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

"Thank you for your kindness!"Tao Liao said with a smile. Murong Xin said:"These things are not common in Jiangnan, even if they are my Murong Department's thoughts. These things have been loaded into ten carriages. I will send you a general and a hundred soldiers to take you to Bohai Station."

"Thank you Da Chanyu for being so thoughtful! Tao Liao thanked him again.

After seeing Tao Liao off, Pei Yi stood up and asked,"Chanyu, in the past, you often refused Sima Rui's gifts." Why didn't you refuse the reward this time?!"

Murong Xuan said:"I, the Murong family, have been holding the iron certificate of the alchemy book given by the emperor of the Central Plains for generations, and enjoy various privileges. Now he was granted the title of Duke of Liaodong by the imperial court and was ordered to govern Liaodong and other places. With these rewards, I can justifiably set up hundreds of officials to manage the states and counties, so that I can wait for my work. Waiting for the time to mature, it will be easy to build our Murong country!"

"Big Dan Yu Yingming! Big Dan Yu Yingming!"There were cheers one after another below. After the praise, Murong Xuan said:"A few months ago we defeatedMinistry of Education, but our enemies on the periphery have not decreased. Except for the sea to the south, it can be said that there are enemies on three sides, so we cannot slack off at all. The power of Duan Mobo, the leader of the Duan tribe to the west of us, was originally snatched away from him. Because of the infighting between Duan Mobo and Duan Pixun, Duan Bu's internal affairs were not stable at all. I want to take advantage of the conflict between the two sections to catch him off guard and seize part of Duanbu's territory and wealth. What do you think?"

"What my father said is absolutely true, and the brothers can’t wait! My son is willing to lead troops to attack Duan Mobo!"Murong Huang said anxiously

"Since Yuan Zhen is willing to lead troops to attack Duan Bu, who is willing to go with him? Murong Xuan asked. Murong Han raised his head and looked at the roof of the main hall. There was no sound and no expression on his face. Murong Ren, Murong Zhao and Murong Huang were from the same mother. They stood up and said:"Father, we are two brothers." I am willing to go on an expedition with my third brother to defeat Duan Mobo!"

"good! Then you three brothers should unite as one, think in one place, and work hard in one place. The three of you prepare to lead 30,000 troops to attack Lingzhi in three days. There must be no mistake! You must be careful on the road and report any problems as soon as possible!"Murong Xu said.

After Murong Xu said that, he handed the military talisman, command arrows, etc. to Murong Huang. After receiving the order, the three Murong Huang brothers happily came to Murong Huang's study in the East Side Hall to discuss the matter of sending troops to attack Duan Bu. Murong Huang A map of Eastern Liaoning and Western Liaoning was unfolded on the table, and the three people carefully looked at the route taken by the Xianbei section, as well as the mountains and rivers passed by. Three days later, Murong Huang, Murong Ren, and Murong Zhao came to the west gate of Jicheng City At the school military field outside, 30,000 soldiers and horses were mobilized, and they set off from the school military field to conquer Duan Mobo in western Liaoning. Xianbei Duanbu's capital city command branch, Duanbu leader Duan Mobo was discussing military affairs with his subordinates in the main hall. Mo Bo said:"A few days ago, the Duan Pixi brothers came for revenge and killed us to a great defeat. If his adoptive father hadn't sent General Ji Long to besiege Shao Xu's Fuping City, and Duan Pixi was eager to rescue Shao Xu, our Duan's capital city might have been captured by Duan Pixi!"

Suddenly a detective came in in a panic and reported:"The Great Chanyu is in trouble! Murong's three young masters, Murong Huang, Murong Ren, and Murong Zhao, led an army of 30,000 people. They were unstoppable along the way and were about to reach our capital city, Duan!"

"ah? Why didn't you report it earlier? Get out!"Duan Mobo scolded Tanma out.

"well! This is really what I'm afraid of. We lost a lot of soldiers in the battle with Duan Pixi a few days ago. Countless amounts of grain, fodder, chariots, and baggage were plundered by the Duan Pixi brothers. If it weren't for the adoptive father's plan to encircle Wei and rescue Zhao, Jicheng would have been captured by Duan Pixi."Duan Mobo said. Duan Mobo was very happy before he learned that Murong Huang came to attack Lingzhi. When he learned that Lingzhi was in danger, he was panicked and at a loss.

Duan Mobo's younger brother Duan Qidu said:"Brother, this Murong Xian then sent his eldest son Murong Huang here, obviously taking advantage of my danger and taking advantage of me. However, when the soldiers come, they will be blocked, and when the water comes, the earth will cover them up. Although we fought against Duan Pixi, we lost a lot of strength. But as long as we work together and fight the enemy together, we may not be able to defeat Murong Huang. Please give me the order!

Duan Mobo's sons Duan Qin, Duan Si and Duan Cong also said:"Father, please make a decision immediately!""

Duan Ya, Duan Liao and other generals were also eager to try. Duan Mobo said:"It's not that I don't want to fight, it's not that we are afraid of Murong's army. In fact, we were newly defeated, and tens of thousands of our brothers were killed or wounded. Many wounded soldiers are waiting for treatment, and many families of fallen soldiers are waiting for pensions. And we have barely recovered, and we have to fight a powerful enemy again."

After a moment of pause, Duan Mobo finally made up his mind. He ordered:"All generals, obey the order! Duan Qidu and Duan Cong led five thousand soldiers to the east gate to meet the enemy Murong Huang! Once the battle fails, immediately retreat to the city to defend. Duan Qin led 2,000 troops to guard the south gate, and Duan Si led 2,000 troops to guard the north gate. Duan Ya and Duan Liao led three thousand troops to guard the west gate of Lingzhi!"

The east gate of Lingzhi opened wide, and the 5,000-horse infantry led by Duan Qidu and Duan Cong set up a formation one mile outside the east gate of Lingzhi, preparing to face Murong Huang. It didn't take long. Murong Huang, Murong Ren, Murong Zhao led an army of 30,000 people and arrived unexpectedly. Just a stone's throw away from Duan Qidu and Duan Cong, Murong Huang waved his hand and the army stopped.

"Murong Huang, as the eldest son of Murongbu, why did you come to Duanbu Lingzhi with your troops instead of staying in your own capital, training your own soldiers, and leading an army?"Duan Qidu asked.

Murong Huang sneered and said:"The leaders of the Duan tribe all respected the Central Plains Dynasty and accepted the title of Emperor of the Central Plains. Moreover, the leader of the previous generation of Duan tribe also joined hands with my father to persuade the Emperor of Jiangnan. But your brother, through unfair means, stole the position of Duan Bu's chief chanyu and repeatedly attacked Duan Pixi, who was loyal to the Jiangnan court. Not only that, Duan Mobo actually recognized Jiehu Shile as his adoptive father. This was really shameless! This is the reason to attack Duanbu!"

"Duan Pixi was loyal to the Jin Dynasty, so why did he kill Liu Kun? Nowadays, the world is in chaos, and all the heroes are competing for their own master. As for what is right and wrong, it depends on strength!"After Duan Qidu finished speaking, he shot an arrow at Murong Huang unexpectedly. Taking advantage of Murong Huang's dodge, Duan Qidu shouted:"Brothers, follow me to kill these Murong intruders!"

The cavalry on both sides began to shoot arrows at each other, and soldiers from both sides continued to be shot off their horses. The infantry on both sides followed the cavalry and began to rush forward, holding shields in hand for protection. As the distance of the battle became closer and closer, the bows and arrows could not be fired. After that, the cavalry on both sides put away their bows and arrows and started fighting with swords in hand. Although Duan Qidu was very brave, he had too few soldiers. After fierce fighting, more and more soldiers were killed or wounded. Surrounded by Murong Hui's army , pursued and killed, Duan Qidu and Duan Cong led the remaining two to three thousand soldiers and retreated to the east gate of Lingzhi.