Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 370 Profit

Guanggu City is nestled against the mountains and beside the water, so Liu Daogui used local materials directly, and 20,000 laborers and 1,600 artisans who accompanied the army immediately got to work.

They went up the mountain to cut down trees, built earthen walls, blocked the Five Dragon Mouths, and cut off the water source for Guanggu City.

After only two days, Murong Chao could no longer hold out and sent a letter of peace, offering to cede the three counties of Xudong and Beihai, and to submit to the Jin dynasty. The two sides agreed to make peace...

Liu Daogui couldn't help but burst into laughter after reading the letter of sue for peace. "Does Murong Chao think I'm a three-year-old child? Go back and tell him to wash his neck clean, because after the city falls, I'll personally behead him!"

Even at this point, you're still daydreaming.

"Qin has already dispatched 100,000 infantry and cavalry out of Wuguan to attack and plunder Jing and Xiang, while Wei has 150,000 troops stationed in Luoyang. General, are you not afraid of your rear being attacked? If you would be so lenient, my lord is willing to lead the vanguard to attack Wei."

The messenger was still trying to persuade them.

“Even if the Qin army doesn’t come, after destroying Southern Yan, I will recuperate for several years and then attack Guanzhong. If they come to die now, I can grant them their wish!” Liu Daogui was not easily intimidated.

Tuoba Gui was still somewhat of a threat, but Yao Xing was out of the question.

Having been exhausted by Liu Bobo, Liu Daogui would be more than happy to have 100,000 infantry and cavalry march eastward.

The envoy paused for a moment, then sighed, "I am Feng Kai, a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate and a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate of the Southern Yan. I wish to surrender to the General."

Another one who surrendered voluntarily.

The Feng clan of Bohai moved between the Former Yan, Former Qin, and Later Yan dynasties, and were a powerful clan in Hebei.

With the Southern Yan ship about to sink, the Feng family also needed to find a new patron.

"It is a cause for celebration that you have abandoned darkness for light. After the destruction of Yan, the court will recommend you for a position." Liu Daogui said politely.

Unexpectedly, Feng Kai shook his head and said, "I surrender to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, not to the Jin Dynasty. If the General does not accept my surrender, I will take my leave."

Liu Daogui couldn't help but look at this man with new respect. To be able to say such things, he must have a thorough understanding of the situation in the South.

The Jin dynasty was already on its last legs, merely an empty shell. After destroying Yan, Liu Yu and Liu Daogui would surely rise to a higher level.

"Please forgive me, sir. Daogui was being presumptuous." Liu Daogui bowed respectfully.

"The Jin dynasty was destined to decline after its southward migration, but the two brothers, General and General, emerged in response to this opportunity. Within a few years, they swept across the east and west, and led troops on a northern expedition. This is the will of Heaven and a blessing for the people of Jin in the north. I will now return to the city to gather my troops and respond to the General's call!"

Feng Kai was no ordinary powerful family; the Feng clan had been trusted ministers during the Former Yan dynasty.

The reason why they were able to stand firm among so many Hu states and survive the changes was not because of their words, but because of their ruthlessness.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir!"

As long as he could destroy the Southern Yan, Liu Daogui wouldn't mind lowering his stance a bit.

These northern gentry served the Hu people, which may have compromised their integrity, but their talent and ability were genuine.

The integrity of the southern gentry wasn't much higher either.

Moreover, to gain a foothold in the north, they needed the support of these powerful clans and gentry.

With Feng Kai's help, Liu Daogui's confidence grew even stronger.

In just ten days, Zhang Gang completed the first batch of siege weapons. The trebuchet was a catapult, but Zhang Gang made many improvements. It had a large wooden frame with four single wheels underneath and a single pole in the middle. The top was shaped like a well sweep to hold stones, and people would pull the end to throw them.

He can throw a ten-pound stone and shoot it more than seven hundred paces away!

In addition, the crossbow was improved with iron arrows and arrowheads, each shot containing five arrows, capable of shooting 120 paces. The crossbow was wound with a winch, directly embedding the heavy arrows into the city wall, allowing soldiers to climb up.

Throughout the world, skilled craftsmen all come from China.

A person like Zhang Gang shouldn't be an official; he should focus his energy on developing weapons.

This man's value was not limited to this battle; he was extremely useful in the subsequent Northern Expedition. The strength of the Qin and Han dynasties was due in part to the bravery of the Chinese men and in part to the advanced weaponry.

Liu Daogui was overjoyed and specially dispatched five elite guards to protect his safety day and night.

After making some preparations, the army began its attack on the city.

At this moment, the Yan soldiers on the city wall had long lost their previous fearlessness and were now listless and weak, like water shield dried by the scorching sun.

According to the secret report sent by Feng Kai, the city is short of water, the wells have dried up, and the people and soldiers are suffering from leg weakness, with morale plummeting to rock bottom.

"Attack the city," Liu Daogui ordered.

The siege of Guanggu has lasted for three months, and the situation in the south is not optimistic. Qiao Zong, in alliance with the Huan clan, is besieging Yiling.

Although Wang Zhen'e blocked them, the biggest threat came from the demon bandits, who had been lying low for several years and were now well-equipped and powerful.

One after another, cannonballs roared as they rained down on Guanggu City.

The stone, weighing over ten kilograms, was incredibly powerful. It struck the city gate tower, lifting a corner of it, and then hit the city wall, causing the rammed earth wall to shake violently.

The only drawback is that there are only forty-odd vehicles. If there were hundreds or thousands of vehicles, along with oil tanks, even the most fortified city would not be able to withstand them.

However, these catapults were only meant to confuse the enemy; the real decisive factor was the crossbow.

Arrows, as long as spears, were shot out and embedded themselves directly in the city wall.

In the blink of an eye, the city wall was completely unrecognizable, riddled with arrows.

He Wuji, Shen Tianzi, Hu Fan, Fu Hongzhi, Tan Zhi, Liu Xuanzhi, Dao Yanzhi and other generals launched a fierce attack.

The moment the defenders on the city wall showed their faces, they were crushed by cannon fire.

Those hit by the falling object instantly turned into a bloody mess, their deaths gruesome.

With a creak, the barbican gate opened, and a troop of Yan soldiers slashed at the still-stunned defenders, shouting, "Welcome, General, into the city!"

At this moment, Shen Tianzi and Fu Hongzhi simultaneously stormed the city wall, and the defending troops on the wall scattered in panic.

Liu Daogui felt a sense of relief; the Southern Yan had finally been destroyed.

However, their joy was short-lived, as a scout ran back to report: "General, there is still an inner city within the main city. Murong Chao is leading his loyal followers to continue their stubborn resistance and fighting a bloody battle with our army!"

Liu Daogui frowned. At this moment, Murong Chao had no chance at all, yet he was still resisting.

"Push the ballistae into the city and bombard them!" "Yes, sir!"

The laborers pushed the crossbow carts into the city.

An hour later, the inner city was also breached.

"Report! Murong Chao has led his troops into the alley and is continuing to fight our army!"

Liu Daogui had fought many battles over the years, and among all the enemies he had encountered, none were as tenacious as Murong Chao.

A person who doesn't care about the lives of others is unlikely to care about their own life either.

However, now that the inner city has fallen, such resistance is meaningless.

More and more troops stormed into the city, smoke and fire filled the sky, and screams and sounds of fighting mingled together. Many people took the opportunity to burn, kill, and loot, but under these circumstances, there was no other way.

It takes two to tango; Murong Chao must have had many followers to have been able to resist for so long.

It's already street fighting, and there are hardly any innocent people left.

The Xianbei people followed Murong De from Ye City into Qingzhou, and it was only six or seven years later. Many loyalists and descendants of the Yan state are still alive.

After more than two hours of fierce fighting, the resistance in the inner city gradually subsided.

Blood was already flowing from Liu Daogui's feet.

Rows of prisoners were led out of the inner city.

"Hahaha, Liu Daogui, you've won, but the north is now under the control of the barbarians. Let's see how long you can be so arrogant!"

Among the prisoners, one man roared loudly, drawing Liu Daogui's attention.

No one but Murong Chao could possess such madness.

"Since I, Liu Daogui, have launched the Northern Expedition, I will sweep away the barbarian dust and restore China. It's a pity you won't be able to see it." Liu Daogui drew his long sword and walked towards Murong Chao.

Even facing death, this fellow showed no fear whatsoever. "Restore China? A fool's dream. How do you compare to Huan Wen? How do you compare to Xie Xuan?"

Huan Wen was a powerful minister, and Xie Xuan was a loyal minister; both suffered utter defeat.

Liu Daogui raised his long sword, looked up at the sky, and said with unparalleled domineering confidence: "Huan Wen and Xie Xuan are both inferior to me!"

Without the confidence to surpass the heroes of the past, the Northern Expedition would be difficult to continue!

With a "whoosh," the long sword fell, and Murong Chao's head rolled to the ground, his eyes wide open, still glaring at Liu Daogui.

"His Majesty!"

May the dogs of Jin die a horrible death!

"Those who are unrighteous will be punished by Heaven."

The prisoners cried and cursed.

Liu Daogui looked up at the clear sky. The wicked were not punished by Heaven, but instead thrived. "Since you still care about your Emperor, I will send you on your way. You will all be executed!"

He Wuji, Shen Tianzi, Hu Fan, Fu Hongzhi and the other generals were stunned, their eyes showing a hint of fear.

But the guards had already stepped forward with their swords drawn and pressed down on the prisoners' necks.

A flash of cold light, a head rolled off, the cries stopped abruptly, but the blade did not stop, continuing to slash.

The streams of blood on the ground turned into rivers of blood.

It wasn't that Liu Daogui was cruel and bloodthirsty, but rather that these people were remnants of the Yan state. Even though Fu Jian treated the Murong clan with utmost sincerity, they still rebelled.

Those willing to surrender would be spared by Liu Daogui, but these people fought from the outer city to the inner city, and then retreated into the alleys to continue their resistance. Many Northern and Western Army soldiers died at their hands.

And the old, weak, women and children who were brutally murdered by the Yan army, their wronged souls are still watching from heaven.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; eradicate evil completely!
Three or four thousand heads fell, and the city fell silent. All the eyes that looked at Liu Daogui were filled with fear.

"General, what should we do with these women?" Liu Cui asked, pointing to the woman kneeling behind the corpse.

Murong Chao indulged in countless pleasures and extravagant spending, so he naturally had no shortage of women, keeping four or five thousand women in his harem.

Liu Daogui glanced at the soldiers around him and said, “Women of the Murong clan will be given to meritorious soldiers, and ordinary women will be married to unmarried soldiers. Half of the money, silk, cattle and sheep in the treasury will be distributed to all the troops, and the other half will be used to relieve the families of the wounded and killed soldiers.”

"Long live the General! Long live the General!"

Deafening cheers immediately erupted all around, wave after wave, and in the blink of an eye, the whole city was filled with shouts.

At this moment, Liu Daogui's prestige reached its peak.

The Northern Expedition was essentially about redistributing various interests through military achievements.

Without any real benefits, the soldiers' enthusiasm for the Northern Expedition will be greatly diminished. They have risked their lives all the way, and if they return empty-handed, the Northern Expedition will be nothing but a joke.

By doing this, Liu Daogui was essentially binding his own interests and those of his soldiers to the Northern Expedition.

Ultimately, all things in the universe cannot be separated from the word "profit".

Profits should not be monopolized, and plans should not be made by the masses.

The more people share the benefits, the more secure Liu Daogui's position will be, and the greater the chance of the Northern Expedition succeeding.

"General, you do not take personal wealth and are devoted to the public good. Huan Wen and Commander Xie both acted for their own benefit and are far inferior to you. The great cause of the Northern Expedition can be expected."

Yuan Zun, Feng Kai, and other surrendered officials and generals of Southern Yan were filled with admiration.

"We swear to follow the general on his northern expedition to the death!"

Nearly 10,000 surrendered Yan soldiers knelt on the ground, most of them Jin people, but there were also some Hu people with deep-set eyes and high noses.

Seeing that the Jin army received so much, they were also extremely envious.

(End of this chapter)