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

The soldiers in the East Palace had already been disarmed. Many soldiers, with their hands tied behind their backs, stood in formation and walked out of the gate. Five miles southwest of Pingyang City, there is a large valley. These soldiers from the East Palace were driven to the valley. The escorting soldiers, swords in their hands, bared their teeth and claws in front of these soldiers. The soldiers of the East Palace were unarmed and had no choice but to come to this huge valley obediently. The soldiers from the East Palace all entered the valley, and the soldiers in charge of escorting also withdrew to the higher reaches of the valley. Soldiers holding bows and arrows had already stood in a large circle high in the valley. Liu Can shouted loudly:"Soldiers, start shooting!"

The valley suddenly burst into tears and screams. The soldiers above continued to shoot arrows, and some rolled large stones into the valley. Two hours later, calm returned to the valley. Liu Can looked at the empty valley and laughed loudly:"You guys should be lonely ghosts here!"

Thousands of soldiers with shovels and baskets in hand began to shovel and transport earth from outside the valley, covering these areas that had just been covered with water. The massacre of the soldiers of the East Palace. The huge valley almost turned into flat ground.

It was already dusk when Liu Can and others returned to Guangji Hall. Entering the main hall, Liu Can, Jin Zhun, and Wang Chen knelt down and saluted Liu Cong. Liu Can said:"Let me tell you, father, the matter is over."

"very good! very good! very good! Liu Cong smiled and asked:"How many ministers who were closely related to Liu Yi were killed?" How many officials and soldiers of the East Palace were killed?"

"Your Majesty is informed that dozens of ministers who were closely related to Liu Yi were killed. Some of these civil and military ministers who usually looked down upon me, Mr. Wang and Mr. Xuan were also killed. As for the soldiers of the East Palace, more than 15,000 people were killed."Jin Zhun replied

"What happened to the dozen or so leaders of the Di and Qiang people?"Liu Cong asked. Wang Chen reported:"The three elders could not bear the severe punishment and have confessed and signed their names. The other dozen or so leaders were put back. After all, the Di and Qiang people are also His Majesty’s subjects."

"That makes sense!"Liu Cong then said:"From now on, Liu Can is canonized as the crown prince, takes over the duties of prime minister, and is also given the title of Grand Chanyu and the general regent of the government, just like in the past."

"My dear father, thank you very much! Liu Can smiled happily and knelt down to thank him. Liu Cong asked again:"What happened to the rebellious Liu Yi and his family?" Are these people still in the East Palace?"

"Returning to my father, Liu Yi's wives, concubines, children, and a few maids are being detained in the East Palace for the time being. Let them live for a few more days!"Liu Can said with a laugh.

When Pingyang was in chaos, Liu Yao, surrounded by dozens of guards, returned to Chang'an, where he was guarding. Outside the gate of the general's palace, Liu Yao's two wives and his wife Mrs. Bu, her concubine Yang Xianrong, her four children, several generals under Liu Yao, and dozens of guards and servants who looked after the house came to the gate to greet them. They had not seen their wives and concubines for many days. With four children, Liu Yao whipped his horse several times and quickly came to his wife, concubines and children. The sons were all shouting:"Father is back!" Father is back! Liu

Yao jumped off the horse, one with his left hand and one with his right hand, and picked up the two sons born by Yang Xianrong. Liu Yao asked with a smile:"Xier, do you and your brother miss your father?""

"I do, of course I do!"Liu Xi said and kissed Liu Yao's face. When Liu Xi saw his brother kissing his father, he also followed his brother's example and kissed Liu Yao. Liu Yao smiled and slowly put down his two sons. Put down the two sons. He holds the eldest son Liu Jian with his left hand, and the second son Liu Yin with his right hand. Liu Jian and Liu Yin were both born to his wife, Mrs. Bu. To be precise, Liu Xi is Liu Yao's two sons. Liu Xi’s third son, Liu Yao’s fourth son

"Husband, you are finally back. There are rumors in Chang'an that there is chaos in Pingyang, the capital, and many people died. Sister Xianrong and I are on tenterhooks every day."Mrs. Bu said with concern. Yang Xianrong also took Liu Yao's hand and said:"We two sisters look forward to our husband's return as soon as possible every day. The four children also want to see their father every day"

"Father, I am already eighteen years old this year. If my mother hadn't stopped me, I would have already ridden to Pingyang to find you."The eldest son Liu Jian said. The second son Liu Yin said:"Yes, father, although I am only sixteen years old, I also want to follow my brother to Pingyang!"

"Okay, okay, you will all be your father’s right-hand man from now on! Liu Yao said, surrounded by his wives, concubines, and sons, he returned to his home in Chang'an.

It was already noon, and the cooks and servants were all busy. In the living room, each dining table was placed There were several dishes and wines. Liu Yao, Mrs. Bu, Yang Xianrong, and two younger sons Liu Xi and Liu Xi were all sitting on it. The eldest son Liu Jian, the second son Liu Yin, and several of Liu Yao's A general sitting below

"Come, let us raise a glass together and cheer up my husband! Mrs. Bu said, raising her wine bottle. Yang Xianrong and dozens of people below also raised their wine bottles and drank a glass of wine. Putting down the wine bottle, Yang Xianrong gave Liu Xi, who was holding him in his arms, a piece of tofu. eat

"Father, I offer you a toast!"Liu Jian stood up and held up the wine bottle and said. The maid poured the wine, and Liu Yin also stood up and toasted Liu Yao:"Father, I also want to toast you!"

Liu Yao was very happy and drank two glasses of wine in a row. He put down the wine bottle and said,"I have followed my adoptive father in these years, and then I have followed your majesty in the past few years. Fighting all over the place, it was a rare opportunity to have a meal with my family. Now that the capital is in chaos, I may be lucky to be able to guard Chang'an and stay away from Pingyang, a place of right and wrong!"

"What your husband said is true. If you often follow His Majesty, as the saying goes, 'Accompanying the King is like accompanying a tiger'. Your Majesty won’t even spare his own son, let alone a clan brother like your husband! Yang Xianrong said:"In my opinion, Chang'an is indeed a blessed place for my husband and our family.""

"Madam has a point. It is not easy for you two to take care of this house in the mansion."Liu Yao said with emotion:"Every time I come back from outside, the children have changed a lot. The children are growing up slowly, and we are getting older day by day. Time is not forgiving!"

"This time His Majesty took action against Liu Yi. Why didn't His Majesty let her husband participate in the action? Yang Xianrong asked. Liu Yao took a sip of wine and said,"This is because I am far away in Chang'an and my soldiers are also in Chang'an, so I escaped this catastrophe." Every killing on the battlefield, every internal fighting in the palace, and the blood on the hands will actually affect a person's destiny in a subtle way. Staying away from the court to recharge your batteries is the best policy."

After lunch, Mrs. Bu and Yang Xianrong took Liu Xi, Liu Xi, and a few maids to play in the garden. Looking at the butterflies flying around on various flowers, Liu Xi asked:"Mom, why? Butterflies can fly everywhere, but we can't fly?"