Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 350 Anti

Xiangyang.

"Tan Pingzhi appointed as the governor of Yongzhou?" Liu Daogui stared blankly at the imperial edict.

This appointment must have come from his elder brother Liu Yu, and Tan Pingzhi was his loyal follower. Of all the rich and lucrative land in Jingxiang, Liu Daogui got the fattest piece—Jiangling.

Liu Yi conquered Wuchang County.

Therefore, the imperial court extended its reach to Xiangyang.

Xiangyang was a major power, serving as the northern gateway and holding a position no less important than Pengcheng.

Wherever there are people, there are conflicts and infighting.

Brotherly affection is brotherly affection, and interests are interests.

The group that followed Liu Yu was also a powerful force, and they also wanted to climb the ranks.

However, Liu Daogui was able to accept Tan Pingzhi's appointment as the governor of Yongzhou, as the Tan family had a close relationship with him, and Tan Pingzhi was also a kind and gentle person.

Yin Zhongwen said, "Liu Yi suggested that Wuchang, Yiyang and Changsha counties be combined to form Ezhou."

With this move, Liu Yi severed the important Yangtze River towns of Baling and Xiakou, connecting them with Nanyu Prefecture and Jiangzhou.

"Wouldn't it be better to simply cede Nanjun and Xiangyang to him? I submitted a memorial to the court, stating that Wuchang is a crucial location in Jingzhou, and I, the general, disagree." Although Liu Daogui was not in court, he was already able to influence the court's decisions.

At this moment, Meng Ganzhi came in and said, "The spies in Jiankang have reported that General Chariot and Cavalry's old injury has relapsed and he is bedridden."

"No wonder Liu Yi had the audacity to snatch food from the tiger's mouth." Liu Daogui frowned. The land raid in Jingxiang went relatively smoothly. Those powerful clans that were secretly causing trouble were directly treated as Huan Xuan's accomplices, their property confiscated, and they were exiled.

In those days, none of the powerful and influential families were innocent.

However, the situation in Jiangzuo was not so smooth. The aristocratic families were always thinking of counterattacking. The northern part of the Northern Army split into two factions: one supporting the Sima family and the other supporting the Liu family.

The Northern Army generals who supported the Sima clan were bound to be drawn into the ranks of aristocratic families.

The great battle in the north came to an end. Tuoba Gui executed Yu Yue, the governor of Yedu and the prefect of Xiangzhou, and the Wei army's offensive against Southern Yan came to an abrupt halt.

Murong De breathed a sigh of relief and intensified his plundering of the counties along the Huai River.

The rebels in the south, led by Lu Xun, are preparing for war and building warships.

Yao Xing, who was in Guanzhong, was not content after Mao Dezhu captured Shunyang County. He gathered 50,000 infantry and cavalry in Hongnong.

In this turbulent time, Liu Yu, who was in charge of the central government, suffered a relapse of his old injuries...

Yin Zhongwen said, "Jiankang is no small matter. The General of Chariots and Cavalry is unwell. The General should return to the capital as soon as possible."

"This matter is not urgent. Let's resolve the Jingxiang issue first. Once the land reclamation is completed and the foundation is solid, it won't be too late to leave." Liu Daogui was also worried about Liu Yu's health.

Without him overseeing the court, I wouldn't be able to do as I please when I'm out in the world.

However, the fact that no secret letter came from Liu Muzhi indicates that the problem is not yet serious.

Liu Daogui had another concern: leading troops into the capital without an imperial edict was no small matter.

Not leading troops into the capital would be tantamount to courting death.

In the following days, Liu Daogui divided the Northern Army into three parts. One part took a two-month break and returned to Pengcheng on Cao Ji's boat to reunite with their families.

One unit guarded Jiangling, and the other guarded Xiangyang.

The Western Army was stationed in cities such as Wan, Xiang, Dengcheng, Xinye, and Xichuan, and their families were given land on the spot.

Each soldier was allocated 40 mu of permanent farmland. Each enemy soldier's head earned him a first-class military merit, which was equivalent to 10 mu of farmland. In general, each soldier could be allocated about 70 mu of farmland.

If we can keep these people in check, the others won't be a problem.

They took over 50,000 servants from the various powerful clans and their cronies, converted them all into slave households, and relocated them to Nanyang County for agricultural settlement.

Liu Daogui selected 6,000 elite soldiers from the Chu army prisoners in Xiangyang and incorporated them into the Western Army.

The Western Army expanded to over 30,000 men, including 18,000 naval troops and 672 warships of various sizes. This was considered part of the Northern Army's navy, and Liu Daogui possessed nearly 1,000 warships.

They control the world's most elite navy.

Similar to the Huai and Si regions, each prefecture in Jing and Xiang provinces had a Zhechong Prefecture.

Liu Daogui also transferred a large number of generals and officials from Huai and Si provinces to the Western Army to strengthen his control.

Of course, the talents of the Western Prefecture will also be given important positions. Fu Hongzhi, the former chief clerk of Yongzhou, was promoted to military advisor of the Central Army of the Cavalry, and Mao Xiuzhi, the garrison commander of Huan Chu, was transferred to the position of commander of the Western Prefecture's navy, and so on.

These are all rising stars from Jiangling in the Western Prefecture, in their early twenties, full of youthful vigor.

Fu Hongzhi was a descendant of Fu Gu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies of Cao Wei, and the great-great-grandson of Fu Zhi, the Minister of Works of Western Jin. Mao Xiuzhi was the great-grandson of Mao Bao, a fierce general, and the son of Mao Jin, the General Who Conquers the Barbarians. Mao Qu, the Governor of Yizhou, was his uncle.

Liu Daogui's decision to appoint him to a high position was a proactive gesture of goodwill towards Mao.

After Sima Zun's entire family was executed, Mao Qu did not react excessively, and Liu Daogui did not want to provoke Shu before Jingxiang was completely stable.

It's best to just keep to ourselves and not interfere with each other.

Even Fu Hong's son, Fu Jinzhi, was transferred to the personal guard and kept by his side, thus fulfilling the promise he made to Fu Hong.

In the three prefectures of Jing and Xiang, all the officials in the counties were reviewed from top to bottom. The distinction between honest and corrupt officials made by the Jin dynasty was changed, and scholars from humble backgrounds were appointed as the main officials.

Liu Daogui set an example by never holding parties or banquets, and never accumulating private property.

The mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes are all open to the people, allowing them to fish, hunt, and gather firewood, thus alleviating their living pressures.

The people under his rule were focused on political and military affairs. Even the newly appointed Tan Pingzhi followed Liu Daogui's lead and worked diligently.

After a series of reforms, Jingxiang took on a completely new look, as if it had shed its constraints and regained its vitality.

The land reform was progressing more and more smoothly, creating a virtuous cycle. Previously, it was estimated that there were only 400,000 to 500,000 people in the three prefectures of Yong, Jing and Xiang. However, after verification, there were actually 230,000 more, all of whom were wild people who had emerged from the mountains and marshes and wanted to be allocated a piece of fertile land.

With a population of 700,000, the pressure of supporting 30,000 Western Army soldiers and 5,000 Northern Army elites is not too great.

Jingxiang has been a major commercial center since ancient times, located in the heart of the country, connecting Guanzhong, Shuzhong, Hanzhong, the Central Plains, and Jiangdong. Liu Daogui occupied this area, linking Huaisi, the Central Plains, and Jingxiang into one place.

Commercial taxes are a significant source of revenue each year.

The soldiers of the Western Prefecture were allocated land and did not fight, so their consumption of money and food was not significant.

While Jingzhou and Xiangyang remained stable, undercurrents were surging in Jiangdong over the past few months.

My elder brother's condition shows no signs of improvement, and rumors are even circulating that he has passed away. To avoid any changes in the political situation, his death is being kept secret...

"There is nothing to worry about in Jiangzuo. Everything is under the control of the General of Chariots and Cavalry. The General need not worry."

Liu Muzhi specially sent his eldest son, Liu Luzhi, to deliver a message.

Accompanying him was his second elder brother, Liu Daolian, who held the official position of Prefect of Tangyi and was also appointed as a Gentleman Attendant. Upon seeing Liu Daogui, he wore a bitter expression.

Liu Daogui deliberately ignored him, saying, "You've put in a lot of effort thinking this through. From now on, you'll stay in the General of the Cavalry's headquarters and start as a clerk. How about that?"

Although Liu Muzhi did not explicitly say so when he sent him, Liu Daogui already understood the implied meaning: Liu was entrusting his eldest son to him.

The situation in Jiankang is perilous; it would be better to gain experience in Xifu.

Liu Luzhi quickly cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "It is my wish, but I dare not ask."

Liu Daolian's bitter face stretched even longer. "You are all high-ranking generals and regional officials now. You should at least give me the position of governor."

Liu Yu probably couldn't stand this clown, so he threw him over here.

The Prefect of Tangyi was no ordinary prefect. Tangyi, meaning the town of Qiantang, was a military and political stronghold located to the right of Guangling. Its geographical location was extremely important, and it housed a large number of displaced people.

Wang Dun and Wang Guobao both held this position in the past.

Liu Yu placed him in this position, probably hoping that he would accumulate some reputation and experience so that he could become an assistant in the court in the future.

Unfortunately, he didn't understand the deeper meaning behind it.

This alone shows that he is ignorant and incompetent, and lacks any shrewdness.

"What kind of governor do you want to be?" Liu Daogui also had a headache when he saw him, and took a sip of his tea.

He's my older brother after all; I can't hit him or scold him.

Liu Daolian's eyes darted around. "Let's make it the Governor of Yanzhou. Yanzhou is wealthy, it's a lucrative position. Anyway, you're in Jingxiang, and Yanzhou needs someone from our own side to keep things in order."

"puff--"

Liu Daogui spat out all his tea, realizing it was all aimed at him.

With just one word, he's going to take away the foundation he's built up over many years...

"You really dare to say that."

"With my talent, how could I not govern a mere Yanzhou? Ah Gui, don't be stingy." Liu Daolian said seriously.

Yin Zhongwen and Liu Huaijing, who were standing nearby, were stunned and stared at him blankly.

Since Yanzhou was definitely not going to be given to him, Liu Daogui simply passed the buck back to the imperial court, saying, "How about I submit a memorial to the court and request the governorship of Yangzhou for you? Yangzhou is richer and has even more lucrative opportunities."

The governor of Yangzhou is Wang Mi. If he has the ability, he should try to seize the Langya Wang clan.

"Well... that's fine then..." Liu Daolian said reluctantly, but left happily.

Yin Zhongwen couldn't help but chuckle, "Prefect Liu is a simple and honest man, truly a remarkable fellow."

Liu Daogui laughed and said, "You are quite good at praising people. Your reputation is well-deserved."

When Huan Xuan proclaimed himself emperor, he collapsed on his imperial throne, causing everyone to turn pale. Only Yin Zhongwen flattered him, saying, "His sage virtue is so profound that the earth cannot bear it," which pleased Huan Xuan so much that he covered up the incident.

Yin Zhongwen blushed, "General, you flatter me."

Just then, Meng Ganzhi came running up, saying, "Something big has happened in the west."

"What important matter?" Liu Daogui had long since cultivated the composure to remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

"The governor of Bazhou, Qiao Zong, the military advisor of Anxi Prefecture, Hou Hui, and Yang Mei rebelled, captured Fucheng, and killed Mao Jin, the commander of the Western Barbarians. The people of Shu and Di jointly elected Qiao Zong as their leader, appointing him as the governor of Liang and Qin prefectures, and led his army to counterattack Chengdu."

Before the world was in chaos, Shu was in chaos; after the world was at peace, Shu was not at peace.

The Mao family were outsiders, much like Liu Bei and his son from the ancient Shu Han dynasty.

Regional conflicts were more intense in this era than at the end of the Han Dynasty. Even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. The Qiao clan was a prominent family in Shu, and had been a prominent family for five or six hundred years since the time of Emperor Wu of Han.

Mao Qu had been attacking Yidu County for nearly a year without success, which had long aroused dissatisfaction among the people of Shu.

"Mao Qu is finished," Liu Daogui declared directly.

Mao Qu was already old, and none of his descendants were accomplished.

The Shu army had already exhausted much of its strength in Yidu. Qiao Zong's rebellion at this time was perfectly timed. He immediately killed Mao Qu's younger brother, Mao Jin, and cut off his arm.

Huan Shikang was between Shu and Jingxiang, so Liu Daogui couldn't get there to provide assistance.

Behind Yidu are Zigui, Baidi City, Yong'an, and so on. All of them are formidable cities that can hold off ten thousand men. By the time Liu Daogui conquers these areas, the grass on Mao Qu's grave will probably be as tall as a person.

I'm currently undergoing a landslide and can't spare any time to get away.

It wasn't that Qiao Zong, Hou Hui, Yang Mei, and others wanted to rebel against Mao Qu; rather, it was an outburst from the people of Shu...

(End of this chapter)