Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 50 Lanling
Liu Guangzhi and Liu Heipi were disheveled, their clothes were stained with blood, their ring-handled swords were full of holes, and their scabbards were lost.

It can be seen that their journey has not been easy.

Guangling and Jingkou were already in such chaos, not to mention Lanling in the north.

Liu Daogui asked Liu Zhen and Liu Zun to stay outside to prevent anyone from eavesdropping. "What's the situation over there?"

Liu Guangzhi and Liu Heibi exchanged a glance. "The imperial court has established the General Jianwei's Office in Langya State, but it can only govern Langya County. The imperially appointed Lanling Governor has been hiding in Langya County to this day, and some county magistrates have been expelled..."

The Taishan bandits, the beggar army, and the refugee army are not simple people.

At the end of the Han Dynasty, the Taishan bandits led by Zang Ba and Sun Guan dominated the area and were the targets of Tao Qian, Lu Bu and Cao Cao's efforts to win them over.

Needless to say, the Qihuo Army, who had followed Ran Min, the Martial Heavenly King, had directly exterminated Shi Hu's entire clan. With one order to exterminate the Hu people, a bloody storm ensued in the north. In just three days, 200,000 Hu people in Yecheng were killed. Thereafter, fighting continued day and month after day, wiping out the Jie tribe. Millions of Hu people fled to the grasslands, suffering countless casualties. This was a ray of hope for the Chinese people...

The weakest refugee army also lived in clan-based groups, and they were extremely united. They stubbornly resisted the Xiongnu and Jie people south of the Yellow River. The refugee leader Su Jun once broke through Jiankang...

The Northern Palace was also organized by the refugee leader Xi Jian.

Liu Daogui's grandfather was also a member of the refugee army, leading the people of Pengcheng all the way to Jingkou.

"How much have you figured out about the local tyrants in Lanling?" Liu Daogui became more interested in Lanling.

The more chaotic a place is, the more opportunities there are.

Jiangzuo was not in chaos, but it had become a stagnant pool.

"The strongest are the beggars Zhang Hu and Xu Chite, with over 1,700 men and three forts. Next are the refugee army led by Cao Tengyun, with over 800 Cao clan members occupying the city of Xi. All the men, women, and children in the clan are skilled in the art of archery and swordsmanship. They serve as soldiers in wartime and as farmers in their spare time. They have even driven out the county magistrate and prefecture governor. Then there are the Taishan bandits, said to number over 10,000, scattered across the various Taishan strongholds, but they are not united and often attack each other. Others include the Lanling tyrants Sun Yan, Xiao Tingzhi, and others..."

The two of them had been there for such a long time that they had found out everything they needed to know.

During the Five Barbarians' invasion of China, the four counties of Lanling, Langya, Taishan and Donghai became sites of chaos.

The population in this area either died in battle or migrated south, leaving the villages deserted and the land barren.

During the Jie Zhao period, Shi Hu moved the captured beggar soldiers and refugees to the Lanling area, implemented military farming and reclamation, and served as both soldiers and civilians to defend against the Jin Dynasty.

Decades of reproduction and development have led to the strong character of the people here. After the leader of the Qihuo Army, Ran Zhan, died in battle, his son Ran Min was named Duke of Lanling. Ran Min used Lanling as a base to expand his power, and eventually overthrew the Jie Zhao and exterminated the Jie tribe.

Although Shi Hu and Ran Min have become a thing of the past, the custom of bravery and fighting in Lanling County has not changed.

"The Lanling hero Xiao Tingzhi?" Liu Zhong looked at Liu Daogui.

Liu Daogui was stunned. Isn’t this like a flood that has washed away the Dragon King Temple? Family members don’t recognize each other anymore?
Isn’t his uncle Xiao Yuanzhi from the Lanling Xiao family?
One is South Lanling and the other is North Lanling, both are Jin territory, so the two Xiao families should have some dealings with each other.

People of this generation attach the most importance to clan.

Xiao Tingzhi and Xiao Yuanzhi are of the same generation no matter how you look at it.

If he wanted to gain a foothold in Lanling, it was not impossible with the few broken swords in his hands, but it would take more effort to achieve twice the result with half the effort. If he could establish a relationship with the Xiao family, things would be much simpler.

"I'll write a letter right now, and A Zhong will go to Jiankang to find my uncle Xiao Yuanzhi." Liu Daogui slapped his thigh.

There must be a way to the front of the mountain.

The poor family has no family background and no power, but they have the clan supporting them.

There are no poor families in the upper class, and there are no noble families in the lower class.

The huge gap between the poor and the gentry also made the poor stick together for warmth and become intertwined with each other.

"I'll go right away!" Liu Zhong didn't delay for a moment.

"Take Azhen with you and teach him more." Liu Daogui did not forget his "little uncle".

"I'm just sitting around doing nothing. I know a little about swimming, so why don't I take some people out to sea first? If I come back early, we can go north together." Liu Guangzhi couldn't stay idle as soon as he came back.

Liu Daogui knew that he was a person who loved fighting and killing, but the sea was different from the land and the risks were greater.

"You should rest for a few days first. I will ask my uncle Zhao Lunzhi and Li Damu to pick some people who are proficient in water." It is the end of the year now. If we want to go to Lanling, we have to wait until the beginning of spring in February at least.

We still have to wait for Xiao Yuanzhi's reply.

Zhao Lunzhi is a reliable person and he is also my uncle, so it would be best for him to lead the group.

Liu Daogui also wanted to conduct a test of obedience to see how many people were willing to board his boat...

The troops in the expedition were divided into four groups: front, back, left, and right.

The front part is composed of Huan Hong's confidants. Although there is a Zhou Zheng, he is suppressed and excluded by Huan Chengzhi, so he cannot be relied on for the time being.

Although Sima Tan Shao of the Right Department was an old acquaintance of Liu Daogui in Jingkou, he was somewhat unsure of his thoughts.

The only one who can help is Gao Xun's left wing, who is basically one of our own.

In the rear, there are Zhao Lunzhi and Li Damu. Although they are only dubo, they are quite prestigious among the soldiers, while Sima Xijizhi in the rear is just a figurehead.

Liu Daogui has been here for so long, but I have never met him in person.

Regardless of distance, develop close relatives first.

Liu Daogui would rather eat his meal one bite at a time than involve himself in unstable people and forces.

That night, Liu Daogui secretly met with Zhao Lunzhi and Li Damu in Gao Xun's left military camp.

Things are accomplished through secrecy, and ruined through disclosure. Success comes from thinking, and planning comes from deep thought.

If you get too close to the people behind you, you will inevitably be noticed by those who are paying attention.

"Go fishing in the sea?" Zhao Lunzhi opened his eyes wide.

"The day will come when the food and fodder will run out. Our only way to survive is to go to the sea." Liu Daogui did not beat around the bush.

Everyone knew the current situation of the Third Battalion of the Central Army. They were so poor that they were practically starving. They could barely make ends meet, and the few acres of land they had could barely support their entire family. Furthermore, Huan Daozhen was targeting them...

In Guangling, not to mention fishing, you can't even cut down a single blade of grass.

Zhao Lunzhi and Li Damu looked at each other in surprise.

Liu Daogui continued to persuade: "A tree that is moved will die, but a person who moves will live. I have already contacted the people of Tianshi Dao. They will send a boat to help. Let's go with some other people. Don't worry about whether it's decent or not. The most important thing is to make sure our brothers have enough food."

"Okay, I'll listen to you and join the army!" Li Damu slapped his thigh.

Zhao Lunzhi's eyes flashed, "Are the people of Tianshi Dao...reliable?"

Liu Daogui thought of Yunxiu in his mind. It seemed that the Tianshi Dao had always wanted to win him over and had no reason to murder him.

People from the Tianshi Dao are definitely more reliable than those from the government.

However, Liu Daogui did not say anything definitive, "In this day and age, who cares whether it is reliable or not? Let's take it one step at a time."

"We'll do whatever you say. The food we've been given will only last the brothers two months. Going out to sea is also a way to survive."

Zhao Lunzhi finally compromised.

Without oil and water, food is consumed very quickly.

Although there are many shrimps and crabs along the Yangtze River, they are not as fat as pigs and sheep, so few people eat them. However, the fish in the sea are big and fat, no worse than pigs and sheep.

"Count me in." Gao Xun also joined in.

The old soldiers under his command also had a hard time.

(End of this chapter)