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

Arriving at the imperial study, Sima Rui was sitting behind the desk, talking to five ministers including Diao Xie, Zhou Wei, Ji Zhan, Yu Liang and Wen Qiao. Fei Ren was waiting on him. The two soldiers knelt down and saluted Sima Rui:"I see your majesty, low man, long live! Long live!""

"Get up!"Sima Rui said. The two soldiers often passed messages between Jiankang and Huaiyin, and Sima Rui had known each other for a long time. The two soldiers got up, and one of them handed the secret message to Fei Ren, and Fei Ren handed it to Sima Rui. Because the box has a mortise and tenon structure, it cannot be opened and can only be smashed open. Fei Ren took a hammer, gently broke the box open, and handed the secret letter to Sima Rui. Sima Rui unfolded the secret letter and saw that it read:

Liu Wei, your Majesty, reported to your Majesty that Wang Dun has recently summoned the generals of the counties and counties in Jingzhou to plot frequently and intensify the training of his soldiers. He also recruited ships from various places and stored grass to store grain. He also coerced and lured the generals of the surrounding counties and counties, and even got ideas from the ministers and others. On the head. According to my investigation, Wang Dun has gathered dozens of minions, and the main confidants include Shen Chong, Qian Feng, Zhuge Yao, Deng Yue, Zhou Fu, Li Heng, Xie Yong and others. I hope your Majesty will take precautions and prevent unexpected events as soon as possible. The incident happened.

Sima Rui felt that the situation was serious, read it carefully again, and then handed the secret letter to Fei Ren. Fei Ren understood, took it to the candlestick and burned it on the candle. Sima Rui said to the two soldiers:"Go back Tell General Liu to train his soldiers quickly and obey the court's orders at any time!"

"OK, Your Majesty!"The two soldiers agreed, saluted and returned to Huaiyin.

"well! What is supposed to come will definitely come, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon!"Sima Rui sighed and said. Diao Xie said:"Your Majesty, if you continue to cut off, you will suffer chaos! Sima

Rui nodded and said to Ji Zhan:"Ji Aiqing has contributed a lot to my management of Jiangnan. In order to deal with possible unexpected events, I asked Ji Zhan to be the leading general.""

"Your Majesty, you must not! I have been ill for many years and may not be able to take on a major position. Please take back your orders!"Ji Zhan quickly waved his hands and declined. The six monarchs and ministers were talking when the guards outside the door came in and reported:"Your Majesty, Lord Dai Yuan has two personal soldiers asking to see you!"

"Let them in! Sima Rui said. Two soldiers came in, knelt down and saluted. Sima Rui said,"Without ceremony, you two stand up and talk.""

The two men stood up, and a soldier said:"Your Majesty, since the death of General Zu Ti, Shi Hu and other generals of Shi Zhao have crossed the Yellow River and went south several times, and have captured Xiangcheng and Chengfu. Currently, Shi Zhao's army is besieging Qiaojun and Chenliu, and Liangzhou is also in danger!"

Sima Rui was surprised in his heart, but he didn't show it in front of the two soldiers. After one soldier finished speaking, the other took out a sealed bamboo tube from his body and handed it to Fei Ren. The opening of the bamboo tube was filled with wax, and then filled with fire paint Seal it. Fei Ren opened the bamboo tube and handed the letter inside to Sima Rui. Sima Rui opened the letter and it read:

Your Majesty, Dai Yuan, is reporting that Shi Le has temporarily given up attacking Xu Gong and Cao Yi in order to capture Yuzhou. Zu Yue After retreating again and again, many counties and cities in Yuzhou were occupied by troops sent by Shi Le. The achievements of Master Zu Ti's Northern Expedition were likely to be destroyed. I was guarding Hefei and wanted to send troops to help Zu Yue. I was also worried about major changes in Jiankang. Please ask Your Majesty made up his mind.

After reading it, Sima Rui handed Dai Yuan's letter to Fei Ren to burn. Sima Rui said to two of Dai Yuan's soldiers:"There are tens of thousands of Nandu Jie soldiers, and the offensive is currently in full swing. Hefei is an important barrier to the west of the capital. If you want to support Zu Yue, you have to cross the Huai River north, so it is not appropriate to send troops to rescue Zu Yue for the time being. Tell Lord Dai Yuan to train the soldiers and wait for the emperor's order."

"yes! His Majesty."The two soldiers said goodbye and went back to Fei. Seeing Sima Rui's face full of sadness, Wen Qiao wanted to change the subject, so he said:"Although some states and counties in the Central Plains and the north are occupied by the Xiongnu and Jie people, Liangzhou in the northwest is Still controlled by Han Zhang Mao"

"Zhang Mao's father, Zhang Gui, took advantage of the Eight Kings Rebellion to seize Liangzhou. After Zhang Gui's death, his son Zhang Shi succeeded to the throne and called himself King of Liang. In the fourth year of Jianxing, he sent troops to rescue Chang'an. After the fall of the previous dynasty, he also supported His Majesty in proclaiming himself emperor. Zhang Shi was killed by his subordinates Yan Sha, Liu Hong, Zhao Mao and others last year. His younger brother Zhang Mao accepted the positions of Envoy Chijie, General Pingxi and Mu of Liangzhou. He also executed hundreds of Yan Sha and his party members, and implemented an amnesty in Liangzhou. Zhang Jun, the son of Zhang Shi, was appointed by Zhang Mao as the general of Fujun and the prefect of Wuwei, and was granted the title of Duke of Xiping County. If Zhang Mao can contain Liu Yao, it will be beneficial to our country in regaining the northwest in the future."Wen Qiao said

"The distance between Liangzhou and Jiangnan is about the same as the distance between Liaodong and Jiangnan. Although Liangzhou has a large territory, it is vast and sparsely populated, making it easy to attack and difficult to defend. Therefore, facing the battle-hardened Liu Yao, Zhang Mao may not be able to defend Liangzhou."Yu Liang said. Sima Rui nodded after hearing this.

Zhang Mao, the aunt of Liangzhou, was sitting in the middle of Liang Prince's Mansion. He was talking to Zhang Jun, his fourteen-year-old son, Chang Shi Zhang Xi, Zuo Sima Yin Yuan, and Zhang Shi. His wife's brother Jia Fang, Taifu Sima Han Pu, the bandit-killing general Tian Qi, Fu Rong general Zhang Lang, forward governor Yin Yu, Jincheng prefect Dou Tao, Weiyuan general Song Yi, and He Bao, Song Ji, Xin Tao , Zhang Xuan, Dong Guang, Yan Zeng from Wuling and other dozens of generals discussed the current situation of the world. Zhang Mao said:"After his father passed away, Emperor Min posthumously awarded his father the titles of Mu, Shizhong and Taiwei of Liangzhou, with the posthumous title of Duke Wu.. Although the elder brother claimed to be the King of Liang in the fifth year of Jianxing, neither the father nor the elder brother, including Gu, forgot their duties and their true intentions. Every time I think of Emperor Huai and Emperor Min who were killed by Liu Cong, I can't sleep all night. Now that the two pillars of the imperial court, Zhou Fang and Zu Ti, had passed away one after another, Shi Hu took the opportunity to capture many places in Yuzhou. Unfortunately, our Liangzhou is not only far away from Yuzhou, but also separated by Liu Yao and Shi Le. Wang Dun is ready to move again, but I can't do anything"

"Your Highness, there is no need to worry. Liangwu Gong is elegant and dignified, well versed in Confucianism, and was named the governor of Liangzhou by the previous dynasty. In the third year of Tai'an, Sima Yong, king of Hejian, and Sima Ying, king of Chengdu, rebelled. Duke Wu sent three thousand troops to Luoyang to protect the emperor. Under the rule of Liang Wugong, Liangzhou cultivated mulberry trees, built schools, set up Chongwen and wine festivals, and made great achievements in various industries. In order to promote commerce and trade, five baht coins were minted and circulated throughout Liangzhou, bringing great convenience to the people. Emperor Huai and Emperor Min offered official positions many times, but Duke Wu modestly declined. We still benefit from Duke Wu’s merits. Zhang Xi, the chief historian, said.

Han Pu, Sima of the Taifu, said:"In the second year of Yongjia, Wang Mi invaded Luoyang and there was a famine in the city. Duke Wu immediately sent Du Xun, a soldier in the army, to deliver 500 horses and 30,000 blankets to the court. Emperor Huai came to worship Duke Wu as the General of Zhenxi, the Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs in Longyou, and he was granted the title of Overlord of the City. Wu Gong sent Beigong Chun and other generals to lead the Liangzhou army to defeat Wang Mi, and also defeated Liu Cong in Hedong. Emperor Huai was overjoyed and made Wu Gong the Duke of Xiping County, but Wu Gong refused. At that time, the world was in chaos, and the princes of the prefectures and counties were doing their own affairs and did not obey the emperor's orders. But Duke Wu sent envoys to pay tribute to the emperor all year round without interruption."