Jizhou, Xindu.
When Cui Qiong returned from Julu County and told Liu Yu that Liu Yan, the governor of Shanxi and Hebei Province, had rejected his request for peace, he felt a little confused.
Especially when Cui Qiong told him about the arrogant attitude of Suotou Xianbei who came with Liu Yan, Liu Yu felt even more puzzled.
"That Suotou Xianbei really said that?"
Liu Yu confirmed it again.
Cui Qiong nodded and said.
"Yes, Your Majesty, that's what the Suotou Xianbei chief said indeed. His words were arrogant, as if he already regarded Julu County as his own."
"What is this Liu Yan thinking? Doesn't he know the military power of my big man?"
Xi Jian next to him was also puzzled.
According to normal logic, Liu Yu's Qingzhou Han army has repeatedly defeated the Hu barbarians, and now they have just defeated the Hu Han general Shi Le's troops in Qinghe. Even Jie Hu Shile, who had been stubborn for several years, has been lost to the rebel army. Among them, under such a prestigious reputation, the Jin general Liu Yan, whose own power was inferior to that of Shi Le, should stay away from Liu Yu's Han army, even if he did not flee.
Unexpectedly, Liu Yan did not hesitate to attract Tuoba Xianbei to go south to seize Jizhou's territory, as if he did not take Liu Yu's Han army into consideration at all.
Liu Yu, who was also confused, had to turn his head and make a hard guess as to why Liu Yan did this.
"Liu Yanshi was promoted to the imperial family because of his loyalty. Maybe in his eyes, we are no different from the Huns in Bingzhou."
Finally, Liu Yu expressed his guess based on vague memories from history.
Historically, after the fall of the Western Jin Dynasty, only Liu Kun and a few other weak remnants of the Jin army were left in the entire northern Central Plains. Among them, Liu Yan, Liu Kun's nephew, can be regarded as the most resilient of them all.
Liu Yan used his troops very methodically, and repeatedly killed and wounded Jiehu Shile's troops in Yanzhou and Jizhou, but in the end he was unable to defeat the captives alone. The defeated army lost ground and defected to the Jin general Shao Xu who was defending Yanci City in Jizhou, and finally fought with Yanci Jin Together with the army, they died in Jiehu's final offensive.
As a remnant of the army left in the north, the enemy they faced was unprecedentedly powerful.
Except for a few sporadic Jin army forces in the southern part of the Central Plains, the entire Central Plains has fallen into the hands of the Hulu.
Faced with such a critical situation, Liu Yan once had a chance to survive. He could either surrender to the Hulu on his own initiative, or he could surrender after failing to fight.
Anyway, at that time, most of the numerous aristocratic families or poor families in the north did this.
But Liu Yan didn't hesitate at all. From his initial show of strength, he quickly turned into repeated defeats, and until the final defeat of the city and the death of people, he never thought of surrendering.
It was because of this memory that Liu Yu sent Cui Qiong to convey goodwill to Jin general Liu Yan, thinking that both sides would be fine for the time being. After all, they both had a common enemy, which was the Huns and Han in Bingzhou and their lackeys. Group of deer.
"No matter why Liu Yan had the courage to act like this, I'm afraid there will really be another war in Julu County."
Liu Yu said with some pity.
He had just sent Zhang Jack and others to collect taxes in Julu County and Anping County, and gave the Wubao villages that paid the taxes the right to fly the Xuanlong flag of the Emperor Han Dynasty. In other words, as long as the taxes were paid, these Wubao villages would The villages will be protected by the Han army.
Whenever a city, fort or village flying the Emperor Han Xuanlong flag is attacked, the Han army has the obligation to protect these Han people who have paid taxes.
Liu Yu's original consideration was that he had just defeated Shi Le's troops and was in the limelight in Jizhou. It was normal to send troops to collect some taxes, money and food. Then he used the gimmick of protecting taxpayers, and You can build a reputation for yourself.
After all, most of the time, reputation is based on comparison. The previous Jin Dynasty taxed and paid grain, but the people of Jizhou fell into the hands of the Huru and suffered. The subsequent Hu and Han rebellions are even more incomparable. Yes, it was a direct grab.
Today, Liu Yu's Han army also collects taxes and asks for money and food, but they give them an Emperor Han Xuanlong flag, claiming that they will be protected by the powerful Han army from then on.
Originally, Liu Yu felt that he was a tiger descending from the mountain. How could the people around him dare to touch the big tiger's butt? This was a sure-fire business.
Unexpectedly, this Jin general Liu Yan, as if he had not seen his past glorious achievements, came to kill him so simply and crudely.
"So, I have to lead the army to meet Liu Yan and those Suotou Xianbei again." Liu Yu said impatiently.
At this time, Cui Qiong, the governor of Julu County next to him, spoke.
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this matter does not need to involve so many troops and so many people."
After hearing Cui Qiong's words, Liu Yu immediately asked.
"Ziyu, do you have any good ideas that don't involve raising troops?"
Now the Han army under Liu Yu has just plundered a batch of food, grass and baggage, but most of it was used to reward the soldiers and civilians who killed Hu, and a new batch of soldiers were recruited from them. These people also need to be trained and consume money and food. .
If Cui Qiong could find a way to allow Liu Yan to lead his army to retreat without mobilizing the army, Liu Yu would naturally want it.
"Your Majesty, I am going to Liu Yan's army this time. I see that most of his troops are Suotou Xianbei from Daijun. Although these Suolu are brave in riding and shooting, they are mostly light cavalry. Nowadays, the scattered people in Julu County There are almost no Dingkou, and everyone has gathered to build forts to defend them. With the military strength of Suotou Xianbei, it may be difficult to break through these forts."
Cui Qiong said confidently.
Hearing what Cui Qiong said, Liu Yu nodded and agreed.
Tuoba Xianbei had previously been active on the grasslands outside the Great Wall. In the previous battles south, the Huns from He Bingzhou fought in the wild. Its own ability to attack cities and demolish strongholds can be said to be almost the weakest.
"However, I have just collected taxes in Julu County, given them the Han flag, and promised to protect them. If I allow Suotou Xianbei to attack Wubao City, but sit back and do nothing, I can only let them withdraw their troops on their own. I’m afraid I can’t explain it to the people of Jizhou, so wouldn’t I be breaking my trust with the people of Jizhou?”
Now this matter has become Liu Yu's biggest headache. If he cannot fulfill the promise he just made, it will simply destroy his reputation.
Once he breaks his trust with the people of Jizhou, then many of his future government orders will probably come to nothing.
If this were the case, there would be no way to compete for the important population from the powerful dock owners.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. If I carry out my plan, I'm afraid Liu Yan and Suotou Xianbei will have to retreat before they can capture a city."
Cui Qiong said.
"Oh, tell me quickly." Liu Yu said.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Sun Wei of Youzhou in Zhangwu County has led his army to change his flag and submit to the Han."
"Yes, I have sent some troops to support the defense." Liu Yu said.
"Your Majesty, now that Sun Wei of Zhangwu County has surrendered, he can be ordered to mobilize a large number of troops to attack Liu Yan's Zhongshan County," Cui Qiong said.
When Cui Qiong said this, Liu Yu immediately waved his hand and said with some disappointment.
"I already understand what Ziyu said. He must be following the strategy of besieging Wei and rescuing Zhao."
When her words were interrupted by Liu Yu, Cui Qiong was not unhappy at all, but listened to Liu Yu's words very patiently.
Liu Yu continued, "However, this strategy of besieging Wei and rescuing Zhao is a good one, but Sun Wei and others in Zhangwu County have too few troops. Liu Yan must have known that even if he raised troops, it would be difficult to deter him. Moreover, Zhangwu County is across Zhongshan. The county is also a bit far away, so it’s hard to scare Liu Yan.”
After Liu Yu finished speaking, he felt a little disappointed.
He thought in his mind that although this Cui Qiong was born in the Cui family of Qinghe, had a lot of knowledge of classics and history, and was proficient in military affairs, he was still a bit of a strategist.
After listening to Liu Yu's words, Cui Qiong continued speaking calmly.
"Your Majesty, what I just said was just a side note to boost my momentum. I haven't finished talking about this really important matter yet."
Liu Xu blushed when he heard this. It seemed that he was a little anxious just now and actually interrupted Cui Qiong's words.
"I'm getting impatient now, so I'd like to ask Ziyu to continue." Liu Yu said pleasantly.
"Instructing Sun Wei of Zhangwu County to raise troops and build momentum is just one of them. The most important link is not in Zhangwu County, but in Boling County!" Cui Qiong said.
"Boling County?" Liu Yu thought softly.
"Yes, it's Boling County."
"Ziyu, although Boling County is close to Zhongshan County, it can go straight to Liu Yan's confidants, but how on earth should we do it?" Liu Yu's expression became solemn.
Boling County is close to Zhongshan County, but Liu Yu's troops cannot reach it for the time being, and he does not know the forces in the county. Even if he sends troops north to pass through Boling County, it is probably very unrealistic.
"The leader of the high-ranking families in Boling County is the Boling Cui family, my ancestor from Qinghe. I wonder if your majesty has ever known it?" Cui Qiong said.
"The Bolingcui family?"
Hearing what Cui Qiong said, Liu Yu and Xi Jian next to him looked at each other. They already understood what Cui Qiong was thinking.
"The Bolingcui family is a family that has been passed down for generations, and I naturally know about it."
Liu Yu said immediately.
Today's Cui Qiong, the prefect of Julu County in the Han Dynasty, is from the Cui family of Qinghe. His ancestors are derived from the surname Jiang. He was called the Cui family because of the fiefdom of Cui Yi. He fled to the state of Lu for refuge and succeeded him as the world minister of the state of Lu. Officials continued to change. In the Qin Dynasty, Cui Ming's son Cui Liang's 15th generation grandson Cui Yiru served as the doctor of Qin. His eldest son Cui Boji settled in Dongwucheng County, Qinghe County during the Western Han Dynasty. Later generations became "Cui family of Qinghe".
The "Boling Cui family" mentioned by Cui Qiong is Cui Zhongmo, the 15th grandson of Cui Liang, the son of Cui Ming, and the second son of Cui Yiru. This Cui Zhongmo settled in Anping County, Zhuo County during the Western Han Dynasty and gradually developed. Because Anping County later belonged to Boling County, in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, it was called the "Boling Cui Family" by the world.
"Your Majesty, now Cui Yi and Cui Kuo of the Boling Cui family have great talents. However, since the civil strife among the kings of the Jin Dynasty, they have repeatedly encountered difficulties in their official careers and encountered great chaos in the world. They have talents and knowledge but nowhere to use them. I The two of them share the same ancestry and have traveled together as classmates in the past. As long as I go to speak for His Majesty, I can definitely accept these two for Your Majesty's use."
Cui Qiong said confidently.
"Cui Yi, Cui Kuo?"
Hearing these two names, Liu Yu had no impression at all. It was obvious that these two people did not leave any famous names in history.
Of course, judging from the troubled times in the late Western Jin Dynasty, ordinary talents can be regarded as powerful if they can save their own lives. If they can leave a great reputation, they can be regarded as the leaders of the world.
"Since Ziyu said this, of course I believe it, but I don't know how big the Qudingkou is in the middle of the Bolingcui clan? Is it enough to be used?" Liu Yu asked.
This kind of thing has to be asked. Although the Bolingcui family is a wealthy family, but if it is a well-educated scholar inherited from Jingshi Ziji, and there is no one in the family who knows military affairs, even if there is a Dingkou tribe, it will be of little use.
If that's the case, Liu Yu will have to find a way on his own.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. Cui Yi and Cui Kuo are both well-educated men in history, but they are also proficient in military science. They have served in the Jin Dynasty, King Zhao and the shogunate of Chengdu. They are not inexperienced. A clear talker."
Hearing what Cui Qiong said, Liu Yu understood a little bit.
It seems that these two talents of the "Bolingcui Clan" should have some talents. At least they should have no problem commanding the private soldiers of their own clan.
However, the problem of 'taking sides' between the two Boling Cui clan is a huge lack of skill points.
First, it was Sima Lun, the king of Zhao who usurped the throne, and then Sima Ying, the king of Chengdu, who severely attacked the emperor. No wonder these two became more and more depressed as they became officials, so much so that they even stayed at home together and were unemployed.
"Okay, since Ziyu said so, I think this opportunity is feasible!"
Liu Yu said immediately.
"But who does Ziyu plan to send to Boling and his party?"
Cui Qiong cupped his hands and said.
"It's a very important matter, so naturally I'll go there in person."
"Okay, in that case, Lao Ziyu is here. When they arrived in Boling County, Ziyu told them that now the Han Dynasty has risen in compliance with the destiny. It is a matter of thirsty for talents. If this succeeds, all the titles and titles will be lost. That’s it!”
Liu Yu knew that if the Bolingcui clan could lead the people to join him, it would not only immediately threaten Zhongshan County, Liu Yan's base, but also attract a huge force of help to himself.
The Boling Cui family's history in Boling County is even earlier than that of the Qinghe Cui family. Although it is not as prestigious as the Qinghe Cui family, there have been few rebellions in Boling County in recent years, and the Boling Cui family's strength has greatly defeated them. Cui family in Qinghe.
What's more, a high-ranking family like the Bolingcui family is not just one family, but has many in-laws and disciples.
As long as the Bolingcui clan can join him, Liu Yu believes that it will be easier to recruit powerful families in Youzhou and Jizhou.
After all, the Qinghe Cui family's surrender meant that the Han army in Qingzhou had arrived and had to surrender. However, the Boling Cui family in Boling County had to surrender, which had a different meaning.
That is the charm of Liu Yu. It is self-cultivation of benevolence that makes people from far away come to him. This is a great "king way".
