Eastern Jin Dynasty, the fifth year of Yixi, February.
In the Taiji Hall, the civil and military officials were divided into two groups. The generals from the Jingba Party all had serious expressions on their faces, but some of the disciples from the aristocratic families showed a proud look from time to time. There were more guards and warriors in the hall than usual. At least twice the number, because the number of officials present today is more than three times the usual number. Even many governors and generals of foreign vassals are all in formal attire and standing here holding wat tablets. There is a strange feeling in the air. with a depressing atmosphere.
At the entrance of the palace, two officials of the eighth rank in green robes were whispering to each other in low voices. A thin man on the left secretly said: "Brother Long Yan, you are the son of a scholar in Ningzhou. It is customary to come to Beijing this time." See, given the conferment of officials and titles, why do you have to attend this court meeting?"
This person named Longyan is an indigenous descendant of Nanning Prefecture. His surname is Cuan and his given name is Longyan. The Cuan family has been holding important positions in Ningzhou for nearly a hundred years. It is a Han Chinese surname that has been transformed into southern barbarians. It has also been closely related to the local people for generations. In the past few years, the Eastern Jin government did not even send governors to Ningzhou. Many of them only held official positions in Jiankang. The real power in the state was in the hands of the Cuan family. As for Cuan Longyan, because his father passed away and the mourning period expired, he came to the capital to accept the title as usual and return to succeed him.
Cuan Longyan looked at the companion beside him and replied in Mandarin, which he was not very proficient in: "Brother Huidu, when we were conferring official titles last time, we met for the first time. We hit it off immediately. I thought you had returned to Jiaozhou. Today. Why are you here too?"
This man named Brother Huidu is also Du Huidu, the son of Du Yuan, the governor of Jiaozhou, who once served as an officer in Suwei and later made meritorious service in the campaign against Huanxuan. Last month, the disciples from all over the foreign vassals came to Beijing to confer knighthood. The two met at the Dachaohui at that time. The situation in Jiaozhou was relatively similar to that in Ningzhou. The same family had been officials there for many years, which was like a hereditary separatist regime. However, these two were considered to be the more talented and enterprising among the children of foreign vassals. Yes, so we felt like old friends at first sight, and we happened to meet each other again during the court meeting today. Since this place doesn't attract much attention from others, we were happy to whisper to each other.
Du Huidu took a look around and confirmed that there was no censor nearby. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and whispered: "I have already returned to Jiaozhou. I have been walking out of the city for two days. When I arrived at Yuzhang County, I happened to meet He Jiang. He Wuji, the current governor of Jiangzhou, said that there was something big going on, so he brought me back. You see, not only He Jiangzhou, but also Liu Jingzhou (Liu Daogui), Liu Yuzhou (Liu Yi), Liu Yanzhou (Liu Fan), Liu Pengcheng (Liu Daolian) and other generals from the vassal outside the town have also arrived."
A drawn-out voice rang from the palace door: "The governor of Yongzhou, General Pingbei, and the Hou Luzong of Xiaocheng County have arrived!"
Lu Zongzhi, who was dressed in military attaché uniform, walked in with his head held high. All the low-level officials near the palace gate saluted him. Lu Zongzhi didn't even look at it and walked straight to the front. Cuan Longyan's lips showed a trace of dissatisfaction: "This Governor Lu is too arrogant, they say that the Central Plains is a land of etiquette, and this is a great court meeting, is it so difficult to even return a greeting to low-level officials like us?"
Du Huidu said thoughtfully: "The governor of Lu has always been a military commander and does not talk about these etiquettes. However, Yongzhou is the first border state close to the Later Qin Dynasty. Now the relationship between the Great Jin Dynasty and the Later Qin Dynasty has almost The governor of Lu is torn apart. The governor of Lu is the same as the governor of Bao and Bao who is now out of Ba County to guard against the rebels in Western Shu. He has a heavy responsibility and should not leave easily, but he is actually here this time. Could it be that..."
Another long-drawn voice sounded: "Guangzhou Governor, Pingnan General Lu Xun, Military Chief, Guangzhou farewell to Ruan Fang!"
This was a big deal. Many people's voices were filled with surprise and anger: "What's going on? Even the demon thieves have sent people here?"
"Who asked them to come? Is this to let them spy on the secrets of the court?"
Cuan Longyan also opened his eyes wide, watching a thin black man more than six feet tall, wearing a red court uniform, walking calmly into the hall, and walking straight forward in the eyes of hatred: "Brother Huidu, Your Jiaozhou now relies on Guangzhou occupied by Tianshi Dao. Last time you said that Lu Xun has been trying to befriend your father in the past two years, but even I know that these Tianshi Taoists are traitors to the Jin Dynasty. , back then they were only given a temporary status because they were unable to crusade, so why did they send people to Beijing today?"
Du Huidu frowned deeply: "This Ruan Fangzhi was an official who was placed in Shixing in the Jin Dynasty before Huan Xuan usurped the throne. Later, the demon thieves occupied Guangzhou, captured him, and added the official position of Chang Shi. Every time When the imperial court recruited leaders such as Lu Xun and Xu Daofu, he was the one who came to answer orders. He was a special envoy from Guangzhou to the imperial court. However, he was also invited to attend today's imperial meeting, which was a bit unexpected. Besides, could it be said that a powerful enemy has invaded?"
Cuan Longyan laughed: "With the powerful military strength of the Jin Dynasty, how can any foreign enemy dare to come?"
Du Huidu shook his head: "It's hard to say. Although the Jin Dynasty has a strong military now, it is suffering from internal and external troubles. It also needs to recuperate and recuperate after many years of civil war. Look at Qiao, Shu, and Guangzhou. Isn't it the same as rebellion? The imperial meeting was held last month. If you summon me again now, I'm afraid something big will happen. I think..."
When he said this, he curled up his lips and said: "Except for Bao Governor, all the governors of the major states have arrived today. Could it be that they are preparing to send out troops to attack Western Shu? We have called Ruan Fuzhi from Guangzhou to understand. To intimidate them, let them see the consequences of rebelling, surrender their household registration early, disband the army, donate soil to the court, and maybe pardon their crimes and avoid death."
Cuan Longyan grinned: "Save it, just because Tianshi Dao has killed so many children of aristocratic families in the past, if you really give up military power like this, it is no different from committing suicide. With the current attitude of the civil and military officials in the dynasty, Lu Xun If Xu Daofu were standing here, he wouldn't be eaten alive."
Du Huidu nodded and suddenly said thoughtfully: "Hey, so many high officials and generals are here today, why are there so few..."
As he spoke, a male-female voice rose up: "Your Majesty has arrived, the Queen is in court, and all the officials are paying their respects!"
A burst of drum music sounded, and Sima Dezong was seen slumped on the couch, wearing a dragon robe and a brocade quilt. He was carried up to the palace on the dragon bed by sixteen chamberlains, while Queen Wang Shen'ai, who was dressed in a phoenix crown and garland, Immediately afterwards, all the officials knelt down and began to shout long live the mountain, while Du Huidu bowed and whispered: "Strange, isn't the Queen no longer going to court to participate in political affairs? How could it be... "
