Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 374 Wait

Gao Xun came all the way from Gaoping to deliver the battle report from the south.

"What? He Wuji is dead, Liu Yi suffered a great defeat, and Yuzhang is lost?" Liu Daogui was astonished after reading the battle report.

A month ago, He Wuji entrusted his family to me, but little did I know that his words would come true.

This time, the thief will remain still until he makes a stunning move.

He Wuji's three thousand troops were all elites, and Liu Yi's forces were no weaklings either, yet they all collapsed at the first encounter.

The rebel bandits successfully captured Yuzhang, broke through Xunyang, and occupied Sangluo Prefecture.

In an instant, the situation on the left bank of the Yangtze River became extremely dangerous.

Yuan Xingguo, the chief clerk of Yuzhou, launched a rebellion and occupied Liyang in response to Lu Xun. Wei Shunzhi, the prefect of Huainan, sent his general Xie Bao to attack Yuan Xingguo, but Xie Bao retreated halfway there.

Wei Shunzhi was the younger brother of Wei Yongzhi, the governor of Nanqing Prefecture.

His move inevitably leads people to make connections.

Wei Yongzhi was also one of the founding heroes who raised an army to fight against Huan Chu. He held a very high position among the famous scholars. In addition to being the governor of Qingzhou, he was also a Gentleman Attendant and accompanied Emperor Sima Dezong.

Gao Xun said, "Liu Yi's army is strong and well-equipped. Everyone thought that even if he couldn't defeat the demon bandits, he could still hold Yuzhang. But he turned out to be all show and no substance. He lost Yuzhang, as well as the important Yangtze River towns of Xunyang and Sangluozhou."

Liu Daogui said, "It's not that he's incompetent, but this time the demon bandits are different from the past. Xu Daofu has been scheming and patient for many years, and now he has come out with all his might, so he is naturally extraordinary."

The demon bandits have always been quite powerful. Their core followers are all from the Wu region, and they are brave and skilled in battle. Now, with the addition of the Shixing bandits, their fighting strength is even more formidable.

However, the Battle of Suanshan, in which Liu Yu defeated 100,000 with only 1,000 men, gave too many people a false impression.

Now that the demon bandits have occupied Sangluozhou, cutting off the connection between Jiangdong and Jingxiang, Liu Daogui was caught off guard.

The troops had just returned to Liyang, but traveling from Liyang to Jiankang was a long journey of thousands of miles, far too far to reach the nearby fire.

Feng Kai said, "Could it be that Liu Yi deliberately lost and used the demon bandits to deal with the two generals?"

Liu Daogui's eyes lit up. It was understandable that Liu Yi lost Yuzhang, as Yuzhang City was not particularly fortified and the demon bandits were coming with great force. However, the successive loss of Xunyang and Sangluozhou was intriguing.

There's also Yuan Xingguo, the chief clerk of Yuzhou, who is Liu Yi's subordinate. He has absolutely no connection with the demon bandits, so why would he join them?
It's illogical to suggest that a thief could be given a high-ranking official position and generous salary.

However, from a military strategy perspective, after Liyang surrendered, the gates of Jiankang were wide open, leaving only Stone City to block the way for the rebels.

The bandits advanced from Guangzhou by land and water with incredible ease, reaching the Yangtze River in less than a month and a half. Yuzhang put up some resistance, while Nankang and Luling surrendered directly.

“If that’s the case, Jiankang is in grave danger.” Liu Daogui paced back and forth.

The wicked bandits have returned with a vengeance, and all sorts of demons and monsters have sprung up as well.

Liu Yu's forces in Jiankang were weak, with less than four thousand elite troops from the Northern Army under his command, and the rest of his troops were unreliable.

Even Wei Yongzhi had ulterior motives.

The meritorious officials who once raised troops together to fight against Huan Chu have long since parted ways.

Feng Kai said, "General, there is no need to be anxious. The rebels and the Sima clan are irreconcilable enemies. If they attack Jiankang, the noble families will be purged. After that, you can lead your troops south and turn the tide. Then, the great cause will be accomplished in no time!"

"No!" Gao Xun hurriedly dissuaded, "If the rebels invade Jiankang and join forces with the gentry, they will put our army in a disadvantageous position."

Feng Kai said slowly, "Why not send troops south to meet the General of Chariots and Cavalry and His Majesty on their northern tour of Pengcheng, and watch Jiangzuo fall into chaos? That would be a permanent solution."

The pro-Jin forces, in league with the rebels, staged a grand show. Liu Daogui and Liu Yu could simply overturn the table, refuse to play along, and bring the emperor to Pengcheng.

From then on, all power, both internal and external, as well as orthodoxy and righteousness, fell into the hands of Liu Daogui.

Feng Kai's scheme was extremely ruthless; he cut off their escape route in one fell swoop.

This scheme has an even more ingenious aspect: if Liu Yu abandons Jiankang and takes the emperor with him, then the prestige he has built up over the years will be lost...

Liu Daogui and Liu Yu had a brotherly relationship, but their subordinates did not.

In particular, these surrendered officials of Southern Yan were loyal only to Liu Daogui.

“This plan is good, but you underestimate my brother. Haven’t you noticed that he hasn’t sent anyone to ask for help yet?” Liu Daogui said calmly to Feng Kai.

Of all the people in the world, none understood Liu Yu better than Liu Daogui.

Even if he only had a few hundred men, let alone the more than three thousand elite troops of the Northern Army under his command, he would not retreat a single step, much less abandon Jiankang to surrender to Pengcheng.

To date, Liu Yu has neither sought help from Liu Daogui nor ordered the three prefectures of Jing and Xiang in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to send troops.

It's all so weird.

Jiangzuo seemed to have become a balance scale, where various forces were vying for power.

Feng Kai's expression changed. "This... I was negligent." Gao Xun was also full of surprise. "What is the General of Chariots and Cavalry waiting for? The rebels have entered the Yangtze River so easily. There must be an inside accomplice in Jiankang."

"Send the order: Shen Tianzi and Meng Longfu shall lead three thousand elite cavalry south."

A large-scale southward advance wouldn't be feasible, but a force of three thousand elite cavalry heading south shouldn't be a problem.

"Yes, sir!" Shen Tianzi and Meng Longfu were both generals under Liu Yu, so sending them back was only natural.

Gao Xun hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Does the general not intend to participate in the southern war this time?"

Liu Daogui said, "Of course I'll participate, but not back in Pengcheng, but in Jingxiang!"

The demon bandits' army of over 100,000 men advanced by land and water, with their navy being particularly formidable. If they were to return to Guangling or Jingkou, they would be at a significant disadvantage, being at a disadvantage in the downstream region.

Liyang rebelled, and Ruxukou was blocked.

Jingzhou and Xiangyang are located upstream of Jiangzhou, so they can be attacked from both sides.

With his elder brother Liu Yu's abilities and the fortified city of Jiankang in his hands, he could hold out for several months. By then, the rebel army would be exhausted, and Liu Daogui would be able to regroup and defeat them in one fell swoop.

Regardless of whether Liu Yu requested reinforcements, Liu Daogui had to prepare for both possibilities. His only concern was Liu Yu's health and whether he could withstand the pressure of this major battle.

Jiankang.

"What are you waiting for, my lord?" Meng Chang asked the same question as Gao Xun. "The best course of action now is to escort the emperor across the river to avoid the enemy's advance and plan for the future."

Liu Yu lay reclining on the low table, not even moving his eyelids.

This composure actually put the other generals in the East Hall at ease.

Meng Chang advised again: "The arrival of this treacherous enemy is no small matter. Although you, my lord, are a brilliant strategist, times have changed. People both inside and outside the capital are in a state of panic. Jiankang can no longer be defended."

This means that Liu Yu was plagued by injuries and illnesses, and was no longer as good as before, making him no match for Lu Xun and Xu Daofu.

Meng Huaiyu, the military advisor standing to the side, could not bear to watch any longer and cupped his hands, saying, "General, you possess extraordinary talent and your prestige shakes the world. The evil bandits have taken advantage of our weakness to invade. Before they even reach Jiankang, if you flee beforehand, how will you be any different from Huan Xuan back then? I fear that you will lose all your prestige and die without a proper burial place!"

At Liu Yu's level, there was no way he could retire.

If we retreat, people's hearts will be thrown into chaos, and then we will truly be at our wits' end.

Liu Yu slowly opened his eyes. "My intentions are exactly the same as yours. The Southern Mountains may be changed, but this will will never waver. Jiankang must never be abandoned!"

Jiankang was well-defended, surrounded by inner cities on all sides. Although the rebels had an army of 100,000, it would not be an easy task for them to break through Jiankang.

“Your Excellency, you must not! This is no joke! How can you treat the fate of the nation and His Majesty's safety as a game? If you do not heed my advice, I will repay you with my life!”

Meng Chang, as if he had taken the wrong medicine, threatened Liu Yu with his own life.

Liu Yu stared at him and said, "Now our important town is besieged by external forces, and powerful bandits are pressing in from within. People are terrified and no one has any will to stand firm. If we were to move to the north bank of the Yangtze River, the town would surely collapse. And can the north bank truly solve the problem once and for all? Don't forget that the enemy has a thousand warships, while our army is still on the river. If the enemy sails down the river, who will survive? You are advising me to cross the river. Do you mean you want to cooperate with the enemy from within?"

The voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight.

Retreating to the north of the Yangtze River was not an easy task. Back then, Sima Yue abandoned Luoyang and prepared to flee to his fiefdom of Donghai County. However, he was overtaken by Shi Le's 8,000 cavalry in Ku County, and 200,000 Luoyang residents died tragically, their corpses piling up like mountains...

The situation is quite similar to that of that time, except that the cavalry of the Hu people has been replaced by the navy of the demon bandits.

If Liu Yu crosses the river, he will surely die without a burial place.

After the demon bandits conquered Sangluozhou, they held back, waiting for Liu Yu to make a mistake.

"Although our soldiers are few, they are still enough for a battle. If we can defeat the enemy, we will share the spoils. If we are defeated, I will die at the temple gate and die for my country. My decision is made, so please do not say anything more."

Liu Yu had already shown considerable restraint towards Meng Chang.

Although she knew he had ulterior motives, she still tolerated him.

However, this forbearance gave Meng Chang the illusion that Liu Yu dared not take action. After all, Meng Chang was a famous scholar with great prestige in the court and among the people, which was also one of his "weapons".

"If you insist on this, Chang has no choice but to die."

"Watch me fight, then it's not too late to die." Liu Yu stared at him with a half-smile, never taking him seriously from beginning to end. He was just a scholar who couldn't even kill a chicken and had no military power.

Meng Chang was taken aback and speechless. Today's argument had completely ruined their relationship.

Liu Yu stopped looking at him, glanced at the generals, and said in a deep voice, "Order all the troops to follow me to Stone City to defend against the enemy."

Instead of retreating, he advanced to Stone City, facing the more than 100,000-strong army of demon bandits.

"We obey!" All the generals present were his trusted confidants, utterly loyal.

(End of this chapter)