Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 97 On-site Anti-fraud Training

Zhao Lun wasn't stupid; they had actually dealt with the Wei army before. When the Wei army first arrived in Hanzhong, they wanted to "borrow" their fortified village as a base for stationing troops. They even sent people to demand it.

However, no large army was pressing in.

However, it was clear that Zhao would not agree to such an unreasonable demand, and her will to resist was very firm.

At that time, Zhong Hui kept emphasizing military discipline because Hanzhong had not yet been captured, and the outcome was still uncertain.

Therefore, Zhong Hui's attitude was very clear: he would not hesitate to kill anyone who ruined his plans to establish his authority.

Therefore, the Wei army besieging Hancheng did not dare to make any moves to cause trouble for the Zhao family.

Now times have changed, Hanzhong has fallen into the hands of the Wei army, and it is no secret that Deng Ai secretly crossed Yinping. Therefore, the Wei army that is still stationed in Hanzhong has become more active.

In fact, many people had already foreseen the trend of the war against Shu. The Wei army in Hanshou would certainly have no problem entering Shu; however, the Wei army that was still besieging the cities of Han and Le in Hanzhong had not gained a single thing.

Therefore, these people started to have ulterior motives, hoping to make a fortune to take home for the New Year. This is what is known as "procuring provisions".

Find a wealthy family, rob and kill them all, then burn them to the ground. Afterwards, no one can say anything.

As long as the military supervisor doesn't catch them in the act, everything will be fine.

But as fate would have it, Tian Zhang was caught red-handed by the military supervisor today, and suffered multiple blows. When he returned, he was filled with fear and trepidation, and couldn't sleep well that night.

Official rank with the authority to perform military duties: If an officer violates military law during a campaign, he or she can theoretically be dealt with on the spot.

His position was that of an official under the Commandant of the Capital Region: someone who did dirty work for Sima Zhao.

My father-in-law was the Censor-in-Chief: someone in the imperial court who investigated and punished officials.

These three "attributes" allow Shi Shouxin to destroy Tian Zhang in three different dimensions, while he himself hardly needs to pay any price.

As for killing Shi Shouxin without any regard for the consequences... Don't be ridiculous. With so many soldiers brought out today, a full five thousand men, how could they possibly hide any secrets? They wouldn't stand up to scrutiny at all!

After the Wei army left, everyone looked at Shi Shouxin. Meng Guan asked incredulously, "Supervisor Shi, is that... all done?"

"Yes, what else?"

Shi Shouxin countered with a question.

This scene shocked Li Liang and Zhao Lun, who were standing nearby.

To be honest, they felt somewhat resentful when they chose to seek refuge with the enemy.

Zhao Lun, in particular, was not furious when he learned that his childhood sweetheart and fiancée had become someone else's concubine. Although he didn't fly into a rage and drag his family down with him, he still harbored some resentment.

But at this moment, seeing Shi Shouxin treat the Wei army's commander-in-chief like a dog and single-handedly repel thousands of Wei soldiers, Zhao Lun gained a deeper understanding of just how powerful Shi Shouxin was.

The resentment in my heart dissipated.

If someone is only slightly better than others, they will be envied. But if someone is exceptionally better than others, then others can only look on with envy and will not feel any jealousy.

After all, facts speak louder than words; the Zhao family's crisis of extermination was resolved by Shi Shouxin alone.

Even Tian Zhang's disheveled and guilty appearance when he left was extremely similar to Zhao Lun's expression when he beat up a troublemaker who refused to obey him, and the latter knelt down and begged for mercy.

Even Zhao Lun could see that it wasn't that Tian Zhang withdrew his troops to save face for Shi Shouxin, but rather that Shi Shouxin had shown leniency and forgiven Tian Zhang. Otherwise, Tian Zhang wouldn't have left like that; he would have at least said a few polite words to give others the illusion that "I'm not easy to bully."

"General Shi, let's set off today."

Zhao Lun suggested that it be done a day earlier than Shi Shouxin had requested.

"No more conditions?"

Shi Shouxin smiled and looked at him, asking.

"Whatever General Shi says goes, and the Zhao family will not disagree."

Zhao Lun patted his chest and assured him.

Li Liang kicked him, and Zhao Lun glared at him, but hesitated to speak.

"Is something wrong?"

Shi Shouxin, seeing the two making subtle movements, asked in confusion, "Logically speaking, they've already demonstrated their strength this time, what else could they be up to?"

He had some doubts.

Zhao Lun gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and said with his head down, "My younger sister greatly admires General Shi and hopes to serve him by doing things like making the bed and folding the blankets."

Oh, so it's a gift for a girl. That makes sense.

Everyone else has sent gifts, how can Zhao Lun not send one? If he doesn't, wouldn't that be disrespectful to Shi Shouxin? Wouldn't he be afraid of being influenced by his wife's pillow talk in the future?
Therefore, it was perfectly normal for Zhao Lun to also send his daughter.

Shi Shouxin was completely unmoved by this and nodded slightly, saying, "Let her come to my bedroom tonight to serve me. From now on, she can stay with me."

Upon hearing this, both Zhao Lun and Li Liang wore strange expressions. They seemed to have something to say but didn't know how to start.

"Supervisor Shi is very busy; he has many things to do and needs to report back to Grand Commander Zhong Hui. Just say what you have to say directly, don't beat around the bush!"

Meng Guan glared at Zhao Lun and Li Liang and scolded them, acting as Shi Shouxin's mouthpiece.

“My younger sister is still a bit young… I’m afraid it’s a bit, well, inappropriate for her to serve as my concubine.”

Zhao Lun said hesitantly.

Not every family is like Li Liang's, having a younger sister of the right age to send away. For example, in the Xi Zuo family, out of so many people, only Xi Chun was of the right age, and she was a half-sister.

Sending girls to your bedchamber is fine, but serving them in bed is a big problem!
"It's alright, you can make my bed and fold the blankets for me. I don't have any strange fetishes."

Have her come over tonight.

Shi Shouxin didn't care about this at all. He didn't take women in for their beauty, but purely to win over his followers and maintain the bond of interests between them.

Zhao Lun nodded slightly, hoping that Shi Shouxin wasn't that kind of "strange person." These days, there are quite a few perverts among wealthy and powerful families; some like men, some like young girls, and some like old women.

The frustrating thing was that no matter what Shi Shouxin did to his sister, he couldn't resist. Especially after seeing the other side drive away the Wei army.

Soon, Zhao Lun took his leave to reorganize his troops, setting off for the Li family at nightfall. The remaining clansmen and tenants were left to wait there. When the army returning from their campaign against Shu passed through the area, they would be settled there.

Of course, if Shi Shouxin encountered any misfortune after entering Shu, then Zhao Lun and his group would certainly be doomed, and the clansmen who remained in Hanzhong would have to fend for themselves.

That's how the world is; fortune and power are found in danger. If you sit at home, the Wei army that came today will be a lesson. Those who don't fight for life will surely die; waiting won't bring you wealth and glory. By evening, the army was fully prepared and ready to depart at any moment.

Shi Shouxin mounted his horse and, instead of heading towards the Li family manor, turned and headed towards Seoul.

Meng Guan caught up and asked, "Supervisor Shi, this is the wrong direction. This way is towards the Wei army camp."

"Of course I know, just come with me. Tian Zhang's troubles haven't been completely resolved yet."

Shi Shouxin said in a deep voice.

Helpless, Meng Guan had no choice but to return to the ranks and explain to Zhao Lun. The group continued northwest for about two hours until the Wei army's camp came into view.

"Meng Guan, go and call out to Tian Zhang to come out and see me."

Shi Shouxin gave instructions to Meng Guan.

"Understood. Supervisor Shi, wait a moment. I will go and investigate."

Meng Guan walked slowly forward, holding a white flag tied with a white robe in his hand as a white flag.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Tian Zhang jogged out of the camp and came to Shi Shouxin. He looked a little tired, but still bowed respectfully to Shi Shouxin and said, "Supervisor Shi, please come into the camp quickly. Food and tents will be prepared immediately."

"It's alright. I'm on official business as ordered by the Grand Commander, so it's not appropriate for me to enter your camp."

Shi Shouxin said calmly, clearly not wanting to bring Zhao Lun's troops into the Wei army camp.

The simple phrase "not suitable" reveals a lot.

"Then you are..."

Tian Zhang looked puzzled, wondering what Shi Shouxin was up to.

"Five hundred sets of military uniforms, swords and shields, spears, crossbows, arrows, and other military equipment—you can decide what to provide."

This is the Grand Commander's order; it is a confidential matter and must not be leaked.

If you have any doubts, you can send someone with a letter to Hanshou to verify.

But I advise you not to do such a thing. Knowing too much can cost you your head!

Shi Shouxin gave the order with a stern face, his expression serious yet unquestionable, showing no sign of asking for favors.

The equipment and uniforms of five hundred men are nothing to Tian Zhang's 10,000-strong retinue; they can be taken out right now.

However, military supplies are finite; rashly taking them out would create a mess. When an investigation comes later, it will be difficult to explain.

Tian Zhang hesitated for a moment, about to say something, when Shi Shouxin gave Meng Guan a wink. The latter understood, took out half of the tiger tally from his waist, and handed it to Shi Shouxin.

"General Tian, ​​if I were you, I wouldn't ask any questions."

Shi Shouxin waved the half of the tiger tally in front of Tian Zhang, his expression unfriendly, and asked, "Did you see it clearly?"

"This humble general deserves death!"

Tian Zhang knelt on one knee to beg for forgiveness, and Shi Shouxin immediately helped him up.

"If anyone asks, just say you were summoned by order of the Grand Commander. You know nothing else. If anyone wants to blame you, let the people investigating you have a fight with the Grand Commander."

Remember, you know nothing, understand? Otherwise, someone will try to kill you.

For example, getting diarrhea from eating, falling into a latrine while using the toilet, or falling off a horse and dying.

If someone wants to harm you, they don't need a massive army.

Shi Shouxin leaned close to Tian Zhang's ear and whispered some instructions.

"This subordinate understands, understands. Thank you for the reminder, Supervisor Shi. I almost ruined everything."

Tian Zhang was deeply grateful to Shi Shouxin and left after expressing his heartfelt thanks.

From a distance, Meng Guan, Zhao Lun, Li Liang, and the others only saw Tian Zhang kneeling and bowing to Shi Shouxin under the firelight, his eyes filled with tears of gratitude, looking like a sycophant. They had no idea what had actually happened.

A short while later, Tian Zhang returned, followed by a group of personal guards pushing two-wheeled flatbed carts piled high with military uniforms and various weapons. There were dozens of carts!
"General Tian, ​​a benefactor will remember your kindness and will surely repay you."

Just don't say things you shouldn't say, and don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, understand?
Some people, though in Luoyang, were fully aware of what was happening in Hanzhong.

Shi Shouxin leaned close to Tian Zhang and whispered something.

"Understood, understood, thank you, Supervisor Shi. I know nothing, so please don't tell outsiders."

Tian Zhang nodded like a chick pecking at rice, then led his personal guards back to the main camp.

"What are you standing there for? Come and move your things, push the cart away too."

Shi Shouxin gave instructions to Meng Guan.

Zhao Lun quickly sent people forward to push the cart, and soon the procession headed towards the Li family manor.

On the way, Meng Guan and Shi Shouxin walked at the front of the column, with Zhao Lun and Li Liang bringing up the rear. Meng Guan asked in a low voice, "Did Supervisor Shi just take the uniforms and weapons for these five hundred men?"

"Yes, we took the weapons and uniforms from Tian Zhang's camp, and he even thanked me."

Shi Shouxin wore a strange smile, too lazy to explain to Meng Guan what had happened.

The Sima family's reckless and chaotic behavior, their penchant for intrigue and coups, has ruined the rules within the Wei army. Beyond the official rules of Wei, there exists another set of "Sima family rules."

Therefore, generals serving in the military often felt confused as to whether they should follow the "rules of the imperial court" or the "rules of the Sima family".

Shi Shouxin took advantage of this information gap and the chaotic situation of the Wei army attacking Shu, using a tough stance to demand supplies.

The more arrogant he was, the more forceful his attitude, and the more mysteriously he acted as if he were "doing things for a powerful person," the less suspicious Tian Zhang would be.

This is a weakness of human nature.

Shi Shouxin had just used Sima Zhao's name to extort money from Tian Zhang. This might not have worked on anyone else, but it was foolproof against Tian Zhang, whom he had just dealt with that afternoon!
"Commander Shi, you are truly amazing. You managed to swindle Tian Zhang out of his things, and he is still incredibly grateful to you."

Meng Guan complimented him with a look of admiration.

(End of this chapter)