Chapter 46, Chapter Thirteen: Every Inch of Land Must Be Fought For
Liu Cong's attack on Bingzhou had consequences that even he himself could not have foreseen. Heroes from all walks of life sprang into action at the sound of the news, plunging the entire Central Plains into chaos.
To the north, the Tuoba Xianbei cavalry swept through the enemy lines, killing Han generals Liu Ru, Liu Feng, Jian Ling, and Zhang Ping. The corpses of the Han army stretched for hundreds of miles. Xing Yan, who had betrayed Liu Kun, was even killed on the spot by Tuoba Liuxiu to avenge his humiliating escape.
To the south, Li Xiong of Cheng Han launched a surprise attack on Liangzhou. However, the defending troops fought desperately, and the city was impregnable. They had no choice but to leave in frustration.
In the east, Tao Kan quelled Du Tao's rebellion and reclaimed the Jingxiang region.
The most unexpected event was from the west. Liu Jun, the governor of Liangzhou, led his cavalry to attack Shancheng, and the imperial court sent troops to support him. At that time, Liu Cong's army was locked in a stalemate with the Tuoba Xianbei in Bingzhou, leaving the city vulnerable. The imperial court captured Shancheng with 50,000 soldiers and then used it as a base to gradually conquer more than ten cities of various sizes.
The Xiongnu were severely weakened and immediately withdrew their troops from Bingzhou to reinforce their territory. With the help of the Tuoba tribe, Liu Kun recovered the lost land and earnestly requested Tuoba Yilu to continue sending troops.
Unexpectedly, Shi Le launched an attack on the Tuoba Xianbei tribe at this time. Tuoba Yilu left behind more than a thousand horses, cattle, and sheep, as well as a hundred chariots. His generals, Ji Dan and Duan Fan, immediately returned to their camp.
Many of the allied forces wanted to return, but Liu Jun refused. He submitted a memorial to the court, emphasizing the severity of the situation. In the end, only Guo Mo, the governor of Yongzhou, and Jia Pi, the governor of Qinzhou, agreed to send troops. They crossed the river eastward from Puban and fought a bloody battle with the Han army at Pingyang. In the end, the Han emperor Liu Cong abandoned the city and fled straight to Luoyang.
At this point, the Jin army ceased its pursuit and instead began constructing city walls and rallying the troops and civilians. Liu Jun, unable to pay homage to Sima Ye or return to Jinyang to mourn his grandparents, hurriedly returned to Liangzhou and engaged in a decisive battle with Li Xiong's army beneath the city walls. He was fortunate to win, but suffered heavy losses.
Fortunately, he did not come away empty-handed. Liu Qiao, the governor of Yuzhou who had long been allied with and surrendered, occupied the two commanderies of Hedong and Hongnong. He could confront the Xiongnu head-on in the east and connect with Bingzhou in the north.
Liu Jun, severely weakened, returned to Hanzhong and was busy with military and political affairs all day long. Apart from Liu Cong and Li Xiong, he also had to guard against refugees and barbarians at all times, and he hardly had a moment of leisure.
It wasn't until late autumn of that year, when Liu Jun was at the headquarters discussing matters, that Lu Jing came to report that Guo Shi had launched an attack. Only then did Liu Jun suddenly remember that he hadn't seen these two concubines for a long time, first because of mourning and then because of going to war. He had even forgotten that his first child was about to be born.
He merely nodded to Lu Jing without stopping, while Liu Yi, standing to the side, exclaimed in astonishment, "What a momentous matter it is to have offspring?"
When Jinyang was occupied by the enemy, his cousins Liu Yi and Liu Qi did not follow their clansmen, but fled all the way to Guanzhong. They eventually waited for Liu Jun's main force and then returned to Liangzhou with them.
Over the years, first Liu Yu, then Liu Fan and Guo Shi, there have been one upheaval after another. It is rare to have such a happy occasion as the birth of a son. Liu Jun's indifference is truly incomprehensible.
"Is it something to be happy about to be born into this family, at this time, and in this world?" Liu Jun asked rhetorically.
Liu Yi was speechless for a moment, but Liu Qi said, "Your words, sir, have enlightened me to the understanding of life and death and to the point of transcendence. I have benefited greatly from them."
Liu Qi had heard tales of Liu Jun's virtues since childhood, and over the past year he had personally witnessed how Liu Jun waged wars and governed the country. He had long since become so convinced of Liu Jun's virtues that he was almost blindly devoted to him.
"No, it's just that I'm cold-hearted." Liu Jun glanced at him directly. "In that case, I'll trouble Huang Tou to draft a letter to my family to announce the good news."
"Yes," Liu Qixing replied eagerly.
That night, Liu Jun had a son, whom he named Liu Liang.
Considering that he was still in mourning, Liu Jun specially wrote a memorial to the court, clearly stating that the child was conceived before his grandparents passed away and that they did not know at the time that he was pregnant with the emperor. He also kept all the documents announcing the good news when Guo was pregnant, in order to prevent any villains from using this to make trouble in the future.
In addition, a secret agent he had planted by Liu Kun sent a letter saying that Shi Le had recently written to Liu Kun in a humble tone, wanting to make peace with him.
Liu Jun was shocked. He thought that Liu Kun had previously helped Shi Le's mother and nephew, and that Liu Kun might believe it to be true and turn a blind eye to Wang Jun's actions. If that happened, Shi Le would grow stronger, which would be like raising a tiger to cause trouble.
Surprised and suspicious, Liu Jun immediately wrote to Bingzhou and the imperial court, but before the letter reached Chang'an, Wen Qiao had already arrived.
Overjoyed at not having seen each other for so long, Liu Jun prepared a vegetarian feast to entertain them.
"I am relieved to see you here, brother-in-law." Liu Jun took him to his seat and personally took two pieces of candied plum from a celadon jar, presenting them with both hands. "This place is close to Sichuan and Chongqing, and the locals love to eat candied plums. Brother-in-law, why don't you try some?"
Wen Qiao didn't stand on ceremony with him, savoring the taste, and said with a smile, "Even back in Luoyang, this was extremely rare. This trip to Liangzhou is worthwhile just for this."
Liu Jun shook his head. "This world is too bitter. We have to find some sweetness to taste ourselves, otherwise how can we survive?"
“Let’s skip the formalities,” Wen Qiao frowned and lowered his voice, “I’m here for Shi Le.”
"Has the master already agreed to it?" Liu Jun's heart skipped a beat, and he sat up straight.
“Indeed, my uncle sent a proclamation to the prefectures and counties, saying, ‘I have been discussing with Yilu the campaign against Le, who has fled and has nowhere to go, begging to be exiled from Youdu to atone for his sins… Now we should eliminate this rebellious usurper and subdue this cowardly fugitive. This is in accordance with Heaven's will, in support of the people, and in service to the imperial family; this is the result of our accumulated sincerity and divine protection over the years!’”
Despite his flowery language, Liu Jun was frantic with worry: "The great cause is lost!"
Wen Qiao sighed, "That's what I thought too, which is why I came here to discuss this."
Liu Jun pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "My lord will certainly not save Wang Jun. Instead, he will wait for Wang Jun's destruction before taking over You and Ji provinces. With the military strength of Bingzhou, how can we contend with Shi Le? The armies of the world have just fought a great battle with Liu Cong and are exhausted. This will only give Shi Le an opportunity."
Wen Qiao ate another plum, but still felt a bitter taste in his mouth. "Are we just going to sit idly by and watch Shi Le succeed?"
“No,” Liu Jun turned around, his eyes sharp. “Shi Le is plotting with you, sir. Wang Jun should not know? Is there any way to get in touch with him?”
“He had long since lost contact with the court, and besides, he was biased and stubborn. Even if we wrote to him in time, it would be of no use.”
Liu Jun sighed, "My elder brother is currently a hostage in the Tuoba Xianbei territory, but unfortunately, he is powerless to help others while living under their roof."
Wen Qiao was quite nonchalant. "So be it. You and Ji are located in remote areas. Even if we manage to get them, we probably won't be able to hold onto them. Let's do our best and leave the rest to fate."
“Brother-in-law is magnanimous and what you say is absolutely right.” Liu Jun didn’t want to dwell on the matter any longer and instead asked, “Is His Majesty well?”
Wen Qiao sighed, "I almost forgot, His Majesty was overjoyed to hear that you had a son..."
He took out a small box from his sleeve. Liu Jun opened it and found a five-colored thread, which was carefully woven, but a little too long. "On behalf of my son, I thank Your Majesty."
Wen Qiao suppressed a laugh and said, "Why don't you compare them again? His Majesty also made one for your son. I'll go see him later and put it on him while I'm at it."
Liu Jun chuckled and said, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, yet you have taken the time to prepare this reward. I am deeply grateful."
As he spoke, he put it on his wrist and sighed, "Longevity thread, in this world, there is no better reward than this."
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