Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 430 Oath

Guanzhong, on the Wei River.

The warships had long been replaced by cargo ships. In March, the wind blowing south from the north still carried a chill, making the officials shiver like crows.

"What? Liu Yi actually wants me to die for the country with His Majesty?" Sima Dewen was both terrified and furious. He never expected that Liu Yi would so brazenly make such a request to him. "This is utterly treasonous! I think he is the real traitor!"

Sima Shangzhi said with righteous indignation: "Isn't this the only way out? Back then, that Cao family member took up his sword, rode out of the palace gate, and died in the streets, causing Emperor Wen to never be able to ascend the throne. If you and His Majesty die for the country, firstly, it will let the world know the integrity of the Sima family, and secondly, it will splash your dirty blood on Liu Daogui, buying time for the Jin Dynasty!"

Cao Mao's desperate gamble, though unsuccessful, tarnished the reputation of the Jin dynasty from the very beginning.

After that, the struggles in the court became increasingly fierce, and the integrity of the scholars of the Han Dynasty was gone. Those in high positions in the court forgot their country, fought for power and profit, and engaged in petty and despicable acts.

If Emperor Sima Dezong had died at this time, it would have garnered some sympathy from the people, thus offsetting the momentum of Liu Daogui's great victory in the northern expedition.

Liu Yi's intentions were undeniably ruthless.

However, the plan was good, but it required great courage. Since the Jin Dynasty, there had never been anyone who voluntarily died for their country, let alone a member of the Sima family.

“My uncle is highly respected and renowned throughout the land. If anyone should die for his country, it should be my uncle.” Sima Dewen’s face was ashen. With death comes nothingness. With him and the emperor dead, Sima Shangzhi would become the biggest beneficiary.

“You—at this point, why are you still distinguishing between us? The Prince of Langya is the crown prince, with the most prestigious title and the highest ranking among the imperial family. Only if you and the emperor die together can the world be shaken.”

"I don't want to die, I'm still young, I want to live!" Sima Dewen shook his head repeatedly.

Even ants cherish life, let alone those who have enjoyed wealth and luxury since childhood.

Even if the Jin dynasty had fallen, according to the old system of the previous dynasty, the Sima family could still have lived a very comfortable life and remained a member of the aristocratic families.

"You brat!" Sima Shangzhi couldn't help but curse.

However, when it came to his own life and death, Sima Dewen refused to budge, saying, "As the crown prince, I should not die. If anyone should die, it is you!"

“I am your elder. The Sima family governs the world with filial piety. How can you back down? This matter is not up to you. In order to continue the Jin dynasty, my nephew, you should go first!” Sima Shangzhi’s face was full of gloom. He tied the jade belt at his waist and put it around Sima Dewen’s neck.

However, due to years of taking Wushi Powder and indulging in wine and women, his body had long been hollowed out. He slipped and fell on Sima Dewen.

The Prince of Langya and the Prince of Qiao were actually fighting in the noble's chamber.

Strangely, the two Tiger Guards outside seemed to be petrified, unable to hear or see, letting the two men wrestle.

Although Sima Dewen also took Wushi Powder, he was still young and had a good foundation.

After struggling for a while, Sima Shangzhi was pinned down by Sima Dewen, who gripped his throat tightly with both hands, veins bulging on his forehead. "Die!"

Meanwhile, Sima Dezong, standing to the side, clapped his hands and laughed foolishly, "Good, good!"

In a short while, Sima Shangzhi's eyes rolled back and he began to breathe heavily. Sima Dewen's hand, which had loosened, was suddenly gripped tightly by Sima Dezong's laughter, as if he had been touched by something. He tightened his grip again and began to choke Sima Shangzhi's throat.

Sima Shangzhi struggled with his legs and scratched at Sima Dewen with his hands, but to no avail.

Finally, Sima Shangzhi ceased all struggle, his pupils wide, a lingering resentment in his eyes, and he died just like that…

Sima Dewen, panting heavily, stared blankly at Sima Dezong. Overwhelmed with grief, all thoughts vanished, and tears streamed down his face. He stepped forward and embraced Sima Dezong, saying, "Brother, the Jin dynasty is doomed."

Sima Dezong was unable to speak and was unaware of the changes in temperature. He relied entirely on his younger brother, Sima Dewen, for careful care to avoid hunger and cold.

"Death, death..." Sima Dezong was still grinning foolishly, muttering to himself.

Sima Dewen seemed to have made up his mind and shouted to the Tiger Guards outside: "Guards! The Prince of Qiao is plotting a rebellion and intends to assassinate His Majesty! Quickly report to the Crown Prince that someone is colluding with Liu Yi to rebel!"

The sound resounded across the Wei River.

The two Tiger Guards outside the gate finally moved. The cargo boat slowly came to a stop. They had arrived at Ba Shang. A city lay indistinctly on the horizon ahead, and the Wei River flowed through the north like a white jade belt.

——Chang'an!
Sima Dewen helped Sima Dezong off the boat.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Prince of Langya!" Crown Prince Liu Yixing, accompanied by civil and military officials from Pei State, stepped forward to greet them.

"Your Highness—" Sima Dewen only wanted to live now.

Suddenly I realized that all these years, I've actually been manipulated by others.

After Sima Shangzhi died, he felt no remorse, but rather a sense of relief. He had already figured it out while on the ship: he was incapable of turning the tide and saving the Jin dynasty.

"Your Majesty and Your Highness must be weary from your journey. Once you arrive here, there is no need for formalities, just like in Jiankang." Liu Yixing's words and actions were quite similar to Liu Daogui's, exuding authority without anger. These words made it clear who the host and the guest were.

Just as Sima Dewen was about to speak, Xie Yu, Xie Hun, Yin Kai, Yin Rui, Xi Sengshi, and others surrounded him first, saying, "The young master is wise and brave, with the demeanor of a great general!"

"A dragon's bearing and a phoenix's essence, a countenance as bright as the sun and the moon, the very image of a true sovereign!"

Flattery poured in, making even Sima Dewen blush. Back in Jiankang, these people had fawned over him like this, and now, witnessing this scene, he felt utterly ironic.

However, Liu Yixing remained unmoved, his face stern. "You have all worked hard. Guanzhong is in dire need of reconstruction. We need you all to work together."

"How dare we not do our utmost?" Xie Yu stood before the assembled gentry without hesitation.

Liu Yixing then changed the subject, "I've heard that someone is colluding with the traitor Liu Yi to assassinate His Majesty and the Prince of Langya. Is this true?"

"This—" Xie Yu instinctively took a step back, trying to hide in the crowd, but the other gentry were faster and followed suit.

Everyone took a step back, but no one actually backed down; they still put Xie Yu at the forefront.

It's impossible that these aristocratic families were unaware of the commotion Liu Yi caused.

They had been flirting with each other since they were in Jiankang.

Without the covert assistance of these aristocratic families, Liu Yi's men would never have been able to meet Sima Shangzhi when the imperial court marched north.

It was very windy and cold.

Liu Yixing's eyes grew even colder, as if he had become a completely different person in an instant. "I advise you all to turn yourselves in. My son and I can be lenient with you."

Everyone looked at each other, but no one stepped forward.

As long as a knife isn't held to their necks, these people will always have a sense of侥幸心理 (a gambler's mentality).

Only Sima Dewen stared at Liu Yixing in horror.

Sima Shangzhi's plot to rebel occurred on the ship, and before he could even inform Liu Yixing, Liu already knew about it.

Unless... all of this was pre-arranged.

Upon closer reflection, if the Tiger Guards hadn't deliberately let them through, how could Liu Yi's men have possibly infiltrated?

Thinking of this, Sima Dewen felt a pang of sadness. It was one thing for the Liu brothers, Liu Yu and Liu Daogui, to be so cunning, but even Liu Yixing had such a deep-seated scheming nature...

"All soldiers, listen to my command! Seize them all and hand them over to the Court of Justice for my personal interrogation!" Liu Yixing waved his hand.

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers immediately stepped forward to seize the man.

"You dare! Do you know who I am?" Xie Hun roared fiercely, "Who dares to touch me..."

The shout turned into a scream.

A Qiang soldier stepped forward and punched him hard in the face.

In Jiangzuo, the soldiers of the Northern Army might fear their noble birth, but in Guanzhong, no one would care about that.

Eighty years ago, when Chang'an and Luoyang were captured by the Xiongnu army, the nobles and officials were slaughtered like pigs and dogs. The emperors of the Sima family served wine and washed cups for others, and even held the toilet lids for others.

The aristocratic families were taken away one by one.

Even members of the Sima family's royal clan were captured. Some followers tried to protect their master but were immediately cut down by the ferocious Qiang army.

The stench of blood filled the air, and Sima Dewen trembled like a leaf. He had never seen such a scene in Jiankang.
Liu Yixing stepped forward and took his hand, saying meaningfully, "Prince of Langya, there's no need for this. From now on, you can enjoy wealth and honor with His Majesty."

"The lives of my entire family depend on the Crown Prince..."

"Your Majesty, you can rest assured. I swear by the Wei River that I will never break my promise!" Liu Yixing pointed to the Wei River and solemnly swore an oath.

Sima Dezong's eyes widened, unsure whether to believe it or not. Ever since Sima Yi's oath at the Luo River, almost all oaths had become empty words.

But at this moment and in this place, whether he believes it or not, he has no power to refute it.

With the capital moved to Chang'an, the fate and destiny of the Jin dynasty were placed in the hands of others.

(End of this chapter)