Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 165 A Chaotic Dance of Demons (Part 1)

Some people may not deserve sympathy, but their early lives were indeed quite miserable.

For example, Sun Xiu spent the first half of his life depressed and unsuccessful until he met Sima Lun and the Sima family changed dynasties.

With a face full of hatred, Sun Xiu was "invited" out of the hall. He had no place at the banquet, not even a place to stand.

"Jilun, what fun things are happening today?"

Sima Yan looked at Shi Chong, who was sitting not far away from him, and asked with a curious expression.

His harmless face wore a bright smile, as if he were expecting something.

It must be said that Sima Yan was a rather gentle person who would not make his followers and friends feel fear.

Shi Chong chuckled and clapped his hands three times forcefully!
Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
As the applause subsided, drums and music suddenly began to play in the hall.

The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, melancholic yet alluring, and the clanging of drums and gongs, carrying a sense of killing intent, blend together without any sense of incongruity, each complementing the other without interfering with the other.

The door to the main hall was pushed open by a servant, and seven dancers in colorful floral dresses trotted in, then began to spin in circles rapidly.

The ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) covering the long, beautiful legs takes on an umbrella shape due to centrifugal force. Six of the dancers put their hands together, and the last lead dancer leaps high into the air, jumping onto the "platform" formed by twelve hands, and continues to dance gracefully.

The dancers parted, and the lead dancer leaped high down, landing just as a boy carrying a sword box on his back entered.

The lead dancer drew a wooden sword from its scabbard and slashed at the other six dancers. The six dancers gracefully dodged the blows while circling the sword-scabbard attendant, taking out the remaining six wooden swords from the scabbard.

The two women paired up and sparred with swords. The lead dancer went straight to within two steps of Sima Yan's table, used her wooden sword to pick up a wine cup that was already full of wine on Shi Chong's table, and steadily handed it to Sima Yan with the tip of her sword.

The lead dancer gave Sima Yan a seductive wink. After Sima Yan accepted the wine cup, she retreated while continuing her sword dance.

Then, she did the same thing, handing out the wine cups in front of Shi Chong's table to the guests one by one.

The other six dancers in the arena seemed to be dancing wildly like demons, sometimes wielding swords alone, and sometimes fighting each other in pairs.

The colorful dress and the black wooden sword flashed in the eyes of the guests, becoming an irreplaceable backdrop.

It has a thrilling, heart-pounding feeling that is both beautiful and dangerous!
After the dance ended, Sima Yan was the first to clap, exclaiming, "Excellent! Shi Jilun, you really know how to have fun! How come this dancer is so good at dancing?"

"Nothing special, just practice makes perfect."

Shi organized the dancers and managed them according to military orders, eating, living, and training together with them.

A good jump is rewarded, a bad jump is punished; years of hard work culminate in a single performance.

"Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."

Shi Chong said with no small amount of pride.

He had been preparing for today's banquet for two whole years!
Since he became the magistrate of Xiuwu County, he has been pondering "the way to advance his career".

After much thought, I've come to the conclusion that if you work hard, you'll be begging until you're old! In peacetime, there are only so many official positions; how can you possibly get one?
All the fathers and uncles of my generation are officials, so why should it be my turn?
The answer can be summed up in just two words: scheming!

Shi Chong was clearly betting everything on Sima Yan! He was using Sima Yan's connections to get promoted quickly!
Shi Chong knew he wasn't cut out for the kind of risky, high-stakes approach Shi Shouxin took to gain an official position. He admired Shi Shouxin's abilities, but wouldn't emulate him.

"Come, come, drink this cup to the brim to celebrate the dancer's talent!"

Sima Yan raised his wine cup, adopting the demeanor of a host at the banquet.

However, Shi Chong did not feel embarrassed. On the contrary, this was Sima Yan's banquet, although it was held in Shi's mansion and Sima Yan was not responsible for the details.

But at crucial moments, only Sima Yan could step forward and command widespread support. No one else could usurp his position!

This is a privilege of those in positions of power.

Although there were more than twenty guests present, they could still be seated in different ranks according to their official positions, connections, family backgrounds, and so on.

The State of Jin had not yet been established, but most of the official positions had already been determined and the seating arrangements had been made.

With Sima Yan in charge, the guests naturally showered him with praise. After several rounds of drinks, Sima Yan suddenly looked at Shi Shouxin, who was seated to his left, and asked with a smile, "Shi Gandang, you were in the army from beginning to end during this war to conquer Shu. What are your observations and experiences in Shu?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Shouxin felt a chill run down his spine and thought to himself, "This Sima Yan is definitely up to no good!"

The war to conquer Shu was not particularly noteworthy in terms of the actual destruction of the Shu kingdom, as the Shu army did not put up a very strong resistance for various reasons.

The highlight of the conquest of Shu lies in the various antics among the disorganized Wei army. Even the Grand Commander Zhong Hui rebelled, and there were many other disgraceful acts by others. These are things that cannot be discussed in public.

It's one thing to talk about it with the wife in bed. But if the person involved finds out that Shi Shouxin is talking behind her back, she will definitely hold a grudge against him.

Sima Yan asked this question in front of so many people, which clearly indicated that he had his own purpose and it was definitely not just for "fun during the banquet".

"I have seen and heard some things, but they are all trivial matters."

"I do have a poem that I could humbly present. I wonder if the Crown Prince would be interested?"

Shi Shouxin stood up, walked out of the guest area, came to the center of the hall, and bowed to Sima Yan.

"Please come in! Please come in!"

Sima Yan crossed his legs, looking quite interested.

Where can one find the Prime Minister's ancestral hall? It stands amidst the cypress trees outside Chengdu.

The verdant grass reflects the spring colors on the steps, while the orioles sing sweetly through the leaves.

As Shi Shouxin paced back and forth, he recited Du Fu's poem.

The guests present all sat up straight, but Sima Lun continued to eat, seemingly unaware that something was amiss.

Shi Shouxin continued:

"Thrice visited to discuss the affairs of the realm, a loyal minister serving two dynasties."

He died before achieving his goal, leaving heroes to weep with sorrow.

This is a poem expressing sympathy for Zhuge Liang.

If Sima Zhao were here, he would surely be extremely displeased. But Sima Yan was different; he was a staunch admirer of Zhuge Liang. "His campaign unfinished, he died before achieving his goal, leaving heroes to weep with sorrow."

Well written, really well written!

If Zhuge Liang were still alive, how could our army have entered Shu?

Sima Yan sighed and shook his head repeatedly, a tear rolling down his cheek.

Perhaps he was genuinely moved, or perhaps he was faking it, but at this moment, Sima Yan appeared to be a man of deep feeling.

Upon seeing this scene, Shi Chong was immediately stunned. He couldn't help but cough lightly, interrupting Sima Yan's self-absorbed reverie.

Brother, as Sima Zhao's eldest son, isn't it inappropriate for you to say such a thing?

Sima Yan might have felt some emotion towards Zhuge Liang's sentiments, but Shi Chong could not understand them at all, and even scoffed at them!
Shi Chong's goal was to live life to the fullest! To wield power over the world while awake, and to rest one's head on the lap of a beautiful woman while drunk—that was the mark of a true man!

The idea that "without tranquility one cannot go far" and "without detachment one cannot clarify one's ambitions" is all nonsense. To Shi Chong, it was like talking to a brick wall!

What's the point of having power if you don't use it? What a load of nonsense!

"Oh dear, I lost my composure. Punishment drink, punishment drink!"

Sima Yan chuckled awkwardly, having understood Shi Chong's implication, and quickly took a sip of wine to cover his embarrassment.

Many things are fine for others to say, but it was inappropriate for Sima Yan to say them in public.

"Gentlemen, Shi Gandang has poems and essays here. Are there any other people with excellent writings?"

If you have something to offer, why not bring it out and compare it? Making friends through literature is a joy in life.

Sima Yan looked around at everyone and said, "I'll hang Shi Shouxin up and roast him over the fire."

"Your Highness, yes, yes, I have a poem about spring."

Pan Yue couldn't wait to step forward and immediately recited a poem.

At this time, Han fu (a type of classical Chinese prose-poetry) was still the mainstream of literature, while seven-character poems were just beginning to flourish, and many literati were not used to this form of writing.

As Pan Yue recited, everyone present swayed their heads, revealing expressions of rapture.

After Pan Yue finished reciting, Sima Yan immediately clapped his hands and said, "Excellent, excellent, well written! The vibrant life of spring has been vividly depicted by Anren (Pan Yue's courtesy name)."

Upon hearing Sima Yan's praise, Pan Yue gave Shi Shouxin a meaningful look. However, the man seemed preoccupied with eating and appeared not to have heard the poem he had just recited.

Seeing this, Pan Yue was so angry that he plopped back down in his seat, his chest heaving, clearly still furious. Yang, who was standing nearby, quickly comforted him, and Pan Yue finally calmed down.

However, the guests nearby did not notice Pan Yue's expression. With Shi Shouxin and Pan Yue taking the lead, the others naturally followed suit, performing either poems or essays, some of which were flattering Sima Yan.

For a time, the guests were all happy, and various forms of mutual flattery bombarded them, and Sima Yan's smile never stopped!

However, in this vibrant "literary atmosphere," there was one person who stood out like an old hen among a flock of cranes, appearing so out of place and an eyesore.

It was as if his presence had polluted the air inside the hall.

This person was Sima Lun, Sima Yan's ninth uncle.

He couldn't understand those poems at all, nor could he grasp their deeper meaning. Although Shi Shouxin also couldn't understand them, he was the one who offered a starting point, and since he had his own work listed, he naturally didn't feel embarrassed. No one would laugh at him for eating his food in silence.

But Sima Lun was different. He was a good-for-nothing, and his staff had to write his orders. Asking him to write poems and songs was really asking too much of this ninth uncle of Sima Yan.

"Master Sima, why don't you go on stage and perform?"

Feng Niang, sitting next to Sima Lun, asked with a sweet smile.

Sima Lun glared at her fiercely, then lowered his head, took a sip of wine in silence, and said nothing.

Seeing this, a cold glint flashed in Feng Niang's eyes.

Then a bright smile appeared on her face, and she suddenly stood up and shouted to the guests, "Please be quiet, everyone! Lord Sima says he has a poem to present, which is no less excellent than any of yours!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Chong's face contorted with rage, and he glared fiercely at Feng Niang.

But Fengniang, who was not even ten years old, was clearly childlike and had never considered the idea of ​​"harmony brings wealth".

Children who seek revenge do so on the spot, never letting it linger overnight.

Sima Lun's rude attitude towards her at today's banquet, coupled with Feng Niang's extreme dissatisfaction with Shi Chong's extravagant party, led to her complete outburst at this moment!
"Uncle Jiu, why don't you sing one?"

Sima Yan looked at Sima Lun and smiled.

"Your Highness, I'm drunk and I'm afraid I can't go on stage."

Sima Lun deliberately spoke in a slurred tone, pretending that he was so drunk that he didn't know what one plus one equals.

"If you have nothing to say, stop making excuses and you'll only make a fool of yourself!"

Pan Yue, who was not far away, made a sarcastic remark as if talking to himself, which made the guests burst into laughter.

Sima Yan, taking advantage of the situation, said, "Since Uncle Jiu is already drunk, please don't make things difficult for him. Shi Jilun, what else is fun to do?"

"Your Highness, of course there are, and they're really fun!"

Shi Chong chuckled, then gave a few instructions to the servant beside him. Soon, the servant came in carrying a box.

"Your Highness, my friends, taking Five-Stone Powder is a refined practice in the human world."

However, some Wushi San formulas are of poor quality and can be fatal if ingested.

Mr. Shi obtained a secret recipe in Hanoi, tried it himself, and found it made him feel invigorated and refreshed!
Moreover, as long as one wears only light clothing, there will be no danger to one's life.

Gentlemen, please.

Shi Chong stood up, walked to the box, pointed at it, and said...

(End of this chapter)