Thank you to Beverly for the ko-fi~ ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-
In the grand hall, a sea of white filled the space. Standing at the forefront of the courtiers, Wang Yan, with a stooped figure and all-white hair and beard, no longer radiated the vitality and brilliance of his past. Due to staying home for recovery, he luckily avoided the major epidemic. Although some people in his mansion also succumbed, it was a far cry from the situation in Shou City and even the other aristocratic families in Huainan.
However, while he managed to escape, others were not as fortunate. Now, among the officials who could still attend the court, almost half were missing. If not for the physicians sent by Sima Rui and Liang Feng, administering medicine and implementing measures to prevent the epidemic, the situation might have taken a more dire turn.
Unfortunately, all efforts were in vain in saving the Emperor’s life. The palace in Shou City was too small, crowded with too many palace maids and consorts. The epidemic struck unexpectedly, sweeping through the palace like a reaper in a harvest. Sima Tan was among the first to be infected, and despite the physicians’ desperate efforts, they couldn’t save his life.
Even in the face of the epidemic, no one dared to enter the palace to pay respects to the ailing sovereign. Whether due to a state of delirium or a deliberate choice, Sima Tan left no testament. Without a crown prince and no trusted ministers to entrust his son, only a thin coffin remained.
Having reigned for only two years, he died in solitude on the royal bed, leaving no heir. Was this the heavens’ punishment for his hasty decision to relocate the capital?
Such thoughts were not unique. Prince Sima Mao loudly declared, “The southern land is fundamentally unsuitable for a capital! We should quickly crown a new emperor and return to Luoyang!”
With the Han Xiongnu relocating the capital to Chang’an, Luoyang was no longer as perilous, especially with Liang Feng guarding in nearby Bing County. Returning there might be safer than Shou City. As soon as he spoke, others joined in agreement.
On the side, Liu Zhun angrily said, “The late emperor’s body is not yet cold, how can we relocate back to Luoyang so hastily? Shou City is strategically located, with well-developed water transport and natural defenses from the Jiang, and it is surrounded by Jing and Xu to guard against powerful enemies. We should hold onto Shou City and plan for the grand undertaking!”
Having rushed back to Luoyang before the emperor’s passing, Liu Zhun couldn’t afford to miss the funeral. His influence lay in Shou City, and having secured a crucial military position, he couldn’t easily let go. Returning to Luoyang would only let Liang Zixi’s power overshadow everything.
“Stay in Huainan and endure the ravages of the epidemic? General Liu has not even defeated the rebels in the rear.” Someone retorted mockingly.
“If not for the rebellion in the rear, why would I have failed in my great achievements?!” Liu Zhun retorted fiercely.
However, his volume failed to suppress the dissenting voices. In the grand hall, countless voices buzzed. Those who wished to return north, the generals who wanted to retain their forces, and the nobles from distinguished families, everyone vied for the vacant throne. Without loyal ministers, it meant that the kingdom had no head. The struggle for the throne, always accompanied by bloodshed and chaos, was now intensified to the extreme without anyone holding power.
In the past, Wang Yan would have weighed the pros and cons, chosen a faction to ally with, and ensured that he could continue to enjoy prosperity. However, today, he remained silent, staring blankly at the coffin in the hall.
The young emperor, in reality, was not a true wise ruler. While adept in political schemes, he had a narrow mind and feared enemies like a tiger. Despite his numerous flaws, he was still better than Emperor Hui. Moreover, he had aspirations for a renewed era of governance. Now, this young sovereign, not yet in his prime, lay in the coffin, while Wang Yan, an aged and long-ailing man, stood on the throne.
Perhaps fate had never favored Great Jin, and what use was the power he had pursued throughout his life?
“Choosing a crown prince is no trivial matter. What does the Grand Tutor think?” a sharp voice snapped him out of his reverie.
Wang Yan gazed blankly in response. Pairs of eyes, sharp as arrows, were fixed on him. Greed, fear, anticipation—countless emotions were hard to express in words.
He took a deep breath and uttered, “The epidemic in Huainan persists, and Shou City alone is unable to endure. The current plan should be to cross the river.”
Crossing the river, entering the land of Wu, and being under the care of Sima Rui, then establishing a new ruler. This was the safest approach. Other choices would only lead to power struggles, like drifting duckweed on the water.
This was a rare expression of his true thoughts. However, the gazes upon him changed immediately. Someone sneered, “Indeed, the Wang family of Langya is cut from the same cloth.”
Who wouldn’t know that those in power around Sima Rui all came from the Wang family of Langya? The suggestion to cross the river seemed like an invitation to relinquish authority.
Wang Yan remained silent. With his status, there was no room for further words.
After three days of mourning, during which the officials failed to devise any practical plans, Wang Yan, being of advanced age, left the ceremonies early and returned home. Since the new ruler had not been decided, and the succession ceremony could not take place, his role as Grand Tutor was as useless as a clay and wooden figurine.
However, in the middle of the night, there was suddenly a commotion outside his door. Following that, a large group of soldiers clad in armor rushed in. Wang Yan was forcibly pulled from his bed, disheveled and unkempt, far from the demeanor of the renowned scholar.
“Are you… from the Left Guard, sent by Prince Jingling?” Even with dimming eyesight, Wang Yan recognized the young nobleman before him. This was the emperor’s personal army rebelling! Prince Jingling seemed to have colluded with the aristocracy, raising arms in rebellion!
The young man sneered, “The Grand Tutor conspired with General Liu to harm the emperor. I am here to take the Grand Tutor’s head as ordered.”
They intended to kill him and Liu Zhun to gain control over the decision of the crown prince. At this moment, Wang Yan didn’t feel fear but rather a sense of absurdity. How many times had he escaped betrayal, navigating through various powerful officials, rising higher and higher until he became one of the most eminent figures? Yet, here he was, captured by a palace guard in the cramped city of Shou City.
Weren’t they afraid that Prince Langya would send troops to attack Shou City?
However, in the next moment, Wang Yan suddenly understood something. Why hadn’t Prince Langya rushed to Shou City immediately after the emperor’s death? Even if Sima Rui had power, he was an outsider and couldn’t decide on the successor. But what if chaos broke out in Shou City? Sending troops to quell the disturbance, then establishing a new ruler—wouldn’t that be reasonable?
It was him who recommended Wang Dun as the Inspector of Yang County! Wang Dao had even come several times to inquire about his health and had pleasant conversations with him. Were these two cousins disregarding his life now?
No one could provide him with the answer. The palace guard raised the long knife in his hand, and the blade gleamed in the moonlight, shimmering with a silver glow. This was the last scene he witnessed.
That night, Wang Yan died, and Liu Zhun led his personal troops against the Left Army but was defeated and died. On the second day, in front of the Purple Palace, the younger brother of the late Emperor Sima Tan, the young Prince of Yuzhang, Sima Duan, was pushed forward by Prince Jingling and others as the crown prince, ascending to the throne.
However, before the burial of the Grand Emperor, the forces of Yang County, along with the remnants of Liu Zhun, surrounded Shou City. Leading the troops was none other than the Inspector of Yang County, Wang Dun!
“Prince Jingling colluded with the palace guards, killed the Grand Tutor and General Liu, and seized the imperial throne, committing unforgivable crimes! Let’s attack Shou City together, eliminate the rebels!”
With this command, the curtain was raised on the siege of Shou City. Ten days later, the forces from Yang County broke through Shou City, killed Prince Jingling, and massacred the aristocrats. What Shi Le had failed to achieve and what the rebels had not accomplished was finally completed by Wang Dun.
However, he couldn’t stop the new emperor, Sima Duan. Escorted by the Minister Over the Masses Xin Ying, Sima Duan escaped to Xu County along the river.
Soon after, Sima Rui personally arrived in Shou City, took away the late emperor’s coffin, and gave him a grand burial. Subsequently, the under-ten-year-old New Capital Prince, Sima Yan, ascended to the throne and moved the capital to Jianye!
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Traveling from Pingyang to Chang’an without encountering ambushes or pursuers, Liu Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the palace walls.
In Yong County, he was on his home turf. No more worrying every day, afraid that someone would plot rebellion and usurp the throne again. However, after a considerable number of Xiongnu nobles entered Chang’an, Liu Yao sensed trouble. He was not of the late emperor’s bloodline and couldn’t assume the position of the Xiongnu Chanyu. However, controlling the military required the title of Chanyu. If he handed this power to someone else, there might be complications in the future.
Helpless, Liu Yao began seeking out noble Xiongnu families, attempting to solidify his position through strategic marriages. Before he could make a move, startling pieces of news began to spread throughout Guanzhong.
First, there was a severe epidemic in Huainan, prompting Shi Le to withdraw his troops. Subsequently, the Jin emperor succumbed to the disease, leading to internal turmoil in Shou City. Prince Jingling then elected a new emperor. Following this, Wang Dun attacked Shou City, and the capital was moved to Jianye… One piece of news after another bombarded Liu Yao, making it difficult to keep up. Before he could process it all, he discovered that in the heartland of Yong County, a Jin government office had unexpectedly emerged.
After the death of Sima Mo, his remnants had been active in Yong County, even entering Qin County at one point. Liu Yao had fought against them on several occasions when Shi Le was ordered to suppress the rebellion. Now, with the sudden demise of the emperor and the news of the new emperor, these individuals became more active. Sima Yan was the son of Wu Xiaowang and the grandson of Emperor Wu.
Coincidentally, within the boundaries of Yong County, there was his own brother. This boy had been adopted by Sima Jian. Due to the invasion by the Han forces into Yong County, he had been forced to leave his hometown, intending to travel to Shou City. However, before the journey could commence, chaos erupted in Shou City, and a new emperor ascended.
Nevertheless, the throne usually followed the line of primogeniture, and if Sima Tan could be proclaimed emperor, why not Sima Ye? Therefore, this eight-year-old child was supported by former Yong County Inspector Qutu and Middle Scribe Li Xin, among others, and a government office was established in the heartland of Yong County.
For Liu Yao, this was not good news. Just as the Han capital had moved, a Jin government office had emerged in the heartland, regardless of its legitimacy, greatly disturbing the people.
Without hesitation, Liu Yao dispatched his troops to eliminate this rebellious force.
However, the Yong County government office was just the beginning. Subsequently, someone in Jiyin discovered descendants of the Sima clan and established a government office. Along with Sima Duan in Xu County and Sima Yan in Yang County, four government offices were simultaneously established.
This news did not escape the notice of Bing County.
Author’s note:
Sima Yan had a total of twenty-six sons, many of whom survived to adulthood. So, there were numerous grandchildren as well. Without the fall of Luoyang, most of these individuals would still be alive, and Sima Rui wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ascend the throne. They had to first seek the direct descendants of Sima Yan.
However, with various factions collaborating, these individuals wouldn’t have a long time left.
Sima Ye, in reality, was the last emperor of Western Jin. However, given the current situation, it’s a better fate than the tragic surrender depicted in historical records.
