Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 75: Intention
Jiangling, Jingzhou, the residence of the Duke of Nanjun.

"Sima Daozi won't give us a way to live, and Wang Gong is also aggressive. Do they really think that my Huan family can be manipulated by others?" Huan Xuan, who was traveling all the way from Jiankang to Jiangling, had just received bad news from Guangling.

Huan Chengzhi died inexplicably on the street, and the military power of the General of Conquering the Enemy was also taken away.

Huan Hong became a mere figurehead.

Of course, losing control of Guangling would not shake the Huan family's foundation in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

But this is obviously a very bad omen. Sima Daozi and Wang Gong are fighting each other, and neither of them can do anything to the other in the short term. The Huan family, who is caught in the middle, is in great danger.

People are knives and servants, and I am fish and meat.

They are still two butchers, both wanting to swallow up the Huan family to strengthen their own strength.

It was precisely because of the awareness of this danger that Huan Xuan disregarded his dignity and repeatedly approached Sima Daozi and Wang Gong, hoping that they would show mercy, but he was rejected every time.

The General's Mansion is just the beginning. The next one will be Wuchang or Jiangling.

These two places are the core of the Huan family.

Once on the chessboard, being weak and retreating will not win the other party's sympathy, but will make them become more aggressive.

Wang Gong’s meaning was very clear, he wanted the Huan family to hand over all military power.

"Guangling said it was an accident. Huan Chengzhi was lustful and took an overdose of Wu Shi San, dying suddenly." Huan Wei explained.

"Accident? How can there be so many accidents in the world? Don't you think it's strange that an accident happened at this time?"

When Huan Wen visited Sima Daozi in Jiankang, Sima Daozi ridiculed Huan Wen as a thief in front of a group of dignitaries. This was intolerable.

Now Huan Chengzhi’s death further stimulated Huan Xuan.

A sudden impulse of the little man Liu Daogui unknowingly promoted the development of the situation and the progress of history.

"And that Yuan He, who does he think he is? He actually turned against Wang Gong!" Huan Xuan became more and more angry as he spoke.

The Huan family declined, and even the dogs became disobedient.

"Yuan He is Yuan Yue's nephew." Huan Wei didn't dare to look Huan Xuan in the eye.

Huan Xuan was combative since childhood and was favored by Huan Wen. Before Huan Chong died, he stroked Huan Xuan's head and pointed at the civil and military officials of the prefecture and said: This is your family's former official.

Therefore, Huan Xuan had supreme authority in the Huan family.

"Is it Yuan Yuezhi who was killed last year for contradicting the emperor?"

"It's this person!"

"No wonder, it's us who made a mistake. But in this way, the General Zhenglu's Mansion has a bone, and two dogs are fighting for it. It can be considered a good thing for us!"

Huan Xuan did not care about the death of Huan Chengzhi, a collateral relative, but cared about how much benefit he could get in return.

My cousin Huan Shisheng said, "A few days ago, Wang Chen ordered the verification of the household registration of men in each county. It was clearly aimed at my Huan family!"

The best way to deal with the noble families is to check whether they have any relatives or friends who are occupying land.

More than ten years ago, Huan Wen used this excuse to dismiss the two princes of the Sima family and overthrow the Yu and Yin families, causing these two families to be unable to recover to this day and their status to decline to the third rank.

Wang Chen is using his own method to retaliate against others.

Huan's family had many sons and nephews, and many of them committed illegal acts. If they were to investigate, they would find leaks everywhere.

Once the land and the protected households were gone, the Huan family would be nothing but an empty shell.

"Hmph, first it was Guangling, then it was Jiangling. It seems they won't stop until they have completely wiped out my Huan family. Since they won't give me a way out, I don't need to give them a way out either. Wang Chen's death is imminent!"

Huan Xuan's face was full of anger.

Huan Shisheng pondered for a moment and said, "Then, after Wang Chen's death, who will take over as the Governor of Jingzhou is a major issue. If another Wang Xu or Wang Gong comes along, my family will never have peace."

It is easy to kill Wang Chen, but given the court's current attitude towards the Huan family, it will definitely not allow a member of the Huan family to take the position of governor of Jingzhou.

If a more powerful person comes by then, the Huan family may end up in an even worse situation.

With the Huan family's current strength and reputation, if they want to rebel, it would be like hitting a rock with an egg.

The Northern Army is a hurdle they cannot get around.

Although Xie Xuan was gone, the Northern Palace generals were still there, and the reputation of the Northern Palace Army remained, so Huan Xuan did not dare to confront them head-on.

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm well aware of the situation in the capital this time. The emperor is now trying to suppress Sima Daozi's power. Now that Wang Chen is dead, the emperor will definitely send someone he trusts here. We can make some adjustments and let Yin Zhongkan be the governor of Jingzhou. Then Jingzhou will fall into our control!"

Huan Xuan narrowed his eyes, making them look even rounder and a little funny.

Wang Gong, Yin Zhongkan, Wang Xun, and Wang Mi all enjoyed the emperor's favor, but according to the Nine-Rank System, Yin Zhongkan was considered "weak talent." Despite his fame, he lacked personal ability and family background. His appointment as Governor of Jingzhou certainly drew criticism, and Huan Xuan's opportunity presented itself...

Guangling.

Liu Daogui led the central army back to the General Zhenglu's mansion.

Compared to two months ago, there was basically no change in the military government.
Huan Hong, Huan Daozhen, and Yuan He went to Jingkou to discuss matters, and Xun Xinzhi stayed behind to garrison.

Liu Daogui went to hand over the military order. Xun Xinzhi was lying on the couch, his eyelids fluttering, looking half dead. "You've been away for so long, and the military affairs have piled up like a mountain. Deal with them quickly."

Liu Daogui was stunned. When did he, a chief secretary, get to take charge of military affairs?

However, what these people say cannot be taken lightly, otherwise you will fall into a trap without knowing it.

Liu Daogui wondered if there would be any more trouble coming.
"What are you still standing there for?" Xun Xinzhi rolled his eyes.

"I'll take my leave." Liu Daogui felt relieved. Everything was the same as before, at least on the surface everything was fine.

Just as he was about to leave, Xun Xinzhi snorted again, "I heard you made a lot of money in Lanling this time?"

Liu Daogui tried to keep a low profile when he came back, but he couldn't stand the soldiers showing off everywhere.

Xun Xinzhi, who was greedy for money, naturally heard the news.

"We destroyed a bandit camp and gained some gains."

"More than thirty soldiers were killed in the battle. Do you think that's the end of it?"

"I have already provided compensation to their families." Liu Daogui answered without any mistakes.

"The family members have been compensated, what are your plans for the military office?" Xun Xinzhi was only concerned about the money.

"When Sima Yuan returns home, I will report to you and we will do what needs to be done." Liu Daogui was cheated of his winter clothes and food last time, and this time he would not fall for it.

Winter clothes and food had to go through the hands of the Chief Secretary, and he could extort some money from them, but the casualties of the soldiers had nothing to do with him.

As the chief secretary, he had no choice but to stare at Liu Daogui with burning eyes within the rules. Then he snorted and lay down on the couch.

"I'll take my leave." Liu Daogui left quickly.

I already owe a huge debt. If he blackmails me again, I really don’t know how to get back on track.

After leaving the office of the Chief Secretary, two guards at the door greeted him with a smile, "Goodbye, General Liu."

"Thank you for your hard work, both of you." Liu Daogui was polite, but he didn't know why the two guards changed their attitude towards him.

When he went to the Chief Secretary's Office before, he never had a good face.

"It's not hard, it's just that we have nowhere to vent our passion for serving our country. General Liu, if you need us next time, please let us know!"

The two of them had flattering faces and their smiles reached their ears.

Liu Daogui was stunned and suddenly understood what was going on.

The soldiers who returned showed off everywhere, making other soldiers in the military jealous.

"Easy to say, easy to say..."

"Don't forget us when you join the army." The two men pleaded again and again.

Liu Daogui smiled bitterly in his heart. This was not a passion to serve the country at all, but a desire for money.

The key point is that he was not the only one in the military headquarters who did this. Everyone he met greeted him with a smile and politely called him "General Liu", treating Liu Daogui as the God of Wealth.

But it's not their fault. Life is really hard for a family of several people to guard a few acres of thin land. Everyone wants to make a fortune so that their wife, children and the elderly can live a better life.

No one can resist money. Without wars, there will be no profit.

A boss who makes money by helping his soldiers will certainly be supported by their soldiers.

"Liu the Lieutenant General is a man of integrity. As soon as he took office, he distributed winter clothes and food to his brothers, even at the risk of offending his superiors!"

"Next time something good happens, don't forget about me."

Wherever Liu Daogui went, he was met with compliments and flattery, and even previous events were dug up.

But then again, that's not a bad thing.

Liu Daogui's reputation has soared, which is a pleasant surprise...

(End of this chapter)