Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 234 Enjoying This Place So Much, I Forget About Shu (Part 2)

Shi Shouxin hadn't expected that the Hu people would occupy this ecological niche. His flattery skills were simply unparalleled.

If he were to stand up now and tell everyone present that decades later, during the Five Barbarian Invasions, many barbarian leaders, including Liu Yuan, would wreak havoc on the land of China and slaughter the Sima family like pigs and dogs.

Others would probably laugh at him for being crazy, but Liu Yuan himself probably wouldn't believe it and wouldn't bother to explain himself.

The uncertainties of history are full of dark humor and endless irony.

Just as Shi Shouxin was lost in thought, Liu Yuan finished his sword dance, winning thunderous applause.

Liu Yuan bowed humbly to Sima Zhao, who was seated on the dragon throne, and then returned to his own seat. It was clear that this Xiongnu hostage was doing quite well in Luoyang.

After all, he had already entered the circle of powerful and influential people by recognizing Wang Hun as his godfather, so it was not surprising that he would climb the social ladder by taking advantage of the situation.

Thinking about how he had recognized Shi Bao as his godfather, Shi Shouxin suddenly didn't know how to evaluate it. Sure enough, there are only a few paths to advancement. If you don't choose this one, you have to choose that one. There will always be competitors on the same track.

"Oh dear, I suddenly remembered the time when we attacked Shu."

Sima Zhao suddenly sighed with emotion.

He squinted at Shi Shouxin and asked, "Minister Shi, when you campaigned against Shu, you fought from beginning to end. Did you ever witness the songs and dances of Shu?"

"Your Majesty, military affairs were very busy at the time, and there was no time to pay attention to such details."

Shi Shouxin said it casually, not taking the bait at all.

This answer didn't seem to surprise Sima Zhao, or perhaps he hadn't asked the question for that reason at all.

Sima Zhao simply nodded slightly, saying nothing and making no suggestion that Liu Shan dance for him.

Just then, Jia Chong stepped forward, bowed to Sima Zhao, and said:
"Your Majesty, governors from various regions have reported that since the founding of our Great Jin Dynasty, many auspicious omens have appeared. In total, there are six phoenixes, ten azure dragons, nine yellow dragons, and one qilin."

These auspicious omens are impossible to detect, but there are many eyewitnesses. Congratulations, Your Majesty!

Jia Chong uttered nonsense that even he himself didn't believe, and bowed to Sima Zhao.

Soon, all the guests present spontaneously stood up, bowed to Sima Zhao, and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The voices were perfectly synchronized; although there had been no rehearsal, they spoke in unison.

Shi Shouxin, caught in the middle, felt utterly ashamed. This was a collective act of calling a deer a horse—it was unbelievable!

However, Sima Zhao was completely oblivious. With a smile on his face, he gently waved his hand and said:

"When our Great Jin Dynasty was founded, it was blessed by Heaven, and auspicious omens spread throughout the world."

"Excellent! Very good! Come, let me toast all my beloved ministers!"

Sima Zhao picked up his wine cup, stood up, and toasted his ministers.

The ministers, who had just sat down, had to stand up again, pick up their wine cups, and drink them down in one gulp.

Shi Shouxin, just like a robot, toasted everyone else without daring to be disrespectful.

Previously, Sima Zhao led his officials to Phoenix Mountain, northeast of Luoyang, to search for auspicious omens.

Unexpectedly, the so-called auspicious omen was indeed found, and it also set off a huge fire, burning many people to death. They barely managed to escape with their lives.

Now Sima Zhao has simply stopped pretending!

Whether there are auspicious omens in different places doesn't matter, as long as they are mentioned by the imperial court.

This self-deceiving behavior is certainly laughable. However, it does somewhat cover up the embarrassment of everyone's chaotic escape on Phoenix Mountain a few days ago.

Even if it's just a little chick with a halo around its head, as long as no one says it's a divine bird, then it's a divine bird.

If it's said to be, then it is!
Perhaps his vanity had been somewhat satisfied, Sima Zhao sat on the dragon throne, clapped his hands, and ordered, "Musicians, play your music; dancers, perform your dances! Come up here!"

Musicians carrying string and wind instruments entered the main hall and began to play.

Dancers dressed in colorful skirts and wearing phoenix crowns filed in and began to dance.

The atmosphere inside the main hall began to become lively and relaxed.

Shi Shouxin recognized it at a glance; it was music and dance from Sichuan.

Putting the music aside, the colorful skirt the dancer was wearing was all too familiar, its vibrant and unrestrained style unlike anything seen in Luoyang.

"Lord Anle, I have heard that you have not heard music from Shu for a long time, nor have you seen dances from Shu for a long time."

"I've now ordered musicians and dancers to perform for you. Are you happy?"

Sima Zhao looked at Liu Shan meaningfully and asked.

"Your Majesty, I am overwhelmed with gratitude."

Liu Shan stood up, raised his wine cup, bowed to Sima Zhao, and then drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.

Seeing that he was drinking heartily, Sima Zhao nodded with satisfaction, raised his hand to indicate that Liu Shan did not need to be so polite, and sat down to enjoy the songs and dances of Shu.

Shi Shouxin glanced at Liu Shan and saw that the deposed emperor was enjoying the song and dance without changing his expression, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

On the contrary, the few attendants sitting next to him, who were former officials of Shu who had followed Liu Shan to Luoyang, all lowered their heads and covered their faces, remaining silent.

Can such bitter wine possibly taste sweet?

Shi Shouxin was filled with curiosity and gained a deeper understanding of Liu Shan's cunning.

At this moment, the eyes of many officials began to focus on Liu Shan, while Shi Shouxin, this little karami, was largely ignored.

Only Shi Shouxin sensed the subtle killing intent emanating from Sima Zhao; the others did not believe that Sima Zhao would do anything to this benefactor who had just saved the empress.

To repay kindness with enmity in public is illogical, especially given the hypocrisy that the Sima family has always been known for.

On the contrary, Liu Shan... this kind of ruler who lost his country is now in a precarious situation.

Music was playing and dances were being performed, but the people's minds were not on the singing and dancing, but on Sima Zhao's intentions.

They glanced at Liu Shan, who was completely absorbed in watching the dance.

They glanced again at the composed Sima Zhao, who was now squinting as he surveyed the assembled officials, his gaze wandering, seemingly fixed on no one in particular.

The dancers' skirts swirled in the air, but no one paid any attention. No one spoke in the hall, only the soft, melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, like a paradise on earth.

Sima Yan and Sima You were both reflecting on their mistakes in meditation and therefore did not attend the banquet. Sima Zhou, as a commander of the imperial guards, was currently patrolling the Luoyang Palace and was also not present.

Sima Jun was in Xudu, and Sima Liang had returned to Chang'an; neither of them were here.

As for Sima Lun, he is currently trembling at home. His advisor, Sun Xiu, has committed a grave offense and is imprisoned, and Sima Lun himself has not been cleared of suspicion of regicide.

So, who else from the Sima family would attend the banquet here?

Shi Shouxin's gaze swept across the faces of the many officials. Suddenly, he noticed a young man, about thirty years old, sitting a few seats to his left, near the entrance of the main hall. He looked remarkably like Sima Zhao.

His appearance was even more like Sima Zhao than Sima Yan and Sima You.

Who exactly is this guy?
Shi Shouxin was startled.

This person was like a transparent person; after arriving, he didn't talk to anyone else, and even when others saw him, they acted as if they didn't see him at all.

He sat there, eating and drinking by himself, as if he were someone only Shi Shouxin could see and watch.

No one paid any attention to him, and he didn't speak to anyone or look at anyone.

Even if Shi Shouxin were observing him now, this person would act as if he hadn't noticed.

How strange!

Shi Shouxin muttered to himself, trying to guess the man's identity.

He hadn't noticed this person before, especially since he looked so much like Sima Zhao.

Since it wasn't convenient to ask anyone right now, Shi Shouxin suppressed his inner doubts and remained silent, focusing only on eating his food.

However, it seemed as if Heaven wanted to answer the question in his heart.

The "transparent guy" on the left suddenly stood up and walked to the center of the hall as if no one else was there.

He neither disturbed the musicians' performance nor pulled or harassed the dancers; instead, he sat upright in the center of the hall. He simply sat there, without speaking, greeting anyone, or making any other strange moves.

This action was strange enough.

The dancers, all professionally trained, instinctively made way for him and danced around him.

Sima Zhao, sitting on the dragon throne, raised an eyebrow but did not lose his temper. He pretended not to see or know anything and did not utter a word of reprimand.

Aside from Shi Shouxin, Liu Yuan, and Tuoba Moshe Khan, the other officials sitting in the guest seats seemed unfazed and paid no attention to him whatsoever.

Shi Shouxin seemed to understand a little.

Sitting in the center of the hall was... a mental patient! At the very least, a mental patient with habitual intermittent episodes!

Who would want to deal with a mentally ill person for no reason? Especially those greedy people from Luoyang who won't get up early for nothing!

The music stopped, and the dance ended.

Two eunuchs stepped forward and quickly moved the "mentally ill man" back to his original seat. Many officials, including Jia Chong, kept their eyes straight ahead, pretending not to have seen the man's strange behavior.

Sima Zhao showed no particular emotion and simply ignored it. Liu Shan and his former Shu officials, on the other hand, were incredulous and astonished.

While it's true that the strange will eventually be defeated if you don't find it strange, what just happened was a bit too bizarre.

Did Sima Yi do too many immoral things, so that he gave birth to a mentally challenged child?

Shi Shouxin didn't know either; he could only inquire about these strange events in the future.

Suddenly, Sima Zhao, sitting on the dragon throne, looked at Liu Shan and asked with a smile, "Lord Anle, do you miss Shu?"

His tone was gentle, his voice soft, and quite friendly.

Liu Shan smiled and said, "I am so happy here that I don't miss Shu at all."

They spoke with the same warmth and naturalness, without any affectation or concealment, as if it came from the heart.

Shi Shouxin's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Liu Shan, then at Sima Zhao, and finally pretended nothing had happened, lowering his head to eat his food.

He had done this banquet several times before, as if the dishes at this banquet were particularly to his liking.

In reality, Shi Shouxin didn't even pay attention to whether he was eating meat or vegetables tonight.

Just then, Sima Zhao sighed and said, "Human beings can be so heartless!"

He kept shaking his head and sighing, seemingly quite disappointed with Liu Shan's statement.

"Even if Zhuge Liang were alive today, he would not be able to assist for long, let alone Jiang Wei."

Alas, fate has not decreed that Shu will prevail; what can be done?

Sima Zhao shook his head and sighed again, picked up his wine cup, looked at Liu Shan and said, "Duke Anle, please."

He first drank a cup himself, and after seeing Liu Shan finish his, he asked again, "Lord Anle, do you miss Shu?"

Sima Zhao asked the question again, and everyone present held their breath. A cold and sharp aura suddenly filled the hall.

coming! finally come!
At this moment, everyone except the "mentally ill patient" had realized that something was wrong.

The fall of the Shu Kingdom and the subsequent treatment of its ruler and ministers were the most sensitive issues, bar none.

Almost instantly, Liu Shan burst into tears and choked out, "My ancestors' graves are all in Shu, and my heart is filled with sorrow for the west, which I think of every day."

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao retorted with a mocking smile, "These words do not sound like what Lord Liu said, but rather like what Xi Zheng, who is beside Lord Liu, taught you."

"Yes, yes, he's the one who taught me."

Liu Shan quickly pointed to Xi Zheng beside him, showing no shame whatsoever.

His foolish, idiotic, and utterly unprincipled appearance caused the courtiers in the hall to burst into laughter, instantly filling the room with a joyful atmosphere.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Laughter rose and fell, growing louder and louder with each passing moment.

Of everyone, only two people didn't laugh.

One of them was the mentally ill man, who was drinking with his head down, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

The other one is Shi Shouxin.

Seeing everyone else laughing, Liu Shan laughed along with them, his embarrassment barely concealed, yet he remained unperturbed.

Perhaps they dared not get angry.

Sima Zhao thought to himself: Although this man is annoyingly simple-minded, he is also honest. I have nothing to worry about.

He sat on the dragon throne, gripping the armrests with both hands, and began to laugh loudly.

“Hahahahahahahahaha, hahahahahahahaha!”

The laughter grew louder and more intense, almost as if the mouth were splitting open to the ears.

Suddenly, Sima Zhao froze, his eyes wide open, his whole body stiffening in place.

His laughter stopped, but his mouth remained wide open and he couldn't close it, his cheeks flushed an unnatural red.

As the officials laughed, they realized something was wrong. Jia Chong quickly stepped forward to support Sima Zhao, and the other officials also formed a circle around him.

Sima Zhao opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter a word and was so anxious that he broke out in a cold sweat.

His eyes were fixed on Shi Shouxin. He raised his finger and pointed at the other man, his lips trembling as he uttered a muffled, indistinct sound: "Kill, kill..."

I just can't bring myself to say what I want to say next.

Sima Zhao was extremely anxious; his outstretched hand was trembling uncontrollably. But the more he tried to speak, the less he could utter a word.

Jia Chong's eyes darted around, and he quickly whispered:

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I understand. Your Majesty wishes to temporarily entrust the guards of the Forbidden City to Shi Shouxin. All the ministers are here, so I will give the order now."

Please rest and recuperate in your palace.

The Crown Prince will temporarily handle state affairs, the Empress will oversee the country, and the Prince of Qi will be in charge of the Luoyang Imperial Guards.

The other ministers each performed their respective duties.

He spoke so quickly that it was unclear whether Sima Zhao was reassured by his words or so enraged that he wanted to die. After hearing Jia Chong's words, he suddenly rolled his eyes and fainted!

"Where are the eunuchs! Take His Majesty to the palace!"

Shi Shouxin, you are His Majesty's appointed person. Quickly take over the defense of Luoyang Palace and do not allow any unauthorized persons to enter the palace.

We should go find the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Qi to take charge of the overall situation.

"Please come with me to His Majesty's bedchamber and wait outside. Do not leave."

Jia Chong looked around at everyone and said.

Since things have been said to this extent, and considering that Sima Zhao just pointed at Shi Shouxin, it's clear that this means "entrusting" him with something.

At this point, leaving was out of the question, so everyone followed Jia Chong to the entrance of Sima Zhao's palace, but none of them were allowed to go inside.

The eunuchs carried the unconscious Sima Zhao into the palace, and Jia Chong and Shi Shouxin followed them in.

Soon, upon learning that Sima Zhao had fallen into a coma, Sima Yan and Sima You rushed over anxiously and entered the palace.

The ministers outside the gate were caught between two worlds, unable to enter or leave, and a strange thought arose in their minds:
Just before Sima Zhao fell into a coma, he pointed at Shi Shouxin. Was he truly entrusting him with something?
This seems to be just Jia Chong's side of the story, doesn't it?

But things have already come to this point, and there's no point in saying anything now.

Considering that Shi Shouxin saved Wang Yuanji from a fire just a few days ago, it doesn't seem so surprising that Sima Zhao "entrusted" her with such an important matter.
With doubts and trepidation in their hearts, everyone stood quietly outside the palace gate.

Under the torchlight, one could see a series of faces with rich and profound expressions.

(End of this chapter)