My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

Two days later, at dawn.

Jiankang, the west hall of the Taiji Hall.

The battle in Huaibei was at a stalemate. Mao Anzhi was defeated and killed. The court and the public were shocked and rumors spread. The emperor issued an edict to summon important officials for a meeting.

At the beginning of the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the West Hall was already filled with officials in their court attire.

Wearing purple ribbons and gold seals, adorned with jade belts and sable hairpins, the room was resplendent. Emperor Sima Yao had not yet ascended the throne, and his officials stood solemnly in their rank, conversing in hushed tones.

Outside the hall, Xie An walked in with his third brother Xie Shi and nephew Xie Yan.

Xie An was still dressed in simple court robes, walking with composure, but he was more silent than usual.

"Lord Anshi!"

A gentle greeting came from the Left Guard General Zhang Xuanzhi. He was about the same age as Xie Xuan and was also a good friend of Xie Xuan. At this moment, there was a worried look between his brows, as if he had been waiting here on purpose. After seeing Xie An, he quickened his pace and said in a low voice.

"Today's discussion will likely be fraught with difficulties. Last night, the Prince of Langya hosted guests at his residence, including Wang Chen and Lady Mao. During their conversation, he spoke quite passionately about the affairs of Huaibei."

Xie An nodded slightly.

"Thank you for your information, Zu Xi. The innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty. Let us await Your Majesty's judgment. Will the journey to Jingzhou proceed smoothly?"

"Successfully, Cavalry Huan..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie An interrupted Zhang Xuanzhi.

At this moment, Wang Xun, the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat (grandson of Wang Dao and nephew of Wang Xizhi), was talking in hushed tones with Yuan Zhi, the Inner Administrator of Wu (of the Yuan clan of Chenjun, a member of the Wenzong family), and Xun Yi, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy (a descendant of the Xun clan of Yingchuan).

These three families were all of high standing and noble lineage, with relatively detached positions, but their attitudes were of great importance. Xie An pretended to wait.

"Minister Yuan, Imperial Scholar Xun, what are your views on today's situation?"

At that moment, the long, drawn-out chant of a palace attendant rang out from outside the hall.

"The Prince of Langya has arrived!"

Xie An and the others looked up and saw a young man dressed in the everyday clothes of a prince and wearing a traveler's hat, being surrounded by several officials as he ascended the steps.

This man was none other than Sima Daozi, the Prince of Langya, the emperor's younger brother.

He was just over twenty years old, and his face still had some childishness, but he tried his best to imitate the majesty of a king when he walked. However, his deliberately slowed pace still revealed a bit of the tension of a young man.

Behind him followed closely Wang Guobao, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery (son-in-law of Xie An, of the Wang clan of Taiyuan), Wang Chen, the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate (son of Wang Tanzhi, of the Wang clan of Taiyuan), and others. All of them had their heads bowed and their postures were respectful.

Upon reaching the palace gate, Sima Daozi saw Xie An and Wang Xun.

He paused for a moment, then put on a polite smile, took a half step forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a very courteous tone.

"Good morning, Anshi Gong and Wang Dongting."

Although he was a prince and his power was growing, he knew that he could not be negligent in his appearances when facing Xie An, a senior and respected prime minister who was also a leader of the literati. His attitude was even respectful to his elders, so that no one could find fault with him.

"Your Highness."

Xie An and Wang Xun also returned the greeting calmly and composedly.

Sima Daozi seemed unwilling to talk much, maintaining what he considered proper composure, he nodded slightly, and then turned and stepped into the hall first.

Wang Guobao, who was following closely behind, lowered his head even further as he passed Xie An, his eyes darting around, and his steps faltering. He didn't dare to look up and meet his father-in-law's gaze, only giving a vague and hurried bow before following him inside, almost in small, quick steps.

Xie An could only sigh as he watched his son-in-law's slightly disheveled figure recede into the distance.

Just then, another eunuch's announcement rang out.

"Prince Qiao—has arrived!"

Upon hearing the sound, Xie An and Wang Xun looked in the direction of the voice and saw Sima Tian, ​​who was about fifty years old and dressed in the purple robes of a feudal lord, appear in front of the hall.

He usually keeps to himself and rarely participates in court discussions involving specific military and political matters, especially those that could be tense. His appearance today is truly unexpected.

As the Prince of Qiao approached, before Xie An and the others could speak, he greeted them with a gentle smile.

"Anshi, Yuanlin, it's been a long time. The morning dew is cold, but you two have arrived early."

Sima Tian spoke in a friendly and natural manner, without any airs of a feudal lord.

Xie An and Wang Xun quickly bowed.

"Your Highness, Prince Qiao."

Xie An's heart stirred slightly. This man, who had always been detached from worldly affairs, had made an exception to come today, which was probably not just to fulfill a formality.

But he said, "Your Highness is also here. Today's court meeting must be of great importance."

Prince Qiao, Sima Tian, ​​smiled slightly, glanced at Xie An with a deep look, and spoke in a gentle tone.

"The nation is in dire straits, and we dare not remain entirely aloof. Let us go inside."

After saying this, he entered the hall together with Xie An and Wang Xun.

Upon entering the West Hall, even though Xie An was already prepared, he still felt an unusual aura emanating from the assembled officials.

The number and the level of the people present in the hall today far exceed those of usual!

Not only were almost all the heads of the three provinces, the six ministries, and the various temples and bureaus present, but many important figures who were rarely seen in regular court sessions were also among them.

Aside from the Prince of Langya and the Prince of Qiao who had already entered, he saw the figure of Xi Hui (grandson of Xi Jian), the founding earl, standing in the ranks of military officers, talking quietly with Wang Mi (of the Langya Wang clan, grandson of Wang Dao, and adopted by his uncle Wang Xie), the Yellow Gate Attendant beside him.

Beside Wang Mi stood Wang Yu, the General of the Cavalry (son of Wang Tanzhi). Because he and Wang Guobao were half-brothers, the brothers had always been at odds. At this moment, he had a solemn expression and lowered his eyes.

The arrival of Xie An and his two companions did not cause much of a commotion.

What's striking are the two people behind him, Yuan Zhi and Xun Yi.

The fact that people of noble birth like Yuan and Xun have always kept their distance from specific court struggles, especially avoiding getting involved with key figures in frontline defeats, is alarming enough to make any discerning person uneasy.

Just then, Wang Gong, the Secretary-General (brother of Empress Xiaowu and representative of another branch of the Taiyuan Wang clan), entered the main hall with a puzzled expression.

Many people looked behind him, and even Xie An turned around to look, wondering why his father, Wang Yun, had not come.

Wang Gong didn't care about the stares of these people and quickly joined the ranks.

The atmosphere in the hall seemed solemn at the moment, but in reality, undercurrents were turbulent.

Many mid- to low-ranking officials, especially those from the Censorate and the Remonstrance Bureau, were unusually active today, chatting in small groups and glancing at Xie An, the Prince of Langya, Wang Chen, Xi Hui, and others.

Xie An remained calm and composed as he steadily walked to his seat.

Wang Xun followed closely behind, his expression calm, but his sharp gaze swept across the entire room.

At this moment, in the corner of the palace, an old eunuch lightly struck a bronze chime with a mallet.

"Clang—"

The eunuchs sang loudly.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The assembled officials stood solemnly, in their respective ranks.

Sima Yao ascended the throne surrounded by eunuchs.

The emperor, only nineteen years old, still had a childish look on his face, but at this moment he showed a hint of shock, anger and unease.

Beforehand, the Ministry of Personnel would report the latest military situation in Huaibei. After the report, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Sima Yao spoke in a dry voice.

"Mao Anzhi... died for his country, and I am deeply grieved. The situation in Huaibei has deteriorated to this point. My ministers, do you have any good strategies to save the situation?"

His gaze involuntarily fell first on Sima Daozi, and then on Xie An.

Sima Daozi immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty! It is truly a great loss that Mao Youwei died a loyal and courageous death in battle! However, the root cause of his defeat lies in the poor deployment and inadequate support of the commander-in-chief! Xie, the military supervisor of Jiangbei in Yanzhou, commanded a large army at Sikou, yet he sat idly by and watched as Xuyi was besieged. Mao Youwei's isolated advance went deep into enemy territory without any assistance, resulting in the loss of a great general, the defeat of the army, and the disgrace of the nation! This is not merely dereliction of duty, but almost a catastrophic failure for the country!"

"The Prince of Langya is absolutely right!"

Wang Chen immediately stepped forward, his voice even trembling with tears.

"My brother-in-law sacrificed his life for the country, and I dare not let personal matters interfere with public duty! However, Xie Yanzhou is indeed primarily responsible for the delay in the battle! He should be immediately recalled to Jiankang and handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation! The troops of the Northern Army should be commanded by another capable general!"

Wang Guobao echoed this sentiment.

"General Mao's defeat was not due to a lack of skill in battle, but rather to inadequate rear support. If the commander-in-chief is not severely punished, how can we comfort his loyal soul? How can we uphold military discipline?"

Several censors who were close to Daozi also stepped forward to impeach him, and their words were vehement.

Xie Shi's face flushed red, and he was about to step forward to argue, but Xie An stopped him with a very slight movement.

Xie An did not speak immediately, but stood still; he had seen this kind of scene many times before.

At this moment, Zhang Xuanzhi stepped forward.

He first bowed to the throne, then turned to Sima Daozi and the others, his voice clear and steady.

"Your Majesty, gentlemen, I believe that the matter of assigning blame is of paramount importance to the military and national strategy, and must be carefully considered and handled with utmost care. Xie Yanzhou's military tactics have always been prudent. He previously achieved a minor victory at Pengcheng, and recently held Sikou firmly, thus containing the main force of the Qin army and preventing it from advancing eastward with full force. This has been meritorious. As for General Mao's campaign, the geographical obstacles, the transmission of military intelligence, and the specific coordination required cannot be determined by anyone who is not on the front lines and has a comprehensive understanding of the overall situation. Changing generals at this critical moment is a major taboo in military strategy. If Peng Chao and Ju Nan were to receive this information, they would surely seize the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, and Huaibei would be in danger of collapse!"

That's incorrect!

Sima Tian's stepping out of the ranks made Xie An feel uneasy. He looked up at Sima Yao on the throne.

"Have you not heard that if rewards and punishments are unclear, the army will not prosper? If Xie Yanzhou has rendered meritorious service, the court should certainly reward him. However, he has committed a transgression that led to the loss of a general on the battlefield. How can his fault be covered up with excuses of prudence and delay? If his mistake is not punished, the army will not be convinced, and how can the soldiers fight with their lives?"

These words puzzled everyone in the hall, who wondered what the Prince of Qiao meant.

He was neither speaking out for Mao Youwei nor opposing the Xie family; his words seemed to be aimed at the long-standing problem of unresolved issues in the court.

Xi Hui coughed lightly, stepped forward, and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I have long been stationed in Jingkou and experienced border affairs, so I am somewhat familiar with the difficulties of military deployment. Xie, the governor of Yanzhou, is known for his strict adherence to laws and regulations in his military campaigns. The Huaibei region is vast and the roads are narrow, with enemy and friendly forces intertwined. Occasional delays in support are common on the battlefield and cannot be considered dereliction of duty. However, General Mao's isolated advance and underestimation of the enemy were also reasons for his defeat. Now, Peng Chao and Ju Nan have heavy troops pressing on the border, and the Huaibei defense line is in grave danger. It is not advisable to change commanders on the eve of battle and cut off our own arm. I believe that a strict decree should be issued ordering him to atone for his crimes by seeking redemption. If he fails to achieve anything within the specified time, he can be punished for both crimes. It is not too late."

His attitude was impartial, pointing out Xie Xuan's possible mistakes while also keeping the overall military situation in mind. No one in the court could refute him for a moment.

Wang Xun then slowly stepped forward, his dust swirling gently, his tone composed.

"Your Majesty, changing commanders on the eve of battle is a major taboo in military strategy. Moreover, the Northern Army was trained by Xie Yanzhou himself, with good generals and officers and soldiers who are loyal to the cause. Changing them to a novice commander would not only make it difficult to win over the troops, but may also incite a mutiny and destabilize the Huaibei region."

The attitude of the Langya Wang clan was clear, and everyone in the hall knew that this was strong support for the Chenjun Xie clan. Xie An's hand, which was hanging by his side, quietly relaxed a little.

Immediately afterwards, Yuan Zhi, holding his court tablet, slowly stepped out of the ranks.

"Your Majesty! In the past, during the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhou Yu was caught in a web of slander, yet Emperor Zhaolie and Wu Hou Zhongmou trusted him without question, ultimately defeating Cao Cao's 800,000 troops and laying the foundation for the Three Kingdoms. Now, Xie, the governor of Yanzhou, is a bulwark of the nation, and the safety of Huaibei rests on his shoulders. In this perilous situation, Your Majesty should show unwavering trust and demand victory from him. An envoy should be dispatched to comfort the army and convey Your Majesty's will, demonstrating the court's compassion while also sternly instructing him to defeat the enemy within a specified time!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xun Yi stepped forward, nodded in agreement, and spoke succinctly.

"What Secretary Yuan said is absolutely right. We should focus on the facts now, rather than pursuing empty fame and inviting real disaster."

In just a few words, Xun Yu of Yingchuan not only echoed Yuan Zhi's propositions but also subtly criticized the impeachers for only seeking verbal satisfaction and disregarding the overall military and national interests, fully demonstrating their pragmatism and sharpness.

The statements from these prominent figures immediately quelled the overwhelming calls for accountability within the hall.

Sima Yao's brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at the civil and military officials on the steps, clearly weighing the pros and cons.

Wang Gong, who had been standing at the end of the line with his hands at his sides, finally stepped forward and bowed to present his report.

He was young and held a low official position; though his voice was not loud, every word he spoke was forceful and clear.

"Your Majesty, I am but a scholar, ignorant of military strategy, knowing only the words loyalty and righteousness. I too am deeply saddened by General Mao's martyrdom. However, if Xie Xuan is dismissed because of this, leading to the collapse of the Huaibei defenses and the invasion of the Xiongnu, who will then advance directly towards Jiankang, then the blood of General Mao and tens of thousands of soldiers will have been shed in vain! The most urgent task is to unite the court and the people to repel Peng Chao! Whether Xie Xuan is capable or not is not a matter for court debate; the outcome should be determined by the situation in Huaibei and whether the enemy can be defeated! I implore Your Majesty to make a wise decision, quickly cease the disputes, and prevent court infighting from demoralizing the troops at the front!"

Sima Daozi's expression changed slightly, and he was about to speak when Sima Yao on the throne raised his hand to stop him.

Sima Yao already had a clear idea in his mind. What Wang Gong, Wang Xun and others said made perfect sense. The Huaibei defense line must not collapse and the Xie family must not be touched.

At that moment, Xie An, who had been standing still, finally moved.

He slowly stepped out of the hall, walked to the foot of the imperial steps, stood upright, and then slowly raised his hand to remove the sage's cap from his head. He held it in both hands, bowed deeply, and all the civil and military officials in the hall held their breath in surprise.

"Your Majesty, I have been unworthy to hold the position of Grand Chancellor, overseeing all affairs of state. I also recommended my nephew Xie Xuan to defend Huai against Qin. Now, General Mao has died for his country, and the battlefield has suffered a loss of generals, which has slightly diminished the prestige of the nation. This is all due to my failure to properly educate my nephew and my negligence in recommending him. I wish to be relieved of my post as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and have the relevant officials severely investigate my crimes. As for Xie Xuan, as the commander of the front lines, he may have made some oversights in his command. I also wish to have him executed along with him to atone for the crimes committed by the soldiers of the nation."

After speaking, he held the crown and bowed deeply, unable to rise.

The entire room was astonished!

Even Sima Daozi was stunned. He had intended to add fuel to the fire and pursue further accountability, but he did not expect Xie An to take the initiative to confess to all the crimes. The officials of the impeachment faction below looked at each other in bewilderment, and for a moment no one dared to speak.

Sima Yao's expression changed drastically as he sat on the throne, leaning forward abruptly and speaking urgently.

"Anshi, what makes you say such a thing!"

Wang Xun knew the time had come and immediately stepped forward.

"Your Majesty! Lord Xie is a pillar of the nation; how can we abandon him because of a single mistake? Lord Xie's words are sincere and admonishing, but they must not be granted! The immediate priority should be to dispatch troops and generals as soon as possible!"

Zhang Xuanzhi and even Xi Hui and others echoed the sentiment, believing that Xie An was being overly modest and that the most urgent task was to support the front lines.

Sima Yao looked at Xie An kneeling on the ground, then at Sima Daozi standing to the side.

He was wary of the Xie family's growing power and difficulty in controlling them. He also knew that with the current turmoil in the court and the critical situation in Huaibei, he would not be able to control the court without Xie An as his "stabilizing force."

Sima Yao softened his tone and quickly raised his hand.

"My dear minister, please rise! The nation is in dire straits, and it is precisely your assistance that is needed to uphold the state. How can you speak of leaving? I... forbid it!"

He composed himself and glanced at the assembled officials in the hall.

"As for Xie Xuan!"

"The loss of troops and generals is an unforgivable crime! Considering his minor contribution in relieving the siege of Pengcheng, he is temporarily pardoned, but removed from his post as Commander-in-Chief and placed under investigation in Guangling! All military affairs north of the Yangtze River will be under my personal command, and a high-ranking official will be dispatched with imperial credentials to command all armies and resist Peng Chao!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to look at Sima Daozi, then glanced at Sima Tian beside him, and asked.

"Prince of Langya, who do you think is capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility?"

Sima Daozi suppressed his overwhelming joy, quickly stepped forward, and bowed.

"Your Majesty, Prince Qiao is loyal, brave, resolute, and knowledgeable in military affairs. Moreover, he is a senior member of the imperial family and a trusted minister. He is well-suited for this position!"

"Granted."

Sima Yao nodded and immediately approved the decision.

"Effective immediately, Sima Tian is appointed General Who Pacifies the North, granted the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, and Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs north of the Yangtze River, overseeing the defense and offense north of the Huai River! Furthermore, Wang Yu is appointed Sima, Xi Hui is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Vanguard, and Wang Mi is appointed Military Advisor! All of you shall immediately prepare and march north to oversee the army within three days!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Sima Daozi's faction responded enthusiastically, their expressions full of smugness.

Xie An silently rose and slowly put the Jinxian hat on his head.

He returned to the train, his face still expressionless, as if he wasn't the one who had just asked to be dismissed, and it wasn't the Xie family member who had been stripped of his military power.

Xie Shi and Xie Yan, however, turned pale and dared not utter a single word.

Wang Xun and the others exchanged glances and pretended nothing had happened.

Only Zhang Xuanzhi, looking puzzled, was somewhat confused, but he quickly understood and silently pretended nothing had happened.

Xi Hui stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the imperial decree. When his gaze swept over Xie An, it carried a hint of apology.

Wang Mi and Wang Yu quickly stepped forward, loudly expressed their gratitude, and looked respectful.

"Thank you, my dear minister!"

Sima Yao then looked at Xie An, his tone reassuring.

"The court still needs you to hold the reins at the central level. I hope you will prioritize national affairs and refrain from mentioning leaving again."

Xie An bowed his head.

"I will obey Your Majesty's command!"

After the court session ended, the sunlight outside the hall was so intense that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Xie An walked slowly out of the main hall, and Wang Xun deliberately slowed his pace to walk alongside him. When no one was around, the two whispered to each other.

"Lord Anshi, I apologize for what happened today. Please bear with this anger for now and plan for the future."

Xie An gazed ahead, sunlight casting a soft glow on his silvery-white beard and hair, yet his tone was as indifferent as the wind.

"How dare we refuse what Your Majesty desires?"