Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 54 The human heart is sinister
That night, Shi Shouxin slept very restlessly.

Many things became clues, which I then deduced in my mind, and all that I saw in my dreams were these things.

When I woke up, I was covered in cold sweat.

The premonition gradually became clearer, and a dark web of conspiracy slowly began to fall. After getting up, Shi Shou used the white linen strips commonly found in the army to stop bleeding to tie the copied letter to his calf.

After stepping out of the military tent, he saw Meng Guan, who had been on guard outside all night, yawning and looking around.

"Let's go to the stables and get the horses. It'll just be the two of us on our way."

Shi Shouxin casually gave an instruction.

Meng Guan wanted to say something more, but when he saw Shi Shouxin nod at him without saying a word, he followed behind him without saying anything.

Upon arriving at the stables, Shi Shouxin turned to Meng Guan and whispered, "This trip back will bring both great wealth and great danger. Are you coming?"

"Come!"

Meng Guan said firmly.

"Alright, let's set off then."

Shi Shouxin nodded, and the two led their horses out of the camp, mounted their warhorses, and headed towards Baozhong, the entrance to the Baoxie Road. They rested in Baozhong for a night, during which Meng Guan wanted to ask questions several times, but Shi Shouxin indicated that he did not need to ask.

The next day, we set off for Shimen (a place name), a necessary stop on the Baoxie Road.

However, just as they were passing through the narrow mountain tunnel of Shimen, they were stopped at the end of the tunnel by dozens of "bandits" armed with crossbows.

Some of the bandits still had half of their lamellar armor on!

Meng Guan drew his sword and stood guard in front of Shi Shouxin. Although he acted bravely, cold sweat was already beading on his forehead. Shi Shouxin, on the other hand, remained calm and told Meng Guan to step aside.

Shi Shouxin took the wooden box off the back of the horse and handed it to the man who appeared to be the leader of the bandits.

"Can we leave now? The Grand Commander didn't order you to kill us, did he?"

Shi Shouxin asked with a solemn expression, his presence commanding respect without anger.

"Commander Shi, we are only acting under orders, please forgive us."

We'll leave now.

The man was startled at first, then took the wooden box somewhat embarrassedly and said with an awkward smile.

"You all know how to pretend. If I, Shi, lose the token and report back to the General in Chang'an, I will also die. The Grand Commander has a good way of doing things. He can kill us without getting his hands dirty."

Shi Shouxin sneered as he looked around at the group of "bandits," who all unconsciously lowered their heads.

It's obvious who's in the wrong in this matter, but people in the world are often powerless to control their own destiny. They're just running errands and have no say in anything.

"Supervisor Shi, there's no need for this nonsense."

Anyway, no matter what you say afterward, no one will believe you.

We're all just running errands for others, so we have no personal grudges.

I'm just offering you a friendly suggestion: After you leave Baoxie Road, head towards Liangzhou. You might have a chance to survive by hiding your identity. Farewell!

The "bandit leader" led his men out in single file and left the stone gate. Meng Guan, standing to the side, felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!
After those people had gone some distance, Shi Shouxin looked at Meng Guan and asked, "Are you scared?"

"Commander Shi, it would be a lie to say we're not afraid, but... what should we do?"

Meng Guan was somewhat at a loss.

Those people were clearly Zhong Hui's confidants, intercepting the two of them. Of course, this had nothing to do with how many of them were on the road.

Bringing more people won't help; the more people they have, the more people Zhong Hui will send out, and the final result might be even worse.

“Murder always leaves traces, and there’s no way to defend oneself. It would be a terrible idea for Zhong Hui to kill us.”

On the contrary, they spared our lives, and it's easier to find survivors. No matter how much we explain, we can't prove our innocence.

Even if someone suspects Zhong Hui, as long as a warrant is issued to arrest the two of us, he can clear his name.

If no report of merit is received for a long time, the general will surely send someone to inquire. After some questioning, he will find out that we fled to avoid punishment because of the lost letter.

Who would bother to investigate whether Zhong Hui sent someone to intercept the letters? You need to catch a thief red-handed!

Shi Shouxin explained with a cold laugh.

Meng Guan suddenly realized that it was no wonder Shi Shouxin had said before they set off that this mission was extremely dangerous; the core issue was right there!
By killing them, Zhong Hui was essentially proving their innocence. Sima Zhao's investigation would inevitably focus on Zhong Hui, whose interests were at stake.

But if they aren't killed, the most suspicious person would be the messenger.

Whether it was robbed or lost, it's all just Shi Shouxin's side of the story, and it's not credible.

Whether Shi Shouxin and his men go to Chang'an to inform Sima Zhao or not, they are doomed.

"Then aren't we doomed now?"

Meng Guan asked with some concern.

"How could we die? We're still alive, which is why I didn't let you bring the other two along. Let's go back to Chang'an and talk about it then."

Shi Shouxin waved his hand and led the horse onward.

Meng Guan felt somewhat relieved and nodded, following behind Shi Shouxin.

……

The scenery along the Baoxie Road was beautiful, but Shi Shouxin and Meng Guan had no interest in stopping to admire it.

Galloping along the plank road at breakneck speed was practically a death throes experience. Several times we nearly fell into the water; it was definitely not a pleasant experience.

Fortunately, the Baoxie Road was the Wei army's main supply route in Hanzhong, bar none. Transportation conditions were excellent there, with a large portion of the route accessible by water, and four or five temporary granaries along the way for transshipment. Food and drink were plentiful throughout the journey.

The two traveled along the Baoxie Road for four days before finally passing through Xieyu Pass and arriving in Mei County.

Only then did Shi Shouxin breathe a sigh of relief and sit down unceremoniously on a large rock by the roadside. North of the official road, a city could be vaguely seen; it was the county seat of Mei County.

He untied the "attachment" from his calf, smiled, and waved it at Meng Guan, saying, "With this, you won't lose your life."

"Commander Shi! What is this?!"

Meng Guan was overjoyed and quickly came over to inquire and observe.

"I opened the wooden box before I left and made a copy of the letters, including the list of those who reported their merits."

Shi Shouxin chuckled coldly. He swore in his heart that he would never forgive Wei Guan and Zhong Hui if he ever had the chance!

"Commander Shi, how...did you know that Zhong Hui was going to send someone to intercept the letter en route?"

After the initial excitement, Meng Guan was filled with questions.

"That night at the military council, Wei Guan actually told Zhong Hui in front of him that I should take the battle report back, and even specified the departure time for the messenger."

Wei Guan was a meticulous and shrewd man; how could he not know that Zhong Hui harbored ulterior motives? Even if Zhong Hui were an honest man, it was still highly inappropriate for the military supervisor to speak frankly about this matter in front of the Grand Commander.

Shi Shouxin explained.

Meng Guan suddenly realized why Shi Shouxin had acted this way.

The supervising officer and the commander-in-chief were never on good terms, and it was impossible for them to be as close as brothers.

Success is achieved through secrecy, while failure is caused by leaks—this is an age-old truth.

Wei Guan told Zhong Hui what Shi Shouxin wanted to do and when he was going to depart.

It's like telling Zhong Hui directly, "You'd better stop the messenger quickly!"

Shi Shouxin had previously traveled the Baoxie Road and had even participated in its construction. Now, rushing back to Chang'an to deliver a message, he would inevitably take the Baoxie Road, which was in better condition and which he was more familiar with.

Taking the Tangluo Road is impossible.

As for why Wei Guan acted this way, it remains unknown. But it doesn't matter, because regardless, he was keeping his promise to Keng Shi.

"After receiving the letter, the general said nothing."

Wei Guan wouldn't say anything, and Zhong Hui, who intercepted the letter, certainly wouldn't!

This matter will remain buried in their hearts!

"Supervisor Shi's plan is truly brilliant!"

Meng Guan looked on with admiration. Shi Shouxin was truly courageous and resourceful, and his composure was remarkable.

"I have never hesitated to use the worst possible intentions to speculate about those who are hostile to me."

Shi Shouxin sighed, tucked the tightly wrapped silk package into his sleeve, and then mounted his horse.

He was actually betting that the Grand Marshal of the Bell Club might overreach himself.

Because many intelligent people take pleasure in manipulating others and believe that their thinking is superior.

Zhong Hui's attempt to intercept the messenger would undoubtedly bring him a lot of unnecessary trouble. He felt a pang of unease about doing it, and would be ashamed of his own clumsy and foolish actions.

Only by keeping the messenger alive and unable to defend himself, thus clearing himself of suspicion, could Zhong Hui, the Grand Commander, truly demonstrate his wisdom and skill, like a cat playing with a mouse.

The two rode their horses through Mei County without stopping, heading east and arriving in Chang'an in a day and a night.

After settling in at the post station outside Chang'an, Shi Shouxin said to Meng Guan, "I'm going to the Guanzhong Governor's Office to report military affairs to the General. You just wait here."

Meng Guan thought about it for a while and finally agreed.

After giving a few instructions, Shi Shouxin headed towards the gates of Chang'an. Once inside the city, he didn't seek out Sima Zhao, but instead asked someone if Yang Hu had gone to Guanzhong with the Luoyang imperial guards.

After receiving an affirmative reply, Shi Shouxin quietly went to the small courtyard where Yang Hu lived in Guanzhong.

At that moment, Yang Hu was practicing his sword in the courtyard when he learned that Shi Shouxin had come to visit, and he was overjoyed.

"Greetings! Why did you return to Guanzhong? I was wondering how you would achieve merit this time!"

Yang Hu said, pulling on Shi Shouxin's arm.

“Uncle, I have urgent business to report to the General, but there are too many people and too many eyes in the Governor’s Mansion. I would like to trouble you to find the General and meet him here privately.”

Shi Shouxin pleaded.

Seeing his serious expression, Yang Hu nodded and said, "This is easy to handle. You wait here for now, and I'll be right back."

Yang Hu was a straightforward man; he simply told Shi Shouxin to wait in the study, then got up and went out.

Sitting in the study of Yang Hu’s residence, Shi Shouxin was pondering a question: Why did he live such a tiring life?
Zhong Hui was clearly setting him up, and Wei Guan also seemed to have ulterior motives, using him to test Zhong Hui's bottom line and treating him as a tool.

Du Yu had hinted to Shi Shouxin that it would be better to leave Hanzhong and protect himself, as he must know some information that others did not.

After much thought, Shi Shouxin came to a conclusion: struggle inevitably involves sacrifice.

If you want to get ahead in a larger circle, or even rise to the top, it's normal to be bullied as a newcomer or someone from the bottom.

Only by becoming stronger can you earn respect and live a fulfilling life.

If you can endure hardship, you'll have endless hardship to endure, which will naturally make you very tired.

However, Shi Shouxin had no choice but to climb higher, because he was no longer alone.

The more you have, the more you need the strength to protect what you already possess, and you must never stop.

Shi Shouxin couldn't help but sigh. All the exhaustion and turmoil were ultimately self-inflicted. Just as he was lost in thought, the study door was pushed open, and Yang Hu led Sima Zhao in.

To be honest, Sima Zhao had a very good initial impression of Shi Shouxin, but it took a sharp turn for the worse because of the incident with Cao Mao.

Fortunately, two years had passed, and since those events were attributed to Shi Chong, Sima Zhao finally remembered Shi Shouxin's "loyalty and bravery."

This man may be considered stubborn, but he is by no means two-faced. This is Sima Zhao's general opinion of Shi Shouxin.

"Shi Shouxin, what is it that you can't tell me at the Guanzhong Governor's Office, but have to do here with your uncle?"

As soon as he sat down, Sima Zhao rebuked him without any politeness.

"Shi was ordered by the military supervisor to deliver a letter to Chang'an, but he was stopped on the way by Zhong Hui's confidants and the letter was stolen."

Zhong Hui has many followers, and I, Shi, do not know who has secretly pledged allegiance to him. Perhaps there is someone close to the General who is secretly in league with Zhong Hui. Therefore, I have no choice but to settle for second best and meet the General here.”

Shi Shouxin bowed to Sima Zhao and said.

"Your one-sided story is putting me in a very difficult position. I even lost a letter while trying to deliver it."

Sima Zhao sighed, unsure how to evaluate Shi Shouxin. "You even lost your letter," he said. "Who knows if it was stolen by Zhong Hui's men, or if you dropped it into the river on the way?"

Both sides are just your words, and even if what you say is true, how can I believe it?
Sima Zhao was greatly disappointed, feeling that coming here was a complete waste of time.

He looked at Shi Shouxin, waiting for his reply.

(End of this chapter)