usatvline Chapter 14 The Xianbei Invasion
Chapter 14 The Xianbei Invasion
That afternoon.
The highest point of Xipingbao.
Liu Bei, Yan Gang, Zou Dan, and Shan Jing stood side by side, looking down at the busy crowd below.
Yan Gang looked at the local militia training in the distance and smiled at Liu Bei, saying, "Brother Xuande, in just one month, Xiping Fort has changed dramatically."
"With these local militia trained, our border defense in western Liaoning will have an additional layer of protection."
"If the Hu cavalry comes again in the future, we will no longer need to be on the defensive."
Zou Dan pointed to the beacon towers along the line and said in a deep voice, "At the current pace, all the beacon towers along the Xipingbao line will be completed within two months."
"The alarm message can be transmitted from Xipingbao to Yangle City in a maximum of 15 minutes."
"It will be absolutely impossible for the barbarian cavalry to sneak into the country and plunder again."
Shan Jingze smiled and said, "The allocation of funds and grain is going smoothly. The people have received seeds and farming tools, and their enthusiasm for cultivating the fields is extremely high."
"Once we've finished planting next spring, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"
"On the Yang family's side, the salt and iron trading post has also opened and business is booming. Yang Kui even sent someone to inquire yesterday, hoping to invite Brother Xuande to his residence for a chat and to express his gratitude in person."
Liu Bei shook his head and laughed, "He won't get up early for nothing!"
"We cannot be careless. The situation is slightly better now, but the people are still worried that the Xianbei will return!"
"We still need to win a real battle to truly stabilize public sentiment!"
"Only then can we attract refugees, cultivate wasteland, and continue to grow!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Gang laughed and said, "Brother Xuande, you truly have foresight!"
He then sighed and said, "But with our small force in Liaoxi, it would be easier to deal with if it were a Xianbei tribe or even just a small squad!"
"If they launch a large-scale attack, exceeding five thousand in number, we'll all perish here!"
Liu Bei tentatively asked, "What about the Protector of the Wuhuan...?"
Zou Dan shook his head and said, "Brother Xuande, you may not know this, but Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan, commands five thousand elite border troops who are stationed year-round in Bintu County, outside Liucheng!"
"This place is a crucial stronghold for the Xianbei."
Liu Bei frowned and said, "In other words, if the Xianbei appear in our Liaoxi region, then Bintu will surely provoke them to invade our borders!"
"That's exactly right, so don't expect any help from them!"
"We're already incredibly lucky they didn't have to send us to help!"
Then, Zou Dan introduced Liu Bei to Liucheng, saying, "As for Liucheng to our north, although it nominally belongs to Liaoxi Commandery..."
"But in reality, it is controlled by Lord Uheng, Qiulijubu!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Gang angrily retorted, "Hmph, our flattest and most fertile land in western Liaoning has been given away to those ungrateful wretches!"
Shan Jing frowned and said, "Brother Gongji, be careful what you say! Don't cause trouble for the Prefect!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Gang merely snorted in dissatisfaction once more. He was not a reckless person and naturally knew that his relationship with Wu Heng was currently tense.
Shan Jingdao said, "Although the Wuheng tribes often send scattered cavalry to plunder, they are mostly under the control of the Qiuliju tribe!"
"Their garrison at Liucheng, a strategically important location, served as a major bulwark for Youzhou's defense against the Xianbei!"
"Given the current state of affairs in the court, even if Liucheng were handed over to us, we might not be able to hold it!"
Liu Bei nodded, indicating that he understood; he naturally knew about Qiu Liju!
This was Liu Yu's capable assistant in the future governorship of Youzhou, and also his vanguard in the fight against Gongsun Zan.
He was the Eastern Chief of the Uheng tribe who had betrayed the Han Dynasty several times, but overall, he was still pro-Han and could be considered a good Hu person.
After chatting for a while, Yan Gang and the other two left and returned to Yangle City.
Their visit was ostensibly for inspection purposes, but in reality, it was to show their support for Liu Bei's work and to extend goodwill to him.
Liu Bei has felt this keenly over the past few months!
Now, all that's left is for him to rise in status, take control of the three people, and then control of western Liaoning will be a natural outcome.
Day two.
A light snow began to fall, sparsely sprinkling across the barren plain, forming a thin layer that crunched softly underfoot.
Gongsun Zan, dressed in silver-white military attire, rode a pure white steed, holding a gleaming silver spear in his hand.
Two hundred new recruits, dressed in tight-fitting clothes and carrying knives and guns, followed behind him, patrolling and training along the pipeline.
More than two months have passed since he was ordered to train the new recruits. He had hoped to use the wind and snow in the northern border region to train an elite force.
Unexpectedly, all they heard along the way was about Liu Bei's glorious exploits, such as how he persuaded Yang Shi single-handedly and raised 100,000 shi of grain and 1 million coins.
He repaired beacon towers, trained local militia, and even the prefect wanted to marry his daughter to him, making him a rising star in western Liaoning.
"Liu Bei..."
Gongsun Zan murmured the name, his knuckles clenching slightly, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He thought that he had been ordered to train new soldiers because he had won the favor of the governor and would be able to surpass Liu Bei sooner or later.
But to everyone's surprise, Liu Bei was able to thrive in Liaoxi.
Jealousy, yes, exists.
Gongsun Zan was born into the Gongsun clan of Liaoxi. He had a high opinion of himself and practiced martial arts diligently, hoping to make a name for himself in the northern frontier, but he failed to achieve much for a long time.
Liu Bei, on his own, managed to influence powerful local clans and gain the favor of the governor, which made Liu Bei feel very resentful.
It's something to be envious of, and you can't hide it.
He longed for such an opportunity to control money and supplies, command troops, and realize his ambitions.
There was also a hint of barely perceptible admiration. Liu Bei, a mere fifteen-year-old boy, had managed to persuade a powerful local clan to willingly part with their entire fortune. Such skill was truly admirable.
He came from a prominent local family and knew their nature all too well; family interests came before everything else.
"General, Xiping Fort is just ahead!" the personal guard beside him whispered.
Looking into the distance, wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys!
Upon hearing that Liu Bei was at Xiping Fort, Gongsun Zan thought for a moment, then arranged for his men to return to Yangle first, while he himself rode towards Xiping Fort.
Before long, a brand-new fortress stood in the wind and snow on the distant wasteland. The fortress walls had been reinforced and the rammed earth was solid. Red police flags were planted on the top of the walls, fluttering in the wind.
On the open ground outside the fortress, dozens of local militiamen, dressed in uniform tight-fitting clothes and holding knives and spears, were training with their instructor. Their movements were neat and uniform, and their shouts of battle pierced through the wind and snow, making them exceptionally loud.
Compared to the dilapidated and desolate Xiping Fort of the past, it is now a fortified border fortress, full of vitality and strength.
He has seen many such fortresses in recent days!
Gongsun Zan's expression grew increasingly complicated. He reined in his horse and gazed at the fortified village.
Inside Xiping Fort, Liu Bei was inspecting the accounts for the repair of the beacon towers when he heard that Gongsun Zan had arrived. He immediately got up and went out to greet him.
He was dressed in a blue official's robe, with a double-edged sword hanging at his waist. He had a calm smile on his face and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Bogui, it's been a long time. I never expected to meet you here."
Gongsun Zan dismounted and looked Liu Bei up and down. After not seeing him for many days, Liu Bei seemed more composed and had a more steady demeanor.
His heart was filled with even more complex emotions, but he still cupped his hands in greeting, his tone somewhat distant: "Xuande, how have you been?"
"I heard that you have made great strides in western Liaoning and carried out extensive repairs on the border. Seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."
"Brother Bogui, you flatter me!"
Liu Bei smiled and stepped aside, leading Gongsun Zan into the fortress. "It was just good luck, a chance encounter."
"Why is Brother Bogui here?"
"I am training new recruits and taking them out to gain experience so that they can defend against the barbarian cavalry and protect this region in the future."
"I happened to be passing by and heard that you were here, so I came to see you!"
A hint of arrogance flashed in Gongsun Zan's eyes when he mentioned the new recruits.
The two chatted along the way, from old stories of Zhuojun to the defense of the Liaoxi border, from the training of new recruits to the organization and training of local militia.
Gongsun Zan looked at the orderly furnishings inside the fortress, watched the busy local militia and craftsmen, and listened to Liu Bei talk about the order and planning of the border defense.
His jealousy gradually faded, but his admiration grew stronger. He had to admit that Liu Bei's vision and skill were indeed superior to his own.
As evening approached, the wind and snow gradually stopped, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the snow, giving it a faint golden glow.
Gongsun Zan got up to take his leave, and Liu Bei was also about to return, so they decided to head towards Yangle City together.
The horses' hooves left two deep hoofprints as they trod through the snow. The two walked side by side, exchanging a few words now and then. The atmosphere was much more harmonious than when they first met.
After walking about ten miles, Liu Bei glanced around and saw billowing black smoke rising straight into the sky behind him, particularly dazzling in the twilight.
That was the warning signal smoke from Xipingbao!
"Oh no! Something's happened at Xiping Fort!"
Liu Bei's expression changed drastically. He abruptly pulled on the reins and looked back.
Gongsun Zan's expression also darkened, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "It must be barbarian cavalry raiding!"
"Xiping Fort has just been repaired, and the local militia is not yet fully formed; I'm afraid they will be unable to withstand the attack!"