Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 230 Asking Ghosts and Gods Instead of the People (Part 2)
It was afternoon, and at the Mengjin ferry crossing on the banks of the Yellow River, banners fluttered in the wind.

All the boats at the ferry dock had been emptied, leaving only one magnificent two-story ship. Its entire body was covered with white paper, on which colorful patterns were drawn.

Although it looks similar in shape to a regular multi-story ship, it is much smaller in size.

A temporary circular altar was set up on the riverbank, and the altar was filled with incense tables with offerings, including chickens, ducks, cattle, sheep, incense, fruits, fish, shrimp and river delicacies.

Pei Xiu, who was in charge of the ceremony, held a scroll of sacrificial text in his hand and shouted, "First bow to the River God, praying for the River God to bless the country with peace and prosperity."

Sima Zhao, dressed in a red dragon robe, knelt down and performed a full prostration.

His attitude was very devout, and his bowing movements were meticulous.

"We bow to the river god a second time, praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests."

Pei Xiu recited another line, and Sima Zhao bowed again.

"We bow to the river god three times, praying that he will protect the Yellow River from flooding."

For his final bow, Sima Zhao knelt with utmost sincerity, his forehead touching the ground. Only after rising did he put on the imperial crown.

"The ceremony is complete. Send the offerings and the priestess onto the ceremonial boat! We will now escort the River God to his wedding!"

After Pei Xiu finished reading, he saw two imperial guards dragging a so-called "shaman" dressed in a loose white dress. She looked about twelve or thirteen years old and was still very young.

Her face was expressionless, as if she had already cried all her tears. She was dragged along by the Imperial Guards like a puppet, her toes leaving two thin grooves in the sand.

The priestess was taken to the so-called "ceremonial ship," and then eunuchs dressed in black palace robes carried the fish, shrimp, large turtles, and other things they had caught onto the ship.

The boat was towed away from the ferry by two escort boats and slowly sailed towards the middle of the Yellow River.

The priestess was tied to the bow of the ship, unable to move, and looked rather pitiful. Small grains of sand in the sands of time, when they hit an individual, can often be more devastating than meteorites.

Sima Zhao's face was ashen, while the expressions of his ministers behind him varied.

Some sighed with emotion, some stared straight ahead, and some closed their eyes because they couldn't bear to watch. On those faces, whether old or young, were deep and complex emotions.

No one spoke.

Soon, the ceremonial boat reached the middle of the river. From the two escorting boats, someone jumped into the Yellow River and used an iron spike to chisel open the side and bottom of the ceremonial boat.

The ceremonial ship, which was not particularly large, began to sink at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"No! No! I don't want to die!"

Aa ...

The witch, tied to the bow of the ship, began to wail and scream at the top of her lungs. The scene was truly heartbreaking and brought tears to the eyes of anyone who heard or saw it.

Unfortunately, this was of no use.

The two small boats sped away, and amidst the witch's wailing, the people on the boats watched helplessly as they sank beneath the surface of the river.

No one spoke, no one shed tears, and no one did anything superfluous.

They were like soldiers on the battlefield, executing their commander's orders with precision—cold and professional.

"Now read the eulogy!"

Beside the altar on the shore, Pei Xiu began to read the eulogy:

"We humbly behold the Great God, who originated from the Milky Way and gave birth to the nine realms. Kunlun poured forth jade, and piled up stones to flow with gold. It received a thousand rivers and contained all things, and traversed the nine lands to connect the central plains. In the past, Emperor Fuxi drew the trigrams and observed the patterns of the dragon and horse; Emperor Xia dredged the rivers and followed the prophecy of the black tortoise. The eight ropes that bind the land and the nine hills that bear virtue all look up to the nourishment of the great waves and receive the spirit of the great river."

In the past, before the Longmen Gorge was opened and the Lüliang Mountains were carved, the vast Huai Mountains and turbulent Xiangling Mountains were filled with the sounds of nature. Fortunately, Feng Yi stirred up the waves and Mi Fei raised the tides, guiding all rivers to the sea and bringing peace to the people on the plains. The pillar stood firm in the middle of the river, swallowing the raging torrents, allowing the common people to sow all kinds of grains, and the widowed and orphaned to find refuge by boat.

Today, we, with reverence, offer this jade tablet and solemnly present the sacrificial offerings: the finest sacrifice embodies our sincerity, and the clear water symbolizes our purity. Gazing upon the winding, turbid current, we contemplate the enduring depths of your virtuous influence. We pray that the divine spirit, riding a blue dragon, commands the Marquis of Yang; calming the raging waves at Mengjin, and restraining the furious surges at Dizhu. May our ships be free from the fear of capsizing, and our fields be blessed with bountiful harvests. May the black jade tablet forever guard the water's palace, and the azure jade forever reflect its clear radiance.

Standing by the flowing water, I pray with trepidation and awe: I fear the millet and sorghum will not yield a good harvest, I fear the sacrifices will not be plentiful. May the Great God perceive my sincere devotion amidst the surging waves, and show compassion and sorrow amidst the wind and torrents. I humbly offer this prayer, hoping for your acceptance!

After Pei Xiu finished reading the eulogy, he saw Sima Zhao nod at him without changing his expression.

He immediately shouted, "The sacrificial ceremony is complete. Please return to the Phoenix Mountain camp with the Emperor and all ministers!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Sima Zhao, guided by the eunuch, turned and left Mengjin Ferry, boarded the imperial carriage, and headed towards Phoenix Mountain, which was not far to the south.

For this sacrificial ceremony outside Luoyang, the Imperial Guards camp was located on the plain at the foot of Phoenix Mountain.

Phoenix Mountain gets its name from the poem "The phoenix cries out, on that high hill" in the Book of Songs, Greater Odes, Juan'a. Its shape resembles a phoenix spreading its wings, and it can be seen from afar, so it is impossible to get lost.

On the banks of the Yellow River not far from Mengjin Ferry, Jia Yu wept bitterly in Wei Xiu's arms. Between sobs, she complained, "My lord has been captured. What are we going to do now? How could the emperor be so cruel as to drown eighty-one girls in the river?"

They witnessed the entire sinking of the ceremonial ship. They were willing but powerless to do anything about it.

They seemed to hear the young witch uttering the most vicious curse upon Sima Zhao. However, the distance was too great, and the emperor probably didn't hear it.

Even if I heard it, I wouldn't care.

"When the Zhou dynasty rose to power, the phoenix cried out on Mount Qi; when it declined, Du Bo shot the king at Hao."

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

Wei Xiu sighed, patted Jia Yu on the back, and gave her a subtle hint.

"What do you mean? I don't understand."

Jia Yu asked in confusion, "She has big breasts, but she's not very bright."

Wei Xiu thought to herself: You really can't see what Sima Zhao is trying to do. Ah Lang understood immediately upon hearing this news.

"Let's go to Phoenix Mountain too. There should be a good show tonight."

Wei Xiu tried to persuade Jia Yu. However, Jia Yu shook his head and said, "My lord said we cannot leave Mengjin Ferry. If anything happens, we should immediately flee back to Qingzhou."

You're so stubborn!

Wei Xiu was secretly furious, but in the end she sighed and nodded without objecting to Jia Yu's suggestion.

It's a bit of a shame not to be able to watch the excitement, but... never mind. There are auspicious omens tonight; Wei Xiu is quite curious to see how Sima Zhao will put on his act.

The story of the phoenix singing at Qishan already exists. If Sima Zhao also makes some noise at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, wouldn't that prove that "the Jin Dynasty rose here"?
Considering Sima Zhao's recent sacrifice to the River God, the emperor's thinking was actually very clear: after establishing the country, he wanted to prove his legitimacy to the world by concocting some supernatural and divine remedies to fool people.

Wei Xiu secretly despised him.

"Let's wait here for news, together with Zhao Lun and the others."

Wei Xiu patted Jia Yu's small hand and said with some regret.

……

Inside the Imperial Guard camp at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, preparations for the evening banquet were in full swing. Tonight, they would camp here, where Emperor Sima Zhao would host a grand feast for his officials!

The military camp was heavily guarded on the outside, but inside a banquet was being prepared, with people coming and going busily.

However, the atmosphere inside the central command tent was not as lively as outside; instead, it was tense and awkward.

Sima Zhao sat in the seat of honor, his expression grim, seemingly suppressing his anger. Empress Wang Yuanji, dressed in formal attire, sat beside him, her head bowed, lost in thought.

Shi Shouxin stood bound hand and foot in the center of the military tent, flanked by many ministers who had accompanied him on this trip.

People like Pei Xiu, Jia Chong, and Zheng Chong, except for Chen Qian who went to Jingxiang to serve as Grand Commander, almost all the prominent figures in the court were here.

Li Yin, Shi Shouxin's father-in-law, was also present.

"Li Yin, Shi Shouxin is your son-in-law. What crime do you think he should be punished for?"

Sima Zhao looked at Li Yin and asked.

Eighty-one young girls were supposed to be sacrificed, but Shi Shouxin snatched eighty of them! It would be a miracle if Sima Zhao wasn't furious!

However, Li Yin slowly said:
"Your Majesty, Shi Shouxin is my son-in-law, and I should have avoided any appearance of impropriety."

However, I have another matter on my mind that I should mention.

We are all men, and it is probably difficult for us to truly empathize with the plight of these girls.

Since the sacrifice this time is for a girl, why don't we let the Queen tell us what to do?

After all, the Empress was a woman; her words carried more weight, and she understood people's hearts better.

He passed the buck directly to Wang Yuanji.

Although Li Yin was being sophistical, it must be said that this was an opportunity for Wang Yuanji to shine.

Wang Yuanji really couldn't refuse.

"Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Sima Zhao looked at Wang Yuanji and asked.

The fact that these men were making pronouncements about how the girl should be sacrificed seemed like overstepping their bounds. Since Wang Yuanji was also a woman, her account was more convincing.

"Shi Shouxin, these eighty girls were kidnapped by your men. What do you have to say about this?"

Wang Yuanji turned to Shi Shouxin and asked, "Respect the elderly as you would your own parents, and care for the young as you would your own children."

Every family has elders and children; I have nothing to say.

Shi Shouxin looked at Wang Yuanji and said.

"Isn't the sacrifice to the River God for the sake of all living beings?"

Sima Zhao looked at Shi Shouxin and asked, his anger subsiding slightly. At least it proved that Shi Shouxin hadn't deliberately caused trouble.

He then looked at Sima Yan, who was very close to him, and asked, "What did the Crown Prince say?"

How to say?
Sima Yan was taken aback, inwardly cursing: What does this have to do with me! Say whatever you want!
However, he did not speak, but looked at his advisor Yang Xiu and asked for help.

At this moment, Yang Xiu stepped forward decisively, bowed to Sima Zhao, and said:

"Your Majesty, let's not talk about Shi Shouxin, but the River God actually wants eighty-one young girls. He is really arrogant and has a huge appetite."

Even His Majesty only has a few concubines, yet the River God took eighty-one wives and concubines in one go.

It truly showed no respect for the emperor.

Such a River God is a lewd deity. Your Majesty should learn from Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang) and slay the white snake!

If this River God is executed, then naturally there will be other River Gods to manage the Yellow River. No matter how powerful the River God is, he cannot be more powerful than Your Majesty.

What does Your Majesty think?

Only magic can defeat magic!
Yang Xiu's twisted logic may seem like sophistry at first glance, but upon closer examination, it does make some sense.

What kind of dog is the River God? Giving him tribute is already giving him face. The so-called marriage proposal is just a token gesture. How dare he ask the emperor for eighty-one young girls?

Since it has reached out, its hand should be chopped off, otherwise where is the emperor's majesty?

If the River God hadn't asked for it, why would the Emperor have offered eighty-one maidens as sacrifices to him? Wouldn't that be the Emperor lowering himself in status?
Therefore, Sima Zhao's excuse is untenable, and this matter is probably... over. Anyway, the human sacrifice has already been completed; whether one person is sacrificed or a hundred is still sacrifice, and to outsiders there is little difference.

"Your Majesty, although Shi Shouxin's actions were rash, his love for the young and his adherence to filial piety were not wrong. It's just that he did not consult with Your Majesty beforehand."

It would be better to fine him a year's salary as a punishment.

Wang Yuanji took Sima Zhao's arm and suggested.

Nothing can compare to the word "filial piety".

What is "filial piety"? Respecting the elderly and caring for the young is filial piety, or at least one of them.

Preventing the eighty-year-old girl from being sacrificed is, of course, in accordance with filial piety.

The board was raised high, then gently lowered. A year's salary deduction was hardly a problem.

Wang Yuanji's words were not entirely for the superficial reason; she was also worried that Shi Shouxin would fight to the death.

Hopefully, letting Shi Shouxin off the hook this time will make him more discreet and less likely to spread those things around.

“Your Majesty, Shi Shouxin has committed a grave error. It would be better to let him stay by my side and let me properly instruct him.”

Sima Yan stepped forward and made the request, without even putting on an act, directly trying to poach the employee.

Sima Zhao was secretly annoyed, but simply waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to meddle. I have my own plans."

After a moment of contemplation, Sima Zhao finally decided that... it would be better to just let it go.

Shi Shouxin's womanly kindness will ultimately prevent him from causing any real trouble. Forgiving his sins will only demonstrate his own humility.

"Someone, untie them!"

Sima Zhao gave an order.

The eunuchs stepped forward and untied Shi Shouxin. Sima Zhao then sighed and said, "Shi Shouxin, let's let this matter go today. This is not to be repeated. From now on, serve me well in Qingzhou, understand?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shi Shouxin bowed to Sima Zhao, then walked to a position near the door and stood there.

"The banquet will begin at 5 PM. Everyone may leave now."

Sima Zhao gently raised his hand, signaling that the officials could disperse.

After everyone had left, Sima Zhao looked at Wang Yuanji and asked, "Why did the Empress plead for Shi Shouxin?"

He was somewhat puzzled. It seemed that Wang Yuanji didn't like Shi Shouxin, at least not until today; in fact, her dislike for him was quite evident.

"Anshi and Taofu are getting old. Anshi has many children, and Taofu's wife, Jia, is pregnant."

It's good to accumulate good karma for future generations. I think Shi Shouxin's actions are perfectly acceptable.

Your Majesty should issue a minor punishment as a warning, lest it discourage the ministers.

In my opinion, many people sympathize with him, and Du Yuankai is one of them.

Wang Yuanji spoke eloquently and made a lot of sense.

There was even a hint of reproach in it: You didn't consult me, the Empress, about the matter of the virgin sacrifice. If I had known, I certainly wouldn't have agreed to sacrifice so many people at once.

"I only resent his unruly nature, not this matter."

Sima Zhao sighed, grumbled something, and then stopped thinking about it.

The sacrifice to the River God is merely a prelude; the auspicious signs tonight are the real highlight!
The hour of You (5-7 PM) arrived quickly.

Sima Zhao stepped out of the imperial tent and saw that the area within the camp had already been cordoned off. A bonfire burned in the center of the banquet hall, and cooks were preparing dishes inside, surrounded by white curtains. The dishes were served directly as soon as they were ready.

Many long tables were arranged in a large circle, and the ministers and military officers were already seated. Only on the raised platform, the long table reserved for the emperor was unoccupied.

Everyone was waiting for Sima Zhao to enter. Tonight was a grand "ceremony," and nothing could go wrong.

Sima Zhao slowly walked up to the high platform. He had already put aside the matter of the sacrifice to the River God during the day.

The emperor was not only excited, but also in high spirits.

Sima Zhao felt he could kill a tiger tonight!

"Open the banquet!"

As Emperor Sima Zhao and Empress Wang Yuanji took their seats, Pei Xiu, who was in charge of etiquette, shouted a command.

call!call!
The smoke signal was lit, and the black flames shot into the sky, making it very conspicuous from a distance. Even when the sky had darkened, the smoke could still be seen from afar.

Delicious dishes were served one after another, and Sima Zhao invited his ministers to drink and eat, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Before long, a strange sound came from afar, standing out against the silent night sky.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Chirp! Chirp!

It sounds like the call of some kind of large bird.

"Your Majesty! That's the cry of a phoenix! That's the cry of a phoenix

"The phoenix cries out, on that high hill! It comes from over there!"

Jia Chong stood up, pointed in the direction from which the sound came from, and danced with excitement.

The ministers all understood immediately. Pei Xiu walked to Sima Zhao's side, pointed in the direction of the phoenix's cry, and said, "Your Majesty, let's go take a look over there! It's the phoenix! The phoenix's cry in Qi signifies the rise of the Great Zhou. The phoenix's cry in Luo signifies the rise of the Great Jin!"

Pei Xiu was so excited that she couldn't contain herself.

Sima Zhao also took Wang Yuanji's hand and followed the other officials toward the direction of Fengming.

Shi Shouxin, who was engrossed in eating, glanced at Sima Zhao and his group, then continued eating as if nothing had happened.

Suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder. Shi Shouxin looked up and saw that it was his father-in-law, Li Yin.

"Why don't we go take a look together?"

Li Yin winked at Shi Shouxin and offered his suggestion.

"They're all faking being drunk. I've never seen anyone actually drunk. It's pointless."

Shi Shouxin muttered a complaint and then buried his head in his food.

"It's good to be a little confused sometimes."

Are you eating here all by yourself to prove you're smarter than them?

Go check it out, you won't regret it.

Li Yin grabbed Shi Shouxin's arm and pulled him up in one swift motion.

(End of this chapter)