Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 191 Advice

"General Wei is also here," Liu Huaisu reminded him.

Liu Yu stopped in his tracks. "How did A-Gui offend Xie Yan?"

Xie Yan entered the city first, but then complained to Liu Laozhi...

"It's not a matter of offending him. You all know General Wei's temper. I worked under him, so it was inevitable that we would have disagreements." Liu Daogui said nonchalantly.

He defeated two rebel armies, which was a meritorious act.

Xie Yan's complaint to Liu Laozhi only revealed Liu's helplessness and narrow-mindedness.

Only those who have been wronged will go around complaining.

Liu Yu said, "Go and apologize, and this matter will be fine. The Xie family is no ordinary family in the Northern Army, so we must not do this again."

“Brother, you don’t know this. It’s not that I want to make trouble for him, but that he won’t let me go.”

Throughout the entire process, Liu Daogui did not feel that he had done anything wrong.

He then recounted the events that had occurred in Ancheng.

Liu Yu frowned and sighed, "When Governor Xie was in power, he was fair in his rewards and punishments, and no one dared to disobey him. I never expected that Xie Yan would be so unlike the Xie family."

“Brother, there’s no need to worry. Things are different now. The Xie family is no longer the Xie family it used to be. If the governor really blames us, I will take full responsibility.” Liu Daogui said firmly.

Xie Yan sought out Liu Laozhi to explain that he was helpless.

The fact that Liu Laozhi sent Liu Huaisu and Liu Yu to summon him indicates that he favored the Liu family.

The Liu family is also a member of the Pengcheng Liu clan.

Now is the crucial moment for dividing the spoils, and even if Liu Laozhi were confused, he wouldn't push his fellow clansmen away at this time.

Liu Daogui and Liu Yu rose to prominence in the Northern Army. If they could not even protect their own clan, Liu Laozhi would lose face and prestige in the Northern Army.

This is an era in which clans work together, and no one's success is inseparable from their clan.

"What nonsense are you talking about? We're brothers, how can you bear this alone?" Liu Yu smiled.

The three of them entered the government office together.

Dozens of armored soldiers guarded the gate, swords and spears in hand, exuding a murderous aura.

However, his gaze toward the three brothers was very gentle.

Inside the hall, Liu Laozhi and Xie Yan sat side by side, while Liu Jingxuan stood respectfully behind them.

Before Liu Daogui could understand what was happening, a cup flew towards him, hit his shoulder, and then fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"How dare you be so disrespectful to General Wei! What is your punishment?"

As expected of a veteran general who has dominated the world for over a decade, his anger is terrifying.

Liu Huaisu trembled all over, and Xie Yan was also frightened and his expression changed.

Liu Yu, however, remained calm.

Although Liu Daogui felt a chill in his heart, he quickly calmed down. Liu Laozhi only said that he was disrespectful to Xie Yan and said nothing else, which was clearly an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the matter.

Xie Yan coughed, but seeing Liu Laozhi's furious purple face, he weakly said, "This boy has a rebellious streak; not only is he disrespectful, but he also..."

With a clang, Liu Laozhi drew his long sword and forcefully interrupted Xie Yan, saying, "Disrespecting General Wei is disrespecting this Commander-in-Chief. I will kill you!"

After saying this, he angrily raised his long sword slowly towards Liu Daogui.

Liu Daogui was secretly pleased. If they really wanted to kill him, why would he have to do it himself? There were armored soldiers all outside; it would be a matter of a single word.

Sure enough, as the longsword was raised halfway, Liu Jingxuan behind him quickly hugged Liu Laozhi, saying, "Agui has been fatherless since childhood and lacks discipline. Although he is guilty, he has also made contributions in defeating the enemy. He does not deserve to die. Father, please calm down. General Wei, please calm down."

Liu Daogui was performing with his son when someone stabbed him from behind.

Liu Huaisu and Liu Yu both cupped their hands and said, "General, please calm your anger. General Wei, please forgive us!"

Liu Daogui quickly cupped his hands in apology, "This subordinate knows his crime and hopes General Wei will forgive him!"

All eyes turned to Xie Yan; he was the only one in the hall whose surname wasn't Liu. If he continued to pester her at this point, he would be considered ungrateful.

Xie Yan was a man supported by the imperial court and was intended to replace Liu Laozhi; the relationship between the two was delicate.

Liu Laozhi was capable enough to quell the rebellion, but the court insisted on forcibly bringing in Xie Yan, appointing him as governor of two prefectures—one more than Liu Laozhi—clearly an attempt to suppress Liu Laozhi.

However, Xie Yan lacked ability and was not popular among the Northern Army.

It's a small matter that Liu Daogui was punished, but it's a big matter that Liu Laozhi was suppressed by Xie Yan because of this.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became strange.

Xie Yan's expression was gloomy and uncertain.

Liu Laozhi's tone was slightly unfriendly as he handed him the sword, saying, "Since General Wei refuses to forgive, then take action."

This trick works better than anything else.

Even if Xie Yan were stupid, he wouldn't dare to kill members of the Liu family of Pengcheng at this time and place.

The Northern Army generals outside all watched with wide eyes.

"Hmph—no thanks. The Liu family of Pengcheng has grown too powerful now. Governor Liu, you'd better watch yourself." Xie Yan snorted coldly, his nostrils flaring, and got up to leave.

His expression remained arrogant.

Liu Daogui sighed inwardly. He was given a way out but the person wouldn't budge. He still thought it was the situation back then, completely unaware that the situation had changed after this turmoil.

It is difficult for a person to step out of their comfort zone and the limitations of their own mindset.

Liu Laozhi stared coldly at Xie Yan's retreating figure.

He could even kill his sworn brother Wang Gong, let alone Xie Yan.

After Xie Yan left, the atmosphere in the hall became heavy. Liu Laozhi stared at Liu Daogui without saying a word, and an unknown chill enveloped his whole body, making people shudder.

Liu Laozhi was just putting on an act earlier, but now he's really going to do it.

Liu Laozhi was not a person who cared about personal relationships, so his relationship with Liu Daogui was not very close.

The others didn't dare to breathe too loudly.

“Father…Father…” Cold sweat beaded on Liu Jingxuan’s forehead.

Liu Laozhi waved his hand to interrupt him, "Do you know your crime?"

Outsiders cannot punish Liu Daogui, but that does not mean he will let the matter go.

A superior will naturally dislike a subordinate who causes trouble.

Judging from Xie Yan's demeanor as he left, he clearly wasn't willing to let this matter go easily and would likely cause more trouble in the future.

"Governor!" Liu Yu stepped in front of Liu Daogui and knelt on one knee.

Liu Daogui felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Bowing his head was useless at this moment, so he simply spoke directly: "The people of the three Wu and eight prefectures have suffered greatly from the tyranny of the demons and bandits. As the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army, if you can comfort the people, your merits will be immeasurable, and the hearts of the people will be won over. With your great talent and strategy, you can even accomplish what Huan Xuanwu did. Why should you be so humble and subservient to others?"

Huan Wen was just a minor member of a minor aristocratic family back then, but the tides of the times gradually pushed him to the forefront, and he seized this opportunity.

Now, an opportunity has presented itself to Liu Laozhi, whose strength far surpasses that of Huan Wen back then.

The only thing lacking is people's hearts.

Liu Daogui only said these words because they were both from the Liu family of Pengcheng and there were no outsiders present.

In fact, if Liu Laozhi had been truly talented and ambitious, his achievements would certainly have surpassed those of Huan Wen. During Huan Wen's era, the power of aristocratic families was still considerable, so he faced enormous resistance and was unable to receive even one of the Nine Bestowments until his death.

He was dragged to his death by Xie An and Wang Tanzhi.

Now, the foundations of the aristocratic families have been severed, and a new era is rolling in...

.

(End of this chapter)