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

"All my dear friends, please go free of charge!"Sima Rui said with a smile. Dai Yuan and others stood up and greeted each other with Diao Xie, Liu Wei, Ji Zhan, Zhou Wei and others who accompanied Sima Rui to the military camp. Ten carriages followed, and behind the carriages were people holding long swords. One hundred soldiers with spears

"Your Majesty please! My lords, please!" Dai Yuan said, and surrounded Sima Rui to the military camp. Seeing more than 10,000 soldiers training, Sima Rui kept nodding. Whenever Sima Rui came near, the generals and soldiers leading the training would kneel down:" Long live our emperor!

Arriving at the big tent on the south bank of Houhu Lake, Sima Rui sat in the middle. Sima Rui said,"My dear friends, please take a seat." After these days of training, the soldiers' actual combat skills have improved rapidly. Today Dai Aiqing will lead his soldiers to Hefei, and I came here to see him off!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your thoughtfulness!" Dai Yuan and others quickly stood up and saluted. Sima Rui motioned everyone to sit down and continued:"In Yangzhou alone, children from various counties and counties have regained their freedom, and there are more than 10,000 people who are willing to join the army. If the states in the south of the Yangtze River gradually restore the freedom of children, the imperial court will not worry about running out of troops. I will not hesitate to reward all ministers and generals who have made great contributions to the court. Soldiers on the battlefield throw their lives and shed blood. They may worry about their lives anytime and anywhere, but they must be rewarded promptly based on their merits! Today, I bring some comfort items to the soldiers. Fei

Ren was standing below. Seeing Sima Rui nodding towards him, he shouted:"Bring it in!""

Dozens of soldiers hurriedly carried the things in, bowed their hands and went out. Sima Rui said:"These cowhide boots, cowhide helmets and armors are all made of cowhide sent by Murong Xin of Liaodong. Tao Liao came back and brought back a lot of animal skins. He had rewarded some of them to the ministers of civil and military affairs a few days ago, and there was still a lot left. So Fei Ren found some skilled folk craftsmen to make these items that were useful on the battlefield. There are also some supplements and medicines. The soldiers are injured and need to be treated in time. Five roots of 100-year-old ginseng can help in emergencies. I want to watch the soldiers set off, and I also hope that the soldiers will return safely!"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"Dai Yuan and others stood up again and saluted. Then, Dai Yuan and others accompanied Sima Rui out of the tent and came to the south bank of Hou Lake. On the bank of Hou Lake, there were a hundred large boats that could seat a hundred people moored. Not far away there were Fifty smaller boats can hold fifty people. Small boats that can hold ten people are also going back and forth in the water.

Dai Yuan's generals are directing these recruits to get on the boat. The recruits are lined up neatly, Shouting,"Drive out the barbarians, return the Central Plains to me, and regain my homeland!"" slogan.

Looking at these newly enlisted soldiers, Sima Rui nodded frequently. In less than an hour, more than 10,000 soldiers had boarded the ship. Several generals under Dai Yuan came over to report:"Your Majesty, please report to Lord Dai. Fifteen thousand new recruits were boarded. Large ships, medium ships and small ships are ready to go. The ship's provisions and horses have also been loaded on board in advance. The comfort items brought by His Majesty have also been loaded on the ship and are waiting for your order to set off!"

Looking at the flags and streamers fluttering in the wind on the fleet, and thinking about the high-spirited soldiers just now, Sima Rui nodded towards Dai Yuan. Dai Yuan said:"Get aboard and get ready to set off!"

Dai Yuan, Wang Xia and others knelt down and saluted Sima Rui, then stood up and turned around to board the ship. Dai Yuan was the last one to get on the ship. He stood on the deck, looking at Jiankang getting further and further away, and still at the south bank. Sima Rui and others were thinking about their important responsibilities, and Dai Yuan shed tears.

A few days later, it was the morning of the court meeting. After all the civil and military officials saluted Sima Rui, they stood on both sides. Wang led the class and said:"Your Majesty, come from outside When Dai Yuan was sent to Hefei, Mr. Zu Ti felt a little resentful. There is news from Yuzhou that Lord Zuti is ill."

"sick? Zu Ti has been with Qing during the Northern Expedition for many years, and it can be said that he has carried a heavy burden forward. The court was powerless and could not help much. If I remember correctly, Zu Ti is fifty-five years old this year, two years younger than Uncle Qiao Wang."Sima Rui said with some worry.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Zu Ti has worked hard for our Northern Expedition. I hope that your Majesty can send an effective minister to Yongqiu to visit Mr. Zu Ti."Diao Xie said. Sima Rui nodded and said,"I have worshiped Guo Pu as my assistant, and co-authored"History of Jin" with Wang Yin. I assigned Mr. Guo Pu to go to Yongqiu, bringing some valuable medicinal materials and gifts, to check on Zu Ti and Aiqing's condition, and to convey my concern for Zu Ti and all the soldiers of the Northern Expedition."

"According to the decree, I am willing to go!"Guo Pu bowed his hands and saluted.

Five days later, Guo Pu and two of his followers came to Yongqiu. When they arrived at the government office, Zu Yue, Zu Gai and others were discussing matters. The disciple reported:"Your Majesty, your Majesty's envoy has arrived.!

Zu Yue and others hurried out to greet him. Guo Pu only knew Zu Ti and did not know Zu Yue or Zu Gai. Zu Yue, Zu Gai and others greeted Guo Pu. Guo Pu introduced himself:"I am Wen from Hedong County." Hi Guo Pu, you have been entrusted by Your Majesty to come to visit Mr. Zu."

"It turns out to be Mr. Guo, disrespectful! The third brother has been seriously ill in the past two days and has to stay in bed and rest at home. Then please trouble Mr. Guo and go to the third brother's bedroom with you. Zu Yue said. Guo Pu nodded, and together with Zu Yue and others, came to a small courtyard behind the government office. Although the courtyard was not big, it was clean and tidy. Two servants were cleaning the courtyard when they saw Zu Yue. When someone arrived, he quickly stepped forward and saluted:"See you, sirs!""

"Go and report quickly that the imperial court has sent Mr. Guo Pu to visit the third brother! Zu Yue said. Before the servant could go in, Zu Huan heard the noise and came out of the house. Seeing Guo Pu, Zu Huan saluted Guo Pu:"Master Guo, thank you for your hard work coming from afar!""

"This is Mr. Guo Pu, who came specifically to visit his third brother."Zu Yue introduced. Zu Huan said:"It turns out to be the world-famous Mr. Guo. I have admired your name for a long time. Come in!"

When they came to Zu Ti's bedroom, Zu Ti was still asleep. Two servants brought some dishes, and Zu Yue said,"Please sit down, Mr. Guo. The third brother may wake up in a while."

After about a stick of incense, Zu Ti opened his eyes in a daze. Looking carefully, he saw Guo Pu sitting in front of the bed, and he suddenly woke up. Zu Ti was about to sit up, and Zu Huan asked:" Dad, do you feel like you can sit up? You have been sleeping for the past two days.

Seeing his father insisting on sitting up, Zu Huan helped Zu Ti sit up slowly. Zu Ti said feebly:"Mr. Guo, it's a thousand miles from Jiankang to Yongqiu." I feel very sorry for you because of the long journey. Jiankang and Jiangnan are much better now than before, right?"

"Lord Zu, don’t worry. In the past few years since Your Majesty became emperor, the situation in Jiangnan has been getting better and better. In the past, even ministers found it difficult to eat pork. Now eating once every few days is no longer a big problem. Your Majesty has liberated the children, and all walks of life are becoming more and more prosperous."Guo Pu said. Zu Ti said:"That's good, that's good. Over the years, I have been committed to the Northern Expedition. I have rarely been able to go to Jiankang to see His Majesty and attend court meetings, which makes me feel very uncomfortable."