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

"Although the situation of"the king and the horse share the world" has been around for many years, in today's world, after all, the surname is Sima and not Wang. Without the courage to succeed without success and the spirit to give it a try, it would be impossible to suppress the arrogance of the Langya Wang family!"Liu Wei said

"Since His Majesty took the throne, I feel bad every time I see His Majesty being suppressed by Wang Dun and not daring to get angry or speak out. Wang Dun and Wang Dao, one is bright and the other is dark, one is strong and the other is soft. Together with the other Langya Wang clan, a force has formed to compete with the royal family. The hope of revitalizing the royal family lies with just a few of us! Diao Xie said.

Zhou Wei looked at the pig on the plate and was filled with emotion. Zhou Wei said:"The imperial court was founded two years ago. It can be said that it has nothing and everything is waiting to be done." Your Majesty wants to eat some pork, but he has to wait for many days. At that time, pork was considered a precious meal. There was a banquet in the court, and the ministers saw that His Majesty loved to eat the meat from the pig neck. Every time they ate pork in the future, they did not dare to enjoy the neck meat privately, and would offer the neck meat to His Majesty. This is why neck meat is called 'forbidden meat'. Things have gotten much better in the past two years. We can still eat pork and pig offal."

"Two years ago Mr. He Xun and I had a drink here, and we had two dishes: boiled peanuts and mapo tofu. If Wang Dun could pay the taxes in Jingzhou, the situation of the court would be better. It's a pity that Wang Dun has always been self-reliant, like an independent kingdom."Diao Xie said.

After finishing three dishes and a bottle of wine, the waiter came up. Diao Xie calculated the money for the drinks, and the three of them went downstairs and went straight to Sima Rui's imperial study in Miyagi City. When they came to Sima Rui's In the imperial study room, I saw Director Wang sitting there. The three of them first saluted Sima Rui:"I see you, Your Majesty!""

"Mr. Wang is here too?" Zhou Wei said. Director Wang said:"I just arrived too."

Sima Rui asked the three people to sit down, and two maids came in to pour tea, and then went out. Diao Xie took advantage of the wine and said:"Master Wang has so many things to do, how come you have time to see your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty and I are both monarchs and ministers and close friends. This friendship with His Majesty has been established since the days of Langya Kingdom. It is also my duty to talk to His Majesty."Director Wang said. Diao Xie relied on Director Wang's words and said:"I have followed His Majesty for many years and won His Majesty's trust, but I never dared to say that I was His Majesty's best friend. This is beyond my reach!"

"If there is no saying that"the king and the horse share the world", His Majesty may not have a close friend like Mr. Wang, right?"Liu Wei, under the influence of wine, also said something. Sima Rui looked at the three favored ministers with red faces and was embarrassed to interrupt. Diao Xie continued:"'The king and the horse share the world' is just a folk saying. In fact, Lord Wang is very loyal to His Majesty. It's just that his cousin either didn't come to court or stood up in front of His Majesty.Yang"

"If this civil and military person, singing and harmonious, neglects His Majesty, this crime will not be light! Diao Xie continued to say sarcastically. When Director Wang saw this posture, he knew that if the argument continued, there would inevitably be a fierce quarrel. So he saluted Sima Rui and said,"Your Majesty, I have something to say and I have to leave."

Seeing Director Wang leave, Sima Rui said with some annoyance:"Director Wang is my pillar of talent after all. Isn't it great that you guys speak so straightforwardly?"!"

"Your Majesty, we actually did it on purpose. Let's let Mr. Wang leave under the influence of wine, and then tell His Majesty what we think. Diao Xie said with a smile. Sima Rui said:"How can I not know your thoughts?" What Wang Dun did is like a mirror in my heart. But if Wang Dun's military power is taken away now, he will soon rebel. If we just live with it day by day, the day of rebellion may be postponed. If you have any ideas, just say it!"

"Facing the Langya Wang family, especially Wang Dun, I watched with eyes and felt anxious in my heart. In any case, His Majesty is the Emperor, and Wang Dun is a minister. In order to restrain the Wang family of Langya, your Majesty is requested to implement the"Political Policy of Cutting". This can restrain the power of the clan and maintain the imperial power."Shang Shuling Diao Xie said eagerly. Yushi Zhongcheng and Shizhong Liu Wei said:"Wang Dun's authority is growing day by day, and he is becoming more and more domineering and powerful. If Your Majesty does not take measures, it will be tantamount to appeasing the traitor. This is not"the king and the horse share the world", but the king replaces the horse and conquers the world."

Zhou Wei said:"Wang Gong, another figure of the Langya Wang family, is the best in calligraphy and painting in Jiangnan. However, during his tenure as governor of Jingzhou for more than a year, he massacred Tao Kan's subordinates and generals, and also killed the conscript Huangfu Fang Hui. Wang Zhen's reputation among the officials and people of Jingzhou went from bad to worse, and even aroused public anger. His Majesty recalled him to the central court and served as an auxiliary general, and was given the post of regular attendant on casual cavalry."

"If it weren't for Zhou's visit to conquer Du Zeng, Wang Xian wouldn't even be able to take up his post in Jingzhou. Zhou Fang and Tao Kan were sons and daughters, and Tao Kan was not killed by Wang Dun. Later, Tao Kan was forced to serve as the governor of Guangzhou, and Zhou Fang became the governor of Liangzhou. Wang Dun had the final say in the appointment of feudal officials. If Wang Dun and Wang Zhen join forces, it may be detrimental to the court. Diao Xie said

"It's rare for you to share my worries, so how should we break this situation?"Sima Rui asked. Liu Wei said:"First, your Majesty, please implement the 'Kesuizhi' policy' as soon as possible. Second, appoint close ministers outside the town to form a trend of guarding Jiankang to prevent unexpected events."

"Are there any consequences for doing this?"Sima Rui asked again. Liu Wei said:"These measures can not only strengthen the imperial power, but also divide the Langya Wang family. Wang Dun would definitely be angry when he heard this, but because both Zu Ti and Zhou Fang had heavy troops, plus the ministers sent abroad, this would form multiple forces to suppress Wang Dun, making him dare not act rashly."

"What Diao Aiqing and Liu Aiqing said is indeed a good idea. I will consider it and announce it in court when the conditions are ripe."Sima Rui said.

Diao Xie, Zhou Wei, and Liu Wei knelt down and saluted:"Your Majesty is wise!

A few days later, Sima Rui asked in the court:"Yang Jian's campaign against Xu Gong, how was the battle going?""

"Your Majesty was told that Yang Jian led many armies to attack Xu Gong, and Shi Hu also began to harass Mount Tai. Xu Gong was attacked from the north and south. He was at a loss and wanted to surrender to the court."Director Wang said. Sima Rui thought for a moment and said,"I guess this is Xu Gong's expedient measure, not his sincerity. Tell Yang Jian Aiqing to always pay attention to Xu Gong and Shi Hu's every move"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will immediately send someone to tell Lord Yangjian."Director Wang said.

An entourage drove an ox cart for Director Wang and returned to the gate of the mansion. Director Wang got off the ox cart and saw a carriage parked at the door. Two people got off the carriage, one was Xi Jian. , one was Xi Jian's housekeeper. When Director Wang and Xi Jian met, they both laughed loudly, and then bowed their hands and saluted. Director Wang asked:"Chief Xi is guarding Zoshan. Are you back today when you are free?""