Farmers of Shu Han

Chapter 1455 A Fake Trip to Shouchun
"Traitorous minister! Traitor to the nation!"

Guanqiu Jian roared again, but this time his anger contained less hesitation and more determination.

Sima Yi's treachery enraged him, but Feng Yong's seemingly divine foresight and promises forced him to make a choice:
Should we sit and wait for death, allowing the Sima family to seize power, or should we seize this only opportunity and fight back?
Since Feng Yong had anticipated that I would take this step, his promise might not have been entirely a scheme, but rather he was happy to see Wei Kingdom fighting amongst itself.

But even if you see through Feng Yong's scheme, so what?
Guanqiu Jian knew that he had become a pawn and was trapped in a deadly situation.

If we betray Cao Wei, we will not only fail to repay the kindness of three generations of Cao emperors, but we will also be unable to escape Sima Yi's suspicion and purge.

The road ahead may seem to branch out, but in reality, there is only one dead end – that is to take a gamble, and at the same time, to fight for the Wei dynasty one last time.

Despair followed him relentlessly, driving him to the brink of despair. With only a surge of courage, he faced death head-on.

"We must serve the emperor! We must serve the emperor!" His gaze sharpened.

Then he suddenly shook his head, "No, no!"

Xuchang's troops were insufficient to contend with Qiaoxian, not to mention that Xuchang relied heavily on Qiaoxian for its provisions.

The military farms surrounding Xuchang had long been destroyed.

At this time, the army's food reserves were less than three months' worth.

"Three months..."

Guanqiu Jian looked hesitant.

No one dares to say that they can defeat Sima Yi in three months.

Even Feng Mingwen needed more than a year to drive Sima Yi out of Hebei.

Not to mention that their own troop strength was not superior at all at this time.

After thinking for a long time, Guanqiu Jian's eyes flickered. He first looked to the northwest, but finally turned his gaze to the southeast.

Now, the biggest obstacle is no longer the way back, but the lack of strength in the front.

He needs allies, allies of sufficient importance.

The two prefectures of Qing and Xu are no longer a possibility.

It was basically under Sima Yi's control.

The only one left is Wang Ling in the southeast direction.

If they can join forces with Wang Ling, Xuchang and Shouchun, one in the west and one in the east, will form a mutually supportive alliance.

Furthermore, given Feng Yong's promise not to attack from behind, they might not be without the ability to fight Sima Yi!
He turned abruptly, walked to his desk, spread out a silk scroll, and prepared to write a secret letter.

The pen stopped the moment it touched the silk paper.

Guanqiu Jian knew all too well that sending this letter to Shouchun was tantamount to putting his life and fortune on the line.

Wang Ling's attitude will be the key to success or failure.

Is the other party really willing to cooperate with me?

Guanqiu Jian silently put down his pen and slumped to the ground.

"The Wang family of Taiyuan is a prestigious and illustrious clan, descendants of loyal and valiant men... General of Chariots and Cavalry, holding a high position and great power..."

After much deliberation, Guanqiu Jian's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he picked up his brush again, his strokes flowing like dragons and snakes.

After finishing the book, he sealed the silk cloth and then said in a deep voice, "Someone come here!"

That night, a messenger carrying Guanqiu Jian's secret letter quietly left Xuchang City and rode at full speed towards Shouchun.
-
In the days following the dispatch of the messenger, Guanqiu Jian remained anxious and uncertain, worried about the uncertain success or failure of the alliance with Wang Ling.

But since he has already sent an envoy, there is a possibility of leaks. So regardless of whether it succeeds or not, he will raise an army.

Otherwise, delays may lead to unforeseen changes.

That day, as he was deep in thought, gazing at the map, a trusted retainer silently entered and whispered:

“General, a merchant-looking man is requesting an audience outside the mansion. He claims to be from Shouchun, surnamed Lao, and has important items belonging to the General of Chariots and Cavalry (i.e., Wang Ling) to present to you.”

"What?" Guanqiu Jian looked up abruptly upon hearing this, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Wang Ling's man?

How can it be?

Even if my messenger were to ride at top speed, he probably wouldn't have left Yuzhou by now. How could his men have arrived in Xuchang so quickly?
A strong sense of surprise and vigilance instantly welled up in my heart.

Was it a trick by Sima Yi, who impersonated Wang Ling's envoy to test the waters?
Or is it that Wang Ling... has something else going on?
Guanqiu Jian fired off a barrage of questions in a low voice, his tone stern: "How many people came? Were they searched?"

"He was alone, with nothing but a secret letter and no weapons were found."

Guanqiu Jian pondered for a moment, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and then gave the order:
"Bring him in through the side door, away from our eyes and ears, and have ambush him with swords and axes, awaiting my command!"

When the newcomer was led in, Guanqiu Jian sat with his hand on his sword, his gaze as cold as two scrapers, carefully scrutinizing the other person.

Although the other person looked travel-worn and dressed plainly, he was tall and had a steady gaze. He showed no fear in the face of the tense atmosphere in the room and did have a certain military bearing.

"You come from Shouchun? You claim to be an envoy of the King of Chariots and Cavalry, what proof do you have?"

Guanqiu Jian got straight to the point, his voice cold and stern, leaving no room for maneuver.

The visitor bowed respectfully, neither servile nor arrogant.

"General Guanqiu, you are wise. This matter is sudden and there was no time to inform you in advance. This is a handwritten note by General Wang, and it is accompanied by the personal seal that the General of Chariots and Cavalry usually uses."

As he spoke, he took out a sealed letter with sealing wax from his inner garment and presented it along with a small brocade pouch.

Guanqiu Jian did not immediately go to answer it, but continued to ask:

"Oh? Since you were sent by the General of Chariots and Cavalry, you must be serving under General Wang. May I ask your honorable name?"

"This humble general has worked hard and was appointed as a supervisor under the General of the Chariots and Cavalry. His position is lowly and his rank is humble. I was ordered to come here this time because I had the honor of meeting the General once when I escorted the young master of the Chariots and Cavalry to Qiao County and passed through Xuchang. Therefore, I have been entrusted with this important task."

Lao Jing, neither humble nor arrogant, brought up an old story from his early years.

But this was not enough to dispel Guanqiu Jian's doubts. He asked about some things related to Wang Ling, and seeing that the other party answered fluently, he reached out and took the secret letter and brocade pouch.

But when he finished reading the secret letter, his expression suddenly changed drastically, turning from solemn to deathly pale with horror.

He slammed the letter down on the table with a sharp "smack," abruptly stood up, pointed a trembling finger at Lao Jing, and shouted sternly:

"How dare you! How outrageous! Wang Ling'an dares to utter such nonsense! He even intends to depose the emperor, this is utterly treasonous!"

His voice, sharp with anger, echoed in the confined room, filled with disbelief and horror.

This sudden outburst caused the axemen who had been lying in ambush to rush out and surround Lao Jing.

Lao Jing was startled by this sudden turn of events and instinctively took a half step back.

Guanqiu Jian pointed at Lao Jing, his voice and expression stern:
"Seize this traitor! I will personally escort him, along with this treacherous letter, to Qiao County to report everything to the Grand Tutor, expose Wang Ling's disloyal intentions, and uphold the law!"

Upon hearing this, the air in the sealed room seemed to freeze.

The executioners stepped forward, ready to strike.

At this moment, Guanqiu Jian stared intently at Lao Jing's face, observing his most subtle reactions.

Lao Jing looked at Guanqiu Jian with some disbelief.

Looking at the ferocious axemen, the color drained from his face instantly, but was quickly replaced by an extreme grief and indignation.

Instead of backing down, he took a sudden step forward, his eyes bloodshot, almost spitting fire, his voice hoarse and trembling with excitement:
"Guanqiu Jian! My lord is truly blind! He actually thought you were a loyal and brave man devoted to the Wei dynasty, and before you left, he repeatedly instructed you, saying, 'Zhong Gong is upright and resolute, and will never fail the country!'"

He pointed a finger at Guanqiu Jian, his fingertips trembling violently with anger:
"Now the traitor Sima Yi has usurped power and forced the emperor to a standstill, and the imperial regalia is on the verge of collapse! Our lord, wishing to turn the tide, is willing to risk his life and fortune to revitalize the Great Wei dynasty! What unwavering loyalty and heroic sacrifice this is!"

"And you!" Lao Jing's voice suddenly rose, filled with endless disappointment and mockery, "yet you only know how to be bound by petty loyalty, willingly becoming a timid and cowardly colt!"

"Do you think that by killing me, taking this letter, and then groveling before that old scoundrel Sima, he will tolerate you, a former official of the Cao family? You're just delusional!"

"My poor lord, whose loyal heart shines as bright as the sun and moon, has been misplaced in the hands of a coward like you! How lamentable that the ancestors of the Great Wei, if they had known that loyal officials would be doomed and treacherous ministers would be in power today, how heartbroken they would have been!"

By the end, Lao Jing was in tears. He spat heavily, then stood tall and proud.

"What harm is there in my dying day today? I'll just go first and watch from the afterlife how you, Guanqiu Jian, are cooked and discarded by the Sima clan after you've served your purpose, and how the Great Wei dynasty is destroyed by your incompetent ministers!"

After saying this, a resolute, bitter smile flashed across Lao Jing's face. Before the guards could react, he suddenly lowered his head and, with all his might, smashed into the axe and sword held by the axemen in front of him!
This sudden turn of events was astonishingly swift; his resolve to die was unwavering, and he refused to be captured or humiliated.

"Stop him! Don't hurt anyone!"

Guanqiu Jian's exclamation rang out almost simultaneously with Lao Jing's movements.

He never expected Lao Jing to be so fierce and resolute.

The axe-wielder was also taken aback by this sudden act of suicide. He instinctively tried to retract his weapon, but it was too late.

With a sharp "ripping" sound, Lao Jing's forehead slammed heavily against the cold blade!
Fortunately, due to the guard's retreating movement, the blade did not meet the enemy vertically, but instead grazed Lao Jing's forehead with its side and edge.

A deep, bone-revealing wound instantly burst open, and blood gushed out like splashed ink, instantly staining half of his face red and even splattering onto the guard's armor.

Lao Jing let out a muffled groan. The enormous impact and excruciating pain caused him to sway and stagger backward.

The other guards on both sides finally realized what was happening and rushed forward to hold down Lao Jing, who had lost the ability to resist due to blood loss and dizziness.

Guanqiu Jian rushed forward and looked at the terrible wound on Lao Jing's forehead, where the flesh was torn open and blood was gushing out. He felt both fear and emotion.

He immediately tore off a corner of the inner lining of his official robe and pressed it against Lao Jing's wound to try to stop the bleeding. At the same time, he shouted sternly, "What are you all standing there for! Summon the physician immediately! Get the best wound medicine!"

Blood quickly soaked through the strips of cloth, flowing down Lao Jing's cheeks and dripping onto the cold floor of the secret room.

But his blood-stained eyes still stared intently at Guanqiu Jian with hatred, and he made a hoarse sound in his throat, as if he wanted to say something, but he was unable to speak due to the pain and weakness.

Guanqiu Jian looked at the face that was particularly ferocious due to the bloodstains and resolute determination, and felt a mix of emotions.

This person's loyalty, courage, and fierce spirit far exceeded his expectations.

He pressed his hand tightly against the wound, lowered his voice, and said in a complicated tone:

"General Lao... why has it come to this! Why has it come to this! I... am not what you think..."
-
Guanqiu Jian and Wang Ling were making intensive preparations for raising an army.

Meanwhile, in Qiao County, Sima Yi was also steadily pushing forward Cao Fang's eastern tour to Pengcheng.

In March, Sima Yi left Guo Huai to guard Qiao County, while he himself, accompanied by Cao Fang, began an eastern tour.

The melted snow had just completely seeped into the ground, and the early spring wind still carried a biting chill, stirring up the half-dry, half-wet mud on the ground, but no longer raising the dust of the past.

The emperor's banners fluttered heavily in the wind as the ceremonial guard slowly moved forward, treading on the muddy road left by the melting snow.

Sima Yi rode in the same imperial carriage as the already young Emperor Cao Fang. He maintained the respectful demeanor befitting a subject and did not overstep his bounds.

But it made the seventeen-year-old emperor sit up straight and not dare to slack off in the slightest.

Instead of heading straight for Pengcheng as usual, the large group deliberately detoured south, heading directly to Shouchun, a major town in Huainan.

This unusual move cast a shadow over both banks of the Huai River.

When the news reached Shouchun City, it immediately filled Wang Ling with doubt and uncertainty: Why would the Emperor, on his eastern tour, specifically pass through this place? Was it a coincidence, or...?

Cao Wei's General of Chariots and Cavalry, who already harbored ulterior motives, was determined not to leave the city.

However, the emperor's command is hard to disobey, and moreover, the emperor's carriage has already arrived at the city gates. As a subject, how can I not see it?
"Your Majesty's arrival is a matter I should personally go out of the city to greet you."

Wang Ling spoke in a deep voice to his confidant, his tone trembling slightly.

Without mobilizing the Huainan army, his own troops were simply no match for the large army outside the city.

So he had to go.

"Imperial chariots! This is absolutely unacceptable!" Wang Yu, a trusted advisor, urgently advised. "The emperor's entourage could be arranged anytime, anywhere, so why must it pass through Shouchun at this crucial juncture? There must be something fishy going on!"

Wang Ling stopped, his gaze still fixed on the markings on the map that represented cities and passes, as if he could find a sense of security in them.

He waved his hand, his tone conveying a forced composure, an attempt to convince himself and his subordinates alike:

"You're overthinking it. The matter of deposing and installing an emperor is known only to you, me, and a handful of others, including Gongzhi (Linghu Yu, Wang Ling's nephew). It was an extremely secretive affair. Sima Yi is far away in Qiao County; how could he possibly know what's happening a thousand miles away?"

"Perhaps...perhaps His Majesty is indeed concerned about the defense of the Jianghuai region and has come to inspect it. If I were to feign illness and not come out, it would only make me appear guilty and arouse suspicion."

"The Chariots and Cavalry!" Wang Yu stepped forward anxiously. "The Chariots and Cavalry hold a large army and dominate Huainan, which has already made Sima Yi uneasy!"

"Even if Sima Yi is unaware of the conspiracy, he will certainly use this opportunity to weaken the general's power and even test the general's loyalty. General, please think carefully!"

Seeing that Wang Ling was still hesitating, he lowered his voice and proposed a more radical option:

"The best course of action now is to act decisively, or we will only suffer more chaos! It would be better to... better to launch an attack now and catch them off guard!"

"While their entourage is still establishing itself, our army can wait in comfort and perhaps capture and kill Sima Yi in one fell swoop, then welcome the emperor and the great cause can be accomplished!"

"Foolish!" Wang Ling turned around abruptly, his voice suddenly becoming stern: "The date for the uprising has already been agreed upon with Guanqiu Jian, how can it be changed so easily?"

"With a hasty uprising, and with preparations for supplies, weapons, and contacting various forces still incomplete, how can it possibly succeed?"

"If we fail, not only will we be doomed, but His Majesty will also be in grave danger! This is not the act of a loyal subject!"

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his somewhat disordered breathing, and continued:
“Look at the army outside the city, their banners cover the fields, their ranks are well-organized, and their strength is ten times that of ours. Sima Yi is a seasoned and shrewd strategist; he is no ordinary man. Now we are outnumbered and outgunned. If we rashly attack, it would be like driving a lamb into the tiger's mouth. A wise man would not do that.”

"Furthermore, if Sima Yi has no ill intentions, wouldn't if we made the first move, wouldn't that confirm our crime of treason and give him a handle against us? How would the world view me, Wang Ling, then?"

“I still need to go. If I handle things properly and am careful with my words and actions, I might be able to dispel their doubts and perhaps even find out Sima Yi’s true strength.”

Looking at the unrealistic hope and excessive worry on the commander's face, Wang Yu felt a chill in his heart.

He knew that they had underestimated Sima Yi's ruthlessness and shrewdness, and overestimated their own room for maneuver under the crushing power of absolute authority.

"Chariots..." Wang Yu wanted to make one last effort.

"No need to say anything more!" Wang Ling waved his hand decisively, making his final decision. "My mind is made up."

After saying this, Wang Ling began to change into his court robes, preparing to go to the military camp to pay his respects.

In the mirror, he tried to make his expression appear calm and composed, but the undisguised unease deep in his eyes was impossible to shake off.

He was taking a huge gamble, betting that Sima Yi was unaware of the situation, and betting on his own wisdom and luck.

He didn't want to gamble, but he had no choice.

Outside Shouchun City, the emperor's camp was heavily guarded. The armor and weapons reflected the bleak sunlight of early spring, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

Wang Lingyi, dressed in a crimson court robe, walked alone, each step treading on mud and trepidation.

However, when he was still more than ten feet away from the emperor's carriage, the armored soldiers suddenly closed in like an impregnable wall, their cold spears and halberds crisscrossing and blocking his path.

Wang Ling's heart sank, and an ominous premonition was like ice water poured over his head, but he still forced himself to remain calm, gritted his teeth, and tried his best to maintain the dignity of a regional governor as he looked at the figure beside the imperial carriage.

Sima Yi stood with his hands at his sides, his expression indifferent as water.

Although his aged body appeared somewhat hunched, his cold gaze swept over and collided with Wang Ling's gaze in mid-air.

This made Wang Ling's heart sink even further.

Wang Ling took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and shouted towards Sima Yi in a voice as steady as possible but loud enough for those around him to hear:
“If I, Wang Ling, have truly committed a crime, Grand Tutor, you need only summon me with half a bamboo slip, how dare I not come? Why must His Majesty personally lead the army to press me!”

These words were both a question and a test—he was betting that Sima Yi had no real evidence, that this was just a show of force to intimidate him, a warning to his opponent who held considerable military power.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi's lips twitched very slightly, but it was not a smile; rather, it was a detached mockery born from a profound understanding of everything.

He spoke, his voice not loud, but each word was like an ice pick, piercing Wang Ling's ears with precision:

"What a pity, Wang Cheqi. You are no longer a guest who can be summoned with just a letter."

With a loud "boom," Wang Ling felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his mind went blank, and his last hope was completely extinguished like a flickering candle.

The color drained from his face instantly, and even his lips turned ashen.

Overwhelmed by immense fear and the rage of being mocked!
Overwhelmed by rage, he almost instinctively shouted, his voice distorted and trembling from the intense surge of emotion:
"Grand Tutor! What...what do you mean by this?! I, Wang Ling, am utterly loyal to the Great Wei and His Majesty, as Heaven and Earth can attest! How can you smear my innocence like this?!"

However, in Sima Yi's eyes, Wang Ling's performance was particularly clumsy and ridiculous, which actually made a smile appear on his expressionless face.

But after the smile faded, his expression suddenly turned grim, his tone became incredibly stern and murderous. He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the entire room like a blade, finally settling on Wang Ling's face, and he shouted righteously and sternly:

"Shut up! If I, Sima Yi, truly intend to betray you, Wang Yanyun, then I would rather betray you alone than betray the Great Wei court, and I cannot let His Majesty down!"

Before he could finish speaking, Sima Yi suddenly waved his hand.

Two bound men were roughly escorted up from the rear by soldiers and shoved to their knees.

It was Yang Kang, the advisor to Linghu Yu, who was ashen-faced and trembling like a leaf.

And Yang Hong, Wang Ling's confidant, was so ashamed that he lowered his head and dared not look directly at him!

"Wang Ling!" Sima Yi's voice wasn't loud, but it boomed like thunder in the deathly silent camp. "You colluded with your nephew Linghu Yu to plot the deposition of the emperor, and even sent envoys to contact Guanqiu Jian, intending to overthrow the state! The evidence is overwhelming, what more do you have to say?!"

The moment Wang Ling saw Yang Kang and Yang Hong, he felt as if his spine had been ripped out.

The feigned anger on his face froze instantly, quickly turning into utter despair and hopelessness.

When his gaze fell on the two prisoners again, his disappointment and anger made him want to tear them to pieces.

The strength to scream had vanished, the will to defend oneself had died down, and even standing required a struggle.

Seeing the other party's appearance, Sima Yi said no more and coldly ordered: "Seize the traitor Wang Ling and escort him to Pengcheng to await His Majesty's judgment!"

The soldiers, as fierce as wolves and tigers, swarmed forward, removed Wang Ling's crown and seal, and bound him.

Wang Ling did not resist, but only glanced one last time at the emperor's carriage, which was so close yet so far away, before being escorted away from the scene.

The room fell silent. Cao Fang, who had been too afraid to make a sound, took a barely perceptible breath, trying to calm her wildly beating heart.

He dared not make any eye contact with Sima Yi beside him, nor did he dare to look at the other's expression.

He simply cast his gaze at the blurry outline of Shouchun City in the distance, his heart filled with a cold sense of bewilderment.