Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 329 Crossing

Liu Daogui's navy was adequate on the Grand Canal, but to fight a decisive battle against the Xifu navy on the Yangtze River would be a gross overestimation of their own strength.

A key characteristic of naval warfare is that it's either a complete victory or a complete defeat.

Previously, Sima Huizhi led the imperial navy in a decisive battle against the Xifu navy at Baishi, resulting in the complete annihilation of the entire army.

If Liu Daogui loses the naval battle, Huan Xuan will be able to catch his breath after the crushing defeat at Xiangcheng, and those opportunists will turn around and side with the Huan family.

Although we don't place too much hope on these people, their political support is indispensable for anything to succeed.

For over eighty years, the Jin dynasty employed the same tactics. Even powerful figures like Wang Dun and Su Jun, who had conquered Jiankang, were ultimately defeated and killed by local gentry, powerful clans, and displaced people who rose up against them.

The Sima family's joint rule with the gentry led to the continuous growth of local power. Taking Jiankang and controlling the court did not guarantee a sure thing.

Huan Xuan entered Jiankang and ascended the throne, finding himself in a predicament from which he could not back down.

"We can't keep this standoff going on forever?" Liu Zun's eyes widened.

Liu Zhong said, "Why don't we sneak across the Yangtze River tonight? We'll get as many across as we can!"

"It's no use. Jiankang is heavily fortified, with three layers of palace walls. It is bordered by the Qinhuai River to the south, Houhu Lake to the north, and the Yangtze River to the west. It is also protected by several inner cities, such as Stone City, Xizhou City, Dongfu City, Baixia City, and Nanlangya County City. The troops are too few and cannot even reach the main city."

Liu Yu spent two years as a hostage in Jiankang, during which time he learned about the terrain of Jiankang.

Jiankang, a city strategically located with its strategic location, is protected by mountains, rivers, and lakes. The city is well-supplied with provisions and is virtually impregnable.

The Battle of Xiangcheng showed that the Western Army was not a rabble. Now that the two armies are facing each other, the other side must be patrolling the Yangtze River day and night and deploying defenses along the river. A few hundred people sneaking across the river are just a piece of cake for the Western Army.

Liu Zun cursed, "Damn it, Jiankang is right under our noses but we can't even touch it, what a pity!"

"I do have a plan," Liu Yu said, rubbing his fingers together.

Liu Daogui knew from his actions and expression that his gambling addiction had kicked in. "Brother, what brilliant plan do you have?"

"I will lead two hundred elite troops across the river from Guangling downstream, enter Jingkou, contact the old troops of the Northern Army, and march from east to west towards Jiankang!"

Upon hearing this, everyone held their breath.

Only Liu Yu could come up with such a risky plan.

Keep in mind that Jingkou is currently besieged by Wang Yu and Diao Kui's 20,000 troops.

Liu Daogui shook his head repeatedly, "This plan is too dangerous. If there is the slightest mistake, no one will be able to return, and my brother is still seriously injured."

Liu Yu was known as the Fierce Tiger, and his physical condition was excellent. After suffering such a serious injury, he was able to walk again after more than a month of recuperation.

But not good enough to go to the battlefield and risk their lives.

“We’ve already gambled everything, are we just going to back down like this? If we can retreat, how will our families in Jingkou retreat? These are just minor injuries, but after resting for a while, they’re nothing serious.”

Liu Yu's gaze was intense.

Indeed, as long as the Yangtze River still exists and the Xifu Navy still exists, it will be an insurmountable barrier in front of us.

In the past, Cao Wei launched several southern expeditions, but all of them ended in failure because they could not cross the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

Even with the strength of Cao Wei, it was impossible, let alone Liu Daogui.
Huan Xuan's strength was no less than that of Eastern Wu back then. Although Jiangzuo was in chaos, Jingxiang in the upper reaches was not. With the help of the Western Army, he could still control the overall situation.

"Brother, stay in Guabu. I will lead three hundred elite warriors across the river from Yandu!" Liu Daogui was not a gambler, but now that he had come to this point, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and charge forward.

Liu Yu calmly said, "There's no need to argue. This trip is indispensable. Those people from the Northern Army only recognize me. Only if I go will they risk their lives!"

Liu Daogui left Jingkou early on and entered the Zheng Lu Army in Guangling. Afterwards, he went north to Lanling and lived in Jiangbei.

Liu Yu remained in Jingkou.

In the Battle of Garlic Mountain, over a thousand men defeated 100,000 demon bandits, defended Jingkou, preserved the Northern Prefecture, and at the same time, elevated him to a divine status.

Liu Daogui is not as well-regarded as him.

"A true man should die on the battlefield, wrapped in a horse's hide. It is fortunate indeed. Moreover, those who survive a great calamity are bound to have good fortune in the future. I did not die in Xiangcheng, so why would I die in Jingkou? You have your path to walk, and I have my destiny. It is settled then. One hundred elite warriors plus my troops are enough!"

Liu Yu was very carefree and didn't take life and death seriously at all.

“Brother…” Liu Daogui was not one to hesitate, but this journey was simply too dangerous.

Liu Yu frowned and said seriously, "A true man should not hesitate when acting. Opportunities are fleeting. If Wei and Yan cease hostilities, will you have any good days ahead? If we cannot take Jiankang this time, everything will be over. Even if something happens to me, you can hold the line and find another way!"

On the surface, it appears to be advantageous to Liu Daogui and Liu Yu, but in reality, it is fraught with danger.

Whether or not one can cross the Yangtze River is the watershed moment.

Not only were the Northern Army waiting, but the people of Jiangzuo were also watching.

This is destiny, and also the beginning of fate! "Alright, I never gamble, but this time I'll gamble with my brother!" Liu Daogui no longer hesitated.

In fact, there was little hesitation. Although Huan Xuan had lost tens of thousands of elite troops, his foundation remained. Jingzhou and even Shu were under the control of the Huan family. Even if Huan Xuan lost Jiankang and Jiangzuo, he could still retreat to the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

If Liu Daogui can't even cross the Yangtze River, then he has no right to compete with him.

The Central Plains, a battlefield of a hundred years, could not withstand the pincer attack from the north and south.

This is not a question of whether the soldiers are brave or not; in the final analysis, war is about population and resources.

With only half of Yanzhou and half of Yuzhou under his control, Liu Daogui would find it difficult to maintain a long-term confrontation with the states of Wei and Chu.

Moreover, there is also the Southern Yan to the east. Qingzhou is located by the sea and has the Yellow River and Mount Tai as its shield, making it geographically two levels better than Liu Daogui.

"A true man should be like this!" Liu Yu laughed heartily.

Liu Daogui immediately selected a tiger-like guard for him and prepared a horse-drawn carriage.

Meng Longfu, Shen Tianzi, and others were not as badly injured as him, and with careful care, they recovered well. When Liu Yu was about to risk his life, they stayed by his side.

One hundred and seventy-one elite guards, two hundred and thirty-four detachments, each with three horses, were equipped with twenty-three carriages, and Liu Zhong also selected one hundred and twenty young men from Wuxing specifically to operate the boats.

The vast majority of the Xifu navy was concentrated in the Jiankang and Guangling areas, blocking the river. Yandu, being near the sea, could bypass the river by sea.

Liu Yu followed Sun En in the Three Wu regions and once commanded a naval force, possessing a thorough understanding of the waterways of Jiangzuo.

The setting sun was like blood, and the mighty river flowed eastward.

A carriage had been prepared, but Liu Yu insisted on riding a horse, lamenting, "The wind howls, the Yi River is cold, the brave warrior departs, never to return!"

After saying that, he turned and rode north without looking back.

Liu Juanzi and several doctors bowed to Liu Daogui, boarded the carriage, and headed north together.

The sound of horses' hooves echoed, and the shadows of the riders stretched long across the ground.

When Liu Yu recited this poem, it was clear that he was prepared to die.

Liu Daogui stared at him for a long time, until his figure disappeared among the green hills.

At this moment, Liu Huaijing reported: "Governor, Liu Yi has sent a letter."

"Liu Yi?" Liu Daogui had almost forgotten about this person.

After opening the letter and reading it, I couldn't help but frown. They actually proposed to support Sima Zun, the Prince of Wuling, as the Grand General.

This man was the grandson of Emperor Yuan, Sima Rui, and the cousin of Emperor Xiaowu, Sima Yao. He successively served as Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, Director of the Imperial Library, Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Commander of the Central Army, and was in charge of the Jiankang Imperial Guard. He was highly respected in the Jin court.

Huan Xuan ascended to the throne through "abdication" and treated the Sima family well, only demoting Sima Zun to the Marquis of Pengze.

Now, Sima Zun has neither been on the battlefield nor raised his voice, yet he has gained the title of general for nothing.

Liu Yi's actions were malicious.

The Grand General is in charge of military affairs and holds the power of the army. If Liu Daogui agrees, it means that he will have to listen to Sima Zun from now on.

Sima Zun was recommended by their group, so naturally they would collude with him in the future.

Huan Xuan hadn't even fallen yet, and people were already eager to reap the benefits.

"This empire was won by my two elder brothers, why should Sima Zun be the Grand General!" Liu Huaijing, being straightforward, immediately spoke up for Liu Daogui and Liu Yu.

Meng Gan said: "With the help of Meng Chang, Zhuge Changmin, Lu Zongzhi and Zhao Huizhi, Liu Yi has taken in two thousand of Liu Fan's Northern Army troops and annexed the Zheng Lu Army in Guangling. He now has more than twelve thousand troops."

"No wonder he's so bold, daring to snatch food from the tiger's mouth; he's gotten too big for his britches."

Liu Daogui and Liu Yu fought tooth and nail in front, risking their lives, while Liu Yi and his gang followed behind, enjoying the good life and making a fortune in silence.

He kept making excuses when asked to send troops to hold off Huangfu Fu.

Liu Zhong said, "Sima Zun was the eldest member of the Jin dynasty. Could it be that the Sima clan has also joined forces with Liu Yi, Meng Chang, and others?"

"Order Liu Yi, Meng Chang, and the others from Guangling to come to Guabu immediately to meet me and discuss important matters. Anyone who dares to refuse will be punished according to military law!"

Liu Daogui was too lazy to waste words with him.

While they couldn't deal with the Xifu navy, dealing with them was a piece of cake.

It's still uncertain who the Northern Army in Guangling is loyal to.

There's no need to be polite with them at this point. If they don't come, Liu Daogui wouldn't mind dealing with them using military law.

(End of this chapter)