Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 68 Humanity
"Father, I think what he said makes some sense. Right now, the Jin is strong and the Hu are weak. We can't be as domineering as before. Besides, the Northern Army is in Pengcheng and will attack us in a few days... And I think this General Liu is very capable. He defeated Duan Feihu's troops and annexed Chishan Stronghold right after his arrival."

The younger member of the Cao family behind him advised.

This person was none other than Cao Ji, the eldest son of the Cao family. He had just exchanged two moves with Liu Daogui on the city wall.

If Cao Tengyun had not stationed soldiers in the city, the hearts of the people in the city would have been taken away by others.

"This boy is truly extraordinary, which is why I placed him in Lushui Pond to drive away the wolves and devour the tigers, and to deal with Zhang Fo Nu and Bai Longzi."

Cao Ji frowned, "Father, this is our fault. It's a pleasure to have friends coming from afar, isn't it? He is from the Liu family of Pengcheng. If something really happened to him, would Liu Laozhi of Pengcheng let us go?"

In the past two years, Cao Tengyun has been in charge of the major affairs of the Cao family, but he is in poor health, so Cao Ji is actually responsible for all the miscellaneous matters inside and outside the Cao family.

In the past, under the Di Qin, there were laws and stability, and the Cao family lived a decent life.

But since the fall of Di Qin and Murong Chui's annexation of Yan and Qing states, Lanling and Langya counties have been exposed to the Xianbei people.

The Xianbei people did not know how to farm, they only knew how to rob, and they often went south, making life difficult for the Cao family.

Two years ago in the autumn, the Xianbei cavalry marched south, and Cao Tengyun led his men to resist. Although he defeated the enemy, he was also seriously injured and lost one leg. Although he saved his life, his body was also broken.

After a moment's contemplation, Cao Tengyun said, "It's not up to us to decide whether they are friends or enemies."

"He just came into the city for his own safety, showing his sincerity. I think this is an opportunity."

Although Cao Ji was not as brave as his father, he was much more knowledgeable.

If the Cao family wanted to continue living in Lanling, they needed strong support. However, the last county magistrate who came here bullied the Cao family right from the start, making excessive demands and even asking Cao Tengyun to offer his daughter...

After being threatened by Cao Ji, he fled from Lanling in a desperate attempt.

This time, Liu Daogui was obviously different from them.

"what chance?"

"Lanling is located in the north of the Huai River. If it does not want to rely on the State of Yan, it can only rely on the Jin Dynasty. This person is from the Northern Palace Army and the Pengcheng Liu family. With their support, the Cao family will have a backer in the future."

Behind Lanling is Pengcheng.

The reputation of the Northern Army is known throughout the world.

"You make the decision." Cao Tengyun and Liu Daogui were scheming against each other, their faces full of fatigue, and their words had softened.

He glanced at the Cao family's nephews and nieces around him. Although they were not playboys, they were getting worse and worse with each generation.

They are no match for the ferocious Hu people in the north, nor are they as good as the Northern Army and refugees outside the city.

The only comfort he had was his two children, who were quite capable and supported the Cao family...

As a county seat, the city was fully equipped with government offices and military camps.

Although it has been in disrepair for a long time, because the door was sealed by the Cao family, all the necessary things are there and it has not been looted by refugees.

The only thing that Liu Daogui could not have imagined was that there were so many refugees in the city, all of them pale and thin, lying on the ground, staring at the sky with empty eyes.

"Lanling is a strategic point between the north and the south. After the Battle of Feishui, people from the Central Plains flocked south, hoping to seek refuge with the Jin Dynasty. However, the Jin army at the border ambushed and killed them at will. The refugees had nowhere else to go and were trapped in Lanling."

Cao Tengyun's eldest son Cao Ji followed behind Liu Daogui and explained.

"With so many people, why don't you, the Cao family, take them in as servants?" Liu Daogui glanced at him.

Cao Ji touched the back of his head and said, "I do want to, but there are too many people, and they are all from the same clan. After eating and drinking enough and regaining their strength, they are unwilling to be slaves. Instead, they conflict with my family and even collude with the Taishan bandits to cooperate with us..."

The refugees were ferocious and gathered from the same clan. They came from various northern counties to kill their way to Lanling, so they were certainly not good people.

"Except your Cao family, how many people are there in the city?" Liu Daogui felt that Cao Ji was a good person and spoke frankly. He did not have as many thoughts as his father Cao Tengyun.

"There are 767 households and more than 4,000 people in the city. There are more than 1,400 refugees in the city, and countless more outside the city." Cao Ji has a good memory.

During the Warring States Period, Qin and Han Dynasties, the three counties of Lanling, Donghai and Nanhai were densely populated areas, giving birth to a large number of aristocratic families.

In just six or seven years, Yongjia was desolate and became like this, with only about 700 households left.

Of course, the Cao family is not included.

"Since some people have land, I plan to take in the refugees and cultivate the land. After the spring plowing, each household in the city will send one man to practice the art of battle formations to guard against bandits."

"If so, it will be a blessing for the people of Lanling. If you need anything for the army, just ask. My Cao family will fully support you."

"Brother Cao is very wise. If our two families join forces, Lanling County will be as strong as a rock!" This is what Liu Daogui was waiting for.

A forced melon is not sweet. Although there are military orders in hand to forcibly conscript labor and food, it makes everyone look bad.

His cooperation saved us a lot of trouble.

Cao Ji said quietly, "Those who are not of our race must have different hearts. The Hu people invaded our land, leaving the Northern Kingdom with mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Now Murong Chui has returned, unleashing his warlike might. If he were to wipe out the Northern Kingdom, the harm he would inflict would be far greater than that of the Di and Qin."

During Fu Jian's reign, the people of Li Yuan were pacified, the barbarians responded, tyranny was abolished, and the northern country was stable.

Although Murong Chui was invincible in battle, he was far inferior to Fu Jian in governing the country.

Although the Yan army would not march south to attack Jin, the counties and prefectures on the border were inevitably invaded by the Xianbei tribes.

Liu Daogui couldn't help but look at him with admiration. Not many people these days can have such foresight. "Brother Cao, don't worry too much. Murong Chui is already old. In the north, there are still Yao Qin, Western Yan, Tuoba Wei, and Zhai Wei. It's still unknown who will win."

Although Murong Chui is powerful, he is already in his sixties this year and it is not certain how long he can live.

"What the military officer said is true. The Murong family has been killing each other for generations. Once Murong Chui is gone, the future of Yan State is uncertain!" Cao Ji was in high spirits and pulled Liu Daogui to chatter about the situation in the north.

Liu Daogui was focused on farming, but unable to resist his enthusiasm, he could only listen in a disjointed manner.

The Murong family was a truly bizarre family, with generations of fratricide. Murong Wei forced Tuyuhun to flee, Murong Huang ordered Murong Han to be executed, Murong Jun became suspicious of Murong Chui, and Murong Ping joined forces with the Kezuhun clan to force Murong Chui to defect to the Di Qin...

Murong Yong and Murong Chui of Western Yan were cousins ​​and were equally incompatible.

Murong Chui's sons are all troublesome people.

Cao Ji was talking so excitedly that Liu Daogui also had a better understanding of the situation in the north.

Such people are very easy to get along with.

In the afternoon, someone really sent the household registration of the city over.

There are seven hundred and sixty-seven households, and every household has a clear record of how many men, women, and children there are.

Cao Ji was quite talented. Guangling had established so many overseas prefectures and counties, with so many government offices layered on top of each other that they couldn't even clearly understand their own jurisdiction, let alone household registration...

It is no coincidence that the Cao family is the only dominant family in the city.

To a certain extent, the Cao family is the county governor and magistrate here, protecting the land and water.

With this household registration, Liu Daogui had a general understanding of the strength of the city.

However, this household registration does not include the Cao family clan and their dependent households.

(End of this chapter)