Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 397 Public

Jiankang, Taiji Hall.

The swift defeat of Qiao Shu in less than two months brought a sigh of relief to Jiankang. Otherwise, the long-term transport of grain would have rendered Liu Yu's years of hard work in the land reclamation effort futile.

"The southern region is a wild and uncivilized land. Why bother setting up the Yijiang Governor's Office? In my opinion, now that the world is at peace, we should summon the General back to the capital."

Xie Yu's words immediately silenced the Taiji Hall to the point that you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone knows that this phrase actually means "showing your cards on the table." Sima Zhao used this tactic to deal with Zhuge Dan.

Now the imperial court controls the three prefectures of Yang, Jiang, and Guang, and Du Huidu, the governor of Jiaozhou, is also on the side of the imperial court.

In recent years, thanks to Liu Yu's land reclamation and Liu Muzhi's meticulous governance, Jiangzuo has recovered considerably, with the most significant results being increased revenue and grain, and population growth.

With money, food, and manpower, it was natural to recruit soldiers, and Jiankang recruited as many as 30,000 new soldiers.

With the addition of the major powerful families, it wouldn't be difficult to assemble an army of 50,000.

Although there is still a huge gap between them and Liu Daogui, it is not difficult to hold onto Jiangzuo.

Moreover, the court's greatest advantage lies in its righteousness and legitimacy; Liu Daogui's defiance of the imperial edict makes him a traitor and a rebel.

With the successive destruction of Southern Yan, the rebel regime, and Qiao Shu, Northern Wei focused all its efforts on internal affairs. Yao Qin was exhausted by Liu Bobo's machinations, and Jin's external threats were all eliminated.

With external threats gone, many people gradually turned their attention to internal strife.

This is a tradition that has been passed down for over 140 years in the Jin Dynasty.

Xu Xianzhi quickly said, "Absolutely not! If there were no great general to guard the frontier, who knows how many people would claim to be kings or emperors? Now that the world is at peace and everything is in need of rebuilding, it is the perfect time to work hard and govern well. How can we allow any more setbacks to occur?"

Liu Yu looked at Xie Yu with a smile, "Do you really want the General to return to the court?"

Xie Yu was taken aback. Liu Daogui would definitely not return to the capital alone, and Liu Yu's intentions were unclear. It was rumored that the two brothers had made a pact back in Xiangcheng.

If Liu Daogui were to return to the court and Liu Yu were to relinquish power, prominent families like the Wang and Xie clans would decline.

Liu Daogui's actions outside the capital were more radical and bloodier than Liu Yu's.

"Your subordinate is utterly loyal to the Prime Minister!" Xie Yu said, offering a compromise and a way to appease the situation.

A glimmer of light appeared in Liu Yu's eyes. "Now that Southern Yan, the rebels, and Qiao Shu have all been destroyed, only the two traitors, Qin and Wei, remain. Since Tuoba Si ascended the throne, he has promoted the virtuous and capable, pacified the Rouran, and recruited Northern Yan. He has also greatly promoted cultural development. This man is even more harmful than Tuoba Gui. Given time, he will surely become a great threat. Now that the borders have been settled and the Jiangzuo region is in harmony, we should strengthen our military, reward our troops, and launch a northern expedition to conquer the Central Plains!"

Even a sick tiger is still a tiger.

Liu Yu harbored a long-cherished desire to launch a northern expedition, and only a northern expedition could temporarily mask the contradictions between the two sides and enhance Liu Yu's prestige.

The Northern Wei Dynasty has indeed been too peaceful these past two years, so peaceful that it doesn't seem like a country established by a nomadic tribe.

But Liu Yu sensed a deep crisis beneath this calm.

After Tuoba Si succeeded to the throne, he focused all his energy on internal strife and continued to deepen the reforms of Tuoba Gui. As a result, the Wei state entered a period of rapid development, Hebei gradually won over the people, and the internal strife was quelled.

Even Murong Chui never achieved such a situation back then.

If Wei were given another five or six years, a powerful nation encompassing both the north and south of the Yin Mountains and combining nomadic and agricultural practices would gradually emerge.

Liu Yu essentially found a powerful external threat for the Jin dynasty.

Moreover, what he said was true. From the time Tuoba Gui raised his army at Niuchuan, the Northern Wei Dynasty was inherently aggressive and had always harbored ambitions to conquer the world.

Liu Muzhi bowed first, saying, "When a bird of prey is about to strike, it flies low and folds its wings; when a fierce beast is about to fight, it lowers its ears and crouches. Once Qin and Wei grow strong, they will inevitably vie for control of the Central Plains and move south to the Jianghuai region. A great war is unavoidable."

Seeing his most capable subordinate agree, Liu Yu was overjoyed. "Daohe's words are true. Tuoba Si is young, yet he has managed to keep the nobles in the country in check as soon as he took the throne. He is no ordinary person."

The northern nomadic kingdoms were not afraid of those who were aggressive and domineering; what they feared most were those who meticulously governed their internal affairs.

Tuoba Si had previously fled Pingcheng and was hiding outside without a single soldier. However, when Tuoba Shao was in internal strife, he was able to persuade nobles such as Changsun Song and An Tong to support him in returning to Pingcheng.

His abilities are evident.

The key is that Tuoba Si is not yet twenty years old. Liu Yu said, "Besides Tuoba Si, Liu Bobo should not be underestimated either. One day, the Yao Qin dynasty will surely perish at the hands of this man."

Liu Bobo had already proclaimed himself Heavenly King and Great Chanyu, believing that the Xiongnu were descendants of Xia Qi. He named his state Great Xia, established the reign title Longsheng, and rose to power in the north.

Xie Yu's expression shifted. "The Prime Minister sent troops to destroy Qiao Shu and recover Shu. His achievements are unparalleled. In my opinion, he should be granted the title of Duke and enfeoffed as a duke to reassure the soldiers and common people."

Wang Zhenzhi, Wang Mo, Yuan Bao, and other soldiers quickly echoed, "What Sima Xie said is very true. The Prime Minister has repeatedly defeated powerful bandits and protected the country. The people of Jiangzuo rely on him for peace. Now, no special honors have been given. This has never happened before in history."

Liu Yu rightfully deserves credit for the conquest of Shu.

However, this time the title of Duke is different from the past. After being granted the title of Duke, one will have a fiefdom and his own subjects.

This is the most practical step taken to replace the Jin dynasty.

With a loud crash, the imperial tablet in Sima Dewen's hand, which was beside the imperial couch, fell to the ground.

But everyone present pretended not to see it.

Liu Yu heard the noise but did not turn around. “I am plagued by injuries and illnesses, an old man, and already the prime minister, holding the highest position among officials. People are jealous of my power and I cannot remain at peace for long. I wish to retire to Jingkou to live out my days. What do you all think?”

Xie Yu immediately shouted, "How can the court be without a prime minister for even a day? If the prime minister retires, Jiangzuo will surely be in chaos."

"The Prime Minister's promotion to Duke is an act in accordance with Heaven and the people's will; how can he refuse?" Others joined in the clamor, and the Taiji Hall suddenly became lively.

"No, no." Liu Yu stood up and strode away from the Taiji Hall.

This left everyone in the hall looking at each other, unsure of his intentions.

The court discussion ended there.

Xie Yu stared blankly at Liu Yu's retreating figure. Wang Zhenzhi and Wang Mo, two members of the Langya Wang clan, came over. They didn't say a word, but their eyes were exchanging glances.

If Liu Yu did not want to usurp the Sima family's power, he would not have been promoted to prime minister.

Xie Yu, however, looked at Sima Dewen sitting at the head of the table and suddenly understood. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I have long heard that the Prince of Langya is a man of great righteousness..."

Sima Dewen looked helplessly and powerlessly at these tall gates...

After a conversation, Sima Dewen helped Sima Dezong back to the palace, then back to the Langya Prince's Mansion. Once inside his private quarters and the door was closed, a series of clanging and banging sounds immediately came from inside.

"They actually dared to recommend Liu Yu as Duke! The Wang and Xie families are two good dogs!" Sima Dewen's face was ashen, and he was panting heavily.

"No wonder they did it. What do you think Liu Yu kept them around for? Wasn't it all for today?" Sima Shangzhi had anticipated what was happening today.

Standing amidst the mess of cups and plates, Sima Dewen suddenly asked, "Could Liu Yu be faking illness? Why is he becoming more and more energetic? He's even about to launch a northern expedition."

"The injuries are real, and the only one to blame is Liu Juanzi's superb medical skills. However, it is a good thing that Liu Yu has the ambition to launch a northern expedition."

Sima Dewen frowned. "Is this a good thing? If they're going to confer titles of dukes now, won't they be conferred titles of kings after the Northern Expedition?"

"Do you think he wanted to launch the Northern Expedition? Wasn't it because he was wary of Liu Daogui's outstanding military achievements? Didn't Liu Yu want to be granted a dukedom? Give it to him! And give Liu Daogui one too. I want to see how those two brothers will end up!"

Sima Shangzhi has been keeping a close eye on Liu Yu and Liu Daogui these past few years, trying to deduce the subtle relationship between the two brothers from the smallest details.

But Sima Dewen lacked such attention to detail and said dejectedly, "If the two brothers had any grudges over the years, they would have fought long ago."

Sima Shangzhi sneered, "You've been in the deep palace for too long and don't understand people's hearts. Everyone is looking out for themselves. Even if Liu Yu and Liu Daogui want to compromise, how can their subordinates be willing? The higher you climb, the more intense the struggle becomes. These days, you don't need to do anything. If Liu Yu wants to be granted a dukedom, then grant him a dukedom. If he wants to launch a northern expedition, then support his northern expedition."

"That's all we can do," Sima Dewen nodded helplessly.

He, the Prince of Langya, had no real power whatsoever, not even as powerful as Sima Shangzhi's line of Princes of Qiao. In front of Liu Yu, he was as docile as a cat.

They only dare to vent their anger behind closed doors.

"How is Liu Yi doing? Why is there still no news?" Sima Dewen couldn't stop thinking about Liu Yi.

Sima Shangzhi raised an eyebrow. "The time is not right. Let's not talk about it."

(End of this chapter)