cite Han

Chapter 383 Li Yan

Huo Du and Huo Jun rushed forward by light boat and arrived at Bailizhou in two days. At this time, the main fleet of Zhuge Liang and Gan Ning was still tens of miles away, and it would take half a day to arrive.

Huo Du and Huo Jun were eager to make contributions, and without waiting for Zhuge Liang and Gan Ning to join up behind them, they landed on Bailizhou and ran all the way to the city.Liu Jing's army suddenly descended from the sky, Zhijiang was completely unprepared, and with the Huo family as internal support, he captured Zhijiang County without bloodshed.

The magistrate of Zhijiang is a descendant of the Liao family in Zhonglu, whose family has been Miannanguan for generations. He himself has been favored by Liu Biao.The magistrate of Zhijiang County is a clean and honest official with good governance, loved by all the scholars and people. Huo Du and Huo Jun dare not stop him and let him leave with his family.

In the evening, the main fleet led by Zhuge Liang and Gan Ning finally arrived at Bailizhou.

Brother Huo Du and Huo Jun, Ting Huo Rui, led the people of Zhijiang to meet at the ferry.

Zhuge Liang read the "Call to Liu Biao" in public, showing the justice of his own troops, and praised Huo Rui and others for their rebellion and obedience.

This time, Huo Rui made a lot of contributions to occupying Zhijiang without bloodshed, so naturally he couldn't let the matter go easily and chill the opponent.In addition to letting him take charge of Zhijiang County affairs temporarily, Zhuge Liang will also ask Liu Jing for his merits. With his achievements, although it is difficult to achieve the position of Bailihou, the county magistrate can be expected.

Huo Rui was overjoyed and thanked him again and again.Given his background, it was not easy for him to become an official. The rebellion of his younger brothers, Huo Du and Huo Jun, almost blocked his way up.For this reason, he was not without complaints in his heart, but he didn't want to lose his fortune. He knew it was not a blessing, but now he was able to enter the official career because of the two of them.

Seeing that the sky was getting darker, Zhuge Liang stopped talking and followed Zhijiang officials into the city, while Gan Ning and the soldiers stayed on the boat overnight.

The next day, Zhuge Liang left 500 men to defend Bailizhou, and then led the fleet to continue westward.

…………

Yidao is named after the Yishui River in its territory. The county seat is located on the south bank of the river, facing the river in the north, and facing Yiling.

It was late March, and the spring plowing had entered the last juncture. Li Yan, the magistrate of Yidao County, would lead his subordinates to inspect the fields almost every day, advising and supervising agricultural work.

Li Yan is only 25 years old this year, and he is already the head of a county, so he can be said to be young and promising.

He is a native of Nanyang County. He was a county official when he was young. He is famous for his talent. Like scales, it is difficult to approach.

Liu Biao valued Li Yan's talent very much. He had been appointed to serve in various prefectures and counties before, and last year he was directly promoted to be the magistrate of Yidao County. At that time, he had just turned 24 years old and was one of the youngest Bailihous under Liu Biao's rule. .

On this day, Li Yan crossed the river and came to the north bank, patrolled to the foot of Nuguan Mountain, when he heard someone shouting loudly on the mountain, Li Yan listened carefully, his expression changed drastically.When he climbed to the top of Nuguan Mountain out of breath, he saw with his own eyes a huge fleet approaching the Dongfang River with its tail and flag attached, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Li Yan only received the news that Liu Jingjun had invaded Nanjun and encircled Jiangling a few days ago. He thought that Liu Jingjun's focus was on Jiangling and would not affect him for the time being. However, he guessed wrong, Liu Jingjun killed him so quickly.

"Southern, southern bandits, it's the southern bandit boat army..." Everyone on the left and right turned pale with shock, and someone even grabbed Li Yan's sleeve, and urged them urgently: "The southern bandits are coming fiercely, and the Ming court is in danger of a county. , it is not appropriate to stay outside at this time, please return to the city quickly, the Ming court will be too late!"

Naturally, Li Yan also knew this, so he didn't stay any longer, and hurried down the mountain with all the officials in his family, rushed to the ferry, and crossed south by boat.

Li Yan's reaction could not be described as unpleasant, but it was a pity that he was one step too late after all. The ferry had just arrived in the middle of the river when it was stopped by several scout ships of Liu Jingjun on its way back.

Li Yan was closely guarded by the subordinates, but this did not bring him even a sense of security. Although Liu Jingjun's scouts did not wear armor, they had heavy crossbows. Once the two sides started fighting, he would be shot into a hedgehog in an instant.

Li Yan's face was as deep as water, but the hand holding the sword trembled slightly, which proved that he was far from being as calm as he appeared on the surface. In the face of life and death, no one can remain indifferent.

Just when the two sides were at war, one of Li Yan's men was terrified. He suddenly dropped the sword in his hand and jumped into the river to escape. However, he was shot by Liu Jingjun's scouts while he was still in the air.

Li Yan was stunned, fearing that the other party would not be able to hold back and start killing, he hurriedly said: "Stop! I am Li Yan, the head of the barbarian Taoism. It is a great achievement for you to capture me. Don't hurt others." After saying that, put the sword into its sheath , to show obedience.

All the officials in the sect breathed a sigh of relief, if Li Yan insisted on not surrendering, they could only follow him with death, if they could live, who would want to die?

Liu Jingjun's scouts were all overjoyed when they heard the words. They had already set their sights on Li Yan and his party.But I didn't expect that the county magistrate of Yidao was among them. As Li Yan said, this is a great achievement.

Li Yan surrendered voluntarily, and he was also the ruler of a county. Liu Jingjun's scouts did not bind him, but took away his saber.

Zhuge Liang and Gan Ning were discussing things in the ship, when someone came to report that the scouts in front had captured Yidao County Magistrate Li Yan, the two couldn't help but looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

The battle plan the two originally formulated was to skip the Yidao and the inland mountains, and go straight to Yiling, and the battle will determine the universe.However, the plan couldn't keep up with the changes. Who would have thought that the county magistrate of Yidao would come to his door by himself.

Gan Ning said: "This Li Yan, I had contacts with him when I was in Nanyang, he is as his name suggests, strict and talented, he is a handsome man among the younger generation in Nanyang."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "I've also heard of Li Yan's name." Li Yan was highly regarded by Liu Biao, so he had naturally heard of him.

Soon, Li Yan was brought into the royal room, and there were two people sitting upright in the room. One was about [-] years old, wearing a Ge scarf, plain robe, and holding a folding fan. He had a very majestic appearance and was looking at him with a smile; the other was about [-] years old. Yu Sui, wearing Wubian and military uniform, has a rough face and extraordinary momentum.

Li Yan recognized the latter at a glance. It was the Shu general Gan Ning Gan Xingba who had stayed in his hometown Nanyang for six years. Although the two had no close friendship, they had met several times.

Zhuge Liang closed his folding fan, stood up and said, "Your foot is a talented man of Chu, and I heard of Han Mian. When I was studying in Xiangyang, I often heard that my foot was famous. In Xialangya, Zhuge Liang, whose name is Kongming, is now the military advisor of General Anyuan. This is Zhenwei. Zhonglang general Gan Ning Gan Xingba, this is an old acquaintance, so I won't introduce much."

Li Yan calmly replied: "Li Yan in Xiananyang, I have met you." Then he greeted Gan Ning again.

(End of this chapter)