Wang Dun had just emerged from death row when a trusted aide immediately came to report, “General, Wang Bin and the others have all arrived at their positions, awaiting only your command.”
Wang Dun said, “Have Chen Pan secretly cross Danyang and wait outside Jiankang City for my signal.”
Having confirmed the matter of thousand-mile communication, Wang Dun became more cautious. He had originally planned to march openly from here all the way to Jiankang City, letting the world know he had been pushed to extremes by the Prince of Langya and Liu Wei, leaving him no choice.
But now, he changed his strategy. Zhao Hanzhang’s capabilities made him deeply wary. He needed to cut through the chaos swiftly and quickly take control of Jiangnan in order to confront Zhao Hanzhang across the river.
To this end, he couldn’t even spare time to deal with Wang Xuan, instead secretly deploying troops toward Jiankang.
Wang Dun knew that with Yuan Li captured and the spies in Jiankang City not completely eliminated, Zhao Hanzhang would soon receive the news. His time was limited, so he had to act fast.
After completing his strategic deployment, Wang Dun immediately submitted a memorial listing Liu Wei’s ten great crimes, demanding that the Prince of Langya execute Liu Wei. Otherwise, he would attack Jiankang City and personally slay Liu Wei.
As the letter was rushed by fast horse into Jiankang City, this memorial was simultaneously spread throughout Jiangnan. Being widely distributed across Jiangnan, Zhao Hanzhang, who possessed radios, naturally learned of it as well—the entire realm knew.
At this time, her transfer orders had just been issued. Zhao Shen had just left the capital, and Zu Di had just led the great army southward.
The Prince of Langya was still pondering how to comprehensively decline Liu Kun without offending him or Zhao Hanzhang. To avoid meeting him, he had his subordinates warmly entertain Liu Kun daily with music and song, just never seeing him personally.
Liu Kun naturally understood his intentions and was in no hurry. When invited to drink, he went. When invited to watch song and dance, he went too. In any case, he appeared to be following local customs, showing no urgency to return to Jiangbei.
The Prince of Langya suddenly received this memorial and, before he could slam the table in anger, heard officials report, “That scoundrel Wang Dun has proclaimed this memorial to the entire realm. This is to force Your Highness to wrongfully execute a loyal minister!”
Liu Wei meanwhile submitted a memorial requesting that the Prince of Langya immediately order Dai Yuan to lead the great army back to defend Jiankang and the prince’s mansion, while simultaneously arresting the Wang clan within Jiankang City.
Liu Wei said, “Regardless of whether Your Highness intends to rule across the river in the future or return to Jiangbei, the Wang clan must be eliminated. Otherwise, Your Highness will certainly die at the hands of the Wang clan in the future.”
He also said Wang Dun already harbored rebellious intentions, and at this moment they should strike forcefully, executing the Wang clan to intimidate the opposition. Otherwise, “Wang Dun will certainly raise troops in rebellion.”
Most of the officials opposed this proposal, but supported the Prince of Langya first summoning Wang Dun back: “Why not summon him back under the pretext of appeasing him, letting him confront Chief Justice Liu face to face?”
First coax the person back, then discuss further.
The Prince of Langya felt they spoke reasonably and immediately wrote a sincere letter to Wang Dun, ordering him to return to Jiankang.
The letter had just been sent when the next evening the Prince of Langya received news that Wang Dun had broken through Hefei, Du Hong had led troops to break through Huaiyin and was advancing toward Danyang—meaning he had raised troops immediately after sending the memorial, not truly intending to force him to kill Liu Wei, but genuinely planning rebellion!
The Prince of Langya was overwhelmed with anxiety and rage, coughing up blood on the spot. Upon awakening with his head buzzing, he immediately ordered, “Send people to surround all the Wang clan’s residences, quickly!”
Liu Kun was drinking wine at Wang Dao’s mansion when he heard this news and said, “I told you Wang Dun would rebel, but Your Highness refused to believe me. Now how can Jiangnan be preserved?”
Wang Dao’s expression was extremely unpleasant. He hastily said to Liu Kun, “This is Wang Dun’s individual action. The Wang clan’s sons and brothers are unwilling to collude with him. Please ask Inspector Liu to help plead for the Wang clan before His Highness.”
Liu Kun said, “I can’t even see the Prince of Langya now.”
Wang Dao lowered his eyes in thought, then said, “I will arrange for you to see His Highness.”
At this moment, the Prince of Langya was unwilling to see Wang Dao, so he couldn’t meet him. But arranging for someone beside the Prince of Langya to persuade him to see Liu Kun was still achievable.
Indeed, early the next morning Liu Kun met the Prince of Langya.
Upon meeting, Liu Kun couldn’t help gloating, “Your Highness, Wang Dun is about to attack Jiankang. What will you do then?”
Having just coughed up blood with his chest still aching dully, the Prince of Langya immediately felt his heart struck violently, hurting again.
Yet Liu Kun didn’t relent, continuing to ask, “If at this time the Zhao family army also attacks from Jiangbei, can Your Highness still hold Jiankang City?”
The Prince of Langya’s face turned deathly pale, covering his chest, unable to speak.
Liu Kun raised his hands in salute, saying, “I have old ties of friendship with Your Highness, and Maobiao has repeatedly asked me not to misunderstand you because of Wang Dun’s arrogant presumption. But matters have reached this point—I’m willing to stay only two more days. If Your Highness still hasn’t responded after two days, I will return to Jiangbei with the imperial envoy delegation, and the case of Jingzhou tax grain need not be investigated further.”
With that, he rose and departed.
As he walked out of the study, he happened to see a young man in fine robes standing outside. He didn’t recognize him, but seeing his handsome bearing, and always appreciating beauty, he immediately nodded to him.
The young man bowed low, only straightening after he passed and then entering the study.
The Prince of Langya sat dejectedly, leaning sideways on the couch, his eyes bloodshot with tear stains still on his cheeks.
Sima Shao took out a handkerchief to wipe his father’s tears, softly consoling, “Father, the decline of the Jin house is not your fault. Let us return to Luoyang.”
The Prince of Langya grasped his hand and wept, “Once Jiangnan falls to Zhao Hanzhang, she will certainly not be content to remain merely a Jin subject. You and I, father and son, and the Emperor, will likely all be unable to preserve ourselves.”
Sima Shao said, “This is why Father should not harm Uncle Wang and the other loyal Wang clan sons and brothers. You should see Uncle Wang. After returning to court, with Uncle Wang’s protection, we should be safe.”
He continued, “Zhao Hanzhang has an excellent reputation. This realm was taken by her one soldier and one battle at a time. Unlike our family. She should be able to tolerate us as the former dynasty tolerated Emperor Xian.”
The Prince of Langya’s face flushed completely red, muttering, “What kind of talk is this from you, child…”
Yet he didn’t scold him, because he knew this son was much cleverer than himself. To speak with unbridled presumptuousness, after coming to Jiangnan, some aristocratic families sided with him precisely because of this son, feeling he had a worthy successor.
The Prince of Langya felt fear, yet Sima Shao was much more optimistic, persuading his father, “After the Zhou destroyed the Shang, they left their descendants to establish the fief of Song. Though the First Emperor destroyed the six kingdoms, he treated the six kingdoms’ royal families well, never exterminating them. When the former dynasty replaced the Han, the Duke of Shanyang also died of natural causes. The ritual of two kings and three venerated states is established protocol. Zhao Hanzhang has always had a good reputation—the Emperor will have a good end, and though you occupy Jiangnan, if you proactively surrender, we will certainly receive courteous treatment and important positions.”
“Look at Liu Yueshi—among his advisors and followers, hasn’t anyone incited him to restore his kingdom? Yet whether the Jin house or Zhao Hanzhang, both employ him heavily, precisely because they know he has no ambition to proclaim himself emperor or seek hegemony.” Sima Shao said, “Father, we fled to Jiangnan—though we had ambitious designs for power, wasn’t it originally because we knew there was no way to survive in Jiangbei, and only then did we cross south? Now the Xiongnu have been pacified. We can live peacefully in our homeland.”
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