Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 219 Change

Zhao Chongguo, a famous general of the Western Han Dynasty, volunteered to lead an expedition against the Western Qiang at the age of over seventy. He led nine infantry units to cultivate the land in the Hehuang region. In less than three years, the Qiang rebellion was basically quelled, and the Hehuang region was consolidated, making it part of the Han Dynasty's territory.

The opening of Cao Cao's decree on military agricultural settlements reads: "The key to stabilizing a country lies in having a strong army and sufficient food. The Qin people conquered the world by prioritizing agriculture, and Emperor Wu of Han pacified the Western Regions by establishing military agricultural settlements. These are the good models of our ancestors."

Giving refugees a way to survive is more effective and immediate than fighting on the battlefield.

This great chaos was originally caused by Sima Yuanxian's conscription of "musicians". The people of the Three Wu regions were coerced by the demons and bandits, and their will was not firm.

The bandits weren't much better; they neither settled down nor governed the local area, but instead roamed around looting, killing, and setting fires.

Liu Daogui then led the Central Army of the Expeditionary Army forward and stationed it at Yuhang. Across the river was Xingpu, the gateway to Kuaiji.

The south bank was densely packed with fortified camps.

A large banner bearing the character "Liu" stands tall between heaven and earth.

Gao Xun was cooking fresh fish porridge by the river. There wasn't much else in the Wu region, but fish were everywhere. This way of eating fish was also unique to the Wu region. It was exceptionally delicious, and it seemed that some spices unique to the Wu region had been added. When the wind blew, the aroma could be smelled on both banks of the river.

Liu Zun set up a grill with fat pigs and fish, roasting them over a fire. The aroma of the meat filled the air, making even Liu Daogui, not to mention those on the other side of the river, a little tempted.

Xu Changming and Gou Zhong, along with their men, banged drums and gongs and shouted across the river: "The army has arrived, and the three Wu regions are at peace! The army has arrived, and justice will prevail! Fellow villagers, following the wicked bandits will only lead to death, while following the army will bring you meat and soup!"

It's done with a pretty good rhythm.

Liu Daogui felt a pang of frustration. "Couldn't you have written something a little more literary?"

Gao Xun laughed and said, "You don't understand. The common people can't read or write. The simpler and more popular the language, the more it will resonate with them."

That evening, more than two thousand people swam across from the other side.

Even the next day, when the rebels' navy blocked the river, they couldn't stop this trend.

Survival and food are the most primal desires of all people.

"This man claims to have important military secrets to present to the military advisor." Meng Ganzhi led over a soaking wet man.

"Oh? Who are you?" Liu Daogui sized him up. He looked to be in his early twenties, with a strong build, powerfully muscular arms, and a calm, unwavering gaze.

"I am Shen Qianzi. I have been ordered by my elder brother Shen Tianzi to invite you to join the army across the river, so that we can cooperate from within and without to jointly attack the bandit leader Sun Yi's forces!"

"Sun Yizhi?" Liu Daogui was taken aback, not expecting to run into him here.

If we can capture Xingpu, we will have breached the north gate of Kuaiji and cut off the connection between the rebel navy and Shanyin City.

With the elite troops of the Northern Army, they could capture the city in less than half a month.

But things seem to be going a little too smoothly.

The Shen family of Wuxing willingly followed Sun En in his rebellion, arriving at the perfect moment when Liu Daogui had the upper hand.

Xie Yan and Sun Wuzhong were not defeated on the main battlefield, but rather fell into the trap set by the demon thieves.

If the other side is a trap, this southern expedition will also fail. It may not have a big impact on Liu Laozhi, but Liu Yu and Liu Daogui will never be able to rise in the Northern Army again...

"You joined the army and killed Yu Huan, avenging the blood feud of the people of Wuxing. My brother is deeply grateful and is willing to sacrifice himself to repay you!" Shen Qianzi said with a face full of gratitude.

Killing Yu Huan did indeed win Liu Daogui the hearts of the powerful clans of the Wu region.

However, even ghosts probably wouldn't believe such nonsense as sacrificing oneself in return.

The Shen family is not one person, but a clan; it is impossible for them to act impulsively.

“I have long admired the Shen family of Wuxing. Since your brother is willing to abandon darkness and embrace light, why don’t you come and talk to us in person!” Liu Daogui stared at Shen Qianzi’s face.

Shen Qianzi nodded almost without hesitation, "I will return to camp immediately and inform my elder brother."

"Great!" Liu Daogui personally saw him off outside the camp.

Gao Xun frowned and said, "The treacherous villains are always cunning, and the Shen family's intentions are unpredictable. The risk is too great. Since our army is already in an invincible position, there is no need to take risks."

"I didn't agree to them right away; I'll see how things go first."

Even if they wanted to attack Xingpu, Liu Daogui's forces were not enough.

After Shen Qianzi left, there was no news for several days.

Martial law has also been imposed on the opposite bank, with patrols day and night. It seems that a system of collective punishment has been implemented, where if one person is arrested, several of their acquaintances are also beheaded. More than a hundred corpses are thrown into the river every day.

Under such cruel methods, fewer and fewer people are crossing the river.

Two days later, the sound of horses' hooves thundered from the north, and more than ten riders galloped in. The leader shouted, "Imperial decree: Where is Liu Daogui, the military advisor for the campaign against the barbarians!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Liu Daogui, along with Gao Xun, Liu Zun, Xu Changming, Gou Zhong, Tan Daoji, and others, came out to greet them.

They initially thought it was Liu Laozhi's men, but it turned out to be someone sent by the imperial court.

A bad feeling suddenly arose in my heart.

The cavalryman on horseback shouted, "His Majesty has decreed that all armies of the Three Wu regions shall march south within ten days to fight the rebels and recapture Kuaiji!"

Nearly two months have passed since Liu Laozhi launched his campaign, yet he has not crossed the Qiantang River with a single horse. In the eyes of the imperial court, this is naturally seen as a sign of inaction, which is suspected of fostering a bandit to enhance his own power.

"Your humble servant obeys!" Liu Daogui accepted the imperial edict with both hands, and the cavalry turned and left.

If he himself received the imperial edict, then Liu Laozhi and Liu Yu should have received it as well.

"Why is the court in such a hurry?" Gao Xun was very frustrated. "A general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders. There's no need to pay attention to it."

Liu Daogui thought for a while, "Something must have happened to the imperial court."

At this moment, Meng Ganzhi arrived and said, "Military Advisor, a secret report from Guangling."

Liu Daogui quickly opened the secret letter, which was sent by Yuan He. It was news from Jiankang. It turned out that Huan Xuan had gathered 20,000 troops by land and water in Gushu, claiming that he would help the court to suppress the Celestial Masters Sect.

They urged the imperial court to loosen the water defenses at Liyang, Shitoucheng, Xinzhou, Guabu, Niudu, and Guangling, allowing the Western Prefecture navy to pass through...

If the imperial court opens these areas up, Jiankang will be exposed to Huan Xuan's military might.

Huan Xuan was clearly putting pressure on the court, forcing Liu Laozhi to make a mistake.

If the Western Army were truly sincere and cooperated with the Northern Army as they did in the Battle of Fei River, the rebels would certainly be no match for them.

But it's highly unlikely.

The latter half of the letter concerns the situation in the north. Less than a month after Murong Chui besieged Changzi City, some people in the city opened the city gates and surrendered to welcome Murong Chui.

The Western Yan dynasty was thus destroyed, and all eight prefectures and more than 70,000 households under its jurisdiction were returned to Yan.

Jiangzuo was in chaos. Murong Long led 30,000 troops back to Gaoping, while Murong Shao led 10,000 infantry and cavalry into Taishan County, coveting Huainan. The situation in the north became more tense than ever before.

Yuan He learned through inside information that the imperial court would soon dispatch troops north, most likely to the Expeditionary Army.

An internal strife made the Jin dynasty increasingly precarious.

Seeing that Jiangzuo was in trouble, Murong Chui also came to join the fray.

Gao Xun said angrily, "Before, we only suspected that Huan Xuan was colluding with the demon bandits, but now it seems that the two sides must have been secretly colluding. The demon bandits suffered a defeat, and then Huan Xuan came!"

"It's unlikely to be a clandestine conspiracy; at most, it's just mutual exploitation. Huan Xuan saw that the demon bandits were in a disadvantageous situation, so he provided support from the west and joined in the fun."

Liu Daogui had met Huan Xuan once a few years ago at the Bo Fang in Jingkou.

This man is extremely competitive and concerned about his reputation. Colluding with traitors will ruin his reputation, which is more beneficial than harmful. Now that he occupies the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and controls the lifeline of Jiangzuo, what he needs most is righteousness and legitimacy.

"Should we fight or not?" Liu Zun rubbed the back of his head.

Liu Daogui glanced at the generals, all of whom looked eager to try.

Martial law has been declared on the other side, so Liu Daogui's appeasement tactics are unlikely to be effective. However, after so many days of standoff, even if the refugees on the other side are not on his side, they will certainly have no will to fight to the death.

"After enduring so many days, it's time to show these demons our power. Quickly send someone to Haiyan to contact my brother and we'll launch an attack together to take Xingpu!"

The situation has developed to the point that there is no longer any time to delay.

Liu Daogui's foundation lies in Lu County and Lanling. If he loses them, all his efforts over the years will be in vain.

When the time is right, act decisively.

(End of this chapter)