Farmers of Shu Han

Chapter 1463 The End
When news of the disastrous defeat at Dongxing reached Pengcheng, it was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a nearly dried-up oil pan, causing an uproar throughout the pseudo-Wei court.

If this defeat had been inflicted by the Han state, the officials might have remained silent—after all, they were "used to" it.

After all, the emperor's "eastward tour" from Luoyang to this remote corner of Pengcheng had been marked by repeated defeats against the powerful Han dynasty, which seemed to have become a kind of helpless norm.

What can you do if you're not used to it?
But this time, they were defeated by the Wu Kingdom, by the Eastern pirates who were always regarded as "keeping to themselves in a corner" and "relying solely on naval warfare".

Moreover, this was not a minor setback, but a complete and utter defeat. In the blink of an eye, the fertile land of Huainan was lost, and even the imperial hometown of Qiao County fell into the hands of the Wu people.

This utter humiliation instantly shattered the last shred of hope in the hearts of the Wei court officials.

The immense sense of loss from possessing thirteen states to being confined to the two corners of Qing and Xu provinces transformed into overwhelming resentment and unbearable shame.

Once upon a time, the Great Wei Dynasty looked down upon the world, and the Wu bandits were nothing more than clowns who occupied a corner of the land.

Now, even this "clown" can casually step on the Great Wei?
In the imperial court, emotions of grief, indignation, doubt, and panic intertwined and permeated the atmosphere.

Among them, the reactions of Li Feng, the Grand Secretary, and Zhang Ji, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, were the most intense.

As if they had found an outlet for their anger, or perhaps seen some opportunity, they jointly submitted a memorial, their words sharp and incisive:
"Your Majesty! Sima Zhao was young and reckless, causing the loss of troops and the disgrace of the country, the loss of cities and territories. His crimes are heinous! We implore Your Majesty to immediately remove him from all his posts and imprison him to be punished!"

This earth-shattering impeachment was like a boulder crashing into the stagnant court, startling all the civil and military officials, who looked at each other in dismay.

However, for the two of them, this was far from enough.

Zhang Ji followed closely behind, raising his voice and directing his criticism at the behemoth who, though bedridden, still cast a shadow over the court:
"I second that opinion! Moreover, I believe that Sima Zhao's defeat was not solely his fault! The Grand Tutor misjudged people, sending his son out rashly; made flawed decisions, condoning the defeat; and failed to properly educate his son, leading to today's disaster!"

"Grand Tutor Sima Yi has the responsibility to assist the government and the duty to educate his family. Now that the country has suffered heavy losses and lost thousands of miles of territory, how can he lie low and remain uninvolved? I beg Your Majesty at the risk of my life to investigate and punish Grand Tutor Sima Yi for his dereliction of duty!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent, so quiet that one could hear each other's suppressed breathing.

This is no longer just about pursuing the defeated generals; its sharp edge is aimed directly at those behind the scenes.

Everyone understands that this is more than just impeachment.

This pent-up anger finally found an outlet after Dongxing's defeat.

Suddenly, a storm was brewing in Pengcheng, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.
-
Pengcheng, the inner chamber of the Grand Tutor's residence.

The smell of medicine almost overpowered the incense. Sima Yi lay on the couch, his face withered and motionless, like a dead man.

Only his deep-set eyes flashed with a glimmer of light when he heard Sima Zhao staggering into the room, before turning into a complex scrutiny.

Sima Zhao, covered in the dust of battle and carrying the biting chill of winter, arrived before he did, his voice preceding him, filled with barely suppressed worry and panic: "My lord! My lord!"

He rushed into the inner room, his gaze urgently fixed on the sickbed.

Sima Yi was seen leaning against the couch, his face pale and his breath weak, but he was completely different from the rumors that he was "seriously ill and unconscious".

Sima Zhao abruptly stopped, his initial panic instantly replaced by an unbelievable joy.

The father and son stared at each other in silence for a moment, with only Sima Zhao's heavy breathing heard in the room.

Finally, Sima Yi broke the silence, his voice hoarse but steady: "You're back?"

"Yes," Sima Zhao finally came to his senses and quickly stepped forward, his voice still tinged with lingering fear, "I had just entered the city when I heard rumors everywhere, saying that you, sir..."

Sima Yi's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile: "Everyone says I'm dying, unconscious, barely clinging to life, is that right?"

He then let out two cold laughs, the laughter revealing understanding and contempt:
"Otherwise, how could such despicable people as Zhang Ji and Li Feng dare to jump out so eagerly?"

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao vaguely understood what was going on.

With the Grand Tutor critically ill and in a coma, and his son Sima Zhao suffering a major defeat and bearing heavy charges, this was undoubtedly a golden opportunity to bring down the Sima clan.

This world has never lacked people who take risks in pursuit of wealth and status.

It turns out that the master intends to use himself as bait to lure all the hidden enemies to the surface.

Having figured this out, Sima Zhao was both surprised and delighted, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.

"Come here," Sima Yi said after taking a breath, "tell me in detail what exactly happened in this battle."

Upon hearing this question, Sima Zhao's slightly relieved mood was instantly overwhelmed by heavy guilt.

He knelt down with a thud before the bed, burying his head deeply, his voice choked with emotion once more:

"My lord... your son... your son has failed in his duty, suffering heavy losses and deserves to die!"

He painstakingly recounted the details of the defeat in Huainan, each word feeling like sand scraping his throat.

Sima Yi listened quietly without immediately reacting.

After Sima Zhao finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence. Sima Yi spoke slowly after a long while, his voice weak but carrying a cold, penetrating power:

"Zishang, I knew from the beginning that Zhuge Ke would take the act seriously, but I didn't give you any warning. Do you know why?"

Sima Zhao suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Because your father just wants to see you..." Sima Yi breathed softly, his cloudy eyes fixed on his son's face, "Knowing it might be a trap, will you have prepared several backup plans!"

His tone suddenly carried a hint of barely concealed disappointment:

"It's understandable that Zhuge Dan was unaware of the situation and caught off guard. But you... you knew!"

"Yet you still place all your hopes on Zhuge Ke's integrity. Such recklessness is hardly the behavior of someone in charge of the overall situation."

These words struck Sima Zhao like a whip, causing him even greater pain than the humiliation of defeat.

His face turned deathly pale, and he slammed his forehead heavily against the ground: "Your son is foolish! Your son has disappointed you!"

Seeing his son's utterly ashamed appearance, Sima Yi's stern gaze softened slightly, and his tone also became gentler:
"However, you were able to make a decisive decision in the end, burning the grain and weapons in Shouchun to prevent them from falling into enemy hands, and you were also able to bring back more than 20,000 soldiers amidst the chaos of battle."

"Furthermore, he did not forget to send a message by flying horse, instructing Guo Huai to abandon Qiao County in time and preserve his strength. These are all commendable."

This is not forgiveness, but rather a point of view that he is not completely beyond redemption.

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao felt somewhat relieved, but still dared not raise his head.

"As for the more than 40,000 men lost..." Sima Yi's voice became even lower, with an almost cruel calmness, "You don't need to worry about it too much."

Sima Zhao was taken aback.

"Those troops are mostly Wang Ling's old subordinates, who have been entrenched in Huainan for many years. Later, they were led by Zhuge Dan, a man of unpredictable intentions, and have long been indistinguishable from one another, making it difficult for them to be truly used by our Sima family."

Sima Yi's eyes flashed with a cold light. "Although this loss is heartbreaking, it can also be used as an opportunity to cleanse the area and eliminate internal hidden dangers."

He took a breather, paused for a moment, and then continued to guide Sima Zhao:
"Moreover, this battle was caused by Zhuge Dan's willful insistence on waging war in the dead of winter, which resulted in heavy losses of soldiers and generals. He cannot shirk the primary responsibility for this."

"Now he has lost all his vigor and is living in constant fear. After this battle, it is time to put him in our grasp."

“Isn’t he from Langya? I will recommend him to pacify Xuzhou. I’m sure he will do his best.”

At this point, Sima Yi focused his gaze on his son kneeling before him, and spoke earnestly, each word piercing to the heart:
“Son, although the news of my illness and impending death was meant to draw out the rebels, my days are indeed numbered! The burden of the Sima family will eventually fall on your shoulders.”

"In these chaotic times, one must always remember: chaos is like a tiger, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Never trust anyone too easily. When planning, prioritize your own interests and only offer assistance to those who benefit you. This is the way to survive."

As Sima Zhao listened to his superior's teachings, he reflected on his own gullibility and the superior's schemes. Shame, regret, and gratitude intertwined and welled up again in his eyes as hot tears.

He gripped the adult's withered hand tightly, choking back tears, and said, "My lord, I... I understand! I will certainly not fail your teachings!"

After crying, Sima Zhao looked at the adult on the sickbed, wiped away his tears, and asked in a low voice with some shame:
"My lord, this defeat has been a major one. Although you have made arrangements in advance, I have heard that there is a great deal of unrest in the court. Will this be difficult to handle?"

Sima Yi smiled contemptuously:
“A few words of gossip, what’s the big deal? Don’t forget that when I was purging Cao Shuang’s remaining followers, I had already thoroughly sorted out the officials in Qing and Xu provinces.”

He took a breath and patiently pointed out the key strategies to Sima Zhao:

"Now that Wang Chang is in charge of Qingzhou, serving as both governor and prefect, he oversees all military affairs in Qingzhou. With the natural defenses of Mount Tai, he can effectively protect the northeast."

"As for Xuzhou, now Lü County has Wang Ji, Xiapi has Guo Huai, and Pengcheng has you and me. The three cities are mutually supportive and as solid as a rock."

“Wang Chang, Wang Ji, and Guo Huai are all excellent generals who are loyal to the Sima clan. With this, the two provinces of Qing and Xu are secure.”

"These gentlemen in Pengcheng have neither soldiers nor provisions. Besides talking, what kind of trouble can they possibly stir up?"

As he said this, the chill in his eyes intensified: "Letting them jump out is just right, it's better to eliminate them early to avoid future troubles!"

"Zhang Ji... Li Feng... Humph!"

Zhang Ji was the emperor's brother-in-law, and his daughter was Empress Zhang, who was also Cao Fang's empress.

Li Feng's son married a princess.

The reason these two people jumped out so quickly is self-evident.

After hearing his master's plan, Sima Zhao felt completely at ease, and at the same time, a complex mix of admiration and emotion welled up in his heart.

It turns out that the adult had already considered the worst-case scenario before he fell ill.

He even used this defeat as a tool for his schemes.

He kowtowed deeply again: "Your son... understands! Your plans are flawless, and I am far inferior to you! I will remember your teachings and never disappoint you again!"

Sima Yi watched as the last trace of bewilderment in his son's eyes was replaced by determination. He nodded slightly, then slowly closed his eyes, as if relieved of the last great worry.

"Go and wash off the dust. Don't let others see your disheveled appearance, lest they look down on you."

"Here."
-
In December of the second year of the Jiaping era, Pengcheng was filled with the cold wind and the stench of blood.

The charges against Zhang Ji, Li Feng, and others for "colluding with Wang Ling's former subordinates and plotting to depose and install emperors" were reported and then announced to the world by the imperial court.

The authorities conducted the trial with lightning speed, and in the blink of an eye, the number of noble families in Pengcheng, which was already decreasing day by day, was reduced by even more, and the snow on the execution ground was stained dark red.

At the end of the month, Qingzhou and Xuzhou were hit by a severe cold snap, and the corpses of the frozen people lay strewn everywhere, with cries of despair echoing across the land.

Rumors are circulating in Pengcheng that "the current emperor has lost his virtue, and Heaven has sent down punishment."

In the first month of the third year of Jiaping, at the beginning of the new year, there was no joy in Pengcheng.

Sima Yi's confidants Jia Chong and Zhong Hui were the first to launch an attack, jointly submitting a memorial to the Grand Tutor and Empress Dowager Yu, the wording of which was vehement:
"Your Majesty is foolish and incompetent, favoring treacherous officials such as Zhang Ji and Li Feng, which has angered the people and caused the loss of troops in Huainan and the loss of territory."

"Today, Qingxu is experiencing severe cold, with frozen corpses littering the fields. This is divine punishment! For the sake of the nation and its ancestral temples, and for the sake of all the people, Your Majesty should emulate the ancient sage kings and abdicate in favor of a virtuous and capable ruler to appease Heaven's wrath!"

Upon hearing the news, Sima Yi, who was on his sickbed, was immediately "enraged." Despite his illness, he sternly rebuked the two men, saying, "Insolence! How dare a subject speak ill of his sovereign? This matter must not be mentioned again!"

However, instead of restraining themselves, Jia Chong and Zhong Hui secretly colluded and gathered more and more officials who were observing the situation.

The second joint petition was even more powerful and its language more incisive, directly accusing Cao Fang of being "unworthy of his position and a scourge to the country and its people."

Then, the third time, the fourth time...

The wave of petitions rose higher and higher, as if the "public opinion" of the entire court had boiled over.

Sima Yi resolutely refuted each time, but the force of his rebuttals weakened with each rebuttal, and his attitude gradually changed from fury to contemplation.

Finally, after another grand remonstrance by kneeling ministers, Sima Yi, lying on his sickbed, finally revealed extreme exhaustion and utter helplessness.

He sighed deeply, his voice hoarse, as if he had exhausted his last strength, and said to the crowd:

"Your loyalty and righteousness are witnessed by Heaven and the people. However, the matter of deposing and establishing a new emperor is of paramount importance! Enough, enough! The nation is in such dire straits that if we do not reform and innovate, the country will collapse, and we will all become sinners for all time!"

He paused, as if making a tremendous decision, and said with great sorrow, "For the sake of peace in the world, Sima Yi has no choice but to follow the will of the people."

At this point, Sima Yi was forced to agree to the deposition and enthronement, and reluctantly petitioned Empress Dowager Yu to issue an edict deposing Cao Fang.

Sima Yi, Grand Tutor of the Great Wei Dynasty, Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, and Commander-in-Chief of the Military Forces of the Interior and Exterior, hereby proclaims to the world by imperial decree of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager:

I, in my humble position, have succeeded to this great undertaking, and I am constantly vigilant and cautious, never daring to be idle or complacent.

However, since he took the throne, there have been frequent celestial anomalies and natural disasters.

Huainan lost its temper, and its territory shrank daily; Qingzhou and Xuzhou suffered severe cold, and the people froze and starved.

This is all because I am of meager virtue and limited ability, which has offended Heaven and disappointed the people, leading to Heaven's retribution and the wrath of my ancestors.

Recently, Zhang Ji, Li Feng, and others harbored treacherous intentions, colluded with foreign vassals, and plotted rebellion, nearly bringing down the state.

Although thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the efforts of our meritorious officials, the wicked party has been brought to justice, my own lack of discernment and oversight at my own doorstep makes me truly culpable.

Whenever I read books about natural disasters, I cannot sleep at night; when I think of the suffering of the common people, I weep uncontrollably.

In the past, Yao abdicated the throne to Shun but did not have a son, only associating with the virtuous; Emperor Wen of Han yielded the throne to Wei but preserved the ancestral rites, which was truly a strategy for the country.

Now, I have suffered misfortune and am unworthy to occupy the throne. I have no way to secure the ancestral temples or protect the common people. If I still covet the throne, Heaven will surely punish me more severely, and the people will suffer even more.

Rather than cherishing the honor of one person, why not save the lives of all people? Rather than stubbornly resisting orders and inviting annihilation, why not follow the legacy of the ancient sages and preserve our ancestral lineage?

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's benevolence is boundless. She has shown compassion for me, for I was young and lacked proper upbringing, and despite repeated admonitions, I have failed to correct my faults.

To protect myself from divine retribution, and for the eternal stability of the Great Wei dynasty and the well-being of all people, I hereby issue this imperial edict:
I hereby retire to my princely residence, relinquish my title of Emperor, and bestow upon me the title of Prince of Qi, so that I may confine myself to my residence to reflect on my mistakes and live out my remaining years.

Gao Guixiang Gongmao is virtuous and talented, intelligent, wise, benevolent, and filial. He closely resembles the legacy of Emperor Wu of the Shizu Dynasty and is suitable to inherit the great lineage and ascend the throne.

I urge all civil and military officials to wholeheartedly assist and support the nation, to carry on the legacy of Emperor Wu, and to rebuild the dynasty.

The announcement was made at home and abroad, and the envoys heard about it.

The fifth day of the first month of the third year of Jiaping
At the tender age of thirteen, Cao Mao, the Duke of Gaogui Township, was thrust into the limelight amidst this somber atmosphere.

In the biting cold wind, Cao Mao's carriage arrived in front of the temporary palace, where a sea of ​​civil and military officials, led by Sima Yi and his son Sima Zhao, knelt down.

Cao Mao stepped down from his sedan chair, intending to return the courtesy to the assembled officials, but the Master of Ceremonies hurriedly whispered, "Your Majesty, as the emperor, has no need to return the courtesy."

"I am but a subject," Cao Mao replied softly, his gaze sweeping over the Sima father and son kneeling at the front, his eyes revealing no emotion.

His attendants urged him to enter the palace by carriage as was customary, but he replied, "I have been summoned by the Empress Dowager and do not know what to do."

After paying his respects to the Empress Dowager in her palace, the enthronement ceremony was held as scheduled.

When Cao Mao received the heavy Imperial Seal from Sima Zhao, the young emperor not only did not bow, but instead slightly raised his head.

Holding the jade seal that symbolized the world, his movements showed neither the awkwardness of a young man nor the obsequiousness to curry favor with powerful officials.

The young and impetuous emperor stood ramrod straight, his raised toes almost striking Sima Zhao.

Below the high platform, Sima Yi, supported by his attendants, took in all of this.

A hint of coldness flashed in his deep-set eyes, which were originally cloudy.

After installing Cao Mao as emperor, Sima Yi poisoned Niu Jin on the pretext of "Niu succeeding Ma".

After finishing this last "clean-up" task, he seemed finally able to get a good night's sleep.

Little did anyone know that from that night onward, the Grand Tutor's mansion would never be peaceful again.

Sima Yi began to be plagued by nightmares every night, and the protagonist of the dreams was always Wang Ling and Wang Yanyun, whom he had forced to commit suicide in Huainan and whose entire clan was exterminated after their deaths.

In his dream, Wang Ling was either dressed in prison clothes, bleeding from his seven orifices, staring intently at him in the darkness; or he was leading a ghostly army, beating drums and demanding his life on the Huai River.

Sima Yi would often wake up in the middle of the night, his clothes soaked with cold sweat, and scream in terror at the empty bedroom:
"Yan Yun, spare me! Yan Yun, spare me! I know I was wrong! It wasn't that I wanted to kill you, it was...it was the situation that forced me to!"

The servants on night duty were horrified, all saying that the Grand Tutor was possessed by a vengeful ghost.

Whether it was Wang Ling's deadly magic or his own paranoia, in early February of the third year of Jiaping, Sima Yi, who had been tormented to the point of mental collapse, died in fear and terror.

(End of this chapter)