Free Web NovelChapter 1219: Chapter 1201: A Son’s Remonstrance
Wang Dun had just been released from the death row, and his confidant immediately came to report, "General, Wang Bin and others have all arrived at the designated locations, just waiting for your orders."
Wang Dun said, "Let Chen Ban secretly move to Danyang and wait for my command outside Jiankang City."
After confirming the matter of sending messages across great distances, Wang Dun became more cautious. He originally intended to openly march from here to Jiankang City, making the world aware that he was forced to act by King Langya and Liu Kui.
But now, he has changed his strategy. The capabilities of Zhao Hanzhang make him very wary; he must act quickly and decisively, swiftly controlling Jiangnan, so he can confront Zhao Hanzhang across the river.
For this reason, he even disregarded dealing with Wang Xuan, instead secretly diverting troops towards Jiankang.
Wang Dun knew that with Yuan Li captured and the spies in Jiankang City not thoroughly cleaned out, Zhao Hanzhang would quickly receive news, so his time was limited, and he needed to act fast.
After making strategic deployments, Wang Dun immediately submitted a memorial, listing Liu Kui’s ten crimes, demanding King Langya to execute Liu Kui, or else he would attack Jiankang City and personally kill Liu Kui.
When the message was delivered to Jiankang City at fast speed, this memorial was simultaneously spread throughout Jiangnan. Naturally, Zhao Hanzhang, possessing radio equipment, was also aware—known to the world.
At this time, Zhao Shen had just left the capital after receiving her order, and Zu Ti had just led his army south.
King Langya was still pondering how to refuse Liu Kun without offending him and Zhao Hanzhang. To avoid seeing him, he instructed his subordinates to warmly entertain Liu Kun with music and dance daily, but did not meet him.
Knowing King Langya’s intentions, Liu Kun was not in a hurry. When someone invited him for drinks, he went; when invited to watch performances, he went as well. He acted as if happily adapting to local customs, not eager to return to Jiangbei.
King Langya suddenly received the memorial and hadn’t had time to get angry. Then a minister reported, "Wang Dun has advertised this memorial to the world, forcing the Great King to wrongly execute a loyal minister."
Liu Kui then submitted a memorial, requesting King Langya immediately order Dai Yuan to lead an army back to Jiankang to guard the Prince Mansion, while also capturing the Wang family in Jiankang City.
Liu Kui said, "Regardless of whether the Great King intends to rule across the river or return to Jiangbei, the Wang family must be killed, otherwise the Great King will definitely die by the Wang family’s hand in the future."
He further mentioned Wang Dun already harbored rebellious intentions, suggesting a strong attack to kill the Wang family to deter the opponent. Otherwise, "Wang Dun will definitely launch a rebellion."
Most ministers opposed this proposal but supported King Langya calling Wang Dun back first, "It would be better to summon him back under the pretense of appeasement, and have him confront Liu Tingwei face-to-face."
Bring the person back first before discussing further.
King Langya thought they were right and immediately wrote a sincerely emotional letter to Wang Dun, commanding him to return to Jiankang.
As soon as the letter was sent out, the next evening, King Langya received news that Wang Dun had broken through He Fei, Du Hong had led an army breaking through Huai Yin, and was approaching Danyang. In other words, right after submitting the memorial, he dispatched his troops—his true intention wasn’t forcing him to kill Liu Kui, but outright rebellion!
King Langya, struck with acute anger, spat a mouthful of blood on the spot. Upon awakening, his mind was buzzing, and he immediately ordered, "Send someone to surround all the Wang family’s residences, quickly!"
At that moment, Liu Kun was drinking with Wang Dao at Wang Dao’s Mansion. Upon hearing this news, he said, "I told you Wang Dun would rebel, yet the Great King didn’t believe me. How can Jiangnan be preserved now?"
Wang Dao’s face turned extremely unpleasant. He hurriedly spoke to Liu Kun, "This is solely Wang Dun’s doing; Wang family members are unwilling to associate with his corrupt ways. Please, Governor Liu, plead for the Wang family before the Great King."
Liu Kun replied, "I cannot even see King Langya now."
Wang Dao, lowering his eyes to ponder, then said, "I will make sure you meet the Great King."
At this moment, King Langya didn’t want to see Wang Dao. Hence, he couldn’t meet him, but persuading someone close to King Langya to encourage him to see Liu Kun was doable.
Sure enough, early the next day, Liu Kun saw King Langya.
Upon meeting, Liu Kun couldn’t help but rejoice at his misfortune, "Great King, Wang Dun is about to reach Jiankang. What will you do then?"
Having just spat blood and with his chest still aching, King Langya suddenly felt as if his heart was struck hard. The pain intensified.
Liu Kun did not relent, continuing to ask, "If the Zhao Family Army attacks from Jiangbei now, can the Great King still hold Jiankang City?"
King Langya’s face instantly turned pale, clutching his chest, unable to speak.
Liu Kun raised his hand in salute, saying, "I have old ties with the Great King, and Mao Hong has pleaded with me multiple times, not to misunderstand you due to Wang Dun’s arrogance. But given the situation, I wish to stay just two more days. After two days, if there’s no reply from the Great King, I will return to Jiangbei with the Angel delegation, and the taxation case in Jingzhou will be dropped."
With that, he stood up and left.
As he exited the study, he happened to see a young man in a splendid outfit standing outside the door. Although he didn’t recognize him, he noticed his well-proportioned appearance and handsome features. Loving beauty by nature, Liu Kun nodded at him immediately.
The young man bowed his head in greeting, and after Liu Kun had passed, he straightened up and entered the study.
King Langya was melancholy and leaned against the couch with his head tilted. Hearing a sound, he turned his head around, his eyes red, with traces of tears still visible on his cheeks.
Sima Shao took out a handkerchief to wipe his father’s tears, comforting him in a low voice, "Father, the decline of the Jin Dynasty is not your fault; let’s return to Luoyang."
King Langya held his hand and sobbed, "If Jiangnan falls to Zhao Hanzhang, she won’t be content just being a Jin minister. You, me, and the emperor will not be able to protect ourselves."
Sima Shao said, "Therefore, Father should not harm Uncle Wang and other loyal Wang family sons; you should meet Uncle Wang. Back in court, with his protection, we should have no worries."
He continued, "Zhao Hanzhang has exceptional reputation; she conquered the world through her own army, unlike our family. She should be able to tolerate us like the previous dynasty tolerated Emperor Xian."
King Langya flushed with embarrassment, muttering, "What is this child saying..."
Yet he didn’t rebuke Sima Shao because he knew, this son is much smarter. To boast, after arriving in Jiangnan, some aristocratic families sided with him due to recognizing his son’s potential.
King Langya felt fear, while Sima Shao was much optimistic, advising his father, "After Zhou conquered Shang, they left its descendants with the territory of Song State; even though Emperor Shi destroyed the Six States, he treated their royal families well, without wiping them out. In the previous dynasty, Marquis Shanyang died naturally, the ritual system of "Two Kings, Three Reveres" is a ceremony. Zhao Hanzhang has a good name, the emperor will be able to end well, although you occupy Jiangnan, if we voluntarily surrender, we will be treated with respect and reused."
"Look at Liu Yueshi, among his entourage and followers, hasn’t there been anyone enticing him to restore the nation? But, whether it’s the Jin Dynasty or Zhao Hanzhang, they both employed him because they know he does not aspire to be emperor or hegemon." Sima Shao said, "Father, we fled to Jiangnan driven by ambition to seize power, but initially, wasn’t it because we knew there was no future in Jiangbei, prompting the southward move? Now, with the Xiongnu subdued, we can settle in our homeland."
