Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) would not actually punish them.

But now Zhao Ji knows that his family's rule is no longer secure.

They would definitely not tolerate them anymore.

Seeing Cai You hesitate, Li Congji quickly said...

"Although our army is smaller,"

"But as long as we hold our ground and don't come out,"

"Even the Liangshan bandits couldn't break in."

"If we hold out for a few more days, the Guangji Army will be able to gather the routed troops to provide support,"

"It won't be difficult to reorganize the troops and wipe out the Liangshan bandits when the time comes."

Cai You painfully raised his head.

Staring at Li Congji,

"Are the Liangshan bandits really unable to break through?"

Li Congji nodded hurriedly.

"With the stronghold firmly defended, the Liangshan bandits will absolutely not be able to break in."

Cai You was still uneasy.

He turned to look at the other three military governors.

The other three quickly nodded in agreement.

They also knew that the Emperor had been furious that day.

The civil and military officials were so terrified they ran away in panic.

This battle, however, was one the emperor intended to wage to pacify the entire realm.

The first battle to consolidate the country

If they easily retreat...

Cai You might be able to save his life thanks to the emperor's favor.

However, they are likely to become victims of the emperor's tactic of making an example of them.

The Song Dynasty emphasized civil affairs over military affairs.

The civil officials abandoned the city and fled.

Perhaps it's just demotion or exile.

Their lives can usually be saved.

Fang La attacked Hangzhou,

Zhao Ting, the prefect of Hangzhou, abandoned the city and fled.

In the end, he was only demoted to Jiyang Army.

But military officers didn't receive such good treatment.

Once defeated

What awaits them is an endless stream of impeachments from the court's civil officials.

In the end, they mostly met their fate of being decapitated.

Cai You saw that everyone was saying this,

He then nodded and said,

"Alright, then I'll leave it to the four generals."

After saying this, he instructed his attendant to take his token and deliver the order to the prefect of Guangji Army.

.....

Now, regarding the water route, after Liu Menglong led his naval forces into Liangshan Marsh by boat,

Seeing that the foot of Liangshan Mountain was covered with dense reeds,

The waterway was winding and circuitous.

There are many harbors and inlets.

Some couldn't help but hesitate.

Liu Menglong's naval force, however, was active on the Yangtze River.

Although I'm used to fast-flowing water,

But this is the first time I've ever seen such a maze-like reed bed.

Liu Menglong shouted, "Order all ships to anchor!"

A school officer nearby glanced at the reeds.

"Has the master noticed something amiss?"

Chapter 1652 Leading the Way

Liu Menglong shook his head and said, "This lake has many inlets and channels."

"The paths are very complicated; we might get lost in them,"

"If we can't find our way out, let's catch a few fishermen to lead the way."

Upon hearing this, the school officer standing nearby

"The Liangshan Mountain stands tall ahead,"

"Let's head towards Liangshan; why delay?"

Liu Menglong shook his head and said,

"This reed marshland stretches for who knows how many miles."

"There's probably not a single road inside that leads directly to Liangshan,"

"If we take the wrong path, we might end up somewhere we don't know where we'll end up,"

"That will be a waste of time."

The officer noticed Liu Menglong's cautious demeanor.

They had no choice but to send a fast boat to the shore to find a fisherman.

As Liu Menglong gazed at Liangshan in the distance from the bow of the boat,

But then they heard someone singing from the reeds.

"I dislike officials and farmers, I don't worship Bodhisattvas and I don't envy immortals."

"A living Yama emerges from the water, and there is a clear sky above one's own head."

Liu Menglong looked in the direction of the sound.

A fast boat emerged from the reeds.

A person was singing while standing on the bow of the boat.

The ship, however, moved like a sharp arrow.

It was speeding across the water.

However, Liu Menglong believed...

The navy he trained in the great river was like a dragon in this lake.

Even better,

The reed marshes, however, looked like a maze.

Can't tolerate him being careless.

The Clippers arrived just a short distance from the convoy before stopping.

Ruan Xiaoqi shouted, "Are the newcomers Song Dynasty soldiers?"

A short distance away,

Liu Menglong couldn't make out Ruan Xiaoqi's appearance either.

It was only speculated that he was a leader from Liangshan.

"I am Liu Menglong, the Commander-in-Chief of the Great Song Dynasty,"

"This time, I will command five thousand naval troops from the Yangtze River to sweep away Liangshan Marsh."

"If you know what's good for you, you'll surrender now,"

"Otherwise, we will wipe out Liangshan and spare no one."

"Hahaha!"

Ruan Xiaoqi laughed loudly, "Don't talk big, you corrupt official!"

"If you surrender, I might spare your lives,"

"Otherwise, this Liangshan Marsh will be your burial ground."

Liu Menglong laughed and said, "How could my mighty Song Dynasty navy possibly lose to you fishermen and peasants?"

"If you can defeat my navy,"

"You don't need to lift a finger; I'll cut off my own head."

Ruan Xiaoqi laughed and said, "Then I'll wait for you to bring me your head at the water fortress."

After saying that, he directed the speedboat to dive into the reeds.

They disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Only a few ripples remained on the water's surface.

Liu Menglong heard that the Liangshan bandits planned to win by using their water fortress.

He curled his lip in disdain.

It was just some wooden fence.

Bombard them with stones.

Bump it again,

The water fortress was then reduced to ashes.

The real challenge is to completely wipe out the Liangshan bandits.

They then planned to attack the passes on the mountain.

Several miles apart,

Liu Menglong could even see the pass halfway up the mountain.

The checkpoint was clearly very impressive.

That will be the real test.

It will probably take the lives of many soldiers to stain the mountain road red.

Only then can it be taken down.

Soon, Liu Menglong's soldiers found a lean fisherman.

Dark skin

They clearly make a living on the water.

On Liu Menglong's flagship, the fisherman's boat

Seeing this, many officers immediately shrank back in fear.

Liu Menglong saw the fisherman trembling.