Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 579 The Death of a Loyal Minister in Xiapi City

On October 13th, the weather was clear and suitable for setting off.

After a series of meticulous reconnaissances to confirm that there were no ambushes in the vicinity, Liu Huai broke camp and set out, leading a thousand Flying Tiger cavalry and a thousand Dongping naval troops, marching along the Yi River to attack Xiapi City.

In addition to raising his own banner of pacifying the rebellion, he also borrowed Wei Sheng's banner of loyalty and righteousness, with both banners following behind him. Along with the Flying Tiger Banner and the banner with the character "Han," Liu Huai's back looked like a peacock spreading its tail, dazzling to the eye.

But the results were truly impressive.

The city of Xiapi was already in a state of panic because the prefect had been captured, and things became even more chaotic after learning that an army was approaching.

However, after seeing the banner of loyalty and righteousness, they were all relieved.

The prestige and credibility that the Loyal Army had accumulated from its previous capture of Xiapi played a significant role at this time.

Putting aside other things, there are still many people in Xiapi who are eating the grain and fodder that Wei Sheng distributed from the treasury.

However, the fact that the people do not resist does not mean that the soldiers and officials can maintain their stance.

When Wei Sheng came last time, he killed many officials and wealthy families after a public trial. Now he's coming again, and the one leading the army is the infamous Flying Tiger. How could they not be afraid?

The gates of Xiapi were quickly closed, and the archers and soldiers, led by officials, came to the city wall, watching with trepidation as the Jingnan army slowly formed ranks.

Li Chengen, who was accompanying him, looked at the city wall from afar and shook his head several times before bowing to Liu Huai and saying, "Commander-in-Chief, let me go into the city and try to persuade them. It would be good to avoid a war and reduce some casualties."

Liu Huai nodded indifferently.

The reason he didn't lead his elite cavalry in a swift attack on Xiapi was quite simple.

Because he still didn't understand the purpose of Heshi Lieliangbi's garrison of 20,000 troops in Xuzhou, and didn't know if the Jin army wanted to ambush the Jingnan army that was about to launch an attack, he remained extremely cautious.

If they launch a surprise attack into the city, and the heavy gate is closed, all the ambushers inside will be mobilized. In that case, Liu Dalang's expedition will not be a long march, but a long journey to his death.

However, given the current state of chaos within the city, it doesn't seem like there was an ambush.

As long as we proceed steadily and surely, Xiapi will be within our grasp.

Xiapi is surrounded by water on all sides, and there is also a wide moat around the city. If an ordinary army were to arrive, it would take some effort to deal with such a formidable city.

However, the Jingnan army was never just composed of cavalry and infantry; it also had a navy. In particular, the Dongping army had taken the initiative to deploy its main force of large ships, which could then be used to directly scale the city walls using ladders.

Of course, subduing the enemy without fighting is also a good method.

Li Chengen arrived at the city gate and knocked twice. Then, a large basket was lowered down from the city wall.

He didn't feel aggrieved; after climbing up, he was dragged onto the city wall.

"Prefect!" one of his subordinates exclaimed in delight. "We thought the Prefect had abandoned us."

Li Chengen was about to say something, but he was so choked by these words that he rolled his eyes.

What do you mean I abandoned the city and fled? Don't you know I was kidnapped?

But Li Chengen ignored him and then looked at Du Hu Ashu, the military commander of Pizhou and also his good friend: "Ashu, the situation is difficult now. You have to choose between surrendering and dying."

Duhu Ashu, who was in his forties, was a Jurchen, but he wore a tall hat and long robes, dressed like a scholar-official, and had long been completely assimilated into Han culture. Hearing this, he smiled bitterly and said, "Third brother, can't we escape?"

Li Chengen shook his head: "Ashu, I can see clearly that the Jingnan army has no shortage of cavalry and navy. In a terrain like Xiapi, how can we easily escape? Even if we want to leave, we have to go through Fei Huzi first before we can get away."

Du Hu Ashu also shook his head: "Wouldn't that be no different from surrendering? I still have 30,000 troops in Xuzhou..." Li Chengen interrupted anxiously: "No reinforcements will come. If the Left Prime Minister really wants to defend Pizhou, why not send a few thousand troops to garrison it? If there were even two thousand reliable soldiers in Xiapi Xiong City, why would I resort to such a drastic measure?"

Du Hu Ashu was speechless, and then looked at the soldiers around him who were avoiding his gaze, and he was even more horrified.

So, he was the only one in this city loyal to the Jin Dynasty?
Just then, a cheer erupted from below the city. Everyone looked over in a panic, only to see five giant ships slowly approaching from afar, led by a warship with a white fish-shaped flag, sailing from the Yi River into the Yellow River.

Upon seeing this, a Jin general in armor sighed and said, "Commander, the Jin state has shown us no kindness, but you have shown us immense kindness. Please, Commander, seek refuge in the city for now. We will cover for you and will certainly not allow you to be humiliated."

Most of these people were temporarily promoted after Wei Sheng left. Before that, they were considered marginal figures in Pizhou. Du Hu Ashu treated them quite well, so it is reasonable for him to say such things.

Du Hu Ashu remained silent for a long time.

In his silence, a huge commotion suddenly arose in the west of the city. Then, amidst the silence of the officials on the city wall, the huge golden banner standing on the west gate was pulled down, and then a banner with illegible writing was raised.

Li Chengen took a few quick breaths, then said anxiously, "It must be a rebellion by wealthy families or commoners. Sun Qi, who is guarding the city, has either rebelled or been coerced. There's no other way, Ashu, you should leave quickly."

Du Hu Ashu silently turned his head, then slowly walked down the city wall.

After waiting for a while, Li Chengen saw that no one was leaving, so he ordered the golden banner above their heads to be taken down and the city gates to be opened for surrender.

With a wave of his hand, Liu Huai sent the Dongping army swarming in through the water gate by boat and quickly occupying key positions at various city gates.

After much trouble, Liu Huai finally entered the city, and only then was he able to confirm one thing.

It turns out that Heshi Lieliangbi really did abandon Pizhou!

Why is that?
Is it really time to abandon the Huai River defense line and completely shrink the Jin Dynasty's military control?
Wanyan Yong abandoned his army and lost territory as soon as he came to power. Does he still have any prestige?
Liu Huai was completely baffled. However, since Heshi Lieliangbi wanted to give up Pizhou, he could not. He could only personally lead his troops into the city, post notices to reassure the people, and release military rations to stabilize grain prices in order to appease the people in the city.

Wei Sheng had done these things before, so the people of Xiapi were familiar with the process and settled down without any disturbance. By the afternoon, merchants had started to open their shops and do business, and even the merchant ships on the inland ferry were busy.

After handing over his duties as the prefect of Pizhou... oh, now the former prefect of Pizhou, Li Chengen apologized to Liu Huai and temporarily extricated himself from the situation.

He had just returned to his residence when he suddenly thought of his friend Du Hu Ashu and hurriedly sent his trusted family members to find out where he was hiding.

There was no need to inquire further. A moment later, Li Chengen received a message and rushed to Du Hu Ashu's residence. Upon entering, he witnessed a horrific scene.

Du Hu Ashu killed all six of his grandsons and granddaughters, and then hanged himself with his wives, concubines, and children.

There are sixteen people in total.

Li Chengen slumped down in front of his friend's residence, never expecting that his friend would make such a resolute act of sacrificing himself for his country.

He dared not wail or even shed a tear, for fear of angering Liu Huai.

However, the news soon reached Liu Huai's ears, but he simply nodded and went to attend to other matters.

There were no commendations, no exclamations, and no anger.

Of the many people in Xiapi, only sixteen were willing to die for the Jin Dynasty, which is enough to show how utterly immoral the Jin Dynasty was.

And to put it bluntly, are sixteen people a lot?
In the ensuing great battle, it is unknown how many people will lose their lives, how many families will be wiped out, how many wives and children will be torn apart, and how many human tragedies will occur.

Compared to that, what does it matter if an old, dim-witted foreigner is buried with the Jin dynasty?

(End of this chapter)