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

Zhi Xiong said with a smile:"Although Liu Yao used the name of Zhao State first, my lord is later than Liu Yao. However, with the wisdom of my lord, King Zhao, and the bravery of Zhongshan Gong, he will capture Chang'an in the future and capture or kill Liu Yao." Yao, it is not impossible to destroy his Han and Zhao kingdoms."

Shi Hu laughed after hearing Zhi Xiong's words. Shi Le said:"Gu has not proclaimed himself emperor yet because there are still many enemies around him. Liu Yao in the west may not want to annex us. Zu Ti in Yuzhou in the south is always thinking about regaining the land north of the Yellow River. Looking east again , Shao Xu and Cao Yi are also two forces that cannot be underestimated. It is precisely because of these that Gucai is able to defy all opinions and temporarily call him King of Zhao. Proclaiming the emperor too early will easily become the target of public criticism."

"King Zhao is far-sighted and I can’t wait!"There was another burst of cheers below.

Xu Xian suggested:"If you are afraid that Liu Yao's Zhao State will be confused with our Zhao State, you might as well do this. Liu Yao's Zhao State is called Han Zhao, and our Zhao State is called Shi Zhao.."

Shi Guanzhi said:"Master Xuxian has a good idea. This can distinguish the two Zhao countries that appeared one after another. Maybe future historians will call Liu Yao's Zhao State the former Zhao and our Zhao State the latter Zhao. After all, Liu Yao's Zhao State came first.

Shi Le said with a smile:"That's the truth, and it's also possible.""

Zu Ti, who was stationed in Yongqiu City, was paying attention to the situation north of the Yellow River all the time. In the government office, Zu Ti said to Zu Huan and his generals:"Liu Yao proclaimed himself emperor in Chang'an, and then Shi Le became emperor in Chang'an. Xiangguo was called King of Zhao. Shao Xu was fighting alone, while Cao Yi was swaying left and right. Therefore, our most dangerous enemy at present is Shi Le. There were many brave generals under Shi Le, such as Shi Hu, Zhi Xiong, etc. Therefore, preventing Shi Le from invading south is a top priority.

Zu Gai said:"The surging Yellow River is the Great Wall between us and Shi Le." If it weren't for the Yellow River, Shi Le would have sent Shi Hu and others to lead his army south.

Zu Ti said:"Brother is right, the Yellow River has indeed delayed the Jie people's iron hoofs." But Jie people never follow rules. Shi Le and Shi Hu pursue the principle that those who follow me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish. Therefore, many dock owners on the north bank of the Yellow River defended themselves. In order to protect their forts and the lives of their families, some dock owners had to send their sons to Xiangguo as hostages."

"In fact, these dock owners are just trying to protect themselves and cannot be of the same mind as Shi Le." Zu Huan said. Zu Ti smiled and said:"Of course they won't really obey Shi Le, but these dock owners don't dare to openly join forces with us. In order to protect these dock owners, we should often send troops, take boats to the north bank of the Yellow River, and attack these dock owners from time to time."

"If his father does this, Shi Le will naturally think that the dock owners are safe because they have not taken refuge with us. In this way, Shi Le couldn't do anything to the dock master's sons. Zu Huan said. Zu Ti said:"That's the reason. From now on, I will often go north to attack Wubao several times.""

One night, Zu Huan led two people to see Zu Ti. Zu Ti was reading in the study. The two people came in and bowed their hands and said,"See you, Mr. Zu! We are two dock owners on the North Shore."

"You two came here late at night, there must be something important? Zu Ti asked. A dock owner said:"We dock owners often go to Xiangguo to do some business." He said he was doing business, but actually he was just taking a look at his son. We heard that Shi Le would soon send Shi Hu to attack Shao Xu in Yanci. After defeating Shao Xu, Cao Yi in Qingzhou must be destroyed. After destroying Shao Xu and Cao Yi, Shi Le may send troops south to attack Yuzhou"

"What you mentioned is very important. Shao Xu and Cao Yi are working on their own affairs, and I can't help them here. I just need to strengthen my precautions and stop Shi Le from invading south. You dock owners, I know you all care about the imperial court. But because his son was in Xiangguo, he had to rely on Shi Le on the surface. If something important happens in the future, please feel free to tell me."Zu Ti said. Another dock owner said:"We were afraid of being discovered by Shi Le's spies, so we rowed over at night to report these situations to the adults. Sir, we take our leave!"

After the two dock owners finished speaking, they bowed their hands to Zu Tigong and returned to the north bank of the Yellow River. In the court hall of Jiande Hall in Xiangguo, Shi Le was discussing military and state affairs with his ministers. At this time, a guard at the door came in and reported:"King Zhao is a thousand years old. An envoy from Lord Cao Yi from Qingzhou has arrived!

Shi Le thought for a moment and said,"We have an envoy from Lord Cao Yi!""

The visitor came to the Jiande Hall, saluted Shi Le and said:"Qingzhou Governor Cao Yi sent Zheng Lin to pay tribute to King Zhao. Entrusted by Mr. Cao, I sent some Qingzhou specialties to King Zhao."

"Qingzhou specialty?"The minister below felt a little strange. He didn't know what kind of medicine Cao Yi sold in his gourd. Xu Xian asked:"Envoy, what are the specialties of Qingzhou?"

"A carriage of golden jujubes, a carriage of Qingzhou persimmons, a carriage of Qingzhou dried persimmons, a carriage of Qingzhou peaches, a carriage of peanuts, and a carriage of green onions, a total of six carriages of Qingzhou specialties. Zheng Lin said. Zhang Bin asked:"Where is the specialty the envoy mentioned?""

"Return to your lord, the carriage is waiting outside the palace. Zheng Lin said. Shi Le, Shi Hu, Zhang Bin and others came to the outside of Jiande Hall and saw that there were indeed six carriages pulling specialties, followed by fifty soldiers. Returning to Jiande Hall, Shi Le asked:"Emissary But Zheng Lin from Beihai County?"

"It's down there."Zheng Lin said. Zhang Bin praised him when he heard it:"It turns out to be Zheng Lin, a famous scholar from Beihai County who has great talents and has been admired for a long time. Why did Lord Cao Yi send you as an envoy?"

"Please sit down and speak slowly, Mr. Zheng Lin. Shi Le said politely. A maid came over and poured a cup of tea for Zheng Lin. Zheng Lin sat down and said,"If you talk about this, it will be a long story.""

"Twelve years ago, Gou Xi, the general who conquered the east, appointed Ju Peng as the governor of Donglai. Cao Ni and Ju Peng often fought. Although Cao Yi was far more powerful than Ju Peng at that time, Ju Peng was humble and loved the people, managed the army well, and united the army and the people. Therefore, Cao Yi has been unable to destroy Ju Peng. Just a few days ago, Ju Peng's advisers and generals were vying with each other to offer suggestions and prepare for another decisive battle with Cao Yi. Ju Peng waved his hand and said:"The world is in chaos, and the strong will be respected." Cao Yi dominated one side and managed Qingzhou in an orderly manner, making Guanggu the city unbreakable. Every attack will result in military and civilian casualties. I have made up my mind to hand over Donglai County to Cao Yi. If any of you are willing to follow me, we will take a boat to the north to cross the sea and land on the island, away from the fighting and killing, and live a free and easy life. Later, Ju Pengzhen led thousands of people and crossed the sea in a mighty manner." Zheng Lin said

"So, Mr. Zheng played a big role in this? Zhang Bin asked. Zheng Lin said:"That's not true." Although my family is originally from Beihai County, I have lived in Dongnae County for decades. During these years, every time Cao Yi and Ju Peng fought, they never invaded the village where I lived. But I never helped Cao Yi attack Ju Peng, nor did I help Ju Peng attack Cao Yi. After Ju Peng left, Master Cao Yi specially sent someone to ask me to be his staff, and also asked me to come to Xiangguo to deliver some local products to King Zhao, and I readily agreed."