In September, the autumn air is crisp.
On the Zhoushan Mountain to the north of Jiankang City, there are constant tourists, and there are people singing and singing every night on the banks of the Qinhuai River.
Jinling is prosperous, full of poetry and wine, and drunken life and dreams.
The news of the destruction of the eldest son's city and the destruction of Murong Yong's kingdom spread from the mouths of merchants. Jiankang City suddenly became trembling, fearing that the Feishui story would repeat itself.
The officials of the Fifth Military Department became very popular. Some people inquired about them when they were on duty; some people visited them when they returned home; when they had a meal in a restaurant, some acquaintances still came over to inquire...
Although Du Han, the Minister of the Fifth Army, strictly ordered the military information to be leaked to the outside world, the news was still leaked from the relatives and friends of the officials of the Fifth Army. In the wine shops and prostitutes, they all talked about the union of the two Yans. More and more horses and carriages left the city to go south to avoid disaster.
In the Prince's Mansion of Kuaiji, Sima Daozi sat upright, holding Chenwei in his hand, and his son Sima Yuanxian stood behind him holding a sword.
On the left are Shangshu Zuopushe Wang Xun, right Pushe Xie Yan and five ministers; on the right are Zhongshu Ling Wangobao, Shizhong Wang Shuang, Taichang Kong Anguo and Prince Zuowei led Xu Miao and others.
"...The news has spread, and people in Jiankang City are panicking. The court should make a decision early to set the record straight." After Du Han finished speaking, he bowed to Sima Daozi and returned to the table.
Kong Anguo said loudly: "On that day, Murong Yong presented his seal to ask for help. Long live ordered Wang Gong, the governor of Qing and Yan, and Yu Kai, the governor of Yuzhou, to lead troops to rescue. These two people missed the opportunity to fight and watched Murong Yong's country destroyed, so he issued an order to punish them. .”
Wang Gong was a trusted minister of the emperor, and Yu Kai was a confidant of King Kuaiji. Kong Anguo's words were ignored by everyone.
Sima Daozi tapped the table with the tail of dust to stop everyone's discussion and said: "I have met with the emperor several times. The emperor has issued an order to move the troops from the north to the north. Yongzhou, Jingzhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou and Yuzhou recruit and train soldiers and horses. Repair the city and be on guard against changes.”
Xu Miao said in a deep voice: "If the Yan army goes south, Luoyang will bear the brunt. Your Majesty should send troops to help Luoyang. Once there is a change in Luoyang, the world may be shaken."
Luoyang is the old capital of the Jin State. After Luoyang returned to the Jin State in the ninth year of Taiyuan, there have been calls to return to the old capital. If Luoyang City is captured, the impact on the government and the public can be imagined.
"The governor of Yongzhou, Xi, reported that Xinye County should be sent to send troops to assist Luoyang. I wonder if they have arrived now?" Wang Guobao said gloomily.
Du Han responded: "According to the order from Zhongshu, Li Wei General Yang Siping set off with 2,000 soldiers and horses on June 21, arrived at Luoyang City on July 8, and is now stationed at Mengjinguan."
Wang Guobao calculated the itinerary and found that he had traveled almost fifty miles in one day. He couldn't find any fault, so he snorted and stopped talking.
"Can you report on the reinforcements from other states?" Sima Daozi asked.
"The governor of Qingyan King reported that he would send 3,000 troops to assist Luoyang no later than September 20th. The governor of Yuzhou said that it was on the border with Yan, and he should be careful to prevent the Yan army from breaking through Yuzhou. Not only could he not send troops to assist Luoyang, but the court would also need to send troops to rescue him. Yuzhou; Jingzhou Yin Governor reported that new soldiers are being recruited, and 5,000 soldiers and horses will go to Luoyang in October." Du Han reported.
Sima Daozi frowned and subconsciously tapped his palms.
The imperial court was so stretched that except for the Beifu Army, the soldiers and horses from other states were unable to be used.
But how can the Beifu army leave Jingkou, knowing that Jiankang's safety is more important than anything else.
When we were at a loss what to do, a petty official rushed into the palace and reported: "The governor of Yongzhou Xi is reporting urgently, and the messenger is outside the palace."
Everyone's heart sank, fearing that bad news would come.
Sima Daozi said repeatedly: "Pass it quickly, pass it quickly."
Hu Fan shouldered his burden and strode into the palace.
Quickly walking to the case of Sima Daozi, Hu Fan knelt down on one knee and saluted, saying: "Hu Fan, who is serving as Counselor of the Yongzhou Recruitment Campaign, pays homage to the King of Kuaiji."
Sima Daozi was very anxious. He shook his dust tail and said, "Excuse me, Counselor Hu. What's the news? Good or bad?"
Hu Fan chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, this is good news."
Everyone in the hall let out a sigh of relief. Sima Daozi loosened his grip on Chenwei, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and said: "Counsellor Hu, please stand up and speak."
Hu Fan stood up and said loudly: "Murong Chui, the puppet lord of Yan, sent an envoy to deliver the letter of credence and the golden crown to express his intention of peace and friendship to the court."
Sima Daozi's eyes fell on the bundle behind Hu Fan, and he said with a smile: "Send the certificate of credence. There is a golden crown in the bundle behind you. Present it together for my king to see."
Hu Fan took off his baggage and took out his certificate of credence from his arms. A waiter came forward to hold it. Open the box and take out the golden crown, and place it on Sima Daozi's case together with the credentials.
The golden crown shone dazzlingly, and Kong Anguo said with a smile: "This is the Five Liang Jinxian Crown, used by emperors. Could it be that Murong Chui knew that the Celestial Dynasty was powerful and was willing to bow his head as a minister."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and flattering words flew everywhere.
Hu Fan secretly felt cold, and the important officials in the court forgot about it when they saw the golden crown, thinking that the world was really at peace.
Xu Miao asked, "Counsellor Hu, where is the envoy from the State of Yan?"
Hu Fan didn't know Xu Miao's name and identity, so he bowed his hands and said, "There is no messenger. The golden crown was presented by Murong Chui, the puppet master of Yan, to Yang Anxuan, the captain of Xinye County."
Everyone was stunned, how could it be related to Yang Anxuan.
Wang Guobao said coldly: "Could it be that Yang Anxuan surrendered to the puppet Yan and became Murong Chui's envoy? The Yang family is so bold and betrayed the court's trust in them. Your lord, you should kill the Yang family as a warning to others."
Hu Fan had long heard about the virtues of this Zhongshu Ling, and now he heard that he wanted to accuse the Yang family indiscriminately, and his intentions were so vicious.
He immediately said loudly: "My lord, it is not that Yang Anxuan surrendered to the enemy, but that Yang Anxuan and his subordinates disguised themselves as businessmen and went to the eldest son city..."
Hu Fan narrated the story, and Kong Anguo praised: "What a good person who only wants to benefit the country's life and death, but avoids it because of misfortunes and blessings. If the court does not reward such loyal ministers, it may hurt the hearts of loyal ministers."
Wang Guobao said anxiously: "Wait a minute, these are just Hu Fan's remarks. Who knows that it wasn't Yang Anxuan who surrendered to Murong Chui and acted as his messenger in order to survive."
Hu Fan was filled with righteous indignation and shouted: "Heaven is my witness. If Hu Fan makes half a lie, he will be struck by lightning. Please give me a clear warning!"
Wang Shuang has always been at odds with Wang Guobao and sneered: "Wang Zhongshu Ling's words can be described as the heart of a villain."
Wang Guobao slapped the case and said angrily: "Wang Shuang, are you willing to vouch for Yang Anxuan? If anything happens in the future, you will be punished for covering up."
Sima Daozi read the certificate of credence, handed the golden crown to the waiter, motioned to put it back into the box, stood up and said: "The golden crown is here, this matter must be true, I will go into the palace to report to the emperor of tomorrow, and ask the emperor to make a decision. Come here." People, prepare a car.”
…………
On September 15th, in the east hall of Tai Chi Hall, Chang Chao.
Emperor Sima Yao's face was full of spring breeze. He looked at the ministers sitting on both sides and said: "The Lord of Yan, Murong Chui, offered his golden crown to ask for peace. What do you think?"
The news had already spread throughout Jiankang City, and there was a banquet all night long in the city to celebrate the end of the catastrophe. The singing and dancing on the Qinhuai River brought peace, and returned to the paradise of the world, a peaceful and prosperous age.
Wang Guobao was the first to go out and bow down, and said: "Long live my emperor. The great grace is spread throughout the world. The fake swallows were captured by His Majesty's power and took the initiative to express their sincerity. This is the result of His Majesty's kindness. He should declare it to the world and be worshiped by all people." .”
Sima Yao burst out laughing after being greeted by Wang Guobao, and said: "What you said is reasonable, and it should be told to the world to set the record straight."
Sima Daozi was furious. Wang Guobao originally flattered him, and he strongly recommended this Zhongshu Ling.
Unexpectedly, after becoming the Zhongshu Ling, Wang Guobao was arrogant and did not abide by the law. He actually built a house next to the Qingshu Palace in the imperial palace, which made Sima Yao very angry and scolded him in person several times.
Wang Guobao was greatly frightened, so he turned to please the emperor and alienated himself from Sima Daozi. Sima Daozi felt that he had been fooled and scolded Wang Guobao in front of him in the palace, and even threw a sword at him. The old friendship no longer existed.
The emperor Sima Yao believed that Wang Guobao was loyal to him and asked Sima Daozi not to target Wang Guobao. He even intended to let his second son Langya King Sima Dewen marry Wang Guobao's daughter.
The conflict between Sima Daozi and the Emperor intensified. Li Lingrong, who was renamed Queen Mother, came forward many times to persuade the two brothers, and the two brothers barely maintained a superficial harmony.
In the main hall, Wang Guobao was seen greeting the emperor again. Sima Daozi was furious. He suppressed his anger and said: "Since the Yan State has the intention of making good friends, our dynasty will send envoys to Zhongshan to draw up letters of credence. Each of them will guard the territory forever. Don’t offend each other.”
Sima Yao issued an edict: "Zheng Feng, the minister of Yi Cao, is the chief envoy, and Xu Hao, the minister of casual cavalry, is the deputy envoy. General Deng Fang, the general of the cavalry, led two hundred light cavalry to escort him. When he passed through Jingkou, he transferred three hundred people from the Beifu army to escort him. The mission went to Zhongshan City to discuss peace.”
After the important matter was agreed upon, the emperor retired from the court and invited King Kuaiji to go to the West Hall with him. The two brothers served wine and talked while drinking.
The emperor Sima Yao said: "This time the Yan State offers the crown to ask for peace, Yang An's Xuan Gong is indispensable. In addition to Yang Jiali's contribution, I will reward him heavily. When the crown is weak, I will give him a beautiful official."
Sima Daozi pondered for a moment and said: "Calculating the time, Yang Anxuan has almost passed the county Zhongzheng evaluation and finalization. October is the Dazhong Zhongzheng evaluation. Long live why not wait until the results of the evaluation come out."
Sima Yao said: "This son is a talented scholar. I have read his "Little Window Quiet Sentences", which is elegant and refined. I want him to come to Beijing and see this son with my own eyes."
"My younger brother also really wants to meet this person. This boy is only sixteen years old, and he can write sentences such as "Little Window Quiet Sentences" that are insightful and touching on the world, which really surprises my younger brother." Sima Daozi sighed. .
It's rare that two brothers have the same opinions besides wine.
Sima Yao became interested and said: "The world is so big, there are always some talented people. I have read several of this son's climbing poems. They are magnificent, which shows that he is broad-minded. The sentence 'To benefit the country, life and death,' "How can you avoid him because of misfortunes and fortunes?" He is deaf and vibrating, and his loyalty is clear. I am deeply moved."
Sima Daozi remained silent. He originally had the same idea as the emperor and believed that Yang Anxuan was a useful talent and should be recruited by a high-quality, beautiful official.
His son Sima Yuanxian reminded him, "The Yang family once served Huan Wen, but now they are under Xi Hui's family. Xi Hui is a close minister of the emperor. If Yang Anxuan is rewarded generously, the Yang family will definitely be grateful to the emperor. What good will it do to the father?"
The conflict between the masters and the princes became more and more intense. Even Wang Guobao turned to the emperor, and Sima Daozi gradually found himself at a disadvantage. The Yang family's army was known for their bravery, and Sima Daozi was never willing to sit back and watch the emperor's brother's power increase.
After thinking for a moment, Sima Daozi said: "Long live Yang Anxuan. Although Yang Anxuan has made great achievements, he is still young. If he is given an official position before he reaches the age of 10, he will be criticized (1). My younger brother heard that the Yang family is known as the Three Tigers. Yang Quanqi, Yang Guang, The three Yang Siping brothers are all extremely brave generals, and Yang Quanqi's three sons Yang Anshen, Yang Anyuan and Yang Anxuan are also outstanding heroes. If they are not restrained, I fear that the story of the Huan family will happen again."
Sima Yao was startled and said: "The emperor's brother is right, do you have any countermeasures?"
In the mansion, Sima Daozi and his son Sima Yuanxian discussed countermeasures and said with confidence: "Divide and rule. Now that Yang Siping is guarding Mengjinguan in Luoyang, he can be promoted from General Li Feng to General Saolu, and let him guard Mengjinguan and assist in the defense." Luoyang City.”
"The Yang family dominates with its clan army. We can look for opportunities next year to transfer Yang Quanqi from Xinye County and transfer him to the prefect of Tangyi (2), so that he can guard the north of Jiankang and enhance the combat power of the capital."
"As for Yang Anxuan, my younger brother heard that he relied on his talent and arrogance and beat up the scholars who disagreed with him. The son of Chen Hui, the governor of Yixing County in Yangzhou, and Chen Zhi, a student student of the Imperial Academy, went to Jiyang to visit relatives and were beaten by him because of a small dispute."
"After all, the Yang family is a fourth-grade disciple. If Yang Anxuan is suddenly promoted to a top-grade disciple, it may lead to criticism from the upper-grade disciples. I think that I should protect him by giving him a chance to advance."
"Although this son has talent, he acts recklessly and cannot be used without polishing. We can order him to study in the Imperial Academy and cultivate his character. When he is weak, he will be given an official position based on his character, so as not to undermine his talent."
Sima Yao sighed: "There is no pure gold, and no one is perfect. Judging from the fact that he went deep into the northern border to personally inspect the enemy's situation, this son is a martial artist after all, and he is young and energetic. As the emperor's brother said, he still needs to be polished. The emperor's younger brother is also the Situ, so you can handle this matter as you see fit. Come, come, drink, sing and dance."
