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

"Then do you want to stay in Prince Jin's Mansion, or do you want to go back and continue to follow General Zu Ti?"Sima Rui asked. Zu Lian said:"Actually, General Zu Ti is in a very difficult situation. I originally wanted to say something to His Highness. Unfortunately, I am just a soldier, so I dare not speak nonsense."

"It's quite hard for you to go back and forth to Murong Division in Xianbei for two months. Today, I will give you a chance. If you have anything to say, just say it. Sima Rui said with a smile.

"Thank you very much, His Highness King Jin! Actually, Jiankang is relatively safe. But whenever I think of my relatives who were slaughtered by the Huns, and the innocent people in the Central Plains and the North who are still under the iron heel of the Huns and other barbarians, I can't sleep at night. So I just want to return to General Zu Ti and kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds! Zu Lian continued:"Back then, General Zu Ti was named General Fenwei by His Highness, but he only received food and wages for a thousand people and three thousand pieces of cloth." This is what General Zuti had to fight against the Huns and the Hu people. But General Zu Ti was not discouraged or discouraged. But this cannot be blamed on His Highness. The mountains and rivers are broken and food and wages are scarce. Your Highness gave General Zu Ti the will to expel the Hu people and gave him the popular support he could use. He can recruit troops and buy horses, and he can turn his hard-earned ability to kill enemies into actual actions to regain his country. General Zu Ti, who attacked Ji in the middle of the Yangtze River, recovered Yuzhou and allowed the people to recuperate in time. He especially cherished his soldiers. For the fallen soldiers, he would rather go hungry himself, but also treat the families of the fallen soldiers kindly and give them the best pension. General Zu Ti not only treated his soldiers well, but also cared very much for the people under his rule. Sometimes they even set up wine and sing songs to boost people's morale and morale, so the soldiers' fighting spirit was very strong. What the general thinks about every day and night is the Northern Expedition! Northern Expedition! Northern Expedition!"

After listening to Zu Lian's impassioned speech, the dozens of civil and military ministers below, as well as the aloof Sima Rui, couldn't help but burst into tears when they thought of Zu Ti, the governor of Yuzhou in the Northern Expedition against the Hu people.

"Your Highness, General Zu Ti has endured humiliation and heavy burdens for many years and is almost alone. We should try our best to give him the greatest support and not let General Zu Ti feel cold! After several years of arduous fighting, Yuzhou and other large areas of land south of the Yellow River have been recovered. Even though Shile, the Jie man, has the arrogant Shihu, he does not dare to invade the south for the time being. Now General Zuti has recruited and surrendered as many as 80,000 soldiers. Dai Yuan said:"Sima Pe, the king of Langya, has been cooperating with General Zu Ti and the Hu people in the war for several months. Your Highness, please appoint Zulian as king of Langya and the general of chariot and cavalry, Sima Pe, to join the army. He will lead two thousand soldiers and enough food and grass to help our ancestors." General Ti's northern expedition to Shile!"

"Dai Aiqing's words are reasonable, and Zulian listens to the title. Sima Rui then said:"The righteous ancestors are commendable for their loyalty and bravery, and they can be of great use." Today, Zu Aiqing is conferred the title of Chariot and Cavalry General Sima Peizhi to join the army. Five days later, he will lead 2,000 horse and infantry naval troops to Yuzhou to fight against the enemy with General Zu Ti!"

"Thank you Lord for your grace! Chitose! Thousands of years old!"Zu Lian quickly knelt down and kowtowed.

After the dynasty dispersed, Sima Rui left Zhou Wei and Dai Yuan behind. Sima Rui said:"I can only do what Dai Aiqing said. General Zu Ti has been fighting alone for several years. He has only sent Daocheng to support him in the past few months. There is no news about the progress of the war yet. But where did the two thousand horse-foot navy troops led by Zu Lian and the corresponding food and wages come from?"

"The war in the north is now tense, and the number of soldiers defending Jiankang is also very limited. A few months ago, His Highness sent word to the world that Sima Sui, the king of Langya, led 30,000 soldiers and nine horse-riding naval forces to assist Zu Ti. Jiangnan's military strength is now somewhat stretched. The troops and horses mobilized this time were of course recruited from General Wang Dun."Zhou Wei said

"That’s all it can do!"Sima Rui said helplessly

"Your Highness, there is another matter that is more difficult. A few years ago, General Tao Kan defeated Du Tao and quelled the war that lasted for several years. But in recent years, Wuyi and Duzeng have occupied the areas near Hanshui and Mianshui, and they have gradually become a climate."Dai Yuan reminded

"In troubled times, everyone with a little power and strength wants to become a king. If we do not attack and destroy such rebellious ministers and traitors as a warning to others, the consequences will be disastrous. Sima Rui said:"Wuchang Prefect Zhao Yu, Xiangyang Prefect Zhu Gui, and Lingjiang General Huang Jun sent by General Wang Dun fought with Du Zeng at Nuguan Lake. Several of them were defeated and died. It was tragic.. The rebels led by Du Zeng took advantage of the victory and arrived at Miankou. They gained great prestige in the Yangtze River and Mianshui areas."

"Fifth Yi was the governor of Jingzhou appointed by Emperor Min, and he actually rebelled with Du Zeng. Zhou Wei said:"Especially this Du Zeng, His Highness should send capable generals to eliminate him." Since Wang Dun in name only cannot do it, His Highness should invite the famous general Zhou Fang out!"

"That’s all it can do now!"Sima Rui said

"Lord Zhou, His Highness the King of Jin’s envoy has arrived!"Zhou Fang, the prefect of Yuzhang, was handling official business with several subordinates at the official office. A man from the door of the government office came in to report. This man also led an envoy. Zhou Fang quickly knelt down and the envoy said:"Master Zhou, please get up!"

The envoy handed the edict to Zhou Fang. When Zhou Fang opened it, he saw that it read: The

King of Jin issued an edict:

Du had been rebellious for several years and captured many places in the city, occupying the Han River and Mian River, causing harm. The sun is heavy, and the people of the prefecture and counties are in dire straits. We hereby order Yuzhang County Governor Zhou Fang to mobilize 8,000 naval troops within ten days to attack the Du bandits without making any mistakes. On

September 9th

, Zhou Fang read the edict three times in a row. Feeling that the matter was urgent, he put the edict on the desk and shouted at the door of the official office:"Please come to discuss the matter with General Li Heng and General Xu Chao!"

A gentleman hurriedly called the two generals. After a short time, Li Heng and Xu Chao came to the official office together. The two men stepped forward, raised their hands and saluted Zhou Fang:"See you, Lord Sheriff!"

"Two generals, please take a seat. We have received an edict from the King of Jin, urgently ordering us to go to the Han River and Mian River areas to help General Wang Dun conquer the rebellious Du Zeng. I wonder what the two generals have to say?"

Zhou Fang said as he handed the edict to Li Heng. Li Heng read it and handed it to Xu Chao. Li Heng and Xu Chao looked up at Zhou Fang. Zhou Fang said:"Du Zeng has been in rebellion for several years. The king of Jin originally planned to go to Jingzhou, but was blocked by the traitor Du Zeng and could not go. Can the two generals in our entire Yuzhang county mobilize the 8,000 foot and naval troops?"

Li Heng and Xu Chao looked at each other, then nodded and said,"Absolutely. Yuzhang's entire county has no more than 10,000 troops, with only 2,000 guards left. The rest will all go into battle."

"How many days will it take to assemble the soldiers?" Zhou Fang asked. Li Heng said:"Three days."

"How many large and small vessels are needed? How much food and grass?"Zhou Fang asked again. Xu Chao lowered his head and thought for a moment and said,"There are forty large boats that can carry a hundred people, fifty medium boats that can carry fifty people, and thirty small boats that can carry ten people. Fifty sampans for three people. Ten larger fishing boats were collected from the private sector to transport these sampans and grain."