Jinting Han people

Chapter 353 Sun Xiu desperately seeks a solution
Upon learning that the Hebei rebels had successfully crossed the river, Sun Xiu turned pale with fright. He first lashed out at his old subordinates, including Xin Ran, saying, "What's going on! How could you let these people cross the river? Did you think I was finished and refuse to do your best for me? Did you, like Liu Kun, secretly contact the bandits?!"

But then he belatedly realized that he had said he would rely on these people to risk their lives for him in the future, so he quickly feigned anger and changed his words, saying, "Isn't the wealth I've given you enough? If so, tell me what you want. At such a critical moment, would I be stingy?"

Xin Ran and the others kowtowed repeatedly and said to Sun Xiu, "The Central Secretariat has been extremely kind to us. How dare we ask for more? We are truly helpless! The most urgent task is to convene a military council as soon as possible to prepare for the upcoming battle!"

Over the course of the year, Sun Xiu also came to know the capabilities of these people. Apart from being trustworthy, they were indeed a bunch of incompetent fools. Otherwise, how could the Zhao Prince's Mansion, with such a great advantage, have almost suffered a major setback during the Huainan Prince's Rebellion?

However, Sun Xiu found it difficult to trust other talented individuals in the court, such as Lu Ji, Ji Shao, Wang Yan, and Liu Yu. Although Sun Xiu had previously boasted to Liu Xian that he was the leader of the tide, he could ultimately only decide when the chaos would begin. Faced with the will of the people, no matter how audacious he was, he dared not claim to have control over everyone.

Yes, even with the situation as it is now, Sun Xiu wouldn't dare take such a risk. This was a principle he understood before joining the Celestial Masters sect: when you entrust your fate to someone else, you are giving them an opportunity to manipulate you, and few people would refuse to do so, because humiliating others is human nature.

Therefore, Sun Xiu could only try to find a solution elsewhere.

After calming down, he smiled and asked Xin Ran, "I've thought about it, and the situation isn't that bad right now. Do you think we can delay it for a while longer? The 50,000 troops of the Western Expeditionary Army will be arriving soon. If we can gather them together, I think there's a lot we can do!"

Xin Ran shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that won't work. General Shi and the others have already said that if the enemy doesn't cross the river, that's fine. But once the enemy crosses the river, the area north and south of Mangshan will be our last chance. If our army doesn't fight the enemy, we'll be giving them the road and letting them head straight for Luoyang!"

The consequences of heading straight for Luoyang were self-evident. The emperor was in Jinyong City, and the court officials were all inside. As soon as the Hebei army entered the city, those opportunistic opportunists within would readily open the city gates and welcome the army in. After all, this was a large city with nearly a million inhabitants, and it was absolutely impossible to defend it through normal methods.

Although Sun Xiu was not knowledgeable in military affairs, he had defended Chang'an and understood the key points. However, he found it difficult to make up his mind to fight this battle.

He stood up and began pacing back and forth, oblivious to his surroundings, pondering and muttering to himself, trying to find a way out of this desperate situation. Sun Xiu encouraged himself:
"Oh, Sun Xiu, you've gone to great lengths, using every unimaginable means to get to where you are today. Are you now in a desperate situation with no way out?"

"No, there is never a truly hopeless situation in the world, only a heart trapped in a hopeless situation! Cheer up! Sun Xiu, believe in your heart! You will be able to manipulate these heartless people just like before!"

As he said this, scenes from his past experiences flashed before his eyes, and he tried to find a way to overcome his predicament.

"Hmm, would a feigned surrender be of any use?"

He shook his head, immediately dismissing the idea. He was already in a high position, and those in high positions should be aloof. If he adopted this method, the people of Luoyang would be the first to abandon him.

"Send someone to assassinate him?"

This is one method; he used it before to turn the tide and kill the King of Huainan. The problem is, there are too many people to assassinate now. That's the most troublesome part of dealing with the so-called allies. While the opposing side may be divided, countless people want to be the leader. Killing one only weakens the factional infighting, benefiting those who want to take over.

"What if we send people to spread rumors and use incentives to sow discord?"

Sun Xiu stopped in her tracks, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she nodded immediately, laughing loudly at Xin Ran, "Oh my, I have another idea!"

He then instructed, "Go and write me two letters, one to the King of Changshan and one to the King of Chengdu."

"This..." Xin Ran was a little confused when she heard this.

Sun Xiu continued to explain, "Don't worry too much about the content of the letters; they're all pretty much the same. Just focus on the main points."

“Write to the King of Changshan: I know that I have committed heinous crimes that are unforgivable, and I am willing to die for him. Although I am in Luoyang, I have long admired the King of Changshan’s virtuous reputation. Unlike the incompetent King of Chengdu, the throne is rightfully his! I am willing to help him achieve his goals! I have only one request: that the King of Changshan leave me a son after my death.”

“Write this to the King of Chengdu: I have long admired him since he was in Luoyang. Now that he is about to die, his words are kind. I am willing to die for him. But I don’t know where this King of Changshan came from. He is a nobody who dares to claim credit. He is really ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth! I hope to die under the King of Chengdu’s sword. I hope that my bloodline will not be cut off.”

"After the letter is written, go find the believers, bring them food and drink, and go to greet the two armies separately. Tell them to tell the Changshan army that the King of Chengdu wants to take all the credit and take the opportunity to kill them. Tell the Chengdu army that the King of Changshan is jealous of the King of Chengdu and wants to kill him."

Xin Ran understood somewhat. Sun Xiu was trying to emulate Sun Hao's story of surrendering to multiple sides, hoping to incite conflict between them. If the plan worked, on the battlefield, neither side might be willing to exert themselves, and they might be wary of each other, allowing them to win with fewer troops.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but say with heartfelt admiration, "Your wisdom truly surpasses that of Zhuge Liang!"

Having made up his mind, Sun Xiu's steps quickened. He chuckled and said, "What is Zhuge Kongming? He's just a fool with a hollow reputation. Such a person thinks he's incredibly smart and can go against the tide of the world, but in reality, the more he thinks that way, the more foolish he becomes."

"Everyone is born to die. There is nothing worth remembering while people are alive. Those are stories in the celestial realm after death. Kind and good people like us should send these people to the celestial realm to fulfill their dreams."

"One must be practical in life, just like our Emperor Xuan. Stand with whoever is strong, and when they've grown powerful, seize the country. That's the way of the wise!" He suddenly felt a sense of foreboding, since, logically speaking, the stronger party now wasn't himself, but the opposing side. However, Sun Xiu didn't show it on his face, instead urging Xin Ran to quickly carry out what he had mentioned.

After Xin Ran left, Sun Xiu pondered for a moment, then called Liu Ji over and said, "Take some men and go to the Duke of Anle's mansion to arrest people. Arrest all of Liu Xian's relatives. When I go to the army later, take them with me."

Liu Ji, less perceptive than Xin Ran, looked up and saw Sun Xiu's gloomy face. A sudden chill ran through him, and he asked, "My lord, what is this...?"

"Heh, wars are fought by people. When I get to the battlefield, I'll chop all these people down in front of Liu Xian, one by one, and let him know what it means to be in unbearable pain! I don't believe that after his whole family is killed, he can still have the will to fight!"

These words made Liu Ji's hair stand on end. He already knew that Sun Hui had been captured, and couldn't help but ask, "But what about the Second Young Master..."

"Alas, do you think I haven't thought about it? It's all unavoidable!" Sun Xiu paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, sighing deeply. "Who told this child to be so unfortunate as to be born into my family? I've done everything I could! I married a princess for Erlang, made him a general, and gave him everything I could! Even if he were to die in this life, he would have no regrets!"

"If I lose now, he won't live on his own. If I win, his life or death will depend on fate. So why worry so much? If Erlang ascends to the celestial realm, I will pray for him and make him a general in the ghost army!"

Liu Ji was speechless. Then he remembered something else and asked, "Then... what about Liu Kun's family in the Secretariat? Should they be dealt with in the same way?"

Mentioning Liu Kun immediately ignited Sun Xiu's anger: "Are you stupid? He's the Crown Prince's maternal uncle. I can just threaten him and that's it. But if I really harm his family, his elder sister can whisper in the Crown Prince's ear, and that stupid Sima Fu with no belt will immediately come looking for trouble!"

"Not to mention, I went through a lot of trouble to keep the news under wraps and prevent anyone from knowing their whereabouts. If we take their family members now, who won't know we're doomed? Use your brains! If you're going to kill them, wait until I really lose the fight!"

"So show it to me first, and wait for my reply!"

Liu Ji left hesitantly, and Sun Xiu sat for a while longer in the Wan Jin Lou. The surrounding silence allowed him to hear the rapid pounding of his own chest. Even with all these preparations, Sun Xiu, despite his boundless ambition, still felt a sense of emptiness. He knew this was because he still didn't have a complete guarantee of victory; objectively speaking, he had less than a 30% chance of winning.

Facing the golden chamber he had built with his own hands, Sun Xiu stared at the yin-yang symbol carved on the wall and thought: Things in this world are always like this; every choice carries risk. When misfortune strikes, even drinking water can choke you. He had to believe in himself; he had always come this far. Those unwilling to gamble ultimately gain nothing—this was the fate of those from humble backgrounds.

Although he was the head priest of the Celestial Masters sect, he did not believe in the Celestial Masters at all; he only believed in himself. Therefore, in the meditation room, he clasped his hands together and prayed to himself: "Sun Xiu, Sun Xiu, all your efforts, all your humiliations, all your misery, were only for this day. After this day, no one will be more upright than you."

Having thought this through, he descended the steps of Wan Jin Tower. Many advisors and servants awaited him below. The advisors bowed, the servants prostrated themselves, and several guards stood by, holding swords. At this moment, Sun Xiu, with his purple sash and gold seal at his waist and dressed in a vermilion court robe, was undoubtedly the center of attention. Even though his face was ugly and his physique strange, everyone present held their breath, fearing to offend this usually smiling supreme ruler.

The sky was overcast and cloudy, indicating that a storm was about to break.

Sun Xiu first went to the East Hall and met with Sima Lun, who had already ascended the throne, to inform him of his intention to lead troops into battle. Sima Lun was overjoyed to hear that Sun Xiu was going to lead troops to meet the enemy, and repeatedly instructed him, "Nianxian, I entrust everything to you! After this is accomplished, we will rule the world together!"

If these words had been spoken between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, they might have become a celebrated story. But unfortunately, Sun Xiu knew that Sima Lun was simply foolish, foolish enough not to distinguish between sarcasm and pleasure. Such a person did not deserve to be celebrated.

After receiving the imperial edict, Sun Xiu went to Yunlong Gate to mobilize the Imperial Guards. Only then did the Imperial Guards learn that the Hebei rebels had decisively defeated Shi Yi and were advancing to cross the river. Caught completely off guard, their faces showed barely suppressed panic. But Sun Xiu remained calm. He ordered an ox to be slaughtered to reward the army, and only after the meat was served did he leisurely say:
“I have already received the report. These thieves showed no mercy and beheaded all the soldiers who participated in the battle, including my second brother. Their corpses were all thrown into the river to feed the fish.”

"I was wondering whether to surrender, but these scoundrels have openly declared that they will kill us all! Don't have any illusions, everyone, our lives depend on this battle!"

Those present were stunned and terrified upon hearing this. Many of their relatives and friends were among the troops that had been dispatched, and upon hearing that they had all been beheaded by the Hebei army, they were devastated. Although some found it strange and still harbored doubts, under Sun Xiu's generous reward, many more were filled with righteous indignation, drew their swords, wept, and swore to live and die with Sun Xiu.

Sun Xiu then led the last of his imperial guards to Yanshi to join forces with Shi Yi and others. At this time, various armies from the capital region had also gathered in Yanshi, including the forces of Sima Fu, Prince of Jingzhao; Sima Ya, General of the Garrison Army; Wang Yu, General of the Left Guard; Shi Yi, General of the Central Fortress; and Mo Yuan, General of Yangwei, among others, totaling approximately 50,000 men. To win this decisive battle, Sun Xiu practically emptied Chenggao Pass.

The Imperial Guards were initially quite apprehensive about the upcoming battle, but seeing their own army stretching for miles, their courage gradually grew. Furthermore, Sun Xiu's propaganda that reinforcements from the Western Expeditionary Army would arrive soon made them feel less daunted by the prospect of this decisive battle.

That night, Xin Ran reported to Sun Xiu that he had completed the plan Sun Xiu had instructed, but how the enemy would react was beyond their control.

Liu Ji then arrived in Yanshi, but he did not bring the hostages from the Duke of Anle's mansion. It turned out that when he led his troops to surround the Duke of Anle's mansion, a group of armored soldiers suddenly appeared from the disbanded General of the Vanquishing Bandits' mansion and confronted Liu Ji. The two sides blocked the road and refused to give way to each other.

Since most of the Imperial Guards had been taken away by Sun Xiu, Liu Ji dared not make too much of a commotion. After a stalemate of two hours, more and more people came to help, and even many people belonging to the Prince of Zhao's mansion came to plead for mercy. In the end, he had no choice but to give up the capture.

This was the first piece of bad news Sun Xiu received before the battle.

(End of this chapter)