Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 331

While Liu Yu was still engaged in fierce fighting at Jingkou, Guangling City had just received Liu Daogui's military order.

"Yanda, Liu Daogui has ordered us to go to Guabu for a meeting. I'm afraid it's a trap." Liu Yi said this seriously, but he didn't really take it seriously.

He now commands over ten thousand men, with Zhuge Changmin, Liu Fan, Lu Zongzhi, and Zhao Hui as his advisors, and his generals are numerous and formidable.

Liu Daogui claimed to have an army of 30,000, but in reality, his elite force numbered only 7,000 to 8,000.

"Liu Daogui's family background is not as good as the general's. The general is the true successor of the Liu family. At worst, we can just close the city gates. How could Liu Daogui, with only 30,000 troops, possibly break through Guangling?"

Zhao Hui joined the latest and was the most eager to prove himself.

But Zhuge Changmin and Liu Fan, who were standing to the side, remained silent.

Their uprising in Liyang failed, and Zhuge Changmin was imprisoned by Diao Kui.

Liu Daogui led his troops south, and without bloodshed, the entire city of Liyang surrendered.

The two men were well aware of the disparity in strength between the two sides. The elite of the Guangling Northern Army was the Central Army of the Expeditionary Force, which had joined Liu Daogui's command five years ago and followed him north to fight against the Hu people.

Although Liu Yi's troops were not bad in strength, they were still far inferior to the fierce and powerful army in the north.

Previously, when they tried to stop Huangfufu, Liu Yijun's true colors were revealed when the two sides clashed; he was no match for them and had to retreat to Guangling.

Liu Fan said, “Since the brothers Liu Daogui and Liu Yu raised their army, they have been invincible and have won every battle. The people of Jiangzuo have submitted to them, just like Xiang Yu back then. My elder brother is not as strong as him, so we must not compete with him. Instead, we should be patient and wait for the right opportunity.”

Meng Chang shook his whisk and chimed in, "Right now, we should use the two brothers to wear down Huan Xuan. Your Excellency might as well take a step back and secretly strengthen the connections with various forces that support the Jin Dynasty. Once they and the Western Palace are both exhausted, Your Excellency can seize the opportunity to rise up!"

In their eyes, Liu Daogui and Liu Yu were nothing more than two knives.

You might be successful for a while, but it's hard to last.

In previous years, Su Jun was even more powerful than Liu Daogui and Liu Yu were now. He defeated the imperial army one after another, entered Jiankang, and forced Yu Liang to flee to Xunyang. However, he eventually fell to the siege of the aristocratic clans.

Everything in Jiangzuo is still decided by the gentry, and this rule has been in place for eighty years. Therefore, Liu Yi's forces contacted the major gentry early on to create a community of interests and try to restore the old system.

Liu Yi and Meng Chang were also able to elevate their respective families to high status.

“You’re wrong. If I go to Guabu this time, I’ll be in grave danger. I worked with him before. He’s ruthless. He might not kill me, but he’ll definitely hold me hostage. Then our great cause of restoring the Jin dynasty will be in vain.”

Liu Yi had finally made a name for himself, and now was a crucial time for power struggles. If he fell into Liu Daogui's hands, he would probably never have a chance to rise again.

“We have soldiers, cities, and provisions. If we are to be controlled by others with just a word, how will you command the world in the future?” Lu Zongzhi remained silent, but his son Lu Gui became agitated.

This young man was skilled in riding and archery, possessed extraordinary strength, and was brave and good at fighting. He led his troops out of Guanzhong with Lu Zongzhi.

However, he had a dark and rough appearance and lacked the refined temperament of Lu Zongzhi.

The Lu family of Fufeng produced a great scholar of the classics, Lu Pi, during the Later Han Dynasty. He was known in Guandong as "Lu Shuling, the revivalist of the Five Classics".

"Yes, Liu Daogui is the Governor-General of Ji, Bing, Qing and You, but not the Governor-General of the Northern Army. What gives him the right to give orders to us?"

"The troops of Huai and Si have been fighting for years, marching south all the way. They are exhausted from their long journey. Are we afraid of them?"

Half of the military officers present were moved by his words.

This was not a simple military meeting, but a meeting to force the forces of the Zhenglu Army to submit to the Jianwei Army.

So even if Liu Yi was willing to back down, these people were not.

Meng Chang said, “Please calm down, everyone. The Huan clan has not been destroyed and the Jin dynasty has not been restored. Right now, we must prioritize the overall situation. Since you are not going to Guabu, why not send a letter to us and make it a pretense of compliance?”

"That's all it can do."

Liu Yi had someone bring him paper and pen and wrote a letter that he considered a compromise.

No sooner had someone deliver it than a trusted confidant came to report, "General, someone has been sent from the other side!"

Liu Yi and Meng Chang exchanged a glance. "Let's leave it at that for today."

The generals dispersed.

Liu Yi and Meng Chang arrived at the back hall together. A person in loose robes and wide sleeves, holding a jade ruyi, had been waiting for a long time. Looking at the two of them with an arrogant smile, he said, "Oh my, a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation. Military Advisor Liu and Registrar Meng—how have you been?"

The visitor turned out to be Sima Shangzhi, the former Prince of Qiao of the Jin Dynasty.

His father, Sima Tian, ​​served successively as Minister, Attendant-in-Ordinary, General of the Left Guard, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and eventually Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Army. He was deeply trusted by Emperor Xiaowu and was a pillar of the Sima family.

The branch of the Prince of Qiao was also one of the few members of the Sima family who held military power.

Sima Xiuzhi, who fled to Southern Yan with Liu Jingxuan, was his younger brother.

"Greetings, Your Highness..." Liu Yi and Meng Chang were surprised that the Sima family would send this person, which was enough to show how much they valued the two of them.

"The world is in turmoil, and powerful bandits are causing chaos. The Jin dynasty can only rely on loyal ministers and righteous men. After the matter is accomplished, we can follow the example of what Duke Wenxian did in the past!"

Wenxian is the posthumous title of Wang Dao, who assisted Emperor Yuan of Jin in crossing the Yangtze River to re-establish the Jin dynasty, making the Langya Wang clan a top-tier noble family, a position that continues to benefit his descendants to this day.

Now Huan Xuan has usurped the Jin throne, just like before. If Liu Yi and Meng Chang can restore the Jin dynasty, they will be comparable to Wang Dao in his time!

Sima Shangzhi was making a promise to the two of them.

Meng Chang's face immediately lit up with a radiant glow. "If I cannot restore the Jin dynasty, I will have lived in vain!"

Reviving the Jin dynasty was also reviving the Meng clan.

Liu Yi hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!" "Hahaha, very good! With your help, great things are within reach!" Sima Shangzhi was overjoyed…

Guabu.

Liu Daogui lacked the ability to deal with the Xifu navy, but he had plenty of ways to deal with Liu Yi and Meng Chang, who were located in Guangling, north of the Yangtze River.

On the battlefield, there may be instances of the weak defeating the strong and the few defeating the many, but in the arena of power struggles, only force and power can prevail.

Liu Yi and Meng Chang's attempt to enthrone Sima Zun was no small matter; it was an attempt to usurp the fruits of victory.

Liu Daogui naturally wouldn't give them a friendly look either.

Guabu is not far from Guangling. Four days have passed, and there is still no movement from Guangling. Liu Yi has not even given an explanation.

Liu Daogui then stopped being polite, saying, "You won't shed tears until you see the coffin! Issue the order: the army will head east and enter Guangling!"

Liu Zun said, "Are we just going to let Guabu go like this?"

"To repel external aggression, we must first pacify internal strife. Liu Yi has installed Sima Zun on the throne. Where does that leave my brothers? Where does it leave us soldiers who have fought so hard all the way? This shows that the Northern Army and the Sima clan are in cahoots. As a general of the Northern Army, how can I stand idly by?"

Liu Daogui has a responsibility to safeguard the interests of the Northern Army and prevent them from being led astray by people with ulterior motives.

Among the generals of the Northern Army, Liu Daogui is the former general, the governor of the four towns of Ji, Bing, Qing and You, and the governor of Yanzhou. He holds the highest official position and the greatest power, and it is only natural that he should command everyone.

These principles must never be compromised.

After the Battle of Xiangcheng, Huan Xuan had no power to launch a counterattack. Jiankang was in Jiangnan and he couldn't escape. However, Liu Yi's move would make Liu Daogui's efforts in vain.

Liu Zhong also said with a serious expression, "The alliance between Liu Yi and the Sima clan is no small matter. Guangling is located north of Jingkou. If anything happens there, the disaster will be immense!"

The other generals didn't consider all that, but they all unconditionally trusted Liu Daogui.

The army immediately marched east, heading straight for Guangling.

The Xifu navy, as if facing a formidable enemy, also followed suit and sailed down the river.

Banners fluttered, and dust billowed.

As the banner bearing the character "Liu" was erected, cities and villages along the way welcomed him with food and drink.

"Governor Liu is back."

"Governor Liu has not forgotten the elders of Guangling!"

The shouts filled Liu Daogui with a sense of returning home in glory. Guangling was the place where he had risen to prominence. Back then, he had paid military households a stipend, comforted refugees, and provided relief to the people. So many years had passed, and they still hadn't forgotten him.

There were three or four thousand people from Qingzhou who followed.

Liu Daogui was not stingy; when he passed through a village, he distributed three liters of grain to each household.

Heading south, they successively captured important towns such as Shouchun, Hefei, and Liyang, seizing 370,000 shi of grain. Their 30,000 troops couldn't possibly consume it all, so they decided to let the people of Jianghuai also benefit.

However, when they arrived in Guangling, the city gates were tightly closed.

The once bustling port is now deserted, with not a single ship in sight; everywhere is a scene of desolation and ruin.

Liu Daogui, leading his armored soldiers, stood menacingly beneath the city gate, shouting, "What, don't you even recognize me?"

The banners were towering high, the flags were like clouds, and the soldiers were lined up in battle formation, exuding a murderous aura. Although the number of troops was not large, in terms of military prowess and morale, it was no less than that of Xie Xuan and Liu Lao in their time.

The Yangtze River's waves push the previous waves forward, and a new generation replaces the old.

Their era has long since ended, and Liu Daogui's era has quietly begun.

The soldiers guarding the city walls trembled with fear and dared not utter a word.

After waiting for half an incense stick's time, someone said in a sarcastic tone, "Who do we have here? It's Brother Liu. What brings you here in such a menacing manner?"

Liu Yi's lewd head peeked out from behind the battlements.

If Liu Daogui were to reply, it would be tantamount to lowering his own status and treating him as an equal; if he did not reply, he would be suppressed by Liu Daogui.

That's a really clever little trick.

Liu Daogui gave Liu Zun a wink, and Liu Zun immediately burst into a tirade, "Bah! What are you? A mere military advisor, an unknown junior officer, how dare you speak to the Commander-in-Chief like that? You should take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror!"

Liu Yi frowned, putting him in an awkward position.

"What are you all standing there for? Do you intend to rebel against the General?" Liu Zun's voice was extremely loud, and the armored soldiers around him were imposing, making him look very powerful.

Liu Yi shouted, "Huan Chu has not yet been destroyed, and the Jin Dynasty has not yet been restored. Commander Liu has defied the world's condemnation and led his troops to invade. We are of the same origin, why are we so eager to destroy each other?"

Another person on the city wall shouted, "Liu Daogui, do you intend to become a traitor?"

Judging from their righteous and indignant demeanor, an outsider might really think they are some kind of loyal ministers and righteous men.

Liu Daogui led his armored soldiers close to the moat and made his point clear: such matters could not be ambiguous, otherwise it would be unfair to the fallen soldiers.

"I led my men in a bloody battle against the Hu people in Yanzhou, where were you? My brother and I marched south, and countless soldiers were killed or wounded, where were you then? Today I have only one question: are the soldiers of Guangling the Northern Army or do they obey my orders?"

In the Northern Army, Liu Daogui and Liu Yu might be evenly matched, but Liu Yi was definitely not qualified.

If you want to pick peaches, you should first see if you have the ability.

Without strength, all your crooked schemes will be in vain!
(End of this chapter)