Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 145 Price
I definitely won’t be able to go back to Lanling for the autumn harvest this year.

However, the Eighth Building is now back on track, with news arriving every five days. Apart from the increase in bandits, everything is basically fine.

Liu Guangzhi, Mao Dezuo, Wang Yuande, and Wang Zhongde would lead their troops to harass Taishan, Lu, Gaoping and other counties in Yanzhou every two weeks and recruit refugees.

Although Liu Laozhi led his army back to Jingkou, he left 5,000 troops to guard Pengcheng. Neither Murong De nor Murong Shao dared to act rashly.

Lanling also benefited from it.

Time passed quickly and it was the end of August. Liu Daogui issued another sum of money. The soldiers were very happy and became closer to Liu Daogui. Even Yuan He's orders were not so effective.

The biggest changes were in the front, where 300 people secretly turned to Liu Daogui. Although the others did not join, they were almost the same.

Liu Daogui was not in a hurry. As long as they took his money, they would give in sooner or later.

Money makes the world go round. Throughout history, there has been nothing that money cannot solve. If you pay half a year's salary, even the hardest-hearted will soften...

News came again from Jiangbei that Sima Shangzhi defeated Yu Kai at Niuzhu.

After this battle, the Yuzhou army was basically defeated, and Yu Kai led the remaining troops south to join Huan Xuan.

Huan Xuan led the elite troops of the Western Palace Army and defeated Sima Shangzhi together with Bai Shi.

Yang Qunqi also defeated Sima Huizhi at Hengjiang.

The situation has changed over and over again, and the court has fallen into a disadvantage.

There was only a stone city left standing in the way of the Jingzhou army, but at this moment the war stopped strangely. The Jingzhou army did not continue to advance, and Wang Gong still did not move his troops.

Liu Daogui speculated that they should be negotiating.

Since Wang Dun's Rebellion, every civil war in Jiangzuo has been like this, with people fighting and dividing interests at the same time.

Yu fell down and became the first piece of fat meat pushed onto the table.

Many of the Yuzhou troops were originally Huan Wen's former subordinates, and they were directly transferred to Huan Xuan's army, causing the Huan family's power to expand rapidly.

The second is Yang Qunqi, who defeated the imperial navy, became famous, and became Yin Zhongkan's reliance.

"Things have changed again. Prince Xiang has appointed Wang Xun as the General of the Guards, Commander-in-Chief of Jiankang's naval and land military affairs, and Acting Governor." Gao Xun was almost becoming Liu Daogui's scout, always able to get the news from Jiankang first.

"Isn't Wang Xun...Wang Gong's man?" Liu Daogui was stunned.

At the beginning, Wang Gong, Yin Zhongkan and Wang Xun were all Sima Yao's confidants, and they fought together against Sima Daozi.

The noble families turned against each other so quickly, and Wang Xun's defection to Sima Daozi also represented that the Wang family of Langya had chosen the Sima family.

Before this, Wang Xun's cousin Wang Xin had raised an army in the Three Wus to eliminate dissidents, hoping to "take advantage of the opportunity to gain wealth and honor"...

Every family wants to move up.

But judging from the battle situation, Sima Daozi was completely at a disadvantage. Even without Wang Gong raising an army, Huan Xuan and Yin Zhongkan could have arrived at the city of Jiankang.

Gao Xun said, "The Wang family of Langya, a century-old prestigious family and the leader of the Jiangzuo overseas Chinese, must have sensed something."

These prominent families have been at the pinnacle of power their entire lives and can see things that ordinary people cannot see.

Normally they never make the wrong bet.

Liu Daogui thought of Yuan He. The Yuan family had always followed Sima Daozi. When the wall falls, the monkeys scatter, but the monkeys didn't scatter, which meant the wall would not fall.

"If there is any other possibility of change, it can only be the Northern Army."

The situation is very clear. Only the Northern Army can change the situation.

Huan Xuan and Yin Zhongkan's troops were heading straight for Shitou City, but Wang Gong hadn't moved his troops yet. It was likely that he was unable to command the Northern Army...

Jingkou.

Another grand banquet was held at Wang Gong's mansion.

The difference from the last time was that this time Liu Laozhi sat at the top seat, right next to Wang Gong.

"Some time ago, the military officer He Danzhi said Dao Jian wanted to rebel against me and join the Prince of Xiang."

Wang Gong's words frightened Liu Laozhi so much that he broke out in a cold sweat, but at the same time, he betrayed He Danzhi. "Your Excellency, I have always been at odds with General He."

It was common knowledge that He Danzhi, a military officer of the Northern Palace, had always been at odds with Liu Laozhi.

"He Danzhi is a villain. If Daojian wanted to betray me, why would he return to Jingkou and attend the banquet?" Wang Gong has always been conceited and looked down on Liu Laozhi, and also looked down on He Danzhi.

However, the situation is different now. The Western Army has reached Shitou City directly and is about to reach Jiankang. When it comes to dividing the meat, the Northern Army needs to rush forward to fight for the benefits.

"Your Excellency is wise." Liu Laozhi breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Gong stood up and took Liu Laozhi's hand, "The affairs of the world depend on you and me. Daojian is a few years older than me, so he should be my elder brother."

Everyone present was surprised. Wang Gong was a royal relative, holding a high position and power, yet he regarded a mere military man as his brother.

"Lord Wang..." Liu Laozhi was also stunned. You know, Wang Gong looked down on him before.

"Since you and I are brothers, there is no distinction between superiors and subordinates. From now on, we should work hard for the king, support the country, and revive the government!" Wang Gong said this passionately, but in fact he had no choice.

Because he found that without Liu Laozhi, the generals of the Northern Palace were hypocritical and did not listen to his orders.

The reason for not taking any action was that we had no choice.

So Liu Laozhi had to be recalled.

"Your Majesty, I would rather die than refuse your kindness!" Liu Laozhi also looked flattered.

The two of them were so close, drinking and chatting, as if they were really brothers who had been separated for many years...

After the banquet, Liu Laozhi returned home, where two distinguished guests had been waiting for him for a long time. One was Gao Su, the prefect of Lujiang, and the other was Xie Yan, the general of the guard.

This person was the second son of Grand Tutor Xie An and the cousin of General Xie Xuan.

The Xie family has a special relationship with Liu Laozhi. Liu Laozhi was promoted by Xie Xuan and served as a military officer. If it were not for Xie Xuan's recognition and support, Liu Laozhi would not be where he is today.

Many veteran generals of the Northern Palace, such as He Qian, Zhuge Kan, Gao Heng, Liu Gui, Tian Luo, and Sun Wuzhong, were promoted by Xie Xuan.

So the Northern Army is now on hold because the Xie family contacted the Northern Army generals in advance.

Princess Jinling of the Sima family was betrothed to Xie Hun, the son of Xie Yan, early on, so in this power struggle, the Xie family firmly stood on the side of the Sima family.

It has only been four years since Xie Xuan passed away, but the Xie family's influence in the Northern Army remains.

Xie Yan is the pillar of the Xie family, and all hopes of reviving the family are placed on him.

If Sima Daozi wins, the Xie family will be able to revive itself, overcome its decline, and regain power.

But if you support Wang Gong, you can only follow them and share some leftovers.

Therefore, all the unpleasantness with the Sima family in the past was put behind them, and family interests came first.

"Wang Gong really thinks I'm a three-year-old child!" Liu Laozhi's purple face flushed red, not because he was drunk, but because he was angry.

Everyone was eating meat, and Wang Gong was cordial on the surface, but he did not mention a word about the reward after the success.

So he just used Liu Laozhi as a sword.

"Wang Gong is proud of his family background and his talent, but he has high expectations but lacks the skills to accomplish anything. He is not the man to accomplish anything. I am treating you well today only because the situation forces me to do so. When he achieves his goals, he will certainly not be willing to call you his brother. You must not make the mistake of mistaking yourself for a friend."

Gao Su and Liu Laozhi have been comrades for more than ten years, and their words were heartfelt.

Xie Yan pulled out a piece of silk from his bosom and spread it out in front of Liu Laozhi. "This is the imperial decree. After the matter is accomplished, you will be the commander-in-chief of the military forces in Yan, Qing, Ji, You, Bing, Xu, and Jinling in Yangzhou, replacing Wang Gong!"

The edict was printed with the bird-and-insect script "久寿永昌受命于天" (meaning "Long Live and Prosper, May You Receive the Mandate from Heaven"), and Sima Daozi's signature was below it.

Compared with Wang Gong, who was a sworn brother in name only, Sima Daozi offered a price that no one could refuse.

Since the founding of the Jin Dynasty, only Tao Kan, a person from a humble background, could ascend to such a high position.

"I obey your command!" Liu Laozhi held up the imperial edict with both hands...

(End of this chapter)