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

Wang Dun hurriedly left his job and knelt down:"I am the prince-in-law of the former dynasty, and I have done my duty to protect my family and the country, expel the barbarians, recover my homeland, and expand our territory, and I have no hesitation in doing so!""

"Sir Wang Dao and General Wang Dun are truly the pillars of our dynasty. The rebellion of the Eight Kings was an internal disturbance, while the disaster in Yongjia was an external disturbance. If there are no internal and external troubles in the future, it would not be difficult to unite as one and regain the old capital of Luoyang, or even the Central Plains and the northern homeland."When Sima Rui said this, Zu Ti, who came specially to attend Sima Rui's enthronement ceremony, glanced at Wang Dun. Sima Rui was above, of course, he could see it clearly. Sima Rui calmed down and continued:"Zi Zu General Ti began to regain the Central Plains and defeated Shi Le and Shi Hu many times by himself, so that the Jie people did not dare to act rashly. In recent years, the Xianbei people who originated from Donghu have gradually become a phenomenon. Since the previous dynasty, Xianbei tribes have occupied the Mobei grassland and large areas of land nearby. The Hu people successively established many political powers, including Rouran and Gaoche, which should not be underestimated. The current Liaodong area has also been occupied and managed by Murong Xin of the Murong Tribe of Xianbei. This Murong Xin was the younger brother of Murong Tuyuhun, the first leader of Tuyuhun. Murong Xin was wise in political affairs, witty and caring for talents. Many scholar-bureaucrats and people joined him."

"Your Majesty is right. This Murong Xin, I am also struck by thunder. The Murong Tribe is a branch of the Xianbei tribe after Donghu. Murongxuan's great-grandfather Mo Huba was named the King of Yiyi because he helped the late emperor Xuan Emperor (ie Sima Yi) conquer Gongsun Yuan, the prefect of Liaodong. Later, he settled in Liaodong. foundation. Murong Xuan's grandfather Murong Muyan was once the Xian King of Zuo. His father Murong She attributed his contribution to helping the former dynasty defend Liucheng and was named the Chanyu of Xianbei. Now that Your Majesty has mentioned Murong Xin, does he want to achieve something big?" Director Wang asked

"Murong Xuan's Xianbei Murong Division is thousands of miles away from Jiangnan, so it is not a realistic threat at the moment. Yu Liang left work and said,"But having said that, people's minds change and some things are unpredictable." Murong's tribe welcomed Murong Xin as their leader after killing his brother Murong Xian. Murong Xin was only sixteen years old at the time, but he was so ambitious that he began to attack the previous dynasty's cities in Liaodong. But because of the failure, he had to pay tribute and become a vassal. Zu Ti , who had remained silent throughout, came out and said:"Your Majesty, in the past few years, I have not only dealt with the Jie people in Jiangbei, but also some separatist Wubao masters." These people sway left and right, sometimes even colluding with the Capricorn people. It is very difficult for Wei Chen to fight alone. What Weichen hopes to see most is that the generals of our dynasty can sincerely defend the court. I even hope that your majesty will integrate the soldiers south of the Yangtze River and the soldiers hanging alone in the north!"

Dai Yuan came out of the squad and said:"What General Zu Ti said is absolutely true. The generals who are loyal to our dynasty in the north, such as Liu Kun, Shao Xu, Cao Yi, etc., all echo our dynasty. Even Zhang Shi in Liangzhou in the northwest still uses the reign name of the previous dynasty. It's just that these forces are either bordering the Wuhu or surrounded by the Wuhu. These scattered forces can easily be defeated by the barbarians one by one."

Wen Qiao said:"For decades, the Xianbei Duanbu has been the support of the previous dynasty. However, in recent years, Duanbu Xianbei has been fighting among himself and began to split. On the vast prairie in the north, the Murong, Yuwen, and Duan tribes of Xianbei, the Tiefu tribe of the Xiongnu, Fuyu in the east, and Goguryeo connected to Liaodong will definitely conquer each other in the future, and there will be no peace."

Yu Liang said:"I have established a new dynasty, and everything is waiting to be done. I hope Lord Wen Qiao will give up the idea of ​​returning north to Liu Kun and assist His Majesty wholeheartedly. Besides, Your Majesty has important tasks to do later."

Wen Qiao looked embarrassed after hearing this, but he didn't say anything, as if he was thinking about what to say. After a while, Wen Qiao said:"Liu Kun, who is hanging alone in the north, was appointed by Emperor Min to be Sikong and Dafa a few years ago. Generals, governors and other military personnel in Jiyou. Although he spared no effort to defend Bingzhou for nine years, Bingzhou was eventually captured by Shi Le. In desperation, Liu Kun gathered thousands of remaining defeated generals and stationed his troops alone in the small town of Zhengbei in Jizhou."

In the main tent, Liu Kun said to his eldest son Liu Qun:"Duan Jilu's family in western Liao Dynasty has passed away. You can go to Lingzhi, the capital of Duanbu in Xianbei, on behalf of your father to pay homage to Duan Jilu's family. Duan Ji's family members were not only named Hussar Generals by our dynasty, but also Duke of Liaoxi and Duan Xianbei's great chanyu."

Liu Qun agreed:"Father, please prepare your child and set off for Lingzhi immediately."

"Don't be in a hurry, think about the relevant things carefully first. Today I will buy some memorial objects, prepare some food, and grab a few skins of water. We also need to understand some of the Xianbei people’s customs of offering sacrifices. Bring an inkstone and a writing brush for emergency use on the road and set off again early tomorrow morning. Liu Kun added:"Brothers Duan Ji, Lu Juan, Duan Pixi, and Duan Wenyang are loyal to our court." In order to compete for control of the Xianbei Duan tribe, Duan Mobo has turned against Duan Pixi."

Early the next morning, Liu Qun ate something in a hurry and headed to Lingzhi with three of his entourage. The four horses ran for an hour, and suddenly there was a loud shouting of killing in front of them. The four people did not dare to go any further, so they They hid in the bushes on both sides of the road. Not long after, dozens of horses galloped past them, followed by more than a hundred cavalry. Liu Qun and the four of them hid in the grass among the bushes. He pulled away the grass and took a look. , quietly said to the three followers:"The one running away in front is Duan Pixi. It seems that he was defeated. So is it Duan Mobo who is chasing them?""

Just when Liu Qun and the four men wanted to stand up, several cavalrymen behind them discovered them. The cavalrymen who were chasing Duan Pixi in front came back because they failed to catch up.

"Where are you a spy? Sneaking around in there?"A man who looked like a leader got off the horse and asked Liu Qun and the other four people. Liu Qun and the others had no choice but to come out of the bushes. Liu Qun said:"We are from Jicheng going to Lingzhi for the funeral, not spies."

A few soldiers came forward and wanted to tie up Liu Qun and the other four people. The leader waved his hands and said,"No need to be rude, I'll ask about the situation first. Whose funeral are you going to Lingzhi?"

"The funeral of Duan Ji and his family members in Xianbei Province. Liu Qun said unhurriedly. When the leader heard this, he smiled and said,"Are you sent to Lingzhi by Governor Liu Kun?""

"I am his son Liu Qun."Liu Qun introduced. The leader was also happy:"It turns out that I am the son of the governor. I am Duan Mobo, the great chanyu of the Xianbei Duan tribe."

Hearing what Duan Mobo said, Liu Qun felt confident, so he saluted Duan Mobo and said,"It turns out it's Duan Mobo's great chanyu, disrespectful, disrespectful! Then please get out of the way of the Great Chanyu. My three attendants and I are in a hurry to go to Lingzhi for the funeral. Da Chanyu, see you later!"