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

"What the two gentlemen said is true. As a surname from Liangzhou, our Zhang family has always been loyal to the emperor and patriotic. Although the journey is far away, we cannot contribute to the court. But I am always worried about the war in the Central Plains and the comfort of the Jiangnan court."Zhang Mao said thoughtfully.

Zuo Sima Yinyuan said:"With the rebellion in Yongjia, the capital Luoyang became a ruin. Not only were their homes destroyed in the Central Plains and the North, but the Chinese culture that had been passed down for one or two thousand years was also completely destroyed. Fortunately, many great northern nobles migrated south, and Jiankang became a gathering place for scholars from the Central Plains and the north to study Sinology, Confucianism, architecture, religion, literature, and art, retaining the fire of Chinese culture. In this regard, Liangzhou is also another large-scale settlement place for the gentry in the Central Plains and the north, even comparable to the capital Jiankang."

After listening to Yin Yuan's words, Zhang Mao nodded with satisfaction. Jia Fu said:"Your Highness, someone found an 'Emperor's Seal' six years ago, so Duke Zhao (Zhang Shi) quickly sent someone to present the jade seal to Emperor Min of Chang'an. This Why? Didn’t Duke Zhao already call himself King of Liang?"

"Why? Six years ago, Liu Yao besieged Chang'an. His elder brother (Zhang Shi) sent general Wang Gai to rescue Chang'an while many royal family members stood aside. Although Emperor Min was captured by Liu Yao in the end, it was because he was isolated and helpless. When the elder brother learned that Emperor Min was forced to be escorted to Pingyang by Liu Yao, he and his subordinates cried for three days and three nights, and even did not eat or sleep. Later, Emperor Min was poisoned by Liu Cong, and his brother and his generals wore mourning clothes and mourned for three days. Let me ask, why is this?"Zhang Mao said patiently. Dozens of his subordinates nodded after hearing this.

Tian Qi, the general who exterminated the bandits, said:"A person must have both ambition and backbone to live. Liu Kun, Shao Xu, Duan Pixi and others are all tough guys among tough guys, and they will always be remembered and admired by future generations. And people like Xu Gong, who follow the east wind today and the west wind tomorrow, are either afraid of dying in one hand or another. In the end, it can be miserable. Zhang

Jun, Zhang Shi's son, said:"Uncle, when I was seven or eight years old, my father told me about the jade seal." At that time, my father said that becoming emperor was not a casual matter. The found jade seal has an unknown origin and is more likely to cause trouble. My father hated raising his seal to the elbow. More than a hundred years ago, Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu, Yuan Shu and Yuan Gongdao, both brothers were strong soldiers and horses. Yuan Shu held the jade seal he had obtained, so the two brothers scrambled to claim the throne. Yuan Shu was defeated more than two years after he proclaimed himself emperor, and finally his reputation was ruined. But Cao Cao was different. Cao Cao used the emperor to control the princes, but he did not proclaim himself emperor until his death. The title of Emperor Wu of Wei was given after Cao Pi became emperor."

"My son, your father is right. Let’s not talk about the distant ones, let’s talk about Shile. Among the Wuhu in the north, it can be said that they have strong soldiers and horses, and their strength in all aspects is second to none. However, no matter how Zhang Bin and others tried to persuade him, Shi Le would not proclaim himself emperor, only king. But Liu Yao was different. Before he could eliminate Jin Zhun, he hurriedly proclaimed himself emperor on the way."Zhang Mao said

"His Royal Highness Prince Liang is right, but when Liu Yao proclaimed himself emperor, he succeeded to the throne in name only, inheriting the throne from Liu Can of Han Dynasty. Compared with Shi Le to the east, Liu Yao's strength is obviously weaker. Therefore, Liu Yao did not dare to expand east or southeast. He could only expand his territory around Chang'an, especially to the west and northwest of Chang'an. Liu Yao sent You Ziyuan to put down the Di and Qiang rebellion and conquered Chen An. Our Liangzhou may be Liu Yao's next target."Zhang Xi said

"What Zhang Aiqing said makes sense, we must always be on guard against Liu Yao. There is one thing that needs to be solved at the moment, which is the construction of Lingjun Terrace."Zhang Mao said. Yan Zeng from Wuling stood up and said:"Your Highness, you just said that you must always be on guard against Liu Yao's attack on Liangzhou. I went to knock on the door of Prince Liang's Mansion last night, not out of impulse. I really dreamed that Duke Wu said to me a few days ago, why did we mobilize all the troops to build this platform? Instead of wasting money and people to build Lingjun Tower, it is better to use the money to recruit troops and train soldiers!"

"Brave Yan Zeng! The construction of Lingjun Terrace was ordered by King Qiansui of Liang. How dare you interfere with this? Could it be that you have the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard? Please, Your Highness, beat Yan Zeng out of Prince Liang's Mansion with sticks, then take him to the east gate of Guzang and behead him in public!"Jia Ma said angrily. Zhang Mao waved his hand and said:"Building Lingjun Terrace does require a lot of manpower, material and financial resources. It is not an exaggeration to say that Yan Zeng used the words of the late emperor to waste money and people, let alone call him a monster."

"Will Lingjun Terrace still be repaired? Han Pu asked. Zhang Mao smiled and said,"Cao Wei built Beiye City on the basis of his predecessors. It was seven miles long from east to west and five miles wide from north to south." The outer city has seven gates, and the inner city has four gates. After the city wall of Beiye City was built, Cao Cao also built Jinfeng Tower, Tongque Tower and Bingjing Tower. In their spare time, Cao Cao and his sons had banquets in Santai, Yecheng, composed poems, and talked about the world. This created the famous three Cao and seven sons. The Seven Sons of Jian'an left a reputation for Jian'an literature to future generations, which is still talked about today. Compared with Jinfeng Tower, Tongque Tower and Bingjing Tower, Lingjun Tower is absolutely insignificant. Lingjun Tower needs to be built, and the other two towers also need to be built, but this can be temporarily delayed."

In the Purple Light Hall of Chang'an, Emperor Liu Yao of Han and Zhao was preparing to hold a banquet for his ministers. First, twenty young women from the Jie, Di, Qiang and other tribes danced a coquettish dance, and then retreated. Butai asked:"Your Majesty, where are you? All the ministers and generals have arrived. Will the banquet begin?"

"It’s time to get started! Liu Yao, who was sitting on the dragon chair, said. Butai shouted:"Serve the food!""

The twenty dancers just now put on the maid's clothes again and began to carry food and wine from the imperial kitchen to the Ziguang Palace. The leading maid first placed the wine and food for Liu Yao, and then placed the wine and food on the tables of the ministers and generals below. It was quickly put away. Liu Yao was served with wine. The leading maid stood on Liu Yao's right side, and Wang Yu stood on the left. The maids below also stood on both sides of the tables. Liu Yao looked at the table with the flying dragon engraved in front of him. He picked up the jade wine bottle and said,"Dear ladies, I have been on the throne for nearly three years. A lot of things happened before and after I ascended the throne. Thanks to the conquest and appeasement of You Ziyuan and others, the Jie, Di, Qiang, and Ba tribes in the Guanlong area, as well as the remaining Jin Dynasty forces in Bingzhou and other places, have basically surrendered to me. Hundreds of thousands of tribesmen were moved to Chang'an and its surrounding areas. I divided the people of different tribes between Hu and Han, so that people of different tribes could live and work in peace and contentment. I am very happy about this, but some places have not yet surrendered to me, such as Qiuchi and Chenghan in the southwest, and Liangzhou in the northwest. Today, let’s put all these worries aside. Come, let’s raise a toast and drink together!"