Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 171 Reversal
The court was slow in doing things, and the standoff in Xinting continued.

But the situation changed again. Sima Daozi planned to bribe Huan Xuan and Yang Qunqi, appointing Huan Xuan as the governor of Jiangzhou, Yang Qunqi as the governor of Yongzhou, and demoting Yin Zhongkan to the governor of Guangzhou.

He also ordered the two to turn against each other and attack Yin Zhongkan.

Yin Zhongkan was originally not very concerned about attacking Jiankang, and he would have withdrawn his troops as long as Sima Daozi gave him a way out.

Unexpectedly, after waiting for such a long time, Sima Daozi turned against him and stripped him of his position as Governor of Jingzhou and Commander-in-Chief of Three States, and took back his power as the Imperial Envoy.

Yin Zhongkan was furious and ordered Huan Xuan and Yang Qunqi to lead troops to attack Jiankang.

But he was neither the governor of Jingzhou nor the commander-in-chief of the three states of Jing, Yi and Ning. Not only could he not command Huan Xuan, but even Yang Qunqi did not obey him.

The Western Palace Army already had their own ulterior motives, and Sima Daozi's strategy of sowing discord hit their weak spots.

The three parties became suspicious of each other. Yang Qunqi's general Liu Xi was the first to retreat, and the Western Palace Army retreated westward overnight.

A crisis was resolved inexplicably.

"Does the Tao know who proposed this plan?" Gao Xun pretended to be mysterious.

He brought back all this news.

"Could it be the Prince of Xiang?"

Sima Daozi performed mediocrely in the previous internal struggle. He was suppressed by Wang Gong and felt suffocated. He was helpless and spent his days in drunkenness and dreams.

It was not until Sima Yuanxian instigated Liu Laozhi to rebel that he was able to launch a counterattack and kill him.

"This prince has a lot of Emperor Xuan's legacy."

Sima Yuanxian did inherit the Sima family's talent for insidiousness and cunning, but to say that he inherited Sima Yi's legacy is a bit of an exaggeration.

Sima Yi's moral character was criticized, but in terms of strategic planning and military operations, he was unparalleled at the time.

Sima Yuanxian only encountered two "weak talents" in Wang Gong and Yin Zhongkan. He was always timid and hesitant, wanting to fight but not daring to.

The group of people under his command were also hesitant and could not resist the temptation.

"I hope so." Liu Daogui didn't argue with him.

However, Sima Yuanxian was able to see the flaws of Wang Gong and Yin Zhongkan, which showed that he was indeed extraordinary and a powerful figure, whose level was higher than Sima Daozi, Wang Gong, Yin Zhongkan and others.

But the price was too high. Jiangzhou governed ten counties including Wuchang, Yuzhang, Poyang, Luling and Linchuan, and controlled the important town in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

Together with Jingzhou in the upper reaches, the Huan family controlled all the key areas in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

He personally untied the shackles of the Huan family.

On the contrary, Yin Zhongkan did not have much ambition and had always tried his best to suppress the Huan family. When he first started the rebellion, he was always hesitant. Sima Daozi appeased him a little and the matter was over.

Now that his power has been taken away, there is no one left to control the Huan family.

Sima Yuanxian was a master at internal warfare, but lacked foresight in military affairs...

Overnight, peace returned to Jiangzuo.

Huan Hong, Yuan He, Meng Chang, and Liu Yi returned to Guangling.

Dai Qizhi also set out to take up his post in Lanling.

Liu Yi also gave him a hundred moves, and marched north with drums and gongs, making a huge noise, for fear that others would not know.

Liu Daogui was also preparing to take up the post of Lu County. Strictly speaking, he was the prefect of Lu County, but his actual position was still a military officer.

But it’s all the same, both rank and real power are given.

As they were preparing to head north, Meng Ganzhi contacted Kuai En. "I've looked for him several times and learned some details. Liu Yi had evidence that he hijacked Yandu, so he had no choice but to work for him. But he's very stubborn and doesn't want to get involved unless he can see the real boss."

Gao Xun said, "That's normal. If any random person of unknown origin tried to incite him to rebel, he wouldn't be alive today."

Liu Daogui agreed, "I was wondering why he was hanging out with Liu Yi. It turns out someone has something on him."

When we first met, I knew that this person had a generous personality and would not want to be controlled by others.

Meng Ganzhi asked, "Will you join the army or not?"

"There's nothing to discuss now. Let's leave it alone for now. If you continue to contact him, don't reveal my identity. I'll deal with Dai Qizhi first and then meet him later." Those who were good at fighting in the past would first make themselves invincible, waiting for the enemy to be defeated.

Military tactics can also be used in internal struggles.

Lanling is the foundation. If the foundation is stable, we will be invincible.

Dai Qizhi has a rather sinister personality, and Liu Daogui is worried if he doesn't follow him.

After arranging several people, Liu Daogui went to pay a visit to Huan Hong again. Huan Xuan had now become the governor of Jiangzhou, so he had to stir up some trouble with the Huan family, at least the relationship should not become too stiff.

Liu Daogui came to visit, bringing with him a box of Wu Shi San that he had seized from the Yandulou ship.

Liu Daogui's movements were obviously a beat slower.

There was already a lot of traffic in front of Huan Hong’s mansion, and people who came to give gifts were almost breaking down the threshold of the mansion.

However, Liu Daogui was also considered the most important figure in Guangling City and a person of real power. The Liu family of Pengcheng was no longer the same as before. Huan Hong came out to greet him in person with his big belly.

"Brother, you are here to give me, Huan Hong, face. Why are you being so polite?"

"This is a small gift from me, I hope the general will accept it." Liu Daogui was as respectful as ever. He glanced at the people around him, including Yuan He, Liu Huaishen, Tan Ji, and a few new corrupt officials, but he did not see Liu Yi.

Huan Hong opened the box himself. When he saw the Five Stones Powder inside, his eyes widened. "Hahaha, you are really generous, brother. This big box of high-quality goods is worth at least 20,000 coins."

Liu Daogui was stunned. He had always kept his distance from Wu Shi San and had not expected it to be so valuable. But when he thought about it, the cinnabar, realgar, alum, azurite and magnet used to make Wu Shi San were not cheap.

If I had known this earlier, I would have bought it...

While thinking this in his heart, he said: "Since entering the military office, I have been blessed with the protection of the general, and I am where I am today."

Yuan He next to him had a strange smile on his face.

"Okay, okay. Let's go into the mansion!" Huan Hong affectionately pulled Liu Daogui into the mansion and sat next to him.

However, there were a few male prostitutes standing next to him, wearing makeup and women's clothes, which made Liu Daogui feel uneasy.

After a few drinks, Huan Hong suddenly sighed, "Only my brother remains the same, unlike some people..."

The Huan family has also experienced great ups and downs.

It's just that the speaker was unintentional, but the listener took it seriously. This is clearly referring to Liu Yi and Meng Chang.

Liu Daogui's heart moved. Huan Hong was dissatisfied with Liu Yi. No, it was not dissatisfaction. There was a hatred between the two sides.

When Wang Gong was aggressive and Huan Hong lost power, Liu Yi took the opportunity to kill Huan Daozhen and Xun Xinzhi...

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. There is no need to deal with Liu Yi myself.

"The times have changed, things and people have changed. It's a pity that Huan Ji Shi and Xun Chang Shi are not here, otherwise, General..." Liu Daogui stopped abruptly at the right time.

Huan Hong was stunned, with a look of resentment on his face. Huan Daozhen and Xun Xinzhi were his right-hand men and the core figures in control of the Zhenglu Army.

Although their deaths were unclear, it was obvious who in the military had the ability to kill them.

Liu Daogui was in Lanling at the time and had evidence of his absence.

Huan Hong was arrogant and extravagant, but he was not stupid. In the past, the Huan family was in trouble and did not dare to touch Liu Yi, but now the situation has changed.

"Alright, alright, we can't just let go of their inexplicable and tragic deaths. Let's write off the past. From now on, you and I, brothers, will work together to deal with these scoundrels!"

Huan Hong's eyes flashed.

The past is wiped out, which obviously has a hidden meaning.

Liu Daogui was shocked. Huan Daozhen and Xun Xinzhi were killed by Liu Yi, but Huan Chengzhi was killed by himself. Could it be that he knew it?
There is also the matter of Yandu. Such a long time has passed, and Liu Daogui has so much money in his hands. Anyone who is not stupid will make some connections. Even Dai Qizhi smelled something, not to mention Huan Hong, who has been doing business in Guangling for many years.

His father is Huan Chong!
At that time, his power was no less than Xie An.

Liu Daogui understood this tacitly: joining forces with Huan Hong would bring more benefits than disadvantages. He raised his wine glass and said, "General, if you command me, I will go through fire and water, even if it means death!"

"Just have this sentence from my brother!"

The two wine glasses clinked together.

(End of this chapter)