Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Is Lu Da going to take over the battlefield?"

Master Zhong laughed:

"Does he think I'm too old? Those little brats from Xixia can't stump me!"

"Brother, I don't think Lu Da meant that."

Zhong Shizhong felt that his elder brother was overthinking things, so he tried to make amends for his former favorite general.

"Alright, I appreciate his kindness. Second brother, go home and tidy up the house. When the Yi Kingdom's army arrives, you should lead our Zhong family army to surrender to them."

Zhong Shidao instructed Zhong Shizhong.

"Brother, aren't you leaving?"

Looking at his elder brother, Zhong Shizhong felt his eyes welling up with tears.

"Leave? Where can I go? I, Zhong Shidao, have spent my whole life dealing with the Western Xia people. I'm old now. Where else can I go besides here?"

Zhong Shidao smiled, a smile that conveyed a sense of relief. He looked at Zhong Shizhong and slowly began to speak:

"For thirty years I've slept with a knife by my side, never caring about my life even when facing death nine times."

The smoke of war etched our bones into our initial aspirations, and the biting winds of winter forged our iron shoulders.

Golden spears tear through the moon over the west bank of the river, and iron horses trample the snow over the Huangshui River.

Dying on the battlefield is a common occurrence; to live up to one's reputation and Heaven's will is a noble endeavor!

"Brother! Why are you doing this to yourself!..."

Zhong Shizhong wasn't stupid; he could hear the will to die in Zhong Shidao's words!

"Second brother, do you remember who gave me the title 'Master'?"

Zhong Shidao interrupted Zhong Shizhong.

"Perhaps in the eyes of many people, the emperor is not a wise ruler, or even a proper ruler, but he did give me a name after all."

"The Emperor bestowed this name upon me, which is an immense favor. Throughout my life, I, Zhong Shidao, have always striven to live a life worthy of Heaven and Earth. Therefore, even though the Emperor has abdicated, I will remain loyal to him."

"Brother! Isn't this just blind loyalty?"

Zhong Shizhong said that the name was given to you because he felt he owed you your original name. It wasn't a name he originally wanted to give you, so why bother?

“Second brother, reputation is very important for aristocratic families to survive. I have investigated that young man Ren Yuan. He is very strict with the behavior of his soldiers, so their army is deeply loved by the people.”

Just as he had cared for his younger brother when they were young, Zhong Shidao gave Zhong Shizhong these instructions.

"If my entire Zhong family were to betray us like this, what would people say about us in the future? Would they say we are cowards who fear death? Or that we are opportunistic and treacherous?"

"Someone has to die. Only when I die will the Zhong family have a reason to defect."

"Big, big brother..."

Zhong Shizhong opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

“Zhong Shidao fought bravely on the front lines of Western Xia, but due to the lack of support from the imperial court, he ultimately died on the battlefield. If this is the news that gets out, then no one will say anything if you lead your men to defect to Yi State.”

Zhong Shidao has already made arrangements for the Zhong family's future.

“Second brother, you are younger than me and can support the family more. Lu Da is also close to you. Ren Yuan is a smart man and he won’t have any prejudice against you. In addition, with what happened to me, he can’t help but protect our Zhong family.”

"It can save the Zhong family, fulfill my duty to the Zhao family, and also fight those little brats from Xixia. Second brother, don't stop me."

After hearing his brother's words, Zhong Shizhong felt a tightness in his chest, and he couldn't help but speak again:

"Big brother, I understand the logic, but it doesn't necessarily have to be you. I can do it too, and there are even others..."

Zhong Shidao interrupted Zhong Shizhong yet again:

"What else? You are my younger brother, and I am the clan head. If the clan head hadn't passed away, how could a clan so easily pledge allegiance to another power?"

"Stop dawdling! Show some of the spirit of the Zhong family. Go to the army now and muster the troops. Do everything you can to preserve the bloodline of my Zhong family army. Don't let my death be in vain."

Zhong Shizhong understood that although his elder brother seemed easygoing and cheerful on the surface, he wouldn't easily change his mind once he made a decision.

At this point, Zhong Shidao had already decided to leave his life with the Western Xia, so no matter how much you tried to persuade him, it would be useless.

"Brother, take care!"

Zhong Shizhong kowtowed several times to his older brother. He had a premonition that the two brothers would never see each other again after this. Being able to be brothers with you for so many years is the greatest blessing for your younger brother!

But he had to go back now. There were still a lot of things in the Zhong family that needed his attention. His elder brother was prepared to risk his life to give them a chance, so he had to be responsible for making that chance a reality! Only in this way could he be worthy of his elder brother!

……

"Absurd! Absolutely ridiculous!"

Liu Fazheng was recuperating at home. He never expected that not long after he was granted leave, the emperor would abdicate and become the retired emperor, and the crown prince would ascend the throne!

It's not that he opposed the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne, but just a few days before the ascension, the Crown Prince granted him a month's leave. Now, it seems that the Crown Prince deliberately granted this leave.

"What exactly happened? The Emperor suddenly abdicated?"

"General, we don't know the specifics, but there's a big event going on. This morning at court, the Emperor ordered all units of the Western Army to reorganize and dismiss useless personnel."

Zhu Dingguo had always followed Liu Fa and was extremely loyal to him. Even though Liu Fa was currently on leave and unemployed at home, Zhu Dingguo would still come to greet him every day.

"Useless troops? Where would our Western Army get useless troops?"

Liu Fa shook his head. The new emperor was being too hasty. Even if it was to consolidate imperial power, cutting off troops at this time would only demoralize the army and would have no effect whatsoever!

"As per the Emperor's orders, all units of the Western Army must reduce their ranks by at least 30%, and this reduction must be carried out immediately and completed within three days."

Zhu Dingguo's expression was also grim. This was an honor for the Western Army! To be dismissed so easily, without any reason! What kind of emperor is this?!

"The various units of the Western Army that received the news are strongly condemning this matter. If the court does not take action, I'm afraid, I'm afraid, a mutiny will break out."

He had thought the Crown Prince was a good person, but it turns out it was all a lie! The filth in the Zhao family's bloodline is truly passed down from generation to generation!

"Thirty percent? Are you crazy? The Zhong family is currently stationed on the border of Western Xia. If this news gets out, won't the Zhong family army be thrown into chaos? And what if they cut troops and Western Xia launches a large-scale invasion? What if they don't have enough troops?"

"No, I have to go to the palace. I have to persuade Emperor He!"

Liu Fa couldn't sit still any longer. He felt exhausted. The court really couldn't function without him.

"General, the Emperor said that you should rest at home and recuperate. He will not see you for the next month."

Zhu Dingguo said with difficulty, "Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have told the Crown Prince to let the old general rest!"

"I……"

Upon hearing this, Liu Fa's chest heaved violently. He wanted to say something but couldn't. Zhu Dingguo quickly stepped forward to help him catch his breath and then helped him sit down in a chair.

"General, all the divisions are saying that if the emperor really wants to reduce the army, then we should either rebel or..."

……

"We're almost at the border of the Western Song Dynasty, so be alert."

One part of the Dayi Vajra Army was already very close to the border of the Western Song Dynasty. The general leading them was very young and was none other than Han Shizhong, the deputy commander of the Vajra Army.

"Deputy Commander, I heard you were also in the Western Army back then. Would you consider this a triumphant return?"

Some soldiers who were acquainted with Han Shizhong were joking with him.

"Hahaha! It counts! How could it not?!"

Han Shizhong laughed heartily; he also had deep feelings for the Western Army!

"Everyone, perk up! In a moment, we'll show the veterans of the Western Army that I, Han Shizhong, was no slouch back in the Western Army, and the soldiers I'm training now will definitely surpass them!"

……