Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 76 Knowing everything
That night, Shi Shouxin was in his military tent revising the dimensions of the trebuchet, with more than a dozen sheets of scrap paper and sketches lying around him. Just then, Meng Guan came to report that the garrison commander of Yang'an Pass was requesting an audience.

The garrison commander of Yang'an Pass was named Ma Long, who was also Du Yu's deputy.

After being led into the military tent by Meng Guan, Ma Long handed a letter to Shi Shouxin and then stepped aside without saying a word.

Du Yu had already escorted Zhuge Xu away from Yang'an Pass. This letter was left by him before he left, and it mentioned several things:
The first thing Du Yu said was that this detachment was Sima's private army and staunch supporters, and would never obey Zhong Hui's orders.

Du Yu also said that he was unable to stay and participate in the campaign against Shu due to illness, but the things that needed to be done still had to be done, so he could only entrust Shi Shouxin to help him complete them.

The second thing is that Du Yu said that the deputy general Ma Long was an "old friend" of Shi Shouxin, and could be trusted to handle important matters.

Back then, Ma Long was Yang Kang's close follower, serving Linghu Yu alongside him. After the latter's sudden death, it was Ma Long who collected his body and handled his funeral arrangements. Ma Long was not only a friend of Yang Kang, but he had even met the underage Yang Qian.

Du Yu suggested that Shi Shouxin try to win over Ma Long, as Ma Long was a man of great loyalty and righteousness.

The third thing, which Du Yu mentioned last, wasn't actually "a big deal."

To put it bluntly, if necessary, they would stage a coup to kill Zhong Hui, killing him rather than letting him live!

If the army enters Chengdu, Shi Shouxin can choose to become the next Wu Han, and upon returning to Luoyang, he will surely receive a high-ranking official position and generous salary. Of course, even if he doesn't do it, Wei Guan will. At that time, Shi Shouxin can decide for himself; it doesn't matter if he doesn't do it.

But killing Zhong Hui is a must; we must not let him leave Shu alive.

There was also half a tiger tally inside the envelope!
Du Yu said that this tiger tally would allow Ma Long and his elite troops to obey orders, and if it were given to Wei Guan, it would give him control over the entire army!

In other words, the tiger tally is only useful when it is placed with the person who "holds the tally".

As for why the tiger tally wasn't given directly to Wei Guan, that's a question for Sima Zhao; Du Yu's letter didn't mention it.

Shi Shouxin hadn't expected Du Yu to have such a significant responsibility; no wonder he kept reminding him to leave Hanzhong as soon as possible.

Shi Shouxin felt a pang of unease; Du Yu's earlier warning had indeed been well-founded. This man was Sima Zhao's brother-in-law, and his participation in the campaign against Shu was partly for personal gain, and partly to work for Sima Zhao, secretly monitoring Zhong Hui.

His identity has already determined his stance.

"Commander Shi, what are your orders?"

Seeing that Shi Shouxin hadn't spoken for a long time, Malone, who was standing to the side, cautiously inquired, his attitude very humble. He came from humble origins and had always been this humble, so his ability to read people was quite outstanding.

"What's the situation at Yang'an Pass?"

Shi Shouxin burned the letter over the oil lamp and looked at Ma Long to ask him a question.

"Commander Shi, there's nothing going on at Yang'an Pass right now..."

Malone smiled wryly.

The 130,000 troops were stuck in front of Jiange, unable to move forward or retreat.

Then there's nothing going on in the back!
"Understood. Go back and wait for orders. I'll be there in a few days."

Shi Shouxin gave the order in a deep voice.

……

"Wait, wait, wait... this isn't right, is it?"

Li Wan stood in an "ordinary" courtyard, completely dumbfounded.

The courtyard has flowing water, and even running water. There are artificial hills and mountain springs, and even running springs. Pavilions and towers are all there, full of poetic and picturesque charm, like a place where immortals live.

It wasn't that she had never seen such a large mansion before, but rather that she had never seen one with such elegant style.

Upon arriving in Taishan County, Li Wan realized just how powerful the Yang clan of Taishan was! It was simply outrageous!

"Wan Niang has finally arrived. This way, please."

Yang Huiyu, dressed in a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and with a gold hairpin in her hair, stepped forward, took Li Wan's hand, and smiled. Seeing someone she recognized, Li Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

She said with lingering fear, "Lady Yu sent someone to inform me, but I didn't know if it was true or not, and I almost messed up a big matter."

"Sigh, it's all my fault for not managing my subordinates properly; they can't even handle such a small matter. Come and sit in my study."

Yang Huiyu gave Li Wan a wink and pulled her into the study.

In fact, Yang Huiyu's methods of managing his subordinates were very skillful, and there was no question of whether he could get things done well or not. The reason he hurriedly sent word was simply to test whether Li Wan was someone whose personality was compatible with his.

If someone is compatible with you, then you will trust them and definitely come to Taishan County.

If there are doubts, then there is no mutual trust, and there is no need to come here. Whatever troubles Li Wan encounters in Luoyang afterward, it is none of her concern.

Yang Huiyu is someone who likes to "rate" others, and she only befriends people she finds agreeable.

After taking her seat in the study, Li Wan looked around and admired the furnishings. She couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.

There are so many books in Yang Huiyu's study! And they are all the kind of books written on silk and paper, which means they were copied recently, or even that the original was provided by the Yang family and specially copied by scholars.

This demonstrates the extent of their financial resources and extensive network of connections.

"I've arranged a job for your husband. He can take up the post once he returns from his campaign against Shu. I already told you about it last time, do you remember?"

Yang Huiyu asked softly, and although she had shown great goodwill, she still gave people an invisible sense of pressure.

"I remember, I am very grateful for Lady Yu's kindness."

Li Wan nodded, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

Since this second wife of Sima Shi could elevate Shi Shouxin to a high position, she could also bring him to the bottom.

“I originally intended to serve as the Registrar of Taishan County, but now I feel it is too much of a stretch and I am not worthy of Shi Gandang, so I want to make him the Prefect of Taishan County.”

Originally, this position was intended to be held by my nephew, Yang Pian, but the Yang family is, after all, a prominent family in Taishan County, and as the saying goes, one should pay attention to one's table manners when eating.

Being both a prominent local family and the governor, the Yang family might give the impression of ruling Taishan County like kings, leading outsiders to believe they were plotting a rebellion, which created a bad impression.

Therefore, I think it would be better to appoint Shi Gandang as the prefect and my nephew Yang Pian as the chief clerk.

Yang Huiyu made no attempt to conceal his true intentions, discussing matters only those in power could discuss, treating official positions as private property within his own pocket. He did so without any sense of incongruity whatsoever.

In the local area, powerful and influential families like theirs wield absolute power! Without the cooperation of the Yang family, Taishan County, and even Yanzhou, would not be able to maintain stability!
"Then... what should be done with the current Prefect of Taishan Commandery?"

Li Wan asked in confusion, grasping the key issue.

Yang Huiyu gave her an approving look, a gratified smile on her face.

Shi Shouxin's wife is indeed politically astute; she was just limited in her vision before.

Yang Huiyu silently made a judgment about Li Wan in her heart.

She stood up, took a silk scroll from the bookshelf behind her, unfolded it, and handed it to Li Wan.

"The current Prefect of Taishan County, Liang Xu, has committed numerous crimes and offenses in the area, all of which have been recorded by us."

When Shi Shouxin returned from his campaign against Shu and took up his post as registrar in Taishan Commandery, Liang Xu was imprisoned. Since there was no prefect in the commandery, the registrar temporarily assumed the role.

Six months later, I will be officially appointed as the prefect; it's not difficult at all.

Yang Huiyu closed the scroll, held it in his hand with a hint of pride, and said confidently.

As for whether this "evidence" is true or false, only the Yang family knows.

Yang Huiyu was stunningly beautiful, with a face like a peach blossom, but the power she wielded was as venomous as a venomous snake or a ferocious beast, captivating and terrifying!
If the governor is not to his liking, he will be removed immediately!

This is the power of a great family in a local area!
Li Wan felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing Yang Huiyu's words. The local powerful families wielded immense influence, and any prefect who opposed them was unlikely to have a good end.

Lady Yang made no attempt to conceal her desire for the governor to be "one of her own."

Li Wan nodded slightly, feeling grateful to Yang Huiyu, but also knowing that there were many things she shouldn't have asked.

They went to great lengths to make your husband a prefect of a major prefecture. Did they really ask for nothing more? That position was originally meant for her nephew! The fact that Shi Shouxin is ranked before Yang Pian already tells us the answer, but Li Wan couldn't bear to expose this veil of shame.

If this stunningly beautiful widow were to actually throw herself at him, Li Wan couldn't guarantee she wouldn't succumb. Leaving aside her official position, her looks alone were irresistible to many men, not to mention the immense boost she could offer to his career.

Which man could resist such a romantic encounter?

"Yu Niangzi, from now on... will our family live here?"

Li Wan asked softly.

"Yes, you can stay here, and you and your husband won't have to worry about Sima Yan's harassment anymore."

Sima Zhao is in poor health and may die in a few years. When that happens, Sima Yan will be the emperor and can have whatever he wants. Do you think you can escape?
"You all live well here. I don't believe Sima Yan would dare to extend his claws over here!"

Yang Huiyu chuckled coldly, but then she noticed a hint of fear on Li Wan's face. She quickly took Li Wan's hand and said softly, "Don't worry, with me here, Sima Yan won't be able to cause any trouble!"

Seeing Yang Huiyu's domineering yet cautious demeanor, the highly intelligent Li Wan had already figured it out.

This is what it means to be a weak and pathetic person in the face of love.

She was terrified of offending Shi Shouxin, terrified that her lover would no longer love her, so she was extremely cautious in everything she did. She treated this ill-fated relationship as if it were her only lifeline.

"Miss Yu, if you don't mind, how about I call you 'elder sister' from now on?"

Li Wan said softly, holding Yang Huiyu's hand tightly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Huiyu trembled, completely unprepared as if struck by lightning. She turned her head away, and after a long while, looked at Li Wan with a guilty conscience. The other woman nodded slightly to her with a smile.

"Shi Gandang is truly blessed to have married you."

Yang Huiyu sighed, stepped forward, and embraced Li Wan tightly. At that moment, everything was understood without words; the two had reached a consensus.

The two parted ways much later. Yang Huiyu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve and said:

"There will be a banquet in a couple of days. I have invited the wives and daughters of the officials from Yanzhou to attend, right here. When you arrive, just say that you are my distant cousin, that you are married, and that your husband is a high-ranking official in Luoyang who is currently making great contributions in the army that is conquering Shu. Go and get acquainted with them."

Once Master Shi takes office in Taishan County, everyone will know each other, making it easier to talk. Sometimes, there are things that Master Shi finds inconvenient to say, so you will act as the contact person.

There are many things I'm not comfortable getting involved in.

Yang Huiyu instructed Li Wan on how to be a qualified "official's wife".

The two chatted for a long time, getting along better and better, until late at night before they had to stop. Yang Huiyu asked Xu Ying to arrange a room for Li Wan.

After entering the elegantly decorated bedroom, Xu Ying took Li Wan's hand and asked, "Did Madam Yu tell you everything?"

Li Wan sighed, "She didn't say it, but she pretty much said it; she is indeed a kind-hearted person."

With so many things laid bare, could Li Wan still refuse?
If she were to refuse outright and anger Yang Huiyu, it wouldn't be surprising if she were to have her body dumped in a pond. Isn't it easy for a noble lady to order her servants to kill someone?
Xu Ying thought to herself: Yang Huiyu is a rebellious and crazy woman. If you go along with her, she'll treat you like a fairy from heaven, giving you whatever you want. But if you disobey her, her revenge will be fierce.

"I heard from Lady Yu that Sima Yan will become emperor soon. What will you do then? I was also tricked by my ex-husband's brother and almost raped by him. Your situation is not easy to handle either."

Xu Ying asked with deep concern, genuinely worried for Li Wan.

Li Wan sighed helplessly and nodded. What else could she do?

According to Yang Huiyu, Sima Zhao's health was actually not very good, and if anything happened to him, Sima Yan would soon ascend the throne and become emperor.

Therefore, what else could Li Wan do besides get along well with Yang Huiyu and stick together?
Let's get through this crisis first, and talk about everything else after Shi Shouxin returns.

Li Wan let out a long sigh, experiencing firsthand the helplessness of "becoming an adult." She was no longer a carefree girl who didn't need to bear any responsibility. How to handle her relationship with Yang Huiyu would be a hurdle in her future life.

This is perhaps the principle that for every gain, there must be a loss. Life is rarely perfect.

"The Yang family is like royalty in Taishan County. Even the Sima family wouldn't dare to cause trouble here. You must be careful when you get along with Lady Yu."

Xu Ying kindly advised, but her words were already quite explicit.

Li Wan nodded slightly without saying anything.

　Chapter Two is here, and there's more today, let's get going!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)