After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 943 - 928: Liu Yi Becomes an Envoy

In this era, power recognizes individuals, and the saying ’to capture the bandit, first capture the leader’ embodies this principle.

Wang Jun is the ruler of Youzhou, so Shi Le, holding Wang Jun, swiftly overtook the Youzhou Army in this city, and used him to open the gates of many city walls, allowing the Shi Army to take control.

Upon receiving the news, Zu Ti and Zhao Hanzhang divided their forces, with one part attacking Youzhou from the east, tying down Wang Jun’s two sons, preventing them from regrouping their forces;

the other part attacked from west to northeast, first recapturing Jizhou and then advancing into Youzhou.

The Tuoba Xianbei dispatched fifty thousand troops, whose cavalry were fiercely disciplined, and within three days, they had seized twelve cities.

Three armies simultaneously advanced deep into Youzhou, presenting a pincer movement against the Xiongnu with the Zhao Family Army led by Beigong Chun and Zhao Ju.

If there were a map, it would show six thick red lines gradually approaching Lu County, where the Xiongnu were stationed at that time.

Meanwhile, Lu County was not peaceful either.

Liu Cong led the Xiongnu army to retreat to Lu County, using the natural defenses to resist Zhao Ju.

Of course, they occupied not only Lu County but several adjacent counties as well, seizing nearly half of Yan Country and a third of neighboring Fanyang Country.

He didn’t want to confront Wang Jun at this time; for him, it would only add another enemy without much benefit.

But he had no choice, Zhao Hanzhang was pressing step by step, Beigong Chun and Zhao Ju’s offensive was too fierce, and the newly emerged Zu Ti in Jizhou was also formidable, causing him losses in several encounters.

Moreover, that person was rather ruthless; though his surprise attacks might not match Beigong Chun’s, his strategic planning was above Beigong Chun’s. Wherever he went, several places were strongly fortified, and in some places where there wasn’t enough time, he could quickly hide most of the population and food, making them impossible to find.

When they marched, they usually brought only a small amount of provisions, then gathered supplies on the spot; this time, they were struggling every step of the way, unable to seize enough food.

Furthermore, with Liu Yuan dead, the court was forced to retreat to Bingzhou, providing no support of provisions at all. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Liu Cong couldn’t defeat them in battle, nor did he have enough provisions for a defense, so he could only retreat.

He considered the options for obtaining provisions and finding a temporary shelter, and only Youzhou remained feasible.

Of course, the people of Youzhou also had little food; they were experiencing a rare drought and locust plague for decades, and it was said that the disaster victims had already resorted to cannibalism, leaving nothing to squeeze out provisions from.

But Wang Jun had them.

It was rumored that Wang Jun had a large stockpile of food, hidden in various granaries, so Liu Cong chose to directly attack Wang Jun, aiming to seize Youzhou from his hands.

Youzhou had natural strongholds that were easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as he captured Youzhou, he could use these defenses to block the Zhao Family Army.

As for Wang Jun using defenses to block him, Liu Cong gave a cold snort; he couldn’t conquer Zhao Hanzhang, but he was confident in conquering Wang Jun.

But he didn’t expect Liu Yi to suddenly return.

He didn’t come back alone; he also brought back Jin ministers, including someone named Wei Jie, whose reputation Liu Cong had heard of.

Liu Yi returned to persuade surrender.

He said to Liu Cong, "Fourth brother, we are at the end of the road now; you can’t take the entire clan to die. As long as we surrender, Zhao Hanzhang will grant us land to settle, just as our ancestors migrated to Bingzhou."

Liu Cong was furious, "And then to have someone watching over us at all times, living like slaves scrambling for scraps?"

Liu Yi responded, "No, Zhao Hanzhang has promised me that she regards us as equals to the Han people."

"How can we trust the words of the Han people?"

Liu Yi asked, "If she is untrustworthy, can you assure victory over Youzhou, brother?"

He continued, "When you fought Zhao Hanzhang, you faced defeat at every turn. Now with Wang Jun at the rear, under attack from both north and south, how can you confidently seize Youzhou and still retain the Han Kingdom?"

"You are young and have never been to the battlefield, stop boosting others’ morale while undermining your own."

Liu Yi replied, "Though I’ve never been to the battlefield, I have listened to the elders participating in political discussions; this is not merely my opinion."

He urged, "Since Zhao Hanzhang was born, she has never broken a promise. Why not give it a try, brother?"

Liu Cong was unwilling to listen, directly expelling Liu Yi. Had he not strongly resisted, Liu Cong would have liked to behead Wei Jie as a sacrificial offering.

Liu Yi, too, felt despondent, knowing further persuasion was futile, so he could only contact Liu Huanle and other ministers.

Wei Jie, representing Zhao Hanzhang, made promises following Liu Yi’s persuasion, won over many ministers to Liu Yi’s side.

It wasn’t that they looked down on Liu Cong, but rather they had little confidence in the current situation.

Liu Yi had made a valid point: they couldn’t defeat the Zhao Family Army on their own, so how could they expect not to be defeated after provoking Wang Jun?

The reason they were able to seize these dozens of cities was not because they were formidable, but because the Zhao Family Army had not initially attacked. When they retreated into Youzhou, it coincided with a massive peasant rebellion in Youzhou. King Jun was struggling to cope, and for some reason, the Zhao Family Army did not continue to advance, but rather remained on the border of Youzhou, watching them capture dozens of cities.

Now that Wang Jun had already assembled a large army to counter them, as soon as the Zhao Family Army advanced into Youzhou, they would be attacked from both north and south, facing the risk of annihilation.

Therefore, with another path available, many began to consider it.

According to Liu Yi’s implication, the worst outcome would merely be a return to several decades ago, when they first settled in Bingzhou.

But that was still better than complete annihilation or being driven out beyond the borders, right?

Thus, everyone was quietly planning to change the leader.

Liu Cong wasn’t originally Liu Yuan’s intended successor; he had seized power through regicide, and was not legitimate to begin with.

By rights, both in terms of status and favor, Liu Yi should have been the emperor after Liu He.

Therefore, under the leadership of ministers like Liu Huanle, they gathered together, intending to choose a new emperor.

However, they had yet to reach a consensus on exactly how to proceed.

Liu Cong seemed to sense danger, his actions becoming increasingly rash. He wanted to kill Wei Jie, but Liu Huanle and other ministers dissuaded him with the rule of "envoys are not to be executed during conflicts between two nations."

Liu Cong was eager to expel Wei Jie and others, but Liu Huanle and others made one more effort, urging Liu Cong to consider surrendering, and nearly got killed by Liu Cong’s drawn sword.

Thereafter, no one brought up the topic in Liu Cong’s presence again, and Wei Jie also left Lu County. However, before leaving, he had already coordinated the surrender arrangements with Liu Huanle and others.

No sooner had Wei Jie left than news arrived that Wang Jun was captured, and Youzhou had fallen into Zhao Hanzhang’s hands.

Upon hearing this news, Liu Huanle and the others, who initially wanted to delay further, couldn’t hold back any longer. They went to the palace that day to say to Liu Cong, "After careful consideration, we agree that Your Majesty’s concerns are correct. We have been at war with the Jin State for years, and are mortal enemies with Zhao Hanzhang. Surrendering now would mean certain submission, so we must not surrender."

Liu Cong, upon hearing this, praised, "Indeed, that is the truth."

"King of Beihai’s words are heresy, keeping him outside could affect the hearts of the people and the army. It’s better to detain him temporarily in the palace and release him only after we capture all of Yan Country."

Liu Cong, after a slight consideration, agreed, and thus they sent for Liu Yi to be invited into the palace, giving an excuse of celebrating Empress Dowager Shan’s birthday in advance to ensure he came.