At the end of the first lunar month, Jiankang City experienced a cold spring, and the business of the medical clinic increased sharply.
The news that Duke Song was lying ill again came out from nowhere, and people in the market vividly described the long queue of carriages and horses in front of the gate of Duke Song's house to look for the sick.
Most of the people's posts were submitted and Liu Yu was not seen. The mansion replied that Song Gong needed to rest and not see outsiders.
The less Liu Yu could be seen, the more rumors spread. Even Langya King Sima Dewen sent Cui Xuan, the secretary of the Grand Sima Mansion, to visit. Cui Xuan reported that he only saw Song Gong lying on the couch from a distance. like a statue.
After dismissing Cui Xuan, Sima Dewen returned to his residence, drank with Princess Chu Lingyuan, and soon became very drunk.
In the inner hall of Song Gong's Mansion, it is said that Liu Yu, who was lying on the bed to recuperate, was sitting in the middle in high spirits. On both sides were his trusted ministers, Liu Muzhi, Xu Xianzhi, Xie Hui, Fu Liang, Kong Jing, Liu Daolian, Shen Tianzi , Liu Zunkao et al.
Fu Liang, the minister of Huangmen, was making an impassioned speech, "... During the period when Duke Song was recuperating, undercurrents were surging in the court. Led by Xia Houping, the minister of official affairs, and Yu Da, the minister of foreign troops, seventeen officials declared themselves the governor of Yangzhou. The duties are trivial and complicated, which is not conducive to Song Gong's peace of mind and recovery from illness, so he requested the imperial court to appoint another clan member to serve as the governor of Yangzhou."
Liu Yu snorted heavily and said: "In February this year, we will assess all officials. Let these people be sent to other places."
Fu Liang continued: "Sima Zhenzhi, the king of Liang, defended Sima Xiuzhi, the former governor of Jingzhou, in court several times. He believed that the Duke of Song Dynasty's attack on Jingzhou was too hasty, and petitioned him to let Sima Xiuzhi return to Jiangling and serve as the governor of Jingzhou. . Yin Youqi, the Minister of the Ancestral Temple, and Dong Huai, the Minister of the Fifth Army, seconded the proposal. The left servant of the Minister shot Liu Liu, pretending to be deaf and mute, and humming and haha will not offend him."
Liu Yu frowned. The reason for choosing Liu Liu was to prevent Liu Yi from recommending Xi Sengshi. Liu Liu was born in the Liu family of Nanyang. He had a good reputation and was quite popular among the nobles. He had won the support of many nobles for himself.
After Jingling's setback this time, it seemed that Liu Liu didn't think much of himself either, and planned to protect himself wisely. In this way, Liu Liu could no longer stay in the position of Zuopushe, the minister.
Liu Muzhi said: "Yesterday I received a letter from Yonggong Yang Anxuan. The letter agreed with Sima Zhenzhi's proposal and asked Sima Xiuzhi to return to the post of governor of Jingzhou. The public opinion between the government and the public is not good for the lord."
Xie Hui said loudly: "As long as Song Gong stands in the court, these arrogant people will immediately stop talking. I would like to ask Song Gong to come to court tomorrow."
Everyone nodded. As long as Liu Yu showed up in court, all rumors would end.
Liu Yu didn't take the ups and downs in the court too seriously and said: "What happened in the court is just a scabies disease. On the contrary, Northern Jizhou fell into the hands of Yang Anxuan, blocking the land passage between Jiankang and Wei." , now the imperial court has signed a mutual trade treaty with the Wei State and has opened a market, and we must send reliable people to preside over it."
Xu Xianzhi said: "Puyang and Liaocheng are both under the control of Yonggong. I am afraid that the officials sent by the imperial court will be controlled by him."
Liu Yu said coldly: "The justice of the imperial court belongs to me. Yang Anxuan can only do some tricks in secret. He will never dare to refuse the imperial court to send officials to preside over the market."
Liu Muzhi knew that the superficial market was not important, and Yang Anxuan would even support the establishment of the market in both places. After all, the establishment of the market was more conducive to the business and trade between Yan and Northern Hebei.
Kong Jing stroked his long beard and said: "The Yong army attacked Nanyizhou on the pretext of exterminating the rebellious people. Hanjia County has been lost. Yuexi and Zhuti counties are in danger. Fan Governor of Ningzhou can only defend by the river. The situation is critical. Tan Daoji defeated Yong's army in Jiangling City. Should he send some troops to Yi to rescue him?"
Liu Muzhi shook his head and said: "On the 20th of the first lunar month, Qiu Chi sent an envoy to Beijing to complain, saying that Yang Anxuan used troops against Qiu Chi without any reason, and requested the imperial court to issue an order to stop it."
Qiu Chi professed vassalage to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and the king Yang Sheng was nominally the general of the Western Conquest, the governor of Qinzhou, and the Duke of Qiu Chi named by the Jin State. However, no one would take it seriously, and it was impossible to order Yang Anxuan to stop his troops.
"Qiu Chi is about to be destroyed. The Western Qin Dynasty is afraid of the prestige of the Yong army and sends Kuai En back to form an alliance with Yang Anxuan again. The situation in North Yongzhou will soon stabilize. If Jiangling troops and horses are transferred away, Yang Anxuan will transfer troops from North Yongzhou to the south. Jiangling It will be dangerous." Liu Muzhi warned.
Liu Yu thought for a while and said: "The most important thing right now is the candidate for the governor of Beiyong Prefecture. I will let Huai Shen go. The matter will be decided at the court meeting tomorrow."
The next day, there was a meeting in the East Hall.
The memorial written by Xu Xian, the left Sima of the Taiwei Mansion, stated that Liu Jingxuan, the governor of Northern Jizhou, had been assassinated and that the post of governor had been vacant, so arrangements should be made early. The right servant of Shangshu shot Liu Muzhi and said that Liu Huaishen, the internal history of Pengcheng, had made many meritorious deeds, was thrifty and modest, and was worthy of the important task.
Amid the support, Sima Dewen issued an edict in the name of the emperor, appointing Pengcheng's internal historian Liu Huaishen as the governor of Northern Jizhou. Pengcheng's internal historian was concurrently appointed by Tan Shao, the prefect of Xiapi.
The contents of the decree were sent from Jiankang to Xiangyang overnight by speedboat. Three days later, Yang Anxuan learned the news and sneered: "Liu Yu really thinks of himself as Cao Cao, but how could I let him slaughter me?" Zhu Lingshi and Hu Fan were ordered Strictly guard the city and do not allow Liu Huaishen to enter Northern Jizhou."
Everyone in the hall looked solemn, and Xin He said hesitantly: "In this case, the lord has disobeyed the imperial edict and is in disgrace with the imperial court."
Yang Anxuan sneered and said: "The imperial court is just Liu Yu's puppet. In the battle at Jingling, Yu and Liu Yu have already broken up. Now the war in Nanyizhou and Jiangling has not stopped, why should we deceive ourselves and others."
Some time ago, Wang Zhene suggested that Yang Anxuan should compete in the court and recommended Zhu Lingshi as the governor of Beiyong Prefecture. The memorial was sent out two days ago, and while it was still on the way, news came that the imperial court had appointed Liu Huaishen as the governor of Northern Jizhou, which frustrated his plan.
After thinking for a while, Wang Zhen smiled evilly and said: "Judging from the current situation, my lord should obey the imperial decree on the surface. Since the imperial court appointed Liu Huaishen as the governor of Northern Jizhou, my lord might as well give in and let Liu Huaishen go to Guanggu to take up the post. As long as he is not allowed to lead troops and horses into Northern Jizhou, Liu Huaishen's entry into Guanggu City will be just another Suo Miao. Why should my lord compete with Liu Yu for this leisure."
Yang Anxuan's expression softened and he said: "What Zhene said is that Yu was almost fooled by Liu Yu. Yu Ying, you go to the court on Yu's behalf and say that the territory of Northern Jizhou is infested with bandits, and Jianwu General Hu Fan is extremely brave. He is versatile in both civil and military affairs, and can be entrusted with important responsibilities. I have promised Hu Fan to be transferred to the Northern Ji Province. Liu Yu has been appointed as the governor of Northern Ji Province, so he must give up this minor military governor to Yu."
"In addition, let Zhu Lingshi station troops in Fan County and wait for the opportunity. If Liu Huaishen takes away a large number of troops from Pengcheng, he will simply take the opportunity to seize Pengcheng, capture Xiapi City, uncover a few cases, and capture Xuzhou." Yang Anxuan said. , eyes flashing coldly.
…………
In Pengcheng, Liu Huaishen received the imperial edict appointing him as the governor of Northern Jizhou, and Liu Yu's secret letter also followed.
In the letter, Liu Yu asked Liu Huaishen to lead five thousand troops and go to Guanggu City to take office with great fanfare to test Yang Anxuan's bottom line. If Yang Anxuan prevents Liu Huaishen from going to Guanggu, it will be known to the world that Yang Anxuan has rebellious intentions.
From the year before last, Liu Huaishen was ordered to farm in Shaopi, cultivated 10,000 acres of new farmland, accumulated 400,000 shi of grain, and trained more than 10,000 new soldiers and horses with Tanshao. Liu Yu wanted to use Pengcheng and Xiapi as a base to attack Yan and Yong.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jingxuan was suddenly assassinated, Hu Fan captured Northern Jizhou, and Zhu Lingshi suddenly led his army southward. Precisely because he was prepared, Tan Shao had the troops to fight and blocked Yong's army from going south.
Liu Huaishen made arrangements for Pengcheng and set off north to Guanggu City on February 18th. Liu Huaishen was a humble and prudent person, and he got along harmoniously with the gentry in the city. He did not do anything wrong to the people. So when they learned that he was leaving, the people in the city came to see him off with their young and old.
Following Liu Yu's advice, Liu Huaishen spread the news widely, and all the merchants and people knew that the imperial decree appointed Liu Huaishen as the governor of Northern Jizhou.
When he arrived at Kaiyang City, Xiang Jing, the new governor of Langya, welcomed him into the city. Liu Huaishen asked Xiang Jing about the movements of Yong's army.
Xiang Jing said: "According to intelligence, Zhu Lingshi has left Linyi City. The current guard of Linyi City is Zhu Lingshi's general Feng Chong. There are about five thousand soldiers and horses in the city."
Liu Huaishen heard that Zhu Lingshi was not here and said: "Feng Chong is just an unknown general. Tomorrow I will lead his army to Linyi City and read out the imperial edict to take over Linyi. I understand that Feng Chong does not dare to resist the edict."
At Shenshi the next day, Liu Huaishen came to Linyi City with five thousand soldiers and horses. The gates of Linyi City were closed tightly. Liu Huaishen ordered people to shout to the city wall, "The new governor of Beiyi Prefecture has arrived."
After a short effort, the city gate opened, and a group of men and horses galloped out of the city. The leader had a white face and a black beard, wearing a military crown and leather armor. Liu Huaishen thought he was Feng Chong.
More than ten steps away, someone came to rein in his horse, clasped his fists and shouted loudly: "Don't drive Hu Fan from Northern Jizhou. He heard that the governor was coming, and came to greet the marquis. Please invite the governor Liu to follow you into the city."
Liu Huaishen was stunned and asked: "Hu Fan? Hu Daoxu?"
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Duke Yong did not object to the imperial court's appointment of Liu Huaishen as the governor of Northern Jizhou. Instead, he recommended Hu Fan to the imperial court as the governor of Northern Jizhou to succeed Miaoyuan, the former Northern Jizhou governor. Liu Huaishen knew about this before he left Pengcheng. .
Liu Huaishen thought that Yang Anxuan wanted to use Hu Fan to compete with him and compete for the power of Northern Jizhou. However, he was confident that as long as Yang Anxuan did not prevent him from entering Guanggu City, he would be able to defeat Hu Fan and control Northern Jizhou.
When he saw Hu Fan in Linyi City, Liu Huaishen was a little surprised. He clasped his fists in return and said, "When did Hu Biejia come to Linyi City?"
Hu Fan smiled and said: "I have been coming to Yi for three days, just to welcome Governor Liu."
Liu Huaishen had a bad feeling in his heart. He didn't think much about it at the moment. He just nodded and motioned for the army to follow him into the city.
Hu Fan said loudly: "Liu Prefect, wait a moment. It is natural for Liu Prefect to enter Linyi City, but it is not allowed to accompany troops and horses."
Liu Huaishen's face darkened and he said coldly: "Liu Taiwei has an order to order five thousand soldiers and horses to follow Yu to Guanggu to take up his post. What does Hu Biejia mean by blocking it? Could it be that he wants to disobey Taiwei?"
Hu Fan smiled slightly and said: "Yu learned that the decree was for Liu Jishi to go to his post, but he didn't say that he could bring Xuzhou soldiers and horses. The Song Gong's order was inconsistent with the regulations and was an arbitrary order. Liu Jishi stationed his troops and horses outside Linyi City, and Yu personally escorted them Governor Liu will go to Guanggu City to take up his post and ensure that Governor Liu remains unscathed."
If it were Tan Shao, he would definitely have sent troops to attack the city without saying a word. However, Liu Huaishen was cautious by nature and knew that Liu Yu and Yang Anxuan did not have the upper hand in the battle. The battle of Jingling relied on the imperial court to send out banners to stop the troops. If he attacked the city at this moment, Yang Anxuan would not have the upper hand. An excuse to send troops.
After pondering for a while, Liu Huaishen said coldly: "Since Hu Biejia is blocking the imperial troops from going to Guanggu City, I will not go there. Let's go back to Kaiyang City and wait for the imperial decree."
Hu Fan bowed respectfully and said, "I send you to Governor Liu."
Liu Huaishen returned to Kaiyang City and sent people to Jiankang to ask for instructions, and asked the court to issue an order for him to lead the army into Northern Jizhou.
Before Liu Huaishen's memorial arrived in Beijing, an urgent report from Tan Shao, the internal historian of Pengcheng and the prefect of Xiapi, was delivered to the Taiwei Mansion.
Tan Shao said that just after Liu Huaishen left Pengcheng, a group of water thieves appeared in Weishan Lake north of Pengcheng. This group of thieves attacked Qi County and Liu County on the lakeside.
At first, Tan Shao didn't care when he received the document asking for help from Liu County, and led 1,500 soldiers from Pengcheng to Liu County.
When he was attacked halfway through the journey, Tan Shao was surprised to find that although these thieves were dressed in tatters, their weapons were sharp and their advance and retreat were measured. They were no weaker than the soldiers and horses under his command.
This group of thieves numbered about five hundred. After a while of harassment, they retreated to the lake. Tan Shao pursued them. As a result, they strayed into the reeds and were burned to death by a fire, injuring five or six hundred people. The thieves took advantage of the situation and rushed out. Tan Shao was defeated. , only more than 400 of the 1,500 people fled back to Pengcheng.
The thieves quickly occupied Qi County and Liu County, recruiting troops and horses. There were traces of thieves near Peixian County, and their number was estimated to be more than 5,000.
At this time, there were only 3,000 troops and horses left in Pengcheng. Tan Shao quickly ordered the recruitment of 2,000 troops and horses from Xiapi to help, and urgently reported to Jiankang to recruit troops and horses from Guangling.
After Liu Yu read Tan Shao's urgent document, he said cheerfully: "What thieves are there? They are clearly Zhu Lingshi's troops. Yang Anxuan wants to seize Pengcheng while Huai Shen is gone, so that he can draw fire from the cauldron."
Some people died, but not completely...
