very late or not at all the night before...

Zhu Wu handed over a document. Su Wu opened it and saw that it still had some scribbles and corrections on it, clearly firsthand information that hadn't been carefully collected and copied yet...

Zhu Wu pointed at it as well: "Your Majesty, there are approximately four thousand seven hundred Jurchen able-bodied men remaining..."

"So many?" Su Wu was somewhat surprised.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yong immediately said, "Does Your Majesty mean less?"

Su Wu turned to look at Wu Yong, and what Wu Yong was thinking was truly indescribable...

"Never mind..." Su Wu waved his hand, though he had his own analysis. The reason so many remained was because the Jurchens were strong and they could hold out to some extent despite being surrounded and divided.

If it couldn't hold on, there wouldn't be so much left...

"Where is Wu Qimai?" Su Wu asked.

“He died, he died in front of the imperial city…” Zhu Wu replied.

"Oh..." Su Wu said nothing more and continued to flip through the pages.

Amidst the jumbled text, Zhu Wu pointed precisely again: "Jurchen women and maids... I have over twelve thousand..."

Women ultimately live longer lives; this isn't hard to understand...

The Jurchen people at that time might not have cared so much about chastity...

This is related to social structure...

Su Wu flipped through the pages again, and Zhu Wu pointed again: "There are about 1,700 boys and about 3,400 or 3,500 girls..."

Su Wu simply nodded. For tribes like the Jurchens, men only existed as boys and adults; they almost never had a boy form...

Either they haven't grown up or developed yet, or they'll develop for a year or two and then be drafted...

"Where is Wanyan Wen?" Su Wu asked. Wanyan Zongwang's son, whose Han name was Wen and Jurchen name was Hula.

"He's alive. He was captured by soldiers inside the capital. We'll have someone bring him to the main tent soon!"

Su Wu closed the memorial: "That's settled then. Those who deserve merit should be rewarded, and those who deserve rewards should be rewarded... Also, tell the soldiers that the war is still ongoing, and the army must not slacken its efforts..."

"As you command!" Zhu Wu bowed and left.

It was snowing, and the snow was getting heavier. Su Wu raised his hand to catch some, and felt a slight chill in his palm as it melted quickly...

The rest was much easier. People were sent to take over city after city, and the imperial court should also send officials. The various government offices in different regions were not difficult to manage; the Liao dynasty's government offices were very well-established, and the Jurchens also wanted to manage them properly—the system was all there…

Next, we'll arrange for the garrison to be set up. Besides the garrison, those who need to return to their posts will do so; the soldiers are finally going home…

Su Wu is still waiting for someone...

Upon receiving this person, Su Wu returned first, and everyone rode back to Bianjing at full speed.

To wait for this person, Su Wu personally rode his horse to the north of the city...

Logically speaking, there was really no need to do this, but Su Wu insisted on doing it, and others naturally did not know what he was thinking.

The person they were waiting for was Yue Fei...

Su Wu sighed with regret...

They also held Yue Fei in extremely high regard...

Perhaps none of this was enough to make Su Wu, the emperor himself, personally ride out several miles in the cold wind and heavy snow to wait for Yue Fei...

He wanted to put a period to everything that happened during the Song, Liao, Jin, and Xia dynasties, and that period was Yue Fei.

Looking further north, he saw the vast, desolate land. His gaze stretched to an unknown distance, reaching all the way to Liaobei as he defined it, to the strait of the eastern Liaobei route, to the North Pole, and to the land of Yin…

He might never come back a second time in his life; he would never be able to see that vast land with his own eyes...

Therefore, he would look around as much as he could, even gazing at the Greater Khingan Mountains, the Lesser Khingan Mountains, and the Changbai Mountains...

And that Heilongjiang River...

Although we can't see them, they must be on the horizon...

Yue Fei arrived from the horizon, accompanied by a troop of knights galloping towards him. Meanwhile, scouts had already gone out to inform Yue Fei that the Emperor was waiting for him in the wind and snow about ten miles north of Dading City…

How could Yue Fei not arrive quickly? Several horses took turns whipping them, their hooves flying.

Su Wu dismounted and stood on a slightly higher mound by the roadside. The sable collar of his coat covered his cheeks, and he stood straight, head held high and chest out...

Yue Fei approached, dismounted, and galloped up the mound, bowing deeply and saying, "Greetings...Your Majesty!"

Su Wu got up to help him up, and only said one word: "Okay!"

Upon hearing just one "Your Majesty," Su Wu was satisfied, utterly satisfied...

They helped Yue Fei up and looked him over. His face was much more resolute, and he was a little darker. He hadn't lost weight and was still very strong.

What fine sons of the Han people!
"In such weather, how could Your Majesty travel so far to wait for us? You have truly wronged this humble general!" Yue Fei said, moved.

Su Wu shook his head and raised his hand to pat Yue Fei's shoulder: "The north is bitterly cold, but I hope to see you as you are as you were yesterday."

"It's not bitter, it's really not bitter. From now on, the world will be united with us, and we will surpass the Han and Tang dynasties. This is the greatest glory in my heart. My ancestors are honored, and my descendants are honored!"

What Yue Fei said was not flattery; he was a loyal and righteous man.

"It's still early, still far from enough. The Han and Tang dynasties had the Western Regions, but we don't..." Su Wu said.

"I truly regret not having participated in this battle to breach the city!" Yue Fei's face showed genuine regret, but his expression changed: "I am willing to go, like my predecessors, to open up the Western Regions!"

"I came here today to wait for you to say these words... Since you have said it yourself, then your title of Protector-General of the Northern Protectorate shall be changed to Protector-General of the Anxi Protectorate... This time you will come with me to the capital to prepare for a year before we set out on another expedition!"

Su Wu knew that Yue Fei would volunteer; he would do it, and he was willing to do it!

Yue Fei nodded excitedly: "In this life, I wish to be like the men of the Ban family, and to spend my remaining years in the Western Regions!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wu frowned slightly and suddenly asked, "Do you still harbor resentment?"

Yue Fei was taken aback upon hearing this...

Su Wu raised his head slightly and said to himself, "Loyalty to the emperor or love for the people, since ancient times, ambitious people have all been concerned with these two things! It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter at all. It doesn't matter if you have grievances, it doesn't matter if you want to spend your life in the Western Regions, it doesn't matter if you never come back... The greater your achievements, the more merits you will have in history books. In the future, when you have children and they have grown up, let them return to Bianjing..."

"That's not what I meant!" How could Yue Fei not understand what Su Wu was saying?

"Oh? Really not?" Su Wu asked.

Yue Fei paused again...

After a pause, Yue Fei spoke again: "Your Majesty, I only wish that this world, this land and its people, will truly be a golden age. I, your humble servant... must return to see what that golden age looks like..."

Su Wu understood. This was a contract. Su Wu had to bring about a prosperous era for Yue Fei to be truly willing to comply.

That's true... From Yue Fei's perspective, everything is ultimately still an unknown...

Su Wu also entered the examination hall; he would be handing in his paper the next day…

It's not about handing over the paper to Yue Fei, but to hand over the paper to everyone in the world, to hand over the paper to future generations...

"Very well, when you are in the Western Regions in the future, you will surely hear countless people telling you what a prosperous era the world is in!" Su Wu signed the contract.

Suddenly, Yue Fei knelt on one knee, cupped his hands, and bowed forward, saying, "Your Majesty, I bow again. I await your arrival!"

"Let's go... back to Bianjing. You must personally handle all the details of the western expedition!" Su Wu raised his hand, stepped down, and mounted his horse.

Back in the main tent, many people were anxiously waiting.

Su Wu simply asked, "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Xu Guanzhong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, a messenger has just arrived with news that bandits have risen up north of Lingnan. The bandits are rampaging and have already breached the city of Daozhou..."

Su Wu was furious upon hearing this. The dynasty had just changed and bandits had already risen up. This was a slap in the face to the new dynasty!
But Su Wu remained silent for a moment, controlled his emotions, and slowly sat down in the chair. Only after he was seated did he ask, "What is the name of the bandit leader?"

"The bandit leader was named Cao Cheng! Besides the bandit leader..." Xu Guanzhong paused for a moment.

"What?" Su Wu asked.

“This traitor raised a flag and proclaimed: ‘Rebel against Yan and restore Song!’” Xu Guanzhong replied.

What the heck? Su Wu was also surprised. This "rebellion against Yan and restoration of Song" came so quickly?

Who was Cao Cheng? Su Wu thought for a moment. Historically, there were always major bandit groups that would rise up around Lingnan. At first, they were just like江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) societies, not rampant. They would only start attacking the prefectures and cities when they had enough manpower and supplies. Logically, it should have taken some time before the outbreak of a major bandit group...

Yang Zaixing is a fierce general in this team. How could this have happened now?

They even want to overthrow Yan and restore Song!
Su Wu suddenly exclaimed, "No need to think about it anymore! The ninth son of the Zhao family must have fled south all the way to Lingnan!"

Everyone was astonished upon hearing this, but many nodded in agreement. Wu Yong even exclaimed, "His Majesty has revealed the secret of heaven in a single sentence! It must be so!"

Su Wu laughed: "Zhao Gou, Zhao Gou, everyone is raising the banner of 'overthrowing Yan and restoring Song' for you, but you yourself don't dare to actually reveal your name."

Logically speaking, once such an event occurs, Zhao Gou's name should resound throughout the world. It would be the righteous cause of the Zhao family prince to restore the country. This is a very important matter. How could the people of the world who are loyal to the Song Dynasty not flock to him like carp crossing the river?

Unfortunately, when the news arrived, it only mentioned "opposing Yan and restoring Song," without mentioning the prince's name. Perhaps Zhao Gou thought it over and came up with this plan: to hide in the background first, and then step forward if things went smoothly.

Or perhaps... Su Wu's imposing presence was simply too frightening... Zhao Gou displayed a complex mix of "toughness and cowardice."

Su Wu genuinely found it amusing...

"Your Majesty, this matter must not be delayed!" Wu Yong said anxiously.

Su Wu said little: "I will return to the capital first, and then send an imperial edict to Hangzhou as fast as I can, ordering Wang Xun to lead the troops from Jiangnan and Liangzhe southward. Under no circumstances should this villain be allowed to grow too powerful."

This matter is indeed urgent. Lingnan is very far away, and the strategy of this bandit group is not bad either. They will attack south first, targeting the Guangdong and Guangxi regions.

Now that the dynasty has just changed, Su Wu has not yet had time to take care of the Guangdong and Guangxi regions. The soldiers, officials, and even the common people there certainly do not have any strength to resist the rebels.

Some educated families might even open the city gates to welcome the invaders...

If we are slow to act, things will get out of control, and countless more deaths and injuries will occur in the future.

At this very moment, Guangzhou is an extremely prosperous place.

How could Su Wu not be in a bind? How could he not take it seriously?
People like Cao Cheng are undoubtedly the kind of big shots in the martial arts world, capable of rallying a large following with a single call, much like Song Jiang and Fang La. Only such people could raise their arms and rally countless bandits.

Even Yang Zaixing from Jiangxi would travel hundreds of miles to do so...

How old is Yang Zaixing this year? At most, he's twenty-two or twenty-three, in the prime of his youth.

It was completely unexpected that Zhao Gou and Cao Cheng would end up working together. The reason for this is not hard to guess...

As Zhao Gou fled south, he naturally sought out those who could protect him. He dared not trust the people in the cities, but a powerful figure like Cao Cheng, with money, supplies, and men, was so famous that he didn't need to inquire about him; Zhao Gou would come knocking on his door without him even asking…

Thus, they hit it off immediately...

However, Su Wu adjusted quickly; sometimes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

Looking at it from another angle, it's also an opportunity—an opportunity to take stock of the Lingnan region. Guangzhou is a prosperous area, home to many wealthy and influential families, and others with vast tracts of fertile land…

Instead of slowly working through it, it's better to seize the opportunity and achieve it all at once.

……

Banners and flags are on the road, and Su Wu is rushing back to Bianjing.

Su Wu suddenly realized that the period he had drawn with Yue Fei was no longer valid; the period now had to be drawn with Zhao Gou.

Very well... these people are inherently unfilial; they deserve to suffer a bit...

Once Su Wu reached Yanjing, he abandoned his banners and dragon flags, and with two or three hundred riders, galloped southwards.

Along the way, military orders continued to arrive. Lu Junyi was to cooperate with Wang Xun on the transportation of money and grain. With the money and grain from Jiangnan and Zhejiang, Wang Xun's more than 20,000 elite troops, and the recruitment of some auxiliary soldiers and laborers, even if a great victory was not achieved, the situation should be brought under control...

Then gather more troops, including cavalry, about two or three thousand cavalry will suffice. Just bring four battalions of personal guards; the rest can go home and check on things. It really is time to go home…

You can bring more infantry, up to 20,000, from the Jingdong region. They haven't been away from home for very long.

In the Lingnan region, infantry is more effective than cavalry.

Su Wu had to go in person to put his mind at ease; he had to scare Zhao Gou so badly that he would wet himself.

On November 13th, Su Wu entered the capital; his arrival and departure were remarkably swift.

The next month of this year is also November, which is a leap month.

News from the south arrived again: Hezhou had also fallen. After studying the maps several times, Su Wu knew that once Hezhou fell, the bandits would inevitably head down to Lingnan. He issued a military order urging Wang Xun not to go west, but to go straight down to Lingnan and enter Guangzhou first, so that there would be no shortage of food and supplies.

Guangzhou is absolutely essential and must not be lost. As long as Guangzhou is not lost, the bandits are nothing special, and we can just take our time to defeat them.

The Emperor has entered the capital and returned last night. Many people are still unaware of this, simply because there has been little fanfare surrounding it.

Early this morning, Zhao Ji, a third-rank official who was in charge of the Academy of Painting and Calligraphy and concurrently in charge of the Genyue Palace, got up to go to his post.

With a large family to support, I had to find ways to make money. I hadn't realized it before, but with over a hundred people, including elderly servants, the cost of supporting them was surprisingly high. Even with a third-rank official's salary, it was still not enough to cover all the expenses...

Of course, their family couldn't just be content with having enough to eat; they also had some needs for a certain quality of life...

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) was also troubled. He had been planning something lately: selling calligraphy and paintings.

After breakfast, we took an oxcart to the yamen (government office). The yamen was located within Genyue. High walls had already been erected in the imperial city, separating Genyue from the imperial city. Those high walls were still under construction; two walls were to be built, with a palace road sandwiched between them…

As soon as they arrived at the newly opened entrance of Genyue, Zhao Ji was about to get out of the carriage and walk in, but as soon as he got out, a crowd immediately gathered around...

People come to watch every day, waiting to see what's happening...

Some busybodies even shouted from the crowd, "Emperor Zhao, this is Emperor Zhao..."

Everyone was curious and crowded around to watch...

When he was ahead, Zhao Ji would cover his face and walk quickly, and would also call for the soldiers at the Genyue gate to help him...

Now, quite a few days have passed, I've gotten used to it, just wait and see...

The soldiers, however, no longer needed to be called upon; they had gotten used to it and automatically stepped forward to protect the area and clear a path...

The crowd couldn't help but murmur: "This Zhao official is really good-looking, truly handsome! So beautiful..."

"I haven't even seen her face yet, sigh..."

"Let me see too, hey...it looks great!"

New people come and go every day, and it's always the same few words exchanged. Zhao Ji is indifferent to it all...

However, Genyue is now open to the public, with an entrance fee of one yuan.

But to everyone's surprise, seeing Genyue was an eye-opening experience, but seeing the former emperor was an even bigger eye-opening experience. Crowds of people first surrounded and looked at Zhao Ji (Emperor Huizong of Tang) before many people began to pay their share of money to enter Genyue.

At the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting, Zhao Ji finally arrived and was deep in thought.

How can I sell calligraphy and paintings for a high price?

You can't actually set up a stall to sell them, can you? What kind of class would that be?
After much thought, Emperor Huizong couldn't come up with a solution. The high-ranking officials and nobles of the capital were gone... and so were his acquaintances...

Otherwise, if you go door-to-door, there will always be customers...

Right now, we don't even know who the customers are...

Of course, many businessmen are wealthy, and recently, many merchants on JD.com have also moved to Beijing...

But no matter what, Emperor Huizong couldn't go to a merchant's house; that would be too shameful...

If the merchant doesn't recognize the quality and tries to haggle like a typical merchant, that would be even more disgraceful...

Emperor Huizong was truly troubled and distraught. The people in the calligraphy and painting academy were all people he had personally recruited, and now they were all waiting for their rice to cook...

Just as Zhao Ji was feeling troubled, suddenly, a eunuch arrived and summoned Zhao Ji to the palace to meet the emperor.

Emperor Huizong was also stunned. The emperor had returned? How come he didn't know?
Fortunately, behind Genyue, which was actually in front of it before, a gate to the palace was opened inside the newly built high wall, allowing direct access. Otherwise, Zhao Ji would have become the biggest spectacle in Genyue once again...

The locals strolled through Genyue, marveling at its beauty, finding everything wonderful, like a paradise on earth…

The city bumpkin hasn't seen much of the world...

Inside Genyue, countless soldiers patrolled, shouting incessantly: "Don't litter! Don't trample on the roadside! You, pick it up! Pick it up! Otherwise, you'll be arrested and thrown in jail..."

That's quite frightening...

Many of the exclamations of amazement faded away, leaving only a chilling silence, making even a simple view difficult...

There were also young scholars from the academy, in groups of three or five, strolling through the garden today; how could they not recite poems?

It's quite elegant, isn't it...

Inside the Fu Ning Palace, Zhao Ji bowed to the Emperor, saying, "May Your Majesty be well!"

The emperor did not sit on the high platform; he seemed to prefer sitting on the steps, and he rose to say, "No need for formalities."

Emperor Huizong kept his head down, but how could his heart not be filled with complex emotions?
Su Wu said in one sentence: "Your ninth son, Zhao Gou, has raised an army in Lingnan, with the banner of overthrowing Yan and restoring Song. He is currently attacking cities and seizing territories, and it may not be long before he besieges Guangzhou..."

Zhao Ji immediately looked up, his face flustered, and waved his hands repeatedly: "Your Majesty, please understand, this matter has nothing to do with me!"

(Wishing all my brothers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a joyous family reunion, and good health!)

(End of this chapter)