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

Several soldiers came to Liu Kun and put him under the noose. Duan Pixi said with a smile:"Grand Governor, today you are sent to hell because of your emperor's edict. Don't blame me. Today next year will be your anniversary. I will bury the Grand Governor lavishly and will never break my promise." I hope that in the next life, we can get together and fight together on the battlefield! Hahaha!"

Liu Kun shouted loudly:"I miss you Liu Kun. I was appointed as the captain of the Sili school at the age of twenty-six. Later, I was appointed as a concubine by Sima Tai, the king of Gaomi. I was appointed as Zulang, Doctor of Taixue, and Shangshulang. Twelve years ago, I was appointed as the governor of Bingzhou, General Jiazhenwei, and General of the Zhonglang who led the Huns. Five years ago, I was named a general by Emperor Min and the commander-in-chief of all military affairs in Bingzhou. , plus Sanqi regular attendants and holiday festivals. After King Langya succeeded to the throne, he not only named me a servant and a Taiwei, but also gave me a famous sword. I have endured humiliation and heavy burdens in the world for forty-eight years, and now I am leaving this world. I have many The matter is not finished yet! Drive out the barbarians! Recover the north! Give me back my homeland!"

Liu Kun said nothing. Liu Kun's head was tied up with a noose. A soldier tightened the noose, and several soldiers pulled the rope at the other end. Liu Kun was lifted off the ground. The noose was drawn tighter and tighter. Liu Kun screamed a few times at first, but then he couldn't hear it anymore.

Several soldiers had just put down Liu Kun's body when suddenly there was lightning and thunder in the sky, and heavy rain poured down. There was darkness around the execution ground, and you couldn't see your fingers...

Half a month later, the news that Liu Kun was hanged by Duan Pixun reached Jiankang. There was a lot of discussion in the court. Wang Dun, who had not been in court for a long time, said with a smile on his face:"The death of Governor Liu Kun is very heartbreaking! But the power of the Pixi brothers in the Xianbei section is still very strong. We cannot hang our court because of him. Important ministers, please go and express your condolences."

Hearing what Wang Dun said, some people shook their heads, while many people dared to be angry but did not dare to speak. Wen Qiao, the concubine of the crown prince, came out and said:"As one of the 'Twenty-Four Friends' of Jingu, Liu Kun served the kings when he was young. During the Yongjia Rebellion, he joined forces with Duanbu Xianbei to defend Jinyang City for nine years and successfully resisted Invasion by Liu Yao and Shi Le. But later, the Xiongnu became too powerful and the alliance fell apart, causing Jinyang City to be occupied by the Huns. As for the reason why Liu Kun was hanged by Duan Pixun, it was definitely not because he was preparing to join forces with Duan Mobo , I hope your Majesty will think twice."

Sima Rui nodded after hearing Wen Qiao's words, but said nothing. Diao Xie, Dai Yuan, Liu Wei and others sighed and shook their heads. Director Wang looked at the roof of the court and said nothing.

In June of this year, the weather was dry, with a severe drought and no rain. In the Tai Chi Hall, Sima Rui looked at the memorials from all over the south of the Yangtze River and was at a loss what to do. Wang led the class and said:"Your Majesty, the emperor is the Son of Heaven. If your Majesty begs God, maybe God will send down nectar!"

"Sir Mao Hong’s words make sense. Please ask Sir Guo Pu to choose a good and auspicious day, and I and all my dear friends will go to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices and pray for rain!"Sima Rui said. Guo Pu said:"I obey the order!

Sima Rui continued:"When our dynasty was first established, everything was in ruins waiting to be revitalized." For the sake of the country and the people of Li, from now on, the internal history of Danyang will be changed to Danyang Yin. Shangshu Zuopushe Diao Xie was appointed Shangshu Ling. General Pingnan and Duke Quling Xunsong were appointed Shangshu Zuopushe. Li Ju, the prefect of Xingyang, was in charge of all military affairs in Sizhou and was appointed as the governor of Sizhou. My third son, Sima Chong, the king of Donghai, is the captain of Changshui, and my fourth son, Sima Xi, is the king of Wuling. Remonstrance drums and remonstrance trees began to be set up outside the palace gate. People could beat the drums to remonstrate, and they could also write remonstrances on the remonstrance trees to set the agenda for the dynasty."

"Your majesty is wise! Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!"The civil and military ministers cheered in unison.

This year, on the fourth day of the seventh lunar month in the early autumn, we went to the Tai Chi Hall in Jiankang Palace. After the civil and military officials of the dynasty paid homage to Sima Rui, Wang led the class and said:"God has finally sent down nectar these days, and the people in Jiangnan are smiling and cheering. Thank you for your majesty's sacrifice to pray for rain, and may Jiangnan have a bumper harvest!"

Sima Rui nodded with a smile, and then withdrew his smile. Sima Rui nodded towards Fei Ren at the steps. Fei Ren came to the Long Bookcase and took the edict from Sima Rui's hand. Fei Ren returned to the steps and stood. He read the edict first, and then read it loudly:

When I first established my dynasty, I had the will of the people. However, the royal family suffered frequent disasters, traitors wreaked havoc, ruined the laws and regulations, and the road was not good. As a man of poor virtue, I will inherit the great cause, and I will be worried day and night. , in order to eliminate its disadvantages. County governors, county magistrates and other local officials should adhere to the old system, be honest, strictly enforce the law, restrain the powerful, care for loneliness, verify household registration, and encourage and supervise farming and mulberry work. The state, animal husbandry, and governors should check each other, and must not There are those who care about private interests at the expense of the public. There are those who serve the public good and are not promoted to important positions. There are those who are officials who are greedy and behave filthy but are fine because of their wealth. If they are not reported, they should be punished for deliberately indulging evil people and covering up good people. If you are not aware of the above-mentioned circumstances, you should bear the responsibility of being dim and unclear. All officials must clearly and prudently follow this edict."

"I will obey the order! Your majesty is wise!"The civil and military ministers said together.

Liu Qun, who was in Lingzhi in western Liaoning, burst into tears when he heard the news of the death of his father and brothers. Duan Mobo advised:"Mr. Liu, it is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge in ten years. Now we should go to the west of Lingzhi City to hold a memorial ceremony for your father to comfort the governor."

While the two men were talking, a guard came in and reported:"Da Chanyu, there are hundreds of cavalry coming from the direction of Jicheng, saying that they are coming to join Da Chanyu and are waiting for the order to enter the city!"

"Da Chanyu, perhaps his father's aunt and nephew Lu Chen, nephew Cui Yue, etc. came to order his troops to defect to you. They are all my closest people, and I hope Dashan will take them in!"Liu Qun said with some sincerity. Duan Mobo readily agreed:"Since they are relatives of the prince, there is nothing to say. Send my order quickly and ask them to come directly to the government office!"

"Okay, Da Chanyu!"The guard bowed his hands and saluted and went out. In less than half an hour, Lu Chen, Cui Yue and a dozen of Liu Kun's former subordinates came to the Shanyu Mansion. Lu Chen, Cui Yue and others knelt down and saluted Duan Mobo. Then he burst into tears. Liu Qun cried and pulled Lu Chen, Cui Yue and others up one by one. Duan Mobo said:"Generals, please sit down and talk.""

"Thank you very much for taking us in!"Lu Chen said

"Da Shanyu took us in during the crisis, which we will never forget! Cui Yue also said.

After saying that, Lu Chen, Cui Yue and others sat down behind the tables. Three maids came in, and one went up to pour tea for Duan Mobo. The other two maids also poured tea for everyone below. Tea. Lu Chen, Cui Yue and other Liu Kun's generals took up the tea and drank it in one go. The maids poured it in again. Putting down the tea cup, Lu Chen said:"When Duan Pixi attacked Zhengbei Xiaocheng , we people were not in the city, so we escaped unharmed. After the small town of Zhengbei was breached, Duan Pixi's soldiers discovered us and sent troops to chase us. Hundreds of us traveled all day and night before arriving at Lingzhi."