Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 295 Welcome

"Huan Xuan is suspicious and jealous, fierce in appearance but timid in reality, fond of scheming but indecisive, and lacks the courage to launch a northern expedition. We can do the opposite!"

Liu Daogui read the letter sent by his elder brother Liu Yu again. In just a few words, Huan Xuan's true nature was revealed.

Having served Huan Xuan for nearly a year, his words naturally had some basis.

Therefore, Liu Daogui prescribed the right remedy, and without further ado, he lured the enemy into the trap!

Liu Zun said, "What if Huan Xuanzhen really comes? Are we going to hand over Pengcheng to him?"

"If Huan Xuan truly had such courage, Jiangdong wouldn't be in this state now. If he dares to come, wouldn't we just shut the door and beat him? Don't forget, Pengcheng belongs to the Liu family!"

Even if Huan Xuan had a hundred lives, he wouldn't dare enter the city.

In the past two years, Liu Daogui has made Pengcheng as impregnable as an iron barrel. Even if Huan Xuan or Huan Wen were to rise from their graves, it would be useless.

His so-called Northern Expedition was just empty talk; his real intention was to prepare for usurping the throne.

Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. Huan Xuan had an army of 80,000, and it wouldn't be difficult for Liu Daogui to raise an army of 100,000 with a single call.

"Commander, the King of Chu's military order has arrived!" Shen Qingzhi entered and reported.

Liu Daogui opened the door, only to find that Huan Xuan had sent him to Shouchun to welcome him.

Liu Zun curled his lip, "You asked him to come to Pengcheng, and he sends you to Shouchun, is this ever going to end..."

Liu Muzhi said, "This is a plan by Emperor Gaozu of Han to feign a trip to Yunmeng to capture Han Xin. Huan Xuan is already afraid, and the commander-in-chief is staying in Pengcheng, so he can rest easy."

"I am not Han Xin, and he is not Emperor Gaozu of Han. This trick won't work. Issue the order to mobilize the entire army—naval, infantry, and cavalry—and have each command post gather its troops to follow me south. I want to see who captures whom!"

Liu Daogui slapped his thigh, preparing to give Huan Xuan a taste of his own medicine.

Instead of fighting him like this, it's better to just draw your sword and show your strength appropriately.

Huan Xuan dared not come to Pengcheng, having already admitted defeat, but he was still unwilling to give up, which is why he sent Liu Daogui south.

A military order was issued, and the entire military headquarters was quickly mobilized.

Pengcheng had 14,000 central troops. Liu Daogui left 2,000 behind and had Liu Muzhi guard the city, while the rest of the troops went south.

Liu Zhong's 6,000 naval troops and Mao Dezhu's 3,000 cavalry also arrived from various places.

The defense of Licheng was entrusted to Tan Daoji and Liu Guangzhi.

The twelve military prefectures within the territory mobilized 20,000 soldiers, along with 7,000 volunteer soldiers composed of slaves. The Tan, Zhao, Xu, Dao, and Xiao families also gathered 6,000 men.

In less than half a month, Pengcheng had gathered nearly 50,000 troops.

Outside Pengcheng, armored vehicles stood like mountains, banners fluttered like clouds, and long spears formed a forest. The harbor was filled with warships, including five multi-storied ships.

However, the most imposing were the Jianwei Central Army, each of them broad-shouldered and burly, clad in iron armor.

Especially those Tiger Warriors, standing there, were like iron beasts, their eyes shooting out from their helmets like swords, their murderous aura rising out of nowhere, making people shudder.

After so many years of fighting, we only have 632 Tiger Warriors.

The other troops were poorly equipped, but their morale was extremely high.

Two months ago, he went to the three counties of Xudong for "military expansion," which was equivalent to a training exercise. Everyone tasted the benefits, including those martial arts sects. They had already formed a community of interests with Liu Daogui and were therefore willing to go south.

Liu Daogui rode his horse to the front of the army and said sternly, "This land was won back by us with sword and spear. Every family has lost loved ones who bled and died. Now someone wants to take it all away. What do you say we should do?"

The more than a thousand guards surrounding him shouted these words out in unison.

"Kill! Kill! Kill—"

The soldiers' response was simple and direct.

Huan Xuan is not yet the emperor. If he were to launch a northern expedition with genuine righteousness, he would still have a legitimate reason to do so. However, since he is heading towards Pengcheng, his aura of authority is gone.

"Head south!" Liu Daogui drew his treasured sword, Xintinghou, its blade gleaming white in the blazing sun. The soldiers marched south in a mighty procession, crossed the Huai River, and headed straight for Shouchun.

The momentum was immense, like an overwhelming force.

Whether it was the central army, the local militia, or the volunteer army, they had all experienced numerous bloody battles, large and small. Each victory boosted their confidence and morale.

Just after crossing the Huai River, a scout came to report: "Huan Xiu has led three thousand troops and withdrawn from Shouchun."

Huan Xiu was the third son of Huan Chong. He married Princess Wuchang, the daughter of Emperor Jianwen of Jin. He served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, General of the Left Guard, and later as Commander of the Central Guard, enjoying great favor and honor.

However, this is also standard practice for the aristocratic families. They are masters of scheming and plotting behind the scenes, but when it comes to real fighting, they are all as cowardly as chickens.

Huan Xiu had been stationed in Huainan for nearly three years and knew best the strength of their northern neighbor.

"How many troops are left in Shouchun, and who is stationed there?" Liu Daogui asked Meng Ganzhi.

"Two thousand former troops of Gao Su's Northern Army, four thousand soldiers of the Western Army, with Huan Shisheng as the commander and Tong Houzhi as the deputy commander."

"Tong Houzhi?"

"A native of Dongguan, he was once a subordinate of General Tian Luo. After Tian Luo was killed by Huan Xuan, his troops were incorporated into the Western Prefecture and stationed in Shouchun."

The Northern Army's forces were extremely complex, with each veteran general representing a different faction.

The death of an old general does not mean the end of his power.

Just as Liu Laozhi died, the Pengcheng forces did not disappear, but were swallowed up by Liu Daogui.

"The Northern Prefecture is one family. Can we contact him and find out what he's thinking?" Liu Daogui still had some ideas about Shouchun.

"I'll take care of it right away!" Meng Ganzhi bowed and left.

Pengcheng is an important town in northern Huaihe River Basin, while Shouchun is a pillar town in southern Huaihe River Basin.

This place is adjacent to the Ying River, Huai River and Fei River. To the south, one can cross the Fei River to Chaohu Lake and enter the Yangtze River to conquer the Jiangnan region. To the west, one can advance westward along the Huai River to approach the Yiyang Three Passes and thus advance into the heart of the Central Plains.

Its geographical advantages even surpass those of Pengcheng, which was the place Yuan Shu chose as his capital.

Another major advantage is that this place, like Liu Daogui, comes from the Northern Prefecture.

The conflict between the Western and Northern Prefectures was essentially a territorial dispute between Jingzhou and Xiangyang and Xuzhou and Yangzhou. Since the Jin dynasty moved its officials and gentry south, this conflict has never ceased.

Tao Kan and Wang Dao, Huan Wen, Huan Chong and Xie An, Huan Xuan and Sima Yuanxian—all were examples of this.

Liu Laozhi was unable to support himself, which led to his own defeat and severe damage to the Northern Army, leaving it dependent on others. However, as long as the Northern Army is not completely destroyed, this confrontation will not disappear.

History once put Liu Laozhi in the spotlight, but he failed to seize the opportunity.

History has now propelled Liu Daogui to the forefront, and today, Liu Daogui's strength is not much less than that of Liu Laozhi back then.

What they lack is reputation.

Liu Daogui set up camp on the east side of Bagong Mountain.

This sudden southward march seemed to catch Huan Xuan off guard once again. Instead of heading north, Huan Xuan stationed his troops in Hefei and sent Wu Fuzhi and Huangfu Fu with 20,000 men to march north.

Meng Ganzhi excitedly reported: "Governor, Tong Houzhi has replied. He is willing to act according to circumstances as long as Generals Jianwu and Jianwei step forward."

Tong Houzhi's words left many foreshadowing elements.

This means that if Liu Daogui and Liu Yu were at the forefront and the situation turned unfavorable, he might not necessarily respond.

"It would be best if we could talk," Liu Daogui said, not in a hurry.

Huan Xuan arrived with an army of 80,000 men, but refused to be invited to Pengcheng and hesitated to advance in Hefei, thus losing in terms of momentum.

The generals of the Northern Army will eventually see the situation clearly.

(End of this chapter)