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

After hearing Murong Xuan's meaningful and funny words, everyone present became excited. Murong Xin's sons, ministers and generals of the Murong family simply danced with the dancers, and some even took the opportunity to hug each other. Some were drinking and whistling while watching, which was very lively. Those Han ministers from the Central Plains and the North just drank and admired.

Ten beautiful and extraordinary dancers completed the Xiongnu dance, Xianbei dance and Central Plains dance to the sound of three pieces of music. These beauties, who suffocated all the men present, as well as the five accompanying musicians, saluted Murong Xin and the others and left. Seeing the dancers and musicians leaving, Murong Xie continued:"Looking back at the various enslavement and exploitation that we Xianbei people, especially our Murong tribe, suffered over the past hundreds of years, those who were killed by the Huns and Xianbei people from other tribes, I Murong I'm so angry with all the tribesmen!"

All his sons understood what Murong Xin meant. Murong Han said:"What my father said is absolutely true. Our Murong tribe has become stronger in the past few years, but we will not forget the various injuries suffered by our ancestors and members of the tribe. Today, our tribe not only has the ability to protect the tribe, but also has the ability to resist foreigners." Provocation and intrusion. As long as my father gives the order, we will fulfill our mission, not afraid of bloodshed, and fight the enemy bravely until we beat the enemy until he cries and becomes submissive!"

"What my brother said makes sense."Murong Huang followed up Murong Han's words and said:"Those miserable days when the Huns once oppressed, driven, and killed can no longer appear in our Murong tribe. Those tribes that are enemies of our Murong tribe will either die or flee, or they will be used as cattle or horses for us. Their descendants will be our slaves and servants!"

After listening to the words of his two sons, Murong Xuan's happy expression was beyond words. Seeing that his father was happy, Murong Huang continued:"Just now we did not accept the reward from the emperor of the Jin Dynasty, and we have had many conflicts with the generals of the Central Plains Dynasty in the past. We should avoid this kind of thing in the future and learn the strategy of 'making friends far away and attacking near' during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. We cannot afford to offend the Central Plains Dynasty, and it is far away. However, the separatist forces fighting each other in the north are right in front of us. As long as we, depending on the situation, either coerce or lure, or use it for my own advantage, or defeat each one, it is not impossible to lose no opportunity to establish our own country in the future!"

After listening to the words of the Crown Prince Murong Hui, Murong Xin smiled and nodded frequently.

Tao Liao and three other people came out of the main hall and sat down in a teahouse on the street. There are four characters on the lintel of this teahouse, called"Siluo Tea House". Teahouse There were some people drinking tea and chatting, but most of them were dressed as Xianbei people. Tao Liao looked carefully at a waiter in the waiting room, but he was dressed as a Central Plains person. Tao Liao and his two followers found a place to sit down, and the waiter came to them He asked:"Where are the three guests coming from? Do you want to drink tea?""

"We are merchants from the Central Plains, and the waiter is also from the Central Plains? Tao Liao asked. The waiter looked around and said quietly to Tao Liao:"Sir, I came here because I was fleeing the war in the Central Plains." Murong Xin, the chief chanker here, treated the Han people well. However, there are often spies from other tribes here, so you should be careful. Tao

Liao nodded and said to the waiter:"Bring us a pot of good tea.""

After a while, the waiter came with a tea tray. There was a yellow pottery pot and three yellow pottery bowls on the tea tray. Putting down the tea tray, the waiter said:"Take it easy!"

The three of them drank tea for a while, then Cheng Hui said:"In the past, the appointments and rewards I gave to the leaders of the Murong tribe were very useful to them, and they were even grateful. When it comes to Murong Xuan's generation, they disdain the gifts from our court, and their wings become harder and harder."

Follower Ufu said:"For a powerful dynasty, the surrounding foreign countries will be obedient. The rewards given to emperors of great powers are often something they only dream of. Now the previous dynasty has actually died. Our Jiangnan court is just a continuation of the previous dynasty, but it is much less powerful."

"What you both said makes sense. The general trend of the world since ancient times has been a process of decline and growth. Our emperor may still have great hopes for this mission. But it can be said that we gained nothing from this trip. You two go to the post house and drive the carriage to the east gate of Jicheng City. I will go out of the east gate of Jicheng City and wait for you there."Tao Liao said, and the two followers left the tea shop and went to the post house. Tao Liao came to the east gate of Jicheng alone. When he got to the city gate, he saw that the city gate was closed. The general guarding the east gate saw Tao Liao Liao came and asked,"Master Tao, are you going back so soon? How are things going? Tao

Liao cupped his hands and said,"It went well. We are ready to go back. Please open the city gate.""

The general waved his hand, and several soldiers guarding the city gate opened the city gate. Two carriages also arrived. Tao Liao said goodbye to the general guarding the city gate and got on the first carriage. It took about a month to leave Jicheng. We were already halfway, so Tao Liao stopped the car. Tao Liao got down, and so did everyone else. Tao Liao said,"On our trip north, we helped the Murong brothers build a bridge by the way, so that Xiaohua and Xiaocao could Got a good place to stay. But after all, our mission is not completed. Of course, this is not something we can decide"

"Then shall we return to the Murong brothers' inn? Cheng Hui asked. Tao Liao shook his head and said,"If things are done well, it doesn't matter if it's delayed for a few days." This is not possible now. We must find ways to return to Jiangnan as soon as possible. When we get back to Jiankang, let’s see how we act on our own terms!

Wufu asked:"Master Tao, shall we return the same way?""

"Of course we have to go back the way we came, our two boats are still parked at the dock. However, when passing by the inn, we should not disturb the Murong brothers, otherwise we will be delayed. The carriage goes directly to the dock and then gets on the boat back to Jiangnan. The sooner the better."Tao Liao said.

Eight days later, Tao Liao and his party successfully returned to Houhu in the north of Jiankang. There were no carriages on the shore of Houhu, so the thirteen people walked back to Jiankang. Tao Liao came to the palace city and planned to go to Tai Chi Hall Reporting the situation of the envoy to Liaodong, Tao Liao happened to meet Director Wang head-on. Tao Liao quickly raised his hands and saluted and said:"Master Wang, I just came back from Liaodong, is your Majesty in the Taiji Hall?""

"Is it the same as last time, Murong Xin still refuses to accept the gift? Director Wang asked. Tao Liao said:"Your Excellency, Murong Xin did not accept the gift."

"Okay, I understand, you don’t need to see His Majesty, go home!"After Director Wang finished speaking, he hurriedly walked to the east hall of Tai Chi Hall. Tao Liao breathed a sigh of relief and went home.

Director Wang came to the court and greeted each other with the civil and military ministers. There was silence in the court, and Sima Rui was full on the dragon chair. With a sad look on his face, Director Wang came to the foot of the steps, knelt down to Sima Rui, and then said:"Your Majesty, the little prince is seriously ill and should be treated by the best imperial doctor from the Imperial Hospital. Your Majesty cannot neglect your diet or even cut off your meals just because of this matter. Your Majesty has many things to deal with. The war in the north continues. There is a three-party war in Pingyang, and Shao Xu is besieged by Shihu. These myriad national affairs require His Majesty to make decisions. Your Majesty, please listen to your advice and resume your diet!"