My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

(Sorry, it got stuck in the review process, I just finished making changes)

Wang Ya composed herself, glanced at Xie An and Sima Daozi, and seeing that neither of them showed any reaction, finally struck the gavel heavily.

The crisp sound briefly suppressed the various speculations that filled the hall.

Wang Ya cleared her throat, unfolded a dossier of reports from the Northern Army, and her eyes fell on one line.

"Xiao Heng, today the Court of Justice has been ordered to investigate the matters impeached against you. You must answer truthfully and not deceive anyone!"

Xiao Heng stood below the hall, and upon hearing this, he merely nodded slightly without saying anything more.

Wang Ya looked at the dossier and asked in a deep voice, "On the night of February 7th, the fourth year of the Taiyuan era, you were merely a halberd bearer in the tent. The Di and Qin military equipment was stored in Liucheng, a fact that even many mid-level officers in the Northern Army might not have known. How did you obtain this intelligence?"

Xiao Heng felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

The matter of the city's munitions...

He had only mentioned this matter privately to Sun Wuzhong before the war. It was an extremely secretive matter. How could it have appeared in the official interrogation records of the Court of Justice and been brought up so explicitly?

A thought flashed through my mind: this problem probably wasn't entirely directed at me.

Xiao Heng looked at Xie Xuan in the hall. He had a general idea of ​​what was going on. This interrogation might not be targeting him, but rather the Northern Mansion, or the Xie family.

Sun Wuzhong and Geng Geng are from the same hometown and have a fairly close relationship. If I cannot give an explanation at this moment, Sun Wuzhong will probably be accused of leaking military secrets, and I will also be suspected of spying on secrets or even colluding with Sun. The other party dares to ask this question, so they must have interrogated Sun Wuzhong, and may even have set a trap!

After a moment's thought, Xiao Heng raised his hand, which was covered by a light shackle, and bowed slightly.

"Reporting to the Chief Justice. At that time, I was indeed a halberd bearer in the tent, a lowly position with little influence. Every day, the generals and military advisors would discuss important military matters in the main tent, while we, the halberd bearers, would guard outside the tent. Although we could not go inside to listen in detail, we inevitably overheard the generals' concerns about provisions, the scouts' reports on the movement of enemy cavalry, and their discussions on the strategic importance of various city defenses. Over time, I gained a general understanding of the situation in Huaibei and the importance of various strongholds."

"As for Liucheng, I had to take a few days off due to clan affairs to return to my ancestral home in Lanling to pay respects to my ancestors. Along the way, I witnessed the hardships faced by the people of Huaibei, with nine out of ten houses empty and the roads blocked by refugees—a truly pitiful sight. I encountered several groups of people fleeing from the direction of Liucheng, and in their conversations, besides the atrocities committed by the Hu cavalry, they also mentioned the Di-Qin military equipment!"

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Wang Ya carefully considered the passage, trying to find a flaw, but found it difficult to refute for the time being.

Xie An, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly sensed something and turned his head slightly to look at Xiao Heng, his actions extremely discreet.

Wang Ya knew that she probably wouldn't get any more information from this question, so she turned to another scroll and continued to ask questions.

"During the Battle of Liucheng, you commanded the rear guard, ostensibly to support Sun Sima's surprise attack. According to the testimonies of Han Yong and other subordinates in court and previously, your troops had begun defensive preparations at least an hour before the enemy's arrival, with deep trenches and shallow fortifications, ready for battle. Han Yong further stated that you ordered the enemy to arrive at night and to prepare immediately. How do you explain this? Is it merely idle gossip among the refugees, or hearsay outside the tent?"

Everyone in the hall perked up their ears, and even Xie An, who had been resting with his eyes closed, seemed to focus slightly.

Xiao Heng was indeed alarmed. He had indeed seen the attack in advance through the simulation function during the time he stayed in the city, but how could he say that? He remained calm on the surface and answered in a clear voice.

"Reporting to the Chief Justice, there's no need for rumors. Deep behind enemy lines, scouts are everywhere. The dust and smoke from a large-scale enemy cavalry movement, the unusual silence in nearby villages—all these are signs. General Sun has led his elite troops forward; the safety of the rear guard rests on his shoulders. As the temporary commander of the rear guard, I must prepare for the worst. Whether the enemy comes or not, we must be fully prepared. Early deployment of defenses is the most basic military prudence. Is it reasonable to wait for the enemy to arrive suddenly and then hastily engage in battle? If I am punished for this, I wonder who will dare to think a step further or prepare a step more on the battlefield in the future!"

Wang Ya was taken aback by this answer, her face turned somewhat pale, but she couldn't refute it, so she could only say...

"There is no problem with setting up defenses. However, according to several people, your unit had just completed its deployment when the enemy's vanguard arrived, and the timing is too coincidental. I am merely inquiring about the facts, not making a conviction."

"coincide?"

Xiao Heng frowned slightly, seemingly genuinely confused.

"The battlefield is ever-changing, and the time between scouts' reports and the enemy's arrival is inherently difficult to calculate precisely. It's possible the enemy's advance is slightly slower than the scouts predicted, or perhaps our forces moved faster. If we raise suspicions based on mere coincidence, then shouldn't we re-examine all the coincidental victories of the weak against the strong throughout history?"

A few very low laughs rang out in the hall, as if people thought the young general's words were quite sharp.

Wang Ya knew that dwelling on this issue was pointless and might even make her appear ignorant.

He took a deep breath and glanced at the pile of files in front of him.

"Alright, let's set aside the matter of staying in the city for now."

Wang Ya stopped looking at the case file and stared directly at Xiao Heng.

"Commander Xiao, I have reviewed the testimonies of your subordinates and discovered a strange matter."

The hall fell silent instantly, and even the murmurs in the corridors subsided.

"In May of the fourth year of the Taiyuan era, after the Battle of Yuzhou Island, rumors circulated in the army that you had predicted a hurricane that night and then used the power of heaven to defeat the enemy and achieve a great victory over Murong Yan. Is this true?"

Xiao Heng's heart sank. He knew he couldn't deny it, and his subordinates all knew. He spoke frankly.

"It is true. The weather at sea is unpredictable. By observing the clouds, seabirds, and water patterns, and combining this with the experience of veteran fishermen, one can make a rough estimate. This is what a general should do."

"A rough estimate?"

Wang Ya sneered and raised the testimony in her hand.

"The testimony was accurate to the hour! And the arrival of the hurricane was precise to the minute! Such appointments had already spread throughout the military, and had not been made more than once!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the room!

If previous coincidences in military intelligence could be explained by the shrewdness of scouts and the caution of military strategists, this accurate prediction of the weather, which has been proven successful time and again, is completely beyond the realm of common sense.

The many gentry members in the hall, well-versed in literature and poetry, deeply understood the importance of timing and the unpredictability of fate. For a moment, their gazes, filled with astonishment, doubt, and even fear, turned to Xiao Heng below the hall.

Xie An, whose eyelids had been slightly lowered, finally lifted them slightly, his clear gaze falling on Xiao Heng as if waiting.

Sima Daozi was taken aback at first, then his eyes flashed with an amazing light, and his body involuntarily leaned forward a few degrees.

Wang Guobao, standing beside him, whispered, "Your Highness, this is an evil spirit! A grave crime!"

Xi Hui's expression was solemn, while the old Prince Sima Tian beside him stroked his beard, his eyes sharp as an eagle, and murmured.

"Can he summon wind and rain? This kid's got some skills, huh?"

Representatives from top aristocratic families, such as Wang Xun and Yuan Zhi, exchanged a deep, meaningful glance. The matter had escalated from a simple military accountability issue into something far more dangerous.

Taking advantage of the stunned atmosphere, Wang Ya suddenly raised her voice, quoting classical texts and getting straight to the point.

"The Book of Rites says: 'A demon is a strange and unusual phenomenon, a harbinger of disaster.' Xiao Heng! Where did you get your ability to foresee the future and discern the secrets of heaven? Did you practice forbidden arts of divination and prophecy, or did you inherit the teachings of a heretical sorcerer?!"

He turned around abruptly, bowing first to Xie An and then to Sima Daozi, his words earnest yet piercingly incisive.

"Lord Xie, Your Highness! Throughout history, those who can so accurately manipulate the timing of events are either saints or demons! In the late Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao used talismans and water to cure diseases and summon wind and rain to bewitch people, which led to the Yellow Turban Rebellion and shook the state! The lessons of the past are still vivid in our minds!"

"Let's see what you do next!"

Wang Ya quickly shifted her focus back to Xiao Heng.

"After leaving the city, you left your defense zone without authorization and went to Lanling, where you captured Deng Jing, a general of the puppet Qin state. Immediately afterwards, you unexpectedly learned of the top-secret military intelligence that Murong De's army was marching south! You then traveled to Qu County, where Deng Jing mysteriously disappeared, his fate unknown! You also captured Murong Yan alive and incorporated his naval forces into your command!"

"Where is Deng Jing? Did you reach some secret agreement with him? What connection do your skills have with him or the Xianbei Murong? Otherwise, how can you explain your ability to know the movements of the Qin and Yan armies so clearly, and to turn their generals into friends and recruit them to your side?!"

"Xiao Heng! Are you human or demon? With these astonishing abilities, are you trying to emulate Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's secret message hidden in a fish's belly or the fox's cry over a campfire, using divine will to gather a private army and plot treason? Or do you think you can foresee the secrets of heaven and have long since disregarded the laws of the court and the majesty of the emperor?!"

"What exactly do you intend to do?!"

These questions, like thunderclaps, resounded throughout the main hall of the Court of Justice, their echoes lingering, leaving the hall deathly silent.

The young men under the eaves were stunned by the series of bombshell accusations; no one even bothered to pick up the fan that had fallen to the ground.

All the officials in the hall, whether they were from Xie An's faction, Sima Daozi's party, or neutral representatives of powerful clans, wore solemn expressions.

Wang Ya's words were extremely vicious; this was no longer a trial, but a psychological attack!

Han Yong, Xu Xianzhi, and the others turned pale. They never expected that the details of their battle achievements, which they had truthfully recounted, would be so distorted and woven into a web.

Sima Daozi couldn't help but curl a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth.

Wang Guobao exclaimed in a low voice, "Excellent! Wang Tingwei's words hit the nail on the head!"

Xie Xuan's face was ashen as he looked at his uncle Xie An, but Xie An remained calm. However, there seemed to be a very subtle ripple in his deep eyes, which no one could understand.

All eyes were now fixed on the figure below the hall, watching how he would respond to this seemingly unsolvable, soul-searching question.

In the suffocating silence, Xiao Heng suddenly raised his head.

He didn't look at Wang Ya, but instead gazed at the sky outside the hall, as if observing something. Then he looked down at the ground and closed his eyes for a moment.

Then, he turned to Wang Ya, his face strangely calm, and asked.

"Wang Tingwei, in your opinion, the ability to observe celestial phenomena and predict wind and rain is a sign of supernatural powers and treacherous intentions?"

Wang Ya sneered: "Either a saint nor a demon, that's the way of the world!"

Xiao Heng nodded, then suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"Then may I ask, Commandant Wang, in your opinion, will it rain today?"

The people in the hall were stunned again. What kind of question was this?

Wang Ya frowned, and said impatiently, "How can one presume to predict celestial phenomena! I am unaware of them!"

"Oh, I don't know."

Xiao Heng repeated the sentence, and then he raised his hand, which was lightly shackled, and pointed to the bright sky outside the hall. His voice was clear and firm, and it spread to every corner.

"Then I will inform the Court of Justice and everyone else!"

"The autumn rain will arrive within half an hour."

He withdrew his finger, his gaze sweeping over the room full of people with varying expressions, before finally settling on Wang Ya.

"Wang Tingwei says this is an ominous sign. May I ask, during the Cold Food Festival (before Qingming Festival), there are often strong winds and heavy rains. This is a normal occurrence in the natural order of things, something even children know. Can it be considered an ominous sign?"

Before Wang Ya could answer, Xiao Heng calmed his breathing.

"The Minister of Justice, residing in the high halls of the court, may be unaware of the minutiae of farming. Yet, the old farmers of the Jianghuai region, observing ants sealing their nests, dragonflies flying low, and dampness rising from stone walls, know that the rainy season is approaching. The old salt farmers by the sea, observing the direction of the clouds, seabirds returning to their nests, and unusual tidal movements, know that a storm is coming. These are all survival wisdom passed down through generations, gained through observation and observation. Can they be considered supernatural?"

"Calculating agricultural seasons can help avoid disasters and reduce losses; for grain transport and maritime navigation, it can ensure the safety of ships; in the military, the more preparation one has, the fewer casualties one can suffer. It is a beneficial science for the country, the army, and the people. If one dismisses it as superstition simply because one does not understand its principles, and readily accuses it of harming the country or plotting something, is this not blocking the channels of communication and destroying practical knowledge? It is no different from throwing the baby out with the bathwater!"

"As for Deng Jing!"

Xiao Heng had to break the other party's entanglement on the issue of supernatural phenomena; if this continued, he really wouldn't be able to explain himself anymore, so he decided to self-destruct.

"This man is well-versed in the inner workings of the Di and Qin, which is of great benefit to our Great Jin's northern expedition. To prevent the Qin army or those with ulterior motives from pursuing and silencing him, I have secretly placed him in a safe place. This man has also helped us capture Huaiyin and even killed Peng Chao, the commander-in-chief of the Di and Qin! He himself has also retired to an island!"

He looked at Xie Xuan, who was momentarily stunned, but then instantly understood and nodded calmly under countless gazes.

"This is indeed the case. To ensure everything is in order, we will report the details to the court later."

As he spoke, he took out a jade seal from his bosom and handed it to Xie An in front of him.

This time, the situation changed drastically once again!

Everyone's minds were reeling. The interrogation went from military accountability to supernatural attacks, and now to openly gambling on celestial phenomena and revealing secret intelligence that implicated the Northern Army Commander, creating a series of turbulent and dangerous situations!

Moreover, the previously rumored disappearance of Peng Chao has finally been confirmed, which gives Xiao Heng another huge credit.

Wang Ya was speechless for a moment after being subtly teased and challenged by Xiao Heng, especially since he dared to predict rain in court in front of so many powerful and influential people, and he did so with such certainty!

If he denies it, it will confirm that Xiao Heng's claims are false. But what if he does approve? Wouldn't that make the supernatural claims a joke?

Now, with another piece of evidence proving Peng Chao's death, beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

Sima Daozi's expression shifted between light and dark, while Wang Guobao frowned and dared not say anything more.

Xie An held the jade seal and looked it over between Xiao Heng and Xie Xuan a few times, his eyes showing no admiration but rather a hint of hesitation.

Throughout the room, whether they were worried, hostile, curious, or neutral, everyone was whispering about Peng Chao.

Some people couldn't help but turn some of their attention to the sky outside the Court of Justice.

Time seemed to stretch out at that moment.

Wang Ya opened her mouth, but found herself at a loss for words. She could only look at Sima Daozi and shout something.

"Court is adjourned for now; the trial will resume this afternoon!"