Free Web NovelChapter 1220: Chapter 1202: Subjugation
Seeing King Langya still silent, Sima Shao said, "I am a descendant and should not presumptuously comment on my ancestors, but in order to prevent the lineage from ending, I must say that our ancestors erred in plotting against Wei, the founding was not righteous, which led to this great disaster. Even without Zhao Hanzhang, the Jin Dynasty would not last long; the foundation was skewed, and no matter how hard future descendants strive, it would be difficult to set it right."
Sima Shao continued, "You occupy Jiangnan, trying to maintain the ancestral rites of the Jin Dynasty, but how many people in the world are willing to follow you in keeping the Jin Dynasty’s rule? I believe Zhao Hanzhang has put it very well: this world belongs to the people of the world!"
King Langya’s heart was shaken; he looked closely at his son to confirm that he genuinely believed this, then, trembling, he asked, "If one day Zhao Hanzhang kills us as part of the Jin Dynasty, would you still think so?"
Sima Shao firmly replied, "I am not fish on a chopping board, I would strive to fight back, but if killing me is what the people’s will dictates, then I would die without regrets."
King Langya trembled, and after a while, softly said, "Very well, as you wish."
Sima Shao immediately stood, kneeled, and respectfully kowtowed to his father, saying, "Father, I thank you on behalf of the people of Jiankang and Jiangnan."
King Langya, with tears in his eyes, leaned over to help him up, "You go, you and I, father and son, need not do this."
Sima Shao stood and left, ordering someone to summon Wang Dao while arranging the military to surround the Prince Mansion to prevent any changes.
In the mansion, Wang Dao awaited the summons from King Langya in a state of uneasy fear, and he immediately entered the mansion upon being called.
The two old friends met again, both noticeably thinner, King Langya still lying on the couch, looking ill.
Having made up his mind to return to Jiangbei, at that moment in King Langya’s heart, Jiangnan was no longer his domain. Having stepped out of the role of a "ruler," King Langya no longer held suspicions toward Wang Dao but rather felt regret and lament; the two good friends faced each other with tears, finally embracing in bitter tears.
Once Wang Dao understood his intentions, he immediately began to plan with him, "First return to Luoyang, in a few years, after Zhao Hanzhang has stabilized the world, we can find a way to establish a fief in Langya. Though Liu Yueshi is jealous of talents, he cares much about face. You belong to the Jin Dynasty; he certainly won’t make things difficult for you, instead he’d protect you, and in Xuzhou, it’s better than elsewhere."
Wang Dao detailed to him which forces to surrender to Zhao Hanzhang, who must be retained, what to say upon meeting Zhao Hanzhang, and who in the court needs special attention.
King Langya hadn’t been a prominent figure most of his life; only in the past two years did he emerge as a leader. He was more accustomed to being a minister than being a lord, and soon finalized an action plan with Wang Dao for the next five years.
After discussing King Langya and his son’s future, Sima Rui noticed Wang Dao’s fatigued expression and felt compassion, then remembered, "Wang Dun has captured Yuan Li; Zhao Hanzhang likely won’t spare him, but fortunately, your Wang Family has Wang Xuan and Wang Yifeng siblings present, so those of the Wang clan remaining in Jiankang City should be safe."
Wang Dao nodded, though his brows remained furrowed tightly, as King Langya’s decision directly resolved the immediate predicament of the Wang clan. He could confirm that after King Langya returned to Luoyang, Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t trouble him or the Wang clan, but for Wang Dun and those involved in the rebellion...
Now, though Wang Dun’s rebellion was against King Langya, everyone knew his ambition; capturing Yuan Li left no room for turning back.
Even though he had publicly broken ties with Wang Dun, he couldn’t help but worry about his cousin’s future.
King Langya soon called upon Liu Kun and Imperial Censor Lu, and quickly, Liu Kun received a handwritten letter from King Langya.
This was a letter lamenting to Zhao Hanzhang about Wang Dun’s insubordination, rebellion, and his inability to quell it, pleading with Zhao Hanzhang to dispatch troops to suppress Wang Dun’s uprising. It also described the various hardships since coming to Jiangnan—the differences in customs, food habits—and his discomfort living there, hoping Zhao Hanzhang would permit him to return to his fief in Langya.
Upon receiving the letter, Liu Kun immediately left the Prince Mansion to deliver it to a trusted aide, instructing them to cross the river and send the letter back to Luoyang immediately, all while discreetly searching the streets for signs left by the secret department.
Imperial Censor Lu, standing nearby, asked him, "What is Governor Liu looking for?"
Liu Kun, lowering his voice, replied, "Are you aware of the Jiangnan secret department? Yuan Li has been captured, but his secret department must still be active. Do you know how to contact them?"
Imperial Censor Lu said, "I know, and as per King Langya’s intention, I have informed the secret department. The Great General should soon receive the message."
Liu Kun queried, "From when we left the Prince Mansion till now, we have been together; when did you pass on the message, and how did I not notice?"
With a smile, Imperial Censor Lu responded, "Such trivial matters can be left to me. Governor Liu is an open and above-board figure; it wouldn’t be fitting for you to mingle with departments dwelling in the shadows."
While his words were not incorrect, Liu Kun still felt dissatisfied, perceiving that Zhao Hanzhang only shared the secret department’s contact method with Imperial Censor Lu and not with him, suggesting a lack of trust in him.
Suppressing his displeasure, Liu Kun nodded and said, "Since the message has been sent, we will just wait patiently for the reply."
Zhao Hanzhang received the message that night, delightedly pacing around; she was so excited after two laps around the room she laughed with her hands on her hips, thankful her estate was large, or it would have echoed outside.
The letter personally written by King Langya would still take a few days to reach Luoyang, but Zhao Hanzhang announced the news to her ministers the next day and then had Ji Yuan draft two edicts during a court meeting: one praising King Langya and summoning his family back to the capital, and another admonishing Wang Dun, ordering him to cease hostilities and go to the capital to cooperate with the investigation.
Of course, Wang Dun wouldn’t comply, but the procedure had to be followed, and there was always a chance.
After the court meeting, Zhao Hanzhang expressed her regret, "It’s a pity Yuan Li isn’t here; otherwise, he could have taken a radio to see King Langya and taken his command as soon as possible, coordinating with the Jiangbei Army."
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t plan to disband the Jiangnan secret department, so she didn’t want anyone other than its members to contact its core, and apart from Yuan Li, the department was capable of transmitting information but lacked the ability to command battles.
Compared to Liu Kun, Ji Yuan had more faith in Yuan Li, "I wonder if Governor Wang can rescue Yuan Li?"
Wang Si Niang was making efforts; she had already located Yuan Li’s detention site and was sending people to scout the prison situation.
Wang Dun seemed aware they would attempt a rescue; not only was Yuan Li held in the deepest part, but there were also layers of ambushes inside.
Wang Si Niang, unwilling to see further sacrifices and not wanting to alert the enemy, refrained from acting rashly and instead sent people to contact Dai Miao.
Due to Dai Yuan, Wang Dun disliked Dai Miao, even hiding his troop deployments from him, leaving Dai Miao in Lujiang as a subordinate general, under He Qin’s orders.
He Qin, a general under Wang Dun, mainly stayed there to guard against the Zhao Family Army from the west and north. Knowing Dai Miao wasn’t esteemed, He Qin left him in the camp for training.
Dai Miao, disheartened, never agreed with Wang Dun’s conduct and intended to persuade his brother to defect to Jiangbei. When Wang Si Niang’s men approached him, they quickly found common ground.
Just as the news of Wang Dun breaching He Fei brought joy, they took advantage of the army’s celebration to invade the jail, and with the help of some prison guards, they found Yuan Li deep in the dungeon.
