Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 304 Usurpation

"Your Majesty, the time has come." Wang Mi, the Yellow Gate Attendant, led a group of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Attendants into the palace and stood before Emperor Sima Dezong.

But the emperor sat on his throne, staring at them blankly, as if unaware of what was about to happen.

Meanwhile, Sima Dewen, the Prince of Langya, stood to the side, tears streaming down his face. "You have all received the favor of the Jin Dynasty for generations. How could you act as accomplices to the tyrant and seize my family's legacy?"

Huan Qian said, “I have observed that the King of Chu is exceptionally intelligent and has inherited the merits of Emperor Huan and Emperor Xuanwu. He is in accordance with Heaven and the people, and even the Tang and Yu dynasties could not surpass him. The ministers have all said that the virtue of Jin has come to an end. They hope that Your Majesty will follow the ways of Yao and Shun and entrust the mountains, rivers and the state to the King of Chu. This will be in accordance with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people. Your Majesty and the King of Langya can also enjoy a life of peace and honor, and the lineage of Jin will not be interrupted. Our ancestors will be fortunate, the world will be fortunate, and all the people will be fortunate!”

Wang Yu, the Prefect of Kuaiji, said: "Since the King of Chu ascended the throne, a unicorn has been born, a phoenix has come to pay homage, sweet dew has appeared in the world, and auspicious grains have grown abundantly. These are all omens of heaven, indicating that Chu will replace Jin."

The Langya Wang clan and the Taiyuan Wang clan have already expressed their stance, and Sima Dewen, despite his reluctance, has no choice but to comply.

This day will come sooner or later.

Since Sima Yuanxian issued an edict to conscript "musicians," the foundation of the Sima clan has been severed.

Only a shell remains to maintain the facade.

The Wang, Xie, Huan, Yu, and Yin families were among the most powerful in the Taiyuan and Langya Wang clans. The Yu family had been eliminated by Huan Xuan for protecting the Sima family, and the Xie family had also declined due to Sima Yuanxian, with no one serving as an official in the court, so they were no longer a threat. The Yin family then sought refuge with Huan Xuan.

Now, not a single member of the aristocratic families speaks up for the Sima clan.

Huan Qian's words were a blatant threat: "The succession of the Jin dynasty will not be cut off." This meant that if they did not comply, the Sima family would lose more than just the imperial lineage.

"The auspicious time has arrived, Your Majesty, please hand over the Imperial Seal!" Wang Mi said impatiently.

Since Wang Dao, the Langya Wang clan has always been subordinate to the Taiyuan Wang clan. Now, they can finally hold their heads high. After this "abdication", the Langya Wang clan will once again become the leading clan in the world.

He didn't care who became emperor; he just wanted the Langya Wang clan to continue their wealth and glory.

However, Emperor Sima Dezong couldn't understand their words at all. He held the imperial seal in his arms, and even had a silly smile on his lips.

“Your Majesty…” Wang Mi looked at Huan Qian, after all, this was a matter for their family.

But Huan Qian was a man of deep cunning; he stood still, feigning ignorance.

Wang Mi then looked at Wang Yu.

This person is usually arrogant and overbearing, but when it comes to a critical moment, he becomes timid and hesitant.

Wang Mi had no choice but to reach out and snatch it.

Although Sima Dezong was mentally challenged, he was quite strong. Wang Mi's body had long been weakened by the Five-Stone Powder and women, and he couldn't snatch it away in time. He couldn't help but get angry and shouted, "What are you standing there for!"

Huan Qian and Wang Yu had no choice but to step forward and join the fray.

Seeing this, Sima Dewen burst into tears, "Gentlemen, are you not afraid of divine retribution for your actions today? Huan Xuan was able to seize my family's position today, and others can do the same. How do you intend to conduct yourselves?"

The three of them acted as if they hadn't heard anything, focusing only on fighting over the imperial seal.

In their eyes, no matter who becomes emperor, they cannot do without the support of aristocratic families, so they become increasingly unscrupulous.

Sima Dezong was ultimately no match for the three men. The imperial seal was snatched away, and he sat down on the ground, wailing loudly in a very pitiful manner.

But Wang Mi, Wang Yu, Huan Qian, and the other officials in the hall were all indifferent and happily followed Wang Mi out of the palace to welcome Huan Xuan.

"Your Majesty abdicates in favor of the King of Chu!"

After a sharp shout from the eunuch, gongs and drums sounded, and the officials cheered and offered their congratulations.

Huan Xuan's obese body stretched the crown so much that it looked like an bloated dough, and his face was full of smiles that his eyes narrowed into slits.

After receiving the imperial seal from Wang Mi, he strode into the palace.

The brothers Sima Dezong and Sima Dewen have already been "invited" out.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The ministers bowed.

"My lords, you may rise!" Huan Xuan waved his sleeves and turned to sit on the imperial couch.

With a loud crash, the imperial bed collapsed, and Huan Xuan landed on his back with his feet in the air. He was only able to get up with the help of his guards.

Huan Xuan was already tall, but after taking control of Jiankang, he became even more dissolute and extravagant, eating more than ten catties of meat in one meal and traveling by carriage. He weighed more than two hundred catties...

The hall fell silent instantly.

Metaphysics was popular during the Wei and Jin dynasties. On the first day of Huan Xuan's ascension to the throne, even the throne collapsed, which was not a good omen.

There was already a children's rhyme in Jiankang: "Changgan Lane, the lane is long, this year we'll kill the young master, the year after next we'll behead the Huan family."

Changgan was a lane in Jiankang, a place where executions were carried out, and the young man was Sima Yuanxian.

Sima Yuanxian and his sons were beheaded by Huan Xuan in Changgan Lane two years ago. Huan Xuan ascended the throne this year, and there are still a few months left until the two-year term ends.

Of course, these nursery rhymes only circulated among the common people. As a member of a high-ranking family, Huan Xuan was not acquainted with the nursery rhymes circulating among the common people.

Huan Xuan's face turned ashen, and he swept his murderous gaze over the few attendants and ministers. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Yin Zhongwen stepped forward with his hands clasped, saying, "Your Majesty's virtue is so profound that the earth cannot bear it, and Heaven has sent down this auspicious omen."

Bian Fanzhi was not to be outdone, saying, "What Attendant Yin said is true. We must break with the old and establish the new. This thing belonged to the old dynasty. Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne, the new dynasty should have a new look!"

The two of them followed Huan Xuan, and their conversations were naturally pleasant and agreeable.

Other officials followed suit, showering the palace with flattery, creating a chaotic and unpleasant atmosphere.

Huan Xuan, however, had a particular fondness for this kind of thing, and the anger on his face gradually dissipated. "What you all say is very true. A new dynasty should have a new look. The old dynasty is so corrupt, how can it support a new emperor? Men, bring a new set of clothes!" After all that fuss, he finally managed to cover up the matter.

Almost all members of the aristocratic families were promoted to higher official ranks and titles.

For his merit in presenting the imperial seal, Wang Mi was granted the title of Grand Minister of Works and Grand Protector, and was also granted the title of Duke of Wuchang County, with twenty additional guards.

Xie Hunsheng was promoted to Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Huan Qian was appointed Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Minister of Personnel, and was later enfeoffed as Marquis of Ningdu.

Other officials also received numerous rewards and sang praises to Huan Xuan. Only Liu Yu, He Wuji, and other generals of the Northern Army remained unrewarded and none of them were among those receiving rewards.

After Liu Laozhi and several veteran generals were killed, the soldiers of the Northern Army were all divided up and placed under the command of Huan Xiu, Huan Hong, Huan Qian, and Huan Shisheng.

Apart from Liu Daogui, the organization is now defunct in name only.

Liu Yu's troops had long been disbanded, and he had nothing left but fame.

The Northern Army was practically defunct, so Huan Xuan simply ignored them.

"The collapse of the imperial bed is an omen of heaven. The people of Jiangzuo are shaken. It is time to start an uprising!" He Wuji had long disliked Huan Xuan.

His uncle Liu Laozhi and his benefactor Sima Yuanxian both died at his hands. Now that he has ascended the throne, he won't even share a drop of soup with them. His resentment is growing.

Liu Yu glanced around; it was deserted except for Tan Pingzhi, Liu Huaisu, and Meng Longfu. Among the guards at the corner of the palace, there were always a few eyes watching his every move.

Huan Xuan never let his guard down against him.

"With just the few of us, we are not strong enough. You can contact the heroes of the Northern Prefecture and find out their intentions."

"Why are there only a few of us? Could it be that Ji Nu has lost hope? There is also your brother Liu Daogui in Huai and Si, with 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers, well-trained and well-supplied. If he marches south, we can coordinate an attack from within and without, and Huan Xuan will surely be defeated!"

He Wuji's main purpose in heading north to Huai and Si was to assess Liu Daogui's strength.

In fact, his desire to rebel was more urgent than anyone else's.

Liu Yu said, "The Huai and Si regions are too far away to be reached. If A Gui makes a move, Huan Xuan will surely kill us. Moreover, Tuoba Gui has more than 100,000 troops stationed in Hebei, eyeing us covetously. If he moves south, the Huai and Si regions of the Central Plains will change hands in an instant, and then you and I will have no way to retreat."

What he said was true. It was true that Liu Daogui had a strong and well-equipped army, but he was surrounded by powerful enemies and could not move at all.

Not only did Tuoba Gui have the ambition to annex the Central Plains, but Murong De also intended to annex the Jiangzuo region.

Someone in the north must withstand the external pressure.

He Wuji was also a man of both literary and military talent. He knew that Liu Yu was telling the truth. Huan Xuan had deployed heavy troops along the Shouchun, Hefei, and Guangling line, and the Xifu navy controlled the major ferry crossings on the Yangtze River.

Liu Daogui's men were unable to cross the river at all.

Therefore, this mutiny could not rely on the Huai and Si rivers at all.

If Huan Xuan hadn't also used Liu Daogui as a bulwark for the north, the Liu, He, Tan, and other martial families in the Northern Palace would have been wiped out long ago.

He Wuji said in a low voice, "What should we do? Without Huai Si, our strength is reduced by 70%."

The surrounding noise drowned out their conversation.

The most dangerous place is the safest place. No one would have thought that the two of them were discussing rebellion in the East Hall of Taiji Palace.

Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, the decision-making process at the Eastern Hall has been a tradition, and many important military and national affairs that influenced the course of history were decided here.

"With me here, 30% is enough!"

If anyone else had said this, He Wuji would never have believed it.

But what Liu Yu said himself is another matter.

The rebel army of hundreds of thousands was actually quelled by Liu Yu, who killed Sun En with only a few thousand men, forcing him to commit suicide by drowning.

As long as Huan Xuan establishes his capital in Jiankang, the Northern Army will have a huge advantage.

He Wuji exclaimed in admiration, "Ji Nu is truly a hero!"

"Huan Xuan divided the Northern Army among various Huan commanders, inviting his own destruction. If we can secretly unite them, we can quickly eliminate the Huan forces, remove their wings, and break their spirit. Huan Xuan is all bark and no bite; he is a spoiled brat who hastily usurped the throne, incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people. If he encounters any setback, he will flee back to Jiangling. In this way, Jiangzuo will be ours, and we can then issue a proclamation to the world to denounce the traitor as easily as taking something out of a bag."

Having served Huan Xuan for nearly two years, Liu Yu had come to see through him.

If he can appease the Northern Army and reward the soldiers after ascending the throne, he might win over some hearts and minds, and the Northern Army's resistance would not be so severe.

But he never glanced down, thinking that once he had dealt with the veteran generals Liu Laozhi, Zhuge Kan, and Gao Su, and controlled Liu Yu, he could rest easy.

For more than twenty years, the Northern Army and the Jin Dynasty had been interdependent. The loss of the Jin Dynasty was no big deal, but the entry of the Western Army into Guangling, Jingkou, Jiankang and other places aroused dissatisfaction among everyone.

The rivalry between the northern and western regions has lasted for so many years, and the regional differences cannot be bridged overnight.

He Wuji said, "I will go and contact Brother Panlong and Brother Yanda right away. With their help, this matter will surely succeed."

Liu Yi and Meng Chang had been lying low in Guangling for many years and were quite capable.

Liu Yi's elder brother, Liu Mai, served as an official under Huan Xuan for many years, and his younger brother, Liu Fan, was also a fierce general in the Northern Army.

Meng Chang had a wide circle of friends and connections, enabling him to reach more anti-Huan forces.

(End of this chapter)