Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 190 Tragic

Xie Yan couldn't take it anymore after just one day of traffic jams.

The soldiers inside the city were extremely anxious. While other tribes were burning, killing, and looting outside, they had come all the way south and gained nothing, so they were naturally worried.

When things get anxious, the pressure falls on Xie Yan.

Being away from home is not like being in the imperial court in Jiankang. If something happens to you while you are away, the current court can only offer appeasement.

Even a powerful figure like Wang Gong was overthrown, let alone Xie Yan.

Times have changed. These recent power struggles and the rebellion of the Celestial Masters have significantly weakened the prestige and foundation of the aristocratic families, giving martial artists from humble backgrounds more say.

If Liu Daogui had dared to defy Xie Yan like this two years ago, his head would have rolled on the ground long ago.

Where there is oppression, there will be resistance.

Both the Northern Army warriors and the local powerful families of the Three Wu regions wanted to break the existing order, and even the aristocratic families were fighting amongst themselves.

An atmosphere of restlessness permeated the entire Jiangzuo region from top to bottom...

Left with no other choice, Xie Yan led the troops to retreat from the south gate, with Gao Su and his men following behind, blocking Liu Daogui.

Liu Daogui found it amusing. Xie Yan really cared about his reputation. If he had just come out and said a few words of comfort, everyone would have turned a blind eye and let it go, without making things so awkward.

However, as members of the gentry, it was naturally difficult for them to bow down to those from humble backgrounds or lower-class gentry families.

Liu Daogui followed them all the way across the Qiantang River and into Kuaiji County.

Sun En retreated, and Liu Laozhi's troops captured Shanyin without bloodshed, thus recovering Kuaiji Commandery.

The four southern prefectures of Linhai, Yongjia, Dongyang, and Xin'an were even more vulnerable and were pacified by the forces of Sun Wuzhong, Liu Gui, and He Qian.

But the chaos did not stop there. The Northern Army burned, killed, and looted without mercy. During the eighty years of crossing the Yangtze River to the south, there were many conflicts between the southerners and the northerners, which sowed the seeds of many hidden dangers.

It did not erupt because of the threat from the Hu people.

After the Battle of Fei River, the Di-Qin state collapsed, and the threat from the north was greatly reduced.

Conflicts began to emerge again.

Originally, these counties south of Kuaiji suffered less from the ravages of war, but now the Northern Army has arrived, abducting wives and daughters, plundering property, and burning houses.

The cries of anguish echoed throughout the eight counties of Wu.

Liu Laozhi turned a blind eye and couldn't control the other generals of the Northern Army.

In fact, neither the War of the Eight Princes nor the Yongjia Rebellion had much impact on Jiangdong. During the Zhongchao period, Wang Jun's warships sailed down to Jiangdong, and a surrender flag appeared at Shitou. Eastern Wu surrendered without any resistance.

For more than two hundred years, there have been almost no major wars.

However, now, even the last pure land in the world is gone.

What Liu Daogui saw was a scene of desolation: ruins, barren fields, corpses scattered everywhere, and a stench that filled the air under the autumn sun.

Kuaiji was the eastern capital of the Jin dynasty, with a population far exceeding 300,000. The Celestial Masters sect was not made up of devout believers; those who refused to follow were all slaughtered, not even infants were spared.

Countless people have died tragically.

However, once you enter Shanyin, you'll find a bustling scene.

The soldiers were selling their young children, able-bodied men, and various plundered livestock to merchants from all over the country.

"A cow can sell for two thousand coins, but a strong young man only costs six hundred coins?" A cook complained, pulling a merchant with one hand and leading a young man around thirty years old with the other, whose hands were tied behind his back and a rope around his neck.

"This is the price, I can't go any higher. If you don't sell, there are plenty of others who will. Cows can be fed grass, but people are different. They need to be fed. If I can't sell them, I'll lose too much. Hey, if they are pretty boys or girls, I'll offer five thousand coins!"

The merchant sat on the spot, trying to drive down the price, his face sleazy.

Land and people have always been the most direct forms of wealth. In Jiangzuo, the most valuable businesses, besides Wushi powder, salt and iron, were the slave trade, especially the trade of young and beautiful women, which were highly sought after by the gentry and powerful.

This trend has existed since the Han and Wei dynasties.

After every major battle, merchants would always follow behind.

Of course, people who can do this kind of business all have impressive backgrounds.

"Sell, sell, sell..."

The soldier had no choice but to take the bag of copper coins and hand the rope he was holding to the merchant...

This scene is everywhere. The people being sold look numb. The worst off are the teenagers, who are picked and chosen like livestock. If they are injured or not good-looking, they can't even be sold for the price of cattle or horses.

Liu Daogui ignored it, having long been accustomed to such scenes, and strode toward the city gate. Just then, a dark figure fell from the city wall, landing seven or eight steps in front of him, blood splattering everywhere.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a naked woman, about sixteen or seventeen years old.

His head hit the ground, clearly beyond saving, his body still trembling, his pale eyes staring at Liu Daogui, and a hint of relief and liberation on his face...

A curse came from the city wall, "This wretched woman, why did she have to commit suicide?"

"What a pity that such fine flesh hasn't even been used to our pleasures yet..."

"Zhao Hei, the corpse is still warm, it's not too late to have some fun now..."

A burst of laughter immediately erupted from the city wall...

Blood spread to his feet. Liu Daogui looked up at the two large banners bearing the characters "Jin" and "Liu" standing on the city wall and felt a strange sense of irony.

Whether the insignia on the city walls read "Sima," "Liu," or "Murong," it makes no difference to the common people...

"Oh, isn't this Ji Nu's third brother, A Gui?"

The soldiers guarding the city recognized Liu Daogui and the banner of the Zhenglu Army behind him, and someone immediately came out to greet him.

"This is Ji Nu's third brother? Truly a hero!"

"You're truly a brother from Jingkou! Tonight, we'll drink until we drop!"

A group of Northern Army generals surrounded the body, stepping on the blood and mud, none of them giving the female corpse a second glance.

Liu Daogui suppressed his chaotic thoughts and could only repeatedly cup his hands in greeting: "It was just a coincidence. My brother and I owe our current success to your kindness."

With so many people surrounding him, he only recognized He Wuji.

He was Liu Laozhi's nephew, and lived in Jingkou. They had met once during holidays.

He held a high position among the second-generation generals of the Northern Army. He was a graduate of the Imperial Academy and was in charge of teaching civil and military officials of the fifth rank and above, as well as the sons and grandsons of county officials and the great-grandsons of officials of the third rank who were students of the Imperial Academy.

Unlike ordinary generals of the Northern Army, he possessed genuine talent and learning.

Moreover, he had a wide circle of friends and a good relationship with Liu Yi.

"How could defeating Murong Long and Murong Zhou be a mere coincidence? Ah Gui, there's no need for such modesty!" He Wuji grabbed Liu Daogui's hand, speaking with great enthusiasm.

"No, no, if it were Brother He or any of you, you would have been able to win too!" Liu Daogui raised a hand to everyone.

A strange light flashed in He Wuji's eyes, but it wasn't malice; rather, it was admiration.

The others beamed with joy, completely overjoyed. "Hahaha, well said! With my Northern Army, the barbarians are nothing to worry about!"

"At that time, Governor Liu will be stationed in Jiankang, with Ji Nu and A Gui as the vanguard, to launch a northern expedition to conquer the Central Plains and subjugate the land."

The more they talked, the more carried away they became.

However, Liu Daogui could also tell that they really wanted to launch a northern expedition.

After all, as long as there is a war, they will make a fortune.

"Come, come, this is for you, top-quality stuff."

The crowd parted, and two burlap sacks were carried up. Judging from their appearance, they likely contained women…

"Then I will accept the offer without hesitation."

Although Liu Daogui was displeased, he couldn't refuse out of politeness, especially since it was specially prepared by someone else, so he had his men accept it.

"I'd heard that Agui was straightforward, and seeing him today confirms it. Let's go, let's go have a drink!"

The generals were laughing and chatting.

However, at this moment, Liu Yu and Liu Huaisu arrived and winked at Liu Daogui, saying, "It seems we can't drink the wine. The governor has summoned us on important business. My brother and I will apologize to you all another day."

"The governor's summons cannot be delayed."

The crowd then stopped blocking their way and made way for the road in front of the city gate.

(End of this chapter)