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

As Sima Rui talked, he couldn't continue. Heartbreaking cries echoed throughout the palace. Zheng Achun's cries in Sima Huan's palace were also heard. A palace maid brought over a glass of water. Sima Rui drank a few sips of water and continued:"Master Maohong, dear friends, Huan'er was not lucky enough to have left me at such a young age. Since Huan'er has been crowned king, he should follow the rules. After the burial ceremony, a cemetery should be built to facilitate future generations to commemorate."

The ministers were speechless when they heard what Sima Rui said. Neither agreement nor disagreement was expressed. After a while, Sun Xiao, the right servant of Langxie Kingdom, admonished:"Your Majesty, I feel the pain of losing your beloved son to your Majesty. I feel the pain in my heart. But after all, the little prince is not an adult yet. If he is buried with an adult ceremony, he will not be buried. To build a cemetery, a lot of manpower and material resources will be spent. This requires a year's tax from Langya Kingdom! Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Wang Dun, who had been silent for a long time, said:"Who can understand the pain of losing a son, Your Majesty? People can understand! Your Majesty is both an emperor and a father, please don't stop me!"

Although Wang Dun was often not seen in the court, at this time, Sima Rui was still a little surprised that Wang Dun could speak according to his own wishes. Wang Dun's words were still intimidating. Sun Xiao did not dare to give any more advice, and the others also hesitated to speak. Seeing that no minister could stop him, Sima Rui continued:"Shortly after Huan'er was born, I adopted him to my late brother Sima Hun, the Marquis of Changleting. Huan'er, who was still in his infancy, was named the Marquis of Xianyi Ting.. In order to help Huan'er get better as soon as possible, I just named him the King of Langya yesterday. I planned to cheer him up and let the child get better soon, but who knew, who knew that he left last night!" It was already bright at this time, Other ministers and generals from around Jiankang also came one after another. Sima Rui burst into tears again, and the ministers also cried. After crying, Sima Rui said again:"I have been emperor for less than a year. Sometimes I think that I am not as good as Emperor Huai and Emperor Min. It is awe-inspiring for the two emperors to sacrifice their lives for the country. And what about me? ? The imperial edicts and government orders are only valid around Jiankang. I am such a coward as an emperor! I must be buried according to the rites of adulthood, build a cemetery, marry under the dead, and be buried with uncles and nephews of Anguo. The same cannot be missed!"

Wang Dun listened. Sima Rui's face turned red and white, and his expression was a little unnatural. Seeing that Sima Rui spoke so firmly, the ministers below did not dare to say anything more. Sima Rui said to Director Wang:"It is Master Maohong who will handle Huan'er's funeral. Zhou Wei, Dai Yuan, Diao Xie, Guo Pu and Sun Xiao, the five of you will assist Master Maohong together."

"Your Majesty, how do you choose the posthumous name for the little prince?"Sun Xiao stood up and said. Sima Rui thought for a moment, and then said:"Just use the word 'mourn', King Langya mourns.

Sima Rui then said to Guo Pu and Sun Xiao:"You two dear friends will return to Langya Kingdom first, survey the mountains and rivers, grasp the Feng Shui direction, and choose the cemetery.""

"Weichen obeys the order!"Guo Pu and Sun Xiao went down to prepare.

In the east side hall of the palace, Director Wang, Zhou Wei, Diao Xie, Dai Yuan and others were discussing Sima Huan's funeral. The two maids poured tea for everyone. Out. Diao Xie said:"Although Your Majesty has six sons, the second son, Sima Pei, has passed away. It has only been more than a year, and His Majesty's pain of losing his son has not yet passed. His Majesty's favorite fifth son, Sima Huan, has also passed away. If none of us can understand His Majesty's mood, who can?"

"In my opinion, Sun Xiao ignored His Majesty's feelings, contradicted His Majesty, and claimed to be frugal and simple, which was a reckless act that did not understand current affairs. Whether it was when His Majesty was the King before he succeeded to the throne or in the past six months since he ascended the throne, His Majesty felt helpless and depressed." Dai Yuan said. Liu Wei then said:"We are His Majesty's most trusted ministers. If we cannot relieve His Majesty from the pain of losing his son, we are not worthy of being His Majesty's ministers!"

"Lord Zhou Wei, what should be done specifically about the little prince’s funeral? Director Wang asked. Zhou Wei said:"First, it should be buried with the adult ceremony of the Sima royal family; second, the coffin should not be too small; third, find a three or four-year-old folk girl to be buried with the ghost marriage." ; Fourth, let the uncle and nephew keep company underground to satisfy His Majesty."

The four people were discussing, and Wang Dun came in. Director Wang and others stood up quickly, and Wang Dun and the four people greeted each other. Director Wang said:"Brother, please sit down, it's time to share your opinions."

A palace maid poured Wang Dun a cup of tea, and Wang Dun took a sip. Putting down the teacup, Wang Dun said,"I completely agree with what Mr. Zhou Wei said just now. Not only must it satisfy all of His Majesty's wishes, the little prince's tomb should also be divided into two chambers, the left and right. The tomb chamber must use green bricks fired from fine clay. Before building the tomb chamber, the green bricks must be polished. A slightly turtle-shaped platform was also built in the tomb to place the coffins of the little prince, the little grandson and the little girl who was married in the dark. In addition, the entire tomb must be paved with red soil and compacted before burial."

"The general has thought very carefully, I admire him! The platform on which the coffin is placed is built in the shape of a turtle's back, which is waterproof. This is a great idea. Dai Yuan said. Director Wang continued:"Guo Pu and Sun Xiao have already gone to Langya Kingdom. We need to arrange manpower to build a solid and thick cypress coffin for the little prince." We also need to send people to the Langya Kingdom to discuss with Guo Pu and Sun Xiao to build a strong brick kiln and find the best soil to prepare green bricks. In addition, people must be sent to search for red soil and then transport it to Langya Kingdom"

"How to solve the problem of finding the little girl? Dai Yuan asked. This was indeed a tricky question. The three of them looked at each other, but no one said anything. Wang Dun smiled when he heard this, stood up and said,"My lords, I'm looking for the girl who is married to someone else. Just leave it to Wang. I must finish this matter before the little prince goes to Langya Kingdom!"

After Wang Dun finished speaking, he stood up and said goodbye. Director Wang and others stood up to see them off.

"Everyone has said the same thing. Does anyone have anything to add? Director Wang asked after returning to his seat. Diao Xie said:"Whether it is in Jiankang or Langya Kingdom, making coffins, firing green bricks, building tombs, and building cemeteries all require a large number of skilled craftsmen." This matter also requires preparation in advance. Burial objects must also be abundant"

"I think everyone has thought about it. Let’s report it to His Majesty!" Director Wang said. Four people came to the West Side Hall to the west of the palace and reported to Sima Rui... Zu Ti, the governor of Yuzhou who was stationed in Chen County, heard that the young prince Sima Huan had passed away and cried loudly:"Your Majesty will succeed you. Before he ascended the throne, he lost his second prince Sima Pei. It has been less than a year since he finally succeeded to the throne and became emperor. First, he experienced the pain of losing his grandson Sima Anguo. His Majesty’s most beloved little prince also left his Majesty. It is really heartbreaking!"