Lord: Start with a copy of Water Margin

After everyone dispersed, Zhao Zhen got up and went to his residence in the backyard. All the wives and concubines gathered at the residence on the top of the mountain. Liu Huiniang, Hu Sanniang, and Chen Liqing also changed into Ruren's imperial clothes, echoing Cheng Waner's pleasant clothes.

When everyone saw Zhao Zhen, they all stood up to greet him.

Zhao Zhen sat opposite Cheng Wan'er and asked everyone to sit down.

Looking at the wives and concubines sitting on both sides below, it seemed that they were naturally divided into two groups because of this imperial decree.

Bai Zhi, Jin Cuilian, Chu Yan, and Chu Yuan, although smiling, were a little disappointed. However, Liu Huiniang and the other three looked happy.

Zhao Zhen said: "Today's imperial decree is too stingy. Although I have never fought against Song Jiang, I have captured four cities and captured four Qingzhou bandit leaders. Rewarding these things is too stingy."

"Fortunately, this imperial edict is quite generous. Next year we will conquer the Qingzhou thieves, and Madam Zhi, you will have the imperial edict you have been waiting for."

After hearing this, Bai Zhi said: "Officer, the four of us can't go to the battlefield, how can we get the imperial title?"

Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "My lady, I don't know that this court is unwilling to reward me with a high position, so naturally it will compensate me somewhere else. If not, who is willing to risk their lives?"

"This time it's just Sanniang and the three who went to the battlefield, and the court just used this as an excuse. Don't you see that Dong Ping and Qin Ming also have military exploits, you see the court just wants to reward them with some money from the seizures."

Bai Zhi was relieved after hearing this.

Zhao Zhen turned to Cheng Wan'er and said, "Madam, tomorrow I will take out one or two black wolfberries and put them in a fine brocade box. I will give them to the official family to show my loyalty. They can also be regarded as a tribute from Liangshan Prefecture."

Cheng Waner nodded after hearing this.

Chen Liqing curled her lips and said: "So that's the case. No wonder my father has only been practicing Taoism these years and has not paid attention to court affairs."

Liu Huiniang also said: "This time, I have taken the lead among the three names, and the court didn't even care about the order. It's not a good idea, so why don't we just decline."

Zhao Zhen said: "Pei Xuan said the same thing. It's just the court's righteousness and reasons, so I have to follow him. There is no need to refuse. The court wants to use me, and if it doesn't want to reward me, it will naturally transfer the reward to you and others. Although there is no such thing in Liangshan No matter what the use is, it’s just an identity.”

"Besides, this is what the court should give. All it costs is a suit of clothes and a title. There are only three places, and I don't think it's enough. I will see the angel tomorrow. My wife asked Bai Shuang to lead Wu La and Wu Na to the hall. Take a walk.”

Wu La and Wu Na who were lying behind the door in the hall, when they heard their names being called, showed their heads from behind the door, tilted their heads and looked at Zhao Zhen, as if asking what they were called for.

Seeing Zhao Zhen wave his hand, he retracted it. The white frost under Cheng Wan'er's feet screamed in dissatisfaction.

Cheng Wan'er asked: "Officer, what are you doing?"

Zhao Zhen said: "I heard from Hou Meng yesterday that the officials loved elephants. They built elephant houses in the palace and planted bamboo forests. They also held elephant banquets and often showed off. I have never seen an elephant. I only heard that this thing is huge. The Shire horses raised by the farm are much bigger, and they are docile and can be trained into war elephants. When I planned to donate black wolfberry and four-bearded carp, I mentioned by the way that if I could get an elephant as a reward. The best thing.”

Cheng Wan'er listened and said: "This angel won't ask for these Wu La and Wu Na, right? Especially Wu Na, with black hair, which is rare in the world."

Zhao Zhen said: "Don't worry, let alone he doesn't dare to ask for it. Even if he wants it, I can't give it to him."

But he said that Xiao Rang secretly went to the Red Leaf Barracks at night, where he met Lai Yong'er and Zhao Gui.

After seeing the ceremony, Xiao Rang asked: "You are a thief and I am an official. We have just done something now. What do you mean, brother Yong'er? I am entertaining angels here. Aren't you afraid that I will tie you two up to ask for merit?"

Lai Yong'er calmly raised his hands and said: "Xiao Tongpan, who doesn't admire Zhao Daguan in Shandong and Hebei? Everyone fights on the battlefield based on their own ability, and no one can blame anyone. We are here to give you gifts, senior officials." They will definitely not be willing to tie us up and present them to the court. If the news spreads, it will damage the reputation of high officials. "

Lai Yong'er continued: "I am here for nothing else. Brother Song Gongming personally selected some treasures and sent them to me. I just asked the magistrate to recommend them so that we can meet the high officials."

Xiao Rang said: "If it were normal times, the high official would just see you. Now that the angel is here and there are so many people with mixed eyes, how can the high official be willing to see you. Now that I can come to see you, the high official cares about it. Song Gongming's benevolence and righteousness eclipse extravagance. If the military advisor comes and has something to say, it's okay to say it. I will naturally tell the high officials when I see the angel off tomorrow."

When Lai Yong'er saw Xiao Rang's firmness, he didn't insist. Xiao Rang was asked to go to a side room next to him, where he saw more than twenty boxes piled on the floor.

Lai Yong'er stepped forward and opened them one by one, and said to Xiao Rang: "Tongpan, here are five thousand taels of gold, five boxes of wild ginseng, fleece-flower root, Ganoderma lucidum, deer antler, and Poria cocos, one hundred pieces each of mirror flower damask, fairy pattern damask, and night-glow pearls." Two pills. Each of the five boxes of medicinal materials contains a precious medicine, the Night Pearl, which is also rare in the world."

"As you know that many of the heroes under high officials are addicted to alcohol, here is the [Yunmen Aged Wine] wine recipe to offer along with it."

With that, Xiao Rang asked Xiao Rang to come out of the house, pointed to the back of the house and said: "There are four more spiritual plants. These two are [Open Hawthorn] and these two are [Ox Heart Persimmon]. They are both from Gongming's brother's visit to the state." I found it there, knowing that the officials liked it, so I spent a lot of effort digging and transporting it here."

"I don't want high-ranking officials for anything else. I just want high-ranking officials to start the spring next year. If we delay for a while, we are willing to withdraw from Yanzhou."

After hearing this, Xiao Rang nodded: "If the military advisor comes, I will tell the high official that you can stay here until your status is inconvenient. Someone will naturally send you food and drink expenses. The high official will have an answer tomorrow."

Lai Yong'er said: "Don't worry, Tongpan. We are here to seek peace, how dare we make trouble."

Xiao Rang didn't say anything, turned around and left the barracks, explained to the sergeants guarding here, then returned to Baishi Manor and explained Lai Yonger's purpose.

After Xiao Rang left, Zhao Gui said: "Commander, this Xiao Rang is so rude."

Lai Yong'er said: "He is an official and I am a thief. The situation is stronger than others. Now that we have requests from others, we naturally have to be cautious."

As he said that, he looked around and said to Zhao Gui: "Tonight, pass the news of Angel's return tomorrow to the brothers hiding in the mountains and see if you can find an opportunity to intercept Angel."

Zhao Gui hesitated and said: "Military advisor, I found out when I came here that there are hundreds of soldiers guarding the angel. Zhao Zhen will definitely send troops to escort him out of Liangshan, I'm afraid there is no chance."

Lai Yong'er said: "Huangfu Xiong outside will naturally act according to the opportunity. Regardless of success or failure, he will take a detour and return to Qingzhou immediately afterwards. There is no need to join us."

Zhao Gui heard this and secretly conveyed the news.

On the second day, Zhao Zhen had breakfast and invited Hou Meng and others to go to the general station together. According to yesterday's plan, the sergeants of each battalion were asked to perform drills one by one.

Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban were also surprised at first by the strength of the soldiers in Liangshan Prefecture. After waiting for the soldiers from Chongfengdu to come up wearing rattan armor and holding simple swords, Li Yuhou laughed and said: "My lord, this group of people in your state actually defeated the Qingzhou thieves. I'm afraid these Qingzhou thieves also have a false reputation."

Yu Baosi, who was standing aside, heard this and shouted: "Shut your mouth, don't look at the official's face. I will kill you with one punch." Xiao Rang quickly persuaded a few words, and Hou Meng also He scolded: "Li Yu Hou, the commander of Huyan selected 3,000 elite cavalry, 5,000 infantry, and the weapons of the Kuguan branch. He only had a slight upper hand against the Qingzhou bandits. He was not as good as Zhao Kuanjun in killing the generals and seizing the city. warrior."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen waved his hands and said: "Declaration, what Li Yuhou said is not bad. It is true that Liangshan Prefecture is not fully armored and has insufficient armaments. Fortunately, we are full of enthusiasm, so we managed to defeat Song Jiang." . Now the Privy Council has decided to send these craftsmen to the emperor to prepare the equipment for the coming year's battle. "

Hou Meng said: "The county prince is loyal, I should report it to the officials."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen clapped his hands and saw Zhao Yuanli leading several village men up.

Zhao Zhen said: "I have not paid tribute since I became a prefecture. I wanted to pay tribute, but unfortunately the prefecture and county were exhausted. I only found a spiritual black wolfberry plant and picked a quantity. Eating ten berries can make people become more powerful. What's more? There are spiritual four-bearded carp in the water, which can nourish the body. I have people catch four of them and put them in these large buckets. Please declare and offer them to the officials. "

Just as he was talking, I saw a white fox in front of the general stage, and two tigers, one yellow and one black, walking slowly from the front. Passing by the commander's platform, he suddenly roared towards the platform, but it was like a thunderbolt for a long time, which shocked the defenseless Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban on the commander's platform.

The soldiers in the audience stood there without panicking.

Hou Meng was surprised and said to Zhao Zhen, "This is it?"

Xiao Rang said: "Don't be alarmed by the announcement. These two tigers and a white fox are raised by senior officials and will not harm anyone. Senior officials prefer spiritual species and spiritual plants. There are also raptors, parrots and the like in the village." , all the households in the nearby villages know it.”

After hearing this, Hou Meng felt a little relieved.

Zhao Zhen on the stage looked at the two tigers and one fox and scolded them. After hearing this, the white fox glanced towards the stage, then led the two big insects and ran into the hilltop.

Zhang Qianban said: "This white fox and black tiger are rare. It would be great if it could be made into a big cloak."

Seeing that no one said anything, Zhang Qianban shut up in boredom.

Hou Meng said: "It turns out that my husband likes this. The official family also has a five-color parrot, which he likes very much."

Zhao Zhen said: "I have also heard that officials even made the "Five Color Parrot Picture" for this purpose."

"Yes, I have seen it in the palace. The apricot blossoms are crystal clear. The parrot's body is colored in the five colors of 'dark yellow, red, white and green'. Its wings are colorful, its beak and claws are solid, and its expression is moving." Hou Meng said.

"I heard that the officials built an elephant house in the palace. It's a pity that we don't have an elephant here, so we can't see its majesty."

"I only heard: 'What kind of elephant is it?' The person holding the foot speaks like a paint tube. The person holding the tail speaks like a broom. The person holding the tail speaks like a staff. The person holding the belly speaks like a drum. The person holding the threat speaks like a wall. The person holding the back speaks like a wall. Those who hold their ears speak like a dustpan, those who hold their teeth speak like a horn."

"This elephant was presented by the South Vietnam Kingdom, and the officials loved it very much." Hou Meng replied.

After looking at the sergeant, Hou Meng said: "Mr. Sir, since we have looked at the sergeant, we have to return to Beijing to resume our orders."

Zhao Zhen did not stay and said: "I dare not delay the announcement of the decree. Please declare the decree and report to me. As long as the weapons and weapons are ready, after the spring plowing next year, troops will naturally be sent to conquer the Qingzhou bandits."

After saying that, someone brought out a plate of gold and silver, presented it to Chengyi, and sent Hou Meng and his party out of the village. Chao Gai was still asked to lead Fan County sergeants to escort them out of the country.

After sending Hou Meng away, Zhao Zhen asked the sergeants and soldiers to disperse.

Then he and Xiao Rang sat down in the hall. Zhao Zhen said: "Brother, last night I sent people to fly pigeons to pass the book to scholars. I didn't want to antagonize Song Jiang. However, he did mention that now we have occupied Yizhou. It’s better to bargain with Song Gongming and take over the rest of the county.”

"Students have made it clear these days. I am afraid that Yizhou cannot be defended. By then we will be able to capture the city and have an account to the court. At the same time, Yizhou is mountainous and the households are poor. For Song Gongming, There is not much oil and water. Losing Yizhou is not a big deal."

Xiao Rang heard and said, "In this case, I will go and discuss with Lai Yong'er." Then, Xiao Rang stood up and went to the Red Leaf Tree Camp.

It is said that Hou Meng and his party, escorted by Chao Gai, passed through Shouzhang County along the official road. Although Li Yuhou and Zhang Ganban had received benefits, they still complained about this and that on the way. Chao Gai was impatient and reported to Hou Meng to lead the troops to go ahead.

Hou Meng felt that there was no danger with the protection of this team of imperial guards and it was in the territory of Liangshan, so he agreed.

The two teams gathered one mile away from Li Yuhou and Zhang Ganban, and Chao Gai cursed a few words.

Passing Shouzhang and crossing the Yellow River, Chao Gai walked two miles away, and looked back to find that Hou Meng and his party were actually staying by the Yellow River, looking at the scenery.

Chao Gai cursed secretly and had to turn the team around and rush back.

Just after walking a mile, they saw Hou Meng's group suddenly burst into chaos. Thirty or forty men dressed as fishermen suddenly drew out their broadswords and hacked and killed Tianshi and his group.

Chao Gai saw this and hurriedly rode forward.

When Chao Gai arrived, the group of people scattered. Chao Gai was reluctant to let them go and drove the soldiers to chase them.

Chao Gai even went straight to the big man who had just charged the most fiercely. Seeing that he was caught up, the big man had to stop and fight with his sword.

Chao Gai rushed up, got off his horse, drew out his broadsword, and hacked at the big man without saying a word. They fought back and forth for no less than thirty rounds. The soldiers slowly surrounded him. The big man was anxious to get away and his steps were disordered. Chao Gai seized the opportunity and hacked him to the ground with a sword.

After ordering the soldiers to tie up the man and clear the battlefield, Chao Gai walked up to Hou Meng with a grim face. Seeing that Hou Meng had just fallen and was not injured, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Yuhou held his left arm that was injured by an arrow and scolded Chao Gai: "You did a good job. Someone dared to kill the angel..."

Chao Gai shouted: "Shut up."

Then he said to Hou Meng: "The imperial edict was frightened. Wait a moment. I have captured a few thieves. I will interrogate them and see where the thieves came from. They are so bold."

Including the man captured by Chao Gai, a total of four people were captured, eighteen people were killed, and more than a dozen people escaped.

Chao Gai took the four people forward and shouted: "Who is the leader?"