Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 398 Pei

"Brother, if you want to become the Duke of Song, I will naturally give my full support." Liu Daogui was still on the ship returning to Xiangyang when Liu Huaisu specially came from Guangling.

The imperial court not only conferred upon Liu Yu the title of Duke of Song, but also granted him the State of Song, including ten commanderies such as Guangling, Jinling, Wu, and Kuaiji. He was also given the Nine Bestowments, and thirty-six guards with swords were added to his entourage. He was not required to hasten his steps when entering the court, nor was he allowed to be named when receiving salutations. He was also allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace.

The three essentials of a powerful minister are all in place.

However, Liu Daogui was also enfeoffed as the Duke of Pei, and the Pei Kingdom was established with ten counties including Pengcheng, Pei, and Lanling, and twenty-four swordsmen were added to the guard.

Liu Daogui, the fiefdom holder, didn't really care much about the title bestowed upon him by the imperial court, but the title "Duke of Pei" was quite interesting.

The Liu family's ancestor also started from the position of Duke of Pei. However, the Duke of Pei under Emperor Gaozu of Han was a county duke, and it was a title of respect given by others rather than an official appointment. It was equivalent to the leader of Pei County and the head of a rebellion.

The imperial court added the title "Duke of Pei" to its name, seemingly implying something intentionally or unintentionally...

Liu Huaisu continued, "The Prime Minister is preparing to personally lead the army on a northern expedition next year. I wonder what the General thinks?"

"So fast? My brother's health..."

"The campaign to conquer the land has already achieved some success. Jiankang has recruited 30,000 soldiers, who are well-equipped and in high spirits. The Prime Minister intends to first pacify Yao Qin, and then launch a northern expedition against Wei, conquer the Central Plains, and restore China."

"My brother's ambition remains as great as ever."

If these words came from someone else, Liu Daogui would assume they had lost their mind.

The chances of destroying Yao Qin are quite high. Now, key locations such as Hanzhong, Hongnong, and Shunyang are all in our hands. Yao Xing himself has been tormented by Liu Bobo and is outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

However, the State of Wei was no small matter. During the reign of Tuoba Gui, rebellions broke out one after another in the country, from east to west and from north to south. After Tuoba Si took the throne, he made peace with the various states and pacified the various tribes, and the country presented a peaceful scene.

Although all of this was inseparable from Tuoba Gui's land allocation based on population and various reforms, it was already quite remarkable that Tuoba Si was able to maintain his rule, reconcile various internal conflicts, and suppress the nobles and powerful chieftains in the country.

In the past two years, the land allocation system based on population size has shifted from pasture to agriculture, gradually revealing its power and continuously strengthening the national strength of the State of Wei.

Although the Jin dynasty had been implementing land reforms and suppressing powerful clans in recent years, which had indeed improved the living conditions of the people, Liu Daogui believed that it was not thorough enough.

The two prefectures of Jinling and Guangling became lawless areas under the control of the local authorities.

Moreover, Liu Yu was also making peace with several powerful families. Although the powerful families had indeed restrained themselves somewhat, their essence remained unchanged.

Liu Huaisu's eyes flashed and he said, "Only by launching a northern expedition can we unite the various forces. The Prime Minister has been recuperating for the past two years in preparation for this battle."

"Since you are so determined to launch the Northern Expedition, I will do my best to cooperate. After we destroy Yao Qin, we can discuss other matters later." Liu Daogui could naturally understand his unspoken meaning.

If we don't launch a northern expedition soon, the two sides will collide head-on.

The imperial court bestowed the title of Duke of Song upon one side and created another Duke of Pei, intending to incite conflict between the two sides.

Liu Daogui and Liu Yu may not be greatly affected, but the soldiers below certainly won't think so.

Regional conflicts and contradictions will not disappear, but will only shift. Now, Liu Daogui represents the Western Prefecture and a part of the Northern Prefecture, as well as local forces, while Liu Yu represents the imperial court and the Northern Prefecture.

It almost continued the conflict between the east and west since the Jin dynasty moved south, as well as the power struggle between the court and the local authorities.

Only a northern expedition could reconcile the interests of all parties and find a new balance.

Secondly, Liu Yu's path was essentially the same one Huan Wen had taken. He was now the Duke of Song, and if he destroyed Yao Qin, he would become the King of Song. If he destroyed Northern Wei, he could ascend the throne as emperor.

The arrangements were perfectly seamless.

In any case, Yao Qin was bound to be destroyed, which coincided with Liu Daogui's strategy of first conquering the west to obtain warhorses, and then attacking the Wei Kingdom.

Liu Huaisu thought for a moment and said, "The matter of attacking Northern Wei..."

"Let's see. If we successfully capture Yao Qin, it's not impossible to take advantage of the situation and attack Northern Wei. If the western expedition doesn't go well, we'll have to plan for the long term." Liu Daogui didn't give a definitive answer.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll return to Jiankang immediately and report to the Prime Minister.” Liu Huaisu was extremely capable and didn’t dwell on the matter.

Looking at the white hair at his temples, Liu Daogui felt a pang of sadness. Time flies like an arrow, and youth is fleeting. "We brothers have only just reunited after so many years. Why not stay a few more days?"

"The military situation is urgent. This Northern Expedition is no small matter. Qin and Wei are not small states like Nan Yan and Qiao Shu. The new army in Jiankang still needs to be trained. I really can't get away. It's not too late for us brothers to have a good drink after the Northern Expedition is successful."

"It's a word."

"It's a deal!" Liu Huaisu cupped his hands in greeting, turned and strode away. He disembarked from the ship, boarded a three-masted warship, and quickly headed east.

Feng Kai said, "Is the Northern Expedition so soon? The country is empty, the soldiers have been fighting for years, and their morale is exhausted. Qin and Wei are both powerful states."

"It's not that quick. We must launch a northern expedition. Our country is weak and our army is exhausted. Yao Qin is even weaker and more exhausted. Isn't there still a year left?"

Moreover, Liu Yu was the main force in this Northern Expedition. Shen Tianzi and Shen Linzi were transferred to Hanzhong, and Zhu Lingshi and Zhu Chaoshi went to Hongnong, which can be considered as Liu Daogui making arrangements for them in advance.

“However, the Prime Minister only has thirty to forty thousand troops.” Feng Kai seemed worried, but there was also a hint of something else in his voice.

"With 30,000 to 40,000 troops in his hands, it would be enough to wipe out Yao Qin."

Liu Yu never had a smooth victory in his life; all his battles were won by defeating the many with the few.

In fact, the Yao Qin dynasty should have perished after the Battle of Chaibi. At that time, Tuoba Gui had the ambition to take advantage of the situation and invade Guanzhong, but he failed to break through Puban and had to retreat.

Feng Kai said, "I have another question. If we launch a northern expedition against Yao Qin, will Northern Wei just sit idly by? The principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold' is something that Tuoba Si and his ministers are surely aware of."

"We'll deal with whatever comes our way, there's no need to worry unnecessarily. Tuoba Si has just taken the throne, and whether our army will dare to fight back if we make a show of force is another matter entirely," Liu Daogui casually offered a reason.

Plans can never keep up with changes; we'll deal with the future later.

In any case, the Northern Expedition is inevitable, in everyone's interest, and the sooner the better.

Upon returning to Xiangyang, everything remained the same. The military government was extremely busy, and the officials were working diligently.

Upon learning that Liu Daogui had been promoted to Duke of Pei, everyone's faces showed a hint of anticipation, and they were even more motivated.

Yin Zhongwen proposed to hold a grand enfeoffment ceremony to demonstrate his power and virtue.

Liu Daogui directly refused, saying, "It's better to avoid trouble. The court appointed this Duke of Pei, but he didn't have good intentions. With the Northern Expedition imminent, it's not advisable to burden the people and waste resources. Keep everything simple. In the next official report, establish Cao as the principal wife and Yixing as the heir apparent."

"Liu Bang has the common people at heart; he is truly a benevolent and righteous ruler." Yin Zhongwen seized the opportunity to flatter him.

"You should just call me General. The title 'Duke of Pei' doesn't sound right."

The more Liu Daogui listened, the stranger it seemed, as if he were about to rise up in rebellion at any moment.

Yin Zhongwen kept referring to Liu Bang as "Duke of Pei," which was clearly a sign of his ulterior motives.

The Liu family of Pengcheng originated from Pengcheng. They could have been enfeoffed as Duke of Xu, Duke of Lu, or even Duke of Qi. But choosing Duke of Pei was simply too ostentatious.

The most suitable title would actually be "Chu," as the Liu family of Pengcheng originated from the lineage of the King of Chu during the Han Dynasty, and Pengcheng was also the capital of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. However, Huan Xuan beat him to it...

Liu Yu's title of Duke of Song is more appropriate. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Pengcheng was part of the State of Song, holding a prestigious position. It was honored by the Zhou emperor as one of the "Three Respected Officials." It defeated Qi in the east, Chu in the south, and Wei in the west, and was one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Of course, the name of the country can also be changed.

"I also feel that the General is reliable and dignified. The General's thinking is more thorough than mine." Yin Zhongwen's small eyes rolled, and he immediately changed his words.

Liu Daogui glanced at him sideways. This guy was a notorious sycophant under Huan Xuan. "Alright, stop with that."

"My subordinates say goodbye."

Jingxiang had long been on the right track, and Liu Daogui's land reform was even more thorough than Liu Yu's, with local powerful clans being relocated to Qingzhou.

The mountains, rivers, forests, and marshes were opened up to the people, and there was no war; everywhere was a scene of vibrant life.

At least the common people could wear a hemp garment and straw sandals. The number of merchants in Xiangyang increased, and a wide variety of goods such as leather, paper, tea, silk, cotton, rice, and millet were available from the north and south.

Xiangyang holds a similar status to Pengcheng and has been an important town since ancient times.

Liu Daogui promoted Liu Huaizhen to Prefect of Xiangyang and ordered the Tiger Guard soldiers from Jingzhou and Xiangyang to take a break and assemble in May of the following year.

Originally, he planned to manage the Central Plains, but with the Northern Expedition imminent, he couldn't manage much in a year. With Xin Gongjing in the Central Plains, there was no need for him to go there personally. So he led the remaining Tiger Guards back to Pengcheng by waterway.

Upon arriving in Pengcheng, ten thousand people came out of the city to welcome them, and dozens of elders, carrying canes, offered cattle and wine to reward the soldiers.

It gave Liu Daogui a sense of returning home in glory.

"Lord Pei!"

"Lord Pei!"

The air was filled with frenzied shouts.

The Duke of Pei held extraordinary significance in the territory of Pengcheng.

Yin Zhongwen said with a half-smile, "This is the will of the people, and this is the will of Heaven."

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "The Golden Knife is destined by Heaven!"

(End of this chapter)