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

"It has been thirteen years since my adoptive father established the Han Dynasty in the name of"brother died and brother Shao", began to set up civil and military officials, and honored his successor Liu Chan. My adoptive father passed away seven years ago, and Prince Liu He was killed by his younger brother, my clan brother Liu Cong, just a few days after he succeeded to the throne. It cannot be said that the clan brother is incompetent. He is extremely brave, well read in classics and history, well versed in military literature and tactics, and possesses both literary and military skills. After he succeeded to the throne, he ordered our generals to conquer Luoyang, the capital of Jin Dynasty, and later occupied Chang'an, the western capital of Jin Dynasty. We captured two emperors of the Jin Dynasty successively, causing great chaos in the Central Plains. Emperor Huai of Jin Dynasty, Sima Chi, had been killed. This little emperor, Emperor Min of Jin Dynasty, Sima Ye, is accompanied by dozens of ministers. In my opinion, these people are probably more dangerous than others."

"Then will Your Majesty also kill Sima Ye just like he killed Sima Chi? Yang Xianrong asked. Although she was a little embarrassed, she was once the queen of the Jin Dynasty after all. Then she asked:"After all, Sima Ye was also my nephew. He is only eighteen years old this year!""

"This is really hard to say. I just went to the palace, in the Guangji Hall, because four people including Liu Yi jointly submitted a letter to impeach the eunuch Wang Shen. Your Majesty did not allow it, and Liu was killed by a collision. Not to mention, Master Chen Yuanda also committed suicide. His Majesty's son Liu Yi died, and his other son Liu Fu went into shock due to acute illness and was sent back to the palace for treatment. Liu Yao said

"So which direction will things develop next? Yang Xianrong asked. Liu Yao thought for a while and said,"This is really hard to predict." However, judging from what happened in the court just now, His Majesty's eldest son Liu Can, as well as the eunuchs Wang Chen and Xuan Huai, will definitely take big actions next. Liu He was born to his adoptive father's wife, Queen Huyan, and was the eldest son, but he was killed by Liu Cong. Although Liu Yi was the seventh son of his adoptive father, he was born to the later royal wife, Queen Shan, and was his legitimate son. Liu Cong was born to his concubine, Mrs. Zhang. Therefore, after Liu Cong ascended the throne, he named Liu Yi the crown prince as the crown prince. But as Liu Cong's eldest son, Liu Can thought he was the one closest to the throne. In recent years, Liu Can has been fighting fiercely with the eunuchs Wang Chen, Xuan Huai and others. So I estimate that the Han Dynasty’s court will definitely continue to be bloody."

"So what is your husband going to do? Never harm yourself."Yang Xianrong reminded. Liu Yao said:"Madam, please relax, I am just sitting on the mountain watching the tiger fight. Neither participated in the plotting of Liu Can and others, nor helped His Majesty suppress other sons and ministers."

"Madam need not worry. What storms and waves has your husband never seen? Liu Yao then comforted Yang Xianrong and said,"When two tigers fight, one of them will be injured." Two dogs fight, play off"

"In my opinion, the husband may be the fisherman who wins in the end."Yang Xianrong said with a smile. Liu Yao was a little worried about Yang Xianrong's safety, so he said:"The capital is about to be shaken. I'd better send someone to send my wife and children back to Chang'an first."

In the palace of the prime minister of Han Dynasty, Liu Can whispered a few words to his confidant Wang Ping and gave him something. Wang Ping nodded and understood. A horseman was driving a carriage, and Wang Ping sat in the carriage and looked towards him. The emperor's brother Liu Yi drove towards the East Palace. When he arrived at the gate of the east palace, he was stopped by two guards guarding him. One of the guards shouted:"This is the palace of the emperor's brother Liu Yi!""

"I am Wang Ping, a subordinate of the Prime Minister. Today, the Prime Minister has sent me here to have an audience with His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, in accordance with His Majesty’s secret edict."Wang Ping said, and handed over the token from the Prime Minister's Palace. The two guards saw that it was correct, it was the token from the Prime Minister's Palace, and let Wang Ping in. It was the first time for Wang Ping to come to the East Palace, and he was a little unfamiliar. It was so big. Wang Ping didn't know how to get to the East Palace. Just when he was looking for someone to ask, he met two palace maids delivering tea. Wang Ping chatted up and said,"May I ask you two girls, where is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now?" ?"

"We are about to bring tea to His Highness, who is reading in the study. Come with us!"A palace maid said. Wang Ping said:"Thank you, girl, for guiding us!"

The emperor's brother Liu Yi heard the footsteps and put down the bamboo slips in his hands. When he saw two palace maids leading a stranger in, Wang Ping quickly saluted Liu Yi:"See you, your highness, the emperor's brother!""

After putting down the tea, a palace maid said,"He was sent by the Prime Minister's Palace."

After listening to the words of the palace maid, Liu Yi nodded. Liu Yi waved his hands and the two palace maids went out. Liu Yi looked at the person and felt that he was kind-hearted, so he asked him to sit down. Wang Ping did not dare to sit down, so he said:"Little His name is Wang Ping. There is no place for a villain in front of His Highness.

Liu Yi said:"Since you are from the Prime Minister's Palace, it doesn't matter if you sit down.""Wang Ping sat down sideways. Liu Yi asked:"The prime minister sent you here for something?"

"Return to Your Majesty, here is your Majesty’s secret edict."Wang Ping stood up as he spoke and handed the secret edict with both hands respectfully. Liu Yi opened the secret edict and saw it read: My dear brother,

I have heard that there will be chaos in the capital in the near future, which may endanger the imperial palace and the East Palace. and other palaces. Therefore, we should be on guard in advance to prevent unexpected events. He ordered all the subjects, guards, and soldiers in the East Palace to wear armor. The female family members and maids were waiting in the palace and were not allowed to go out.

Liu Yi was shocked after reading the secret edict. He told the king Ping said:"Thank you sir for delivering the secret edict in time. Please reply to the Prime Minister so that the Prime Minister and His Majesty can rest assured. The king immediately summoned his subordinates, with armor on their bodies and swords in their hands. Training during the day and patrolling at night, just in case"

"Your Highness, I take my leave!"Wang Ping stood up, bowed his hands and saluted. Wang Ping went back to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and Liu Yi immediately summoned his men and began to deploy troops in the East Palace.

Returning to the Prime Minister's Mansion, Wang Ping smiled and said to Liu Can:"Prime Minister, the big plan is ready become!"

"good!"Liu Can patted the table, then stood up and said to Wang Ping:"Without further delay, sir, I would like to ask you to work hard again and go to the Sili Xiaowei Mansion immediately. When you see Lord Jin Zhun, tell him to let him enter the palace. When you see Wang Shen, Xuan Huai, and Yu Rong, your regular servants, take action immediately!"

Sili Colonel Jin Zhun was playing with the birds in the garden in the garden. One of his subordinates came over and reported:"Sir, the Prime Minister's Office has sent someone here. There is urgent business!"

Seeing Jin Zhun, Wang Ping bowed his hands and saluted. Then he said:"The Prime Minister has issued an order, please enter the palace immediately, and meet with His Majesty together with Mr. Wang Shen, the Zhongchang Attendant. The younger brother of the Emperor of the East Palace is plotting a rebellion. Your Majesty, please order 30,000 Imperial Guards from the capital to immediately surround the East Palace. Thousands of people are in urgent need!"

Liu Cong was reading the memorial in the Guangji Hall. A guard at the door hurried in and reported:"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister, Sili Xiaowei and Zhongchang Shi are here to see you."

"Let them in. Liu Cong said as he put down the memorial. Three people came in and came to the bottom of the steps. Liu Can took a step forward and knelt down and said,"Father, something bad is going on!" More than 10,000 soldiers in the East Palace have been practicing day and night in armor piercing for the past few days. The emperor's brother Liu Yi is preparing to rebel!"