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

In Fuping City, Duan Pixi was sitting in the middle. Below, Shao Xu's son Shao Ji, Shao Xu's nephews Shao Cun, Shao Zhu, Shao Xu's younger brother, Le'an internal history Shao Jie, and Liu Yan and other generals were all sitting expressionlessly. Only Duan Wenyang showed no fear and looked eager to try. Duan Pixi said:"My generals, Marquis Dingxiang came to Fuping a few days ago. Our strength to defend Yanci and Fuping has become stronger. But now there is no food and grass inside and no reinforcements outside. Although your Majesty has appointed General Shao Cun as the General Yangwu and the governor of Wuyi, but this is of no avail. The imperial court's support is only verbal, and we have been holding on to Fuping City for a year."

Liu Yan said:"Originally, there was still some food and grass in Linqiu, but under the fierce battle It would be good if we could escape and save our lives. The food, grass, baggage, etc. in Linqiu City all belong to Shi Hu. If General Wen Yang hadn't fought hard, I would never have sat here."

Liu Yan stood up and faced Duan Wenyang. He arched his hands, and Duan Wenyang also arched his hands in return. Several people were talking, and louder and louder shouts of killing could be heard outside. A soldier came in in a panic and reported:"Master Duan, generals, Shi Hu has begun to attack the city again!"

"Generals, what should we do? Waiting for the enemy to enter the city and coexist with Fuping City? Duan Pixi asked eagerly. Shao Ji asked:"How many days can we eat food?""

"How many days to eat? It would be nice to have two meals today! If it weren't for the people in Fuping City who live frugally and many families squeeze out a little food from their teeth to support us, our food supply would have been at the bottom half a month ago!"Shao Cun said helplessly. After hearing this, Duan Wenyang stood up immediately. Duan Wenyang said:"Second brother, generals, we can't solve the food problem even if we argue in the government office. Why not go to the tower and see how to defeat the enemy!"

Duan Pizhen is Duan Wenyang's second brother. The eldest brother is Duan Jilu, the late leader of the Xianbei Duan tribe, who was also the Duke of Western Liaoning in the Jin Dynasty. Duan Wenyang also has two younger brothers, Duan Shujun and Duan Xiu.

After listening to Duan Wenyang's words, Duan Pizhen They got off their seats, and others also stood up. Several people were riding horses and walking towards the west gate. The shouts of killing were getting closer and closer. The soldiers on the city walls and towers were shooting arrows down, and some of the soldiers guarding the west gate were When the soldier saw Duan Pixi and others arriving, he quickly saluted and said,"Master Duan! Generals!"

Duan Pixi and others nodded, and a few people went up the city ladder to the city tower. On the walls on both sides of the city tower, there were already several ladders set up, and the soldiers on the wall were fighting hard. People were constantly climbing up the ladders. Shi Hu's soldiers were shot down. Kong Chang, who was riding a horse, was directing the soldiers to attack the city. Shi Hu was watching not far behind. When Kong Chang saw Duan Pixi and others ascending to the tower, he ordered the soldiers to stop shooting. Kong Chang He took a few steps forward and said,"Master Duan, General Duan, and Young Master Shao, you have been defending Fuping City for a year. Instead of having a meal in the city without a meal, why not surrender to Duke Zhongshan and King Zhao? What do you think?"

"Kong Chang! Go ahead and daydream! Our brothers were born in the Jin Dynasty, and died as ghosts of the Jin Dynasty! Loyalty to the Jin Dynasty has been engraved in the bones!"Duan Wenyang said angrily. Kong Chang said with a smile:"General Duan, you can't solve the problem with your own actions. Your Fuping City is already an isolated city. Cao Yi and Xu Gong have both surrendered to King Zhao. The emperor of Jiangnan just gives you some flashy and false names and makes you work for him! Duan

Wenyang laughed and said:"It is true that our brothers worked hard for the Jiangnan court. This is a loyalty that cannot be bought for money." However, didn’t you, General Kong Chang, also work for Shi Le? Even your Zhongshan Gong, isn't he working for King Zhao Shile? Who to sell your life to is a question, the key is whether the life is worth selling!"

While Kong Chang and Duan Wenyang were talking, Shi Hu came over on horseback. After listening to Duan Wenyang's words, Shi Hu's face felt a little unnatural. Seeing Duan Pixi on the tower, Shi Hu clasped his fists and said,"Brother Duan has always been a good person. good? Long time no see, brother Ji Long is so polite here!"

"Shi Jilong, thank you for remembering me, your sworn brother! You and Kong Chang have been besieging Fuping City for a year. Is this brotherhood? Duan Pixi asked. Shi Hupi said with a smile:"Brother, we all have our own masters, there is nothing we can do about it." Seeing that

Duan Pixi and others did not speak, Shi Hu added:"It was also because of brotherhood that we stopped attacking the city just now. If my brother doesn't surrender, we can only continue to attack the city. It won’t be too late until I take Fuping City, capture your brothers, and then massacre the city!"

After listening to Shi Hu's words, Duan Wenyang said angrily:"Second brother, we must rush out today. Rather than sit back and wait for death in Fuping, why not go out of the city and fight to the death!

Duan Pixi said:"We have fought against Shihu several times in the past year, and we have also suffered many casualties. There are tens of thousands of Shihu soldiers surrounding Fuping. We will die if we open the city."

Duan Wenyang said:"Second brother, generals. I have always been known for my loyalty to the emperor and my bravery, so the people of Yanci and Fuping respected me, including when I was in Youzhou. Kong Chang had already captured many cities in Youzhou before. They robbed the people, killed people and stole goods, and committed almost all kinds of evil. The people of Fuping would rather go hungry than give us the only food they have. If we cannot protect the people of Buping, then we are not acting as men. The people of Yanci and Fuping will also be disappointed. Whoever wants to go out of the city to fight again, come with me and fight to the death!"