Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 224 A Rebellious Spirit Behind His Head

Jia Chong's letter contained few hints and was written in plain language.

However, even though the contents of the letter were nothing special, the letter itself clearly told Shi Shouxin: your work is done, now it's time for us old guys to put on a show.

I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Shi Shouxin stood up, walked to the door, and gave Zhao Lun a few instructions.

Jia Yu stood by the simple bed, looking at him, unsure whether he should continue standing or sit down.

Or perhaps they are lying down.

She knew perfectly well why she was there tonight.

At this moment, Jia Yu's face still showed an unnatural shyness. Remembering what his mother had said before he left, his heart was beating very fast.

It almost jumped out of my throat.

Before long, Zhao Lun brought over many wine jugs and some food boxes filled with fruit. Several guards busied themselves arranging the fruit on the table before leaving.

While mixing honey and fruit juice from the wine jug into the empty wine jug, Shi Shouxin added white wine made from grapes and high-proof Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), pouring out a little bit every now and then to flavor it.

The wine jug was placed in a wooden basin filled with ice, from which wisps of white steam continuously rose.

Although Jia Yu came from an official family, this was the first time she had ever seen someone so particular about drinking wine.

Soon, curiosity overcame the distracting thoughts in her mind, and she watched Shi Shouxin bustling around, feeling that he was very capable.

Can you drink alcohol?

After the iced honey syrup was prepared, Shi Shouxin looked at Jia Yu and asked him a question.

"Yes, I've drunk alcohol before."

Jia Yu nodded quickly.

In ancient times, people did not have the habit of drinking boiled water, and there are many examples of the harms of drinking raw water. Therefore, they often drank alcohol not because they loved alcohol, but because they wanted to live longer.

Cocktails with fruit juice and honey were often a daily staple for aristocratic women.

As for why Shi Shouxin could mix drinks anytime, anywhere, that was simply part of the daily life of the powerful and wealthy in the Great Wei Dynasty.

"Come sit down, let's chat."

Shi Shouxin pointed to the spot next to him.

Jia Yu walked over and knelt on the cushion. She saw the iced honey syrup that Shi Shouxin had prepared for her; it was red, like fresh blood.

Why would white wine be mixed to resemble red syrup?

A question popped into Jia Yu's mind, but she didn't want to delve into it. She picked up her wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Its delicate aroma is refreshing and its sweet taste fills the mouth. More importantly, there is absolutely no trace of alcohol in it.

"It's delicious!"

She glanced at Shi Shouxin, and because of his gentleness and care, a sweet feeling seemed to flow into her heart along with the wine.

Jia Yu poured herself another cup and drank it all in one gulp, thoroughly enjoying it. However, as she poured herself a third cup to drink, Shi Shouxin gently pressed down on the back of her hand.

"Drink slowly."

"it is good."

Jia Yu put down his wine glass, then thought for a moment and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I don't usually dare to act like this at home. My stepmother doesn't like me, and my mother is very strict. Ah Lang is so good to me, so I just let myself go."

Perhaps she drank too quickly, because a charming blush appeared on her face, and her mind was a little foggy. Naturally, she nestled into Shi Shouxin's arms.

"Your father knows that this is the happiest and most relaxed moment for me."

I've finished my business in Luoyang, so it's time for me to relax and have some fun.

When you bring good news, I'll find you even more pleasing to the eye. That's only human nature.

Besides, you're such a lovely young lady, what man could resist you?
I will definitely take good care of you.

Your father meant well.

Shi Shouxin sighed, simply put his arm around Jia Yu's shoulder, but made no further move.

"Ah Lang, I'm so stupid, I don't understand anything you and my father were talking about."

Emboldened by alcohol, Jia Yu slid directly into Shi Shouxin's arms, resting her head on his lap, and reaching out her fair little hand to stroke his cheek.

She squinted at her man, finding him increasingly pleasing to the eye, a slight smile playing on her lips. A strange emotion welled up within her; she longed to be held in his arms and kissed.

However, Shi Shouxin had no interest in sexual intercourse at the moment; he was just bored and wanted to talk to someone.

"The world is vast. Beyond the East Sea, there are islands and continents."

There are many wonderful things in the world: airplanes fly in the sky, cars run on the ground, and submarines swim in the sea.

Your father, along with those around him, the Prince of Jin, and all the powerful and influential people in Luoyang, only had their own little plot of land under their feet in their eyes.

Like a frog at the bottom of a well, they look up at the sky and seem to enjoy it immensely.

Their vision is only three inches long.

I came to Luoyang to deal with them, and I couldn't even speak my mind. It was exhausting.

Shi Shouxin couldn't help but sigh, muttering words that Jia Yu couldn't understand.

"Ah Lang is really amazing! He's so young and he's already discussing politics with my father. I never even dared to dream of that."

But I don't understand anything you're saying.

Jia Yu gave a perfunctory reply, then squinted and said in her unclear, halting voice, "The first time I saw Alang at Mother's house that day... it was such a pleasant surprise. My sister's husband is not as good as Alang. I've been wanting to see you and thinking about you all these days..."

She kept rambling on and on, sometimes saying that Guo Huai bullied her at home and that she was scolded every few days, and sometimes talking about how strict her mother was with her.

As they were talking, Jia Yu fell asleep.

Shi Shouxin placed her on the cushion, then stood up and walked to the door, instructing Zhao Lun, who was eavesdropping outside, "Prepare the carriage; I need to go into the city on business."

"My lord, tonight is a night of passion, and we cannot waste a single moment. What are you doing..."

Seeing that Shi Shouxin's clothes were intact, Zhao Lun asked with a puzzled look.

Such a beautiful woman, I only regret that I cannot hold her in my arms and savor her sweet taste, how could I possibly send her home?

Zhao Lun didn't understand, but he would resolutely carry out the order.

"Go and get ready, there's so much to do."

Shi Shouxin waved his hand lightly and said something casually. Then he sat down at the table, picked up his pen and wrote a letter. After finishing the letter, Shi Shouxin folded the paper and stuffed it into the crevice of Jia Yu's clothes.

Shi Shouxin carried Jia Yu into the carriage, and Zhao Lun, acting as the coachman, cracked the whip, and the carriage slowly moved forward, heading towards Luoyang City.

Lifting the carriage curtain, Shi Shouxin saw the tranquil night sky, the bright moonlight illuminating the earth. He looked at Jia Yu, who was sleeping soundly against him, and couldn't help but smile. He gently leaned down and kissed the other's rosy lips.

It's very soft and sweet.

"Since we're going to live together in the future, I can't treat you like a sacrifice. Just thinking about such a disgusting thing makes me feel sick."

Jia Chong, stop thinking up such despicable and underhanded tricks.

Does having a good time tonight mean I'll treat her well in the future?
Because of her, I was forced to fight Sima Yan to the death. Since I know this world is cruel and ruthless, why should I constantly scheme against it?
Laugh while you can, because you might not have the chance again.

Shi Shouxin muttered to himself, stroking Jia Yu's hair.

"I told you not to drink anymore, but you still drink like a glutton."

You shouldn't listen to your mother. Do you think I don't know how to handle women? Do I need you to seduce me?

Do you think that just because I'm drunk I'll take off your clothes and go to bed with you?

"Now that the important business is done, it's time to enjoy the moon. I finally have a rare opportunity to avoid dealing with those old bastards, but all you can think about is making love to me in bed."

Shi Shouxin grumbled irritably and pinched Jia Yu's nose.

With the token of the Commandant of the Capital Region, they entered Luoyang City without hindrance. The carriage entered Yongnian Lane under the cover of night and stopped outside the Li family residence.

Shi Shouxin swept the boneless Jia Yu up in a princess carry, then instructed Zhao Lun to knock on the door.

Much later, Li hurriedly opened the courtyard gate and let Shi Shouxin carry Jia Yu into the courtyard. "Captain Shi, what's going on...?"

Li looked surprised, not understanding why Shi Shouxin had sent Jia Yu back.

Seeing her daughter smiling and occasionally squirming in Shi Shouxin's arms, she looked embarrassed and was speechless for a moment.

Before Jia Yu left, Li gave her daughter detailed instructions on what to do if Shi Shouxin made unwanted advances towards her, how to play hard to get, how to respond when kissing, and how to drink alcohol in a way that would naturally make her drunk so that her subconscious resistance during intimacy would spoil the mood.

In short, tonight is your wedding night. Don't think about anything else. Just get wild under the old lecher's guidance and that's it.

But to her utter surprise, Shi Shouxin actually sent the person back! Judging from the fact that the clothes were intact, nothing must have happened.

After sitting awkwardly in the courtyard for a long time, Li finally composed herself and sighed helplessly, "Today I learned that wolves can eat grass too. It's truly an eye-opener."

Shi Shouxin didn't respond, but simply smiled and asked, "Where is the bedroom?"

"That's the one."

Li pointed to a dark, dimly lit room not far away.

Shi Shouxin nodded, carried Jia Yu into the side room, laid him on the bed, and then left the room.

At this moment, Li looked at him with a meaningful look in her eyes.

"Does Captain Shi... look down on you?"

Li frowned slightly and asked.

"The waters of the Canglang River are clear; I can wash my tassels there."
The waters of the Canglang River are muddy, but I can wash my feet in them.

Jia Yu wasn't the type to wash my feet.

Shi Shouxin waved his hand gently and said, answering Li's question in one sentence.

"So it turns out that old dog Jia Chong underestimated you."

Li sighed, a smile appearing on her face, seemingly showing great admiration for Shi Shouxin.

"In the future, whether it's me, Jia Yu, or your whole family, we will all experience those great terrors between life and death."

There will definitely be deception, betrayal, and harm, just like when you were exiled to Liaodong.

Since that's something that will happen in the future, we should cherish the present moment instead of giving up entirely.

"You treat Jia Yu like merchandise, so am I supposed to treat her like merchandise too?"

Shi Shouxin subtly pointed out what Jia Chong and Li Shi were plotting. Tears welled in Li Shi's eyes; she wiped them away with the corner of her dress, then smiled and asked, "When will you come to take Jia Yu away?"

"I'll take her with me when I leave Luoyang, but the exact time is uncertain."

Tonight, for the first time, Shi Shouxin showed a look of worry on his face.

Li Wan gave a helpless, bitter smile and said:
Pei Xiu always said that Jia Yu was a blessed person.

She's a bit slow-witted, and I've always worried about her, so I haven't dared to marry her off.

I only realized today that the saying "fools are lucky" is not without reason.

I am powerless to stop Jia Chong's scheme, and bloodshed is inevitable in the future.

I am relieved that Captain Shi, having seen all this, still treats Jia Yu with genuine sincerity.

"You'll have to stay here tonight, otherwise I won't be able to explain to that old dog Jia Chong."

Li pleaded.

"I understand. I will trouble you tonight. However, it is really inappropriate to share a room with Jia Yu. This is truly not possible."

Shi Shouxin bowed to Li Shi and then walked towards... Wei Xiu's room, very decisively and efficiently.

Jia Chong will definitely come to find out how Jia Yu spent the night, as it relates to his plans.

A new dynasty was established, and the curtain rose. He submitted a petition urging the new emperor to ascend the throne, and sold his daughter to find powerful allies.

All of these measures are geared towards the political situation over the next one or two decades.

Sima You and Shi Shouxin, as brothers-in-law, opposed Sima Zhong and the Guo family; this was a strategic move by Jia Chong to secure the future of the Jia family.

This is an internal power struggle between the Li and Guo families, and also a power struggle in the court for the next generation of the Sima clan.

Regardless of who wins, Jia Chong will take a share!

But Shi Shouxin had his own bottom line; he didn't want to be manipulated and insisted on going against Jia Chong.

"Old dog, old dog, you've met your match."

Watching Shi Shouxin's retreating figure, Li chuckled and shook her head. "That man is truly stubborn! Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it."

Jia Chong wanted Jia Yu to serve him in bed that night, but Shi Shouxin deliberately refused to let her, even when she stayed at Li Shi's place, he wouldn't share a room with her.

This expresses the attitude of not being willing to be manipulated by Jia Chong.

……

After Jia Chong submitted his petition urging Cao Huan to ascend the throne, similar petitions poured into Luoyang's Jinyong City like snowflakes, causing Cao Huan considerable turmoil.

Cao Huan's original plan was for one person, or a group of people, to submit a petition demanding the emperor's abdication. After all, this was a foregone conclusion; Sima Zhao had been plotting for decades, waiting for this very day.

But so many court officials and so many "letters of persuasion to resign" were slapping Cao Huan in the face, it seemed... a bit too much.

No matter what, the emperor is still the emperor, even if he's a useless piece of trash!
Cao Huan became enraged and went on a hunger strike for a day to express his dissatisfaction.

Then, in a fit of anger, he went on a hunger strike, but no one paid him any attention.

The food's here, eat it or don't! If you don't eat it, feed it to the dog!

When Zheng Chong delivered the prepared abdication edict, Cao Huan, who had been nearly driven mad by hunger, finally came to his senses:

It turns out it was all an act.

Whether you want to or not, whether you are willing or not, it's all empty talk, all an illusion.

The only real thing is whether the meeting to divide the spoils is over or not. Once the guests have settled their seating arrangements, the banquet should begin, and no one will ask what the ingredients already on their plates think.

Left with no other choice, Cao Huan had to affix his imperial seal to the abdication edict. This edict was then placed on the desk in the study of the Prince of Jin's residence, in front of Sima Zhao.

"Jia Gonglu, now that the Emperor has issued the abdication edict, what should I do?"

Sima Zhao suppressed his excitement, pretended to be indifferent, and looked at Jia Chong sitting in front of him to ask.

"Your Majesty may now issue an edict to ascend the throne and become Emperor."

Let Cao Huan become the King of Chenliu, a hereditary title, so he can live a wealthy life.

This way, he looks respectable, and His Majesty looks respectable too.

Jia Chong said slowly, having already changed his form of address.

All the veils have been torn off, revealing only naked self-interest behind them.

The Prince of Jin wanted to advance his career, as did Jia Chong and others. Everyone wanted to advance their careers and had a bright future!
"How about we decline again?"

When the time came, Sima Zhao became somewhat uncertain.

At this moment, he felt both guilty and eager, wanting to rule the world but also worried about opposition, caught in a battle between his left and right brain.

"Your Majesty, what are you waiting for?"

Jia Chong looked at Sima Zhao, and his resolute gaze made Sima Zhao feel somewhat unfamiliar and fearful.

Yes, what am I waiting for?

Sima Zhao's inner emotions were churning.

"Then...when should I ascend the throne?"

Sima Zhao asked, his throat a little dry.

"The autumn harvest celebration is the founding ceremony of the nation. On the day of the ceremony, His Majesty will ascend the throne and become emperor!"
The country's name was changed to: Great Jin!

Jia Chong spoke solemnly, his aura like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

(End of this chapter)