Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 186 Join forces
Would Sima Fu rebel?
In Sima Zhao's view, this question was actually unnecessary.

Because Sima Fu was capable of doing anything; it was just a matter of whether it was necessary and appropriate.

Sima Fu was already over seventy years old; power, money, and beauty were all meaningless to him. His only concerns were the Sima family and what would happen after his death.

If Sima Yi's lineage fails to gain significant influence, then Sima Fu will devise a plan to make his own lineage the main branch of the Sima family.

Even if he doesn't actually implement the plan, he will make the necessary preparations.

In other words, in Sima Zhao's view, Sima Fu was an uncontrollable factor! This person had thoughts that "shouldn't have".

A knife is a knife; it shouldn't have its own independent consciousness. This involves the exclusivity of imperial power.

Whether Sima Fu had such intentions or not was unimportant. As long as he was preparing something, it was considered treasonous by Sima Zhao!
During the period when Sima Zhao's family transitioned from a powerful minister's family to the imperial family, his opinion of Sima Fu gradually changed.

From gratitude to fear! And then to wishing the other person dead!

Sima Zhao is currently in a situation that is precisely in the "middle state" where Sima Fu can take action or not.

This means that if Sima Yan is to successfully succeed to the throne and change the dynasty, then this new emperor will need to cede a large amount of political benefits to the Sima Fu lineage!
Why should Sima Yi's family do the bad things, while Sima Fu's family reaps the benefits?

For Sima Zhao, this was unacceptable and intolerable!

Whenever he thought of these things, Sima Zhao would grit his teeth! He only wished to eat at Sima Fu's banquet as soon as possible.

The phenomenon of a minor branch merging with a major branch was already well-known in the Spring and Autumn Period with the famous "Quwo replacing Yi". As for other minor branches merging with major branches among other unknown nobles, there were countless examples, too many to be recorded in historical books.

This is nothing new! Of course, Sima Zhao would be wary.

But Sima Fu was an old coin, an old tortoise who could endure even more than Sima Yi, a "two-faced person" who indirectly caused Cao Mao's death one moment and then wept bitterly over Cao Mao the next.

How can we trap Sima Fu without setting a trap?

If we don't set a trap, wouldn't we be leaving our son Sima Yan with an unfillable pitfall?

How can the Great Jin Dynasty last for thousands of generations if we don't set a trap?
Sima Zhao was filled with bitterness, but he couldn't tell anyone else, not even Sima Yan or Sima You.

He saw Wei Fan comforting him, and only then did he realize the joy and peace of ordinary people, and he was extremely envious!
However, a powerful and influential person like him is not fortunate enough to enjoy such things.

To gain something, you must give something in return; the gifts of fate have already been marked with a hidden price.

The Sima family could never turn back after the fall at Gaoping Mausoleum. Every cause has its effect; their current predicament is merely the culmination of years of accumulated good fortune.

……

Separated by the bedroom door, Sima Yan sat outside waiting, ready to react immediately if Sima Zhao's condition relapsed.

At the same time, by guarding the door, he can effectively block out certain people with "ulterior motives".

Both father and son were preoccupied with their own thoughts, separated only by a door, yet they felt worlds apart.

"Anshi, come here for a moment, something's come up."

Yang Xiu walked up to Sima Yan and whispered in his ear.

Yang Xiu's complexion was not good at the moment, and there was a trace of worry in her eyes.

Sima Yan nodded, stood up, and followed Yang Xiu away. In this critical moment, only Yang Xiu, his classmate and cousin, could be trusted and would never betray him.

It's true what they say: you only realize how little you have when you need it most!

The two went to a secluded side room in the Prince's mansion for a private talk.

Yang Xiu pulled Sima Yan to a corner and said in a barely audible voice, "A scout reports that there is an army of about three thousand men stationed at Fuping Ferry, opposite Mengjin Ferry."

ha?
Sima Yan, who was initially feeling drowsy, was suddenly jolted awake.

"Whose army is that? There shouldn't be any troops stationed here!"

He quickly asked.

Yang Xiu said, "I don't know. The scouts dare not get too close, for fear of being cornered and doing something rash."

Fuping Ferry is only a stone's throw away from Luoyang.

If someone were to meet you and provide a boat, it would only take one night to cross the river and enter the city!
"Here, what should I do?"

Sima Yan was immediately terrified and at a loss for what to do.

An unexpected army appeared near Fuping Ferry, not far from Luoyang, at the critical moment when Sima Zhao was seriously ill.

Who are they, and what are they going to do?
It is not known at this time.

The only certainty is that this army is definitely up to no good. And, they are very likely... from Hanoi.

Since the news came from elsewhere, Yang Xiu couldn't have received it so late. As Sima Yan's trusted chief advisor, his information channels were not much slower than Sima Zhao's.

"How about we summon Sima Wang and ask him?"

Sima Yan asked tentatively.

"No, I suspect it's the troops of Sima Fu, the prefect of Yewang County, and Sima Wang is his own brother!"

Does being adopted mean they're no longer blood brothers?

Yang Xiu said with great distress.

Sima Yan immediately understood.

Sima You was also adopted by Sima Shi, but doesn't that mean he and Sima You weren't biological brothers?
If not, why was he wary of Sima You?

"If it really is Sima Fu's troops, then we're in trouble!"

Sima Yan sighed.

Fuping Ferry is located on the north bank of the Yellow River, and this area is situated at the border between the capital region and Hanoi.

Even if pressed for details, Sima Fu could simply reply, "We pursued the bandits here," and that would be enough to get by.

Where the bandits are, whether they've been caught, and when they'll return to Yewang County—these questions are unimportant. What matters is that Sima Fu has ample reason to stay. As long as Sima Zhao doesn't act, Sima Yan can't do anything to them!
Not to mention that Sima Fu was backing up his three sons, not to mention their family's powerful influence in the Luoyang Imperial Guards!
It is clear what Sima Fu wanted to do, or rather, what he was planning to do.

Whether Sima Zhao was sick or dead, this "Ninja Turtle" would have responded differently.

"Summon Tao Fu here to discuss this matter."

Yang Xiu sighed.

This was an embarrassing situation; asking Sima You for help was tantamount to admitting one's own incompetence. However, Sima You and Sima Yan were, after all, brothers, and compared to Sima Fu's family, Sima You was truly one of their own!

Why not seek help from your own brother now, or are you going to fawn over Sima Fu's family?
Yang Xiu's suggestion was practical and flexible.

"That's fine then."

Sima Yan nodded, ultimately agreeing to Yang Xiu's plan. Two heads are better than one; given the suddenness of the situation, it's always good to discuss things with multiple people.

Yang Xiu then said, "This matter should not be publicized. How about this, I will go to Sima You's private residence, and An Shi, you can wait in front of the Prince of Jin's bedroom."

"Okay, go and come back quickly."

Sima Yan stopped putting on airs at this point and agreed with whatever Yang Xiu said, showing his willingness to accept advice.

The two parted ways after leaving the room. Sima Yan went to Sima Zhao's bedroom and waited at the door, putting on a dutiful act. Yang Xiu, on the other hand, went directly from the Prince of Jin's residence to Sima You's private residence.

Anyway, Sima You only had one private residence in Luoyang, which was not far from the Prince of Jin's mansion; it was just around the corner.

……

Sima You didn't have many servants in his private residence, but they were enough to serve a few people.

Shi Shouxin lay on the warm, soft bed, but he was not sleepy at all. He just lay there fully clothed, his mind racing.

How could he possibly sleep with such a complicated situation?

Even overnight, the situation could change dramatically.

If you need to sleep, you can only sleep during the day! Nighttime is precisely the most dangerous time.

Sima Fu was the most insidious and shameless member of the Sima family, even more so than Sima Yi.

It's hard to say what this person might do.

Whether a person is willing to do something is not important; what matters most is whether they are capable of doing it.

Clearly, Sima Fu was very capable and had a wide network of connections within the Luoyang Imperial Guards. The power controlled by his descendants was also considerable.

"The Sima family has so many troubles!"

Shi Shouxin opened his eyes and couldn't help but curse.

Boom boom boom!
There was a knock on the door.

Shi Shouxin got up from the bed, opened the door, and saw a sleepy-eyed Sima You and... Yang Xiu.

Perhaps feeling a little guilty after being let off the hook by Shi Shouxin in Shu, Yang Xiu adopted a more low-key attitude at this moment. He said to Shi Shouxin, "Sir Shi, the Crown Prince invites you to come to the Prince of Jin's residence."

Shi Shouxin looked at Sima You and saw Sima You nod.

Is this a joint effort?

Shi Shouxin was puzzled, but he said calmly, "There's no time to lose, let's set off now."

The three of them left Sima You's private villa together and walked on the empty street. A gust of wind blew by, and everyone felt the power of the sudden spring chill.

Throughout the journey, no one, including Shi Shouxin, spoke; everyone maintained a rare tacit understanding.

Upon arriving at the Prince of Jin's residence, Sima Yan instructed his servants to prepare wine and dishes in his study.

The four sat at a table, with Sima Yan and Sima You facing each other, and Yang Xiu and Shi Shouxin facing each other.

It could be described as brothers facing each other, confidants facing confidants, with a state of evenly matched strength.

"Across from Mengjin Ferry, at Fuping Ferry, a contingent of about three thousand men was stationed, suspected to be soldiers from Yewang County, Hanoi."

The Prefect of Yewang Commandery was... Sima Fu, the third son of Sima Fu.

Yang Xiu briefed Sima You and Shi Shouxin on what he had learned.

As a staff member serving Sima Yan, Yang Xiu performed his duties exceptionally well, with utmost dedication and effort. This was a stark contrast to his inconsistent and unreliable attitude during the campaign against Shu!
"The Prince of Jin is not ill."

Shi Shouxin dropped a bombshell!
"How can this be!"

Sima Yan suddenly stood up, but saw that Shi Shouxin and Sima You both had calm expressions. Yang Xiu also had a look of sudden realization on his face, and he slowly sat back down in his original position.

Sima Yan faced great risks in inquiring about Sima Zhao's health, but Sima You's situation was different.

Sima Yan was worried that the position of crown prince would slip away from his grasp, but Sima You was not afraid! Anyway, it wouldn't be his turn to sit in that position, and it wouldn't be difficult for him to find out about Sima Zhao's illness!
"Your Highness, the Prince of Jin may indeed be in poor health, but he is not to the point of being unable to speak."

This feigned illness might be related to the current situation. What do you think?

Shi Shouxin countered with a question.

He looked at Yang Xiu and asked, because Yang Xiu was Sima Yan's confidant and chief strategist!

"Just as Yang guessed."

Yang Xiu said in a deep voice, which could be interpreted as his agreement with the information provided by Sima You and Shi Shouxin.

"So, what should we do now?"

Yang Xiu looked at Sima You and asked.

Yes, knowing the current situation is only the first step; the key is how to break the deadlock.

(End of this chapter)