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

"Sir Cao Yi, your Majesty sent your ministers to Guanggu City to convey your edict. Kong Tan said. When Cao Ni heard the edict from Jiangnan Emperor Sima Rui, he quickly came down and knelt down. Kong Tan took out the edict and read out: Cao Ni of Qingzhou has always been loyal to the court. He built Guangguang and solidified the city to resist the enemy, and separatized Qingzhou. In order to protect himself, he established a garrison along the Jishui River. He declined the edict of the Han Dynasty and showed his concern for the country and the people. Therefore, Cao Yi was granted the title of General Pingdong, Governor of Qingzhou, and Marquis of Guangrao.

"Thank you Lord for your grace! Long live! Long live! Long live!"Cao Yi quickly expressed his gratitude to Sima Rui. Kong Tan pulled Cao Yi up and said:"Master Cao, please get up! Kong

Tan handed the edict to Cao Ni, said goodbye to Cao Ni and returned to the south of the Yangtze River.

Two days later, two generals, Xu Miao and Gaoliang, came back. The two came to Cao Ni and bowed their hands and saluted:"Sir, the last general Give orders!"

"How are things going? Cao Yi asked with a smile. Xu Miao replied:"Your Excellency, this attack on Shao Xu's farmland has yielded a lot." General Gaoliang and I robbed a lot of grain and grass accumulated by the soldiers in the field, and also moved back more than a thousand households of Hu and Han people!"

"Our soldiers escorted the grain and grass back, and Shao Xucai led Shao Cun to catch up. We copied the household registrations of the local people, escorted them back, and did not engage in battle with Shao Xu. Gao Liang added. Cao Yi said:"Very good, thank you for your hard work, two generals!""

Brothers Shao Xu and Duan Pixi, as well as their general Shao Cun and others, are discussing how to attack Cao Ni. Duan Pixi said:"The court in Jiangzuo not only rewarded you, General Shao, but also rewarded Cao Ni. As for Cao Yi, on the one hand, he was loyal to His Majesty in his heart, but on the other hand, he had an affair with Shi Le. Cao Yi has sent envoys a few days ago, intending to form an alliance with Shi Le"

"Cao Yi and I are alone in the north, beyond the reach of the Emperor of Jiangnan. Your Majesty wishes that our two families could join forces, which would be most beneficial to the recovery of the Central Plains and northern homeland. But Cao Yi has been planning to become the king of Qingzhou for many years, so of course we are incompatible with each other. Shao Xu said

"In my opinion, the Jiangnan court must have different views on General Shao and Cao Yi. At least the general has no ambition to cede territory and become king. This is the biggest difference from Cao Yi."Duan Wenyang analyzed:"The Jiangzuo imperial court was located in a corner of the south of the Yangtze River, two thousand miles away from Fuping City. Our support can only be verbal. It is a good idea for us to conquer the outside world and settle down in the fields to pacify the people. But we have Shihu to the west and Cao Yi to the south. Compared with these two powerful enemies, of course Cao Yi would be weaker. If we station our troops in the Huangjingu area of ​​Jinan, it will definitely put a lot of pressure on Cao Yi and make him feel like he is sitting on pins and needles."

"General Duan's analysis was thorough and exactly what I wanted. Shao Xu ordered:"Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun listen to your orders!" I order you two to lead 10,000 troops and garrison Huangjingu!"

Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun stood up and bowed their hands to Shao Xu:"The general has received his order!"

Two men on horseback, leading an infantry of 10,000 horses, marched out of the south gate of Fuping City and headed to Jinan to garrison in Huangjingu. Cao Yi, who was in Guanggu City, had already received the news.

"Shao Xu sent Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun to station in Huangjingu, obviously they came well prepared. Shao Cun was not well-known, but Duan Wenyang was different. He was the number one warrior in the Xianbei Duan tribe."Cao Yi said with some worry. Several generals under Cao Yi were also at a loss.

"In fact, our strength is stronger than Shao Xu. But if we go to war with Shao Xu, the happiest person is Shi Le and Shi Hu. Two dogs fight, play off. Maybe in the end, Shi Hu will take the opportunity to eliminate Shao Xu first and then take Guanggu City."Xu Miao said

"A few days ago, we plundered Shao Xu's grain and grass and took his household registration. This was done a bit abruptly. If we send an envoy to return this food and population to Shao Xu. If you give him some more treasures, can the two families live in harmony? Gao Liang said

"What the two generals said is true, I will prepare now. Cao Yi said,"When I'm ready, I'll ask General Lu Pi to lead five hundred soldiers to deliver these things to Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun's camp. By the way, we are willing to make peace. What do you think?""Cao Yi said

"This is the best way!"Xu Miao, Gao Liang, and Lu Pi all nodded.

"The general is willing to go to Huangjingu to convey the lord's wishes!" Lu Pi said.

Lu Pi led five hundred soldiers, escorting dozens of carts of grain and grass, and left Guanggu City for Huangjingu. The soldiers guarding the camp gate saw a group of carriages coming straight to the camp, and hurried to the tent to greet them. Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun reported:"Two generals, a group of carriages came in front of the camp gate!"

When Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun came out of the camp gate, they saw that the swords of the opposing soldiers were all inserted into their scabbards. They didn't look like they were coming to fight. When they arrived at the camp, Lu Pi dismounted and greeted Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun. The two men also handed over their hands. Returning the gift, Duan Wenyang said:"It turns out to be General Lu, inviting you!

Arriving at the big tent, Duan Wenyang said,"General Lu, please take a seat." Lu

Pi sat down and Shao Cun asked,"General Lu came uninvited. There must be something wrong, right?""

"bother you for something. A few days ago, our lord plundered Lord Shao Xu's food, grass and people. This was not a very honorable thing. After reflection, the lord asked me to send back the provisions and household registration list. There are also some gold, pearls and jade articles, please accept them with pleasure from the two generals. Lu

Pi said, and handed Duan Wenyang the details of grain and grass, the household register, and the details of wealth and silk. Lu Pi said:"Please check the two generals according to the details and account books.""

"Since General Lu is so careful, the check can be omitted! Duan Wenyang said and handed the detailed account book to Shao Cun. Lu Pi asked the soldiers to carry the grain and grass, and Duan Wenyang and Shao Cun's soldiers also came to help. After the grain and grass were carried, Lu Pi asked two soldiers to get off the last carriage. A box was brought down. Lu Pi said:"Please the two generals to hand over these yellow and white things to Lord Shao Xu. I hope that our two families can turn their conflicts into friendship in the future.""

"It's certain, please don't worry, General Lu and Lord Cao Yi!" Duan Wenyang said, and together with Shao Cun, watched Lu Pi and his soldiers return to Guanggu City.

Kong Tan returned to Jiankang and caught up with Sima Rui and the minister of civil and military affairs at court. The guards at the entrance of the court went in and reported:"Qi Qi Your Majesty, Lord Kongtan who went to Guanggu City is back!"

"Okay, please invite Lord Contan to come in!"Sima Rui ordered.

Kong Tan came to the bottom of the steps, knelt down and saluted Sima Rui:"My lord, Kong Tan, comes to see your majesty!"

"Mr. Kong was exempted from the ceremony. How did you go about what I asked you to do? Sima Rui asked. Kong Tan stood up and said,"Although the journey was bumpy, I have successfully delivered the edict to Lord Cao Yi." I was afraid that Your Majesty would take note of it, so I hurried back."