On March 27th, the weather was fine and the spring breeze brought warmth.
For people in the northern region who have survived the entire cold winter, this spring March is a good time to return to productive work, hoping to exchange their hard work and sweat for a bumper harvest in the new year. Even those gentlemen and ladies who have a good family background and do not need to go out into the fields will take advantage of this great spring time to go out for an outing and appreciate the beautiful scenery of this picturesque country.
Naturally, the scenery of lakes and mountains like the scene in a splash-ink landscape painting has made countless people think about it, making it a good place to visit. Today, some people did come here along the official road, but there were too many of them. At a glance, it was so dark that it was impossible to see where it ended. At the same time, these people also carried guns, sabers, and waved flags. Even if they were far apart, they could make people feel the murderous aura coming towards them.
The thousands of people who suddenly appeared were not young gentlemen and young ladies on an outing, but Song Dynasty officers and soldiers. And the most pleasant place among these lakes and mountains is not a scenic spot, but the world-famous den of bandits - Liangshan Bo!
After more than half a month of preparation and traveling, Sun Tu finally led his army to reach Liangshan Po today. When the army set up camp and spread out, the elite spirit that was very different from that of the civilian army quickly alerted the bandits on the mountain. News came to the depths of the mountain village like meteors, reaching several important leaders. His face was solemn, and his uneasiness was palpable.
After a long while, Song Jiang sighed softly: "What is supposed to come has finally come..." There was both uneasiness and relief in his tone.
These are two very contradictory feelings, but they are indeed reflected in Song Jiang's words, because this is where his mind is entangled. Sun Tu and the officers and soldiers under his command have always been a sharp sword hanging over the heads of everyone in Liangshan. It can be said that since the two major defeats in Dongping and Qingzhou, everyone in the village has been worried about Sun Tu's troops, and almost no one dared to do so. Got out of the mountain easily.
Song Jiang knew very well how much impact this sentiment would have on the copycat brothers. If it really dragged on for a few years, everyone would completely lose the courage to resist because of fear, and Liangshan would be completely doomed. Fortunately, today Sun Tu finally couldn't stand the pressure from the Song Dynasty court and took the initiative to attack, which gave them a chance. Although he still knew in his heart that it would not be easy to defeat Sun Tu's troops, but it was an opportunity after all. .
"Brother, why don't you let me lead my brothers to kill them down the mountain and beat them to a standstill!" Li Kui's shout made Song Jiang come back from his thoughts, and then he shook his head solemnly: "No, Sun Tu's subordinates The soldiers and horses are excellent, but it is not something that our brothers can resist in the front. What we have to do now is to defend the stronghold according to the favorable terrain. As long as we delay him for a few months, Sun Tu will definitely retreat!"
"Brother, this is too frustrating... Don't we even have the courage to go down the mountain and fight?" Li Kui shouted unwillingly at that moment. Although some other people did not speak, their expressions also showed the desire to fight. It's not the style of these heroes to passively sit on the mountain and be a coward.
However, Song Jiang had his own persistence and continued to concentrate: "This is a military order, no bargaining. Although my Liangshan brothers dare to fight and can fight, there is no need to take such a big risk. And I have sent people at the foot of the mountain early in the morning
There are various traps and traps laid in the main road. Killing the mountain at this time will destroy the overall plan. Everyone focuses on guarding the mountain! "
At this time, Li Kui and others did not dare to ask for a fight anymore, while some others turned their attention to Chao Gai, who was still looking a little pale - even though several months had passed, his injuries were still not healed, and his body bones were not as good as before. . But King Chao Tian's mind was not affected. Even if he had a rift with Song Jiang, he still supported him at this time: "Brother Gongming is right, our Liangshan Po is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even if a hundred thousand troops come, we may not be able to attack it." . In this case, why should we take the risk to kill? Everyone just obeys the order and guards the mountain. Anyone who disobeys is no longer my brother, Chao Gai!"
"King of Heaven..." Song Jiang felt warm in his heart after hearing these words. At this time, everyone needs to work together. He nodded deeply at the other party. He had made up his mind that he would devote all his efforts to guarding the mountain this time.
When Chao Gai saw this, he also smiled warmly. It seemed that the rift between the two people was easing. Just as Sun Tu had guessed before, when foreign enemies threatened the safety of the village, the relationship between them became closer again, and they became more open-minded.
But just as everyone on the mountain followed the orders of the two village masters and began to take various defensive measures, just waiting for the army to attack, the military camp at the foot of the mountain was divided into groups, and a few knights slowly retreated under the protection of about a hundred soldiers. After slowly arriving at the foot of the mountain, a voice soon came from below: "Sun Tu, please ask the leader of Song Jiang Village to come forward!"
Hearing this, the faces of everyone on the mountain changed. Some were suspicious and some were worried. Chao Gai even said: "Brother Gongming, doesn't Sun Tu want to lure you down the mountain so that he can be captured? Don't you want to I was easily fooled by him.”
"Brother, don't worry, Sun Tu won't do such a thing. Besides, he is now at the foot of our Liangshan Mountain. If I dare not show up and talk to him, it will ruin the face of our village and damage the morale of my brother." It's too big. Wait until I go down the mountain to talk to him and see what tricks he can pull off." Song Jiang had his own considerations. After giving the reason, he hugged Chao Gai and brought a few close friends with him. The brothers went down.
After all, Chao Gai did not forcefully stop the other party. If it were in the past, when the relationship between the two was inseparable, he would naturally not dare to let him take risks, but now, with that layer between them, it was always hard for him to persuade him, so he could only say with a little worry Watching Song Jiang go down to the front of the village, he spoke to Sun Tu at the wall of the village, which was only a few miles away from the foot of the mountain.
The defense of Bozhai Village in Liangshan is more thorough than that of Erlong Mountain. Not only is there only one road up the mountain, but the nearby mountains are also the steepest. There is no room for siege weapons such as catapults. In addition, not long after entering the mountain, a wall of two or three people high had been erected. Just this wall made entirely of stones was not something that ordinary soldiers and horses could attack.
Sun Tu raised his head and looked at the high wall that stretched across the mountain road, and sighed. If Liangshan was to be attacked by force, it would take a lot of effort and the blood of countless soldiers. It really makes sense that Liangshanbo can stay in Shandong for several years and its reputation is becoming more and more famous.
While I was thinking about it, Song Jiang's slightly hoarse voice came from the mountain: "Superintendent Sun, Song Jiang is here. If you have anything to say, just say it."
But it was he who had spoken behind the stone wall.
Sun Tu laughed when he saw this: "Master Song, I think you and I had some friendship back then, but why have we become so estranged today? I only brought a few guards to your door, so why should you?" Why be so vigilant?"
"I, Song Jiang, have never dared to forget Dujian Sun's kindness in rescuing and helping me that day, but today you and I are enemies rather than friends. You are even more determined to attack my copycat, so I can only be more defensive."
Sun Tu sighed and shook his head: "I didn't expect that after so many years apart, Master Song would be so hostile to me? I think Sun Tu has always treated Master Song as a friend, even if we are an officer and a thief. I have been thinking about ending this war... "
Listening to Sun Tu's words kept coming out, many people behind the wall frowned. Hua Rong, who was following Song Jiang, couldn't help but raise his bow and arrow: "Brother, just let me... If the arrow kills him, maybe the danger of my stronghold will be solved!"
"No, since Sun Tu dares to get so close, he must be prepared. If we act rashly, we will only cause trouble." Song Jiang did not accept this proposal, but took advantage of Sun Tu's narration of their friendship and shouted: "Superintendent Sun, just tell me what your intentions are, and don't go around in circles."
"Okay, since the leader of Song Village is so direct, then Sun Tu will speak out." Sun Tu breathed out and then said: "Although your Liangshan is famous, it is only a small place after all, not to mention fighting against the imperial court. , even if the officers and soldiers of our Shandong land attack with all their strength, they will be able to break it. Doesn’t the leader of Song Village think about the future of his brothers and insist on hanging on this tree? If I were you, now The imperial troops are pressing down on the border. What you should do is surrender in time. This will not only end the war, so that the brothers and soldiers on both sides will not suffer casualties and bleed because of it, but it will also protect the friendship between you and me. Master Song, at this time It's still too late to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. You were also a court official back then, so you should know that what I said is true."
He really came to persuade you to surrender! Song Jiang shook his head and smiled bitterly. Although there was some truth in what Sun Tu said, the situation in Liangshan was extremely complicated at this time, and he could not surrender just by saying surrender. What's more, surrendering to the government under such circumstances was definitely not what Song Jiang wanted to see. At any rate, he had to surrender after winning several victories, so as to obtain more guarantees and benefits.
So soon, Song Jiang replied loudly: "Sun Dujian, I appreciate your kindness. But our Liangshan brothers were forced by the government to get together. Now that the traitors in the court are in power, how can we surrender willingly?" So don’t waste your words anymore. If you really care about our friendship, please withdraw your troops. Otherwise, even if you and I don’t want to, we can only meet each other in arms and see the truth under swords and guns!"
"Since Master Song has made up his mind, I can't force you. I just hope you won't regret it then. I know that you and some of the leaders of the village were officials of the imperial court, so I had the intention to recruit you and others. If it was all reckless, "Senior, I won't waste this effort at all." Sun Tu dropped these words as if sighing and led his troops back to the camp.
When these words were passed on, the expressions of many leaders changed slightly, and some even looked at each other at the brothers around them. This was Sun Tu's real intention when he came to the foot of the mountain to speak today. It was just to arouse mutual suspicion among the brothers in Liangshan, so he took the risk of making a move that was bound to fail!