Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 282 Scattered

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Liu Yu hesitated for a long time.

Being sent to the Western Prefecture and having to disband one's subordinates would make anyone resentful.

Liu Yu fought bloody battles for several years before finally accumulating this force.

"We will follow you to the death as long as you give the order, General!" The Shen brothers, Shen Tianzi and Shen Linzi, were completely convinced of Liu Yu's abilities.

They were also the people who most resented the imperial court.

“Back then, the Huan family was just a poor clan; they might not be any better than us!” Meng Longfu also advised.

Despite his great achievement in suppressing Sun En, the imperial court not only failed to reward him but also demoted him.

The generals had long harbored resentment.

Only Huan Xuan would do something like this.

When Sima Yuanxian was in power, he was willing to appoint Liu Yu as the governor of Xiapi and the general of Jianwu. In comparison, Huan Xuan was not even as good as Sima Yuanxian.

Liu Yu clapped his hands, and several members of the Liu family carried more than a dozen large boxes and placed them in front of everyone.

“My brothers have followed me for so many years and haven’t enjoyed any good fortune. This is my savings over the years. You brothers can take it and divide it among yourselves.”

"How can this be allowed?" Xiang Jing, Kuai En, and the others were unwilling.

"Let's separate for now, live a peaceful life for a few years, and if there's a chance in the future, it won't be too late for us brothers to reunite."

"With the general's words, our brotherhood will never be broken. In this life, I, Kuai En, only wish to follow the general!"

"And I!"

"And I!"

The generals stepped forward one after another.

"To have shared life and death with you all, I, Liu Yu, have not lived in vain. You may return to your hometowns for now, and we will meet again in the future." Liu Yu's face was full of reluctance.

The imperial court issued an edict, and they had no choice but to comply.

Liu Daogui, from the north, defied orders to protect Sun Wuzhong, so Liu Yu, as the eldest brother, had to consider the overall situation.

After everyone dispersed, Liu Yu sat alone in his military tent, lost in thought.

Although the soldiers had dispersed, their retainers remained, numbering nearly two hundred.

Under the Jin system, the retainers were equivalent to household slaves, and these people remained loyal.

"General, an old friend has come looking for us."

"An old friend? Let him in."

A short while later, a man laughed loudly and said, "It's been many years! How have you been, Ji Nu?"

"Brother He!"

The visitor was none other than He Wuji, Liu Laozhi's nephew.

After Liu Laozhi died, He Wuji had the opportunity to join the Huan family with his relatives He Mu and He Danzhi. However, his benefactor Sima Yuanxian was convicted and killed, and his son Sima Yanzhang, who was less than four years old, was also eliminated by Huan Xuan.

He Wuji, mindful of the kindness shown to his former master, felt ashamed to switch allegiance to Huan Xuan.

After exchanging pleasantries, He Wuji stopped beating around the bush and said, "The three Wu and eight prefectures are empty. With your prestige, General, you can raise your arms and call to arms. There will be a great number of people responding. I will raise the banner of righteousness in Jingkou. General Jianwei will lead the Huai and Si armies south to support the Sima clan and attack the Huan clan. We will surely be able to sweep through the enemy with unstoppable momentum."

Huan Xuan's power was concentrated in the upper reaches of the Changjiang River, and the eight prefectures of the Three Wu regions were filled with resentment towards him due to famine.

Liu Yu fought here for several years and gained a good reputation and prestige.

After annihilating Sun En, he became the undisputed number one general in the Northern Army.

“Brother He came to me to discuss such an important matter, which shows that you truly consider me a brother. However, the three Wu regions and eight counties have been reduced to ruins, and nine out of ten households are empty. How can we possibly fight against the elite troops of the Western Prefecture?”

"To be honest, I am not the only one with this intention. All the heroes of Jiangzuo are eagerly awaiting this. General, as a member of the Liu family of Pengcheng and the Martial Ancestor of the Northern Army, how can you stand by and watch Huan Xuan slaughter the generals of the Northern Army?"

"It seems Brother He came prepared." Liu Yu's eyes gleamed.

"There are many people in the court and among the people who are dissatisfied with Huan Xuan. This world belongs to the Sima family, not the Huan family. General, you are only responsible for raising the flag. I will contact the others."

He Wuji was extremely loyal to the Jin dynasty.

In any case, the Jin dynasty lasted for more than two hundred years, making it the longest-lasting state among all the states.

There will inevitably be a group of supporters.

This is also what distinguishes him from Liu Yu. “Brother He, I appreciate your kindness, but the time is not yet ripe. Huan Xuan has only been promoted to Duke of Chu, and he has not yet incurred the wrath of the people. The Western Army is powerful, while the Northern Army is falling apart and people are divided. It cannot be accomplished in ten days. Right now, it is better to remain still and observe the situation.”

Huan Xuan's Western Army was not to be trifled with.

Whoever stands up will be met with his full force.

Liu Yu does not yet have the strength to confront him, and most of the Northern Army has been transferred to Jiankang, making it difficult to recruit people to start an uprising in Jingkou.

"If Huan Xuan were to usurp the throne one day, the relationship between ruler and subject would be established, and the number of those who would submit to him would increase daily. Who would be his match? Opportunity knocks but once. If you relinquish your military power and enter the Western Palace, you will be like a turtle in a jar. Not to mention important matters, you will not even be able to control your own life or death."

He Wuji's lips were dry from talking.

But Liu Yu simply looked at him indifferently and said, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. My mind is made up. You need not say more. Please return."

He Wuji stared blankly at him, then could only helplessly bow and turn to leave.

After he left, Liu Huaisu came out from the back tent, asking, "Are you really willing to part with these brothers under your command?"

These soldiers had followed him in battle for many years, winning every single one, and had become an elite force.

Liu Yu said nonchalantly, "What can I do if I'm reluctant? With me here, elite troops can be summoned at any time. A true man can bend and stretch. Right now, Huan Xuan's prestige is at its peak, and the people of Jiangzuo yearn for peace. If I raise an army in rebellion, who will be willing to follow me?"

Huan Xuan had just taken office when he dismissed corrupt officials, won over the people, and put on an act of being diligent and hardworking.

There are high expectations for it from both the government and the public.

Liu Yu's uprising at this time made him a target of public criticism, but it actually helped Huan Xuan win over the hearts and minds of the people.

"And what about Agui's troops?"

"Huan Xuan has stationed heavy troops in Shouchun, Runan, Hefei, and Guangling. The Yangtze River is entirely controlled by the Western Army. A Gui's foundation is still shallow, and he is too far away to help in the face of an immediate crisis. There are people who are more anxious than us to help Huan Xuan usurp the throne. Why should we stand up to him now?"

Liu Yu understood the current situation better than anyone else.

If he doesn't enter the Western Palace, he will definitely face retaliation and targeting from Huan Xuan, and it will be difficult for both brothers to withstand it.

After the chaos caused by the bandits, the Three Wu regions were completely destroyed, and the core area of ​​the Southern Kingdom was entirely in Huan Xuan's hands. He also had the Western Prefecture as his base, but militarily, it was difficult to shake him.

"Our Liu family has achieved its current status through hard work; we cannot afford to make a single wrong step." Liu Yu was not merely a simple military general...

After leaving the military camp, He Wuji did not immediately return to Jingkou, but went to Shanyin City.

Headed straight to a mansion in the west of the city.

This mansion was once Sima Daozi's retreat, but it fell into disrepair after he lost power. However, it is quite lively today.

Many people came, and a banquet was prepared.

"Liu Yu didn't agree?" Meng Chang frowned.

"Of course he wouldn't agree. Brother Changdao, you don't know this, but I've said before that Liu Jinu is no ordinary warrior, and his ambitions are not small." Where there is Meng Chang, there is Liu Yi.

There were many who encouraged the brothers Liu Yu and Liu Daogui to rebel.

The reason is simple: these two have become a new force within the Northern Army.

Today, Liu Yu forced Sun En to commit suicide by jumping into the sea, demonstrating the might of his army.

The scholar, addressed as Brother Changdao, took a sip of wine. “Every five hundred years a king will rise, and among them will be renowned figures. These two are destined for greatness. Heaven has favored the Liu family of Pengcheng. First came Liu Laozhi, and now Liu Yu and Liu Daogui have emerged—a fierce tiger and a crouching dragon, truly remarkable.”

This man was named Wei Yongzhi. He came from a poor family and worked the land. He was a diligent student, but he was born with a cleft lip. He went to Yin Zhongkan for treatment. He was silent during the day and ate only porridge every day. He was admired by the people of his time.

After Yin Zhongkan was defeated, he turned to Huan Xuan, but Huan Xuan looked down on him because of his ugly appearance and the scar on his lip.

Hearing him praise Liu Yu and Liu Daogui in such a way, Liu Yi felt a little displeased and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Brother Changdao is drunk."

Wei Yongzhi chuckled lightly, “Let’s be drunk for now. Since General Liu is unwilling to raise an army, you should all lie low. Huan Xuan is an arrogant, licentious, and madman with little talent. He takes advantage of Jin’s lack of discipline and repeatedly gains benefits. He has no great merits, yet he wants to usurp the throne. He will surely incur resentment. You can all wait and see.”

Meng Chang nodded, "Very well, our planning for this matter was somewhat hasty. Huan Xuan holds great power and is difficult to shake. We can wait for the right opportunity to act."

Huan Xuan's near-bloodless entry into Jiankang was predicated on the emperor issuing an edict of surrender.

He was given a noble title, which led to Sima Yuanxian being abandoned by his followers.

Previous powerful ministers such as Wang Dao, Tao Kan, Huan Wen, and Xie An all possessed genuine achievements in both civil administration and military affairs, which is why they won the hearts and minds of the court and the public.

During Sima Yuanxian's reign, he stirred up a rebellion of rebels and lost the support of the people.

Huan Xuan now faces the same dilemma: if he wants to usurp the throne, he must have some outstanding achievements, otherwise it will be difficult to win over the people.

(End of this chapter)