Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 418 Xue

“Brother…” Liu Daogui looked at Liu Yu’s corpse, overcome with grief.

A soldier ultimately dies on the battlefield, which may be what he wanted.

"Lord Song!"

A mournful wind howled, and cries of sorrow filled the air. Liu Yu treated his ordinary soldiers very well, almost like brothers, which is why so many people followed him and were willing to die for him.

Liu Juanzi said, "Ji Nu's victory in this battle has benefited both him and you."

It wasn't about granting anyone's wish; Liu Yu was gone, but the problems weren't over. A new power had emerged in the court, and more challenges lay ahead. "What are your last words, brother?"

After a moment of silence, Liu Juanzi said, "I want you to leave him some of his bloodline..."

Liu Daogui stood there stunned for a moment.

The fact that he said these words shows that he knew everything: the aristocratic families would not give up their erosion of power.

But without Liu Yu, Liu Daogui's biggest fear was gone.

The Wei army suffered a great defeat, and Duan Hong and Wang Zhongde went to pursue them. After this battle, the general trend of the world, the orthodoxy, and the people's hearts will all turn to Liu Daogui. When will unification take place? It's only a matter of time.

However, this is contingent on properly handling internal issues.

“Agui, you must not be careless. Ji Nu would not have allied with the Gao family unless he had no other choice.” Liu Juanzi had been by Liu Yu’s side for many years and had seen and known a lot.

“I am not my elder brother, and my elder brother is not me.”

To some extent, Liu Daogui had even greater ambitions and would never be content with merely maintaining a secluded existence in Jiangzuo.

Only those who lack strength will choose to form marriage alliances with aristocratic families.

Liu Daogui had no such concerns. "You all go down and clean up the battlefield, set up camp, and wait for Duan Hong and Wang Zhongde to return. I want to be alone for a while."

"Yes, sir!" Meng Longfu, Ding Wu, and the others led their men down.

Liu Daogui sat alone beside the imperial carriage, reflecting on the past years. It was always Liu Yu who had been at the forefront, clearing away all obstacles. Although he had his own selfish motives, he always kept the brotherhood in mind. Otherwise, the two forces would have fought each other long ago.

The situation in Jiangzuo will be quite different.

Regardless of which of the two brothers wins, they will both be condemned.

"Brother, rest in peace. Leave the rest to me. The Liu family will surely restore the glory of our ancestors!"

After a long while, Liu Daogui closed his eyes and covered him with a brocade quilt.

I sat silently all night, and when dawn broke, I still couldn't fall asleep.

The cavalry that had been pursuing Changsun Song and Shusun Jian returned one after another, having achieved great success, capturing over 10,000 people and obtaining over 40,000 head of livestock, including cattle, horses, sheep, and camels.

Under the protection of his son Changsun Tui, Changsun Song escaped back to Shangdang.

The Wei army of 160,000 in Hebei successively annihilated Da Xi Jin's 10,000 elite cavalry and Changsun Fei and Shusun Jian's more than 20,000 elite troops. Although they numbered less than 40,000, they were all battle-hardened elite troops left over from the era of Tuoba Gui.

The State of Wei has been severely weakened.

However, the Northern Army suffered heavy casualties due to Liu Yu's death, with only 1,300 of its 3,000 elite troops remaining, and generals Xu Yizhi and Shen Qianzi killed in action.

Liu Daogui fought several battles, suffering over 2,300 casualties among his elite troops.

Unable to attack the heavily defended Shangdang, and with Pingcheng beyond the Taihang Mountains even further out of reach.

Meng Ganzhi read the latest battle report: "Yao Xing is still resisting to the death. Our army has been unable to capture the city after a long siege. Liu Bobo has raised 30,000 cavalry and marched south to Linjing. The Qiuchi Kingdom has also sent troops north to attack Yongcheng..."

"First, take control of Guanzhong. Order Wang Zhongde and Liu Huaijing to guard Yecheng. The army will rest for three days, and then advance westward into Guanzhong." Liu Daogui was pragmatic.

Gongsun Biao hurriedly said, "Youzhou..."

Tuoba Si led 40,000 to 50,000 troops to garrison Zhongshan, which was located between Youzhou and Jizhou.

Liu Daogui was temporarily unable to attack Youzhou.

"Meng Longfu, listen to my command. You are promoted to General of the Vanguard and Governor of Ji Province. Ding Wu is promoted to General of the Rear and General Who Destroys the Enemy. Gongsun Biao is appointed as the Prefect of You Province and the Left Chief Secretary of Pei State. Together with Liu Guangzhi, Hu Fan, and other troops, you will gradually annex the two provinces of Ji and You. Other meritorious generals and soldiers will be rewarded according to their merits after the great victory."

Gongsun Biao has been exceptionally talented in devising strategies and plans along the way; it would be a waste of his abilities to appoint him as a drummer.

The Gongsun family was a powerful clan in Youzhou. With their support, Liu Daogui could more easily gain a foothold in Hebei.

"Thank you, General!" The three of them exclaimed with delight.

The surrounding Northern Army soldiers seemed to have found their backbone again, and their backs straightened without them even realizing it.

"The news of Song Gong's death must be sealed off, especially in Jiankang. Anyone who leaks it will be treated as a traitor!" Liu Daogui's eyes sharpened.

The Northern Expedition has not yet succeeded, the State of Wei has not been destroyed, and the State of Qin is still holding on desperately.

When news of Liu Yu's death reaches Jiankang, who knows what kind of trouble it might cause.

The entire army was immediately placed under martial law. Liu Yu's body was placed in a coffin, and Liu Daogui specially found six white horses, accompanied by a blue banner, axes, swords, and ceremonial guards. A large, blood-red banner with the character "Song" was also erected, and the army marched westward in great style.

Liu Daogui did not travel by water, but deliberately went through Ji County and Henan County. The cities along the way all surrendered without resistance.

Even the Wei army defending Zhiguan Pass scattered in panic.

The army successfully entered Hedong, and the Wei army abandoned the cities of Dongyuan, Anyi, and Wenxi, retreating to Linfen.

Liu Daogui's army reached the gates of Puban without bloodshed.

"Siege the city."

Mao Dezhu and Liu Zun could sail upstream along the Wei River, but Liu Daogui, as the commander-in-chief, would naturally not take any risks; the city had to be captured.

After Liu Yu's death, the old soldiers from the Northern Army inexplicably carried an air of mourning.

As the drums sounded, before the soldiers even attacked the city, the city gates opened by themselves.

A scholar-like man led his civil and military officials out of the city, saying, "I am Xue Bian, and I surrender the entire city to Liu Bang."

Feng Kai asked, "Who is Xue Qiang of Hedong to you?"

"It is indeed my father." Xue Bian bowed respectfully.

"So he's from a family of famous scholars." Liu Daogui helped Xue Bian up.

The Xue clan was the Wuzong of Hedong. After the fall of Shu Han, they absorbed 5,000 households of the Xue clan who had migrated north from Shu. Their strength was extremely formidable, and their influence extended to both sides of the Yellow River. They built fortified villages such as Linfen Fortress, Xueqiang Fortress, Yangshi Fortress, and Huayin Fortress, which blocked many attacks from Han Zhao, Former Qin, and Western Wei.

Having secured his position for over thirty years, Xue Bian's father, Xue Qiang, was still a close friend of Wang Meng. When Murong Yong, the ruler of Western Yan, killed Wang Meng's son, Wang Yong, Xue Qiang led his clan's strong army and decisively defeated Murong Yong at Chenchuan.

Because of this incident, Wang Zhen'e and his uncle Wang Yao went south to Jin and settled in Xiangyang.

"I am ashamed. I have long desired to return to my homeland, but I have been held hostage by Yao Xu and cannot move. General Mao's warship sailed up the Wei River and around Puban, which is why I have endured until now. I hope that you will forgive me, Lord Pei."

Xue Bian's name contained the character "Bian," and indeed he was eloquent and persuasive.

However, such words should be taken with a grain of salt. The Xue family had been adrift in the chaos of war for so many years; if they truly cherished their homeland, they wouldn't have waited until now.

If Liu Daogui hadn't decisively defeated the Wei army at Fangtou and Mao Dezhu hadn't stormed into Guanzhong, the Xue family would never have been so obedient.

Everything was for survival, whether it was the tribes of the Hu people or the powerful clans of the Jin people.

Of course, the arrival of the Xue family was ultimately a good thing.

These powerful clans had men, weapons, money, grain, and territory, making them a great asset in the fight against the Hu people.

Liu Daogui said frankly, "It's not too late to come and join me now. I intend to recommend you to the court for the position of Prefect of Hedong!"

"Thank you, Lord Pei! I am willing to give my life, even unto death!" Xue Bian was overjoyed.

Liu Daogui gave a signal, and Duan Hong led his men into the city first.

Liu Daogui followed behind.

Upon entering the city, one sees corpses scattered everywhere, including women and children, their deaths so gruesome that it is unbearable to look at.

The Xianbei people were assimilated by various northern nomadic groups, and their clothing and language differed somewhat from those of the Central Plains. However, the Qiang and Di people were not much different from the Jin people, and they were capable of both farming and herding.

Since the rise of the Xianbei tribes such as Qifu Qian Gui, Tufa Rutan, and Juqu Mengxun in the Longyou and Hehuang regions, the Qiang and Di peoples suffered greatly and were gradually driven to Guanzhong.

Compared to the Xianbei and other non-Han peoples, Liu Daogui was more accepting of the Qiang and Di peoples.

Xue Biandao said, "The Qiang people are unwilling to surrender, so I had no choice but to kill them."

"Prefect Xue is truly a fine general," Liu Daogui praised, but inwardly he became wary of the man.

Yao Qin showed great favor to the Xue family. Xue Qiang, the father of Xue Qiang, was even granted the titles of Right Grand Master of the Palace, Minister of the Seven Armies, Minister of the Left Household Department, and Duke of Fengyi by Yao Xing. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Grand General of the State and Duke of the Ministry of Works, and was given the posthumous title of Duke Xuan of Fengyi.

They completely treated the Xue family as their own.

It's understandable that Xue Bian wasn't loyal to them, but to go so far as to use such extreme measures was a bit much.

This person is ruthless and cunning.

Liu Daogui took his hand and said, "The military situation is dire, and we should not linger. Prefect Xue, you can gather your troops and we will enter the pass together tomorrow."

“This…” Xue Bian hesitated as expected.

He was a local tyrant in Hedong, but once he entered the pass, he became easy prey.

Liu Daogui feigned magnanimity, saying, "If Prefect Xue is in any difficulty, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Just moments ago he was ready to "die for his country," but now if he refused, it would be a slap in his own face. Xue Bian gritted his teeth and said, "How dare I! I dare not! I have been ordered by the Duke of Pei to die for his country!"

"Prefect Xue's loyalty is commendable!" Liu Daogui chuckled.

(End of this chapter)