Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 369

After winter, as the weather warmed up, Liu Yu's health improved significantly under Liu Juanzi's care.

However, there were two more boys, Liu Yifu and Liu Yizhen, around twelve or thirteen years old, in the East Hall today.

After Wang Mi committed suicide, Liu Yifu took over the position of governor of Yangzhou, while Liu Yizhen became a military advisor.

General Xie Yu said, “Guanggu City is well-fortified. Tuoba Gui has stationed 150,000 troops in Luoyang, eyeing the Central Plains. Yao Xing, in alliance with Qiao Zong, intends to invade Jingzhou and Xiangyang. To the south, the rebels have built hundreds of warships, their intentions are sinister. Now that we have recovered the three counties east of Xuzhou, it is not advisable for our army to remain isolated. We can retreat to Pengcheng to rest and recuperate, and then launch an attack after the autumn harvest.”

The siege of Guanggu has lasted for three months, but it has not yet been captured, which has caused concern among the people in the imperial court.

To support this Northern Expedition, Jiankang (Nanjing) practically sold everything it owned, squandering the gains of two years of hard work.

If Liu Daogui hadn't started land reclamation in Qingzhou beforehand, Jiankang would have been unable to hold out for long.

Chief Clerk Liu Mu said, "This Northern Expedition has cost millions in military resources and hundreds of thousands of civilians. If we cannot destroy Southern Yan in one fell swoop, the people of Jiangzuo will surely harbor resentment, and the people of Qingzhou will be greatly disappointed."

Southern Yan was small but strong, and the Murong clan enjoyed a very high reputation among the northern nomadic peoples.

The Jin army's retreat this time has dampened the expectations of the people and officials in Jiangzuo and the north, making the next offensive less likely to be successful.

But if we don't retreat, those vicious dogs like Yao Xing, Qiao Zong, and Lu Xun will be ready to pounce at any moment.

From the perspective of the Jiankang court, this expedition to the north against the Southern Yan was a very reluctant decision.

After a series of internal strife, the Jin dynasty was in a period of weakness, with empty treasuries and abandoned fields. Although the land reform was being implemented, the eight prefectures of the Three Wu regions had been abandoned for a long time and suffered severe population loss, which could not be recovered in the short term.

Moreover, they were surrounded by wolves on all sides.

Minister Meng Chang said, "Dao He's words are correct. Murong Chao is a powerful enemy. If we cannot wipe him out in one fell swoop, he will surely come back one day. The Qin-Shu allied forces can be sent to Jiangling to resist them."

At present, the Jin dynasty's military strength, apart from Jiankang, only includes the Liu brothers, Liu Yi and Liu Fan, who are stationed in Wuchang and Liyang.

In the past two years, they have been recruiting refugees and building warships everywhere, and their strength has continued to grow. They claim to have 30,000 "elite troops".

Who was Liu Yu? He saw through Meng Chang's thoughts at a glance and laughed, "Qiao Zong and Yao Xing's rabble are nothing to worry about. Now, the important towns of Yichang, Yiling, and Jiangling are all in my hands. What can they do? The rebels in Guangzhou are thousands of miles away. We only need to hold Changsha and Yuzhang, and the rebels will collapse on their own. Order Liu Yi to lead his troops south to Yuzhang to guard against the rebels moving north."

Meng Chang asked urgently, "What if the enemy doesn't flee to Yuzhang, but instead goes to Changsha and attacks Jingzhou and Xiangyang?"

Liu Yu said, "You overestimate the rebels and underestimate General of the Cavalry. Elite troops are stationed in Changsha and Jiangling, so there is no need to worry."

Liu Yi's influence has infiltrated the Western Prefecture, making him more dangerous than the demon bandits or the Qin and Shu forces.

More and more gentry families gathered behind him, gradually forming a new force. If they occupied Jiangling, it would be the same situation that Tao Kan had with Su Jun back then.

At this moment, Liu Yizhen suddenly said, "Isn't this just a bunch of rabble? I am willing to lead an army to guard Changsha!"

"You?" Liu Yu burst into laughter.

Liu Yizhen was spoiled from a young age and didn't care about the occasion. "Gan Long became prime minister at the age of twelve, and Murong Chui was the bravest in the army at the age of twelve. Like father, like son. My son is well-versed in military strategy, but unfortunately he has no opportunity to use his skills!"

Everyone in the hall turned their heads to look.

Meng Chang laughed heartily, "Second Young Master is truly a dragon among men."

Xie Yu also flattered him, saying, "At such a young age, you already have such great ambitions; your future is limitless."

Liu Yu smiled and scolded, "You ignorant brat, talking nonsense."

"I only want to share my father's burdens," Liu Yizhen said shrewdly, making Liu Yu laugh heartily.

“You are too young. Wait a few more years and you will be under your uncle’s command.”

Liu Yizhen glanced around and, noticing the strange looks in everyone's eyes, cupped his hands and said, "Your son obeys."

At this moment, an urgent report came from outside: "Reporting to the general, Qiao Zong has dispatched Huan Qian and Qiao Daofu with 50,000 troops to sail down the river and attack Yiling. Yao Xing has sent General Anyuan Yao Qiang and General Zhenjun Peng Bailang with 10,000 infantry and cavalry out of Wuguan to attack Shunyang..."

After all, it should come.

Since its founding, Qiao Shu has been an enemy of the Jin dynasty. After taking in the remnants of the Huan clan, its power and influence increased even further.

The elite troops of the Northern and Western armies are all in Qingzhou, so they naturally won't let this opportunity slip by.

Everyone in the hall looked at Liu Yu.

Liu Yu laughed and said, "Ten thousand infantry and cavalry out of Wuguan? Yao Xing is trapped by Liu Bobo and unable to move east. What about Lu Xun? Why is there no movement from the south?" Historically, allied forces have rarely succeeded.

Qiao Zong submitted to Yao Xing, but he had his own calculations. Yao Xing's military expedition was nothing more than a bluff.

None of these groups posed a greater threat than the Celestial Masters sect in Guangzhou.

Liu Daogui rose to prominence by suppressing demons and bandits, and he always kept a close eye on the south.

The military officer said, "The rebels have not moved their troops."

“If the demon thief doesn’t move, he won’t be at all; but if he does, he will come with the force of thunder. Brother Meng, you must give Panlong a lot of advice and never let your guard down. The fate of the country rests entirely on his shoulders.” Liu Yu said calmly.

Meng Chang felt a pang of panic. Liu Yu's specific mention of his relationship with Liu Yi indicated that he had never let his guard down.

Yuzhang was the seat of Jiangzhou, and Jiangzhou was He Wuji's territory. Both Liu Yi and He Wuji were pro-Jin forces. This arrangement was to use them as pawns.

"What if the thieves don't leave Yuzhang?" Liu Yifu asked.

Liu Yu gently stroked his head: "If I say he will definitely go to Yuzhang, then he will definitely go."

Qingzhou, beneath Guanggu City.

"So you are Zhang Gang?" Liu Daogui stared at the person in front of him.

Just as Yuanmiao described, he had a long face, an arrow scar under his left eye, and was five feet seven inches tall.

Zhang Gang kept his eyes closed and remained silent.

Capable people often have a temper, which Liu Daogui understood. He patiently asked, "Are you willing to surrender?"

Still didn't speak.

"Get out of here and be torn apart by five horses." Liu Daogui was too lazy to waste any more words.

Zhang Gang's knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground. "General, spare my life! My entire family is in the city. If Murong Chao finds out, we will surely perish."

Liu Daogui thought he was tough, "You don't need to worry now. Murong Chao doesn't know you've been captured. Just secretly build siege weapons, and after you break through the city, rescue your family. I will recommend you to the court as the Minister of the Imperial Household."

The Minister of the Imperial Household was one of the Nine Ministers, and together with the Minister of Agriculture, he was in charge of finances.

Zhang Gang's eyes lit up. "General Xie, when Shi Hu attacked Cao Yi, the geomancers predicted that the Mian River would flow through the city, making it a formidable force. If the Five Dragon Mouths were blocked, cutting off the water supply, the city would surely fall. Shi Hu followed this advice, and Cao Yi indeed surrendered. Later, when Murong Ke besieged Duan Kan, the same thing happened, and Duan Kan surrendered. Several years later, the city was breached again. The old foundations are still there; we can order the soldiers to block them!"

It is always one's own people who understand one's weaknesses best.

Murong Chao concentrated over 100,000 people in Guanggu City, making water a major problem.

Guanggu City was originally built on a steep ravine, with a high terrain that made it difficult to obtain water. In such a terrain, it was also difficult to obtain water from wells. The only water source was the Mian River flowing out of Yaowang Mountain. If this place was blocked, the city's water source would be cut off.

When Cao Yi built this city, it was purely for military considerations, with little regard for the people's livelihood. Most of the time, the population was concentrated in Linqi to the south, with the two cities forming a defensive triangle.

The Southern Yan dynasty established its capital here, bringing with it a large influx of people. Water was already scarce, and Linqu was subsequently captured, leaving it an isolated city.

The Yan army could eat their own food if they ran out of food, but if their water supply was cut off, they wouldn't last more than a few days.

Liu Daogui was overjoyed, "You are truly talented!"

Zhang Gang blushed and cupped his hands, saying, "The people in the city are all hoping for Qin reinforcements. General, you might as well spread the word that Yao Xing was defeated by Liu Bobo and is unable to send reinforcements to the east. The morale of the Qin army will surely be low. General, you can lead your army to the east of the city to show off your power, while I build trebuchets and flying towers in the west of the city. From our high position, we can launch a fierce attack day and night. In less than half a month, we will surely break through the city."

Liu Bobo was very successful in Longliang. In the Battle of Longxi, he killed Qin generals Yang Pi and Yao Shisheng, defeated 10,000 Qin soldiers and three other groups including Xue Gan, and captured more than 10,000 people.

In the Battle of Qing Shi Yuan, Qin general Zhang Fosheng was defeated, and 5,700 people were captured or killed.

The Qin state's rule in eastern and northern Longdong was basically destroyed.

At this point, they were naturally unable to provide assistance to Southern Yan.

"Just as you say, sir!" Liu Daogui became more and more satisfied with Zhang Gang.

With this person's help, Guanggu City won't last more than a few days.

(End of this chapter)