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

"Mr. Wang, please go to the Three Treasures Hall for whatever reason. I have something to do today, so I came back from Yanzhou specifically yesterday and came to your house to see you today. Xi Jian said. Wang Dao said:"You are welcome, Governor Xi. Please come into the house first." If you have anything to do, sit down and talk slowly."

Director Wang and Xi Jian were chatting and laughing, and let Xi Jian into the mansion. When they came to the living room, the two of them sat down. Director Wang's wife Cao, his concubine Lei, and Wang Jin, the palace's housekeeper, all came to talk to Xi Jian and Xi Jian's housekeeper. Xi Ping met each other and then sat down. Two maids came in, poured tea for everyone, and stood aside. Director Wang said:"Please invite Xi Ping to drink tea first. If you have anything to say, just tell me"

"More than two years ago, we were all dependents of His Majesty Xintinghui. I have been to your mansion many times, so I am no stranger to the two ladies and the children of your mansion. It’s just that in the past few years, I have been appointed by His Majesty as General Longxiang and Governor of Yanzhou to guard Zoushan. Later, he was appointed by His Majesty as the general to assist the country and the commander-in-chief of Yanzhou's military affairs."Xi Jian stopped talking at this point. Director Wang smiled and asked:"Although Governor Xi has been guarding the local area in recent years, sooner or later he will be recalled to the court by His Majesty and entrusted with important tasks. But I guess you came for something else. Xi Jian also laughed when he heard what Director Wang said. Xi Jian said:"

Yanzhou is in chaos. Xu Gong calls himself the governor of Yanzhou. Liu Yan is the governor of Yanzhou. Li Shu is the governor of Yanzhou. I am the governor of Yanzhou appointed by your majesty." Shi Le also took advantage of the situation and tried to annex Yanzhou. Indeed, as Master Maohong said, I am not here for Yanzhou today, but for family matters."

"Housework? What's going on at home? Is your son still young? Director Wang asked. Xi Jian said:"My son Xi Min is only seven years old, but Xi Min's sister is not young anymore. It's time to start a family!""

"OK! It is the first time for men to get married, and for the first time women to get married. How difficult is it to find a well-matched family? We are old friends who have never met each other. If you have anything to say, please say it directly. Director Wang laughed. Xi Jian said sheepishly:"My daughter Xi Xuan is only 28 years old." I want to choose a suitable one among you Langya Wang family’s descendants to be my virtuous son-in-law and make good friends with Qin and Jin."

"What a great feeling! There are more than 20 people in our Langya Wang family who are around 20 years old. I will call all those who are in Jiankang for you, Governor Xi, to choose! Director Wang agreed happily. Director Wang looked at the housekeeper Wang Jin and said:"Wang Jin, go to the various mansions of the Wang family in Langya and call all these unmarried nephews to me!""

"Okay sir! Wang Jin agreed and went out. Director Wang said to Xi Jian:"All my nephews and nephews in Jiankang will come to me in a while, and they will be chosen by Governor Xi.""

Director Wang and Xi Jian were drinking tea and chatting. Director Wang's wife Cao and his concubine Lei were also there to accompany them. In less than half an hour, more than twenty descendants of the Langya Wang family in Jiankang came to the living room. Inside. Xi Jian took a look and saw that these more than 20 young people were all wearing brand-new clothes, brand-new shoes, and were freshly dressed. In the front was Wang Yue, the eldest son of Director Wang, and behind him were other children of the Langya Wang family. Xi Jian looked first He looked at Wang Yue in front of him and asked with a smile:"Xiannephew Wang Yue, do you know why your father called you here?"

"I know, Uncle Xi. Wang Yue said. Xi Jian asked again:"How old are you?""

"I am eighteen years old this year. Wang Yue replied. Xi Jian asked again:"Are you engaged?""

"We're engaged. We were engaged last year."Wang Yue answered again. Xi Jian smiled and scolded:"You kid, now that you are engaged, you still want to mix in and cause trouble while you are having fun!"

Dozens of people in the living room laughed. Wang Yue was embarrassed and came to sit next to his mother, Mrs. Cao. Xi Jian looked at these young people one by one. Look at this one and shake his head, look at that one and shake his head..After reading it, I still shook my head in the end.

"Mr. Xi, we have so many disciples of Langya Wang family, but none of them fall into your eyes? Director Wang asked with a smile. Xi Jian asked:"Master Wang, are there any more?""

"ah? There is also a study room in the east cross courtyard! Director Wang suddenly remembered a person and said to Wang Jin:"Wang Jin, you and Butler Xi go to the Dongkua Courtyard to see if Young Master Yi is there.""

After a while, the two housekeepers came back. Xi Ping, the housekeeper of Xi Mansion, said to Xi Jian with a smile:"Sir, there is a young man in the east wing. This man is different. Look at the people in the living room, all wearing brand new and neat clothes. The man in the study room of the east cross courtyard was naked and lying on his back on the bed against the east wall with his stomach open and eating biscuits. There are inkstones, brushes and some bamboo slips on the desk. It seems that Mr. Xi's choice of son-in-law has nothing to do with him."

"Haha, yes, this is the sweetheart I'm looking for! Call him quickly! Xi Jian said happily. Director Wang then said:"Wang Jin, call Master Yi over quickly!""

Wang entered the study room of Dongkuaoyuan. The young man had already put on his clothes. When he saw Wang coming in, he followed him to the living room. The young man came to Director Wang and saluted, and then saluted Xi Jian. Seeing the Cao family and the Lei family, he also They were present and then gave gifts to the two ladies. Xi Jian looked at the young man up and down. He saw that the young man was gentle, well-educated, talented and beautiful. So he said to Director Wang:"Master Wang, this is the young man. I will give you the betrothal gift immediately."!"

Xi Jian suddenly said this, which made Wang Xizhi a little dazed. Director Wang said:"Master Yi, Mr. Xi Jian came to our Wang family to choose a son-in-law for his daughter. He didn't even take a fancy to more than twenty people, but he chose you! Master Xi’s beloved daughter is smart and virtuous, and she is a perfect match for you!"

"Uncle, I'm only sixteen years old and I don't plan to get married yet! Wang Xizhi said embarrassedly. Director Wang said:"What are you talking about!" It is good for young people to start a family and start a business early, which is good for the prosperity of the family. Others don't want it, but you still push back and block it! Director Wang saw Wang Xizhi sitting down and stopped talking, so he said to Xi Jian:"This child's name is Wang Xizhi, and his courtesy name is Yi Shao." He is a rare talent of our Langya Wang family. Mr. Xi, you have such good taste! His father was the late Huainan Governor Wang Kuang, who was also my cousin. Young Master Yi often studied calligraphy and painting with the prince and my other cousin Wang Zhen."

"My trip today is worthwhile! Xi Jian said, laughing heartily. Director Wang said:"Since Brother Xi is so satisfied, I will arrange the marriage for Young Master Yi and let them get married soon!""

"OK OK! The sooner the better! Xi Jian said. Director Wang ordered:"Prepare wine!" Liu

Yao, the leader of the Han Dynasty, stayed in Suyi Palace for more than two months. He learned that Shi Le sent troops to occupy Pingyang and was discussing with Liu Jian and his generals about returning to Chang'an. Liu Yao asked:"Jian'er, you just came back from Chang'an." , have the Guangshi Palace and Ziguang Palace been built?"

"Returning to Father's Palace, the construction has just been completed. The soldiers have cleaned up and can go back to stay in Chang'an! Liu Jian said. Liu Yao said:"That's great, we will return to Chang'an tomorrow!""

Back in Chang'an, Liu Yao sat in the Ziguang Palace and accepted the congratulations from the officials.