Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 287 Humiliation

Several fast horses traveled south from Wancheng and reached Wuchang within a few days.

“Nanyang is offered to me?” Huan Xuan’s expression turned strange after reading the memorial. “General Liu is sensible and reasonable. Ji Nu, your third brother is quite a remarkable person.”

Huan Xuan valued Liu Yu highly and took him with him wherever he went.

They often discussed military affairs together.

However, the two never met alone. When Liu Yu was around, Huan Xuan was always accompanied by two valiant generals from the Western Army, Huangfu Fu and Wu Fuzhi.

The two men bowed slightly, their eyes fixed intently on Liu Yu.

It looked as if they might suddenly pounce and grab someone at any moment.

In contrast, Liu Yu remained calm and composed, dressed in loose clothing and possessing nothing of value. He said, “The Duke of Chu’s prestige and virtue are renowned throughout the land, and my brother has always admired him. Now that we have recovered Nanyang and Xiangcheng, we should quickly send elite troops to conquer Xinye, lead our army north, and recover Hongnong, so as to observe the conflict between Qin and Wei and reap the benefits!”

Bian Fanzhi, who was standing nearby, immediately said, "General Liu is the bravest in the army. A mere Xinye City is nothing to him."

Xinye is a tough nut to crack; its commander, Yao Pingdu, is a member of the Qin royal family and would never surrender.

Huan Xuan had previously sent Feng Gai and Guo Quan to attack this city, but both failed and suffered two thousand casualties.

From then on, whenever the topic of attacking Xinye came up, the generals avoided it like the plague.

"What do you think, Ji Nu?" Huan Xuan asked expectantly.

Liu Yu said in a deep voice, "Give me five thousand elite troops from the Northern Army. If you cannot capture Xinye and kill Yao Pingdu within ten days, bring me your head!"

“People say that General Liu is a fierce tiger of the world, why does he need five thousand elite troops from the Northern Army? In my opinion, one thousand is enough…” Bian Fanzhi’s eyes gleamed.

Huan Xuan stationed over 100,000 troops in Wuchang, including many elite Northern Army soldiers who were recruited from veteran Northern Army generals such as Gao Su and Zhu Langzhi.

But once these 5,000 elite troops were assigned to Liu Yu, there were just too many things he could do.

Keep in mind that he defeated 100,000 demon bandits with only a thousand men.

Bian Fanzhi was clearly using someone else to do his dirty work. Even if Huan Xuan had over 100,000 men, let alone 1,000, they wouldn't be able to capture Xinye in a short time.

Wang Yu, sitting in the upper seat on the left, sneered: "A lowly, poor man from a humble background, a pig or a dog, dares to call himself a tiger?"

Other aristocratic families at least showed politeness on the surface, but Wang Yu directly insulted them.

Even as the Jianwu General and the Prefect of Xiapi, he was still nothing in the eyes of these top noble families.

They hated Liu Laozhi as much as they hated Liu Yu now.

The rise of commoners and lowly families threatens the status of those from high-ranking families.

Liu Yu's repeated victories over the rebels only highlighted the incompetence of the powerful clans.

Wang Yu's dislike for Liu Yu was not something that had just started recently.

Liu Yu gave him a deep look, but showed no anger; his face was completely expressionless.

Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Huan Xuan took the initiative to smooth things over, saying, "Brother Maohe, you've had a few too many drinks today. Please don't take offense, Ji Nu."

Liu Daogui cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate dares not. The so-called fierce tiger is just a nickname used by the soldiers. Please forgive me, Lord Chu."

Wang Yu snorted coldly, his nostrils flaring, and said nothing more.

Sitting on the left, Wang Mi laughed and said, "Even a fierce tiger needs sharp teeth and claws to help it. How can it accomplish anything empty-handed? It's a small matter if General Liu makes a mistake, but I'm afraid it will damage the prestige of the Duke of Chu. In this turbulent world, China is in turmoil. The Duke of Chu should prioritize the greater good!"

One Duke of Chu was not enough for Huan Xuan; only by becoming King of Chu could he take a substantial step forward.

Bian Fanzhi glanced sideways at Wang Mi, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Huan Xuan clapped his hands and laughed: "Brother Wang is truly wise and righteous. Taking Xinye has made this Northern Expedition a great success. Everyone should work together with one heart. Ji Nu, I will give you five thousand elite troops, plus twenty thousand laborers. All siege equipment is at your command. How about taking Xinye within five days?"

"If you fail to capture Xinye within five days, you shall come to me with your head!"

Liu Yu cupped his hands in greeting and strode out.

"I shall also take my leave." Wang Mi glanced at Bian Fanzhi, cupped his hands, and departed. The others also tactfully left.

After everyone left, only Huan Xuan and Bian Fanzhi remained in the hall.

"How can our lord allow him to command the Northern Army? If he captures Xinye, it will be a great achievement. How will he be rewarded? Wouldn't this just be another Liu Laozhi?"

Huan Xuan put down his wine cup. "You only know one side of the story. If I get rid of Liu Yu, Liu Daogui will definitely rebel!"

"This man will rebel sooner or later. We now have an army of over 100,000. We can cede the counties of Jibei to Murong De and attack him from the north and south. Liu Daogui will surely die!" Bian Fanzhi was a competent strategist, ruthless and vicious.

However, Huan Xuan was destined not to use such a strategy. If he wanted to become the King of Chu and usurp the throne, he had to cherish his reputation.

If it weren't for Murong Chui's heroic efforts to stop Huan Wen's northern expedition at Fangtou, Huan Xuan would have long since become a lonely and isolated ruler.

In the Battle of Xiangyi, Huan Wen was ambushed by Murong Chui and Murong De, and 30,000 elite troops were wiped out. It was impossible for Huan Xuan to join forces with Murong De.

"Have you considered this? If Liu Daogui surrenders to Wei, not only will the Central Plains be lost, but the Jianghuai region will also fall. After I ascend the throne and have great power in my hands, I can recuperate for a few years and once the country is pacified, I can lead a million elite troops on a northern expedition. Liu Daogui will surely be captured without resistance. Why take this risk now?"

From Huan Xuan's perspective, now is not the time to deal with the Liu brothers, Liu Yu and Liu Daogui.

The Jin dynasty left behind a huge mess.

After Liu Yu was recalled from the Three Wu regions, the Celestial Masters sect revived. Lu Xun took over the banner and captured Yongjia County with only a thousand men, taking tens of thousands of refugees hostage.

In September, Lu Xun led his army south and defeated Wu Yinzhi, the governor of Guangzhou. In October, he captured Panyu and took Wu Yinzhi prisoner, proclaiming himself General Who Pacifies the South.

In the Wu region, famine caused nine out of ten houses to be empty, and bandits were everywhere.

At this time, the barbarians in Jingnan also became restless, attacking the county government and killing officials.

A month ago, Peng Quan, the prefect of Shunyang, surrendered the entire prefecture to the Qin state. Qin general Yang Fosong led 5,000 cavalry to welcome Peng Quan, captured Nanxiang, and captured Liu Song, the Zhenwei general of Jin.

Furthermore, Murong De led 30,000 infantry and cavalry south to attack Langya and Donghai...

Each of these matters is more troublesome than those concerning the brothers Liu Daogui and Liu Yu.

At least if Liu Daogui returns Nanyang to him, there's still a possibility of negotiation.

“What you say is very true, my lord…” Bian Fanzhi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Huan Xuan poured himself a glass of wine. "Now is the time to use people. Liu Yu and Liu Daogui are tiger generals of their time. If I secure my position in the country, why would I be afraid that they won't work for me? This world belongs to the noble families. What can a commoner do? Liu Lao was a tiger general of his time, who roamed the world. Yet he still died without a burial place."

Liu Laozhi's body still hangs in the bustling city of Jiankang.

Liu Daogui and Liu Yu were at most potential threats.

Huan Xuan commanded the elite troops of the Western Army, and the soldiers of the Northern Army were also under his control, so Liu Yu and Liu Daogui had very little chance.

"My lord is wise!" Bian Fan was completely convinced.

"Liu Daogui has offered Nanyang to me. You should think more about how to reward him, keep him in check, and make him resist the Southern Yan and Wei." Huan Xuan drank a cup of wine.

A look of worry had appeared on his chubby face.

He's now in a difficult position; being a powerful minister isn't easy.

Wang Dao, Tao Kan, Huan Wen, and Xie An all made substantial achievements and contributions.

Sima Daozi held power for less than ten years before his family was destroyed and his people perished.

The people, both in and out of the court, placed their hopes on Huan Xuan, hoping that he could change the status quo, work diligently to govern the country, and restore peace.

However, the Jin dynasty had been afflicted with chronic illness for a long time, and the disease had become incurable. Huan Xuan could not even mend clothes.

Any action taken would infringe upon the interests of the aristocratic families.

The only thing we can do now is to overthrow the Sima family, establish a new dynasty, and perhaps salvage the situation a little...

(End of this chapter)