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

Sima Pei continued with some worry:"During the Yongjia Rebellion, Liu Kun held on to Jinyang City for nine years and successfully resisted the invasion of the Xiongnu Han Kingdom and Jieren Shi Le. What a heroic spirit! In order to fight together, Shi Le and Liu Kun were also elected as chief governors by Duan Pixi, and they also formed blood alliances with other Xianbei tribes. General Zu Ti has been on the Northern Expedition for many years, and now has nearly 100,000 soldiers under his command. If these forces can contribute to the court wholeheartedly, Then it will not be difficult to restore the Central Plains and liberate the north."

"My father often asked me to read history. From the history books, we can indeed see the laws of the rise and fall of many countries. Zhou Fu said:"You can know the rise and fall by reading the Spring and Autumn Annals, and you can know the rise and fall by reading the Historical Records." Whenever the Han people are united, the country is strong and prosperous; whenever the Han people are alienated, the people are in dire straits and wars are frequent."

"What General Xiao Zhou said is true. I have seen through the inherent laws of the rise and fall of the world, and I feel inferior to myself. My boyhood happened to be during the Yongjia Rebellion. Sima Pei said:"My father also often encourages me to read history." Reading history can indeed make people enlightened and enlightened. From the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion in the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Eight Kings Rebellion in our Sima family, they all have the same purpose."

Along the way, two peers, Sima Pei and Zhou Fu, seemed to have endless things to say. From Qin Shihuang to Liu Bang, from Cao Wei to the establishment of the Jin Dynasty. The fleet was getting slower and slower, because the dock south of Xinting was In front of him. Sima Pei looked at the new pavilion to the north, thoughtfully. The fleet slowly docked, and dozens of guards on the first big ship got off the ship first. Then, Sima Pei and Zhou Fu held hands. , also left the ship and landed. The twenty soldiers who sent Zhou Fu to Jiankang also got off the ship. From the big ship behind, the soldiers pulled down dozens of horses. Sima Pei smiled and said to Zhou Fu:" General Zhou, let's ride together and go to see our father!"

Sima Pe was in front, and Zhou Fu was behind. The dozens of accompanying guards all rode towards Jiankang City. The huge fleet and the boat Zhou Fu was riding continued to sail northeast.. Houhu in the north of Jiankang City is where the Jiangnan Navy is stationed and trained. With

Sima Pei in front and Zhou Fu behind, the group arrived at the Jin Palace. The guard at the gate saw it and was extremely happy:"King Langya His Highness is back, I'll go in and report!"

"See Father!"When he arrived at the main hall, Sima Pei knelt down and kowtowed to Sima Rui. Then Zhou Fu also knelt down and saluted:"Zhou Fu, the son of Zhou Fang, the prefect of Yuzhang County, comes to see His Highness King Jin!"

Seeing that his son was back, Sima Rui stood up happily. Sima Rui said:"Daocheng, you came back from the north so soon. Isn't the war going very smoothly? Sima

Pei and Zhou Fu stood up, and Zhou Fu stepped aside and stood. Sima Pei said,"Father, General Zu Ti has managed the army well, and my son's trip is well worth it." However, because no major war occurred, the two sides were currently in a defensive and stalemate stage, so Erchen led his army back after accepting the imperial edict."

"That's fine, if no major war breaks out, our military and civilians can preserve their strength. It’s just that our old capital has been occupied by the Hu people for several years, and the Central Plains has also fallen into the hands of the Hu people."Sima Rui saw his lovely second son coming back unscathed, and said with great concern:"This time we go to the north to fight. The journey is long and the conditions are difficult. Take a good rest."

"Thank you father! Sima Pe saluted and then stood aside. Sima Rui asked Zhou Fu again:"Zhou Fu loves you, this is the first time I have seen you." You are very familiar with your father, and he is also one of the king's most valued subordinates. What's the important thing for you to come here this time?"

"Returning to your highness, my father was ordered by my king to go to conquer the rebellious Du Zeng. Under the joint attack of their father, Li Heng, Xu Chao and General Zhao Yin, Du Zeng and Zheng Pan, who were entrenched in Chaos Yang, had more than 10,000 rebels under their command. Most of them were killed or wounded, and some were injured. Captured. It is a pity that the cunning and changeable Du Zeng and the injured Zheng Pan fled to Wudang with the remaining defeated generals. Zhou Fu paused for a moment and continued:"Father plans to accumulate strength and completely eradicate Du Zeng's remnants in two years!" Zhou

Fu said, handing the battle report and credit book to Fei Ren, who was standing by the steps. Fei Ren shook the whisk and took it, then handed the battle report and credit book to Sima Rui. Sima Rui first opened the battle report and took a look at it. , said happily:"After this battle, the Han River and Mian River basins have returned to the imperial court. It is gratifying and congratulatory. After I read the merit book, I will reward you together!"

Sima Rui put down the battle report and then looked at the merit book. While reading, he kept nodding and smiling. Putting down the merit book, Sima Rui said:"General Zhou Fang led the army to conquer Du Zeng and Zheng Pan. Because of his outstanding military exploits, he was promoted to the governor of Liangzhou. The troops were stationed in Xiangyang to recharge their batteries. When the army becomes strong in the future, Du Zeng, Zheng Pan and their remaining forces can be completely eradicated.

Zhou Fu quickly knelt down and saluted and thanked him:"Wei Chen thanks His Highness King Jin for his love on behalf of his father!" My king is a thousand years old! Chitose! Thousands of years old!"

"More than a month ago, I plan to go to Jingzhou for inspection. But the traitor Du Zeng committed evil and failed to make the trip. It is also for this reason that Wang Zhen has never been able to go to Jingzhou to take up his post. Now that the area around Han River and Mian River has been pacified, I will be able to go there soon, and Wang Zhen can also go to Jingzhou. Sima Rui said with a smile:"Zhou Fuaiqing is young and promising, and I will definitely use her in the future!""

"We, father and son, will definitely work tirelessly and fulfill our duties! Zhou Fu thanked him again and said

"In addition to battle reports and merit books, General Zhou Fu also had something to offer."Sima Pei said. Sima Rui asked:"Oh, what else is more important than battle reports and merit books?"

"It was Wei Chen who was entrusted by his father to deliver cooked horse meat to His Highness and the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs."After Zhou Fu finished speaking, he turned around and saluted and walked out of the hall. After a while, the twenty soldiers brought by Zhou Fu came in, each two carrying a bamboo basket. Suddenly, the aroma of meat filled the hall.

"The King of Jin is a thousand years old. These were the war horses that Du Zeng fought with us. It is now our trophy, cooked horse meat to be enjoyed. Zhou Fu said with a smile. When Sima Rui heard this, he stood up with a smile, and the civil and military ministers also looked here.

"Yeah! There have been constant wars in the north in recent years. Not to mention ordinary people, even ministers of civil and military affairs have difficulty eating pork, let alone horse meat and beef. Sima Rui ordered:"It will be noon soon. Today at noon we will hold a horse meat celebration banquet to celebrate the achievements of all the soldiers, including General Zhou Fang!""

"Daoji, Daocheng, this celebration banquet will be arranged by you two brothers."Sima Rui said. Sima Shao and Sima Ra saluted forward and said,"I obey my orders!"