In May, there were numerous gatherings and poetry gatherings in Jiankang City. People of different statuses attended different gatherings, passing on and discussing the same news. Yong Yan's governor Yang Anxuanping destroyed Qin and captured the city of Chang'an. How should he be rewarded? How will the situation change?
Various gossips are rampant. It is said that the emperor intends to summon Yang Anxuan to Jiankang to serve as Shangshu Zuopushe and preside over the affairs of the court; some say that the imperial court will grant Yang Anxuan the title of Duke and cede several counties as fiefs; some say that the imperial court intends to let Yong Yan's soldiers and horses attack Qiao. Shu; also said that high merit will not be rewarded, Yang Anxuan will be named Taifu by the court and deprived of power...
In Wuyi Lane, in addition to the Wang and Xie families, Xi, Wen, Yu and other high-ranking families all have their residences here. The aristocratic family pays attention to appearance and often travels by bullock cart. Of course, there are also martial arts disciples who travel on horseback or in horse-drawn carriages.
The journey from Xi's Mansion to the Prince's Mansion was only a few miles, so Xi Xun took an ox cart to the Prince's Mansion to attend the flower viewing party. His great-aunt Xi Xuan was the wife of Wang Xizhi, who was chosen by his great-grandfather Xi Jian to be his wife. Although the ancestor had passed away, the Xi and Wang families continued to have in-laws and their relationship was still very close.
Many people came to gather today, including Xie Tao of the Xie family, Yu Qing of the Yu family, Tao Ping of the Tao family, Kong Qi of the Kong family, and others. Appreciating the flowers was just a pretext, the content of the discussion was still about Hongnong Gong Yang Anxuan's destruction of the Qin State. They were just rehashing the rumors from this period.
Xi Xun noticed that the person who convened this gathering was Wang Hong's fifth brother, Wang Tanshou. Wang Tanshou had a reputation for humility when he was young. After Wang Xun's death, his eldest brother Wang Hong divided the family property. Wang Tanshou only took books, which was known to the world. Heavy.
Everyone knew about the relationship between Yang Anxuan and his father Xi Hui, and frequently asked Xi Xun about Yang Anxuan's activities. Xi Xun responded that Yang Anxuan was away at war and had no contact with his father for a long time. He did not know the situation and would inform him immediately if there was any news.
The party broke up at the end of the day. Xi Xun returned home by car and went straight to the study to see his father. Among the five brothers, he was the only one who stayed in the capital to serve his father.
The eldest brother Xi Ye was originally the governor of Gaoliang County in Guangzhou. When Lu Xun made a rebellion, he ran back to the capital to avoid trouble. After Lieutenant Liu put down Lu Xun's rebellion, his father appointed his eldest brother as the governor of Anfeng County in Yuzhou; the second brother Xi De was appointed to Jianning in Ningzhou. The county magistrate of Tongle County was promoted to the governor of Chengyang County in Beiqingzhou last year; he served as the censor at the Yushitai; the fourth brother Xi Shou returned to his hometown in Gaoping, Yanzhou. Yanzhou was the territory of Hongnong Gong, and he took care of the four My younger brother wrote that he was living a comfortable life; his fifth brother Xi Hao was now the governor of Xincheng County. This time Hongnonggong destroyed the Qin Dynasty, his father expressed his intention to find a position of governor for his fifth brother in Beiyongzhou.
After listening to the third son's story about the flower appreciation party, Xi Hui stroked his beard and asked with a smile: "Xun'er, what would you do if you were Yang Anxuan?"
During this period, Xi Xun thought a lot about Yang Anxuan's next move, and responded without hesitation: "We must organize our troops and capture Jingzhou first, and then compete with Liu Taiwei for the world."
"Xun'er thinks who will win when An Xuan and Liu Taiwei fight?"
Xi Xun muttered: "It's hard to say, but from my perspective, Taiwei Liu has a slightly better chance of winning."
This is a common belief among the Jiankang City clan. Liu Yu's uprising at Jingkou drove away Huan Xuan, defeated the Yan Kingdom, destroyed Lu Xun, and defeated Jiangling. All the clans had seen with their own eyes, and they were sincerely convinced and in awe of the strength of the Beifu Army. add.
Yang Anxuan was far away in Xiangyang. Although he defeated the armies of Wei and Qin in a row, for the nobles in Jiankang City, it was just a description in the memorial and they did not have deep feelings. Only after the Qin Dynasty was defeated this time did everyone truly feel the power of Yong Yan's troops. Even so, most people still believed that Yong Yan's troops were not as good as the Beifu army.
Xi Hui said slowly and calmly: "Everyone knows the relationship between my father and An Xuan, but the Xi family cannot completely place their bets on An Xuan. You might as well show to the outside world that you are not optimistic about An Xuan."
Xi Xun bowed and said, "I understand, kid."
In Da Sima Mansion, King Langya was holding a family banquet to entertain Sima Xunzhi, the prefect of Wuxing who came to Beijing. Those sitting here are all members of the Sima clan, including Liang Wang and Taichang Sima Zhenzhi; Qiao Wang Sima Wensi; Danyang Marquis and Houjun General Sima Guofan; Du Guan Shilang Sima Shufan; Yangwei General Sima Chuzhi; Sima Mansion Counselor Sima Tao gift.
The main hall can accommodate seventy or eighty people to have a banquet at the same time, but now there are only eight people sitting there. Sima Dewen looked at the empty hall and sighed: "It is really sad that the royal family has withered like this."
Sima Wensi was young and frivolous and could not sense Sima Dewen's sadness, so she smiled and said: "Your Majesty, why are there no singing and dancing at the banquet today? Is there any new music coming from Xiangyang?"
Sima Guofan glared at Sima Wensi. This kid made friends with the knights in the capital and caused trouble all day long. Sooner or later, he would cause trouble for the Sima family.
Sima Chu said: "Your Majesty, Duke Hongnong has captured Chang'an and recovered the land of Qin. Your Majesty, you can let your clan members and ministers who are loyal to the royal family go to serve. My younger brother is willing to go to Northern Yongzhou to serve."
Sima Dewen glanced at Sima Chuzhi with relief. Compared with Sima Wensi, Sima Chuzhi was the Sima family's thousand-mile horse. Sima Dewen said: "This matter is not urgent. After Yang Anxuan's reward is agreed upon, Guzi will make arrangements."
Sima Guofan said: "Qi Shangshu, the minister of the temple, please give Yang Anxuan the title of duke. I wonder what your Majesty wants?"
Sima Dewen said with a wry smile: "What's the point of talking about such a major matter alone? We can only make a decision after Liu Taiwei returns to Beijing."
Sima Shufan slapped the case hard and said coldly: "The court is firmly controlled by Liu Deyu, just like Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan eventually usurped the throne, and Liu Yu will probably do the same."
Sima Guofan said: "Yang Anxuan has made great achievements, so he just took the opportunity to win over him with rewards and use it to check and balance Liu Yu."
Sima Dewen nodded and said: "I also have this intention. It's just that Yang Anxuan will not come to Jiankang. Otherwise, with him in the court, Liu Taiwei will not be able to cover the sky with one hand."
Everyone was silent. The reason why Liu Yu was able to control the government was because Jingkou, Jiankang, Jiangling, Liyang and other places were under his control. If Yang Anxuan left Jiankang without his soldiers and horses, he would not be able to enter the tiger's mouth. Let Liu Yu take care of it.
Sima Dewen recalled what King Wuling Sima Zun said to him before his death. Sima Zun believed that Yang Anxuan was kinder than Liu Yulai and could be relied upon. Sighing lightly, it was a pity that the emperor's brother died young. With his help, Liu Yushang would not have dared to be so unscrupulous.
Thinking of the report that had just been received a few days ago, Sima Zun's grandson, King Anping Sima Qiuzhi, who was only three years old, died. His son King Ding, Sima Ji, also died last year. The lineage of King Wuling was cut off, and Sima Dewen was saddened by it. Come, raise a glass and cover your face with your sleeves to hide your tears.
Taichang Sima Zhen said: "I heard that Yang Anxuan has an eldest son who is seven years old. His mother is a descendant of Kong Sheng and the daughter of Chongsheng Hou Kong Yi. The king's eldest daughter, Princess Haiyan, Sima Maoying, is ten years old. She is a good match for this son."
Sima Dewen wiped away his tears, lowered his sleeves and said with a smile: "What Uncle Wang said is true, so I will trouble Uncle Wang to go and negotiate with Duke Hongnong. If this matter can be accomplished, Uncle Wang will make a great contribution."
On May 17, in Shixing City, Liu Yu, who was about to leave for Panyu, received an urgent report from Liu Muzhi from Beijing and immediately ordered to return to Jiankang.
On May 22, Liu Yu led dozens of cavalry back to Xizhou City, met the worried Liu Muzhi, and asked about the specific situation.
Liu Muzhi handed the copied memorial to Liu Yu and said: "The city of Chang'an was destroyed, Yang Anxuan killed Qin Emperor Yao Xing, Qin Prince Yao Hong led his people to surrender, and the Yongzhou Navy will send Qin's surrender to Jianzhou in the next few days." Kang.”
The memorial only had more than a hundred words. Liu Yu stared at it for a long time before finally taking a deep breath and saying: "What a great Yang Anxuan. Yong Yan's troops and horses alone can annihilate the Qin Dynasty. Has the decline of Qin reached this point?"
Liu Muzhi sighed: "I can't believe my eyes. Although the Qin State has been trapped by Daxia and Zhuliang in recent years, it still has at least hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. How come it was destroyed by only 50,000 or 60,000 people?" How powerful are Yong Yan’s soldiers and horses?”
Liu Yu put the memorial aside and said: "It is useless to speculate. When Yao Hong and other surrendered ministers are sent to Jiankang, I will ask more carefully. What is the direction of the wind in Beijing when Yang Anxuan destroys Qin?"
Liu Muzhi asked his friend Qi Shangshu to be named a duke for Yang Anxuan. Someone asked Yang Anxuan to return to Beijing to take charge of the government, and all kinds of rumors were clarified to Liu Yu.
Liu Yu smiled and said: "Without Liu Yi, these people are interested in Yang Anxuan again? I will go to court tomorrow to see who dares to be arrogant."
Liu Muzhi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "When the Taiwei returns to the capital, those monsters and monsters will not dare to cause trouble. However, Yang Anxuan must be rewarded for his contribution to destroying Qin. The Taiwei must make arrangements early."
Liu Yu stroked his beard and said, "What if Yang Anxuan dares to come to Beijing and let him be crowned king?"
After pondering for a moment, Liu Yu said: "Tomorrow I will go to court tomorrow and ask the emperor to confer Yang Anxuan the title of Duke of Yong. He will also be given the honor of going to the palace with swords and shoes, entering the court without being rushed, and being praised and worshiped without fame. He will also be given the title of Taifu, record the affairs of the minister, and command all officials. , let’s see if Yang Anxuan dares to come and take office.”
Liu Muzhi said: "The lord is Yuzhang Gong, and Yang Anxuan is Hongnong Gong. They are equal, but the lord is also the Taiwei, and he is suppressing Yang Anxuan. If Yang Anxuan is made a Yizi Gong, others can use it even if they are not in the court. If Yin Youqi and other party members speak out, King Langya will also take the opportunity to suppress the lord."
Liu Yu frowned and said: "This matter is inevitable. However, Dao He's worries are justified. Since the imperial court intends to confer Yang Anxuan as a Yizi Gong, Yang Anxuan is especially responsible for the foolish attack on Yan State, the destruction of Lu Xun, and the victory of Jiangling. Up. Dao He asked Liu Liu to play the role of Emperor of the Tomorrow. If Yang Anxuan can be granted the title of Duke, it is natural for him to be foolish. As for the position of Taifu, if Yang Anxuan is willing to come to Beijing, he will be given the title of Taifu. Otherwise, never think about it."
On May 23, there was a meeting in the East Hall.
Sima Dewen sat in the middle with a cheerful face and accepted the salutes of the ministers. Suddenly he saw Taiwei Liu Yulong walking up to the palace outside the palace gate. The smile on his face immediately froze, and his joyful mood immediately became heavy.
Liu Yu came forward and bowed and said, "I've met the king." He paid tribute without giving a name, so Liu Wei didn't have to name himself in front of King Langya.
Sima Dewen bowed his head and said with a forced smile: "When will the Taiwei return? Why didn't I listen to the report?"
"I returned to Xizhou City last night. The gates of the capital have been closed. I don't dare to disturb the king. I came here to see you today." Liu Yu responded in a deep voice.
Sima Dewen said: "The Taiwei came back just in time. Hongnong Gong Yang Anxuanping destroyed the Qin Kingdom, and Gu Zheng wanted to discuss with the ministers how to reward him."
Liu Yu said with a smile: "When I heard in Shixing that Hongnonggong destroyed Qin, I was overjoyed and rushed to the capital day and night. It is for this very reason."
He glanced sideways at the ministers in the palace and could see their expressions clearly. Liu Liu, Liu Muzhi, Yuan Zhan, Guo Ding, Wang Dan, Chu Xiuzhi and others were his confidants, looking at him eagerly.
There are only a few people in the entire hall who are not our own; Dong Huai, the Minister of the Ministry of War, is upright and does not deal with people; Yin Youqi, the Minister of the Ancestral Hall, is a member of Yang Anxuan; Taichang Sima Zhenzhi is the mouthpiece of King Langya...
Liu Yu had a smile on his face. Nine out of ten people in the court were his own. Cao Cao had used the emperor to command the princes. As long as he had the Sima family in his hands, justice would be in his hands, and Yang Anxuan would have to obey his orders.
Thinking of this, Liu Yu said loudly: "Hongnong Gong destroyed the Qin State and made great achievements. I would like to grant Hongnong Gong the title of King Yong and Grand Tutor. He will also grant forty swordsmen. Yu Bao will encourage the front and back, and add swords and shoes to the palace. If he enters the court and does not follow him, and he is not famous for his praise and worship, he is urged to come to the capital to take charge of the government."
There was silence in the court hall, and everyone looked directly at Liu Yu. They originally thought that Liu Yu would block Yang Anxuan's granting of the title, but unexpectedly he actually asked for the title for Yang Anxuan, and the reward exceeded everyone's expectations. What was Taiwei Liu's intention?
Yin Youqi was the first to wake up. No matter what Liu Yu's intentions were, this was a good opportunity to win the title of Jin for Yang Anxuan. Yin Youqi immediately came out of the class and started to play loudly, "I second the request of Liu Taiwei, please grant Hongnong Gong the title of Yong Gong."
Sima Dewen signaled Sima Zhenzhi with his eyes. Sima Zhenzhi understood the idea and went out to the class to report: "I also second my proposal."
Liu Liu came out and said: "Liu Taiwei pacified Nanyan, destroyed Lu Xun, and conquered Jiangling. His merits are still higher than those of Hongnong Gong. I would like to confer the title of Duke Yuzhang as Song Gong to serve as a tribute to all officials."
Danyang Yin, Liu Muzhi and others came out to support the movement.
Sitting on the high seat, Sima Dewen watched the ministers praying for Liu Yu and Yang Anxuan. He felt sad. Does the world still belong to the Sima family?
