Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 404 Conspiracy

After resting in Xiapi for more than half a month, until Liu Yu's health improved, he went up the Si River and entered Pengcheng.

The strategy for attacking Yao Qin was also formulated with the advice of Wang Yuande, Xu Xianzhi, Xie Yu, Xie Hui, Feng Kai and others.

The northern route, led by Zhu Lingshi and Zhu Chaoshi, attacked Puban with the Northern Army. The central route, led by Mao Dezhu, Liu Zhong, Shen Qingzhi, Xiao Chengzhi, and Zhao Lunzhi, attacked Tongguan. The southern route mobilized 1,000 elite troops under Shen Tianzi of Hanzhong to make a show of force and launch a feigned attack on Wuguan.

The three groups of people come from their respective camps and do not affect each other, thus avoiding friction.

However, the main attack was actually directed at Mao Dezhu's forces in the central area, which numbered a total of 30,000 men by land and sea.

Liu Daogui's 8,000 elite cavalry and Liu Yu's 3,000 elite troops were stationed in Pengcheng, both to guard against the Northern Wei and to observe the changing situation.

To the north, Liu Daogui wrote a letter to the State of Wei, inviting them to a hunt in Guanzhong to jointly attack the State of Yao Qin.

However, the letter disappeared without a trace, and more than a month later, it did not cause the slightest ripple.

Tuoba Si continued to station his troops in Zhongshan, while Changsun Song, who was guarding Ye City, commanded 30,000 elite cavalry. Various grains and military supplies from the Wei Kingdom were gathered in Ye City.

Grain supplies from Jiangling, Xiangyang, and Xuchang were sent to Hongnong and Shunyang, while grain supplies from Jiankang were sent to Pengcheng.

All parties are ready, and before the autumn harvest even arrives, the atmosphere of a major battle is already palpable.

Liu Daogui, in the name of the Jin dynasty, once again sent a letter to the State of Wei, inviting them to join forces in attacking Qin and dividing its territory equally.

This time, Tuoba Si responded, surprisingly advising for peace. He said that the Jin people occupied the Jianghuai region, the Xianbei people occupied Hebei, and the Qiang and Di people occupied Guanzhong, forming a tripartite balance of power. The situation was already settled, and the Jin dynasty had repeatedly launched northern expeditions, causing hardship and financial losses to the people in the north. He advised Liu Daogui and Liu Yu to "accept the will of Heaven and understand the hearts of the people, otherwise they will follow in the footsteps of Huan Wen."

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences." Liu Daogui sneered, throwing the Wei state letter on the ground. "Send another state letter to Tuoba Si, telling him not to meddle in other people's business, to open up the Fangtou, Yellow River, and Qinghe waterways, and not to obstruct our navy."

Although the State of Wei lost important towns such as Huatai and Liyang, it still controlled the waterways of the two commanderies of Henan and Hedong, and also held Fangtou in its grasp.

Fangtou is a node in the Guandong water network, connecting the north and south canals.

The Wei army only needs a small number of warships to easily cut off the Jin army's waterways.

Actually, the first two letters were just tests; the real intention was in the last letter.

Xie Yu cupped his hands and said, "Tuoba Si has stationed over 100,000 troops in Hebei, and he certainly will not ask for passage."

Whether or not he lends the money is not up to him.

Liu Yu was recuperating from an illness, and military affairs were being handled by Liu Daogui.

Under the guise of borrowing a route, their true intention was to cause trouble for the State of Wei, dragging Wei into the conflict prematurely in order to severely damage the Wei army.

"If we are going to attack Qin, why provoke Wei?" Xie Yu was not involved in Liu Yu and Liu Daogui's decision-making and was unaware that the strategic plan had changed.

Liu Daogui said, "Military tactics are unpredictable, just as water has no fixed shape. Do you think you can advance westward to destroy Qin without inflicting heavy losses on Wei?"

Xie Yu was speechless for a moment. The fact that he could ask such questions showed that he knew nothing about military affairs and did not even understand the current situation.

After Xie Xuan, the Xie family's military prowess declined with each generation.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense when faced with Liu Daogui's questioning.

However, Xie Hui, who was standing next to him, said, "Could it be that the General intends to kill two birds with one stone? Brilliant, brilliant! A feint to the east while attacking the west, striking unexpectedly and catching them off guard—the best possible strategy!"

These words both flattered Liu Daogui and relieved Xie Yu's embarrassment.

Liu Daogui glanced at the man; he was young, gentle, and refined, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance that unconsciously inspired goodwill. "Xuanming has foresight."

Xie Hui smoothed his sleeves. "Then I shall write this letter of state. I hope the General will grant my request."

“Cough—” Yin Zhongwen coughed a few times.

This kind of work was always done by him, but now Xie Hui had taken it from him.

But since the other party had volunteered, Liu Daogui couldn't refuse. "Bring me paper and pen."

The fact that Yin Zhongwen and Xie Hui were at odds and even fought was not a bad thing for Liu Daogui.

These aristocratic families were not a monolithic entity. On the contrary, if they were all harmonious, humble, and courteous, Liu Daogui should be wary.

The officer brought paper and pen, and in less than half an incense stick's time, a righteous and incisive official letter was completed.

In the name of the legitimate Chinese civilization, the text directly condemns the Wei Kingdom for its insatiable greed. It criticizes the Wei Kingdom for not only seizing the three prefectures of Bing, Ji, and You, but also for coveting the Central Plains. The text argues that the Wei Kingdom should remain hidden in Pingcheng during this northern expedition, observing the imperial army's victory. It warns that if the Wei Kingdom sends troops to aid the rebels, it risks losing everything and regretting its actions too late.

This official letter was more like a declaration of war, intended to provoke the Wei army into marching south.

Although the language was not as ornate as Yin Zhongwen's, it was insightful and accurately captured Liu Daogui's thoughts.

Liu Daogui grew increasingly impressed with this man, and Liu Yu's appointment of him as the chief clerk of the prime minister's office was by no means a spur-of-the-moment decision.

After reading it, Yin Zhongwen's resentment disappeared, but he still gave Xie Hui a deep look.

"Send it to Zhongshan immediately, and order all land and naval forces to march north and enter Huatai in three days!" Liu Daogui said without any hesitation.

"Leader!"

The generals spoke loudly and clearly...

Zhongshan.

"Liu Daogui is nothing but a lowly nobody, yet he dares to threaten me?" Tuoba Si, in the prime of his life, couldn't help but fly into a rage upon receiving the official letter. The Northern Wei had developed for many years, and its national strength had gradually increased.

Tuoba Si commanded over 100,000 infantry and cavalry, while the Jin army had a combined strength of less than 50,000. Yet, they dared to come to his door and threaten him. Even the most good-tempered person would find it unbearable.

Cui Hao said, "This is a tactic to provoke them. The Jin army is at its peak, and Liu Daogui is pointing his sword at the world, his spirit overwhelming. At this time, we should temporarily avoid his peak, let him go west, and then raise troops to block his way back east. This is the best strategy."

The Qin army numbered 200,000, and the Wei army numbered around 300,000. The Jin army, with a force of about 50,000, was fighting against two opponents with one force. Although they were arrogant, they had to admit the fighting strength of the Northern Army.

General Zhenwei Eqing said, "The Northern Army in the Central Plains has less than 20,000 men, while our army has over 100,000. Are we supposed to avoid their sharp edge? If word gets out, what will become of our national prestige? What will become of His Majesty's dignity?"

Jizhou Governor Abogan also stepped forward, saying, "Since the late emperor raised his army, when have we ever been bullied like this? The main force of the Jin army is in Hongnong. Our army is heading south from Pingyuan, first to Qingzhou, then to Xuzhou. With 100,000 iron cavalry heading south, even if we can't take Pengcheng, we can still destroy the Jianghuai region."

Tuoba Si had initially listened to Cui Hao's words, but the two of them kept mentioning "national prestige," "face," and "the late emperor," which reignited Tuoba Si's anger.

According to the rules of the Xianbei people, if an emperor has no military achievements, then his throne is definitely not secure.

This time, Liu Daogui and Liu Yu have come to bully him. If Tuoba Si remains indifferent, the nobles in the country will surely despise him.

Therefore, even though he knew that Cui Hao's plan was mature and prudent, Tuoba Si could not follow it.

As an emperor, one must consider far more than just war; one must also consider the hearts and minds of the people…

Moreover, Tuoba Si needs a major victory to enhance his prestige; otherwise, other national policies will face problems.

Tuoba Gui dared to boldly implement national policies such as land allocation based on population and conversion of pastoralism to agriculture, precisely because of his various military achievements, which made him respected by all the nobles and powerful chieftains in the country.

Tuoba Si, however, did not.

Being unable to win is one thing, but having hundreds of thousands of infantry and cavalry at your disposal and not daring to fight is another.

"His Majesty……"

Before Cui Hao could finish speaking, Tuoba Si stopped him, saying, "Order Changsun Fei to guard Hanoi. Changsun Fei and Daxi Jin will besiege Liyang. Doesn't Liu Daogui want to fight? I'll fight alongside him!"

"The Emperor is wise!" the powerful chieftains and nobles in the tent cheered.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Cui Hao exclaimed in admiration.

Although Tuoba Si shouted loudly, he did not lose his mind. After careful consideration, he realized that the Wei army had not marched south to attack the Song Dynasty, but was instead guarding Hebei.

Essentially, they were still observing the war between Jin and Qin.

By deploying a large army north of the Yellow River, they could also restrain the Jin army to the greatest extent. The Jin army in Pengcheng numbered less than 20,000 and would certainly be unable to attack Hebei. Although Tuoba Si was young, he was extremely shrewd.

He easily resolved the predicament of being caught in a dilemma.

"Report! Thirteen thousand infantry and cavalry from the Northern Army have entered Huatai!" the scout reported from outside the tent.

"That brat Liu Daogui is so aggressive, he's gone too far in bullying His Majesty!" Eqing kept referring to Tuoba Si.

He was not a Xianbei, but a powerful chieftain of the Qiang people in Dai County.

Tuoba Si gave him a meaningful look.

Cui Hao asked, "Where are Liu Daogui and Liu Yu?"

"They're all on the sliding platform!"

Opposite the platform are Fangtou and Liyang, and behind Fangtou is Yecheng.

After several years of diligent governance by Tuoba Si, Ye City had become the southern shield of Pingcheng and a pillar for controlling Hebei.

When Ye City trembles, Hebei will also be shaken.

The Jin army's northern expeditions all targeted Ye City.

As Liu Daogui and Liu Yu led their troops north, their intentions became increasingly clear: this was not to attack Qin, but to attack Wei as well.

"Arrogant! Order Changsun Song to find an opportunity to fight the Jin army. Do not seek a great victory, but be sure to blunt their arrogance, break their momentum, and enhance our national prestige!" Tuoba Si slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

Changsun Song was a veteran official who served three dynasties. He joined the army at the age of fourteen in place of his father and participated in all the major battles since the rise of the Wei Kingdom. He was a mature and prudent man.

His 30,000 cavalrymen were all elites who had fought in battles across the country.

In Tuoba Si's view, even if he could not defeat the Jin army, he could still fight the 13,000 Jin soldiers to a standstill.

However, Cui Hong still objected, saying, "Since Liu Yu and Liu Daogui raised their troops, they have always defeated the strong with the weak. Now that they have led their troops north, they must be elite troops who have been through countless battles. Our army should just hold the key passes of Fangtouhe and Qinghe. If they cannot win the battle, they will definitely launch a full-scale westward expedition. Why provoke them?"

"Hmph, you Jin people are all cowards, scared out of your wits by more than ten thousand men. I am willing to lead my four thousand elite troops south and I will surely slay Liu Yu and Liu Daogui!"

Abogan is one of the three surnames in northern Dai. They were nomads in the Abugan Mountains and later simply took the mountain as their surname.

When Tuoba Gui established his capital in Pingcheng, Abogan led his troops to surrender, eager to make a name for himself.

Cui Hong was a confidant of Tuoba Si, but he had no status in the Wei state and could be reprimanded by any Xianbei chieftain.

Tuoba Si not only did not stop him, but also laughed dryly at Abo, saying, "General, you are brave and valiant, I grant your permission!"

(End of this chapter)