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

"Brother, what do you think about the imperial court sending Commander Dai Yuan to oversee the military affairs of the six states and leaving Hefei? Zu Ti asked. Zu Gai took a sip of water first, and then said:"Your Majesty sent Dai Yuan to guard Hefei, first of all to guard against Wang Dun in Jingzhou." Liu Wei was sent to guard Huaiyin because Huaiyin was north of Jiankang. Huaiyin is on the south bank of the Huai River, and to the north of Huaiyin is Qingzhou where Cao Yi defended. Although Cao Yi was attracted to me, he had an eye with Shi Le. Once Qingzhou is captured by Shi Le and Shi Le's Jie soldiers cross the Huai River, they will directly threaten Jiankang, the capital of the country."

"So eldest brother has nothing to say about His Majesty’s arrangements? Zu Ti asked. Zu Gai said:"It's not that there is no doubt at all. Emperors of all dynasties have always been on guard against ministers with heavy troops." Apart from Sima Cheng of the royal family, the most valued confidantes of His Majesty are Dai Yuan, Diao Xie and Liu Wei. Dai Yuan, the commander-in-chief of the six states including Yuzhou, will restrict us. It would be a good thing if you could assist us in our Northern Expedition. Hefei, Huaiyin and Jiankang formed a horn to guard against possible rebellion. Zu

Ti smiled bitterly and said,"Our ancestors' Northern Expedition started before His Majesty succeeded to the throne." Not only before he succeeded to the throne, at that time, His Majesty was still Prime Minister Zuo, and there were still four years before he would be crowned King of Jin. For seven or eight years I have been struggling hard to regain my homeland in the Central Plains. I recall that when I was young, I served as the chief registrar of Sizhou together with Liu Kun. We have a very harmonious relationship and often discuss the rise and fall of the world together. Eat together during the day and sleep together at night. At that time, we encouraged each other. Now that the world is in chaos and heroes are rising together, you and I should show our ambitions and use the knowledge in our hearts to do something vigorous in the Central Plains!"

Looking at Zu Ti with a heavy face, Zu Huan poured a glass of water and handed it to Zu Ti, and then said:"Father, please drink some water! Your eagerness to learn when you hear the chicken dance, and your lofty ambition to attack the enemy will always inspire us to move forward bravely and spare no effort to regain our homeland!

Zu Huan continued:"Father, we have the same idea." I heard that Wang Dun was afraid of Zhou Fang and Zhou Wei, as well as you. Is that true? Zu Ti laughed and said:"

Wang Dun is a man who is not afraid of anything, but it is true that he is afraid of the three of us." The reason why Zhou Fang is afraid of Zhou Fang is because he is superb at using troops. Several of Wang Dun's generals died in the battle with Du Zeng. Later, Zhou Fang killed Du Zeng. Wang Dun had known Zhou Yi since he was a child. Whenever he saw Zhou Yi, his face would get hot and his ears would turn red. Even in winter, fan yourself with your hands. As for Wang Dun being afraid of being a father, haha."

At this point, Zu Ti just smiled and deliberately stopped talking. Zu Huan said:"Father, please stop showing off. Is there something that Wang Dun has that his father has?"

"It's not that his father has any control over Wang Dun. I think what Wang Dun is really afraid of is the hundreds of thousands of Northern Expedition troops in his father's hands. Not long after Diao Xie and Liu Wei implemented the"Kesuizhi", Wang Dun had already had the idea of ​​​​rebellion. It turned out that there was another person Wang Dun was afraid of, and that was Tao Kan. Tao Kan and Zhou Fang were relatives, but Tao Kan was suppressed by Wang Dun and had to go to Guangzhou to serve as governor. The 'Kesuizhi' policy has touched the interests of the Langya Wang family, especially Director Wang, who has gradually been sidelined. So Wang Dun sent Qian Feng to join the army and threatened that if His Majesty did not deal with Diao Xie, Liu Wei and others, and did not agree to his request to install courtiers, he would attack Jiankang. My father happened to be in court at the time, and I said to Qian Feng, how dare Ah Hei be so presumptuous! You go back and tell your master to go back to Wuchang where he is stationed. If he hesitates, I will immediately lead three thousand horse infantry and one hundred warships up the river to drive him back to his hometown of Langya and Linyi!"

"Father, who is Ah Hei? Zu Huan asked. Zu Ti smiled and said,"Wang Dun's courtesy name is Chu Zhong, and Ah Hei is his nickname." Young people don’t even know his nickname"

"Mr. Zhou Fang has passed away. Your Majesty should transfer Mr. Tao Kan back. Either in North Korea or in Yangzhou."Zugai said. Zu Ti said:"That's it, how can your Majesty not know the truth that we know. However, when Tao Kan went to Guangzhou at that time, it was the result of Wang Dun's exclusion. Director Wang was not only a Situ, but also the Crown Prince and the Governor of Yangzhou."

"Then when will Master Tao Kan come back? Zu Huan asked. Zu Ti shook his head first, and then said seriously:"When the government is in chaos, it is when Tao Kan comes back.""

At this time, a servant came in to salute Zu Ti and asked about his condition. Zu Ti said to him:"Wang An, you have followed me for so many years, how do I treat you?"

"The adults treat me like a family member and have never treated me like a slave. I will never forget your great kindness and kindness."Wang An said. Zu Ti said:"Wang An, you are a barbarian, you should go to your tribe, so that you can get ahead in the future. Shile in Xiangguo is where you should go, and I don’t lack you here either. It’s not that I dislike you, because the situation in the world is ever-changing and many things are unpredictable. If I am gone, Shi Le's army will definitely go south and invade Yuzhou. Therefore, I have considered an escape route for you in advance. Go and seek refuge with King Zhao Shile. I have prepared enough Sichuan-funded tolls for you. Tomorrow you can lead your family and cross the Yellow River north to Xiangguo!"

"Are you driving me away, sir? I have followed you for so many years, and you are like my elder. It is hard for me to leave you!"Wang An said pleadingly. Zu Ti comforted him and said:"If I am gone, Yuzhou will definitely be captured by Shi Le. The soldiers I lead, including many of my family members, don’t know what their fate will be. With your ability, you will definitely be put to good use in Shi Le. I don't want to bury you here. Seeing that begging was of no use, Wang An had no choice but to kneel down in front of Zu Ti. Wang An said,"Your Excellency, you have completely considered me. I am very grateful." I'll make preparations and go to Shile tomorrow"

"Thank you, sir, and I will say goodbye!"With tears in his eyes, Wang An followed Zu Huan to get the Sichuan toll. Wang An turned back step by step and left reluctantly. On the south bank of Houhu in the north of Jiankang is Dai Yuan's temporary military camp before setting off. Dai Yuan was there Accompanied by Wang Xia, the commander of the Western Conquest Army, and several generals, he was walking and watching the soldiers' training. These newly recruited soldiers were trained very hard. Some were practicing slashing, some practicing archery, and some They were practicing fighting, and some were practicing offense and defense.

The military camp has four gates, east, west, north and south, to facilitate the entry and exit of tens of thousands of soldiers. When Dai Yuan and others moved to the south camp gate, a palace guard came quickly. Arriving at the south gate of the military camp, he saw Dai Yuan's guard dismounting his horse and saluting:"Captain Dai, Your Majesty has come to express condolences to the soldiers!"

Dai Yuan, Wang Xia and others quickly walked out of the camp gate, just as Sima Rui's chariot arrived in front of the camp gate. Fifty guards stood in two rows in front of the camp gate. Sima Rui stepped out of the chariot with the help of Fei Ren, and Dai Yuan The others knelt down and saluted:"I respectfully welcome my emperor! Long live! Long live! Long live!"