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

In the Yongqiu Mansion Office, Zu Yue and several generals were preparing to have breakfast, while several maids were serving dishes. A soldier on horseback hurriedly came to the gate of the government office and dismounted, then ran in and shouted:"My lord, something is wrong! My lord, something is wrong! The Jie soldiers from Hebei are coming!""

"ah? what happened?"When Zu Yue heard this, he quickly threw the steamed buns he had just taken a bite on to the dining table. The other generals also stood up. Zu Yue ordered:"Generals, without further ado, the Jie people's group is coming. Hurry up and lead them. Our brothers resist!"

The south bank of the Yellow River, inside and outside Yongqiu City, has become a battlefield for the Heji people. Shi Hu, leading hundreds of soldiers, has attacked Yongqiu Mansion Office. Zu Yue and several generals and dozens of soldiers I had already rushed out of the government office and happened to meet Shi Hu and others.

"Zuyue! Where to run!"Shi Hu shouted loudly. When Zu Yue and others saw it was Shi Hu, they were so frightened that they turned around and ran in the other direction. Shi Hu followed closely behind, and the soldiers guarding Yongqiu and Shi Hu The soldiers fought in one place, and each suffered casualties.

Some of the soldiers defending Yongqiu were killed, and some fled south with Zu Yue. Shi Hu and several generals came to the government office. Shi Hu was also tired, so he sat down Go to Zuyue's seat

"Generals, please pass down the order, there will be a heavy reward for those who capture Zu Yue!"Shi Hu said loudly. Below, Wang Yang and several other standing generals bowed their hands and saluted:"I will obey the order!"

After several days of attacks, many places around Yongqiu were captured by Shi Hu. Several generals under Shi Hu led soldiers to hunt down Zu Yue, who had fled south. Several soldiers waited on Shi Hu to drink tea in the government office. Near noon, Wang Yang came back panting.

"Reporting to Duke Zhongshan, Zu Yue rode a fast horse and fled south with his remaining defeated soldiers! Wang Yang said. When Shi Hu heard this, he burst into laughter. At this time, a soldier came in and reported:"Reporting to Duke Zhongshan, 10,000 troops led by General Zhixiong have arrived at the south bank and are attacking other counties. There are no more Zuyue's soldiers near Yongqiu!"

"good! good! very good! There will be a big banquet to celebrate at Yongqiu Mansion Office today at noon! Shi Hu laughed and stood up and said:"Look in the government office and see if there is any good wine!""

Yongqiu was conquered and the news of Zu Yue's escape to the south soon spread to Jiankang. Sima Rui sat on the dragon throne without saying a word, and the civil and military ministers also sighed. Diao Xie said:"A few days ago, everyone thought that Zu Yue It was only because of jealousy that it appeared that this was not the case now."

At this moment, two maids from the Prince's Palace in the East Palace came to Taiji Hall happily. Before Sima Rui could ask questions, the two maids timidly knelt down and said:"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's wife, Mrs. Yu, has given birth to a baby for your Majesty. Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are here to tell you the good news!"

As soon as Sima Rui heard the news, his sad look disappeared. Sima Rui said happily:"I am forty-five years old this year, and I finally have an imperial grandson who will become the emperor's grandfather! Sima

Shao jumped up happily:"I have a son!" I have a son!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Congratulations to His Highness the Crown Prince!"The civil and military ministers cheered in unison. Sima Rui said with a smile:"Dear ladies, wait a moment. I will go to the East Palace to see the emperor's grandson first, and we will discuss it when I come back. Sima

Rui, with a smile on his face, came down from the top. Two maids from the East Palace were in front, accompanied by Sima Shao and Fei Ren, and several guards followed. They went to the East Palace. The civil and military ministers said in unison:"Farewell to Your Majesty!""Farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Less than an hour later, Sima Rui and Fei Ren came back. When they returned to sit down, Diao Xie asked:"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has become a father for the first time, and Your Majesty has become the grandfather of the emperor for the first time. This is the relationship between the monarch, his ministers and the people of the world." An event celebrated by everyone. I would like to ask, have you given your little grandson a name?"

"The name was given, called Yan, Sima Yan, with the courtesy name Shigen."Sima Rui said.

Zhou Song, the censor Zhongcheng, came out and said:"Your Majesty, Mr. Maohong has been following the Holy Emperor for more than ten years. He has high morals, high prestige, and great achievements in hard work. At the beginning of the southern crossing, he took the initiative to contact the southern nobles and appease the northern nobles. After Master Zu Ti passed away, Shi Le had already pointed his sword at Yuzhou. Some counties and counties in Yuzhou have been occupied by Shi Hu and others. At present, there is a powerful enemy, and military and national affairs must be presided over by Shigehiro-sama. I hope that Your Majesty will continue to entrust Shigehiro with important responsibilities as before."

"Master Zhou Song’s words are right. No matter whether it is in the past, present or future, I can never do without Mr. Shigehiro. Lord Shigehiro is the same age as me, and he is also a close friend of mine. Just after crossing south to Jiankang more than ten years ago, Lord Maohong and the brothers, the General, tried every means to get the Jiangnan aristocratic family to accept me. Every time I think about it, I am filled with emotions and emotions. Although a few ministers were released a few days ago, this was to guard against Shi Le's possible southward invasion. Now Shihu has begun to attack Yuzhou, and the country is facing crisis again."Sima Rui said. Wang led the class and said:"Your Majesty, I would like to thank your Majesty from the bottom of my heart for your trust. Shi Le's ambition far exceeded that of Liu Yuan and Liu Cong. If Shi Le captured the north of the Huai River in the past few years and then eliminated Liu Yao, then the entire north would belong to Shi Le. The northern prairie, as well as Liaodong and Liaoxi, were all the territories of the previous dynasty. If Shile takes these places again, it is not impossible to unite the Xianbei tribes to attack south of the Huaihe River. Sima

Rui thought for a while, nodded and said,"Master Maohong's concerns are justified." The Xianbei tribes in eastern Liaoning and western Liaoning have been fighting for more than several decades. The Yuwen tribe has little contact with our dynasty. Although the Duan tribe has surrendered to our dynasty for several generations, it seems to be in harmony with the world. Over the years, Duan Mobo has recognized the thief as his father and has become Shi Le's accomplice. What we can strive for is Murong Xi."

"What Your Majesty said is absolutely true. Wei Chen's intention is to take advantage of the relatively good relationship between our court and Murong Xin and grant Murong Xin some official positions. In this way, he could rely on the strength of Murong's tribe to contain Shi Le in the northeast." Director Wang said

"Your Majesty, in the past few years, I have presented several gifts to Murong Xin, but he has never looked at them and almost always refused. What is the gift to him now? Diao Xie said. Sima Rui looked around at the civil and military ministers below, and then said:"Murong Xin ignored all the previous gifts. It shows that he has a big appetite." My dear friends, what official position are you conferring?"

"Not long after His Majesty succeeded to the throne, he sent his servant She Tao Liao to confirm his previous appointment, and awarded Murong Xi the title of Pingbei General and Great Chanyu, but Murong Xi didn't look down on him at all. When Pei Yi came to Jiankang from Liaodong, he also appointed Murong Xin as the military supervisor of Pingzhou, the general of Anbei, and the governor of Pingzhou, and added 2,000 food households. At the same time, Murong Hui, the crown prince of Murong Xian, was also named Champion General, King Zuoxian, and Marquis Wangping. What is blocked this time? Isn't it possible to be crowned king? Zhou Wei said. Wen Qiao waved his hand and said,"Murong Xuan's biggest wish is that your majesty can make him King of Yan." Of course, it is impossible to be crowned king all at once. Shi Le is still the King of Zhao until now. You can add another level based on the last gift. Youzhou has been occupied by Shi Le, and our court can grant Murong Xin the military governorship of Youzhou and Pingzhou, plus the Duke of Liaodong."