Jinting Han people

Two days later, after his leave, Liu Xian returned to the Sili Prefecture to handle official business. His staff compiled and organized the various expenses for the canal repairs, while Liu Xian reviewed documents and examined criminal judgments submitted by various prefectures in Sili Prefecture. Just then, Liu Kun entered with official documents and said to Liu Xian:

"Huai Chong, the General of the Flying Cavalry just sent someone to invite you over this evening."

Sima Yi's residence was right across from the Sili Prefecture, making communication between the two extremely convenient. Liu Xian acknowledged, indicating he understood, and casually asked, "Did they say what it was about?"

"It seems that Li Shirong is coming to visit the General of the Cavalry's residence tonight and specifically requested that you be invited as well."

Upon hearing Li Han's name, Liu Xian's heart skipped a beat. Why would he be visiting Sima Yi? He asked Liu Kun, "Yue Shi, is there something fishy going on here?"

"What could be suspicious?" Liu Kun didn't seem to care. He said casually, "It's been two months since Li Shirong was recruited and sent to Luoyang. His official position has just been announced. He's been appointed as the Commandant of the Imperial Guard. In name, he's also a subordinate of the King of Changsha. It's perfectly normal for him to come and pay his respects."

"You don't need to be so suspicious. Li Shirong came to Luoyang alone, without even any attendants or servants. He also had Prince Qi's men watching him. It's just a banquet, how could anything happen? Don't worry, if anything goes wrong, it will be in Guanzhong."

Liu Xian, however, didn't see it that way. The more composed Li Han appeared, the bigger his hidden scheme must be, given his risky actions. But what exactly this scheme was remained a mystery to Liu Xian, who had previously remained uninvolved. Now that he was back in Luoyang, he had to consider it carefully.

I still have to go. Liu Xian thought to himself, I'll meet force with force and water with water. Li Han is coming with great force. Now that I'm back in Luoyang, there's no way to hide. I might as well get closer and see what he's up to.

Time passed quickly, and as dusk approached, the temperature dropped, and the room became dim. Liu Xian extinguished the brazier, then put on a long fox fur coat, changed into a pair of deerskin boots, and called Zhuge Yan to head towards the General of the Cavalry's residence across the street. The gatekeeper was Linghu Sheng, who stood up straight and bowed when he saw Liu Xian approaching. Liu Xian nodded slightly to him and walked straight inside.

The banquet had not yet begun, and Sima Yi, the General of the Cavalry, was riding his horse among the mulberry trees in the backyard of his residence.

This was Sima Yi's habit: when he felt doubtful, he would ride his horse at full gallop, contemplating the problem as he rode. The cold wind blowing in his face would dispel his various distracting thoughts, allowing him to enter a state of formlessness and egolessness, and thus find inner peace.

Now, though he was panting and drenched in sweat, he was still puzzled. When he saw Liu Xian enter, he suddenly pulled on the reins, and his black horse reared up. Amidst the swirling waves of fallen leaves and the dust, the horse landed safely, and he jumped off.

"Lord, you're back."

Sima Yi tossed the riding whip to the guard beside him and said bluntly, "I didn't want to meet this Li Shirong. He's not a simple person. I always felt that he had some kind of conspiracy, but I had no reason to refuse."

"He is, after all, the King of Hejian's man. Now that the King of Hejian has finally yielded to the court, if I act too cold and unapproachable, people may slander me, saying that I am fond of stirring up trouble and deliberately provoking conflicts among the princes of the royal family."

"But I really can't understand what use he could possibly have for me. Although I have some power in Luoyang, it's not much, and the conflict between the Prince of Hejian and the Grand Marshal is not something I can mediate."

"My lord, tell me, what exactly does he want from this visit?"

Although it had been almost a year since they last met, Sima Yi still displayed the demeanor of a wise and virtuous king that Liu Xian admired. He spoke with a firm voice, walked with a strong gait, and was quick-witted. After wiping his face with a damp cloth, Sima Yi revealed a hearty smile, nodded slightly, and gestured for Liu Xian to continue their conversation as they walked.

After half a day of contemplation, Liu Xian had gained some insight. He followed in Sima Yi's footsteps and expressed his judgment: "It all comes down to Your Highness's support. Your Highness is the second-highest-ranking official in the court. If Your Highness can support the Prince of Hejian and oppose the Prince of Qi, the Prince of Hejian's situation will be much more favorable."

"How could I possibly support Sima Yong?" Sima Yi immediately laughed and said, "The Grand Marshal's governance is not without its flaws, but at most, there are only minor faults. In comparison, Sima Yong is a remnant of the Zhao traitor. If I were to help him, what would the world think of me?"

"Therefore, he may offer a condition that His Highness cannot refuse."

"Conditions? What conditions could he possibly offer?" Clearly, Sima Yi despised the Prince of Hejian from the bottom of his heart. In his eyes, the Prince of Hejian was nothing more than a courtier who had served two dynasties, relying on unprincipled flattery to please Empress Jia and the Prince of Zhao. What could such a petty person, who couldn't even uphold his principles, possibly accomplish?

"That's beyond my knowledge." Liu Xian didn't underestimate Sima Yong. At least in terms of personnel management and political maneuvering, the Prince of Hejian was quite insightful and skillful. He might actually be able to offer Sima Yi a condition that he couldn't refuse, but Sima Yi was currently unaware of it.

Therefore, he said, "Your Highness, please remain true to your principles."

Sima Yi glanced at Liu Xian with surprise, but then laughed and said, "Alright, let's see what conditions this Chief Secretary of the Prince of Hejian has brought."

The two arrived at the front courtyard of the General of the Cavalry's residence. The banquet had already been set up, and Li Han had just arrived. He was sitting at his seat, chatting and laughing with the General of the Cavalry's staff. Those attending the banquet were all people Sima Yi trusted most, namely, Imperial Censor Liu Tun, Attendant Gentleman Yang Xuanzhi, Colonel of the Changshui Cavalry Shangguan Si, and Attendant Gentleman of Changsha Wang Ju. They chatted casually with Li Han about local customs and traditions, seemingly familiar with each other, but upon closer listening, there was nothing substantial to discuss.

Seeing Sima Yi and Liu Xian take their seats, Li Han stopped his idle chatter and greeted Sima Yi, saying, "Greetings, General of the Cavalry."

Then he said to Liu Xian, "It's been a long time, Huai Chong."

His smile remained unchanged, though it was an attempt to be attentive, it still carried a hint of stiffness. Liu Xian hadn't intended to engage in much conversation with him, but upon reflection, he couldn't help but admire Li Han's willingness to risk his life—something most people couldn't do—and offered him a slight greeting.

Sima Yi was an impatient man and didn't have much patience to beat around the bush with Li Han. After eating a little, he went straight to the point and asked, "Lieutenant Li, you said on your calling card that you had something important to discuss with me. What exactly do you mean by that?"

Sima Yi's tone was not polite, even a little aggressive. But Li Han was not intimidated by this. Instead, he calmly replied, "How dare I discuss this with the General of Chariots and Cavalry? I am just a lowly soldier who came to deliver a message for my king. However, before I came, my king told me personally that this is a matter of national importance that must be handled with care."

"National affairs? What national affairs?"

“Of course, it is a great matter of eliminating traitors for the country.” Li Han looked directly at Sima Yi and said slowly in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, “Your Highness, nowadays, treacherous officials are in power, the people are suffering, the ruler is not acting like a ruler, and the ministers are not acting like ministers. If this continues, can the country still be called a country? Can the state still be called a state? You are a descendant of Emperor Wu, and I believe you should understand this clearly.”

Li Han's words were very clear, even excessively blunt. Everyone looked at him as if he were a monster, never expecting that this person would publicly criticize Sima Jiong and advise Sima Yi to oppose Sima Jiong.

Moreover, this statement was far too rude, showing almost no sincerity in trying to win him over. Even the usually serious Sima Yi couldn't help but chuckle. He tapped the table with his knuckles and asked with a smile, "Li Shirong, do you even believe what you're saying?"

“I don’t know how many people you’ve been secretly in contact with. Over the past year, you’ve stirred up trouble and created quite a stir, which is indeed remarkable. But the Grand Marshal’s current transgression can at most be considered a breach of etiquette. The King of Hejian’s transgression, on the other hand, can be described as a national disaster. And you actually call the Grand Marshal a treacherous minister? Do you think my eyes are blind?”

"Believe it or not, after this meal, I'll immediately send you to the Grand Marshal's residence?" Sima Yi was not without ambition, but as Li Han said, he was a descendant of Emperor Wu. Rather than focusing on temporary personal gains and losses, he was more concerned with the rise and fall of the entire nation. The country was now effectively divided into three parts, and while the central government's influence wasn't entirely nonexistent, it had been greatly diminished. If Sima Jiong were to launch another rebellion before committing any truly serious wrongdoing, the country would truly become a mere shell of its former self, a prospect Sima Yi absolutely did not want to see.

For this reason, Sima Yi opposed Wang Bao, and for the same reason, he did not intend to switch allegiance to Sima Yong.

But Li Han remained unmoved by such a resolute attitude. He merely smoothed his sideburns and said casually, "Your Highness, whether the Grand Marshal is a treacherous minister is not for my king to decide, nor for you to decide, but for the most respected person in the court."

Who was he talking about? Everyone was somewhat bewildered upon hearing this. But seeing Li Han's unwavering confidence, Liu Xian had a bad feeling; he had a vague idea of ​​who Li Han was referring to.

Faced with such a tense atmosphere, Li Han pulled out a silk scroll covered with writing from his sleeve, slowly unrolled it, and then, in a gesture of offering a gift, said:
"This is a reply from His Highness the King of Chengdu to my King. Would you like to see it, General of the Cavalry?"

The King of Chengdu? Could it be that he has sided with the King of Hejian?! This news was like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone present dizzy and staring incredulously at the silk scroll in Li Han's hand.

Sima Yi, unusually, displayed a loss of composure. He hurriedly stood up from his seat, strode to Li Han, glared at him fiercely, then took the silk scroll and began to read it carefully. His expression changed several times, his eyes and mouth twitching intermittently, finally revealing a gloomy look of utter despair.

A long silence followed. Those who had seen the silk scroll were dejected, while those who hadn't speculated about its contents. When Sima Yi spoke again, his voice was deep and resonant as he slowly asked, "What conditions did you offer your sixteenth brother?"

Li Han said calmly, "After this is done, we will depose the emperor and invite His Highness the Prince of Chengdu to ascend the throne as emperor, with my king as prime minister."

Sima Yi sneered, "That sounds nice, but be more realistic."

"The land west of Shanxian shall be under the rule of my king, and the land east of Shanxian shall be under the rule of His Highness the King of Chengdu, following the example of Cheng Zhou, thus dividing the world in two."

Now everyone understood. In order to launch a counterattack, the King of Hejian was willing to help the King of Chengdu become emperor in exchange for his support. Once the King of Qi was defeated, the King of Hejian was willing to transfer all of the King of Qi's sphere of influence to the King of Chengdu, while he himself would only gain control of the Guanzhong region.

The nation's prefectures and counties, the emperor's sacred artifacts, were so hastily divided up by the two kings! Upon learning this news, Liu Xian immediately began to focus on another issue: who exactly is in charge of the current Northern Expeditionary Army Command?
From a rational perspective, even if the King of Chengdu harbored ambitions to become emperor, he should have remained neutral at this time, observing the conflict from the sidelines until the King of Qi and the King of Hejian were both severely weakened, before intervening with his troops.

At this juncture, the King of Chengdu joined the King of Hejian's camp, intending to declare himself emperor. Wasn't this self-destructive? In the current situation, whoever deposes the emperor loses their political appeal and ability to consider the bigger picture. Furthermore, the image of a sage king that Lu Zhi had meticulously cultivated for the King of Chengdu would be completely tarnished, turning him into a hypocrite. Hypocrites are far more detestable than villains; who would believe the King of Chengdu's promises in the future?
Not to mention, even if they defeat the King of Qi, does that mean they can annex the King of Qi's political power? Currently, most of the people in southern China are the King of Qi's people. How easy would it be for the King of Chengdu to annex them all? Once rebellions break out, wouldn't that just allow the King of Hejian to reap the benefits? It would be extremely unwise!

This was absolutely a major mistake in the decision-making of the Northern Expeditionary Army. Even if Lu Zhi was not given important responsibilities, Lu Ji should have been able to see it. Including the other staff members of the Northern Expeditionary Army, they all couldn't wait any longer.

But no matter what Liu Xian thought, the die was cast, and the King of Chengdu's defection meant the situation had reached an extremely dangerous point. Once this step was taken, Sima Yi would have to make a choice: whether to stand with his own brother or his cousin.

The advisors looked at Sima Yi, and they were all speechless. On this issue, they had no right to express their opinions; only Sima Yi himself had the right to decide.

Sima Yi fell silent again. He glanced back at Liu Xian, probably recalling their previous conversation. After a moment, he suddenly asked Li Han, "What conditions did the Prince of Hejian offer me?"

Li Han said, "It's up to you which side you choose to stand on, I'm just telling you what the current situation is like."

Sima Yi stared at Li Han for a moment, then suddenly drew his sword from his waist. The gleaming blade flashed out instantly, pressed against Li Han's neck, reflecting the ashen faces of both men. Sima Yi's eyes were like knives as he coldly demanded, "You dare threaten me?"

Even though the sword had already cut a bloody gash, Li Han remained unmoved. He said, "You can kill me with one sword and send my head straight to the Prince of Qi's mansion, but you should also think carefully about the pros and cons. Once things are exposed, there will be no turning back."

Li Han was right. Although the King of Chengdu had agreed to the King of Hejian's request, nothing had happened yet, and there was still room for negotiation and reconciliation. If Li Han were killed and tonight's conversation were exposed, both sides would only be left with a fight to the death, which was something Sima Yi absolutely did not want to see.

Sima Yi, watching the flickering lamplight at the banquet, knew the current situation was as fragile as those flames, and he had to find a way to stabilize it. Considering this, he sheathed his sword, turned away from Li Han, and waved his hand, saying, "Get out!"

Faced with this answer, Li Han maintained his unhurried expression. He glanced at Liu Xian and said leisurely, "Then I will wait for Your Highness's good news."

After Li Han left the General of the Cavalry's residence, Yang Xuanzhi and the others immediately advised, "Your Highness, the most urgent task is to contact the Prince of Chengdu immediately and explain the advantages and disadvantages clearly. Even if we cannot change his mind, we must at least make him remain neutral!"

Sima Yi shared the same sentiment and instructed, "Quickly give me paper and pen; I need to write a letter to my sixteenth brother. You all stay here as well and help me tonight devise the best wording."

As everyone was talking, Liu Xian sensed something was wrong: Li Han's attitude was too strange. How could he possibly recruit Sima Yi like this, and why would he bother coming to the Changsha Prince's Mansion? Unless... he had other plans.

That's right. He always conceals his intentions. He always prepares everything in advance, and by the time he reveals his true intentions to his opponent, it's too late to turn back. Back during the Hao San Rebellion, wasn't Sun Xiu also sidelined by him and forced to flee in a sorry state? So tonight, he's definitely not here to ask Sima Yi for his opinion, but to use Sima Yi to gain something else of advantage.

Wait a minute. After pondering for a moment, Liu Xian recalled the conversation from tonight, and a flash of inspiration struck him, making him realize something. He quickly said to Sima Yi, "Your Highness, don't rush! Quickly send someone to stop Li Han!"

Sima Yi was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Why is that?"

"He's trying to frame you and escape, trying to sow discord between you and the Grand Marshal! If we don't chase him now, it'll be too late! Your Highness, send men to pursue him immediately!"

But it was too late. By the time Sima Yi realized what was happening and sent men to capture Li Han, Li Han had already vanished without a trace. That night, Li Han did not return home; apart from the servants, the mansion was empty. Inquiries throughout Luoyang revealed that Li Han had seemingly evaporated into thin air, completely disappeared.

Li Han did not disappear. Five days later, the scouts that the King of Qi had arranged in Hongnong brought back news: Li Han, the chief secretary of the King of Hejian, had openly appeared in the area of ​​Mianchi in Hongnong.

Seven days later, the King of Hejian sent another memorial, claiming that Liu Shen's army, dispatched by the King of Qi to quell the rebellion, had encountered several dozen generals, led by Liu Shen, who had a pleasant conversation with the King of Hejian and expressed their willingness to submit to the Western Expeditionary Army. To ensure the stability of the state, the King of Hejian dispatched Protector-General Xi Yuan to take command of the 50,000-strong army tasked with pacifying Shu, and they would soon continue their campaign against Shu.

The news shocked the court and the public. It was clear to everyone that the Prince of Hejian had orchestrated the kidnapping of Liu Shen and other Qi generals, forcibly annexing their 50,000-strong army. This was tantamount to a public break between the Prince of Hejian and the Qi King; could a major war be about to begin?

Immediately afterwards, thirteen days later, on the day of Dingchou in the eleventh month, the envoy of the Prince of Hejian arrived in Luoyang again, representing the Western Expeditionary Army, to formally deliver a memorial to the imperial court. (End of this chapter)