Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 7 Prologue 7 Loyalty and Righteousness Are Difficult to Balance

If you had X-ray vision while playing cards, you could see your opponents' cards. So, as long as your hand isn't too bad and your playing skills aren't too poor, you could basically win the game.

Shi Gandang had already seen through Cao Mao's true intentions. Therefore, although the other party was the emperor, in Shi Gandang's view, this emperor was in a position of absolute weakness.

"Your Majesty, I would like to tell you a story, and I hope you will listen patiently."

Shi Gandang bowed to Cao Mao and said.

Cao Mao nodded and said, "Okay."

"Your Majesty, in a country thousands of miles away from my hometown, you don't need to know where it is, there is such a country."

In this country, there was a royal son, born out of wedlock, who originally lived a carefree life without any worries.

As a result, for several years, the kings of the country died one after another, and military and political power fell into the hands of a powerful minister in the court.

The key point is that the two sons of this powerful minister were also very capable. In a few years, they killed almost all those who openly resisted them.

To facilitate their usurpation, they elected this illegitimate son from a collateral branch of the royal family as king. This illegitimate son was intelligent and courageous, constantly using the concept of righteousness to maneuver against powerful ministers and their families.

Unfortunately, he lacked sufficient strength, rose to power too late, and his opponents acted too quickly.

He made steady progress, hoping to gradually regain power through persistent effort, and that his youth would eventually wear down the powerful minister. However, his opponent made rapid progress, seizing power at an ever-increasing pace. Over the years, the two engaged in constant open and covert struggles, with the powerful minister gradually taking away his authority.

Seeing that the powerful minister's cronies were spread throughout the court and the country, the head of the powerful minister's family was about to successfully usurp the throne, and was only one step away from resigning three times.

Well, that country also has this rule; powerful ministers must go through this procedure to change dynasties.

Seeing his family's fortune about to be seized by others, this king, born of a concubine, devised a final plan: to drag the powerful minister and their families down with him through his own death, ensuring their eternal infamy and shattering their hopes of a peaceful coup!

At this point, Shi Gandang stopped and looked at Cao Mao, asking, "This story has a sequel. Would Your Majesty like to hear it? If so, I can continue."

At this moment, Cao Mao was so frightened that he couldn't speak!

He never told anyone this deepest thought, hidden in his heart, including his confidants like Li Zhao.

Unexpectedly, the person in front of me saw right through me.

Cao Mao was young, but he was intelligent and understood human nature very well.

The reason why his men were loyal to the emperor was because they still harbored a sliver of hope: Sima Zhao was also a mortal, born of a father and mother, what if he were really killed with a single blow?

What if? Wouldn't that change everything?
That's why some people were willing to follow Cao Mao.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the possibility of making a profit!
Even if this possibility is infinitesimally close to zero, there is still a small chance of a surprise.

It is human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm.

However, Cao Mao's real plan never considered the possibility of "winning." To put it bluntly, the possibility of the good outcome that those people were hoping for was practically zero.

There is absolutely no hope.

Cao Mao's only goal was to drag the Sima clan into an abyss! Other matters were simply not within his consideration.

To put it bluntly, those who followed Cao Mao were merely expendable resources to achieve his goal.

If those who follow him knew this would be the final outcome, who would still be willing to follow him?

Cao Mao wanted to use his death to ensure that the Sima clan would be infamous for eternity!
Sima Zhao still wants to become emperor? Dream on!
If someone who murders his ruler in the street becomes emperor, it means that anyone can kill the emperor. After the Sima clan changed dynasties, weren't they afraid?

Cao Mao thought his deep thoughts were unknown to anyone, but unexpectedly, in the eyes of a person who called himself his "adopted son," they were as beautiful as a naked woman!
All their thoughts and intentions are laid bare in the sunlight.

“You… continue.”

Cao Mao's voice was tinged with a hint of hesitation; he, who had never felt flustered before, was now in a state of utter turmoil.

"Then, this illegitimate king deliberately spread the news that one day the court assembly would deal with the powerful minister's family in the court."

He personally conducted drills and training of troops in the palace.

He had many powerful spies around him, so this news naturally reached the ears of those powerful officials, who then made comprehensive arrangements. One of these officials even privately mocked the young king for overestimating his abilities.

To ensure the powerful minister's family would be forever disgraced, the king deliberately made no attempt to conceal his preparations. Almost everyone in the capital knew that the king and the powerful minister would engage in a fierce battle in the palace on the day of the court assembly!
Everyone's getting ready for a good show!

However, this was merely a feint by the king, and the things everyone hoped for would not happen. The king's real plan was to take a small number of trusted palace guards and quietly sneak through a side gate of the palace some time before the court assembly began, heading straight for the powerful minister's residence.

Of course, it was impossible for the king to kill the powerful minister, and he couldn't even get close to the minister's residence.

The procession would be stopped by the powerful minister's elite troops as it marched. These troops would far outnumber the king's own men.

But so what? It was all within the king's expectations. He would charge into enemy lines and be killed by some foolish general.

Who exactly did it? It doesn't matter, it was either this person or that person.

Even if no one dares to kill him, the king will still walk right into the line of fire.

Finally, upon learning of the king's murder, the powerful minister came to the king's body and wept uncontrollably. He was not weeping for the king's death, but for the utter failure of his years of hard work, his plan to become emperor, and his heart breaking.

After that, he was met with widespread discontent from both the government and the public.

He must eliminate neighboring countries to accumulate prestige and military achievements in order to achieve the dynastic change he was once so close to accomplish. As for whether this aging powerful minister can actually do it, only heaven knows.

Perhaps he will never be able to fulfill his long-cherished wish, or perhaps his family will be devoured by the curse brought by the king.

As for what happened after that, I have not heard of it; that's the end of the story.

Shi Gandang slowly finished telling the "story," and then looked at Cao Mao openly and frankly.

"Does anyone else know this story?"

Cao Mao asked nervously, his hands trembling slightly.

He finally realized that the person before him was no ordinary person! That so-called "story" was simply a rehearsal of his own plan!

"No, not even Shi Chong (Shi Jia Liu Lang) knows."

Shi Gandang said calmly. Actually, Shi Bao also knew about this, but he would absolutely not tell anyone! He would certainly not stand up to help Sima Zhao.

The weaker the Sima family is, the better for these powerful figures! A weak ruler makes for strong subjects!
Cao Mao breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that outsiders didn't know. If they did know, then there was no need to carry out this plan.

“Your Majesty, three days from now, I am willing to take up my sword and fight alongside you, serving as your vanguard.”

Accompanying me was Shi Jia Liulang.

Shi Gandang stepped forward and bowed to Cao Mao.

"you!"

Cao Mao suddenly stood up, walked to Shi Gandang's side, grabbed his sleeve, and couldn't speak for a long time.

"Do you know that even if you are not killed on the spot, Sima Zhao will not spare you afterwards?"
He can't do anything to Shi Bao, but killing you is just a matter of lifting a finger!"

Cao Mao asked urgently, his impression of Shi Chong now greatly changed—no, completely overturned!
"Your Majesty, my adoptive father, Shi Bao, owes his success to the support of the Sima family. He is grateful for their support and cannot help Your Majesty deal with the Sima family."

The saying goes that loyalty and righteousness cannot coexist. Shi Bao could only uphold the righteousness of the Sima family and could not be loyal to His Majesty.

Shi Jia Liulang, unwilling to see his father branded as disloyal, was willing to serve His Majesty in place of his father, regardless of life or death, to fulfill his filial duty.

Someone was once saved by Shi Jia Liulang. To repay this kindness, I will follow him to my death, even if it means going through fire and water. That's all.

We have neither soldiers nor unparalleled martial arts skills, and we would never betray Your Majesty. We only have two seven-foot-tall bodies to serve Your Majesty, to uphold our loyalty.

Shi Gandang's words were resounding and thought-provoking!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Cao Mao was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. He gripped Shi Gandang's arm tightly with both hands and cheered repeatedly!

Shi Bao didn't come, but his son did, which is tantamount to sacrificing a legitimate son.

This unwavering loyalty to the country is priceless! He has truly lived up to the expectations of the Cao family!
Although this did nothing to change the situation, it maximized Cao Mao's emotional appeal!

Cao Mao was moved, but of course he didn't expect Shi Bao to lead his troops to fight against Sima Zhao head-on!
Putting aside whether the troops would obey Shi Bao's orders, Shi Bao was originally promoted by Sima Yi from humble beginnings. If this Grand Commander were to take action against the Sima family, how would outsiders view him as an ingrate?

"You, you must move into my palace immediately! I acted rashly and could not bear to let loyal ministers like you live in such a humble dwelling. This is my fault!"

Cao Mao said with great remorse that he truly regretted it, but thankfully Shi Chong and the others did not hold it against him.

"Your Majesty, if we do this, I'm afraid we'll alert the enemy. Sima Zhao sent Shi Jia Liulang into the palace as a Yellow Gate Attendant, firstly to use someone else to do his dirty work, and secondly to keep an eye on Your Majesty."

If we move into His Majesty's palace, Sima Zhao will surely realize that we have betrayed him.

Shi Gandang quickly tried to dissuade him.

"It makes sense."

Cao Mao nodded, not denying the claim.

He sighed and looked at Shi Gandang, saying, "If a strategist like you had come to my side a few years earlier, we wouldn't be in this predicament today. It's truly Heaven's will that the Cao family is not blessed. I have really done my best. I had the will to kill the traitors, but I was powerless to reverse the situation."

At this point, Cao Mao burst into tears, unable to conceal his grief and indignation.

Sober people suffer; they are often less happy than fools.

"Your Majesty, I have a request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

Shi Gandang bowed to Cao Mao and said.

"What's there to say? Even if you asked my concubines to sleep with me now, I wouldn't hesitate to do it."

Cao Mao smiled wryly.

They'll all be dead in three days, so what's the point of worrying about that now? Even if Shi Gandang wanted the stars in the sky, Cao Mao would find a way to get them.

"Uh, Your Majesty is joking. This matter is a piece of cake for Your Majesty, not troublesome at all."

Shi Gandang smiled slightly and waved his hand gently. He wasn't from District 11 who had traveled here, so he really didn't want to eat this minotaur's food.

What he asked for was indeed not difficult for Cao Mao.

……

Time flies, and two days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Tomorrow is the day of the court assembly, and the atmosphere in Luoyang has become tense. A curfew has already been imposed before nightfall.

Inside the General's Mansion, in Sima Zhao's study, this powerful minister of Wei was discussing tomorrow's matters with his trusted advisors.

Suddenly, Sima Yan pushed open the door to the study and whispered a few words in Sima Zhao's ear. Immediately afterward, Shi Gandang, dressed in a gray cloth robe, was led into the study by Sima Yan.

"This is Jia Chong, Jia Gonglu, and this is Li Yin, Li Xuanbo. They are both my trusted confidants. You may speak frankly if you have anything to say."

Sima Zhao stared sharply at Shi Gandang and said in a stern but urging tone.

"General, we have obtained the deployment map of the palace troops for tomorrow. Please take a look."

Shi Gandang took out a piece of silk from his sleeve and placed it on the table. Sima Zhao glanced at it, then lit it over an oil lamp. After it burned to ashes, he said to Jia Chong and Li Yin beside him, "The Emperor is indeed going to take action tomorrow. Several defense plans are exactly the same."

Sima Zhao spoke calmly, appearing confident. He had many spies in the palace, and Cao Mao's every move was under his surveillance.

Sima Zhao naturally knew that Shi Chong had been very sensible these past few days, which was within his expectations, so tomorrow he would see if Shi Chong had any luck.

If they're lucky, then after tomorrow, Sima Zhao will immediately give Shi Chong a very high-ranking position, sending him to take up a post in another region and grooming him as a trusted confidant.

If Shi Chong were unlucky enough to be sacrificed by Cao Mao, then Sima Zhao would go to Shi's residence to offer condolences and comfort Shi Bao.

Old Shi, your son was killed by Cao Mao. I really didn't expect the emperor to be so heartless. You can understand, right?
You don't want your son to have died in vain, do you? Now you know how to do things for me from now on.

Sima Zhao had even prepared a eulogy for Shi Chong.

"You've worked hard. Have a good meal at the manor before you go back."

Sima Zhao looked at Shi Gandang and spoke gently, displaying an attitude of respect for talent. He was utterly generous in showing respect to someone who was likely to die soon.

"I dare not delay the General's important business, but to prevent any unforeseen complications, I request that the General grant me a token to allow me to travel during the curfew. Coming to the General's residence is easy, but returning to the palace is not so certain, as the curfew outside is quite strict."

Shi Gandang pleaded in a low voice.

This request can only be described as meticulous. If it were discovered that Shi Gan was not in the palace that night, it would very likely alert Cao Mao.

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao was immediately impressed by the talent. He took off the jade pendant from his waist, handed it to him, and said, "You are quite good. In the future, I will speak to Governor Shi and have you work in the General's Mansion. Go now, and don't delay important matters."

Sima Zhao didn't mind making empty promises to a dying man. If Shi Gandang lived past tomorrow, it would be a blessing from heaven, and recruiting him into his household for training would be a given.

If you're going to die, then so be it. Just lie there quietly on the ground.

Shi Gandang bowed and took his leave. After he left, Li Yin casually commented, "The General has excellent judgment. I think this man is indeed quite capable."

In the General's mansion, he held a position similar to "Minister of Personnel," specifically responsible for recommending talented individuals.

"He may have the ability, but whether he has the luck is another matter."

Old Coin Jia Chong said slowly from the side, clearly not optimistic that Shi Gandang would live to see tomorrow.

"Well, that's true."

Sima Zhao nodded slightly, looked at Jia Chong, and said solemnly, "You will all stay here tonight. If the emperor launches a coup in the palace tomorrow, then immediately..."

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he stretched out a hand, making a chopping gesture.

(End of this chapter)