Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 131 An Old Man's Youthful Passion

The night was pitch black, without moon or starlight, and Chengdu was utterly silent. It seemed as if some ferocious beast lurked in the darkness, silently watching the sleeping people.

Inside the Imperial Study, Deng Ai stared at Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong with a somber expression, remaining silent as he weighed the pros and cons, unable to make a decision.

"General Deng, Zhong Hui is clearly framing us! If we don't act, Zhong Hui's suppression will come wave after wave!"

Shi Zuan reminded Deng Ai that, despite being usually the most passive in his actions, he was unusually proactive this time. In fact, after seeing Liu Shan's letter of denunciation, he had already decided to come and persuade Deng Ai not to sit idly by and wait for his doom.

"How about we send a letter to Duke Jin now, informing him of this matter?"

Deng Ai looked at Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan in front of him and asked.

After careful consideration, he still felt it was better not to take any drastic measures. As for Deng Zhong's suggestion to support Liu Shan's eldest son, Liu Xuan, it was simply nonsense.

It can be said that the Shu Kingdom was conquered by Deng Ai. Others can say they support Liu Shan or are Liu Shan's descendants, but Deng Ai is the only one who cannot say that.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be contradicting myself?
"Father, do you think Zhong will strike first? Fucheng is closer to Chang'an, and they are the ones who planned this. Perhaps Liu Shan's letter of complaint is already on Duke Jin's desk."

Alternatively, the father could go to Chang'an alone to apologize to the Duke of Jin, and the rumors would be dispelled.

Otherwise, the father would have to make plans sooner rather than later.

But even if Father wanted to go to Chang'an, he would have to pass through Fucheng. How could we ensure his safe arrival at Jiange? And how could we ensure that Duke Jin would be on Father's side?

What if Duke Jin sacrifices us to appease Zhong Hui?

If Zhong Hui succeeds, the court will likely assign him to arrest us. What will Father do then?
Either way, it's death.

Deng Zhong's words were blunt, but not exaggerated. For Deng Ai, the current situation was indeed a matter of life and death.

In fact, the "mysterious man" had already explained today's events clearly, but he had been rather vague and hadn't specified Liu Shan as the person in question.

It is likely that Liu Shan's false accusation was part of a series of schemes orchestrated by Zhong Hui, and this was just the beginning.

"What you say is true. I am also worried about this. If we ignore it, Zhong Hui will surely force us to our deaths."

Deng Ai sighed deeply and finally admitted that Deng Zhong was right.

If you always follow others' pace, you'll always be a step behind no matter how you respond, and you'll inevitably suffer a crushing defeat in the end—that's almost beyond doubt.

Deng Zhong didn't think Zhong Hui would stop, and as for seeking justice from Sima Zhao, that was out of the question.

How can a true man entrust his life and death to the control of others?

"You also think I have to kill Zhong Hui, right?"

Deng Ai looked at Shi Zuan and asked.

Deng Zhong's words frightened Deng Ai somewhat. At this point, Shi Zuan's opinion became very important, because Shi Zuan came from the office of General Sima Zhao and had served as his chief clerk.

"General Deng, if I may be so blunt..."

The dead can't speak. As long as General Deng kills Zhong Hui, he can shift all the blame onto Zhong Hui.

"At that time, will anyone hold you accountable?"

Shi Zuan retorted, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

These words clearly expressed their stance, and Deng Ai nodded slightly in relief. As long as Shi Zuan supported them, they could still find a way.

Many things and rules are very complicated to play out if you don't overturn the table.

To be honest, Deng Ai had neither the status to play the game nor the ability to play it.

But if the table is overturned, all these rules become invalid, and in the end, it all comes down to who can cut faster.

No matter how clever Zhong Hui's schemes are, as long as Deng Ai can kill him, all of Zhong Hui's plots will fall apart.

"General Shi is right, but if we send troops to Fucheng and attack Zhong Hui, the soldiers will find it very strange. After all, Liu Shan has already submitted his surrender document, and the soldiers think that the campaign against Shu is over."

As the saying goes, "If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper." You can't do things without making things clear.

"General Shi, do you have any ideas?"

Deng Ai asked without changing his expression. He was somewhat tempted, but there were still some "details" he hadn't sorted out.

The soldiers followed him into battle and secretly crossed Yinping with him because there was profit to be made after victory. That's why they were able to endure all kinds of hardships and remain united along the way.

Now Deng Ai tells them that he is going to lead them to attack Fucheng and kill Zhong Hui.

At that time, many soldiers will definitely fall into chaos!

Why should they? What do they gain from doing this? Zhong Hui's troops are also Wei soldiers, why are they fighting amongst themselves?

If he doesn't make things clear, how can his men possibly follow Deng Ai?

"General Deng, this is easy. Just tell the soldiers that Zhong Hui is going to lead a large army to attack Chengdu and kill them all, leaving no one alive."

In this way, the army will surely be of one mind.

"I suggest it," Shi Zuan said in a sinister tone. Deng Ai and Deng Zhong both looked at him and gasped.

When it comes to ruthlessness, you're ruthless enough, but it's certainly effective.

"Deng Zhong, summon all the generals in the army here now."

I will have axemen lying in ambush nearby; anyone who resists will be killed without hesitation.

Deng Ai, his face grim, gave the order, having made up his mind.

……

Outside Zhong Hui's central army camp lay about five hundred soldiers, all of whom were independent troops under Zhong Hui's command and supervised by Wei Guan. They were groaning and moaning incessantly.

Upon hearing Wei Guan's whistle, these men immediately prepared to storm the main camp. Wei Guan also learned that the central army camp was empty today; Qiu Jian and his central army were eating and drinking in Fucheng, just like the generals who had just attended the banquet in the central army camp.

However, Zhong Hui was prepared. He had Shi Shouxin's troops dressed as soldiers of the central army. When Wei Guan's five hundred men charged the camp, Zhao Lun and Xi Zuo, who had been preparing all along, also led their troops out and gave Wei Guan's men a good beating!
With their combined strength and numerical superiority, it was impossible for them to lose.

At this very moment, Zhao Lun and his men were confiscating the weapons of those who belonged to Wei Guan and sending them back to Wei Guan's camp for separate custody.

Wei Guan himself was sent to Shi Shouxin's main camp and placed under house arrest. Tonight's banquet was tantamount to a mutiny, effectively seizing Wei Guan's power to supervise Zhong Hui.

After all the generals returned to their respective camps, Shi Shouxin went alone to Li Fu's camp.

Li Fu was not surprised by Shi Shouxin's arrival. After the two sat down, Li Fu looked at Shi Shouxin with a mixture of emotion, admiration, and the helplessness of time.

"I thank General Li for his support."

Shi Shouxin bowed respectfully to Li Fu. The reason Li Fu was the first to step forward and sign today was because... he had already agreed with Shi Shouxin beforehand!
"It's just a small favor. If Deng Ai doesn't step down, what will we generals who followed Zhong Hui into Shu do? Starve!"
Shi Jianjun's scheme was merely a matter of chance.

But Li hadn't expected Deng Ai to be so stubborn. "Haven't you heard that a tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind?"

Li Fu sighed, but did not blame Shi Shouxin.

In fact, although Wei generals like Li Fu and Hu Lie had no personal grudges against Deng Ai, the latter did indeed block their path to wealth and official positions.

As the saying goes, blocking someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents, so it would be strange if Li Fu and his group had no objections to Deng Ai.

"General Li, to be honest, I didn't want to go to such extremes. But Deng Ai secretly crossed Yinping and forced Liu Shan to surrender, which is a feat that could destroy a country. If he does all that, then what about General Li, General Hu, and all the other generals under Zhong Hui? Wouldn't they just have to stand by and watch helplessly?"

"After the army returns to the capital and you gentlemen return to Luoyang, how will the Duke of Jin reward you?"

Shi Shouxin gave an explanation.

Li Fu nodded slightly and said softly, "Don't worry about this matter. If Duke Jin asks about it later, I will explain it to him. It will definitely not implicate Supervisor Shi."

This is about the aftermath of the event.

Shi Shouxin nodded slightly. These things were all expected, but Li Fu's willingness to speak out afterward proved that he thought highly of Shi Shouxin and was willing to get to know him better.

In fact, Li Fu and other Wei generals had no intention of supporting Zhong Hui or doing anything. It was just that Deng Ai had already reaped all the credit, so why should they all just be there as bystanders?
Who would be willing to accept that? Did they come to Sichuan just to wander around and then go back empty-handed?
If Deng Ai had known better, he should have immediately resigned from his post after taking Chengdu, allowing Zhong Hui's troops to quickly enter Shu and take control of the local situation.

In this way, he might be able to enjoy his later years in peace.

Now that Deng Ai has been stationed in Chengdu for several months, he has the final say on the official positions of officials in Shu. Not to mention what Sima Zhao will think, even the generals under Zhong Hui have developed a serious sense of crisis.

Deng Ai must die, and he must be utterly disgraced! Otherwise, the generals under Zhong Hui's command will have wasted their time on this campaign against Shu.

Without any merit, you still want to plunder the Shu region? Aren't you afraid of being criticized behind your back? Aren't you afraid of upsetting Sima Zhao? Aren't you afraid of being held accountable later?
There are no simple solutions to these problems; the only way is to sacrifice Deng Ai to the heavens.

This is why Li Fu readily agreed when Shi Shouxin approached him; it had nothing to do with Zhong Hui, but was purely due to these generals' own interests.

Therefore, it wasn't that Shi Shouxin had great prestige to persuade these generals; it was purely out of self-interest, and he simply went with the flow.

"General Li, Deng Ai might lead his troops in a surprise attack on the camp. Do you have any ideas?"

Shi Shouxin asked in a deep voice.

"The best course of action is to strike first. Tomorrow I will lead my troops to Luocheng. As long as these more than 100,000 troops are not all piled up together, Deng Ai has no chance of winning."

Li Fu, a seasoned warrior, immediately saw the weakness of Zhong Hui's army: too many men, all crammed into Fucheng. If they were to be ambushed by Deng Ai's troops and their camp were to collapse, the consequences would be unimaginable!

"In that case, I'll leave it to General Li. I will propose this to the Grand Commander, and General Li can simply go along with it."

Shi Shouxin stood up, bowed to Li Fu, and said.

"Yes, leave the matter of sending troops to me."

Li Fu assured Shi Shouxin that he would be sent out of the camp.

Back in the camp, Li Fu sighed and said, "Without Shi Gandang, Zhong Hui's schemes would have been impossible. After Deng Ai's defeat, Zhong Hui will follow in his footsteps. Shi Gandang, Shi Gandang, are you planning to send Zhong Hui on his way in the future?"

His gaze was deep, and after much deliberation, he finally drank a cup of turbid wine by himself.

"With the fall of the Shu Kingdom, the cunning rabbit dies and the hunting dog is cooked; it's time for us to step down."

Li Fu shook his head helplessly, feeling the wine in his cup was unbearably bitter.

(End of this chapter)