Chapter 126, Chapter Nineteen: A Decisive Strike
Sima Ye was filled with sorrow, but Liu Jun had little time to indulge in fleeting romantic love.
Just as Wen Qiao and his men were advancing triumphantly in the south, the leader of the refugees who had originally occupied Huainan suddenly attacked Jingxiang.
“To the north lies the Central Plains, to the west lies Yizhou, and to the east we can join forces with the Jin army to attack our army from both sides,” Liu Jun said with a slight smile instead of anger. “Compared to the Jin army in the south, these refugee armies, which are considered a rabble, are a force of nature. Whether we annihilate them in one fell swoop or take them under our control, we can achieve our goal in one battle and eliminate future troubles.”
However, if I were to personally lead the expedition, and the main force of the Han army was on a southern campaign, the military strength in the Central Plains, especially Guanzhong, would not be sufficient. If someone were to take advantage of the situation and invade, the consequences would be immeasurable. Therefore, I would need to find a capable and reliable person to take charge.
Liu Jun looked up at Liu Qin, his eyes filled with both expectation and a hint of warning. "After I go on the expedition, I will appoint the third prince as regent and Liu Dan, the Duke of Nanyang, as assistant magistrate."
Liu Qin hurriedly thanked the emperor, and then heard Liu Jun say, "After you return to Luoyang, the most urgent task is to find out the truth about the Crown Prince's assassination and how to deal with those involved. You need to come up with a plan, and I will make a decision after you return to the capital."
"Yes." Liu Qin felt bitter. Those involved in the case were all his own brothers, and it was difficult to judge the severity of the situation. He also couldn't exonerate all his own people. This was much more difficult than governing the country as regent.
Liu Jun looked at him, a smile playing on his lips, and ordered someone to give him copies of the "New Book of Mengde" and "Guanzi" that he had previously compiled and copied. "You've always been in the army, so you've become somewhat rusty in political affairs. This time, I'm entrusting you with an important task. When you encounter problems, think carefully and ask questions. Don't act arbitrarily. National affairs may involve a single prefecture or county, or even the entire nation and countless people. You must be cautious. I have nothing else to tell you. Take good care of yourself."
After Liu Qin withdrew, he pondered for about half a moment, then said to the secretary beside him, "Send a secret edict to Cui Yue, instructing him to keep Luoyang under control, especially the Empress, the Crown Prince, Liangzhou, the Third Prince, and the army. He must keep a close eye on all of them."
“Now,” Liu Jun watched as the eunuch took out a map, drew his Flying Shadow Sword from his waist, and pointed to one small dot after another in Huainan and Jingxiang, “it’s time to let these refugee leaders realize who the true ruler of the world is.”
With the military situation urgent, Liu Jun quickly made arrangements for his men and supplies and set off under cover of night.
When Sima Ye got up the next day, he saw a familiar eunuch waiting outside with his head bowed. "Your Highness, due to the enemy's unusual movements, His Majesty has led his troops to personally lead the expedition and has ordered me to deliver this message."
"Oh?" Sima Ye was letting Bi Gong tie his hair when he heard this. He stopped combing his hair, hurriedly got up, took the letter, read it quickly, and sighed softly.
Bi Gong had already glimpsed the letter from the corner of his eye. It was nothing more than the same old story about whether to stay or leave, and it was entirely up to him. Two things were also attached to the letter. One was Liu Jun's personal seal, which he could use to draw money from the prefectures and counties if he needed anything in the future. Liu Jun would then pay it off from the imperial treasury. The other was a copy of the Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River that Liu Jun had recently written. The handwriting was messy, but the brushstrokes were tender and affectionate, and the emotions conveyed in it were hard to ignore.
"After paying homage to Emperor Zhaolie, I will return to Luoyang." Sima Ye stuffed the letter and seal into his sleeve.
Bi Gong wasn't particularly surprised, but he still asked, "Why did Your Majesty change your mind?"
Sima Ye smiled bitterly and said, "As for you, the decline of the Jin dynasty is inevitable. If I were still in the capital, I might be able to protect the Sima clan. Even if we lose the throne in the future, we could still become a noble family like the Cao family."
Cao Huan cooperated with Sima Yan's abdication and received generous treatment from the Sima family, even retaining his title as Prince of Chenliu. Even after Liu Jun ascended the throne, out of consideration for the two princes and three ministers, he did not abolish this title. Considering that the fiefdoms of Wei (Kong), Song (Ji), and Shanyang (Liu Xie) perished in the Yongjia Rebellion, and that Wei and Song were too far away, he did not inherit the title. In remembrance of the legacy of Emperor Zhaolie of Han and the fact that they were all descendants of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, he elevated the Duke of Anle to Prince of Guanghan, and transferred the original title of Prince of Chenliu of the Cao family to Sima Ye, and instead enfeoffed the Cao family as Prince of Donghai, which can also be regarded as a way of mourning Cao Mao, the son of the Prince of Donghai.
Sima Ye's gaze was clear and distant. "Personally... the rights and wrongs, the grudges and grievances, I have been entangled with him to this day. In the end, we owe each other nothing. They say that life is full of suffering, but how many people can live to be seventy? I am approaching forty. In the first half of my life, I did so many things against my conscience for my family and country. Even if I waste the rest of my years, I should do as I please."
Bi Gong, who was blindly loyal, bowed and said, "Your Majesty has understood."
"Sudden enlightenment?" Sima Ye smiled bitterly. "Of those who have been emperors, how many have truly broken free from attachments and achieved enlightenment?"
Just as Liu Jun's vanguard had engaged in close combat with the rebel leaders, news arrived that Emperor Fei of Jin, Sima Ye, had visited the mausoleum of Emperor Zhaolie of Han.
"Oh?" Liu Jun was taken aback at first, then chuckled and said, "It is truly rare for the Prince of Chenliu to have such a kind intention, so I will reward him with the tangerines and lychees that were previously presented as tribute. In addition, there are a total of one hundred bolts of Shu brocade from Yizhou. After deducting the ones awarded to meritorious officials, there are eighteen bolts in the palace. Five bolts will be awarded to the Empress and the Crown Prince, and the remaining eight bolts will be awarded to the other nephews."
"Your Majesty, what should be done with the remaining tribute?"
Liu Jun said impatiently, "Just put it into the imperial treasury or the national treasury, why ask me?"
"Some exotic beasts like rhinoceroses and elephants, and auspicious creatures like cranes and white tigers..."
With the war raging, Liu Jun was eager to get to the front lines to take command. As he put on his armor, he said, "Issue an imperial decree: although the harvests have been good in recent years, we should not be too extravagant. The prefectures and counties do not need to go to such lengths to collect tributes. It would be better to let the people eat a few decent meals of millet. As for auspicious omens, there is no need to present them anymore. My birth into this world is itself a great auspicious omen."
Although these words were arrogant, none of the people present felt anything was wrong with them, and they all shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
Liu Jun, filled with boundless pride, was the first to don his armor and mount his horse. "The land of Jing and Xiang was acquired by our army too easily. We haven't yet given them a proper glimpse of the might of the royal army. Men of Han, follow me!"
In October of the first year of Yanwu, Wen Qiao achieved a great victory over the Jin army and captured Jiangzhou. Mao Bao detoured south and captured Guangzhou and Jiaozhou. At the same time, Liu Jun personally led an expedition and pacified Jingxiang. Apart from some who surrendered, the remaining refugee army retreated to Jiangzuo.
At this point, the Jin court effectively controlled only Jiankang and Yangzhou, leaving the young emperor Sima Yan to lead his court officials in a stubborn resistance.
To everyone's surprise, Liu Jun did not return to Luoyang. Instead, he continued south, heading straight from Jingzhou to Jiangdong to join the others who had led the southern expedition.
Several armies marched in a mighty force, gradually encroaching on the surrounding counties of Jiankang. One after another, the fortified villages of powerful clans were breached. When the Xie clan of Chen Commandery opened the city gates and decided to surrender, everyone understood that at this point, the Jin dynasty could no longer be saved.
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