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

"Returning to Your Majesty, Queen Wang has gone to talk to other queens in their chambers. I have sent the maid to call them."Wang Chen said, Queen Wang also came back. When Queen Wang saw Liu Cong lying on her bed in broad daylight, she quickly came over to say hello:"Your Majesty, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm very fine."Liu Cong said while holding Queen Wang's delicate hand. Looking at Queen Wang's charming face, Liu Cong suddenly became energetic.

"I won’t leave tonight, I’ll just spend the night at your place."Liu Cong pulled Queen Wang to sit down and said reluctantly. Queen Wang said shyly:"I wish you all the best! Wang

Chen and Doctor Hu looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly. Wang Chen said to Doctor Hu,"Please ask Doctor Hu to prescribe a prescription for Your Majesty. I will send the palace maid to get the medicine.""

After a few days, Liu Cong felt better, so he summoned the ministers to the Guangji Palace. Liu Cong glanced at the civil and military ministers below. Except for Liu Yao and Shi Le, basically all of them were there.

"Long live my father! Long live! Long live!"Liu Can and other Liu Cong's sons knelt down and saluted. Then other ministers knelt down and saluted:"Long live my emperor! Long live! Long live!"

"Everyone loves you!"Liu Cong waved his hand gently. Liu Can, Jin Zhun and others stood on both sides. Liu Cong nodded towards Wang Chen, and Wang Chen came to Liu Cong. Liu Cong picked up the edict on the Long Book Table and handed it to Wang Chen. Wang Chen stood at the edge of the steps and began to read out the edict:

I have been sick recently and feel in a trance. I am afraid that I will be in a trance soon. The family, country and country come first, and the government relies on capable ministers. Now I have added the titles of Grand Prime Minister Liu Jing, Grand Sima Liu Ji, and Grand Master. Liu Wei, Grand Tutor Zhu Ji, and Taibao Hu Yanyan were appointed as ministers. Fan Long was appointed as the Minister of Shou Ling and Yi Tong, and Jin Zhun was appointed as the Grand Sikong. They both decided to serve as ministers and served as assistant ministers.

These people listened to After that, he knelt down and thanked you after leaving work:"Thank you so much for your majesty's grace!

Liu Cong continued:"These days, I am indeed in a trance, unable to do what I want, and don't think about food or food." One day I had a dream. I dreamed that Emperor Huai of Jin Dynasty, Sima Chi, and Emperor Min of Jin Dynasty, Sima Ye, were holding swords and swords, and wanted to kill me."

Liu Can and several other Liu Cong's sons, Jin Zhun and other civil and military ministers looked at each other and didn't know what to say. The king of Zhongchang thought for a while and said:"I think about it every day, and I dream about it at night. There are so many civil and military ministers around His Majesty, what can two dead little emperors do to His Majesty? As long as your majesty rests in peace and recuperates, my emperor will surely be blessed with great blessings!"

Above the court hall of Prince Jin's Mansion, Sima Rui was reviewing the memorials sent by the counties in the south of the Yangtze River. At this time, Director Wang came in and came to salute Sima Rui:"See His Highness Prince Jin!"

"Lord Shigehong is standing flat and is allowed to sit down."Sima Rui said, and an attendant moved a seat. Director Wang did not sit down, but continued:"Your Highness, something serious has happened! News came from Chang'an that Emperor Min Sima Ye had passed away!"

"ah? When did this happen?"Sima Rui stood up and asked in surprise. Director Wang replied:"There are people from Jiangnan who went to Chang'an to do business, and spies from Jiangnan have learned the news. It is absolutely true and cannot be false. Emperor Min died on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month last year."

"Today is the seventh day of March, more than two months ago."Sima Rui said with tears in his eyes. Then he added:"Daocheng left me on October 29th last year, and less than two months later, Liu Cong killed Emperor Min. well! There is no way!"

Sima Rui and Wang Daozheng were talking, and Zhou Wei, Wang Cheng, Diao Xie, Dai Yuan, and Yu Liang also came. Five people saluted Sima Rui:"See the thousand years old King Jin!"

"Do you know it too? Sima Rui asked. All five people nodded. Sima Rui said:"Although according to the royal family's seniority, this king is the great-grandson of Emperor Xuan, and Emperor Min is the great-great-grandson of Emperor Xuan." So this king is still Emperor Min's uncle, but Emperor Min is the emperor of the previous dynasty, and the distinction between monarch and minister cannot be ambiguous. Mr. Shigehiro, please send someone to build a thatched house for me in the palace. I want to wear mourning clothes for Emperor Min and stay in a hut for three days to express my condolences."

"I obey, I will do it right now." Director Wang said and went out. As soon as he walked out of the palace gate, he met Ji Zhan head-on. Director Wang and Ji Zhan cupped their hands and did not bother to talk. Ji Zhan came to the main hall and saluted Sima Rui:"I see Jin. Your Highness!"

Ji Zhan said:"Your Highness, it has been nearly two years since the previous dynasty was destroyed by the Xiongnu. Emperor Huai and Emperor Min died one after another, and all the ministers were heartbroken. However, the most urgent task is that His Highness should inherit the throne. Even though many civil and military ministers had repeatedly urged him to come forward, His Highness had concerns, and all ministers could understand. But looking at the bloodline of Emperor Xuan's royal family, His Highness is the most righteous, the most confident, and the one who should do his duty the most. His Highness's ascension to the throne is welcomed by all, and the ancestors of the Sima royal family can also smile. As His Highness ascends the throne, the gods will protect you and the people will have something to rely on. If Futian goes against destiny and goes against people's hearts, once the situation is over, it will be too late to regret it!"

Zhou Wei said:"Your Highness, Mr. Ji is absolutely convinced that this matter cannot be delayed any longer. In recent years, the national capital Luoyang and the western capital Chang'an were successively destroyed, and the rebels Liu Yuan and Liu Cong established their own Han Kingdom in the northwest. A country cannot be left without a master for a day, but His Highness regarded himself as aloof in Jiangzuo and refused to take the throne many times. It was like putting out a fire, but His Highness was polite and humble over and over again."

Diao Xie said:"Currently Sima Bao in the northwest is ready to make a move, and he has the potential to overtake his subordinates and proclaim himself emperor in advance. It is also possible that Sima Bao first proclaimed himself King of Jin and then planned an attack. If Sima Bao's conspiracy succeeds, the world will be in chaos again, and the people of Li will suffer again!"

"Your Majesty, I would like to invite Zhou Song to come to the throne!"The guard at the door came in and said. As soon as the guard returned to the door, Zhou Song came to Sima Rui. After seeing the ceremony, Zhou Song said:"Emperors in ancient dynasties all followed morality first and then followed, and were modest and courteous. , and then take possession when things are ready. Therefore, he can rule the country for a long time, and his kindness can be passed on to all generations. At present, Emperor Min's Zi Palace is still in the enemy's country, and his old capital Luoyang is also in the enemy's hands. Those who cherish justice are heartbroken and weeping, but they have no choice but to do anything. The scholars and the people are in panic all day long. At this time of national crisis, we should open up the public channels and seek advice from civil and military ministers and noble people. The imperial court should step up its efforts to train soldiers and forge weapons so that it can regain the old capital and welcome back the coffins of Emperor Huai and Emperor Min. Only then can the shame and humiliation of the country's defeat be washed away, and only then can the common people live and work in peace and contentment. At that time, who else will be given the power to rule the world and govern the country?"

"Bold Zhou Song, what is the purpose of your endless chatter?"Sima Rui felt Zhou Song's disobedience, so he was furious. Sima Rui said:"When you invite Zhou Song to the court, you are arrogant, reckless and disobedient, and you don't know what is going on. From now on, he will be demoted from Beijing and appointed as the prefect of Xin'an!"