I am Emperor Shizu of Song

Chapter 44 No acquaintance without fighting

Lu Da never expected that he would be defeated by a scholar in one move. At that moment, he was completely desperate and began to doubt his entire past life.

Although all of this had its reasons, he had a misunderstanding with Yang Zhi and was hit twice with a spear, leaving his left arm almost powerless and suffering some internal injuries in his back. He had also fought and fled for so long, which had consumed a lot of physical strength.

Add to that his reckless underestimation of his enemy, and his opponent unexpectedly possessed a sword that could chop copper, cleave iron, and sever hair. With these four factors combined, Lu Da might not even be able to utilize 20% or 30% of his full combat power.

But no matter what, the other party was just a scholar, and Lu Da didn't know that Zhao Zicheng had practiced superb martial arts for three months and had a top master to teach him.

Losing is losing, and he felt that all his martial arts training for more than ten years was in vain.

"A real man should accept defeat if he is willing to bet. Since I am not as skilled as you, you can kill me or chop me up as you please. If I frown, I am not a hero!" Lu Da muttered mechanically, not listening to what Zhao Zicheng said just now.

Zhao Zicheng could only wait for him to calm down a bit and digest the current situation before he said in an orderly manner: "Lu Zhijie, there is no need to be like this. I have said it repeatedly just now that we have no ill intentions.

We originally intended to help you, but we encountered soldiers sent by the Palace Marshal's Office, including Yang Zhishi's close friends. Therefore, we couldn't openly help you and could only secretly warn you and persuade you to escape. It was you who got so excited about fighting that you couldn't stop and insisted on fighting, which led to this situation. But it can be said that fighting is the beginning of friendship.

Zhao Zicheng sorted out the whole situation with just a few simple words and also resolved the slight misunderstanding.

Lu Da was a straightforward person. Being beaten with two sticks was a small matter and he didn't get disabled. As long as he talked about it, he wouldn't take it to heart.

Lu Da finally calmed down and said, "We are strangers, but I don't know why you are helping me."

Zhao Zicheng didn't respond immediately. He had a firm grasp of the conversation's rhythm. He glanced around and said, "This isn't the place to talk. If anyone from the Palace Marshal's Mansion catches up and sees us, it'll be bad."

Just now they were chasing a fugitive on a country road. Although there were no passers-by nearby at the moment, it was after all a rural area near the city of Bianjing and outside the Suanzao Gate. In such a densely populated area, people might appear at any time.

Zhao Zi said he noticed a small orchard nearby, so he rode his horse into the woods to hide and slowly discuss the matter. He also told Yang Zhi to keep an eye on the surroundings. If any fruit farmers came to check, he could give them some extra money, saying they were thirsty and wanted to pick some fruit to quench their thirst, and to ask them not to disturb them, so as not to arouse suspicion.

Yang Zhi's appearance was too eye-catching, so he wore a hat to cover his face.

After entering the forest, Zhao Zicheng briefly explained the whole process and showed him the blank certificate that Yang Zhi had obtained from the Palace Marshal's Mansion, which could be used to clear his identity.
"That's the situation. If Brother Lu doesn't want to be recruited by us, he can naturally choose to become a bandit. Regardless of the strict inspections around Bian Jing, whether you can successfully break out and find a place to live as a bandit is unknown.

But Master Lin's family, trusting no one now, had become frightened birds. If they didn't leave Bianjing, and Brother Lu left, what would happen if Gao Yanei took his anger and retaliated against them?

A true man is loyal to the person who entrusted him with his duty. Although Brother Lu doesn't owe Master Lin anything, abandoning your friend and his family is not what a true man does.

Lu Da also knew that this was true, and he also knew that Zhao Zicheng was an official who was about to take office. He might go to an unstable place and need thugs, so he recruited him.

But Lu Da still had one last doubt in his mind: whether Zhao Zicheng would be a good official. After wasting two years wandering around, he had developed a deep dislike for corrupt officials and had seen many greedy and cunning people who were superficially corrupt.

Lu Da sighed, "A true man knows how to distinguish between gratitude and resentment. If you truly possess such a chivalrous heart and are willing to protect the Lin family, then I, a mere exile carrying a criminal record, have nothing to say. But if you expect me to help you harm the people and protect the future of corrupt officials, then I cannot do that."

There are so many treacherous officials in power right now. If it were an ordinary person, you could still expect him to be a good official. But you are surnamed Zhao, so there is no way you can go against those treacherous officials in the court!"

Zhao Zicheng laughed heartily upon hearing this. "So what if my last name is Zhao? If I didn't have that kind of generosity, why would I bother helping you today? Aren't there any people in the world who are both clean-cut and loyal and brave enough to fight? While there are many treacherous officials in the court, there are many brave and talented people in the army who lack recognition. I took it upon myself to help you, considering the Lin family's hardships and deep hatred.

As for whether I will harm the people after becoming an official, or whether I am willing to speak up for the people... Oh, I am too lazy to explain."

Lu Da took a few final glances at him. Although he didn't know what Zhao Zicheng would be like when he became an official in the future, he was at least a straightforward and arrogant person. Although he was unwilling to explain more to him, it at least showed that he was unwilling to lie.

In addition, the knife attack just now also temporarily shocked Lu Da. Lu Da felt that such an arrogant person would not cheat. Finally, he sighed and bowed, saying, "Please help me rescue the Lin family. I am not worshipping you because I am afraid of death or for the sake of status. I just want to be your friend.

If you can truly earn respect for what you do in the future, I will serve you wholeheartedly, and I won't care about fame or gain. As long as you don't underestimate my abilities, that's all that matters."

Lu Da no longer cares much about fame and fortune, but he is still proud and does not like to be looked down upon.

When he first arrived at Daxiangguo Temple, the head monk urged the abbot to let him look after the vegetable garden. Hearing this, Lu Da casually asked the abbot, "I came here from Mount Wutai on a recommendation, so why can't I be given a position as abbot or a supervisor?" The abbot offered him a long and rosy explanation, but Lu Da grew tired of listening and simply said, "I don't care about the position, but I just don't want you to look down on me."

So, you can give him no benefits, no money or official position, but you must respect him, and he will benefit from it. He still hasn't let go of this "reputation."

Perhaps this was also the psychological inertia left by the officers in his early years. Therefore, after arriving at the vegetable garden, a group of ruffians were punished and respected him as a god. He was very pleased and no longer cared about them stealing vegetables.

This is nothing, everyone has their own preferences, and there's nothing wrong with liking to be respected. If one truly has no desires and has let go of everything, then "suddenly the golden ropes are loosed, the jade locks are broken... Today I know I am myself."

Zhao Zicheng didn't argue with him much, but just reminded him, "Now is not the time to talk about this. The key is to find a place for you to stay. You definitely can't go back to the Daxiangguo Temple vegetable garden. You can't enter the city again, otherwise you will definitely be strictly checked if you want to leave the city later.

As for returning directly to Jiangnan, that's not feasible either. You still have the appearance of a monk, and the prefectures along the way will surely quickly obtain a wanted poster. You must first find a place outside the city to stay for a few days. I will have a famous doctor slightly alter your appearance, glue on your hair, and redraw your official seal.

But you have to give me a few tokens first, so I can have my sister go to the Lin family to tell Madam Lin and make them leave Tokyo with all their heart."

Zhao Zi said that the series of arrangements were very sound, and Lu Da gradually became impressed and soon completely obeyed his orders. He also took the initiative to help and offer advice:
"Now, we can't go to any inn or hotel, and we can't go into the city either. We can only stay at a nearby ruffian's place for a few days. If you don't mind, we can go with you and have a look. We can talk more about it when we get there.

"Don't worry, sir. That scoundrel's name is Zhang San. Although he's a vegetable thief and a gambler, he's a man of integrity. Ever since he submitted to me, he hasn't acted badly again. He won't say anything nonsense."

Zhao Zicheng knew that this ruffian Zhang San was the one who was supposed to come and inform Lu Da to escape in Water Margin, but now that the butterfly effect situation has changed, they did not come to inform Lu Da, maybe something unexpected happened.

Zhao Zi said he was still willing to believe they hadn't betrayed him, but he couldn't completely test human nature. If he ended up staying with Zhang San, he would definitely have to recruit Zhang San and the others into the army, making them soldiers under Yang Zhi. That would be the only way to be safe. Otherwise, if they stayed in Bianjing, something would happen sooner or later.

"Okay, then you can settle down there. Even though you were a scoundrel in the past, you will be a soldier in the imperial guards under the command of Yang Zhishi. Start from the beginning and strictly abide by military law." Zhao Zicheng made the arrangements for the other party without thinking.

As they talked, they separated and set off in order. Lu Da led the way, avoiding pedestrians all the way to a nearby adobe hut. This place was still outside the Suanzao Gate, not far from the vegetable garden of Daxiangguo Temple.

It was during this journey that Yang Zhi had the opportunity to chat with Lu Da. Lu Da expressed his doubts and wanted to know what kind of official Zhao Zicheng was. Yang Zhi's face was full of admiration when he spoke of this.

"You, a monk, are so ignorant! You're actually worried about whether Young Master Zhao is a good official who can speak up for the people. Young Master Zhao hates corrupt officials the most. If he didn't want to get involved in such trouble, why would he return to Jiangnan to serve as an official? In Jiangnan right now, Zhu Jie of the Yingfeng Bureau is plundering everywhere, and the people are living in misery!"

The young master took on the challenge head-on simply to save the people from disaster! He originally accompanied me to the capital to transport the flower and stone levy and the Daozang. After handing them over to the Ministry of Works, he befriended the skilled officials there, teaching them how to create 'cement imitation stone' and how to transform ordinary flowers and trees into exotic plants.

This is a huge undertaking! If this can be accomplished, not only will the flower and stone levy be completely cut off, but at least the amount of flowers, trees, and stones that the emperor needs to transport over thousands of miles to build his garden will be greatly reduced! How many people in Jianghuai will be saved because of this? This will cut off Zhu Zhen's financial resources. Once it is exposed, how many people will bear grudges? If someone who can do such a thing is not considered to be wholeheartedly serving the people, what is it?"

Yang Zhi's words came from the bottom of his heart and soon made Lu Da feel ashamed.

"It turns out this Young Master Zhao is quite capable and has lofty ambitions. It's rare to see someone so resourceful and courageous, and also so skilled in both civil and military matters. I've lived for over thirty years and have never seen such a heroic figure.

Today is truly a blessing in disguise. Without a doubt, from now on, if you say go east, I will go east, and if you say go west, I will go west without even a frown!

Lu Da sighed as they arrived at the scoundrel Zhang San's residence, a dilapidated adobe hut. Without knocking, Lu Da simply climbed through the gap in the adobe fence and entered.

(End of this chapter)