Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 129: The Hongmen Banquet (Part )
"Hit me!"

Inside the Taiji Hall of the Chengdu Imperial Palace, Tian Xu was pinned to the ground, and two guards were swinging wooden sticks at his buttocks.

After ten strokes of the military rod, Tian Xu grimaced in pain, yet he continued to shout that he was innocent.

"Tell me, where did Liu Shan go!"

Deng Ai's eyes widened as he pointed at Tian Xu and roared.

"General Deng, I don't know what you're talking about..."

Tian Xu argued that he had vaguely guessed the truth of the matter, but he couldn't say it and would rather pretend he knew nothing.

“Father, General Tian may have just encountered that army and was defeated in battle, which led to Liu Shan being taken away.”

Deng Zhong whispered in Deng Ai's ear.

"Take him away and keep him under surveillance."

Deng Ai said coldly, her voice filled with an icy aura.

Was he angry with Ikuta Susumu?
No, no, no, he was just furious at Liu Shan's incompetence, who had already fled.

Tian Xu was taken away by Deng Ai's personal guards. He never admitted to colluding with Liu Shan. He only said that when he was patrolling outside Chengdu at night, he fought against an unnumbered cavalry and was outnumbered.

As for where Liu Shan went, he knew nothing.

Deng Ai was at a loss for words because Tian Xu was so stubborn.

"It was this same person who delivered the letter!"

Deng Ai slammed a piece of paper on the table in front of him. The letter, written in Liu Shan's voice, accused Deng Ai of attempting to enthrone him, the deposed emperor, to restore the country. Liu Shan refused and therefore reported Deng Ai to Zhong Hui!

This letter was extremely malicious, not only slandering Deng Ai to the extreme, but also putting him in a wrongful position and handing Zhong Hui a knife!
What's even more frightening is that someone is stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

How could Liu Shan's "letter of denunciation" have ended up in his hands? What was the purpose of the person who sent this letter?

It's still the same old trick of having a beggar deliver the message, still hiding and revealing the truth!
"What do you think should be done about Liu Shan's situation now?"

Deng Ai looked at Deng Zhong and asked.

"Father, Zhong Hui should be preparing to make his move."

Without a second thought, Deng Zhong answered directly. At this moment, his expression was unusually solemn, even showing a hint of fear.

Zhong Hui still had more than 100,000 troops under his command!

Deng Ai did not answer; he did not understand why Liu Shan would betray him.

In fact, after Deng Ai led his troops into Shu, he did not commit any offenses against the local people and strictly enforced military discipline, which was almost unimaginable in the Wei army!

Why did Liu Shan repay kindness with enmity?

"Liu Shan, I, Deng, have never wronged you. Why did you betray me?"

Deng Ai couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Deng Zhong was speechless when he saw Deng Ai wallowing in self-pity. Deng Ai was old and stubborn, and wouldn't listen to any advice.

Deng Zhong couldn't help but sigh inwardly:

If it weren't for his father Deng Ai's insistence, there would have been no way he could have smuggled himself into Yinping.

Without the secret crossing of Yinping, Liu Shan would not have surrendered, and the Shu Kingdom would not have perished.

If that were the case, Liu Shan would still be enjoying himself in the Chengdu palace right now! Deng Ai actually thinks he hasn't wronged Liu Shan and that Liu Shan shouldn't hate him.

I really don't know what to say.

"Father, it's no use saying anything now. The only thing we can do now is to find a way to deal with Zhong Hui!"

Deng Zhong reminded Deng Ai.

"you're right."

Deng Ai nodded. At this moment, his mind was a bit confused, and he didn't really know what to do.

On the contrary, the eldest son, Deng Zhong, was quick-witted and a bold idea came to mind.

"Father."

Deng Zhong leaned close to Deng Ai's ear and whispered a suggestion: "Why don't we support Liu Shan's eldest son, Liu Xuan, and establish him as king of Shu?"

His idea is really bold, but whether it can be implemented is another matter.

Deng Ai immediately realized it wasn't a big deal.

He was a strong advocate for the destruction of Shu. Countless people died during the secret crossing of Yinping, and his soldiers died wave after wave during the bloody battle with Zhuge Zhan.

Now they're suddenly saying they want to enthrone Liu Shan's eldest son and establish a new dynasty!

Under what pretext? Don't they have any shame?

"Absurd! How can this be fair to the soldiers who fought so hard? What will they think when they hear this news?"

Deng Ai rebuked Deng Zhongdao.

"Give me some time to think about it."

Deng Ai waved his hand wearily, his mind a jumbled mess, a thousand thoughts swirling in his head, not knowing where to even begin to think.

Deng Zhong quietly withdrew, his unease growing stronger. He decided to consult with someone else about what to do.

……

Even on nights between summer and autumn, the cicadas still chirp incessantly.

The sweltering heat made the military tent feel somewhat stuffy.

Setting up a simple table outdoors, serving up good wine and food, and eating it fresh is much more pleasant than eating in the military tent.

A gentle breeze and the open space around them helped to ease the guardedness of the military commanders at the banquet.

Shi Shouxin arranged a very thoughtful banquet, and all the generals and deputy generals of the various armies were invited. They were chatting among themselves, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.

There were no fences around the banquet, no tents overhead; it was held in an open space with torches lit all around. The army's cooks prepared wine, roasted meat, steamed bread, and cooked rice in the middle of the open space—all on-site.

This also eliminates the possibility of poisoning.

In short, as a banquet held before the "triumphant return to the capital," it was of a high standard and the atmosphere was well-crafted.

The main purpose is to create a "safe" atmosphere.

In a corner of the banquet, Zhong Hui silently observed the generals whispering amongst themselves, their hands behind their backs. They were completely unaware that something big was about to happen. Qiu Jian's absence further eased the suspicions of Hu Lie and the others. "Things were handled well."

Zhong Hui looked at Shi Shouxin and said with a smile. The situation on the ground was personally arranged by Shi Shouxin, with a tight perimeter but a relaxed interior.

Although the generals were enjoying their meal here, no one was allowed to leave the camp without Zhong Hui's permission, and even the personal guards outside could not enter.

Outside the central army camp, Shi Shouxin arranged another banquet for the personal guards of these generals. Although there were no fancy dishes, there was plenty of food and drink. In short, the purpose was to separate the attending generals from their personal guards.

This way, outsiders wouldn't be aware of what was happening inside the camp, and the generals attending the meeting inside the camp wouldn't be able to pass on the news.

He had considered every little detail.

Although the banquet was open and seemingly spacious, the ambush was hidden in the surrounding military tents. Even if a general from Lü Bu's lineage were to actually fight, he wouldn't be able to break through.

"Grand Commander, please take your seat first. After a few rounds of drinks, please invite Liu Shan to take his seat."

That way it won't seem too abrupt.

Shi Shouxin whispered to Zhong Hui.

“Very well, then let’s do it your way.”

Zhong Hui nodded, then turned and left, sitting down in the main seat and clapping his hands.

The musicians and dancers who had been waiting on the sidelines walked into the center of the banquet hall, some playing music and others dancing.

The atmosphere was immediately set off as soon as the drums and dances began.

The Wei generals who were eating at the banquet were either lustful or listening to the lively music.

Zhong Hui simply sat in the main seat with a smile on his face, without saying a word.

"Grand Commander, why is Military Supervisor Shi absent from today's grand banquet?"

Sitting not far from Zhong Hui, Wei Guan asked with a smile. Although his tone was casual, his smile was meaningful.

"Today's banquet was arranged by Supervisor Shi himself, and he's busy right now."

Zhong Hui said it casually, not taking it seriously.

But Wei Guan wouldn't let it go and continued to press the matter:
"The central army has a person specifically in charge of the daily cooking fires, and the Grand Commander's personal guards can also convey military orders."

Why was Shi Jianjun allowed to overstep his bounds and do things his own way?

He's a military supervisor, not the Grand Commander's servant; why should he be in charge of organizing the banquet?

Wei Guan's tone gradually became stern.

Zhong Hui's gaze sharpened as he glanced at Wei Guan, seemingly lost in thought.

Wei Guan's words were not without merit. Shi Shouxin was an official in the army in charge of military discipline and supervising the daily behavior of the soldiers. It was only right that he would just walk around and do nothing.

Is it appropriate for him to be in charge of organizing banquets for the military now?

This is similar to saying that if an army commander needs a car, he will naturally have a dedicated driver. Sending a regimental commander or similar officer to drive for the commander, regardless of the reason, is ultimately somewhat inappropriate.

Upon hearing this, the generals gradually realized what was going on.

Yes, where did Shi Shouxin go?
"Someone, bring Supervisor Shi here for a drink."

Zhong Hui gave instructions to his personal guards. Then he looked at Wei Guan and asked in a sarcastic tone, "Supervisor Shi is very capable. As the saying goes, the capable should do more. He volunteered to take charge of tonight's banquet. What's wrong with that? Or does Supervisor Wei think that Supervisor Shi has some ulterior motive and is going to do something bad?"

"No, no, I was just curious, hence the question."

Therefore, I will punish myself with three cups of wine; I hope the Grand Commander will not take offense!

Wei Guan laughed heartily as if nothing had happened, his skin thicker than a city wall. He then promptly punished himself with three cups of wine, quite readily agreeing.

Zhong Hui did not dwell on the matter.

Soon, Shi Shouxin arrived at the banquet venue. Seeing Zhong Hui winking at him, Shi Shouxin quickly nodded.

"Everyone, please be quiet. I have something to say."

Zhong Hui suddenly stood up and clapped his hands.

The drumming and music stopped immediately, and the dancers tactfully filed out.

The generals, who were still eating and drinking, also placed their wine glasses on the table.

The open-air banquet hall became unusually quiet, and everyone's eyes were on Zhong Hui.

"Supervisor Shi, quickly go and invite our distinguished guest here."

Zhong Hui smiled at Shi Shouxin.

"Order!"

Shi Shouxin accepted the order and left, all the generals' eyes were on him.

Wei Guan stared at Shi Shouxin's departing figure, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.

He maintained a single-line of communication with Sima Zhao and learned from the lesson of Zhong Hui intercepting their correspondence. Sima Zhao reminded him that the conflict between Zhong Hui and Deng Ai had escalated, and advised Wei Guan to "act according to the circumstances."
In other words, they don't mind taking "decisive measures".

That's how the Sima family is; they want to eat fish but are afraid of the fishy smell, so they never make things clear.

After the conflict between Zhong Hui and Deng Ai intensified, how should he, as the military supervisor and a supervisor with imperial authority, respond?

Should we side with Deng Ai?
Is the bell-standing ceremony taking place here?
After much deliberation, Wei Guan felt he should side with Sima Zhao, but the problem was that Sima Zhao never made things clear!

Wei Guan couldn't find a place to stand!

While he was deep in thought, Shi Shouxin had already brought an old man who was nearly sixty years old to the banquet hall. The man sat next to Zhong Hui, but his expression was somewhat reserved.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you. This is Liu Shan, the former emperor of the Shu Kingdom."

The official name of the Shu Kingdom was Han, but Zhong Hui deliberately referred to it as the Shu Kingdom, showing contempt for its regime and refusing to acknowledge it as the legitimate dynasty.

Liu Shan! It's actually Liu Shan!

Wei Guan's eyes widened immediately!
Zhong Hui secretly captured Liu Shan. What exactly does he want to do?
"General Liu, please tell all the generals present why you have come to see me."

Zhong Hui asked with a half-smile, looking at Liu Shan with a meaningful gaze.

Liu Shan looked helplessly at Shi Shouxin and saw that the other party was nodding without making a sound. Liu Shan mustered up his courage and said, "Deng Ai wants to rebel and wants to support me as a puppet. I am unwilling to go along with him, so I wrote a letter to the Grand Commander. The Grand Commander sent someone to bring me here. I have the letter as proof."

After saying these words, Liu Shan felt as if he had used up all his strength, and collapsed onto the cushion, unable to move an inch.

He realized he was on a sinking ship and there was no getting off.

(End of this chapter)