Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 193 Zhao Ke Man Hu Ying

Xudu was built by Cao Cao to house Emperor Xian of Han. At its peak, it was the political center of Cao Wei. The emperor was held hostage and orders were issued from Xudu.

However, after Cao Pi established the Wei dynasty, the palace here began to decline, and the inner city gradually fell into disrepair.

The outer city, which was attached to the inner city, also declined along with it.

At its peak, this place housed over 100,000 people, but now it is far less developed than before.

After two days of travel, Shi Shouxin arrived in Xudu and couldn't help but sigh with emotion as he looked at the dilapidated outer city walls.

If a city is built too large, it must have a sufficient population to support it and sufficient political needs to ensure that national resources are allocated accordingly.

Otherwise, once the political center shifts, such large cities will decline faster than ordinary cities.

For example, this is the case in Xudu today.

"finally reached!"

Shi Shouxin dismounted and let out a long breath.

He led his horse, followed by two bodyguards, and the three of them headed towards the Imperial Guard camp on the outskirts of Xuchang. The camp was so conspicuous that the military flags erected within could be seen from afar.

Waving in the wind!

When they were still an arrow's throw away from the main camp, the sentry in front of the camp gate blew his whistle at Shi Shouxin.

Soon, more than a dozen crossbowmen filed out and surrounded the three of them, appearing very alert.

Shi Shouxin couldn't help but secretly give him a thumbs up. Whether Sima Liang was a good-for-nothing was another matter, but his younger brother Sima Jun was quite capable in military affairs and was definitely not a good-for-nothing.

This "right wing" should be combat-ready, as can be seen from its daily alert response.

"I am an envoy of the Prince of Jin. Please take me to see the Right General!"

Shi Shouxin looked at the leading captain and said solemnly, his imposing presence and awe-inspiring aura were truly captivating!
Actually, this shouldn't have happened, but they were in such a hurry that they all looked very disheveled, especially Shi Shouxin. Now, people would believe he was a deserter!

"you are……"

The captain looked somewhat surprised and uncertain.

"How dare you! Didn't I say that I am the envoy of the Prince of Jin!"
You've got some nerve interrogating me here!
"Take me to see Sima Jun right now, or I'll chop off your dog's head!"

Shi Shouxin pointed at the man and started cursing.

"Ah? Okay, okay."

"Angel, this way, this way, please."

The captain quickly waved his hand, signaling the sentries surrounding them to leave.

Although he didn't think that someone as filthy as Shi Shouxin could be an envoy sent by Sima Zhao, one can't be too careful.

Anyway, now I only show off to my soldiers.

Even if the tiger's body trembles, it's really just a tremor, and it's of no use.

Before long, Shi Shouxin and the others were led to the entrance of the central command tent. Two guards on duty blocked the entrance with long halberds.

"Lieutenant Li, password!"

The guard asked coldly.

"Are you sick?"

The captain surnamed Li looked at the two men on duty as if they were idiots.

"Password!"

The guard repeated it again, and another man had already put the whistle to his lips.

"The spring equinox rain is as fine as oil."

Lieutenant Li said impatiently, and one of the two guards went in to report. He came out quickly and then cleared the entrance to the military tent.

Sima Jun's strict military discipline is evident.

Shi Shouxin immediately abandoned his underestimation and silently followed behind Li Xiaowei. Only he entered, while the personal guards sent by Sima You were blocked outside the military tent.

Upon entering the command tent, Shi Shouxin saw a middle-aged man in his early thirties sitting in the main seat. He had a short beard on his chin and looked stern.

"My name is Shi Shouxin. I have come from Luoyang to deliver a message for the Prince of Jin."

Shi Shouxin bowed and greeted the middle-aged man in front of him, who could only be Sima Jun.

"Luoyang Shi Gandang?"

Sima Jun looked up in surprise. It was not unusual for Sima Zhao to send someone to deliver a message, but it was quite unusual for him to send Shi Shouxin.

Nowadays, anyone involved in the Wei army or politics would know who Shi Shouxin is.

"Sit down. Where is the letter?"

Sima Jun pointed to the cushion next to the table in front of him and asked Shi Shouxin.

"Here are the letters, one from Sima Yan and one from Sima You."

The Prince of Jin was still ill, unable to speak, and bedridden.

Shi Shouxin handed three letters to Sima Jun. He didn't mention the one from Consort Fu, but simply handed it over along with the others.

Sima Jun read the letter very quickly, finishing it in one go.

Shi Shouxin wasn't sure if he had actually looked at it carefully, because after Sima Jun finished reading it, he said very perfunctorily:
"The troop deployment requires advance preparation of provisions and fodder, and there is no rush to do so within one or two hours."

I can see you've traveled a long way and are covered in scars.

Okay, I'll arrange for you to wash up first, and apply medicine to any injuries.

Have a good meal to relieve your fatigue.

We can discuss the specifics tonight, shall we?

How about it?
Shi Shouxin's heart sank, but a sincere smile appeared on his face. He bowed to Sima Jun and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"No trouble at all. Shi Sima must be tired from your journey. Please rest first, and we can discuss the details tonight."

Sima Jun saw Shi Shouxin out of the military tent and then instructed the Lieutenant Li from earlier to take Shi Shouxin and the others to wash up and have a meal, and to settle them in properly.

Sima Jun then entered the military tent.

Walking through the military camp, Shi Shouxin felt increasingly uneasy.

Sima Jun shouldn't have this attitude.

Not to mention the two personal letters from Sima Yan and Sima You, there was also Consort Fu, who was Sima Jun's mother!

How could he be so indifferent?

Shi Shouxin followed behind Lieutenant Li. When they approached the military tent used for bathing, Shi Shouxin suddenly drew a short knife from his waist and pressed it against Lieutenant Li's lower back.

"Captain Li, could you please escort us inside? I have something I'd like to ask you."

Shi Shouxin used his body to shield the dagger, acting as if he were very close to Lieutenant Li, and then took him into the military tent.

With three against one, Lieutenant Li couldn't even find a chance to draw his sword.

The two men beside Shi Shouxin were Sima You's personal guards, and neither of them were easy to deal with in close combat. Li Xiaowei gave up on treatment after just one glance.

He looked at Shi Shouxin with a bitter face and asked, "My lord, I was slightly negligent at the camp gate before, but it was just a trivial matter. You don't need to take my life, do you?"

Lieutenant Li felt wronged. He had only been a little arrogant just now, but that didn't mean he would secretly kill someone and dispose of the body over a mere disagreement.

"Who cares about such a trivial matter!"

Shi Shouxin reprimanded in a low voice, and Lieutenant Li immediately fell silent.

With a knife to your neck, bowing your head isn't shameful.

"I'm asking you, has anyone come looking for Sima Jun recently? From Luoyang?"

You're a patrol captain, don't tell me you haven't seen any suspicious people.

I don't like to resort to violence; I'm not a casual person.

As Shi Shouxin spoke, he fiddled with the dagger in his hand.

"Yes, yes, it seems to be the son of General Wei, Sima Wang, named something like Sima Hong."

The Right General told me he wasn't Sima Wang's son, but rather adopted by someone else. "The biological father isn't the real father; the stepfather is," so I remember it very clearly.

Lieutenant Li said with some excitement, seemingly no longer concerned about Shi Shouxin's threats. After all, none of them were targeting him.

"Is Sima Hong right?"

Shi Shouxin seemed to have figured something out.

Is he still in this military camp?

Shi Shouxin asked again.

Lieutenant Li thought for a moment and said, "I saw him in the barracks this morning, but it's past noon now, so it's hard to say..."

"Take me to Sima Hong's military tent immediately!"

Shi Shouxin's expression changed drastically, and his tone became very urgent.

He stepped forward and grabbed Lieutenant Li's shoulder. His once heroic face now looked somewhat ferocious!

"I...I don't know which tent he's staying in!"

Lieutenant Li was trembling with fear when the other two men in the tent surrounded him, blocking his escape route.

Not a single crack was left.

"Lieutenant Li, if you succeed in this matter, I will speak well of you to the Prince of Jin, and you might get a promotion."

How about this, I'll start counting, until I reach one hundred.

Take some time to think things through and try to recall them; you might just remember something.

Of course, if I can't remember, in order to avoid leaks, I'll just have to ask you to make do a little.

Shi Shouxin brandished the short knife at Lieutenant Li a few times.

"Ah, I remember now. Last night, the Right General instructed me to prepare a secluded military tent, and to arrange maids, soft couches, and fine wine and delicacies inside."

That must be the military tent where Sima Hong resided; no one else had that privilege.

Under Shi Shouxin's "reminder," Li Xiaowei's mind suddenly became much sharper, and he remembered some "minor matters" that seemed to have nothing to do with Sima Hong, but whose clues vaguely pointed to him.

"Take us there, right now."

Shi Shouxin sheathed the dagger, but then placed his hand on Lieutenant Li's shoulder again.

"Aren't you... going to wash up?"

Lieutenant Li asked in confusion, "Since we're already here, taking a bath won't take long."

"No need. Even if I wash it now, I'll have to wash it again later anyway."

Shi Shouxin said something meaningful, then walked out with his arm around Li Xiaowei's shoulder.

Their actions aroused no suspicion in the military camp. Although some people questioned them casually along the way, Lieutenant Li quickly dismissed them with a few words.

Sima Jun was indeed strict in managing his troops, but since everyone saw each other frequently and were all acquaintances, how could they possibly keep their nerves on edge like that?

The group arrived at an inconspicuous military tent in a corner of the camp. Lieutenant Li said to the two soldiers on duty, "The Right General ordered me to guard this place. You two can go and rest."

I don't know if it's because Sima Jun himself didn't give any special instructions, or if Li Xiaowei was already familiar with them.

In short, the guards on duty at the gate only checked Lieutenant Li's waist tag to confirm his identity, and then left directly.

Surprisingly, Shi Shouxin and the others were not questioned during this time!
Shi Shouxin glanced thoughtfully at Lieutenant Li, thinking to himself: As expected of an army that doesn't fight battles, the tense and solemn atmosphere they put on in peacetime can never compare to the real battle.

"Angels, you may go in. I will stay outside and wait for you to come out."

Lieutenant Li chuckled awkwardly.

"I'll remember you. Don't worry, I'll repay you handsomely."

Shi Shouxin gave a forced smile, patted Li Xiaowei's arm in a friendly manner, and then led two personal guards into the military tent!
After the three went inside, they discovered that there were actually five people inside.

The man in the lead lay on the couch, while the other four were serving him.

Some were massaging shoulders, some were feeding fruit, some were tidying up the table, and one was cutting fruit with a small knife.

It was a scene of servants attending to their master.

"Are you Sima Hong?"

Upon entering the military tent, Shi Shouxin looked at the man on the bed and asked in a cold voice.

"correct."

Sima Hong answered instinctively, then angrily shouted, "Who are you? Who let you in?"

"Hehe, you'll soon find out who I am!"

Shi Shouxin sneered and, taking advantage of the fact that no one, including the two personal guards sent by Sima You, had reacted, quickly ran towards Sima Hong, drew his sword, and thrust it straight at the man's throat!

That was both fast and powerful.

Sima Hong instinctively tried to block with his arm, but one of his hands was cut off at the wrist and his palm flew out!
Soon, everyone inside the military tent realized what was happening.

Sima Hong's attendants were of little use and were quickly cut down by Shi Shouxin's personal guards!

Sima Hong was so frightened that his crotch was wet. He knelt on the ground, clutching his bleeding wrist, and begged, "Spare me! Please spare me!"

He had no idea what he had done wrong. Even as Shi Shouxin's sword slit his throat, Sima Hong was still cursing Sima Jun for being despicable and shameless!
In the blink of an eye, four people were lying on the ground, and one was lying on the bed. Five lives were lost just like that; killing someone was no more difficult than killing a dog.

A strong, pungent smell of blood filled the air.

Lieutenant Li smelled the blood emanating from the military tent and mustered his courage to go inside. He then saw a personal guard beside Shi Shouxin cutting off Sima Hong's head with a knife.

The day before, Sima Hong was the son of Sima Wang. If the dynasty changed, he would inevitably become a king and have his own fiefdom.

Surrounded by admirers, with beauties in his arms, he had almost everything he wanted.

Unexpectedly, he died in Sima Jun's military camp in such a muddled way today.

What's even stranger is that it wasn't Sima Jun who ordered his execution!

Lieutenant Li suddenly felt that life is unpredictable, life and death are predestined, and wealth and honor are determined by fate!
"Ah? Angel, what's wrong with you...?"

Seeing Shi Shouxin wrap Sima Hong's head in a piece of cloth, Li Xiaowei immediately realized that this man was ruthless and definitely not a pampered good-for-nothing who only gave orders.

"Come on, take me to Sima Jun. I need to have a serious talk with him!"

Shi Shouxin picked up the bundle containing Sima Hong's head, and looked at Lieutenant Li with a smile that was truly harmless.

If Lieutenant Li hadn't seen the blood dripping from the other man's bundle, he might have truly believed that everything he had just witnessed was merely a hallucination.

"this way please."

Lieutenant Li noticed his legs were trembling slightly. He steadied himself, took a deep breath, and walked ahead.

He always felt as if there was a ferocious beast behind him, its deep gaze fixed intently on his back.

It made every pore on his body feel like it was... exploding!
Arriving at the central command tent again, a few steps away, the guards at the gate saw that the bundle Shi Shouxin was carrying was still seeping blood.

Without thinking, he immediately blew the whistle hanging around his neck!

Sizzle! Sizzle!
A piercing, sharp sound rang out, and dozens of guards wielding long halberds rushed out from the military tents surrounding the commander's tent, surrounding them completely.

"what happened?"

Sima Jun, holding a sword, emerged from the military tent. He looked around and immediately spotted Shi Shouxin.

The two looked at each other from a distance, neither saying a word.

At this moment, at least dozens of crossbows were aimed at Shi Shouxin. If he made any unusual move, the archers would shoot him dead immediately!

"Sima Jun, I need an explanation!"
The two sons of the Prince of Jin also need an explanation!
Furthermore, the Prince of Jin himself also needs an explanation!
how do you say? "

Shi Shouxin casually tossed the bundle he was carrying aside, and the severed head inside fell to the ground and rolled around until it reached Sima Jun's feet.

Sima Hong died with his eyes wide open, staring directly at Sima Jun!
"All gone!"

Sima Jun waved to the surrounding guards, then looked at Shi Shouxin and said, "Come with me into the tent for a detailed discussion!"

As for Sima Hong's head on the ground, he didn't even glance at it again.

(End of this chapter)