Chapter 0009: The Reconstruction of Sun Wu

As for Kuaiji, there has been no progress for a long time. The memorial from the Yu family to suppress the rebellion has even been sent to Jiankang, aiming to legitimize their actions; in other words, they seek official recognition, using the potential threat posed by their father as a bargaining chip for advancement. However, the court is concerned that this might further provoke their father and has temporarily refrained from responding. Consequently, the father, whose retreat has been cut off, is naturally perceived as less of a threat in the eyes of the court.

In later generations, Shen Zhezi found it somewhat perplexing that Wang Dao held a funeral for Wang Dun while he was still alive. However, now being in the midst of the situation, he increasingly felt that Wang Dao's actions were indeed quite brilliant, as a gentle push led to significant turmoil in the political landscape

It is foreseeable that as this news spreads, the current stalemate will undergo significant changes within a matter of days

In the following period, Shen Zhezi stayed in the camp, observing his father as he interacted with various parties. The numerous parties involved can be roughly categorized into three types

In terms of the court, Wang Dun's death from illness is the best outcome, as it can greatly alleviate the pressure of military might, allowing for a more composed arrangement in dealing with the rebels, whether through extermination or appeasement.

It is precisely for this reason that the people of Wu have always harbored an impulse in their hearts, which is to reshape Jiangdong, to replicate the situation of Sun Wu, and to govern by dividing the river. During the tumultuous times at the transition between the Two Jin Dynasties, the motives and purposes behind the various upheavals in the Jiangnan region were almost always similar. For instance, the scholars of Wu County supported Chen Min in rebellion, and the conspiracy of Zhou Qi from Yixing to revolt was exposed before it could be realized

However, it is not easy for the southern people to reside in Fangzhen. The four towns of Jing, Yang, Jiang, and Xu are all under the control of the expatriate clans, and each expatriate state is in the hands of the leaders of the displaced population. Furthermore, the more southern regions such as Guangzhou and Jiaozhou are far from the center of Wu territory, with vast lands and sparse populations, essentially mere facades. It is impossible for the old man to seize food from the jaws of the expatriate clans without the support of local scholars.

Eastern Wu fell in the year 280 AD. Subsequently, the southern people moved north to serve in the court but were never regarded with importance, seen merely as remnants of a fallen state. Among the scholars of Wu, even those from prestigious families such as the Gu and Lu clans were directly referred to as "Marten Slaves" in the north, and later became embroiled in the chaos of the Eight Kings' Rebellion, suffering greatly. For instance, Lu Ji from Wu Commandery, at the time of his death, lamented, "The cries of the cranes in Huating, how can they be heard again?" He deeply regretted moving north to seek an official position.

Regarding this wish of the old man, Shen Zhezi was at a loss whether to cry or to laugh. As a Wu person, he certainly had to agree with the old man's wish, as it was the only way to ensure the interests of the Wu people. However, he happened to possess the soul of a time traveler from a later era, fully aware that if the old man's idea were to become a reality, the regime based in Jiangdong would essentially be discarding its most precious legal tradition and legitimacy, rendering it no different from the ephemeral Hu regimes in the northern territories.

The leverage held by the Shen family can only exert its maximum effect when the Wang army remains inactive, allowing for a small force to contend against a larger one. However, with Hu and Wuxing being far apart, under the communication conditions of ancient times, it would be difficult to respond effectively in the event of any unforeseen changes.

What signal does Wang Dao's behavior send to the other parties? Shen Zhezi, constrained by his limited perspective, may have made an erroneous judgment. However, from the standpoint of the old man, there is a clear sense of urgency that time is not on his side. This action can be said to have completely eliminated the old man's opportunity to wait and observe; he must either resist or concede, leaving no room for maneuvering through leveraging the situation

Although later historical records state that Wang Dao consistently opposed Wang Dun's rebellion, an examination of his actions reveals that this individual clearly outlined the distribution of the court's military personnel in his letters persuading his brothers to surrender. With such detailed intelligence, if he was still unable to achieve results, it can only be attributed to the prevailing circumstances, or one must conclude that the actual commander of the battle, Wang Han, was indeed quite foolish.

Shen Zhezi thought to himself, since his father has already exhausted some of his skills here, it is time for his plans to be put into action

Shen Zhezi saw that his father was already in a state of confusion, and without further hesitation, he stepped forward and said urgently: "The situation is already as precarious as a pile of eggs; we must take extraordinary measures to break this desperate situation! Please allow me to lead an army to Kuaiji to turn the tide!"

In the region of the Three Wus, Kuaiji is the heartland. Although it enjoys geographical advantages, it is somewhat lacking in terms of human resources. It does not possess the esteemed reputation of the gentry from Wujun, nor the formidable clans from Wuxing. They also seek to assert their presence, have their own demands, and are unwilling to remain vassals in that era

As the plum rain season arrives, the situation develops like the darkened sky, becoming increasingly chaotic. To prevent the army from suffering prolonged weariness and low morale, Shen Chong mobilized the troops to leave Longxi in stages and relocated to Wukang Mountain. Shen Zhezi moved with the army, sensing his father's restless mood, as the inclination to resolve the situation through military means became more apparent.

From Wang Dun's perspective, he would naturally not be deceived by this; instead, he would take this opportunity to mobilize a large army and make a decisive advance, burning his boats and striving to achieve success in one battle, thereby gaining some unexpected advantages, as delay could lead to changes in the situation

Although the Eastern Jin court was situated in a corner, it still represented the legitimate succession of the Han people, serving as a universal empire encompassing all Han individuals. This was due to the political legacy it inherited, which had fostered a sense of cohesion among countless Han people over the centuries since the Qin and Han dynasties. Therefore, by the end of the Eastern Jin dynasty, despite the fact that various northern expeditions failed to achieve their full objectives due to differing intentions, they were consistently met with support and endorsement from the Han people in the northern regions, inherently occupying a moral high ground.

The relatives of Shen Zhen and others serving in the court continuously reported the dynamics of the central power holders. The Wang family of Langya, led by Wang Dao, found themselves in a delicate situation, practicing restraint and keeping a low profile. Currently, the court is favoring Gao Ping and Qi Jian, to the extent that even Nan Shi Ji Zhan, who recommended Qi Jian, is receiving great honor. This indicates that the court has firmly decided to confront the Wang family to the end, ensuring that the old events of Yongchang do not repeat.

We cannot continue to waste time like this any longer

Currently, the old man has identified the Kuaiji region as the sole key to breaking the deadlock. Daily correspondence is exchanged, yet there remains a stalemate with no significant progress.

This divergence does not indicate that one is superior to the other; it is merely a result of each individual's upbringing and experiences.

The letter was sent urgently from Jiankang just the day before, when the Wang clan residing in Jiankang, under the leadership of Wang Dao, held a funeral for Wang Dun, who was far away in Yu Lake and suffering from illness.

It was not until Shen Zhezi heard his father's true intentions that he realized that his father's chaos, which seemed to respond to Wang Dun, actually harbored a similar dream of reconstructing the situation in Eastern Wu, placing the court under the control of the Wu people

Although the current major threat to the court is the army of Wang Dun and Wang Hanzhi stationed at the lake, the elite troops commanded by Shen Chong in Wuxing also possess the capability to influence the situation. Therefore, the court quickly responded to his father, offering the conditions of being promoted to the rank of Wukang Bo and being appointed as a Shangshu Lang, a privilege exclusively enjoyed by the gentry.

However, the implementation of this plan must await a suitable opportunity

In the undercurrents before this great change, the scholars of Wu Commandery also expressed their stance to their elders, showing optimism towards the situation but choosing not to participate, fully demonstrating the inaction and shamelessness of the aristocratic families.

Recently, Old Father has been exchanging several letters daily with Yu Hu. Shen Zhezi naturally knows that although Wang Dun is currently plagued by illness, he is still some time away from death. At this moment, Wang Dao's mourning for him carries profound implications.

The Jiangbei refugees' leader did respond, stating that as long as the elder does not take action, they will never enter Wuxing. They even guaranteed that if the elder is willing to offer more rewards, they are willing to jointly support the elder in maintaining control over the region

Shen Chong was naturally dissatisfied with this; his greatest concern was the court's subsequent reckoning. Therefore, his bottom line was to avoid entering the court and to seek control over the local garrisons. As a result, he disregarded these conditions, intensifying his connections with the gentry of Wu on one hand, while on the other hand, he corresponded with Qian Feng, who was in the Wang army, to strategize. He aimed to have the Wang family increase their troops by three thousand in both Jing and Jiang garrisons, thereby continuously applying pressure on the court.

Upon entering the central military tent, Shen Zhezi saw his father sitting at the desk with a pale face, a sense of anger evident. On the desk lay an urgent letter, clearly indicating that more bad news had arrived

During this period, Shen Zhezi has been helping his father organize information and stay informed about current events, and he has gradually become accustomed to the current reading habits. He quickly glanced over the letter and understood why his father expressed such sentiments.

Until the official fall of the Western Jin in 316 AD, a span of thirty-seven years, the Wu gentry can be said to have never integrated into the mainstream of the times, consistently remaining a target of suspicion and suppression. This phenomenon continued into the Eastern Jin, where the expatriate surnames migrated south, still holding the central power of the court and forbidding the Wu gentry from intervening

However, if the Jiangdong court abandons the Jin regime and instead supports the Wu regime, which has never ruled over the Central Plains, there would be no reason, motivation, or capability for a northern expedition

However, this guarantee is merely a joke. Although the bandit leader possesses significant power, he does not have the ability to influence the court's affairs. In this Eastern Jin dynasty, dominated by aristocratic families, they can be described with a phrase from later generations: like a chamber pot, taken out when needed and shoved under the bed when not in use, they are fundamentally incapable of providing substantial assistance to the old man. In short, they have not yet developed into a formidable political force.

From Wang Dao's perspective, it allows him to secure more room for maneuvering. Although Wang Dun was the instigator of the chaos, now that he is dead, the Wang family can slightly retreat from the awkward position of being the main conspirators in the subsequent turmoil. This can alleviate the pressure of public opinion between the court and the people in Jiankang City, while also igniting the indignation and cohesion among the Wang clan's youth, enabling them to unite and respond to the ever-changing political landscape.

Old Father sighed deeply and pushed the letter towards Shen Zhezi

Through the increasingly agitated emotions of the old man, Shen Zhezi can discern that the situation is gradually deteriorating. The current circumstances leave the old man with few choices: either to continue the military campaign as per historical inertia, risking everything, or to cease hostilities and enter the court as an official, awaiting the court's subsequent reckoning, with the sword of Damocles hanging overhead

In addition to Shen Zhen, this time there is also Gu Pi, the son of Gu Rong from the prominent gentry of Jiangnan, who, apart from seeking alliances, does not hesitate to advise his father against being obstinate and isolating himself from contemporary society

Shen Chong was still pondering how to negotiate with the gentry of Wu in order to break the current predicament. Shen Zhezi took his leave, but his heart felt heavy. He realized that he had a difference in perspective with his father. His father, having grown up in Wu, probably never ventured north of the Yangtze River in his life, and his thoughts were solely focused on how to elevate their family status and maintain the situation in the Three Wus. If he were to talk to his father about the northern expedition, he would probably think he had gone mad.

Shen Zhezi did not expect to persuade his father, as his father had his own plans. With a growing understanding of the current situation and combining it with his own foresight of the trends, Shen Zhezi gradually developed his own ideas for overcoming difficulties. Although his views differed from his father's, Shen Zhezi understood that he was closely tied to the Shen family, and naturally, he could seek common ground while reserving differences.

Wang Situ is decisive and experienced, a talent of the nation; I truly cannot compare to him