Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 220 Taking the Table for the Feast

Chapter 220 Taking the Table for the Feast (5)

Shi Shouxin only needed to arrest the sons of powerful and wealthy families in Luoyang, but Sima Zhao, who was hiding behind the scenes, had many more things to deal with.

Just as Shi Shouxin was leading his team in Luoyang and had not yet gone to the prison, Wang Yuanji, upon learning that Wang Kai had been arrested, hurriedly went to Sima Zhao to ask what had happened.

"This is a plan we discussed last night. Shi Shouxin is just following orders. I already knew about Wang Kai's matter."

Sima Zhao looked at Wang Yuanji and spoke calmly.

It seems that the tenderness of the past is gone, as if the emperor is telling his concubines what he wants.

Hearing this, Wang Yuanji could hardly believe it. She looked at her husband, with whom she had been together for many years, and he seemed so unfamiliar.

Wang Yuanji was about to unleash her pent-up grievances when she suddenly remembered the scene of a young man pinning her down and kissing her passionately, making love endlessly, and she swallowed her words back.

"Wang Kai is innocent, so why did Shi Shouxin arrest him?"

Wang Yuanji took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and asked in a tentative tone.

"It's just a scheme similar to how Liu Bang enfeoffed Yong Chi. Shi Shouxin will come to the Prince of Jin's residence tonight to report on this matter. You can ask him about it in person then."

Sima Zhao's words only prompted Wang Yuanji to immediately question him: "My lord, you should just wait for the founding ceremony. Why are you making such a fuss? I won't ask about the arrest of Wang Kai, but shouldn't you seriously consider these important matters you're handling now?"

"I'm handling important matters; do I need you to lecture me?"

Sima Zhao looked at Wang Yuanji and shouted at her!
He, who had never spoken ill of his wife in decades, was now speaking so loudly and in such a harsh tone.

Perhaps realizing he had gone too far, Sima Zhao softened his tone and sighed:
"Come to the study tonight and let Shi Shouxin tell you his plans in person."

If you feel something is wrong at that time, you can question him.

If what he says doesn't satisfy you, I'll mediate and let him take a break.

I trust those I employ, and I do not employ those I do not trust. When Sima Fu rebelled, Shi Shouxin was busy with the planning and arrangements, proving he was a trustworthy person.

He may be a bit ruthless in his methods, but he is loyal to me.

Sima Zhao explained to Wang Yuanji, which can be summarized in one sentence: "If there's anything, let the person involved say it to your face."

Instead of arguing with me here right now!

"That's fine then."

Wang Yuanji sighed and stopped worrying about it.

The Prince of Jin and the Emperor may seem like just a small step forward, but it was a giant leap that most powerful ministers could never take in their entire lives.

The difference between them is like heaven and earth!
Sima Zhao was about to become emperor, and he became less courteous to his wife who had always been by his side. This wasn't because Sima Zhao had changed his heart, but rather because his status had changed.

Once you're the emperor, who would stoop to being polite to the old woman who's been with them for decades?
In fact, this was not the first time Wang Yuanji had experienced this feeling, or rather, Sima Zhao had already changed since the news of the successful conquest of Shu arrived.

Everything is different from the past.

For example, someone like Shi Shouxin, who had crossed Sima Zhao, would have been punished by Sima Zhao in the past, given his temperament.

But Sima Zhao was about to become emperor, so his perspective changed. Personal grudges became insignificant in the face of the interests of ruling the world.

Shi Shouxin, a former troublemaker, is now deeply trusted because of his outstanding abilities and hard work.

Everything changed because of the needs of reality.

"I'll take my leave."

Wang Yuanji slowly rose, bowed to Sima Zhao, and then left the study.

Wang Yuanji was the first person to come to Sima Zhao, because she lived in the Prince of Jin's residence. Next, Jia Chong, Wang Shen, Guo Huai's cousin Guo Tong, and others came to Sima Zhao to complain that Shi Shouxin was arresting people without cause and was acting lawlessly.

However, Sima Zhao said something that surprised everyone: "I am just the Prince of Jin. The Commandant of the Capital Region is a central official of the court. I am not the emperor. Why should I interfere with the affairs of court officials?"

These words stumped the person who came to file a complaint.

The current workings both inside and outside the court are governed by "unspoken rules." However, in terms of explicit rules, Sima Zhao and Shi Shouxin, the Commandant of the Capital Region, are not in a direct superior-subordinate relationship.

In other words, if Shi Shouxin wanted to court death, he could completely ignore Sima Zhao's orders!

The Sili Commandant informed the King of Jin of what he had discovered, not because of a superior-subordinate relationship, but simply because of a so-called "personal connection."

It was only because the Prince of Jin was "concerned about national affairs" that the Commandant of the Capital Region "kindly" revealed the inside story, and that was all.

This is also the root cause of the series of internal conflicts that arose when Sima Zhao sent troops to attack Shu. Because the explicit rules were "unclear," some people would exploit the "implicit rules" to fish in troubled waters and profit from the chaos!

Now everyone has come to Sima Zhao to complain, saying that Sima Zhao, as the Prince of Jin, should deal with Shi Shouxin.

But the problem is, why should I?

Judging from the official rules governing the court, Sima Zhao could only notify relevant officials in the central government, such as Zhang Hua and Shan Tao, to write memorials, which would then be sealed by Cao Huan with the imperial seal before being issued as a decree to dismiss Shi Shouxin.

Only in this way can this corrupt official be removed from office. It's not something that can be decided by a single word from Sima Zhao, at least not ostensibly.

Sima Zhao then retorted: This is the emperor's business, what does it have to do with me, the harmless Prince of Jin?

Jia Chong and the others found it difficult to answer, because no one wanted to break the ice.

Finally, Sima Zhao promised to ask Shi Shouxin about the situation when he had the chance, and then sent away all the people who came to complain.

As dusk approached and no one else came, Sima Zhao stretched and a smug smile appeared on his face.

"Shi Shouxin, Shi Shouxin, I was right about you."

Sima Zhao stood up, stretched his body, and muttered to himself.

Today, Sima Zhao witnessed those usually hypocritical and gluttonous high-ranking officials kneeling and begging him for alms.

The way they manipulate the powerful and wealthy, making them crave things they can't have and beg for them in vain, is truly irresistible!

Previously, Sima Zhao had offered many benefits to these people in order to gain their support for his ascension to the throne.

However, he was met with an arrogant attitude, something like, "Give me a high-ranking official position and I'll consider it."

Sima Zhao endured his anger and kept quiet for the sake of his grand plan to change the dynasty, which was driving him crazy.

Now look at this, in just one day, people are kneeling and begging for it. It's so satisfying!

"Soon, you will all be calling me Your Majesty!"

I will no longer refer to myself as "I," but as "朕" (Zhen, the Imperial Emperor)!

Sima Zhao clenched his fists, feeling a surge of blood rushing to his head, and his whole body trembled with excitement.

……

After a day of catching "fat sheep," everyone, from the leaders Shi Shouxin and Shao Ti to the soldiers from Silitai who were doing odd jobs, was exhausted.

After delivering these "fat sheep" to a place in the eastern suburbs of Luoyang called Jingu Garden, which was actually a farm, Shi Shouxin led the team back to Silitai and told everyone to go back and rest.

He himself, escorted by Sima family assassins, went alone to the Prince of Jin's residence to pay his respects to Sima Zhao and report on the day's achievements.

Although Sima Zhao did not notify him to come to the Prince of Jin's residence, Shi Shouxin knew that someone must have complained to Sima Zhao, and among these people, there might even be Wang Yuanji.

Sima Zhao was easily swayed, so it was necessary to consult him early and report back late, so that he would understand the progress of the "major matter" and not back down halfway.

As expected, Shi Shouxin was immediately led to the study as soon as he gave his name to the guards on duty at the gate of the Prince of Jin's residence. In fact, Shi Shouxin and his men had been busy until quite late, even past dinner time, and Sima Zhao was already getting anxious. "Your Highness, this is the list of those arrested today. They are already living in the houses in the Golden Valley Garden. They are free to move around, and it doesn't matter if they try to escape."

Shi Shouxin stepped forward, took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, and placed it on Sima Zhao's desk.

However, what he said was rather strange. Sima Zhao asked with a puzzled look, "It doesn't matter if you run away, what makes you say that?"

"Running away is just fleeing from a crime, and it goes without saying what kind of reputation it will bring if word gets out."

I informed them of this, and they were all very honest; none of them tried to run away.

Shi Shouxin said leisurely, his tone neither hurried nor slow.

Sima Zhao nodded slightly, already understanding what was going on.

These fat sheep today, they all know there's no smoke without fire, and they haven't done anything that would attract the attention of the Sili Commandant!

It's not that they were the best people, but rather that the awful things they did were insignificant in the context of the times.

If they don't run away, there will eventually be an explanation, and they'll most likely be acquitted. After all, their backers will pull strings.

If you run away, even if nothing happened, something will happen!

If nothing's wrong, why did you run?
Since you fled to avoid punishment, how can you prove that you are innocent?
Everyone was smart enough to understand what Shi Shouxin meant immediately.

"Tell me, why did you arrest these people?"

Sima Zhao asked with a smile, clearly in a good mood.

"Your Highness, first of all, the people to be arrested should not be high-ranking officials of the court. If they are arrested, it will easily cause political instability."

Therefore, most of those I arrested today hold no official position. The few who do hold titles have little real power.

Shi Shouxin explained patiently, without a trace of pride or arrogance on his face.

"Well done."

Sima Zhao stood up, fetched a pot of wine, poured a cup for Shi Shouxin, and gestured for him to continue. Clearly, Shi Shouxin's cautious and reasonable approach to matters convinced Sima Zhao that he had not made a mistake in choosing him.

"Secondly, their relatives must include influential figures, such as those with high status or those who wield great power."

For example, Jia Hun's elder brother was Jia Chong, Guo Yu's cousins were all high-ranking officials, and Wang Jun's father, Wang Shen, was the Governor of Jiangbei, and so on.

"If they don't have such relatives or family members, then there's no point in arresting them; even if we did, no one would pull strings for them. Arresting them is just a means; the real goal is to do important things for His Highness."

Shi Shouxin told Sima Zhao what kind of people could become "fat sheep"—those with powerful backers! He wouldn't touch those without such backers, and he wouldn't needlessly broaden the scope of his attacks!

"Okay, I understand. So what do you plan to do next?"
You can't just keep them locked up indefinitely, and you can't actually kill them either.

Sima Zhao looked worried and asked Shi Shouxin.

"Your Highness, everything is difficult at the beginning. Now that we've made a start, things will be much easier later."

Shi Shouxin leaned closer and whispered a few words to Sima Zhao. The latter's furrowed brows instantly relaxed.

"Excellent! Well done!"

Sima Zhao slammed his fist on the table, his heart surging with a volcanic eruption of exhilaration.

As for the matter of "the king and the horse sharing the world," he didn't intend to ask any further. Sima Zhao was already quite certain that Shi Shouxin could handle things well.

"As long as Your Highness continues to play dumb, leave the rest to me. My affairs will not delay the Autumn Equinox celebrations. When the time is right, everything will be different."

Shi Shouxin bowed to Sima Zhao and prepared to leave.

Just as Sima Zhao was about to get up to see him off, he suddenly seemed to remember something and gave an instruction to the servant waiting outside the door.

After finishing, he returned to his desk and sighed to Shi Shouxin:
"The princess is very puzzled by your arrest of Wang Kai and is angry about it."

You can explain to her later that you can agree to any requests she makes.

I understand your plan; just go ahead and do it.

"Your Highness, please rest assured, I am an upright and honest person, and there is nothing I cannot tell the Princess."

Shi Shouxin nodded slightly and said.

Sima Zhao sighed. He liked this kind of subordinate, but it was a little too late. He could only leave it to his son.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Wang Yuanji pushed open the door and entered, almost running all the way, her chest still heaving.

"Ah Lang, may I ask him alone?"

Wang Yuanji looked at Sima Zhao and asked, her expression somewhat unpleasant, as if she was suppressing her anger.

Sima Zhao understood and could only nod in agreement. He knew that Wang Yuanji wanted to throw a tantrum but didn't want him to see it.

Which wife would want her husband to see her being unreasonable, making a scene, and threatening others with a ferocious expression?

Sima Zhao understood perfectly, so he got up and left, closing the door to his study and waiting outside.

After he left, Wang Yuanji's face darkened, and she looked at Shi Shouxin, asking, "What do you mean by spreading rumors outside that the Wang and Ma families share the world? And what do you mean by arresting Wang Kai?"

Shi Shouxin slowly leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, you have a unique fragrance that you can't wash off, right? Can't you smell it yourself?"

"What are you saying! I... I don't understand."

Wang Yuanji turned deathly pale in an instant, and denied it reflexively, without even making up an excuse.

Shi Shouxin smiled knowingly and continued:
"Prince Jin has been busy with state affairs and has probably not been able to touch his queen for a long time."

He certainly didn't know that the princess's fair and delicate body had been stained.

His shoulders, waist, arms, back, and even legs were covered with the marks of the man's kisses.

If he saw it, he would definitely ask how it got there.

"You're lying! There's none at all! I've checked it carefully..."

Wang Yuanji denied it outright, but as she spoke, she realized she had been tricked.

Suddenly, she calmed down. Since the other party was so certain, there was no point in denying it.

"what do you want?"

Wang Yuanji asked in a cold voice.

"I am carrying out my duties for Prince Jin. I hope Your Highness will not interfere or ask any questions. I have no other requests."

As long as the princess doesn't interfere with my duties, I will know nothing.

My mouth is very tight-lipped; I won't say anything silly.

Shi Shouxin bowed to Wang Yuanji.