Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 346 Xiang

After being fortified by Liu Biao, Man Chong, Yang Hu, Yu Yi, and Huan Wen, Xiangyang had become one of the most fortified cities in the land, nestled against mountains and beside water, making it virtually impregnable.

Throughout the entire world, only Ye City can compare to it.

However, Ye City was built on a plain and was large in scale, but it lacked mountains and rivers as a backdrop.

Liu Daogui arrived with 10,000 elite troops from the Northern Expedition and 25,000 new troops from the Western Prefecture. It felt like a group of ants blocking an elephant.

No wonder Fu Jian mobilized an army of 170,000 to besiege this city.

"How can we fight this?" Liu Zun sighed as he looked at the city.

The city walls were filled with soldiers. There was an outer wall and an inner wall. Zhu Xu held off the Qin army for a year by relying on the middle wall.

Two hundred years ago, Guan Yu launched a northern expedition, flooding seven armies and shaking the land with his might, but he never managed to capture this city.

Wang Zhen'e was also speechless. "Our army has no siege equipment. It seems we can only wait for the Hu family to cooperate from within and without."

"Whether we can capture Xiangyang or not depends not on Hu Fan, but on us. If we cannot inflict a heavy blow on Huan Qian, the people in the city will not follow Hu Fan in raising an army."

Liu Daogui has never been one to place his hopes on others.

With the support of the Di and Qin states, Huan Qian had ample supplies and manpower, so the people in the city had no desire to take action.

People are realistic and will always think of themselves.

Xiangyang City not only has two city walls, but it also forms a defensive triangle with Fancheng, which is located north of the Han River.

Liu Zun asked, "Then how should we fight?"

Liu Daogui looked north of the Han River and said, "We have control of the water. We can first take over the counties of Nanyang, Shangyong, and Shunyang to cut off Xiangyang's wings, sever its connection with Yao Qin, and isolate Xiangyang!"

In addition to the 30,000 troops under his command, Liu Zhong and Li Damu also commanded 12,000 naval forces that roamed the Yangtze and Han rivers.

With control of water, one can penetrate any area.

Liu Daogui had no choice in Xiangyang, but the defenses of the counties north of the Han River were not so tight.

After fighting for so many years, Liu Daogui concluded that small-scale battles are not as good as large-scale battles, and large-scale battles are not as good as bringing Qin into the fray.

Since the Battle of Chaibi, the power of the Qin state has been suppressed, and rebellions have broken out one after another in Liangzhou.

Last year, Liu Bobo rose to power and annexed the Poduolan tribe located in Longdong. In order to appease the situation, Yao Xing actually promoted him to General of Anbei and Duke of Wuyuan, and assigned him more than 20,000 tribes, including five Xianbei tribes and other Hu tribes in Longdong, to guard Shuofang...

After Liu Bobo's power grew, he immediately turned against the Qin dynasty, annexing the three Xianbei tribes of Xuegan and Chilian, capturing more than 10,000 people, raiding the three counties of Longdong under the Qin dynasty, and killing the Qin generals Yao Shisheng and Yang Pi.

The situation in Guanzhong was immediately shaken, and people were filled with anxiety.

Given this situation, Yao Xing's attempt to extend his reach into Northeast China was utterly reckless.

It's understandable that Yao Qin couldn't defeat the powerful Tuoba Gui, but being humiliated by a down-on-his-luck Xiongnu prince shows how weak Yao Qin is now.

Liu Daogui immediately assigned Mao Dezhu 8,000 elite infantry and cavalry to form the right wing army to attack Shunyang and Shangyong counties, while Wang Zhen'e led 15,000 Xifu New Army troops to attack Nanyang and Runan counties.

The remaining 10,000 troops were blocked under the walls of Xiangyang, with deep moats and high walls, using defense as a means of attack.

Just as the two groups of men crossed the Han River and headed north, the gates of Xiangyang opened wide, and a force of three thousand infantry and cavalry charged out.

The leading general rode a chestnut horse, clad in silver armor, and carrying a long spear. He charged in like a whirlwind, displaying his might before the camp, shouting, "Huan Zhen is here! Liu Daogui, do you dare to come out and fight!"

Liu Daogui is now a General of the Cavalry, a regional warlord, so naturally he wouldn't risk his life against a mere brute.

He gave Liu Zun a wink, and Liu immediately led two thousand infantrymen out of the camp.

They got into position and started fighting right in front of the camp.

Shouts thundered from both above and below the city walls.

Huan Zhen was truly remarkable. He led over three hundred cavalrymen with incredible speed, charging into Liu Zun's infantry formation several times and then breaking out of it.

A long spear swept across the land like a tidal wave, impenetrable and unstoppable, fueled by the momentum of the charging warhorse.

Liu Daogui initially thought that sending two thousand armored soldiers was already a great honor for this man. The Northern Army was good at defeating the many with the few, and even if two thousand armored soldiers faced ten thousand Hu people, they could still win.

Unexpectedly, the two sides fought to a standstill, with the Chu army even gaining a slight advantage.

The cavalry had all been taken away by Mao Dezhu, leaving Liu Zun without any cavalry, so he was constantly suppressed by Huan Zhen's three hundred elite cavalry.

However, the Northern Army was a battle-hardened elite force. After an hour of fierce fighting, they gradually adapted to the rhythm of the battlefield. Under Liu Huaijing's command, they changed the crescent formation into a circular formation that combined offense and defense. With their dense array of long spears and crossbows, they forced back Huan Zhen's cavalry.

Without the cover of cavalry, the Chu infantry were no match for the Northern Army's armored soldiers and were forced to retreat in disarray.

A series of gongs sounded from the city walls of Xiangyang, and the Chu army slowly retreated.

Liu Zun also led his troops back to the camp.

In a skirmish, our side suffered 251 casualties, while the enemy suffered over 400 casualties.

The Chu army suffered greater losses, but cheers erupted from the city walls of Xiangyang: "The Northern Army is nothing special!"

"Liu Daogui, you little brat, Xiangyang will be your burial ground..."

Liu Daogui was speechless, feeling that these Chu soldiers had all gone mad.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Since the start of the uprising, the Chu army has suffered major defeats against the Northern Army. In the three battles of Xiangcheng, Jingkou, and Fuzhoushan, they were decimated by Liu Yu's few thousand troops.

The killing of over two hundred Northern Army soldiers is indeed a small victory for the Chu army.

"I'm so angry! If we had cavalry, we would never let Huan Zhen be so arrogant!" Liu Zun was extremely frustrated.

Liu Daogui comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, this battle will take a long time, and there will be plenty of opportunities later."

To be fair, Huan Zhen was indeed brave and capable of fighting Liu Zun to a standstill, making him a formidable general.

His father, Huan Shiqian, was renowned throughout the land for his bravery and agility, and was known as a match for ten thousand men.

Huan Zhen wasn't too bad either.

After collecting the corpses, neither side had any desire to attack and both became quiet and obedient.

These days, it's common for siege battles to last a year or two.

Liu Daogui didn't expect to capture Xiangyang quickly, so he remained cautious in his camp. For two consecutive days, the Chu army launched night raids, but both were repelled. After waiting for five days, he didn't receive any news from Mao Dezhu and Wang Zhen'e, but instead received a letter from Yao Xing urging them to make peace.

"The King of Qin addressed His Excellency General Liu: It is said that the Way of Heaven benefits without harming; the Way of the Sage acts without contending. Now, Guanzhong and Jiangzuo, each receiving the Mandate of Heaven, are as close as lips and teeth. Since the chaos of the Yongjia era, the Rong and Di tribes have invaded, the land of China has been in turmoil, and the people have suffered for more than sixty years. Your Excellency rose from humble beginnings, recovered the Three Qi states, and executed Huan Xuan in Jiankang. This is truly the demeanor of a hero."

However, weapons are instruments of violence, and war is a dangerous affair.

Emperor Guangwu treated Kui Xiao with exceptional courtesy, and Cao Cao allowed Zhang Lu to occupy Hanzhong. Xiangyang, a remote corner of the country, is not worth conquering. Why not cease hostilities and make peace...?

Before he had even finished reading it, Liu Daogui threw it on the ground.

"This Yao Xing keeps talking about the Mandate of Heaven and the sages; does he really think he's part of China?"

Liu Zun cursed, "This scoundrel should take a piss and look at himself in the mirror before he dares to meddle in our business."

If we fail to capture Xiangyang this time, Huan Qian will become a force to be reckoned with, making it even more difficult to defeat him in the future.

Liu Daogui said to his secretary Yin Zhongwen, "Send a letter to Yao Xing as well, telling him to mind his own business. Liu Bobo is his biggest threat. If he can't be quelled, he will surely bring harm to his descendants in the future."

Yin Zhongwen's reputation was not good, but his literary talent was first-rate. He wrote the proclamation for Huan Xuan's usurpation of the throne.

After surrendering, Liu Daogui stripped him of his military power and demoted him to a clerk. He didn't complain at all, working diligently and selflessly.

With a few quick strokes, he wrote a reply.

His words were truly gems, earning Liu Daogui's admiration.

Among these scions of prominent families, there were many exceptional talents, but they were all misused. As long as they did not lead troops into battle or govern a region, they would also be worthy of the title of "famous scholar".

The letter not only ordered Yao Xing to withdraw his troops, but also demanded that he hand over the counties of Hongnong and Shunyang east of Wuguan Pass, advising him to focus his efforts on Guanzhong and deal with the Hehuang forces such as Liu Bobo, Tufa Rutan, Juqu Mengxun, and Yang Sheng.

These are all wise words of advice.

Given Yao Qin's current strength, his trip to Jingxiang to mediate is simply putting on a brave face.

"Report! Liu Yi and He Wuji have captured Wuchang, killed Feng Gai, annexed his forces, and are marching straight towards Xinye!" Meng Ganzhi urgently reported.

After besieging Wuchang for nearly eight months, the two finally captured this important town.

Their intention in seizing Xinye was also very clear: to extend their reach into Nanyongzhou.

Many of Liu Yi's men came from Nan Yongzhou, so they were essentially returning to their homeland.

"Order Liu Yi and He Wuji's troops to immediately come to the walls of Xiangyang and join forces. Do not delay!"

A higher rank can have absolute power. Liu Daogui held the authority of a military officer, and if the two of them disobeyed military orders, they could be punished according to military law.

Now that things have come to this point, Liu Daogui has tens of thousands of elite troops at his disposal and has integrated most of the Western Army, so he is not afraid of them playing any tricks.

"I obey!" Meng Ganzhi turned and left.

Three days later, Liu Yi's letter of apology arrived, saying that he had been seriously injured during the siege and could only stay in Wuchang to recuperate.

He Wuji arrived with three thousand men.

Since they had backed down, Liu Daogui didn't pursue the matter any further.

"Greetings, General of the Flying Cavalry!" He Wuji's face was full of respect, and there was even a hint of fear in his eyes.

"Brother He, there's no need for such formalities. You should first reassure the soldiers."

"I accept the order." He Wuji was extremely respectful from beginning to end, far more so than before.

Liu Daogui was puzzled, feeling that something had happened. In the afternoon, the official gazette from Jiankang arrived.

It turned out that his elder brother Liu Yu had gone on a killing spree, using the pretext of "using officials and stirring up resentment" to kill Zhangwu King Sima Xiu, Left Guard General Chu Can, and Guanglu Xun Ding Chengzhi.

General Sima Zun, who was arrested on charges of plotting a rebellion, was handed over to the authorities for prosecution...

After reading the official gazette, Liu Daogui was suddenly struck by a strange sense of absurdity. The idea that the Sima family had created a rebellion against the Sima family seemed surprisingly reasonable...

"Serving officials" is essentially using public resources for private purposes, employing court officials to do personal favors.

The Jin Dynasty law stipulated that the most severe punishment for treason was punishment for rebellion, such as caning or penal servitude, but Liu Yu executed them all.

Chu Can and Ding Chengzhi were one thing, they were just impoverished gentry, but Sima Xiu was a prince of the Jin dynasty, and he was killed as well.

There was also the Grand General, Sima Zun, the Prince of Wuling, who was directly captured, and it is estimated that at the very least, his entire clan was exterminated.

With Sima Zun removed and the emperor directly controlled, the various pro-Jin forces were leaderless and became a disorganized mess.

No wonder Liu Yi and He Wuji were so obedient; they were intimidated by Liu Yu.

The title "Tiger" is indeed well-deserved; he acts swiftly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation, just like his bold and unyielding advance on the battlefield.

Of course, without these swift and decisive measures, how could they have been able to hold down Jiankang?

"Congratulations, General!" Yin Zhongwen suddenly said.

Liu Daogui raised an eyebrow: "What's there to be happy about?"

"From this day forward, all matters concerning the world will be in the hands of the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the General of Flying Cavalry!"

"You flattered me too early. If we take down Sima Zun, things will change in Shu to the west."

"It's better to change things sooner rather than later. Mao Qu is getting old, and his sons are all mediocre and no match for you, General. Moreover, I don't think Mao Qu has the courage to raise an army!" Yin Zhongwen had been in Jingxiang for a long time and was Mao Qu's neighbor, so he knew the Mao family very well.

What he said makes some sense.

Liu Daogui and Liu Yu are now powerful and influential. If Mao Qu does not rebel, he can continue to live a carefree life in Shu, and the Mao clan can continue to enjoy wealth and honor.

However, if they were to raise an army, the fighting strength displayed by the Shu army in Yichang was hardly impressive.

After a four-month siege, casualties were mounting, and spies reported that the Shu army was filled with resentment and extremely dissatisfied with Mao Qu.

Moreover, Mao Qu had no reason to raise an army. The country was still under the Jin dynasty for the time being. If he took action, Liu Yu could issue an edict and he would be considered a traitor.

By holding the emperor's hand, he grasped the very essence of righteousness and legitimacy.

And righteousness and orthodoxy are the greatest weapons of this era...

(End of this chapter)