Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 439 I'm going to kill someone outside Donghua Gate!
One carriage after another entered through the two side gates. The banquet was to be held in the two main halls, Funing Hall and Chuigong Hall.

Lu Da, Lin Chong, Lu Junyi, Hua Rong, Huyan Zhuo, Zhu Long, Hu Cheng, Sun Li, Cao Zheng, Xie Zhen and Xie Bao...

Liu Yanqing, Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Guan Sheng, Xuan Zan, Hao Siwen, Zhang Bofen...

Zhu Wu, Yang Chun, Shi Jin...

Xu Guanzhong, Wen Huanzhang...

People from the capital, including military officers, numbered seventy or eighty in total, and gathered in the Chuigong Hall. One woman sat at the head table: Liang Hongyu!

Over there in the Funing Hall, Zong Ze, Zhang Shuye, Cheng Wanli, Zhao Cuncheng, Li Gang, Cheng Hao, Li Hang…

There were very few civil officials, with Rongguo Gong Qian Chen sitting at the very front, totaling about twenty...

Among these twenty-odd people, the most conspicuous was the woman Li Qingzhao!

Su Wu first took his seat in the Chui Gong Hall, in a very good mood, laughing heartily. He then said, "It's a pity that not everyone is here. I wonder when we can all get together and drink together. If we can do that even once in our lives, that would be wonderful!"

Lu Da replied cheerfully, "No problem, no problem. Once the war is over and the world is at peace, and there is no urgent military situation for anyone, Your Majesty can just summon everyone!"

Su Wu laughed, looked around, and said, "These battles will never end in a lifetime... Now you all know how vast the world is, and you will always have to use your military skills..."

Most people are pleased to hear this. It's not that people don't want a peaceful life, but that only when there are battles can they have a chance to use their skills and make contributions. Only then will the brothers who risk their lives have a chance to rise to the top.

Have you not heard that when the Great Yan Dynasty was founded, no one was called "Duke" and even marquises were few and far between?

And so, the stabilization of the world was achieved without much bloodshed, unlike in the past when blood was spilled from south to north and from east to west, leaving mountains of corpses and seas of blood...

The marquises were either those who had made great contributions to the organizational work in the rear, or those who had fought alongside the emperor on the front lines countless times...

Who wouldn't be pleased with the status of a duke or marquis?
It would be better to fight!
However, there was one person who was unhappy. Lu Da's expression darkened slightly. Was this battle never going to end?
Xu Luda felt a growing weariness of war. It wasn't that he was unwilling to be brave, but rather that he wanted to live a different life. Unlike others, he had no ambition and didn't care about fame or fortune...

He's been through countless battles, both north and south, but he's getting a little tired...

Su Wu seemed to sense Lu Da's emotions. After a moment's thought, he said, "Lu Da, don't overthink it. Talented people emerge in every generation, and new talents surpass the old. The task of expanding territory will be carried on by future generations..."

As he spoke, Su Wu looked toward Yue Fei.

Lu Da followed the gaze and nodded with a simple smile: "This lad is really good. The group of young men under his command are all heroes!"

As he spoke, Lu Da's mood improved, and he understood the Emperor's words.

Yue Fei quickly stood up: "If we fail to achieve any merit in the western expedition next year, no... it's the western expedition this year, I'll offer my head in return!"

Su Wu gestured for Yue Fei to sit down, then raised his wine cup and said, "Drink!"

Everyone drank, and Lu Da drank with great gusto. He didn't use a cup, so he had someone bring him a bowl. He drank it down in one gulp, his chest was wet, and the weather was still cold, but he wasn't cold at all. He wiped his mouth and said, "This wine is not bad!"

After several rounds of drinking, everyone began to leave their seats, going back and forth, exchanging toasts and drinks.

Even the young woman Liang Hongyu was not accommodating to anyone who came; in fact, when she got excited, she would let out sweet moans...

But then Liang Hongyu suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, where shall we go to fight next?"

No one asked, but over time they had come to know the emperor's nature: once a matter was decided, he would speak of it; if a matter was not decided, he would never keep it secret.

But in this setting, when Liang Hongyu asked a question, everyone's eyes turned to her, as they all wanted to know where the next battle would take place!

Su Wu laughed heartily: "What? You're planning to become a marquis?"

Liang Hongyu was not intimidated at all: "Your Majesty, I am certainly worthy of the title of Duke! But ask me, throughout history, has any woman ever been ranked among the high officials? I may be ignorant, but there has never been one! History records thousands of years, if I were to accomplish this, wouldn't I be the first in all of history?"

Su Wu clicked his tongue, raised his hand and said, "Hmm, good! In that case, in a few days, you will also go to the Bianjing Martial Arts Academy. Eight months later, you will be assigned to the army to lead a troop and go into battle!"

"Where?" Liang Hongyu's cheeks were flushed with wine, but she looked quite dashing!
"Respect the King and expel the barbarians, punish the disobedient, Goryeo does not admire the King's rule, comfort the people and punish the guilty!" In fact, Su Wu learned something today: the Goryeo envoy had actually set off and was going to pass Liaoyang, but was stopped by Su Wu's urgent secret edict.

The crime is committed, but the perpetrator's heart is not sincere; therefore, the response is slow, too slow.

How long has the Liao Dynasty been gone?
Liang Hongyu bowed respectfully and said, "I am willing to die for my country!"

Someone nearby chimed in, "Brother Han, it seems that in the future, your family will have to respect Master Liang the most!"

The person who stirred up trouble was actually Hsu Kuan-chung.

Han Shizhong laughed upon hearing this, "That's fine too!"

But Liang Hongyu defended her husband, saying, "We are husband and wife fighting side by side. When we have children, we will fight side by side as parents and children. If I am granted the title of Duke, my husband will also be granted the title of Duke!"

Han Shizhong also laughed: "Very good, very good!"

Han Shizhong is actually not very good with words...

Su Wu grinned from ear to ear and said, "A husband and wife from the same family both holding high office is truly unique in the world. Even the so-called 'four generations of three dukes' is nothing compared to this! When the time comes, I'll have the Ministry of Finance send you a grand ducal mansion!"

Liang Hongyu was overjoyed to hear this: "Then my husband and I will first thank Your Majesty!"

Han Shizhong only got up to bow after Liang Hongyu prompted him.

What does that mean?
Can't you see that every general in the field has a gleam in their eyes?
Tomorrow morning, the Privy Council will probably be overflowing with people. With the campaign against Goryeo, who will go and who will not go, how can we not compete for it?
Don't let things turn out that everyone is a duke or baron, and in the blink of an eye, they become dukes or marquises while you're still stuck in the same place!

But then the emperor asked, "Who would like to wield a spear and club to liven up the drinking party for you all?"

Among those present were many skilled in spear and staff fighting.

Everyone was looking up.

But then a young man, without waiting for roll call or saying a word, leaped up and went to the center of the field. In no time, he had his shirt on his belt and shouted, "Bring me a spear!"

May I ask who you are?

This is Shi Jin, the Nine-Tattooed Dragon!
They went to see the emperor, who was overjoyed. He drank a cup of wine first, then stood up and said, "Bring me a long spear!"

Everyone was annoyed, wondering why Shi Jin had died first.

If Shi Jin were to simply brandish this set of spears and please His Majesty, wouldn't he be able to launch a campaign against Goguryeo?

There's no use regretting.

Shi Jin held a long spear in his hand, his body embroidered with flowers like brocade, covered in dragons, and his muscles bulged as he wielded the spear like the wind.

Lu Da exclaimed, "Well done, Shi brothers, you've got great weapons!"

At this moment, Su Wu was so excited that he felt itchy in his groin and rubbed his hands together. Why did his groin itch?
Even the swift horse that had been used for so many years had caused calluses and scabs to form on my thighs and buttocks, and when the weather got a little warmer, they really started to itch!

The gun barrel swept through the air with a whooshing sound, creating a buzzing sound...

It was just a set of spears and clubs, yet the whole audience cheered. This Shi family's eldest son was truly remarkable.

But then the Emperor entered, perhaps truly intoxicated. He took the spear and staff, looked around, and said, “Gentlemen, let’s have a big drink!”

Everyone drank, and Su Wu immediately raised his spear and cudgel.

He moved with great speed and agility, but Su Wu himself felt a sense of rustiness. It wasn't that he was incompetent, but rather that after not practicing for a while, he would naturally feel a sense of unfamiliarity...

Why did he stop practicing for a while? On the way back from Dali, Su Wu used to practice his spear, staff, and fist techniques every day, but since entering the capital, he hasn't done so even once!

The crowd cheered!
"Your Majesty is skilled in martial arts!"

"Your Majesty's martial arts skills have truly improved!"

"This gun is really good!"

The crowd wasn't flattering him; it was simply that Su Wu's spear and staff skills, learned from Luan Tingyu and Lu Junyi, were truly excellent. The unfamiliarity Su Wu felt was imperceptible to others...

After the first round of spear and club exercises was over, Su Wu suddenly felt a little downcast. Amid the cheers, he walked to his seat, picked up his cup, raised it around, drank it all in one gulp, and then said, "I guess I'll really become rusty from now on..."

Everyone knows that the Emperor practices martial arts diligently every day without fail, so why did he suddenly say something like that? Everyone was puzzled.

Su Wu then said, "Alas... brothers, I'm afraid I'll never go into battle again..."

Everyone then realized that the Emperor would probably not practice much anymore. After so many years of diligent daily practice, it seemed he would really have to put it down from now on...

"The moon of Qin shines brightly over the jade bow, the Yellow River of Han is connected by a brocade belt. The Protector's letter flies across the vast sea, the Xiongnu chieftain's hunting fire illuminates Ganquan. In her boudoir at twenty, she travels ten thousand li along the road to Mayi and Longdui. Who will rise from the Eastern Mountain where Anshi lies in repose, to calm the flames of war with laughter and conversation for you?"

Su Wu began to sing, and after singing for a while, he looked at Yue Fei and said, "This song, 'Partridge Song,' is dedicated to Yue Pengju. May your western expedition this year be a great victory!"

After saying this, Su Wu raised his wine cup again, drank it, and saw Yue Fei rise to thank him. Su Wu waved his hand and said, "It's time to go to the Funing Palace... Enjoy yourselves, everyone!"

As he spoke, Su Wu walked out, his steps already unsteady.

Over there in the Funing Hall, people had been waiting for a long time. Meanwhile, in the Chuigong Hall, there was a great deal of noise, and music was being played.

Singing softly and drinking gently, it was as if the emperor had given the order: eat and drink first, without waiting any longer.

However, there was no atmosphere of unbridled enthusiasm or exuberance; everything was rather conventional and unrefined…

Su Wu arrived, swaying as he came, and everyone rose to greet him.

Su Wu waved his hand and said, "Drink three cups first!"

Everyone then picked up their cups and prepared.

Su Wu took his seat, downed three cups of wine in no time, wiped his lips, and then began to speak. He recited the poem, but instead of singing, he simply read aloud: "The virtues of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the achievements of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The Seven Hegemons and Five Tyrants fought in the Spring and Autumn period. Rise and fall in an instant. A few lines of names in the annals of history, countless desolate mounds in Beiman. The fields of our ancestors are reaped by our descendants. What is there to say about the struggle between dragons and tigers?"

You are all men of literary talent, and upon hearing this, your hearts tightened, yet you were also moved...

Zong Ze lowered his head and sighed softly...

Cheng Wanli's eyes widened, somewhat at a loss for words...

Li Gang seemed to be feeling sentimental, and said in one sentence: "This piece, 'Xijiangyue,' tells all the stories of the past and present..."

Uncle Zhang groaned and said, "Sigh... Xu Zhen's words are like these, the divine weapon is easy to obtain, but how much bitterness and sweetness are contained within, and how many right and wrong are difficult to resolve..."

Only Zhang Shuye dared to continue on this topic!

But Su Wu spoke again: "The so-called rise and fall of dynasties is not my intention, nor is the history of fighting and killing intended for posterity... Call it usurpation or helplessness, I only wish that when this world is passed down to future generations, it will be a vast and boundless land, and that all the greatness of the world will be in the hands of my Chinese descendants! What else can I leave behind? I work diligently every day, wishing that people will have enough to eat and wear, that children will grow up safely, that the elderly will have someone to rely on, and that all things in the world will be used by China. What is the point of fighting like dragons and tigers? What we are fighting for is for the Chinese descendants to live better and better lives! Drink up!"

The emperor was somewhat drunk and acting out...

Everyone naturally joined in the meal.

The emperor then added, "We are all involved in events past and present; it is too early to judge right or wrong. Future generations will be the judge. Let's drink some more..."

They barely ate any of the food, just kept drinking one cup after another...

When the wine is strong enough, the emperor will never speak much.
Go ahead...

Everyone's watching and waiting...

The emperor suddenly fell silent and took his seat...

The atmosphere still needed to be maintained, so Cheng Wanli stood up: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, let's drink, let's drink. We certainly won't discuss official business today, so let's listen to some songs, let's sing, let's sing some more, let's listen to a few songs by Li Qingzhao..."

The band was invited by Fanlou. They were actually quite nervous, but they still managed to start singing in an orderly manner...

Yi'an Jushi sat down to one side, sighing slightly, but occasionally glancing up at the emperor. He seemed drunk, and the emperor didn't want anyone to pour him wine; he poured it himself...

Perhaps he could see that the emperor seemed to be filled with a complex mix of emotions at this moment…

Yi'an Jushi rose and went over: "Your Majesty, please drink this cup!"

Su Wu seemed to be indulging in self-pity for a moment, then looked up and smiled, saying, "Please, layman!"

After the two shared a drink, Li Qingzhao spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty should take good care of yourself..."

Su Wu was taken aback: "Don't worry, layman, I will live for several more decades. There are countless things left undone in this country, and countless things I want to witness with my own eyes..."

“Very good, very good…” Li Qingzhao nodded and slowly retreated, not knowing how to respond. Things were different now than before, and the old way of saying “plum” was somewhat inappropriate.

It's also inappropriate to roll your eyes at someone...

Upon returning to his seat, for some reason, Yi'an Jushi felt a sense of loss.

Suddenly, Su Wu looked up and glanced around: "I have something important to say. Not long after the Lantern Festival, I... I want to kill someone outside the Donghua Gate!"

The entire audience was stunned. Was the emperor really drunk and talking nonsense?

What kind of place is Donghuamen? Is it appropriate to commit murder there?

Besides, who would commit murder at the gates of the imperial city? What an unlucky thing to do!
But the emperor was still saying, "When the time comes, line up the people in rows, facing the palace walls, and behead them one by one!"

Could it be true?
Why is this?
This……

Cheng Wanli quickly stood up and said, "His Majesty is probably drunk..."

Su Wu waved his hand and said, "The law does not apply to officials and scholars! Absolutely not! From now on, this will never happen again! The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people, let alone officials and scholars!"

Su Wu was drunk. If he weren't drunk, he wouldn't have brought this up at this time and in this setting...

Cheng Wanli trembled, swallowed hard, and asked, "Whom does Your Majesty intend to kill?"

It's clear they want to kill the scholar-officials. Which scholar-official?
Why kill scholar-officials?
Su Wu did not answer, but kept looking at Li Gang: "The Censorate is waiting. The final step in this matter will be at the Censorate!"

Li Gang stood up and asked, "Your Majesty, is there truly such an unforgivable crime?"

"Hmph!" Su Wu chuckled dismissively, stood up, and said, "I'm drunk, I'm going back to rest..."

That was certainly true. Li Gang immediately racked his brains to figure out what the matter was and what the crime was.

Su Wu was leaving, swaying unsteadily, without needing anyone to help him. He simply went outside the palace to mount his horse. In the entire imperial city, there was only one horse—the emperor's horse.

The horse can climb up, and it knows how to get to Yanfu Palace, and it knows not to crash into the walls, steps, or vegetation...

The night was clear, the frost had passed, and in Yanfu Palace, the emperor was fast asleep. He would have to get up early tomorrow to attend countless audiences without stopping for a moment!
(End of this chapter)