Chinese New Year

Chapter 623 Never Peace
"I can't stay in Youzhou for too long. Things here need to be resolved as soon as possible." After returning to Jicheng, Shao Xun called Yuan Jun's staff and said, "Who can go to Dai County and help me solve my problems?"

Zao Song, Zhu Shuo, You Tong and You Xi understood as soon as they heard it that Lord Chen did not want to go to war with Tuoba Xianbei, at least not now.

In fact, it is understandable if you think about it. There are only more than 800,000 hu of grain. Why fight? Can't we just get by this year?

"My lord, I am willing to go with you." Lu Shen said.

Shao Xun pondered for a while and nodded.

Lu Shen is more suitable than anyone else.

His father Lu Zhi and Liu Kun were brothers-in-law, and Liu Kun had a good relationship with Tuoba Yilu. Whether Lu Shen's mission would succeed or not was another matter, but at least his personal safety would be greatly increased.

"Zili, tell the Tuoba clan that Liu Yueshi gave Dai County to Yilu as a fiefdom out of generosity, but the court did not agree. In addition, Yanmen was a county of the court, and Liu Yueshi ceded it privately, which was also against the rules." Shao Xun said, "Why are you eyeing Changshan now? The Jin soldiers fought hard to obtain the county, and if you want to take it away, you have to pay with blood."

Lu Shen understood and accepted it with a bow.

This is a scam!

Lord Chen didn't want to fight, but he put on a tough attitude and made it clear that if you dare to extend your claws to Jizhou, I will chop you off with one knife. Do you dare to try?
It's a competition of heartbeats. Whoever blinks first loses.

Shao Xun felt a little emotional.

When he first formulated the Northern Expedition plan this year, he did not think of taking Youzhou because he was worried about getting into new trouble.

Everything in the world has its pros and cons. It is impossible for you to enjoy only the benefits without any disadvantages.

How can you take over Youzhou without any karma? Are you God's biological son?
But the prospect described by Lu Zhi was too good. He could get five counties without spending a single soldier. After careful calculation, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages, so he finally made up his mind to take it down.

If he took over Youzhou, he would also take over all the troubles in Youzhou, so he had to be mentally prepared for this.

The Tuoba Xianbei had long been involved in the affairs of Youzhou. The Duan tribe and the Murong Xianbei were also entrenched in Youzhou. The forces were complicated and this was the problem.

The trouble needs to be solved step by step. Going into war with Tuoba Xianbei now will only make the Huns smile.

But then again, if the Tuoba clan wants to fight, then they can fight. Without this attitude, it is impossible to achieve peace.

Liu Han, the governor of Youzhou, and Yang Dan, the internal historian of Gaoyang who was about to take office, were also present. When they saw how resolute Shao Xun was, they had a new understanding of his style.

"Let's discuss the matter of the Duan tribe." Shao Xun said, "Yesterday, the Murong Xianbei arrived and agreed to attack the Duan clan. What do you think?"

"My lord, the Murong Xianbei are very ambitious. They want to eliminate their old enemy in one fell swoop." You Tong had been an official in Youzhou for many years and was very clear about the mess between the three Xianbei clans: Yuwen, Murong and Duan.

"Murong's intention is definitely not a sudden one, perhaps they have been planning for a long time." Zhu Shuo sighed: "Liaoxi is a regular county, first controlled by the Duan tribe, then fell into the hands of Murong, and now they are reaching out to Beiping. Their ambition is unstoppable."

"Who doesn't have ambitions?" Zao Song said with a wry smile, "Youzhou is too weak, and there is nothing we can do about it. Tuoba Xianbei fought so many battles for the imperial court. If there is no reward for Dai County, I'm afraid they will not be willing to fight the Xiongnu. Murong clan is also ambitious. Changli and Liaoxi are in their hands, so what's so strange about taking Beiping?"

"Your Excellency, you must not let the Murong clan interfere." Yang Dan frowned and said, "The Duan tribe has 100,000 people, which is not a small number. If they are defeated by the Murong clan and the chieftains are killed, the remaining herdsmen and herdsmen can all be annexed by the Murong clan. In this way, the Murong clan will be greatly strengthened and will become more uncontrollable."

"Mingsir, Youzhou still has 800,000 bushels of grain. If we send out tens of thousands of soldiers, it will be enough to sustain us for two or three months. We may be able to attack them."

"Mingsir, we cannot let the Murong family enter Beiping."

"Ming Gong..."

It can be seen that the generals and officers of Youzhou are really a little anxious.

In this world, who is really willing to give up their own interests to please others?

Once Murong Xianbei entered Youzhou, the situation was completely different from when Chen Gong occupied Youzhou.

The Murong clan had their own tribe, which was very powerful. At the same time, they also had many scholars and refugees who had come to them. Once they took control of Youzhou, they would inevitably place a large number of their own people in positions to occupy the official positions of the local people in Youzhou.

Even more, a large number of Xianbei tribes migrated inland, completely changing the population structure of Youzhou, and competed with the fort commanders and even ordinary people for fields, pastures, and forests.

But Mr. Chen couldn't do that.

To put it bluntly, his rule over the entire Youzhou was actually a vassal state. Unless he moved soldiers and civilians from Henan to serve as his base, he would not be able to truly change the current situation.

Comparing the two, it becomes clear what to do.

"Mengsun." Shao Xun glanced at Zhang Bin, who was sitting in the corner and keeping a low profile, and asked, "What's your plan?"

Seeing that he was being called, Zhang Bin could not remain invisible any longer, so he could only say, "Your Excellency, you can spread the news that Murong Xianbei is going to attack Beiping. This will surely cause panic among the Duan tribe, and things will be much easier to handle."

"Hmm..." Shao Xun thought for a moment and praised, "This is a good plan."

Everyone has more or less an idea of ​​the current status of the Duan tribe of the Xianbei.

The internal situation is definitely fragmented, and Liaoxi County Duke Duan Jilujuan cannot control everyone. He and powerful figures such as Duan Mobo, Duan Shefuchen, Duan Pidi, and Duan Wenyang each have their own thoughts, and not everyone is necessarily single-minded.

Applying a little pressure appropriately could promote internal division among the Duan clan Xianbei, making a real fight much easier.

"This matter can be dealt with immediately." Shao Xun said, "What other plans are there?" "Mingsir." The elder Liu Han suddenly spoke, "Mingsir, you said before that we should use both suppression and appeasement against the Duan army. I think that appeasement should be the main method, and suppression should be supplementary. Now most of the armies are scattered. There are only two armies in Jicheng, the Black Cang and the Yicong armies, with no more than 10,000 people. Zhangwu has the Silver Spear Army, but there are only a few thousand people, which is not enough. At this critical moment of life and death for the Duan army, it must be a desperate fight. Are these more than 10,000 soldiers and horses enough? Moreover--"

Liu Han mentioned something that no one else had mentioned, but it was something that must be guarded against: "What if Murong Xianbei came with all his men and attacked you directly? How would you respond?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's face changed, even Shao Xun's expression became solemn.

A little deduction will show that this is not impossible.

It is possible that the Duan tribe of the Xianbei surrendered to the Murong Xianbei in desperation. In the past few years, countless clan leaders and their people have surrendered to the Murong Xianbei.

The only people who are really difficult to rely on are the top leaders of the tribe, and it is hard to say what the matter is.

If Murong Xianbei annexed the Duan clan and attacked directly towards Jicheng, could you really withstand it?

The Yicong Army might have been directly defeated and dispersed.

Most of the more than 4,000 Black Sword troops would be wiped out.

The Silver Spear Right Camp cannot hold its own and the possibility of its destruction is high.

By that time, not only will Youzhou be in trouble, but even Jizhou will face turmoil, which will be a huge loss.

Of course, Shao Xun seemed to have more than 10,000 soldiers to call upon, after all, there were still people in Youzhou. But the Yan soldiers were quite afraid of the Xianbei, so it was hard to guess how much they could contribute.

When the war is going unfavorably, it is possible that everyone will scatter in panic.

To put it bluntly, don't operate it improperly, or the tiger's skin will be exposed, otherwise the situation will become complicated.

After all, you are using silver spears, black masks, and the three armies of volunteers to intimidate the uncertain Youzhou soldiers and other Hu people. Once your tiger skin is exposed and the myth of your invincibility is shattered, they will become disloyal.

Shao Xun stood up and paced around the room twice.

His eyes met Zhang Bin, who nodded slightly.

He just proposed only one strategy: to widely spread the news that Murong Xianbei was going to attack Duan clan, and it was obvious that the main approach was to appease them.

But I couldn't figure out Shao Xun's train of thought, so I didn't offer any further suggestions.

"Shi Lun." Shao Xun looked at Yang Yu and said.

"I am here."

"Years ago, an envoy came to Peking, but failed to persuade the people to surrender. Are you willing to make another trip?" Shao Xun asked.

"When will we set off?"

"After I send out my troops, we can go." Shao Xun said, "If you are willing to surrender, I can give you three garrison commanders, who can help them capture Liaoxi and drive out the Murong Xianbei in the future."

"As ordered."

"Taiwanese products." Shao Xun said again: "You go to Xuwu and contact the various tribes in Beiping."

"As ordered."

"Guangming, how many tribal cavalry can be recruited at this time of year?" Shao Xun asked.

"The grass hasn't turned green yet, and the Hu people are in a lot of trouble. I'm afraid it will be difficult." You Tong said honestly: "If we give them money and food to lure them, maybe we can gather more than 10,000 cavalry."

"Recruit as many people as possible," Shao Xun said, "the sooner the better."

These tribal soldiers knew of the great reputation of the Xianbei and knew they could not fight a tough battle, but they could not do without them, and could not live without them.

"The five towns of Feilong Mountain, Puyang Mountain, Yijing, Wuqiang, and Lukou will each lead 2,000 cavalry to join us." Shao Xun made the final decision: "The troops should come quickly, but be dispatched slowly. We should use both suppression and appeasement, with appeasement being the main approach."

After that, he waved his hand and said, "You guys discuss it carefully again and find out what's missing."

Zhang Bin looked at Shao Xun silently.

I wonder if Mr. Chen regretted taking Youzhou so early.

If I hadn't taken Youzhou, I wouldn't have so many troubles.

After taking Youzhou, we will have to face the Xianbei directly.

Probably after Murong learned about the change of situation in Youzhou last year, he began planning to attack Duan's tribe.

They have no friendship with you, so it is difficult to say what their specific attitude is.

In addition, there is a more powerful Yuwen Xianbei waiting nearby. It is highly unlikely that they will go south, but what if?
Youzhou, we should not start another war, otherwise there will be no peace.

(End of this chapter)