Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

The early morning fog gradually faded in the sunshine. The moment the sun was high in the sky, the scenery on the sea suddenly became clear. It looked like wrinkled blue cloth. The blue water was rippled and a few seagulls flew over the sail. With a sharp cry and a roar, Wei Zhaode's ship cut open a white channel. The only ship behind acted as a guard and closely followed the ship in front, sailing towards the island in the distance on the horizon.

Qiao Lie walked out of the cabin and looked around. Lu Bu's figure in the big cloak at the front of the deck looked a little lonely. Among the busy sailors around him, this man slowly stepped forward: "Brother, let Ma Ling wait. The strength of the people who go back to protect us is really reduced, and Pindao is worried that something unexpected will happen."

Lu Bu turned his head to look at the approaching figure, then turned to look at the deep sea: "There is nothing to worry about. There is an accident. It doesn't make any difference if there are more ships or fewer ships."

He paused for a moment and sighed: "On the other hand, if the situation continues like this for the brothers in the shipwrecks, there won't be any root causes of illness left. Several brothers in the navy also persuaded them to be sent back."

"It's just that there's no one around to protect my brother when he gets ashore."

"You're not a human being, are you?" He glanced at him with a smile, and his usual serious expression brought a sense of relaxation: "Besides, who are you afraid of when we get to the shore?"

"Brother is certainly brave." Qiao Lie shook his head with a wry smile and sighed: "Why are Ma Ling and Dian waiting for such trouble..."

After taking a breath of the obviously chilling sea breeze, he lifted his cloak and turned around, facing the sea: "In the future, we must make the generals of the Ma Bu Army more accustomed to sailing on the sea."

"I'm afraid not everyone can adapt to it." Qiao Lie looked a little helpless on his face, feeling the bumps of the ship under his body when it broke through the waves: "Although I am fine, I am not very used to the bumps of the sea. , It is much different from that of land chariots and horses.”

A few seagulls were hovering over the ship. Lu Bu looked up and said calmly: "It's best if you can adapt by then. If you can't, you will have to find another way."

Watching a seabird with its wings folded and resting on the top of the mast above the sail, combing its feathers from time to time, a sailor responsible for overlooking the distance suddenly leaned out from the observation deck, frightening the seabird to flap its wings and fly away.

"The island ahead is close, and there is no ship ahead."

The two standing at the bow of the boat looked up at the same time when they heard the words, and saw that the place that was originally a dark shadow in the distance was greatly enlarged, and the outline of the island could already be seen.

"Is that the island we're going to this time?"

Lu Bu narrowed his eyes, and Qiao Lie shook his head to express his ignorance.

"That's Salmon Island over there."

Wei Zhaode, who also heard the lookout shouting, strode over quickly and happened to hear the conversation between the two men on the bow.

"Where is Salmon Island?" Qiao Lie looked back at the approaching sea-covering dragon in shock, then took a step forward and stretched his head to look, as if he could see more clearly by doing so.

"Is there anything strange about it?" Lu Bu frowned at the Taoist's reaction, quite puzzled.

Wei Zhaode curled his lips, and said in an inexplicable tone: "It's nothing unusual, it's just a purgatory on earth."

Qiao Lie straightened up, combed the messy hair at his temples, and exhaled: "Brother Wei Zhaode is right, what is at the end of Salmon Island is a sinister place, and calling it a purgatory on earth is just to flatter it."

"Oh? I remember... Pei Xuan was originally going to be escorted to Salmon Island, right?" Lu Bu looked at the island in the distance with some interest: "Tell me what dangers there are here?"

"There is a saying in the Criminal Law of the Song Dynasty: Those who commit capital crimes and get loans are mostly assigned to Dengzhou Shamen Island and Tongzhou Island, and most of the soldiers and criminals who enter the island will not survive. I’ve never seen him, but have you seen Brother Wei Zhaode?”

Following Qiao Lie's words, his eyes fell on the dark-skinned man beside him. Fuhai Jiao touched his chin and said, "I really know something about this. I even did some transactions with Tongzhai on Tongzhou Island in the past."

He walked to the bow of the ship, held up the wooden guardrail, pointed to the island in the distance with his finger and said: "There is actually nothing surprising about this island. It's just that it is isolated overseas. All rations must be provided by the court, and the quotas allocated to prisoners are It is that Tongzhai, because it is..."

Lu Bu suddenly realized it and looked into the distance thoughtfully: "There are no supervisors in the Song Dynasty?"

"The Tongzhai is the largest on the island." Wei Zhaode said indifferently: "My little brother once met the Tongzhai of Tongzhou Island. He exchanged the prisoners' rations with him for gold, silver and jewelry. I remember that he was offering sacrifices to the Sea God. They killed hundreds of people in succession to make sacrifices, saying, 'If there are a hundred people, fish and shrimps will come, the weather will be good, and you will be happy every year.' They did this to pray for the fishermen along the coast."

"There is no accountability from the court?" Even though Qiao Lie was used to seeing all kinds of darkness, he was a little surprised at this time.

The ship began to turn north, and its bow broke through the waves, leaving a broad white line, which was then dispersed and swallowed by the turbulent waves, and the sea surface returned to its previous color.

Wei Zhaode shrugged, spread his hands and said: "There are about a thousand people on the island, and the imperial court only sent food and expenses for more than [-] people. No matter how we divide it, it will not be enough. Besides..." He tilted his head , looked at Qiao Lie with a joking expression: "Brother Qiao, have you ever heard about Zhenzong's edict?"

Under Lu Bu's probing eyes, the Taoist nodded at him: "I have heard about this in the past. It is said that hundreds of people die every year on Salmon Island. Therefore, Emperor Zhenzong at that time issued an edict prohibiting the killing of prisoners in the village. It's a pity that these Tongzhai are far away from the Central Plains, and the imperial court's will can't affect them..."

After a moment of silence, Qiao Lie shook his head and sighed, turning around to look at the much larger island: "Pindao thought this rumor was false, but he didn't want to hear what brother Wei meant was true."

"It's true." Wei Zhaode squinted his eyes and looked towards the island: "Because the last time I went to Salmon Island, they were putting people in their bags and throwing them into the sea." He smiled strangely: "Those people said this is tradition... …”

"It's a bit of a waste..." The face of the figure wearing a big cloak did not change. He turned his eyes to look in the direction of the ship and frowned: "I remember that the islands you marked are in the north of Salmon Island. , right?"

"Yes, the imperial court only had a village to supervise prisoners on Shamen Island. There were more islands above it, and some of them were suitable for use as water villages. Moreover, neither the Song Dynasty nor the Liao Dynasty paid much attention to the broken land in the sea. , I’ll take it just in time.”

Lu Bu tilted his head and looked at the huge island over there: "Is it possible to trade some people over there?"

Wei Zhaode frowned: "Brother means..."

"Since there are so many people, he can kill them at will, so why not buy some useful people over and let us use them first."

"Since you're so tired...why not break this Salmon Island? Then wouldn't we be able to harvest more people at once?"

Qiao Lie had some understanding on the side and shook his head and said: "Breaking Salmon Island should be the last resort. At this time, it is better to keep the water flowing. Anyway, there are a lot more prisoners every year, so instead of killing them at will... Pindao thought, he I would be happy to exchange it for some real money and silver."

"Maybe it's feasible..." Wei Zhaode crossed his arms and thought for a while: "When I communicated with Tongzhai in the south, I felt very greedy."

"Then it's settled. After we go back, we will send someone to contact them." Lu Bu immediately agreed: "We have no shortage of generals who are good at conquering and fighting, but we are short of those who can write and calculate, as well as skilled craftsmen." Turning away. Looking at Qiao Lie: "Look at these two aspects and see if there are any surprises. I'll leave this matter to you two."

"Yes, Pindao (I) will arrange it when we get back."

Lu Bu nodded, and walked towards the cabin: "In that case, let me rest for a while, and then come to call me when I get there."

"Brother rest at ease."

The two people at the back exchanged hands and watched the floating cloak turn around the cabin and disappear from sight.

"Brother Wei, can you still contact Tongzhou Island?" Qiao Lie touched his chin and looked at Fuhai Jiao aside.

Wei Zhaode scratched his scalp, thought for a moment and said, "The people in Tongzhai should not have been replaced yet. In all the years I have been at sea, I have never seen anyone in Tongzhai changed."

"How can anyone be willing to come to a land with poor mountains and rivers?" Qiao Lie smiled sarcastically, and then approached him: "Then I'll leave it to Brother Wei for the Tongzhou Island side. Then Pindao will ask a few subordinates to come and help, and wait until we have a relationship. Friendship is easy to say."

"Leave it to me..." Wei Zhaode patted his chest, and then there was a slight hesitation on his face: "Brother Qiao must also be prepared. That person is very greedy and may ask for a lot."

"It's good to have many talents." Qiao Lie gave Wei Zhaode a meaningful look: "I'm afraid he won't want it."

Wei Zhaode suddenly smiled, and for a moment the two people's smiles looked somewhat similar.

Afterwards, the two ships crossed Salmon Island along the edge and headed northwest to Tuoji Island and Wuhu Island. Occasionally, under the leadership of Wei Zhaode, they docked on larger islands, and it was rare to meet people living here. When the fishermen saw the two ships coming, they thought they were tax collectors, and almost misunderstood them.

After staying on the island for another night, the boat that continued to go north stopped in front of the last island. Under the sky, the island was lined with strange rocks, lush trees, and the water was crystal clear. Everyone standing on the deck was dazzled to see it. .

"Brother, this is the last island." Wei Zhaode pointed to the distance and said calmly: "This is the last island between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty. After passing here, you can reach it by continuing to the north. Liao land."

The somewhat tired Lu Bu looked in front of his eyes, and his eyes flashed: "In this way, the sea route is indeed the shortest way. I just don't know if there are any troops stationed on the island."

"Originally, there should have been." Wei Zhaode retracted his forward-pointing arm, turned to Lu Bu and said, "I have seen several collapsed walls above. I don't know when the garrison here withdrew."

"Perhaps she is the queen of Tan Yuan's alliance." Wu Jiao, who was standing behind him with his hands behind his back, looked at the island: "After the Song and Liao countries signed the alliance, there has been no war for more than a hundred years. Not to mention the sea, Hebei and Liao There are far fewer troops stationed at the border areas between the two countries. Over the past many years, the imperial court has only fought fiercely with the Xia Dynasty in the northwest, and has not heard of any disputes with the Liao Dynasty."

"Brother Dao is right." Qiao Lie nodded: "Most of these corners and corners have been abandoned long ago. I just don't know if there are people on the island."

"It's not like the last time I came here. This place is too far from the landing, and the sea is very rough. If we really lived here, we would be trapped to death."

"That's good." Lu Bu turned to look at Wei Zhaode: "In this case, we have to form a fleet. In bad times, transporting troops, food and grass has to be done by sea. You only have two or three ships and you can't withstand the trouble."

"What my brother said is that if there are ships at sea, I will be allowed to lead a fleet." Ruan Xiaoqi, who was behind the crowd, was already impatient and stepped forward to ask for orders with his hands raised.

Lu Bu turned to look at him and couldn't help but smile: "At that time, you and other naval forces will have to have ships. If someone doesn't rely on you and others to lead him, is it possible that he can find someone else?"

Ruan Xiaoqi grinned, and his second brother slapped him on the back: "There are so many people on the boat, you talk too much, please calm down."

This living Yama didn't take it seriously, bared his teeth and continued to look at the island in front of him with a smile.

"Get off the boat, I'll go take a look later."

Lu Bu looked at the island, and finally thought it was appropriate to take a look. Ruan Xiaoqi's eyes lit up, and he immediately shouted: "My little brother, go explore the way first."

After saying that, he ran to the side of the boat and jumped down. The water splashed and the figure flew out like a fish. Behind him, Ruan Xiaoer was anxious and looked at Lu Bu. He just nodded in amusement. Tai Sui smiled gratefully and pulled Ruan Xiaowu beside him. The two brothers also jumped into the water and chased after their brothers.

Soon, the small boat with people was put down.

……

The leaves were covered with dew, and the mist covered the mountains. Footsteps sounded on the mountain road. Amidst the rustling sound, seven figures gradually approached a cave.

"We have to move it down again, these boxes are so heavy!" In the midst of the muttering, a fire broke out, and he moved closer to the torch. With a bang, the torch soaked in pine oil was ignited and lifted up, illuminating Teng Kan's square face. .

"Bullshit, is it possible that we are still living in Bianliang with so much property?" Teng Xun curled his lips and said to his brother: "What if the thief takes notice of us?"

"This cave will no longer be remembered? If no one is watching, wouldn't it... Ouch... Huh--" Teng Kan straightened his neck and turned around to quarrel with his brother. He accidentally tripped on the stone below and managed to avoid falling. Fall to the ground.

"In the wilderness, no one cares about it." As the flames ignited again, Ma Jin raised the torch high above his head: "At that time, we searched the surroundings carefully, didn't we?"

"Isn't it possible that someone will find him..." Teng Kan, who stood firm, touched his chest and subconsciously quarreled with Ma Jin.

As the firelight flickered, Li Zhu's kind-faced face was uncertain. At this time, Mr. Jin Jian, who had changed into blue clothes, was looking around with a smile: "I'm afraid of being snatched away. I'm just trying to find a way to rob him. I'm the only one who can wait." But things need to be discussed first.”

"What for? Split the money?"

Teng Kan looked over with gleaming eyes. From behind, Teng Si slapped him and shouted, "Shut up first!"

Li Zhu chuckled lightly and looked at the darkness outside the scope of the fire: "If I wait to surrender to that damn ghost, this money is enough to be a stepping stone for you and me. If we go to Liangshan..." A strange light flashed through his slightly opened eyes: "The portion is a bit light!" (End of Chapter)