My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

A storm may begin at the tip of a blade of grass, but its force can never be easily quelled.

The presentation of captives to the emperor was a rare event, occurring only once every few decades, making Jiankang exceptionally lively that day.

The Qinhuai River, with its painted boats and pavilions shrouded in mist.

As dusk settles and the sounds of traditional music fill the air, the conversation on the pleasure boat tonight unusually avoids anything related to romance.

"Have you heard? Murong Yan was captured alive in the sea!"

"They say our navy descended like divine soldiers, scattering the Qin army's warships to pieces. Murong Yan tried to jump into the sea to escape, but our water ghosts held him down underwater!"

A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar sneered from the side.

"Brother Li, you are mistaken. The version I heard is that Murong Yan was trapped on a deserted island, out of food and reinforcements. He tried to escape by small boat, but in the dark of night, the boat hit a reef, broke apart, and he fell unconscious on the mudflats, where he was found by patrolling soldiers."

He finished speaking, shaking his head, and picked up his wine glass.

"This is what is meant by 'Heaven snatches away one's soul.'"

"Neither of you is entirely correct."

"I heard that Murong Yan was ambushed by a surprise force that, taking advantage of a thick fog at sea, attacked his flagship! The general leading the force was incredibly brave; he single-handedly boarded the enemy ship, fought his way into the cabin, and personally dragged Murong Yan out while he was looking at a nautical chart! It is said that the general was extremely young, not yet twenty, yet he was like a god descended to earth!"

"Not yet twenty?"

Everyone was astonished; this was even more unbelievable than the capture of Murong Yan himself.

"Absolutely true! It is said that he was a young master from the Xiao family of Lanling, the third son, known as Third Young Master Xiao!"

"Although it was a detached force, their tactics were unpredictable and ruthless, defying conventional methods. Even someone like Murong Yan fell for their tricks!"

"The Xiao family of Lanling? They actually have such a talented person?"

"Xiao Sanlang, truly a hero emerges from among the young!"

A chorus of exclamations and curious discussions arose inside the pleasure boat.

Murong Yan's disheveled state and the dramatic process of his capture quickly gave way to the imagination and admiration for this mysterious "Xiao Sanlang".

The combination of youth, the Lanling Xiao clan, surprise attacks, and the capture of the enemy chieftain is enough to ignite the public's admiration and enthusiasm in the shortest amount of time.

The news spread faster and faster, and the deeds of "Xiao Sanlang" were being told everywhere, from teahouses and taverns to markets and streets.

The versions of the story became increasingly bizarre. Some said he received military strategy from a mysterious figure, while others claimed he could summon wind and rain, thus enabling him to decisively defeat the Qin navy. Murong Yan became a backdrop to highlight the extraordinary nature of this young hero, and the name "Lanling Xiao Clan" became even more renowned with these legends.

Ordinary people, low-ranking officials, and merchants were happy to see a story of a young hero who fit their imagination and came from a humble background.

This story dispelled the gloom brought by the stalemate on the front lines and brought long-awaited excitement and imagination.

However, when this trend reached the truly prestigious gatherings of the elite, the flavor began to become more complex.

At Wang Guobao's villa, a group of so-called celebrities gathered under the bamboo grove.

"The Lanling Xiao Clan, Xiao Sanlang?"

A scholar dressed in a crane-feather cloak stroked his beard and pondered, as if he had thought of something, and said disdainfully.

"But what about Xiao Heng, who, a few months ago, went to court with his cousin over three acres of sacrificial land, making a scene known throughout the city, and later sold the land to bribe the military governor of Guangling, obtaining the position of halberd bearer?"

The room fell silent, and another scholar suddenly realized what was happening.

"So it's this person? No wonder he was previously unknown, yet suddenly performed such a remarkable feat. His actions are always unpredictable."

"Hehe, interesting."

An official who was quite close to Wang Guobao chuckled.

"Everyone in the city says he's a young hero with the air of a noble family. But they don't know that this air is that of a litigious scoundrel and a corrupt official. It seems that Lord Xie has picked up a hot potato this time."

A scholar holding a whisk spoke slowly from the side, his tone impartial and unbiased.

"Wang Yuanli is not without his faults. Xiao Heng's dispute with his cousin over land may be due to internal strife within the clan; as for the rumor of bribing officials, it is mostly hearsay and cannot be entirely believed. Xie Gong has always valued talent over reputation when it comes to employing people. If he didn't truly have the ability to defeat the enemy, why would he be entrusted with the task of leading a small force?"

"Brother Wei, do you trust Lord Xie or this Xiao Heng? The ancestral shrine land is fundamental; he sells it off so readily, showing his lack of reverence. Although the position of halberd bearer is lowly, he obtained it through underhanded means, revealing his flawed character. Even if he has military achievements, it cannot cover up his mistakes."

Mr. Wei lightly flicked his whisk, his tone even more disdainful.

"In times of chaos, military campaigns should be judged by merits and demerits, not just by character. The northern border has been in turmoil for many years, with the Qin army repeatedly invading the territory. Most of the sons of noble families avoid it like the plague. Xiao Heng, as a young man, led troops to defeat the enemy. This courage and ability surpasses many pampered people."

The scholar in the crane-cloak who revealed Xiao Heng's identity responded with a cold laugh.

"Brother Wei, you are mistaken. Character is the foundation of one's life. A person with talent but no virtue is like a double-edged sword. Today he may defeat the enemy, but tomorrow he may become arrogant and turn against the Jin Dynasty. This person is not fit to be a loyal subject, and I fear Lord Xie will find it difficult to control him."

Whether someone is a loyal minister or not cannot be determined in a short time.

Mr. Wei nodded slightly.

"Let's see what he does next. The prisoners have just been presented and the people are in high spirits. If we criticize him too harshly now, we will lose the support of the government and the people."

These words elicited nods of agreement from many at the table. Although those close to Wang Guobao still harbored doubts, they no longer went so far as to condemn him outright.

"The Lanling Xiao family is probably experiencing a mix of joy and sorrow this time."

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes and with a calm demeanor slowly walked into the bamboo forest. His voice was clear and melodious; it was Xu Miao.

His gaze swept across the table before he slowly sat down.

"It's certainly a good thing that a son who can fight has emerged, but his behavior is really worrying. The road ahead will be difficult."

Before he finished speaking, another person slowly stepped over the bamboo shadows. He had a thin face and a hint of arrogance in his eyes. He was Yin Zhongkan, the chief secretary of General Xie Xuan's mansion.

He was specially invited by Wang Guobao. His steps were light and slow, but they made everyone at the table immediately restrain their expressions and stand up to greet him. After all, Yin Zhongkan was in the core of the Northern Army and knew the truth about Xiao Heng in the army. Everyone wanted to get the exact information from him.

Yin Zhongkan raised his hand in a gesture of support, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"There's no need for such formalities, everyone."

Yin Zhongkan sat down to the side of the main seat, picked up the teacup offered by the maid, and spoke with a hint of disdain.

"There are some rumors circulating in the army about Xiao Heng, which are quite different from the legends circulating in the streets."

Everyone held their breath, not expecting Yin Zhongkan to drop such bombshells right from the start.

He put down his teacup and slowly began to speak: "This man, upon returning from battle, did not immediately return to camp as ordered. Instead, he used the excuse of encountering scattered Qin soldiers and clearing them out along the way to linger in the area for several days. During his stay, he actually maintained close ties with the Xu family of Donghai. Who knows if he was genuinely contacting powerful families or if he had other schemes?"

A commotion arose at the table. Xu Miao frowned slightly but did not interrupt, listening quietly.

Seeing this, Yin Zhongkan became even more certain and continued to reveal more information.

"More importantly, his so-called elite force was not a regular unit of the Northern Army at all. It was just a group of stragglers and vagrants recruited from the ranks of a displaced leader. These people were undisciplined and only interested in profit. Xiao Heng was able to command them by offering them great rewards, not by having any real ability to lead them."

"Chief Clerk Yin is mistaken!"

Xu Miao finally spoke, his tone filled with dissatisfaction.

"As General Xie's Chief Clerk, how can you discuss military secrets here? Xiao Heng's stay in the local area and his contact with the Xu family of Donghai were actually to appease the local gentry and raise military supplies, not to indulge in private banquets and entertainment; his recruitment of refugee leaders was also a temporary measure due to insufficient troops, and his ability to integrate scattered troops into a force to defeat the enemy demonstrates his command skills."

Yin Zhongkan retorted with a cold laugh.

"Brother Xu, are you going to defend him? It's true that he disobeyed military orders, that he privately allied with the gentry, and that he relied on the leader of the displaced people. Such a person who acts improperly, even if he has made some small contribution, it is just luck."

"As you all know, after Murong Yan was captured, he went mad and could not get any information about the Qin army. Xiao Heng's so-called great victory over the navy and capture of the enemy chieftain was just a stroke of luck. Murong Yan was already a frightened bird, which allowed him to take advantage of the situation."

"you!"

Xu Miao slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.

"Yin Zhongkan, as the chief clerk, instead of praising the soldiers' achievements, you deliberately erase their victories and leak military secrets. What are your intentions?"

Only then did he realize that today's gathering was not a refined conversation at all, but was clearly at the behest of Wang Guobao, who wanted to use Yin Zhongkan's words to suppress meritorious officials.

At this point, someone spoke up in support, and the gathering completely changed its flavor.

"Brother Xu, why be angry? Chief Clerk Yin is merely stating the facts. Xiao Heng has repeatedly disobeyed military orders and should be held accountable. How can you claim he can be erased from the picture?"

"The refugees from Huaibei are the root of all evil; how dare this man do such a thing..."

"Chief Clerk Yin is known for his impartiality; he would never speak recklessly. It's probably that Third Young Master Xiao..."

"..."

Xu Miao was so angry at what these people said that he stood up and flung his sleeves.

"Distinguished scholars should engage in intellectual discussions about right and wrong, not to frame colleagues or engage in factionalism! I, Xu, will not participate in such sordid gatherings!"

Having said that, he turned around and strode out of the bamboo forest, leaving resolutely.

An awkward silence fell over the room. Several people with a sense of justice, who already felt that although Xiao Heng's actions were outrageous, his merit in defeating the enemy was undeniable, stood up and echoed Xu Miao's angry departure, saying, "Brother Xu is absolutely right. Even if Xiao Heng has flaws, he has still contributed to the Jin Dynasty. Such harsh criticism is too much."

After saying this, he also left his seat.

Yin Zhongkan held his teacup, his expression indifferent, as if the argument just now had nothing to do with him.

Throughout the entire gathering, the host, Wang Guobao, never appeared. It wasn't until only a few people remained in the bamboo grove and dusk began to fall that he slowly emerged from the back hall, dressed in casual clothes.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Wang Guobao smiled gently, his gaze sweeping over the empty seats, as if he had already seen through everything, but he didn't mention the argument just now, only saying lightly.

"It's still early. A simple feast has been prepared; please continue!"

"..."