Huan Wen was bold and elegant, with a seven-star face and a very handsome appearance. When he was young, he was known as Wen Qiao, a famous scholar, who was appreciated by Liu Xun.
Princess Nankang, the eldest daughter of Emperor Ming, pacified the Shu Han Dynasty at the age of thirty-four. In the following twenty years, she made three Northern Expeditions, defeating Fu Jian, the leader of the Qin Kingdom, Yao Xiang, the leader of the Qiang people, and the powerful Murong Yan, and captured all the Central Plains and Hebei.
, His military exploits were illustrious and his reputation spread far and wide. Therefore, when Murong Ke of Yan was in power, the country was very powerful and had the intention of a large-scale invasion to the south. Because Huan Wen was there, he did not dare to use weapons rashly——
However, it is too late for a hero, and now Huan Wen is lying on the bed in a daze, having to be cared for by others. Life at this point is really sad!
At dusk that day, Huan Wen became a little clearer and asked the waiters on his left and right if today was the end of March or the beginning of April. The waiter replied: "My lord, today is the second day of April."
Huan Wen asked the waiter to help him sit up, looking at the setting sun coming in through the west window, and asked: "Has Huan Chong not arrived in Jingzhou yet?"
The waiter replied: "Not yet."
Huan Wen turned his head slightly and looked around, and said, "Call Qingqing." During his serious illness, Li Jingshu often waited on his bedside, feeding him gruel, and was careful and gentle, which comforted him——
Several waiters looked at each other, but no one moved.
Huan Wen let out a "hum" and glared at him with cloudy eyes, the residual power was still there.
A waiter hurriedly said: "Jun Gong, Mrs. Li is not in the mansion, and she has taken Mr. Xiaoxuan to Jiankang."
Huan Wen narrowed his eyes and fell silent. Although he was in a daze and could not think too much, he did not lose his consciousness. He knew that there was something strange in this. He wanted to beg him to make Xiao Xuan the heir apparent. How could he go to Jiankang at this time!
After pondering for a moment, Huan Wen said: "Call Huan Xi."
The waiter agreed and left quickly. When he didn't move, Huan Xi came quickly, knelt down in front of the hospital bed, forced his face and said happily: "Dad looks very good today -"
"Xi——", Huan Wen interrupted his son and said with great effort without losing his authority, "Go and call Qingqing, and Xiao Xuan to see me."
Huan Xi was taken aback and forced a smile: "Daddy, don't you know? Mrs. Li took Xiaoxuan to Jiankang yesterday, saying that the widow of Marquis Guiyi had something to call her."
Huan Wen stared at Huan Xi, suddenly reached out and grabbed his left wrist, and asked, "Did you kill her mother and son?"
Under his father's power, Huan Xi was frightened and tried to pull his hand away, but was held tightly. He quickly said: "No, no, how dare you do such a thing."
Huan Wen felt relieved, knowing that his son was more like his father. He was still very clear about the temperament and ability of his eldest son Huan Xi, and said: "Then go and call her mother and son here."
Huan Xi said: "Yes, please let go, dad." Huan Wen has been a soldier all his life. Although he is seriously ill now, his hand strength is still strong.
Huan Wen's strength was exhausted. As soon as he let go, Huan Xi walked away. He took a deep breath when he got outside. His vest and clothes were all wet——
Huan Ji strode over, with a nervous and solemn look on his face, and said: "Brother, my fifth uncle is here, and so is Chen Caozhi, at Jiangkou Wharf."
Huan Xi's heart trembled and he asked: "Are all the swordsmen and axemen ready?"
Huan Ji said: "They are all ready for orders. They are all die-hard loyalists."
Huan Xi nodded and frowned: "Why did the fifth uncle arrive on the same day as Chen Caozhi? Is there such a coincidence?"
Huan Ji said: "It must be a coincidence, but it's just right. Kill them together to avoid future troubles."
Huan Xi was excited when he thought about killing Chen Caozhi, but he asked: "My father wants to see Li and Xiao Xuan, what should I do?"
Huan Ji said: "Don't pay attention."
While they were talking, a sergeant hurriedly came to report that Princess Xin'an was making a big fuss and wanted to see Lady Li and the Duke——
Huan Ji ordered: "She is not allowed to step out of the small courtyard. Anyone who dares to let her out will be punished under military law."
After the sergeant left, Huan Ji said bitterly: "This bitch has always been arrogant, and I don't have to endure it anymore. Today I will kill Chen Caozhi first, then this bitch, and then I will send troops to Jiankang to kill that bitch."
Foolish king."
Huan Xi asked: "What should I do with my fifth uncle?"
Huan Ji said: "Isn't it already agreed upon?"
Huan Xi couldn't bear it, thought about it, and finally nodded.
…
It was no coincidence that Chen Caozhi and Huan Chong arrived at Gushu on the same day. Chen Caozhi and Liu Laozhi led 800 light cavalry to travel day and night. They changed their mounts twice in Luoyang and Runan, and they arrived in Jiangbei in only 20 days.
In Liyang, both men and horses were exhausted, so he rested for a day in Liyang. The day before, he sent people to Jiangnan to inquire about the news. The person who inquired about the information was originally a sergeant of the Xifu. He took Chen Cao's secret message and went to see the chief secretary of the Xifu.
Wang Xun, Wang Xun read Chen Caozhi’s letter, nodded, and hurriedly wrote a reply, saying only that Huan Wen was still alive, and Huan Chong from Jingzhou had not returned yet——
The sergeant rushed back to Jiangbei with Wang Xun's letter to see Chen Caozhi. When Chen Caozhi saw that there were only these two sentences in the letter, he frowned slightly. He knew that Huan Xi would most likely usurp power while his father was critically ill, so Huan Chong did not
As for him, he would not rush into Gushu City, but Wang Xun's reply was so concise and a bit strange. While he was hesitating, he suddenly reported that a messenger had arrived in the king's register. He called him in and asked. The man claimed to be Wang Xun's confidant and the king.
Rumor has it that Governor Chen is asked not to enter Gushu City easily. Huan Xi and Huan Ji have special plans that will be detrimental to Governor Chen——
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Wang Yuanlin is really cautious."
Liu Laozhi asked: "Is this message credible?"
Chen Cao said: "It is credible that Wang Yuanlin was afraid that the calligraphy would be discovered by Huan Xi's men, so she only wrote in plain language, and secretly ordered people to follow her quietly to the north of the Yangtze River to spread the message. It can be seen that Gushu City is now a dragon's den and a tiger's den, and the situation is tense."
The sergeant came to report that more than ten large ships had arrived upstream, bearing the flag of the Jingzhou Navy——
Chen Caozhi stood up and said: "Very good, the governor of Jingzhou Huan has arrived, and we can cross the river."
On the evening of the second day of April, Chen Caozhi crossed the river and met Huan Chong. The reason why Huan Chong was late was because he had gone to Xiangcheng to arrange military defense. When he saw Chen Caozhi, Huan Chong asked: "Why did Chen Caozhi allow me to postpone my entry?"
Who is the girl?"
Chen Caozhi informed Huan Xi and Huan Ji of his plan. Huan Chong was frightened. He thought for a long time and did not dare to enter Gushu City without permission. He ordered the conquering general Zhu Xu to lead a thousand Jingzhou naval warriors and five men led by Liu Laozhi.
Hundreds of Jizhou sergeants entered the city early, pretending to be Huan Wen's military commander, and went straight to the general's palace to capture Huan Xi and Huan Ji. As long as the culprit was crowned, Huan Chong would be able to control the 30,000 sergeants in Gushu City——
At midnight, Liu Laozhi came to report that Huanxi and Huanji had not been able to control the Xifu soldiers in Zicheng. They only had two hundred soldiers hidden in the general's mansion, and they had all been killed. Huanxi, Huanji
They were all detained, and Huan Chong was asked to enter the city to take charge of the overall situation.
Then Huan Chong and Chen Cao led more than a thousand people into the city and came to the general's mansion. They saw Huan Xi. Huan Ji was tied up in the corridor. Huan Chong stopped and looked at the two nephews. Huan Xi and Huan Ji had an earthy face.
, dare not look up.
Huan Chong went straight to the inner courtyard to visit his eldest brother Huan Wen, but what he saw was this tragic scene:
There was not even a person serving in the bedroom. Huan Wen, a great hero of the generation, was lying on the side of the couch, frozen and motionless——
Huan Chong hurriedly stepped forward to check his brother's breathing, but he was already dead.
It turned out that Huan Wen ordered Huan Xi to call Li Jingshu, but when Huan Xuan came, he waited patiently and did not come. He called Huan Xi again but did not come. The waiters were forced to do so and did not dare to disobey Huan Xi's order. They all hid outside.
Huan Wen struggled to get off the ground, but he fell down, and there was no one to help him. This hero who "doesn't make a man famous will be remembered forever" died like this!
Huan Chong put his brother's body on the couch, thinking that his brother was a hero and was so miserable when he died. He couldn't help crying while caressing the body, and he couldn't kneel down——
At this time, Li Jingshu's mother and son, who had been released from confinement, hurried over and knelt in front of the couch, crying loudly.
Huan Chong stood up and angrily scolded Li Jingshu: "Why didn't you serve me when my brother was dying?"
Li Jingshu said with tears streaming down her face: "I and Xiaoxuan were imprisoned in the woodshed in the back garden by Huan Bodao brothers. We just came out, but we didn't know that the general was already dead!"
After a brief investigation, Huan Chong found out that it was indeed the case. He was furious and executed all the attendants around Huan Wen. While he ordered people to decorate the mourning hall and announce the obituary to the court, he secretly interrogated Huan Xi and Huan Ji. He learned that his fourth brother Huan Mi was also involved in the conspiracy.
Huan Chong was saddened and resented the chaos, but Huan Mi was his elder brother and it was inconvenient for him to detain him. He immediately went to the court to remove Huan Mi from the post of governor of Sizhou. At the same time, he dismissed Huan Xi as General Anbei, Huan Ji Danyang Yin, and
To remove the title of Duke of Linhe County from Huanji——
Huan Chong summoned Chen Caozhi, Zhu Xu, Wang Xun and others to discuss the matter of establishing Huan Gong's heir apparent. Huan Chong was unwilling to support Huan Xin, so he claimed that Huan Wen had ordered his youngest son Huan Xuan to be his heir, and he was granted the title of Duke of Nanjun.
Zhu Xu and other old generals from the Western Prefecture secretly urged Huan Chong to kill Wang Biaozhi. Wang Tanzhi and Xie An were all dedicated to holding power, but Huan Chong refused to do so——
On the fifth day of April, Emperor Sima Yu ordered to send Sima Yao, king of Kuaiji, and his attendant Wang Tanzhi to go to Gushu to pay homage to the great Sima Huanwen. According to the story of Huo Guang of the Han Dynasty and King Xian of Anping, they were buried with a grand ceremony——
On April 13th, Gengxu day, according to the imperial edict, Huan Mi was removed from the post of governor of Sizhou and was appointed as a regular servant of Sanqi. Shen Jin, the prefect of Henan Province, was appointed as the governor of Sizhou. Huanxi and Huanji were demoted to common people.
He was exiled to Changsha and never used again. He appointed Wang Yun, the Minister of the Five Arms, to replace Huanji as Danyang Yin. He appointed Xie An's younger brother Xie Shi as the Minister of the Five Arms. He appointed Huan Chong as the General of the Western Expedition, and the governors of Yang, Yu, Jiang, Liang, and Jing.
Yi, Ning, Jiao, Guang Jiuzhou Military, led the governor of Yangzhou, Zhengushi; Huan Shixiu was the governor of Jingzhou, and Huan Chong's eldest son Huan Si was the governor of Jiangzhou——
Although Huan Mi was not demoted to a commoner, he was too embarrassed to accept the position of regular servant of Sanqi, so he resigned and went into seclusion. Due to this change, the Longkang Huan family not only lost the two important official positions of Sizhou Governor and Danyang Yin, but also lost the official position of Sizhou Governor and Danyang Yin.
His reputation was also greatly damaged. As the head of the Longkang Huan family, Huan Chongshen bowed himself to save the future. When Huan Wen was in Gushu, he would not be punished for the death penalty. Huan Chong believed that life and death were the most important, and he should return to the imperial court.
The punishment must first be reported to the court and then carried out——
On April 15th, King Sima Yao of Kuaiji and his servant Wang Tanzhi left Gushu to return to Jiankang. Of course Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an would not follow Huanji in exile in Changsha. She would return to Beijing with her younger brother Sima Yao this time. Chen Cao
The business in Xifu is over. I say goodbye to Huan Chong and return to the capital to meet Emperor Sima Yu. I also go with King Sima Yao and Wang Tanzhi of Kuaiji——
Gu Kaizhi, Wang Xun and others saw the King of Kuaiji and Chen Caozhi and others across Bailu Mountain, and then parted ways. Wang Xun told Chen Caozhi that he would return to Jiankang at the end of the month and formally asked a matchmaker to propose marriage to Chen Caozhi's niece, Chen Run'er. Wang Xun is nineteen years old this year, and Runer is seventeen years old——
A small car with oil walls and several attendants and maids were waiting quietly at the northern foot of Bailu Mountain. Seeing the arrival of King Kuaiji's motorcade, an attendant stepped forward to say that Lady Li wanted to say goodbye to Princess Xin'an, and Princess Xin'an Sima Daofu got out of the car. I met Li Jingshu at the Youbi cart. After about half a cup of tea, one of Li Jingshu's attendants came to invite Chen Caozhi to meet him again. This time it was not in the name of Li's wife, but Huan Wen's heir, Duke Huan Xuan of Nanjun. What did the six-year-old Huan Xuanneng have to say to Chen Caozhi? This was naturally ordered by Li Jingshu, but Chen Caozhi had to go, so he brought two personal guards there——
Six-year-old Huan Xuan, dressed in sackcloth, bowed down to Chen Caozhi and called him "uncle". He regarded Chen Caozhi as his father-in-law. Chen Caozhi quickly helped Huan Xuan up and said, "Young Master, don't be too polite. "
Li Jingshu on the side also saluted and said: "Please Governor Chen remember the past kindness of the general and take care of my orphans and widowed mother." The general Li Jingshu mentioned was Huan Wen.
Chen Caozhi returned the gift and responded: "Xiao Xuan's fifth uncle is a humble and loving man. He should be able to take care of Xiao Xuan. Madam Li, don't worry."
Li Jingshu said: "After Xiaoxuan is out of clothes, I will take him to visit Governor Chen and meet my beloved, Chen Fangyu."
Chen Cao said in his heart: "Li Jingshu is determined to let Huan Xuan marry my daughter, and she will definitely spread the word to everyone. Thirty years later, Huan Xuan usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, but was defeated and killed by Liu Yu. Long The Kanghuan family has been in decline since then, but I came to this world not only to help Huan Wen succeed in his northern expedition to the Central Plains, but also to prevent Huan Xuan and Liu Yu from usurping the throne. The reason why Huan Xuan and Liu Yu were able to rise to power was because of Sun En and Lu Xun’s Celestial Master Dao rebellion, without the great Celestial Master Dao turmoil that swept Jiangdong, Huan Xuan and Liu Yu would not have had the chance to usurp power——"
Li Jingshu saw Chen Caozhi silent and ordered Huanxuan to pay homage to Chen Caozhi again in order to win Chen Cao's sympathy——
Chen Caozhi took little Huanxuan's hand and smiled and said, "I welcome the Duke's visit to my place." He then said to Li Jingshu, "If Mrs. Li is willing, I can let the Duke visit me every May and June in the future." Come to my Chen residence by the Qinhuai River and join my sons Bo Zhen and Zhong Yu for enlightenment and education."
Li Jingshu was overjoyed and didn't quite understand why Chen Cao Zhi showed such goodwill. She thought to herself: "Could it be that Chen Cao Zhi was jealous when he saw that I was a widower? In the past, he was afraid of Huan Wen's power and did not dare to show it?" A man who prided himself on his beauty. When a woman sees a man showing favor to her, she will always think that the man is coveting her beauty——
This thought passed away in a flash, and Li Jingshu also knew that Chen Caozhi was not such a person, and she was already thirty-six years old this year, her beauty had faded, and she no longer had the confidence she once had, and who was Chen Caozhi's lovely wife and concubine? Her appearance would be inferior to hers, especially that of Murong Qinchen, whose radiant beauty seemed beyond her reach back then!
——In Jiankang at the beginning of the year, Li Jingshu went to the Xinxing Marquis Mansion to visit Murong Qinchen and fell in love with Qinqin. The two subjugated princesses, who were twenty years apart in age, had very similar fates in the past. They were both extremely beautiful princesses. The country was ruined and the family was destroyed, and she became a concubine. However, during her conversation with Murong Qinchen, Li Jingshu felt that Murong Qinchen only had love for Chen Caozhi and had no hatred. This Xianbei girl was much simpler and happier than she was back then -
When Chen Caozhi and Li Jingshu were talking, Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an stood aside very demurely and watched the two talk. It was not until Chen Caozhi left that she said: "Chen Caishi, I am here." Now Sima Daofu also This is considered polite. In the past, I always called Chen Caozhi by his first name.
Chen Caozhi approached and saluted: "Your Highness is well."
Sima Daofu kept his eyes on Chen Caozhi's face and said, "I am not at all happy. I am going to be exiled to Changsha. Chen Governor, can I divorce Huan Zhongdao?"
Chen Caozhi thought to himself: "Why do you want a divorce? Please ask your father to go." He then thought: "Sima Daofu still wants to marry me and force me to divorce Wei Rui and Daoyun to marry her?" Hey, the Sima royal family doesn't have this ability!" He said, "How could His Highness be exiled to Changsha? You can stay in Jiankang."
Sima Daofu said "Hmm" and walked towards her carriage with gentle steps. When he turned around and saw Chen Caozhi still standing there respectfully, he asked, "Do you still have something to say with Mrs. Li?"
Chen Caozhi saluted Li Jingshu and her son, and followed Princess Sima Daofu of Xin'an to the motorcade——
Sima Daofu looked back frequently and said: "Chen Jishi is not as handsome as before -"
Chen Cao smiled, Sima Daofu loved beautiful men very much, but he was very outspoken. This time he drove nearly four thousand miles from Yecheng to Gushu in less than a month. He traveled day and night, with the wind and sun blowing, and there was nothing he could do about it. It’s the handsome man with a powdered face——
But I heard Sima Daofu say again: "Why do you have a beard? Just shave it -"
Chen Caozhi was speechless. He was now the governor of Xiongzhen, and growing a beard was a sign of dignity.
Seeing Chen Caozhi not answering, Sima Daofu smiled sweetly and said: "Even if you are not as handsome as before, you have a beard, but I still like to see you. Alas, I still think of you in my heart——"
…
Since the Jin people had secretaries lurking in Chang'an, Di Qin also had secretaries in Jiangdong. In the fifth year of Xian'an, Fu Jian resigned as emperor and sent Fu Rong to ask for peace with Jin. There were constant appointments every year, and the news of Huan Wen's death was rapid. When the news came back to Chang'an, Fu Jian summoned Wang Meng, Fu Rong and others to discuss it. Fu Jian said: "Huan Wen died of illness, the disciples are quarreling, Chen Caozhi and Huan Mi are all running south. Isn't this a good opportunity to send troops to Guandong? We are sending troops to Luoyang now." , Hulao, how about the sliding platform?”
Wang Meng admonished: "Huan Wen was newly mourned, and although the disciples were quarreling with each other, with Huan Chong and Chen Cao there, there would be no turmoil in Jiangdong. Furthermore, taking advantage of his mourning to attack them, even if they gain something, it would not be a good thing, and the country is not in the same state today." If we can seize Hebei and Henan in one fell swoop, even if we can seize a few counties, we will be on the same level as Jin from now on, with endless wars. It is only in the name of defeating and mourning, but it cannot complete its achievements in one battle. It is stolen for your majesty and will not be taken. I think it is appropriate. They sent people to offer sacrifices to spread the message of righteousness throughout the world. However, Huan Wen died recently and suddenly encountered foreign enemies. Instead, the king, Xie, Huan, and Chen all had strong ministers who shared the same hatred of the enemy. It was better to slow down and wait until the strong ministers fought for power and difficulties arose. Then the generals are ordered to move out, so that the troops will not be tired and can seize the land of Hebei."
Ten days later, another secret report from Jiangdong arrived. Huan Chong had successfully succeeded Huan Wen's tribe. Although Huan Mi, the governor of Sizhou, was deposed, Shen Jin, who replaced him, was not an easy person to replace. Chen Caozhi would definitely be more relied upon by the Jin Dynasty. , Fu Jian was very impressed by Wang Meng’s knowledge of the matter——
