After Ma Xifan's death, the ministers of Nanchu had serious differences on the issue of successor.
Forbidden Army Commander (Changzhi Du Commander) Liu Yanxin, Tiance Mansion Scholars Li Honggao, Deng Yiwen, Xiaomen Envoy Yang Di and others firmly supported Ma Xiguang; while the Forbidden Army Commander-in-Chief (Dudu Commander) Zhang Shaodi and Du Yamen Yuan Yougong supported Ma Xiguang. calyx.
Let’s take a look at the two most popular candidates first:
Ma Xiguang, Ma Xifan's half-brother, is deeply loved by Ma Xifan. During the period of Ma Xifan, he served as the deputy envoy of Wu'an Army in Tanzhou, the captain of Tiance Mansion, and the military governor of Zhennan Army in Hongzhou. The position of "Deputy Envoy of Tanzhou Jiedu" is equivalent to the vice president, which is basically the standard for the heir to the throne. When Ma Xifan died, he asked Ma Xiguang to "judge all internal and external officials", which is like the power to supervise the regent of the country. It can be said that , Ma Xifan’s intention has been very clear, that is, let Ma Xiguanglai inherit the throne.
Ma Xi'e is currently the oldest among the Ma Yin disciples. I have a little question here, that is, the history books say that Ma Xi'e was the oldest of Ma Yin's sons at that time, and it is also recorded that Ma Xi'e was the thirtieth son of Ma Yin... In other words, the previous 29 Both brothers are dead.
This is like saying that Mahi Fan and Mahi Sheng were born on the same day, but that Mahi Sheng was the second son, Mahi Fan was the fourth son, and the missing third son cannot be verified. Ma Xihe, ranked 30th, became the oldest brother.
Ma Xi'e was a fierce and rude man, unruly and fiery in nature. At that time, he served as the governor of Wuping Army in Langzhou. Langzhou is to Nanchu what Jianzhou is to Min. It is the second largest vassal in Nanchu, second only to Tanzhou, which is the most good area. In other words, Ma Xihe has certain strength.
Let’s look at the supporters of both sides:
Li Honggao, one of Ma Yin's important think tanks, one of Ma Xifan's "Eighteen Bachelors of Tiance Mansion", and the drafter of the famous "Xizhou Bronze Pillar" inscription. His identity and role were similar to those of Hanlin bachelors, Zhongshu Sheren, Hanlin Chengzhi, etc. in the Central Plains Dynasty, and he was specifically responsible for drafting imperial edicts. He was infinitely loyal to the Ma family and was a revolutionary veteran with long experience, great achievements, and high moral character. Therefore, he firmly supported Ma Xifan's legacy and supported Comrade Ma Xiguang's accession to the throne.
Deng Yiwen was also a famous scholar. He was "prominent with literature". Different from Li Honggao's "direct lineage of the previous king", he had relatively junior qualifications, but he was a direct lineage of Ma Xifan. Before Ma Xifan came to the throne, Deng Yiwen He was Ma Xifan's chief aide. After Ma Xifan came to the throne, he also promoted him to one of the "Eighteen Bachelors of Tiance Mansion". Therefore, he firmly supported Ma Xifan's death and supported Ma Xiguang's assumption of the throne.
Yang Di, compared with the first two, this person can be said to be a minor player. To use the original words of the history books, he is "unknown in the army." In a word, he is an unknown person. He is neither Ma Yin's veteran meritorious service nor Ma Xifan's direct confidant, but a low-level officer under Ma Xiguang. So of course he supports Comrade Ma Xiguang. Although Yang Di is an unknown person, he will forever be remembered in history because of a tragic and heroic act.
Liu Yanxin, there is almost no record of his previous deeds in historical books. It is only said that he was the commander-in-chief of Ma Xifan, and he is probably a direct general of Ma Xifan.
In short, Ma Yinyuan's old tribe, Ma Xifan's direct relatives, and Ma Xiguang's direct relatives formed the "Supporting Guangdong Faction." Let’s look at the “supporting calyx faction”:
Zhang Shaodi, his identity and background overwhelm all the above-mentioned "veteran achievements". Even Ma Yin's direct followers are just scum in front of him. Because his father's name is Zhang Ji. Who is Zhang Ji? To say that he and Ma Yin are equal is to praise Ma Yin. When Ma Yin saw Zhang Ji, he would respectfully call him Brother Sheng.
At first, Liu Jianfeng, Zhang Ji, and Ma Yin (please pay attention to the ranking, the ranking is in order) were all under Sun Ru's command and were Sun Ru's confidants. When Yang Xingmi made a surprise attack and captured Sun Ru, the three of them were raising food in other places. After hearing the news, they fled south and elected Liu Jianfeng as the commander-in-chief, Zhang Ji as the military advisor, and Ma Yin as the vanguard. The three fought for many years, and finally settled in Tanzhou.
Later, Liu Jianfeng was assassinated by his subordinates due to personal life issues, and everyone recommended Zhang Ji as the commander-in-chief. Zhang Ji was afraid of Ma Yin, so he voluntarily gave up the throne to Ma Yin. Ma Yin then used Tanzhou as a revolutionary base and founded the Southern Chu regime.
Zhang Shaodi is Zhang Ji's son.
Zhang Shaodi also has a very close relationship with Yuan Yougong and Ma Xifan. However, the reason why the two of them violated Ma Xifan's will and advocated supporting Ma Xi'e was not out of personal interests, but from the perspective of the overall situation.
They reminded the ministers that Ma Xi'e was the oldest and had a strong temperament, and would never be willing to succumb to his younger brother Ma Xiguang. If Ma Xiguang takes the throne, a civil war is likely to break out in the future; if he must support Ma Xiguang, it is not impossible. , but we must find a way to control and appease Ma Xi'e, so that he will obey Ma Xiguang's leadership.
At this time, another old comrade - Tuoba Heng also spoke up.
Tuoba Heng angered Ma Xifan because of his advice, and Ma Xifan once swore a poisonous oath that he would never see Tuoba Heng again in this life. It is said that when a person is about to die, he can speak kindly. Just when Ma Xifan was dying, he suddenly thought of Tuoba Heng and felt that he was unworthy of the old man, so he ordered someone to summon Tuoba Heng to the bedside and sincerely repented and expressed his gratitude to Tuoba Heng. Ba Heng expressed his apology and regarded him as a trusted minister and asked him to assist his younger brother Ma Xiguang.
As one of Tuogu's important ministers, Tuoba Heng was ordered to assist Ma Xiguang, but deep down he also supported Zhang Shaodi's ideas.
But Liu Yanxin and others were resolute, there was no need to discuss this matter, Ma Xiguang must be supported!
So Tuoba Heng adopted a compromise approach, saying that although Ma Xiguang was the heir designated by the late king (Ma Xifan), Ma Xi'e was his elder brother after all. It was best to send envoys first to politely show humility, be polite, and leave no excuses. , to avoid rifts between brothers in the future.
In fact, Tuoba Heng is already using Mahiwang's past experience as a hint. Because Ma Xifan was not humble and polite when he took the throne, Ma Xifan forced to death Ma Xisheng's biological mother Yuan Shi and Ma Xisheng's half-brother Ma Xiwang as soon as he took the throne.
Regarding Zhang Shaodi's retreat and Tuoba Heng's warning, Liu Yanxin and others flatly rejected it, just because they believed that they already had real power (the officials inside and outside the court), relied on their strong strength, and would not compromise at all.
Liu Yanxin said domineeringly: "We already have the military and political power in our hands, why are we still polite? God gave it to you, but if you don't cherish it, once others get it, will we still have a place?"
Ma Xiguang has a cowardly character, is indecisive, and has no opinion of his own. "You have the final say."
So, on May 11, Liu Yanxin and others read out Ma Xifan's will and supported Ma Xiguang's succession.
