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

"After you go back, you must inform other generals and county officials to actively train soldiers and prepare to resist Liu Yao's army. But there is a problem that needs to be solved immediately." Zhang Mao said. Tian Qi said: "Does your highness have any unspeakable secrets?"

"Since the death of King Zhao, a folk song has been circulating in the streets and alleys of Guzang, saying 'Shou Mo Tou, plot Liangzhou.' This 'Shou Mo Tou' doesn't refer to Liu Yao, right?" Zhang Mao said. Han Pu said: "The Jia surname is a big surname in Liangzhou, and its influence in the court and various counties is growing. If it is not restricted, unpredictable changes will occur in the future."

"Jia Mo claims to be the brother-in-law of King Zhao, and has always been arrogant and arrogant. Jia Mo is the leader of the Jia clan in Liangzhou. As long as Jia Mo is removed, the others will scatter." Zhang Lang said. Zhang Mao hesitated for a moment and said, "My dear ministers, Zhang Lang, Yin Yu, and Song Yi, then you three should think of a safe way to get rid of Jia Mo as soon as possible."

The three men stood up and saluted: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will get things done!"

A few days later, Zhang Mao held a banquet in the main hall of the Prince of Liang's mansion. All the subordinates and generals in Guzang City and nearby counties came, and General Han Pu, who had not been seen for many days, was also present. Dozens of civil and military ministers gathered together, but the Prince of Liang Zhang Mao was not there. Zhang Lang came to Jia Mo and asked, "Lord Jia, why haven't you seen the Prince of Liang for so long?"

"Maybe the Prince of Liang has something urgent and is dealing with it." Yin Yu, who was sitting with Zhang Lang, said. Song Yi also sat at a table nearby and said to Jia Mo, "Master Jia is the uncle of Xiping County Duke (Zhang Jun). Do you know what the King of Liang is busy with?"

"Everyone, since everyone is waiting impatiently, I will go and see and invite the King of Liang." Jia Mo said, and walked towards Zhang Mao's bedroom. When Jia Mo passed a long corridor, a group of black-clothed men with knives suddenly rushed out nearby and hacked Jia Mo to death without saying anything. After killing Jia Mo, the group rushed out of the gate of the King of Liang's mansion and disappeared in a moment.

After a while, Zhang Mao came to the main hall with a smile and sat down. The civil and military officials below looked at each other, stood up quickly, and then knelt down to salute: "Greetings to the Prince of Liang!"

"My dear ministers, please stand up!" Zhang Mao had just finished saying this when two maids from the Prince of Liang's mansion came in in a panic and reported: "The Prince of Liang, Lord Jia Mo has been killed!"

"Ah? What's going on? Who dares to commit a murder in the Prince of Liang's mansion in broad daylight! Send someone to catch the murderer!" Zhang Mao said in a surprised look. Zhang Lang, Yin Yu, Song Yi and others came to the outside of the main hall and sent their soldiers to search everywhere in the Prince of Liang's mansion. Zhang Lang and others came back from outside, came to Zhang Mao, bowed and said: "Your Highness, we sent hundreds of soldiers from the Prince's mansion to search everywhere, but found no trace of the murderer."

"Uncle Wang, my uncle was killed in the Prince of Liang's mansion. Please give my uncle justice!" Zhang Jun came to the front and knelt down to Zhang Mao. Zhang Mao came down from above, pulled Zhang Jun up and said, "Child, you are Mr. Jia's cousin.Nephew, also my nephew. Lord Jia is an important official in the Prince of Liang's Mansion. I will definitely send someone to find the murderer and let Lord Jia rest in peace!"

Zhang Jun had no choice but to return to his seat crying when he saw Zhang Mao say this. Zhang Mao also shed a few tears in his eyes. He said with a serious expression: "My dear ministers, today was originally a happy day. A few days ago, I sent General Han Pu to lead 10,000 troops to capture Longxi County and Nan'an County, and I set up Qinzhou there. Today I was going to celebrate for General Han Pu, but I didn't expect such a sad thing to happen. It was too unexpected."

Zhang Mao said to Zhang Xi, the chief historian: "Lord Zhang Xi, you immediately send someone to collect Lord Jia's body and send it back to the Jia Mansion with Zhang Jun. Tomorrow afternoon, I and all the ministers will go to pay their respects."

"Yes, Your Highness! "Zhang Xi agreed and went out with Zhang Jun and others. Zhang Mao said to the left Sima Yin Yuan again: "Lord Yin Yuan, we must strengthen the guard of the palace in the future. No matter day or night, all important places such as the palaces, rooms, corridors, gardens, etc. in the palace must be equipped with more personnel. We must also strengthen the inspection inside and outside the palace to ensure that there is no mistake!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Yin Yuan said. Zhang Mao looked at the civil officials and generals below, all of whom were listless. Zhang Mao said: "Guzang, the capital of our Liangzhou, actually has a lot to do with the Xiongnu. To be precise, it was the Xiongnu who gradually moved inland hundreds of years ago who established Guzang City. The Liangzhou area was the territory of the Xiongnu Xutu King. Later, the Hunxie King killed the Xutu King and surrendered to Emperor Wu of Han. At that time, the Guzang City was seven miles long from north to south and three miles wide from east to west. It looked like the shape of a dragon, so Guzang was also called the Sleeping Dragon City. "

"So that's it! Shi Zhao's Xiang State is called Woniu City, and our capital Guzang is called Wolong City, which is superior to Shi Zhao. "Zhang Lang said with a sigh. Han Pu stood up and said, "Long live the King of Liang, today's incident happened suddenly, so let's skip the celebration banquet! Remove the wine and only eat the food!"

"What Han Aiqing said is very true, come on, remove the wine!" Zhang Mao nodded and said. At this time, ten maids came in from outside and took away the wine and wine bottles that had been placed.

In the Ziguang Hall of Chang'an, Liu Yao sat upright. After the civil and military ministers finished cheering, Liu Yao said, "At present, Shi Le has occupied most of the counties in Yuzhou, which has reduced the pressure of Shi Zhao on Chang'an. What's annoying is that the prefect of Hongnong Yin An, Zhenwei General Song Shi, and the two generals Song Shu and Zhao Shen, who I sent, have nothing to do every day and are suspicious of each other. Li Ju, the governor of Jin Sizhou, and Guo Mo, the governor of Yingchuan, who were in Xingyang, took the opportunity to send 1,000 cavalrymen each into Luoyang. "

Li Ju and Guo Mo led 2,000 cavalrymen into Luoyang from the south gate. As far as the eye could see, there were ruins everywhere, rubble and ashes everywhere. Li Ju and Guo Mo got off their horses, and several generals who accompanied them also got off their horses. Li Ju pointed to the dilapidated pavilions and said: "More than a decade ago, Luoyang was so prosperous, and all walks of life were so prosperous. Now it is devastated, and no one can be seen for a long time. It is really heartbreaking!" Guo Mo and others nodded, and then got on their horses. Guo Mo asked: "Sir Governor, where should we stay when we come to Luoyang?There must be a place to eat and sleep!"

"It's not far from Nangong, let's stay there!" Li Ju said. Li Ju and Guo Mo led two thousand cavalrymen to the gate of Nangong. Seeing the crooked and dilapidated palace gate, Li Ju and Guo Mo dismounted and knelt in front of the palace gate. Other generals and two thousand cavalrymen also dismounted and knelt. Li Ju said: "Brothers, eleven years ago, the flourishing Luoyang City was broken by the vicious Xiongnu Liu Yao, Liu Can, Hu Yanyan, and the Xiongnu's accomplices, Jie Shi Le, Han Wang Mi and others. Tens of thousands of Xiongnu troops not only captured and burned the gates of Luoyang, but also burned the ships moored at Luoshui where Emperor Huai was preparing to escape. It was from this gate that Liu Yao, Wang Mi, and Hu Yanyan led their troops to attack the Taiji Palace and looted them wantonly, and countless rare treasures in the palace were robbed. Everything that could not be taken away was destroyed. What was even more infuriating was that Liu Yao and his men went on a killing spree, killing more than 30,000 members of the royal family, officials, generals, and civilians. Emperor Huai and Queen Yang, as well as many civil and military officials, were captured and escorted to Pingyang. The six imperial seals of the previous dynasty also fell into Liu Cong's hands. ”

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