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

The unconscious Qiao Tai was taken away by a chariot. Soldiers led by Zhi Xiong and Duan Cong had already rushed outside the south gate. The soldiers on the tower, a shield bearer guarding an archer, shot at the surrounding enemies. There are no arrows on the city towers and walls. The soldiers under the city walls are picking up the arrows that fell into the city. Between shots, the shield bearer also had to catch the arrows sent up from below. Suddenly, the soldiers surrounding the south gate moved to both sides. Jin Kang and other generals on the tower took a look and saw that it was soldiers from Zhi Xiong and Duan Cong who had brought tall ladders and carts. Jin Kang said to Wang Teng:"It seems that the enemy is preparing to attack the city!"

Wang Teng nodded and said:"It seems that a fierce battle is inevitable, and the original plan will be changed. Tonight we will strengthen our vigilance and be prepared." The enemy attacks the city at night!"

"Yes, let's go down and discuss it with the Lord and see what we can do."Jin Kang said, and he and Wang Teng, Ma Zhong and others came down from the tower. Jin Ming, Guo Lu, and several soldiers also came back on horseback. Jin Kang asked:"Your Majesty, General Qiao Tai. Are you okay?"

"It's nothing serious. The medical officer has removed the arrowhead, stopped the bleeding, and is treating the patient."Jin Ming said, and he and Guo Lu dismounted. Jin Ming took the few generals and came to the city tower again. Seeing the soldiers of Zhi Xiong and Duan Cong pushing the ladders and cloud carts down the city wall, Jin Ming Ming's face was filled with sadness. Jin Ming said to the soldiers on the tower and wall:"Brothers, we have something to eat, and someone will bring you noodles soon!" Archers, look for the enemy's ladder. As long as the ladder reaches the city wall, you must pull the ladder down to prevent the enemy from climbing up the city wall. Once an enemy climbs the city wall, be sure to shoot the enemy on the ladder!"

"Okay, please don’t worry, Lord!"The soldiers on the towers and walls agreed. Jin Kang asked:"My lord, is there anything to eat? What kind of food did the brothers grab back?"

"well! It is death to stick to the city, and it is death to rush out and fight the enemy! General Qiao Tai led 2,200 people out, but five to six hundred brothers were unable to return. The lives of these five to six hundred brothers have been exchanged for dozens of sacks of steamed buns and noodles. We can hold on for several days."

"Steamed buns and noodles? Is there such a good thing? Wang Teng asked. Jin Ming said:"It is the twelfth lunar month of winter, and the steamed buns and noodles will not spoil even if they are left for dozens of days." The soldiers of Shile not only had steamed buns and noodles, but also rice, millet, vegetables and fruits. And in our Pingyang, apart from those of us who barely survived, there are just some common people!"

Coming down from the city wall, Jin Ming and the generals returned to Guangji Hall. Jin Ming sat down on it, and then waved his hand for Jin Kang and others to sit down. Jin Ming said helplessly:"Dear dear friends, dear brothers, This Guangji Palace may soon change hands. Liu Can was the emperor for one month, and his brother Jin Zhun was the king of Han and Zhao for more than three months. I, as the leader of the Han Dynasty, have only been a leader for a month or two. Pingyang City will soon be captured by Shi Le. What should we do?"

Jin Kang said:"Brother, we have no other choice but to surrender to Liu Yao!"

"Do all generals think so? Jin Ming asked anxiously. Wang Teng, Ma Zhong, Guo Lu and others nodded, but did not speak. Jin Ming said:"Let the soldiers have a full meal tonight, and then take turns to defend the city." Brothers who have withdrawn, prepare to evacuate. In the afternoon, we mobilized the people in Pingyang City. Those who are willing to follow us will go west together to surrender to Liu Yao in two days. Those who are unwilling to leave Pingyang can stay. Take what you can take away with you, and leave what you can’t take away in Pingyang! I hope that after we leave, Shi Le can be kind to Pingyang City, to the people of Pingyang who stay, and to Guangji Palace!"

As Jin Ming spoke, tears flowed down again, and then he burst into tears. Jin Kang and other generals were also filled with emotions, some cried, and some kept shaking their heads and sighing.

Shi Le summoned the generals to discuss attacking Pingyang. Zhi Xiong and Duan Cong came to the tent and knelt down to apologize:"Master, we were robbed of some food by Qiao Tai, please punish me!"

"Two generals, please rise! A little food, nothing! The attack on Pingyang City is imminent. I hope the two generals will hurry up and train their soldiers so that they can make meritorious deeds! Shi Le said

"Yes, my lord!"Zhi Xiong and Duan Cong said at the same time.

Zhang Bin said:"My Lord, you sent Cao Pingle to Liu Yao a few days ago. Why hasn't he come back yet? Was there something wrong that prevented him from coming back, or did he surrender to Liu Yao?"

"this? It's a little hard to say. Maybe Cao Pingle has been granted an official position by Liu Yao, so he is unwilling to come back."Shi Le said. Zhang Bin said:"If that's the case, we have to take precautions. He knows a lot about us, which is bad for us"

"If he comes back in a few days, it won't be a big problem."Shi Le said.

Wang Xiu, Shi Le's left commander, said:"My lord and Liu Yao have been surrounding Pingyang City for several months. Liu Yao has proclaimed himself emperor. It is said that Liu Yao was planning to reward the lord. For some unknown reason, there is no news yet. Should the lord send an envoy to see Liu Yao? First, it means that Jin Ming has suffered several defeats and is already frightened. The second is to inquire about Liu Yao's camp. The most important thing is to inquire about Liu Yao's attitude towards the lord."

"Lord Wang Xiu's words make sense, so I'd like to trouble you to go to Liu Yao's camp. Shi Le said. Wang Xiu stood up and bowed his hands in salute:"Thank you for your trust, Lord. I will set off immediately!""

Wang Xiu, his entourage Liu Mao, and a driver drove the carriage around the south gate of Pingyang to Liu Yao's camp. Liu Yao was discussing with the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs in the tent about awarding Shi Le a reward. The guards at the camp gate came in and reported:"Qi Qi Your Majesty, General Wang Xiu, the envoy of Zhaogong Shile, has arrived!"

"Please invite Mr. Wang Xiu! Liu Yao said. Wang Xiu came to Liu Yao, knelt down and saluted:"See your majesty!" Long live our emperor! Long live! Long live!"

"Mr. Wang is free of charge! Please sit down! Liu Yao said. Wang Xiu bowed his hands and saluted, then sat down on a seat. Liu Yao asked,"Why did Mr. Wang come here this time?""

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Duke Zhao has besieged Pingyang City for more than half a year, and it has been more than three months since Your Majesty came to Pingyang from Chang'an. Zhao Gong and Jin Ming have attacked each other many times. Jin's power has been greatly weakened, and it has become the end of its powerful war effort. As long as Duke Zhao's generals launch a fierce attack, Pingyang City can be captured in two days. Duke Zhao was concerned that His Majesty was to the west of Pingyang, so he sent me here, firstly to report the good news to His Majesty, and secondly to understand His Majesty's thoughts on Pingyang."Wang Xiu said. Liu Yao said:"Zhao Gong has many fierce generals, all of whom are capable of fighting. Duke Zhao has been victorious against Jin Ming for many times, which is gratifying. Just now I was preparing to send Minister Guo Si to the camp of Zhao Gong. He appointed Zhao Gong Shi Le as Grand Administrator, received the rank of general, promoted him to the title of King of Zhao, and added seven additional counties. In addition to the previous fiefdoms, there will be a total of twenty counties.. To guard and clear the road when entering and exiting, he has a crown with twelve feathers. When traveling, he rides in a gold-rooted chariot with six horses in front. Following Cao Cao's example of assisting the Han Dynasty, he named King Zhao's wife the queen and the prince as the crown prince."