Chapter 63: Liangshan Small Gathering

"elder brother!"

"elder brother!"

"elder brother!"

The howling north wind and the surging waves could not suppress the deafening shouts from Liangshan.

At Liangshan Water Fort, a three-masted lock ship broke through the surface of the lake and sailed forward steadily.

Cao Jie stood at the bow of the boat. The whistling cold wind blew open his scarlet cloak, revealing the sky-blue coat underneath.

The fierce wind blew from the far north, carrying with it a hint of savagery and bloodiness. It violently crossed the mountains, passed through the plains, and finally spread the majesty of winter across the Central Plains.

Killing is the nature of the north wind, just like those violent barbarians.

Just now, Ruan Xiaoer and others talked about what they saw and heard in Liaodong.

Just a few words made Cao Jie feel nervous.

Others may not know how terrifying the Jurchens are, but how could he not know?

"Are they really all orcs?"

"The Liao Kingdom is about to end!"

In September of this year, Wanyan Aguda marched into Ningjiang Prefecture, passed Liaohui City (the ancient city opposite Shuangcheng in Heilongjiang today), and joined forces with troops from various units at Lailiu River (west of the mouth of Lalin River today, near Shibei Waizitun in Fuyu, Jilin), with a total of 2,500 people, thus opening the prelude to the anti-Liao movement.

In November, when Ruan Xiaoer and his men were returning south, Liao's commander-in-chief Xiao Sixian and deputy commander-in-chief Xiao Wuna led an army of 100,000 troops to attack the Jurchens and concentrated their forces north of the Yazi River.

Aguda personally led 3,700 soldiers and marched at night with drums sounded and fires fired. They arrived at the river at dawn and rushed across the ice. Only one-third of the Jurchen soldiers crossed the river before they met the Liao army at Chuhedian (now southwest of Zhaoyuan, Heilongjiang).

At that time, a strong wind suddenly arose and dust covered the sky. Aguda commanded his soldiers to take advantage of the wind to attack, and the Liao army was defeated.

They also pursued the Liao troops to Wulun Luo, killing and capturing countless Liao soldiers and their chariots, horses, weapons, and treasures. The Liao army's deputy commander-in-chief Xiao Tabuye and several Liao generals under his command, including Cui Gongyi, Yelu Fuliu, and Xiao Geshi, were killed.

Aguda took advantage of the situation to incorporate the captured Liao soldiers into the Jurchen army, and in just three months he expanded his army to more than 10,000 people.

'The Jurchens' situation has become a reality!'

"The Song Dynasty is still living a life of drunkenness and debauchery."

Cao Jie looked towards Liangshan Water Stronghold.

Compared with the Jurchens, he was indeed a step late, but when he saw his brothers.

My heart felt extremely happy, and the lapels of my clothes rustled in the north wind, which made me feel indescribably majestic.

The Jurchens are rising, and our Liangshan is no less capable than them, and we also have many talented people.

"elder brother!"

"elder brother!"

Cao Jie strode off the boat, clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Brothers, the brothers who fought in Liao Kingdom are back today. Because of them, we have food and money to recruit soldiers.

Standing here are old people and new people. Maybe you don’t know them, but that’s Ruan Xiaoer, the Tai Sui of the Land…”

Ruan Xiaoer raised his eyebrows and clasped his fists, saying, "We only contributed a little effort and ran errands in Liao State, but you, brother, made the plans, so you deserve the credit."

"My second brother fought the Jurchens of Liaodong and the bandits of Liao to earn tens of thousands of strings of money and food for Liangshan. This is not just running errands. Thank you for your hard work, second brother!"

Cao Jie bowed to Ruan Xiaoer, then pointed at Ruan Xiaowu and said, "This is the short-lived Erlang Ruan Xiaowu, Fifth Brother."

"This is the young Marquis of Wen, Lü Fang. He has a unique skill in using the Fang Tian Hua Ji and is very good at cavalry warfare."

"This is Deng Fei, the Fire Eyed Suanni. He has a breath of blazing energies that can catch people by surprise. He is also a man of integrity..."

"Come!" Cao Jie was the first to clasp his fists towards the four of them and said loudly, "The four of you have traveled thousands of miles and sacrificed your lives for the growth of Liangshan. You should accept our respect."

"Four brothers, please accept our greetings."

After everyone bowed, Cao Jie pointed at the new faces on the dock and said:

"That is the new monk Lu Zhishen who has just arrived on the mountain. He is able to uproot a weeping willow tree and has the courage of ten thousand men."

"That's Shi Xiu, the Desperate Man. He's an extraordinary warrior and quite resourceful." "That's Meng Kang of Yufangan. He built the big ship we're on."

"This is Shi Qian, the flea on the drum. He can climb walls and climb rooftops and get information. No one on Liangshan can match him."

"This is Cao Zheng, the butcher who butchers an ox like a butcher, his skills are close to Taoism."

"The village leader, the white-robed scholar Wang Lun, the cloud-living golden man Song Wan, the sky-touching Du Qian, the dry land Hulu Zhu Gui, the faceless Jiao Ting brothers, the living devil Ruan Xiaoqi, the wise man Wu Yong, and Wu Song, the head of Yuncheng, and Chai Jin, the little whirlwind of Cangzhou, are all familiar to everyone, so I won't introduce them one by one."

"I think this person should be the Golden Leopard Tang Long!"

Cao Jie looked at a strange face on the dock again.

I saw that this big man was over seven feet tall, with pockmarked skin, a big road on his nose, and extremely strong arms.

"Brother, I am Tang Long. I went to Liangshan at the beginning of the month at the invitation of the military advisor."

"Good arm. From now on, all the weapons and armor on Liangshan Mountain will be handed over to you, brother."

Cao Jie reached out and patted the muscular arm, which moved Tang Long.

"Today, a new brother has joined us, the spear and stick instructor of the 800,000 imperial guards, Leopard Head Lin Chong..."

It took Cao Jie nearly half an hour to introduce them one by one.

At this point, Cao Jie had nine Tiangang and ten Disha under his command. Except for Wu Song and Chai Jin, they gathered on Liangshan.

A three-meter-high platform had been built on the open space in front of the stronghold, and it was filled with tributes. The most honorable ones were the three animals. The three heads of a pig, a cow, and a sheep looked particularly solemn and dignified in the sun.

Cao Jie stepped up onto the platform step by step, offered incense and candles, and turned to look at his brothers standing below the stage.

Today is a small gathering at Liangshan, so naturally we have to say something.

Public speaking is the behavior that can best enhance personal charm. If one has the public speaking ability of Xiao Huzi, then it would be easy to overthrow the Song Dynasty, let alone Liangshan.

Cao Jie doesn't have this kind of magical power, but he can plagiarize!
"Brothers, which of us is born a robber?"

"It is nothing more than the treacherous officials in power who persecute loyal officials, that we are forced to take action and have no choice but to rebel."

"We are all people with lofty ideals. We are fighting for the common people, for our elders and fellow countrymen, and for future generations..."

"Who would be born to be a bandit? With two lines of gold seals on his face, he would be laughed at by the world his whole life."

"We brothers gather here for a righteous cause, not just to rob, kill, and burn, or to seek temporary happiness. We brothers gather here in Liangshan to eliminate violence, uphold justice, and enforce justice!"

"I have a dream that this country will stand up and revive the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties."

"I have a dream that no one of my brothers will be framed and exploited by corrupt officials..."

"I have a dream that my descendants can stand upright in this world."

"..."

After the short speech of a thousand words, Cao Jie looked towards the flagpole. Wu Yong pulled the rope hard, and the flag unfolded with a "boom".

Four large golden characters appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Do justice for heaven!"

Cao Jie pointed at the flag and forcefully uttered these four words.

"Do justice for heaven!"

Everyone shouted in unison, unable to contain their excitement. A lackey brought over the wine that had been prepared long ago, one bowl for each person.

"I will do justice for the people and never regret it even if I die nine times! I will obey my brother's orders and will not refuse even if I die a thousand times!" Wu Yong knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and shouted.

"I will not give up even if I die!"

Everyone knelt on one knee and roared in unison, their voices shaking the sky.

Dry!
Bang!

The wine bowl smashed to pieces...

(End of this chapter)