Farmers of Shu Han

Chapter 1469 Zongheng
After Zhongli Mu left, Sima Zhao looked around at his three trusted confidants and said in a deep voice, "What do you think of this matter?"

Before he could finish speaking, the hot-blooded young Sima Zhou could no longer contain himself. He abruptly stood up, his face filled with resentment and disdain:
“Brother, you must think this over carefully. The Sun family of Eastern Wu are fickle and treacherous villains, cowards from Jiangdong. How can they be trusted with any integrity?”

They now recount the numerous misdeeds of the Wu Kingdom as if listing their most treasured possessions:

“In the past, when Liu Bei was weak, he allied with Guan Yu to resist our great Wei. In the blink of an eye, he betrayed him and launched a surprise attack on Jingzhou, which led to Guan Yu’s defeat and death! This is the first reason.”

"Afterwards, he knelt down and became a vassal of our Great Wei, and was granted the title of 'King of Wu of Great Wei'. After receiving the benefits of the title, he immediately tore up the alliance and colluded with the Shu bandits again. This is the second reason."

"Now, Zhuge Ke has just joined forces with Feng Yong to divide up the north and south of the Huai River and gained a huge advantage. But in the blink of an eye, he suffered a small loss and is now thinking of betraying the Han Kingdom and secretly forming an alliance with our Great Wei?"

"Such behavior is no different from that of a two-faced coward! Today they can betray Han, and tomorrow they can betray Wei! To ally with such shameless scoundrels is no different from walking with wolves; we will ultimately be devoured by them!"

At this moment, Jia Chong coughed lightly, bowed slightly to Sima Zhao, and then spoke:

"General, what General Zijiang (Sima Zhou's courtesy name) said is indeed the wise and insightful advice for governing the country. The poor credibility of Eastern Wu is known to all."

He first acknowledged Sima Zhou's concerns, then changed the subject:
"However, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. General Zijiang, have you considered the consequences of resolutely refusing Zhuge Ke?"

Sima Zhou hesitated, unsure how to begin.

Jia Chong continued:
"Looking at the current state of the world, the Han dynasty is strong while the Wei and Wu dynasties are both weak; this is an indisputable fact."

"The ambition of the Han state is to unify the world, and its primary target is our Great Wei, not the Eastern Wu that is confined to the southeast."

"If my Wei Kingdom were to face the entire Han army alone, could we possibly withstand it?"

"At that time, will Eastern Wu help us, or will they take advantage of our misfortune, or even join forces with Han again to divide up the territory of our Great Wei?"

He paused for a moment before stating his opinion: "Therefore, even if it is just a pretense, there is still benefit in granting Wu's request."

"This move can temporarily stabilize Eastern Wu. We can feign an alliance while secretly taking precautions. At least we can have two or three years to recuperate, accumulate strength, and plan for the future."

"If Han and Wu were to clash again, it would be a blessing from heaven for Great Wei, which would be better than facing the pressure of two powerful neighbors at the same time, as we are now."

Throughout the entire process, Zhong Hui kept his eyelids slightly lowered, as if he were lost in thought or deep in contemplation.

Only after Sima Zhao's gaze lingered on him for several breaths did he slightly raise his eyes, meet Sima Zhao's gaze briefly, and then lower them again, maintaining that thoughtful silence.

Seeing that he remained silent, Sima Zhao understood and, without pressing further, spoke:
“I am aware of what Zijiang and Gonglu said, and I will carefully consider it. Let’s leave it at that for today. You may leave now.”

The three of them bowed and left.

Only Sima Zhao remained in the secret room, the candlelight casting his shadow long and short.

After about half an incense stick's time, a trusted guard quietly entered and whispered, "General, Lord Zhong is waiting outside."

Sima Zhao nodded: "Please invite Lord Zhong in."

After Zhong Hui entered, he bowed respectfully.

"Shiji," Sima Zhao waved his hand, indicating that he did not need to be so polite, and stared at him, "Just now you hesitated and remained silent, unwilling to speak frankly. Now that we are alone, do you have anything to teach me?"

Zhong Hui bowed slightly and answered calmly:
"General, you are wise. General Zijiang speaks frankly and bluntly, revealing the true nature of Eastern Wu's lack of integrity; Lord Jia is insightful and far-sighted, analyzing the advantages of allying with Wu to contain Han."

"What the two men said is quite comprehensive. In my opinion, it is best to agree on the surface, play along, and take this opportunity to rest and regroup."

Sima Zhao nodded, signaling him to continue.

Zhong Hui paused for a moment, his tone becoming somewhat serious: "However, what I am concerned about is not external, but internal."

He took a step closer and lowered his voice: "According to my observation, the Han state has always been methodical in its military operations. After a major battle, they will recuperate for at least three or four years before planning another major campaign."

"Feng Yongcai had only recently taken control of Hebei when he captured Qiao County, integrated Cao Zhi's troops, and pacified the local area. This was not something that could be accomplished in a short period of time."

"As for the Wu Kingdom," Zhong Hui said with a hint of sarcasm, "Zhuge Ke is suspected of disloyalty within the country, and there is the newly acquired land of Huainan to be conquered. They still rely on the Han Kingdom for food supplies. How dare they start a war at this time?"

"Therefore, in the next two or three years, the pressure from external threats will actually decrease slightly. Thus, in our view, the real hidden danger lies not outside, but within Pengcheng."

Sima Zhao's gaze sharpened: "Oh? What internal troubles are there?"

Zhong Hui said slowly and deliberately, “General, have you not heard of Cao Zhi’s ‘Severance of the Cao Clan of Pengcheng’?”

Zhong Hui lowered his voice, but what he said made Sima Zhao even more alarmed:
"This article has been circulating quietly. How could the many Cao clan members, old officials and former ministers in Pengcheng remain unmoved upon hearing it? Cao Zhi's actions are not only a declaration of legitimacy, but also an open incitement."

"Judging from the current situation, there are probably quite a few people who secretly favor the Shu Han and regard the Grand General as an enemy. Once there is any disturbance outside or collusion among treacherous individuals within, disaster will strike from within, and it will be too late to regret it!"

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao was terrified, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back!
He looked up at Zhong Hui: "What should we do?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhong Hui's eyes, and he resolutely said, "Hesitation will only lead to chaos!"

"Please give the order immediately, General, to gather all the Cao family princes, nobles and relatives inside and outside Pengcheng into a designated guesthouse or residence under the pretext of 'protection'."

"Dispatch trusted elites to keep a close watch on him and place him under house arrest. Cut off his contact with the outside world to prevent any unforeseen events. Only in this way can we nip problems in the bud and stabilize the foundation!"

Upon hearing Zhong Hui's suggestion to "place the Cao clan under house arrest," Sima Zhao abruptly stood up, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

He paced back and forth a few times before turning around, his voice grave:

"Shiji's plan can prevent problems before they arise. However, if it is carried out, the commotion will be considerable. If all the members of the Cao clan are placed under surveillance, what will the world think of me?"

"Wouldn't this be announcing to the world that I harbor treacherous intentions and have the ambition to usurp the throne? Such a thing, which tarnishes my reputation and gives others a handle to use against me, is probably not the best course of action."

Although Cao Fang was deposed and Cao Mao was installed in his place, the Sima clan and the Cao clan were already pushed to the point of irreconcilable enmity.

However, the act of deposing and installing emperors could still be disguised under the guise of "the emperor has lost his virtue, and we need to choose a worthy one for the country," thus maintaining the last veil of the distinction between ruler and subject on the surface.

However, if we follow Zhong Hui's plan and openly place all the Cao family princes and relatives under house arrest, it would be tantamount to tearing away this last fig leaf.

Sima Zhao hesitated because of his last remaining fear of the stigma of being a "tyrant".

Zhong Hui seemed to have anticipated Sima Zhao's concerns.

He leaned forward slightly and advised:

"The general's concerns are merely a desire for fame and reputation! How can someone who is destined for greatness be concerned with empty fame and suffer real disaster?"

"Since the Grand Tutor has already deposed and installed the new emperor, and the General-in-Chief has seized sole power, the prestige of the Cao Wei imperial family has long been swept away. Why does the General-in-Chief still care about the eyes of the world at this moment?"

"I ask you, since the Great General already holds the weight of the Nine Tripods, why should he fear being labeled a powerful minister? If this matter is not handled properly, can the Great General be cleansed of the title of 'powerful minister' in their hearts?"

This question struck Sima Zhao like a thunderbolt, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Seeing this, Zhong Hui continued to press forward:
"Cao Zhizhi's 'Article to Sever Ties with the Cao Clan of Pengcheng' is malicious in its intent to sow discord between the General and the Cao Clan and to undermine the General's foundation. At this moment, countless members of the Cao Clan in Pengcheng are secretly reading it, eager to make a move."

"Once internal strife erupts, with allies within and powerful enemies without, everything will perish, and one's life and clan will be wiped out. What reputation will remain then? What great cause will be accomplished?"

"If the foundation is lost, all that will remain is the name of a defeated bandit; if the foundation is solid, today's criticisms will be embellished and whitewashed by future generations for the great general!"

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao swayed as if he couldn't stand, and slumped back into his seat.

Zhong Hui said decisively:

"General, the importance of the court lies in its control; the security of the nation depends on preventing problems from arising in the first place. How can you let idle talk and rumors bind your hands and feet, lest you bring disaster upon your own side?"

"Placing the Cao family under house arrest may seem cruel, but it is the best strategy to nip problems in the bud. In this critical situation, we urge the General to make a decision as soon as possible!"

The room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the occasional crackling sound of the lamp wick popping.

Sima Zhao sat there blankly, his gaze fixed on the flickering candlelight on the table in front of him, yet there was no other focus.

His right hand unconsciously rubbed the jade pendant at his waist repeatedly, his fingers trembling slightly in the shadows.

After a long while, the stroking of the jade pendant gradually slowed down and finally stopped. The five fingers clenched together and held it tightly.

Sima Zhao took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slightly, and then slowly exhaled the stale air.

Their gazes refocused on Zhong Hui:
"Good! We shall do as Shiji says!"

After Zhong Hui left, Sima Zhao dismissed his attendants and stood alone under the eaves.

The night was as dark as ink, with only a few cold stars struggling to peek through the sky.

The night wind carried the chill of early spring, but it could not dispel the myriad thoughts in his heart.

Although he had made a decision, he did not feel enlightened at this moment. Instead, he felt as if a cold boulder was pressing heavily on his heart.

Standing on the precipice of power, taking a step back means falling into an abyss of death and extermination of one's clan, while taking a step forward may result in being condemned for eternity.

"Someone come here," Sima Zhao said in a low voice, summoning his trusted guard from the shadows. "Secretly invite Master Lu Zijia to see me. Be sure to keep it a secret!"

Lu Yu, courtesy name Zijia, was one of Sima Yi's most trusted former officials.

Last year, due to his advanced age and high moral character, he retired with honors, and the imperial court specially bestowed upon him the title of Grand Master of the Palace as a sign of respect.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Yu arrived quietly. Although he was old, his steps were still steady, and his eyes were still clear in the night.

The old minister, without any further pleasantries, simply cupped his hands and asked, "General, is there something important that you summoned me so late at night?"

Sima Zhao led him to a secret room and said in a very low voice, "Master Zijia, I have a matter concerning the life and death of the Sima family, and only you can handle it."

"General, please speak frankly."

"Please go to Chang'an secretly, sir, and see Feng Yong again."

During the Battle of Hebei, Sima Yi and Feng Yong faced off at Jingxing. Lu Yu had been an envoy to the Han camp and knew Feng Yong.

Sima Zhao immediately informed Lu Yu of Zhuge Ke's secret envoy's attempt to form a clandestine alliance, and then said:

"I hope that you will tell Feng Mingwen about this matter in detail."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's eyes widened in disbelief and horror. He instinctively took a half-step back, his voice trembling slightly.
"General! This matter... this matter concerns the life and death of the Great Wei, how can we voluntarily leak it to Feng Yong? This is tantamount to cutting off our own arm and letting a wolf into the house! This old minister is foolish and truly cannot understand!"

If Sima Zhao hadn't said these words, Lu Yu might have cursed the traitor and suspected that he was secretly colluding with the Han.

However, the person who said these words now was Sima Zhao…

Could it be that Sima Zhao has already decided to surrender to the Han?
Seeing Lu Yu's intense reaction, Sima Zhao was not displeased at all; on the contrary, he felt somewhat relieved.

He took a deep breath and gave a wry smile:
“Mr. Zijia, I know that this matter sounds too absurd, and it is normal that you cannot understand it for a while.”

His tone became unusually heavy, and he said softly:

"But if I told you that all of this was my late father, the Grand Tutor... his dying wish, would you believe me?"

"The Grand Tutor's legacy?"

Lu Yu was shocked and looked at Sima Zhao in disbelief.

"Not bad!" Sima Zhao met Lu Yu's gaze and nodded in an unquestionable manner.

Seeing that the disbelief in Lu Yu's eyes had not yet faded, Sima Zhao had no choice but to point to the sky:
"I, Sima Zhao, swear to Heaven that if I utter even the slightest falsehood, may I die without a burial place!"

Seeing Sima Zhao make such a solemn vow, Lu Yu had no choice but to accept it: "Is it truly the Grand Tutor's dying wish?"

Sima Zhao continued to smile bitterly:
“My late father knew that I was dull-witted and unfit for great responsibilities. He also knew that the Wei dynasty was in decline and surrounded by powerful neighbors. Therefore, before he died, he had already planned this risky move for me.”

"This plan is grand and far-reaching, but it will take at least two years and cannot tolerate any external interference."

Sima Zhao did not say what Sima Yi had specifically planned, nor did Lu Yu ask.

The phrase "Grand Tutor's Legacy" carried immense weight for Lu Yu, who was willing to forgo Feng Yong's offer to inform Sima Yi. (Chapter 1431)
Seeing that Lu Yushen was already largely convinced, Sima Zhao pressed his advantage and laid out the conditions in full:

"When you go, tell Feng Yong: as long as he promises not to invade our Great Wei for two years, when he attacks Wu in the future, I will mobilize all the troops of Qing and Xu, go straight to Huainan, and help him destroy Wu."

"Once Wu is destroyed, I am willing to offer up the two provinces of Qing and Xu, and even..."

He paused, and the words that followed seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight, requiring all his strength to utter:

"We humbly request Your Majesty to temporarily relinquish the title of Emperor and submit to the Han Dynasty."

"Relinquish the title of Emperor? Become a subject?" This condition once again shocked Lu Yu. This earth-shattering condition... What exactly is the Grand Tutor plotting?
Upon hearing Lu Yu's exclamation, Sima Zhao's face twitched violently, as if a layer of immense pain and humiliation had enveloped his face in that instant.

He stopped looking at Lu Yu and turned his head slightly away, his eyes even slightly reddening.

His voice also became hoarse and low, even tinged with a sob:
"Zhao never wanted to kneel before the enemy, but the world situation was such that he had no choice but to do so. This is to emulate Goujian's perseverance and humiliation, and also to burn one's boats."

“If we do not do this, we will not be able to gain Feng Yong’s trust. If we do not do this, we will not be able to win these two crucial years for our late father’s legacy.”

At this point, Sima Zhao was overcome with grief, and tears streamed down his cheeks.

Immediately, he stepped forward, his hands trembling slightly, and tightly grasped Lu Yu's withered hands.

The grip is extremely strong, as if it wants to entrust all the hopes and heavy burdens to this one grasp.

Though the tears had been wiped away, his eyes were still red, and his voice was choked with sobs, earnest and sincere, like that of a nephew or niece pleading with a respected elder.
"Sir! Master Zijia! In the past, you braved the enemy's blade and charged into the Han camp for my late father. Today, I tearfully plead with you, for the sake of the Sima clan's survival, I earnestly beg you to do it once more!"

His words were slightly disorganized due to the turmoil in his heart, which only made his true feelings more apparent.

But as he looked into Lu Yu's eyes, his grief grew even more intense:

"This matter concerns the survival of the nation; the fate of the nation hangs in the balance. Of all the people under heaven, I can only entrust this matter to you, sir!"

"Remember! Remember! This plan must never be revealed to anyone!"

Lu Yu felt the strength in Sima Zhao's hand, heard the sorrow in his words, and saw his face, still wet with tears, as he endured the humiliation. He was deeply shocked.

He sighed deeply, no longer hesitating, gently freeing himself from the man's grasp, taking a step back, straightening his clothes, then facing Sima Zhao, he bowed deeply to the ground, his white hair remaining raised for a long time.

"General, since this is the Grand Tutor's last plan... this old minister... would not hesitate to die ten thousand times! I will dedicate the rest of my life to it, even if I die nine times, I will have no regrets, to end this life!"