Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 275 Liu

"Liu Laozhi is dead?" Liu Daogui felt a mix of emotions.

Meng Gan said: "He crossed the river from Bandu and went to seek refuge with Gao Yazhi in Guangling. On the way, he heard the news that Liu Jingxuan had been assassinated by Liu Xi. He was devastated and hanged himself."

"That doesn't make sense. He still has men under his command. Once he crosses the river, he can join forces with Gao Yazhi to recruit troops from Pengcheng and avenge Liu Jingxuan. Why would he commit suicide?"

Based on Liu Daogui's understanding of Liu Laozhi, he would not commit suicide because of a piece of news from an unknown source.

Even if Liu Jingxuan really died, a normal person's reaction would be to gather all troops and avenge their son.

Moreover, although Liu Jingxuan is dead, he still has two sons in Pengcheng...

Dai Qi chuckled sinisterly, "No need to ask, he must have been assassinated! Governor Liu has offended so many people, and now that he's lost power, how could he possibly survive?"

Liu Laozhi betrayed Wang Gong, and the Wang family of Taiyuan will not let him go.

The Sima family will not swallow this insult for betraying Sima Yuanxian.

As for his idea of ​​seeking refuge with a more refined organization to make a comeback, that's just wishful thinking.

The aristocratic families and powerful clans could not tolerate him, Huan Xuan could not tolerate him, and even the generals of the Northern Army wished they could kill him.

A renowned general, he did not die on the battlefield, but died inexplicably on a ship.

It's all about timing and fate...

Half a month later, news came back that Liu Jingxuan and Gao Yazhi had found Liu Laozhi's body and buried him in Dantu.

Huan Xuan ordered the grave to be dug up, the coffin opened, the head cut off, and the corpse displayed in the marketplace.

Even after Liu Laozhi's death, he could not find peace.

On the contrary, his elder brother Liu Yu was highly valued and led troops to suppress the rebels in the Three Wu regions.

With Liu Laozhi dead, Liu Daogui was preparing to march on Pengcheng.

The situation in Jiangzuo is already clear.

Huan Xuan didn't even spare Liu Laozhi's corpse, so he certainly wouldn't spare the other Northern Army generals.

These men were all highly respected and commanded large armies, posing the greatest threat to Huan Xuan.

Liu Daogui, by placing himself in the Huai and Si Rivers, far from the center of the whirlpool, actually had a chance to catch his breath.

He immediately mustered two thousand infantry and cavalry and marched south from Gaoping County.

In recent years, the Huai and Si rivers have enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests. Liu Daogui has worked diligently to govern the region and has achieved remarkable results.

After the autumn harvest, wisps of smoke rose from the village chimneys, and the laughter of children mingled with the barking of dogs. On the road, we also encountered several woodcutters and fishermen, returning home laden with their catch.

His face was not pale, and although his hemp clothes and straw sandals were a bit worn, they were still quite clean.

The presence of fishermen and woodcutters already demonstrates the success of the governance.

Back in Jingkou, Liu Daogui always acted furtively, whether fishing or chopping wood, for fear of being caught by the local tyrants.

Pengcheng was even more prosperous.

Lying on the Sishui River, with Lanling to the east and Gaoping to the north, it was a bustling commercial hub with numerous fleets of ships and horses traveling between the north and south.

The city was also incredibly grand, more than three times the size of Gaoping.

For the past eighty years, Pengcheng has been the first stop for migrants from the Central Plains of Hebei heading south.

“This is the homeland of Peng Zu, the birthplace of Emperor Gaozu of Han, and the former capital of Xiang Yu—truly the land of emperors! By occupying this place, we can look north to the Central Plains and south to the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, and accomplish great things.” Dai Qizhi swayed his bookish pedantry.

"If it were really that good, Xiang Yu, who established his capital here, wouldn't have been defeated and killed." Gao Xun's words left him speechless.

Behind Pengcheng, there are a series of magnificent cities such as Xiapi, Shouchun, and Hefei.

There were also large cities such as Xuchang, Luoyang, and Guanggu ahead.

Surrounded by flat plains, it is a veritable battlefield. The only advantage it has is the Si River, which is inferior to the Huai River and even more so to the Yangtze River. Therefore, Pengcheng is weak in both offense and defense.

However, it was a place Liu Daogui had always dreamed of.

By occupying this place, the entire Huai and Si regions will be connected as one, gaining strategic depth. We will not fear attacks from the northern barbarians, nor will we fear being hindered by Huan Xuan in the south.

"The Governor of Huai and Si and the Prefect of Pengcheng have arrived! Open the city gates immediately!" Liu Zun shouted, leading his cavalry to block the moat.

Huan Xuan promoted Huan Xiu to governor of Xu and Yan provinces, but both were in southern Xu and southern Yan provinces, with their capitals in Guangling. Before dealing with Gao Yazhi, Huan Xuan's influence could not reach those areas.

The soldiers guarding the city hesitated and dared not open the gate.

"What, don't you even recognize me?" Liu Daogui led his infantry and cavalry forward, a huge banner with the character "Liu" standing between heaven and earth.

The infantry and cavalry around him were tall and strong, their armor finely crafted and gleaming with a cold light.

After so many years of fighting, almost every soldier carried a fierce aura.

"It's really... General Liu... no, Commander Liu, open the city gates quickly!" The guards on the city wall cheered.

The city gates opened wide, and a large group of people came out to greet them.

"This humble general, Liu Xuanzhi, pays his respects to the Commander-in-Chief!"

"Your subordinate Liu Cui pays his respects to the Commander!"

A middle-aged man and a young man, two generals, knelt on one knee before Liu Daogui, with all their retainers bowing to the ground behind them, saying, "Greetings, Commander!"

The voices were incredibly loud, and everyone's face showed a hint of anticipation.

Liu Xuanzhi was a true descendant of the Pengcheng Liu clan and a cousin of Liu Laozhi. He was ordered to guard Pengcheng. His kneeling was tantamount to the entire Pengcheng leaning towards Liu Daogui.

If Liu Laozhi were still alive, he probably wouldn't have been able to enter the city so easily today.

Liu Daogui couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself; he was, in fact, one of the beneficiaries of Liu Laozhi's death...

"Uncle, please rise. How could I possibly accept such a great honor? I will need your continued assistance in the future." Liu Daogui quickly helped Liu Xuanzhi up.

When one is successful, one should not be too ostentatious.

Since he and Liu Jingxuan were of the same generation, Liu Xuanzhi naturally became the elder.

In front of everyone, Liu Daogui gave him plenty of face.

Liu Xuanzhi was indeed deeply moved. "With the Commander's words, I will go through fire and water without hesitation from now on." "Uncle, you flatter me. From now on, we will share both hardship and happiness!" Liu Daogui laughed heartily, then turned his gaze to Liu Cui standing beside him, "And this is..."

"I am Liu from Pei County, and I serve as an official in Yanzhou."

The Liu family of Pei County was a branch of Liu Yi, but that doesn't prove anything.

Wang Gong, Wang Guobao, and Wang Yu were all from the Wang clan of Taiyuan, yet they were bitter enemies.

Pengcheng was the ancestral home of the Liu family, and Pei County was separated from Pengcheng. The two sides were always seeing each other.

As long as Liu Cui isn't in cahoots with Liu Yi, it's fine.

"Two characters, Liu, cannot be written in the same stroke. From now on, we will rely heavily on you for the internal affairs of Pengcheng." Liu Daogui grasped his hand tightly.

"I dare not fail to do my utmost!" Liu Cui's spirits lifted.

"Get up, all of you, there's no need for this." Liu Daogui looked at the nearly two thousand armored soldiers.

Each of them carried a menacing aura, clearly indicating they were elite veterans.

The belongings left behind by Liu Laozhi are now all his own.

"Thank you, Commander!"

Everyone stood up.

Yet no one mentioned seeking revenge for Liu Laozhi.

Liu Daogui sighed inwardly. Liu Laozhi's constant back and forth had not only chilled the hearts of the generals in the Northern Army, but even his own troops didn't treat him well.

"Everything in the city will continue as before, and everyone should perform their duties."

"Leader!"

Everyone dispersed.

Pengcheng was unaffected.

Liu Daogui didn't even take over the city's defenses, confidently handing them over to Liu Xuanzhi.

Liu Jingxuan's two sons were raised by Liu Daogui as his own.

Although Liu Laozhi didn't particularly like his brother, Liu Jingxuan had always silently supported him and helped him a lot, so Liu Daogui would never forget his roots.

After Liu Laozhi's death, Liu Jingxuan led his troops to join Gao Yazhi, and it is unknown what will happen to him after that.

The only thing that is certain is that Huan Xuan will absolutely not tolerate this thorn in his side.

"Pengcheng County has 34,000 registered households, 187,000 civilians, 4,327 military households, 297,000 shi of grain in the treasury, 170,000 strings of cash and silk, 1,700 sets of iron armor, 3,000 crossbows, 300,000 arrows of various types in the armory, and 732 warhorses..."

Liu Cui was a man of keen insight, and he came to report immediately.

Liu Daogui was overjoyed; Pengcheng truly deserved to be called the number one city in Huaibei.

They actually stored nearly 300,000 shi of grain; in those days, grain was everything.

"Fifty thousand fen of money will be distributed as rewards to the soldiers, civil and military officials, and military households in the city, and another seventy thousand fen will be distributed as rewards to the soldiers of the military government. All registered civilian and military households will be exempt from next year's land tax!"

While others make a splash upon taking office, Liu Daogui's first move was to throw money around.

Anyway, all this money was left by Liu Laozhi. With war in Jiangzuo and a recent drought, grain prices have skyrocketed while money is depreciating. It's better to use it to win people's hearts.

Pengcheng, as a vital transportation hub connecting the north and south, is a bustling commercial center with no shortage of money. If managed properly in the future, this place will become a treasure trove.

"If... if Lord Liu had half the generosity of the Governor, he wouldn't have ended up in this predicament! The Governor's arrival will surely bring peace to the Liu family!" Liu Cui sighed softly.

"The Liu family will surely rise to prominence!"

Liu Daogui became more confident than ever before.

After capturing Pengcheng, his strength will increase dramatically. After resting for two or three years, he can directly take up his sword and head south to confront Huan Xuan.

However, Huan Xuan is now the popular choice, with a righteous cause and the support of the Western Army. If a real battle breaks out, it will surely be a protracted one.

It's not time for war yet.

Money and silk were scattered, and the whole city rejoiced.

Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, making it even more lively than during the Lunar New Year.

Countless families sent their able-bodied young men to the army, supporting Liu Daogui with their actions.

However, it was not the time to expand the army yet. Liu Daogui was busy integrating the internal affairs, moving the capital from Gaoping to Pengcheng, and promoting talented people. He was extremely busy.

"Report! Huan Xiu, the Northern Commander, has promoted He Danzhi to the position of Prefect of Xuzhou and is leading two thousand troops here!" a scout reported from outside the hall.

Dai Qi said, "This man was once Wang Gong's military advisor. He was at odds with Liu, the governor. Later, he joined Huan Xuan and was given important positions again."

"So, he's also from the Northern Prefecture?"

Pengcheng is an important town on the Huai and Si Rivers, the southeastern gateway, and the seat of the northern Xuzhou. Since Huan Xuan promoted Huan Xiu to governor of Xu and Yan provinces, he certainly wouldn't let this place go.

Dai Qizhi recounted the details with great familiarity: "He came from the He family of Donghai, and was from the same clan as He Qian, He Mu, and He Wuji."

He Qian, along with Liu Laozhi, Zhuge Kan, Gao Heng, Liu Gui, Tian Luo, Sun Wuzhong, and others, were among the earliest Northern Army generals recruited by Xie Xuan. They were all military men from the Huai and Si regions.

The Wu kingdom of Sun Quan rose to power by relying on the military men of Huai and Si, and now it supports half of the Sima family's empire.

The He family's status in the Northern Army was second only to the Liu and Gao families.

Huan Xiu's decision to send this person was a timely and appropriate solution.

This served both to appease Liu Laozhi's former subordinates in Pengcheng and as a test.

Huan Xiu was just too slow in taking this step.

One step slow, every step slow.

"Well done! Huan Xiu has given us a great gift!" Liu Daogui said with a smile.

Two thousand veterans of the Northern Army were also a considerable force.

Since He Danzhi dared to come, Liu Daogui was confident that he could keep him. As long as he wielded the hoe well, no corner was too difficult to dig down. No one knew better than him how to win people's hearts.

(End of this chapter)