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

The civil and military ministers in the court all knelt down in front of Sima Rui:"Your Majesty, please resume meals!"

"How could I not know the good intentions of all of you who love me? Unfortunately, Yaozu is seriously ill and his life is not long. How can I think about food? Sima Rui paused for a moment and then continued:"An Guo passed away a few days ago, and the title of King Langya was vacant. I gave the title of King Langya to my fifth son Yaozu, and inherited the title of King Langya Gong from his grandfather. I hope Huan'er can be saved by joy.

The civil and military ministers knelt down and shouted:"Your Majesty is wise!" Long live! Long live! Long live!"

When Director Wang returned to the house, he didn't expect that Wang Dun was in the living room. Director Wang quickly saluted:"When did brother come? Why didn't you see your brother in the court?

Wang Dun stood up, smiled and said,"Brother Mao Hong, if I didn't want to come to Jiankang to meet you, I wouldn't want to come to Jiankang at all." I am much more comfortable in my Jingzhou than here"

"Brother, you're welcome. Please sit down and talk! Director Wang said and sat down, and Wang Dun also sat down later. Wang Dun asked:"What big thing happened in the court today?""

"well! It has been less than a year since His Majesty became emperor, and sad things can be said to have happened one after another. Before he ascended the throne, Langya King Sima Ra passed away. A few months after taking the throne, Sima Anguo passed away again. Sima Anguo had only died a few dozen days ago, and His Majesty's beloved son Sima Huan was in danger again. Director Wang said with some worry. When Wang Dun heard this, a rare smile appeared on his face. Wang Dun said:"Sima Rui's great-grandfather Sima Yi, how many people did he kill in order to seize Cao Wei's world?" This is retribution. The Eight Kings Rebellion was the Sima family fighting each other. Sima Rui's descendants died early one after another, which was also retribution."

"Why does my brother have such a big prejudice against His Majesty? His Majesty's treatment of his brother can be said to be subservient and even respectful. My brother never paid taxes in Jingzhou to the national treasury. The elder brother was self-reliant, vigorously recruiting troops and horses, and fighting against the imperial court. Your Majesty tolerated it. My elder brother did not attend the regular court meetings every year, and your Majesty also tolerated it." Director Wang said. After listening to Director Wang's words, Wang Dun defended:"Brother Mao Hong, you only know one, but not the other. I am Emperor Wu's consort. I planned to welcome Emperor Hui back many years ago, but failed. The later Emperors Huai and Min were also closer in blood than Sima Rui and Emperor Hui, but they were also killed by Liu Cong. These three emperors were either the sons of Emperor Wu or the grandsons of Emperor Wu. As for Sima Rui, he is just the great-grandson of Emperor Xuan! Therefore, I have been unable to swallow this breath!"

"The little prince Sima Huan has been in a coma, and he may die in the next two days. Brother, do you plan to return to Jiangling or stay in your general's residence in Jiankang? Director Wang asked. Wang Dun smiled and said,"Then please guess what I will do, Brother Mao Hong.""

"I estimate that my brother will be at ease now that he is here and will not leave Jiankang immediately. Director Wang said. Wang Dun laughed and said,"The one who knows me is my brother Mao Hong!""

In Sima Huan's bedroom in Jiankang Palace City, Sima Huan still had his eyes closed and his breathing was weak. The three imperial doctors, Imperial Doctor Li, Imperial Doctor Wang, and Imperial Doctor Zhang, were all so anxious that they were scratching their heads and helpless. His wife Zheng Achunla Holding the little hand of his son Sima Huan, he sat anxiously by the bed. Two palace maids stood aside. Sima Rui looked at the three exhausted imperial doctors and said:"I know your medical skills. It's not that you don't care about diagnosis and treatment, but Huan Huan." This is how a child's life should be. The three imperial doctors quickly knelt down and said,"

Your Majesty, please atone for your sins. We are powerless!""

"Okay, the medicine that needs to be used has been used, and the method that needs to be thought of has been thought of. But Huan'er still locked her mouth tightly, unable to let any water in. Let Dr. Wang stay tonight, and Dr. Li and Dr. Zhang should go home and rest!"Sima Rui said. Imperial Doctor Li and Imperial Doctor Zhang knelt down and saluted:"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration!"

"Doctor Wang, you should also go to the side room to the east to rest. If something happens to Huan'er, I'll call you at any time."Sima Rui said to the Royal Physician Wang again. The Royal Physician Wang said:"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

It was already late at night, and the two palace ladies started to yawn one after another. Zheng Achun looked at Sima Rui, who nodded. Zheng Achun said to the two palace ladies:"You two have been standing all day, go back and rest. I'll call you two if I have something to do"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thanks madam!"The two palace maids also went back to their dormitories.

Zheng Achun brought a jade bowl with water, and Sima Rui took it and tried to give Sima Huan some water. But Sima Huan's mouth was still closed, and Zheng Achun tried to touch it. He touched Sima Huan's forehead and shouted:"Your Majesty, our Yaozu's forehead is cold and he has passed away!" After saying that

, Zheng Achun fainted and fell to the ground. Sima Rui quickly shouted:"Come quickly!""

Hearing Sima Rui's voice, two palace maids and three guards on duty outside came in. All five people knelt down and saluted Sima Rui. Sima Rui waved his hand:"No courtesy, get up quickly. You three guards, hurry up and notify Mr. Shigehiro and other ministers!"

It was getting brighter. Sima Shao, Wang Dao, Wang Dun, Diao Xie, Zhou Wei, Dai Yuan, Liu Wei, He Xun, Yu Liang and dozens of other civil and military ministers in Jiankang arrived one after another.. These people knelt down and saluted Sima Rui and Zheng Achun:"See you, Your Majesty!" See ma'am!"

"Dear ladies, there is no need to be polite, please get up quickly!"Sima Rui said. Director Wang came to the bed and asked:"Your Majesty, madam, how is the little prince doing? Is it already?"

"well! Shigehiro! The child has left me and passed away!"After Sima Rui finished speaking, he burst into tears. Zheng Achun also cried loudly, and the civil and military ministers also began to cry heartbreakingly. Only Wang Dun, who was behind Director Wang, did not cry or tear.

Director Wang came In front of Sima Rui, the emperor and his ministers hugged each other and cried loudly again. Tears had blurred the eyes of the emperor and his ministers in distress. The tears that had fallen had already wet their clothes. Sima Rui looked at the civil and military ministers who were still kneeling on the ground. , said:"Dear ladies, please rise!"

The two palace maids brought a piece of white silk, covered the little prince Sima Huan, and then knelt in front of the bed. Director Wang lifted Sima Rui up, and Sima Rui turned around many times, looking at his beloved son under the white silk, crying continuously. Director Wang took Sima Rui to the main hall of the palace and sat down. The civil and military ministers also came to the main hall. Director Wang asked tentatively:"Your Majesty, how do you bury the little prince?""

"Mao Hong, since Yaozu was crowned Langya King yesterday, he must be buried according to the etiquette of an adult king. It cannot be as hasty as burying An Guo."Sima Rui said.

Director Wang looked at the ministers around him, and most of them shook their heads. Sima Rui knew what the ministers were thinking, so he said:"I understand what you all think. But I am the emperor after all, and it can be said that I have a"special love" for Huan'er. I also have a very good relationship with Huan'er's mother, Mrs. Zheng. Although I didn't make her queen, it was for a reason. I ask all the princes to serve Mrs. Zheng like they serve their mother. This is a great honor. Now my beloved son has passed away. He is less than two years old. He has just learned to walk and is learning to speak.……"