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

After listening to Qian Feng's words, Wang Dun was of course very pleased and nodded with a smile. Wang Dun looked at Yang Man and Xie Kun below and asked: "Liu Kui is a treacherous and evil person in the court. Together with another treacherous and evil person, Diao Xie, he implemented a series of "harsh policies" such as ruling the lower class with the law, respecting the upper class and suppressing the lower class, and suppressing the powerful, which caused a great blow to my Langya Wang family. Liu Kui and Diao Xie acted arbitrarily, suppressed ministers, and endangered the country. I plan to get rid of these two treacherous people, what do you think?"

Xie Kun stood up and said: "Liu Kui and Diao Xie's actions are because the imperial power is weak, and they only want to strengthen the imperial power and the authority of your majesty, and have no other intentions. It is said that Liu Kui and Diao Xie are The source of the chaos in the government is a bit far-fetched. Besides, Liu Kui is your Majesty's important minister and has your Majesty's protection. So in my opinion, Liu Kui is just a fox hiding in the city and a mouse hiding in the community tree. "

After listening to Xie Kun's words, Wang Dun was furious and said, "It is said that you, Xie Kun, are one of the 'Eight Great Men of Jiangzuo'. In my opinion, you are just a mediocre talent. How can you understand the principles of the overall situation! From today on, you don't have to be the left chief historian, and you can be the governor of Yuzhang!"

"Thank you, General!" Xie Kun bowed and was about to go home to prepare for his appointment. Qian Feng dissuaded him and said, "My lord, we are about to start the army, and now is the time to use people. I think it's better to delay Xie Kun's appointment as the governor of Yuzhang!"

"Okay!" Wang Dun said. Wang Dun looked at Yang Man, who said, "General, I was appointed as the Right Chief Secretary by you for being one of the 'Eight Lords of Yanzhou'. I indulged myself all day, drinking and having fun, and got drunk, so it's hard for me to help you."

Wang Dun couldn't find any fault with Yang Man's words, so he ignored her. Chen Ban said, "My Lord, since we want to 'clean up the emperor's side', we must do it in a legitimate way. We should write a letter to the emperor to let the emperor and the civil and military officials know why we are sending troops."

"That makes sense! Qian Feng, Du Hong, He Qin, Zhuge Yao, Deng Yue, Zhou Fu, Li Heng, Xie Yong, and Chen Ban, the nine of you should discuss writing the letter in the next two days, and I will send someone to deliver it to Jiankang." Wang Dun said with a smile. Qian Feng and others said, "As you command!"

Two days later, Qian Feng handed the letter to Wang Dun in the meeting room. Wang Dun looked at it, smiled and nodded. He looked back and forth at the military officers and generals below, and then said to Lu Bao: "Military Lu, you take two followers and set off immediately to Jiankang to deliver the book to His Majesty!"

"Yes, my lord!" Lu Bao agreed and took the book and went down.

Jiankang Taiji Hall, in the court. Civil and military officials came to attend the court meeting one after another. Sima Rui did not see Wang Dao, so he asked: "Why didn't I see Lord Maohong at the court meeting today?"

Wang Dun's brother, Guanglu Xun Wang Han, said: "Your Majesty, I heard that Brother Maohong caught a cold these days and has been taking medicine for several days, but it still hasn't improved. The court has been busy these days, and Maohong was afraid that Your Majesty would worry about him, so he didn't tell Your Majesty the truth."

Sima Rui said: "People eat grains and cereals, so how can they not get sick. Since Mr. Maohong is sick, all the beloved ministers will adjourn the court first. I and Wang Han, Wang Yi, and Wang Shu will go to the frontGo visit him."

"We are willing to go!" Wang Han, Wang Yi, and Wang Shu said together. Zhou Xi said: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, Lord Maohong is usually simple and frugal, and has few desires. In addition to his nephews and nieces, there are dozens of male and female servants in the mansion, so the expenses are relatively high. Lord Maohong's salary, in addition to the purchase of the needs of the mansion, the clothes of his family and servants, and the purchase of grain, there is almost no surplus. Usually when he goes to court or goes out, Lord Maohong never wears more than two silk clothes."

Originally, Sima Rui planned to visit Wang Dao with Wang Han and his three brothers. After hearing what Zhou Xi said, Sima Rui said to Wang Shu: "Chu Ming, as the Shaofu, you are in charge of taxes and grain. Immediately pay 10,000 pieces of cloth and a cart of grain from the treasury, and go together!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your sympathy for Brother Maohong! "Wang Shu bowed and went down.

In less than an hour, Wang Shu returned to Taiji Hall. When Sima Rui saw Wang Shu coming back, he asked, "Chu Ming, are the cloth and food ready?"

"They are ready, just waiting for your Majesty's order!" Wang Shu said. Sima Rui nodded to Fei Ren, who shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, please go to Lord Wang Dao's residence!"

Sima Rui, Wang Han and others came to the outside of the palace. The commander Wang Sui led a hundred guards and was already waiting in line. In the middle of the team, there was a chariot in addition to the dragon chariot pulled by six horses. Fei Ren helped Sima Rui get on the chariot, and then said, "Let's go! "

Wang Han, Wang Yi and others rode on horses behind the carriage, and the group went south along the imperial road. After leaving Xuanyang Gate, Wang Shu and dozens of his men were waiting with six carriages. Seeing Sima Rui's carriage coming, Wang Shu quickly knelt down in front of the carriage and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

Fei Ren lifted the pearl curtain, and Sima Rui asked: "Lord Wang, are you ready?"

"Reporting to your majesty, five carriages are loaded with 10,000 pieces of cloth, and another carriage is loaded with grain." Wang Shu said. Sima Rui ordered: "Very good, hurry to Lord Maohong's mansion immediately! ”

Six soldiers drove six carriages, and Wang Shu and the carriages carrying cloth and grain followed behind Sima Rui’s carriage. After crossing Zhuque Bridge, the carriages went east to Wuyi Lane and stopped at the gate of Wang Dao’s mansion. Wang Dao, leaning on a cane, led his eldest son Wang Yue, second son Wang Tian, ​​fifth son Wang Shao, sixth son Wang Hui and other sons, as well as more than a dozen slaves and maids to kneel at the gate of the mansion to welcome the emperor.

Sima Rui’s carriage stopped at the gate of the mansion, and Fei Ren helped Sima Rui get off the dragon chariot. Wang Dao, his wives, concubines and sons said: "Welcome to the emperor, long live! Long live!"

Sima Rui came to Wang Dao in a few steps, took Wang Dao’s hand and said: "Lord Maohong is weak and sick, and has worked hard for the court. There is no need to be polite. Get up quickly! ”

Wang Dao handed the cane to his concubine Lei, and walked into the mansion hand in hand with Sima Rui. The others followed behind, and the carriage people entered later. When they arrived at the main hall, Sima Rui sat in the middle. Wang Dao led his family and wanted to kneel again, but Sima Rui quickly stopped them: "Lord Maohong has been ill for several days and has not recovered yet. I miss you very much, so I came to see you."Look." Wang Dao and his sons took their seats behind the tables on the east side one after another. Cao and Lei said goodbye and went back. Wang Han, Wang Yi and Wang Shu, who came together, took their seats behind the tables on the west side. Sima Rui nodded to Fei Ren, and Fei Ren took out the gift list and handed it to Wang Dao. After reading it, Wang Dao burst into tears. Wang Dao knelt down and said, "I have followed Your Majesty since I was young, and it has been more than 20 years now. I am grateful to Your Majesty for your kindness! To thank Your Majesty for your grace, I have prepared a banquet, and I hope Your Majesty and I will drink a few cups together!"

"Then today, I will taste the cooking skills of the chef in Lord Maohong's mansion. Lord Maohong and I were born in the same year, and we are both 46 years old this year. Lord Maohong has not attended court these days. How can he use a cane when he is not even 50 years old? "Sima Rui asked with concern. Wang Dao said: "These days, the ministers feel dizzy and have no appetite. Although they have taken medicine for several days, it still doesn't help. Now even walking is a bit dazed, so my son Wang Yue asked someone to make this crutch. In fact, without this crutch, walking is fine. "

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