Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 184 Crisis lurks everywhere
After a long and arduous journey, taking two days and one night by alternating between water and land, Sima You, Shi Shouxin, and their companions finally arrived at the city gate of Luoyang.

It was noon, the city gates were open, and people were coming and going in a steady stream, and nothing seemed amiss.

Sima You breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, let's return to the Prince of Jin's residence now."

Shao Ti spoke to Sima You, but Sima You did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Shi Shouxin.

Now, Shi Shouxin is the backbone, and this is so obvious that even outsiders can see it at a glance.

"Go to the southern suburbs first and find someone."

Shi Shouxin looked at Sima You and said.

"Let's go to the southern suburbs first!"

Sima You gave orders to the two guards behind him without hesitation. Shao Ti glanced at Shi Shouxin thoughtfully, but did not stop him. He mounted his horse and rode with them toward the south gate of Luoyang.

The person Shi Shouxin was looking for was Wei Fan, a renowned doctor he knew well.

Whether Sima Zhao is ill or not needs to be examined by a familiar physician.

……

"Shi Gandang, if you wish to cure the Prince of Jin's illness, I am afraid that I am powerless to do so."

Please go back."

In Wei Fan's small courtyard, the doctor who was drying medicinal herbs rejected Shi Shouxin's suggestion without hesitation, giving a very straightforward answer.

"Mr. Wei, this matter is of great importance. Considering the filial piety of the second son of the Prince of Jin, I would be grateful if you could take a look."

Doctors have the hearts of parents; how can they bear to see their children unable to fulfill their filial duties?

Shi Shouxin grabbed Wei Fan's sleeve and pointed at Sima You, desperately trying to wink at Wei Fan.

When filial piety is involved, things become extraordinary.

Your Majesty, we believe that the Holy Dynasty governs the world with filial piety, for it is precisely because filial piety leads to strength!

Who dares to criticize or shirk responsibility? If Wei Fan refuses this time, he'll lose his head!

Wei Fan sighed helplessly and nodded, saying, "I'll lay out these medicinal herbs and then head to the Prince of Jin's residence."

Shao Ti was getting anxious. What was Wei Fan's little bit of traditional Chinese medicine? Was it more important than Sima Zhao's illness?

He was about to speak when Shi Shouxin reached out and stopped him.

"Shao Si Cao, a doctor's heart is like that of a parent. These medicines may not be valuable, but they are prepared for the patients' prescriptions."

Let's not let Mr. Wei become a man of his word.

His words had a double meaning, and Wei Fan couldn't help but glance up at Shi Shouxin, but he didn't say anything and just continued with what he was doing. Half an hour later, the courtyard was full of Chinese herbs ready to be dried, filling more than a dozen winnowing baskets.

"You can go now."

Wei Fan smiled and nodded to Shi Shouxin, but he didn't even glance at the others.

Sima You breathed a sigh of relief and saw Wei Fan enter the house to get the medicine box.

Everyone rode on horseback, except for Shi Shouxin, who boarded Wei Fan's oxcart and rode with the physician.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around and everyone else was riding their horses a little further away, Shi Shouxin leaned over and whispered instructions to Wei Fan:
"After we enter the Prince of Jin's residence and he has been treated, someone will definitely instruct you on how to describe the Prince of Jin's condition to outsiders."

Don't worry about these things, just say what they told you to say. Even if a knife is held to your throat later, don't change your story.

This is a matter of great importance; do not hesitate.

Upon hearing this, Wei Fan's heart tightened, and he nodded, asking, "Is there anything else?"

Shi Shouxin continued to instruct:

"Yes, yes. When you leave Prince Jin's bedroom, there will definitely be many people blocking the entrance of Prince Jin's residence. I should be there too."

Don't go out yet; check if I'm there. If you see me, then step out of the bedroom.

If the Prince of Jin is merely feigning illness, then step over the threshold with your left foot.

If the Prince of Jin is truly seriously ill, you should step over the threshold with your right foot.

If there's no threshold, you can just step out the door with the corresponding foot; I can see you.

At other times, don't give me or anyone else any hints.

Don't talk to me anymore, and try not to talk to anyone else.

Only in this way can one save their life.

Once you're inside the Prince of Jin's residence, you probably won't be able to leave for a while.

"In this urgent situation, I had to act expediently. I am truly sorry, and I apologize to you here."

Shi Shouxin spoke at length, and Wei Fan finally nodded, his expression softening slightly. He now realized that he was involved in a major affair.

This matter could be a matter of life and death for him, as well as the continuation of his family.

The group arrived at the Prince of Jin's residence. Everything outside the gate was calm and nothing seemed amiss, but once inside, the atmosphere inside became noticeably tense.

Although it wasn't to the point of having guards every three steps and sentries every five, there were still scattered patrols of personal guards that could be seen at any time. The servants in the mansion were not allowed to move around freely.

Sima Yan stood silently outside the bedroom of Sima Zhao in the Prince of Jin's residence.

Upon seeing Sima You arrive, he quickly stepped forward and grasped the man's arm. Yang Xiu, who was behind him, also came over, but her expression changed slightly when she saw Shi Shouxin behind Sima You.

"I was halfway there when Shao Ti caught up with me. How is Father's condition?"

Sima You asked softly, but his tone was unusually urgent.

"He lay in bed unable to speak, but could move his body slightly, and the imperial physician Sima Chengju was attending to him inside."

"Father needs to rest and is not in a position to receive guests," Sima Yan said with a sigh.

"Is it inconvenient for us too?"

Sima You asked incredulously.

But Sima Yan nodded and said, "Father didn't just fall into this state in the blink of an eye. Before he fell into a coma, he gave some instructions to Shao Ti. You can go and ask him."

Sima You looked at Shao Ti, who nodded and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. It was Prince Jin who forbade me to speak of this matter. Only physicians are allowed to enter this room. Moreover, only one physician can enter at a time."

"Then let this famous doctor examine my father; it won't be a problem."

Sima You pointed to Wei Fandao. Sima Yan nodded, stepped back a few paces, and made way for the doorway.

“Prince Jin, I have summoned Tao Fu back, and he has also invited a renowned physician to examine you.”

Shao Ti called out into the house. Soon, the sound of bells came from inside.

The door to the house was opened, and a young physician came out. He was stern-faced and did not speak to anyone else; he just stood there.

Wei Fan walked straight in and closed the door behind him.

On the bed, Sima Zhao stared at Wei Fan with his eyes open, without saying a word, whether he was unable to speak or did not want to speak.

Wei Fan placed the medicine box on the ground, pressed the pulse on Sima Zhao's left hand, and then looked at Sima Zhao with a strange expression and a probing look on his face.

Sima Zhao extended his right hand and made a shushing gesture to his lips.

Wei Fan nodded slightly, and then saw Sima Zhao smile and beckon him. Wei Fan leaned closer, and Sima Zhao whispered, "This concerns matters of great importance to the military and the state. After you leave, tell them that your illness is severe, and you are temporarily unable to speak, with no possibility of recovery. Tell them that I need to rest quietly and cannot see anyone."

Wei Fan nodded again, and Sima Zhao had already lay down again.

Wei Fan didn't know if feigning illness was a traditional skill of the Sima family, but he felt that Sima Zhao was really good at faking it!
After sitting inside for a while, Wei Fan got up, paused as he pushed open the door, and glanced at the person standing outside. Seeing Shi Shouxin staring intently at him, Wei Fan then stepped over the threshold with his left foot!

Shi Shouxin's heart was filled with turmoil, but his face remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed Wei Fan coming out at all.

"Mr. Wei, how is the Prince of Jin's condition?"

Sima Yan pulled Wei Fan's arm and asked in a low voice.

Wei Fan shook his head and said, "He has suddenly fallen ill with a wind-related illness and cannot speak. I'm afraid it's... unlikely to be cured."

His statement is very similar to Cheng Ju's statement; they both mean the same thing.

Shao Ti quickly led Wei Fan to another courtyard, where the physicians who had come to treat Sima Zhao were arranged to "wait on standby" and were ready to "consult" with Sima Zhao at any time.

“Brother, it seems Father’s illness won’t get better in a day or two. It’s not a good idea for you to stay here alone. How about we take turns keeping watch over him?”

Sima You asked Sima Yan.

It's about fulfilling filial piety; the two brothers each get half. There's an underlying, unspoken wariness.

This kind of thing cannot be entrusted to others, whether from the perspective of filial piety or safety.

Sima Yan nodded and said, "That's very good. I'll guard it today, and Tao Fu will guard it tomorrow. Let's arrange it like this."

Sima You bowed to Sima Yan, and then left the Prince of Jin's residence with Shi Shouxin and others, arriving at his residence in Luoyang.

After dismissing his personal guards, Sima You looked solemnly at Shi Shouxin and asked, "How is it?"

"The Prince of Jin is feigning illness; something big may be about to happen."

Shi Shouxin said in a deep voice.

Sima You was greatly alarmed and grabbed his sleeve, asking, "How did you know, Mr. Shi?"

Shi Shouxin recounted the secret code he had discussed with Wei Fan on the way, leaving Sima You speechless.

This method actually works!

However, we still live in a world that values ​​performance.

Whether it works or not, it all comes down to the result. Any underhanded trick, no matter how unorthodox, is a good trick if it ultimately achieves the goal.

Who would have thought that simply stepping out with the left foot first could transmit a message? Who the hell could even figure that out!

Sima You couldn't help but think even more highly of Shi Shouxin's abilities.

The two sat down at the table, and Sima You sighed and said, "Why would Father pretend to be sick? Could it be that he wants to harm my elder brother? It doesn't seem like that would be the case."

Previously, Sima You had no idea that there was any conflict between Sima Zhao and Sima Yan, or rather, that Sima Zhao was clearly paving the way for Sima Yan.

It's incomprehensible that they're now turning their attention to the eldest son.

Sima Zhao was not Li Longji after all; he did not have the vicious precedent of a tiger devouring its own cub.

In my opinion, the Prince of Jin's actions may not necessarily be aimed at you and your brother.

Firstly, the Sima clan isn't just comprised of a few of you; aren't the others also a threat?

Secondly, besides the Sima clan, are there no other people in power in the court?

Shi Shouxin made two hypothetical statements, which were like two swords piercing Sima You's back.

Sima Zhao's methods were not aimed at him and Sima Yan at all; it was just unclear who he intended to deal with.

If even Sima Zhao's two sons didn't know what the Prince of Jin was planning, then it was even less likely that anyone else would know.

Who knows, this might actually be a brilliant move?
Shi Shouxin had a question mark in his mind.

He lowered his head, lost in thought and silent, while Sima You paced back and forth in the room like an ant on a hot pan.

After a long while, Shi Shouxin finally raised his head and asked, "Have you figured out the peach charm yet?"

Sima You shook his head, then plopped down on the cushion, and couldn't help but sigh, "I really don't understand what Father is trying to do, and why he's keeping it from me and my brother."

He looked at Shi Shouxin, feeling a habitual sense of dependence in his heart.

(End of this chapter)