Hengdao Sixteen Kingdoms

Chapter 501 Powerful Ministers
The army of Liang State left, but Jiangdong was nothing but chicken feathers.

The vigorous Northern Expedition caused the Heiyun Army to drink in the Yangtze River. Looking at Jiankang, people in the east of the Yangtze River were panicked. Someone must be responsible.

Even during the Southern Expedition of Jie Zhao, they only reached the Miannan area and captured the city of Zhu, suffering 7000 casualties. Never before now, as many as 6 people were directly captured and killed.

The achievements of Huanwen, Gengxu and Tujuan were basically ruined.

Also ruined was Huan Wen's hope of taking over Jiankang.And the possibility of recovering China.

After this battle, Jiangdong was unable to carry out the Northern Expedition, and 40 to [-] northern refugees were kidnapped.

Liang Guoqiang is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

"Does Da Sima still refuse to eat?" Xi Chao was anxiously wandering around outside the house.

The servant said: "I haven't eaten a grain of rice since the day before yesterday."

"Victory and defeat are common matters for military strategists. Why is it necessary for the Great Sima? The foundation of Jiangdong has not been lost, Jingxiang is still there, Jiangdong will have no worries for at least ten years." Yuan Zhen also sighed.

Although they are a generation apart in age, they have been friends for many years and once shared a concubine.

The style of the Jiangdong gentry is probably like this.

"Report to the general, someone from the court is here..." The servant hurriedly came to report.

Xi Chao waved his hand and said, "Da Sima is not in good health. Let the envoy stay for a few days."

In the past, the Jiankang court relied on Huan Wen to live, but Huan Wen was lying in bed with no one to make the decision. It was reasonable to ask the court envoys to wait for a few days.

But the servant hesitated and said: "The envoy would like to see...General Yuan..."

"Huh?" Xi Chao and Yuan Zhen were stunned at the same time.

If we talk about this battle, the only person who performed outstandingly was Yuan Zhen.

Blocking the Heiyun Xiaoqi in Ruxu gave Huan Wen a chance to escape. At the same time, it delayed Liang Jun's time to attack Liyang. Otherwise, if the city of Ruxu was destroyed, Huan Wen in the Ruxu water would become the turtle in the urn, and what Liang Jun lacked the most There are also navy warships.

Later, Yuan Zhen and his cousin Deng Xia harassed Liang Jun, rescued tens of thousands of people, and became famous in Jiangdong.

What is missing most in Jiangdong today?
A general who could support the defense of Jiangbei and who could stand up to Huan Wen.

Yuan Zhen was born in the Yuan family of Chen County, and his qualifications, reputation, background, and ability were all sufficient.

"This..." Yuan Zhen also realized the intention of the Jiankang court.

Xi Chaoyi raised his hand and said, "General Yuan, please——"

"The guests will wait a moment, and I will come back as soon as I leave." It was impossible for Yuan Zhen to refuse the Jiankang court.

Xi Chao looked at his back thoughtfully.

Huan Wen's voice came from the room, "The guests have come in to talk."

"Wei." Xi Chao didn't feel any surprise.

In the room, Huan Wen was dressed in loose clothes, sitting in front of the couch, holding his face and laughing: "I regret not listening to the words of the guests, I am so embarrassed!"

If he had listened to Xi Chao's suggestion and fought to the death with Liang Jun that day, maybe things wouldn't have been so bad.

At least it can lose some dignity and not let Liang Jun drink from the Yangtze River...

Xi Chao consoled him: "Victory or defeat can only last for a moment. In the past, Wei Wu first defeated Wancheng, then Chibi, and then Hanzhong. Liu Xuande traveled around the world, losing more and winning less. Both of them accomplished great things. Although they are defeated today, Jing Xiang’s foundation is still there, and Jiankang is still under control.”

The base camp in Jingxiang is still there, so there is still a chance for a comeback.

Although this battle was a huge defeat, it was not just Huan Wen who lost, but also the entire Jiangdong.

In terms of strength, Huan Wen is still the strongest!
"I originally wanted to build my reputation through the Northern Expedition, but it's a pity..."

"The time is urgent to obey the power. In the past, I could take it slowly, but now the time is waiting for me. The imperial court is already wooing General Yuan..."

All the troops in Jiangdong suffered heavy losses, but Yuan Zhen's troops were not seriously damaged.At first, the Jiankang court supported Yin Hao to suppress Huan Wen, but now he has a new target, and Yuan Zhen's threat is ten times more powerful than Yin Hao's rhetoric.

Huan Wen stood up, walked around for a few steps, and sneered: "Now that the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are within my control, what can the imperial court do to me?"

Before moving to Lan Qi, he took off a sword, pulled it out a little, and said sternly: "If a man can't be famous for future generations, he can't live up to his bad reputation for thousands of years!"

The height is not cold.

Numerous bloody lessons from the Wei and Jin Dynasties have come before them. A powerful official will either go to the end or destroy the three clans.

At times like this, we cannot retreat!

"When a great man changes like a tiger, his culture is Bing. When a gentleman changes like a tiger, his culture is great!" Xi Chao was overjoyed. After experiencing this defeat, Huan Wen's character had changed.

As long as Huan Wen still holds the great commander-in-chief and the military commanders at home and abroad in his hands, Jiangdong cannot escape from his grasp.

"Don't the imperial court want to support Yuan Zhen? Then show your health. In the battle of Hefei, Yuan Zhen delayed the military flight and did not go north to help in the battle, which led to today's defeat. In memory of his old achievements, Yuan Zhen will be deposed as a commoner as appropriate!" Huan Wen pulled out his sword, and the sword's aura was strong, reflecting his even more gloomy face.

Jiangdong needed someone to take responsibility for the failure of the Northern Expedition, so Huan Wen pushed Yuan Zhen out and used him as a scapegoat.

Then let’s see how Jiankang supports Yuan Zhen?

This is a plan to kill four birds with one stone, destroy the imperial court's plan, take the blame for himself, and at the same time annex Yuan Zhen's tribe, and finally test the imperial court's intentions.

Whether it's a break or a compromise, it all depends on Jiankang's will. Anyway, Huan Wen's sword has been drawn out.

Huan Wen can stand out from the Jiangdong nobles, so he must be a leader in internal fighting.

"Yuan Zhen's cousin Deng Xia has the courage to be unstoppable. If you want to deal with Yuan Zhen, you must be on guard against him!" Xi Chao was flawless.

"I'm going to order him to come and moisturize his beard!"

"Da Sima, are you okay?" While the two were discussing, Yuan Zhen's voice sounded outside.

"Brother Yuan, thank you for your concern." Huan Wen returned the sword to its sheath, put away all the stern expression on his face, and became as friendly as usual.

Yuan Zhen came in and said, "Oh my, it will be fine if nothing happens to Da Sima. If nothing happens, it will be fine. There is hope for Jiangdong!"

Huan Wen laughed loudly and said, "I wonder why the imperial envoy came?"

Yuan Zhen had no doubts about him, "Because of my role in guarding Ruxu, the imperial court promoted me to the general of Zhenxi, the shepherd of Yangzhou, and the commander-in-chief of Si, Ji, and the military of the three states."

Xi Chao glanced at Huan Wen.

Jingxiang is to the west of Jiangdong, and the general is suppressing the west. His intention is obvious.

Before the Northern Expedition, the imperial court granted Huan Wen the title of governor of Yangzhou. Now, Yuan Zhen was given the title of Yangzhou Shepherd, and Huan Wen was given the title of governor.

"Hahaha, congratulations to Brother Yuan!" Huan Wen said politely.

Xi Chao also congratulated him.

Yuan Zhen hurriedly returned the gift and sighed: "Now Jiangdong has been defeated. The military resources and elites accumulated over the years have been wiped out in one day. The country is in turmoil. Monsters and bandits are causing chaos in Guangling. There are pirates in Guangling. Great Sima should take care of himself. An Sheji!"

Huan Wen, Geng Xu and Tu Duan were recognized by many people with lofty ideals.

This defeat has damaged the vitality, but not the foundation. As long as we work hard as usual, there is little hope for the Northern Expedition, but it is still feasible to hold on to one-third of an acre of land east of the Yangtze River and stabilize the country.

"What Brother Yuan said is true!" A trace of shame flashed across Huan Wen's eyes, and a look of hesitation appeared on his face.

But Xi Chao coughed lightly and said, "When Da Sima is here, Jiangdong Sheji will be there!"

Listening to this sentence in reverse, it doesn't matter whether Jiangdong is there or not when Huan Wen is gone.

The hesitation on Huan Wen's face flashed away.

Powerful ministers have no way out.

(End of this chapter)