Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 378 Edict

"Tuoba Gui is dead?" Liu Daogui was incredulous upon receiving the news.

The powerful and ruthless Tuoba Gui was actually killed by his own son, Tuoba Shao. However, Tuoba Gui's private life was not exactly respectable either. Tuoba Shao was born to him and his aunt and was inherently cruel.

The internal strife among the Hu people was more brutal and direct than that among the Jin dynasty.

This was true of all the rulers, from Liu Yuan and Shi Le to Shi Hu and the Murong family.

In this era, sometimes it's not about who has the strongest army, but about whose successor is reliable.

Murong Chui was a hero who was invincible throughout his life, but he had a few good-for-nothing sons, Murong Bao and Murong Lin, who ruined the once-powerful Later Yan state.

Tuoba Gui was only thirty-eight years old this year, in the prime of his life, but unexpectedly, his life ended in such a ridiculous way.

Meng Gan said: "Tuoba Shao murdered his father, Shusun Jun, Tuoba Mohun, An Tong and others supported Tuoba Si, stormed into Pingcheng, killed Tuoba Shao and his mother, and ascended the throne."

"The State of Wei has not split apart." Liu Daogui thought to himself with a sense of regret.

"Tuoba Shao has always been cruel and unpopular. He has no military achievements or troops. He killed his father to seize the throne, which is intolerable to heaven and earth."

Modu succeeded to the throne by killing his father because he held military power. Tuoba Shao was only fifteen years old and had neither supporters nor prestige. Killing one's father was a heinous crime in the eyes of the Hu people.

After so many years of reforms in the Wei state, the Tuoba Xianbei people had become highly Sinicized and naturally could not accept Tuoba Shao.

The rebellion lasted too short a time to have any significant impact on the overall situation.

However, with Tuoba Gui dead, the pressure from the north was greatly reduced, and Liu Daogui was able to focus his attention on the south.

A few days later, the State of Wei even sent an envoy to deliver a letter of state.

"The Tuoba clan has received great favors from the Chinese people for generations. Our ancestors once fought alongside Liu Sikong against the Jie Hu. From now on, our two families should turn hostility into friendship and return to our original state."

The envoy was very respectful, a stark contrast to the attitude during the reign of Emperor Tuoba Gui.

Liu Daogui couldn't help but think more highly of Tuoba Si. Wei's current problem wasn't in the south, but internally, yet Tuoba Si was willing to lower himself to befriend him, the General of the Flying Cavalry.

Feng Kai said, "You still occupy Luoyang, how can you restore our original friendship? Luoyang is the ancient capital of China, the location of the imperial tombs of past dynasties, and is no small matter."

Without resolving the Luoyang issue, peace talks are out of the question.

The envoy came prepared, saying, "My lord is willing to exchange Luoyang for Pingyuan County and Liyang City, and from now on, the Yellow River will be the boundary, and we will not interfere with each other."

For the State of Wei, Luoyang was like a chicken rib—necessary but useless.

Liu Daogui occupied the strategic locations on the east, west, and south sides, which ironically became a burden for the Wei Kingdom, requiring the deployment of a large number of troops and relying entirely on supplies from the rear.

With more troops, the supply of food and provisions must also increase.

Pingyuan County is located on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yellow River and is an important ferry crossing for entering and leaving Ji Province. If Wei takes it, Ji Province will no longer be threatened by Qing Province in the southeast.

Overall, neither side suffered a loss. Liu Daogui recovered the old capital of Luoyang without bloodshed, thus gaining some face.

These days, land is plentiful but people are scarce; what matters are people, not land.

Qingzhou has just been captured and hasn't been properly governed yet.

Liu Daogui paced back and forth a few steps. "Pingyuan can be exchanged, but Liyang is not."

"As the general says, my lord is sincerely willing to establish friendly relations." The envoy was even more eager than Liu Daogui.

Tuoba Si had just ascended the throne, and the rebellions in the country had not yet been quelled. The old enemy, the Rouran, was advancing south. It was a situation of both internal and external troubles. If the south could be stabilized, then the country could concentrate its efforts on solving the internal problems.

However, Liu Daogui was not in much better shape. Qiao Shu and Yao Qin were eyeing him covetously, and the rebel forces were besieging Jiankang. His soldiers were resting and reorganizing, and their supplies were running low, so he was unable to launch a northern expedition in the short term.

It would be beneficial for both sides to establish good relations.

After the envoy left, Feng Kai said, "The new ruler of Wei is quite extraordinary."

Liu Daogui agreed with his statement: "Tuoba Gui has given birth to a good son."

His boldness and vision are evident in his exchange of Luoyang for Pingyuan County.

Tuoba Si was much more trustworthy than Tuoba Gui, and he handed over Xiaopingjin and Mengjin together.

Not a single palace or city wall in Luoyang was destroyed, and from then on, Luoyang, Hongnong, Xingyang, and Nanyang were connected as one.

The Central Plains became a complete geographical region, and there was no need to worry about the Wei army invading in the future.

Liu Daogui kept his promise and ceded Pingyuan to them. However, most of the people of Pingyuan County were unwilling to submit to Wei and migrated to Jinan County instead.

He also submitted a memorial requesting the court to move the capital back to Luoyang.

Having recovered the Sima family's ancestral tombs, they still had to boast about it.

The war in the east gradually stabilized. The rebels changed course from Danyang County to attack Jingkou, but were repelled by Liu Huaisu. Jingkou was stabilized, and the eight counties of the Three Wu regions were basically stabilized as well.

Liu Yu's implementation of the land reform also indirectly strengthened the defenses of the eight counties of the Three Wu regions.

Since the rebels raised their army, not a single place in the Three Wu regions has responded, which shows that the people's hearts are turned to the north.

It's only natural to ask for credit at this time.

Soon, the imperial court issued an edict appointing Liu Daogui as Grand Commandant, Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs inside and outside the capital, and granting him the authority to carry out imperial orders.

For his merit in resisting the rebels and protecting Jiankang, Liu Yu was awarded the title of Grand General, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and granted the Yellow Axe.

"Since there is already a Grand General, why promote him to Grand Commandant? And since there is already a Grand Commandant, why promote him to Grand General?" Feng Kai's expression changed after reading the imperial edict.

Indeed, according to the Han system, the Grand General held the reins of government and commanded military expeditions, with power far exceeding that of the Chancellor. In reality, he was the military commander of the entire country.

However, the Grand Commandant was the head of the Three Dukes and also controlled the military and political affairs of the whole country, so his status was even higher than that of the Grand General.

Liu Yu was the elder brother, and Liu Daogui was the younger brother; they shouldn't have been granted such a title.

Generally, the Grand General is in charge of all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital, and the Grand Commandant is in charge of the affairs of the Secretariat... Moreover, Liu Daogui's position as the commander-in-chief of all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital, has no real significance.

In short, there are too many oddities in these two appointments.

Liu Daogui didn't mind, but his subordinates wouldn't think so.

The two men essentially formed two factions, each with their own interests.

Yuan Miao said, "This is a scheme by the imperial court to sow discord."

Feng Kai said, "Now we need to find out whether this edict came from the emperor or the general."

The Sima family was always restless. Emperor Sima Dezong also had Sima Dewen and Sima Shangzhi by his side, and they held considerable power.

He Wuji's death was mysterious, and it is very likely that it was secretly orchestrated by the Sima family.

In addition, Liu Daogui had to consider the thoughts of his elder brother, Liu Yu.

Although there had been promises beforehand, taking over power has never been easy since ancient times. Emperor Wu of Han and his crown prince Liu Ju had a falling out and turned against each other, let alone brothers.

Everyone thinks about their descendants. Liu Yu was in poor health, but his sons had all grown up.

Human nature is complex. Brotherly love is genuine, but the bond between father and son is even stronger. When faced with power, people will do anything for themselves.

Therefore, this edict could be a scheme by the court to sow discord, or it could be a test by the elder brother Liu Yu.

“Return the imperial edict and say that I am incompetent and unworthy to perform the duties.” Liu Daogui used this as a tactic of retreat to advance.

As long as the Western and Northern armies hold military power, everything else is just a figurehead.

"The general is wise!"

Everyone bowed their hands.

Stone City.

The rebels' attack on Jingkou failed, their morale was dampened, and they plundered various counties but gained nothing.

The main army gradually returned to Danyang, and various Jin armies came to its aid one after another. The opportunity for a counterattack had arrived.

However, the topic of discussion in the central command tent today is not the demon bandits, but the imperial edict.

"The General of the Cavalry sailed eastward in a fast ship, returned the imperial edict, and firmly declined to accept it." Fu Liang, the Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, said respectfully.

Not long ago, Fu Liang was appointed to the Secretariat, in charge of issuing imperial edicts.

This edict was issued by Sima Dewen and Sima Shangzhi. Liu Yu was not in Jiankang and was busy with the war, so he did not interfere and allowed it to be delivered to Xiangyang.

“If Agui does not accept it, I will not accept it either. Send it back to the Secretariat for re-examination and approval of the bestowal of titles and honors.”

"With Your Excellency in charge of the Secretariat and the General of the Cavalry guarding the borders, they are mutually supportive, forming the foundation of stability in the realm. This imperial edict is malicious and intended to sow discord; we must not take it lightly."

Xu Xianzhi, the military advisor, came from the Xu clan of Pengcheng and was a close friend of Liu Yu when they were commoners.

Since he was born in Pengcheng, he would naturally protect the interests of the Northern Prefecture. Others might not dare to say it, but he had no reservations.

Liu Yu laughed and said, "I have been busy defending against the demons and bandits these days, and I have neglected my duties. Gan Mu, there is no need to worry. How could we brothers be instigated by outsiders?"

Xie Yu replied, “While you and the General of the Flying Cavalry are indeed very close, it is not the same for his subordinates. Of the ten parts of the Jin dynasty, seven parts are in the hands of the General of the Flying Cavalry. It is hard to guarantee that his officers and soldiers will not have any improper thoughts.”

Xu Xianzhi frowned. "What does Commander Xie mean?"

Xie Yu cupped his hands in apology, saying, "I had no other intention than to express my sincere patriotism. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Liu Yu rubbed his forehead. "Now is not the time to think about these things. The rebels are ravaging the capital region, and the Yao Qin of Qiao and Shu are eyeing us covetously. All generals, listen to my command: tomorrow, gather infantry and cavalry, raise another 20,000 able-bodied men, and make a great show of force. If the rebels head west, do not pursue them; if they head east, fight them with all our might! Sun Chu, listen to my command: lead 3,000 troops across the sea to attack Panyu!"

"Leader!"

The generals all bowed.

One of them, with graying temples, was Sun Chu, the newly appointed General Zhenwu. A native of Yongxing in Kuaiji, he was skilled in naval warfare and had followed Liu Yu in the Battle of Suanshan, where he recaptured Jiankang. Despite his advanced age, he was brave and skilled in battle and had made a name for himself by being the first to scale the walls.

However, Xu Xianzhi and Xie Yu exchanged a glance before quickly looking away.

The next day, as soon as it was light, the war drums began to thunder.

The shouts of the 30,000-strong "army" shook the heavens, and 3,000 elite cavalrymen advanced towards Danyang from the left and right.

After the uprising began, a huge banner bearing the character "Liu" stood tall between heaven and earth, fluttering fiercely in the early autumn wind.

With each step the armored soldiers under the banner took forward, their armor clanged as if the sky were collapsing and the earth were splitting.

Smoke and dust billowed on both the east and west sides, and shadowy figures could be seen, resembling a vast army.

With his ironclad cavalry and overwhelming force, Liu Yu was a force to be reckoned with; when he moved, his actions were earth-shattering.

The bandits immediately dispatched a force to defend Zhanghou Bridge, while Shen Tianzi led a hundred elite cavalrymen in a frontal charge.

The bandits had moved to Jiangnan, and even cavalry was rare, let alone heavy cavalry like this. Shen Tianzi took the lead and killed the bandit general Fan Longju. Meng Longfu followed closely behind, leading his elite cavalry into the enemy ranks.

More than 10,000 demon bandits were routed in a single attack.

However, at this time, the demon bandit army was also retreating westward. On the river, the demon bandit warships covered the sky and the sun. Before Shen Tianzi could get close, arrows and stones rained down from the ships.

The elite bandits on the shore arrayed themselves, their long spears forming a forest.

"The General of Chariots and Cavalry has ordered that they not pursue!"

The messenger rushed over.

The troops halted and silently watched as the demon thieves retreated onto the ships.

(End of this chapter)