Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 194 The Roar of the Tiger in Luoyang (1)

Inside the central command tent of the Imperial Guard camp outside Xuchang, Sima Jun dismissed his personal guards and sat opposite Shi Shouxin at the desk.

The two men locked eyes, and the atmosphere in the military tent became somewhat heavy.

"Actually, I originally intended to detain Sima Hong today, but I didn't expect that Shi Sima would take action first."

Sima Jun sighed, took out a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Shi Shouxin.

It was actually a letter written in Sima Fu's own handwriting!

"Oh? That's interesting."

Shi Shouxin read the letter quickly, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was sneering with disdain.

Sima Fu, that old tortoise, was indeed plotting something in secret!

In the letter, Sima Fu told Sima Jun:

The situation in Luoyang has become somewhat unstable recently due to the serious illness of the Prince of Jin.

You should stay in Xuchang and not bring troops to Luoyang, lest your troops be used by others.

Once the Prince of Jin has recovered, he will naturally reward those who have contributed.

Do you think this letter is normal?

On the surface, it seems perfectly normal. This is an admonition from an elder to a younger generation, and it also tells Sima Jun: Just don't do anything rash, and don't think about anything else.

Just sit still and you'll get free lunches—what a great deal!

Therefore, Sima Jun hadn't taken it too seriously before. Of course, he couldn't possibly lead troops to Luoyang without receiving orders.

Sima Jun had a vague feeling that Sima Fu, as his "ancestor," writing this letter was like a dog catching a mouse.

It would be more believable if Sima Yan wrote this letter!
However, with Shi Shouxin's arrival today, the things he mentioned have practically laid everything out in the open!

Sima Jun originally planned to hold a banquet in the army tonight, and take the opportunity to have Shi Shouxin and Sima Hong confront each other.

Whoever is guilty is lying, and it will be clear in time.

Unexpectedly, some people don't want to be put on the defensive, nor do they want to play any "self-proof game." Such people have always preferred to be in control.

Thus, the scene of Sima Hong being beheaded today came about.

Now Shi Shouxin has completely taken the initiative, while Sima Jun has become the one who is put on the defensive.

Even if he didn't want to take sides before, he has to now!

"I originally intended to have Shi Sima and Sima Hong confront each other tonight, but now it seems there's no need for that."

Sima Jun sighed, then asked, "Is this the Crown Prince's or the Prince of Jin's intention to order me to immediately mobilize troops to Luoyang to defend the Emperor?"

"The Prince of Jin has never been in good health, so he often encourages his son to reflect on himself three times a day."

The Prince of Jin is currently in a state of alternating lucidity and delirium, so it is naturally impossible for him to issue such an order. Therefore, I can only say that this is indeed the Crown Prince's intention.

But it might also be the Prince of Jin's intention.

Shi Shouxin spoke the truth.

Of course, he wasn't in a hurry at all. In the end, it would definitely be the Sima family who died. He had already done his best to help Sima Yan and Sima Zhao.

"That's it, I understand."

Sima Jun nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, seemingly considering something.

He was different from Sima Liang.

Sima Liang knew he wouldn't achieve anything significant, so he didn't consider many issues. Shi Shouxin advised him to return to Guanzhong to mobilize troops to defend the emperor, so he obediently went back to mobilize troops.

However, Sima Jun had his own ideas and judgments about the current situation, and he would not simply obey whatever Shi Shouxin said.

What seemed difficult and urgent to Shi Sima was not so to me.

My uncle (Sima Fu) probably just wants the heir to bow down.

The prince lowered his head and begged him, and then he stepped forward and helped the prince ascend to the throne.

This solves the predicament.

Even if I don't lead troops to Luoyang, it will be fine.

Sima Jun spoke calmly, as if discussing something completely unrelated to himself. Perhaps in Sima Jun's view, Sima Yan's excessive power was not necessarily a good thing for him.

"That's true, but what if the Crown Prince doesn't want to back down?"

Shi Shouxin countered with a question.

"The Crown Prince will definitely back down; this matter isn't that serious."

On the contrary, if I lead troops to Luoyang, something unexpected will happen.

If Yuan Shikai hadn't been blinded by greed and led Dong Zhuo's army into Luoyang, how could Dong Zhuo have succeeded?
The four armies—front, rear, left, and right—should not have appeared in Luoyang at all.

Sima Jun sighed.

Shi Shouxin sat up straight, realizing that he had underestimated Sima Jun.

Sima Jun did not want to lead troops to Luoyang to "serve the emperor" not because he had taken sides; on the contrary, it was out of a sense of public duty.

They don't want to take sides, nor do they want the framework of national governance to collapse.

“Your idea isn’t wrong, but what if I told you that the Prince of Jin… was faking illness?”
What if this was all a setup from the very beginning?

Shi Shouxin smiled slightly and calmly threw out his trump card.

Sima Zhao was feigning illness, unlike Sima Zhao who was truly seriously ill and on his deathbed.

These are two completely different situations, and Sima Jun's response will also be completely different.

The former, needing to prove his loyalty, inevitably found himself in a flurry of activity.

He can handle the latter situation calmly by simply waiting for the right price.

"I see. The Prince of Jin wanted to clear obstacles for the Crown Prince. This was a plan to lure the snake out of its hole."

Sima Jun suddenly understood. In this way, many things that were previously inexplicable could now be explained.

"Forgive my bluntness, but if General Right does not go to Luoyang this time..."

Whoever sits in that position in the future, you... will surely die.

No matter who sits in that seat, they won't tolerate you!
This period of time will probably not be too long, at most three to five years.

"It could even be next year." Shi Shouxin said to Sima Jun. This wasn't a threat; it was simply stating a fact.

Upon hearing this, Sima Jun fell silent.

Lies never hurt anyone; only the truth is a sharp knife. If Shi Shouxin is merely exaggerating, then Sima Jun can simply laugh it off.

Who would take such nonsense seriously? Whatever he says, just treat it like a dog barking wildly on the roadside.

However, this game is now Sima Zhao testing the "loyalty" of his ministers and members of the imperial clan!
Once loyalty has been proven, then rewards will naturally be given in recognition of merit.

The total amount of political resources is limited; rewarding one person will inevitably lead to punishing another.

Who will be punished? Most likely, it will be those who failed the test!

Not to mention, there are also promising newcomers like Shi Shouxin who performed exceptionally well in this "test" and gained the trust of the Prince of Jin's lineage.

They too shall receive their share of the reward!
Shi Shouxin was not lying; on the contrary, he was very frank and straightforward.

Sweat beaded on Sima Jun's forehead, and a deep-seated fear rose from the bottom of his heart.

He couldn't and dared not skip this trip.

If we do not go, we may face utter destruction, just as Shi Shouxin said.

"I will muster my troops tomorrow and rush to Luoyang to defend the emperor. I request that Commander Shi accompany me."

The grain transport convoy followed behind, and there were no major obstacles between Xuchang and Luoyang; they could go directly there.

This will certainly not delay the Prince of Jin's plans.

Sima Jun finally made up his mind and slammed his fist hard on the table. Once he took this step, there was no turning back.

The fastest way is to move troops first, followed by supplies. The Luoyang region itself didn't lack food, so logistical concerns were somewhat reduced.

"In that case, I, Shi, thank General You."

You killed Sima Hong and immediately led troops to defend the emperor; I believe the Prince of Jin will remember these things.

The future will surely bring great rewards.

Shi Shouxin blatantly implied that since Sima Zhao was going to pay the bill anyway, he didn't care about making empty promises.

Sima Jun smiled bitterly. Even if he explained to Sima Wang that he did not kill Sima Hong, would Sima Wang believe him? Even if he pretended to believe him, wouldn't he hold a grudge?

These are all obvious.

Shi Shouxin killed Sima Hong with his own hands, but Sima Hong was killed by Sima Jun.

That's the logic!
Sometimes, killing someone really isn't such a big deal!
Sima Jun originally wanted to be "selfless," but the rules of human nature left him with no choice at all.

When the wind blows, those who sit on the fence will be the first to die.

From the moment Shi Shouxin killed Sima Hong, Sima Jun had no way out.

"Sima Shi, I now have a general understanding of how Zhong Hui was defeated in Shu."

You truly are both intelligent and courageous; I underestimated you.

Sima Jun looked at Shi Shouxin and sighed. He truly admired the man in front of him.

They entered the military camp, feigned ignorance, secretly inquired about the reasons, and then acted as quickly as possible to create a fait accompli.

These things seem simple to outsiders, but when it really comes down to it, who can make a decisive decision and get things done as smoothly as this?
Of all the people he knew, not a single one!

However, Shi Shouxin remained unmoved by Sima Jun's flattery.

He waved his hand casually and said:

"General Right, you are joking. As the saying goes, those who follow the right path will find many helpers, while those who stray from it will find few."

Zhong Hui betrayed his master and established himself; his many unrighteous deeds will inevitably lead to his downfall.

Mr. Shi was merely going with the flow; rumors from outsiders are unreliable and are all just empty titles.

Like floating clouds in the sky.

Seeing that the other party wasn't buying it at all, Sima Jun changed the subject and asked, "Is the Crown Prince's plan to lead troops to Luoyang?"

"Of course, but that's not all."

We can discuss the specifics once we reach Luoyang; it's not too late then.

Shi Shouxin deliberately kept Sima Jun hanging, speaking slowly.

In reality, Sima Yan had no plan at all! The so-called "heir apparent's plan" was actually Shi Shouxin's own plan.

Sima Jun is a dishonest fellow, so his plan cannot be revealed to the other party. In case things come to a head, Sima Jun might back down.

It's hard to say what might happen.

Shi Shouxin hated the situation where his trusted subordinates weren't around, leaving him feeling tied up and unable to carry out his duties. But life is unpredictable, and such situations are often the norm in reality.

However, the strong never complain about their circumstances. If there are no difficulties, they'll create them and overcome them.

"That's fine then."

Sima Jun nodded, feeling a sense of frustration, as if he were being led by the nose, but he didn't know how to vent it.

……

On the very day Shi Shouxin left Luoyang, Sima Fu submitted a memorial to the court (that is, he handed the memorial to Cao Huan), in which he stated:
Recently, a huge comet appeared in the west, and it is said that "red aura filled the fields" and "stars fell like rain," which is an omen of impending disaster! There must be treacherous people in the court causing trouble and deceiving the emperor!

Therefore, Your Majesty is requested to convene a court assembly soon, so that all the ministers may gather together to discuss a solution.

That villain must be found and dealt with decisively, so as not to suffer divine retribution!
This memorial was terrifying! After reading it, Cao Huan trembled with fear and could barely speak!
There are "treacherous people causing trouble" in the court. So, who exactly is this treacherous person?

It's so hard to guess! Cao Huan certainly couldn't figure out who this person was!

Cao Huan certainly couldn't issue an order to convene a court assembly; he didn't have the guts.

He handed Sima Fu's memorial to Minister He Zeng, who then sent it to the Prince of Jin's residence.

It was delivered to Sima Zhao's desk.

Now, Sima Zhao, who had been feigning illness, could no longer keep up the act.

If he doesn't "wake up" in time, then this court assembly will be the execution ground for stripping him of his title as Prince of Jin!
When Sima Yan rejected the conditions proposed by Sima Fu, that old turtle of the Sima family completely dropped his pretense!

Dark clouds began to gather over Luoyang, forming a thick, sticky haze.

(End of this chapter)