Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 120: The bottom overcomes the top (2)

A few days later, in Jiange, they intercepted a letter that Sima Zhao had sent to Fucheng. Liu Qin's troops were stationed in Jiange, and they delivered the letter directly to Shi Shouxin, who then passed it on intact to Zhong Hui.

This time, Zhong Hui did not let Shi Shouxin read the contents of the letter, but instead kept it a secret.

This is somewhat illogical, but it's not very convenient for Shi Shouxin to ask.

The situation had clearly become tense. Meng Guan, Li Liang, Ma Long, and others around Shi Shouxin noticed this and reported it to him separately.

Just yesterday, Zhong Hui, accompanied by his personal guards, conducted surprise inspections of the camps where Yang Xiu's troops, Li Bao's troops, and Hu Lie's troops were stationed. A number of low-ranking officers were dealt with, some of whom were killed and the rest were demoted.

The atmosphere in the military immediately became solemn.

Just as night fell, Shi Shouxin was listening to Meng Guan report on the recent military training when Hu Lie came to visit him.

After dismissing all irrelevant people, Hu Lie didn't stand on ceremony with Shi Shouxin and went straight to the point, asking, "Supervisor Shi, everyone says that since entering Shu, you have become a confidant of the Grand Commander. What do you have to say about this?"

His words carried a strong sense of reproach.

Why are you only asking now?
Shi Shouxin was extremely surprised. Hu Lie and the others should have asked this question a long time ago.

He couldn't help but worry about the political sensitivities of the Wei generals. At a time like this, they were only now thinking about taking sides.

It must be said that Hu Lie and his group were far inferior to Wei Guan, the old coin, in terms of wits. Wei Guan understood perfectly well what Shi Shouxin wanted to do, and after asking him once, he never asked again.

"General Hu, you and I were once sworn brothers, bound by blood. Now I'll ask you one question: do you believe me or not!"

Shi Shouxin's smile faded, and he looked at Hu Lie with a serious expression, asking the question.

His serious attitude startled Hu Lie. Hu Lie had come today on someone's behalf and wasn't entirely sure what was going on. Hearing Shi Shouxin's words, he felt embarrassed to press him further.

"Yes, I definitely believe you, but..."

Hu Lie asked somewhat hesitantly, his attitude much softer than before.

“If you trust me, brother, then don’t ask. In short, I would never harm you.”

Have you not heard: Success comes from secrecy and failure from leaks; success comes from confidentiality and failure from carelessness; success comes from careful planning and failure from following blindly?

If I reveal my plan, we'll all die sooner or later.

Shi Shouxin said with a straight face, his tone very imposing, as if he didn't want to explain anything further to Hu Lie.

Believe it or not, it's up to you. If you're a true brother, don't ask!

Having said all that, Hu Lie could only sigh and nod.

He asked one last question: "Success or failure? How confident are you?"

Shi Shouxin said firmly, "I dare not say it will definitely succeed, but it's almost certain."

That means there's a 90% chance of success? Hu Lie felt much more at ease.

"Okay, okay, I'm going to sleep now. I've been living in fear these past few days. Zhong Hui has been investigating military discipline everywhere like a madman. I really don't know what he's up to!"

Hu Lie muttered a complaint and turned to leave.

Shi Shouxin got up and saw him out of the camp. When he returned, his expression became serious.

Investigate military discipline!
This was just an excuse; the truth was that Zhong Hui sensed a crisis.

Damn it, what exactly did Sima Zhao write in his reply?

Shi Shouxin felt like he was being scratched by a cat; without crucial information, he couldn't make critical decisions. But if he missed the decision-making window, the entire situation could collapse!

Damn it!
Shi Shouxin slammed his fist on the table. The feeling of being blindfolded at such a crucial moment was extremely uncomfortable. However, he couldn't take the initiative to ask Zhong Hui, because Zhong Hui was a bit neurotic and sensitive. Taking the initiative to ask might not yield any results, but it would certainly arouse suspicion.

Therefore, he could only wait for Zhong Hui to notify him to discuss military affairs in order to find out the truth about the matter.

Just as Shi Shouxin was feeling agitated and unsure whether he should continue checking the documents and military orders, Qiu Jian arrived and bowed to him, saying, "The Grand Commander has summoned you. Supervisor Shi, please go to the central camp now."

As Shi Shouxin's status rose, Qiu Jian's attitude towards him became much more polite. Of course, it's also possible that Qiu Jian saw Zhong Hui's attitude change and followed suit.

Shi Shouxin couldn't help but sigh: This truly is a world where strength reigns supreme. As long as you have the power, it's only natural that others will treat you with respect.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Shi Shouxin smiled and got up to leave.

On the way to the central army, Shi Shouxin tentatively asked Zhong Hui what he wanted to see him about, but Qiu Jian kept his mouth shut and avoided answering Shi Shouxin's question.

Before long, the two arrived at the central command tent, and Qiu Jian immediately took his leave.

Shi Shouxin secretly observed Zhong Hui and found that compared with a few days ago, the Grand Commander had dark circles under his eyes and looked somewhat haggard; in short, he was not in good condition.

He quickly pledged his loyalty, saying, "Grand Commander, is there anything I need to do? I will go right away. Just give the order."

"Oh, no, that's not true. I called you here tonight for a refined matter."

Zhong Hui laughed heartily and patted Shi Shouxin on the shoulder, his smile seeming somewhat forced.

"Come on, follow me. Last time during the martial arts competition, you and your troops made me look good. I haven't rewarded you yet."

Zhong Hui stood up, stretched, and led Shi Shouxin out of the military tent. The two wandered through the main camp, making their way to a small tent on the edge of the camp. After dismissing the guards, they went inside together.

A beautiful young woman who looked to be under twenty years old was wearing a light red gauze dress that only dancers would wear, with her bare shoulders covered by a semi-transparent silk cloak.

Although the tulle skirt is very long, it is slit and cannot perfectly cover the long, slender legs. This design is so that the dancers' legs are exposed when they are dancing, and when they are standing still, their legs are hidden in the tulle skirt.

All I can say is that the person who designed the dancers' costumes must be a knowledgeable professional.

The young woman dressed in a dancer's tulle skirt was Liu Yue. Noticing someone had entered, and with one corner of her thigh still exposed, she quickly stood up and looked at Zhong Hui with a surprised expression!

"A spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, so I won't disturb you any longer."

Zhong Hui patted Shi Shouxin on the shoulder and said.

Just as he was about to leave, Shi Shouxin quickly grabbed Zhong Hui's sleeve. "Grand Commander, it's not that I don't love beautiful women, but I'm just a little uncomfortable here."

"May I take the person away and return them tomorrow?"

Shi Shouxin asked tentatively.

He knew this was a test of obedience, but he also wanted to know what Zhong Hui's attitude was, or rather, how much confidence Zhong Hui still had!

"That's no problem, but she's Liu Shan's youngest daughter, a former princess of Shu. Don't share her with your men; remember to send her back tomorrow."

Of course, if you can handle all the miscellaneous matters concerning her, it's fine for her to stay with you.

Zhong Hui laughed heartily, actually agreeing to Shi Shouxin's request.

As for sending it back the next day, that's because it was a reward; you could play with it as you pleased without paying or taking responsibility.

Even if something goes wrong, it will all be Zhong Hui's fault, and Shi Shouxin will not be held responsible. This is a form of care for Shi Shouxin.

Of course, if Shi Shouxin doesn't need this kind of "care," he can handle the related miscellaneous matters himself, which is also fine.

Zhong Hui did not adhere to any principles regarding this.

"That's settled then, it's getting late."

Zhong Hui yawned and walked out of the military tent.

Shi Shouxin looked at Liu Yue and asked, "Are you going to walk by yourself, or lie in bed and have someone carry you?"

Seeing him spouting nonsense with such a straight face, Liu Yue couldn't help but chuckle. Perhaps realizing that her attitude was inappropriate, she quickly covered her mouth and nodded.

If Liu Yue were to be carried out of the palace by her personal guards while still in bed, then dirty jokes about her would quickly spread throughout the Shu region!
This military tent was next to the back gate of the central army camp. Shi Shouxin, carrying a torch, led Liu Yue out of the camp without encountering any obstruction or questioning.

However, he did not go straight back, but instead came to a crooked tree not far from the camp.

"What did you bring me here for?"

Liu Yue looked slightly uncomfortable. Although she was prepared to give herself to him, doing *that* in the wild was still a bit too much.

People have pride. Can't we do it in a private place? Don't you even give me that much face?

Liu Yue was about to question him when Shi Shouxin looked at her and said, "If the princess of Shu does not want to be humiliated, she can commit suicide. Take off your belt and hang it on a tree branch. If you want to commit suicide, I can help you stand on it. You are the princess of Shu, losing your life is a small matter, but losing your chastity is a big matter."

"If I were to commit suicide, wouldn't the Grand Commander take revenge on my father?"

Liu Yue was so angry at Shi Shouxin that she laughed. She retorted with a clear voice, which showed that she was still young and at most a college student.

"Of course it will, but that's none of your business. You'll be dead by then. What does a dead person know? It's like they're just asleep."

Shi Shouxin said casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"You're really going too far. When did I ever say I was going to commit suicide?"

Liu Yue, hands on her hips, retorted, already somewhat angry.

Seeing Shi Shouxin's expressionless face, she suddenly slumped down and said weakly, "Forget it, let's go back."

Liu Yue had already resigned herself to her fate. It would all come down to bed later anyway, so what was the point of getting excited over words now?
“Sending you back to Chengdu now might not be a good idea, as it’s quite a distance of 200 li.”

Shi Shouxin said with a troubled expression.

These words enraged Liu Yue, who growled at Shi Shouxin in a low voice, "I said go to your military camp, go to your military tent, go to your bed! Have I made myself clear enough?"

"Oh, why didn't you say so earlier? You made me go through all that trouble for nothing. I should have just gone back to camp."

Shi Shouxin complained and turned to leave.

Liu Yue stood behind him, gritting her teeth in anger.

The two arrived at Shi Shouxin's camp and entered his sleeping tent.

"Please sit down. I have some questions for you."

Shi Shouxin said seriously, as if he had become a different person.

For him, beauty was completely irrelevant; it was just a spice of life.

What he most wanted to know was about Zhong Hui, a matter of life and death!

"go ahead."

Liu Yue sighed softly and stopped worrying about it.

"How did you get here? Did Zhong Hui force your father to divorce you from the Fei family and then send you here to be his concubine?"

Shi Shouxin asked in confusion.

Liu Yue stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.

Judging from the other person's appearance, they didn't seem to know anything about it, but his guess was almost exactly the same as the truth.

"Indeed."

Liu Yue recounted the entire sequence of events that had occurred, but of course, she only spoke of what she knew.

"Go grind some ink for me, I need to write a letter."

Shi Shouxin gave Liu Yue instructions.

His attitude was a bit strange, but it put Liu Yue at ease.

The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were on the table. After Liu Yue ground the ink, Shi Shouxin instructed Liu Yue: "Write a letter to your father, and say this in the letter."

Shi Shouxin began to teach Liu Yue how to write a letter in a very formal and methodical manner.

(End of this chapter)