Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 69 Shock and Anger

"What other flaws are there?"

Zhong Hui looked at Yang Xiu with displeasure and asked thoughtfully.

When a leader is speaking on stage, it's universally disliked for someone to stand up and interrupt. Even if Zhong Hui had a good temper, he wouldn't have been able to resist disciplining Yang Xiu.

"Grand Commander, Du Yu, who is stationed at Yang'an Pass, has contracted goiter due to the change in environment. If he is not treated in time, his life may be in danger."

It's difficult to find a renowned doctor while the army is away, so Du Yu's illness must be treated.

Yang saw that the military supervisor was full of energy and must be in good health, so it would be no problem for him to accompany the army.

It would be better to have Du Yu escort Zhuge Xu back to Chang'an, hand him over to the General for disposal, and then have a famous doctor in Chang'an treat his illness.

Yang had no objection to the rest.

I never expected Yang Xiu to say this.

It must be said that Yang Xiu's repeated use of the term "humanistic concern" is truly reasonable and refutable.

But in reality, Yang Xiu was only worried about one thing: Shi Shouxin would return to Luoyang and not come to Shu!

Upon hearing this, Zhong Hui's expression softened, and he nodded, saying, "That's fine then. Let Supervisor Shi replace Du Yu in guarding Yang'an Pass. Du Yu will be responsible for escorting Zhuge Xu back to Chang'an and recuperating there. He won't need to come to Hanzhong again."

ha?
Yang Xiu was furious when he heard this. He wanted Shi Shouxin to stay in the army, not to lead an army on his own!

But seeing the barely suppressed anger in Zhong Hui's eyes, he immediately backed down. Yang Xiu also knew that neither Wei Guan nor Zhong Hui wanted Du Yu to enter Shu.

Perhaps it was because Du Yu was Sima Zhao's brother-in-law, a sensitive position.

Moreover, the news that Deng Ai had secretly crossed Yinping and used the Yinping Trail to launch a surprise attack on Fucheng had already spread among the high-ranking officers of the army. However, since the situation of the battle was still unknown, no one had mentioned it.

"General, I still need to deliver the imperial edict to General Deng, so I can't stay at Yang'an Pass."

Shi Shouxin stepped forward, bowed to Zhong Hui, and said...

Upon hearing this, Zhong Hui smiled mysteriously, waved his hand gently, and curled the corners of his mouth slightly.

Shi Shouxin suddenly realized that he might have been tricked. He had gone through such a long detour today, and Zhong Hui had made such a big bowl of dumplings.

This didn't just happen casually! Zhong Hui seemed to have come specifically because of what he had just said; this bowl of dumplings was made especially for his dish of vinegar.

As expected, Zhong Hui laughed loudly, "Supervisor Shi, you may not know this, but Deng Ai disobeyed orders and led his troops to launch a surprise attack on Fucheng via the Yinping Trail. Going there would be pointless. Why don't you read the imperial edict in front of all these people now!"

……

Sima Zhao and Wang Yuanji, an old married couple, quickly resolved their minor conflict regarding Yang Huiyu without causing them to fall out.

The matter ended with Yang Huiyu returning to her hometown of Taishan County to recuperate, thus avoiding a family scandal.

Judging by actions rather than intentions, Wang Yuanji certainly wouldn't hold a grudge about this matter. After all, it was Yang Huiyu who tipped her off.

On a midsummer night, Sima Zhao was observing the stars and moon in the villa of the governor's mansion in Chang'an. He lay on a bamboo bed, gazing at the starry sky, trying to discern something from the celestial phenomena.

However, a long time passed, until his eyes ached, and Sima Zhao still hadn't gained anything. Could the countless stars in the sky truly represent the joys and sorrows of human life?

Sima Zhao did not believe much in astrology.

"Did you figure something out, Ah Lang?"

Wang Yuanji, who was gently fanning herself with a palm leaf fan, asked with a smile.

"I didn't see anything, after all, I'm not Zhuge Liang."

Sima Zhao sighed, saying that he had something on his mind and didn't know how to tell Wang Yuanji.

After all, they were an old married couple. Wang Yuanji sat down next to Sima Zhao, her wrinkled hand stroking his forehead. The couple knew each other very well and could understand each other's feelings.

"After conquering Shu, you will replace Wei as emperor, right? The Duke of Jin will become the King of Jin, and the King of Jin will establish the State of Jin."

One year later, or two years later?

Wang Yuanji asked softly, but the content of her words was not as gentle as her tone.

Sima Zhao was about to struggle to get up when Wang Yuanji pressed his head down.

"Every time you lie, you're always eager to explain yourself. After all these years of marriage, how could I not know what you're thinking?"

Wang Yuanji smiled.

"Sigh, I hope so too. I've been waiting for this day for so long."

Sima Zhao stopped struggling, lay on the bamboo bed with his eyes closed, and pretended to sleep. This time, he spoke his mind.

I feel much better now!
"Back then, I discussed with Yang Huiyu the plan to exploit your brother's childless offspring, and we needed her cooperation."

The most important move was to get Yang Huiyu to take the initiative to adopt Sima You.

It was this talisman that enabled you to become a great general and suppress dissenting voices within the family.

From that day on, I knew that this matter wouldn't end until you got Yang Huiyu.

Now, the abdication is very close. I think it's time to settle this matter.

Wang Yuanji's words were incisive and left Sima Zhao speechless. Indeed, Yang Huiyu was quite beautiful; having her in bed would be quite nice.

But would Sima Zhao lack women?
That's definitely not the case! Sima Zhao could have any woman he wanted, right? It's really not that bad!

What Sima Zhao coveted was everything about his elder brother Sima Shi, including his widow.

If Yang Huiyu had truly become his concubine, then there would have been no conflict between Sima Yan and Sima You. Even if Sima You still wanted to compete, it would have been confined to the principle of "respect for seniority," rather than a struggle between the Sima Shi and Sima Zhao lineages.

Sima Yan no longer needed to be wary of this younger brother.

Thus, the complex problem became incredibly simple. Of course, taking his widowed sister-in-law into the harem was somewhat against propriety, but what did a bad reputation matter? The most important thing was to undermine the power of Sima Shi's faction!
Sima Zhao even killed Cao Mao, so why wouldn't he care about taking advantage of widows? A young widow's body might be very alluring, but for the Celestial Dragons, the continuation of their lineage is the real priority.

Sima Zhao was clear-headed, and Wang Yuanji understood the situation perfectly. Neither of them threw a tantrum, and they sat together quietly to discuss the matter.

Is there any room for maneuver in this matter?

Sima Zhao asked in a deep voice, “I will go to Taishan County and persuade Yang Huiyu to agree to this matter. Given her weak personality, she will definitely agree.”

Since she's already You'er's stepmother, it's not a big deal for her to share a bed with you. Besides, she's still my distant cousin, so we're practically family.

Wang Yuanji sighed and said.

To be honest, she felt very uncomfortable, but she had no choice but to do so for the sake of her family's interests.

Politics is often a product of compromise.

As long as Yang Huiyu remained Sima Shi's widow and Sima You's stepmother, her fate was sealed: she could only become Sima Zhao's woman; there was no other way.

Otherwise, there will inevitably be a life-or-death struggle between Sima Yan and Sima You in the future!
The conflict between them was not between elder and younger brothers, but between the legitimate and illegitimate branches of the Sima family, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao! Both were the "eldest legitimate sons" of their respective families, and either of them had a chance to rise to the top.

There can't be two suns in the sky, and there can't be two rulers in a country. Wouldn't this lead to chaos?
Both of them were Wang Yuanji's own sons! She couldn't bear to watch things spiral out of control, so she had no choice but to sacrifice her distant cousin.

"Don't go yet, let me go on behalf of Wei Jianjin first."

It's good for her to calm down in Taishan County.

Sima Zhao snorted coldly.

Wang Yuanji smiled wryly. She knew that Sima Zhao's pride had been challenged again, and he was acting somewhat rebellious. In truth, Wang Yuanji didn't care at all what women Sima Zhao slept with, even if he slept with Yang Huiyu.

What she cared about was that her two sons, Sima Yan and Sima You, could live in harmony and that things would remain peaceful after her death.

The adoption of Sima You was a desperate measure taken when Sima Shi's lineage had ended. However, the more brilliant that move was back then, the more severe the backlash is now.

However, Sima Zhao did not seem to realize the seriousness of the problem.

"That's fine then."

Wang Yuanji sighed and stopped trying to persuade her.

Just then, Shao Ti, an advisor, hurriedly entered the courtyard. In the torchlight, his face was filled with terror.

Upon seeing him, Sima Zhao gave a displeased snort and asked, "What's the matter that you're so flustered?"

"Deng Ai's blood-written letter, speak it, speak it..."

Shao Ti was incoherent and didn't know how to report, so Wang Yuanji stepped forward, took the "blood letter" from his hand, and handed it to Sima Zhao.

"Smuggling into Yinping?"

After reading Deng Ai's letter written in blood, Sima Zhao was immediately filled with rage, his eyes widened, and he was so angry that he couldn't speak.

puff!
Wang Yuanji was sprayed with blood, and Sima Zhao was so angry that he coughed up blood and then fainted!

"Quickly! Summon the imperial physician!"

Wang Yuanji turned pale with fright and screamed hysterically at Shao Ti.

……

Shi Shouxin was completely unaware that Sima Zhao had been so enraged in Chang'an that he vomited blood.

All he knew was that, under pressure from Zhong Hui and with Wei Guan's tacit approval, the box that was supposed to be given to Deng Ai had to be opened ahead of schedule.

Since both Zhong Hui and Wei Guan gave the order, there was no way to resist.

"Grand Commander, Military Supervisor, since you want to open the box, then open it. The contents are in the hands of my personal guards, right outside the tent."

Shi Shouxin said in a deep voice.

Zhong Hui gave an order to his personal guard, and soon Meng Guan entered the tent carrying a wooden box. Under everyone's gaze, Meng Guan felt extremely nervous, his legs trembling slightly.

Seeing his embarrassed state, Shi Shouxin quickly stepped forward, took the wooden box from him, and gestured for him to leave.

Before Shi Shouxin could hand the wooden box to Zhong Hui, the general who had just "opened the box" snatched it from his hand and placed it on Zhong Hui's desk.

The large "Deng" character on the box was clearly visible to everyone.

Shi Shouxin remained silent, for he had already sensed that Zhong Hui... was preparing to rebel. For the Grand Commander to open such a box was a serious violation of military discipline, yet Zhong Hui seemed completely unconcerned.

Deng Ai's smuggling across Yinping opened Pandora's box.

Those who had previously been patient and restrained are now no longer tolerating or lying low; they have become fearless.

The unnamed general slashed through the copper lock with a single stroke, then opened the box. Inside was a letter, which looked unusually empty in the large box. It was completely different from what Zhong Hui had received.

"Shi Jianjun, you read it."

Zhong Hui said casually, as if he had X-ray vision, able to know what was written on the letter even without looking at it in the box.

At this moment, Wei Guan also realized something and looked at Shi Shouxin, saying, "Supervisor Shi, read it. We are all here. One person may act for personal gain, but everyone should act for the common good."

Left with no other choice, Shi Shouxin read aloud the imperial edict reprimanding Deng Ai in front of everyone.

When he finished reading, the expressions on the faces of the people in the military tent varied. Some were gloating, some were full of pride, and some were filled with unease.

Wei Guan remained expressionless, while Zhong Hui wore a mysterious smile. Outsiders still had no idea what the Grand Commander was planning.

"Shi Jianjun, you will take over Du Yu's troops and guard Yang'an Pass. As for Yinping, you don't need to go there."

Du Yu will escort Zhuge Xu back to Chang'an, where the Duke of Jin will decide his fate. As for the others, those who came with me to attack Jiange, you may all disperse.

Regarding Deng Ai's matter, I will submit a memorial to the court.

"By the way, there is a banquet tonight to celebrate the army's victory in Hanzhong. Everyone must attend."

Zhong Hui waved his hand and issued the order directly. It was actually quite standard, and even somewhat considerate of Shi Shouxin.

However, Yang Xiu's complexion was not good.

Remembering Du Yu's warning, Shi Shouxin secretly observed Yang Xiu and found that the other party seemed to be paying attention to him.

Could this guy really be plotting something?
(End of this chapter)