Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 236: Secret Death
In the signing room of Yunlong Gate Tower in Luoyang Palace, Shi Shouxin was compiling a roster and conducting "background checks" on the mid- to high-ranking officers of the Left Guard.

They investigated everything about who the person was, where their hometown was, and who else was in their family.

I must say, I've learned a lot these past few days.

Shi Shouxin discovered that the officers in the Left Guard Army, especially the middle and lower-ranking officers, had relatively "clean" backgrounds. Only the senior officers and the clerks and staff in the army were from prominent families.

This was quite different from what he had originally envisioned.

Perhaps with the gradual end of the chaotic Three Kingdoms period, serving in the army and climbing the ranks through military merit was no longer the fast track for scions of aristocratic families. In other words, if you were a minor official in the Imperial Guard today, you might still be a minor official a year from now.

With each officer assigned a specific position, the Sima family's imperial guard system was essentially complete, making it quite difficult for lower-ranking officers to climb the ranks.

Just then, Xiang Xiong arrived at the door of the signing room, but was stopped by Shi Shouxin's personal guards.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Shi Shouxin put down the roster in his hand, went to the door, looked at Xiang Xiong, and asked.

"General, the Empress requests your presence. She says she has important matters to discuss and asks you to come to the Emperor's palace."

Xiang Xiong reported this very politely.

"Today's password?"

Shi Shouxin said coldly, not responding at all.

Xiang Xiong was taken aback, his expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and he did not reply.

I'm here to relay the Empress's orders. You're asking me what the password for today means?
Xiang Xiong's dissatisfaction was understandable.

But Shi Shouxin didn't seem to buy into his act at all.

At that moment, the guards standing at the door immediately surrounded Xiang Xiong, drawing their swords and encircling him.

Almost instantly, cold sweat broke out on Xiang Xiong's forehead.

He swallowed hard and said, "The wild geese are flying south."

Shi Shouxin nodded and replied, "High mountains and flowing water."

After exchanging the password, the guards dispersed and sheathed their swords.

"Let's go to His Majesty's palace."

Shi Shouxin spoke, leading a group of personal guards behind him, appearing very cautious.

Xiang Xiong was somewhat puzzled, but he kept his doubts to himself and didn't ask directly. He could clearly sense that Shi Shouxin was very wary, but he couldn't understand who he was wary of.

The palace was located a little distance from Yunlong Gate. Along the way, Shi Shouxin did not speak to Xiang Xiong and seemed preoccupied.

Upon arriving at the Emperor's palace, Shi Shouxin was immediately searched upon entering, and his sword was confiscated at the gatehouse. He did not resist, nor did he even complain, and readily handed over all his belongings.

Then a eunuch led him to a small study next to the bedroom.

There were three people sitting in the room: Wang Yuanji, who was in the lead, and her two biological sons, Sima Yan and Sima You. There were no other people in the room, not Jia Chong, and no eunuchs were present.

The three did not speak, and the atmosphere inside the room was somewhat heavy.

"General Shi, please have a seat."

Wang Yuanji gestured for him to sit down, and Shi Shouxin sat down opposite her, with the four of them sitting on opposite sides.

"Your Highness summoned me here, but I don't know why."

Shi Shouxin asked in a deep voice, his face solemn and unsmiling.

"The emperor has passed away."

Wang Yuanji uttered five words, her face filled with sorrow.

"When did this happen?"

Shi Shouxin got straight to the point, without any pretense or politeness.

His decisiveness seemed to be very contagious, and Wang Yuanji, sparing herself the pretense of regret, sighed softly and said:
"It probably happened last night, or maybe this morning. In any case, when the imperial physician took His Majesty's pulse after dawn, there was no pulse at all."

His Majesty departed quietly.

Wang Yuanji wiped away her tears and said. Shi Shouxin nodded slightly, waiting for her to continue.

But Wang Yuanji didn't follow up at all; she just went to Shi Shouxin to ask what to do.

This was also a joint suggestion from Sima Yan and Sima You. They both said that Shi Shouxin was "no ordinary person" and had shown extraordinary talent when he quelled the rebellion of Sima Fu.

Now that Sima Zhao has passed away, it is time for Shi Shouxin to step forward and offer advice.

As for why he wasn't called Jia Chong, it was because he was far too cunning and treacherous, and Wang Yuanji and her son felt that he couldn't be completely trusted.

"General Shi, I don't know what to do now. Should we announce the Emperor's passing to the public and then hold a funeral?"

Wang Yuanji asked with some doubt.

That was her original plan, but after discussing it in secret with Sima Yan and Sima You, she felt that something was not quite right.

"No, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. The Crown Prince must ascend the throne today."

Shi Shouxin looked at Wang Yuanji and said.

Sima Yan also breathed a sigh of relief. He originally thought that Shi Shouxin, as Sima You's confidant, would suggest that Sima You ascend the throne, but he did not expect that this was not the case at all.

He immediately realized that Shi Shouxin was actually a pretty good person. At least he knew how to prioritize the overall situation in crucial moments.

"Isn't this... a bit too rushed?"

Wang Yuanji asked with some hesitation.

Shi Shouxin retorted, "There is no rush at all. This matter must not be delayed. If Your Highness does not mind, I will draft the edict of accession to the throne. After it is written, the Crown Prince will put on his dragon robe, sit on the dragon throne in the Taiji Hall, and then summon all the officials to court."

Huh? So hasty?

All three of them looked at Shi Shouxin with horrified eyes.

"The matter of the coronation ceremony..."

Sima Yan asked guiltily, "This enthronement ceremony cannot be taken lightly."

Shi Shouxin was too lazy to waste words with them, and simply replied to Sima Yan: "The enthronement ceremony will be held three days later."

Then he found the Four Treasures of the Study and ground ink on the spot.

Shi Shouxin wrote on the paper:

"Your Majesty, I humbly report: In the past, my Emperor Xuan (Sima Yi) pacified the Central Plains, and Emperor Jing (Sima Shi) glorified the achievements of the past. As for my late father, Emperor Wen (Sima Zhao), he was divinely martial and timely, born to receive the Mandate of Heaven. He pacified Shu and quelled Wu, and the nine regions returned to benevolence; he established rites and music, and all the lands were in harmony. He originally intended to rule in peace, but suddenly his health deteriorated and he could no longer govern. Therefore, he abdicated and yielded the throne to a worthy successor to preserve the country and the state."

I, Sima Yan, courtesy name Anshi, have humbly inherited this great legacy despite my humble status. I deeply respect the weighty trust placed in me by the late Emperor and deeply consider the profound hopes of the people. Therefore, on this auspicious day, I ascend the throne. I hereby change the era name to Taishi, following the precedents of the past. I hereby grant a general amnesty to the entire realm, and together with the people, begin anew.

You, my officials, each respectfully fulfill your duties. Assist me in my humble endeavors, and I will illuminate and advance this great undertaking. May you all attain virtuous character, thus upholding the spirits of the seven ancestral temples; and may you uphold the mean, ensuring lasting peace and prosperity throughout the land. This proclamation is hereby issued, so that all may know and benefit from it.

An edict was issued in the ninth month of the first year of the Tai Shi era.

Wang Yuanji, Sima Yan, and Sima You, mother and sons, stared wide-eyed as Shi Shouxin finished writing in one go.

It must be said that this enthronement edict was written in a fairly standard manner, and it did indeed seem legitimate.

"The imperial edict is here. Your Highness, please affix the imperial seal and keep it safe. When all the officials have arrived, take it out and have Zheng Chong read it aloud to the public."

Your humble servant has deployed defenses in the Luoyang Palace. Anyone who disobeys the Crown Prince's edict will be executed.

The Empress stood beside the Crown Prince, ruling from behind a screen, and assisted him in stabilizing the situation after his ascension to the throne.

This matter should be handled today, and at the latest, it should not be delayed until tomorrow.

As for the late emperor's funeral, it will be kept secret for the time being, and his body will be stored in an ice cellar.

"Once the situation has stabilized, then the funeral will be held and a general amnesty will be granted."

Shi Shouxin finished speaking in one breath, without even taking a breath.

Sima Yan trembled slightly with nervousness. He never expected that the problem that Wang Yuanji and the three of them had struggled to decide for so long would be so easily solved by Shi Shouxin.

"General Shi, what should I do?" Sima You asked.

He never intended to usurp Sima Yan's throne, and naturally didn't care whether Sima Yan ascended the throne immediately. Sima You was very shrewd; as long as Sima Yan was alive, he would not provoke such matters.

But Sima Yan's simple-minded son, Sima Zhong, would not be so polite to Sima You.

"Your Highness summoned all the generals of the Luoyang Imperial Guards to the signing room on the city tower near the Grand Marshal's Gate, set out a banquet, and drank with them."

The banquet can end after the court assembly is over.

Anyone who disobeys is a person with disloyal intentions and may be killed!

Shi Shouxin answered fluently, clearly having already planned it out in his mind; he was just saying it now.

Wang Yuanji's eyes gleamed with admiration, and her gaze toward Shi Shouxin was filled with fervor.

What a talent! A true genius, a real talent who can stand alone in critical moments!

"General Shi, I had some misunderstandings about you in the past. Today, in front of the Emperor and the Prince of Qi, I apologize to you. I was wrong, and I hope you will not take offense."

Wang Yuanji rose to pay her respects to Shi Shouxin, but he quickly stopped her.

"Your Majesty, please don't say that. It's too much for this humble subject."

Now is not the time for idle chatter.

The matter will proceed in three steps:

The first step was for your humble servant, along with the Crown Prince's trusted confidants, to take the late Emperor's body to the ice cellar for proper preservation.

The second step was for Prince Qi to summon all the imperial guards in Luoyang, including the city gate captains and the commanders of the capital region, and to host a banquet for them at the Grand Marshal's Tower in the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

The third step was for the emperor and empress dowager to go to the Taiji Hall and have the palace eunuchs prepare for the court assembly. Then, in the name of the emperor, they would summon the important officials of the court to the Taiji Hall to attend the assembly.

After I have dealt with the aftermath of the late Emperor, I will summon the Left Guard troops to strengthen the defenses in Luoyang Palace and lay in ambush with axemen around the Taiji Hall.

"If anything unexpected happens during the court assembly, I will lead troops to the Taiji Hall and kill those who disobey orders. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Prince Qi."

Shi Shouxin bowed to Wang Yuanji and the other two.

"Shouldn't we inform Jia Chong and the others first?"

Sima Yan asked with some concern.

Shi Shouxin sighed:

"Your Majesty, if a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his life; if important matters are not kept secret, they will lead to disaster."

Only the four of us know about the Emperor's passing.

If Jia Chong were notified, given his connections, it's impossible to know how many people would find out about this.

If this matter is handled quickly, it will not be difficult; the longer it is delayed, the more people will find out.

With more people around, their thoughts become more complicated, and it's uncertain whether His Majesty will be able to ascend the throne smoothly.

Your Majesty, please do not hesitate and ascend the throne immediately!

At this moment, even though Wang Yuanji, Sima Yan, and others did not personally participate in the war against Shu, they understood why Zhong Hui ultimately fell into Shi Shouxin's hands.

This person is truly unparalleled in his decisiveness and ruthlessness; he remains calm in the face of adversity and acts decisively.

He truly is a unique "coup prince".

"Anshi, Taofu, just do as General Shi says."

General Shi, come with me to see the late Emperor.

Wang Yuanji stood up and gave instructions to Sima Yan and Sima You.

Before leaving, Sima Yan quickly put away the edict of accession, fearing that Sima You would snatch it away.

After the two left, Wang Yuanji led Shi Shouxin to Sima Zhao's bedroom. The room was filled with the smell of Chinese medicine, but there was no so-called "corpse odor".

Sima Zhao lay on the bed as if he were asleep.

"The late emperor's health has always been poor, and I never expected that Liu Shan's words, 'I am so happy here that I don't miss Shu,' would lead to this."

Wang Yuanji sighed softly, knelt by the bedside, looked at Sima Zhao's remains, and couldn't help but burst into tears.

Shi Shouxin watched her performance quietly, only saying softly, "Please accept my condolences, Your Majesty."

But his heart remained completely unmoved.

"You have done a great service this time. Whatever you want, I will give you."

But you can't stay in Luoyang.

Wang Yuanji said solemnly.

"I wonder why Your Majesty feels that I cannot remain in Luoyang?"

Shi Shouxin countered with a question that was clearly a rhetorical one.

As expected, Wang Yuanji sighed and said:

“With you here, Anshi certainly wouldn’t dare to harm Taofu. But if you’re in Luoyang, then Taofu will inevitably have to go to Qingzhou. With you both in Luoyang, Anshi won’t be able to sleep well.”

Why don't you go to Qingzhou to manage Taofu's fiefdom? That would be better for them all.

As a mother, I only have this one request.

Wang Yuanji spoke very sincerely.

"I request that Your Majesty, while retaining my position as Governor of Qingzhou, bestow upon me the title of Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs of Qing and Xu, General Who Conquers the East, and station him in Linzi."

I think this request isn't unreasonable.

Shi Shouxin quoted a price directly, without any pleasantries. At this point, someone who appears to have "nothing to ask for" is definitely up to something much bigger!
Wang Yuanji didn't seem surprised by the answer; in fact, she thought Shi Shouxin's offer was a bit low.

Although the governor-general was a high-ranking official, he was not a government official in the capital.

Given the expectation of a peaceful and prosperous future, the prestige of high-ranking officials in outlying towns will inevitably decline.

"Shouldn't you raise his title?"

Wang Yuanji asked again.

Shi Shouxin replied, "His Majesty has been very kind to me, so there is no need to raise my rank. Marquis of Donglai is fine enough."

"As you say, I agree."

Wang Yuanji nodded in agreement.

She looked at Shi Shouxin and smiled helplessly, "I originally thought you would support Tao Fu's ascension to the throne, but you were the first to stand up and support An Shi, which I did not expect. I really underestimated you in the past."

"Your Majesty, these words of mutual flattery can be left until the new emperor ascends the throne. Now, I must first ensure the health of the late emperor."

Shi Shouxin bowed to Wang Yuanji and said.

Soon, he summoned two personal guards from Sima Yan's residence and instructed them to cover Sima Zhao's body with a large sheet of silk. Then, along with the bed, they moved it to the cellar, where there were many large blocks of ice collected the previous year.

Just a few days ago, people were searching for auspicious omens on Phoenix Mountain, but now they have to live in a cold cellar. This scene is truly heartbreaking for Shi Shouxin, an outsider.

Shi Shouxin glanced back at Sima Zhao, who was still lying in bed "sleeping," and sighed.

He was humming a song:

"That's it then, even the deepest love has come to an end."
Let's break up then. Even if we still love each other, there's no need to struggle.

He slowly walked out of the cellar and finally closed the cellar exit lid.

A green snake's mouth, a wasp's stinger;
Neither of them is poisonous; the most poisonous is the heart of a woman.

To leave the father and keep the son is indeed the ultimate option that every woman keeps hidden in her heart.

Shi Shouxin kept this secret deep in his heart, and his face showed no sign that he had figured out this "unspeakable secret".

(End of this chapter)