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

Butai came to Taiji Hall openly and knelt down to pay homage to Sima Rui. Sima Rui said:"Lord Butai, you are free of courtesy, why did you come to Jiankang after traveling more than two thousand miles?"

"Your Majesty, please allow me to report."Butai looked back at Sima Rui's ministers behind him and continued:"A few years ago, the two emperors of the Jin Dynasty were robbed to Pingyang and died tragically. Your country's jade seal and your country's queen were also kidnapped to the Han Dynasty. Since the emperor's younger brother Liu Yi was killed and Liu Can succeeded to the throne, the government has been in turmoil. A few days ago, the Han Dynasty's chief minister Kong Jin Zhun took action and killed the emperor Liu Can, Liu Can's eight younger brothers and their families, more than 100 people. The tombs of Liu Yuan and Liu Cong were also excavated and their bodies abandoned in the wilderness. Liu Cong was also beheaded. The great Sikong Jin Zhun has claimed to be the King of Han and Zhao and intends to submit to the Jin Dynasty. We originally planned to send Hu Song from Jin to return the coffins of the two emperors and the jade seal of your country. But Hu Song was timid and fearful and did not dare to come, so he was killed by the King of Han and Zhao. Then I was sent to Jiankang to explain the above situation. I hope your Majesty will send someone to transport the coffins of the second emperor back."

There was a sudden silence in the court. Sima Rui looked at Director Wang, who recited:"The great chaos in the Han Dynasty is a great blessing for our court. what goes around comes around. It’s not that I won’t report it, the time has not yet come. Now that Jin Zhun has almost killed all of Liu Cong's descendants, the second emperor can return to his hometown, and the jade seal is expected to return. My heart is so surging that I can't describe it. Your Majesty, please select capable people to go to Pingyang, the capital of the Han Dynasty, to welcome back the coffins of the two emperors and bury them properly!"

"Shigehiro-sama makes sense. Sima Rui said:"Taichang Han Yin listens to the order!""

"Wei Chen is here!"Taichang Han Yin quickly left work and knelt down. Sima Rui said:"Master Han Yin, please prepare. In two days, you will go to Pingyang with Master Butai to transport back the coffins of Emperor Huai and Emperor Min. If you need anything, please discuss it with Director Wang."

"Obey!"Han Yin said. At this time, He Xun asked Butai:"The Han Dynasty court was full of blood, and Liu Cong's sons killed each other. Many people believe that this was caused by Jin Zhun's wanton behavior and sowing discord, and it was even called the 'Jin Zhun Rebellion'. What do you think about this?"

"In my humble opinion, if there is no chaos, there is no governance. The chaos and disorder in the Han Dynasty was entirely caused by Liu Can's ignorance and incompetence. Jin Zhun relied on his modest strength to seize the opportunity to avenge the Jin Dynasty's monarchs and ministers while Liu Yao and Shi Le were far away from Pingyang. He should be praised and praised."Bu Tai said calmly. Diao Xie asked again."Then why did Jin Zhun claim to be the King of Zhao of the Han Kingdom again, instead of sending someone or personally coming to Jiankang and directly surrendering to our dynasty?"

"A family cannot be without a master for a day, and a country cannot be without a king for a day. Butai continued to argue:"The leader of my country just did the right thing at the right time." He did not have the strength to proclaim himself emperor, and he did not have the strength to fight against Liu Yao and Shi Le. I estimate that because of this incident, the Han Kingdom will soon be in chaos, and may even change its dynasty. Jin Zhun and the Jin family may be in danger."

"Mr. Butai has had a hard time traveling and traveling, and it’s been a hard journey! Please stay in the post house temporarily, and Mr. Han Yin will accompany you. When preparations for receiving the second emperor's coffin are complete, you will rush to Pingyang."Prince Sima Shao said. Butai bowed his hands and saluted, and walked out of the Taiji Hall. After Butai left the court, the hall became lively. Zhou Wei said:"Unexpectedly, I have been thinking about it every day and looking forward to it every night for these years, hoping to be able to serve my country. Deep hatred, the Liu family will collapse so soon!"

"However, when the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole stalks behind."Yu Liang analyzed:"I estimate that Liu Yao in Chang'an or Shi Le in Xiang State will have a war with Jin Zhun soon. And no matter who Jin Zhun fights, he will definitely lose miserably."

"What Master Yu Liang said is very reasonable. Compared with Liu Yao and Shi Le, Jin Zhun's strength is very different. Although it seems that Jin Zhun intends to surrender to our court, the main force of our court is two to three thousand miles away in the south of the Yangtze River, beyond our reach, and we have more than enough ambition but not enough power."Wen Qiao said

"Lord Maohong just talked about the jade seal, why didn't you see Lord Butai present it? Is it still on Butai or the entourage?"Ji Zhan said with some doubts. Liu Wei, the censor Zhongcheng, said:"Bu Tai has just said that Jin Zhun originally planned to send Hu Song to return the jade seal, but Hu Song was timid and fearful, and he was killed by Jin Zhun!"

Butai stayed in the post house in Jiankang for two days, and went to Houhu in the north of Jiankang with Han Yin. He was accompanied by a hundred soldiers and two accompanying generals Yu Tan and Zhou Zha. The two generals rode on The horses were in front, followed by a hundred soldiers lined up in four lines. Han Yin and his two followers, as well as Butai and his two followers, rode in the same carriage. Behind the carriage, there were horses riding maroon war horses. Prince Sima Shao and fifty guards. Seeing this formation, the people of Jiankang thought that another war was about to begin. Many people were whispering:"What a mighty prince!" There is hope for Jiangzuo!"

The group came to the south bank of Houhu, and five boats were parked on the bank. Yu Tan and Zhou Zha ordered the soldiers to carry things to the boats, mainly food and drink, and gifts for Jin Zhun. In addition, , the ship also carried mourning supplies to mourn the two late emperors. Fifty guards of Prince Sima Shao were standing on the shore. Han Yin, Butai and Sima Shao were talking on the shore, and the atmosphere was harmonious. It didn’t take long, and everyone The things that should be carried have been moved. Zhou Zha said:"Your Highness, the things have been moved and we are about to hit the road!"

"very good! Wish you all a safe journey!"Sima Shao said, and he, Han Yin, Butai, Zhou Zha, and Yu Tan said goodbye to each other. One hundred soldiers were sitting on five large boats, Yu Tan was in the first boat, and Zhou Zha was in the last boat. There were only ten oarsmen on the second boat, which was also the boat where Han Yin, Butai and their entourage were riding.

Han Yin and Butai stood on the deck and said goodbye to Sima Shao. Sima Shao turned around and led fifty The guards went back to Jiankang. The five boats slowly left the shore and sailed north and southwest. Because they were going upstream, the main task of the soldiers was to alternate rowing. An hour later, the fleet Sailing to the southwest, we are about to leave Jiankang.

The autumn sunshine is still a bit hot. Han Yin and Butai walked out of the cabin and came to the deck. Han Yin put up a pergola with his hands, pointed to the new pavilion in front of him and said :"Lord Bu, this is the new pavilion where the then King Langya, the current Emperor, Director Wang and other celebrities gathered more than a year ago. These celebrities and scholars have now become His Majesty’s loyal ministers."

"I wish you prosperity and hope that you can regain your homeland. Butai said with some regret:"It's a pity that King Han and Zhao and I can't become ministers of the Jin Dynasty.""