Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 344 Rumor

"Liu Yu, also known as Liu Daogui, claimed to be a minister of Jin, but in reality, he was a traitor to Jin. He harbored the ambitions of a tiger and wolf, and always harbored the heart of a snake and viper. He was cunning and cruel, and harmed the people. He humbly wished to lead the elders of Jingzhou and Xiangyang, to fight bravely and drive out the northern barbarians..."

"What kind of nonsense is this? I'm a traitor to Jin, and the Huan family is a great loyal minister?" Liu Daogui laughed in anger.

Wang Zhen'e said, "It's nothing more than a desperate struggle. Huan Qian thinks that with Yao Xing's help, he can fight against our army."

Xiangyang is not just a place called Xiangyang; it also includes Nanyang Prefecture to the north and Shangyong Prefecture to the west.

The entire Nanyang Basin was under his rule, and his manpower and resources were no less than those of Jiangling.

This is equivalent to the relationship between Pengcheng and Guangling.

As the northern gateway, Xiangyang attracted a large number of refugees from Yong, Yu, Bing, and Liang prefectures who had migrated south.

Yang Quanqi, Feng Gai, Wang Zhen'e, and Lu Zongzhi, who was under Liu Yi's command, all moved south to Xiangyang, as did the Mao Qu clan.

Therefore, after receiving Yao Xing's support, Huan Qian's strength increased significantly.

Liu Zun said, "The best course of action is to strike first. We are now well-equipped and have a strong army. What are we afraid of?"

Wang Zhen'e cupped his hands and said, "Xiangyang is surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains on the other, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Back then, Fu Jian's 170,000-strong army besieged it for a year, and it was only with the help of a traitor that they were able to break through the city."

Liu Zun said, "Just because we can't conquer it doesn't mean we should stop. There are only six months left of the one-year deadline."

Under normal circumstances, given Liu Daogui's strength, it would be difficult for him to take Xiangyang within six months.

Even after fighting for half a year, Wuchang still hasn't been captured.

"To conquer a city is the least desirable strategy; to win hearts and minds is the best. With the troops we have, it's impossible for us to break through Xiangyang head-on!" Liu Daogui glanced at his generals.

At this moment, Meng Ganzhi came in to report: "Someone outside the mansion said that he is an old friend of the governor and has come to visit me."

"An old friend?" Liu Daogui was taken aback. In Jingxiang, it was more likely that he had enemies, not an old friend.

Not long after, a guard led a man inside, saying, "The prince is at his wit's end and has come to seek refuge with the governor."

"So it's Hu Daoxu! Excellent! With your help, we will surely be able to conquer Xiangyang and wipe out the various clans!" Liu Daogui was overjoyed.

Huan Xuan had sent him as an envoy to Pengcheng, and they had met once before. Huan Xuan had a good impression of him.

Liu Zun rolled his eyes. "Aren't you a military advisor under Huan Xuan?"

Hu Fan cupped his hands and said, "When we retreated from Jiankang, I strongly urged Huan Xuan to lead eight hundred troops in a bloody battle. I regret that he did not listen to my words and knew that he was bound to be defeated. However, I cannot fail to repay the kindness shown to me. I originally intended to fight to the death at Sangluozhou, but my warship was burned and fell to the bottom of the river. When I swam to the shore, the situation was hopeless, so I fled back to my hometown. Now that the governor has treated the people of Jingzhou well, I am willing to serve him like a dog!"

Huan Xuan came from a high-ranking family and had a natural arrogance towards those from humble backgrounds.

A person like Hu Fan will definitely be given an important position.

"A truly loyal and righteous man!" Liu Daogui exclaimed in admiration. "I intend to attack Xiangyang; do you have any good strategies?"

After pondering for a while, Hu Fan said, "Xiangyang is well-defended and has the assistance of Yao Qin. If we launch a direct attack, we will suffer heavy casualties. Now that Huan Qian has gathered his old troops, I am willing to lead three hundred men from my own troops to move into the city as an inside agent."

"Three hundred men are too few. I will give you three thousand elite troops to move into the city gradually."

“Huan Qian is suspicious by nature. The commander’s men are all northerners and do not speak the Chu dialect. If he finds out, it will be a miscalculation. Three hundred men are enough. Moreover, there are many loyal soldiers in the city who are loyal to the Jin dynasty. I can unite with them.”

Seeing that he said that, Liu Daogui stopped insisting and said, "After it is done, I will ask the court for credit for you."

Hu Fan said, "Thank you, Governor. I only ask that after the city is captured, the people not be killed or plundered."

"You can rest assured!" Liu Daogui readily agreed...

Jiankang.

In addition to Liu Yu, Liu Muzhi, and Wang Mi, the East Hall now houses General Chu Can of the Left Guard and Grand Master of Ceremonies Ding Chengzhi.

Although the Chu family was not as powerful as the Wang, Xie, Huan, or Yu families, it was still a prominent family in Jiangzuo. Empress Kangxian, Chu Suanzi, was from the Chu family. "General of the Flying Cavalry conquered Huan Chu in less than half a year and captured Huan Xuan alive. He is truly a tiger general of the world. I have heard that the people of Jingzhou and Xiangyang are all loyal to him." Chu Can's face was full of admiration.

Ding Chengzhi, however, remained calm and asked, "I wonder if any of you are aware of the children's rhymes from Jiankang recently?"

Liu Yu was a firm believer in prophetic and metaphysical teachings, and since these nursery rhymes often came true, he became interested and asked, "What nursery rhymes are these?"

Ding Chengzhi said cautiously, "The stone dragon is not a dragon, the stone tiger is not a tiger, the bronze camel weeps, what wrong have our offspring done?"

Liu Yu's smile froze on his face.

The room suddenly felt a bit colder.

This nursery rhyme is simple yet extremely vicious, telling the story of Shi Hu, the tyrant of the Jie Zhao state, who massacred Shi Le's entire family. However, the inclusion of the word "dragon" inevitably evokes other thoughts.

The question of what wrong his descendants had done was also a reminder to Liu Yu of how his future descendants would conduct themselves.

When it comes to internal strife, these aristocratic families are all experts, and they can naturally see the biggest conflict between the two brothers.

Shi Le treated Shi Hu with the kindness of a second life. After his death, Shi Hu couldn't wait to take action and slaughtered Shi Le's entire family.

Liu Yu's gaze turned icy as he looked at Ding Chengzhi, which made Ding Chengzhi tremble all over and not even dare to lift his eyes.

At this moment, Liu Muzhi smiled and said, "I have also heard a nursery rhyme these past few days."

"Tell me quickly, Daohe." Liu Yu ultimately did not erupt.

Liu Muzhi stood up and paced back and forth, reciting: "Heaven and earth, yin and yang, two pillars support the field, one pillar governs the heavens, one pillar guards the borders, the two pillars work together to prosper the country and bring peace to the nation."

The literal meaning is also simple, but it contains a hidden metaphor.

The phrase "One Pillar to Heaven" actually refers to Liu Yan, the King of Qi, also known as the Pillar Heaven General. He raised an army against Wang Mang and became famous throughout the land. He was later killed by Emperor Gengshi, Liu Xuan, but he laid the foundation for Liu Xiu's rise to power.

The situation in Jiangzuo is just like the situation of these two great pillars.

Liu Yu, as the pillar of the court, dealt with powerful clans and noble families, stabilizing the political situation. Liu Daogui, as the pillar of the court, eliminated disloyal people from all directions.

Otherwise, it would be a situation where one person cannot support the whole operation.

The Jin dynasty has been ruled by the gentry and clans for generations, a system that cannot be easily changed.

Not only are the aristocratic families watching from the sidelines, but many people within the Northern Prefecture are also eyeing the opportunity covetously.

Liu Muzhi was quick-witted and spoke succinctly, defusing a carefully planned attack.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Daohe's nursery rhyme is exactly what I like. I just wonder where Doctor Ding heard this nursery rhyme from?" Liu Yu clapped his hands in praise, the coldness in his eyes turning into murderous intent.

This nursery rhyme about stone tigers and stone dragons is clearly aimed at the two brothers.

"This... I overheard it by chance, but I've forgotten where it happened." Ding Chengzhi was covered in cold sweat.

He was just a scapegoat pushed up by others.

Wang Mi smiled and stepped in to smooth things over: "It's just a nursery rhyme, absurd and nonsensical, General, you don't need to take it to heart."

"This matter is of utmost importance. Someone must be stirring up trouble in the shadows, harboring resentment towards the new policies. We must investigate this thoroughly!"

Upon hearing Liu Yu's words, Ding Chengzhi's body went limp, and he collapsed onto the soft couch.

During this period, Liu Yu and Liu Muzhi were implementing new policies to prohibit powerful clans from privately occupying mountains and marshes, annexing land, and concealing household registrations. At Liu Muzhi's suggestion, they were preparing to re-implement the land quota system.

These measures will inevitably provoke opposition from powerful clans and aristocratic families.

Therefore, it's inevitable that some people will secretly stir up trouble.

(End of this chapter)