Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 90 This is Politics

After Xi Zuo and Shi Shouxin reached an agreement, the head of the Xi family went to settle affairs within the wooden village.

Selecting capable individuals, preparing provisions, and calming the emotions of the people—all these tasks required human intervention.

Meng Guan and Ma Long were responsible for communicating with their soldiers to prepare for a daytime rest before launching a surprise attack on wealthy households in the surrounding villages at night.

Of course, Shi Shouxin wasn't idle either; he had another important matter to attend to, which was... the wedding night.

If we get things done tonight, we'll be "one family" with the Xi family tomorrow. Everyone will feel at ease, which will greatly reduce the cost of mutual trust.

On the surface, this matter seems like child's play, but in reality, it is the most important aspect of the alliance: completing the alliance ceremony.

Inside the bedroom, the young lady Xi Chun, sitting on the bed, glanced at Shi Shouxin, then subtly moved her body a little further away. She was completely tense, as if there were a giant python in the room, unable to relax at all.

Xi Zuo spoke to her with absolute certainty; it was an order, not a persuasion.

This is the helplessness of being a daughter. She has to do whatever she is asked to do, without hesitation or refusal, and everything must be done with the interests of the family in mind.

"Come sit down, I have something to tell you."

Shi Shouxin walked to the simple table in the bedroom and gestured for the other person to sit opposite him.

Xi Chun thought for a moment, and finally slowly walked over and sat down, relaxing a little.

"Although I told my subordinates that I was here to plunder the wealthy households in Hanzhong, that was not my real intention, or rather, that was not my main purpose."

Shi Shouxin said solemnly, his face completely devoid of any lecherous expression, looking quite serious.

Xi Chun couldn't help but sit up straight, banishing all the messy thoughts from her mind.

“Please speak, Mr. Shi… Mr. Shi.”

Xi Chun said timidly. Before, with Xi Zuo standing in front of her, she always had something to rely on, unlike now, when she was facing a strange man alone.

Seeing that she had gradually calmed down, Shi Shouxin nodded slightly, feeling that it was time to communicate.

"Do you know that Wei has successfully conquered Shu and has already occupied Hanzhong? They will soon occupy the entire Shu region as well?"

Shi Shouxin inquired.

"I know a little bit about it. All the children in my family are required to study and learn to read and write, and so is I."

Xi Chun nodded, seemingly indicating that she was not entirely ignorant.

She was afraid that Shi Shouxin would think that her family were all brutes. In fact, although the Xi family came from the Ba barbarians, they had long been Sinicized and had started serving as officials during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

"Your family will soon face a problem: how will Wei Guo deal with you?"

After the fall of Shu, you will be scattered, and most of your land will be confiscated. A small number of you will remain here, while the majority will be relocated elsewhere by the imperial court. As for where, I cannot say.

This is the best outcome; the worst outcome would be...

Shi Shouxin extended his right hand and made a chopping gesture. The meaning was self-evident.

Xi Chun's expression turned ugly. Her slightly dark face lost its color, and her brows furrowed, but she did not refute.

Shi Shouxin felt that she must have heard something from Xi Zuo. Perhaps Xi Zuo had contacted Wei generals before, but had no way to seek refuge with them.

"Therefore, your family, your elder brother, your uncles, your clansmen, and even your retainers all need me to give them a new identity, that is, the identity of retainers belonging to the Wei army generals, that is, retainers belonging to me."

If you don't do this, you will be taken in as surrendered soldiers of Shu and incorporated into the Wei army by officials from who-knows-where. Your fate will probably not be pleasant.

"Land, property, and even the women, including yourself, are all at your disposal."

Shi Shouxin's words were cruel, but his tone was calm and contained no threat whatsoever.

This was quite a straightforward statement, and Xi Chun nodded, seemingly understanding.

"You need me more than I need you."

However, cooperation is always better than confrontation. If we cannot unite, then tonight I will surely slaughter everyone in Xijia Village, including you.

Shi Shouxin said coldly.

"why?"

Startled by his sudden retort, Xi Chun instinctively asked a question in return.

She found it hard to believe that Shi Shouxin, who had just explained things so patiently and meticulously, could suddenly utter such brutal words as "kill everyone in Xijia Village."

“You have no wealth here. If I don’t kill you all, how can I explain this to my soldiers? Won’t they think I’ve embezzled the wealth?”

They came all this way for nothing, how could they not be resentful? If I don't kill you to vent my anger, am I supposed to have them come and kill me?

Shi Shouxin countered with a question.

Xi Chun was speechless. She possessed a simple sense of justice, but she wasn't a dim-witted fool. Shi Shouxin's words were easy to understand, and it was simple enough to know why.

"Then there's no need... to kill them all, is there?"

Xi Chun asked, somewhat hesitantly.

"Since you've already killed them, what's the point of leaving some alive? Are you going to let the survivors seek revenge on me in the future? To avenge those who died?"

Shi Shouxin asked again.

Xi Chun's back was soaked with cold sweat. She suddenly realized that her brother Xi Zuo's attitude in the hall just now was so firm, insisting on becoming Shi Shouxin's subordinate. He probably had already seen through everything.

Since the two cannot become allies, the only option is to kill one of them. Otherwise, the Wei army's surprise attack on the village today will be impossible to resolve.

Xi Zuo was in charge of managing the family, including the family's private army; Shi Shouxin was also a military general, both of them were in charge of people.

Their thought processes were very similar, so they quickly reached a tacit understanding. Xi Chun then realized just how strong a mind one needs to manage a large group of people.

"With you here, I don't have to worry all the time that Xizuo will betray me. Nor does he have to worry all the time that I will betray him and send him to his death."

When our child is born, your brother will be his uncle, and naturally he will side with me. That's the bond of in-laws.

Shi Shouxin looked at Xi Chun and said very seriously.

"So this is ah."

Xi Chun breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed completely.

She suddenly noticed something "strange".

"Young Master Shi, why did you explain it to me so clearly? Actually, it wasn't necessary..."

Xi Chun rubbed her temples in distress, unable to understand why.

In fact, all Shi Shouxin needed to do was pounce on her and pin her down; there was no need for him to say anything unnecessary.

Xi Chun will not resist; her brother has already made it very clear.

Xi Chun is usually quite skilled in martial arts, but she is not a rebellious woman.

"I guess it's because I think it's better to be honest."

At least you'll realize you're still quite important.

Shi Shouxin said with a smile.

These words made Xi Chun feel quite comfortable. She glanced at Shi Shouxin again and suddenly thought that this man... was quite handsome.

It was mainly his face; he looked righteous and awe-inspiring. If we only consider the first impression, Xi Chun felt that Shi Shouxin was definitely not a bad person.

Thinking about what was about to happen, Xi Chun felt a little shy and asked in a low voice, "Are we going to have sex...?"

Hearing her say that, Shi Shouxin almost burst out laughing.

How should I put it? This young woman is just too naive.

Only a man driven by lust would make a move on Xi Chun tonight! Doesn't he even know what kind of environment he's in, or what he's about to do?!

If Xizuo were to turn against him in the middle of the night, Shi Shouxin would be enjoying himself in bed with Xichun, unable to command his troops, and he might even be taken hostage.

The scene was absolutely stunning.

Even if Xi Zuo behaves himself, if Shi Shouxin really wants to have sex with Xi Chun tonight, he probably won't even be able to lift a knife the next day.

He's about to lead his troops to visit other wealthy families in the area; how could he possibly be playing around with women's bellies!
Even if we take a step back and say that no one holds a knife to his throat, Shi Shouxin would never get close to a woman whose background he doesn't know. That's not enjoying himself, that's courting death!
What if someone hid a knife under your pillow and stabbed you in the neck while you were asleep? Wouldn't you be scared?
Shi Shouxin waved his hand gently and said, "There's no rush. You entered this room tonight in front of everyone, so you're already my woman. We can talk about other things later."

"Oh, well, that's fine too."

Xi Chun breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little lost.

At that moment, she finally understood that what she wanted to do was not important. Existence itself was the greatest meaning.

"Young Master Shi, let me massage your shoulders. I used to massage my father's shoulders often when he was alive."

Xi Chun spoke up, suddenly feeling a little afraid that Shi Shouxin would give her away or make her sleep with other men. She had heard that wealthy families liked to do such things.

"Come!"

Shi Shouxin patted his left shoulder in acknowledgment.

……

In the northern suburbs of Mianzhu, a fierce battle is raging between the Shu army led by Zhuge Zhan and the Wei army led by Deng Ai.

Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan were almost punished by Deng Ai's military law. Only after their desperate pleas did Deng Ai allow them to regroup and each of them was given a thousand troops to support them, so that they could continue to attack the left and right wings of the Shu army.

Deng Ai remained waiting in the rear, offering no support.

An incense stick's time had passed, then half an hour, and the battle at the front remained fierce, with no clear victor.

Deng Ai remained calm, but the soldiers behind him were already becoming restless.

Those people weren't afraid of death; in fact, being able to reach the heart of Shu, surrounded by enemies on all sides, already made them practically fugitives.

Either fight your way to Chengdu, or you'll be buried somewhere. What's there to be afraid of?

They were just worried that the unfavorable situation at the front would cause the routed soldiers to rush back to their own lines, and the Shu army would follow behind, creating a situation like a curtain being rolled upside down!

At this point, Deng Ai should have charged forward! Why was he still keeping the reserves?

Just then, a scout covered in blood rode up on horseback. His back was riddled with arrows, and his uniform was stained red with blood.

"General Deng... there are too many enemy soldiers. We are about to be overwhelmed."

After saying this, the scout died. He should have died long ago from such a severe arrow wound; he only managed to return to deliver those words.

Previously, Deng Zhong had not mentioned that the Shu army had a large number of soldiers, so why is there "more" now?

There is only one answer: the Shu army's central force began to divide its troops to support the two flanks, and the Shu army's two flank lines were about to collapse!
"Men, relay my order: the entire army is to attack! Ignore the flanks and take the enemy's central army!"

Deng Ai drew his sword, pointed it forward, and then spurred his warhorse forward.

Success or failure hinges on this charge!

At this moment, Deng Ai had no other thoughts in his mind. His only thought was to kill Zhuge Zhan or be killed by Zhuge Zhan.

There is no third option.

Seeing that their commander had already charged out, the Wei soldiers behind Deng Ai also followed suit. As they ran, the officers and soldiers in black Wei uniforms surged like a black tide.

Unstoppable!

(End of this chapter)