“The Western Platform has fallen.”
Inside the yamen1 of Shangdang, everyone fell into silence. After nearly a year of large-scale battles, the end of the war should have been a cause for celebration. However, for Liang Feng and Shangdang, it was not a reason for joy.
The fall of Chang’an City meant that the long-standing power struggle within the Sima clan had come to an end. The expedition led by Lord Dongyin Sima Teng had fulfilled its mission, and it was no surprise that he would receive promotions and titles. Although the forces of the Northern Territories had suffered a recent defeat, Shangdang County remained unscathed and had regained control of Yangyi. If they could secure some troops from King Donghai, Sima Teng was likely to return to the Northern Territories.
This is like putting a noose around everyone’s neck. Can they still maintain the official fields and garrison they’ve been managing for over a year? Can they secure more strategic space amidst the chaos? These have become urgent issues.
“My Lord, the marriage with the Wang family can’t be delayed any longer!” Duan Qin was the first to speak.
It’s the best way to break the current deadlock. As long as they form a marriage alliance with the Wang family in Taiyuan, Liang Feng can immediately stabilize his position in the Northern Territories. Even Sima Teng would not dare to openly oppose him, risking the anger of the powerful Wang family. This way, they can buy valuable time to further solidify their control over the territory.
Liang Feng understands this logic all too well.
He has already received Wang Wen’s reply. Despite explaining the situation regarding the solar eclipse and expecting some reaction, Wang Wen had shown no concerns. Instead, he reassured Liang Feng and once again brought up the marriage proposal, with no changes, and the same Wang family maiden. This is the second olive branch extended, and if they reject it, it could turn into enmity.
The situation in Shangdang has reached a critical point. Is it worth risking so much for a minor grudge? Liang Feng has come to understand the emotions his parents went through when they arranged a marriage for him. They knew the match wasn’t perfect, but for the sake of their family and greater interests, sacrificing a bit of personal freedom was a small price to pay.
In this cycle of rebirth, he has traveled the same path.
After a long pause, he nodded slowly and said, “Then, let’s prepare for the wedding.”
Advertisement
AD
Hearing that their lord had finally made up his mind, Duan Qin couldn’t help but feel delighted. “How should we arrange the ceremonial rites? Should we have a ‘Bai Shi’ ceremony?”
Liang Feng, now a Marquis of the Jin Dynasty, was part of the nobility. Traditional weddings followed the “Liu Li” ritual, which involved six steps: engagement, naming, presenting auspicious tokens, presenting a bride price, announcing the wedding date, and the bride’s departure to the groom’s home. However, in the turbulent times since the Wei and Jin dynasties, due to wars and disasters, a more practical approach emerged. It involved placing a veil over the bride’s head, sending her to the groom’s home, and having the groom unveil her himself, followed by paying respects to their in-laws. This simplified ceremony was known as “Bai Shi.” Although it didn’t adhere to ancient customs, many couples in this era chose this pragmatic approach for their weddings.
Liang Feng was, in essence, taking a second wife, and the new bride was from a different branch of the Wang family, not their main line. Considering the circumstances with Wang Wen and others having fled their hometown due to the war, completing all six traditional marriage rituals was quite challenging. Choosing to simplify the process with a “Bai Shi” ceremony not only made it less cumbersome but also allowed them to have the wedding done before Sima Teng’s return to Bing County, which was the most favorable option.
Cui Ji immediately suggested, “The ‘Bai Shi’ ceremony may seem rushed. Why not simplify it a bit? Perform the ‘Na Ji’ at the engagement and ‘Na Zheng’ during the bride’s arrival to cover all the essential rites.”
This marriage had some imbalance in social standing, with the Wang family marrying into the Liang family. Bringing the bride to the groom’s home without completing these rites would be impolite. By agreeing to the engagement and sending a letter informing the bride’s name and birthdate, they could arrange the ‘Na Ji’ ceremony and the official proposal. When the bride’s family accepted it, they could also send the dowry. Although the six-ritual process might be rushed, it was still more dignified than a simple “Bai Shi” ceremony.
Hearing Cui Ji’s suggestion, Liang Feng understood his intentions. He replied, “That will work. We need to prepare for the ‘Na Zheng’ ceremony.”
Marriage preparations were a significant expense, especially for aristocratic families like the Wangs and the Liangs. A wedding couldn’t be held without spending a considerable amount of money, often exceeding a million coins. However, given the distance between the two locations and the ongoing turmoil, it might not be possible to have a grand ceremony. After collecting the nine specified items for ‘Na Zheng’ and adding some precious jewelry and fabrics, they would be ready.
The others in the room were pleased with Liang Feng’s approval. The Liang family would have a new mistress, and the county magistrate would marry the daughter of the Wang family. Either way, it was a cause for celebration.
Advertisement
AD
However, Liang Feng himself couldn’t find much enthusiasm in these decisions. Finalizing a wedding with just a few words wasn’t something he felt elated about. He sighed softly and said, “This way, the task of eliminating bandits in Leping will be further delayed.”
In such cases, while the master was away, the subordinates would do as they pleased. They would seize the opportunity and place a person like Wen Qiao, a member of an influential family, to make it difficult for Sima Teng to cause trouble. But if they waited for Sima Teng to return and then attempted it, it would be practically impossible. They needed to conquer Leping as quickly as possible, hoping that Yiyan’s cavalry could be deployed in the battle.
※
“Your Majesty, a locust swarm has appeared west of Zhongyang!” The newly appointed Grand Minister of Agriculture for the Han kingdom reported with a fearful expression.
Liu Yuan’s expression grew solemn. It was only April, how had locusts appeared already, especially west of Zhongyang? It wouldn’t be long before the locusts reached their capital, Lishi. If a locust plague broke out, it wouldn’t just affect the food supply, even grass wouldn’t be spared. This was a matter of life and death for the entire kingdom!
“Can we organize an effort to eradicate the locusts?” Liu Yuan asked in a deep voice.
The Grand Minister of Agriculture shook his head and replied, “There are too many locusts to exterminate them completely. Moreover…” he hesitated for a moment before continuing, “…there are rumors among the common people that the locust plague is a result of the rash attack on Shangdang.”
Liu Yuan was frustrated and slammed his hand on the imperial desk. “This is preposterous! Liang Zixi is not the Emperor; how can there be such rumors?”
“But, but there have been no reports of locusts in Shangdang…” the Grand Minister of Agriculture said with a sense of hopelessness.
These words left Liu Yuan momentarily speechless. Locust plagues usually appeared in large swarms, easily devastating entire provinces. Even if Shangdang had a higher terrain with mountains to serve as natural barriers, there should still be some locust damage. First, there was the solar eclipse, and now locusts; it was as if misfortune was raining down on them.
Advertisement
AD
After a brief silence, he finally ordered, “Prepare for a relocation of the capital. Leave someone to guard Lishi, and move the court to Pingyang, relying on the grain in Hedong Valley.”
Pingyang was the headquarters of the Left Division of the Xiongnu and Liu Yuan’s hometown. Moving the capital there would make it easier to control the troops of the Five Divisions. However, someone pointed out, “Although Pingyuan Commandery is relatively secure, other commanderies and counties may not be easy to conquer. When King Donghai attacked Chang’an, the main camp of the Jin army was in Hongnong.”
In the past two months, the Xiongnu’s military strength had shifted towards Si County. Pingyan Commandery was originally the territory of the Left and South Divisions of the Xiongnu, so it didn’t require much effort to secure that territory. However, neighboring Hedong Commandery and more distant Hongnong Commandery were more challenging to deal with.
“Hedong is the place for salt production. If we can capture it, it will greatly benefit the dynasty. As for the main camp in Hongnong County…” Liu Yuan coldly smiled, “Once we take control of Chang’an, King Donghai won’t waste troops there. With both the King of Hejian and the King of Chengdu on the loose, he’ll have to guard against their resurgence.”
Previously, when they attacked Luoyang, the King of Chengdu, Sima Ying, escaped unscathed. Later, when they assaulted Chang’an, the King of Hejian, Sima Yong, fled to the Changbai Mountains overnight, and they still haven’t found him. If they don’t eliminate these two, how can Sima Yue find peace?
“But this alone is not enough,” Liu Yuan pondered for a moment and continued, “General Jianwei, take your light cavalry, cross over to the west of Hedong County, and set up an ambush behind the Jin army’s main camp. If you have a chance, make some trouble for them.”
Attacking the main camp directly had little chance of success, but harassing the enemy’s rear and creating chaos among the Jin army could be effective. The opposition to King Donghai still existed, along with the remnants of the King of Chengdu’s forces in Ji County. Even if they conducted a raid, it would be challenging for the enemy to identify the culprits.
Liu Yao immediately stepped forward and said, “I accept the command.”
This was the first time he received orders to lead since his defeat in Shangdang. The gleam in his tiger-like eyes was instantly captivating.
Seeing that his adopted son hadn’t lost his determination after the defeat in Shangdang, Liu Yuan nodded in approval. In this world, it was the law of the jungle. Since the development of Bing County wasn’t going well, it was better to target Si County. When the Sima clan was thoroughly weakened and Chang’an was defenseless, that would be the time to march west.
As for Shangdang… Liu Yuan squinted his eyes slightly. Such a tenacious opponent was better left for Sima Teng to handle.
※
“What? The Xianbei raiders are plundering again? Doesn’t General Qi do anything about it?” Upon hearing the report from the messenger, Sima Teng couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
The Xianbei warriors from the Duan clan, sent by Wang Jun, were like hungry wolves. They were fierce but also greedy and difficult to control. When they captured Ye City, they engaged in rampant looting. Now, after capturing Chang’an, they were causing trouble in this key city of Guanzhong. They were not as easy to handle as the Xianbei under Tuoba.
Sima Teng’s advisers wisely remained silent at his question. In Ye City, after months of fighting, even Qi Hong needed to reward his soldiers. Blame could be placed on Emperor Hui of Jin and Zhang Fang. They had moved the Emperor to Chang’an, and this surely came with a price.
Advertisement
AD
Indeed, Sima Teng only complained once and didn’t dwell on the matter. He inquired, “When will General Qi return His Majesty to Luoyang?”
“The Emperor’s journey might take a while,” the messenger replied promptly.
So be it, after waiting for such a long time, waiting a few more days wouldn’t hurt. Satisfied with the response, Sima Teng said, “Please inform General Qi that I will be waiting for His Majesty in the grand camp at Hongnong.”
This was a significant task that Sima Teng had obtained with some effort. Unlike his brother, Sima Mo, who had contributed to conquering Luoyang, Sima Teng’s troops from Bing County had followed the main army without the opportunity to capture a city. While they had played a vital role, their exploits in that campaign were limited. However, he had managed to secure a substantial position for himself. With the title of Lord Dongyin and control over the Bing County military, he had gained a strong safeguard. With this kind of official rank and more soldiers from the court, he could likely repel the Xiongnu.
Yet, he had not made up his mind about whether he would return to Bing County yet when news of another defeat had reached him, indicating that others were still struggling. Only that Liang Zixi seemed capable of winning a battle. His feelings about this man were complex. He neither wanted to let Liang Zixi take all the credit nor was he ready to rely on him to defend Bing County. He might have to return to Bing County to stabilize the situation.
Nonetheless, his thoughts drifted away, and Sima Teng returned to his usual confident demeanor. The matter of Bing County could be addressed later. For now, retrieving the Emperor was paramount. Once he had the Emperor back, his elder brother would have complete control over court affairs. In a little more time, the Emperor could be replaced, and his own rewards would multiply.
Stroking his short beard lightly, Sima Teng stopped worrying about military affairs and returned to his tent to rest.
1government office
“The Western Platform has fallen.”
Inside the yamen1 of Shangdang, everyone fell into silence. After nearly a year of large-scale battles, the end of the war should have been a cause for celebration. However, for Liang Feng and Shangdang, it was not a reason for joy.
The fall of Chang’an City meant that the long-standing power struggle within the Sima clan had come to an end. The expedition led by Lord Dongyin Sima Teng had fulfilled its mission, and it was no surprise that he would receive promotions and titles. Although the forces of the Northern Territories had suffered a recent defeat, Shangdang County remained unscathed and had regained control of Yangyi. If they could secure some troops from King Donghai, Sima Teng was likely to return to the Northern Territories.
This is like putting a noose around everyone’s neck. Can they still maintain the official fields and garrison they’ve been managing for over a year? Can they secure more strategic space amidst the chaos? These have become urgent issues.
“My Lord, the marriage with the Wang family can’t be delayed any longer!” Duan Qin was the first to speak.
It’s the best way to break the current deadlock. As long as they form a marriage alliance with the Wang family in Taiyuan, Liang Feng can immediately stabilize his position in the Northern Territories. Even Sima Teng would not dare to openly oppose him, risking the anger of the powerful Wang family. This way, they can buy valuable time to further solidify their control over the territory.
Liang Feng understands this logic all too well.
He has already received Wang Wen’s reply. Despite explaining the situation regarding the solar eclipse and expecting some reaction, Wang Wen had shown no concerns. Instead, he reassured Liang Feng and once again brought up the marriage proposal, with no changes, and the same Wang family maiden. This is the second olive branch extended, and if they reject it, it could turn into enmity.
The situation in Shangdang has reached a critical point. Is it worth risking so much for a minor grudge? Liang Feng has come to understand the emotions his parents went through when they arranged a marriage for him. They knew the match wasn’t perfect, but for the sake of their family and greater interests, sacrificing a bit of personal freedom was a small price to pay.
In this cycle of rebirth, he has traveled the same path.
After a long pause, he nodded slowly and said, “Then, let’s prepare for the wedding.”
Advertisement
AD
Hearing that their lord had finally made up his mind, Duan Qin couldn’t help but feel delighted. “How should we arrange the ceremonial rites? Should we have a ‘Bai Shi’ ceremony?”
Liang Feng, now a Marquis of the Jin Dynasty, was part of the nobility. Traditional weddings followed the “Liu Li” ritual, which involved six steps: engagement, naming, presenting auspicious tokens, presenting a bride price, announcing the wedding date, and the bride’s departure to the groom’s home. However, in the turbulent times since the Wei and Jin dynasties, due to wars and disasters, a more practical approach emerged. It involved placing a veil over the bride’s head, sending her to the groom’s home, and having the groom unveil her himself, followed by paying respects to their in-laws. This simplified ceremony was known as “Bai Shi.” Although it didn’t adhere to ancient customs, many couples in this era chose this pragmatic approach for their weddings.
Liang Feng was, in essence, taking a second wife, and the new bride was from a different branch of the Wang family, not their main line. Considering the circumstances with Wang Wen and others having fled their hometown due to the war, completing all six traditional marriage rituals was quite challenging. Choosing to simplify the process with a “Bai Shi” ceremony not only made it less cumbersome but also allowed them to have the wedding done before Sima Teng’s return to Bing County, which was the most favorable option.
Cui Ji immediately suggested, “The ‘Bai Shi’ ceremony may seem rushed. Why not simplify it a bit? Perform the ‘Na Ji’ at the engagement and ‘Na Zheng’ during the bride’s arrival to cover all the essential rites.”
This marriage had some imbalance in social standing, with the Wang family marrying into the Liang family. Bringing the bride to the groom’s home without completing these rites would be impolite. By agreeing to the engagement and sending a letter informing the bride’s name and birthdate, they could arrange the ‘Na Ji’ ceremony and the official proposal. When the bride’s family accepted it, they could also send the dowry. Although the six-ritual process might be rushed, it was still more dignified than a simple “Bai Shi” ceremony.
Hearing Cui Ji’s suggestion, Liang Feng understood his intentions. He replied, “That will work. We need to prepare for the ‘Na Zheng’ ceremony.”
Marriage preparations were a significant expense, especially for aristocratic families like the Wangs and the Liangs. A wedding couldn’t be held without spending a considerable amount of money, often exceeding a million coins. However, given the distance between the two locations and the ongoing turmoil, it might not be possible to have a grand ceremony. After collecting the nine specified items for ‘Na Zheng’ and adding some precious jewelry and fabrics, they would be ready.
The others in the room were pleased with Liang Feng’s approval. The Liang family would have a new mistress, and the county magistrate would marry the daughter of the Wang family. Either way, it was a cause for celebration.
Advertisement
AD
However, Liang Feng himself couldn’t find much enthusiasm in these decisions. Finalizing a wedding with just a few words wasn’t something he felt elated about. He sighed softly and said, “This way, the task of eliminating bandits in Leping will be further delayed.”
In such cases, while the master was away, the subordinates would do as they pleased. They would seize the opportunity and place a person like Wen Qiao, a member of an influential family, to make it difficult for Sima Teng to cause trouble. But if they waited for Sima Teng to return and then attempted it, it would be practically impossible. They needed to conquer Leping as quickly as possible, hoping that Yiyan’s cavalry could be deployed in the battle.
※
“Your Majesty, a locust swarm has appeared west of Zhongyang!” The newly appointed Grand Minister of Agriculture for the Han kingdom reported with a fearful expression.
Liu Yuan’s expression grew solemn. It was only April, how had locusts appeared already, especially west of Zhongyang? It wouldn’t be long before the locusts reached their capital, Lishi. If a locust plague broke out, it wouldn’t just affect the food supply, even grass wouldn’t be spared. This was a matter of life and death for the entire kingdom!
“Can we organize an effort to eradicate the locusts?” Liu Yuan asked in a deep voice.
The Grand Minister of Agriculture shook his head and replied, “There are too many locusts to exterminate them completely. Moreover…” he hesitated for a moment before continuing, “…there are rumors among the common people that the locust plague is a result of the rash attack on Shangdang.”
Liu Yuan was frustrated and slammed his hand on the imperial desk. “This is preposterous! Liang Zixi is not the Emperor; how can there be such rumors?”
“But, but there have been no reports of locusts in Shangdang…” the Grand Minister of Agriculture said with a sense of hopelessness.
These words left Liu Yuan momentarily speechless. Locust plagues usually appeared in large swarms, easily devastating entire provinces. Even if Shangdang had a higher terrain with mountains to serve as natural barriers, there should still be some locust damage. First, there was the solar eclipse, and now locusts; it was as if misfortune was raining down on them.
Advertisement
AD
After a brief silence, he finally ordered, “Prepare for a relocation of the capital. Leave someone to guard Lishi, and move the court to Pingyang, relying on the grain in Hedong Valley.”
Pingyang was the headquarters of the Left Division of the Xiongnu and Liu Yuan’s hometown. Moving the capital there would make it easier to control the troops of the Five Divisions. However, someone pointed out, “Although Pingyuan Commandery is relatively secure, other commanderies and counties may not be easy to conquer. When King Donghai attacked Chang’an, the main camp of the Jin army was in Hongnong.”
In the past two months, the Xiongnu’s military strength had shifted towards Si County. Pingyan Commandery was originally the territory of the Left and South Divisions of the Xiongnu, so it didn’t require much effort to secure that territory. However, neighboring Hedong Commandery and more distant Hongnong Commandery were more challenging to deal with.
“Hedong is the place for salt production. If we can capture it, it will greatly benefit the dynasty. As for the main camp in Hongnong County…” Liu Yuan coldly smiled, “Once we take control of Chang’an, King Donghai won’t waste troops there. With both the King of Hejian and the King of Chengdu on the loose, he’ll have to guard against their resurgence.”
Previously, when they attacked Luoyang, the King of Chengdu, Sima Ying, escaped unscathed. Later, when they assaulted Chang’an, the King of Hejian, Sima Yong, fled to the Changbai Mountains overnight, and they still haven’t found him. If they don’t eliminate these two, how can Sima Yue find peace?
“But this alone is not enough,” Liu Yuan pondered for a moment and continued, “General Jianwei, take your light cavalry, cross over to the west of Hedong County, and set up an ambush behind the Jin army’s main camp. If you have a chance, make some trouble for them.”
Attacking the main camp directly had little chance of success, but harassing the enemy’s rear and creating chaos among the Jin army could be effective. The opposition to King Donghai still existed, along with the remnants of the King of Chengdu’s forces in Ji County. Even if they conducted a raid, it would be challenging for the enemy to identify the culprits.
Liu Yao immediately stepped forward and said, “I accept the command.”
This was the first time he received orders to lead since his defeat in Shangdang. The gleam in his tiger-like eyes was instantly captivating.
Seeing that his adopted son hadn’t lost his determination after the defeat in Shangdang, Liu Yuan nodded in approval. In this world, it was the law of the jungle. Since the development of Bing County wasn’t going well, it was better to target Si County. When the Sima clan was thoroughly weakened and Chang’an was defenseless, that would be the time to march west.
As for Shangdang… Liu Yuan squinted his eyes slightly. Such a tenacious opponent was better left for Sima Teng to handle.
※
“What? The Xianbei raiders are plundering again? Doesn’t General Qi do anything about it?” Upon hearing the report from the messenger, Sima Teng couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
The Xianbei warriors from the Duan clan, sent by Wang Jun, were like hungry wolves. They were fierce but also greedy and difficult to control. When they captured Ye City, they engaged in rampant looting. Now, after capturing Chang’an, they were causing trouble in this key city of Guanzhong. They were not as easy to handle as the Xianbei under Tuoba.
Sima Teng’s advisers wisely remained silent at his question. In Ye City, after months of fighting, even Qi Hong needed to reward his soldiers. Blame could be placed on Emperor Hui of Jin and Zhang Fang. They had moved the Emperor to Chang’an, and this surely came with a price.
Advertisement
AD
Indeed, Sima Teng only complained once and didn’t dwell on the matter. He inquired, “When will General Qi return His Majesty to Luoyang?”
“The Emperor’s journey might take a while,” the messenger replied promptly.
So be it, after waiting for such a long time, waiting a few more days wouldn’t hurt. Satisfied with the response, Sima Teng said, “Please inform General Qi that I will be waiting for His Majesty in the grand camp at Hongnong.”
This was a significant task that Sima Teng had obtained with some effort. Unlike his brother, Sima Mo, who had contributed to conquering Luoyang, Sima Teng’s troops from Bing County had followed the main army without the opportunity to capture a city. While they had played a vital role, their exploits in that campaign were limited. However, he had managed to secure a substantial position for himself. With the title of Lord Dongyin and control over the Bing County military, he had gained a strong safeguard. With this kind of official rank and more soldiers from the court, he could likely repel the Xiongnu.
Yet, he had not made up his mind about whether he would return to Bing County yet when news of another defeat had reached him, indicating that others were still struggling. Only that Liang Zixi seemed capable of winning a battle. His feelings about this man were complex. He neither wanted to let Liang Zixi take all the credit nor was he ready to rely on him to defend Bing County. He might have to return to Bing County to stabilize the situation.
Nonetheless, his thoughts drifted away, and Sima Teng returned to his usual confident demeanor. The matter of Bing County could be addressed later. For now, retrieving the Emperor was paramount. Once he had the Emperor back, his elder brother would have complete control over court affairs. In a little more time, the Emperor could be replaced, and his own rewards would multiply.
Stroking his short beard lightly, Sima Teng stopped worrying about military affairs and returned to his tent to rest.
1government office
