Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 338 Successor

Inside the General's mansion, the two brothers sat facing each other.

"How do you plan to conquer Jingzhou and Xiangyang?" After relaxing, Liu Yu felt even more tired and didn't even bother to open his eyes, so he reclined on the low table.

"Huan Xuan is already a frightened bird, the Chu army has lost its fighting spirit, and even Jiankang has been abandoned. How could they possibly defend Jiangling to the death? Taking Jingzhou and Xiangyang is not difficult, but holding them is."

Liu Daogui succinctly revealed the key point.

The Huan family has been operating in Jingxiang for fifty years, and their foundation is deep-rooted, which cannot be resolved overnight.

Liu Yu was gratified. "I can rest assured that you have such insight. After this is accomplished, I plan to appoint Liu Yi as the governor of Jingzhou. What do you think?"

Jingzhou is unlike any other province; it is the location of the Western Prefecture. Giving it to Liu Yi would be tantamount to aiding the enemy.

However, given Liu Yu's shrewdness and strategic acumen, he shouldn't have made such a basic mistake.

“If you want to take something, you must first give it. Brother, do you perhaps intend to wipe out the pro-Jin forces in one fell swoop?” Liu Daogui immediately understood his thoughts.

Liu Yi was ambitious but unrealistic, and liked to associate himself with famous scholars and refined people. He had the ability, but he also had many flaws. In Liu Daogui's opinion, he was at most the level of a prefectural governor, barely qualified to be a state governor, and somewhat incompetent to be in charge of the Western Prefecture.

The conflict between the Western Prefecture and the Northern Prefecture is not something he can bridge.

Sending him there was essentially putting him on the hot seat, and also drawing out those forces that secretly supported the Jin dynasty.

"The one who understands me is Agui!" Liu Yu laughed.

"Liu Yi is ambitious but lacks talent, so he is not a threat. However, He Wuji is quite popular among the gentry, so you must be wary of him, brother." Liu Daogui did not take Liu Yi seriously at all.

But He Wuji was different. He was Liu Laozhi's nephew and also a former subordinate of Sima Yuanxian. When Sima Yuanxian and Sima Yanzhang were beheaded in Changgan Lane, He Wuji went into the market to caress the corpses and wept bitterly, almost fainting. People at the time praised him for his righteousness.

Therefore, after the recapture of Jiankang, all the former members of the Langya Prince's Mansion went to return to him.

“Wuji has always been ambitious and should have assisted me. Unfortunately, we are not on the same page and cannot work together. If he joins forces with Liu Yi, the harm will be great. After Huan Xuan is eliminated, I will give him another chance.”

Liu Yu still held onto some old feelings.

Now that things have come to this, Liu Daogui and Liu Yu are caught in a dilemma. They can only move forward or retreat, or their families will be destroyed, and their clans will be wiped out.

Seeing that he said so, Liu Daogui was relieved and was preparing to take his leave.

Suddenly, the sound of children's laughter came from outside.

Liu Yu slowly opened his eyes, the murderous aura on his face vanished, replaced by joy.

As they were talking, two children rushed in, one of them immediately snuggling into Liu Yu's arms, crying, "Father!"

Liu Yu's face was full of doting affection, "The chariot soldiers and chariot officers haven't met your uncle yet."

Chebing was Liu Yifu's childhood name, while Cheshi was Liu Yizhen's childhood name.

He was tall and strong, inheriting the best qualities of Liu Yu; at eight years old, he looked as robust as a twelve or thirteen-year-old.

The other one was handsome, but not as big, though his small eyes darted around, giving him a cunning look.

"They've grown so much." Liu Daogui looked at the child in front of him and couldn't help but sigh.

We've been separated for so many years, busy with military affairs, and haven't had much time to get together. In the blink of an eye, they're already seven or eight years old.

However, it's unexpected that Liu Yu, such a decisive and ruthless man, would also be so doting on his child, who was already seven or eight years old.

"Where did this third uncle come from? I've never seen you before!" Liu Yifu rolled his eyes, his face full of arrogance.

The other one wasn't much better: "What are you doing at my house?"

Liu Daogui felt slightly displeased. The child's tone and demeanor showed no respect for his elders. Liu Yu was busy fighting wars everywhere, his mother Xiao Wenshou was getting old, and his sons were neglected in their upbringing.

"How can you speak like that?" Although Liu Yu was reprimanding him, he still had a look of doting affection on his face.

Liu Yifu broke free from his embrace and, with Liu Yizhen in tow, darted out like a swallow.

He never addressed Liu Daogui by name from beginning to end; even a son from an ordinary family wouldn't be so rude.

These days, seven or eight-year-olds can no longer be considered children; in ordinary families, they are already working in the fields.

"My third brother is about to go on a campaign, so please stay for a feast." Liu Yu's gaze remained on his two children. He and Zang Aiqin had been married for many years but had never had any children. Now that they had a son, he had spoiled him a little too much.

Liu Daogui had long lost interest. "I have military duties to attend to, and the soldiers in the camp are still waiting. I will have a feast with my brother after we achieve a great victory."

"Excellent, excellent!" Liu Yu did not try to stop him.

Liu Daogui's departure with a bow was not entirely an excuse. The generals of the Northern Army had gathered and had been waiting for a long time.

Liu Daogui, along with Liu Zun and Liu Huaijing, rushed to the Stone City camp, their journey sweeping away their unhappiness.

Although Huan Xuan withdrew his troops, he left behind a large force to defend the fortresses on both sides of the river.

Upon receiving the news from Jiangling, Huan Xuan quickly assembled 20,000 troops within a few days to expand his military and acquire warships.

Jiangzuo has suffered from banditry, famine, floods, and various natural and man-made disasters, resulting in a sharp decline in population, and it is no longer what it used to be.

Although Jingzhou and Xiangyang had Yang Quanqi, Yin Zhongkan, and Huan Xuan, the three families were vying for power, but Huan Xuan quickly defeated them all without damaging the foundation of Jingzhou and Xiangyang. In recent years, the weather has been favorable, and their strength is stronger than that of Jiangzuo.

It also occupies the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, giving it a huge advantage.

In order to deal with Huan Xuan, Liu Daogui also transferred two generals, Mao Dezhu and Xiao Chengzhi, from Yanzhou.

Firstly, it was about maintaining stability; secondly, it was about allowing them to accumulate military merits and cultivate their own subordinates.

In the central command tent, Liu Daogui entered and sat on the commander's seat. The generals were arranged in two rows, with Liu Yi, Liu Fan, and Zhuge Changmin on the left, and He Wuji, Liu Zhong, and Wang Zhen'e on the right.

"Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!" The generals stood solemnly, cupping their hands in salute.

Liu Daogui waved his hand dismissively, "No need for formalities!"

He Wuji could no longer contain himself. "Huan Xuan has fled back to Jiangling in a sorry state, and the people of Xifu are in a state of panic. We cannot give him a chance to catch his breath. This humble general is willing to lead his troops as the vanguard to launch a surprise attack on Pengkou!"

Pengkou is located in Xunyang, at the mouth of the Peng River where it flows into the Yangtze River. In the early Han Dynasty, Guan Ying built a city here to guard the river surface in the Jiangzhou area.

It was the first line of defense left by Huan Xuan, guarded by He Danzhi, a veteran general of the Northern Army, and Guo Changzhi, the prefect of Jiangzhou.

This man was stripped of his elite troops by Liu Daogui in Pengcheng and fled back to Jiankang in a sorry state. Huan Xuan, mindful of his loyalty and status as a veteran general of the Northern Army, did not pursue the matter further, nor did he give him much importance.

But now the Western Army has been utterly defeated, and Huan Xuan's generals have dwindled in number. As a veteran general of the Northern Army, He Danzhi's status has actually risen considerably.

When Huan Xuan retreated, some of the Northern Army soldiers in Jiankang followed him. When they arrived in Xunyang, Guo Changzhi replenished their food supplies, weapons, and troops.

Liu Daogui reminded him, "He Danzhi and Guo Changzhi have nearly ten thousand men, while you only have two thousand."

He Wuji said, "What is the point of a defeated general talking about bravery? The troops under my command are the elite of the Langya King and veterans of the Northern Army. If we fail, you may cut off my head!"

Since he had said so, Liu Daogui let him have his way.

It's impossible to unite the major forces in the Northern Prefecture into one force, advancing and retreating together.

The best option is for each side to operate independently, so as to avoid hindering or scheming against each other.

Whoever causes the problem, they can be held responsible later.

Generals are responsible for conquering cities and seizing territories, while commanders are responsible for overall coordination.

"I accept the order!" He Wuji left with a proud and arrogant air.

Liu Daogui glanced around the tent. Liu Yi kept his head down and remained silent. Besides Liu Fan, Zhuge Changmin, Lu Zongzhi, Zhao Hui, and other generals, there were a few more people around him...

"General Liu Yi, listen to my command! Lead your troops out of Liyang with great fanfare and march from Jiangbei to Wuchang. You are only allowed to advance, not retreat!"

This guy is good at hiding in the background and making a fortune quietly.

This time, Liu Daogui positioned himself at the front to draw the main force of Huan Chu.

Liu Yi frowned, but did not look up, naturally knowing the intention behind this military order.

Huan Xuan stationed a large army in Lujiang County, which was guarded by General Guo Quan, who came from the Guo clan of Taiyuan. He had defeated Zhang Chong, a general of Yao Qin, and captured two thousand households before returning.

In order to deal with him, Huan Xuan used a fake imperial edict to subdue him.

Liu Daogui looked down at him, hoping he would disobey orders so he could have an excuse.

At this moment, Meng Chang coughed lightly, and Liu Yi looked up, hesitated for a moment, and then cupped his hands: "I accept the order!"

The two men each led their troops away.

The real decisive battle will take place on the Yangtze River. Once the Xifu navy is defeated, Huan Chu's last resort will be gone.

"Order all troops to immediately board the ships and advance westward for the decisive battle."

(End of this chapter)