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

"Taizhen had a good idea, so he appointed Murong Xian as envoy Chijie, governor You, Ping Erzhou Dongyi military, chariot and cavalry general, and Pingzhou shepherd. He was granted the title of Liaodong County Duke, with a settlement of 10,000 households, and regular cavalry. How about keeping the waiter, the great Chanyu, etc. as before?"Sima Rui said

"Your majesty is wise! Mr. Wen Taizhen’s insights are also very wise! Ji Zhan said

"Then please ask Master Shige Hong to draft the imperial edict for me, make the alchemy book and iron coupons, and other matters. Tai Zhen prepares to take a boat to Liaodong by sea the day after tomorrow."Sima Rui said.

Wen Qiao said:"I obey the decree! I am willing to go to Liaodong to deliver the emperor's order!"

Ten days later, Wen Qiao and his two followers, Cheng Hui and Wu Fu, arrived at Daji City in a carriage from the seaside post station. The carriage stopped outside the main hall, and Wen Qiao and the soldiers from the post station who drove the carriage bowed their hands and said goodbye. At the entrance of the palace There were two soldiers guarding them. Seeing that Wen Qiao and the other three were dressed as people from the Central Plains, a soldier asked:"Where are the three of you from the Central Plains?""

"I am an envoy from the Jiangnan imperial court. Please inform me that envoy Wen Qiao is asking for an audience."Wen Qiao said very politely. The soldier returned the courtesy and said:"Please wait a moment, Sir Envoy."

Not long after, Murong Xuan led dozens of civil and military ministers out of the main hall. Wen Qiao looked up and saw a Xianbei elder in his fifties in front of him. He was tall, handsome, tall, and powerful. It was majestic and different. Although this was the first time Wen Qiao saw Murong Xuan, he was sure that he was the one he wanted to see, so he bowed his hands and saluted:"Wen Qiao, the bastard among the princes of Jiangzuo, came to Liaodong on His Majesty's order to reward Xianbei. The biggest single is Yu Murongxian!"

"It turns out to be Lord Wen Qiao, whose name I have admired for a long time! Please come in!"Murong Xi said with a smile. While greeting the others, Wen Qiao followed Murong Xi to the main hall. When he came to the front, Wen Qiao said:"Please accept the order from Murong Shanyu of Xianbei!"

Murong Xuan quickly knelt down, and Murong Xuan's sons, ministers, and generals also knelt down. Wen Qiao took the imperial edict from Cheng Hui, unfolded it, and began to read: The emperor of the Jin Dynasty decreed that the chief minister of Murong Xin in Xianbei should be with Murong Xuan. , I am deeply concerned about the court, loyal to the emperor and loving the people, improving political affairs, developing agriculture and mulberry, setting up schools, promoting talents, and being welcomed by everyone, I am very pleased. In order to ensure the long-term peace and stability of the northeastern border, I worship Murong Xin as the governor of You, Ping Erzhou and Dongyi. , the regular servant of Sanqi, the general of chariots and cavalry, and the pastor of Pingzhou, he was granted the title of Duke of Liaodong, and the title of Great Chanyu was still retained. From then on, Murong Xin could set up officials to guard the governorship in various places under his jurisdiction to ensure peace. Number of Murong family members In order to be loyal to the imperial court, he was specially given an iron coupon of alchemy book, which can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Murong Xuan, who was still kneeling on the ground, shouted:"Thank you, Your Majesty, long live long live!""

"Lord Liaodong, please get up quickly! Sirs, please rise quickly! Wen Qiao said and pulled Murong Xuan up. Wen Qiao first handed the imperial edict to Murong Xuan, then took the iron coupon of the alchemy book from Wu Fu and gave it to Murong Xuan. Murong Xian held the imperial edict in his right hand and the alchemy book in his left hand. Tieguan burst into tears. He returned to sit down and said to Wen Qiao,"Master Wen Qiao, please sit down!"

Wen Qiao and his two entourages sat down, and other civil and military ministers also sat down. Murong Xi wiped the corners of his eyes and said:"Since the time of my great-grandfather, the Murong tribe of Xianbei has been following the Central Plains court. In the second year of Jingchu, my great-grandfather assisted Sima Yi, the then Taiwei of Cao Wei, in his campaign against Gongsun Yuan of Liaodong Province, and was named King of Yiyi due to his military exploits. My grandfather was King Zuoxian of the Murong tribe, and my father was granted the title of Chanyu of Xianbei in the previous dynasty for his role in defending Liucheng. More than eighty years have passed since Murong tribe established its foothold in Jicheng City. Today, I have finally been granted the title of Duke of Liaodong by the imperial court!"

"Congratulations to the Duke of Liaodong! Congratulations to the Duke of Liaodong!"The civil and military ministers said loudly. Murong Xin's sons then said:"Congratulations, father! Congratulations father!"

"Lord Wen Qiao traveled thousands of miles to Daji City in order to read out His Majesty's appointment. I was very moved. Today I will hold a banquet for Lord Wen Qiao, and all the civil and military ministers will accompany me!"Murong Xi said happily. Murong Xi then said to Murong Huang:"Yuan Zhen, go and make arrangements."

"Yes, father!"Murong Huang agreed and went out. Murong Xuan came down from above and came to Wen Qiao. Wen Qiao and two attendants quickly stood up and saluted. An attendant moved a seat for Murong Xuan. Murong Xuan sat down and Wen Qiao waited. People also sat down

"Lord Wen Qiao, you are a very important minister of the imperial court. Especially the matter of rehabilitating Zhaoxue, the governor of Liu Kun, was done beautifully. Lord Liu Kun will definitely smile."Murong Xuan said. Wen Qiao said:"Thank you very much for the praise from Liaodong County Duke. I went to Jiankang a few years ago to persuade him to join the family, and I originally planned to return north to be with my uncle Liu Kun. But the civil and military ministers refused to let him go. In desperation, he had no choice but to serve in the court. Thinking about it now, if Bei returned to his uncle at that time, maybe he and his uncle would be killed by Duan Pizhen. But then again, maybe nothing will happen to my uncle. Things in the world are unpredictable and unpredictable!"

"Then what do you think of Shao Xu, Duan Pixi and others being killed by Shi Hu?"Murong Xuan asked tentatively. Wen Qiao said:"Your Majesty and the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs are very sad about the murder of several adults. His Majesty also led hundreds of civil and military officials to pay homage to them. As several loyal ministers and generals in the north were killed, Youzhou, Jizhou, and Jizhou all belonged to Shi Le. The several isolated places of the imperial court in the north were encroached upon by Shi Le one by one. Now that Lord Zu Ti is gone, Shi Hu has captured many places in Yuzhou. Xu Gong, who was swaying left and right, and Cao Yi, who was standing firm in Guanggu City, were both targets of Shi Le. When the time comes, Shi Le will definitely fight to the death with Liu Yao. It was difficult for Liu Yao to eat Shi Le, but it was not difficult for Shi Le to defeat Liu Yao."

"Lord Wen Qiao's analysis is clear and logical, and his speculation is reasonable. If Liu Yao's Han and Zhao were annexed by Shi Le, then Liaodong, Western Liaoning and other places would definitely be Shi Le's targets."Murong Xuan said. Wen Qiao was waiting for Murong Xuan to think so, so he said:"There are only so many territories in the world, but Shi Le's ambition has no limit. As long as Shi Le eliminates Xu Gong and Cao Yi and annexes Liu Yao, then Shi Le can be compared with Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei. Facing the extremely wide and rolling Yangtze River, it would be very difficult for Shi Le to capture the south of the Yangtze River. But if you want to attack Liaoxi and Liaodong from Youzhou and Jizhou, it will be much simpler!"

Wen Qiao and Murong Xuan were talking very congenially, and they seemed to regret meeting each other late. The two people were talking, and ten maids were serving food and wine from outside. Murong Huang was making arrangements below, and other ministers were also chatting. Delighted. The food was served and the wine was poured. Murong Kai came to Murong Xuan and asked:"Father, the food and wine have been laid out. When do you think it will start?""