Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 306 Exit

Tuoba Gui's attack on Luoyang was essentially aimed at Liu Daogui.

Gao Xun earnestly advised: "Tuoba Gui is clearly besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements. If the governor leads troops there, it will be exactly what he plans. Besides, Luoyang belongs to the imperial court, not to the governor."

"Luoyang is not only the Luoyang of the imperial court, but also the Luoyang of China, and even more so, the Luoyang of all the people of the world. If I stand idly by and watch the Prefect Xin send this final letter, it will greatly disappoint the people of Jin in the north."

Since Tuoba Gui did not come, Liu Daogui launched a large-scale attack on Ye City.

Now that Tuoba Gui has arrived, Liu Daogui is hiding in his shell. Doesn't this prove that Tuoba Gui is invincible?
The prestige and momentum they had built up vanished in an instant.

Sometimes, once you're at the gambling table, you can't look back or think about the consequences.

Whether you can win a fight or not is one thing and whether you dare to fight.

And often, as long as you dare to fight, the outcome is usually not too bad.

Shen Qingzhi said, "Could it be that the Commander-in-Chief has a brilliant plan all along?"

Liu Daogui chuckled, "You've become like a tapeworm in my stomach now. Yes, we're going to save Luoyang, but how to save it is another matter. What do you think we should do?"

Without hesitation, Shen Qingzhi replied, "Naturally, we should avoid the strong and attack the weak, and relieve the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao. Tuoba Gui is in Luoyang, so why don't we attack Ye City?"

The Yellow River has frozen over, becoming a smooth road, connecting the north and south banks of the river.

It is an advantage for Wei Jun, and it is also an advantage for Liu Daogui.

"This time, we will not only attack Ye City, but also make Tuoba Gui suffer!" Liu Daogui said resolutely.

Liu Zun scratched the back of his head. "What are you guys talking about? It's all so confusing, I don't understand a word you're saying."

"It's good that you don't understand. Shen Qingzhi, listen to my order. I'm giving you 30,000 troops. With my banner and flags, launch a full-scale attack on Fangtou in Liyang!"

"I accept the order!" Shen Qingzhi cupped his hands, his face calm and composed.

"Send another order to Mao Dezhu and Zhao Yuan's troops in Xuchang. I don't care what methods they use, they must hold off Changsun Fei in Xingyang. Don't worry about casualties. This time, let's go all out and have a good fight with the barbarians!"

Mao Dezhu's two thousand cavalrymen supported Zhao Yuan and remained in Xuchang.

Xuchang has a local military force and organized able-bodied men. With Mao Dezhu's talent, he should be able to compete with Changsun Fei.

Given the current situation, we have no choice but to force it.

In short, with the loss of Luoyang, given the strength of the Wei Kingdom, the area south of the Yellow River would certainly not be able to be defended, and Liu Daogui's years of efforts would be in vain.

"Issue another order to Xiao Chengzhi to lead his elite troops to Liyang. Licheng can be put aside for now. Liu Guangzhi can hold Mount Tai."

Liu Daogui mobilized all his elite troops and generals, focusing all his efforts on fighting Tuoba Gui.

"Yes, sir!" The messengers received the order and rushed off.

When news of the great battle reached Pengcheng, Liu Muzhi and Cao Ji did not say a word, but mobilized the people of Yanzhou to send winter clothes, food, and weapons to Puyang.

Due to time constraints and snowstorms along the way, only a small amount of supplies were delivered.

However, this did not stump the experienced veterans. They crumpled up dry straw and rags, stuffed them into their armor, which provided some protection and warmth.

Soldiers without armor tied straw around their bodies to make a "straw armor".

The cold wind howled, and the ice and snow remained.

But even in the cold wind, there was a hint of fresh earthy scent.

The Northern Army rejoiced at the prospect of battle, and grew stronger when faced with a powerful opponent.

What they had in abundance was courage and valor. Back then, seven thousand elite soldiers dared to charge into the hundreds of thousands of Di-Qin troops. Such courage was unprecedented.

Previous Northern Expeditions were merely for show, a half-hearted effort. Today's Northern Expedition is a real step forward, a challenge to the northern hegemon.

The cold wind blowing from the far north brushed against the resolute faces of every soldier.

The banners fluttered in the wind.

Despite the cold weather, the soldiers remained highly motivated.

Liu Daogui was agitated. "I won't waste any more words. If Luoyang falls, we won't be able to protect our fields, homes, and women. We'll have no choice but to retreat to Pengcheng. Are you willing to do that?"

"Kill, kill, kill!"

The soldiers' answer was the simplest and most straightforward.

"Go! Let all the barbarians see who has the strongest army in the world!"

Liu Daogui drew his sword and pointed north, and the sound of drums and horns boomed as the soldiers marched north with steady steps.

Even the militia composed of slaves stood tall and proud, marching north against the fierce wind.

"Take care, Commander!" Shen Qingnei was dressed in Confucian armor, with a blue Confucian robe over it. His hair was tied up with a single hairpin, giving him the air of a Confucian general.

Shen Yuehan and Shen Yuewei are both beautiful, and he also has a heroic air about him.

"Take care of yourself too."

Shen Qingzhi was of paramount importance among the two groups, one from the north and one from the south.

If he fails to achieve a decisive victory, Liu Daogui will be in a very passive position.

The 30,000 troops gradually disappeared into the dust.

Liu Daogui led 12,000 elite troops to Puyang to observe the situation and sent out a large number of scouts to investigate the surrounding area.

Tuoba Gui's army of over 100,000 was concentrated in the Luoyang area to the west, and he was temporarily unable to control Yecheng and Huatai.

Now we only need to see what the Wei army's next move will be...

Beneath the walls of Luoyang.

"Kill—" Wei cavalry roared from the rear, driving the prisoners in front to attack the city.

These people were all young men or surrendered soldiers captured from Jinyong and Yanshi, and were sent to the front lines to serve as scapegoats.

In the freezing cold, these people were all barefoot on the icy ground, wearing hardly any clothes, let alone armor. If the wind picked up even slightly, dozens of them would be blown over immediately.

Even after the man fell, the Wei army did not spare him.

As the horses trampled over the ground, blood and flesh splattered everywhere.

The Wei army on horseback burst into laughter.

"call out--"

A barrage of arrows rained down from the city walls, felling the prisoners one by one.

After three rounds of arrow rain, Wei soldiers, clad in iron armor and carrying long ladders, strode forward.

However, Luoyang, as the capital of the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, was towering and fortified, making it difficult to breach in a short time.

Tuoba Gui massacred 50,000 surrendered Yan soldiers at Canhebei, letting the city's defenders know what would happen after the city fell, and they fought back desperately.

Prefect Xin Gongjing, wielding a long sword, fought alongside his soldiers atop the city wall, repeatedly repelling the Wei army.

After half a day of fighting, the Wei army abandoned more than a thousand corpses and retreated in panic.

The siege failed once again.

"There are so many loyal and righteous men in the Southern Dynasties, it's a pity they can't be used by me." Tuoba Gui said with a face full of regret.

Cui Hong said, "If Your Majesty can conquer Luoyang and seize Huai and Si, you will break the spirit of the Jin people. At that time, heroes from the South will surely come together."

"Huan Xuan usurped the Jin throne, and it remains to be seen who will be the rightful heir in the world!" Tuoba Gui laughed heartily, full of vigor.

In fact, Liu Daogui was wrong. Tuoba Gui not only wanted Luoyang and the Central Plains, but also wanted to conquer Pengcheng, annex the entire Huaibei region, and restore the territory of the former Jie Zhao and Former Yan.

After the Yongjia Rebellion, the dividing line between North and South was not the Yellow River, but the Huai River.

Tuoba Gui's ambition and drive surpassed those of Shi Hu and Murong Huang in their time.

In just a few years, he defeated the powerful Later Yan state and annexed Hebei, which gave him great confidence.

In the present Jiangzuo region, Huan Xuan usurped the Sima clan and established the Chu state, a time when the people's hearts were unsettled. Despite his powerful attack on Luoyang, Jiankang did not react at all, acting like a coward.

Such a country naturally did not catch Tuoba Gui's eye.

"The emperor is the master of all living things and the source of prosperity. If Your Majesty can unify the country and keep the people away from war, it will be the greatest merit and the greatest legitimacy."

Although Cui Hong was only the Minister of Personnel, the appointment of officials in the thirty-six departments of Wei was entirely decided by his word, and his power and status were no different from those of the Minister of Personnel and the Vice Minister of Personnel.

He also frequently told Tuoba Gui about ancient and modern events, imperial systems, and the reasons for the rise and fall of dynasties, which earned him great respect.

"What Minister Cui says is true. Huan Xuan is a mere child who has tried to usurp the throne like Cao Mengde and Sima Yi. He is far inferior to his father and will surely be disgraced one day. In this world, who is my match?"

Tuoba Gui looked up at the sky and laughed.

His journey had been so smooth that Murong Chui was so angry he died, and Murong Bao fed him the Yan Kingdom piece by piece.

The other sons are currently fighting amongst themselves and pose no threat whatsoever.

The Battle of Chaibi resulted in the capture of 40,000 elite Qin soldiers, forcing Yao Xing to sue for peace.

This year, Tuoba Gui is only in his early thirties and has a lot to achieve.

However, Cui Hong's eyes flickered, and a person suddenly appeared in his mind. Of course, Tuoba Gui was not the only hero in the world.

At least the man in the south, with only one province, repeatedly maneuvered against hundreds of thousands of Wei troops, fighting back and forth.

"Luoyang is without food or reinforcements and has become an isolated city. It can be besieged. I have ordered the craftsmen to speed up the construction of siege weapons. When spring warms up, this city will surely fall. Your Majesty should focus on the east!"

"What is the situation in the east? Has Liu Daogui sent troops?" Tuoba Gui asked the general beside him.

King Tuoba Yi of Wei said, "He has sent out troops, but he has led 30,000 troops north to attack Liyang!"

Tuoba Gui sneered, "Besieging Wei to rescue Zhao? Hmph, they're courting death. Order Tuoba Hena and Yulidi to lead their elite troops in a pincer attack!"

I'm not worried that he won't come out; I'm worried that he'll stay holed up in the city.

Tuoba He had 10,000 elite cavalry, and Yu Lidi also had 8,000 elite troops.

In this kind of weather, a pincer attack from the north and south would surely catch Liu Daogui off guard.

Tuoba Yi said, "This man is not to be underestimated. Twenty thousand elite troops are not enough. In my opinion, it would be better to have Changsun Fei of Xingyang lead twenty thousand troops and Gongsun Biao of Jibei lead ten thousand infantry and cavalry to surround him from all sides and finish him off in one battle. If we capture and kill him, the Central Plains will be within our grasp, and even the Jianghuai region will be at our fingertips!"

These forces totaled nearly 60,000 men. Apart from Gongsun Biao, the rest were elite troops who had fought for Wei for many years.

In particular, Changsun Fei's troops participated in all the major battles since the rise of the Wei state.

The vast majority of the Northern Army consisted of infantry, with very few cavalry.

The Wei army achieved an overwhelming victory.

"Do as you say, tell them that the city is not worth it, but Liu Daogui's head must be taken." Tuoba Gui readily accepted the advice and was not stubborn.

Cui Hong coughed. "This battle is no small matter. In my opinion, it would be best for Your Majesty to personally lead the army and strike with overwhelming force, so that they cannot be allowed to catch their breath."

Tuoba Yi sneered, "Could it be that 60,000 troops can't do anything to him? Minister Cui is boosting the morale of others while diminishing our own!"

Tuoba Gui's reliance on Cui Hong did not mean that the old officials of Wei looked up to him.

Tuoba Gui stopped Tuoba Yi, saying, "Minister Cui is loyal to the country, so you should not speak recklessly. However, Luoyang is where the Jin people's courage lies. If I were not here, I fear the soldiers would not be willing to fight to the death. He Na, Changsun Fei, and Yu Lidi are all important generals of the country, which is enough!"

(End of this chapter)