Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 145 Destruction and Rebirth (3)

The weather is getting colder day by day, but everything in Chengdu seems to be as usual.

While recruiting new soldiers, Jiang Wei also deployed defenses and conducted daily patrols within the palace. Shi Shouxin's troops continued to inventory provisions and weapons, and held daily drills in the training ground in front of the treasury.

Four Wei armies, stationed in the southeast, northwest, and southwest of the city, rotated their duties daily, with each army sending only a thousand men to guard the city walls. The rest were either slacking off or on their way to slacking off, counting down the days until they could return to Luoyang.

Life went on peacefully, both inside and outside the city.

However, while there haven't been any major moves on the surface, there have been a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvers!

Many former officials of Shu, taking advantage of their visits to the palace to see Liu Shan, secretly plotted with Jiang Wei. Zhong Hui not only did not stop them, but also did not inquire about it at all, seemingly intentionally letting Jiang Wei go unchecked.

Time flies, and it's already three days before New Year's Day.

After a busy day, Shi Shouxin hadn't even had time to return home from the armory when Qiu Jian summoned him to a small courtyard near the palace.

The courtyard was surrounded by Zhong Hui's personal guards, who had completely blocked the roads and alleys.

Seeing this, Shi Shouxin's heart sank. He knew that what was bound to happen had finally arrived.

Sure enough, when he and Qiu Jian entered the courtyard and went to the main room, they saw Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei sitting there. There was no one else there!
Only four people were involved in this matter! The level of confidentiality was unparalleled.

"Everyone, take a seat."

Zhong Hui spoke softly, gesturing for Shi Shouxin and Qiu Jian to sit down.

Shi Shouxin appeared calm and expressionless, but Qiu Jian was clearly nervous and uncomfortable.

"Now the power of the Great Wei has been usurped by the Sima clan. I bear the dying wish of Empress Dowager Guo, and I am deeply saddened by this."

Gentlemen, what do you think?

Zhong Hui handed Qiu Jian the so-called "Last Will of Empress Guo," which Shi Shouxin could recite from memory, and asked him to pass it around to everyone present. Shi Shouxin looked at Jiang Wei with great interest, only to see that the famous Shu Han general's face was ashen, unsmiling and extremely embarrassed.

I wonder what Jiang Boyue would think after seeing the so-called "Last Will of Empress Guo".

From Jiang Wei's perspective, he should be indifferent, or even want to laugh.

After pretending to read the imperial edict, Shi Shouxin returned it to Zhong Hui, then sat upright in his seat with a solemn expression, awaiting Zhong Hui's instructions.

"Gentlemen, I intend to raise the banner of rebellion in Chengdu, to rebel against the Sima clan, and to restore the Cao family's empire."

Are you willing to help me?

Zhong Hui looked at Qiu Jian and asked.

As for the other two, Shi Shouxin had already seen the imperial edict and expressed his opinion; otherwise, Zhong Hui would not have given Shi Shouxin the authority to recruit hereditary soldiers.

As for Jiang Wei's true intentions, it goes without saying. Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei had a mutually beneficial relationship. To talk about Empress Dowager Guo is laughable; he was just pretending to be ignorant because he saw through her.

Qiu Jian was the only one who never expressed his opinion and had never seen the edict. He only knew that Zhong Hui was going to rebel, but he did not know what the pretext for the rebellion was.

"This humble general is willing to serve the Grand Commander at all costs!"

Qiu Jian quickly pledged his loyalty, saying that if he didn't speak now, he couldn't guarantee he would leave the house alive.

Upon hearing Qiu Jian's words, Zhong Hui nodded with great restraint.

"Three days later, a New Year's Day celebration will be held in the palace, and all officers of the rank of Yamen General, Cavalry Captain, and above will be required to attend."

After we've had our fill of wine and food, I will produce Empress Dowager Guo's last edict and order the officers to sign their names on the blood-written proclamation. I will rally our troops to break out of Shu and march straight for Chang'an!

Zhong Hui slammed his wine glass on the ground and said with a serious expression.

This reason is rather ridiculous, but it's better than nothing.

If Zhong Hui had declared that he was going to rebel and declare himself emperor, you can see how many people would have been willing to follow him!

There are many things you can do, but you absolutely cannot say them.

"Jiang Wei, you will lead your troops to take control of the palace on the day of the celebration three days from now. Everyone is allowed to enter, but no one is allowed to leave!"

Zhong Hui looked at Jiang Wei and gave him instructions.

"Order!"

Jiang Wei bowed to Zhong Hui and said nothing unnecessary.

"Shi Shouxin, you will lead your troops to ambush at all the key roads leading to the Chengdu Imperial Palace outside the city. If any soldiers enter the city without authorization, ambush and kill them!"

Zhong Hui's order to Shi Shouxin was actually to provide cover on the outside!

"Grand Commander, what if no troops dare to act rashly?"

Shi Shouxin asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Then your troops should lie in ambush outside the palace and not make any rash moves."

Zhong Hui frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Shi Shouxin's question.

His arrangement was somewhat unexpected by Shi Shouxin, or rather, Zhong Hui still didn't quite trust himself.

This was unavoidable; compared to Jiang Wei, who died if he failed, Shi Shouxin clearly had many more options.

Zhong Rang ordered him to lie in ambush on the outskirts, partly to prevent Jiang Wei from causing trouble, and partly to prevent Shi Shouxin from directly participating in the mutiny.

To put it bluntly, they were afraid that Shi Shouxin would lead his troops to betray them on the spot!

"The last general takes command!"

Shi Shouxin bowed to Zhong Hui and said no more words.

"Qiu Jian, you are in charge of capturing everyone in the main hall. You must not let a single one escape!"
Jiang Wei and Shi Shouxin, your men are not allowed to enter the main hall, lest you alert the enemy!
But both of you must be present.

Zhong Hui emphasized this again.

To put it simply, Jiang Wei controlled the palace, Qiu Jian controlled the main hall, and Shi Shouxin controlled the strongholds near the palace. They were not allowed to collude or interfere with each other! This avoided many unexpected incidents.

For example, if Jiang Wei alone rebelled, Qiu Jian's troops could hold out outside the palace for a long time. Once Shi Shouxin's troops detected movement inside the palace, they would storm in.

Conversely, if any one of these three rebels, it's impossible to make a final decision!
Hmm, it seems alright.

Zhong Hui believed he had no flaws.

"After I have the generals under control, I will send my trusted confidants to each army to reassure the soldiers and prevent them from becoming agitated."

Zhong Hui explained to Shi Shouxin and the others.

Did Zhong You have any close confidants?

The answer is yes, and quite a few at that, many of whom were servants of the Zhong family.

However, Zhong Hui did not have any trusted confidants who were both skilled in literature and military strategy, which is why he was extremely short of manpower.

In other words, this confidant is not the same as that confidant.

These so-called confidants Zhong Hui mentioned only took care of his daily life, delivered messages, and at most, gathered intelligence and acted as guards. To put them in charge of an army, they'd need at least a tenth of Shi Shouxin's ability, right?

Do we have these people? Are they capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities?

I'm afraid it's difficult!
Upon hearing Zhong Hui's outrageous words, Shi Shouxin initially wanted to retort, but then he thought that Zhong Hui and he were not on the same side, so he didn't care.

Oh well, as long as he's happy, that's all that matters. The most important thing in life is to be happy.

Jiang Wei also seemed to find some of the rough edges in Zhong Hui's plan unbelievable.

However, Shi Shouxin and Qiu Jian were both present, and both were members of the Wei army. Jiang Wei could not say what he wanted to say in front of them.

So he kept quiet.

Zhong Hui then informed everyone of some details about the matter before letting them go back to rest.

……

Two days passed with undercurrents swirling within them.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Shi Shouxin summoned all his generals to his study at home to discuss important matters.

Meng Guan, Ma Long, Liu Qin, Li Liang, Zhao Lun, Xi Zuo, and others were all present, filling the small study to the brim.

"You all know that Zhong Hui is going to launch a coup during tomorrow's New Year's Day celebrations, right?"

Shi Shouxin looked around at everyone and asked, his gaze sharp.

"Reporting to Supervisor Shi, we all know."

Li Liang stepped forward and answered on behalf of the others. Everyone present nodded silently, looking very nervous.

"Zhong Hui's order was to prevent other troops from approaching the Chengdu palace, but in reality, it was impossible for any Wei army to enter the city and cause trouble."

Zhong Hui's purpose in doing this was to have us monitor Jiang Wei and separate him from the private armies of the former Shu officials, preventing them from killing Zhong Hui and the Wei soldiers attending the banquet all at once.

Shi Shouxin gave a solemn introduction.

In other words, the troops of the former officials of Shu would march toward the Shu palace on that day, cooperating with Jiang Wei to kill all the generals of the Wei army!

In this way, the Wei army is leaderless. What can they do even if they have more than 100,000 men?

As for the idea that Jiang Wei spared Zhong Hui's life, that's pure wishful thinking.

"Xi Zuo, you lead a thousand men to guard the outer perimeter of the palace. Just a token gesture will suffice."

Shi Shouxin looked at Xi Zuo and said.

"Commander Shi, shouldn't we bring more men?"

Xi Zuo asked somewhat guiltily, "What can a thousand people do? Just fill a tooth gap!"

"I already said, it's just a token gesture."

Shi Shouxin completely ignored Xizuo's complaints.

"Meng Guan, Zhao Lun, Ma Long, Liu Qin, each of you take a thousand men and enter the Wei army camps around Chengdu to call for reinforcements!"
Then, regarding the areas outside Chengdu.

As he spoke, he made a chopping gesture.

"What Supervisor Shi meant was to strike first. Before the former officials of Shu could storm the palace, we should eliminate them."

As for Jiang Wei in the palace, let him fight Zhong Hui; it doesn't matter.

Li Liang explained to everyone.

"I will go into the palace to put Zhong Hui's mind at ease. If they see me inside, neither Zhong Hui nor Jiang Wei will suspect anything."

"Set up the plan like this. Tomorrow, after the generals enter the palace, you will all split up and take action!"

Without waiting for any questions, Shi Shouxin issued the military order.

The tall Zhao Lun suddenly asked, "Supervisor Shi, you're entering the palace alone, won't you...?"

It would be a lie to say there was no danger, but if we always seek the safest course of action, then we are treating Zhong Hui and the others as if they were already dead.

If Shi Shouxin doesn't go, Zhong Hui will immediately assume he has betrayed him!

If that happens, the show can't go on! If you don't even have that much guts, what are you doing staging a coup?

"This is where the former officials of Shu hid their troops. Come and take a look and make a note of it."

At that time, each of you will have to lead your troops and act independently.

Shi Shouxin spread out a map of Chengdu and placed it on the table.

The private armies of those former Shu officials, some inside the city and some outside, were all marked, making them particularly conspicuous.

These people were quite well prepared, having prepared for at least half a month, and some even starting as soon as the Wei army arrived in Chengdu.

Time passed slowly, and the room was so quiet that only the short breaths of everyone could be heard. Except for Shi Shouxin, everyone else stared intently at the map, as if trying to memorize the key information.

"I will act according to circumstances tomorrow, but I am not entirely certain of success."

You don't need to worry about me, just carry out the military orders.

"Jiang Wei's troops can be ignored for now. As long as he doesn't see any private armies of former Shu officials attacking the palace, Jiang Wei will continue to lie low."

Shi Shouxin patiently explained to everyone.

This matter is both difficult and incredibly simple. The influence of the former officials of Shu is the pillar supporting Jiang Wei, while Jiang Wei himself is an iron gate.

If it's inconvenient to smash the door, cutting off the support rod will have the same effect.

"Order!"

The crowd shouted in unison.

"You will come with me to the palace tomorrow and see the world."

Shi Shouxin gave instructions to Li Liang.

"Order!"

Li Liang bowed and said.

As everyone left the study, their faces were all grave.

Whether it's a life of luxury or a trip to a mass grave, we'll see how things go tomorrow.

This is a crucial stepping stone in Shi Shouxin's fate, and also a crucial stepping stone for their progress; it must not be lost.

After everyone left, Shi Shouxin locked himself in his study and pondered deeply, not sleeping a wink all night.

(End of this chapter)