Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 379 Decision

"I regret not heeding Dao Fu's words." Lu Xun is now filled with remorse.

After attacking Jingkou for many days, they suffered heavy losses and plundered various counties. However, the counties were quickly cleared of their defenses and the people gained nothing. After the implementation of the land reform in the eight prefectures of the Wu region, few people remained loyal to them.

The route to the east is blocked, and now we are trapped in a city of sorrow.

If we had listened to Xu Daofu's plan and launched a full-scale attack on Jiankang from Xinting, Lu Xun would probably be sitting in Jiankang now.

"Our army is old and our soldiers are exhausted. We should retreat to Xunyang to rest and recuperate. After that, we should join forces to conquer Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and take control of two-thirds of the country. Then we can form an alliance with Qiao Shu and Yao Qin, and join forces to conquer Jiangzuo and the Central Plains. Then we can accomplish great things."

When Xu Daofu said these words, a hint of confusion flashed across his eyes.

In fact, the Celestial Masters sect had reached a dead end; it could not take Jiankang, and Jingxiang would be even more difficult.

Liu Daogui's elite troops have returned to Xiangyang from the north.

But at this point, they had no other choice.

Xun Lin said, "Previously, Qiao Zong and Huan Qian sent a letter inviting us to attack Jiangling from both the north and south. If Jiangling is captured, the three prefectures of Jing and Xiang will be cut off in half."

"If all else fails, we should retreat to Guangzhou. If we can take Jiangzhou this time, it will be a minor victory." Lu Xun's old habit had resurfaced.

Xu Daofu said sternly, "Failure to capture Jiankang has already given the Liu brothers a chance to catch their breath. If we retreat to Guangzhou, the elite troops of the Northern and Western armies will arrive in the blink of an eye. By then, our morale will be low, and we will be unable to fight any longer. You and I will surely die without a burial place!"

This northward expedition was originally intended to take advantage of the Jin dynasty's northern expedition against the Southern Yan, leaving them no time to look south.

Now that the Southern Yan has been destroyed, the Jin dynasty's strength has greatly increased. If it can weather this period of transition, its national power will recover rapidly, and that will be the end for Lu Xun.

Lu Xun was not unaware of this principle, but he could never help but harbor a侥幸心理 (a sense of wishful thinking).

Xu Daofu gazed at the mighty Yangtze River flowing eastward and said slowly, "Attack on Jiangling will be our last battle; we will either win or perish."

Upon hearing this, all the officers and soldiers around him became serious.

With an army of over 100,000, the biggest challenge was not conquering cities and territories, but feeding them.

For this northward expedition, the Celestial Masters sect had used up all its accumulated resources of the past five or six years. They finally managed to penetrate into the area around Jiankang, but Lu Xun's hesitation caused them to miss their chance.

The army is now running out of food, and the only way to survive is to capture Jiangling, which is rich in money and supplies, and obtain enough food and able-bodied men to replenish their ranks.

Therefore, Jiangling will have to be attacked even if it's not necessary.

Xun Lin said, "Why not attack Wuchang? Liu Yi's troops are weak and will collapse at the first contact."

"If we attack Wuchang, it will benefit Liu Daogui. Moreover, he is upstream and will not sit idly by while we take Wuchang. But if we attack Jiangling, Liu Yi will definitely stand by and watch. To the west of Jiangling, there are also Qiao Shu and Huan Shi to assist us. If we take Jiangling, Wuchang can be taken in one fell swoop."

Xu Daofu didn't think much of Liu Yi at all.

Xunyang had been exposed to his gaze for so long, yet he remained motionless.

It is clear that this person was not of one mind with the Liu brothers. This can be considered an old tradition of the Jin Dynasty. When the imperial power was weak, every person with power would have unrealistic ambitions, while those without power only cared about their own family and were single-mindedly focused on climbing the social ladder.

They turned a blind eye to national interests and the peril of the nation.

Xu Daofu even vaguely felt that Liu Yi expected him to severely damage the Liu brothers.

Lu Xun nodded: "I will listen to what Dao Fu has to say."

Xu Daofu glanced at the officers and soldiers around him and said in a deep voice, "This battle is of utmost importance. From today onwards, I will make all military decisions. The entire army must obey my orders and follow the orders of the commanders and soldiers without fail!"

All the generals looked at Lu Xun.

Lu Xun was stunned, but the failed attack on Jiankang had severely damaged his prestige and confidence.

Xu Daofu became his last lifeline.

"Are they all deaf?" Xu Daofu stood with his hand on his sword, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"Leader!"

Since Lu Xun had no objections, the others had even less to say...

Xiangyang.

"This scoundrel dares to come again." Liu Daogui had been waiting for this moment.

Meng Gan said, "Besides Lu Xun's 100,000 demon bandits, Qiao Daofu and Huan Qian's allied army of 40,000 left Baidi City and headed straight for Zhijiang."

"Zhijiang? They're not attacking Yidu County this time?" Liu Daogui was slightly surprised.

As the saying goes, "A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit," and both Qiao Daofu and Huan Qian learned their lesson and became wiser.

Zhijiang is roughly the western gateway to Jiangling, bordering Dangyang to the north, Yichang to the southwest, Yiling to the northwest, and Jiangling to the southeast.

The last time Qiao Daofu captured Zhijiang, it posed a great threat to Jiangling, and Huan Zhen once besieged Xiangyang.

Feng Kai said, "If the army in Wuchang is mobilized, it can cut off the enemy's retreat."

Liu Daogui sneered, "You don't know yet, but five days ago, he submitted a memorial to the court, saying that he was seriously ill and bedridden and unable to fight."

Even if he hadn't claimed to be ill, Liu Daogui wouldn't have asked him for help.

A teammate with ulterior motives is far more dangerous than an enemy.

Yuan Miao said, "The war in Jiangzuo has been quelled. If the court sends a cavalry force to harass the demon bandits, they will not be able to attack so quickly."

His words silenced the room.

Since that imperial edict was issued, relations with Jiankang have been shrouded in shadow.

If the rebels can be dealt with this time, Liu Daogui and Liu Yu will become the two largest forces in the Jin Dynasty, and the internal strife and rivalry will be everywhere, and will not be eliminated by blood ties or brotherhood.

Liu Daogui said solemnly, "Just focus on your own work and don't be paranoid. The evil bandits are heading straight for Jiangling, so we can wipe them out in one fell swoop and rid the world of this stubborn villain!"

Feng Kai cupped his hands and said, "General's words are correct. Suppressing the demon bandits is a service to the country and the people."

"Where is the Qiao-Huan allied forces now?" Liu Daogui's mind was on military strategy. Meng Gan replied, "They are still in Zhijiang, and have not joined forces with the rebels."

The so-called coalition is just a group of people using each other, each thinking that others are charging ahead while they sit back and reap the benefits.

Wang Zhongde asked in confusion, "General Wang has 20,000 troops in Yidu, why didn't you stop them?"

Indeed, Yiling and Yichang, located to the south and north respectively, guard the Yangtze River.

If Wang Zhen'e had been willing to stop them, the Qiao-Huan allied forces would never have been able to enter Zhijiang so easily.

"Could this person be plotting a rebellion?" Liu Huaijing was straightforward and said whatever came to mind.

Liu Daogui said, "Stop talking nonsense and disturbing our morale. Wang Zhen'e will never rebel."

If Wang Zhen'e wanted to rebel, he would have done so as early as during the Northern Expedition against Southern Yan. There was no need to wait until now. Moreover, his men were all from the Western Prefecture. Liu Daogui had allocated land to them, ensuring they had enough to eat and wear. It was impossible for them to follow Wang Zhen'e in rebellion.

Liu Huaijing asked, "Then why remain inactive?"

Liu Daogui stared at the map. The Qiao-Huan allied forces, taking advantage of their control of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, had repeatedly invaded Jingzhou. Wang Zhen'e was not very enthusiastic about the resistance, and last time, Huan Zhen's infantry and cavalry even reached the gates of Xiangyang.

But precisely because of this, the Qiao-Huan allied forces became increasingly arrogant.

"That's his business. Since I've delegated authority to him, as long as Jiangling isn't breached, nothing else matters!" Liu Daogui vaguely guessed Wang Zhen'e's intentions.

Wang Zhen'e was always resourceful and shrewd in his military campaigns.

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." After the battle of Sangluozhou, Liu Daogui directly promoted him to Governor of Jingzhou. Such a favor of recognition is unparalleled in both the Northern and Western Prefectures.

Liu Daogui used him as a commander from the very beginning.

Therefore, his inaction must have a deeper meaning.

"Issue the order: raise an army in three days and march south to fight the demon bandits!" Liu Daogui turned his gaze back to Jiangling, his fighting spirit ignited in his heart.

This time, the demon bandits acted differently than usual, seemingly determined to die. They burned their warships at Yuzhangkou to demonstrate their resolve to fight to the death.

It's obvious that the demon thief wants to have a decisive battle in Jiangling.

But their choice to fight in the field was exactly what Liu Daogui wanted.

The Jianghan Plain is flat and level, which is perfect for leveraging the advantages of cavalry.

Contrary to his usual practice, Liu Daogui ordered 5,000 soldiers to carry various flags, making a show of force and marching south to confuse the rebels. The next day, he personally led 15,000 Tiger Guard infantrymen to follow closely behind.

The four thousand elite cavalry remained at the rear, led by a group of valiant generals including Duan Hong, Liu Huaijing, and Liu Elang.

There was no elaborate strategy or formation; they just fought their way through in a fair and square decisive battle.

Like cats that have caught a whiff of blood, the bandits headed north, heading straight for Dangyang.

More than 100,000 people marched in a vast and boundless army.

Divided into three large formations—left, center, and right—long spears stood like a forest, iron armor gleamed in the autumn sun, and a murderous aura lingered between heaven and earth.

"Is this a demon bandit?" Feng Kai was taken aback; the enemy's armor coverage was at least ten percent.

There were nearly 10,000 armored soldiers, and 500 cavalrymen on each of the left and right flanks.

The military might of the army was no less than that of the Southern Yan army in its heyday.

The other generals also became serious, their previous disdain gone.

“Guangzhou is a prosperous place. Lu Xun and Xu Daofu have not been idle these years. They have been preparing for war. They are here to fight to the death. They should not be underestimated.” Liu Daogui thought it was a good thing. Pride comes before a fall. The rebels have fought for so many years, suffering defeat after defeat. They are tenacious and resilient. They are also an elite force.

During the Battle of Suanshan, Liu Yu defeated their army of 100,000 with only a thousand men.

However, when the rebels besieged Jiankang this time, Liu Yu had more than 7,000 elite troops and nearly 10,000 other miscellaneous troops, but they held their ground and did not come out until the rebels were exhausted and retreated on their own.

It is evident that the demon thief's combat strength has increased dramatically in recent years.

If it weren't for Liu Yu's sudden emergence and ability to turn the tide, the Jin dynasty would probably have been overthrown long ago.

dong dong dong...

The opposing side started beating their war drums first.

"Kill, kill, kill—" came the shouts.

Feng Kai's expression changed. "The demonic rebels are desperate and determined to die. Our army only has a little over 20,000 men..."

"I was prepared, no need to worry. Give the order to engage!" Liu Daogui never underestimated any opponent.

After returning to Xiangyang, they kept a close eye on the movements of the demon bandits.

With the command flag waving, the three generals Wang Zhongde, Fu Hongzhi, Zhu Lin, and Mao Xiuzhi led their infantry forward slowly. Although they numbered only a little over ten thousand, their momentum was in no way inferior to that of the enemy.

The demon thief, shielded by a wooden shield, charged forward like a surging, dark yellow tide. Amidst billowing dust, his roars were earth-shattering and utterly frenzied.

What appears to be a chaotic formation actually conceals a hidden strategy: two large formations on the left and right protect the six or seven thousand armored soldiers in the central formation.

Without exception, these armored warriors were all burly and strong, wielding long swords and heavy axes, making them significantly taller than the other demon bandits.

"Shoot!" Fu Hongzhi commanded, and the arrow was launched into the sky, soaring into the clouds and falling over the heads of the demons.

Those who reacted slowly or were not wearing helmets were immediately pierced through the brain.

After the third shot, the rain of arrows did not stop, but turned into horizontal shots from crossbows and heavy crossbows.

The demon bandits' shields immediately splintered into pieces, and three or four hundred of them fell.

But these casualties did not deter them.

(End of this chapter)