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

At this point, everyone stood up and shouted again:"Great Chanyu! Great Chanyu! Great Chanyu! Great Chanyu, the hero of Murong's tribe! Let's do a bowl for Murong Great Chanyu!"

"Thank you very much for your trust and support. However, we cannot yet openly compete with the Central Plains dynasty for supremacy, and compete with other barbarians for territory and population. Instead, we should keep our feet on the ground, keep a low profile, make more friends, make more alliances, and make fewer enemies. Why do we have to use force when we can turn enemies into friends? If you can defeat others without fighting, why do you have to fight with them? Therefore, the top priority is to allow our troops to graze horses, cattle and sheep so that they no longer have to work for a living. In order to achieve this goal, we must learn from the advanced farming techniques in the Central Plains region. If it is suitable to open up wasteland for farming, we can grow some grains, vegetables, and fruits just like the people in the Central Plains. The areas with dense water and grass are, of course, our main pastures. Murong Xin was very happy to see that all the generals here supported his claim to be the Great Chanyu. He went on to say:"Our grasslands and pastures are our best resources." We need to open more horse farms and raise more war horses. We also need to call on many of our troops to have children so that young men can join our army so that Murong's tribe can have a steady supply of soldiers. Only in this way will our tribe be strong in numbers, and our Murong tribe will be prosperous forever!"

After Murong Xuan finished speaking, his eldest son Murong Han said:"Father, a few years ago Yuwen Suyan of the Yuwen tribe once led a hundred thousand people to surround our Daji City. At that time, the tribesmen were very panicked. Low morale. Only my father was ingenious and strategizing, and was not afraid of danger. He personally led 50,000 troops and killed and captured more than 10,000 Yuwen soldiers. It was during this battle that General Meng Hui led his troops to surrender and was named General Jianwei by his father. Meng

Hui heard Murong Han talking about him. He didn't know whether he was praising or derogating, and there were some unnatural expressions on his face. Murong Hui's third son Murong Huang continued:"Our ancestors have always submitted to the Central Plains Dynasty. He was also awarded various official positions by the emperor of the Central Plains. It was precisely because of the exchanges with the Jin Dynasty that our tribe gradually began to live a settled life. Now that the Central Plains is in chaos, we have gradually gained the capital to compete with others. The Chinese culture in the Central Plains is extensive and profound, but the situation in the Central Plains has been very delicate in recent years. We should always pay attention to these changes and act according to the situation. Acting rashly can easily lead to disaster."

What Murong Huang said played into Murong Xie's hands. Murong Xie said:"The Central Plains has been a powerful dynasty since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Xia, Shang, and Zhou, until Qin, Han, and the Jin Dynasty that was destroyed by the Xiongnu not long ago.. Hundreds of years ago, we Xianbei people were often enslaved and harassed by the Xiongnu. It was the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty that continued to fight the Huns for hundreds of years, which caused the arrogant Huns to fall into pieces. We Xianbei people benefited from the competition between snipe and clam and the profit of fishermen, so we gradually grew stronger. If it weren't for the Central Plains Dynasty, we Xianbei people might have been working as cattle and horses for the Huns for generations. Even if it is to repay a favor, we must maintain friendly relations with the Central Plains Dynasty, even if it is a superficial vassal relationship. Unless the Central Plains dynasty is dying and irredeemable, try not to quarrel with it"

"What my father said made sense. Regarding the Central Plains dynasty, we should wait and see its changes and make good use of them. Our heinous enemies should be attacked and eliminated without mercy and resolutely. We should treat our friends with courtesy and reason. For other northern forces, we should first fight for them instead of making enemies everywhere."Murong Huang said

"Okay, Yuan Zhen is right. Since you all have great trust in me, please invite me to serve as the Great Chanyu of the Murong Department of Xianbei. I will appoint talented people and give full play to everyone's abilities and role. Whether you are a Xianbei, a Huns, or a Han, as long as you are smart, resourceful, courageous, good at strategy, and good at strategy, I will entrust you with important responsibilities!"Murong Xuan said.

When Director Wang came to the imperial study, Sima Rui quickly stood up. Director Wang came to Sima Rui and was about to pay homage. Sima Rui immediately stopped him and motioned for Director Wang to sit down.

"Has the appointment edict for Murong Xian been written? Sima Rui asked. Director Wang said:"It's written, please review it by Your Highness." If there are any flaws, I will change the words."

Director Wang said, and handed the edict written on yellow silk to Sima Rui. Sima Rui took the edict, put it on the desk and unfolded it. Both of them sat down, and saw that the edict read:

Jin His Highness the King issued an edict:

Murong Xin, the leader of the Murong Tribe of Xianbei, has both political integrity and talent, an open mind, and a heart for the Jin Dynasty. He is hereby appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Xianbei, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Liao Zuo Yi and the refugees. He is also awarded the title of General Longxiang and the Great Chanyu. , Changli Gong.

June of the first year of Jin Jianwu

"Yes, the wording is rigorous and the sentences are appropriate, so be it! Sima Rui said:"Then please ask Mr. Mao Hong to select a reliable envoy to go to Liaodong to deliver the edict.""

"Okay, I'll do it right away, please don't worry, Your Highness."After saying that, Director Wang's servant drove the ox cart back to his home. As soon as the ox cart reached the north of Zhuque Bridge, a donkey cart came over. After passing the Zhuque Bridge, the donkey cart stopped, and someone lifted the curtain. , shouted loudly:"Is there Mr. Shigehiro on the ox cart across the way? I'm here specifically to find you!"

Director Wang also lifted the curtain, and when he saw it was Wang Jian, he quickly clasped his fists and saluted. Director Wang got off the bullock cart, and Wang Jian also got off the donkey cart. The two servants gathered together to talk. Director Wang and Wang Jian stood on the Zhuque Bridge, looking at the rushing river. Director Wang was moved by the scene. Director Wang said:"We had a gathering in Xinting a few months ago. Mr. Zhou Wei said with some melancholy, 'The rivers are different.’、‘Lord Diao Xie and others also echoed the words"the scenery is not special". I argued with them and convinced them. I am now looking at the river flowing under the bridge, and an indescribable feeling arises in my heart."

"It is human nature to miss our hometown and our homeland. Wang Jian comforted him and said:"Now that I have come, I will be at ease. Besides, the person that King Jin relies on the most is Master Mao Hong. I feel sorry for myself.""

"The emperor has the emperor's worries, and the ministers have the ministers' worries. Director Wang sighed:"People say, 'Being with a king is like being with a tiger.' It actually makes sense." Assisting the king, sometimes walking on thin ice, sometimes uneasy. People's hearts are so far apart that before a word is spoken or before a thing is done, it is actually difficult to predict the possible consequences."

Wang Jian was a little confused, so he changed the topic and said,"It's the Chinese Valentine's Day in half a month. Should we invite some like-minded friends to write poems to celebrate the Chinese Valentine's Day?"