Do you have the strength to force me to join the Liangshan bandits?

Chapter 383 Han Shizhong: I have an immature idea [1 update]

The elderly general was Liu Yanqing, the commander of the Dragon God Guard, and the young man was his son, Liu Guangshi.

Liu Guangshi is destined to be a remarkable figure in the future.

He, along with Zhang Jun, Han Shizhong, and Yue Fei, were collectively known as the "Four Generals of the Restoration".

He was posthumously honored as one of the "Seven Kings of the Restoration" along with Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun, Yue Fei, Yang Cunzhong, Wu Jie, and Wu Lin.

Liu Guangshi was the leader of the seven kings.

Although Liu Guangshi was known as "Liu the Runner" in later generations, it is undeniable that he possessed remarkable military talent.

Liu Yanqing offered a humble remark, and Gao Qiu, of course, had to follow up with another compliment:
"No compliment!"
"Once we break through Erlong Mountain and capture Song Jiang, the leader of the Liangshan bandits, your son will be credited with the greatest achievement!"

Liu Yanqing was overjoyed and quickly pulled his son Liu Guangshi to bow and thank Gao Qiu:
"Thank you so much for your kindness and support!"
"This humble general is willing to go through fire and water for my benefactor, even unto death!"

Gao Qiu, satisfied, helped Liu Yanqing and Liu Guangshi up.
"Keep up the good work, I have high hopes for you!"

Taking advantage of the pleasant atmosphere, Liu Guangshi expressed his concerns:

"Your Excellency, do you still remember the traitor who escaped?"

Gao Qiu snorted coldly: "That traitor was originally Hua Rong, the magistrate of Qingfeng Village!"

"Born into a military family, yet he doesn't know how to serve his country, instead he follows that scoundrel Song Jiang in rebellion!"

"He's lucky he managed to escape!"

"Nephew, why are you bringing him up?"

Gao Qiu was very displeased by Hua Rong's escape from the encirclement.

He originally intended to capture them all, but one of them escaped.

Even if he had taken Erlong Mountain, it would not have been a complete success and would not have been perfect.

Liu Guangshi hadn't expected Gao Qiu to harbor such deep resentment towards Hua Rong, and quickly said:
"My lord, I am worried that the rebel Hua Rong will flee to Liangshan Marsh to seek reinforcements!"
"If Liangshan Marsh sends reinforcements, they should arrive soon..."

"He dares!"

Gao Qiu glared at him: "I have 130,000 troops here, how many soldiers does Liangshan Marsh have?"
"If he dares to come, it will be like throwing an egg against a rock!"

"You're right, Your Excellency!"

Liu Guangshi first echoed Gao Qiu, then said, "Your Excellency, just in case, should our army make arrangements in advance?"

Gao Qiu stroked his beard and sized him up: "How do you suggest we arrange this?"

Liu Guangshi said confidently, "My lord, our army can spare 10,000 men and lie in ambush outside the camp to wait for them to come!"
"Liangshan Marsh has few soldiers, and in my humble opinion, they will definitely launch a surprise attack. At that time, our army can attack from both sides!"
"If we're lucky, the bandit leader Cai Fu will come in person, and we can capture Cai Fu as well!"
"Our army has been defeated by the reinforcements. Erlongshan is isolated and without supplies. The morale of the troops will surely waver, and they will have no will to hold the position!"
"If the Prime Minister had offered a surrender offer, we could have taken Erlong Mountain without losing a single soldier!"

"Wow! Wow!"

Gao Qiu admired the clap of his hands:
"As expected of a son of a military family, if you succeed in this mission, I will guarantee you the position of Military Commander of Jizhou!"

Liu Guangshi was overjoyed and immediately knelt down:
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency. I will do my utmost!"

Gao Qiu helped Liu Guangshi up with satisfaction. As for Zhang Qing, the "vegetable gardener," he would deal with him later.

Zhang Qing had no connections and came from humble origins. Even if he made a contribution, it wouldn't be difficult for Gao Qiu to get rid of him.

……

"Old Yang, why aren't you leaving?"

Cai Fu and his men, as the central army, caught up with Yang Zhi's vanguard fifty li away from Erlong Mountain.

To Cai Fu's surprise, the vanguard had already set up camp, even though the sun was not yet at its zenith.

Yang Zhi looked at Han Shizhong: "Brother, General Han said that the government troops have already set up an ambush and are waiting for us to fall into it!"

Han Shizhong chimed in, "Brother, General Hua broke through the encirclement to come to Liangshan Marsh for help. The government troops couldn't possibly be unprepared!"
"If we charge straight in, we might fall into the government troops' trap!"

"It makes sense."

Cai Fu was satisfied that Han Shizhong could raise questions, but he was even more interested in whether Han Shizhong could solve the problems.

After all, there are many people who can raise questions, but very few who can solve them.

"Sixth Brother, what brilliant plan do you have?" Han Shizhong had already devised a solution and answered fluently:
"Brother, I have a naive idea."

"If we do this and that, do we have any chance of winning?"

Cai Fu patted Han Shizhong on the shoulder with satisfaction: "Good, let's do it your way!"

Han Shizhong was overjoyed: "Big brother, just you wait and see!"

……

Qingzhou.

The current prefect of Qingzhou, Murong Yanming, is the brother of Murong Yanda and also the brother of Consort Murong.

After Murong Yanda died, Consort Murong arranged for another of her brothers to become the prefect of Qingzhou.

After Murong Yanming took office, he was not much better than Murong Yanda, or rather, he was even worse than Murong Yanda.

As Emperor Huizong's brother-in-law, Murong Yanming learned the emperor's hobby of visiting brothels.

Even though Murong Yanming already had a large number of wives and concubines, he would still go out to seek pleasure every now and then.

On this day, Murong Yanming went on a private visit and came to Lichun Courtyard, the largest brothel in Qingzhou.

Murong Yanming frequented the Lichun Brothel mainly because this Lichun Brothel was a branch of the one in Tokyo.

Because Lichun Courtyard had branches in all twenty-four regions of the Song Dynasty, the top courtesans from each branch were frequently transferred between them.

Firstly, it brings a sense of novelty to the guests, and secondly, it's better to have a foreign monk chanting scriptures.

Think about it, you can enjoy the most beautiful courtesans in Yangzhou while you're in Qingzhou. What's a little extra money compared to that?

Therefore, Lichun Courtyard was very popular, and Murong Yanming would come to Lichun Courtyard to try new things whenever he had time.

Murong Yanming, dressed like a wealthy man, arrived discreetly at Lichun Courtyard under the protection of several family guards.

Upon seeing that a VIP customer had arrived, the madam hurriedly came forward and affectionately put her arm around Murong Yanming's arm:

"Oh my! It's been so long since my lord has come! Xia Zhu has been longing to see him!"

Murong Yanming had already lost interest in Xia Zhu and couldn't even be bothered with a perfunctory reply, asking directly:
"I heard the most beautiful courtesan from Yangzhou arrived this morning?"

O man!

The madam said with a beaming smile, "My lord, you are well-informed. Qiuya did indeed arrive this morning!"

"It's just a long journey and the traveler must be tired. Qiuya is resting now, and we won't see her for another two days..."

"Fifty taels!"

Without saying a word, Murong Yanming made a direct offer.

The madam subtly curled her lip: "My lord, my daughter Qiuya is from Jiangnan. She's frail and can't withstand any more hardship..."

Murong Yanming: "Gold!"

Why didn't you say so sooner!

The madam immediately beamed with joy: "Oh my, Qiuya loves men as forthright and generous as you, sir!"

"My lord, I'll take you to see her right away!"

Murong Yanming sneered: Ha, woman!
Following the madam up to the second floor, Murong Yanming was led to an embroidery room where he met the most beautiful courtesan in Yangzhou.

As expected, Qiuya did not disappoint Murong Yanming. Compared to Qiuya, Xiazhu was simply a pushover.

The madam left, and Murong Yanming, leering, pounced on her. Qiu Ya quickly grabbed Murong Yanming's hand:
"My lord, don't be in such a hurry!"

"Is there anything unhurried about, you monkey?"

Murong Yanming pinned Qiu Ya down and skillfully undressed her, when suddenly he felt a blow to the back of her neck!
Murong Yanming groaned and lay motionless on Qiuya.

Qiuya was about to scream when she was knocked unconscious...

(End of this chapter)