Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 451 Is Hefei so easy to take?

Jiankang.

After several days, Xiao Yan finally got Liu Jin back.

After leaving Shouyang, Liu Jin had traveled a long and arduous journey, and hadn't even returned to his own residence before heading to the palace. He had intended to say something about his lack of decorum before the emperor, but Xiao Yan didn't care.

"Yuanju, how is the situation in Shouyang?"

"After learning of the fall of Shouyang, I went directly to Shangcai. Later, I followed Da Yeshuang into Shouyang City and learned that the rebellion in Shouyang was a plot by the Marquis of Zhenyang."

"he?"

Xiao Yan was clearly surprised, but he didn't believe the excuse and sneered:

"Ohno Sawa really dares to make up any nonsense."

"Your Majesty is wise. I also believe that given the nature of Marquis Zhenyang, he might be prone to making mistakes due to excessive drinking, but it is absolutely impossible for him to plot a rebellion."

Xiao Yan nodded and asked:
What does Ohno Sō mean?

"Ōno Sō wants to continue the peace talks, but I think this is just a delaying tactic. Ōno Sō has 5,000 cavalry with him, and it will not be easy for him to defend Shouyang City. He needs time to win over the people."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression turned grave, and he said:
"If I wish to launch a military campaign against them, Yuanju, who do you think is the right person to do it?"

"I am Marquis Chen!"

Xiao Yan shook his head and sighed:
"Qingzhi is still ill and it may be difficult for him to carry out this procedure. Is your son Zhongli suitable?"

Liu Jin's expression changed, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying:
"Does His Majesty intend to transfer troops from Xiangyang?"

Xiao Yan sighed helplessly:

"The soldiers in the world are probably not up to the task. Most of our capable soldiers are in the Sichuan and Chongqing region. Jiankang is empty. If we recruit soldiers now, it may be too late to respond to the urgent situation."

The Southern Liang army still had 30,000 troops in the Jianghuai region, far exceeding the army in Shouyang City.

However, Emperor Xiao Yan of the Southern Liang Dynasty was very familiar with the situation of the army in the Jianghuai region at that time.

After the fall of Shouyang, Li Shuang led his army south. The garrison troops in the Liang army's fortress on Bagong Mountain fled without a fight, and the Liang army that had besieged Shouyang City did not dare to stop him and let Li Shuang enter the city directly.

Such combat strength is insufficient to deal with the enemy.

Of course, this is only the surface reason.

There are deeper reasons, which Xiao Yan neither spoke of nor could he speak of.

How could Xiao Yan not know the character of the Xiao family members over the years?
Xiao Yuanming couldn't even defend a city; it was taken away by just a dozen or so people.

Not to mention others who were even less capable than Xiao Yuanming.

Sending these people to lead troops to fight Li Shuang is just sending them to their deaths.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but my son Zhongli has always been ambitious and eager to make a name for himself. I fear he is not up to the task of being a regional commander and conquering Shouyang."

Yanagi knew his son very well, therefore, he spoke frankly:
"Your Majesty, I observe that Da Ye Shuang's military tactics and appointment of generals are reminiscent of ancient virtuous generals, surpassing those of ordinary people. If we hastily launch a campaign against him, and suffer another defeat, I fear that the land north of the Yangtze River will no longer belong to our country."

This was the first time Xiao Yan had heard such an evaluation of Li Shuang from one of his trusted ministers.

"In Yuanju's opinion, what should be done?"

"I believe that troops should be immediately dispatched to garrison Caishiji, and capable men should be sent to guard Hefei. In this way, the enemy's advance will stop at Shouyang. After that, we can either fight or make peace to try to capture Shouyang again."

Even if veteran ministers like Liu Jin cannot personally ride into battle, they can still strategize and plan.

At this time, the Southern Liang army in the Jianghuai region was mostly ineffective, but it was still capable of defending cities.

Holding Hefei would cut off the northward advance of the army. Even if Hefei ultimately fell, it would provide an early warning for Jiankang.

Moreover, the Southern Liang had no generals to use, and the Northern Liang also had no soldiers to use.

The previous annihilation of the 30,000-strong northern army left Henan without any troops to spare. Li Shuang's plan to mobilize a large number of troops could not be kept secret from the Southern Liang's intelligence.

Furthermore, mobilizing troops also takes time. If Li Shuang really makes a big move, it won't be too late for Southern Liang to react.

Xiao Yan understood Liu Jin's meaning and said:
"Therefore, send an envoy to Shouyang again."

……

Shouyang.

"Your Majesty, everything has been taken care of." Hou Jing entered Li Shuang's room and reported the latest news.

Those refugees who followed Hou Jing and were incited by him became criminals after the defeat at Lijiang. Now that Shouyang has changed hands, Hou Jing is quite adept at conscripting them again.

Hou Jing, full of confidence, asked:
"Your Majesty, when shall we attack Hefei?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuang, who was writing calligraphy at the table, chuckled and said:
"Who told you we were going to attack Hefei?"

Hou Jing listened, scratched his head, and said:
"Why conscript so many people if we're not going to attack Hefei?"

"Are you distressed?"

It would be a lie to say that Hou Jing wasn't heartbroken, because in his heart, Hou Jing was already the next garrison commander of Shouyang City.

"Your Majesty, things have come to this point. It would be a great pity not to capture Hefei and seize the entire Jianghuai region!"

They controlled the Jianghuai region, suppressing the Southern Liang along the Yangtze River, following the example of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu.

In this way, the fall of the Southern Liang Dynasty was not far off.

"Liang's main force was not lost. It was because we took advantage of the situation to seize the Jianghuai region that we were able to capture. Once Liang's army, which is currently in Bashu, returns, Jianghuai will inevitably become a battlefield again. In that case, what will we use to wear down Liang's army?"

Hou Jing listened with some regret, but still said:
"In that case, let's defend Shouyang City for now."

The significance of Shouyang City differed between the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

For the Northern Dynasties, Shouyang City was a crucial piece in suppressing the Jianghuai region. However, for the Southern Dynasties, Shouyang City was a vital stronghold concerning their very lifeline.

Because the Shaopi irrigation project south of Shouyang City maintains the most fertile farmland in the Jianghuai region.

Once Shouyang falls into the hands of the Northern Dynasty, Shaopi, located between Shouyang and Hefei, will inevitably become a battlefield.

This is a huge loss for the Southern Liang Dynasty.

By holding Shouyang City, we can gain a huge advantage over the Southern Dynasty.

Just then, Li Shuang finished writing and waved.

Hou Jing walked over and asked:
"Your Majesty, what does this say?"

What is written is not important.

"What do you mean, my king?"

"Look, doesn't this character look like it?"

Li Shuang took out a letter from the other side. Hou Jing unfolded it, compared it with the letter, and exclaimed in surprise:

"Your Majesty, this is Xiao Yan's courtesy name!"

Hou Jing was somewhat puzzled and asked:

"Your Majesty, Xiao Yan was extremely skilled in calligraphy. Even if his handwriting were forged, what use would it be?"

"You'll know then."

Li Shuang looked at Hou Jing and said:
"Xiao Yan is probably hesitant right now. He wants to recall the army that was conquering Bashu, but he's afraid he'll be branded as 'wasting resources and achieving nothing.' The envoy from Jiankang will be in Shouyang again in less than two days. Do you know what to do?"

Hou Jing nodded, then shook his head.

Li Shuang looked at it and asked:
"What do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, I know what you are trying to do, but I truly do not know what you are trying to do?"

Li Shuang rolled her eyes and said:

"You must make the envoy from Jiankang think we are going to attack Hefei!"

Hou Jing seemed to understand, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He said:
"Your Majesty, leave this matter to me."

Li Shuang watched Hou Jing's retreating figure and sighed.

"After all these years, you're still so honest. What are you going to do in the future?"

……

(End of this chapter)