Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 183 Truth and Falsehood, Left and Right

Yang Xiu told Sima Yan that Sima Zhao's supposed inability to speak was an act.

Of course, it's not impossible, but how likely is it?
What if he is really sick?
Being genuinely ill and feigning illness have completely different implications. More importantly, even if Sima Zhao was feigning illness, he did not inform Sima Yan beforehand.

In other words, if this was a setup, then Sima Yan was also a player in it!

“If my father is faking his illness, then I must serve him even more out of filial piety.”

Sima Yan shook his head and said, "This is the proper etiquette."

To everyone's surprise, Yang Xiu sneered and retorted, "So you want the Prince of Jin to believe that you have control over everyone around him, and then just wait for him to die, and then change dynasties and become the emperor, right?"

This retort left Sima Yan speechless for a long time!
Yang Xiu's words were rough, but the principle was sound.

Most of the time, it's right to be filial, but each case must be analyzed individually.

In the corrupt and distrustful families of the powerful, excessive intimacy and lack of distance are sometimes not a sign of filial piety, but rather a sign of ulterior motives!

If this was a test from Sima Zhao to Sima Yan, then Sima Yan, while showing concern for Sima Zhao's illness, should also maintain an appropriate distance, inquire less about other matters, and obediently act as the "Crown Prince."

After all, Sima Zhao is still in charge of this household!
Otherwise, the position of crown prince, which was already in Sima Yan's hands, could very well be lost!

Therefore, it is very important to gamble on whether Sima Zhao is truly seriously ill.

If the prediction is correct, then the response will be fine.

In short, if Sima Zhao was faking illness, then Sima Yan could do nothing. As long as Sima Zhao didn't die, he would remain still.

Conversely, if Sima Zhao is truly seriously ill, then he should seize power now, control everyone inside and outside the court, and replace key departments in Luoyang with his own people!
Then prepare the imperial edict, prepare for the coronation, and prepare for Cao Huan to issue the abdication edict!
Then prepare for Sima Zhao's funeral!

It can be said that the approaches to dealing with the two situations are completely different.

Who says that if Sima Zhao had died suddenly, Sima Yan would have been able to smoothly ascend the throne or even change the dynasty without any preparation?
Nothing is taken for granted. Even if someone feeds you food, you still have to eat it!

"Zhishu (Yang Xiu's courtesy name), what do you think is the best course of action?"

Sima Yan looked at Yang Xiu expectantly and asked. The latter lowered her head in thought, not saying anything specific for the time being.

The atmosphere inside the room was somewhat somber. At this moment, it was impossible for them to ask another person; the fewer people who knew about this, the better.

The saying "If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his life; if matters are not kept secret, they will cause harm" illustrates this principle.

“Anshi, I still maintain that the Prince of Jin is faking his illness.”

Yang Xiu raised her head, looked at Sima Yan with a serious expression, and continued, "You don't need to do anything, just wait."

"Wait? Doesn't that... put us in a bit of a passive position?"

Sima Yan asked, his expression conflicted.

In fact, it wasn't difficult for Sima Yan to figure out whether Sima Zhao was truly seriously ill; everything has its clues.

He now has trusted confidants and powerful allies; it wouldn't be difficult to subtly inquire about him.

However, it was very difficult for Sima Yan to figure out the truth while keeping it from Sima Zhao's notice.

Therefore, Yang Xiu's words were very wise.

There's no need to investigate specifically; just send daily greetings and let Sima Zhao "rest quietly."

"Anshi, the throne will be yours sooner or later."

The situation has changed now. The more you do, the more mistakes you make; the less you do, the fewer mistakes you make; doing nothing is the best you can do.

Yang Xiu walked over, patted Sima Yan on the shoulder, and said...

Yang Xiu was extremely anxious, but no matter how much he said, it was useless; it was like the emperor wasn't worried, but the eunuch was.

The person who could truly make the decision was Sima Yan.

"That being said... what about Tao Fu (Sima You)?"

Sima Yan asked again.

Yang Xiu thought for a moment and said, "Shao Ti, the subordinate of the Western Office, has already gone to find Sima You. He should be on his way back to Luoyang now. However, if Sima You has no ulterior motives, there is nothing to worry about."

He pointed out incisively that Sima You was actually not in any embarrassing situation. If he did not compete for the crown prince position, then... he could simply pretend nothing had happened and visit Sima Zhao at the Prince of Jin's residence every day, just like Sima Yan.

Whether Sima Zhao was truly ill or feigning illness was irrelevant.

Sima Yan nodded. In the long race for the crown prince position, he had almost secured the victory. As long as he didn't do anything reckless, there was really nothing to worry about. What Sima Yan was most worried about was actually his legitimate son, Sima Zhong.

……

Early the next morning, in a study in the Chang Le Duke's mansion east of Luoyang, all of Sima Fu's sons were present.

Sima Fu, Sima Huang, Sima Gui, Sima Gui, Sima Heng, and Sima Jing, the third and fifth sons of Sima Fu, gathered in the study, waiting for their father, Sima Fu, to return from the Prince of Jin's residence.

The atmosphere in the study was somewhat strange; despite so many people being there, no one spoke.

Sima Zhao fell seriously ill, and the power of the Sima clan was once again in turmoil, with potential changes lurking everywhere!

“Brothers, what do you think would happen if something were to happen to the Prince of Jin…”

Sima Jing, the youngest among them, spoke up. Although he was the youngest here, Sima Jing was already over thirty years old, older than Sima Yan.

After all, Sima Fu and Sima Yi were of the same generation, in other words, Sima Jing was Sima Yan's uncle!

The oldest person in the study, Sima Fu, was over fifty years old. It would be quite apt to say that this place was like a nest of old turtles having a meeting.

"Ninth Brother, don't talk nonsense."

Sima Fu spoke up, issuing a warning.

Sima Jing had no choice but to shut up. After that, the others also gave up the idea of ​​speaking.

Everyone kept their eyes down, seemingly lost in thought.

The current situation is unpredictable, and it's unclear how it will develop. While their feelings are similar to Sima Yan's, their concerns are different.

At noon, Sima Fu returned. He was eighty-five years old, but still in good health and with a steady gait. Although his hair was gray, his complexion was ruddy, even better than Sima Zhao's usual complexion.

"Father, what about the Prince of Jin..."

Sima Fu helped Sima Fu sit down.

The solemn expressions on the faces of the people in the study eased slightly.

"The Prince of Jin is almost unable to speak and is now bedridden."

It seems there's no hope of a full recovery.

Sima Fu sighed softly, his voice filled with sorrow.

His voice was old and hoarse, sounding as if there was a saw in his throat. But at first glance, his wrinkled face looked very kind.

He had the demeanor of a kind and honest old man.

Upon hearing this, Sima Fu's sons all looked around somewhat unsteadily, exchanging glances but none of them uttered a word.

Currently, the nominal emperor of Wei is still a member of the Cao family. Even if the entire Sima family were included, they would still be a powerful family of ministers.

With the powerful figure from the family about to fall, no one can say for sure what will happen next.

Who knows, they might just scatter when the tree falls?

Sima Fu and the others hesitated to speak, but Sima Fu did not let them speak. He simply waved his hand, and the group left the study somewhat reluctantly.

"Ugh!"

After everyone had left, Sima Fu let out a long sigh.

Who could have imagined that Sima Zhao would fall seriously ill?
But that's not surprising. Just like Sima Shi back then, he seemed perfectly fine, but then suddenly he was gone.

Sima Fu was only the third son of Sima Fu.

The eldest son, Sima Yong, had already died before Cao Mao died; he was already in his forties, so it wasn't considered an early death.

As for the second son... he has already been adopted out and is now Sima Wang, who serves in the Imperial Guard!
Everyone knows that the Cao family is finished and can hardly find any supporters.

But must the throne be ruled by Sima Yi's descendants, and not by other members of the Sima family?
There doesn't seem to be such a claim.

For example, now is a good opportunity.

Sima Fu was over eighty years old, and the joys and sorrows of life had long since faded from his memory. However, his passing left some regrets.

He sat on the cushions as if he were asleep.

And so we waited and waited, until it was time for dinner.

The servant packed the food into a food box and brought it to the study. However, Sima Fu remained as if he hadn't woken up properly, his head still drooping.

If it weren't for his tightly clenched fists and the occasional bulging veins on his arms, people would definitely think he had just passed away.

"Lord Chang Le, the General of the Flying Cavalry has arrived."

Outside the study, the sound of a servant gently tapping on the door could be heard.

General of the Cavalry is Sima Wang's current official title. Although he no longer serves as the Commander of the Central Army, he still commands troops and wields considerable power!
"Let him in."

Sima Fu shouted something, then opened his cloudy eyes.

"Uncle, are you still in good health?"

Sima Wang walked in and called his biological father "uncle".

Sima Fu chuckled and pointed to the soft cushion in front of him.

Sima Wang sat down cautiously and asked hesitantly, "Uncle, is there something important that you summoned me for?"

"The Prince of Jin is seriously ill. What is the situation in the army?"

Sima Fu asked casually.

Sima Wang couldn't quite understand what the other person was saying.

But the man before him was, after all, his biological father. Although Sima Wang had been adopted out, he wasn't adopted as a child, but rather as an adult.

Sima Fu's question was rather strange.

“Uncle, the army is unaware of the Prince of Jin’s situation, so everything is proceeding as usual.”

Sima Wang reported the truth.

"That's good. I went to visit Prince Jin today and found that he was unable to speak and was bedridden. Only his eyes could move."

This situation is truly worrying.

Sima Fu sighed deeply.

Sima Wang nodded and said, "That's true. It's fine for a short time, but if it goes on for too long, it will probably cause turmoil in the court and among the people."

In fact, Sima Wang couldn't even get into Sima Zhao's bedroom, let alone visit him.

The current situation is that everyone is saying Sima Zhao is seriously ill and about to die. However, neither Sima Zhao nor his sons have issued an imperial edict through Cao Huan, nor have they made any troop deployments.

"Yes, you must restrain the soldiers in the army and prevent them from acting recklessly."

Sima Fu nodded, gave Sima Wang a few words of advice, and then sent him back.

Sima Wang was completely baffled, having no idea why Sima Fu had summoned him to the mansion. He left the study inexplicably.

As he stepped out of the gates of the Duke of Changle's mansion, a sudden thought flashed through his mind!
"No!"

Sima Wang shuddered in fright.

(End of this chapter)