Yao Xing still didn't believe it: "Can you really pass through Lu Zongzhi's defense zone without being blocked?"
Tao Yuanming smiled and said: "Of course, as long as Your Majesty allows the garrison in the Central Plains to take some actions, such as stationing troops in Luoyang and pretending to assist Nanyan, then Lu Zongzhi will have a reason to mobilize the main force to defend Xiangyang. At this time, let Huan Qian The Qiang and Hu troops, led mainly by cavalry, quickly passed through Wuguan, crossed Nanyang, and headed straight for Jiangling. It was understandable that Lu Zongzhi could not stop him, and he could explain it to his superiors and subordinates. "
Yao Xing frowned: "But Lu Zongzhi is also a famous general. It is impossible for Wuguan to be undefended. If tens of thousands of troops really pass through Wuguan, he must think that we are going to seize his Yongzhou first, instead of thinking about It's just a transit, so he will definitely lead the army in Xiangyang back to fight. However, the Qiang and Hu people's army has always been undisciplined. They may plunder even in Daqin territory, let alone Yongzhou, if they encounter undefended people. They will definitely rob the city first and then talk about it."
Tao Yuanming smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, don't worry about this. Lu Zongzhi and I are old acquaintances. We have cooperated before when we were under Huan Xuan. Let him defend himself with troops, firmly guard Yongzhou, and not accept any Liu Yu The suggestion for an official position in the DPRK was also given to him by me. He should still have some trust in me. If I had told him the plan in advance to show my sincerity, Lu Zongzhi would definitely not do anything. At most, he would just make a show of it. The Qiang and Hu stragglers who were left behind to plunder were eliminated."
Yao Xing smiled and said, "How good is your relationship with Lu Zongzhi? Can he trust you on such a major military matter?"
Tao Yuanming said calmly: "When I was under Yin Zhongkan, my switch to Huan Xuan was to inform Lu Zongzhi in advance, so that he could capture Yin Zhongkan alive, and he also regarded me as a close friend. He didn't do anything about what happened back then. To betray me is to have enough trust in me. This time I will help him again and give him the opportunity to return to Jingzhou through Huan Qian and fully realize his independence. How can he oppose me? "
Yao Xing nodded with satisfaction: "If there is such a promise from Mr., then there is something that can be done. It will take some time to let Qiao Zong return to Huan Qian, and it will take at least three people to organize Longyou's Qiang and Hu troops to go to Jingzhou. More than three months, can Guanggu be able to defend it in these three months? If Liu Yu returns to the army early or sends elite troops to rescue Jingzhou, is this plan still feasible? You know, He Wuji in Jiangzhou and Yuzhou Meng Longfu has tens of thousands of elites."
Tao Yuanming said seriously: "The problem is not big. This involves the third key figure I mentioned, Sima Guofan. As long as he can go back to organize the rebel army and raise the banner against Liu Yu, then Jiangzhou, Yuzhou and other Wherever there is, there will inevitably be strong rebel forces."
Yao Xing was a little surprised: "Why are there forces supporting the Sima family in these places? Why don't Jingzhou and Yangzhou have such forces?"
Tao Yuanming smiled slightly: "Because Yuzhou has always been at the border with the north, and the people are complicated. Many people who could not survive in the Jin State fled to Yuzhou. It is at the border with the Qin State, the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the Southern Yan State, just like the Huan State. There are some remnants of the clan and some old thieves from Tianshi Dao, who are now lurking on the border of Huaihe and Huaihe in the north of Yuzhou. Sima Guofan sneaked back to Jin State and went to this northern Henan area to set up a banner against King Liu Qin. , to recruit these forces, they and Liu Yu are not at odds with each other, and once there is a co-owner, they will immediately come to join him."
Yao Xing laughed: "Just rely on Sima Guofan? What virtue and ability can he have to make the rebels, bandits, and even many barbarians in northern Henan and Huaihe surrender? You know, these people are on the border of the Four Kingdoms. Even Liu Yu, a desperado who can get along well, will listen to him when a Sima clan defectes from the clan?"
Tao Yuanming smiled and said: "It is because these people are tough and difficult to control and are not convinced by each other, so the fights and attacks among themselves are often more fierce than those with Liu Yu. Although everyone knows that this is not a long-term solution, the reality is In order to seize territory and tribesmen, they still had to fight, so what they needed was a big banner and a righteous name so that everyone would be willing to work for it. These rebels all had a grudge against Liu Yu, so We need people like Sima Guofan to give them a title, and in addition to the title, they also need practical benefits, which are nothing more than weapons, food and grass. His Majesty can also give them all, but they are only equipment for ten or twenty thousand people. , there are plenty of them in Luoyang’s arsenal, and giving them to these rebels is enough to make them feel at ease to serve you.”
Yao Xing sighed: "There are 20,000 Qiang Hu on the left and tens of thousands of rebels on the right. I have to provide food, grass and weapons, but they have to be in other people's names. Is this really worth it to me? Let's talk about Sima Kingdom. Fan is just a traitor, are those bandits and bandits in northern Henan really willing to defect to him? He is not Liu Jingxuan, even if he has a reputation for bravery, he is not worthy of mention."
A meaningful look flashed across Tao Yuanming's eyes: "As long as he is willing to raise the flag, there will be other forces that will use his flag to secretly join some of his desperadoes in northern Henan. The chaos in the country has never been just a matter of these bandits themselves, there have always been shadows of aristocratic families behind them, I’m afraid your Majesty doesn’t know this yet.”
Yao Xing was a little surprised: "There is still this matter? Where do we start talking about this?"
Tao Yuanming smiled slightly: "In the Jin Dynasty, aristocratic families always have to appear with two faces. On the surface, they are in charge of the country. They must abide by the law and strictly abide by their own regulations. Their fields and the number of slaves are also determined by their titles and official positions. Yes, these people are all in the imperial register and may be inspected at any time, unless they are hiding in their own manors."
Yao Xing smiled and said: "If the aristocratic families in the Jin State were as observant as you said, most of the country's resources would not be in their hands. I understand what you mean. You mean these aristocratic families, In addition to the conditions stipulated by the law, there are also many hidden households, and even criminal thieves with lives on their hands. These people dare not really put them in their own manors, and many of them are placed in northern Henan, Lianghuai and other areas without care. , I usually give you some money and food supplies, and when I need them, I will call them back, right?"
Tao Yuanming smiled and said: "That's right. In fact, the same was true for Liu Laozhi and others back then. On the surface, they were refugee commanders. They had their own fortresses and subordinates in places like Huaibei, but when they really wanted to form an army, they would raise When the stronghold surrenders to the army, or when they want to do dirty work such as assassination, they will also find desperadoes from these places to participate. This has been the case for Jin aristocratic families for many years. Strong soldiers will be found from Huaibei and Henan, while civilians and logistics will be found from Wudi Manor is recruiting!"
