Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 43 Help
"The court's intention is to just defend the area south of the Huai River, and let the area north of the Huai River fend for itself..." After Gao Xun learned of Liu Daogui's thoughts, he poured a bucket of cold water on him.

In fact, let alone the area north of the Huai River, the imperial court didn't even pay much attention to the area north of the Yangtze River...

During Shi Hu's reign, the Jie Zhao army attacked Hefei and Xiangyang several times.

More than ten years ago, Huan Wen suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Murong Chui in Fangtou and put the blame on Yuan Zhen. Yuan Zhen was furious and surrendered Shouyang to the Former Yan. It took Huan Wen three years to recapture Shouyang.

In the eyes of the imperial court, the entire Jiangbei area was a buffer zone, not to mention Lanling County north of the Huai River.

"When people are poor, they have low aspirations. If I could get some land in Guangling County, I wouldn't have to risk my life to go to Lanling County." Liu Daogui looked helpless.

Without land, you cannot gain a foothold in the military government.

Liu Zun, Liu Guangzhi, and Liu Heibi were all strong men with broad shoulders and broad waists. Liu Zhong and Liu Zhen were both growing up, and each one was more hungry than the other. The monthly allowance of five dan of rice was not enough to fill their stomachs...

"Damn it, I think Lanling is a good place. The emperor is far away and the sky is high. You can do whatever you want. You don't have to be so depressed in the military office. We brothers are not vegetarians. If you come, chop us down. If you come in pairs, we kill them both."

In fact, Liu Zun had long been unable to tolerate the intrigues in the military government.

Liu Guangzhi and Liu Heipi didn't say anything, but looking at their expressions, they were all like that.

As an old soldier of the Northern Palace, what he fears least is war and chaos.

"Daozhe really wants to go?" Gao Xun saw that the others had made up their minds and it was not easy to persuade them anymore.

"Brother Gao, do you think I still have a choice?" Liu Daogui felt that what Liu Zun said made some sense. The more chaotic the situation, the more opportunities there are.

But the only problem is finding a foothold.

It would be too weak to rely on just six people and six swords to kill.

"I will select a dozen capable veterans from the left camp to go with you."

"Thank you, Brother Gao."

The large-scale mobilization of soldiers requires orders from the Sima or the General of Conquering the Enemy Army. It is not something that can be mobilized just by someone at the level of Liu Daogui or Gao Xun.

A dozen old soldiers are almost enough.

"It's freezing cold now, and the canal is frozen, so it's inconvenient to go back and forth. How about going in spring?" Gao Xun suggested.

"Brother Gao is really thoughtful."

You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry. If the name is not right, the words will not flow and the things will not be accomplished.

When going to Lanling County to collect land, one must also greet the people above. It would be best to get a military order from the General of Conquering the Enemy Army or a political order from the Qingzhou Provincial Governor's Office.

Liu Guangzhi bowed and said, "Why don't I go to Lanling first to investigate and understand the situation. It won't be too late to go there later."

Gao Xun sighed: "Dekuan has the talent of a good general, but it's a pity... Commander Xie died young, otherwise how could..."

The two of them are comrades-in-arms and have a friendship that has been through life and death.

Liu Guangzhi, however, said with an open mind: "Life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor are determined by heaven. Overthinking only adds to your troubles."

"It will be inconvenient for my brother to go alone. Bring Black Bear with you so that you can take care of him on the road." Liu Daogui thought to himself that the helper his brother Liu Yu had found was indeed not simple.

"That's fine." Liu Guangzhi nodded.

After bidding farewell to Gao Xun, Liu Daogui rushed to the military headquarters to find Yuan He.

However, he did not expect that yesterday he, Huan Hong, Huan Daozhen and more than a thousand soldiers in the front had gone out of the city for hunting.

Liu Daogui went to look for the Chief Secretary, Xun Xinzhi. Huan Hong and Yuan He were not there, and he was the most senior officer in the military headquarters. However, he had a banquet the night before and had taken the Five Stones Powder, so he had not gotten up yet...

After waiting until the afternoon, Xun Xin finally got out of bed and said, "This is a military matter. I will only take care of civil affairs. You should go find Sima Yuan or Envoy Huan..."

"All we need is a seal from the military office." Liu Daogui didn't expect that such a simple matter would be so troublesome.

Damn it, the military seal was right on the table next to him. It was just a small favor, but he didn't even bother to lift a hand...

It is a good thing for the General's Office and the imperial court that some people go to Lanling County to settle and guard the border.

It's not right to refuse, both for public and private reasons. Xun Xinzhi rolled his eyes and said, "How can you just give the seal of the military government? Go, go, go find Sima Yuan in a few days."

Yuan He at least spoke to Liu Daogui in a nice way, but Xun Xinzhi was impatient, and his every move was filled with the arrogance that only a noble family could have...

Liu Daogui felt depressed. No wonder the Xun family declined after Xun Xian's death. How could the family support itself if the family was full of such spoiled children?

His arm was no match for Yuan He's thigh, and he was unwilling to extend his hand. Liu Daogui had no choice but to wait for Yuan He to come back.

At least Yuan He is easier to talk to.

"I'll take my leave." Liu Daogui bowed.

"You still have the leisure to manage the official land..." Xun Xinzhi snorted through his nose, then closed his eyes, lay on the couch, humming, as if recalling the happy time of last night.

Liu Daogui was stunned, not knowing what he meant. Could it be that he was going to be in trouble?
As soon as he walked out of the government office, he ran into Liu Yi rushing over. "Congratulations, Brother Liu, on your promotion."

Huan Hong had previously promised publicly that if he could find 3,000 shi of grain, he would become the prefect of Chengyang.

The grain has been handed over for more than half a month, and the court has not pursued the matter any further. Liu Yi's position as prefect should be decided.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yi had a bitter face and was listless. "Don't make fun of the Tao..."

After saying that, he lowered his head and walked into the yamen.

Liu Daogui was stunned. Why was he being mocked? Judging from his expression, could it be that the task was not completed?
These days I have been oblivious to what is happening outside and have been immersed in official reports and paperwork. I really don't know what has happened.

Just as he was wondering, Xun Xinzhi's impatient voice came from the government office: "How many times have I told you that this matter is beyond my control? Go find Envoy Huan!"

"Envoy Huan is not here, I hope Chief Secretary Xun can help..."

"How can I help you with such a big matter?"

There was something wrong with Xun Xinzhi's voice, but Liu Yi didn't seem to notice. "The Xun family is a prestigious family in the world. One word from them is worth a hundred words from below..."

Liu Yi really found the right person. The court did not like the Huan family, but the Xun family had some connections. If they worked hard for Liu Yi, maybe they could really get things done.

There was silence inside.

The eavesdropping inside was not very upright to begin with, and just as I was about to leave, the scolding inside became louder.

"The missing grain is 3,200 dan. You handed over 2,100 dan, which is 100 dan short. Where did it go? Did you embezzle it? You even dared to touch the military rations. This is a capital crime!"

"Chief Secretary—"

Not only Liu Yi inside was stunned, but Liu Daogui outside was also stunned.

Officials are like two mouths, eating people without leaving any bones...

This is simply a cruel betrayal.

Liu Daogui didn't bother to listen to the rest of the words and left quickly.

Liu Yi had lost more than he gained this time. He had been trying so hard to get in. If he didn't get the Chengyang governor, he might as well get himself into trouble...

Actually, if you think about it, you will understand. At the previous night banquet, Huan Hong drank too much and took Wushisan. He didn't even know what he said, but Liu Yi took it seriously...

More than two thousand stones of grain were thrown directly into the water.

There is a huge gap between the gentry and the common people, and it is not easy to cross it.

As an old aristocratic family, the Xun family looked down upon the poor the most.

Liu Yi is so high-profile, and Huan Hong and Xun Xinzhi are not fools either.

He quietly produced more than 2,000 dan of grain, which was like showing off his fat body in front of a group of jackals. Unless he was skinned clean, Liu Yi would have no chance of escaping this time.

If Xun Xinzhi's crime is proven, Liu Yi will become the scapegoat for the conflict between the two factions in the court...

If the nobles did not oppress the poor and common people, their power would not be revealed.

(End of this chapter)