Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

When Eunuch Chen and Li Jin returned and entered the tent, Eunuch Chen, looking slightly anxious, asked Zhao Tianming, Song Jiang, and Lu Junyi, "How are your preparations going?"

Zhao Tianming stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Eunuch Chen, a general in the field may not obey the emperor’s orders. The border war is critical now. If we leave now, the Liao Kingdom will definitely take this opportunity to attack the border. Moreover, we have fallen into a trap, and the reasons for this need to be investigated. I hope that Eunuch Chen can explain this matter to His Majesty, allow us to investigate the matter thoroughly, and then we will definitely give the court an explanation.”

Upon hearing this, Li Jin's face darkened, and he slammed his fist on the table, shouting, "This matter is not open to debate! You intend to defy the imperial decree? This is a heinous crime!"

Li Kui, standing to the side, glared angrily and roared, "You damn official! I'm fighting desperately on the front lines, and you're here spouting nonsense! What disobedience? I don't understand! I only know that I can't let my brothers die in vain, and I can't let the people on the border suffer!" With that, he was about to grab his axe and charge forward.

Lu Zhishen quickly reached out to stop Li Kui, "Tie Niu, don't be impulsive!"

Li Jin was intimidated by Li Kui's imposing manner and took a step back, but still said defiantly, "Are you trying to rebel?"

Song Jiang quickly said, "Lord Li, please calm down. We have absolutely no intention of rebelling. However, this matter is of great importance, and we hope that Lord Li and Eunuch Chen can understand."

Lu Junyi also said, "Lord Li, we are loyal to the court. This defeat was due to certain reasons. If we are not given a chance to find out the truth, how can we win the hearts of our soldiers and ensure peace on the border?"

At this moment, Eunuch Chen spoke up: "Generals, please don't be anxious. I know this matter is complicated, but the imperial decree has been issued, and I am in a difficult position as well."

Wu Yong stepped forward, bowed to Eunuch Chen and Lord Li, and said, "Eunuch Chen and Lord Li, we did not intend to disobey the imperial decree, but if we return to the capital now, not only will the border be in danger, but we will also be unable to clear our names. We beg you two to put in a good word for us before the Emperor and grant us some more time."

Li Jin scoffed, "Grace period? Who can guarantee you're not just stalling for time?"

Zhao Tianming said, "Lord Li, I, Zhao Tianming, guarantee with my personal integrity that I will find out the truth as soon as possible. If there is any falsehood, I am willing to accept military punishment."

Eunuch Chen hesitated for a moment, then said, "Very well, I'll trust you one more time. However, it can't be too long, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to the Emperor."

Li Jin wanted to say something more, but seeing the determined expressions on everyone's faces, he had no choice but to give up for the time being.

"Very well, we'll wait for you for a few more days. We hope you'll take good care of yourselves." After saying this, Eunuch Chen and Li Jin turned and left the tent.

As everyone watched them leave, a mix of emotions welled up inside them.

"Brother, what should we do?" Li Kui asked.

After a moment of contemplation, Song Jiang said, "Brothers, the only way to clear our names is to find evidence as soon as possible. Everyone must proceed according to the previous plan without the slightest slackening."

Everyone responded in unison and then threw themselves back into the intense investigation and defense work.

After Eunuch Chen and Li Jin left, the atmosphere inside the tent became heavy.

Wu Yong spoke first, saying, "Brothers, the situation is urgent, and we need to be prepared for both possibilities. On the one hand, we need to strengthen our defenses and prepare for battle; on the other hand, we need to find out the source of the false information as soon as possible and clear our name."

Zhao Tianming nodded and said, "Mr. Wu is absolutely right. Then let's get started immediately."

Wu Yong began to deploy defenses: "Lu Zhishen and Wu Song, you two will lead a team of elite soldiers to strengthen the city's defenses and patrols, ensuring that the city walls are impregnable. At the same time, inspect the fortifications and repair any damaged parts immediately."

Lu Zhishen and Wu Song accepted the order and left.

"Li Kui, organize the soldiers to move the grain and fodder to ensure sufficient supplies for any eventuality," Wu Yong continued to instruct.

Li Kui replied loudly, "Alright, I'll go right now!"

"Brother Song Jiang, you are in charge of training the new recruits, helping them to quickly familiarize themselves with combat skills and enhance their fighting ability," Wu Yong said, looking at Song Jiang.

Song Jiang cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Wu, rest assured, I will do my best."

Then, Wu Yong said to Lu Junyi, "Master Lu, you are in charge of the overall situation, and you must allocate troops to ensure that each line of defense has sufficient troops to resist the enemy."

Lu Junyi solemnly replied, "I understand."

After arranging the defenses, Wu Yong summoned his trusted confidant: "Take a few men, disguise yourself, and infiltrate the surrounding towns to secretly investigate the source of that false information. Remember, do not alert the enemy. If you find anything, report back immediately."

The trusted confidant accepted the order and left.

Everyone got to work, each fulfilling their duties. Lu Zhishen and Wu Song led their soldiers in a thorough patrol along the city wall, leaving no corner unchecked. The soldiers repaired the damaged walls and moved defensive supplies such as stones and logs.

Li Kui led a group of soldiers shuttling between the granary and the transport team, their clothes soaked with sweat, but they dared not stop for a moment.

On the training ground, Song Jiang personally demonstrated combat techniques, and the new recruits studied diligently, their eyes filled with determination.

Inside the command post, Lu Junyi pondered the deployment of troops while looking at the map. Soldiers would occasionally come to report on the situation, and he would calmly respond and issue a series of orders.

Meanwhile, Wu Yong was inside his tent, analyzing the various intelligence reports he had gathered.

Several days have passed, and the defense work is proceeding in an orderly manner, but progress in investigating the source of the fake news is quite slow.

That day, Wu Yong was pondering a strategy in his tent when his trusted confidant finally returned.

"Sir, we've found something," the confidant said breathlessly.

Wu Yong quickly stood up: "Speak!"

The confidant said, "We found a suspicious man in a small town. After tracking and investigating him, we discovered that he had been in contact with Gao Qiu's men."

A glint of light flashed in Wu Yong's eyes: "As expected, it was that scoundrel Gao Qiu who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Continue the investigation and see if we can find more direct evidence."

Just then, the sound of horns suddenly came from outside the city.

"Oh no, the enemy is attacking!" a soldier reported.

Wu Yong and the others quickly climbed the city wall, where they saw dust billowing in the distance as the Liao army, a dark mass, approached.

"Prepare to meet the enemy!" Zhao Tianming shouted.

The soldiers quickly took their positions, nocked their arrows, and prepared the catapults.

The enemy troops drew closer and closer, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

"Release the arrows!" Lu Zhishen gave the order, and a rain of arrows shot towards the enemy army like locusts.

However, the enemy's offensive was fierce, and enemy soldiers kept rushing to the city walls.

Li Kui roared, "Watch this!" With that, he picked up a huge rock and hurled it at the enemy.

The battle was extremely fierce and both sides suffered heavy casualties.

Just then, Lu Junyi discovered that an enemy force was attempting to flank the city from behind and launch a surprise attack.

"Follow me!" Lu Junyi led a team of men to quickly provide support.

After a fierce battle, they finally repelled the enemy's attack.

After the battle, everyone was exhausted, but they still dared not relax.

Wu Yong said, "This time the enemy's attack was just a probing attack; next time it will probably be much fiercer. We must speed up the investigation and at the same time make more thorough defensive preparations."

Everyone nodded and plunged back into the intense preparations and investigation.

A few days later, the confidant brought news again: "Sir, we have found letters showing Gao Qiu colluding with the enemy."

Wu Yong was overjoyed: "Great! With this evidence, we can prove our innocence to the Emperor."

The group decided to immediately send someone to the capital to deliver the evidence.

However, what they didn't know was that Gao Qiu, having learned that his scheme had been exposed, was plotting a new conspiracy in the capital...

The messenger sent to the capital to deliver the evidence had barely set off when Gao Qiu received word of it. He paced back and forth in his residence, extremely anxious.

"What should I do? If they present the evidence to His Majesty, I will surely be punished," Gao Qiu muttered to himself.

After much deliberation, Gao Qiu decided to strike first. He bribed some eunuchs in the palace to slander Emperor Huizong of Song.

"Your Majesty, I've heard that Zhao Tianming and his men not only defied the imperial decree, but also amass troops on the border, plotting a rebellion!" the eunuch said cautiously.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Huizong was shocked: "Is this really true?"

"Your Majesty, this matter should not be underestimated. Zhao Tianming and his ilk are originally from humble backgrounds, but now they hold considerable military power and harbor rebellious intentions, which may be detrimental to the court." The eunuch continued to fan the flames.

Emperor Huizong of Song was skeptical: "Let me observe further."

Meanwhile, the messenger sent to deliver the evidence encountered numerous obstacles on the way. Assassins dispatched by Gao Qiu relentlessly pursued him, attempting to retrieve the evidence.

The person delivering the evidence fought desperately and, after many hardships, was finally about to reach the capital.

Meanwhile, Zhao Tianming and others on the border were anxiously awaiting news from the capital.

"I wonder if this evidence will be successfully delivered to His Majesty," Song Jiang said worriedly.

Wu Yong comforted him, saying, "Good people are always blessed by Heaven. I believe we will definitely get through this calamity."

However, what they received was another imperial edict from Emperor Huizong, ordering them to return to the capital immediately without fail, or they would be punished for treason.

Everyone was furious when they heard the news.

"This must be Gao Qiu's trick!" Li Kui's eyes widened in anger.

"What should we do now?" Lu Junyi asked.

Wu Yong pondered for a moment: "The only way now is for me to personally take the evidence back to the capital, present it to the Emperor, and explain the situation to him."

Zhao Tianming said worriedly, "Mr. Wu, the journey to the capital is long, and Gao Qiu will certainly not let this go. You must be careful."

Wu Yong resolutely said, "Rest assured, everyone, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

So, Wu Yong, carrying the evidence and disguised, embarked on his journey back to the capital. Along the way, he carefully evaded the assassins and spies sent by Gao Qiu.

Finally, Wu Yong arrived in the capital. But he found that the situation in the capital was more serious than he had imagined. Gao Qiu's influence was everywhere, and he could not easily enter the palace to meet the emperor.

Just when Wu Yong was at his wit's end, he happened to meet an official with whom he had a past relationship. Upon hearing of Wu Yong's plight, the official decided to risk everything to help him.

With the official's help, Wu Yong finally met Emperor Huizong of Song. He presented the evidence to the emperor and explained the whole story in detail.

After reviewing the evidence and listening to Wu Yong's account, Emperor Huizong finally understood.

"It turns out that it was that scoundrel Gao Qiu who was behind this. I almost wrongly accused a loyal minister." Emperor Huizong of Song was filled with remorse.