The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

Dozens of civil and military ministers have arrived at Jin Palace one after another. Behind Director Wang and behind Wang Dun, more and more ministers came. Sima Shao, Sima Pei, Sima Yi and Sima Zong, as well as Sima Cheng and other members of the royal family, still occupy the leading position between Wang Dao and Wang Dun.

The great eunuch Fei Ren followed Sima Rui into the main hall from the side door in the northeast corner and stood on the right side of the steps. Sima Rui looked at the civil and military minister below, with a smile on his face, and then sat down. The civil and military ministers and members of the royal family below then knelt down and shouted:"See your highness!"

"My dear friends, I wish you peace! Sima Rui said:"Fei Ren, read out the edict!""

"Yes, Your Highness."Fei Ren took the edict and began to read:"His Royal Highness the King of Jin issued an edict: The eldest son Shao has been knowledgeable and sensible since he was a child, he is filial, has both ability and political integrity, and is approachable. His literary and military skills are even more outstanding. For the long-term plan of the Jin Dynasty and the stability of the country, Sima Shao is now appointed as the crown prince of the Jin Dynasty. Ma Pei of Xuancheng Company was transferred to the title of King of Langya. After he succeeded Sima Jin, Prince Gong of Langya, he had 52,000 households in Huiji County and Xuancheng County as his food towns. The general of the Fu army, Sima Yi, King of Xiyang, is the Taibao; the right general Wang Dao is the governor of the Chinese and foreign military forces, and the hussar general; the general of the southern expedition, Wang Dun, the Marquis of Han'an, is the general; the left commander Shi Diao Xie is the minister Zuopushe.. The right chief minister Zhou Wei was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the right commanders Dai Yuan and Wang Sui were appointed as the ministers, the army consulted and offered wine to He Xun as the Zhongshu Ling, the director Liu Wei was appointed as the Censor Zhongcheng, the military officer Kong Yu also served as the Zhongshu Lang, and the military officer Liu Chao was appointed as the minister. Zhongshu Sheren. All ministers of civil and military affairs who join the army are granted the title of Captain of Fengche, their subordinates are granted the title of Commander of Prince Consort, and those who join the army on the march are granted the title of Commander of Cavalry."

"Thank you Lord for your grace! My king is a thousand years old! Chitose! Thousands of years old!"There was a burst of cheers below

"In addition, in Jiankang City, the Prince's Palace was built for the Prince Sima Shao, and the Langya Palace was built for the Langya King Sima Pei. An ancestral temple and Sheji were established in the southern suburbs of Jiankang. Fei Ren went on to say

"Congratulations to my king! Congratulations to the prince! Congratulations to King Langya!"There was a burst of cheers in the court.

Sima Rui quietly called Fei Ren to the front and said a few words. Fei Ren nodded, then stood on the edge of the steps and said loudly:"The King of Jin Qiansui has invited Master Mao Hong to come to the palace! When Director Wang heard this, he stood up, waved his hands and said,"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable!""

"Lord Shigehong, you and Gunan have been together for ten years. In the past ten years, you, Langya Wang Family, have gone through wind and rain, so to speak. In order to win the support of the celebrities in the south of the Yangtze River, you worked hard to make the"Five Talents of the South of the Yangtze River" put aside their old grudges and be willing to contribute to our government. In order to build Kangcheng and for the whole of Jiangnan, you have worked hard. Now half of this world has half the achievements of your Langya Wang family. Please, Mr. Shigehiro, sit down with me and share the world!"

"Your Highness, this action is against regulations and must not be done! useless! Director Wang declined. Wang Dun was smiling proudly below, but most of the civil and military ministers had displeasure on their faces.

After the dynasty, the ministers left the palace in twos and threes. Zhou Wei and Diao Xie walked together, and Wang Dun Every time, he was with his brother Wang Han. Diao Xie looked around and saw that most of the people in front were gone, while Wang Dun and Wang Han behind him were about twenty steps away from him. Diao Xie quietly whispered in Zhou Wei's ear Said:"Master Zhou, what do you want to say in today's court meeting?"

"Although there are examples in history of empress dowagers listening to politics behind the curtain, there are reasons after all. This is the first time I have heard that the emperor wants to be equal to his ministers. Although Director Wang did not dare to sit with Prince Jin above today, there is no guarantee that this will not become a reality in the future. Although King Jin has not yet ascended the throne and become emperor, it is probably not surprising that Director Wang and King Jin will share the throne and ride in the same chariot in the future. Zhou Wei said with some indignation.

"The king and the horse share the world. This rumor has long been common among Jiankang people. Diao Xie said:"Yes, since Yiguan's journey to the south, the Wang family of Langya has indeed contributed the most." This contribution is indelible, but it cannot be like this. The more promotions and rewards, the better, and the officials will have no complaints. If this continues, the Wang family will definitely cause chaos. Zhou

Wei looked back and continued to talk to Diao Xie:"Director Wang is smooth in dealing with things, but Wang Dun is different." Besides, Director Wang and Wang Dun already hold the highest positions among civil servants and generals, so what else do they want? Our Highness, Prince Jin, is really in a difficult situation!"

Zhou Wei and Diao Xie went home separately. Wang Dun, who was walking at the end, said to Wang Han:"Brother, what do you think of King Jin? Among the two crown prince brothers, who is more capable?!"

"Although Sima Rui has the word"rui", he is actually not very wise. But these two sons are indeed extraordinary. Sima Shao became the crown prince, and Sima Ra succeeded him as King Langya. These two brothers have been familiar with Confucian classics and military strategies since childhood. If the prince and King Langya become more and more powerful in the future, it will be difficult for us to control Sima Rui! Wang Han said. Wang Dun said:"Then what should we do?" You can’t sit still and wait for death!"

"Take your time and don't rush."Wang Han said:"'The king and the horse share the world,' which is not bad to think about. If Sima Rui wants to change this situation after he ascends the throne and becomes the emperor, and even wants to ignore our Langya Wang family, then don't blame us for being ruthless!"

"This Sima Rui is forty-one years old and in his prime. Both sons are less than twenty years old, especially this Sima Shao. I think he has the legacy of the former Emperor Sima Yan. By then, these three men will have hardened their wings and want to clean up our Wang family. It will be too late for me to regret it!"Wang Dun said

"So we have to come up with countermeasures. When dealing with Sima Rui, we must be obedient and defiant. On the surface, he is submissive, but in fact, he wants to oppose him at every turn. To deal with these two princes, we must find some subtle ways to get rid of them. Without his two right-hand men, Sima Shao and Sima Pei, Sima Rui was alone and unable to gain much strength. Wang Han said.

After saying that, the two people looked at each other, laughed and left.

There is a lot of rain in summer. In Jiankang City and many places near it, it has been raining heavily for several days, and sometimes there are dark clouds. The sky was filled with lightning and thunder.

Sima Rui was in the imperial study, concentrating on reading the"Book of Changes" written on bamboo slips. At this time, the guard reported at the door:"Your Highness, Diao Xie and He Xun are here!"

"Please come quickly!"As he said this, Sima Rui stood up and went to the door to greet him. When Diao Xie and He Xun saw Sima Rui, they knelt down and saluted. Sima Rui said,"No courtesy, sir, please get up! Sima

Rui returned to the dragon desk and sat down on the throne. The two palace maids brought tea, poured it in, bowed and left. Sima Rui put the"Book of Changes" back on the bookshelf behind him, and then said:"The country has been in turmoil for decades. Our Jiangzuo Royal Court has just been established, and many regulations and systems are not yet complete. Master Diao once served as an official in the previous dynasty and was familiar with the affairs of the previous dynasty. Mr. He was the leading figure in Confucianism in Jiangzuo, and he was also proficient in etiquette and etiquette. Therefore, I ask you, sir, to complete the imperial outlines and regulations while attending the court meeting."