Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 384

"What? Wang Zhen'e has captured Fuling?" Liu Daogui was incredulous after reading the battle report.

This is equivalent to directly bypassing Baidi and Yong'an from the rear, which is simply a stroke of genius, just like when Deng Ai took the Yinping Trail and bypassed Jiange.

Although Wang Zhen'e only had a little over three thousand men, he relied on the strategic importance of Fuling County to establish himself like a nail in the towering mountains of Sichuan.

The defenses of Baidi City and Yong'an have essentially failed.

Meng Gan said: "General Wang crossed the remote region and, led by the local people, traveled through the towering mountains and suddenly appeared under the city of Fuling. He captured and killed more than 6,000 people, killed the Qiao Shu general Yang Mei, and of the original 5,000, only 3,000 remained."

"General Wang truly lives up to his reputation as a descendant of Prime Minister Wang. With the capture of Fuling, the gateway to Sichuan and Chongqing has been wide open." Feng Kai also praised Wang Zhen'e highly.

Liu Daogui was still preparing to develop the Central Plains, but Wang Zhen'e had already captured Fuling ahead of time. Qiao Zong was now like a fish on a chopping board, ready to be slaughtered at any moment.

A weakened Bashu was no match for Jingxiang after the fall of the Tudu.

The Shu army was no match for the Tiger Guard Army.

"Wang Zhongde, Fu Hongzhi, and Mao Xiuzhi, listen to my command."

"Your subordinate is here." The three men immediately bowed and stepped forward.

"Immediately lead 8,000 elite Tiger Guards and 20,000 soldiers to attack Baidi City and open up the passage to Sichuan!"

Speed ​​is of the essence in warfare. It would be best to capture a series of important towns along the Yangtze River, such as Baidi, Yong'an, and Yunyang, before Qiao Zong can react, and then support Wang Zhen'e in Fuling. Otherwise, Wang Zhen'e will become an isolated force.

"We accept the order!" All three of them were overjoyed.

"Liu Yixing and Duan Hong, listen to my command, lead three thousand elite cavalry to provide support." Liu Daogui looked at his son.

As a member of the Liu family, one must not lose the family's ancestral skills in military campaigns.

You may not fight on the front lines, but you should at least know about warfare, have witnessed the life and death on the battlefield, and understand what fighting is all about.

Throughout history, armies and wars have always been the most challenging and demanding environments for people.

"We accept your command!" The two bowed together.

Military prefectures were originally set up for war, and below them were military garrisons. Now that winter has just begun, the garrison soldiers are not so busy and have time and energy to participate in the war.

The Tiger Guards are all professional soldiers, born for war, and naturally they would not resist going into battle.

In just five days, the military government had prepared all the food, supplies, and livestock needed for the battle.

Liu Zun's navy was on standby in Jiangling.

On the day of the expedition, Liu Daogui saw him off outside the city, saying, "While you are away, you must listen to General Duan's advice and not act on your own."

The loyalty of the surrendered generals from Southern Yan was even higher than that of those from Western and Northern Yan.

Duan Hong, in particular, was of Xianbei origin but was honest and loyal to Liu Daogui. When facing more than 100,000 demon bandits at Dangyang, he led hundreds of Tiger Class cavalry to charge forward at the front, risking his life.

"I obey." Liu Yixing was a shrewd man; he cupped his hands to Duan Hong, "General Duan is the bravest in the army; I have no worries on this journey."

"No, no, young master is exceptionally intelligent. Please feel free to ask if you need anything." Duan Hong's wrinkles smoothed out.

Liu Daogui said, "There are no princes in the army, only superiors and subordinates. You are the commander-in-chief and an elder. You should be punished when necessary and punished when necessary. There is no need to worry."

"I accept the order," Duan Hong quickly bowed.

Liu Daogui waved goodbye, "Go on."

The two men spurred their warhorses, turned around, and bowed to Liu Daogui.

"I am leaving now, Father. Take care." Liu Yixing had many thoughts, but his affection for his son was genuine.

Liu Daogui watched the cavalry depart into the distance, and had just returned to the city when the imperial edict from Jiankang arrived.

Liu Daogui was appointed Grand General, concurrently serving as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of eight provinces: Qing, Yan, Xu, Yu, Si, Jing, Xiang, and Yong.

The matter of the Luoyang Xingtai was left unresolved.

He looked at it over and over again, and found that it only mentioned himself, without mentioning his elder brother Liu Yu at all.

This is a bit too bizarre.

He made significant contributions in resisting the rebels and protecting Jiankang. He also dispatched Sun Chu with 3,000 naval troops to sail down the sea and recover Guangzhou and Jiangzhou.

"This is a private letter from the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Please take a look, General." The messenger respectfully handed over a thick letter.

"Thank you for your hospitality, sir." Liu Daogui waved his hand.

"I obey." Liu Huaimo led his men away.

Liu Daogui opened the letter and began to read it.

Each character is written very large; a single piece of Saeki paper can hold a maximum of fourteen or fifteen characters, but each character is as sharp as a sword or halberd, exuding a powerful aura.

Despite their struggles, both sides adhere to certain bottom lines, much like brothers in an ordinary family who may occasionally scheme against each other, but unite when faced with external enemies.

He sent the letter because he respected his own opinion.

The letter was very simple, containing only some mundane family matters and, most importantly, inquiring about his opinion on his promotion to prime minister.

Liu Daogui understood immediately; this was an attempt to persuade him to accept the throne.

With his achievements, he deserves more than just a chancellor; he could easily be granted the title of Duke.

The Sima family is still on the throne because of his bloody battles over the years.

Liu Daogui summoned Yin Zhongwen and had him write a memorial urging the court to appoint Liu Yu as prime minister.

"Your humble servants respectfully submit this memorial: In the past, Dong Zhuo brought disaster, Cao Cao seized power, the state was in peril, and the people suffered terribly. General of Chariots and Cavalry, rising from humble origins, annihilated Huan Xuan before his threat arose and pacified Lu Xun after his campaign was launched. His power shook the four seas, and his virtue reached all the people. In the past, Xiao He guarded Guanzhong, and Zhuge Liang governed Shu Han; both established their kingdoms on the foundation of their positions as prime ministers. Only by learning from the past and understanding the future, and by establishing a proper government, can the ancestral temples be secure as Mount Tai, and the people enjoy his blessings. Your humble servants humbly believe that he should be promoted to prime minister, bestowed with the Nine Bestowments, so that his title and actual power match, and harmony prevails both internally and externally..."

Yin Zhongwen finished writing in one stroke. "I asked you to persuade him to be appointed Prime Minister, not to be granted the Nine Bestowments." After reading it, Liu Daogui felt a strange feeling in his heart.

They took a bit too big a step.

The prime minister was still a subject, but after receiving the Nine Bestowments, things changed.

Huan Wen never achieved his goal in his lifetime.

"The General has also done business in his early years and is well-versed in the art of bargaining. If the General of Chariots and Cavalry has no such intention, he will refuse, and the position of Prime Minister will naturally come to him."

"You're quite clever." Liu Daogui thought about it and realized that made sense.

This is a good opportunity to test the reaction of the court and the public by offering the Nine Bestowments.

Now, the Jin dynasty's territory, except for Nanyu Province and Jiao Province to the south, is almost entirely under the control of Liu Yu and Liu Daogui.

There's nothing wrong with going a little faster.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Sima family's reign is nearing its end.

Liu Yu's appointment as prime minister was also a good thing for Liu Daogui, as it would raise the status of the two brothers in the eyes of the court and the people.

Yin is within Yang, but not opposite to Yang.

Wherever there are people, there will be struggle, especially when it comes to power. Countless people are eyeing it covetously, so it's impossible to avoid conflict. The two brothers can fight each other without breaking apart.

The memorial was sent to Jiankang by fast ship.

Liu Daogui had thus made his stance clear.

A few days later, news came from Jiankang that, just as Yin Zhongwen had said, Liu Yu had refused the proposal to receive the Nine Bestowments, but had accepted the position of Chancellor.

This is the second officially appointed prime minister in the eighty years since Wang Dao, when officials moved south.

Wang Dun's title of Chancellor was self-appointed, Yu Liang's title was posthumously conferred, and Huan Wen and Xie An never held the title of Chancellor throughout their lives.

Once you become prime minister, you can establish your own prime minister's residence.

During the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, the power of the prime minister could, to some extent, counterbalance the imperial power.

Zhuge Liang was the regent of Liu Shan. The Jin Yuan Emperor Sima Rui's empire was established with the strong support of the brothers Wang Dao and Wang Dun.

Of course, General Liu Daogui could also legitimately establish his own headquarters, and the officers and soldiers in the headquarters would also have formal ranks. The chief clerk and the military commander would have a salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain), which was the sixth rank. The military advisors and other staff members would have a salary of 600 shi (a unit of grain), which was the seventh rank. Even the clerks in the headquarters would have a salary of 300 shi (a unit of grain), which was the eighth rank.

The additional title of Grand General, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, allows one to directly participate in court decision-making.

After a back-and-forth exchange, through mutual tug-of-war and probing, Liu Yu and Liu Daogui each got what they wanted, and their statuses both improved.

"Report! Our attack on Baidi City has failed, and Huan Zhen is putting up a desperate resistance!" The scout rushed in to report.

Baidi City is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River at the mouth of the Qutang Gorge. The city is built on Baidi Mountain, facing the Kuimen Gate to the east and facing Baiyan Mountain across the river to the south.

After the Battle of Xiaoting, Liu Bei retreated to this place. Lu Xun pursued him closely, but upon seeing this city, he withdrew his troops.

With a fierce general like Huan Zhen guarding the area, it would naturally be difficult to capture it in the short term.

"Is there any movement in Shu?" Liu Daogui was not worried about Wang Zhongde and Liu Yixing, but he was worried about Wang Zhen'e, who was isolated in Shu.

Meng Gan said, "Qiao Zong dispatched General Hou Hui with 20,000 troops to reinforce Yong'an."

Liu Daogui was taken aback. Qiao Zong's arrangement clearly indicated that he wanted to hold Yong'an first and keep Wang Zhongde and Fu Hongzhi out.

As for Wang Zhen'e, his three thousand men seemed almost superfluous.

Having defeated Wang Zhongde and Fu Hongzhi, Wang Zhen'e was now trapped like a turtle in a jar.

Qiao Zong's move was quite clever, but he underestimated Wang Zhen'e.

Liu Daogui felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders. "It seems Qiao Zong is unaware of our army's strength. He hasn't mobilized all the troops in Shu, yet he's already at a disadvantage."

Huan Wen destroyed Cheng Han with only 10,000 troops.

The total number of troops involved in this campaign was over 36,000.

However, when Huan Wen attacked Shu, all the prefectures in Bazhou were under his control, which is why he was able to enter Shu easily.

Yin Zhongwen replied, "I believe that it is precisely because Qiao Zong knew the strength of our army that he did not raise a large army and devoted all his efforts to protecting Chengdu. As long as Chengdu exists, the Shu Kingdom will exist."

Liu Daogui thought about it and realized that this made sense. Qiao Zong's original intention was to use the strategic location of Bazhong to wear down the Tiger Guard Army.

For them, this is the safest strategy.

However, this made Wang Zhen'e a valuable asset. Although he only had a little over three thousand men, the Tiger Guard's three thousand men were equivalent to tens of thousands of Shu soldiers.

"Furthermore, order Zhang Gang to build siege weapons on the spot to assist in the siege, and also order Wang Zhongde and Fu Hongzhi to take Baidi and Yong'an this time, regardless of casualties, and open the gateway to Shu!"

Liu Daogui decided to put more pressure on Qiao Zong.

If a small state like Qiao Shu could remain peaceful and law-abiding, Liu Daogui would turn a blind eye and pretend it didn't exist.

But whenever Jingzhou and Xiangyang were in trouble, it would always take the initiative to invade, time and time again, causing endless trouble, just like a fly buzzing around, annoying people.

If they suffer a slight setback, they retreat to Baidi City, relying on the city's strategic location to lie low and wait for the next opportunity.

Ultimately, war boils down to money and supplies.

In addition to increasing manpower, Liu Daogui also sent more than 4,000 pigs and sheep, as well as various crossbows, iron arrows, and kerosene.

Even if it means throwing money and grain at them, Liu Daogui is determined to break down the gates of Qiao Shu this time, in order to prepare for the next step of destroying Shu.

(End of this chapter)