Water Margin: Lu Bu sits on Mount Liang

"Brother Qiao Dao, you must be angry. If not, you can punch him two more times."

In the hall, the firelight was shaking, and the uncertain light shone on the faces of the two Taoists in the hall. One had a look of fear on his face, and the other had been beaten so hard that he couldn't open one eye, which was awkwardly closed.

Seeing Gongsun Sheng's peaceful expression, Qiao Lie snorted coldly, said nothing, and just glared at him.

Seeing this, Gongsun Sheng said, "If you don't want to fight, can you listen to what Pindao has to say?"

"Sit over there."

Qiao Lie calmed down and pointed to the square table on the side and walked over. Gongsun Sheng glanced at Lu Bu, and seeing that he didn't express anything, he turned around and walked around. Perhaps because of the pain in his wound, he hissed and followed him.

"Tell me what you have to say. I have something to discuss with my brother later." Qiao Lie looked impatient and just wanted to send this man away quickly.

Gongsun Sheng tried his best to open his eyes and look at the young man sitting over there. He hesitated and didn't know how to speak. Qiao Daoqing was even more impatient: "If you don't say anything, you can leave. I don't have that much free time to spend with you. "

Gongsun Sheng looked at Lu Bu who was sitting at the other end, drinking tea alone. He gritted his teeth and said, "That's all I have to say. I received a notice from my master saying that the horoscope of my Taoist friends has changed, and it is no longer a case of a demon descending from virtue." Master has faith in my order, if my fellow Taoist is willing, you can come to my Erxian Mountain to practice."

As soon as Lu Bu stopped pouring tea, Qiao Lie sneered: "That day, I went to Erxian Mountain to beg your master Luo Zhenren. How could you forget what he said?"

Gongsun Sheng frowned: "I have been walking around in the world for a long time and don't know about it."

"Humph——" Qiao Lie snorted, not believing it, but said: "Your master said that the poor Taoist spiritual platform is impure and full of greed. If he practices in Erxian Mountain, he may attract external demons into his heart. If you break your practice, you should practice in the world of mortals, and only go up the mountain when the virtuous demon descends!"

He looked sideways at Rui Yunlong across from him: "What's going on? You don't know a word of this?"

Where do you know where to go!

Gongsun Sheng's eyes suddenly widened, and then he covered his eyes in pain and groaned. When Lu Bu started drinking tea again, Rui Yunlong's eyes were a little panicked, and he said nonsensically: "This... this, the master also has good intentions, I hope Taoist friends can wallow in the world of mortals, cut off worldly ties, and understand the true meaning of Taoism."

"You're going to cut off the worldly ties." Qiao Lie sneered: "Do you really think that a poor Taoist is just a family member who knows nothing?" He pointed at his eyes with the index and middle fingers of his right hand: "This trick is not just for show. What kind of virtue do today's Taoist people have? Can you, the people in Erxian Mountain, have all cut off their secular connections? Can you cut off your own?"

"This..." Gongsun Sheng leaned back and looked around with his one-eyed son. He was speechless for a moment, then returned to his sitting position and said, "I am a poor Taoist who wandered in the rivers and lakes just because of the secular fate. My master also has something to say." Only after experiencing tribulations in the world can you clearly understand the Taoist heart." Seeing the disbelief on the face of the opposite person, I also knew that this person had a grudge: "Don't mention such trivial details. Now my master is willing to invite Taoist friends to go, I don't know if my friend …”

Before he finished speaking, Xu had a premonition that the Demon Lord in front of him would not agree, so Gongsun Sheng just looked at the person in front of him with one eye.

Sure enough, Qiao Daoqing on the opposite side didn't even hesitate: "Please come back." He stood up and looked at the embarrassed Ruyunlong: "As the saying goes, a good horse never turns back to eat grass. Although Qiao Lie is not talented, he is not willing to give others any chance. After being insulted, you still rush to please others."

"Master, how can I be insulted..."

Gongsun Sheng frowned and wanted to explain, but Qiao Lie stretched out his hand fiercely to signal him to shut up: "Pindao is too lazy to argue with you about this. I just want to ask you, why can't Pindao go up the mountain until he encounters the Demon of Virtue and surrenders?"

"My master is good at astrological medicine and divination. He learned it based on astrological divination. The poor Taoist has no knowledge of this, so he doesn't know. If fellow Taoists want to know, just go to Erlong Mountain to see my master and ask."

"No need." Qiao Lie waved his hand, and when he spoke again, he seemed to have figured something out, and there was a relaxed look on his face: "I feel comfortable staying with my brother, and I don't want to go anywhere else. If nothing happens to you... "He gestured outward: "Please."

Gongsun Sheng stood up helplessly. He hesitated and wanted to speak, but he didn't know what to say. He hesitated for a few breaths, finally sighed, bowed his head and said, "Since I'm here, my fellow Taoist, please take care. I'm sorry and I'll leave."

Qiao Lie didn't say much, just returned the salute and watched Rui Yunlong covering his eyes as he walked out of the room and outside the courtyard. Then someone came to take this man down the mountain.

It was already the time of moonrise. Ruyunlong, who was sent out of the water berth as a gift, looked back at the Liangshan Mountains where sparks could be seen in the distance. He sighed, turned around and walked towards the village. It was already getting late, so he had better go first. It makes sense to find a place to spend the night.

"Are you worried?" Lu Bu sat beside him, watching Qiao Lie looking outside and wondering what he was thinking.

"It's not that big of a deal." The Phantom Lord smiled, turned around and walked to the side to sit down: "I just suddenly felt very boring. I don't know why I wanted to go to the Erxian Mountain to seek enlightenment."

"There are always many opportunities in life..." Lu Bu looked at the slightly rippling tea in the tea cup: "Sometimes what you pursue is not the most suitable for you. If you change the world and live in a different way, you will not be able to achieve greater success."

"My brother's words seem to be spoken by someone with a lot of experience." Qiao Lie smiled and said something with some unclear intention. Then he picked up his already cold tea and took a sip: "I am a poor man." I also think so, living happily every day on this mountain, and being accompanied by so many people, I couldn't even think about it in that Po Tao Temple before..." He paused and said thoughtfully: " Maybe it’s time to take this poor Taoist mother over and live together.”

The figure sitting over there was suddenly startled: "Brothers, are there any relatives alive? Why didn't you come here before?"

Qiao Lie smiled bitterly: "Pindao's mother is a stubborn person. She is always afraid of disturbing Pindao Qingxiu. I wrote a letter before to bring her to the mountain, but the result was unsuccessful. I have to use force this time. .”

"For such a big event, it would be best for you to go in person." He looked at the Taoist opposite, thought for a moment and said, "I will send a team of guards to you. If you are traveling across the state, please bring more people."

Qiao Lie was silent for a while: "Thank you for your kindness, brother, but it's just Youshi Mansion..."

"Let Wu Jiao help you for a while. At least he is also involved a lot in Yanzhou. We will talk about it when you come back." Lu Bu exhaled: "I can't say you will come back. The place leading to the Jishui River is already under control."

Qiao Lie's heart moved: "Brother is preparing to go to sea?"

"I'm thinking that Wei Zhaode and the others should be able to come back in the next two months. I'll take down the green forests of Qi, Zi, and Qing prefectures first, so as not to react in time if something happens."

"That poor Taoist..."

"You go pick up the old man first and then talk about it."

Lu Bu shook his head and stood up, put the teacup on the table, and stretched his waist: "It's time to let the brothers below move. You have to go through a fight before you can use it with confidence. I just don't know if there are still people in this land of Shandong." Dare to stand up."

"It's a pity that I can't see this grand occasion." "Then come back quickly." He walked out, and a strong voice came into people's ears: "It's not just this battle, there may be many more battles in the future. It bores you."

Behind him, the Taoist standing there chuckled and murmured: "The poor Taoist is looking forward to it."

……

The morning light dispelled the darkness, and thick clouds were covering the blazing heat.

At the water village at the foot of the mountain, Qiao Lie was wearing a Taoist robe, and beside him were a dozen men dressed in the same Taoist attire, all carrying whistle sticks and long swords. They said goodbye to the figures on the shore. Then the door of the water village opened, carrying the Taoist priest. The flat-bottomed sand boat sailed slowly. When it came out of the water gate, it pulled up the sail and suddenly accelerated towards the capital.

Lu Bu withdrew his gaze, turned around and walked towards the outside of the water village. His eyes slid past Bian Xiang, Ma Ling and others who were seeing them off. He said softly: "Go to a certain study room. There is something to be announced. Ma Ling, you have quick legs. Go and call the stewards from the Ma Bu Army."

"Okay." The god Juzi over there chuckled, his legs jumped up very fast, and he disappeared in a flash.

All the way up, the people seeing off gradually dispersed, leaving only Yu Bian Xiang by his side, followed by Yu Cheng. The two of them looked at Lu Bu who seemed to be thinking about something and kept silent, just walking in silence.

Soon after, the three of them walked outside Lu Bu's study on the mountain. Three commanders of the Ma Army and two men, Xi Sheng and Dian, were already waiting there. When they saw the approaching figure, they quickly raised their hands and said, "Brother."

"Come in, everyone." Lu Bu nodded and told Yu Cheng, "Ask the kitchen to bring some meals."

Yu Cheng immediately nodded and left. Several people filed in, looked at each other thoughtfully, and all sat there waiting for Lu Bu to speak.

"When I came back two days ago, I discussed with several military advisors that things over the archipelago should be put on the agenda." Lu Bu walked towards Kanyutu and spoke, turning his face slightly to the people and said: "It's just that Wei Zhaode and the others have not returned yet. , I thought, take the land of the three states first..." He reached out and gestured at the maps of the states above: "In order to avoid variables in the future, it will be too late to provide assistance."

Several people looked at each other in confusion. Xiao Haili touched his bald head and frowned: "The leader plans to capture the state capital?"

"Why do you think so?" Lu Bu raised his brows, looked over and said, "If I wanted to attack the prefecture, I wouldn't choose this place in Jingdong. Besides, if I wanted to raise the flag, what would I do with the islands? "

Several conductors breathed a sigh of relief when they saw it: "It was our fault."

Lu Bu shook his head helplessly: "How can the accumulation of only two or three years be compared with the century-old foundation of the entire Song Dynasty? It is not a troubled time now, and I am not going crazy."

Xiao Haili chuckled and rubbed his head: "It's my fault. Chief, what are you asking us to do in the Three Prefectures?"

"Qizhou and Zizhou are not very famous for their villages and people. The most important thing for us is to capture the territory of Qingzhou." He tapped his finger on the map a few times: "The three villages in Qingzhou are relatively famous, and Erlong Mountain is one. , Taohua Mountain and Qingfeng Mountain are also occupied by strong men."

He walked to the table, reached out and picked up a brochure and handed it to Xiao Haili: "This is the situation in Sanshan. You can take a look later."

"Brother means..." He touched his dark skin and said, "You want to take us to knock down these three mountains."

"It's good to capture the Three Mountains, but it's not a certain leader." Lu Bu looked at him and shook his head: "Now the ministries have just been formed. You can wait for more training when you go back, and go to Qingzhou with the navy in a month."

He glanced at the three infantrymen and said, "You don't have to go all of them. You wait for the three infantrymen to send out three battalions each, and the remaining two battalions will guard the mountain."

Xi Sheng opened his mouth, and a voice from the other side came: "You decide for yourself who will stay and who will go. In addition, you should also take those who are trapped in the camp with you."

Xiao Haili, Du Bo and Yuan Lang looked at each other: "Chief, where are our cavalry troops?"

"Let the horse army go together, with three mountains and one camp on each side. The three of you decide where to go. I will watch you fight this time." Slightly teasing words came from the mouth of the figure over there: "I will take my bodyguards with me." The battalion will go to Qingfeng Town. If anyone can’t defeat them, they can go there and ask for help.”

"Brother is so contemptuous of others." He stood up and said, "We are also experienced in battles. How can we not take down a small mountain? Just sit back in Qingfeng Town and watch our performance."

"I think so too." Bian Xiang nodded and said: "After fighting with the government for such a long time, if we can't conquer even a small hill, then I'll just throw away my weapons and squat in the prison, so as not to waste the stronghold. food."

Xi Sheng took a breath: "My younger brother is willing to issue a military order to determine the target."

During the commotion, Lu Bu waved his hand: "There is no need to establish a military order. If you can't get it, just come back and give up your position to those who are capable. It will be the same in the future. Those who are talented in the army will be promoted, and those who are incompetent will be demoted." He glanced at a few people and said, "Whether you can fight or not, whether you dare to fight or not, let me speak with my sword and gun!"

The six people stood up quickly, cupped their hands and shouted: "Yes."

squeak-

The door opened, and the few minions carrying the meals were immediately silenced by the loud shouts. They didn't know whether to go in. Lu Bu looked at the hesitant faces over there and waved: "Okay, everyone, eat something, wait." Let’s find out who is going where, and report the names of those left behind to someone later.”

Seeing the people in the kitchen putting down the breakfast, he said: "We will form two camps. One camp will go to Erlong Mountain, and the other will go to Qingfeng Mountain. That's it."

The few people didn't have any objections. They agreed and picked up their chopsticks to eat. They talked about the recent affairs of their subordinates. It was harmonious for a while.

Time passed slowly, and when it was almost noon, the six people quickly walked out of the study and returned to their respective barracks. Not long after, the person responsible for the battalion commander hurriedly entered the barracks tent. Not long after, there was a loud noise, which attracted people standing guard outside. People looked sideways frequently, wondering what was going on inside that made several leaders so excited.

On the other hand, the cavalry army was more harmonious. Everyone in the commander's tent was quiet. From time to time, they lamented the good fortune of the infantry. Not long after, someone ran in and said that several commanders of the infantry were competing. Everyone in the cavalry army looked at each other and jumped up. They got up and ran quickly to watch the excitement.

That is, in the evening, the three lists were handed over to Lu Bu's room. Liangshan's war preparations seemed to have officially started from this moment on, and people kept running up and down.

The next day, Ma Ling led the scouts onto the navy ship and headed toward Qingzhou along the river. (End of chapter)